Thanks for the reviews everyone. I hope everyone enjoys this installment.
They awoke still wrapped in eachother's arms. Ororo began to stir causing Warren's eyes to flutter open. She was greeted by a pearly smile. A small tuft of her pallid locks covered her cerulean irises. He gently pushed it away from her face, his finger softly tracing her cheekbone. Although the gesture was sweet and charming Ororo found it a bit off putting. However nice it felt waking in Warren's embrace she wasn't certain how she actually felt about him and possibly them. She didn't want his displays of affection to cloud her judgment no matter how difficult she found the task to be.
Ororo sat up, no longer wanting to feel his touch on her. "I'm going to get dressed," she muttered as she swiftly left the room. A grimace graced Warren's face. He just didn't understand her rush. He stood up to stretch, his grandiose wings flapping mildly as he did. His mind was still too groggy to think of the situation thoroughly.
Once dressed she sat waiting for him in the living room, refusing to even look into his bedroom. Her head hung in her hands as she heard the soft patter of rain hitting his windowpane. She strolled over to the 20th story window that overlooked Columbus Circle, watching was pedestrians scurried away to avoid the rain. The sky held a grey overcast that was more appropriate for late spring than early summer. Warren's voice brought her out of her observations. "Would you like to grab some breakfast?" he questioned. Ororo shook her head, "I rather just head to Westchester." Warren frowned faintly, attempting to disguise his disappointed but nodded in agreement.
Once they entered his car the drive was unsettling silent. Ororo's gaze was fixed out of the passenger window examining the rain, never holding Warren's eye contact for more than mere seconds. He wondered if her mood reflected the weather but thought best not to ask. He could no longer take the uncomfortable quiet and decided to hook his phone to the stereo, putting his playlist on random.
Anthony Hamilton's soulful baritone began to fill the void.
Wish I could see through
See deep into you
And know what you're thinking now
And if I'm what you're needin'
I need some kind of sign
Let me know cause I can't read your mind
Warren peered over through the corner of his eyes at Ororo occasionally. A few strands of hair obscuring her orbs from him. He hoped for a hint of some kind from her. Ordinarily a girl would have given indications of mutual feelings but just like the unusual ashen locks and ocean eyes against her coffee skin she wasn't ordinary.
Are you in?
Or am I in this on my own?
I need some clue from you
Let me know babe
Do you feel me?
Do you read me?
Tell me am I gettin through to you
I wanna know,
are you with me?
Are you listening?
Baby, is my message gettin through?
Do you feel me baby, oh babe, cause I can feel you
Ororo's renowned stoicism had returned. She was only inches away from him but felt so detached and distant, the total opposite of her behavior just the night before. He couldn't figure her out. He found her aloofness to be both fascinating and infuriating.
You play it so cool
Won't let nothin' show through
Won't show what you're feeling now, no
And you like to keep keepin' me
Keeping me here in the dark
And I can't see through into your heart
Let me in, in on this mystery
Cause I just can't stay in this guessing game
Warren wanted desperately to just have the confidence to flat out ask her what she felt for him, if she had like he believed. Yet the words remained painfully lodged in his throat, straining to be released but continued to be confined. Why couldn't this be simple?
And don't keep me hanging on the line, baby
Tell me if you want me
And if you don't just let me know
Just answer one question
Don't keep me here guessing
Tell me now
Do you feel me?
Do you read me?
Tell me am I gettin through to you
I wanna know,
are you with me?
Are you listening?
Baby, is my message gettin through?
Do you feel me baby, oh babe, cause I can feel you
The song concluded and a song by The Black Keys started. "You have diverse musical taste," Ororo spoke at last in a matter-of-fact tone. "Yes, I suppose it is varied," he replied wryly. Their silence resumed. It was almost a relief when they arrived to the mansion once more.
Once they entered Ororo gave brief hellos to everyone before fleeing to her loft, stating that she needed to freshen up. She stepped under the steaming stream of water hoping it would help release tension and aid in centering her. How long she stood under there she couldn't recall. She was only aware of her musings. This whole thing is absurd. We've moved on so long ago. So why are feelings resurfacing? Why am I giving into them? Their flight, sharing a bed together was far more personal than anything else she had with previous boyfriends after him. It was as if those acts bonded them stronger than she ever felt with someone since… Since the first time we made love. Ororo hung her head back and scowled. Oh Bright Lady, please guide me. I am afraid there is a battle brewing inside of me and I'm not sure which side will win… Or which I would prefer to win.
Ororo walked out of the adjoining bathroom with only a towel wrapped around her tone body to find Jean and Alison sprawled out on her bed with snacks as well as chilled bottles of Mike's Hard Pomegranate Punch on hand. "Oh Goddess, I'm not even dressed and you two are already in my room," she chided playfully. "As if you've become modest over time," Alison said cynically before taking a swig of the beverage while Ororo stepped into her closet to put on her silk baby blue robe. Jean, ever the hospitable one offered, "Well Warren said you guys didn't eat before coming. So we thought we'd bring up some food and have girl time."
"Yeah so did you guys fuck?!"
"Alison!" Ororo scolded her crassness as she stepped out, her cheeks becoming flushed with embarrassment and anger.
"What?!" the blonde asked in mock blamelessness while getting glares between her friends.
Ororo responded sternly, "If you must know we did not… have intercourse."
Jean popped a chip into her mouth then asked, "So what did you do all night?"
Ororo joined her chums, falling back on the bedding, "We slept."
"In separate beds?" Alison inquired with a tone of disbelief.
"No, in the same bed."
Jean puckered sympathetically, "Aw 'Ro did you have a bad dream?" She knew of the night terrors her best friend suffered from due to the horrible last memories she held on to of her parents' deaths.
"No," she retorted softly, "I did it because it just felt right, being next to him." Ororo buried half of her face in the pillow.
"Well, not to sound like we've been talking behind your back, but Alison and I-"
"So you two have been talking about me behind my back!" she snapped as she shot up from her laying position.
"Just hear us out," Alison pleaded, "It's just that we couldn't help but notice there is most definitely something going on between you and Warren. It's so palpable; we can just feeling it when we are near you two. It's as thick as the fog you conjure."
"There's definitely chemistry," Jean interjected, "I don't need to read your mind to know that you care for him. So why are you denying what's so obviously there?"
Ororo gnawed at her bottom lip momentarily before replying, "Because it's illogical. The man can have any woman he wants. We moved on so long ago. Plus I live in England now."
"Your head may be saying one thing but your heart another. Don't let one or the other stop you from real happiness," Alison said, a rare moment of insightfulness shinning through.
The red head scowled, "I didn't want to mention it. The professor was going to ask once he returned and I feel like it's not my place." Ororo casted an inquisitive expression, imploring her to go on. "Well, Hank is going to Oxford to continue his research and he was hoping you and he could trade positions. He'd teach at the English location and you here. We could always ask Sean Cassidy or Betsy Braddock but you know we have a preference." She smiled kindly before continuing, "I'm by no means saying you should come back solely for him, but it's just something to think about."
Ororo sighed, already feeling mentally and emotionally taxed as she took a bite of honeydew. "It seems that I have much thinking indeed my friend."
Warren, Bobby and Scott sat at the kitchen counter splitting a large Brooklyn style meatball pizza, extra cheese. Scott swallowed a bite down with his beer. "So, you and 'Ro…" he asked, leaving the question to hang in the air.
"Nothing happened last night if that's what you mean." Warren's eyes focused on the plate below him.
"Got erectile dysfunction? Need the little blue pill?" Bobby jibbed as he elbowed Warren lightly in the ribs.
"I definitely do not," Warren answered a bit too defensively though he smirked. "We just spent the day together."
"So you went on a date," Scott stated more so than asked.
"No, we just hung out. We went to the museum then grabbed a bite and saw a movie."
"A date," the other two males said in unison. Warren rolled his eyes as he took a bite. "So are you guys official?" Bobby questioned in all seriousness for once. Warren shrugged, "No. Yesterday she seemed receptive but today she's damn near giving me the cold shoulder. I just don't understand it." Scott gave a brief mirth snigger, "Sounds like Ororo to turn frigid on you. As well as I've know her I can fairly certainly say this, if she wasn't interested she wouldn't have you jumping through so many hoops. She would have turned you down gently but effectively."
"Maybe it's time to put your big boy pants on and lay all your cards out," Bobby advised, clasping Warren's shoulder with his hand.
Warren deliberated closely what Scott and Bobby just informed. He clearly was doing something right but needed to do more. He quickly grew tired of this back and forth and wanted to put definition to it.
"Thanks Bobby, I think I will," Warren thanked.
"No problem. One last thing… Are you going to eat your crust?"
Warren tried to strategize in his dorm. What should he do? What should he say? He wanted to say the right thing, do the right thing but wasn't sure what that was. That's when it hit him. The only correct thing was what would transpire in the moment. With Ororo you didn't force things. They had to occur naturally just like the elements she wielded. He waited until he heard the stifled giggles and murmurs of Jean and Alison fade away, only the faint sounds of music coming from Ororo's loft replacing it. Now's as a good a time as any.
She was grateful for her friends' advice but she felt it didn't change her situation greatly. Ultimately no amount of guidance could help her. This was only for her to decide. Once they departed Ororo turned on her iHome. A song by Frank Ocean started. She never listened to current music too much but after hearing many of her students playing the album in their dorms she found she rather liked it as well. It was much more preferable than Nikki Minaj or Kesha who many of her pupils sang along to. Warren still clung to the corners of her mind no matter her might. Perhaps I should say something. But what words could I speak when my thoughts remain amiss, my emotions mixed? She moved through her loft, lighting candles scented of clove and sandalwood, the fragrances mixing splendidly. She hoped the natural aromas would bring tranquility.
She sensed her door opening. She turned to around to find Warren standing at her threshold. He gazed at her in her silk baby blue robe that barely reached her upper thighs, her long hair still held loosely in a clip at the base of her head from when she showered. He suddenly felt self-conscious and silly that he came to her bedroom only in his boxers. Good going, Worthington. Now she'll think you're only here to sleep with her. Their awkward moment of silence kept growing. "Please do come in Warren," Ororo beckoned. He stepped in closing the door behind him.
More uneasy silence, the only sound was "Say," by John Mayer now playing in the background. Warren racked his fingers fretfully through his fair hair. He drew a breath and found his resolve. "I don't know how you feel…about me, but I feel deeply for you. I guess I always have. I just didn't know it 'til seeing you again. Seeing your remarkable spirit shining brightly through your brilliant eyes, those cute dimples when I make you smile. I want to be the reason you smile, the reason your eyes shine… I don't want to go without seeing that-seeing you again."
Ororo remained quiet, her head low and eyes staring at her periwinkle painted toenails. Warren internally began to panic. He made a fool of himself, should have known better than to think the feelings were mutual but most of all the stinging he felt in his chest intensified tenfold. "Warren", she at last spoke. Her eyes lifted up to his and her head followed. "Thank you for having the courage to say what I couldn't." She paused, in effort to find the proper words, any words then preceded, "Terms cannot convey what I feel for you, what I had been fighting. I realize that now."
"Then show me."
Holding eye contact, Ororo slid the robe off of her shoulders, silk silently sliding to the floor. Warren's wonderful wings ruffled in surprise and titillation though the rest of his body stood statue still. But instead of meeting in a heated kiss Ororo stepped towards him tentatively, Warren matching her strides after stepping out of his undergarment. She reached a hand out, her fingertips grazing the contours of his angular cheeks as his thumbed her bottom lip, feeling the fullness of it as she pressed a kiss against it. They both gently caressed their features and skins' textures. Their eyes roamed eachother's builds in utter wonder and appreciation. He reached behind her head and unhinged her clip causing her locks to cascade down to the small of her back. She was absolutely striking, the personification of exotic.
He leaned in slowly, their lips pressed together. The kiss was chaste and gradually, unhurriedly progressed with passion as Warren wove his fingers through Ororo's tresses. She pulled away with a smile then led him to her bed.
Warren lined her swan like neck with kisses; his golden tresses slightly intermixed with her platinum ones. She felt better than any of the luxurious fine fabrics hanging in his closet and tasted sweeter and more intoxicating than any wine or champagne he could obtain. For him being intimate with Ororo again was like coming home. She was warm, inviting and he felt completely at peace inside of her, never wanting to leave as she sighed and moaned, her way of welcoming him.
Warren stimulated Ororo just as much emotionally as he did physically, muttering his gratitude for her softly between tender kisses, causing her to be consumed by his affections, only whimpering in agreement. Her mind couldn't form coherent thoughts but she randomly became aware of what was playing in the background for a brief moment.
Yes, of course
I remember, how could I forget (how could I forget),
How you feel (how you feel)?
You know you were my first time (time)
A new feel (a new feel)
It won't ever get old, not in my soul
Not in my spirit, keep it alive (spirit, keep it alive)
We'll go down this road
'Til it turns from color to black and white
Together they met their finish, staying in eachother's embrace as they caught their breath.
Scott read a John Grisham novel while Jean brushed her teeth before bed. "Warren and Ororo are at it," he stated as he flipped the page. She rinsed then asked how he could tell. "Because it's not hurricane season yet," he replied matter-of-fact like.
