Maura wasn't at work in the morning. I got really worried and I called her but she didn't pick up her phone. So I decided to go at her house and look for her there. I rang the bell but she didn't open so I decided to use my key and just check for myself in case she was there. Maybe something had happened. I was sick and worried just by the thought that something bad could have happened to her.
"Maura!" I called, searching the house for her. Then I finally found her in her bedroom.
"Why aren't you answering your phone?" I asked a bit angrily. She looked okay so there must be a reason for her behavior because not answering your phone was a really serious matter. There was no excuse for that.
"I was in the bathroom," she answered with a raspy voice, and noticed that she didn't look like herself.
"What's going on? Are you alright?" I asked, getting near her.
"I am sick," Maura said, sniffing and then she carefully lied on the bed.
"Oh, Maura, why didn't you call me?" I asked, getting near her bed, worried to see her in that state.
"I have a flu. I am not dying."
"Are you feeling okay now? Do you need anything?" I asked, concerned. "Why didn't you call me?" I asked once again, looking expectantly at her.
"Because you don't have to take care of me, Jane. You have a job. Who else would catch killers?"
"They could wait if my friend is sick," I answered sincerely and caressed her hand. "Anything I could do for you? Did you take any pills?"
There was a long pause. And in that moment I noticed what she was wearing - a robe. I was so worried for her when I entered the room that I hadn't even noticed what she was wearing.
"Just a robe! Was she naked underneath? Focus on what is happening now, Jane. You can freak out some other time. Maybe later..."
"Well, actually I was just going to apply VapoRub to my chest and then go to bed. So would you do it for me?" she asked I didn't know what to say. Even the thought of rubbing anything on her chest was unthinkable.
"I am so screwed. How screwed from one to ten? Well, eleven! No! A hundred! How am I supposed to answer without offending her? And Maura usually gets offended pretty easily even when she's not sick. So how should I politely decline her request? Just say no? Or perhaps decline with a sarcastic joke? What should I do?" I was thinking hard but my mind was blocked. "Perhaps I should pretend that I am sick, too. It would be really easy if the ground just opens up and swallows me right now. Please God." I prayed silently as I looked upwards.But nothing happened. "No?! Okay then..."
"And would you rub my chest?" I asked as I winked at her. A sarcastic joke was the best I could come up with.
"What?" Maura looked at me, puzzled.
"I rub your chest if you rub mine. You know... like... like uh, I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine," I explained nervously to her or at least tried to explain myself but the look on her face told me she didn't get what I was saying at all. Or at least she looked that way. I just didn't know what to do next.
"Jane, is your back itching?" Maura asked with a puzzled look.
"Yep, she definitely didn't get it."
"No, Maura. It's an expression."
"So?"
"So what?" I asked but I knew what she was going to ask me. Once again.
"Would you be so kind and help me do it? Would you VapoRub my chest, Jane?" she asked and looked at me with her beautiful hazel eyes.
"No," I answered, declining her request, crossing my hands defensively. I really hoped it didn't sound too harsh. "I am not rubbing anything!"
"Geez! Did that sound dirty only to me? Just because I find it hilarious doesn't mean she does as well. Okay, so just don't laugh. Keep a straight face. You can do it!"
"I mean... You rub it yourself!" I exclaimed but stopped the minute I heard how my words sounded like.
"Okay, now I made it worse."
"What?" she was still confused. I was just talking nonsense so I really couldn't blame her. I blamed myself and my dirty mind.
"I don't think that it's appropriate, Maura." I added, justifying my refusal to her. Maybe my words didn't even make any sense but I wasn't thinking clearly at that moment. I just had to make an excuse. And I couldn't find any better excuse than that.
"Okay," she said, taking the vaporub in her hands, opening it. "Will you at least hold it for me?" she asked, giving me the box. "I don't want to spill any on my sheets. They are very expensive, you know."
I had no choice but to agree. Not that I said a thing to her though. I just stood there, paralyzed, holding the box in my hand.
"Sit by me and hold it," she instructed me and I bit my lip not to laugh when I heard what she said.
"Why everything sounds so dirty to me? I just can't help it. Hold it together, Jane! You can do it!"
"Oh, no. I am good here," I answered her, standing at my place, trying to stay calm and look nonchalant even though I knew what was going to happen next.
"Now she will be naked and I will be really screwed."
She unfolded her robe and my mouth went dry just by the sight. She was all naked except for the panties she was wearing underneath. A sexy pair of black lace panties. I was totally screwed. But I was glad that she had at least something on her.
"I can't reach it from over there, Jane." Maura complained and I had to move closer though I really wished I didn't. Because it was pretty dangerous. I was barely holding myself.
"Okay, I will come," I said to her. "Closer!" I quickly added before my mind could even think of something dirty or inappropriate. Unfortunately it was too late.
She reached to take a little bit from the box I was holding in my hands, trying to stand still, and then she started rubbing it to her collarbone. I withdrew away from her once again, keeping a safe distance from her. It was for the best. The sight of her, touching her own very naked skin was breathtaking. My mouth was dry and I got paralyzed by the view. I knew that it was probably wrong to stare at her because she was sick but I just couldn't help it. I realized that I was probably drooling over her body so I tried to stop myself. I really tried. Because I just had to stay there and hold the box for her. I didn't have any choice.
"Just think about something. Baseball. That's a great idea! Baseball! Baseball, baseball. I think I am gonna score. If you let him all the way then you are a wh-why am I thinking about this stupid song?! No, actually it kind of helps. Think about songs, Jane. Or even better - movies. The Hot Chick. Ooh, that sounds just like Maura. A hot chick. Not helping... Okay, another movie! The Butterfly Effect. Butterflies. The butterflies I feel in my stomach every time I see her. Just like now. Okay, nope. Another! Another one! Think fast of another movie, Jane! 10 Things I Hate About You. Or maybe 10 things I like about her. Her gorgeous eyes, her lips... her hair... her breasts... her belly. Why am I listing all the things I like in her? If I go any lower I might explode. Okay, another movie! Just think of another movie! Something gross. A horror movie! Yeap!... Still, not helping!"
"Okay, I will do it," I finally gave up. If I had to watch her do this even one more second I would most definitely go nuts. I thought that it will be better to do it myself instead of watching her touch herself like that. But I thought wrong. The minute I set my hand on her warm collarbone to rub the cream on her skin, I started feeling the consequences of my stupid offer to help her. I just wanted to run away. Immediately. Or just stay there and so something stupid. Something I might regret later. But I kept doing it since I had no choice. I didn't want to look strange in Maura's eyes.
"Her body is so warm. I feel so uncomfortable right now... Why does she have to be naked? I guess that she doesn't feel awkward about her nakedness. She sees naked people every day so it probably doesn't bother her. But it bothers me. A lot! In a good way. No, Jane, don't do that again. Don't go there."
I had to ignore the uncomfortable dampness on my panties, the clenching of my stomach just by touching her. It was like a nightmare and a dream all at one. It was pure torture but it was bittersweet. I just tried to look nonchalant, to stay calm and breathe.
"Come on, Jane, you can do this. Think you're just applying cream on your friend's chest. Nothing wrong with that. She's your friend and you can't think about how hot she is right now. Or about how good her warm skin feels against my hand. Okay, think of something else. Think of something awful! Yeap. Dead bodies. Dead bodies. Baseball. Dead bodies and baseball. Dead bodies! Baseball! Oh, God, it's not working! It's not working! What will I do? It's so hot in here..."
"Jane, you are sweating. Are you feeling sick?" Maura asked, reaching out her hand, putting it on my red cheek to feel how hot I was. "Your cheeks are burning. Do you have a flue?"
"No, Maura, I am fine." I reassured her.
"Okay. No need to panic. She doesn't have a clue why you are sweating so much. Just keep it cool. And better yet, hurry up. Just lay some cream on her skin and rub it quickly. The faster the better."
"Okay, I am done," I declared, hurrying up to finish. Then I quickly got up from her bed and went away under the pretext of washing my hands.
"I definitely need a shower. A cold one..."
AN: Just one single comment on my previous chapter. :-( This makes me really sad... Is anyone interested in a continue or should I give up on this story? Please just let me know what you think. I really hope this chapter would get more reviews and more approval from the readers.
