Chapter 62

"Too fucking tired...." I moaned, feeling his hand softly shake me.  Enough to rile me into consciousness.  I was still so very tired.  I didn't want to get up to make it as simple as I could folks.  Just as the memory of yesterday flooded my mind, I was even more determined to fall back asleep.  Bodies falling, Luke hurt, and more problems we needed to face than ever before.  Sleep was the perfect escape.

Laying on my stomach, I buried my face deeper into the pillow.  "I know.  But I have good news," I heard Luke whisper, gliding his cool fingers through my hair.  Moaning softly, I admit, that did peak my interest.  His touch was even more compelling than his words.  Sleep was a powerful drug though....

"Vacation?" I asked in a muffle against the sweet softness of the pillow and blankets around me. Because trust me, I believed that was the only thing that could challenge my sleepy body.

"Not yet, sweetie," he scoffed.  "But it's important, and good news, and you need to get up," he said in a harder voice that said he didn't feel sorry for waking me. Well screw him.  At the same time, I couldn't ignore that excitement in his voice when he had spoke.  Luke's hand continued to play in my hair as I felt him shift on the mattress as it moved beneath me.  "Come on, stubborn.  Get up," he said in a louder voice, kissing the top of my head as his fingers still worked against the texture of my hair.  "I'll make pancakes..." he said in a goading voice.  Ugh.... Damn him!

Groaning, I sat up, and finally, I opened my eyes.  Rolling over and sitting up, my eyes looked around me.  The room was still dark (but that could be because all the blinds were closed).  However, the bedroom door was open from where I took it in on the mattress.  The hall light was on and flooding in.  Was it still night?  I mean, I doubted it; he offered pancakes, right?  I also realized, night or day, we would have to keep the blinds and curtains shut for our own safety either way.

Finding his green eyes and his sweet face sitting with me on the mattress among the ruffled covers, I offered him a small glare, which he didn't take too seriously.  His eyes were bright, lips in a soft smile.  It was nice to see... especially after last night.  He was so worried about Francis, so shocked by the attack... and it's safe to say I was close to where he was in his condition.  At least that was a day behind us and slightly more foggy and not as vivid for me.  I was still surprised to see him looking happy though.

"Good morning," he said. 

I offered him a small smile of my own finally.  "Hi," I said, making him chuckle gently under his breath.  "Why are you up?" I asked, scoffing.  "What's the good news?" 

He didn't waste any time.  Taking a deep breath, his smile growing, he spoke.  "I tried calling Francis's cell this morning... and he picked up," he said, in a much lighter voice that made my eyes widen.  "He is okay," he sighed in relief as if saying it out loud made him feel better.

It made me feel better anyway.  My heart beat sped at the same time my smile and eyes grew wider.  I stared at him, searching his eyes to see if this could be true.  Because for some reason, I came to doubt everything positive in life going uphill from where it plummeted yesterday.  I think we both had a right to doubt everything.  But Luke was smiling and his eyes sold it.  "He's really okay?" I asked, swallowing.  I didn't notice how truly worried my body felt over this matter until that weight lightened that moment.  Oh god... just as long as he is alive, we can push through whatever.  Just as long as he is okay.

He nodded eagerly. He looked so relieved over his brother's safety.  As was I.  I was sure though that only went to the relief of his safety to being alive.  He was still in danger I was sure.  We needed to talk to him.  "What did he say?" I asked urgently, blinking and anxious, waving my hands even slightly as I stared at him.  He looked so... so much more calm, relieved, and happy compared to last night.  Who could blame him? 

"Not much.  But he agreed to meet with us.  Just as long as it wasn't here or the hotel he is staying at.  So he said he wants to meet us at the lake I took you to before.  Where I said me and my friends use to go," he said to clarify.  "It's hidden and if anyone is following him, he will know it since it's a longer drive and it's out through country roads."

I sighed and nodded.  Just be thankful he is alive, he is alive, and we will see him today.  And we are going to sort all this tangled shit out somehow.  He is okay.  Staring into Luke's eyes, I had one last thing to ask because now, I was anxious to get up and go.  "How are we going to get there?" I asked him.  His body facing me, he sat up more to his knees before standing up.

"Um..." he licked his lips, lowering his eyebrows.  He thought it over for a moment.  After all, neither of us came here by car.  No, we ran like hell.  So to get our hands on a car might be an issue... that was until I saw him recall something.  His eyebrows shot up and he crossed his arms.  "Oh, I forgot!  My dad's car is here.  Mom took him to the airport so his car is still here," he said, a smile crawling back to his face. 

"Awesome," I said with a smile, throwing the covers off me.  I stood up from the mattress on the floor, facing him as he gave me a warm smile, his hand coming to rest on my shoulder.  "When are we going?" I asked.  I needed to see him.  Now.  I knew Luke was just as anxious from the hyper glint in his eye.

"Within an hour," he nodded.  "Are you feeling up to this?  Are you okay?"  He asked, looking slightly worried.  Probably still worried about the effects of what happened yesterday.  Which, honestly, were fine being blocked out.  It was nice it was already slightly hazy.

Standing before him now, I felt him step slightly closer, smiling as he rested a hand on my shoulder.  And with it, I raised my own hand up and clasped his hand over my shoulder, feeling his soft warmth as I smiled.  "You don't need to worry about me.  I'm okay," I said in a delicate voice.  And after asking him the same thing, just as worried, it was clear where we both were: and that was just dropping what happened and moving on, dealing with it later.  So after that was cleaned up, I spoke again - and on a much brighter note.  "So.  Pancakes first.  Then we will get ready and meet him," I said and he nodded, letting that darkness that had flooded his eyes slowly disappear.

"Sounds good to me," he said, giving my lips a small peck before we headed downstairs.  Where we soon devoured delicious pancakes and flooded our mouths with goodness.

***

I was never so relieved to see him before this moment.  He looked so... stuck from I saw in his hazel eyes.  Stuck in anger and a numbness I didn't know how to face.  Of course, it all started with both Luke and I giving him a massive hug.  And even though I was so happy to see him, I noticed Luke was... a little more reserved and cautious. And very paranoid.  To the point where he was wearing his police belt in a pair of jeans he found with a red shirt under a jacket.  Guns and all, folks.  It scared me because he watched his brother with sadness and caution, as if ready to pull anything out at any moment - at him or any surrounding followers if they popped up.  Even though Francis and Luke both knew nobody else was here.  I couldn't blame paranoia for setting in; I admit to feeling vulnerable too.

"You sure nobody is around us?" Luke asked in a more stern voice again, standing before his brother with me at his side.  At least it was a nice day out by the lake and there wasn't a harsh breeze.  I think that was about the only thing positive I saw today, besides all of us here alive. 

"I'm sure," Francis insisted.  "Christ, you're the fucking cop.  You know there isn't so stop being so on edge," he said, narrowing his eyes at Luke.  It was then I noticed... the massive black and blue, swelling over Francis's face.  And it was that mark that made me remember I punched him last night.  With clarity too as that image of me slugging him a good one came back.  It matched mainly with what was before me now.  Along his jaw and nearly up to his eye... it made me think I wasn't the only one that hit him because that was a very long mark.

Luke sighed deeply, not saying any more.  When I glanced up to him at my side, I saw him swallow and even his breath.  Getting under control as best as he could and try not to be so on edge.  "Okay," he nodded.  "You have a lot you need to tell us." Luke said in a softer voice, eyes appealing in his and I saw a scared glint in his gaze.  Like he was afraid to find out what all this was about as was I.

Francis crossed his arms over his chest.  He was actually beginning to shake... just the slightest.  And I knew it wasn't the Spring-like weather making him shake.  Not to mention he was in a black sweatshirt and looked warm enough.  What was making him so cold was recalling everything that happened.  His eyes moved between us.  "Alright," he said, taking a deep breath.  Running a hand of his through his curled hair, he looked around the ground with his pursed lips.  Finding a rotted out log a few feet behind him, he sat down on it as Luke and I stayed standing.  We were too anxious to sit.  "I suppose I should start from the beginning."

And he did.  With us intently listening to Francis's story.  "I was in my room at the hotel," he started.  "And I heard a knock.  What I answered, I was it was five men. They looked... very civilized, very calm, and in a neutral mood.  Just normal guys."  Sounded like the guys that fought us... civilized but deadly.

He went on.  "One of them though... they put a gun to my head," he said, shaking his head, making his whole self shake even more.  After all, this was the first time something like this has really happened to him.  I mean, drugs yes.  Manipulating a massive group in a gang, yes.  He even talked to Pauly, one of the 'bosses.'  But that was nothing like yesterday for him.  I couldn't blame him for still being as shook up as he was.  It made me think about Luke and I....  If we were normal people who went through what we did for the first time, we would probably be like Francis right now.  But the sad fact was we had enough happen to us to put it aside for now.  It really showed me how much me and him have been through.

Francis continued.  "T-They put a gun to me," he said, shaking his head and swallowing.  His voice evened as he looked at us.  "Then they said they knew I was the traitor."

"Patrick," I spat out instantly in a hiss.  Because the second that Francis said that, disgust filled me at realizing who was most likely the cause of ratting him out.

"No," Francis shook his head, surprising me.  His eyes were focused and clear in mine, anxious to explain why I was wrong with this.  "No.  Luke's money still held him off.  But apparently one of the members from the group ended up casually talking to Pauly.  Apparently, that Pauly guy brought up the deal... and the guy from the group had no clue what he was talking about.  He told him that they never agreed to stop coming after you guys.  And so that made Pauly realize I was lying.  I was the traitor they were already suspecting me to be," he scoffed, rolling his hazel eyes as he glanced away.

"Fuck," I groaned under my breath. 

"They knew it was me....  So Pauly hired a man, so these five guys told me anyway.  They told me a man above Pauly sent them because you both were affecting his business even more somehow than Pauly.  This guy... I don't know who he is.  But he sent these trained men in, fed up with amateur attempts to take you both out.  So... with that, they also wanted to take care of me at the same time.  I could either get shot then and there... or participate in a huge ambush on your both."

My eyes grew - and I was sure Luke's did too.  He was actually given a choice.  And that's when listening to his story became much harder.  Get shot or help them.  "I-I-I told them," he said, pausing and not able to continue at that second.  Biting his lip and shaking his head, I stared at him with a slack jaw, a lump growing in the pit of my rolling stomach.  "I told them to shoot me then.  And... they didn't.  They really wanted me to be a part of bringing you down.  So... they said if I didn't do it, they would find Brooke and kill my baby," he said, and I saw him groan in agony at the thought, his voice breaking.  "So I had to do it.  I had to stand around the perimeter and wait in case you both ran.  They didn't give me a gun, not trusting me.  And thank god too," he said, his eyes staying on mine.  "Because if I had a gun, I would have shot at them.  I would have had to shoot you if I saw you come out.  One of us would have died that night if I had a gun," he told me.

I swallowed hard.  It was a lot to take in.  It was overwhelming really.  I mean... not only is the gang back to get us.  Men of a more experienced nature in killing are even more determined to do so - under the control of another boss.  Not what we needed.  Not what we needed at all. What also really hit me hard though... was his issue with getting shot or saving Brooke.  It meant standing by and watching us get attacked. 

He stood there the whole time... through the gun fire.  Through knowing what was happening.  How did he do it?  Stay still...?  I was kind of hurt.  But I knew if he didn't do whatever they wanted, they would kill Brooke.  And if he rebelled either way to help, it wouldn't be much help to us. Because there was a massive number of men attacking us. "Because... because when I ran out and you tackled me... if you had gun, they expected you to shoot me," I realized and felt a little sick as I spoke.  I didn't want to ask.  But I felt as if I had to.  "Would you have?"

He just shook his head, raising both hands up to his red face and smoothed his hair back, taking a deep breath.  Looking to Luke, his eyes pink like his cheeks, he shook his head harder.  "I wouldn't have shot you.  I couldn't have done that," he said. 

"What happened?" Luke asked in a soft and caressing tone, looking between me and Francis.  He didn't know what happened... that I punched him in the face.  His sweet eyes met mine and became even more softer as they reached his damaged brother.  Biting his own lip, I saw him tense at seeing how bad this was affecting his brother.

I decided to tell Luke.  Francis was having a hard enough time.  "When you told me to run, Francis tackled me...."  I said and scoffed, looking down.  "Now it makes so much more sense.  He was forced too.  And... he saved me," I smiled, glancing back to him.  "He acted as if he was trying to restrain me.  So he wouldn't get in trouble.  But then, he told me to punch him so it looked as if I fought my way out of his hold."

Luke's breath caught and hitched.  His eyes melted with nervousness it looked like.  As if he was so upset he couldn't have done something more to have stopped that happening at all.  He looked back to Francis.  He didn't say anything for a moment.  Then he did, in a small whisper.  "Thank you Francis.  But what happened after?  Why are you here?  Why did they let you live?"

He sighed.  "After I chased after her and gave her my coat and boots, I went back to them.  And they... they said I proved myself worthy of living.  They saw I tried to stop her.  And I told them that I was willing to fully commit to them.  So they let me live.  But I do know they are going to keep following me, checking on me."  His eyes focused of Luke.  "I don't really understand their motives to let me live.  But if they discover you are my brother or if Patrick ever blabs, they will kill me.  Which is why... I think I'm going to need to leave town eventually," he said in a dead tone.

I scoffed.  "Oh you're the one that needs to leave town?" I scoffed.  "We have a fucking trained army after us.  Them against me and him."  I licked my lips and sighed, my throat closing as I stared up at a doomed looking Luke.  His eyes buried in thought, they eventually met mine.  In a sorry stare.  One that told me... he didn't know what to do. And I knew that.  I understood.  We were trapped.  "You kick brutal ass, Luke.  But we are dead if they come at us again.  And they will.  We need to get out of here.  We all do," I said anxiously.  Then... I remembered it didn't need to be exactly like that. 

After all... this was all because of me.  Everyone's painful suffering was my fault (which felt like a deep stab to me).  Luke and Francis's suffering... was because of me.  These assholes were after me.  Luke was only there to protect me.  That's why they always tried to take him out.  Each damn time... they only went after him because he was in the way of me.  But if he just... steps aside and lets me go, leave, he can save himself.  He can walk away clean with nobody after him.  Let them chase me and maybe Francis... but not him.  If he lets me be, he will be okay. 

I swallowed, hurting even more.  "Well, I do at least," correcting myself.  "And Francis probably too needs to leave town.  But you... if you stay and we leave... you'll be okay.  They would come after us, not you.  You could save yourself," I said to Luke's transforming eyes as he took in what I said.

His eyes widened - and looked outraged I would suggest such a thing.  He fully turned to face me now closer, his eyes digging deep... especially as the sunlight beating down found those glistening emeralds which glowed in mine.  In beauty and anger.  "You listen to me," he growled under his breath. "I know I'm not fit to protect you anymore.  I know I can't fight a fucking army for you.  But don't you dare think I will abandon you."

My heart twisted up in my chest and my eyes widened as his did.  What did he mean he wasn't fit to protect me anymore?  I just meant with the chances and how many were after us, it was best if he left and saved himself because he had that option.  Because yes, there seemed to be a slim chance of getting away.  But how did that make him not fit to protect me? 

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"It doesn't matter.  I'm not leaving you.  But Francis is leaving town.  Then we will," he nodded and so did Francis in agreement. 

I sighed, dropping his words and nodding.  Because whether he wanted to split from us or not, we needed to get out of town.  But an even more pressing question came to play when Luke turned and faced Francis again sitting on the log.  His hands resting on the rotted wood, his eyebrows rose as he looked between us.  "Do you think Clare is involved in this?" Luke asked.

Francis sighed and shrugged, looking helpless.  "I have no idea.  I'm assuming she was gone when they attacked?"

I nodded, thinking over the possibility.  There were clear signs that she was involved.  Always gone, wanting both of us dead as a motive, wanting us dead out of anger and to keep us away from finding Emily if she knew....  But I couldn't get past the fact that she asked me to get out right after my birthday.  She wanted me out at that specific time for some reason. 

"But... she said she wanted me out after my birthday.  Why would she say that if she wasn't planning something at that time?  Why would she abandon a plan and go with this?" I shook my head.

"To hide," Luke spoke up, making my eyes move from Francis to Luke's.  And his eyes looked intense, his thoughts driving him into a theory.  He nodded, feeling confident with his words.  "If she had a plan, she would abandon it if it meant she could hide behind another reason for us to be killed.  If she knew that attack was going to happen, she would happily want it.  It would keep her hands clean and she wouldn't be blamed for trying to kill us, those people who attacked us would."

I thought over his words.  And they made total sense.  I stared at the damp woods floor and lowered my eyebrows in thought.  That would be her best option... just to step aside, let the other people kill us so she wouldn't have to bother.  Of course, that would mean she would have to have known.  She would have to have been involved.  And what made that idea more credible was the answer to a question Francis asked us.

He broke the silence and covered the peaceful chirps of birds.  "Did she try to call you guys?  Did she try to contact you guys at all?"

Luke frowned.  "No.  But to be fair, she had no way too.  We don't have our cell phones and she doesn't know we are at mom and dad's house."

"I suppose it doesn't really matter.  We still need to get out of town.  Forget about her... we need to save our asses."

I felt a knot in my stomach at the thought.  I wanted to run more than anything... but it meant giving up everything with Emily.  It didn't matter though.  Our lives counted and I wouldn't dare risk it.  I nodded strongly in agreement.  "When should we leave?" I asked, looking between them.

Luke sighed and met my eyes for a very long moment.  "I want Francis out of here as soon as possible," Luke nodded to his brother.  His eyes met mine again.  And they changed, more appealing and worried.  As if he read right through me. "However..."  he took a hard, strangled breath that looked as if it hurt. He glanced to his brother.  "Um, however, me and her are going to stay here for maybe two or three more weeks to dig up her sister.  Even if it kills me to stay here and risk her life."  He looked back to me with worried and regretting eyes.  "We don't have a choice.  We need to stay and do this.  Otherwise, Clare will have the cops after us.  She will report that I kidnapped you once she finds out we left.  We'll have the cops and those killers after us.  The only way to escape this... is to hide out, get the body, turn her in.  It would get the cops off our backs and give us at least a chance," he nodded and came closer to me, brushing my arm.  "I'm sorry.  But we need to stay.  Because in a few months, I need to take you on that vacation.  And that wouldn't happen if we have all those people after us that would kill us," he gave me a sad smile. 

I looked down, pursing my lips.  Because I knew he was right.  I wanted to leave, even if I wanted her body.  It was so dangerous... but it would be even more dangerous to run and have an even greater force of people after us.  It would destroy our lives if we left before busting Clare.  That's why we needed to stay and finish this.  I gave a soft smile up to him, recalling his words at the picture he painted in my head.

"I have two questions," I said in a quiet voice.  A soft Spring breeze swept through my hair and his and it was as if I could already smell our freedom.  "First being, where will our vacation be?  And second," I said, more seriously.  "When we finish with Clare, how will we solve the issue of those trained killers?" I said, emphasizing that last part.

"We are going to have Clare tell us who is in change now.  The man that sent all those guys.  It's out of Pauly's hands, it's out of the gangs.... It's all being controlled by just one guy now.  We will arrest her, then we will have her tell us who this guy is.  And when she tells us who this guy is... we kill him," he said, straight to the point.  "Then," he gave me a hopeful smile.  "I'm going to take you to wherever you want.  We will go wherever you want, do whatever you want....  We'll be free," he nodded and I could see the confidence his eyes held.  Biting my lip, he raised his hand up, and brushed back one of the loose strands that slipped from my bun.  He repeated, "We will be free."

***

We had a plan.  And it made Luke and I feel much better.  I mean, it was as if yesterday didn't happen.  Rather we just blocked it out and had a hopeful reminder in our minds of our better future.  We get through this shit and we are free.  What made me sad though was what Francis had to do.

He was ready to move back into his house with his daughter he missed.  Now, only to find out, he needed to leave town and hide.  And for who knows how long!  It would be a few weeks until we dug up Emily's body in before or during mid April.  Then we needed to offer our evidence, get Clare arrested, and question her.  Lord knows how long that will take.  Then we needed to track down this guy.  Then Francis can come home.  Hopefully, we could get all that done fast.  But to get it done, it started with saying goodbye.

"You be safe, dummy," I said, giving him a big hug.  And hey, don't fucking start people.  I would miss him since he needed to head out as soon as possible - which meant today.  He was going to say goodbye to Brooke (which would be hard) and head out of town for who knows how long. So I was giving him a proper goodbye.   "Remember condoms in case you need them while you're gone," I said softly and felt him chuckle against me, hugging me tightly back. 

"Will do, pervert," he said.  "You make sure you use them too," he said and it was so nice...  to be joking like this before we part ways.  Because that's what we were always comfortable with and how we were with each other.

After I said goodbye, it was Luke's turn.  Which took a little longer because Luke was overly worried about Francis.  I would be too.  Not just if he was my brother.  This is what needed to happen... and if it goes wrong, Luke's going to blame himself.  "It wont be too long.  But... I would suggest using phones that can't be tracked when you talk to us or Brooke," Luke said, giving in to a hug he offered. 

Francis's eyes were down, his lips falling at that.  At the reminder he would have to talk over the phone with his daughter, not face to face.  He gave a single nod and it made me hurt for him.  I wished that I could do something that would help but what could I do?  This had to happen.  We had to stay here and get this shit done.  It would also hopefully keep those determined guys that wanted to kill us occupied here looking for us while Francis's stayed safe.  And even then, they wouldn't find us at their parents house.  We are well hidden.

After we parted, we did what we had to if we were going to be hiding out for a few weeks: get food.  We went through the grocery store as quick as we could.  With me wearing a pair of sunglasses I found in the car and Luke putting on one of his dad's hats we also found.  It was all we could do with what we had.  After all, we weren't going back to the Prenta house then to the store.  We were being smart, even when we knew nobody was following us.  When we were pulling out of the parking lot after we were done, we were also keeping in mind the cameras of the store.  And we headed out the direction opposite of where we were heading, in the off chance they got ahold of those cameras.

So over all... it was going to be a boring few weeks.  After all, that's the only reason we would leave as far as I knew.  Just to shop.  We wouldn't even head back to the house to see the damage done.  Luke also said that I was not going to school for a week....  And when I did, he would come in with me along with several other officers besides Ramper.  After all, if I stayed out of school the whole time, Clare would see me as 'missing' and report that he kidnapped me.  So we needed to be safe about all this. 

So for now, we were just hanging out at the big house.  Curtains drawn, doors boarded up.... It meant it was a drag when we had to take Jack out to go the bathroom.  But surprisingly, bottled up in the house wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  Luke made absolute sure of that.

For being in danger, for what happened yesterday, and for hiding out... we were in a pretty good mood.  No doubt partially because we were blocking stuff out but just being around him and having a plan made things better over all. Especially now as we were siting besides each other, watching TV.

His shoulder pressed against mine as we rested our backs into the couch.  I felt his warmth around me and in his voice as well when he spoke up for the first time in a while.  "I have a question."

I looked up from the screen into his eyes.  "What is it?" I smiled.  "You know you don't need my permission to go to the bathroom."

He smiled at my words.  And that smiled stayed as his words kept his mood up too.  "What was the last thing that happened before those people attacked us at the house?" He asked as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.  I arched a brown at his gesture and his question, looking into his eyes.  His smirk that formed should have given me a hint.  It was just hard to remember after all that. 

"Well... we were eating." I recalled.  "Because it was our special night," I rolled my eyes and shook my head at myself over my cheesy idea. 

"I asked you a certain question though..." he pushed.

I really tried thinking back to what it could be he was talking about... when it hit me.  He asked me to dance with him.  I smiled at the memory of that, even if it was hazy.  Of course, I bit that smile away.  "I... don't remember," I shook my head and lied. 

"Yes you do," he chuckled.  "You aren't getting out of it.  I want to dance with you woman," he said in a harmless and funny voice that made me crack up slightly. 

His playful green eyes reached down to mine from where our necks were craned.  "Dude, I can't dance," I said in a ridiculous voice.  "Does it even look like I'm the type of girl that would enjoy dancing?"

"If you were with me, yeah," he said, reaching over with his other hand and grasping my arm.  Standing up from the couch, I felt him pull me with him.  With my ass no longer home against the couch, I scowled up at him.  I was on my feet now with him and groaned, shaking my head.

"I don't know how to dance and maybe I just don't want to," I said, making him chuckle and I forced my own away.

"Don't be such a house wife," he teased me, raising and lowering his eyebrows.  His arms coming to wrap around my waist, he laughed again at my reaction of trying to push him away. Which he had to have saw coming with giving me an insult like that!

"Oh hell no, man.  Hell to the no.  You didn't just call me a fucking house wife.  I'd be one of those fun wives that would wear her man out," I said in an aggressive voice up to him.

"Then prove it," he said, smirking down to me.  "Wear... me out," he said in a slow whisper that made chills rise along my arms through my body.

"I will!" I said in a growl.  "I just don't know how to start!"

He brought me closer to his sweet smelling body, his warm heart.  His teasing eyes when I looked up into them.  "We first need music," he said, backing up and towing me with him.  And in the process, moving us towards the TV and shutting it off, still holding me to him.  As he turned that off, I saw a radio a few feet away.  And he didn't hesitate in turning that baby on, keeping it low enough where it couldn't be heard outside.  Of course, to me, it couldn't be any louder.

"Fuck no," I said, moving out of his arms in a grumble and moving towards the kitchen.  I heard him laugh at my reaction just as he grabbed my hand, holding me back.  What else should he have expected when he turned country on?  "I was feeling generous the other night.  But now, I think I hear food calling for me," I said, hiding my grin and knowing he wont take no as an answer from me anyway.

"You're not going anywhere until you dance with me.  Officer's orders," he smiled, making my will break and me do the same up at him after I turned to face him.  And with how fast paced the hillbilly music was... I knew this would be interesting.  "Trust me.  You will like this," he said in a sexy hiss that made me blush slightly.

Before I knew what he was doing and before I could call him out, he gripped my arms... and started to spin.  As if swinging me around him in circles.  It was confusing at first until I realized this was the plan.  He spun himself in circles, swinging me around him.  As he did though, I felt my eyes widen instantly... my legs trying to keep up.  After all, with how strong his arms were, he didn't give me much time to build up to spinning fast.  Nope.  It went from standing comfortable to tornado time.  My vision was blurry with the surroundings except him where my eyes stayed if I didn't want to get dizzy.  His hair swinging with mine with the movement, his shinny and happy smile was so clear to me as was his loving and playful eyes.

"What are you doing?!" I laughed loudly.

"Dancing the way you would like it," he said and with the sound of the music around us, I felt my legs have a hard time keeping up.  Even to the point where he forced himself to slow down, even if just a fraction.

By the time he slowed to a gradual stop, I was nearly convinced he was trying to kill me.  My stomach was rolling and though it was a strange feeling, I loved the giddiness that came with it.  Just as I felt my feet balance, I could feel where that energy wanted to take me.  And so, after I was stable enough, I made my break.

I tried to run for the stairs as smoothly as I could.  To escape him, his voodoo dance (that I did secretly enjoy) and escape this music.  In reality, I ran for the stairs because I felt like running from him.  I felt pumped with a playfulness I wanted to act out.  Unfortunately, I was too anxious to run too fast.  I lost my balance before I made it.  I didn't think it would make me dizzy but it did.  It made me try to escape with my pursuer on my ass.  And I had already lost when I fell to the floor in fits of laughter.  My vision was spinning still, the view of the sideways stairs moving with me as I was still.  Then... I felt him. 

"Such a clutz," I heard a scoff come from above me.  His soft voice made me want to break free from him.  Prove I could get away from him.  Even with my vision still spinning, I was going to fight him.  I just had the urge in me... to go beyond dancing and fight him.  Like a wild animal.  Animals did some wicked fighting.  

I laughed up at him, turning to see him over me from where I was on my back.  And when he grasped my arm to help me up, I swatted his hand away.  No sympathy from him was needed.  Not to mention, I wanted to push him.  When my vision stabilized to see him better,  I saw his 'angry' and alive stare aimed down at me.  Luke even went so far to try to grab me again.  And once again, I raised my hand from where I was sprawled sloppily on the ground and slapped it away. 

"You want to fight to me?" he asked in a challenging voice, seeing my own aggressive look I gave him.

"Yeah," I said in a whinny voice.  And I don't know what it was at this point but I was just so... so ready to play with him.  Play with his head, his body, and mess with him.  Our eyes locked in that moment and I bit my lip.  I had a plan... but it didn't work out to well.  His smile came closer as he bent down, trying to grab me and haul me up.  But I moved away from his grasp and scooted along the floor away from him.  And I did it in such a pathetic and slow manner than I wished, he just stopped trying in that second and laughed at me.

"Wow, you suck," Luke laughed.

"Shut up," I hissed on my knees, crawling away from him.  It was true... I sucked.  I was dizzy, slow, and not stable... even trying to crawl.  But when I did, I got to my feet and made a break for the stairs.  By now, my vision was fully clear.  I took advantage of that.  Chuckling as I moved my feet along the floor, running towards the stairs, I gripped the railing and swung myself up to the first step.  And just as I started to run up the steps towards the second floor of the house, my energy spiked in me.  I was ashamed to say I thought I actually had a chance.  I bound up the first few steps but he was so fast and so strong... I completely forgot how skilled he was. 

I felt him grasp my ankle from the running movement it was in and pull me completely out of my fast pattern.  I gasped as he pulled me, making me slightly trip on the steps.  But I wasn't hurt in the slightest.  Oh no.  Because Mr. I'm-so-strong-and-wont-let-anyone-suffer wrapped an arm around my back the second he turned me over from where I tripped.  And before my back could fully press into the steps, his arm wrapped under me and I was now staring up into his eyes. 

"No, you... jerk!" I said, sighing in a laugh.

Basically laying over my body, pinning me, I felt him laugh.  I tried to push him off me and wiggle my way out from under him.  However, he had other plans.  He pinned my hands above my head and scoffed, his eyes teasing me as he searched them.  "Seem familiar?" he asked in a breathy voice, indicating our position.  Besides now being on stairs, it was the same as many times before....

This was the position he showed me how to get out of in a fight.  The one where I failed a few times before and did well too.  I was all too familiar with this to say the least.  It made me glare up at him.  "You're very funny."

"Did you really think you could fight me?  Properly at least?" 

"You're welcome to shut up at any moment," I said, biting my lip as I stared up at him.  A moment of silence passed between us, the country music still present in my ears.  I felt it being blocked out though by the look he was giving me - that of amusement and that of also a sweet and caving stare.  As that silence existed between us and as we did no more that second, I slowly felt his strong arms that were pinning my arms move up slightly along my hands... and it made sparks shoot up and down my arms.  Especially when I felt his hands reach mine and intertwine our fingers together over us. 

"You know, I taught you the moves to break out of this hold.  I'm waiting," he said, raising his eyebrows in anticipation.  Waiting for me to obviously do it or admitting that I forgot.  And being so lost in his eyes... I felt blank.  I couldn't recall how to do it.  I really tried because I didn't want him to get that satisfaction over me.  But... as a long moment passed, I couldn't think straight.  Come up with anything.  I knew I was a lost cause when I felt his body press down and onto me more. 

"I'm too good to prove anything to you," I said and he laughed instantly at my answer.

"Can't remember?" He pressed down more over me, resting his forehead against mine.  "Poor Albany," he whispered.  "Too ashamed to admit it?" he asked, his teasing eyes close to mine.  I could feel his fresh breath wash over my face and soon, just my mouth as he leaned in closer.  My crotch pressed up tighter against him, I tried holding back a moan that I knew failed.  He was so beautiful... I felt something sweet and thick in the air between us.  I wondered at that moment what it was... and though I didn't know, I discovered I was a lost cause anyway as he breathed right against my lips.

"Too ashamed to admit you're scared of what I could do to you?" I whispered, smirking.

"To be fair, I really am scared of what you could do to me," he said in a much huskier voice that made my breath hitch, my stomach twist in want.  Because now wasn't about playing with him.  It was about the playing with him in a different way....

"You should be," I said, bringing my lips up to meet his.  And in that moment... where my delicate lips met his, I felt him.  Really felt him and who he was in that connection.  Despite his smell, the feeling when I moved my lips softly in his, despite how wonderful he made me feel... I knew who he was.  I knew this man.  And I never wanted to be without him.  I loved how he was holding my hands in his.  How protect and loving he was.  I loved how understanding he was, how he knew me.  I just didn't know him.  He knew me.  And that guys is the real kicker.  To know I let a man like him in and he devoured every chance to know me was overwhelming.  I loved him so much... and I felt that thick feeling in the air build up even more. 

His hands in mine broke away... sliding down my arms and wrapping them around my back. Tightly, possessively... and in a hungry way that complemented his lips.  They moved deeply into mine, moving my head to tilt back as he shifted up my body more.  Rubbing against me even and I could feel him groan into my mouth, making my need for him shoot up even more. 

My eyelids shut, I floated away in him.  his sweet body... so good.  I felt my legs automatically start to wrap around his and his fingers spread more along my back, holding me tighter against him as he kissed me.  His hair brushing against my face tickled my skin and I moaned in return of his.  Smiling up against my lips as he felt my moan, he took it deeper with that smile.  Until our lips slowly untwisted and the kiss slowly broke away from our passion.

Opening my eyes, I stared up at him.  His sweet emerald eyes along with the rest of him laying over me.  And for laying on a damn staircase, with him, it made it comfortable.  Because he wouldn't let it be anything but that for me.  I felt one of his possessive hands slip from my back and slide erotically up my chest.  I could feel every little brush, placement, finger of him as his hand slid up my stomach slowly, over my breast, and came to cup my chin delicately. 

"You drained the fight out of me, woman."  He gave me a sexy look that made me bite my lip.

"Did I... wear you out?" I asked in a soft voice, referencing what he challenged me earlier.  To prove to him I'm no house wife.  Looking down to his sweet moist and tasty lips, I saw his sexy grin widen to an even more playful smile, one filled with that sweetness again too.

"Not yet," he said, his eyes flickering in mine with two meanings that made my heart jump.  On instinct, I tightened my legs around him and pushed my lips back and up into his, kissing him again with just as much passion as before.  He moaned instantly, and after a couple seconds of him tightening his grip and moving his tongue deeper with mine, I felt him lift me up against him.  Because at that moment, Luke moved from laying over me on the steps to holding me to his chest as he knelt up.  Only for a brief second.  He was quickly on his feet before I knew it, holding me in his arms.  His arm around my back now and one moving to hold my up against him by my ass.

I felt him swiftly walk up the steps with me, making me moan as his lips parted mine... over and over again as his breath swept across mine and made my senses drown.  My arms around his neck tightened, I gripped his hair harder as I drove my lips against his.  And before I knew it, as he walked up the stairs and down dark hall swiftly with me, I felt him throw open and door behind me and marched in as he held me. 

My craving for him at that point was so strong... the power building between my knees, the force tingling through my lips into my chest.  The caress of his skin on mine making my bone shiver in a pleasure that was so intimate, I didn't want to experience it with any other man.  He was the only one... he was all I wanted.  And I felt his own want - through his claiming arms, desperate lips, and a hard pressure between his thighs pressing against where I was wrapped against him.

"You feel so good," he whispered as he continued kissing me.  Not a moment later though, the second after he opened that door and went into a room, I felt him drop.  Drop to his knees if I had to guess from the movement.  I was right too when I felt him kiss me more... and slowly lean forward, lowering me onto what I then realized had to be the mattress on the ground.

I moaned against his lips.  And despite my hunger growing and thriving in my body, naturally, I couldn't help myself with his words once our kiss broke gently.  "That's what she said," I smirked against his kissing lips.  His mouth wouldn't stop.  So his laugh was muffled and I could feel his lips shape up into a smirk of his own as he kissed me. 

Still wrapped against him as he was now laying over me on the mattress... it hit me.  What was happening, what will happen, and what this was.  It ambushed my heart, making it jump and alert me.  But it also made a warm sensation travel through me of my excitement at the same time.  Because that's what it was in the air.  This building up... of us here.  Right now in this moment.  Call me a girl but I could feel his love pulse between us, and the overwhelming desire that came with it... and knew tonight was the night.

I've always secretly been ashamed of being a virgin.  I mean, who the hell would expect me to still be a virgin?  I sure didn't.  Before I ran away, I hung out with older guys, made out with boys like it was nothing.  Touch and other stuff... but there was nothing past it being physical.  That's why it was always so hard with Luke.  It wasn't just physical - most of it was mental and emotional which was a huge ass struggle.  And that's why being physical felt daunting to me this whole time; it required more feeling between us.  But now, I conquered.  I was ready.  I was ready.  And to know how wonderful he was, I wasn't so ashamed of being that virgin anymore.

My life revolved around anything but emotion.  It was my rule.  No feelings.  So... how could he do this?  Make me break everything I built up?  How was he that patient with me?  How was he that understanding and determined to make me break down my walls?  Nobody gave me the type of chance or opportunities like he had?  He broke me open... and examined me with a microscope.  My whole being... became exposed.  And he cherished and took care of every piece of me.  He saved me.  And I wouldn't be able to find that in anyone else besides him, my best friend.  The love I never thought I could consider without bursting out laughing.

Swallowing hard and gasping after he broke from my lips, he leaned up over me... and stared down at me.  The room lit by the candles as our only source of light from the time we got here, I saw his eyes shine in mine.  His arms that were around my back slid out.  One resting on my side, the other cupped my neck as he stared down at me.  And with that soft caress, I watched his eyes play along my neck. And I could feel what he was watching as his fingers played with the chain around my neck.  The chain of the necklace he gave me. 

His eyes met mine again and he just... wouldn't look away from me.  He just stared at me.  "Are you lost officer?" I asked, breathing hard and smiling up to him, raising my hand up to cup his cheek, rubbing my thumb over his cheek.

His lips grew to a full out toothy grin that made me bite my lip.  He chuckled.  "I'm afraid I'm going to have to arrest you," he said, eyes filling with humor and love at the same time.

I could already see where this was going. "What for, copper?" I asked in an obvious voice, shaking my head at him.  Of how sweet he was and how passionate... just to turn around and be funny.

"For stealing my heart," he said.  And in his expression, I knew instantly that was a cheesy line he used on purpose that made me laugh.  Yet, I had no doubt from the twinkle in his eye that he was telling the truth.

"Not a bad line," I nodded, pursing my lips in reaction.  "Better than the last," I gave him, making him laugh as he swiftly lowered his head and lips back to mine - at the same time he raised both hands up to cup my cheeks in his hand.

The moment he kissed me again, he took me under.  Took me by my heart and I felt as if I was falling with him and jumping at the same time.  He was so wonderful... and such an angel to me.  I could feel it in his lips and the way his hands moved to unchartered territory that he was going to make me his tonight in everyway he could.  And I was more than happy to... 'wear him out' as it was mentioned before.  Nothing better than an early birthday present like that.  One so sweet and so... heated. 

___________________________
______________________________________

I tried making this chapter shorter in description and thoughts - once again messing with how I should write basically.  It might not seem like it but I think it's evidence, more so from the beginning, the change made.  I'm trying to eliminate detail not needed to make room for more to happen and a more effective story.  So I would love your opinions :)   I hope you enjoyed this chapter!  :)