A Romantic Winter?
Chapter 13
Ok so I know its been a while but yes, I am reviving this story at last! I know some of you have reviewed quite recently which is encouraging to know that this isn't just being read because it's on the first page of the archive. So please keep those reviews coming. Also, eh after this chapter (or possibly the next) the rating will change to M…hehe. Enjoy.
Just as promised, Jill awoke to a soft caressing sensation tracing the outlines of her facial features. Slowly she opened an eye to be met with Skye's adorning expression watching her as she slept.
'Hi.' She whispered letting her eyes fall closed once more as his fingers soothed her, sending tingles to her extremities.
'You're so beautiful when you sleep, so peaceful.' He lay beside her on the overly sized bed, those sea green eyes studying her intently.
Jill smiled humbly.
'What time is it?' She asked groggily. She had been so tired she'd fallen asleep so quickly and slept so soundly she momentarily forgot herself in every way.
'Almost half past six. I envy you being able to sleep for almost six hours in the middle of the day.'
The farm-girl sat up a little, rubbing her eyes and yawning.
'Have you been back long?' She asked leaning down and pressing her lips to his briefly.
'About two hours. I fell asleep myself for a little while.' He swung his legs off the bed, getting up and lifting a white bag off the chair. It looked very classy with gold piping and a red satin bow tied perfectly on the front. 'I picked this up for you. We're going out for dinner and I figured you'd have nothing to wear.'
Jill's eyes lit up as he placed the bag in her lap.
'Skye! That's so thoughtful, this looks expensive!' She said in astonishment. She knew whatever it was would be incredibly tasteful.
After burrowing through the gold tissue paper she pulled out a white box, lifting the lid carefully to reveal an icy blue cocktail dress, quite low cut with long sleeves evening off into points. On top was a pair of white paten heels.
She stared wide-eyed at the gift in almost disbelief. It was perfect and her favourite colour, although she'd grown to acquire a new favourite - Sea green.
'Skye-' His lips were on hers. They moved hungrily as he shoved the box off her lap pushing her further back on the bed.
His actions took Jill by surprise and although originally she had tried to fight in protest she made a quick surrender letting him dominate her. This is what she'd been waiting for however she didn't expect it quite so out of the blue.
He hovered above her, his lips kissing along her jaw line and down her neck, nipping and sucking on her collarbone. A groan escaped her as she let her head loll back against the pillow.
He made his way back up to her mouth, his teeth grazing over her bottom lip begging for entrance which she willing permitted. His tongue dove in, exploring every aspect and swirling around her own.
He pulled away briefly, his eyes heavy and lusty.
'You drive me insane angel.' He mumbled, his voice deep and scratchy with desire.
Their lips met once more, this time his hands taking hold of her hips and caressing her curves seductively.
'Mmm Skye…' She moaned as she squirmed beneath him feeling the need for his hands in other places.
At that moment however they were interrupted by the telephone on the desk by the door. Despite them ignoring it, it rang persistently.
Skye cursed under his breath leaving Jill in a puddle on the bed, her body quivering in anticipation of what now wasn't coming.
He grabbed the handset sharply shoving his bangs out of his eyes with the other hand.
'Hello?'
Jill propped herself up on her elbows watching him as his expression grew to one of concern. She could see anger and fear in his eyes as he listened, his complexion draining paler than ever before. He walked hastily across the room and through the arch to get out of Jill's hearing range, yet as she listened carefully she could still hear him uttering firm words to the mysterious receiver.
A knot began to twist in the pit of Jill's stomach. What if it was the mayor? He knew where they were and he was sending the police…or maybe it was the police, trying to convince him that it'd be easier for him just to surrender!
Skye would never surrender. Jill knew that better than anyone.
When he returned several minutes later he looked deep in thought and incredibly worried.
'Is everything alright?' Jill asked, crawling to the end of the bed and positioning herself cross-legged. His expression melted upon looking up at her, a fake smile forced onto his lips, his eyes doing an incredible job of hiding any anxieties that hid behind them.
'Of course darling. Nothing for you to worry about. Why don't you go and get ready to go out?'
Jill hesitated, raising a questionable brow and pursing her lips.
'Skye?' She said tetchily as she slid off the bed, grabbing him by the arm and turning him around to face her. 'Who was that on the phone?'
Their gazes were locked, Jill staying firm about her prediction that the thief was hiding something major. After a few moments a simply irresistible smile began to play on his lips. Two nimble fingers placed themselves beneath her chin tilting her head up and he layered his lips onto hers.
Oh he was clever. He knew her weaknesses and how to play on them. When he pulled away all he could do was hope she'd forgotten everything prior like she usually did.
'Our reservation is in an hour.' And he disappeared into the bathroom.
Jill sat quietly for a few minutes, her mind in a panic. Why wasn't he telling her? Was he in danger? Was she in danger? Was he really taking her for dinner or where they going to flee again?
She tried to stay calm nonetheless, taking a deep breath and grabbing the box he had given her. After he immerged from the bathroom with only a towel wrapped round his waist, she slid in past him and even then he looked troubled…like his mind was distracted. Therefore she found it hard to admire him.
She got in shower letting the warm water sooth her muscles. She couldn't help but stay focused on the situation no matter how hard she tried to forget for even a few minutes. But she knew he was worried, and that worried her!
She dried off and slipped into the dress standing in front of the mirror trying to position the top half appropriately. She stared at her reflection. The dress showed a lot of cleavage and a lot of leg, but she'd wear it for him. She continued to hoke in the box and amongst the tissue found a pair of nude tights. She smiled to herself, he thought of everything including the cold! She hopped around as she pulled on the shoes whilst trying to fix her hair which she eventually decided to just leave down for once. It hung around her shoulders in an unruly state but she felt it would have to do.
Out in the room Skye paced back and forth by the door in a simple black button down and his usual maroon pants. He paused upon her entrance, his jaw literally dropping however he bit his lip so as not to look like an idiot. His expression returned lustful like it had been earlier and he fought the urge to ravish her right there and then.
Jill blushed under his gaze making her way impishly towards him.
'You are absolutely stunning Jill!'
'Well I don't know-'
'And you're far too modest! Now let's get out of here before I do something I shouldn't.' He smirked lacing his fingers through hers and leading her out into the hall.
Unlike Forget-Me-Not which became rather empty at night, the city seemed to be more alive than ever. There were women in fur coats and hats rushing with shopping bags, their cell phones held tightly to their ears. Men in knee length jackets marching along with their hands buried deep in their pockets. Large groups of party-goers, couples arm in arm, the poor with disposable coffee cups grovelling for money.
Still a little uncertain Jill held onto Skye's arm tightly.
'You're like an animal that's been kept in a box for a year and then finally let out into open space!' He chuckled wrapping his arm around her shoulder and holding her close. Jill laughed nervously.
'I'm sorry I'm just…not used to it. There are so many people and I don't know anybody!'
'Well, that's what it's like in the real world. Not everybody is a friendly neighbour with a convenient service that everyone can rely on!'
Jill took a little offense at that comment.
'The real world? Forget-Me-Not Valley is real! You live there!'
Skye rolled his eyes.
'You know what I mean. It's an unexposed island with a tight knit community. And you've lived a sheltered life because of it; it's not your fault.'
They arrived at a small Italian style restaurant a few blocks down from the hotel. It was dimly lit by a small candle at each table, each dressed with red and green gingham table cloths complete with a jar of breadsticks.
'Rivers, table for two.' Skye told the waiter who was looking a little too closely at a certain aspect of Jill's dress. Skye noticed this and cleared his throat in an irritable manner.
'I'll… get you some menus.' He said anxiously, turning and scuttling off.
They continued to chat over dinner and it wasn't until afterwards when Skye mentioned having to go somewhere quickly before they returned to the hotel that Jill remembered about what had been going on.
'I-I'm coming with you…right?' The thought of him abandoning her to find her own way back terrified her. She'd simply collapse to the pavement and cry.
'Of course you are. Come along angel we won't be long.' He ran his thumb over her cheek and pressed a kiss to her forehead before taking her hand and setting off again.
It was when they began taking side streets that were poorly lit and frankly a little dodgy that Jill began to get apprehensive.
'Skye…I don't like this. Are you sure it's safe?' She whined as she glanced in every direction just waiting for a man with a knife or a disreputable gang to pop out in front of them. Skye didn't reply this time, he simply marched on confidently keeping her close by his side.
At the end of the alley way a neon light flickered. It was an arrow pointing to a shabby doorway in the wall.
'Bertha's' it said. Music blared out onto the street, a heavy base radiating through the cobbles.
Skye stopped turning to his shaking girlfriend and holding her by the shoulders. He looked deeply and seriously into her eyes making sure he had her attention.
'Now you listen to me.' He said firmly. His tone was so different, his persona completely changed…almost like a different person. 'If at any stage we get separated. If somebody harasses you or you feel in anyway threatened you run! Run back to the hotel as fast as you can and don't stop for directions until you get back out onto the main street, understand? You mustn't come and look for me; I'll meet you back there later.'
She was terrified. She didn't even want to go in for she feared what sort of people awaited her. Why had he brought her here? Why couldn't he have just gone himself? She hated herself for insisting she went with him on the trip in the first place for now she felt she just couldn't handle it. He was right! She didn't live in the real world. Her life was sheltered and she was just fine with that. In the Valley she was safe. Everyone was looking out for her, they cared about her, they loved her! And now she had gone and ruined it. She had broken so much trust and friendship. How could she ever face Takakura again, and Muffy and Celia and Lumina and even Rock! She was in danger, and why? Because she was seduced by a womanising thief who knew from the beginning that he'd get his way.
'Skye I'm scared! I can't be on my own here I have know idea where I am!' Her face was pale, drawn and panic stricken. She felt sick from her sudden wash of realisation.
'Jill you have to do as I say, it's for your own safety! You'll be absolutely fine.' Then the old Skye returned. 'Oh come now sweetheart I'm only talking about the worst case scenario. We'll be in and out in no time…I promise.'
He had said those words again. He promised. He promised and Jill always trusted him on it.
He took her face in his hands and kissed her. It was sweet and passionate but she feared it may be their last. She couldn't predict what would happen next, but Skye had a fair idea.
~::~