You know a while back I had a few people attack me because I was upset that I wasn't getting many reviews. One person went so far as to say the only reason they were reading my story was because there wasn't any other Host stories to read…
Anyway, this is an e-mail I got from someone who apparently searches out stories by the reviews they receive. She found Plum Crazy and wrote this to me: dear ms. Nancy,
well you got me, and honestly it was sophiepicklegirl and her last review that sucked me into your story...bless her heart.
so i am in, and yeah if it was a babe story your reviews would be out of sight i am sure. but at least you got good ol diesel in the picture and cal...can hardly wait for the moms to find out they are already married. snort.
keep it up and i am following your story all over the place.
This e-mail made my whole weekend, well that and the Giants winning…Sorry, guys. I'm a Jersey girl.
THE KISSING BANDIT
11/12/2002 – It is still Gina's birthday. I just had to write this down before I forget this state of euphoria I am feeling. I was a complete scumbag to Evan. I used my power to have him detained, so I could spend time freely with Gina. She is lying next to me now sleeping. I'd swear she has a smile on her face, as do I. It will be hard to leave her tonight, but at least she knows that I still love her. More important is the fact that I know she still loves me. I'd feared in recent weeks that Evan had stolen her heart. She was so excited when she opened the box that held her diamond tennis bracelet. Sex with her was nothing short of phenomenal. The way I'm feeling right now is…I love her. I'm in love with her. I think I could make it work with her, but I'm so scared. Today I buried all those feelings I've been harboring for Wanda, but what about tomorrow or the day after that? What happens when she returns and I come face to face with her? What about Evan?
Gina stirred from under the blanket.
"Hey," I said in a quiet voice.
"What are you doing?"
"Writing in my journal."
"Can I read it?"
"Sure, after I die and it becomes public domain."
"That's not funny."
"Well, I am almost eight years older than you. Women generally live longer than men. Chances are I'll die before you."
"I don't want to talk about death. If you won't let me read your journal, then read one of your books to me."
"What book would you like me to read?"
"I've been eyeing Interview with a Vampire for a while now."
I chuckled.
"What?"
"Vampires are the living dead."
"Okay, you got me."
"You like that supernatural stuff, don't you?"
"Uh huh."
"Okay, get dressed in case someone comes in looking for us, and I'll read to you."
"Who's going to come looking for us? You said you locked up Evan."
"I don't know if they've locked him up yet. Tori could show up. We are sort of seeing each other."
"Are you going to tell her what happened between us today?"
"I think she suspects it. Our relationship isn't like yours and Evan's. She's got her eye on Blake, and I haven't made any demands on her to be monogamous, but it still wouldn't be kosher for her to find you naked in my bed."
"I suppose not."
Gina and I dressed and then got comfortable on the bed. We pulled the blanket over us, and Gina snuggled into my chest while I read to her. I read the first chapter and had begun the second when there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" I yelled.
"I'm sorry to disturb you." It was Victoria.
"We were just reading," I said casually.
"It's six o'clock. Everyone is waiting for Gina to come to the fun house."
"I hadn't realized the time." I flipped the blanket off of us, and Tori seemed surprised to see us fully dressed. We donned our shoes and coats. I offered each lady an elbow, and we headed to the party. I pulled open the door to the building. Tori entered first, and I assume gave the others the thumbs up. Gina stepped inside the door and the crowd yelled 'Happy Birthday!' I followed behind her. Gina and I both gazed around the room taking in the transformation of the modest décor into the fiesta like atmosphere. I felt like I was in a tiki hut. The posters on the wall were lined with straw grass giving it the illusion that you were looking out the window at the beach. The floor was sandy. There were shells strewn everywhere. Most of the younger crowd was dressed in summer clothing. A few were wearing Hawaiian shirts and everyone had floral leis around their necks. The sound of the beach was being piped through speakers mounted in the corners of the room. Waves could be heard breaking onto the shore and the distinct cry of seagulls flying overhead. I had to admit I was pretty damned impressed.
"Oh my God! Nate! You did all this for me?"
"All I did was set the wheels in motion by delegating responsibilities. The cake and the fabulous dinner were created by the capable hands of Maria and Aunt Sue."
"And Kim!" Maria added.
"And my beautiful sister, Kim," I repeated as I nodded to Kim.
"Thank you!" Gina replied humbly.
"The real man of the hour is Burns. He's the one who purchased everything we needed for this shindig. He had a food list, a decoration list, and a gift list. I don't know how many stores he had to hit to get everything."
Gina walked up to Burns and gave him a heartfelt hug. "I wish all the souls were like you. Thank you so much."
"Oh, and he also carried wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow of sand from the truck to this building," I added.
Burns piped up. "Ian also helped otherwise, I'd be dead by now."
Everyone chuckled.
"Victoria was in charge of wrapping all the gifts, and Holly created all of this." I raised my hand gesturing to the room décor.
Holly stepped forward and took Tori by the hand. "I couldn't have done it without Victoria. She's a creative genius!"
"You guys are so great!" Gina hugged both Holly and Tori. Tori looked over at me, and I mouthed the words "thank you" to her.
"Now you have to get to the front of the line. Everyone is waiting to eat," I ordered.
Gina grabbed my hand and dragged me with her to the front of the line.
"Hold up!" Rachel called out. "You have to open your first gift. It's from Burns."
"O—kay," she said cautiously trying to figure out why she'd have to open his gift now. I whispered in her ear. "Don't take all day, I'm starving."
Gina quickly unwrapped the box and opened it. Inside the box were an ocean blue Hawaiian shirt and a pretty lei of flowers.
"You can't be at the beach in a sweater!" Rachel trilled.
"You want me to put it on now?"
"Yes!" The crowd called out.
"But…"
"All you guys turn around!" Rachel instructed.
"You, too, Carlos," Kim called out.
Carlos! Good God, don't tell me he's into Gina, too.
I helped Gina pull her sweater over her head, and she quickly slid her arms into the shirt. She got the first two buttons closed before some of the guys turned around. I placed the lei over her head and kissed her gently on the lips. The crowd erupted in hoots and hollers. I picked up a plate and handed it to Gina. "Let's eat!" I proclaimed.
The ladies served baked manicotti and chicken parmesan with Italian bread and salad. I was glad I took an afternoon nap because this was the kind of meal that would put you down for the night. I kept my eyes on Gina. It was like I was drinking her in. I noticed that she fiddled with her bracelet often.
"Does your bracelet bother you?"
"Not at all. It's just so beautiful; I can't stop looking at it."
I leaned to her ear. "That's how I feel about you."
She turned her head toward me, and I kissed her in front of the whole family. It wasn't much more than a quick kiss, but I did taste her lips with my tongue, and she paused to savor it. It did not go unnoticed by the crowd. I was delirious. I didn't really give a shit what anyone thought of me. I was going to enjoy this night with Gina because I had no idea what would happen once Evan made his appearance. Besides, deep down, I knew she should be with him.
After dinner, the peaceful ocean sounds gave way to Calypso music. Carlos was playing DJ. He sauntered up to Gina. "Come dance with me."
Gina looked at me.
"Go. Have a good time."
Immediately, the thought of Blake bragging to Carlos about his quest for Victoria flashed through my mind. Maybe Carlos was trying to woo an older woman of his own. Carlos took Gina by the hand and escorted her out to the dance floor. Carlos had rhythm. He had that Latino flair when he danced. She was trying hard to keep up with him and she looked adorable doing it. Ian came up and stood next to me with a beer in his hand.
"She looks happy."
"Yeah."
"So do you."
"I'm happy for her."
"Maybe, but you've got a glow about you. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear you and Gina did the deed while Evan was locked in the root cellar."
"Gina wouldn't cheat on her boyfriend."
"You'd never know the way you kissed her at dinner."
"I stole that kiss."
"Did you? Because it looked pretty damn mutual to me."
"Uh huh, and I'll steal another before I leave. Count on it."
"What are you like the kissing bandit?"
I burst out laughing. "Remember that when I steal that last kiss from Wanda before she says 'I do'."
Ian didn't say anything. I think he was not surprised that I would give it one last try. Rachel came skipping up to me. "Rob won't dance. Come Samba with me!"
Rachel and I had danced many times before. In the dead of winter, we used to practice with each other in the cave. It was good exercise and it was the only way we could touch each other in public during the affair. The song ended, and I offered Rachel my arm. She took it willingly and we marched out to the dance floor. She turned to face me. I placed my right hand on her hip and we clasped our free hands together and began to Samba. I felt awkward at first, but the beat soon took me. Rachel followed my lead beautifully. Most of the crowd watched us. When the song ended, I could see Gina standing on the sideline. She looked almost dejected. Rachel kissed me on the lips, which took me by surprise, and strutted back to Rob. I had no idea if she was trying to prove a point to Rob or what, but I wasn't about to open up that can of worms. Instead I made my way to Carlos who had just started the next song and instructed him to play a slow song. He agreed. I turned and approached Gina.
"Are you having a good time?"
"I'm so jealous!"
"I haven't gone near Tori," I said thinking that her jealousy sprang from the fact that Tori and I were in a relationship of sorts.
"I wasn't talking about Tori! Teach me how to dance like that!" she gushed.
"Anytime, angel."
"I want to learn before the wedding, so we can dance together."
"Don't you think your boyfriend might get jealous?"
"He's not my boyfriend. I broke up with him, remember?"
The song I requested began. "Come on, angel. Dance with me before I leave."
She draped her arms around my neck, and we moved gently back and forth. We stared into each other's eyes.
"Do you have to go?"
"You know better than anyone here that I have to go. I have formula for the baby. Klaudia may have delivered already."
"I doubt it. She'd only be eight months."
"Women deliver early all the time. I was a preemie baby. I was a month early."
"There's nothing pre-mature about you now."
I smiled. "Thanks."
Gina nuzzled her face into my neck, and we danced for a minute before she whispered, "I wish I could see the baby."
"It might just make you sad. It's better this way for now." She pulled her head away and looked at me. "Besides, it's your party!"
"It's a wonderful party! Thank you."
"Hey, it was a collaborative effort."
I pulled Gina close and cherished the feel of her body against mine. When the song ended, I let her go. "Let me say good-bye to Victoria, and then you can walk me out."
"Okay," she said tentatively.
I pulled Ian out onto the sand covered dance floor where Gina remained looking a little lost.
"What are you doing?" he protested.
"Dance with the birthday girl. I need to say good-bye to Tori."
I turned immediately toward Victoria. She was sitting with Burns drinking a Piña Colada adorned with a pink umbrella.
"Hey, Xena."
"Hey, yourself."
"I'm gonna head out. I have a long drive ahead of me."
"See ya," she said coldly.
"Don't be like that. I promise when I come back, it will be me and you."
"How can you say that? Gina will be waiting for you."
"Possibly, but I think Evan is going to worm his way back into her bed."
"I'm sorry," she said with just a hint of sarcasm.
"Hey, it's possible that Blake might worm his way into your bed by the time I get back."
"I don't think so," Tori said adamantly.
I couldn't help but smile at her response. I kissed her forehead.
"Oh, it's like that?" Tori sneered.
"Like what?"
"You practically make out with Gina in front of everybody, and I get a peck on the forehead. Thanks a lot." Tori got up and began to walk away.
I grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her back. I tilted my head upward to kiss her. She pulled back. "I thought this is what you wanted?"
"What do you want?"
"I want you to know that I'm not ready to give you up to Blake. I love both your friendship and the private moments we spend together."
"Follow me," Tori said, as she turned and went to the door. She grabbed her coat and left.
Gina was still dancing with Ian. I grabbed my coat off the chair and rushed out the door. Tori was standing just on the other side of the building. I went to her and pulled her into the bunkhouse where it was warm.
"I don't know what you want, Tori."
She grabbed my face and kissed me hard. I was surprised at first because I thought I was going to get a lecture from her. I responded and kissed her for a long time. Victoria had learned to do the things I liked since we started seeing each other—including how to kiss. My dick started to get hard. As she pulled away, she spoke.
"For the record, although I am interested in Blake, I am not going to pursue this before he turns eighteen. I'm not going to rush into a relationship with a kid. He needs to grow up and so do I."
I chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
"Besides Maria and Burns, you are the most mature person I know. As it's been pointed out by both of them, it is I, who needs to grow up."
"No argument there."
I kissed her again. This kiss wasn't as passionate, but my hard-on was still raging. I took her hand and laid it on the bulge in my pants. "See what you do to me?"
Victoria smiled broadly for the first time.
"I'll call you while I'm gone, so let Burns know where you'll be."
"Okay." She kissed me quickly. "Have a safe trip and…"
"What?" I looked into her hazel eyes.
She looked away. "I love you," she said softly.
I pulled her into my chest. "I'll always be here for you," I whispered. "It might be awkward if I went back in with you. Would you tell Gina that I'm here waiting for her if she wants to say good-bye?"
"Sure."
Tori backed away. I paced inside the bunkhouse as I waited for Gina to arrive. It was only a few minutes before the door opened and a smiling Gina entered.
"Hey," she said in a soft voice.
"I thought you might want to say good-bye without the entire mountain staring at us."
"Personally, I don't care what anyone else thinks."
"Gina, you know as soon as I leave, Burns and Ian are going to let Evan out of the root cellar. He's going to be fuming."
"I don't care."
"Gina, he got jealous. I don't think he was wrong. After all, look at me; I've messed with Rachel and Wanda. I don't exactly have a great track record with other guy's ladies. Remember that he loves you. Our time today was spectacular, but do you really want to dump a guy who will put you at number one for a fickle guy like me who doesn't know what the hell he wants from day to day?"
She started to tear up. "But I want you!" she sniveled.
"I know you do, and maybe one day, I'll grow up enough to know I want you and only you, but right now I can't make that kind of commitment even to a wonderful girl like you." You are going to be so sorry you said that. You need to give her some kind of hope.
"If and when I am able to make that kind of commitment, it will be with a ring and a proposal. Do you understand?"
The tears were sliding gently down her cheeks. She nodded her head.
"You do what you want to do in regard to Evan, but don't make a decision based on me."
Earlier today, I wanted Gina to break it off with Evan, so I could lay claim to her, but Tori's kiss meant more than I wanted it to mean. Shit! Why am I so fucked in the head?
I placed my hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears. "I love you, Gina." I leaned in and kissed her. "I'll send the gypsies your love." I kissed her again. This time it was a good-bye kiss. I didn't hold back because I didn't know if and when I would get to kiss her again. "Tell Ian and Burns that I'm ready to go—and smile. It's your birthday." I paused. "There's something I've been meaning to tell you. You know there's nothing wrong with the van. I said those things, so the others wouldn't know that I came back because of you."
Gina forced a smile and left the building. I stepped out into the cold a moment later and my phone rang. It was Wanda.
"Hello, Beautiful!" Ian exited the funhouse as I began my conversation with Wanda.
"Nate, is Ian with you? Kyle wants to speak with him."
"Sure, you know we've been joined at the hip lately. I think I love him."
"You're so funny. This is serious."
I looked at Ian. "Sounds like something serious." I handed the phone to Ian. "Hey, Babydoll."…"Why don't you tell him?"…"You're afraid of him."…"Let me talk to him." There was a brief pause before Ian began to talk again. "Jonathan is a guy that Sunny met when they went to the club. It turns out he lives in a frat house at my old alma mater. She's upset right now and she's trying to forget you by hooking up with someone else. I think you calling her was a good thing. Wanderer didn't want to tell you because she's afraid you will react the way I did and hurt her. So, I'm begging you, walk away from her. She did not encourage this. If anything, she tried really hard to stop it." There was another pause. "Is he gone?"…"I told him that you were afraid he might do what I did to you. I asked him to separate himself from you until he was sure he could maintain control."…"I won't apologize. He is like me. We are the same. I need you to remind him of that. Remind him that he does not want to be self destructive as I have been. Reassure him that she will come back. Tell him Jonathan cannot hold a candle to him." …"I love you more."
Ian hung up the phone and handed it back to me.
"What happened?"
"It seems that Kyle got up the nerve to call Sunny, and she told him about Jonathan, the guy she met. He wanted to know who the hell the guy was. Wanderer was with him alone in the desert. She was afraid he'd snap like I did and hurt her."
"I kinda got that part."
"I hope she'll be all right."
"I don't think Kyle would hurt her. He was there for her when you pushed her away. He knows that if anyone can help him through this, it's her."
Burns exited the building. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yeah, let Evan loose as soon as I leave. Tell him if he doesn't want to lose Gina, he had better not ruin her birthday party."
We walked in silence for a few minutes.
"Tell him; if I come back and she wants me, I'm gonna take him from her."
"Yes!" Ian did a fist pump. "I knew it was her."
I shot Ian an evil look.
Burns was sedate. "So you're leaving it up to her?"
"I am."
"What about Victoria?"
"For now, I am here for Victoria, but you know she and Blake have eyes for each other."
"Seriously?" Ian replied. "Isn't she a little old for him?"
"Look at you. The pot calling the kettle black. We are both too old for Wanda."
"Speak for yourself," Ian shot back.
"I've only got a year on you and if I remember correctly, you gave Blake a few tips on how to hit on Victoria."
Ian smiled. "Who, me?"
"Yeah, remember the night I dragged Wanda out to the root cellar, and you said to bring her back unscathed?"
"Oh, yeah. So that's what was bothering you?"
"What was bothering me was that your fiancée was flirting with me big time, and I knew that something was up."
"Wanderer flirted with you?"
"Yeah, imagine that."
"I'm a little bothered by that."
"Good, then don't marry her. As a matter of fact, why don't you break it off with her?"
"Shut up."
We reached the truck, and I slid into the driver's seat.
"I'll be calling to see how things are going. I told Tori I would call her."
"When will you be back?"
"Sunday night."
"Three days of gypsy ass, huh? You know you may be pining for my fiancée, but it seems to me that you are living the high life."
"Yeah, my specialty is breaking ladies' hearts because I can't have the one lady I really want. I feel fucking spectacular about it."
I threw the truck in reverse and backed out of the driveway.
I spent the next six hours listening to music in an effort to block out my thoughts. All of the angry music of the past was gone. Rap was gone. Metal was gone. All that was left was happy pop music and R&B. Not that it was bad, but right now I was in an angry place, and I didn't want to hear happy music.
I was frustrated that Ian made light of my situation with Gina, Victoria, and Nadia. Not that Nadia was anything more to me than a sexual partner. I knew that if I could just get her parents to allow her to come to the mountain, she would have several suitors to choose from. Evan would probably be the best fit for her, but Blake was still single and so was Carlos. They were both young, but Nadia, although highly sexual was still emotionally a teenager.
If I could just get her to the mountain, everything would change…maybe.
At eleven o'clock I pulled out my phone and called Burns. I wanted to know if Evan minded his P's and Q's after he was released from the root cellar.
"Hello?"
"Hey, how did things go at the party after I left?"
"Well, we went to get Evan. All he wanted was to see you. He was hopping mad."
"Ian took control of the situation. He told Evan that if he was going to be an asshole then he was going to lose Gina forever. He told him that he knew how he felt because Wanda has admitted to him that she loves you. He told him it's been really hard to accept, but the nicer he is about it, the more she loves him."
"So, what happened?"
"We all entered the party at the same time. He didn't approach Gina at first. She was hanging with Tori and Rachel. They were dancing, and Gina was doing a pretty good job at ignoring him."
"So he didn't start trouble."
"No, but I think it was because Ian stayed right with him. After a bit they sat Gina down to open the gifts."
"What did she get? I mean aside from the necklace that Evan got her."
"Rachel gave her a pass for a spa day including haircut, manicure, and a facial."
"That sounds nice."
"Maria and Aunt Sue gave her a new pair of sneakers."
"Did Victoria get her anything?"
"Victoria gave her a picture—of you."
"Me? She gave her a picture of me?"
"Well it was of you, me, Evan, and Ian."
"When did she draw that?"
"We were sitting on the tailgate of the truck. I think she got us one day at lunch."
"Was it good?"
"You've seen Tori's stuff. What do you think?"
"It was good."
"You were the best out of the four of us. She called it 'the quad squad'."
I chuckled. "The quad squad?"
"Anyway, after she opened all the presents, Evan came forward with his gift. He told her he was sorry for letting his jealousy get the better of him. He gave her the gift and said he hoped she would accept it."
"Let me guess. When she saw the heart shaped necklace, she forgave him."
"Well, not right away. She stared at the necklace and then closed the box. She thanked him and said it was beautiful."
"Oh my God."
"Yeah, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Carlos started the music, and Gina was dancing with Ian's dad when Evan asked if he could cut in. They danced for a few minutes and then the two of them grabbed their coats and went outside. Ian went outside after them just to make sure nothing happened if you know what I mean."
"He was acting like a bodyguard—Good."
"Well, according to Ian, they talked and then he kissed her."
I felt my heart sink. "So, they made up."
"They entered the building and they danced to a slow song. He stayed close the rest of the night."
"I see."
"Sorry, man."
"Yeah, me, too. Tell Tori I'll call her tomorrow."
"You okay?"
"I will be."
"Drive safe."
I arrived at the gypsy campsite just after two in the morning. It was Friday and I wasn't due back for three days. Maybe I'd hang out a few more days. I pulled up to front of the mine. I usually came in the van, so I knew they would be suspicious of the truck. I followed the usual protocol. I got out of the truck, walked forward about eight feet, and lowered my pants. I interlocked my fingers behind my head and turned around slowly.
"Nate! You old dog, what are you doing driving that truck?"
"The van was giving us issues, so I took Burns's truck."
"Well, pull up your pants and get over here!"
I pulled my pants up and walked over to Dominik and Niko. Dominik pulled me into his arms and gave me a manly hug.
"Did Klaudia have the baby yet?"
"No. She's as big a house though. I've been taking watch most nights, because she is having troubles sleeping with me in the bed."
"I brought plenty of supplies for her—formula and diapers. I even got a few sleepers and outfits."
"Your soul really does a lot for you, doesn't he?"
"Burns is irreplaceable to us. I don't know what we'd do without him."
"Well, I'm sure Klaudia will be excited."
"Where do you want me to sleep?"
"Where do you think? Nadia has been bathing everyday for the last week and she's got clean sheets on her bed. She's been hoping and praying you'd come."
I was still feeling down, but I forced a smile.
"You okay?" Niko asked.
"Yeah. Yesterday was Gina's birthday. I left in the middle of her party."
"Why would you leave in the middle of your wife's party?" Dominik asked.
"I was worried about all of you. I tried to leave four days ago, but the weather was bad. We agreed that I would leave tonight after the party, but the party was still in full swing when I left."
"Your wife is really cool," Niko exclaimed.
"Thanks. I'm tired. I'm going to head to bed."
Niko handed me a flashlight. I made my way through the mine until I got to Nadia's room. I laid the flashlight butt end on the floor with the light facing up at the ceiling. I stripped down to my boxers and knelt at the edge of the bed. I lifted the blanket. She was lying naked in the bed with her back to me.
Suddenly she rolled over. "Ogier! I hoped you would come!"
"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner, but the weather was bad."
"The weather was bad here, too. It's been very cold."
"Slide over and I'll keep you warm." She only had one blanket on her bed. "Where is your other blanket?"
"It was dirty. I wanted everything to be clean for you."
"What about the top sheet?"
"I forgot. I never use it."
"Where is it?"
"In the bottom drawer of the dresser."
I climbed out of the bed. I pulled her blanket off the bed and laid it on the dresser. Nadia was curled up in a ball. "Nate, it's cold!"
"Hold on a sec. This will make all the difference in the world." I unfolded the blanket and snapped it, so it opened up over the shivering Nadia. Then I took the blanket and laid it over the top of the sheet. I quickly climbed into the bed and pulled Nadia into my chest.
"Are you going to shut off the light?"
"You sure are demanding," I joked. I reached over and turned off the flashlight. We lay quietly in the darkness.
"How is Gina?" she asked.
"Yesterday was her birthday. We had a party for her. She was happier than I've ever seen her."
"Did she say anything about her visit?"
"Yes, she told me everything. We don't hold secrets from each other."
"I hope the man who falls in love with me will be like you."
"He'll be better than me. Trust me."
"Do you want to make love to me?"
"I do, but right now I want to sleep. Is that all right with you?"
"It's all right—as long as I can feel your warm body against mine."
I felt for her chin and pulled her face to mine and kissed her. The feel of her lips and the way she kissed me brought back pleasant memories of my little gypsy princess. "I missed you."
"I missed you, too." I pulled Nadia tight to my chest and rested my chin on top of her head and drifted off happy that I could make Nadia's dream come true but desperately worried about my own dreams.
12
