Amelia

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Amy sat as still as she could while she listened to the priest saying a pray for her mother. No matter how much she tried to focus all she could think about was why she was even at her mom’s funeral. The last time she had seen her mom was when she was nine. Child Protection Services had taken her away on her ninth birthday after the police had been called. Amy’s mom had been a meth user working as a prostitute. The phone call on her thirty third birthday informing her of her birth mother's death had been quite a shock. Amy was still trying to understand why she had been listed as the emergency contact. She didn’t even know her mom was in Washington until that faithful night. For all Amy knew she was living a new life away from California and away from the woman she hated. Judging by how empty the church was, Amy was sure no one knew or care that her mom had died.

The priest did the sigh of the cross, which Amy dutifully copied, then finished the service. Since the cost of the funeral had but put upon Amy’s shoulders she was having her mom cremated. The service was held before the actual cremation because Amy didn’t want to deal with the ashes. She had left that tiny detail up to the church. They could scatter the pile of dust that was her mom in the ocean for all she cared.

The tall priest with soft green eyes approached Amy. He placed a warm hand on her shoulder and gave her a reassuring smile. She waited until he left then stood up so she could leave. The bill had been settled two days ago, and now this was finally behind her. Outside in the crisp air she pulled her trench coat a little tighter around her body. She took a deep breath and watched her breath fog in front of her face. How she wished it would snow! She loved the snow, and today would be perfect to lift her mood. As she walked back to work she checked her watch noticing she was still good on time. Normal people wouldn’t schedule their parent’s funeral during their lunch breaks. Hell, normal people would have told their boss so they could take some time off. Amy told no one she knew, not even her adopted parents.

Carol would have demanded Amy talk to someone and her dad would have wanted her to have a drink. She smiled thinking of her parents. She was excited to see them on Thanksgiving. She had a secret and she had been bursting at the seams to tell her mom. Carol and Mike’s natural daughter Kylie was getting married. When Kylie told Amy first she felt, finally, like she was a member of the Clarke family.

Having been nine when she was introduced to them and adopted by them when she was ten, Amy was always nervous about being sent back to foster care. She had been reluctant in opening up to them about her past, even more so about trusting them. She had been afraid they would notify the police and Amy would be in trouble.

“Hey Amelia!” Cassie shouted from across the street.

She was a coworker from the legal department where Amy worked. Amy waved, then looked to her left then right before crossing the street. Cassie was struggling to keep her dark brown hair shoved underneath a beanie that was too small for her head. Amy smiled as she stood awkwardly in front of this odd woman. Cassie’s blue eyes sparkled with excitement. She pressed her lips together then pulled Amy to her chest wrapping her arms tightly around her. Stiffened with awkwardness Amy kept her arms at her sides. She wasn’t used to this kind of treatment at work. As a Human Resource Manager she was busy wondering if this was some kind of sexual harassment violation.

“I have wonderful news and I have to tell you.” Cassie’s smile split her face in two.

Amy could only imagine how much Cassie’s cheeks must be hurting right now.

“What do you want to tell me?” she asked.

Suddenly the cold began to affect Amy. Her small body trembled inside the trench coat tightly wrapped around her.  She wanted nothing more than to find relief in her office. Cassie bounced on the balls of her feet while clapping her hands together rapidly.

“I’m having a baby!”

Amy nodded as she walked into the building, Cassie hot on her heels. She reached the elevator pressing the button to go up on the elevator. “I’m so happy for you. When are you due?” she asked flatly.

Cassie ignored this and continued on as though she heard excitement in Amy’s voice. “I’m four months now, I was hoping to get a better idea of how much time I’m allotted off for maternity leave. I wanted to at least take two months but I heard Janet from Accounting took four months off.”

Amy stepped into the elevator. She had employees coming to her on a conveyor belt trying to get any kind of juicy details about other co-workers. Without confirming the gossip Amy smiled and said. “I can go over the details of the company policy for you when we get to my office. “

Cassie face fell from excitement to devastation just as the elevator doors cocooned them inside. Once the elevator reached the seventh floor there was a ding and the doors opened sliding like pocket doors into the sides. Cassie followed Amy to her office like a faithful golden retriever. The short walk was pleasant given Cassie kept her mouth shut.

“Please take a seat.” Amy pointed to a comfortable arm chair she had perched in front of her desk. Being a Human Resource Manager with the need for control had its perks. She was well valued at Bowers and Bowers. Cassie did as she was told, gingerly lowering herself down like she was further along then she had claimed.

Amy adjusted some files on her desk, really she was making sure all sensitive material was out of view. Since taking her position at Bower and Bowers Amy found anyone who talked to her only wanted to get to know her for information. They either wanted information on the other coworkers or information on the heads of the company. Little did they know Amy could be very tight lipped.

By the time Cassie had the information she needed it was already time to pack up and go home. The woman seemed unable to hold on to simple information. She was tuning off her computer when her cell phone rang.

She smiled upon seeing her mom’s name pop up on the screen.

“I’m walking out right now.” She said with the biggest goofiest grin she could form.

“I’m so mad at you.” He mom laughed into the phone.

Amy turned off the lights in her office and locked the door behind her. After giving it one more check she headed for the elevators.
“She told you.” Amy giggled.

“You knew all this time and  you didn’t say anything.” Her mom tried very hard to sound hurt but she couldn’t keep the laughter out of her voice.

“I wanted to tell you but she swore me to secrecy.”

The elevator doors ding, Amy walked out of the elevator with light steps. She was very happy for her sister, even more happy that her brother would have to take time off from the ER to attend Kylie’s engagement party.

‘I’m on my way home now. I’ll call you in the morning, we have so much to plan.” Amy smile into the  phone even though her mom couldn’t see. Carol made her so very happy and she adored her, “I love you.” She said before hanging up on her adopted mom.

In the morning Amy drank her tea while looking out the window watching the rain fall. This was her favorite part of November, all the rain.  Soon her mom would come and pick her up so they could go over the details of Kylie’s engagement party. Poor Kylie wasn’t going to have much say in the matter, and her future husband Eric had even less. They had only just gotten engaged and weren’t planning on announcing it to anyone until they were at least six months in. Once Carol had found out the date of the wedding she took matters into her own hands. Kylie hadn’t even picked out her Maid of Honor yet. Amy just hoped she wouldn’t be chosen. She and her sister might be as close as two sisters could be but she didn’t want her sister to feel obligated because they grew up together.

She sighed as she dumped her cold tea down the drain. It was time for her shower, she had about twenty minutes before her mom showed up barking orders.

For one brief moment she allowed herself to sulk in the hot water as she thought about the turn of events. The week had started with the news of her birth mother’s death, followed by her adopted mom getting excited over an engagement. Normal children would have mourned the death of their old mothers even if they had been ripped away from them under shady conditions. Amy was different. She held no love in her heart for her birth mother. Everything she felt for the woman had been utter hate. Things in Amy’s life wouldn’t have been destroyed if it hadn’t been for her birth mom’s selfishness. For  all Amy knew she was the daughter of some man paying her mother for sex. He might have been the same man who raped her when she was very young. She shivered under the hot water as the memories trickled through her mind. Some days were better than others, and those were the days when she didn’t have dark thoughts. The memories of her rape were always in the back of her mind, lurking in the shadows just waiting to pounce on her happiness.  Some days she could muscle through them without batting an eye and other days she cringed even when the wind blew along her skin.

The only time Amy ever felt like a normal girl who didn't have a cloud over her head was when she and her childhood friend Jack Bennett had started dating in college. He had been very understanding about her feelings. Unlike her lovable brother he knew when he could touch her and when not to touch her. 

In the end his love wasn't enough, his cheating had proved that. 

Carol arrived at Amy's house just as she finished blow drying her hair. She ran a lint roller over her purple sweater and smiled at the woman who saved her so many years ago.

"My goodness Amelia you are so beautiful." her mom gushed. 

Amy batted her hand in the air as though she were knocking the kind words aside.  

"I'm not wearing any make up,and don't tell me that I look better without it because that is not true." she laughed. 

Carol shook her head then asked if Amy was ready to go. They were going to have lunch at their favorite restaurant while talking about party details.  They arrive at the small bistro called "Alex", and ordered their favorite salad. While waiting for their food Carol began to go over the color scheme she envisioned for the party. Amy nodded not really knowing what she was doing. She did have the same classic tastes as her family. They enjoyed cocktail parties and going the ballet. Amy didn't like dressing up when she didn't see a point. Wearing an Oscar worthy floor length gown was not something enjoyed. The more her mom spoke the more it became clear Amy was going to be the owner of another formal gown.
She looked up for a moment only to get a break from her mother's sketches and party ideas. She looked around the restaurant then turned her attention to the outside world beyond the window of the window.
That was when she met the very eyes that used to look deeply into hers and tell her just how much he loved her. It had been six years but he looked just the same, and he still made her heart fist in her chest.
Jack Bennett was home. 

The Fake Marriage of Olivia Laurent

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I have never had any desire to get married. My parents on the other hand wanted to see me married with lots of children. They wanted me to marry a man of certain wealth and title. Each man they placed in front of me were sent away with frustrated clench jaws or shaking their heads. My father had demanded I pick a husband and fast. I was steadily reaching the age of spinsterhood and no husband to fill my womb.
 At sixteen my mother had presented me to the fine British society and I was courted by many men.  I never let things get too far into an engagement and always found a reason to break it off. That had been eleven years ago....

At twenty-three the Boer War started and my father had decided my impending marriage could wait. I took the opportunity to get involved in with my mother’s circles. The “Ideas of Womanhood” were pounded in my head. Their ideas of what a woman is helped me make the biggest decision of my life.
I was not going to marry.
Really there wasn't a need for me too, I come from a wealthy family. My father had plenty of money, and marring my mother had only expanded his wealth. It was true I could not inherit his estate but he ensured me he would entrust his estate to someone worthy and I would be taken care of. In case I should never marry. 

Until one raining night in November on my twenty seventh birthday, when my father introduced me to his favorite card playing friend. That was the night I met Mr. Gabriel Laurent. I knew there was something different about Mr. Laurent. I just couldn't put my finger on it. I also knew he was clinging to a secret, I could tell by the way he smiled at me and the way his frosty blue eyes danced with mischievous.

“So, how is married life treating the both of you?” my mother asked.

We were sitting in her parlor room drinking very strong tea. Mine with a bit of cream and my husband’s with a bit of something else, but my mother didn’t need to know about that.

“Marriage is wonderful.” My husband smiled at my mother then took a quick sip of his warm tea. I eyed him cautiously as I tend to do.

He wasn’t the kind of man who seemed normal, at least not to me. After being married to the man for six months I wondered how anyone thought it possible he was normal.

“I hope that affection is growing?” My mother’s eyes sparkled with clinging hope. I knew she was worried that my finally getting married to a man substantial wealth might be a waste if I didn't start having children soon.

Showing much more affection then what he showed me at home, my husband patted my hand with his. He smiled at me, looking every bit the man falling in love.

“I think we need to spend more time together but we are getting along splendidly.”

“Oh mamma we are good friends, and very happy.” I assured her.

My husband’s jaw twitched ever so slightly. Had I not known what to look for when he was hungry I would have missed the twitch myself. During our fictitious courtship I learned so much about him that I couldn’t have made up if I tried. You see my husband Gabriel Laurent was on the run from his Uncle. He was to have a mate and assume his role as the next leader of his people but he had other plans. Gabriel had no intentions of being anything but a simple man, who could live forever.  Meeting me had been fortuitous for the both of us. My father had been increasing the pressure of me getting married. Each week I would protest and drive the poor man mad. Until that faithful night when I managed to figure out what Gabriel was. Since then he had come to terms with my knowledge of his secret by offering me some assistance. He would marry me and I could live the life I wanted to live as long as I told any strange men that I was his mate. At the time I thought he was silly, until last night when a so called strange man came over and asked me such a question.

“ Will you have a large family?” My mother asked pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Qui.” My husband answered in his native French tongue."Olivia and I want lots of children." 

My parents had looked pasted Gabriel’s French heritage because he was the only man I seemed interested in. I patted him affectionate on the arm. This was why we were visiting my mother. It was time for my husband and me to move away from England. I was to be taken to a place I had only read about. I was going to be French.

“Mother, this is why we are here.” I smiled hoping there wasn’t a crack in my lies. “Gabriel and I want to live in Paris.”

My mother froze. Her hand in midair holding a tea cup half way to her thin pink lips. Her small blue eyes darted from my face to my husband. It was anyone’s guess as to what she was thinking. All I noticed was fear in her eyes.

Gabriel placed his tea cup down on the saucer ever so gently. He then gripped my hand into his, a move he was getting far too comfortable with. I rested my free hand on top of his, only to sell our bond to my mother.

“Paris?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Gabriel and answered, “I have family there and I am to take my place in the family business.”

I let go of Gabriel’s hand in order to grab my tea cup bringing it quickly to my lips. I had to keep from snorting somehow. In truth his family had come from Paris, and they are substantially wealthy. What my mother did not know was my husband’s family ruled Paris. 

Percy and Morgan.. 5-12

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It was hot by the time the sun lifted its large round body from the clouds it had hidden behind that morning. The water in front of the crowd awaiting the rowing competition to start glittered from the glare of the light emulated by the sun. Not one person in the crowd went without wearing either sun glasses or a hat or even both. The scent of sunscreen and coconut lingered heavily in the air as though it came from a plant that was native to the area. There were people gathering along the edge of the river so they could get a better look at the match getting ready to start. Pippa had suggested to Morgan that they stand near a bench in case they grew tired of standing. As they approached the edge of the river Morgan caught Percy’s eye. He was wearing a blue shirt with red and white strips on the sides and blue spandex type shorts. He was talking to a man dressed similar to him. The man was just as tall and lean as Percy. His hair was blonde, and from where Morgan stood she was unable to tell the color of his eyes.

“That is David.” Pippa whispered in Morgan’s ear answering her unspoken question.

Morgan nodded in understanding. Pippa was secretly in love with a one David Holster. She had been hounding Morgan with letters with David as the main subject. Pippa made sure to mention everything David had or had not done when they were together. She was so infatuated with David, Pippa had offered to pick her brother up from his practices or drop him off. Even offering to hang out and watch his practices. Percy always denied her but that did not defer her quest. Pippa managed to fit travels to the river where the Oxford Rowing Club practice between trips to London. She even scheduled weekends where she could stay in Oxford just to watch her brother and his lovely friend.

The two friends watched as the men from the Oxford Rowing club climbed into their smooth wooden boat and began to paddle into the water. The wind softly picked up, rippling the surface of the water ahead of the boats. The teams lined up at the starting point and held their oars in anticipation of the start. A horn sounded nearby and the men began to paddle. A team mate sitting at the end of the boat began to shout. “ROW.” The men with the oars gritted their teeth, using the muscles in their legs to push and give strength to their arms so their oars would flow through the water effectively. A hush fell over the crowd in anticipation over which rowing club was going to take the lead. 

Oxford was racing against Cambridge. They wore white shirts with blue jackets with the words Exchange along the front and white spandex shorts. The silence from the crowd, the shouting of each team member telling the rowers what to do and the sound of the oars breaking the water made for a tense moment. It was as though everyone one on shore was holding their breath. Morgan had never been to a rowing competition before. This felt almost as exciting as watching American football when an exciting play had been made. Pippa was even still and silent beside her.

The Oxford team suddenly, and very quickly, crossed some invisible line and the crowd went hysterical. It took the team sixteen minutes and twenty seconds to complete the race. Morgan stood with the crowd clapping her hands in excitement over the whole thing. A girl, she did not notice before standing next to her, laughed close to Morgan’s ear. She had long blonde hair, dangerous curves and large plump lips. She was exotic looking for a British girl, yet simple. She smiled brightly at Morgan then looked over to Pippa.

“I do hope your brother saved some energy for later.” She winked.

Pippa shook her head. She pulled on Morgan’s arm leading her away from the tall blonde. “Oh she makes my stomach churn.” She hissed.

“Who is she?” Morgan asked not being able to keep the hint of jealously out of her voice.

Pippa rolled her eyes. “Beatrice.”

Morgan tried to turn her head back to Beatrice so she could get a full look of the girl but the crowd began making its way towards the edge of the water as Morgan and Pippa were. Morgan turned her attention to the water taking in an eyeful glare from the sun hitting the water. She flinched while covering her eyes with her hand.

“Did you bring any sunglasses?” Percy asked.

Morgan shook her head. “I did not think this late in the afternoon the sun would be this harsh.” She laughed.

“Hello all.” Another male voice said. Morgan blinked a couple times noticing the faint outline of David the guy Pippa had feelings for. His eyes, she noticed finally taking him in, were green. Morgan flashed him a wide smile, one of her all American grins her mother had taught her during her forced pageant years.

“Hello David.” Pippa said in a nonchalant voice.

They exchanged an awkward hug. Percy pressed his lips together fighting back a laugh. He darted his brown eyes over to Morgan then draped an arm along her shoulder. “While everyone is hugging I should give you one as well.” He laughed.

Morgan laughed nervously. He smelled strongly of spearmint and clean linen. His hand held on to her shoulder strongly, making it hard for her to maneuver out of his grip if she wanted.

“I’m David Hastings.” David smiled stretching his hand out for Morgan.

She reached out about to grip his hand in hers when Percy stopped her. He intercepted her hand by grabbing it with his. “This is my sister’s good friend Morgan James.” He announced proudly as though he were announcing the arrival of the Queen.

David nodded, some kind of exchange happened between him and Percy. “So Pippa would you like to head to the Pub with me and my brother?” David turned his attention away from Morgan and Percy.

Pippa bit her bottom lip. “I have to bring Morgan with me.”

“No you don’t.” Percy said.

All three looked at him, he was still holding on to Morgan as though they were lovers. “Morgan can come with me for dinner.” He smiled.

“Are you mad? I am not leaving you along with my friend. Not when Beatrice is here.” She spat.

“Beatrice is here?” David looked around with a look of fear on his face as though he had just seen a ghost.

Percy waved a hand like he was swatting a fly. “I don’t answer to her, and besides she is not my girlfriend. So, Morgan what do you say?”

Morgan looked at her friend then to David. She knew if she had said yes to Percy, all Pippa would that evening would wonder if Morgan was sleeping with Percy. Then again if she said no the Pippa might not ever get the chance to spend alone time with David again. She chewed her bottom lip then shrugged.

“I am not much of a drinker, it is okay with me if you want to run off to the pub.” She said in her most diplomatic voice. She was afraid she would betray her friend with her tone.

Pippa’s eyes narrowed at her brother. “She will end up at mum and dad’s by the end of the night.” She ordered.

Percy held his hands up in defeat. “Lots of things might happen, I cannot promise you where we will end up.” With that he grabbed Morgan by the hand, tugged her to his side then waved to his sister and friend. He did not give her a chance to come back with some kind of answer. Morgan was suddenly afraid of what her time with Percy would be like.

Percy gave Morgan’s hand a little squeeze awaking her from her thoughts as he drove. She turned towards him with a smile plastered on her face so he would not ask her something silly.

“I hope you like sea food.” He said tuning into a parking lot of a restaurant that looked as though it had been built during the 1500’s. Gothic architect mixed with medieval towers and window peaks made the small restaurant feel as though it had been added on instead of restructured though the centuries. Immediately Morgan loved the quirkiness of the place. The inside was as modern as any twenty first century building. There were no lead windows or tables as thick as tree trunks. The chairs were made of a light wood padded with a beige cushions. The tables were adorned with small candles and white table cloths, keeping the idea of simple and elegant décor. Percy pulled out Morgan’s chair for her letting her take a seat first before scooting her under the table and taking a seat for himself. He ordered a bottle of wine then placed his napkin on his lap. Morgan followed placing her napkin on her lap.

“So now that you and my sister are no longer in school together you write each other?” he asked with a tilt of his head.

Morgan nodded. The waiter placed rolls down in front of her in the middle of the table. It took everything in her not to reach out to grab one. She watched the waiter pour a white wine into both of their glasses.

“Enjoy.” He said before making his way to another table.

“I hope you like this Riesling. It is one of my favorites. I cannot stomach other wines; they seem to be to overpowering for my tastes.”

Morgan took a quick sip of the sweet tasting wine and shook her head in agreement. “Wow, I have never been a wine fan myself.” She smiled setting her glass down on the table.

“Could you trust me to order both our dinners?” he asked with sparkling eyes.

Morgan laughed but she agreed. “To your question earlier yes your sister insists that we stay in touch through letters.”

He nodded. “My sister is ever the sentimentalist.” He stopped to shake his head. The waiter came back around to the table taking the quietly whispered order from Percy. Morgan polite sipped on her wine only to keep herself from trying to ease drop.

“So.” he rubbed his hands together. “What has my sister told you about me?”

Morgan swallowed back a large gulp of wine, it was all she could think of before she spat it out. Spraying Percy would be mortifying. She closed her eyes, which were now watering from the sharp swallow, the thoughts just were not coming to her. She did not want to tell him Pippa had begged her not to sleep with her brother, as if she was that kind of girl.

“I would rather get to know you by talking to you.” She said in her most diplomatic voice.

He nodded. “She told you to stay away from me didn’t she?”

Morgan shook her head. “No, she mentioned how excited she was to see you and for us to finally meet. She did not say anything about keeping away from you.”

He laughed then picked up his wine. “Well, she told me to stay away from you.”

Morgan laughed nervously hoping she looked as calm and collected as he did.  The waiter returned with a basket of bread, pats of butter and small salads he placed in front of them. Percy ordered paella; with a quick glance to Morgan who was drinking more of her delicious wine he told the water to omit any chicken or sausage from the dish making it only with seafood and rice. The waiter nodded then left with his instructions.

Percy reached for his own wine keeping his dark eyes fixed on Morgan. His face held no emotions and his eyes made it even harder for her to decipher any thoughts he might be hiding. Uncomfortable and not knowing what else to do with herself Morgan began eating her salad. It was the sanest thing to do instead of getting drunk.

Morgan woke with an indescribable thirst. All the wine she had with dinner and during her talk with Percy on the couch suddenly caught up with her. By no means was she nearly as drunk as she figured she should have been. Judging from her moderate headache she figured a little water would do the trick. As she walk through the house she was consciously aware it was too quite. From the stories Pippa had told her of Percy she half expected to hear sounds of love making coming from his bedroom. While her cheeks burnt a vibrant red she thanked her lucky stars she would not have to endure sounds of him having sex. Tip toeing down the stairs she looked at wonderful pieces of artwork Percy had hanging on the wall supporting the stairs. His tasted seamed to boarder along the romantic side with artwork from artists such as William Blake and Albert Bierstadt. She also found one of her favorite paintings called “The Parasol” by Francisco de Goya. Her finger hovered over the raven haired woman sitting under a small parasol being held up by a handsome looking young man. The painting brought back memories of a trip she had taken to a mobile art museum in France. At the time she had been dating a man named James. He was sweet until she learned he was not everything he seemed.

Morgan moved away from the painting. She would never know romance such as these paintings. Back to her original goal she entered the kitchen, only turning on the twinkling lights so not to illuminate the entire horse. After what felt like several minutes she finally found the cupboard holding all of the glasses. As she was making her way to the refrigerator she noticed from the corner of her eye Percy’s blurred image. Politeness got the better of her, stopping her dead in her tracks. She turned fully towards him to say hello, and that was when she noticed he was not wearing any clothing. Like a love sick teenage her eyes slide down the length of his body, enjoying every muscle bump and hip curve making a that delightful v right at his hip joining his, she looked up just as his groin came into view. It would take a lot of will power but she would not allow herself to be a pervert.

“Morning.” He said yawning. Clearly he had no issues being naked. He sauntered in the kitchen next to her after flipping on the main lights. “Do you prefer coffee over tea?” he asked as though she had seen him naked on a daily basis.

With her eyes looking at the butter yellow ceiling she said. “Tea.”

Keeping her eyes on the ceiling she did not notice he was trying to get her to move out of his way. Her hands were at her side, her left held the glass but she was pretty much glued to her spot. She did not know how to act around someone not wearing any clothing, especially someone she had just met. The moment his hot skin touched her arm a shrill of a scream traveled out of her mouth. She could feel the softness of his member against her forearm. It was enough to cause her to jump three feet off the ground, and drop the glass shattering it on the floor.

“Please do not move anymore.” He said in a sweet but commanding voice. His hands held her arms and body near him. He must have moved too fast for her to take notice, but she was fully aware of how his hands felt against her skin. The more she thought about it the more she let her mind race, and the more her mind raced the more she kept coming back to him being naked.

She kept her eyes on his. “You’re naked.” She mumbled.

Percy closed his eyes as though she had just told him his beloved car had a flat. “I forgot about that. I am so sorry, I sleep in the nude and I am not used to having guest. Please forgive me?” he begged.  

She nodded. “Are you hurt?” he asked looking at her hands, arms and bare legs. Morgan was wearing an oversized tee shirt he had lent her. His large hand ran along the length of one leg and then the other until he was satisfied he found nothing. Her heart rate jumped faster from his touch then from her adrenaline spike. She shook her head suddenly opting to closer her eyes. She could not look into the eyes of the man with the Greek God body. “I am going to assist you away from the glass.” He said with his soft British accent. “Once you are out of the way I will clean this mess up.”
“Are you mad at me?” she whispered. Guilt always had a way of rearing its ugly head when she was least expecting it to.

Percy shook his head and snorted. “I frightened you why would I be mad?”

“I made a mess acting as though I was some kind of virgin.” She laughed nervously.

Percy led her to the end of the counter far from the glass. His hands firmly gripping her arms as though he was afraid she might run at the first chance. “You did not overact, I should have not come down naked. I know better and I am sorry.”

Morgan bit her bottom lip. “Speaking of which do you think you could get dress before cleaning my mess?”

Both Percy and Morgan laughed nervously but only she felt slightly better when he left the kitchen to get dressed. Morgan was not ashamed of watching him leave her, she rather liked the view. However, now in her mind she had a tough choice, did she like the front or the back better?

After he returned to the kitchen fully dress in pajama bottoms, minus a shirt, Percy cleaned the mess as he promised then made some tea. While Morgan sat at the kitchen table he proceeded to make them an English traditional breakfast. While they waited for the toast to finish he began talking to her about different things they could do for the day. He took a sip of his drink in between his talking. Morgan kept her eyes on her feet hoping the images of his naked body would soon leave her mind. It was not that she wanted to forget what he looked like naked she just did not want to picture him naked all the time.

“What do you like to do when you are not at the hospital?” she said in robotic tone. As though they were not having a conversation about anything else and she had to come up with a topic.

He shrugged putting his glass on the kitchen table in front of him. His legs crossed at the ankles and he folded his arms along his bare chest. He had such a nice looking, well sculpted chest. The smoothness of his skin in combination to his well-toned muscles made it hard to look at anything else but his chest. She sighed. From the sunlight peering through the window of the French doors she could see faint scratches and scars. Unlike his face and hands his chest looked as though he led a rough life. So many questions ran through her mind, she wanted to know who hurt him and even more so she wanted to hear every detail of the stories each one held.

“I um.” He cleared his throat. His hands began to move as though they had a mind of their own, twisting and folding over one another.

“I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.” She smiled as she pulled her eyes from his chest to his face.

He shook his head making some of his soft brown hair fall from its pristine positioning. With a sigh he said. “Books are my favorite thing to endure when I am not working at the hospital.”

She nodded as though he had told her something grave and dark. Morgan was someone who loved to read and often times felt as though everyone else did. When a rare person told her how they could not stand reading she often gave them a horrid look of disbelief. She could not imagine not loving books as much as she did. She also could not imagine anyone not wanting to learn about history. She shuddered to think there were people like that out in the world.

“What do you do when you are not teaching?” he asked refolding his arms along his chest.

“I too enjoy reading.” She smiled brightly. “I love to write and I love to listen to poetry.”

He nodded then recognition began to flash in his eyes. Slowly he rose from his position on the floor so he could make his way to a small book shelf by the fireplace. He knelt down for a moment looking for something then grabbing a white covered book before returning to his spot next to her. He was biting his lip and holding the book close to his chest.

“Are you really the author of “The Return of the Knight”?”

Her eyes grew as big as saucers. “Did you sister tell you?” she bit her lip. “Please don’t make fun of me.”

To her surprise he shook his head. His hand reached out to take hers, and bring it to his lips. “I would never make fun of you.” He held the book still to his chest. She watched him while he waited for her to trust him a bit before he continued. “I bought this book on my own accord. I just never thought you were the same Morgan P. James.” He shook his head in amazement. “This story is wonderful. John returns from fighting with the Crusaders to his home land in Ireland. He starts to live a quite peaceful life on his farm when he meets Isolde. He ignores her at first but then realizes his life is not complete with just God. He struggles with his faith until he learns that God wants him to take a wife. John finally found peace when he accepted Isolde as his wife.” He smiled looking down at the book. “You put that poor man through a lot. There were times when I questioned my faith.”

She quietly laughed. “I think as a man who wanted to go into the cloth, he didn’t realize how much he needed a woman as a companion.”

“Enter Isolde. I take it she was some kind of test for him.”

She nodded. “God tests us in every way.”

 “How has God tested you?” he asked setting the book down on the table in front of them.

That was a question she asked herself many times. There were times when she thought the miserable moments she had to endure with her parents were meant as test. Then there were the times when she thought she was put on this earth as something whose only mission was to save her parents. She was to save them from themselves and each other. As she grew older she realized it was not her job to be their parent. Armed with only a crappy childhood, lessons learned from uneducated nannies and from Pippa, Morgan could hardly save herself. So to say she was being testing was an understatement. The many birthday parties that never happened, but the ones she had to endure for other people hurt. The times when she watched her friend’s parents getting along and wishing like crazy that could be her mom and dad. Then there were the lonely nights she had to spend. Her mom was always around but she was involved in her own world and did not have time to insert herself in Morgan’s. No, Morgan had to read to herself at night. She often laughed with Pippa as they joked with wonder how Morgan ever learned how to read when her mom never helped her. Morgan was very lonely as a child wanting to have her busy parents at least glance at her. It was not until her parents divorced that her dad took notice. He took her to France with him only to send her away to Sweden. That had not been so bad because she met Pippa. Had it not been for Pippa, Morgan did not know what her life could have turned out to be like. Pippa acted almost like her mom, as so did Elizabeth. Morgan understood  that life was her test.

“I believe he has. Do you believe he has tested you?”  

Percy snorted. “Every day.”

Morgan knitted her brow together. Percy was a well-educated man with a lot of charm-on the outside. Somehow she really did not believe that was all he was on the inside. Despite being a doctor the man loved being along, case in point his house was located in South Oxfordshire he was surrounded by charming weeping trees, well-manicured bushes, fragrant flowers and lazy drifting rivers. His house was dab in the middle of paradise full of ducks and geese flying in from where ever they started just to dip into his fountains. Lovey smaller birds delighted him with song every morning and the sun. It rose and fell in his front and back yard as though he commanded it. Even the small wooden water wheel was elegant and romantic. Morgan knew the moment he had brought her to his house she had to live here. Even if living her was only through her imagination she had to live her.

“Why do you think that?” she asked watching him closely.

This time she could see the thought moving around on his face. She was not sure what he was thinking for the feelings were mixed but his eyes showed his desperation. He had something he wanted to say but just did not know how. Morgan pressed her hand against his forearm in hopes it would give him strength. His soft blue eyes traveled from her face to where her handing was pressing against him. As though he were studying the details of her hand his eyes lingered on her skin a bit longer then she realized. Relief flooded her when he pressed his own warm large hand over her small hand.

“I am not…” he paused as though he were waiting for the words to come to him. “I am not like the rest of my family.”

She tilted her head. “How do you mean?”

Percy lifted his gaze to meet her eyes. His were smoldering with some kind of emotion she had never encountered and it frightened her. So much so she stilled instead of taking her hand away from him.

“I mean I never wanted to be a doctor. I had other interests, but being a Hughes I also have duties. I was rebellious in my youth because I tried so hard to find some kind of an outlet where I did fit in. Sadly it was with girls.”

Morgan snorted though she did not mean to. “That must have been horrible.”

“It is when they are using you. I never had to try with any woman, especially in college when I started boxing.” He shrugged but kept his eyes locked with hers. “Then the muscles came from rowing and I really did not have to try.”

Slowly as to not hurt his feelings Morgan moved her hand away from him. She was not very experienced with men and often times she was not sure when someone was making a move on her. Inside she chastised herself for being overly sensitive to his outward expression, he did walk in on her in the kitchen naked. Sure he pretended he forgot she was even there, that excuse must have gotten him into more ladies panties. Now he was working on her with his words, Pippa had warned her that her brother was something else. Morgan sighed, she was not very sure he was who his sister said he was. She wanted very much to believe all of this was not some kind of elaborate scheme to get her into his bed. So it was with extreme trepidation that she asked him to take her to his favorite place.  

My favorite duo Elise and Liam..

Click here for the link to this picture!

The story that continues to haunt me! I am trying to get it out as best as I can. I want to do the characters justice but keep getting stuck at certain points. Any pointers is welcomed, and of course any feed back is welcomed. Thanks and Happy Reading

It was almost seven in the morning when Elise finally hung up the phone. She snorted as the back of her head hit the pillow underneath her. So much for going to the gym!  It was less than a day before she had to head back home to New Haven and she wanted to make sure she at least worked out three times. For she knew she wasn’t going to have the discipline or the want to work out while she was home. Liam and Carmichael would keep her plenty busy with their talk of Harvard. She would have to hear endless accounts of their love affairs while she only told her nerd tells from Brown. All she ever did was study and work and sometimes sleep. Ah sleep, it sounded so much nicer right about now after having been up for, she looked back at her clock with the angry red numbers glaring at her.

“Seven thirty.” She sighed. “I could take a quick nap.”

“What?” Holly yelled coming into Elise’s room. “We are not napping we are heading out for some early Thanksgiving sales!” she laughed. “And you are not allowed to say no I know you have money to burn!”

Holly was the roommate. The overly enthusiastic, boy crazy, and incredibly smart roommate. She and Elise had become friends the first day Elise arrived at Brown. Since Elise wasn’t living in the dorms, she had fears of orgies and other nasty things happening if she did, she and Holly spent a lot of time together in the library. Holly had been just what Elise needed upon arriving at Brown. Her entire life she had two close friends Carmichael and Liam. Aside from those to she only had one girlfriend. It had been hard to make friends with other girls when all they wanted was for Elise to introduce them to the two most popular boys in school. So meeting Holly, who had only met Carmichael and had no interest him in, was refreshing. Liam hadn’t met Holly for one simple reason, Elise didn’t want him meeting her.

Holly was a bit of a wild girl, as she expressed now wearing her small tight fitting sweater with leggings and some high heel booties. Compared to Elise’s school girl innocence she made her feel virginal. Holly pulled her long blonde hair back into a pony tail and asked Elise to hurry up. Elise figured she had to wear something a bit more eye catching then her favorite Boston sweatshirt Liam had gotten her during her last visit. She chose a long sweater dressed cinched at the waist with a small belt and some leggings to keep her legs warm. Instead of bootie heels she chose some flat riding boots, at least she was putting effort any heels would be asking too much.

Holly waited by the door with her hand dug deeply into her warm knee length trench coat watching Elise apply some last minute lip gloss. The look in Holly’s eyes started to make her wonder if Holly was up to something. She grabbed her purse after pulling on her own knee length trench and followed Holly to her car.

“So I wasn’t going to ask but I have to.” She practically squealed when they finally got to the Salon. Holly demanded they have a day of beauty after shopping for sexy lingerie and new winter clothing. Despite the fear of being waxed Elise followed along. Even now she eyed the drying wax on her leg with caution as the small Brazilian girl spread a piece of wax stripping paper on her leg.

“What were you going to ask?” she hissed through gritted teeth and wanting nothing more than a delightful distraction.

“Who were you talking to last night?”

Elise turned her attention away from her covered leg to look at her friend with a surprised look. She even managed to relax enough so the Brazilian felt it was a good time to pull the paper off of her leg. Elise gritted her teeth and closed her eyes. Water built up behind her lids stinging their way through her lashes. Spots emerged in the darkness of her closed eyes, all red and orange. “I am not sure I understand.” She said after gaining her breath.

“The guy who had you giggling last night.” Holly laughed.

With a grimace and her teeth firmly planted in her bottom lip while the small evil Brazilian girl ripped up another strip of wax from her legs she said, “I don’t know what you are talking about.”

Holly rolled her eyes, seemingly unaffected by what was happening to her own body. “You are such a bad liar. Giselle sweetie we will need the full wax on my friend.” She said sternly.

“The what?” Elise darted her eyes from the small innocent looking girl ripping Elise’s hair out of her pores to her roommate’s smiling face.

“Don’t worry Elise trust me the next time you get laid you and your “guy” will thank me.” she said using her curling her fingers in the air emphasizing guy.

“I don’t need anything else waxed.” Elise continued to protest but it was fruitless the small Brazilian girl named Giselle was leading her down a long hallway to a small room.  Just like the cowards she had always been when it came to her only girlfriends Elise didn’t put up a fight or protest, she just went into the small room and let little Giselle do what she was instructed to do.

  

“Please tell me we are going to this tonight?” Carmichael said holding up a sign he pulled off of the community board in the quad at Harvard.

Liam studied the flyer in his best friend’s hand.  With a frown he looked at Carmichael’s bright and hopeful face. “Why do you want to go to this?” he asked with a shake of his head.

“It is going to be awesome, I don’t know why you don’t want to go. Emma is down for anything you want to do.”

Liam visually shivered. His broad shoulders lowered and curled towards his chest, and he lowered his head so his dark brown hair fell into his eyes.

“You broke up with her didn’t you?” Carmichael should his head and wadded the flyer in his hands. “The one time I need you to have a girlfriend you don’t.”

Liam pulled his messenger bag up from by his feet where he dropped it when Carmichael had locked eyes with the faithful yellow flyer advertising a “Time of Thanks”, for singles ready to mingle. He wanted to laugh at the lame attempt to being cool the person who made this flyer took but he didn’t. Carmichael had been heartbroken over his girlfriend cheating on him and wanted to find a replacement. Hell he wanted to take someone home with him for Thanksgiving so his mom would stay off his back about settling down. As the eldest son of a cop and a nurse Carmichael was not interested in settling down. At least not at the tender age of twenty five, he was more interested in who was going to be his next lay.

“I’ll tell you what.” Liam said in his low voice he only used when he wanted to get a girl’s full attention. “Why don’t we take a road trip to Providence?” he placed his arm around Carmichael’s shoulders. “I’ll distract Elise while you take full advantage of her roommate again.”

Carmichael pressed his lips together as he often did when he was in a deep thought. His dark blue eyes lowered to the ground, Liam knew his best friend was going to say yes. He was so confident that Carmichael would say yes that he started planning what he was going to pack, where they would get gas on their way out of town and how much money he would need to pull out of the ATM so he could show Elise a great time.

“Holly?” he said looking at his friend.

Liam nodded letting his dark brown eyes peer deep into Carmichael’s blue eyes. Brother to brother he said softly. “Holly.”

Carmichael loved women, but he adored Holly. After their first one night stand they swore they would never do it again. However, any time Carmichael made a trip to visit Elise without Liam he managed to sleep with Holly. All of it right under Elise’s nose, and she was none the wiser. Liam had warned both of them if Elise found out she would be upset, but he swore to keep their secret only if they denied he had anything to do with it. He had been so relieved that Holly wanted to sleep with Carmichael instead of him. If he wanted any kind of opportunity with Elise then sleeping with her roommate would be a mistake, hell sleeping with the small amount of girlfriends she had would be a mistake.

“Let’s do it.”

Liam patted his friend on the back.

“Are you going to warn Elise that we’re coming?”

Liam shook his head. “I think it is high time we get her back for that time when she took a picture of us cuddling and put it on her facebook.”

“I thought we did already.” Carmichael looked around as though someone might have heard Liam. “We were not cuddling, you were drunk and asleep as I was, and somehow we ended up next to each other.”

Liam removed his arm from around his friend’s neck and shoved them into his pockets. “Whatever you say man.” He laughed, “I am secure enough in my man hood and sexuality that I am not ashamed to say I cuddled with my best friend.”

Carmichael shook his head. “You’re driving the hour it takes to get there.”

“That’s fine,” He shrugged his shoulders, “I need to break in the Audi SQ5.”

“Oh yes.” Carmichael said showing actual signs of true enthusiasm.

 

The feeling of being raw meant something different to Elise now that she had been waxed from head to toe. Or better description hair had been pulled off of her anywhere a man would like to touch. Her skin was sensitive to the touch and pink as though she had been lying out in the sun too long. The lotion she rubbed on her delicate skin only made her itch. To make matters worse Holly wanted to go out, she wanted to celebrate the end of the term for Thanksgiving break and the freedom she had from not having a boyfriend.

So it was not surprise to see her emerge from her room looking fresh in her skin tight black dress and black stockings. She lifted the hem of her knee length dress revealing she was wearing sexy thigh highs in case she wanted a quickie. Elise admired the woman for being able to manage her hair after the rain and wind they had endured on their way home. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a sleek and elegant ponytail.

Just when Elsie started to announce she wasn’t going out that there was a knock on the door. Both girls looked to the other and simultaneously shrugged their shoulders.

“Well, hello.” Liam said with a lazy smile as the door opened in front of him.

Holly smirked at Liam then looked to Carmichael who was sheepishly smiling at her. Elise jumped down from her barstool to see if she had heard Liam’s voice alright. There he stood in front of her and her roommate, wearing loose fitting jeans a long sweater and a leather jacket. His dark brown hair was pushed back on his head, he looked as though he had been running his hands through it. She was surprised when she felt relief when his eyes left Holly and focused on her.

“Elise.” He said shoving his way passed Holly and taking Elise into his arms.

Carmichael awkwardly passed Holly on his way inside. He was carrying a black duffle back and had picked another one up on his way inside. He set it down to shake Holly’s hand after she shut the door.

“What are you guys doing here?” 

Liam pulled her into his arms crushing her against his chest. His spearmint breath warmed the side of her neck when he sighed after taking a deep breath of her in. “I missed you.” He whispered.

“My turn.” Carmichael said sounding every bit like the jealous brother. He pushed Liam away from Elise then pulled her to his chest lifting her off ground by her waist and spinning her around. “You’ve gained some weight.” He teased.

Elise playfully smacked him on the shoulder. “Shut up.” She giggled.

“Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Holly asked eyeing Liam as though she had never seen one of the many pictures of him in Elise’s room. This was the moment Elise had been dreading, the two of them meeting. Holly already had that look in her eye that she often got when she was deeply interested in someone.

“Holly this is my dearest friend Liam.” Elise cleared her throat. “Liam this is my roommate Holly.”

To her surprise Liam seemed almost disinterested. He politely reached his hand out to shake Holly’s and his smile was genuine but it was not flirty. Liam had managed to pull on the famous Connelly lawyer charm she had seen on his dad so many times. “Very nice to meet you finally, I have heard so much about you.”

Holly’s blue eyes darted to Elise, who was blushing. “I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

“Not as much as you’ve heard about me,” Carmichael chimed in, “I am the best friend, the boy next door.” He pulled Elise back into his arms and rubbed his hand over the crown of her head mussing it about. “I’m the annoying same aged brother from a different mother.” He laughed.

“Funny,” Elise said through gritted teeth, “I thought I told you never to say that to people again.”

“Oh you were just playing like always. “ he reached down and kissed her on the forehead. “So where am I sleeping.”

 

After dinner and many arguments of who would take the couch and who would sleep on the floor, Liam decided he was going to sleep in Elise’s room. He wasn’t about to freeze lying on the floor or hurt his back sleeping on Elise’s Ikea couch. He’d done that once before and wasn’t doing it again. Being the nice person that she was Elise offered to allow Liam to sleep in her room. To his surprise she said he could even sleep in her bed. Carmichael on the other hand was to take the couch. He didn’t seem too excited about it but he didn’t argue about it either. Liam wondered if Carmichael was going to take Liam’s advice on visiting with Holly. If he did then Liam was going to have to come clean to Elise about Mike and Holly’s love affair. It was pure convince but Elise would be upset. She wasn’t the kind of girl who did convince and thought anyone who did was only letting themselves down.

In a small way Liam felt a little bad for taking advantage of her generosity, but that quickly faded when he saw her in her pajamas. She came out of the bathroom with her long brown hair cascading down her back. She wore a long fitted tee shirt and some loose fitting plaid pajama bottoms. Her round face was free of any kind of make-up; the only reminder was a little black smug under the corner of her left eye. She had gotten thinner since the last time he had seen her in her pajamas. Of course she had been eighteen or nineteen, he couldn't remember. Suddenly he remembered a time at his house right before he and Carmichael had gone off to college, the three of them were swimming. Elise had finished a minute or two before the boys and had gone off somewhere in the house to change. Liam  discovered she was in his room, only because his door was slightly ajar. Elise had taken off the top of her one piece bathing suit, it was hanging around her waist. At first all he could see was her smooth back, and then she turned. In all her glory she presented to him two perfect breasts. In that one moment he fought against the urge to go to her, to kiss her. Instead he chose to quietly shut the door and walk away. He never told anyone what he had seen, out of respect for Elise. However, there were many nights when he closed his eyes and he pictured her half naked in his room.

“What are you thinking about?” she asked pulling the blankets back on the bed.

Liam shook his head. “Nothing.” He grabbed his own pajamas and headed towards the bathroom.

“Are you sure? Cause you had that look of.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know like you were thinking of something pleasant.”

He turned giving her a knowing smile, she had no idea how pleasant that memory had been. Without saying another word to her he entered the bathroom. A moment later he emerged to the dark room, Elise had left a side table lamp on for him. Her back was facing his side of the bed. She was breathing deeply, the sound made his heart sink. He had hoped they would spend the night talking or at least holding hands. He curled into bed wanting to get closer to her warm body but remained a respectable arm’s length distance away from her.
Just as he was getting ready to close his eyes he heard disturbing moaning sounds coming from Holly’s bedroom. He rolled on to his back irritated with Carmichael. He had hoped that his friend would have had the decency not to have sex with Holly under Elise’s nose. Carmichael had been so adamant about keeping Elise in the dark about his relationship with Holly, messing that up now seemed confusing.

“Is that Mike and Holly?” Elise whispered, as though the couple could hear anything over their escapes.

Liam snorted. “I think so.”

“I guess it is a good thing I offered to let you sleep in here with me.” she said turning to face him.

Liam rolled on his side. “Afraid I might have gone to bed with Holly?”

She laughed and had the nerve to roll her eyes. He had hoped she would have been jealous, or fear had gripped her making her want Liam as close to her as possible. “Liam I know you sleep with a lot of girls, but I also know you are a gentlemen and you wouldn’t do that in someone else’s house.” She pointed out.

To his surprise Liam was a bit offended. “You don’t think I would have sex with a girl in someone else’s house?”

She shook her head. Her soft hand lifted making it seem as though she was going to reach out and touch his face. He held his breath, but she rested her hand on his bare arm.

“I am sure you would have sex with your “girlfriend” in her house but not with two other people in the house not doing it.” She giggled.

“My “girlfriend.” He laughed at the way she had uttered the word. She used the term loosely as though he never used the word when referring to his lady friends.

Elise leaned in closer her lips splitting into a wide toothy grin. “I think we should give them a run for their money.”

He swallowed hard. “You wanna have sex?” oh his dreams were coming true. He knew this day would come he just didn’t think it would come like this. As much as he had wanted to feel her naked body against his he didn’t want it like this. He wanted to take her out on a date, seduce her proper like then have sex with her. Still, it wasn’t comforting when she snorted then laughed and snorted while she laughed. It wasn’t that funny.

“ I was thinking we could jump on the bed while making noises.” She giggled.

Liam blushed and thanked the God above the lights were off so she couldn’t see. “Ok.” He smiled, hoping his disappointment hadn’t leaking into his voice.

Elise rose to her feet on the bed, her hand reached down to help Liam up. He took it, standing in front of her and taking her other hand into his. She was smiling; he could see her teeth and eyes shining in the dark. With what little moon light sneaking through the window illuminated traces of her face in a sexy way.   She the most beautiful at this moment then he had ever seen her. Not thinking he pulled her against him, her chin butted against his chest. He knew she could feel the vibration from his pounding heart but he didn’t care. Part of him was sure he could feel her own beating heart slamming hard against her chest. She looked up with her soft blue grey eyes, her face still smiling. Together in unison they began to jump. Elise started laughing, defeating the moment and she sounded so much like a little girl.

 Liam couldn’t help himself he began laughing as well. Then Elise switched on him and became serious. She started moaning as though he was making love to her, and it was very good. He followed, trying to sound as sexy as she was. The sound her of voice mimicking pleasure she would be receiving if he had his way with her did things to him. He felt himself becoming aroused and hoped she’d not notice.

They bounced and bounced upon the bed, moaning and laughing. He held her tightly to him afraid if he let go she would fly off and break an arm. Her small hands rested lightly against his chest, snaking their way up to his shoulders until they linked behind his neck. He stopped first. His ears were roaring with the blood flowing through his veins. Elise stopped jumping shortly afterward, her eyes locked with his. Both of them swallowed hard, and before he could talk himself out of it he pressed his lips against hers.

She kissed him with the vigor he had been hoping for.  Her hands unlinked then tangled into his hair. Slowly they sank on to the bed, where he was sitting and she was straddling his lap. Her short legs wrapped around his waist, her fingers tightened around strands of his hair. Liam ran his large hands along the curve of her back towards her shoulders, holding her tightly in place because he was afraid she’d change her mind. He wanted to kiss her neck and chest, but he was afraid he’d break the spell.

Then there was knock on the door.

“I hope you two had a good laugh.” Carmichael yelled from behind the door.

Both Liam and Elise broke apart at the same time. Both breathless, eyes locked and shaking. Could he be he affected her the way she affected him? 

“Best laugh I’ve had in a long time.” Liam yelled back.

Elise smiled tenderly at him, kissed him once on the tip of his nose then drew away from him. His arms and body felt cold with the removal of her heat. He yearned for her like some incurable craving. She walked as though nothing had just happened to her door, slowly opening it.

“If you’re done with tonight’s program I’d very much like to go to sleep.” She hissed.

Oh he was relieved she was mad at Mike..  The guy had to have known Liam had feelings for Elise, he couldn’t be that naïve.

“I was hoping Liam wanted to have a beer.” He said trying to peak into the room past her.

Elise shut the door slightly, “Liam is going to bed, and if he gets a beer he’s saying out there with you. I really want to go to bed I am tired.” She said firmly.

Liam knew then Elise was his.

Elise and Liam (the early years) 5/5

click here for link to picture! 

Elise shuttered internally but outwardly she smiled brightly in hopes that she was not giving away her really feelings. The driver closed the door behind Elise and a few moments later they drove away. Elise had to physically restrain herself  from retrieving her cell phone out of her pocket and calling Liam. She thought back to their pack of not letting the other out of each other’s sight. Then she began to wonder when he was going to call her. From the look of Ryan and Sam talking quietly among themselves and laughing loudly she was worried she was going to be a third wheel.

A short moment later they arrived at the karaoke bar. The air inside was thick with cloudy smoke lingering just below the ceiling. It was dimly lit with stage lights blazing up the stage making it stand out like a sore thumb. It was loud with noises of people yelling and a man singing ’I will Survive.’ The crowd cheered in excitement as the man reached high notes with ease. The DJ screamed into the microphone calling the singer the best of the night. Lights swiveled around on the ceiling along the crowd below stopping at the stage. The bar was a long wooden rectangle nestled in the back of the bar. Shelves of liquor reached up towards the ceiling, brown liquids on the bottom with lighter liquids rising to the top. Sam yelled at the bartender for two shots of tequila, Elise order a hurricane. While Elise waited for her drink to be made she watched the two girls take their shots of tequila off of one another. Sam would lick Ryan’s neck then sprinkle it with salt. She swallowed the shot quickly then licked her friend afterward she shoved a lemon in her mouth. Ryan did the same thing to Sam. Men standing near them took noticed and offered to buy them more shots if they took the shots off of each other again. This time Ryan laid on the bar while Sam licked her stomach. When it was Ryan’s turn to take a shot off of her friend she placed the shot between her friend’s breasts. The men around them hollered in excitement, whistled and begged for one more. The girls were eager to oblige. Elise sat on a barstool thinking to herself how classy these two were. Sam wasn’t acting like the blushing bride and Ryan was a piece of work.

Shortly after the girls decided they no longer wanted to shots, but wanted to dance Jessica arrived. Jessica took a few shoots out of the waitress’ cleavage, grabbing her chaser lemon from the waitress mouth so she could catch up with her friends. When she finished about five she tossed her purse to Elise asking her to watch it then joined her friends on the dance floor. They danced with each other grinding against each other until the song changed. Then they each grabbed a lucky fellow watching them and gave him a dance of his life. Ryan went as far as pushing her dance partner down to sit on the stage so she could give him a lap dance. Sam and Jessica seemed to like this idea so they joined Ryan. At the end of the song Sam lifted her shirt exposing her breasts and allowed the man to rub his face between them. Elise turned away thinking she felt her phone vibrating in her pocket, but it ended up being a phantom vibration. Disappointed she shoved the cell phone back into her pocket and asked for a glass of water. Jessica stood next to her suddenly ordering herself a beer.

‘OMG! IT IS A GREAT NIGHT!’ she screamed in Elise’s ear.

Sweat was drooping down the sides of Jessica’s face and along her shoulders. Her low cut shirt revealed she had sweat dripping down her chest. Once her drink was placed in front of her she yelled for a cup of ice. The bartender produced a glass of ice then left to attend to other customers. As Jessica ran an ice cube along her neck and breast Elise felt awkward and turned all of her attention on her drink. She was glad she had decided not to drink heavily.

‘HEY WE ARE HEADING TO A STRIP CLUB NEXT DOOR!’ She yelled.

Elise nodded.

‘WE ARE GOING TO MEET JARRED!’ she finished saying by wagging her thin arched eyebrows up and down.

Confused as to why they were meeting Jarred, Elise nodded and finished her water. She followed Jessica back to Ryan and Sam who were talking to a tall blonde Abercrombie looking model.  He wore a white button up shirt, only buttoned half the way showing off his golden tanned skin. His eyes were a deep blue and his lips were full and plum. Elise couldn’t help but run her eyes down the length of his long toned body. As she did she found herself missing Liam, sure this guy was attractive but he wasn’t Liam so there for he was ordinary to her.

‘So can I come over tonight.’ He said to Ryan.

Ryan blushed and nodded as she looked up at him through her eye lashes. He handed his number to her and kissed her full on the lips. Elise looked away to give them some kind of privacy. It shocked her when he grabbed Jessica by the chin pulling her toward him. Elise thought she was going to lose her alcohol when she accidently saw him shoving his tongue into Jessica’s mouth. Then he started advancing on Elise. Elise started to step back a couple of steps but she didn’t need to. Sam pressed her hand on his arm, he ended up kissing her. Elise filed that away as something she didn’t want to see. In Elise’s mind about to married was as good as being married so she had to remind herself if she didn’t see this then she wouldn’t have to follow her conscious and inform Freddy.

After, they spilled out of the bar and into the sticky cool night. Elise was relived to be out of the bar but she had a sinking feeling in her stomach as they entered the strip club next door. House music came pouring out of the door polluting Elise’s ears and making her head hurt. The banging out the bass forced her heart to beat in the rhythm of the music. Elise felt as though she was going to have heart palpitations soon. They walked past a glossy looking stage where women wearing only string thongs danced around a silvery pole. Men sat around the stage with their hands in their laps twirling their heads following every move the girl made. Sam led them to a velvet curtained room with mirrors circling half of the room and a plush velvet sofa lining along the mirrored wall. A girl with blond hair large breasts barley covered with a triangulated orange bikini walked into the room with a tray in her hand.

‘Drinks?’ she asked in a low subdued voice.

‘Champaign.’ Sam said in a bossy snobby tone. ‘And please let Mr. Connelly know we are here.’

The blonde smiled wickedly at the girls then turned on her heel leaving them alone. Ryan, Sam and Jessica then turned their attention on Elise. Elise was busy focusing on her cell phone, her heart sank when she saw Liam hadn’t called her yet.

‘So Elise.’ Sam started. ‘I know we all don’t know each other well but you have to do me a solid.’ She said.

Elise gave a weary suspicious look at the girls. She needed to know specifics if she was going to do anyone a ‘solid’. Sam shimmied closer to Elise. She grabbed ends of Elise’s hair running her fingers through. She smelled strongly of hard alcohol and cigarettes. Elise wondered if she smelled just as bad.

‘You don’t really know what happens when you cross a Connelly do you?’ she asked in a seductive voice.

At that moment Jarred wondered in. He wore a polo shirt and some dark jeans. His hair was combed back on his head showing the full force of his blue eyes. He smiled tightly at Elise showing the worry in his face. Elise smiled back then looked back to Sam.

‘I know perfectly well what happens.’ She hissed.

‘So I don’t need to tell you what I’ll do to you if you mention this to anyone.’ She said tilting her head as though she just asked Elise if she wanted to go to the gym with her.

Elise smiled sweetly at Sam as she rose from the velvety seat. ‘ I don’t do well with threats.’ She hisses as she stood up and pushed her way through the velvet curtains. Elise walked as fast as she could without looking back. After she pushed the doors open to the outside she walked as fast as she could down the side walk pasted the karaoke bar they first went to. She pulled her cell phone out of her pocket about to call Liam to come and get her when a car stopped near her. Someone yelled her name behind her. She turned partially behind her watching Jarred running towards her. The window of the car rolled down, Liam shoved his head out.

‘I’m here.’ He slurred.

‘Good!’ she hissed opening the door. ‘Now move over.’

She shut the door and quickly told the driver to go back to the estates. They pulled away just as Jarred reached them.

‘Hey, was that Jarred?’ Liam asked looking back though the rearview mirror.

‘Yes it was.’ She snapped.

Liam didn’t notice the harshness in her voice. He laid his head on her shoulder and with his hand he rubbed the top of her thigh. Elise felt her mood slowly picking up and finally the alcohol warming her up. Liam raised his head brushing his lips along the side of her neck. She rather enjoyed the sensation he was giving her, the feeling of being tickled under her skin. She even leaned into his affections. Liam pressed his lips along her jaw, nibbled a little along the side of her neck and kissed followed the line of her collar bone. They car pulled up to the estates. Liam held close to Elise keeping his hand tightly around hers as he fumbled with the keys to their door. Once he got it open he swung her in ahead of him then closed the door behind them. He grabbed her forcefully by placing his hands on the side of her face turning her around and pushing her against the door. She watched wide eyed and curious as he leaned in slowly towards her with a serious look on his face. Her breathing rushed from her lips, and her heart hammered against her chest. He pressed his lips roughly against her mouth kissing her passionately and deep. Elise’s knees buckled underneath her, had he not been pressing her against the door she might have fallen. As the kiss deepened he pressed his body against hers. Elise pulled at his shirt, not really knowing what she needed to do to get it off. Elise wasn’t very experienced with taking anyone’s clothing off but her own. Liam managed to run his hands up her thighs pushing her dress up and over her head with ease. As soon as the dress landed on the floor he pulled her legs up wrapping them around his waist so he could carry her to the bedroom where he plopped her down. Before he joined her he pulled his shirt off for her, she had had little to no success in removing it. While he kissed her again, he nibbled along her chest and licked along her neck while she worked her fingers on the button of his pants. Elise was nervous, more than nervous she was terrified. Sure she could chalk up her clumsiness as her being drunk but once they started making love he would know this was her first time. So she stopped messing with his pants, he took that as her needing help. She watched him step out of his jeans then crawl back towards her. He didn’t start up kissing her again. Elise resorted to running her hands down the length of his muscled torso. She didn’t know how Liam stayed in shape but she was grateful. He was toned, leaned and defined. Her fingers rippled over the muscles protruding from under his skin. She imagined being able to scrub a shirt along his stomach.

‘You have no idea how much I want this.’ He whispered lowering his head on the pillow beside her.

Elise was beginning to feel cold laying just in her bra and panties. Liam ran his hand along the length of her stomach leaving behind trails of heat. She pressed her hand against his laying it flat against her skin.

‘I want this too.’ She whispered.

‘I just don’t want to be drunk our first time.’

She looked away from him and at the ceiling. Her thoughts were scrambled and getting away from her but she knew he was right. This was not how Elise wanted her first time to be. She had a clear idea in her mind how it should go. First she needed to be in a relationship and then she needed to be in love. So far she had one of the two.

‘Agreed.’ She answered after a short pause.

‘There is plenty of time.’

‘I know.’

‘You’re not angry.’

Elise turned her head to a worried looking Liam. She ran the back her hand along his rough stubble cheek. He seemed to calm under her touch.

‘I’m not angry. I really do agree with you.’

Elise wiggled her back to him curling against his body. Liam took her happily into his arms running his fingers through her hair once she finally settled.

‘I always thought we would get back together.’ He laughed.

Elise didn’t answer back for her eyes had fallen shut and she had passed out. Liam didn’t mind he too was falling asleep. His last though was they would have a long conversation about “them” in the morning or sometime after the wedding.