Chapter Fourteen

 

Iian walked into work smiling. So, he was half an hour late. What good was it to own your own restaurant, if you couldn’t show up late after having hot shower sex?

 

It wasn’t until half way through the day that he heard about Allison’s problems with Kevin Williams. The whole town was quick to receive any gossip and he was always the last one to find out. He knew it was because everyone talked about everything. Most days, he tuned out reading lips if he knew it was gossip. When Lacey came in during lunch to pick up Aaron’s order, she’d mention something about Kevin and he’d paid attention. He’d learned all about the scene outside the school.

 

Why hadn’t she told him? It had been weeks since the scene. Everyone in town knew! Everyone but him. He started off upset, then he graduated to anger, and then settled on hurt. He knew that spending one night with her didn’t entitle him to everything, but damn it, they were friends first. Why hadn’t she told him about the problems she was having?

 

Allison had the day off, so she headed into Edgeview to get a few things and to visit her mother.

 

Her mother had been enjoying herself so much, her visit had seemed more like she was in the way. So she headed to Walmart and the small mall there to pick up some needed items.

She’d received her new driver’s license in the mail several weeks back, along with all of her replacement credit cards. So of course, she had to buy a new purse. She’d gone to the art store as well, since she had to replace most of her art supplies.

 

She was thankful that some of her more expensive art supplies had been left in the trunk of her car the day of the fire.

 

Lastly, she stopped by the small boutique that had lots of wonderful undergarments. Knowing all she had was the simple cotton bra and underwear she’d been given after the fire, she decided to take her time, picking out several nighties she thought Iian would enjoy. She’d also picked up a dozen or so new sexier underwear and bra sets.

 

Her hands were weighted down when she went back out to her car. It wasn’t until she was a few feet away that she noticed the flat tire.

 

Now thinking about digging into her truck to get her spare out, she noticed the front tire was flat as well. Had she hit something on her way here? Her mind raced through her drive. Then she walked around the other side of her car and noticed those tires were flat as well. Setting down the bags, she walked over and bent down next to one. That’s when she noticed the huge gash that ran the entire side of the tire. Going to each tire, she realized someone had done this on purpose.

Two hours and several hundred dollars later, she walked into her cabin. Gone was the joy of her shopping day. Instead she was left with a bitter taste and an uneasy feeling. The tire place had called the Edgeview Police. They claimed it was standard when tires were slashed. She’d spent the entire time in the tire store on the phone with her insurance agent. After being assured that a check would be in the mail, she felt a small sense of relief. But still she wondered, who would have done this? Did Edgeview have gangs that liked to go around slashing peoples tires? The local police assured her they didn’t. Her mind quickly raced to thoughts of Kevin.

 

She’d just sat down after unloading her purchases, when there was a knock on her door.

Seeing Iian on the other side of the front window lifted her spirits.

 

“Hello, come on in.” She waved him into the room.

 

When he was inside, she suddenly realized how small the place was. He filled the room as he walked over and sat on the small couch.

 

“How was your day?” he asked. She hadn’t changed anything in the place since moving in. Most of the items she’d received after the fire still sat in their boxes or were put away in the cupboards.

 

She sat next to him and proceeded to tell him about her car problems.

 

“Do you think it had anything to do with your problems with Kevin Williams?” he asked, she could see tension in his face.

 

“My problems with Kevin Williams? What problems with Kevin Williams?”

 

“Why didn’t you tell me you had a run in with him in the school parking lot? I had to hear it from my sister that he threatened you.” He stood and started to pace the floor, which was actually quite funny to watch. Since he would take three steps, turn, and pace the other way. He did this a few times before she had to stop him by standing in front of him.

 

“How am I suppose to talk to you if you’re pacing back and forth?” He stopped and looked at her. “I didn’t tell you about my ‘run-in’ with Kevin Williams because I didn’t give it a second thought. He’d just lost his wife and kids and he was drunk. There was nothing more to tell. I’m sure he’s gotten over it and has enough to deal with his family problems.”

 

She placed her hand on his shoulders. “Why are you so upset that I didn’t tell you?” she asked.

 

He looked into her eyes. He wanted to gather her in his arms, but he wanted the whole story first. He saw the worry in her face and didn’t like that she’d run into problems in Edgeview.

 

“Why didn’t you call me when you found your tires had been slashed? I could have driven there…”

 

“Iian, I didn’t call you because a tow truck was less than two minutes away. I’m use to taking care of myself. I’ve been doing it a very long time.”

 

He saw frustration in her eyes, couldn’t she see what he thought of her. He was sure it was written all over his face. His whole family knew what he thought of Allison Adams. Could he have been so stupid as to not show her what she meant to him?

 

“Ally, I care about you. We’ve known each other forever. I don’t want anything bad to happen to you. I want to know everything that’s going on with you. To be there when you get a call to go to Paris. Or when your mother needs help. When your tires are slashed.” He leaned his forehead against hers. “I care too much,” he whispered.

 

She had plenty of time to pull away. He made sure to give her that chance. Holding, hovering just a breath away from her, he made it her decision. He felt her vibrating, felt the shivers running through her body.

 

Looking into her face, he could see her decision written in her eyes. Then she was in his arms and kissing him. The taste of her filled his nose, his lips, intoxicating him beyond reason.

 

“Please,” he said, against her lips. “Please let me stay.”

 

Nodding her head as an answer, she pulled his mouth back to hers quickly. Not wanting to lose a moment, he pulled her closer, enjoying the softness of her. She was on her toes and just couldn’t get close enough to him. So he pulled her up into his arms and carried her into her room, placing her down gently on the bed. Her hair was fanned out on the comforter, her eyes were clouded, and when she reached up for him, he swooped in to take her mouth with his again.

 

She was pulling on his pants trying to get them off of his hips as he was trying to remove her shirt. Their elbows hit and they looked at each other and laughed.

 

“Hurry,” she said. He dragged her shirt over her head, then removed his own faster as she ran her hands over his chest.

 

He looked into her eyes as she said, “I love your chest, your arms, your body. I love the feel of you inside me.”

 

When he kicked off his shoes and yanked his pants down, his erection sprang free.

 

“Oh, God, Iian! Be inside me.” Her head fell back as he pulled her skirt up and pushed her newly purchased silk panties aside and placed his mouth to her heat. Her back came off the mattress, her hands went to his hair, holding or pushing, he didn’t care.

Her scent was intoxicating. His tongue lapped at her until she bucked and pulled at him.

 

Then in one smooth motion he pulled the silk down her legs and was inside her. He could feel her muscles contract around him and thought he would go blind. How could he be addicted to her so fast? The scents and feel of her were like a drug. His arms shook as he held himself over her, not wanting to move for fear that he’d embarrass himself and come entirely too soon. When he looked down into her eyes, he saw the desire and something else in them. Then she moved her hips and all thought left him.

 

Her nails dug into his shoulders, she bit her bottom lip on a moan. She was sure she’d screamed when he’d set his mouth to her. She knew she was screaming his name over and over as he pounded into her soft flesh. She wrapped her legs around his hips and held on. She enjoyed watching his face, set in concentration. Wanting to break that concentration, she reached up and pulled his mouth down to hers and licked his bottom lip. He moaned and picked up the pace to thrust deeper.

 

When he pulled her hips up and grabbed one of her legs, he held it close to his side which caused a new sensation that spread throughout her core. She was building too fast, she wanted to wait for him. Throwing her head back on a scream, she just couldn’t wait any longer.

She was exquisite during an orgasm. Her face flushed, her skin glowed, and the smell of her was exquisite. When every bone in her body was relaxed, he flipped her over and proceeded to run his mouth down her lush bottom.

 

She may be tall and skinny, but her bottom was just ripe enough that he wanted a taste. Nibbling, he took his time and enjoyed her back side. When he saw her hips moving against his hands, he pulled her up onto her knees and entered her slowly from behind. He enjoyed the arch in her back as she twisted and writhed in front of him.

 

Leaning over, he whispered in her ear. “I love being inside you, Ally, I want to bury myself and never leave.” He felt her body vibrate and knew she was moaning. “God, I wish I could hear all those sexy noises you make when I’m inside you.” He continued to pump into her and felt her body building much like his was.

 

Her hips kept rotating as he pounded in her, and just before he lost control, he said, “Come with me, Ally.”

 

He lay there until his heart slowed down. He could feel that she was totally relaxed next to him. He’d pulled her into the crook of his arm and enjoyed her soft bottom against his thighs.

 

When his mind settled he realized a few things; first, the bed was way too small for him. Second, he liked the new underwear she’d bought. Third, he wanted her again. Knowing she was completely relaxed and most likely asleep, he looked around the dark room. Here, he could see that she’d personalized a little. Her art supplies sat in the small corner, almost forgotten. She had a small jewelry case on the chest of drawers. The family picture Lacey had given her sat on her night stand.

Then his stomach growled. Removing himself from the small bed, he pulled on his jeans and walked into the small kitchen. She hadn’t moved and he wondered if he could cook quietly enough without waking her. He didn’t think he was a loud person; he tried not to bang the pans and dishes around when he cooked. To tell the truth, his family and co-workers had never told him if he was ever loud.

 

Looking into her fridge, he shook his head. How did she survive on next to nothing. Taking out a carton of eggs, he was pleased to see that it was not only full, but fresh. He found an onion and some salsa in the back of the fridge. Finding a large skillet in the cupboard, he got to work making his first dinner for her.

 

Allison surfaced when Iian left the room. She’d been numb all over and her eyesight and hearing had just returned. How could she have gone this long without having sex that good? Her whole body vibrated. She was sure that if she tried to stand, her legs would just melt. She heard him moving around in the kitchen area and realized she hadn’t even eaten lunch that day. Giving herself a few more minutes she rolled over and put herself back together before walking into the next room.

 

Whatever he was making smelled like heaven. She entered the room and her mouth watered. It wasn’t just the food that had caused this. It was the sight of Iian standing in her kitchen, bare chested, bare foot, with his faded jeans unbuckled and hanging low on his hips as he cooked. Walking into the room, she realized she was starving for him as well as hungry for food.

 

They sat out on the deck in the cool night air and ate omelets. She wondered how he could make simple eggs and some salsa taste so good.

 

He asked about her trip to visit her mother. When she voiced her concerns about her feeling guilty about putting her mother in a home, he jumped in.

 

“You’re not trained to take care of someone with Alzheimer’s. Ally, I did some research after your mother was diagnosed. Some of the things that people do when they have this disease can be confusing and hurtful. Most of the people end up walking around in a confused state and getting lost.” He looked concerned. “What would you have done if your mother wandered off here,” he motioned to the beach. “She could have gotten stuck in the bluff at high tide, or lost in the woods.”

 

Allison hadn’t thought of that. Biting her bottom lip, she saw the truth in his words.

 

“I know the people at the Hotel are more equipped to deal with this disease. You can’t think of yourself and how you think your mother would feel. Is your mother happy when you visit her?”

 

“Yes, she appears to be happy and healthy.”

 

“Then focus on that. They are keeping her safe. Because you’ve taken this step, you may have very well saved her life. You did save her life already. Let her be happy there. Enjoy your visits and let her think she is on some extended vacation you’ve claimed she thinks she is on.”

 

Pulling her close, he kissed her nose. “Don’t worry if you have done the right thing. Just know that you’ve done the best thing for her.”

 

Later, they lay in the small bed holding each other after making love slowly. She listened to the evening spring rain hit the roof. Closing her eyes she wished that she could always feel this wanted. She listened to the rhythm of his heart and slid into sleep dreaming of him.