"Baby, why don't you just go ahead and I'll go park the car and bring our stuff. I have a raincoat." Howie proposed, leaning over Dawn and opening the door. "Here's the key"
She nodded and took the dangling key from his finger. When stepping out of the vehicle, she immediately pulled her vest over her head and ran up the stoned path. After a brief struggle to unlock the door, it finally let her in. She kicked off her shoes and flicked on the lights. 'The man has taste' Dawn marveled as she took in the sight. The cottage was beach side; the rumbling from the storm only increasing the sound of the crashing waves. Romantic in its own peculiar way. After taking in all there was to see on the first floor, she casually made her way up the staircase. There wasn't much on the second floor, only two bedrooms and a type of living area with a love seat, a chair and a coffe table. Right when she was going to go back down, the phone started to ring. She hurried to pick up the receiver in one of the bedrooms.
"Hello?" she answered as she shut the window to keep the rain and noise out.
"You're late"
Her breath caught in her throat, sheer terror taking control of her body.
"You know I hate it when you're late"
Dawn's eyes were large with fear as she dropped the phone.
The next time, the voice came from behind "The new one is a bad influence Dawn."
At those icy words, Dawn's breath became short and ragged. Her biggest fear now a reality! Why didn't she report those phone calls? Why did she deny herself the truth? She knew who the person was all along. But now it was too late to do anything about it. "Eric..." she croaked.
"You shouldn't have left me Dawn" Eric's voice said in an eerie calmness "I warned you not to leave me"
Coming up behind her, he grabbed her around the neck with his arm. She felt something cold press against her temple and the next thing she heard sent shivers up her spine. It was Howie!
"Babe, where are ya?" he howled as his footsteps were heard quickly approaching them.
She stared blankly at the door infront of her, the grip around her throat tightening. She began to grapple against him so she could free herself. Worn him!
Eric's mouth lowered to her ear and he told her to stop "Or you'll regret it..."
Dawn watched in horror as the doorknob turned. As it clicked, so did the object on her temple. Panicking, she freed herself from his hold and screamed "Howie!!!!!!"
Emidiatly, she was hurled to the floor and all she could make out in her panic was the sound of one gunshot and the horrid picture of Howie's body slumping backwards to the ground.
**Earlier**
Trying as best he could to keep his eyes on the road, his heart kept on forcing him to turn his head over to Kristy. He felt absolutely horrible for her. She refused to speak, only telling him to let it go. But her sobs restrained him from doing so. After a while, he just couldn't take it any more and swerved to the side of the road.
"Brian, please..." Kristy pleaded, finally looking at him.
He shook his head "You'll feel better if you talk about it" he said, placing a hand on her leg, which sent unexpected goosebumps up both of their arms "Trust me. I know what you're going through"
"How could you possible know what I'm going through?" Kristy questioned chuckling in disbelief
His brow arched at her poor memory "Well- Felicity"
She bit her lip "I'm sorry about what happened with her Bri. We all are... But I just... I just feel so dirty and cheap!"
"There's no reason for that!" he objected "It's that son of a bitch who's to blame here. You're a beautiful, nice, sweet, wonderful woman..." He stopped in mid-sentence when he realized just what he was saying. Up until then, he didn't recognize the feelings he had for her. She was everything he'd said and so much more... He felt confused and somewhat motivated. He looked down at his hand which was still resting on her leg and shivered.
Kristy looked at him with hope, ignorant to the turmoil he was going through. "Brian..." she quivered, falling into his arms for a well deserved hug.
He held her tightly against him. It felt so good to hold someone this way again. Their cheeks brushed, and just as she was about to move away, Brian's lips traveled to hers for a soft kiss.
Once what was going on hit her, she pushed him away "Brian- what are you doing?" she asked, shaking her head.
"Kissing you?!" he offered sheepishly.
"Brian, I asked you to hug me, not kiss me!!!"
He looked away disgracefully "I'm sorry. I just thought..."
"Brian- please just forget about it and bring me home!"
He did as he was told, and drove her back in silence. He'd sure fucked this one up!!
**Later**
A.J tried to keep his jacket wrapped around himself despite the strong winds complicating the task. Alyssa and him had been walking for what seemed like hours through the woods, and to his great defeat, got more and more lost by the minute. Nothing looked familiar. He tried not to let it effect him, but that became increasingly difficult by the second.
"Lyss, can you see anything?" he asked loudly. Not getting an answer, he spun around and found himself alone. He began to panic as he frantically screamed out her name. The pouring rain kept his vision short, which worried him further. "Alyssa!!!!" he hollered once again, unsuccessfully. Just as he was about to lose his mind, he heard the faint sound of his name being called. He followed the voice until he reached a figure crumpled in the mud.
"Lyss!" he shouted, squatting down to her side "Get up!"
Alyssa looked up with pain in her eyes "I can't!" she cried "I think I sprained my ankle"
"You have to! You can't just stay here" A.J demanded.
She shook her head "I tried. I cant walk!"
He looked at her with worried eyes. She was still in her skimpy maid's outfit which by now, was completely glued to her skin. Her nylons were torn and she was missing one of her heals. He'd never known her to be a quitter, so if she said she couldn't walk, it meant that she'd done all she could, but still failed.
The rain only got stronger, making the drops feel like ice pellets against their skin. He removed his jacket and placed it around Lyss's shoulders and tried to lift her up. As soon as she was brought to her feet, she cried out in agony.
"Aje I can't" she said in tears "It hurts too much. I don't have the energy. Just leave me here..."
He saw how weak she was and refused "That's not an option" he said firmly.
Bending down a bit, his arm reached just bellow her bum and he lifted her over his shoulder.
"What are you doing?" she yelled, her head hanging up-side-down; her long hair nearly touching the muddy surface.
"I'm carrying you! It's the only way"
He struggled to keep the girl on his shoulder as he desperately searched for cover. He felt her go numb when she lost consciousness from the blood rushing to her head, which increased her body weight. He dropped to his knees and took her arm around his neck and chose to drag her the rest of the way. He wandered around some more, and was about to give up when he spotted a roof! Hallelujah. Salvation! He hurried forth and was even more relieved when he realized that it was his cottage! When he reached the door, he took the key from his pocket, and in his haste, dropped it. When he finally was able to open the door, he switched on the light. Thankfully, the power hadn't been knocked out in this region. Immediately, he brought a barely conscious Alyssa in the kitchen and pondered on what to do with her. He pulled her to the bathroom and turned the light on and sat her down on the toilet; one hand holding her so she wouldn't fall, the other turning the shower on. As the water got hotter, he slowly and uncomfortably began to peel the clothes of her body. She didn't resist, mainly because she didn't have the strength. Her eyes were only open to a slit. Once he'd removed his own jacket from her shoulders, he unzipped the back of her dress and carefully dismissed it. Next came her nylons. Now only in her bra and panties, A.J decided to leave her like that. He would have felt like if he was taking advantage of her if he'd removed any more items. Once again, he hoisted her up and placed her in the tub, the hot water cascading down her body.
She let out moan as A.J watched. Her body shuddered from the sudden change of temperature.
A.J left for a short while, and returned in dry clothes with a towel hung on his arm. He could tell that Lyss was more awaken, but still frail. He turned the shower off and scooped her up in his arms. He wrapped her in the towel and lifted her to the bedroom. He sat her down on the bed next to the large T-shirt he had prepared for her. With extreme difficulty, he pulled the shirt over her head and her arms through the holes. He sat her up and she leaned heavily against him, his free hand pulling the covers to the side so that he could gingerly slip her underneath. He watched her stir with an amused smile on his lips. Never would he have imagined coming to her rescue. She was always the strong one... He could tell that more than anything now, she was exhausted. Placing a tender kiss on her forehead, he left the room so that she could get some sleep.
Now if only he could do the same...
**Before**
Nick's blue eyes glowed in the dark of the room, and as much as I tried, I couldn't tare myself away from them long enough to speak. I just could not believe what I had read. He liked me?! Nick liked me!? No. It couldn't be. I would have noticed. Or did I? All those weird sensations I got when I was around him... was that it? Oh lord, why wasn't he saying anything?
"Nick" I stuttered nervously "You- I mean... Is this true?"
He stared at her, his heart still in a knot. How the hell was he going to get out of this one? She knew his secret and there was no escaping it. He ducked his head in shame "Yes"
I gasped at his answer, cupping my mouth with my hands. "But Nick. You can't" I stammered.
Despite the blackness which surrounded us, I could see him look up with a nondescript expression. I suppose that look matched his emotions. "I can't?!" he said loudly "God Eli, do you have any idea how much I know that? I've been kicking myself not to. Ever since I first laid eyes on you, I felt something! When you were dating Brian... I knew something was there! I was killing myself not to let myself love you Eli- I've tried all I could! I never wanted to fall in love with you, it just happened!" he paused a second when he felt the tears rolling down his cheeks. He took another deep breath "I just...."
His sentence was cut off by a pair of worm lips pressing themselves against his own. It took him a while to catch on, but when he did, his heart melted as he tasted his tears mingle with her own.
I felt his fingers entwine themselves in my wet hair as he pulled me closer. Our lips met again, igniting a spark in me I'd tried to keep buried inside for so long. When he felt my tongue slip hesitantly between his lips, he was promptly brought back to reality.
"Eli..." he said as he slightly backed away and looked into my eyes.
I placed my finger over his lips. I knew what he meant. Brian "Nick" I said, keeping my tears back as much I could. "I love Brian". I saw his heart leap into his throat, so I quickly continued "Just like I love Kevin and Howie. But Nick... you're who I'm in love with. I've always been in love with you!"
Their foreheads touched lovably, both letting out relieved smiles along with a sob. He'd been waiting so long to hear her say those words. Cupping her face in his strong hands, he looked her straight in the eye "I love you" he said again before taking her in for another kiss.
I began to tingle with the touch of his fingers tracing the outline of my body through my bathrobe. I separated myself and looked at him lustfully as I removed the robe from my trembling body; letting it drop at my feet. A gentle breeze hit my worm flesh as goosebumps invaded me.
Nick's hands wandered across her back as their tongues continued to tango. It felt so good to hold her like this. To touch her the way he'd been longing to for so long. Guiding her to the bed, he gently lay her down. Her fingers delicately grazed his chest as his muscles contracted under her touch. She continued down over his abs, until she reached his towel. As she tugged gently on the tucked end, Nick broke the kiss. She gave him a pained and confused look.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked sweetly, caressing her peachy cheek with the back of his hand. The last thing he wanted at this point was to have another incident like the one at the party. When they were drunk...
She bit her lip and gave the towel one final strong tug, dismissing it to the floor.
Nick smiled down at her "Just making sure"
As his hands roamed my body, I was finding it increasingly difficult to keep my senses intact. His smooth, angelic fingers felt like silk against my skin and I just couldn't help letting out a few muffled moans. Nothing had ever felt so right before! It was all so clear now. Nick was who I was meant to be with.
Placing himself over her, he held her hands behind her head and began to suck at the tender flesh on her neck. The small moans escaping her lips only drove him wilder with desire. Letting go of one of her wrists, his hand traveled down between her thighs, letting two fingers slide into her. She let out yet another moan, only louder this time, her free hand clasping around the back of his neck at the unfamiliar sensation. She nibbed at his bottom lip as their mouths met again in a passionate embrace.
"Nick" she uttered softly in between kisses.
He let out an acknowledging whimper, then looked into her mesmerizing hazel eyes, and knew precisely what she wanted to say.
Without the need of further instruction, Nick placed himself more comfortably, so that he'd be straddling her. Reaching out for his wallet on the night table, he pulled out a condom and slipped it on.
Again, he took her wrists and pinned them above her head and positioned himself over her. Slowly, almost painfully slowly, he entered her, causing her to cry out in a combination of pain and pleasure.
Slowly, he began his pace. Her legs wrapped themselves around his waist, pushing him further into her. The two of them moved rhythmically, as soft gentle thrust became more forceful with desire. Eli opened her eyes to watch Nick. His head was turned inwards, but as if he could feel her gaze, he moved his head and looked directly into her eyes as a small grin crept on both their lips, knowing that nothing in the world could ever feel so right. He could feel her walls contract around him, her hips bucking underneath, and knew it wouldn't be long till she came. Moving his hands from her wrist, he intertwined his fingers in hers, their eyes still locked as they both reached their peak.
Panting softly, he lay down beside Eli and pulled her in to the safety of his strong arms. After their breathing returned to normal, Nick reached out for the light cover and placed it over their nude bodies. Still held in his embrace, Eli twisted her neck and stared into his eyes. "I love you" she said, before dropping her head on the pillow and falling asleep.
"You have no idea" he whispered adoringly, before he too fell into a blissful sleep, his arms still holding her as is he were never to let go.
**Some Time After 3 AM**
Still in a trance, A.J tossed another crumpled up newspaper into the fire he had made. His knees pulled to his chest, his chin resting on them, he began to jab at the paper with a poker. The events of the passed two days kept replaying in his mind. Amanda's brake up, and then Lyss. He kept trying to make himself hurt over Amanda, but it just wasn't working. What was happening to him? He should have been crushed, but instead he found himself concentrating on Alyssa more than anything else. Why was that?...
**~~**
Taking 3 times the amount of time it usually would, Alyssa finally made it to the bottom of the staircase. She'd woken up shortly after A.J had left her, and despite how tired she was, she was enable to fall back asleep. Observing her surroundings, she could see a faint light beaming behind her. Turning around, she saw that the fireplace had been lit. So she hopped over. Clumsy as she was, she failed to notice the loose wire next to the couch, so her injured foot got caught in it and yanked the lamp, sending it crashing to the floor. A.J bolted up from where he was sitting looking like he'd just crapped his pants
"Woops..." she said quietly.
"You scared the shit out of me!" A.J yelled, making his way over to help her out.
Alyssa continued to hop to the fireplace, not letting him lend a hand. She was strong. She could manage.
"You should be sleeping" A.J said, taking a place next to her on the floor.
She shrugged as she listened to the soothing crackles from the fire. It was so peaceful.
A.J was sitting Indian style, playing with the ruffles of the carpet. He looked over at her, straining his eyes. God, she was just so amazingly beautiful! A natural belle. Even with out make up, ill looking and in an old, chewed up shirt, she could still woo countless men around her pincky finger. The most endearing part was that she was utterly oblivious to it! She just thought herself plain, and well, bleh! Of course, she never let anyone know. But A.J knew. A.J knew so much more about her than she could ever imagine. He saw passed all her games, because he had played them long before. She was just... wow.
"Lyss"
Alyssa turned to face him. He had a stupid little smirk on his face and she frowned at it. 'So annoying' she thought.
"What?" she asked, searching his eyes for an answer.
Inching closer, he took her chin between his thumb and index finger and gave her a serious look. There were so many things to say. So many emotions that were being felt. There was only one thing that could sum it up...
"I love you" he said before meeting her lips. The second they touched, he backed off to see her reaction. Clearly, she had been startled. Her emerald green eyes were large with confusion, and for the first time in her life she was rendered speechless.
"I'm sorry I've been such a jerk" he said sincerely, watching the flames dancing in her eyes "I just didn't know how to handle these feelings. They were new and frightening and... I love you" he said again, leaning in and taking her in for yet another kiss.
As their tongues mingled savagely, Alyssa's mind kept drifting off. This was exactly what she wanted! Oh how she wished she could play hard to get, but the power this man had over her was simply so overwhelming, she knew there was no use fighting it! It was fate. She let out a moan as all softened to small, intermittent kisses.
He stroked her face and pulled her between his legs, placing his arms on her shoulders and wrapping them around her. He tenderly kissed the back of her neck and sweetly whispered how much she meant to him in her ear.
She wanted to speak, but if anything would be said, it would just ruin the moment. So they just watched as the flames died out, eventually falling asleep from exhaust in each others arms. Both with content grins across their lips.
