Anise could almost feel the electricity running through her as his hand grazed over her stomach as she passed him. The way his lips twisted up into a smile, and the way his eyes followed her figure... It sent chills up her spine. But it scared her. Randy was making her feel things she'd only felt with Zenner. Could she be wrong about Randy? Could their relationship work out after all?

Making her way to the bedroom, she laid on the bed, waiting for him to come up. Her overactive nerves boosted even more as he appeared in the bedroom doors, pulling off his t-shirt. She could feel herself shaking, and she knew once he laid his eyes on her, he would see the shaking. Quickly, she covered herself up with the fluffy comforter.

"You okay?" he asked, moving over to the bed. "You cold?"

Although she nodded her head, she pulled the comforter tighter around her. "I'm fine," she said quietly.

"Pizza will be here soon," he informed her as he laid next to her. Slowly, he reached for her hidden hand, pulling it out from under the comforter, gently landing a kiss on it. "I'm sorry that I ever hurt you. You're the most beautiful girl I've ever known." He let out a little laugh as he bit on his bottom lip some. "Definitely the most unique."

Unique? Her ears perked up at that word. What did that mean? He continued to hold her hand, only letting go to answer the door for the pizza. Unique, she repeated in her mind once he was out of sight. Even knowing what Randy's character was, that could mean an assortment of things. She was almost certain that she was – at best – typical. She was average. Plain. Bland, even. Certainly not unique.

Randy appeared again a few minutes later, flat box balanced on one hand, pulling her out of her thoughts.

"Here's your pizza," he announced, laying the box down in the middle of the bed, opening the lid. "And drinks." He let two bottles of water and two cans of soda tumble from where they were cradled in his arm onto the bed.

Reaching for a slice, she looked at him as he laid back onto the bed. If Randy hadn't showed his ass, she would be completely different as she was now. If he hadn't showed a side that she was – stupidly – afraid of, then he'd see the fun side of her. But she lay there, comforter still held up to her chin, slowly chewing on pizza. This was nothing like her times with Zenner... Maybe she was right about this after all.

"""""

Their pizza was long gone, Randy having discarded the box somewhere on the floor. The television was dimly lit, the sound down low. Her sleepy eyes sliding over to where there were double doors, semi-hidden by curtains. Beyond them, a pretty wooden and stone balcony that her mind just wanted her body to move towards. She'd only seen it from the backyard, but she knew that if she did stay with Randy, she'd be sitting in one of those patio chairs many nights.

She looked down at Randy. He was laying on her stomach, the top of his head nestled underneath her bosom. She lightly stroked his short hair, assuming he was fast asleep when she softly moved him off her. Her legs didn't even fully hit the floor as she swung them over the side of the bed before she heard his rumbling voice.

"Where are you going?"

She froze as she felt his arm reach out for her. His hot flesh coming in contact nearly set a fire in her. It was as if all he had to do was be mean towards her, and her body melted itself into his.

"I just wanted to sit outside for a bit," she whispered. For a moment, she thought he was going to pull her back down. For a moment, she thought he would hold on tightly to her. For a moment, she thought he'd demand that she stay in bed with him... But he didn't. Instead, he mumbled something that she couldn't understand, then turned his head to fall back asleep.

She didn't know how long it had been since she was able to sneak away from the bed and sit with her knees pulled up to her chest, once again thinking that this would be a great time for a cigarette or two, before she heard the door quietly pop open.

"What are you doing out here still?" he asked, stumbling to sit down in the patio chair next to her.

She shook her head, unsure if he were mad or still half asleep. "Just wanted to be outside."

"It's four in the morning. Have you been out here all night?" he groggily asked as he rubbed his eyes.

Four in the morning? The cool air hitting her skin felt so good that she hadn't even cared about the time at all. The time to herself is what she cared about. Yet, Randy's voice diverted her again from her thoughts.

"Are you coming to bed or not?"

And there it was. Hidden beneath the undertones of sleep, there was that attitude that made him well known as being a viper. She could feel the heat radiating from him as he stood up, a tone of threat coming from him as well. She didn't want to argue... She didn't want to fight with him. So she stood, making the short way back into his bedroom, with him following behind.

"You could have slept without me," she said, hoping the statement sounded innocent enough.

"What?"

"I mean that you didn't have to wake up because of me," she said quickly.

"Don't get hasty with me, Anise. You're sleeping with me, every night, and that's how it's to be. Understand?"

She nodded her head, but in the darkness, Randy could barely see the motion. The only hint of light within the room was the slender beam of light coming in from the balcony door that was left slightly cracked open.

Startled, she felt him zip towards her, grabbing her wrist and pulling her to him. She cried out, her fingers wrapping around his wrist as much as they could.

"I said, are we understood?"

"Y-Yes, I understand," she replied, still trying to pull her arm from him.

"Good," he said, yanking her to her side of the bed, ignoring the way she cried out as she fell. "Now get into bed."

She slid into the bed as calmly as she could, rubbing her knee as she lay there. Damn him and his yanking...

"""""

"You're staying with him?"

"Well," Anise said slowly, but her brother didn't let her finish.

"Nise, you've got to be kidding me? Where's he at now? I'm surprised he's not barking at you."

"Shawnie, he's not a dog," she corrected quickly, ignoring any rebuttal Shawn threw back. Picking up her cell phone, she made her way down the staircase. "Anyway, I'll be here for a while, so any plans I had to go on the road with you won't happen."

"You're canceling on me now? Anise, what's going on?"

"Nothing. I just want to spend some time with him." Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him enter the den, his eyes attached to her. "Shawn, I have to go now. Tell mom where I'll be if you talk to her first."

"Your brother?" Randy said approaching where she stood behind the kitchen island.

"Yeah," she answered, watching her phone screen go black before looking up and smiling at him.

Randy squared his jaw, crossing his arms over his chest. "How is he?"

"He's fine. I was just telling him that I'll be here for a while."

She could see his muscles relax at her words.

"You're definitely going to stay?" At the nod of her head, he sauntered towards her, his large hands cupping her face. His thumb gently ran across her lips, and he placed his forehead on hers. "Good. I don't want to spend this time away without you."

Before she could say anything else on the matter, his lips pressed into hers. She felt the overpowering body of his demand from hers. His arms encircled her waist, his hands squeezing her backside. He pressed her more into him, taking over more of her mouth. To her, this would have been absolutely everything she wanted... if only Randy knew what he was to her, he wouldn't try so hard. He wouldn't have tried to make her his woman. He wouldn't have pretended to be in love with her...