The Love of a Stranger
Ob1MegOb1
Chapter 14
(Erik)
"First of all before anyone turns accusatory," William said hi eyes blazing with determination, "Erik was with me when this happened." And then as if someone had turned a unanimous switch off inside them all eyes turned once again concerned to Jasmine, who was desperately cluctching William's sleeve. Her eyes for one of the few times ever, emanating with fear. Paul's eyes had not lost their blameful tone though and I knew once again he was going to try to pick a fight.
"Oh please," he muttered, "Are you all really going to listen to the confession of a boy? How do we know this monster is not manipulating him as he manipulated Jasmine. I mean look at the rose! It's his calling card. Nobody used that except for him!" Paul said now pointing an accusatory finger in my direction.
"Enough," a rough voice said and I was surprised to see Jasmine now sitting up steely-eyed. "I think we've heard enough from you Paul." Now she turned in my direction, "Erik come here," she said reaching out to me. Unsure as to what she wanted I approached her cautiously and held my hands out to her. She took them and I could feel them shaking as she gently stroked and examined my hand. Her fingertips brushing mine with what might be considered soft and gentle, but one look in her eyed showed the upmost concentration. And then it struck me, she was seeing whether I had done it through whether the hands felt familiar. Then she said something which made my blood run cold.
"Put your hands around my neck Erik."
"What?" I said astounded my eyes traveling to the dark bruises on her neck from the hand of the man who had done this.
"Jasmine this is uncalled for," Evelyn said, "Not here at least."
"No," Jasmine said sternly, "this is the scene of the crime we will do it here."
(Jasmine)
I reached out for Erik's hands again only more roughly this time. "Please Erik, act as if you are going to strangle me." His breathing became more shallow, quick and I could feel his hand hovering inches from my neck. And then they dropped to the floor.
"I can't," he said softly.
"Yes you can," I said my voice steely and certain, "You did it once before you can do it again."
"Things are different now, I didn't know you then."
"It doesn't matter all you need to do is put your hands to my neck and I can tell them it wasn't you. Just do it Erik."
His hands hovered once again and finally after a long silence they dropped again. I sighed in irritation, "Just do it Erik!"
"I can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because I love you!"
(Erik)
After I made the exclamation she surprisingly broke out into a very confident smile. I meanwhile sat there completely stunned and confused, while Paul's face grew very angry. "This proves nothing Jasmine."
"It proves enough Paul," she said her eyes blazing.
"You are a fool Jasmine, always thinking with your heart more than your common sense."
"Alright thats enough," Evelyn said standing up, "I won't tolerate this anymore. Obviously we aren't going to solve this tonight. Now lets all go inside, I will prepare some dinner while meanwhile all of you relax."
Jasmine nodded her head softly and Paul got up storming away with a hurrying Elizabeth after him. What that girl still saw in him I don't think I'll ever understand.
(Jasmine)
I sat back down beside him and smiled gently gripping his hand. "Are you okay?" He gently squeezed it back.
"I think so, I'm just glad your okay."
I smiled leaning my head on his shoulder, "There's something that doesn't make sense," I said softly.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
I was going to tell him about the mask, but since I knew he didn't do it maybe there was no need to tell him. Afterall, the person was gone now, nothing would harm me as long as he was here.
"Nothing," I said softly, "Lets go get ready for dinner." I grabbed his hand and he led me to the dining room.
(Erik)
Dinner went by without a peep from anybody, even Rebecca seemed to sense it was better not to speak. As everybody dispersed to do whatever they wished that night I made sure that me and Jasmine ended up alone. Now that we were talking again I wanted to do whatever I could to reinstate our relationship together.
I walked her back to her room but she seemed very content just going to bed for the night. "I appreciate you doing this Erik but I don't need a guard everywhere I go," she muttered.
"I know," I said softly, "Its just I'm worried thats all."
"Well don't worry I don't think they are going to attack twice in one day," she said smiling.
I leaned forward and gently kissed her on the cheek, "Goodnight then," I said disappointed I could not speak to her further, but I was going to respect her wishes not matter how damn aggravating they could be.
As I turned to leave though she sighed and muttered, "Oh what the hell," and as I turned to leave she grabbed my arm and with surprising force flipped me around and planted her lips squarely on mine. Her arms wrapped around me, her palms palms massaging the middle of my back.
I opened my mouth and her gentle tongue explored every aspect of my mouth. There was nothing I was going to hide from her now. I cupped her neck in my palm my other hand reaching for the ties to her dress. Slowly the ties came loose, and without me even knowing it my shirt was unbuttoned her hands now touched my bare chest and her hands gently touched my back. I became wary as she she gently touched the scars that had been made long ago but she only continued to gently stroke them as she gently nipped at my ear now.
We fell back on the bed my shirt quickly removed and my mask swiftly taken off without a second thought. She pulled me closer and held my head in the crook of her neck. Then I looked down at her brown eyes beautiful and lustful. Her mouth slightly open which I touched gingerly with my fingertips. They were smooth soft and absolutely inviting. I gently kissed them my hand going up and down her leg as they slowly curled around my waist.
I looked down on her again and she was smiling, slightly panting her chest slowly heaving. Then my eyes fell on the scar. The scar on her cheek which had been our first connection. I gently fingered it and she trembled slightly. "I'm sorry," I said softly.
She shook her head, "No its okay, I want you to Erik." I gently fingered it again, and it was then that she raised her own hand and gently stroked my own scarring on the right side of my face. She smiled gently leaning forward and kissing me my hand still on her cheek.
"I love you," she whispered.
My voice shook horribly as I answered her back," I love you as well." And just as my heart was finally ready to make love to her there was a knock at the door.
(Jasmine)
I felt the familiar rush of disappointment in his fingertips but for the first time my blood rushed with the agony of disappointment as well. The knocks came again and I placed my hand on the curve of his neck,"Should I answer?"
He sighed his chest slowly brushing mine. And then suddenly he said, "Hell no," and he rushed forward his mouth smashing into mine. I pulled him closer and his hands traveled up my leg pushing away my dress. His hands so gentle made me tremble once again. The knock continued but this time a voice accompanied it.
"Jasmine are you there?" And immediately I recognized the small voice and then the doorknob begin to turn.
"Oh damn," I muttered and with suprising force hurled Eirk off of me with a great thud as he hit the ground.
"Ow damn woman!"
"I'm sorry," I said quickly, "Now hide."
"Why the hell---?"
"Because I don't want my four year old sister to see me in sexual throes with a man I barely met a week ago." I threw his shirt at him and he rushed into the bathing room at least I hoped according to his footsteps. Then she softly came in as I hurriedly retied my dress.
"Jasmine can I talk to you?" she asked softly.
"Of course darling, what is it?" I said as Erik continued to rustle in the back room. For being the stealthiest man I know he was being awfully loud.
"Did Erik really attack you?" I froze for a moment as did he in the next room.
"Of course not dear," I said quickly.
She sighed, "Good I like Erik."
"Good," I answered slightly irritated if this was all she had wanted. But then again to hear her speak was a rare occasion and to hear her at all I guess was worth it.
"Well I'm going to bed," she said quickly getting up and kissing me on the cheek, "Goodnight Jasmine," she said dashing away.
"Goodnight dear," I said sighing as the door closed.
(Erik)
I opened the door from the bathing room completely disheveled and very grateful she couldn't see me. "Is there any reason you had to hurl me on the floor like a rag doll?"
She smiled mischievously, "Sorry, reflex."
I raised my eyebrow in her direction, "A little warning could be useful next time so I could at least attempt to land in a semi-normal position."
Her eyes became concerned as I sat down on the bed, "I didn't hurt you did I?"
I shook my head but she only continued to stare ahead. "No," I answered finally. She only shook her head in disbelief.
"Then what are you complaining like an old man for?"
"Because I am an old man," I muttered lying down, "And unfortunately I'm not getting any younger." I smiled mischievously at her.
"Oh come on now your not that old Erik," she said rolling her eyes, "Your only making excuses."
"I'm fourty two my dear woman almost twice your age, and most women your age would not care for that unless the man is pompously rich and well reknowned. Or they are a whore looking for a job."
She playfully punched me which unfortunately brought more pain then relief, "I resent that remark Erik."
I bit my lip in embarrassment, "I'm sorry that slipped entirely..."
"Don't worry Erik," she said smiling. She lay on the bed and I gently on her stomach as she gently ran her fingertips through my hair. "So since your in such physical pain from me hurling you, your plans for this evening are technically ruined I guess."
I turned on her, "I never said that..."
"Oh no?" she said raising her eyebrow, "Has your pain disappeared so suddenly?" she smiled mischievously and I loved the way her eyes flashed with playful challenge.
"Oh you would be surprised how quickly I heal," I said pouncing on her.
"No!" she squealed pushing me back as my fingers gently tickled her sides. Her eyes began to water with laughter and I smiled as she tried push me off but I pinned her down.
"Alright alright!" she cried, "I give in--just stop please," she said continuing to laugh as I lay down beside her.
"I see I have found your weakness my dear lady," I said smiling broadly. Her breathing slowed and she lay looking in my direction her brown eyes playful. I gently touched her cheek and she smiled.
"Its not that hard to find," she muttered. I only continued to stare finding every fine detail of her appearance. The smoothness of her olive skin, the perfect round shape of her lips, the smooth satin feel of her midnight hair, and even the small scent of mint on her person.
"Erik," she said softly, "I can see you."
I looked at her confused but as she touched me I saw understanding travel throughtout her features.
"And what do you see?" I said softly.
She smiled small and her eyes twinkled with happiness. What she said surprised me most all though, "A man. Your eyes brown and all knowing with your beautiful thin melodic lips, and smooth hair continuous although covered by a wig."
I bolted upright at that comment, "How did you?''
She smiled, "I would think you would know me better by now."
It was true, everybody truly underestimated her capabilities, but it was what I came to love about her. She saw me better than anyone I know.
Although we could not finish my plans we did manage to finally fall asleep by each other my arm wrapped protectively around her. Her smooth hair gently pillowing my face as she fell into the trance of sleep. She seemed so peaceful it was hard to imagine her life had ever been troubled. It was even harder to believe she had almost died today. It was actually amazing how wonderful this evening had been even after the unfortunate events of the afternoon. But I was putting that behind me, she was safe now that was all that mattered. I gently kissed her on the cheek, "I love you," I whisered into her ear, and in her subconscious she smiled.
I lay down and for the first time in a long time the trance of sleep took me. Not knowing what awaited me there.
Please Please Please Review