. It was a lot warmer I'll give him that. Chris looked even more handsome in the dim moonlight… his dark skin glowing and his muscles discretely showing… he was not a bad looking guy to say the least.
- Thanks for this…you didn't have to… I would have found a way to deal with him, I can still go home if you'd like…
- Don't be silly… you're always welcome… anytime you like…
- Thanks
We continued to walk and I suddenly had a feeling that Leon was following me. I gripped Chris' free arm and he looked down at me… I gave him a weirded out look. He looked behind us to see that I was right… Leo was following us.
- Can't you just leave me alone Leo?
- But I need to talk to you… its really important
- I don't care… I don't want to talk to you… GO AWAY!
Leo grabbed my free arm. Chris gave him a warning glare. Leo ignored him. He didn't let go of my arm and I was in no mood for his abuse.
- Let go.
- No.
- Leo I said let go… I am not talking to you again
- And I said no, not until you let me say what I have to say
- What could you possibly have to say to me? I'm sorry? I didn't mean to? Coz those aren't going to work anymore… just leave me alone and let go of me.
- I was going to say goodbye… and to tell you that I AM sorry.
- Goodbye Leo … now do I get my arm back?
He still didn't release my arm he pulled it hard so I moved and banged into him. He held me close and kissed my head I struggled and wanted to be free of my abusive, mean, vulgar, horrible ex-boyfriend. I managed to get out of his grip and rush back to Chris' side. Chris held me close and looked at Leo like he was sick and stupid and deserves nothing more than a good kick in the butt.
- Are you going to leave or will I have to make you?
- I am leaving… and I hope she has a great life… I DO love you Aurora… I swear I do… with all my heart.
He knew that would make me feel bad.
- Well I'm glad… maybe now you'll realize how mean and stupid you were to let her go.
- I don't know how I loved you Leon but I did… I know better now…
I started to walk away with Chris in toe. I looked back and saw the look on Leon's face. I felt bad. But, I wasn't returning to that life… again. Chris looked at me and I felt better.
- Don't worry about him, he'll find some other girl… granted she won't be as pretty or probably as smart as you but he'll find someone… they all do.
The sad part was I knew he was right, Leo would find someone stupider than me to put up with all his crap and abuse… I almost felt sorry for the girl that would replace me.
- I know he will… and I'll move on too… I just hope I don't fall for another jerk.
I looked up at Chris' handsome face and thought… I hope you will protect me from making that mistake…I completely forgot that he was a vampire and can hear what I think…
- I will… I promise.
- Oh… thanks… I'm sorry.
My face went hot and I tried not to look at him.
- What for?
- I must be such a burden… I mean you have to rush to my rescue every other day… and now you have to put up with me outta work too.
I laughed, trying to make a joke out of my serious comment.
- Lets get one thing straight…
I looked at his serious expression, and I thought he was going to kick me to the curb… that he'd finally had enough. His face softened and he kissed my forehead.
- You are never a burden… and I like being your knight in shining armor… older brother type…
I was disappointed. I never really thought of Chris as an older brother and he thought of me as a little sister… I was upset but I questioned his comment.
- Older brother type? Hah what does that make me? your little sister type? Hahaha
I laughed it off… I often do that when I want awkward information without the awkwardness.
- Yeah I guess
Chris laughed. He looked at me and must have caught the only two seconds where I looked disappointed and he stopped laughing. I looked at him. We had stopped walking.
- What? Why did you stop laughing?
- You looked upset at my comment… are you ok? I didn't upset you did I?
- No of course not… I just never heard you talk about me like a little sister it was just strange… its not like I thought that you thought about me in any other way or anything I just had a thoughtful moment and you act like it's a big deal … god!
He gave me a disbelieving look, I ramble when I try to cover something, and we started walking again. I smiled at him and then turned my attention to how stupid I just sounded.
We got to Chris' place. It is a nice little apartment… better furnished and lit then my apartment. It was then I realized I had no clothes here, and I didn't know when I was gonna be home… and then I'd probably have to move… what a mess. Chris put Tammie to bed and came out to see tears rolling down my cheeks and dripping from my nose and chin. He walked over to me and sat down next to me on his leather sofa, he put his arm around me knowingly.
- Stay as long as you need too. We'll try to sort out Leo tomorrow… and get some of your stuff… but for now you can sleep in this… and ill wash those so you can wear them tomorrow.
He passed me one of his t-shirts, it was big and comfy-looking, a plain grey t-shirt. I liked this place already. I walked into the bathroom and got changed into the shirt and passed Chris my pants and shirt and socks. He looked at me and smiled… the shirt was too big… WAY too big.
- It suits you.
- Thanks, its comfy… thanks again… I don't know what I would have done if you had said no.
- I do. Be the strong and independent woman I know and love.
I looked up from fiddling with the hem of the shirt.
- Come again… did you just say you love me?
I said mockingly… I meant it as a joke and I walked over on my tip-toes toward Chris and draped my arms around his neck. I was joking around… I knew Chris didn't see me that way.
- Yes I did. I love you Aurora.
He linked his fingers around my back again. This concerned me. I was certain that Chris didn't like me and now he loves me? It didn't make any sense. I looked up at him confused.
- I'm confused.
- Really? It's really simple… I … love… you…
- No see, that's not simple… why didn't you tell me before… you let me feel really stupid before… and don't take that as I love you too… I do love you … but I don't think in the same way… you mean like a sister yeah?
- Uh sure.
Chris looked uncomfortable.
- Uh sure?
I smiled. I enjoy making Chris squirm… not coz its mean but coz I rarely get to do it and he tries to find a way out and he wasn't gonna find one for this.
- Yeah like a sister…
He sounded very unsure.
- Did you? Coz I'm starting to think otherwise… are you gonna explain Chris?
He looked at me and I thought he was mad and he was gonna storm off to his bedroom.
- Ok fine. I mean I LOVE you… not in the sister sense… happy now?
I was and yet I was now nervous.
- Uh yeah… happy…
I released Chris' neck and went to walk away, not realizing that Chris' hands were linked behind my back still. I tried to walk away but Chris pulled me in closer. My face was inches from his… I could smell him… he looked at me and then let me go. I turned and walked toward the sofa where I was sleeping. I didn't hear Chris follow.
- Are you ok Rora?
- Why wouldn't I be?
I turned the T.V on and pretended to watch a sit-com.
- Uh I don't know but … I'm going to bed… you are welcome to join me or if you'd rather I can sleep there and you can sleep on the bed… or I can stay out here if you like… make you feel safer?
- You can sleep in your bed… if I get concerned or something I'll come get you…
- Ok sure…
He sounded disappointed. I loved him too… truth be known, I had liked him for a while… I just never wanted to accept it, coz I had Leon… now he was gone… I was afraid to show any feelings like that toward anyone. Chris was looking at me … I looked up from the T.V and I knew he was being sincere… he started walking to his bedroom.
- Hey Chris?
- Yeah?
- Uh… you wanna watch this movie with me?
I held up a horror movie DVD. He gave me a weird look and walked over to the sofa. I laid up against him… he was sitting and I was lying down with my head and shoulders propped up against his… his arm around me. The movie wasn't as scary as I thought it would be… but I still hid my eyes and cried when a little girl died and Chris held my hand when I got scared and let me hide in his chest. The movie ended and I pretended to be a big baby and be freaked out.
- Do you want me to stay out here with you?
- Nah… I'll be ok… you should sleep in your bed…
- You could always join me…
- Ha ha uh I don't think so…
- No funny business I promise… I mean so you feel safe and know that the bad guy won't get you.
- Promise no funny business?
- Do you promise too?
- Of course…
- Then yeah I promise
So we walked to Chris' room and he stopped outside the door.
- Ok I'm breaking my promise for a sec…
He kissed me…
- Oh I don't think that was in the contract… do you?
- I didn't see it there…
He kissed me again… this time I kissed him back… we kissed for a long time… then Tammie started to cry. Chris and I stopped and he walked into Tammie's room. She stopped crying soon after. I walked into Chris' room and lay on his bed. He came out of Tammie's room and walked into his room, and he lay down next to me.
- So why do you stay at The Blue Wand?
- Coz I like kicking people out of there… it's where I met my wife… and you… and it's the only bar that I would drink at…
- Yeah I know what you mean… it's the only bar in this city that I'd drink at… and I like the staff… especially the head of security…he's hot…
- Really? I hear he's pretty cool… has a daughter though…
- Yeah but he's nice and funny… and I like Tammie…
He kissed me again… my heart felt as though it would either stop or beat so hard that it would come out of my chest. I realized how much I really loved Chris… he made everything else disappear… all the bad stuff happening in my life… gone for that moment.
- I am glad…
- Me too? Glad about what? I meant all that stuff…
- I know… that's why I'm glad…
- Ok I'm confused again…
- Don't worry … its sleep time… time to sleep…
I rested my head on his chest expecting to hear a heartbeat, which, of course, wasn't there. Chris turned off the light and I fell asleep in Chris' arms.
I woke up to the sounds and smells of breakfast.
- Chris?
- Out here…
Chris' voice resonated from the kitchen. I heard Tammie's pattering little footsteps up and down the hallway.
- Kitchen? Breakfast?
I was very tired and even those few words were hard to muster. Chris walked into the bedroom and looked at me. I felt the air rush back into my lungs… the 'life' rush back into me.
Tammie was with the baby sitter and Chris and I had the unpleasant task of going to my old apartment. I knew Leo was gonna be there, I could feel it my very being. Chris must have sensed my nervousness coz he put a protective arm around my waist as we drew closer and closer to my apartment building.
- Hey, Rora
I turned to see an old 'friend' Daniel. He was around my age and he was as gay as they come, and all-round gorgeous guy, but he ran with the wrong crowds these days.
- Hey Daniel, what's been happening?
Daniel looked me up and down approvingly and then looked at Chris, Daniel looked toward me and the look on his face said it all, he also thought Chris was good-looking.
- Uh… not much hun, yourself? I see you dropped Leo, bout time too… he was holding you back babe, you have great potential…
- Thanks but I'm not joining the Embers, Dan, we had this discussion. I didn't like Shiver then and I don't like him now. Especially since he went into the drug business, it was ok when it was just blood but now its blood and drugs… its ridiculous… please tell me you got out of there.
- No I haven't but I have no need to… I just run a few errands here and there… nothing major… but you… oh… you could do such great things…
- Yeah… look sorry Dan but I gotta run… grabbing some of my stuff and leaving… you know what it's like… crazy ex-boyfriends won't leave you alone…
I continue walking toward the front door with Chris in toe. I push the door and it opens.
- Well if you ever change your mind…
- I'll give you a ring…
Chris and I walked inside and Daniel headed off to wherever he was going.