Disclaimer: No, I don't own TLW though it would be really cool if I did,
because then I would have kept the series going instead of ending it so,
so,.abruptly (sorry, its really late and I cant come up with anything
insulting). Oh, the songs I borrowed are "Black Velvet" can't remember
artist, and "Don't Know Why" by Norah Jones, which of course I don't own.
Note: Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Its good to know that ya'll liked my story. Appreciate it.
Who Said Love Doesn't Hurt
Chapter 4: Love Is In The Air
It was still early when Lanina woke up, about 9 in the evening when she looked at her watch. She felt restless as she lay there, trying to get back to sleep but finding she couldn't. When it got to a point where she was counting the number of straws in the roof, she got up, took her c.d. player with mini speakers out of her pack, and went into the living area. Everything appeared quiet. It looked as if Challenger, Malone and Veronica had gone to bed already, and Marguerite and Roxton were.in Roxton's room? Lanina smiled so big that she thought her jaw was going to break. She could hear their voices coming from Roxton's quarters, hushed but still audible. At least someone was having a romance in the tree house. She had noticed during the days she had been here, Challenger was too busy with his work to even think about relationships, and Malone and Veronica; they were an oddity. Lanina had been thinking about it before she had fallen asleep, trying to analyze their "connection". She had come up with nothing so far, considering that she didn't know anything about them except for what they had told her, which concerned nothing about their past together. Lanina decided it was giving her a headache to think about that, so instead she put the c.d. player and mini speakers on the kitchen table, putting in her favorite burned c.d. She scrolled down the songs to the second of the last, where the smooth sounds of "Black Velvet" wafted from the speakers. Since Lanina didn't want to disturb anyone, she turned the volume low enough that it wouldn't be a bother but still high enough for her to hear. Closing her eyes, she slowly started to dance, swaying to the music, moving her body in the sensuous motions the song seemed to be instructing. All tension left her body as she danced, forgetting everything around her and falling into a deep trance. She was so caught up in the song that she didn't hear footsteps behind her, or the voice that whispered her name. When the owner of the voice didn't get a response, a tap on the shoulder brought Lanina out of her spell. "Oh, Malone. Sorry, I didn't think it was loud enough for anyone to hear." Lanina quickly shut off the c.d. player and then nervously twirled her finger around the end of her hair. God, I can't believe he saw me dancing. "It's no problem, I was having trouble sleeping and I thought I'd get some air." He gave the c.d. player a cursory glance, curious as to what it was but more interested as to what Lanina had been doing before he had interrupted. He had stood there and watched her movements for few second, then decided to interpose upon her. It had looked like dancing, but he wasn't sure. Lanina crossed her arms over her chest and said, "I couldn't sleep either so I thought I'd listen to some music for while." "I've never heard music like that before, or seen that kind of.dancing for that matter." Lanina smiled, thinking about what he must have thought when he'd seen her. Then all of a sudden, an idea popped into her head, and not a bad one at that. "Would you like to learn? I could teach you how to dance modern style." A mischievous glint entered her eyes. Malone looked at her for a few seconds and said, "Sure, but I doubt I'll be very good at it. You're toes are going to come out bruised and broken." He paused, tossing her a boyish grin and continued, "Are you sure you want to take that risk?" Lanina grinned and sauntered up to him, saying, "I'm willing. Lets get to it." She went to the c.d. player and started the song over again, turned it up just a little higher and walked back to Malone, stopping just an inch away from him. "Okay now, take your hands and put them on my waist and pull me close," she closed the space between them and put her hands on his waist, "then you follow my lead, okay?" Malone nodded his head, looking into Lanina's eyes and wondered at the intimate closeness of their bodies. She seemed so young, yet she was acting with the boldness of an older woman. He closed his mind off to any thought when she started to move, slowly sliding her body side to side, her hands on his waist taking him with her. They moved together like this for a few moments, until he was comfortable with the movement when she said, "Okay, now we're going to do something different." She didn't explain what but just started to step a little faster and moved her hips intimately against his own, all the while her hands keeping his body in rhythm with hers. He had thought that he wouldn't be able to even keep a step with her, but was surprised that he was actually keeping the same cadence as she was. His knees bent with hers, no contact being broken between them. Lanina felt like she was dreaming, dancing with this really hot guy who was a quick learner with the few really basic moves she had shown him. He was doing so well, well enough that she felt her heart speed up and knew that her face was flushed. She had had this kind of reaction to only a few guys she had gone clubbing with but had never really felt any kind of connection with them. They had had high hopes of having a quickie later. She just wanted to have fun and enjoy some music, with no intention of having sex with any of them. But for some reason she felt safe with Malone and didn't mind having his hands on her, which confused her. How could she be feeling so much for a guy she just barely met? The song played on, the words flowing into Lanina, making her feel like she was on air.
Black Velvet in my little boy's smile.
Black Velvet in that slow southern style
A new religion that will bring you up to your knees
Black Velvet if you please.
Malone was thoroughly enjoying himself, never having danced so intimately with anyone, not even Gladys when they went to the parties she so loved to frequent. He flexed his fingers on Lanina's waist, relishing in the feel of her. He had gotten into the ambiance of things, liking the way they were moving when Lanina suddenly moved out of his arms and turned around, taking his arms and placing them around herself. This new change of position startled Malone for a second, not knowing what to do.
Once Lanina was settled against Malone, she started the rhythm up again, moving in the same way so that Malone fell back into the step. She liked the feel of him moving against her back, and felt a little thrill run up and down her body. Lanina was feeling quite bold tonight, and didn't particularly care. She was an adult and she was stuck on this plateau. She had an ominous feeling that something bad was going to happen soon and she wanted to experience everything she could before.before what? She didn't know but she was going to enjoy every minute of being in Malone's company.
The song slowly came to a close, the sultry voice no longer crooning her song, and another took her place, something slow and sweet. Lanina slowed her pace, moving side to side in a leisurely pace, bringing Malone down to her speed. Nora Jones "Don't Know Why" wafted out into the night. The two were content to just shuffle back and forth with their arms around each other. But the longer that Lanina heard the song, the words filled her with a sudden sadness. Her body moved less smoothly and had started to tense up.
Malone noticed the change in her and turned her around to face him. He searched her eyes, trying to find what was wrong when out of the blue, she raised herself up and touched her lips to Malone's. Surprise kept him from moving and breaking the kiss. It seemed to last forever but was really only a few seconds, when Lanina moved her head back and just stared up at Malone, her feelings open to him in her eyes.
The song ended and the c.d. player turned itself off, since that was the last song on the c.d. Silence filled the air, the only sounds coming from the crickets and bugs chirping outside. The two looked intently at each other, neither saying a word.
Malone, wanting to know what was going on broke the silence. "Why did you kiss me?"
"I don't know, I just felt like it." She breathed out a sigh and said, "Maybe it's because of the chemistry that I feel between us, or maybe it's just because I think you're a really hot guy with lips to die for."
Malone was surprised by her bold answer, but smiled in reaction.
"Really? Would you like to try that again?"
Lanina beamed up at him, and gave a small nod. Malone gently touched his lips to hers, keeping the kiss light. Then Lanina leaned into him, deepening the kiss.
Slowly, the kiss lessened in intensity and they pulled apart. Lanina rested her forehead on Malone's chest sighing with contentment.
Malone wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He didn't know what feelings were churning inside him, but he did know that he cared for Lanina. And from the way she had kissed him, he had a gut feeling that she cared for him too.
Then a troubling thought came to mind. Veronica had known that he had started to develop feelings for Lanina. But that had been before, when he hadn't thought anything would really happen between them. Now, he knew that Veronica would be really hurt. That things would be different.
Things had changed and now he had Lanina. He hoped that whatever was in the future, everything would turn out for the better.
Note: Thanks to everyone who wrote reviews. Its good to know that ya'll liked my story. Appreciate it.
Who Said Love Doesn't Hurt
Chapter 4: Love Is In The Air
It was still early when Lanina woke up, about 9 in the evening when she looked at her watch. She felt restless as she lay there, trying to get back to sleep but finding she couldn't. When it got to a point where she was counting the number of straws in the roof, she got up, took her c.d. player with mini speakers out of her pack, and went into the living area. Everything appeared quiet. It looked as if Challenger, Malone and Veronica had gone to bed already, and Marguerite and Roxton were.in Roxton's room? Lanina smiled so big that she thought her jaw was going to break. She could hear their voices coming from Roxton's quarters, hushed but still audible. At least someone was having a romance in the tree house. She had noticed during the days she had been here, Challenger was too busy with his work to even think about relationships, and Malone and Veronica; they were an oddity. Lanina had been thinking about it before she had fallen asleep, trying to analyze their "connection". She had come up with nothing so far, considering that she didn't know anything about them except for what they had told her, which concerned nothing about their past together. Lanina decided it was giving her a headache to think about that, so instead she put the c.d. player and mini speakers on the kitchen table, putting in her favorite burned c.d. She scrolled down the songs to the second of the last, where the smooth sounds of "Black Velvet" wafted from the speakers. Since Lanina didn't want to disturb anyone, she turned the volume low enough that it wouldn't be a bother but still high enough for her to hear. Closing her eyes, she slowly started to dance, swaying to the music, moving her body in the sensuous motions the song seemed to be instructing. All tension left her body as she danced, forgetting everything around her and falling into a deep trance. She was so caught up in the song that she didn't hear footsteps behind her, or the voice that whispered her name. When the owner of the voice didn't get a response, a tap on the shoulder brought Lanina out of her spell. "Oh, Malone. Sorry, I didn't think it was loud enough for anyone to hear." Lanina quickly shut off the c.d. player and then nervously twirled her finger around the end of her hair. God, I can't believe he saw me dancing. "It's no problem, I was having trouble sleeping and I thought I'd get some air." He gave the c.d. player a cursory glance, curious as to what it was but more interested as to what Lanina had been doing before he had interrupted. He had stood there and watched her movements for few second, then decided to interpose upon her. It had looked like dancing, but he wasn't sure. Lanina crossed her arms over her chest and said, "I couldn't sleep either so I thought I'd listen to some music for while." "I've never heard music like that before, or seen that kind of.dancing for that matter." Lanina smiled, thinking about what he must have thought when he'd seen her. Then all of a sudden, an idea popped into her head, and not a bad one at that. "Would you like to learn? I could teach you how to dance modern style." A mischievous glint entered her eyes. Malone looked at her for a few seconds and said, "Sure, but I doubt I'll be very good at it. You're toes are going to come out bruised and broken." He paused, tossing her a boyish grin and continued, "Are you sure you want to take that risk?" Lanina grinned and sauntered up to him, saying, "I'm willing. Lets get to it." She went to the c.d. player and started the song over again, turned it up just a little higher and walked back to Malone, stopping just an inch away from him. "Okay now, take your hands and put them on my waist and pull me close," she closed the space between them and put her hands on his waist, "then you follow my lead, okay?" Malone nodded his head, looking into Lanina's eyes and wondered at the intimate closeness of their bodies. She seemed so young, yet she was acting with the boldness of an older woman. He closed his mind off to any thought when she started to move, slowly sliding her body side to side, her hands on his waist taking him with her. They moved together like this for a few moments, until he was comfortable with the movement when she said, "Okay, now we're going to do something different." She didn't explain what but just started to step a little faster and moved her hips intimately against his own, all the while her hands keeping his body in rhythm with hers. He had thought that he wouldn't be able to even keep a step with her, but was surprised that he was actually keeping the same cadence as she was. His knees bent with hers, no contact being broken between them. Lanina felt like she was dreaming, dancing with this really hot guy who was a quick learner with the few really basic moves she had shown him. He was doing so well, well enough that she felt her heart speed up and knew that her face was flushed. She had had this kind of reaction to only a few guys she had gone clubbing with but had never really felt any kind of connection with them. They had had high hopes of having a quickie later. She just wanted to have fun and enjoy some music, with no intention of having sex with any of them. But for some reason she felt safe with Malone and didn't mind having his hands on her, which confused her. How could she be feeling so much for a guy she just barely met? The song played on, the words flowing into Lanina, making her feel like she was on air.
Black Velvet in my little boy's smile.
Black Velvet in that slow southern style
A new religion that will bring you up to your knees
Black Velvet if you please.
Malone was thoroughly enjoying himself, never having danced so intimately with anyone, not even Gladys when they went to the parties she so loved to frequent. He flexed his fingers on Lanina's waist, relishing in the feel of her. He had gotten into the ambiance of things, liking the way they were moving when Lanina suddenly moved out of his arms and turned around, taking his arms and placing them around herself. This new change of position startled Malone for a second, not knowing what to do.
Once Lanina was settled against Malone, she started the rhythm up again, moving in the same way so that Malone fell back into the step. She liked the feel of him moving against her back, and felt a little thrill run up and down her body. Lanina was feeling quite bold tonight, and didn't particularly care. She was an adult and she was stuck on this plateau. She had an ominous feeling that something bad was going to happen soon and she wanted to experience everything she could before.before what? She didn't know but she was going to enjoy every minute of being in Malone's company.
The song slowly came to a close, the sultry voice no longer crooning her song, and another took her place, something slow and sweet. Lanina slowed her pace, moving side to side in a leisurely pace, bringing Malone down to her speed. Nora Jones "Don't Know Why" wafted out into the night. The two were content to just shuffle back and forth with their arms around each other. But the longer that Lanina heard the song, the words filled her with a sudden sadness. Her body moved less smoothly and had started to tense up.
Malone noticed the change in her and turned her around to face him. He searched her eyes, trying to find what was wrong when out of the blue, she raised herself up and touched her lips to Malone's. Surprise kept him from moving and breaking the kiss. It seemed to last forever but was really only a few seconds, when Lanina moved her head back and just stared up at Malone, her feelings open to him in her eyes.
The song ended and the c.d. player turned itself off, since that was the last song on the c.d. Silence filled the air, the only sounds coming from the crickets and bugs chirping outside. The two looked intently at each other, neither saying a word.
Malone, wanting to know what was going on broke the silence. "Why did you kiss me?"
"I don't know, I just felt like it." She breathed out a sigh and said, "Maybe it's because of the chemistry that I feel between us, or maybe it's just because I think you're a really hot guy with lips to die for."
Malone was surprised by her bold answer, but smiled in reaction.
"Really? Would you like to try that again?"
Lanina beamed up at him, and gave a small nod. Malone gently touched his lips to hers, keeping the kiss light. Then Lanina leaned into him, deepening the kiss.
Slowly, the kiss lessened in intensity and they pulled apart. Lanina rested her forehead on Malone's chest sighing with contentment.
Malone wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. He didn't know what feelings were churning inside him, but he did know that he cared for Lanina. And from the way she had kissed him, he had a gut feeling that she cared for him too.
Then a troubling thought came to mind. Veronica had known that he had started to develop feelings for Lanina. But that had been before, when he hadn't thought anything would really happen between them. Now, he knew that Veronica would be really hurt. That things would be different.
Things had changed and now he had Lanina. He hoped that whatever was in the future, everything would turn out for the better.
