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Previously

Uh-oh,but it was to late. Victor knew that all women were ticklish somewhere,he just needed to find out where. He pulling her into a bear hug with her arms held by his throw across her. and experimented on her right side. About an inch from her waist she squirmed.

"Stop!"

"Yer ticklish, aren't ya Lori?" he whispered in her ear. His voice was low and it took all she had to suppress a shiver.

"Yes."

"Well,lets see if I can make ya scream."

There was a spike in his scent. The Canadian pine and musky scent that he gave off changed. It was different. It was primal. It called to her.

Now

"Ya probably really hate me at this point,don't ya?" he asked. His voice was so simple and it made her even madder.

"What do you think?" she snapped back.

"Now kitten, it's yer own fault. Ya don't have ta hurt my feelings." He punctuated this with another poke to her side. Her back arched off him and she kept from laughing.

I need a way out of this. Then an idea came.

"You never did tell me how you got into trouble before."

"Ya don't wanna know." His voice was cold. He hated remembering how Stryker had gotten over on him.

"Victor, if I going to get involved with you I need to know who you are. There isn't much more you can say that will make me fear you."

The scent lifted, and Lorette was relieved that she'd managed to bring him down. Was that what got him in trouble?

He released her arms,but he wound his around her waist. She was shocked at his tenderness, but fell back on his chest.

"Ya know how you gave in ta yer beast,but don't remember? I did the same and I remember everything. I was in Vietnam and killed a Senior Officer. My brother Jimmy stood by me and we went in in front of a firing squad."

Lorette winced. "That had to hurt."

"I fell asleep. We met a man named William Stryker. We were on a team fer the government call Team X. Jimmy left after a mission in Africa. Everyone pretty much left after that."

"What did the team do?"

The question was simple,but Victor tensed up. "We..I mostly hunted mutants. We didn't know what it was fer,but Stryker said he'd give me a metal call adamantium ta make me indestructible. Jimmy got it instead. Turns out Stryker had played us both and turned our old teammate Wade inta somethin' like a robot with a lot o' powers put together. We killed him,but that was the last time I saw Jimmy until recently."

"How long ago was that?"

"Almost fifteen years."

"He hasn't come after you at all?"

"He doesn't remember me. Stryker wiped his memory,and when we fought on the statue he didn't recognize me. He's at Charles Xavier's school in New York."

"Hm" was all she said. Lorette settled against his chest and ran her had along his arm.

"No scream, slap in the face, or attempt ta run?"he asked. The was humor in his voice but he truthfully wanted to know what she thought.

"Screaming would annoy us both, a slap would just piss you off, and running...lets just say I like it right here,"she replied. She sat up and grabbed the remote,then twisted so that her head lay close to his heart.

"Do ya plan ta stay there?"

"As long as you'll let me."

Lorette felt his heart leap and looked up at him with a small smile. She leaned up and kissed him. Not wanting it to be fleeting like the last one, Victor's tongue licked he lips, demanding entrance. It was granted,and their tongues dueled. Victor thought his heart was going to burst. Her scent hit is nostrils along with a small flare of lust. She twisted so that she was facing him with her hand in his hair, and his automatically gripped her hips.

When the need for air became to great, Lorette pulled away, biting his bottom lip. She looked down at his eyes to see the hazel/brown color almost glazed over. Instead of lust like she expected, all that came from him was relaxation. Victor smiled up at her. There was no feeling of blood lust, no need to rape and kill, just relaxation. All he wanted and needed now was her.

"Ya wear me out quick"he murmured.

"I'm glad. Now let's head to bed."

With a smile, he picked her bridal style and headed to his room. He sat her down and removed his shirt,but left his pants as she removed her sweats.

"Boy-shorts?" he questioned laughing next to her.

"What? They're comfortable, soft, and will keep my from getting to hot next to you,Fluffy,"she defended laying on his chest, letting the hair tickling her nose.

"Whatever ya say,"he said chuckling and ignoring the 'Fluffy' comment.

"I'm glad you see things my way."

The next morning was peaceful. Lorette had ushered Victor to take a shower while she made breakfast. Walking out of the bathroom in nothing but a towel, Victor heard his phone ring. He snatched it of the table and answered.

"Creed."

"Hello,Victor. It's been a long time."

The voice on the other end filled him with rage.

"Stryker!"

TBC