Chapter Seven

 

A few days later, it was one of those evenings where she was glad she was home. Teaching younger kids art sure had its ups and downs, but for the most part, she was enjoying her new job.

 

Her mom was just finishing the dishes in the kitchen, something she said she didn’t want help with tonight. Allison had taken a glass of wine out to the front porch and was sitting in a small rocker watching the sun start to slide down over the water. It was cool out; she had her light blue jacket on to keep the warmth in. Her feet were tucked up underneath her and she was enjoying the quiet.

 

Her mother hadn’t had any more “episodes” since the other evening. How was she supposed to watch her all the time? Mrs. Evans was keeping an eye out and several of the church women stopped by the house regularly during the day. The fact was, no one could watch her every moment of every day.

 

Allison had actually completed one of her new pieces for a charity she’d been thinking of donating to. She was excited about the few pieces she was doing for them and felt an inner peace about the project.

 

She heard a loud rumble and turned to watch a figure on a motorcycle coming from down the street. She knew it was Iian before he was close enough to see. He was driving slow and she could see he was wearing light-colored jeans with a dark gray zip-up jacket. His sunglasses shaded his eyes from her and she realized he hadn’t seen her at first. He passed her house, but then slowed down and did a big loop in her neighbor’s driveway and returned to stop in front of her yard. He sat there a while, letting the machine run for a minute.

 

Smiling to her, he signed, “Want to go for a ride?”

 

It was either the smile or the casual way he sat on the large machine that made him look irresistible. Deciding to take a chance, she signed back, “Sure, hang on and let me tell my mom,” which made her feel like a teenager.

 

Sitting out front of her place, he was glad he had decided to ride the bike today. Not only did he enjoy riding it, but it gave him a chance to be with her. Smiling as she came bouncing down her walk, he thought of how she would feel behind him, pressed up against his back.

 

He watched her stop a foot from his bike and stare at it. It was an old Harley he’d bought on his twenty-first birthday. It had taken him eleven months and almost a year’s salary to get it purring underneath him like it was currently doing. The matte black finish had cost him, but it accented the seat and pipes so well. The seat had been a special present from his sister; the ostrich leather had been exactly what he’d wanted. No doubt his sister had snuck onto his computer and noticed he’d been eying it.

 

Now Allison just stood and looked at it and he didn’t think she was taking in the seat or the paint job.

 

She was looking as if she was trying to figure out how to get on it.

 

Bending down, he flipped the back foot pegs and motioned for her to get on.

 

Placing her hand lightly on his shoulder, she tried as smoothly as she could to hoist her leg over the back and sit down. It took some doing, but finally she sat squarely on the seat and had each foot on the pegs.

 

“You’ll want to lean forward and hold onto me,” he said over his shoulder. “When I turn, lean with me.”

 

When she leaned forward and lightly took hold of his jacket sides, he chuckled to himself. He could fix that.

Pushing up, he kicked up his kick-stand. He would just have to get her to hold onto him tighter. Smiling to himself, he took off. By the end of the street, she was right where he’d wanted her to be. Her front was tight against his back, her arms had reached around and were holding on tightly around his waist. He could feel her excitement as he hit the outskirts of town.

 

She had never ridden on a motorcycle before. It was louder than she imagined and the vibrations under her were soothing. As Iian drove fast, she enjoyed the wind and speed. But what she really enjoyed was holding onto him. His shoulders were wide, protecting her from the strongest winds of the speed. Her arms had skirted around his waist after the first few blocks when she realized she would need a better hold on him if she wanted to stay on the bike. She could feel his muscles in his stomach and wondered how he had gotten such a nice six pack. Then she wondered what the rest of him looked like.

 

Resting her head on his shoulder, she enjoyed the beautiful drive. He had taken one of the best scenic routes, one that she knew would end up at an overlook close to the state park. where a lot of teenagers liked to go to make out. She had even gone there a few times in high school. Smiling into his back, she vibrated with anticipation.

 

Pulling the bike to a stop in a small but secluded area of the park, he looked out over the water and remembered why he lived in the Northwest. Not only was tonight a great night to be on a ride, but he had timed it just right. The sun was in the process of setting and the whole sky was a rainbow of colors, which reflected off the low layer of clouds that hung just over the water.

 

Switching off the bike, he pushed down the kick-stand. Turning to Allison he saw the wonder in her eyes.

 

“Did you miss this in the city?” he asked.

Never taking her eyes off the horizon, she just nodded.

 

Taking her hand, he waited until she dismounted from the bike. Then he swung his leg and easily dismounted as well. She had watched him, but when he noticed, she blushed slightly and walked towards the rock fence that lined the edge of the walkway.

 

Coming to stand behind her, he pulled her back into him. Holding her tight as the sun slid slowly beyond their sight.

 

She let out a sigh and turned to him. “That was the most beautiful sunset I’ve seen in years. Thank you.”

 

He smiled and then leaned down to claim her mouth. It seemed like all he had thought about since kissing her last was reclaiming her lips. Her arms reached up and around his shoulders. One of her hands went into his hair, holding him close.

 

He enjoyed holding her. She was taller than most women and she seemed to fit his tall frame perfectly. Her head was just half a foot lower, which made it perfect for him to kiss her and run his mouth down that hot neck of hers. Her taste was sweet and hinted at something forbidden. Her hands were holding him to her and he didn’t mind how tight she was gripping onto his hair.

When he slowly pushed her jacket open, he thought he would burst into flames seeing the tight white tee-shirt that was all but see through. Pulling it up and away, he enjoyed exploring the soft skin that he had exposed. Allison had always been athletic, but seeing the softness of her hip and stomach did something to him. He was sure he was moaning like a teenager when he pulled her top up to expose the simple white lace that held two of the most perfect mounds he’d ever had the pleasure of seeing.

 

Looking up into her face he could see the pleasure there. Her eyes were slits as she watched him through her lashes. A small smile formed on her lips and her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip, swollen from his kisses.

 

Bending his head, he ran his lips gently over the lace, wetting it until he felt her nipples peak against his tongue. Then he pushed it aside until he could enjoy the silky pink nub. Her back arched, exposing more of her skin to his torture. His eyes darted to her face again. He could see that her head had fallen back and her hands were gripping the rock wall behind her. He wanted to see her face, he wanted to see her eyes, so he could know what she was feeling, what he was doing to her.

 

Would she moan or scream when he pushed her to the breaking point? Running his hands down her side, he continued on the path to the snap of her jeans. As he ran his tongue around her taunt peaks, he used his hands to lightly pulled at the material until he had exposed another barrier of simple white lace. The snap of her jeans was easy to pull open as she shifted her feet wider. Watching her face, he ran his fingers lightly under the lace. Her eyes were dark, and she nibbled on her bottom lip in anticipation.

 

“What do you want Ally?” he teased as his fingers started to run lightly below the material. He saw her take in a breath, then her head rolled back again and he turned his attention to the softness he had just exposed.

Her skin was hot and felt so good. Her pant legs tied her up, but he knew that if she could she would have flung her legs wider. Her hands had come to his hair once more, holding him to her breast as he played his fingers over her, then slipped inside slowly and he was sure he moaned out-loud. He lapped her up until he felt her core vibrating in his hands, then enjoyed feeling her convulsing around him. Had he thought she’d tasted sweet before? He was sure there had been nothing more perfect than having her, but now everything changed after she had come for him.

 

Still kissing her he started to pull her pants back in place, when he felt her tense. Looking over his shoulder, he saw the lights of a car coming up the long secluded drive. He turned to protect her from the high beams.

 

“Well, well, what do we have here?” Kevin Williams said as he slammed his truck door. Allison could hear the slur in his words and knew that he was drunk.

 

Iian stood in front of her, his large shoulders shielding her from Kevin’s view, so she quickly zipped her jacket and buttoned her pants. Not caring if everything was in place, she started to pull on Iian’s hand, trying to get him to get back on the bike and get out of there quickly.

 

“Slutting around with a Jordan are we Allison?”

 

She knew Iian couldn’t have read his lips since he was standing to the side of the bright headlights blinding them.

 

The tension in Allison’s hands said more than the words Kevin had spoken. It took only a moment for Iian’s eyes to adjust to the light hitting him full force.

 

“Having another free night are you, Kevin?” Iian said. He planted his feet wide as Allison continued to pull on his arm.

 

“Shut up!” Kevin started to walk forward.

“Do you really want to do this now?” Iian asked calmly. Kevin stopped his forward motion.

 

Taking another look at Iian, he tossed the beer bottle he’d emptied over the cliff.

 

“Can’t even come up here for a beer anymore,” he mumbled. Turning back to his truck, he waited until he was hidden behind the bright lights to say, “You’ll regret this you bitch… choosing him over me. I swear, you’ll regret this.”

 

She felt Iian vibrate, but still held his hand and quickly pulled him backwards. She didn’t know if he had read Kevin’s lips, but doubted it since she couldn’t even see his outline in the bright lights.

 

When his truck had disappeared down the road, she released a large breath.

 

“I’m sorry about that,” Iian said to her. “He’s had a thing out for me since middle school.” He was looking at her with such kindness, she didn’t want to tell him the whole story.

 

Shaking her head, she tried to smile at him. “I’d better get back home.”

 

Iian took his time going down the hill and she enjoyed the feel of him as she plastered herself against his back.

 

When they drove back up to the front of her house, she was just getting off the motorcycle when she heard the back door of her house slam shut. Jumping a little, she looked towards the back of the house in time to see a large, dark figure running away.

 

Iian was off the bike and beside her, wondering what had caused the trouble look. Looking to where she had, he saw nothing.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

 

“I thought I saw someone leaving out the back door,” she signed. He turned and looked again. This time, she felt his whole body tense beside her.

 

“Stay here,” he said and signed at the same time. Rushing towards the house, Allison saw then what she hadn’t before.

A slight glow was coming from the living room windows. She could see smoke coming from the kitchen window and smelled a distinct smell of something burning.

 

“Mom? Mom?” She ran towards the place screaming, only to be yanked back by strong hands.

“Don’t!” Iian screamed.

 

“My mom!” She turned back and signed to him.

 

Turning back around, Allison started to race towards the house again, only to be pulled up short once again by Iian.

 

“Iian! She’s in there! My Mom is in there!”

 

“Make the call.” He pushed his cell phone into her hands.

 

Removing his jacket, he rushed to the neighbor’s side-yard and dunked the light material in a bucket of water which sat in-between the houses. Looking back, he saw Ally standing and staring at the house as she talked into his phone.

 

Hopping the fence between the houses, he raced towards the back door. The glass was shattered and smoke was pouring out. He couldn’t see any flames, just smoke. Pulling the door wide, he stood back as the smoke billowed out. Pulling the wet jacket over his head, he took a deep breath and raced into the dark room.

 

Where was her mother? Where was Iian? She had watched him race towards the back of the house. Had it been five minutes ago? Was it just two seconds ago? Worry had time standing still. Thinking of her mother, she started to walk closer to the house that was engulfed in flames.

 

“Mom!” she screamed. Just then the living room window blew out and rained glass over her head. Covering her face and ears, she watched as her living room curtains caught fire.

 

“No! Mom! Iian!” At this point two of her neighbors had come out to see what all the shouting was about. Mrs. Evans rushed over to where she stood.

 

“Have you seen my mother?” she screamed.

 

“No, dear. I thought she was with you. Oh, dear, I hope she isn’t in that.”

 

Rushing forward, she ignored the warnings from her neighbors. Reaching the front door, she grabbed the door handle, her hand burning on the hot metal. Pulling it back, she removed her jacket and using it, tried the handle again. Pulling the door open, she ducked down as a plume of smoke poured out.

Screaming for her mother, she inched towards the door only to come up short against a small mound just inside the doorway. Grabbing a handful of her mother’s shirt, she yanked and pulled her to safety.

 

When she reached the end of the porch, Steve, another neighbor, lifted her mother up and carried her to safety. Seeing her neighbors surround her mother, she raced around the back of the house to find Iian.

The back door stood open and smoke was flowing from the dark hole. Knowing he couldn’t hear her, she raced into the burning house without a second thought. After all, he had rushed in after her mother. How could she let him be consumed by the fire?

 

Ducking down, she was only a few feet in when she felt his hand grab her. He yanked her off her feet, carting her over his shoulders as he marched back out the door.

 

“Damn it, Ally! I told you to stay put!” he said and then coughed a few times as he pulled her away from the heat. Looking at him, she saw that his clothes were steaming from being in the house too long.

 

“I’ve got my mother. She’s out.” She tried to sign, but her hand was hurting like crazy from where she had grabbed the door handle, so she had to speak instead of use sign language.

 

He reached to take her hand and pull her towards the front of the building, but came up short when she flinched away and held her hand close to her chest. Pulling her hand down to look at it, he saw deep red marks crossing her palm.

“You’re hurt!” He grabbed her arm and walked her to the front of the building. By now she could hear the fire trucks just down the street. When they came around the cornered the building, she could see her mother was sitting on Mrs. Evans’ front porch with blankets around her shoulders. Pulling free from Iian, she rushed over to her.

 

“Mom!” She knelt beside her mother and took her hand. “Mom, are you alright?”

 

Her mother was coughing and had a glass of water in her hand. Allison saw that her hair was singed and her clothes were streaked black. Her mother’s eyes were red and she was blinking continuously, trying to clear them.

 

“Here, drink some more.” She helped her mother drink the water. Her hands were shaking and she felt like she couldn’t get her breath. She couldn’t bear to turn around and see what was going on behind her with the house.

 

Iian was beside her then. He saw the flashing lights of the fire trucks and looked back over at the house. It was a complete loss.