Wicked NOT Dead: A True Blood Fan Fiction Chapter 15

    

ALCIDE

He'd been trying to get to her all day. From the moment he could no longer keep himself from waking he had been itching to be near her. But it was one of those days where everything that could go wrong did just that. He couldn't help but think that he was being cosmically fucked with. He could of course always count on his family for double doses of bullshit and today he had no patience to deal with it but no choice in the matter either. His father, having been out on a bender had not been around to discuss what to do with Debbie and with her disappearing into thin air those who had been were being singled out and questioned. This of course focused worried and suspicious eyes right at his father who now was pissed at him for being put in this position. Their argument started out heated and quickly became belligerent and violent. Alcide had left after putting his Father to the floor and reminding him that every move he'd made of late was to protect his father from those who would love to see him fall. His father of course had no gratitude and took no responsibility. Alcide was the son and sons did not go behind their fathers backs. In the end it would always be his fault.  

   Alcide spent hours driving around Shreveport trying to put out fires. Most of which he found had been started by one man. Lawrence Malcom, a man that Alcide had yet to meet and one he had begun to think was purposely avoiding him. He had no idea how he could have gotten the ears of so many of the pack in such a short time. Alcide was worried. Malcom seemed like just the type to form a real threat to his fathers leadership. His focus had not and was not here in Shreveport and hadn't been for weeks. In fact this was the last place he wanted to be and he was tempted to chuck it all and let his Father deal with his own mess. The human side of him selfishly wanted his life back. Wanted to call that big house in Bon Temps home and spend every moment with the pretty red head who filled his heart and haunted his dreams. But the wolf in him felt the call to protect his kin and the pack to which he belonged. It was yet another thing to tear up his insides. His last stop had been to Janice's who threw a hissy fit to the point he had to drag her into his truck and drive off the site so the scene she threatening to cause wouldn't end up making a run through the rumor mill as well. After calming her down he'd taken her home and insisted she take a pill to chill her ass out. He waited until she was down before returning to the shop to oversee the remainder of the work. Just about everything had been completed without his or Mason's assistance. Mason had not stepped foot from Bell Vita since Rebecca was hurt and even when he'd been there he hadn't been of any help. He knew the job would get done with or without him and at the end of the day he pulled those of his men who were pack to the side and they talked through what had happened the other night. He told them to tell the truth if they were questioned and to expect a meeting soon. Of course at that moment he got the call for just that and with curses from everyone around him they set out to clean up and go face the music. 

  The problem wasn't so much that Debbie had disappeared but that they had gone after her to begin with. At least that was the problem now. Debbie was no longer a part of their pack and therefore not their problem. Many of the voices that had supported Alcide before they went to track her had suddenly become silent and he found he had to justify his actions. His Father sat stone faced throughout the proceeding giving off the air of undermined authority. He did little to support his son and heatedly challenged anyone who dared to question why he had not been more involved in the previous proceedings. Alcide's blood boiled over more than once and his eyes were never far from the door and escaping. One particular voice, attached to a pot marked shady face made him want to lash out. He finally met Malcom who had come up to him right outside the meeting sight to introduce himself and to insure Alcide that his questions came from concern for the pack. A pack he'd just joined and one he already seemed to have a hold of. He sat in the middle of everything dictating the inquires and he often caught the questioning looks he would give others in the room as Alcide explained himself. It was as if he knew Alcide was purposely keeping things from those in the room and in reality he was. He was doing everything he could to keep Rebecca and what had happened in that clearing out of the conversation. He had to cop to loosing track of Debbie because he was trying to keep her from killing Rebecca but nothing about what came after escaped his lips. Luckily he could explain away Debbie's actions to acts of jealousy. They all knew she'd attacked Sookie and had been stalking her ever since. Alcide spoke of his conversation the night before and how she had professed her desire to hurt Rebecca and since everyone there knew what Debbie had become capable of they did not question that he really did fear she would kill one of the women. Many from his crew were asked questions about Rebecca and they answered honestly though Alcide was lucky non of them were asked directly the nature of his personal relationship with the human. It wasn't that he couldn't be with her but they would want to know more about her and whether Alcide had revealed himself to her and any of the pack sniffing around Rebecca was the last thing he wanted. He knew she could handle herself and knew what his world entailed but he wanted time, to keep her all to himself.  He didn't want to bring her into his mess any more than he already had. If he opened that door and let her in he'd never be able to close it and he loved the fact he forgot about everything else in his life when he was next to her. He saw himself differently when reflected in her eyes and he didn't want to loose that.

 In the end it was decided that Alcide had been right that Debbie was a threat to them and needed to be found. However he was to make no further moves without clearing it properly and when she was found he was responsible for quieting her. He'd known it would come to that anyway and truly all he cared about was keeping her away from Rebecca and Sookie. When the meeting ended most mulled around talking and while Alcide' father had told him not to leave before they spoke Alcide did it anyway. He slipped out the back door and was down the drive before it slammed shut. He tried to get Rebecca but she did not answer. He still wanted to go there but wasn't sure if she would be awake. He had no idea who was at the house with her and he dreaded the idea of entering the house without her there to greet him. He didn't want to be confronted by Mason or any one else for that matter. But if he got that close to her he wouldn't leave without seeing her. He'd take his well deserved lumps and then go to her. The truck practically made the turn for him and he rolled down the windows and watched the yellow lines on the road all the way to Bon Temps. When he pulled into her drive he only went half way before turning off and going down the little lane that lead to the conex boxes. He got out and scanned the woods around him. He tried Rebecca's phone but again nothing. He had started to call for her mentally when he heard her call him. She was awake and waiting for him now all he had to do was get to her, quickly. He shed his skin and ran threw the woods towards her call. 

  He didn't know what possessed him to change before finding her but it was a urge he was unable to repress and as he ran threw the wood he wondered if this would be the time she would actually get to touch him in his other skin. He stopped just short of the woods edge and scanned his surroundings nothing out of the ordinary stalked the wood on this night. Somewhere on the other side of the house near the clearing he could sense William not an unusual event and after the last few weeks a necessary nightly journey. If anyone or anything came near William would surely sound the alarm. He looked to the house figuring that his arrival had already been announced and wondered who would make themselves known first. He saw but a flicker of the curtain a shadow of a stern face and then nothing. Movement from behind the house caught his eye and he turned his attention from the house to find her. She was in the pool her body covered by the water her hair slick backed her eyes focused on him. He watched as her face turned from battle ready to inviting and the happiness he felt to see her flowed through him. He let out a howl and took off towards her, digging up the dirt around him and kicking it high in the air. A few feet from the pool he leapt into the air and shifted diving into the cool water,coming up for air before her completely human. His eyes meet hers and as he stood the water coming just to his waist she stood as well the extra height from the steps bringing their eyes to the same level.  He took her in stopping short when he saw the whiteness of the scars upon her stomach. It gave him pause but he couldn't help but shiver as he watched the sheen of water fall off of her naked body. His hands reached out to touch her his eyes shutting tight when he took her by the hips and realized that she was solid and completely real. He pulled her to him feeling the shock waves run through him as her arms moved around him and held him just as closely as he held her. He tried to calm the emotions and the urges that ran through him. He felt relief that she was alive and well,happiness that she received him with open arms and guilt that he could not control his overwhelming desire for her. Just the sight of her had turned him out and he could not hide it. Somehow it felt wrong and to soon but apparently not to her for she pulled back enough to take in his face and then brought her lips to his and kissed him hard. The fierceness of it froze him but when her teeth grazed his bottom lip the pain brought him to to life and his mouth started to move in time with hers. He lifted her up and as she wrapped her legs around him he moved them further into the water. There kisses were filled with longing and passion, some where soft and light others hard with jagged edges but they all conveyed the emotions of the last few days. He kissed her until he was sure his lips were raw and close to bleeding and stopped to run his hands across her cheeks which were reddened for the scratchiness of his beard. She moved her cheek across the back of his fingers and then kissed them lightly. 

" I never thought you'd get here." She whispered. There minds had melded in a frenzy of lusty declarations and broken sentences but these were the first words she had spoken aloud. 

" I'm sorry to have kept you waiting." He answered back, the apology meant for more than just that day. He'd only known her for weeks and the idea of her not being in his life shook him. He could only imagine living with the idea of someone most of their life and never knowing if they were going to become a part of you. He moved his hand down her neck but stopped it at the base of her throat and waited. The rest of her was pressed against him so she removed her arms from around his neck and bent herself backwards grabbing on to the side of the pool to keep her afloat atop the water. His hand now having more skin to roam moved downward, tracing the smoothness of her underarm and caressing the side of her breast her eyes closing as his touch moved to the sensitive skin underneath it.  He ran the palm of his hand across her hardened nipples which made her jump and made him smile. She raised her hips and sucked in her breath as his hand made it's way between her legs and gasped when he began to work her with his fingers. He was thrilled to find that her desire for him mirrored his for her, her body trembling at his touch her hips moving up and down to his rhythm. He placed kisses on the scars that covered her stomach and held her up with his other hand when she started to loss her concentration and control. Her legs which had been holding him like a vice suddenly went lax and let go falling into the water. 

" What's wrong" he asked silently. 

" Nothing" She said aloud her voice raspy. She lifted herself up onto the pools ledge,her emerald green eyes which had remained closed were now open and glowing and he knew instantly it was not his imagination. There was an energy coming off of her and he swore her could hear her sizzling as the sticky night air evaporated the water from her skin. She was electric and cunning knowing that she could get him to do anything she liked if only she asked. 

" Come here" she demanded reaching out and grabbing him by the back of the head and bringing him to her. She sent him the image of what she wanted him to do so he pulled her the edge and moved inside her. Following her lead and taking her mental commands it wasn't long before he felt the fever begin to rise inside him and he tried to hold back, not wanting it to end to soon. 

She placed her hands on both sides of his face. " Look at me." she said. He did as she asked and once he was looking into her eyes his gaze locked and he could not look away. " Let go" she sent to him. He thrust his hips upward moving deeper inside her and she clenched her muscles each time which put him over the edge. Her body was already pinned against the ledge, he could hear it rubbing against the gravely texture of the wall but if she felt any pain she didn't show it. In fact her face was alive with a seductive grin and her eyes were the size of the moon. He bent her back so far her head went over the edge but he brought it back by cradling his hands underneath her. The water around him stirred and swayed as the heat inside him boiled over and he let out another howl that filled the night. He collapsed on top of her his body drained and rubbery. He was to weak to move. She rested one hand in his hair and ran the nails of the other up and down his back. 

" Alcide?" He raised his head " Do you think I could get up now?" She smiled and chuckled when he jumped back and pulled her up with a jerk. He did it with such force she sunk into the pool and came up with eyes wide and mouth sputtering. 

" Oh hell" He stuttered pushing the hair out of her face and thought what a dip shit move.

She pushed herself upward and putting both hands firmly on his head pushed him under. " Only fair. I get wet.. YOU Get wet" She sent to him as she high tailing it though the water towards the pools steps. He caught her by the legs just before she could reach safety and with a flip of the wrist turned her to him and brought her back to his arms. 

He grabbed her roughly by the ass sucking the breath from her body and taking the fight right out of her. 

" Oooooh Manhandle me baby." He took her arms and wrapped them around his neck. 

" You'd like that wouldn't you?" He'd been hesitant to completely let go of himself with her but knowing what he did now it seemed unlikely that he would actually be able to do anything that would damage her permanently. 

""Ummmmm hummmm!" She whispered into his neck. " I may bend and I may break but you can be sure that I will come back together again." She started to kiss him. " No need to gentle, no need to hold back. You just go on and give me all you got you hear me Alcide Herveaux?"

He heard her load and clear but having permission to let the beast out didn't mean he couldn't still be a gentleman when called upon.

He carried her out of the water and gently placed her on the deck. He picked up her robe and helping her into it. 

" Thank you sir" She smiled and went to a trunk near the edge of the grass. From inside she pulled out a towel and a pair of sweats. She threw the pants at him and while wrapping the towel around her head she said " I figured you'd be coming around here naked from time to time so I stocked this and the benches by the main doors with Were shifting essentials."  She watched intently as he covered up. The look on her face sent a chill across his flesh. No woman had ever looked at him quite like that. He could see that she wanted him, the passion and desire was something he recognized, he had also see the love and contentment that she felt in his company. It was the part of the look that told him that she saw to the core of him and would never turn her back to the truest parts of who he was that he'd never seen before. There was nothing he could do to run her away. She would stay and fight for him, protect and covet him forever if he wanted her. A blast of heat which came from her hit him solidly drying off his skin and bringing his temp back to the Were like constant. He sent her a mental thanks to which see sent him a wink and a nod. 

" Guess this means I'm welcomed to come round naked then?" He flashed her grin and she blushed at the sight of it. He moved his finger across her cheek and pulled her into a tight hug. 

" I can assure you one way or another you will be naked, frequently whenever in my presence." She hooked her thumbs into the back of his pants pulling them up from their dangerously low level which made him shake his head. 

They stayed locked together in a warm embrace for a long time and while Alcide was happy enough to just stand there holding her he could feel that she was hesitant to go inside. He wondered if the world around her was as quiet as they were for him. 

"Becca, you don't have to worry Mason and I will work things out. We both have your best interests at heart and we both love you. He has every right to be angry with me. If the roles were reversed I'd have done exactly what he did. Probably worse." The look she gave him told him she knew that that was true and that is part of what scared her. 

" Mason has much more control over his emotions. He will always be the level headed one and I know that. I ain't going in looking for a fight with him Rebecca. He told me not to come back until I knew what I wanted. I know now and I ain't going anywhere." After the other night Alcide knew that Mason's feelings for Rebecca were more complicated than he would ever admit. Rebecca had to know that somewhere inside her,they were far to close for him to be able to hide it from her completely. She pushed back and broke away turning her back to him but toward the house. He watched the gentle changes in her body and knew she was speaking to the other man in her life. Having the same connection to her now helped him control the envy he felt but it didn't kill it. As long as Mason was around, and he knew he would be going nowhere, there would always be a part of him that would have to deal with the idea of sharing her to some extent. He was going to have to trust her not to cross lines he could not forgive. 

"I would never do that." She said aloud. She turned the look on her face clearly hurt by the ideas running through his head. He moved his gaze towards the water. 

" I know that my history may lead you to believe otherwise but I would never contemplate such a arrangement and damage the love you have for me. I can not change my past. Nor do I wish to. My life is no longer with Christian and Alexander my life is here with you. Mason is having a hard time right now. I realize this, I felt the same loss and flood of emotions when he found his way back to Silvia. I have been alone a long time and Mason has taken care of me. He wants me to be happy but is also afraid of loosing me. I can not control how he feels but you should know that there is only one man I wish lying next to me at night. I feel no need to split my affections. You have my heart. I hope that you will accept it and believe in me. 

It was time to take a leap of faith. There was no where he wanted to be more and no one he wanted to be with. If she said she was his he had to believe her. No more letting his mistakes or the mistakes of others keep him from his future. 

" I believe in you Becca. I do."

She nodded. " If you ever have doubts I hope you will talk to me about them. You like to keep things close to the vest and let your fears fester but I hope you will not do that in matters that pertain to us." She took his hand and they walked together into the house. As they entered he caught just a glimpse of Silvia's retreating back closing the basement door. Rebecca moved right past the sight and headed towards the front of the house. When they reached the foyer Rebecca stopped. 

" I need to take a moment to speak to Mason. Would you mind going up without me? You can shower and relax and I will meet you in a little while." 

"Of course" he said hoping he sounded steady and confident. " I'll do my best to wait up for you." 

He leaned down to kiss her,giving it all he had hoping it would remind her of what was waiting for her upstairs. She watched as he walked up the stairs and disappeared into the guest bedroom. He waited until he heard her bare feet moving across the floor to move back into the doorway. He leaned against it and watched as she opened the living room doors and then without turning back closed them behind her.

REBECCA

                                                                                                                             

She closed the doors quietly, the most peaceful move she had made in the last twenty minutes. She leaned against the doors and tried to relax. Mason was angry. He'd been angry for days and there was little that Rebecca could do or say right now to change that. She had expected road blocks and complications along the road of the new journey she was taking but she hadn't thought that Mason would be the one throwing boulders in her path. She couldn't try to sooth him the way she would like for fear of hurting what had re-awoken in him further nor chance giving Alcide the wrong idea. She now understood what she had done to him when he'd moved on with Silvia. 

The mere thought of her seemed to make the shadows down the hall dance and Rebecca found that she was no longer alone. " Silvia please do not lurk. You know how I hate when you do that." 

Silvia removed herself from the darkness sliding her way down the hall until she stood in front of Rebecca. She knew now that Silvia was part of the problem. She wasn't upset with Mason because he was thinking of Rebecca as a lover again. No Silvia was angry at Mason because he was not fighting to take what he wanted. Monogamy was a human weakness in Silvia's eyes and as much as she loved and honored Mason as her maker he was not her only lover. In fact much to her dismay Silvia had recently become the paramour of her Aunt. She should have known there was something more to Silvia's wanting to stay in New Orleans than the idea of getting her hands dirty. She spent many of her nights buried deep in it. Mason of course was aware of this development but had conveniently forgotten to mention it to Rebecca. 

" I am sorry Rebecca. I did not mean to lurk. I was just holding close in case the two of you came to blows." Silvia turned her thin lips into a crooked smile. 

There was nothing she would have liked better than for there to have been a fight. Mason riled up and full of pent up anger meant fabulous painful sex for her. Sweet and domesticated as she was Silvia had a masochistic streak when it came to sex and she'd been reaping the rewards of fights between Mason and her for years. She really had been born to be Vampire. For the most part the woman had always gotten along but at the moment Rebecca saw something in Silvia she did not like. 

" So sorry to disappoint you Silvia. Nothing thrown. Nothing bruised. Barely a raised voice. Not exactly what you had been hoping for I'm sure." she flexed her hands and worked to keep the energy flowing through her from escaping in a way she would regret later.

 Silvia, normally a calming influence was stirring the pot. Mason's not taking what he wanted lessened him in her eyes. Mason saw it and it conflicted him further. He was having a hard enough time keeping his true nature under control. He knew that if he lost control and let what he felt at the moment rule him he would ruin things. He knew if he made Rebecca choose he would not like what came of that ultimatum. There would never be another time in Rebecca's life where she would be able to split her affections. She loved Mason but her mind and body could only belong to one man. He had watched those she loved before suffer because they were not that man. She could not imagine why he would even contemplate doing that to himself. The only reason she could surmise was that someone else made him feel like he had the right to her. 

" What are you doing Silvia? Why are you making this hard on him? If you want to break free and leave then all you have to do is ask. He will let you go he always has let you do as you please. Now would be no different."

" I do not wish to be released, Rebecca." she stopped and smiled sweetly. He mind however was filled with drama inducing proclamations. One's she had every intention of spilling to her at that very moment. Rebecca dug her heels in and prepared for what she was about to hear.  

"He feels the need to have you and he should never be denied what he wants. If he wishes to possess you again,to bed you then he should do just that. He has  stood loyally beside for years following your every whim. Going wherever your broken bitter heart took you in the search to find the one who waits for you upstairs. His connection to you goes against who he is. He is Vampire one of the oldest known and he should not be sitting her in this tiny town wasting away for nothing. He should not just sit back and let you be with the Were. He should fight for you. For you there should be no choice to make. He is far superior in every way. These last few days should have proven that to you. He'd die for you Rebecca. The only reason he did not sit in that room next to you all day and let the bleeds take him was because you asked him to go. He would not listen to the reason of his own kind. He listened to you." she shook her head. 

It pained her to know that any human had that kind of control over her sire. Even a woman such as herself who held as much if not more power than he had. Silvia understood the attraction Rebecca held, she felt it herself. It had hurt her to see Rebecca in pain and she had done everything within her power to help her through it.  She just believed that Mason should reap more rewards in the connection. She wanted Mason to be content and right now he was torn up inside. She believed that taking what he wanted would end all of his inner turmoil. It would make him stronger and serve as a reminder of who and what he was. Silvia had never seen Mason as ordinary. To her he was as close as you came to a God on Earth. But she had been spending to much time with other Vampires. Ones who fit the mold of Eric Northman. So Silvia had lost all sight of the man her sire really was. Mason had never been the kind of Vampire to own anyone. He still believed in free will and would never take anything that would not or could not willingly give itself. His children had come and gone as they pleased and only Alex had been beside him when he resided with her family. Perhaps if she had been with them earlier or knew why the ties that bound Mason and Rebecca were so strong she would think differently. But when Silvia came back into the picture the darkest part of her and Mason's past had been long over. It was not something the Mason would have ever shared with her. So it was doubtful that Silvia would ever understand. She saw their bond and could not understand why they were not lovers. She could see in Silvia's mind that would never change. Her intent was not hateful. She just believed there was no comparison between Mason and Alcide. Rebecca's choice was just the wrong one. 

She would never ask Mason to send Silvia away even though she believed that it would be the best thing at the moment. Mason's confusion would be lessened. He could come to terms much quicker and with less pain if he did not have an extra devil sitting on his shoulder. But she had no right to dictate anything to him so she would keep her concerns to herself. Somehow she knew that it would work out. That he would be okay and that they would find their way back to how they had always been. Mason was the sensible one. He'd been the one to end their liaison. He'd been smart enough to run before he'd gotten in to deep. He had done the right thing then and now when the reason she'd have never been solely his was lying upstairs he'd do it again. Mason could force the issue but he'd loose and that was a fact he was well aware of. He wouldn't risk centuries of connection with her family or a fleeting desire to rekindle an affair that should never have taken place to begin with. 

" You have your sire's best interests at heart Silvia. I understand you are being loyal to him and encouraging him to go after you believe he needs. But you have not been privy to our history, there are reasons we are not together and you should do your best to respect the decision we have made to remain friends. Also, not to be mean or demean your connection but if I was with Mason you would no longer be here. Mason hasn't had more than one lover at a time in quite a while. All of his energies would go to pleasing me and there would be no room for you. You say you have no desire to be released. That you want to be here with him but your actions tell a different story. Pushing him towards me will leave you out in the cold. He will get through what he is feeling now and when he does if he believes that your voice was the one rang in his head loudest he will dismiss you. The sight of you will be a constant reminder of his folly and he will ask for another break from your company. He missed you while you were apart. He has been happy. The last few days have been hard and he has had to deal with my pain as if it were his own. He believes he knows what is best for me and wants to protect me from being hurt any further. That need, the same he feels for his children by the way has filled his mind with long dead ideas and has clouded his judgement. I know this will not last. He will return to being the level headed man I have always known him to be. Do not ruin what you have built with him again over the idea that he is less of a Vampire by fighting what he is feeling for me. Let it be Silvia and concentrate on keeping what you have."

The doors behind her cracked open and Mason stood somberly on the other side. 

" Silvia perhaps it would be best if you let Rebecca go upstairs now." Silvia gaze moved from Rebecca's and nodded. She walked past Rebecca and into the living room without another word. Rebecca took a few steps forward then turned to look at Mason.

" I can not change the past, nor can I predict the future. Our lives are mostly mystery, but when a question is posed it is up to us to find the proper answer." She smiled at the light that sparked in his eye. He liked when she spoke in such a way it reminded him that while her body was still young her soul was as old as his. " If the answers you seek lead you away from here do not despair. I cherish you in my life now and always regardless of time or space. You must do what is right for you as I must do what is right for me." She put a kiss to her fingers and turned it towards him. " Goodnight Mason." She started up the steps expecting him to bid her goodnight as well but the doors shut once again without a word. She turned briefly to listen to the low voices on the other side of the door. But she didn't really hear anything they were saying. She'd just been hoping he'd send her a silent message. But nothing came. She shook off the pain of his silence and hoped his voice would return soon. She looked around her,this place had given her so much she hated to think it could cost her the person who'd been closest to her for so long. They say nothing good lasts forever but Rebecca hoped she didn't have to give up one good thing in order to have another.

    She climbed the reminder of the stairs and ignoring the mental shout out from Alcide (who was getting antsy for her to join him) went to take a shower. The smell of the chlorine on her skin and in her hair had distracted her the entire time she had been with Mason. She was more than happy to see it disappear down the drain. She found a nightgown hanging on the hook next to her towel and a note scribbled on the bathroom mirror that said "you smell amazing now hurry the hell up". She giggled and running a towel through her damp hair made her way across the landing and into the bedroom. He was lying on the bed propped up on pillows legs stretched out and crossed at the feet. He looked decidedly like a man of leisure. His eyes were closed but the slight up turn of one side of his mouth gave his attempt at being nonchalant away. 

She sat on the bench at the end of the bed and continue to dry her hair. 

" Comfortable?" she asked examining a piece of hair for split ends. She wished she'd grabbed her brush before sitting down.

" Very" he answered sleepily. " You okay?" He'd waited as patiently as he could. But it had been work to stay in the room. It was only after her heard her come upstairs that he had relaxed.

" Yes love. " she got up and as she headed to the bathroom she continued. 

" Mason and I spoke calmly and in time everything will be fine." The smile she put on her face faded as soon as she knew she was out of his view. Her shoulders slumped and her confidence in her last statement faltered but she didn't have time to dwell on it any more tonight. When she was with Alcide he needed to be the only man in the room. He was already thinking of her and his situations with Mason to much. She didn't want to add to his worry. She hung her towel and grabbed her brush and looked in the mirror,reapplying the carefree face she'd had a few moments before. 

His eyes were wide open now and they were stuck to the doorway waiting for her to come back into the room. They way he stared made her tingly, so she rewarded him with a sweet kiss, which he happily accepted. She pulled away slowly, and then ran her index finger across his lips and left him swooning. Once back on the bench she felt him move down the bed and slid into place behind her. 

"May I?" he held out his hand and she slapped the brush into it. 

" If you wish." he placed one hand at her side and pulled the brush through her hair in long even strokes with the other. Each stroke pulled her back just enough to let Alcide's fingertips make contact with the bare skin of her thigh. The friction from the brush strokes caused electricity to run through her and send up a spark between her skin and his. It felt lovely and the simple romantic act soothed and calmed her. When he finished her hair silky smooth and slicked back from her face he pulled her close and hooked his chin on her shoulder.

 " You okay?" He asked again. This time he wanted to know if she was suffering any ill effects from her injuries. She reached back and pulled her hand reassuringly through his hair. 

" I'm a little tired and a little sore but both of those things pale in comparison to how happy I am to have you here."

" No place I'd rather be than here with you. Wish I'd been able to get her sooner." He was angry that his life in Shreveport had kept him away. 

" Do you want to tell me what happened." She knew there had to be fall out from Debbie's disappearance. She turned her body so that she could look at him.

He kissed the tip of her nose " Some of the pack aren't to happy with me at the moment but I'd rather not get into it to much if you don't mind." 

He didn't want to burden her with details of his drama. He didn't want to bring his life before her into this house at all. Here he could forget it all and that made him happy. She didn't press but she did offer her assistance should he ever find the use for it. 

" If you need anything Alcide you just let me know. Debbie is not just your problem. She is a threat to people I love to." She took his chin in her hand and held it steady so that he would have to look at her and waited until he nodded his agreement. She wouldn't force her way into Alcide's life away from her but he would know she was willing to be there.

 " The work at Janice's is done?" She figured she'd be the one to change the subject. She didn't think of where it would go until the question had left her mouth.

" The boys will be back her in the morning to finish the inside work. Guess Mason's men will be back tomorrow night?" 

And so the Elephant entered the room she thought, despite her promise to herself here they were talking about Mason. It was within the context of work and since the two of them were still working on her house it was a logical conversation but that by no means made it a safe one. 

" Only a couple. There isn't much indoor work left and we don't want to piss off the any of the neighbors by working outside at night. So he has sent most of them to work on a place outside of New Orleans."

" Makes sense. Mason's men are hard working. Finish a job and move on to the next. That is the nature of the business." He wanted to know if Mason would be going to.

" He's thinking about it. Originally it was the plan to complete this other job and then come back her to start work on his own place." she paused as Alcide asked her silently where that would be going.

" In the clearing where the conex boxes are. But now he is not so sure it would be a good idea to leave. Even though the Vamp hasn't been sighted near here since before the full moon we know he was working with Debbie and now she is missing as well. He doesn't want to leave when there could still be trouble brewing nearby." 

Alcide's eyes clouded over for a moment but he came back quickly. " His own house huh?" Mason having his own place was actually more than he had expected. He'd figured he'd have to deal with him under the same roof whenever he was here.

" Yes that had always been the plan" Although the timing had accelerated considering recent events. Mason was in need of some space and Rebecca didn't want to be worried about the two main men in her life getting into it so separate abodes sounded like a good idea. She could feel Mason's negative energy running through her. He had left the house and was now wondering through the woods thinking to much. Silvia was steaming in the living room from whatever had been said between them. While she could feel his mood she could not reach him. He had himself shut off from her probably so he didn't catch any of the feelings she was having here in this room with Alcide. He'd had enough of that for one night already. 

" I'm gonna fix things with Mason." His bad behavior had caused Mason's opinion of him to change and he understood it.  He was protective of those he loved and would react the same way if someone else hurt Rebecca the way he had. He'd have to work hard to prove himself to Mason. The part of the problem that didn't involve him he'd have to trust Rebecca to handle. "Watched the two of you enough to know you'll work things out to."

Rebecca pressed herself against him " I am sure we will all be just fine. Our lives have been a bit crazed recently. A bit of time and perspective will show us what we need to do to get back to where we were"

Alcide chuckled " Got myself wrapped up in a walking self help book, a regular voice of reason." He didn't mean to make light of the situation but Rebecca's way of speaking was more put together than anyone else he'd known. Most of his conversations were peppered with grunts and countless cuss words. Rebecca may just be a bit to high class for him.

" Oh I can curse with the best of them mister. I am sure you will rock my calm demeanor again and send me spiraling into fits of trailer park trash talk in no time." She poked him in the side " In fact if you ever think we are anything less than perfectly suited for one another again I will be forced to tell your stupid ass off. You hear me Mr. Herveaux?"

His answer came in a series of scratchy kisses across her shoulder blades. He lingered close to her skin enjoying being so close to the clean crisp scent of her. 

" Can you show me?" he asked his lips barely leaving her skin. He sent to her what it is he was asking to see. She also found out the reason why this particular night gown had been picked. He wanted to be sure that if she was still dressed when he asked he'd still get a clear view.

" Oh my" She replied. His request should have come as no surprise for he had read of it in her journal but neither had spoken of it in the time together since.

 " Of course I'll show it to you." She turned sideways and stroked his cheek " It was intended for your eyes only after all." She stood but stayed within reach. She closed her eyes and recited the spell that would remove the veil covering the tattoo on her back. 

From the top the ink slowly appeared and lined it's way down her back like a creeping vine along a trellis. Though she remained with her back to him she knew Alcide watched in rapt attention and as the puzzle pieces fell into place he grabbed her by the hips and pulled her closer to him so he could see it more closely. Once the tattoo was fully formed across her bare back he began to trace the outline with his fingers. She made the moon shimmer and the grass move but it was he who let out the low growl as his touch moved across his portrait. 

" Is that really me?" His mind held the faces of other wolves but the vision of himself in his wolf skin came from her mind. 

" Of course it is and you are a marvelous beast." He kissed the moon that lay in the palm of her back. She faced him and cupped his face in her hands " I wish for you to see the other side of you the way I do."

" Already see myself different. You show me more of myself everyday." he stopped himself there the lump growing a bit larger than a tough man like himself would like. She released him and gave him a few moments to himself. 

    When she returned he was sprawled out across the bed his feet dangling off his eyes glued to the ceiling. His mind was calm his body wanting. He was working on getting the latter in check. He didn't want to push her to far to fast. He still worried that she wasn't one hundred percent. From where she stood she willed the door closed, the click it made as it slid shut caught Alcide's attention. She glanced at the girls who were curled up on the couch, they both looked up at her and with understanding made their way into the closet and the perches they had made for themselves within. She turned off all the lights and called fire to light the candles across the fireplace mantel. He was on his elbows watching her work her magic when the strings on his pajama bottoms began to untie themselves. His eyes grew wide and Rebecca's grin grew wider as the cloth slowly worked it's way down his hips. 

" Becca?" He was both aroused and a tad creeped out by what she as doing to him. 

She was amused by his reaction and had to fight off the urge to show off any more, he was going to have to get used to seeing her abilities at work. She planned on using them as much as possible in situations such as these. But for now she decided he'd seen enough and so when she reached him she grabbed the ends of the pants pulling them the rest of the way off the regular way. Every inch of him was perfectly sculpted, perfectly tanned. He was quite the marvelous beast in this skin as well. She ran her nails across his thighs and across the perfect v leading down to his crotch. He made a move toward her but she mentally pushed him back hiking up her gown and slinkily slide her way on top of him. She straddled him and then slid her body across his chest and pushed his arms up over his head. He clasped her hands to his tightly forcing her face to meet his. 

" Ready for another spin Mr Herveaux?" he pushed upward to kiss her and she let him but tightened her grip on his arms when he started to push them upward. As their kisses became more passionate Alcide's desire to touch her caused him to push harder and harder on her hands. The more she held him steady the more frenzied his mind became.

The amount of control she had over him was maddening, the strength she held within her mirrored his own. She was proving to him that not only was she able to take him on but she was also his sexual equal. She drove her point home by squeezing his sides between her thighs and taking his bottom lip between her teeth and slowly lifting upward. 

She smiled wickedly and released his hands sliding hers down his arms and letting them rest upon his heaving chest. 

" Shit" He muttered under his breath clenching and unclenching his hands before running them through his hair and across his face. She was reveling in the moment and let her guard down. It was then that Alcide chose to turn the tables, in one blurry moment she went from being above Alcide to below him. 

" My turn" he sent to her with a crooked grin moving his hands down the sides of her body til he found the hem of her gown. He took his time and as the silk slid up her body she sighed and she jumped as one hand slid beneath her and with a squeeze forced her to lift up enough for him to move the gown up over her head. He tossed it on the floor behind him moved himself between her legs and then focused those dark eyes back on her. Something she saw there wasn't right. He paused and urged her into his mind. Every time he saw her no matter the situation he wanted her. He'd never known a need this great it made him loose all control. His lust for her was causing him to be careless and he couldn't afford to be careless. He broke the connection and placed his forehead between her breasts.

" What is it?" she asked. "Whatever it is you can tell me" 

He slid to the side of her and she turned her body to match his and waited. She had a good idea of what was bothering him. She had got a glimpse of the thought earlier as they had left the pool. He'd only let it enter for a second before pulling it back but she'd been expecting the thought, had thought it herself actually, so she'd been in tuned with his as it flashed across his mind. Their sex in the pool had been unprotected and this worried Alcide. Nothing was full proof but you left a lot to chance when you didn't use anything. 

" There will be no children unless you will them to be." a touch of a smile crossed her lips as she said it, was meant to reassure him.

 He couldn't make himself say it aloud but the bottom line was Alcide did not want children. He didn't want any child to go through what he had gone through. He didn't want to bring any Were children into the world. Rebecca had been a Mother and had no idea how she would feel about the prospect of never knowing that kind of love in her life again. 

"And you will be able to live with that? Not having any more kids?" He knew the subject of having children could make or break any relationship. But what Alcide didn't realize was that although Rebecca had been a Mother, had loved her children more than her life and would morn the loss of them for the reminder of her life she didn't think she would be able to deal with the possibility of ever knowing loss like that again. It had broken her the last time and she had barely made it back. If she had another child and they were taken away from her it would be the end of her. The reasons for their fears were different but there was no conflict to be had on the subject. 

" Yes Alcide if you and me are forever that will be more than enough. Believe me when I tell you this." He read her fears and knew she wasn't lying. 

" What do you mean unless I will it?" 

" If the day ever comes you change your mind my body will know otherwise there are no worries." She flicked her fingers in front of his face "It's magic'" she sent to him.

He put her fingers to his lips and nodding his understanding kissed them lightly. He moved into her again smoothly finding the place where they had left off and when the time came to move inside her he did not hesitate and she received him readily. They both found it quite easy to let go and get lost in each other....

ALCIDE

                                                                                                                                

He hated to wake her but the sun was steadily moving up the sky and the crew would be here soon and most of the work would be taking place a few feet away. She was curled up on one side the majority of her creamy skin exposed and as usual calling to him. There was no time to go there again so he shook the thought out of the front of his mind. He needed to get her up and dressed before everyone started to get here. He'd tried once before but she'd been to far gone so he got himself dressed and had taken the cats down to the trailer. Rebecca wanted to spare them from the noise and wolfie stresses of the construction. He'd walked down to his truck changed into his work clothes and brought it the short ride up to the main house. He leaned down over her running his hand along the curve of her body and then whispered in her ear

" Five more minutes and then you have to get up or my crew is going to get to see you naked." She was already awake he could tell by the change in her breathing and the jump in her heartbeat when he touched her. 

She turned to reveal a sleepy smile and even more of herself which made him swallow hard and bite down on the inside of his cheek. She crooked her finger at him to come closer and as he leaned in he sent signals down to his crotch to not get any ideas. She kissed him sweetly and held him close. He sank down into her and stayed there until he heard the first set of tires hit the gravel outside the house. 

" Guess I have to let you go now" she kissed him again this time with more passion and it killed him he couldn't do anything else about it. She scurried away, her naked backside disappearing into her closet and after a face plant into the sheets he stood and quickly and made his way down the stairs. 

He was talking to the men about the plan for the day when she came down the stairs a big smile on her face and a happy greeting for everyone. They had not seen her in over a week and he knew many had been worried about her and wondered what had been going down here at Belle Vita. Those in the pack knew only parts of the story and Alcide wasn't going to fill in any of the blanks for them any time soon. He doubted that Rebecca would do so either. 

He caught but glimpses of her through out the morning. She was once again attached to Crawfishes hip as they worked together to map out the mural in the master bathroom. In between bouts of laughter (coming from them both) there voices would go low and hated that it was pointless trying to eavesdrop without detection 

Now it was mid afternoon, the crew was taking a break and he was on the search for his girl. He found her upstairs in the master bath standing on top of the sink paint brush in one hand. She was perched on the tips of her ked covered toes trying to touch up a holiday near the ceiling. 

" Don't you got ten men downstairs that could do that for you Ms. Keane?" He stood in the doorway in his usual cross arm,crossed legged stance. 

" Sure do but for some reason their boss believes they are deserving of a break and left me all alone to fix this heinous mistake" She turned her attention back to the wall and gave the spot one last flick with the brush. This gave him the time to cross the space between him hook a thumb into the back loop of her shorts and give her a tug.

" Alcide" she huffed half heartedly as she landed in his arms. 

" Ain't risking my insurance going up because my home owner gets her panties in a twist over a missed spot that no one else would have noticed but her." He smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and turned on the watts. She'd taken a peak inside his head and thought it cute that he was worried about her

" You may come back but I'd rather not go through the time before you do ever again. You get me?"

She nodded her head " Yep" She leaned in close and whispered into his lips " I get you perfectly" 

He sat her down on the sink and boxed her by putting her hands on each side of her. 

" You wanna tell me what you did to your hand?" She pulled at the knotted bandage on his right hand.

"I was cutting wood on the saw and didn't get my hand out of the way quick enough."

She gave him a look that told him he was far to seasoned for a stupid move like that. She was right of course he'd hadn't cut himself like that since he was twelve but for some reason or another he was distracted lately.

" Oh no you don't. I will not take the blame for your lack of concentration or slow reflex response." She pulled his hand up on her thigh and slowly unwrapped the bandage. The cut on his hand had been deep but had already partially heeled. 

" From the looks of this your lucky you didn't cut the damned thing straight off." She tsk tsked him and then ran her finger across the wound. He watched in amazement as it slowly closed the rest of the way and the skin regenerated itself until it was a smooth golden brown. 

She shrugged nonchalantly when his eyes moved to hers and then he shook his head. He lifted his hand in the air and flexed it back and forth the pain was gone and he struggled to find any trace of the wound that had been there just moments before. He couldn't help but laugh. 

" Fucking fantastic shit." He murmured placing his hand and his attention back on her. Something had occurred to him. 

" That day in the kitchen you were much worse than when I saw you weren't you?" He'd thought Crawfish had been exaggerating because of the shock but after seeing what she could do to him with his own eyes he could only imagine how bad she had really been. Mason may have helped her along but she had worked some magic on herself before he'd been given the chance.

She nodded. " Just a little. You came rushing in before I could finish and I had to reset my nose the regular way but yeah I was a big bloody mess. My abilities have increased since and it's easier to focus when it's not your own wounded pain your trying to deintensify" She took his hand and rubbed her thumb and her lips across the back of it. 

" I hope to heal much more than you hand Alcide." her looked at him expectantly. Every moment he spent with her the dark unreachable part of him became smaller. He hoped he did the same for her.

" You do my love, you do." she whispered with a wisp of a smile and a wish for him to kiss her. 

If asked he'd have to admit that he'd hoped for exactly this when he'd left the boys to come look for her. The feel of her lips pressing feverishly against his over and over had occupied his mind since he'd left her that morning. When one kiss ended another began and after a few minutes he had to pull away to catch his breath. He was feeling less heavy to the ground as if the solid mass that what his frame could be easily lifted with a single touch. All of the extra weight he carried an his back melted away in moments like these and he was starting to live for them. He watched her in the mirror as she kissed his bare skin, he was hot sweaty and dirty but none of that seemed to matter to her for once she made tracks over what she could see she went searching for more. She slowly unzipped his coveralls pulling with one hand and running her other hand down his bare chest. He leaned his head back enjoying the silky smooth feel of her touch which both soothed and excited him. The zipper done she found her way down to his crotch and fondled him until he stood ridged and unable to think of anything but having her. Pulling her back into his embrace he fumbled to feel as much of her as she had felt of him his hands pulling and tugging at her clothes until he had thrown all of them into a pile behind him. He didn't resist when she pulled his arms free of his suit and it laid loosely on his hips. With his hands digging into the side of her hips she let go of the countertop bent back and turned cold water of the sink. She brought the water to his hot skin and let handfuls drip down his back and chest. He felt every single trail of water as it made it's way down until it found a final destination or evaporated into steam. She was coming dangerously close to taking hold of his dick again when she stopped and said " For a man who doesn't want anyone to know he's sleeping with the client he is dangerously close to fucking her with them sitting just outside that window." 

He paused for a second and took a look around him both doors to the bathroom were wide open. He was half dressed and Rebecca was naked and there was no explaining this situation as anything but what it looked like. 

He wasn't about to stop but he could keep from anyone seeing more than he wanted them to. 

"More than they would want to either." She giggled

" They may not want to see me but you can bet they wouldn't mind seeing you." Rebecca looked good clothed and there was no way every one of his men hadn't imagined how good she looked without them.

" Oh yeah they have very vivid imaginations. Especially your pack mates." She giggled again this time the sound echoed through the room. 

He gave her a look " You want everyone to know exactly where you are?" 

" Ah hell love the entire crew is still sitting under that tree though a few of them are wondering where you wondered off to." This time when she giggled she put her hand over he mouth in an attempt to keep it quiet.

" Still I'd like to close those doors before I finish you off." His gave her a grin but it quickly faded when he turned to the door and was jerked back into place by his junk. 

" Oh hell no Mr. Herveaux you are not leaving me her naked and wet for the world to see. I'll get the doors you get into me." she looked at him pointedly making sure to know there would be no arguments. Not like he would give them to her anyway at a moment like this. 

" Whatever you say Ma'am, your the boss." as he pulled her to the edge of the counter and let his pants fall the rest of the wall to the floor both doors slammed shut and locked behind him.

  It didn't take long the heat of the moment and possibility of getting caught put them both over the edge. Rebecca had told him there was no need to hold back because sometimes a quickly really hit the spot and slapped his ass hard as he hightailed it out of the bathroom. She'd been right for now the hunger inside of him was quiet and he'd regained control over his mind and body. He was wondering how long that that would last as he made his way down the steps and noticed Crawfish standing at the bottom waiting. He was pretending he was just there chilling but Alcide knew from what Rebecca sent him that Crawfish was in the know. The whispering that morning had been about the two of them and when they were going to come clean since everyone already knew something was going on. Rebecca had remained mum but that wouldn't last for long. Crawfish gave him a nod as he passed waiting until he'd gone around the corner before bounding up the stairs to get back to work.

 At the end of the day the inside work was almost completed. Mason and the couple of men that remained with him at Belle Vita would finish up last guest room and bathroom and whatever remained in the master bath that night. Crawfish and Rebecca were still working on the shower tile as he waited for the the rest of the crew to leave for the day He waited until the last truck pulled out of the drive before walking up the stairs. A call had come through with information on Debbie and now Alcide was going to have to go check it out. It meant leaving her for at least a couple of days maybe more. He had to do it and she would be fine with it but still. He walked into the bathroom and saw two shadowy figures enclosed in the shower.

" You two bout ready to knock it off for the day?"

" Just bout sir." Crawfish called out.

"Give us a sec" Rebecca replied.

He walked over to the stall and pushed the door all the way open to look inside. They were both standing on step stools putting up the last row of tiles. Rebecca would hand and Crawfish would place. They weren't speaking but he caught Crawfish looking at her and nodding and Alcide knew that Rebecca had shared her secret with her new friend.

" Don't be mad" she sent silently as Crawfish and she both caught site of the realization on his face. He started to blush and turned away busying himself with the tiles.

"  Not mad" he sent back " He tell you about himself to?" 

" Knew I knew already so there wasn't much to tell. He knows about us as well."

Alcide sighed. 

" He asked me directly. I wasn't going to lie"  She would be no different with Crawfish than she was with him. He asked the questions everyone else wondered the answers to. The boys on the crew in the pack all knew she meant something to him. He wouldn't have put himself in the position he was in if she didn't nor would he have asked them to become involved. From here on out if he was asked he would tell. When it came to his men the part of him that wanted to keep up the proper appearances was going to have to step aside for the part of him who wanted the world to know she was his girl. Keeping away from her when he was working or looking over his shoulder when speaking with her was just to much work. Might as well start in with the truth of it at that very moment.

" Becca I got some news today about Debbie and I'm going to have to go away for a few days."

She looked saddened by the idea but knew he didn't have a choice. " You got a lead on where she is?"

" Yeah need to go and check it out. I've got to be the one to find her."

" When do you leave?"

" I'll head out in the morning. Want to spend the night here with you if that's alright." Crawfish lost his grip on the tile Rebecca handed to him but Rebecca froze it in mid air and brought it back up and plopped it into his waiting palm.

"Now that was some cool shit? Could you have done the whole wall like that?" Crawfish was grinning from ear to ear.

" Could have but I'd have missed out on the pleasure of your company on this day and a few people would have seen me cheating and who wants to deal with all that drama."

Crawfish nodded put the tile in it's place and then turned back to Alcide. " You need someone to come with you boss?"

" Kind of you but I'd prefer it if you stayed round here and kept an eye on things while I'm away. Becca trusts you and it would be good for someone who knows everything to have her back during the day. Can you handle that?"

" Course I can sir. Be glad to do it." he put the last tile in place and then stepped off the stool. " I'll be heading out now. You two enjoy your evening." He gave Alcide a grin and a wink as he walked by. 

" Goodnight Red. Thanks for everything."

" Your welcome as always Ms. Becca" With a tip of his cap he was out the door. Alcide listened as he bounded down the steps and out the front door.

" You told him everything?" 

" Not about what happened after Debbie lead you to the clearing but everything else yes."

" He take it all in?" Crawfish had always had his head partially in the clouds. But maybe that would make him understand more than most.

" He did. He's fascinated by what I can do. Loves the fact he can talk to me about what he is and is thrilled that you get to bonk me."

" He said it (or thought it he added silently) just like that huh?" he grinned " and what's so thrilling for him. He ain't getting to bonk you?"

" True" she grinned and pursed her lips "But he likes us both and thinks we make a hot couple. Don't all guys think it's great when their friends get to have their way with hot chicks" she gave him a punch or the arm and a leary look that said " You hitting that??? You are!! Your the MAN" 

He stood in front of her step stool. On it she was almost as tall as he and he could kiss her here without bending halfway over. He did so happily.

" Glad he's thrilled but no one is more pleased that I get to have my way with you than me."

" Is that so?" she enclosed her arms around his neck and began to work at the kinks.

" Sure is." he let her work her magic on the stiffness of his shoulders gladly turning around so she could get a better grip on things.

" Alcide?"

"Ummm hummm" he replied

" When you find her I want you to call me. Can you promise to do that?"

" Why?"

" I know your not thrilled about the idea of having to kill her." She pushed harder as he grew more tense at her words " and I would like to try to do something to help her. I know someone who can try to get her clean. Put her back together and maybe help her find her way back to who she was before."

" If I can manage that I will." he couldn't believe that she would even want to try to help Debbie. Maybe she was only doing it for his sake. Lord knows Debbie had done nothing 

to deserve it. " Thank you Becca."

She leaned over and kissed his cheek. " Your welcome handsome." 

" We sleeping in the trailer tonight?"

" Yep" she said as she placed another kiss next to the first one.

" Then hold on." She did as he asked as he reached back and grabbed her by the back of the knee pulling both of her legs around him and holding them in place with the crook of his arms.

" Weeeeeeeeeeeeee" She sent him silently while giggling out load " Haven't had a piggy back ride in a long time."

He kept her in place down the stairs,out the door and up the drive. They talked about their day. He complemented her on the mural she thanked him for the smooth way everything had gone. They decided what they would make for dinner and she teased him about what he wanted for dessert. When he got up to the top of the trailer steps he placed her on the railing and turned and enclosed her in an embrace. 

" This is what I want for dessert." he moved his lips across hers "Sweetest thing I've come across in a long while."

" Oh with lines like that I think I'll have to give you seconds." She bit her bottom lip and raised her eyebrows up and down.

" Can I have it now?"

" Your going to ruin your appetite." she scolded.

" Not a chance." he whispered just before their lips meet "Not a chance" he said again silently when they did.