His violent assault on Big Show proved to be too much for the officials and they raced towards the enraged Irishman.
"Sheamus, enough!" "No, no!" "Stop! Sheamus, stop!" were the countless cries that echoed over the parking garage as referees and security alike grabbed for the Celtic Warrior.
They managed to get him off for a second, but he simply fought them off and returned, hammering the Big Show again and again.
They once again grabbed hold of him and dragged him off.
Red faced, practically snarling, Sheamus pointed his free hand at Big Show and vowed, "This isn' over, Show!"
He was dragged back a few feet before he fought free of their holds. Panting, he backed away from them, scrubbing a hand over his face.
"Wow." Bobby murmured, suddenly at Kimber's side, "That was nuts!"
She paid the crew member no heed, though. All of her attention was focused on the enraged man standing a few feet away.
She walked over to him, gently calling out, "Sheamus?"
Sheamus spun around and she could see the fire still blazing in his blue eyes. Without thought she went to him, reaching out to place a hand on his cheek. His hand instantly covered hers and he stared down at her, his chest heaving and his features still red.
"Are you okay?" she asked in concern as she searched his face.
He closed his eyes for a moment and she knew he was trying to get a handle on his temper.
"Yeah." he muttered at last as he looked down at her and nodded, "Yeah. Let's just go back inside."
He slipped an arm around her shoulders and turned her away from the chaotic scene, leading her back into the arena. Kimber wrapped an arm around his waist, careful not to touch his back.
"We should get you checked out." she lightly suggested.
"Ah'm all right." he sighed. Seeing the medic was the last thing he wanted to do.
"Please?" she implored, "Please just let them take a look at your back."
He was about to tell her that his back was fine and he didn't need anyone to check it out. But when he saw the worry in her eyes the words instantly died on his lips. She looked so troubled he knew he couldn't deny her anything.
"All right." he relented grudgingly, "All right. If it'll make ya feel better."
They made their way up the hall towards the trainers' room. Unfortunately Vickie was waiting for them as they approached. She was sneering at the pair, clearly not happy.
"Excuse me." she snapped, arms crossed over her chest, "Just want do you think you're doing, Sheamus?"
"Goin' to see the trainer." he told her with a smirk, "Ah somehow managed to get a twinge in me back. Must be the way Ah've been sleepin' at night."
"Ha. Ha." the Managing Supervisor retorted dryly, "Sheamus, I can't have you going around attacking my Superstars in the parking lot."
"Yeah, well Ah would have attacked Show at Catering if Ah'd seen him there first." the Irishman couldn't help but quip.
Kimber sighed, wishing he wouldn't bait the vindictive woman.
"I'm sorry, but you have no choice but to leave this arena." Vickie replied triumphantly, "Now."
She turned to Kimber and added, "And, Kimber, don't you have an interview to go do or something."
Sheamus pulled away from Kimber, glaring down at the Managing Supervisor, "Ya want me gone, Vickie? Fine. Ah'll leave the arena."
"Not just the arena." Vickie's chin went up a notch, "I don't want to see you anywhere on the property for the rest of the night. If I do I'll be forced to call the police and have you arrested."
"Try it." Sheamus warned her.
"Sheamus, don't." Kimber tried to get him to see reason, "Please, just go back to the hotel, get some ice on your back and rest. Please."
Sheamus glared down at her. Not her, too.
He turned away and rubbed his face, contemplating his options. Did he really want to spend the night in jail? Not that it wouldn't be worth it. . .
"Sheamus." Vickie's annoying tone throbbed in his head, "Now."
He scowled at her and she backed up a step, nervous. He all but growled as he turned and started to make his way back down the hall and towards the exit.
Vickie looked after him, smiling victoriously.
Kimber shook her head and went after the Irishman.
"Sheamus." she called after him, "Sheamus, wait up."
He drew to a stop but didn't face her. Kimber slowed her pace and carefully walked towards him. She made her way around to face him, noticing that he was looking down the hallway with narrowed eyes.
She glanced down at his hand and for a moment she considered taking it. Then she began to wonder if he'd even let her.
"Please don't think I'm taking Vickie's side." she spoke up at last, "Because I'm not. And please don't think I'm a traitor. I care about you and I want to make sure you're okay. And I don't want to see you end up in getting arrested. I-"
Whatever else she was going to say died on her lips as he reached out and took gently took hold of her chin. His thumb tenderly stroked her jaw, his eyes, soft, met hers.
"Ah'm not mad at ya, angel." he stated quietly, "Ah'm mad at the situation. And Ah don' think yer a traitor. Ah know yer heart's in the right place."
Kimber clasped his hand, pressing a kiss against his palm, "Take care. I'll see you later tonight."
"Ah'll hold ya to that." he told her with a wink before halfheartedly releasing her.
And with that he turned and walked away.
Kimber watched after him with a frown for a few moments before she went back into the arena.
She made her way through the halls, eventually getting to Catering. It was there that she found Joel, who was drinking a soda.
"So what's next?" he asked as he threw away the can and walked over to her.
"Why don't we see if we can get an interview with John Cena." Kimber suggested, getting back to the job at hand.
"You're the boss." the cameraman grinned at her and heaved his camera onto his shoulder.
They exited Catering and started to search for John. They had only gone a few feet, though, when Kaitlyn came running up, looking worried.
"Hey, what's going on?" Kimber questioned.
"It's Natalya." the Diva replied, hesitant, "She, um. . .She's in the ring and she's showing a. . ."
"What?" Joel joked, "Her breasts? Big deal, I'm sure half the locker room has seen them already."
"No." Kaitlyn fixed her gaze on Kimber, frowning, "It's, um, it's a picture of you. You look. . .Well, you don't look good."
Kimber went pale. For a second she thought her knees were going to buckle underneath her.
No. No!
She hurried passed the female wrestler and made her way through the halls. Kaitlyn and Joel quickly took off after her.
She rounded a corner and came to a screeching halt, her eyes landing on a small group of wrestlers and crew standing before a monitor.
And on the screen was a picture of her taken five years ago, her face battered and bruised.
The group turned and looked at her, their expressions ranging from sympathetic to extremely uncomfortable.
The picture cut away and there was Natalya. The blonde was looking out over the crowd with a frown, the very picture of concern.
"You see her every week," she went on, mid speech, "Interviewing Superstars and Divas. She's always on the hunt for her next story but what about the story about her?
"She is so nice and such a good person." the blonde's voice practically dripped sugar, "I mean, everyone in the back just loves her. We all care about her and we all want to know what's going on.
"And so I had to ask myself," she went on, her tone soft and gentile, "What could this brave, sweet girl have gone through? I think we should ask her. Kimber, can you come out?"
Kimber's first instinct was the run. To run right out of the arena and keep going. Why was she having to face this again, after all of this time? She was just starting to take steps towards feeling normal again and now here it was: Her past glaring back in her face. Literally.
But something deep down inside stopped her. Maybe it was the fact that she had fought for so long and so hard to come back from what Andrew had done to her. Maybe it was the fact that she was a fighter and the idea of running disgusted her.
Her eyes constrict as she watched the monitor. That evil little witch. Did she think she could embarrass her into leaving? Did she think she could humiliate her?
Kimber was all too versed in the ways of being humiliated. Whatever this witch had in store for her couldn't possibly compare to what she had gone through. There was no way in hell she was leaving. No way!
She turned and stormed off towards the ring. If Natalya wanted to see her she was going to, all right. With both barrels.
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Sheamus was just about ready to climb into his car when Bobby, out of breath, came running up.
"Sheamus! Sheamus, you have to get back in there!" he panted.
Shamus looked over at the smaller man and smirked, "If Ah do Vickie'll have me thrown in jail."
"Forget about Vickie!" Bobby yelled angrily, "Kimber's in trouble!"
That was all it took. Without another thought the Irishman slammed the car door closed and raced back across the garage and towards the arena.
He had just entered, and was making his way towards the gorilla, when he spotted a few of the Superstars, Divas and crew watching a monitor. They noticed his approach and hesitantly backed away, eyeing him fearfully.
His attention turned to the monitor and he drew to a stop, everything in him going cold and still.
Staring back at him was a picture of Kimber. At least, he thought it was Kimber. It was almost impossible to tell.
Those were her green eyes, but now they appeared desolate and filled with tears and shame. Both of her eyes had been blackened, the right one considerable more swollen than the left. There was a gash on her forehead, another on her cheek, which was swollen to twice it's normal size. Her complexion was pale and drawn.
She was nothing like woman he knew today. This girl. . .she had been through hell and back.
At the sight of her his coldness melted away, a volcano of rage left in it's wake. What he felt for Big Show the night before and again a few minutes ago paled in comparison to the inferno boiling in his blood. To say he was angry was an understatement. There wasn't a word profound enough to describe the fury coursing through his body now.
He turned and started to go for the stage when John jumped forward and tried to hold him back.
"Whoa, hold on!" the wrestler spoke up.
"Get out of my way." the words were snarled.
John swallowed nervously and shook his head, "I know you're angry. Hell, I would be, too, in your shoes. But you have to let her deal with this on her own."
"He's right." Layla was suddenly by Cena's side, imploring, "Sheamus, this is Kimber's fight. Let her deal with it as she sees fit.
"If she gets into trouble and needs your help, but all means go to her." the Diva went on, "But until that happens let her handle it."
Sheamus turned away from them, fists clenched at his sides. It took all of his self control not to push past them and go out there. His body actually shook with the effort to stay back.
He glared back at the monitor and felt a deep seeded pain squeeze his heart as he watched the beautiful reporter appear on the stage.
At the sight of her the crowd began to cheer, a few of them chanting her name.
She paid them no heed, though. All of her attention was fixed on the Diva in the ring.
The mic in her hand was shaking, as was the rest of her. She started to speak but had to stop herself and gain control of the anger she was feeling.
"Who do you think you're fooling, Natalya?" Kimber accused, "You don't give a damn about me or what I've been through."
"Kimber, that's just not true." Natalya tried to tell her, "I care about you. I want to help you."
"You're nasty. You're spiteful. And most of all, you're a phony." Kimber laughed in disbelief, "My God, how can one person be so vindictive?"
"Kimber, I don't know what you're talking about." Natalya looked innocent enough but the reporter knew better, "I just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"You did not." Kimber wasn't buying the other woman's act, "You couldn't give a damn about what I went through. All you cared about was. . .Actually, I don't know what your game is. But if you think you can humiliate me into leaving guess again. Because I'm not going anywhere."
She pointed up at the picture on the tron behind her and went on, "I'm not that scared little girl anymore, Natalya. And I sure as hell am not scared of you."
That garnered cheers from the crowd, as well as the group in the back.
Natalya's smile slipped and a smirk crossed her mouth, "And what's that supposed to mean?'
"It means I don't care what you say. I don't care what you do. Bring it on." Kimber announced, "If you want a war, you've got it."
"Kimber," the blonde just wouldn't drop the act, "I think you're being paranoid. Like I said, I didn't do this to hurt you."
"Then why did you decide to bring up something from my past?" Kimber demanded, "What possible reason could you have to show that picture?"
"I just wanted to find out what the story was." Natalya shrugged, "So what's the big secret?"
"It's none of your business." Kimber told her, "It's nobodies business but my own."
She began to shake her head, "You know what, Natalya? I feel sorry for you. You're so determined to get Sheamus back, to come between us, that you have to pull a stunt like this to try and do it. You're pathetic."
And with that she turned and headed back behind the curtain. As she walked away she could hear the crowd cheering after her.
"You're pa-the-tic." clap-clap clap-clap-clap, a small group in the crowd began to chant, "You're pa-the-tic."
Natalya looked around and sneered, rolling her eyes, "Whatever. It doesn't matter what you losers think."
Kimber passed the gorilla and made her way to the back. As she walked she noticed the wrestlers and crew looking at her with mixtures of sympathy and sadness.
Her chin went up a notch and she continued on. She wanted everyone to see that even on her best day Natalya wouldn't get the better of her.
Layla and Kaitlyn were suddenly before her. Both women regarded her hesitantly, Layla with unshed tears in her eyes.
"I am so sorry." the former Diva's Champion shook her head, her voice breaking.
"We had no idea." Kaitlyn replied sadly.
Kimber offered them a kind smile and placed a hand on either of their shoulders.
"Don't be." she told them, her attitude positive, "It's an old picture."
The women began to smile and they reached out, giving her a hug.
The area grew hushed as Natalya slipped to the back. She drew to a stop, taking in the glares from the people around her. Rosa and Alicia slowly backed away, neither woman wanting to get involved or be a target.
"You have a lot of nerve." Layla hissed at the blonde.
"Don't bother, Layla." Kimber told her friend, "She'll never understand."
Suddenly a murmur rose up among the group. The reporter turned and swallowed nervously.
Sheamus had made his way through the cluster and he was coming towards them. His eyes were locked on Natalya with an expression so fearsome that it made the blonde back up a step.
"Sheamus-" she tried to tell him her side of the story but he cut her off.
"What's the matter wit' you?" he all but growled, "What the hell were you thinkin'?"
"Sheamus, I-I just thought that-"
"You just thought what?" the Irishman barked so loudly that it caused Kimber to flinch, "You thought if you tried to humiliate Kember Ah would come runnin' back into yer arms?
"How could you look at a picture like that and think it was a good idea to show it around?" Sheamus was thoroughly disgusted with the blonde, "Are you that thick? Or are ya just so desperate that you don' care who you hurt to try and get what ya want?"
"Sheamus, please!" Natalya reached for him, tears beginning to spill down her cheeks.
He yanked his arm away from her, teeth clenched, "Stay away from me. Ah mean it, Natalya. And stay away from Kember. Because if you don' so help me. . ."
He was too angry to finish his threat.
Kimber reached out and took his hand. He instantly wheeled around, coming to a stop when he realized it was her.
She looked up at him and whispering gently, "Come on, Sheamus, we're done here. She's not worth it."
He let out a long sigh, all the fighting seemingly draining from his body. Without a word he slipped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. Kimber wrapped hers around his waist and the pair made their way down the hallway and out of the arena.
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They entered Sheamus' hotel room a short time later. As he closed the door he watched her cross to his bed and curl up on it, her back to him. His heart ached for the girl who had been so brutalized then and the woman who had almost been embarrassed tonight.
But underneath all of that pain and anguish was an unrelenting pride. The way she had handled herself tonight was pure class. He couldn't have said or done better himself.
He walked over to the bed and sat down before reaching out to stroke her back
She rolled over instantly and reached an arm out to him.
"Lay with me?" she asked, her voice sounding so tired.
"Ya don' have to ask me twice." he smiled as he climbed into bed with her and pulled her close.
Kimber nestled closer to him, her head pillowed on his chest. She closed her eyes and let out a sigh, content being in his arms.
Sheamus ran his fingers through her hair, deliberating. He could still see that picture, feeling equal parts fury and heartbreak. It was burned into his memory. Probably always would be.
"Kember?" he spoke up at last. He had to know. He couldn't see her like that and not ask.
Kimber opened her eyes and sighed, weary, "Please don't. I don't want to discuss it, Sheamus. Not now."
She closed her eyes again and settled back down.
She just couldn't do it. She was too tired. Felt too drained, both emotionally and physically. She felt like she had just been through a war. Which, in a way, she supposed she had.
Sheamus could see how tired she was and so he decided not to press it. He only hoped she would eventually open up to him and talk to him about it. Maybe in time she could come to feel safe enough with him to do so.
"Why don' you get some sleep." he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
"Here?" Kimber's eyes popped open, the reporter suddenly wide awake.
Sheamus looked down at her tenderly as he began to stroke her silky waves, "Ah don' mind if you don'."
He pulled back and eyed her suspiciously, adding, "So long as ya don' try to take advantage of me. Ah'm not that kind of man."
Kimber began to giggle. Her laughter slowly died as she reached out and brushed her fingertips against his cheek. She studied his strong, handsome face. He was so gentle, so kind. She knew she could sleep all night by his side and be perfectly safe. He would never hurt her.
She snuggled closer to him and sighed, her eyes slipping shut, "You can be a real charmer sometimes, you know that?"
"Ah think Ah heard that somewhere before." Sheamus settled back down and pulled her close.
"Now hush, angel, and try to get some sleep." he pressed a kiss against her temple, "Yer safe here."
"I know." Kimber murmured as she drew closer to his warm, strong body, her tiny hand clasping the front of his shirt, "I've always known that."
The Irishman pulled back slightly and looked down at her. He watched silently as her features smoothed over and her breathing grew deep and even. It wasn't long until she was sound asleep.
He carefully reached out and stroked her hair, his thumb brushing across her temple. As he looked upon her beautiful, unblemished face he was again taken back to that horrific picture of her.
He closed his eyes painfully. How could anyone do such a thing to this engaging, smart, beautiful woman? How could anyone raise their hand to her?
He felt his anger start to rise and it was all he could do to ruthlessly hold it in check. He wanted to find the bastard and beat him until there was nothing left but the dust of his bones. He wanted to make them feel as hurt and helpless as they had made her.
Kimber murmured something unintelligible and the hand clutching his shirt loosened it's hold and slipped around his waist. It was only then that Sheamus opened his eyes and stared down at her.
A small smile found it's way to his lips. She really had meant it when she said she was safe with him. Right now she looked so open and guileless. The fact that she trusted him so much called forth emotions he was only beginning to understand
If given the chance he would kiss every inch of her. Love every inch of her. He'd show her how much she meant to him and treat her the way she deserved to be treated. Not with fists and pain and fear but with loving touches and pleasure and exuberance.
Unable to help himself, he pressed another kiss against her forehead and pulled her closer, his arms tightening around her. She didn't even stir, bless her innocent heart.
It wasn't long until his own eyes slide closed and he found himself joining her in sleep.
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Kimber awakened the next morning to the sensation of something very big and very warm pressed up against her. She opened her eyes and the first thing she noticed was the strong arm flopped over her stomach.
She looked out the corner of her eye and discovered Sheamus against her side, his face buried in her hair. Not only was his arm laying across her middle but one of his thighs was draped across both of her legs.
An involuntary smile came to her lips at that moment and she cuddled closer to his warmth. It was amazing to her, really. The idea of waking up to a man practically on top of her should have terrified her. It should have left her frozen in fear.
But instead here she was enjoying it. She didn't feel trapped or held down. No, instead she felt protected by his strong body. Reveled in his solid warmth.
Sheamus.
She felt her smile grow. Of course, it all had to do with who the man was.
Kimber turned her head slightly to get a better view of him. His face, so beautiful, so fervent, was relaxed and smoothed in sleep. A bit of red stubble had sprung up during the night over the parts of his jaw and cheeks that were usually bare.
Her eyes traveled down to his mouth, so soft and inviting. She suddenly had the very overwhelming urge to lean over and kiss him. It was almost too tempting to resist.
She tilted her head towards his and inhaled, breathing in his scent. Masculine, musky and undeniably Sheamus.
She bit her lip to keep from giggling, giddy over the happiness being in his arms was causing her.
His arm tightened across her stomach as he murmured in his sleep, "Mar sin álainn. . . mianach. . . aingeal."
She pulled back slightly and looked at him with a gentle smile. She wondered what he was dreaming about and more than anything she wished she understood Gaelic.
His nose brushed against her cheek and he chuckled in his sleep. Kimber found herself grinning over his antics. This man. Oh the things he did to her heart.
Slowly his eyes began to flicker, the blue depths eventually opening fully. He looked confused at first, as though he were unsure of where he was or how he got there.
But then his gaze landed on her and a warm smile crossed his sensual mouth. He once again closed his eyes and pulled her tighter against him. It hadn't been a dream, thank the Lord.
"Mmm." he murmured, nose once again buried in her hair, "Now this is how Ah should always wake up in the mornin'."
Suddenly something clicked in his mind and his eyes opened, the Celtic Warrior removing his arm and leg and pulling away from her.
"Ah'm sorry." he quickly apologized, "Please, Kember. . .Ah hope you don' think Ah was trying to take advantage of you."
He was met with a sunny smile in answer, followed by the young woman sliding over to him and wrapping an arm around his waist.
"I thought I was the one who was supposed to be taking advantage of you." she replied sweetly, grinning.
Sheamus blinked in surprise. While he was glad he hadn't scared her, her reaction was the last thing he expected.
She snuggled closer to him, her head pillowed on his chest, and she sighed.
"I hope you don't mind." she murmured, suddenly feeling a little shy, "I. . .I just really enjoyed waking up next to you."
"Mind?" Sheamus repeated with a grin as he slipped his arm back around her, "Not a'tall, angel. Enjoy away."
He heard her giggle and he found himself chuckling. Oh yeah. This was definitely the second best way he could have woken up. And someday he hoped he could experience the first with her.
They laid there in silence for a few more moments. Sheamus continued to stroke her hair as he looked up at the ceiling. He enjoyed feeling her body pressed up against his, so soft and so warm.
He turned his head, pressing a kiss against her silky waves. Kimber tilted her head up, nuzzling his beard. It tickled, causing her to smile.
She drew up on her elbows, looking down at him. He met her gaze, his own silently telling her what he wanted.
She happily complied, leaning over to press her lips against his. Their lips soon parted, tongues coming out to lap and play. His hand found it's way to the back of her head, holding her there as he kissed her thoroughly. He groaned deep in his throat and Kimber murmured in reply.
One of her hands found it's way to his chest, rubbing slow, lazy circles over one of his pecks. Sheamus pulled back, hissing through his teeth at the sensation.
Kimber instantly stopped, "I'm sorry. Did that feel bad?"
"No." a smile quirked his lips, "It felt too good."
"Oh." the reporter began to blush, "I-I'm sorry."
"Ah'm not." he murmured as he took her hand and put it back on his chest, "You can do it again if ya want."
She glanced down his chest, hesitant. They were crossing into dangerous territory, she knew. More than anything she wanted to touch his body. The need to do so was rising by the second. But she didn't know how she would feel if he wanted to reciprocate.
"You can touch me all ya want, Kember." he murmured, "Ah don' expect anythin' more than that."
"I just. . ." she shrugged, unsure of how to voice what she was thinking, "I don't want you to think I'm teasing you."
He cupped her cheek, his expression filled with such tender understanding that it made her want to cry.
"Ah'd never think you were a tease." he assured her, "You do what you want and when yer done, yer done."
To back up his statement he slipped his hands behind his head and awaited her.
She was still uncertain. Most women would give their eye teeth for what she had the opportunity to do. And here she was stalling. And why was she doing that again?
Slowly, gently, she trailed her hand down his chest and to his stomach. There she paused, unsure if she could really do this.
She peeked up at him. His breathing was a little heavier, his eyes a little darker, but he remained where he was.
Kimber threw caution to the wind and slipped her hand under his shirts. She felt his muscles jump at her touch and air hissed through his teeth at the contact. She quickly regarded him. His eyes were closed, concentration on his face.
Her hand slowly crept up his abs to his chest. Tentatively she stroked at one peck, just once. The muscles beneath jerked before he willed his body to go still.
She met his now open eyes and began to rub his chest. Her palm brushed across his nipple and Sheamus struggled to breath for a moment. She did it again and he felt his hands knot into fists behind his head.
Kimber was in awe, completely transfixed. It was her touch making him react this way. Hers. She felt powerful. She felt wholly feminine in a way she hadn't felt in years.
She found herself also marveling as his strong, beautiful body. How warm it was. How responsive it was. It was a wonder to her. She continued to touch him, unable to stop. It was addictive in it's way.
She eventually withdrew her hand. She reached out and cupped his cheek as she leaned up and pressed a kiss against his lips.
He could see the sensation of what she had done, and what it meant, shining in her eyes and he felt his heart soar. This woman. . .
Feeling brave, she tugged one of his hands loose from behind his head and brought it forward. Never taking her eyes off of his, she raised his palm and brought it to her breast.
"Kember," Sheamus was instantly sitting up, "You don' have to do this. Really. What just happened between us was nice. And if it ends there, that's fine wit' me. We'll take this as slow as you want."
"What I want," she murmured, her gaze unwavering, "Is for you to touch me."
He swallowed. He wanted to do that. And more. So much more. But he knew she wasn't ready to go all the way. Not yet.
Still. . .this beautiful woman was inviting him to do what he'd been dreaming about, fantasizing about, for weeks now. He'd be an eejit to pass it up.
"Ya sure?" his voice suddenly sounded very rough.
Feeling brave, she sat up and took hold of the hem of her camisole. Her eyes never leaving his, she tugged it over her head and dropped it on the bed. His eyes instantly went to her chest, taking in that tan skin as it pressed against the brown, silken cups of her bra, straining against the material. He slowly trailed his eyes upward to find her watching him, set and determined.
"Touch me." she whispered, her voice shaking ever so slightly, "It's okay."
"Kember." he breathed her name.
She offered a small smile and slowly stretched out on the bed. She slipped her hands behind her head, mirroring his early act, and watched him with complete trust. There was something else in her eyes, something he couldn't quite bring himself to interpret.
He sank onto one side, held up by an elbow. His hand, shaking slightly, reached for her. It hovered just above her breast as he once again looked to her for approval. He was answered with a tiny nod, a small smile on her lips.
He needed no other consent. Licking his suddenly dry lips, he reached forward and slipped his hand beneath her bra, cupping her.
Kimber gasped at the sensation of his large, warm hand enclosing around her suddenly enflamed skin.
He stilled, silently asking if she was all right. One word and he would stop this.
But no words came. Instead she gradually closed her eyes and sighed, getting used to the feeling of his hand against her. In fact, she found she was beginning to enjoy it.
He stroked at her flesh, amazed at how smooth and silky it was. In fact, it not only rivaled but beat the sleekness of her bra.
He palmed the mound, testing it's weight. He enjoyed the feeling of it in his hand. His thumb stroked at her nipple and she flinched, the sensation causing her to jerk.
His hand instantly stopped and he questioned her in a low voice, "Did Ah hurt ya, angel?"
"No." she looked like she was trying to figure out what it was exactly she was feeling, "It just. . It surprised me, is all."
"Keep going or stop?" he asked, praying that she would allow him to continue.
She removed one of her hands and laid it over his, tugging it upward in silent invitation. She then released him and slipped it back behind her head.
The Celtic Warrior began to massage her, his fingers teasing and tweaking her nipple. Another sensation went through her and he heard her breathing hitch. He did it again and again her heard her sharp little intake of air.
He couldn't help but smile at that, enjoying the knowledge that he affected her as deeply as she affected him.
He wanted to see her. He wanted to taste her. He could feel lust curly lazily in his gut and he knew it wouldn't be long before it started to spark and blaze out of control.
It was then that he realized the time for exploration was over. He removed his hand and placed it against her flat stomach. Reaching over, he pressed an ardent kiss against her lips in 'thank you' for the gift she had given him.
As he pulled back he had to force himself to move away from her. He took hold of her camisole and handed it back, his hand shaking slightly with the effort.
Kimber sat up and slipped it back on, feeling a little disappointed. She had wanted him to go on. Though she had been afraid, she couldn't deny that what he was doing wasn't painful. In fact, she was really enjoying it. More than she could have imagined.
"Thank you." she whispered, tears of gratitude in her eyes. Would he ever have any idea what this had meant to her?
He reached out and took her hand, pressing a kiss against her knuckles.
"The pleasure was all mine, lass." he stood and helped her off of the bed, "Come on. Ah'm takin' you out to breakfast."
Kimber grinned as she allowed him to help her.
They had had just a taste, a moment to savor. And she knew in her heart of hearts that maybe, just maybe, they could have more.
