Chapter 3

The drive home was interesting we drove with the all the window down with the wind blowing my hair in every direction I had my feet on the dash. He had the radioplaying loudly and I was singing along, we were listening to goo goo dolls one of my favorite songs was playing Iris. He drove in silence listening to me with a great look of approval, I was having so much fun I did not care who was looking.

He smile "We should do this more often just let our hair down and drive."

"Yea it's nice" I carried on singing. I was not any good but I did not sound like drowning cats either. "So we going apartment hunting tomorrow I need to find a place to stay I'm tired of hotel food"

"I told you to come and stay with us; Ashley even told that you can use the spare bedroom, I never really understood why you were staying in that hotel, why don't you stay with your dad" I had not told him that my father and I had not been on the best of talking terms lately. We had gotten into it about school. He wanted me to be a doctor I wanted to major in literature

"Yea yea I'm happy away from home, now I just need my own place"

"Ok so tomorrow we hunt? Who's paying for this because I know that on that piss willy salary you getting could barely afford to rent a box" he thought he was so funny but he was right about that and because I had not got my degree yet I was being paid part time wages, luckily my father and mother were paying for tuition fee's. I had planned on phoning my father, he would help, I hope.

"I'm going to talk to my father about helping out with rent plus I might get roommates."

I don't think he liked that idea he has this deep in thought look, which is so cute I just want to kiss him.

"I don't think random roommates are a good idea. What you going to do put an add in the newspaper?" He was not being sarcastic.

"No I was going to ask Taylor, he's been looking for a new place to stay, did you hear about his place his roommate was doing drugs or something like that." I watched his face change colour, he really did not like this idea at all. We sat in silence while I waited for him to digest the fact that I was planning on living with another guy.

We were almost back at my hotel when he finally spoke. "Have you thought about asking Ashley I'm sure she would love to leave home and get closer to town and collage and work?"

"Um, yea I have. She's already agreed to that but I feel bad that Taylor is staying with that guy. He needs to get away from that before he is sucked into it."

"Lissa he's a big boy, I'm sure he can look after himself" he said pulling up to the hotel. It was late it was ten thirty pm.

I wanted to change the subject.

"You going to come up" I was really hoping he would say yes and he never disappoints

"Yea Hun just for a little while, we got a long day a head of us" he favored me with my crooked smile. He cut the engine and climbed out the car; he walked around and opened my door. He was old fashion that way. We walked up to the door in silence hand in hand; the warmth of his skin touching mine was like an electric current flowing from his hand through to mine. It warmed me through to my heart. We walked up to my room, room 315; I was weird that way I always needed to stay in a certain room. This room was large it was classically done; this was one of Esme's creations. She had done the room with intimate elegance. It was beige with hints of natural flair. This was how I wanted my apartment designed in natural browns and burnt oranges and natural greens. This room had a calming effect.

"So what do you want?" I knew he was talking about room service

"Um some tea would be good Mmmm and maybe some cake"

"Cake this late at night you sure?" he knew what I got like when I ate sugar this late at night, but I needed some thing sweet.

"You gonna be my sweetie then?" I walked over and put my arms around his neck and started nibbling on his collar bones, this had him laughing. He had already dialed the number when the person on the other side answered

"Hi yes can I please order a tea and the largest piece of chocolate cake you have … Um yea can I please have a coffee… yes milk and sugar for both please … yes cold milk … thanks … room 315"

"Mmmhmm and taking about my sugar you having caffeine, so we gonna be up all night?" he sat staring at me as if trying to decide how to word something. He went and sat on the sofa I went and sat next to him he pulled me onto his lap. I put my head against his chest listening to his heart he sighed and began to hum that beautiful tune again. I yawned while he stroked my hair, he put his head on my head. I was starting to get tired and if the room service had not startled me, I probably would have fallen asleep right there on his lap.

"Hunny up you get, need to open the door" They knocked on the door again "COMING" I shifted a little so I was off of him and on the sofa. He got up kissed my forehead and walked over to the door. "Hi sorry about making you wait" he said politely

"Not a problem sir"

"Just put it on the table… yea over there… thanks"

"Enjoy your evening sir"

"You too Ronny"

He closed the door and I heard him walking over, he brushed my hair out my face, he leaned down and whispered in my ear "You're tea is here" I smiled and opened my eye's, I sat up and he handed me my tea and cake. We sat quietly and drank our drinks and we shared the cake. I yawned and he smiled "Tired? Come on I think we should get you to bed its been a long day" I looked up at him and nodded

"I need a shower Dimitri"

He laughed "Yea I thought something was smelling" he held his nose theatrically.

"Haha you so funny" I got up and started off to the bathroom "You gonna stay tonight?" I looked up at him hoping I could read the expression on his face.

"If you want" he said this in a dead tone that made me think he did not want to stay.

"Only if you want honey"

"No I do I just don't have any clean clothes here" He thought for a moment and his eyes lit up just a little "I might have some in the car I forgot that I picked up my laundry from Kellan's house" I got up and walked slowly over to him kissed him on the head

"Going to shower Hun", he smiled and got up to go get his stuff out his car. I walked sluggishly over to the bathroom I shut the door and put just the hot water on I let it run for some time letting the room fog up, I then put on the cold water got it to the right temperature and climbed in. The hot water felt amazing I now realized just how tired I was. I yawned again I turned around and leaned up against the shower wall letting the hot water just run down my back. I washed my hair and my body and climbed out I grabbed a large towel and put it around my body. I brushed my teeth and towel dried my hair. I yanked a brush through it.

Feeling good and clean I walked out the bathroom. It was weird because the first time Dimitri sleeps over and I walked out the shower completely forgetting he was there. I took a step around the corner and there he was, I stopped in my tracks and started hyperventilating. I was standing there in nothing but a towel. I started blushing and looked down. I grabbed my towel and hitched it higher.

"You looking pale are you ok?"

"No I'm fine just forgotten you were here" I smiled sheepishly.

"You forgot? Must I go" I was mortified, how had he come to that conclusion,

"What NO, what you talking about NO…" now he looked worried

"Then what's wrong?"

I looked down. "Um, I just forgot you were here" I think he caught my train of thought

"Oh" he smiled and came closer and gripped the towel. I smiled and gripped it tighter. I started backing away

"Dimitri no" I giggled.

We walked backwards till my legs were touching the bass of the bed. He pushed gently and I fell landing on the big puffy burnt orange bed spread. I made sure everything was covered but continued to lie there, he just stood there looking at me taking everything in, and with a big smile on his face he kneeled on the bed. Crawling up the bed till he was straddling me around the waist, he grabbed my wrists pushing both my arms to go above my head, he then relaxed his hold and ran both his hands down my arms till his hands were on my shoulders we just sat there like that staring at each other.

He leaned down and kissed me just once on the lips then leaped up like some one had tazered him and landed on the bed next to me.

"Think you should get dressed now"

"Um yea I think that might be a good idea" I got off the bed and walked over to the cupboard. I when I got to cupboard I pulled out a pair of pink cotton shorts and a strappy top. Underwear was always an issue so I just grabbed a pair of pink lace hot pants. I went to the bathroom and got dressed quickly. When I walked out the bathroom he was laying on the bed. He looked like he was half way here and half way there, when he saw me he sighed, and he looked at me again with those eyes that made me feel more beautiful than any woman on earth. This feeling was still something I could not perceive, I did not understand how someone so gorgeous could find me beautiful.

I climbed into bed and he went to go shower. I lay there listening to the water wishing I could just go climb in with him, but that would be bad because every time I tried to get things started he would pull away at the worst possible moment, it was normally at the moment I thought he had given in.

Unfortunately I was always wrong. So instead I just lay there thinking about his warm body, it was hard to believe that when he took his shirt of he got even hotter. He was not over muscular but he was defined. He had a thin line of hair that ran from his belly button to the rim of his pants, on him I could imagine why they called it the path way to heaven, he was not very hairy but he had light fluffs of hair on his chest, he always had a five o'clock shadow beard which before him I found disgusting, but with him it defined his look. I let my imagination take me.

Just when the images where getting good, he walked out the bathroom, with just a towel on. There was steam pouring off his body in away that made me feel giddy. He walked around to the side of the bed I had not occupied. He smiled at me and this smile was a little embarrassed.

"What's wrong Hun?"

He looked at me as if he were trying to find the right words, he pursed his lips "I'm having a bit of a dilemma" he gave me my crocked smile "I sleep …" He did not finish his sentence, but glanced down at his towel. I understood him at once.

"Oh" I said this with a tiny hint of humor in my voice.

"So it's not a problem?" he smiled

I had to fight to hold back a giggle "Not a problem". In my mind this was no problem I could finally see all of him, finally I could see if the images in my head were as good as the real thing.

"Could you do me a favor?" he looked embarrassed again.

I smiled at him "Sure anything you want".

"Can you close your eyes?" I looked at him in shock but did what he asked "Sorry" he said "I know this must seem crazy but I don't want to destroy your innocence" I could hear he was smiling.

I could not help but sneak a peek, he was even better than I imagined which was hard to imagine. He turned to climb under the blanket and I saw to my amazement he had a tattoo on his bum, tweedy, I wonder if anyone else knew. I giggled to myself wondering what Kellan would have said if he knew.

"What you laughing about?"

"Nothing, can I open my eyes yet?"

"Yea, you can"

I opened my eyes and he was watching my face which had now turned bright red. He touched my face and it sent an electric current through my skin.

"What's wrong Lissa?" he was touching the blush in my cheeks.

"It's nothing I just saw something I don't think I should have, you told me to close my eyes and I peeked" I laughed a little

He frowned making a crevice between him eyes it was adorable. "I told you not to look" he smiled a little "Now I feel violated" he said this with a sarcastic under current.

"Aw I'm sorry" I puckered up my lips and fluttered my eye lids at him, trying to be sexy was hard work for me.

"So what did you see that you don't think you should have?" he was curious. What did he think I saw that I shouldn't have?

"Tweedy" I knew one word would be enough for him to realize in was not that bad.

He smiled a little "Oh yea" he was blushing now. "I was drunk when I got that done. Don't ask why my bum though, I don't know why."

"Does Kel know" I was the curious one now.

He smiled "Unfortunately he does, one night at his house we were getting ready for work and he walk in on me showering, I had not thought about the tattoo for months. Kellan was about to leave when he caught sight of it. He rolled over with laughter "What the hell Dimitri you going all soft on me, why your ass, Tweedy." I was so embarrassed. He gave me a new name for a couple years. I was Tweedy bums."

"When did it stop?" I was still curious

"When he got a tattoo when he was drunk but his is a lot worse than mine"

I giggled "What is his?" I had a feeling he would not tell me.

He smiled "I can't say."

"Aw Dimitri please, I wont tell him I know. You can trust me." I pulled the sheet around me and climbed on top of him, holding most of my weight on my arms and knees. I wanted to look him in the eyes, he grabbed my bum pulling me closer. I put my lips at the hollow just below his ear so he could hear my breathing and feel my breath on his neck. I knew this would work it was his weakness. He got goose bumps and shivered, he put his hands on either side of my face to move my lips to his, he kissed me but I did not kiss him back. His kiss was urgent as I knew it would be, I so wanted to just forget my purpose and kiss him back, but I held my ground. He sighed and stopped, I slowly pulled back hoping I did not hurt his feelings.

I looked into his eyes he had a puzzled expression on his face, "Is it that important?" he asked

"Yes, I wanna know. Pleazzzzze. I wont tell him I know" I looked at him with puppy dog eyes, hoping this would work. I knew I was winning when he sighed. He put his hands on my bum lifting me so I was sliding off him, I landed on the bed and bounced a little with a giggle like a school girl. I was almost bouncing up and down waiting to hear what Kellan had done.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, like he was trying to picture it then he dropped his hand opened his eyes and smiled.

"Ok I'll tell you, but if this gets back to him I will gladly have to tickle you till you wet yourself" He knew my weaknesses as I knew his. He smiled a little to himself "He has three hearts on his left bum cheek starting small and getting bigger" That was not as bad as I thought "They are bright pink and there is a cupid with a little arrow" It was getting worse now this was worse than tweedy.

"Well tweedy is very adorable"

He smiled a little "Thanks babe *Yawn* Babe I'm gonna hit the hay I'm dead beat was a long day". He yawned again it was so cute his nose wrinkled and I just wanted to pinch it.

I yawned until now I had forgotten just how tired I was. I curled up next to him and pulled the blankets back over me. Moments later his breathing evened out and he started to snore lightly. I lay there for a few moments watching him, waiting for sleep to take over me as well but it did not come. I rolled over and turned the bed side lamp on. I pulled out my copy of My Sisters Keeper this book was brilliant it made me think about one day getting married and having children. I read a couple chapters I was starting to feel tired again. I put the book back and turned off the light and snuggled up to my Dimitri. I fell asleep.

My dreams where weird I had not thought about things like having children or getting married, they were not priorities to me. In my dream I was standing in front of a big mirror staring at myself but I could not figure what was so off about the way I looked, I was happy and I was crying was this normal? Then I noticed what was different I was in a wedding dress. This dress was exquisite it was pearl white, it fit nice and snug, it was off the shoulder which showed just the tops of my shoulders, it flowed all the way to my feet like a magnificent waterfall, I turned, looking at it from every angle, the back had pearl buttons from half way up the back of the dress to the top. This dress looked like it had been designed just for me. A small peace of embossed fabric right at the bottom caught my eye AC, what did that mean. I was startled when there was one knock on the door,

"You ready?" ready for what? What was going on here?

"Ashley come in". She opened the door and danced to me wearing a long flowing soft baby pink dress that flowed to her feet like a waterfall. She was spectacular

"You look amazing you always believed in my designs. Aw Lissa you so lucky. SISTER" it was then I realized I was marrying my Dimitri. My dream changed drastically I was standing at the end of the isle staring at him repeating my vowels. He said his and not once did he take his eyes off me. Then it came to the I Do's and we were husband and wife.

Then the dream shifted again, I was sitting on the edge of the bath watching the clock, it just seemed like the minutes were dragging just to annoy me, the five minutes were up I jumped up and almost ran to the sink and there next to the tap was a home pregnancy kit. I was shaking so much I could barely pick it up. Two pink lines, I was crying again, I was pregnant I was so happy that happy did not feel like it was the right words. I could hear him pacing backwards and forwards outside the bathroom door. "Dimitri hunny you can come in" He almost tripped trying to get the door open fast enough, he looked at the smile on my face and a huge smile spread across his face. "We pregnant?" he asked still smiling. I did not trust my voice right then so I just nodded quickly. He ran over and picked my up and held me tight.

Then there was this annoying sound like an alarm going off.

I woke up with a huge smile on my face I rolled over and he was gone. The huge bed was empty. My smile faded at once not knowing what I had done wrong. I got up feeling strangely empty, not knowing how I was going to shake this feeling. I grabbed his towel which was on the floor. I headed for the bathroom but by the time I had reached the end of the bed I had to sit down, I was crying so hard I could not see anything. His scent pouring off the towel was like a fresh slap in the face. I threw it was a lot more force than was necessary. It hit a lamp across the room which wobbled unsteady for a fraction of a second then crashed to the floor. I did not care that I would have to pay for that. I finally managed to get a grip on myself.

I walked into the bathroom. Put the shower on and just climbed inside clothes and all, I did not care. I sat on the floor of the shower with the water pouring on me and cried. I didn't know how long I sat there but I knew that I had things that needed to get done.

So I pulled myself together and climbed out the shower took off my wet clothes put on clean clothes and left the bathroom. I put my dirty stuff in the hamper knowing maid service would be up soon. I would have to leave a note about the lamp. I found a pen and paper.

I'm so sorry about the lamp

Please let me know how much it cost

Or where I can buy one to replace it

Thanks Lissa Swan.

I put the note by the mess and grabbed my bag and my car keys. I hung the note asking for the room to be cleaned on the door and left. I walked to my car when I got to my car there was a note on my window. I rushed over to see what it said.

I'm so sorry

Dimitri

I'm sorry, I'm sorry was he joking was that all he could say? I put the note in my pocket and got into my car. I did not know where I was driving to until my car turned down a familiar drive way. I was driving to his parents house. There was no one home. I just needed to get my stuff from yesterday then I was leaving. I walked up to the door and rang the bell. I stood there for a moment then the door opened it was their house keeper

"Morning Lissa how are you today the James's are not here, how can I help you?"

"Morning Aggie I left a few things here yesterday I just came to pick them up" She moved out of my way and let me pass. I walked up the stairs to Ashley's room. I saw my bag there and my clothes folded neatly into a bundle next to it. I grabbed them and walked out. I left the house and sat in my car for a few moments trying to collect my thoughts. I looked at the clock on my dash it was 11:30 it was a beautiful Saturday and I had no intention of wasting it. I needed to see my father and find a place to live. I pulled out my phone and dialed my fathers number "Hello Daniel speaking"

I tired to stop myself from crying "Hey dad" I chocked out

"Lissa what's wrong hunny, are you ok?"

"No dad I'm fine was just wondering if you were busy today?"

"No I'm not busy. You coming over?"

"Yea I'll be there in about ten minutes"

"Sure thing sweetheart see you then"

"Bye dad"

"Bye Lissa" I hang up the phone and started the engine and drove to my fathers house.

"Hey Lissa, you coming to see your dad?" the security guard at the gate asked. He was not a bad looking man he was in his mid thirties he had black hair and brown eyes he was tall with the first hints of a beer belly starting.

"Morning Carl yea I am, how you doing? How are Lucy and Sarah?"

"They well, thank you for asking" his smile was warm and friendly.

I had to force a smile in return. "I'll see you later Carl"

I drove off and waved to him out the window.

My father was waiting out side when I got to his place. He had a smile

on his face which disappeared when he saw my face. He rushed over to me. Did I look that bad? "Lissa what happened are you sure you are alright, you look like you have been crying for hours"

"I'm positive, dad I'm alright really no need to worry" I gave him a hug and smiled.

He laughed at my failed attempt "Try again hunny coz I'm not buying what you are selling" I put my head to the side and smiled a goofy smile he chuckled. I had to laugh too "Much better"

"Come in let me make you some tea" we walked into his apartment and I was amazed to see all his stuff in boxes, I looked at one box with a puzzled expression

"Moving?" I asked

"Down sizing, this place is to big for me been looking for someone to rent it, I don't wanna sell it" this was perfect it was a four bedroom, three bathroom, lounge dinning room kitchen open plan.

"How much you renting it for dad?"

"About five thousand" Ok wow I would never be able to afford that. "Why you ask sweetie?"

"Looking for a place to rent"

He looked up at me for a few minutes, he brought the tea over "I would never make you pay you are my daug…." I interrupter him

"I would never ask to stay here for free I have a job."

"Alright then you have a place to stay then" he smiled at me and I knew he had something up his sleeve. "So you going to tell me what's eating at you?"

I began to tell him how I had fallen in love and how he spent the night which he did not like I had to tell him over and over again nothing happened then I told him that I woke up and he was gone and about the note. I took it out my pocket and handed it to him. He read it over and over and pulled a face.

"What the hell is the idiots' problem; does he not realize how lucky he is? Hunny don't worry about him it's loss not yours" The conversation went steady from then on. It was nearly five when I left him.

I did not want to go back to the hotel so instead I decided to go to Jesters and see how Taylor was doing I had not seen him in like forever. I pulled up to the club I knew it was not open yet but I saw his car parked in the parking. I parked next to his car and walked up to the club.

The two large bouncers were standing outside smoking. I walked towards them

"Steven, Clark how are you two doing on this fine evening?" I smiled at them with a coy smile.

"I'm good, Lissa darling how are you doing?" Steven asked giving me a huge hug. Clark did not speak much he just nodded. I took the cigarette out Stevens mouth and took a long drag and gave it back to him

"Better now thanks for asking. Taylor busy?"

"Na he's inside" he pointed towards the door with his head.

"Thanks Hun, see you two later." I smiled at them

I opened the door and walked in. Taylor was standing with his back to me drying glasses

"HEY WAITER" I yelled as I walked towards him. He spun and a grin spread cross his face.

"Hey loca where the hell have you been?"

"Been busy finding us a place to stay." His smile faded and I knew that when I said we he thought me and Dimitri not me and him.

"Oh where is lover boy today?" I grimaced and my face fell for a fraction of a second but I composed it. I did not want to have to tell him about it, I just wanted to forget, to pretend it had not happened; I planed on just putting it into a box and leaving it there until I was alone so that no one could see me hurting.

"Oh you know feeding the hungry and fighting for the weak." I laughed and he joined in. Taylor was always so much fun to be around, he helped me relax and calmed down just enough to forget all my problems.

"So you and Dimitri finally moving in together huh?" He sounded very matter of fact, that I could not help but sneak a peak at his face, it was blank and emotionless.

"Nope" I said making that plopping sound at the end of that word. He eyed me for a moment and I smiled at him.

"Then who?"

"Me and you of course silly. I know you have been looking for a new place to stay and I need a place to stay cant keep living in a hotel, so I went and found one." I smiled at him a smile which implied silly.

"How much and where Lissa?"

"Dolphin drive and five thou…"

"That's cheap for that area so that would be two fifty each, but what about furniture and all that crap?"

"It's the three of us and its fully furnished Hun. I've thought of everything"

"Seems that way doesn't it. How did you find it and when can we move in? Who else?" he was the excited one now.

"It's my dads old place and he'll be out by Monday so we can start moving in then, and since its school holidays I get ten days off to help out and get the place sorted out. It's you me and Ashley you remember her right?" I loved that the collage and the school that I worked at doing part time teaching had the same holiday dates, it worked out that I had so many long holidays.

"Fantastic, so can I get you a drink?"

"No thanks Hun I need to get back to the hotel and let them know I'm going to be leaving and make sure I get all my stuff together, we are going to be moving in on Monday morning around tenish, that alright with you?"

"Yea Hun not a problem see you then" I leaned across the bar and gave him a kiss on the cheek and gave him a hug.

"Don't be late" I called over my shoulder as I walked out the door

"Cheers guys see you soon." I walked to my car, got in and started the engine; I had to check my phone maybe he phone when I was inside and I had not heard the phone ringing. I unlocked my phone, there was a message I opened it quicker than my fingers would allow, maybe it was from him maybe it was his explanation, I knew I was still angry but I still yearned for him.

To my disappointment I was from Ashley.

Hey Aggie said you popped by to get your things, she said you looked terrible. Are you alright? I've been phoning the hotel all day but they said that they have not seen you all day. Let me know you alright.

Ash

I sent her a message back.

Hey hunny no I'm fine no need to worry I've been apartment hunting and I found the perfect place. I was going to phone you later and ask if you wanna be roommates. Taylor's keen. Anyways I did not sleep well last night going to get an early night.

Lissa

I drove back to the hotel to tell them I would be checking out on Monday morning. I spoke to a nice women who was very helpful she said she would get my bill ready for me. I had to ask if there were any messages, she handed me a thick wad of them. I read them as I walked back up to my room, all from Ashley. I got to the room and put the messages on the side table. I kicked off my shoes and climbed into bed jeans and all. I fell asleep.