Kidnapped
By: Moon Baby
Rating: PG
E-mail: MoonBabyGirl16@yahoo.com
Aurthor's Note: Okay this is the next day. Adrew is still not there and Serena and Darien aren't getting along that well. Sorry for anything misspelled, ect. I'm trying to catch it but it happens that I will miss it. Okay back to the story. School is starting so the updates will take a little long to do. Sorry People but I will update when I can.
'I'm not in a good mood,' thought Darien. 'I didn't sleep well. I kept thinking about Serena on the balcony and how wonderful she looked in her night gown.' Serena got up early but Darien had already made coffee and breakfast. She couldn't tell what was wrong with him. Ever since she joined him in the kitchen he has done nothing but snarl at her.
"I hope you like oatmeal. It's one of the only things I know how to make."
"I do like oatmeal," Serena said looking at him warily.
"Good."
'I don't think he really said anything since.' She mused as they cleaned up. She looked at the clock. 'Not even 9 am, yet. This is going by slow.' "What time did Andrew say he would be here?"
He looked grupier when she asked that. "He didn't really say. He is hoping to be here by the late afternoon, early evening."
'It will seem like forever to wait that long. Well, I did bring along some books to read. But it seems rude to lock myself away. Maybe Darien would like that better. He won't have to entertain me if I do that.' After the cleaning up was finished Darien ran a hand through his hair and said, "It's a real nice day outside, even if it's cloudy. Why don't I show you around? Your going to be spending a lot of time here. This is Andrew's favorite getaway."
'He keeps thinking that me and Andrew are getting married. He hasn't even asked me. Since Darien doesn't seem to care if we're engaged or not, I won't waste my breath correcting him.' She nodded. "I'd like that." She smiled.
He looked at the thin blue shirt she was wearing. "Better grab a jacket. It's a little cool out." For some reason images from last night came to her mind. On the balcony her breath forming little white clouds. Darien coming out of the shadows looking at her. She took a step back at the memory than turned. "I'll be right back, okay?" 'At least it will give us somehting to do.' She pulled on a heavy demin jacket. Serena was growing very aware of Darien. 'Propely because we are confined to such tight quarters. First his car and now this house. I hope it will be better outside.'
Darien was waiting at the back door when she joined him. 'He's not wearing a jacket. I guess he thinks his long sleeve black sweater will keep him warm. But boy does he look good in black. He likes that color. It suites him well. So dangerous and mysterious just like him.' She stepped outside in front of him. Looking at him through her lashes she thought, 'It's a good thing he didn't look like that yesterday when he picked me up. Over- protective Mina might have tried something like lock me in the closet to prevent me from coming.' As he said the air was a bit chilly, though not as cold as last night. The grounds were magnifacint. Rocks and wood mulch was used for a pathway through flower beds, trees and several inviting spots that offered breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Serena was so in awe by the wonderful landscape that she didn't was stepping. If Darien hadn't her arm she would have taken quite tumble. "Drop-off." he said gruffly.
She looked down to find she was at the top of flagstone steps that were carved into the hill. The steps were set above the lake sum hundred feet below. "Does this go to the lake?"
"Eventuarlly it does. It takes a bit of energy, especially coming back up, but Andrew and I go down there a lot when we're here. Want to go see?"
She looked over the edge again. She never really liked heights. "How steep does it get?"
Darien shrugged and anwsered, "Steep in some places but it's safe Andrew wouldn't have it if it wasn't."
She believed that. Andrew pays close attention to details. "Then I'd like to go down to the lake."
"Stay right there for a sec." Moving past her he walked down some steps then looked at her. "It's still a little damp. So be careful to watch your step."
'He is so conscientious about me. Darien really takes his assignments seriously,' she thought and took a step down. She was glad she wore her sneackers to provifed the extra grip. For some reason, either the shoes, the scenery, or Darien being near, she felt real safe. There was so much wildlife, chipmunks, deer, rabbits, birds it was wonderful. There were two squirrels running around eachother trying to catch one another. Giggling at their playfulness she wasn't paying attention to where she stepped and nearly stumbled a little.
Instanly Darien's arm was around her waist to steady her. "Thanks," she said shily and embarrassed by her kluztiness.(AN: I had to put a klutz attack in there somewhere it wouldn't have been the same.) "I guess I've been in town way to long. I can't even walk on rocks without slipping." She laughed at herself. 'She has a real nice laugh.' Darien didn't immediately let go of her. He kept a loose grip on her waist as they walked down the rest of the steps. "Did you grow up in New Orleans?"
"No, I'm originally from Baton Rogue. Our parents still live there. Mina and I moved to New Orleans twelve years ago. We were right out of high school. We both worked days and attened night classes at Tulane. We earned our bussiness degrees and decided to open our own bussiness. Mirror Images opened ten months ago."
It was more than he asked for. Maybe his gruffnesss made her babble. 'It's kinda nice knowing so much about her, though.' "You two shared an apartment for twelve years. Wow!"
'I don't know if he finds it hard to believe that anyone could cohabit for that many years or that I could live with my sister that long. Mina didn't really make a good impression on Darien.' "Mina and I don't live together. At first we did. But we got our own places several years ago. She was there to...um...see me off."
"Are you sure not to try and talk you out of going."
She smiled wryly. "Yes, well...."
Taking his arm from her waist he moved in front of her, Darien stepped over a boulder in the path and turned and held out his hand. "Careful it's slipppery."
She hesitated a moment then put her hand in his. His fingers closed around her's giving her support as she walked over the boulder. 'He does have a competent air about him. I understand how Andrew came to depened on him so much.' When she reached the foot of the trail she realized the trip was well worth the effort. Driftwood littered a gravel beach was shaded by trees that leaned out ovwer the water. A private inlet sat a neat metal boathouse and a covered wooden deck with benches. "Oh, this is nice." Peering up the face of the bluff the back of the house was just visable. The sun glinted of the windows that over looked the lake. She turned and studied the boathouse and dock. "I guess Andrew keeps a boat here?"
"Two acturally. A ski boat and a pontoon boat. Would you like to go for a ride?"
"No, not now. Thanks."
"Saving yourself for Andrew?"
The double made her look at him in surprise. 'Had that been a lame attempt at a joke? If it was that was the first time I heard Darien try to make a joke. How am I supose to respond to it? If it was Andrew I would have had a similar come back. But with Darien.... I don't know how to untangle my tongue.'
Darien didn't wait for a come back. He turnded and bent down and picked up pebble and sent it skipping over the lake's surface. "Impressive." She did a golf clap. "I could never get the hang of that. Mina, on the other hand, is the champ."
"You can't skip rocks?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Nope. I've tried since I was six, and never got the hang of it. I can only get a sorry bounce or two. My dad thought I wasn't trying, but I really did. Then I gave up from sheer frustration," she said with a sigh.
"Everyone can skip rocks." (AN: I can't skip rocks but some of my friends can and thats were this idea comes from.)
"Not everyone. I can't." She shrugged. "Just never figured out how."
"Everyone can skip rocks," he repeated and looked a the ground.
"Not everyone," she said again.
He bent and picked up several round, smooth, rocks. "Here try."
"It's a lost cause Darien. I can't skip rocks."
"Of course you can." He placed a rock in her hand.
"Just skim it over the water"
"Easier said than done," she mumbled, then tossed the rock. It sank with a splash.
"You threw it inthe water, not aross it." Darien gave her another rock. "Think of the water as a solid and let the rock hit it at a glancing angle."
"Sure no proplem," she said sarcaticly, and threw the rock. It sank. "Have I confinsed you I can't skip rocks."
"You're not trying."
She tapped her index finger to her chin and said, "Now where have I heard that before?"
He gave her another rock. "Do it again. Remember you want to skip it not sink it."
She threw it and it made an attempt to skip before it sank. Serena turned and looked at him. "I told you I can't-...."
He closed her hand around the rock. "Try again," he insisted.
Serena frowned at Darien a little. 'He made it his job to teach me how to skip a silly rock. He looks like he won't give up till I learn.' She suddenly had a mental picture of them being here all night she shook her head. "I really don't want to. I can't-...."
She tripped over her words when Darien moved behind her and put his hand on hers. "Like this." He tilted her hand to a position he liked. "Bring you arm forward and throw the rock at this angle."
Serena cleared her throat and said, "You won't give up till I learn, will you?"
His gruff voice rumbled close to her ear. "It's a matter of making you believe you can do it," he whispared.
"It's, um, not a real important skill to learn, Darien."
He shrugged. "I don't like hearing people say 'I can't'."
'There was something significant about that statement,' she mused. Tyring to distract herself from how close Darien stood, Serena thought about how something in his past made him stick with something till it was finished. But it wasn't wasn't helping much. She was to aware of the heat that seemed to radiate from him and the strength that eminated from his hand on hers. 'I'm spending to much time with this man.'
Serena tossed the rock hoping it would skip and Darien would back up. It bounced once than sank.
Sighing, Serena turned her head and looked at Darien to tell him to forget this. Her gaze locked with his cool blue eyes....Whatever she wanted to say vanished from her mind. With his arm practicly around her waist, she could feel his breath on her cheek as he leaned his head down. She was strongly attracted to Darien Cross and she could no longer deny it. She couldn't really say she liked him; but she was physically drawn to him and that worried her. She tried to tell herself that the attraction between was just because they are in close quaters, but she realized now that that is not true. She really did fall for every guy sahe spent time with. That is what makes this more confusing, for the second time in a short time she was intigued by a strange man. She licked her suddenly dry lips. "Uh..."
Darien straighten and let go of her so abruptly she nearly fell on her butt. He backed up and put hios hand is his pockets. "Andrew should be the one to show you how to skip rocks."
She gaped at him. "What do you mean by that?"
He lifted his eyebrow. "Andrew is better at showing how to do things. He can explains it better. Properly by the end of the week you'll be skipping a rock half way across the lake."
She gave him a fake smile. "Not likely."
Pointing towards the path, he took another step back. "Ready to go."
"Yeah. Andrew might be trying to call," she said hopefully. 'The sooner Andrew gets here the sooner Darien can leave.'
"I have my cell. He'd call that if he doesn't get anyone at the house."
She nodded and put her hand in front of her. "I'll follow you," 'And look at you great tight butt.'
"You go first. In case you slip I'll catch you."
She stepped in the path and said with a chuckle. "Still playing bodyguard, I see."
"I told you I'm not a bodyguard." The gruffnerr in his voice was apperent.
'Bodyguard seems to annoy him. Something about his past that upset him. I guess it is another thing I will never figure out about him.'
She walked up the path so fast it is a wonder she didn't fall. She really had no intension of falling into Darien's arms. To her, the best thing she could do, rude or not, was to loock herself in her room with a book, and try to get Darien out of her mind. And while she tried to do that maybe she could figure out her true feelings for Andrew. She came to figure out her future with Andrew and found herself facinated by his best friend. There was something wrong with that picture. She should really think that about this before she made any comitment to anyone.
It's really started to looks like Mina was right about this. She could hear her sister saying, "I told you so."
****************************
Darien stopped outside Serena's door his hand half raised to knock on her door. For some strange reason he couldn't bring himself to knock.
After the way she raced up the path so fast he couldn't catch his breath. Then she locked herself in her room the rest of the morning. She said something about paper work to do. 'That's kind of weird. Since this was suppose to be a romantic getaway for her and Andrew. But I bet Anderw would have brought some work to. I guess those two are really two of a kind.' Scowling, Darien rapped on the door harder than he ment to.
Serena opened the door quickly. "Yes?"
"It's almost one. I thought you would be hungry."
Surprised Serena said, "I didn't think it was that late. Did you eat already?"
"No."
"Then you must be very hungry. You made breakfast so I'll make lunch."
He made a sheepish smile. "Too late, I already did that. Does grilled chicken and veggies sound good to you?"
"Sounds great," she smiled, "but you shouldn't have gone to the trouble. I didn't expect you to cook for me."
He shrugged. "I have to eat anyway. I'll see you in the kitchen."
"I'll wash my hands and be down in a minute."
He really didn't mind making lunch. It gave something to do besides think about Serena. He turned and walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. The table was set and the food was on it when she joined him.
"This looks wonderful," she said sitting down. "Since you cooked, I'll clean."
'I'm not going to argue. If doing dishes made her feel like she is pulling her weight, I'm not stopping her.'
"You're a wonderful cook," she said after a few bites.
"As long as there is a grill and a microwave, I get by."
Looking around the chef's dream kitchen atteched to a nook where they were eating. "You have that and more here."
He looked around, too, "Andrew always has the best top-of-the-line things."
"Does Andrew cook?"
"He knows how to. He always pay for the survice but he believes everybody should have basic cooking, laundrey, and basic home and car maintenance skills."
"Thats practical, if he suddenly bacame poor, at least he'll be able to take care of himself."
Darien knew she was kidding. They both doubt that Andrew Falcon would ever have to be careful with money. Darien knew he would be there if that ever happened. He wasn't sure Serena was the same way. If this thing betwen them wasn't for love but for money then bankruptcy would put an end to that.
When Darien didn't answer her, she changed the subject. "You told me about your trip to Italy. Have you had to travel a lot working with Andrew?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you enjoy it."
"Work or travel?"
"Either."
"I enjoy the work. I travel because it's part of the job." She looked a little upset, than he remembered her telling him about her dream to travel. "I do like the travel," he felt like he should appologize for how he said that, "sometimes."
He didn't seem to have confinced her, because she changed the subject agaun. "Have you worked with Andrew since you got out of college?"
He took a bite out of his chicken. "I didn't go to college. Out of high school I joined the Army."
"I didn't know that. Andew always said you were with him from the begining."
"We stayed in touch while he went to college and I went in to the military. When he broke away from the family company and started Andrew Falcon Enterprise, he got me."
"Were you in the Army, still?"
"No, I was out for a while."
"What did you do before you worked for Andrew?"
"A little of this and a little of that." 'He doesn't really like to talk about his past.'
He knew she was trying to make conversation, and trying to avoid the awkwardness between them. Lapses which they became tongue-tied, when their glances locked and held for long moments, before Serena looked away embarassed. He didn't think she was fighting the same inapproiate attraction he was, but he scenced she felt the attraction between them.
'We have been spending way to much time together. It would be a hell of a lot better when Andrew arrives,' Darien thought
Leaving Serena to clean, Darien went to the office he usually uses when he is here. He turned on the computer and spent an hour checking his e-mail. The phone rang, "Cross."
"How's everything there?" Andrew said without bothering to identify himself.
His voice brought Darien's eyes away from the moniter. "Tell me you'er on your way here."
"Something wrong? You and Serena getting along okay?"
"Yeah, but she didn't come here to see me she came here to see you. I bet she is wishong she stayed home."
"What did you do today?"
"Work. Parker in L.A. wants an answer by tomorrow and Conners got a proposal she wants us to see."
"You can do that later. I want you to keep Serena entertained. I don't want her bored while I'm stuck in New York. If you make an effort I knwo you can entertain people. Try it, will you?"
Darien's sigh vibrated through the phone. "I have better things to do than play babysitter to your du jour girlfriend while you're in New York."
Before he finished what he said he looked at the door. Serena was standing there with a cup of coffee. The look on her face was expressionless. Darien knew she heard his crack. Her stance let him know she didn't like the remark. "Ah...."
"Serena just walked in, didn't she?" Andrew said.
Daien frowned. "Yeah."
"Let me talk to her. And Dare, when you get your foot out of your mouth and appologize be nice to her, okay?"
"Andrew wants to talk to you," he said and handed the phone to Serena.
She nodded. "I brought you some fresh coffee."
"Thanks, I'll let you talk to Andrew alone." After taking the mug from Serena, she turn her back to him.
Wincing Darien walked out of the room. 'It's hard walking with both of your feet in your mouth.'
Done at last!!!!! I bet your happy I updated it. As I said before school started so updates will take a while. But they will happen. And I might start another story. So hey it'll take a while. But please review adn tell me what you think so I know if I should write another story. Lets Reveiw. Darien made a real ass of himself and almost kissed Serena. It's getting good. Moon Baby. E-mail me and tell me what you think.
Aurthor's Note: Okay this is the next day. Adrew is still not there and Serena and Darien aren't getting along that well. Sorry for anything misspelled, ect. I'm trying to catch it but it happens that I will miss it. Okay back to the story. School is starting so the updates will take a little long to do. Sorry People but I will update when I can.
'I'm not in a good mood,' thought Darien. 'I didn't sleep well. I kept thinking about Serena on the balcony and how wonderful she looked in her night gown.' Serena got up early but Darien had already made coffee and breakfast. She couldn't tell what was wrong with him. Ever since she joined him in the kitchen he has done nothing but snarl at her.
"I hope you like oatmeal. It's one of the only things I know how to make."
"I do like oatmeal," Serena said looking at him warily.
"Good."
'I don't think he really said anything since.' She mused as they cleaned up. She looked at the clock. 'Not even 9 am, yet. This is going by slow.' "What time did Andrew say he would be here?"
He looked grupier when she asked that. "He didn't really say. He is hoping to be here by the late afternoon, early evening."
'It will seem like forever to wait that long. Well, I did bring along some books to read. But it seems rude to lock myself away. Maybe Darien would like that better. He won't have to entertain me if I do that.' After the cleaning up was finished Darien ran a hand through his hair and said, "It's a real nice day outside, even if it's cloudy. Why don't I show you around? Your going to be spending a lot of time here. This is Andrew's favorite getaway."
'He keeps thinking that me and Andrew are getting married. He hasn't even asked me. Since Darien doesn't seem to care if we're engaged or not, I won't waste my breath correcting him.' She nodded. "I'd like that." She smiled.
He looked at the thin blue shirt she was wearing. "Better grab a jacket. It's a little cool out." For some reason images from last night came to her mind. On the balcony her breath forming little white clouds. Darien coming out of the shadows looking at her. She took a step back at the memory than turned. "I'll be right back, okay?" 'At least it will give us somehting to do.' She pulled on a heavy demin jacket. Serena was growing very aware of Darien. 'Propely because we are confined to such tight quarters. First his car and now this house. I hope it will be better outside.'
Darien was waiting at the back door when she joined him. 'He's not wearing a jacket. I guess he thinks his long sleeve black sweater will keep him warm. But boy does he look good in black. He likes that color. It suites him well. So dangerous and mysterious just like him.' She stepped outside in front of him. Looking at him through her lashes she thought, 'It's a good thing he didn't look like that yesterday when he picked me up. Over- protective Mina might have tried something like lock me in the closet to prevent me from coming.' As he said the air was a bit chilly, though not as cold as last night. The grounds were magnifacint. Rocks and wood mulch was used for a pathway through flower beds, trees and several inviting spots that offered breathtakingly beautiful landscape. Serena was so in awe by the wonderful landscape that she didn't was stepping. If Darien hadn't her arm she would have taken quite tumble. "Drop-off." he said gruffly.
She looked down to find she was at the top of flagstone steps that were carved into the hill. The steps were set above the lake sum hundred feet below. "Does this go to the lake?"
"Eventuarlly it does. It takes a bit of energy, especially coming back up, but Andrew and I go down there a lot when we're here. Want to go see?"
She looked over the edge again. She never really liked heights. "How steep does it get?"
Darien shrugged and anwsered, "Steep in some places but it's safe Andrew wouldn't have it if it wasn't."
She believed that. Andrew pays close attention to details. "Then I'd like to go down to the lake."
"Stay right there for a sec." Moving past her he walked down some steps then looked at her. "It's still a little damp. So be careful to watch your step."
'He is so conscientious about me. Darien really takes his assignments seriously,' she thought and took a step down. She was glad she wore her sneackers to provifed the extra grip. For some reason, either the shoes, the scenery, or Darien being near, she felt real safe. There was so much wildlife, chipmunks, deer, rabbits, birds it was wonderful. There were two squirrels running around eachother trying to catch one another. Giggling at their playfulness she wasn't paying attention to where she stepped and nearly stumbled a little.
Instanly Darien's arm was around her waist to steady her. "Thanks," she said shily and embarrassed by her kluztiness.(AN: I had to put a klutz attack in there somewhere it wouldn't have been the same.) "I guess I've been in town way to long. I can't even walk on rocks without slipping." She laughed at herself. 'She has a real nice laugh.' Darien didn't immediately let go of her. He kept a loose grip on her waist as they walked down the rest of the steps. "Did you grow up in New Orleans?"
"No, I'm originally from Baton Rogue. Our parents still live there. Mina and I moved to New Orleans twelve years ago. We were right out of high school. We both worked days and attened night classes at Tulane. We earned our bussiness degrees and decided to open our own bussiness. Mirror Images opened ten months ago."
It was more than he asked for. Maybe his gruffnesss made her babble. 'It's kinda nice knowing so much about her, though.' "You two shared an apartment for twelve years. Wow!"
'I don't know if he finds it hard to believe that anyone could cohabit for that many years or that I could live with my sister that long. Mina didn't really make a good impression on Darien.' "Mina and I don't live together. At first we did. But we got our own places several years ago. She was there to...um...see me off."
"Are you sure not to try and talk you out of going."
She smiled wryly. "Yes, well...."
Taking his arm from her waist he moved in front of her, Darien stepped over a boulder in the path and turned and held out his hand. "Careful it's slipppery."
She hesitated a moment then put her hand in his. His fingers closed around her's giving her support as she walked over the boulder. 'He does have a competent air about him. I understand how Andrew came to depened on him so much.' When she reached the foot of the trail she realized the trip was well worth the effort. Driftwood littered a gravel beach was shaded by trees that leaned out ovwer the water. A private inlet sat a neat metal boathouse and a covered wooden deck with benches. "Oh, this is nice." Peering up the face of the bluff the back of the house was just visable. The sun glinted of the windows that over looked the lake. She turned and studied the boathouse and dock. "I guess Andrew keeps a boat here?"
"Two acturally. A ski boat and a pontoon boat. Would you like to go for a ride?"
"No, not now. Thanks."
"Saving yourself for Andrew?"
The double made her look at him in surprise. 'Had that been a lame attempt at a joke? If it was that was the first time I heard Darien try to make a joke. How am I supose to respond to it? If it was Andrew I would have had a similar come back. But with Darien.... I don't know how to untangle my tongue.'
Darien didn't wait for a come back. He turnded and bent down and picked up pebble and sent it skipping over the lake's surface. "Impressive." She did a golf clap. "I could never get the hang of that. Mina, on the other hand, is the champ."
"You can't skip rocks?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Nope. I've tried since I was six, and never got the hang of it. I can only get a sorry bounce or two. My dad thought I wasn't trying, but I really did. Then I gave up from sheer frustration," she said with a sigh.
"Everyone can skip rocks." (AN: I can't skip rocks but some of my friends can and thats were this idea comes from.)
"Not everyone. I can't." She shrugged. "Just never figured out how."
"Everyone can skip rocks," he repeated and looked a the ground.
"Not everyone," she said again.
He bent and picked up several round, smooth, rocks. "Here try."
"It's a lost cause Darien. I can't skip rocks."
"Of course you can." He placed a rock in her hand.
"Just skim it over the water"
"Easier said than done," she mumbled, then tossed the rock. It sank with a splash.
"You threw it inthe water, not aross it." Darien gave her another rock. "Think of the water as a solid and let the rock hit it at a glancing angle."
"Sure no proplem," she said sarcaticly, and threw the rock. It sank. "Have I confinsed you I can't skip rocks."
"You're not trying."
She tapped her index finger to her chin and said, "Now where have I heard that before?"
He gave her another rock. "Do it again. Remember you want to skip it not sink it."
She threw it and it made an attempt to skip before it sank. Serena turned and looked at him. "I told you I can't-...."
He closed her hand around the rock. "Try again," he insisted.
Serena frowned at Darien a little. 'He made it his job to teach me how to skip a silly rock. He looks like he won't give up till I learn.' She suddenly had a mental picture of them being here all night she shook her head. "I really don't want to. I can't-...."
She tripped over her words when Darien moved behind her and put his hand on hers. "Like this." He tilted her hand to a position he liked. "Bring you arm forward and throw the rock at this angle."
Serena cleared her throat and said, "You won't give up till I learn, will you?"
His gruff voice rumbled close to her ear. "It's a matter of making you believe you can do it," he whispared.
"It's, um, not a real important skill to learn, Darien."
He shrugged. "I don't like hearing people say 'I can't'."
'There was something significant about that statement,' she mused. Tyring to distract herself from how close Darien stood, Serena thought about how something in his past made him stick with something till it was finished. But it wasn't wasn't helping much. She was to aware of the heat that seemed to radiate from him and the strength that eminated from his hand on hers. 'I'm spending to much time with this man.'
Serena tossed the rock hoping it would skip and Darien would back up. It bounced once than sank.
Sighing, Serena turned her head and looked at Darien to tell him to forget this. Her gaze locked with his cool blue eyes....Whatever she wanted to say vanished from her mind. With his arm practicly around her waist, she could feel his breath on her cheek as he leaned his head down. She was strongly attracted to Darien Cross and she could no longer deny it. She couldn't really say she liked him; but she was physically drawn to him and that worried her. She tried to tell herself that the attraction between was just because they are in close quaters, but she realized now that that is not true. She really did fall for every guy sahe spent time with. That is what makes this more confusing, for the second time in a short time she was intigued by a strange man. She licked her suddenly dry lips. "Uh..."
Darien straighten and let go of her so abruptly she nearly fell on her butt. He backed up and put hios hand is his pockets. "Andrew should be the one to show you how to skip rocks."
She gaped at him. "What do you mean by that?"
He lifted his eyebrow. "Andrew is better at showing how to do things. He can explains it better. Properly by the end of the week you'll be skipping a rock half way across the lake."
She gave him a fake smile. "Not likely."
Pointing towards the path, he took another step back. "Ready to go."
"Yeah. Andrew might be trying to call," she said hopefully. 'The sooner Andrew gets here the sooner Darien can leave.'
"I have my cell. He'd call that if he doesn't get anyone at the house."
She nodded and put her hand in front of her. "I'll follow you," 'And look at you great tight butt.'
"You go first. In case you slip I'll catch you."
She stepped in the path and said with a chuckle. "Still playing bodyguard, I see."
"I told you I'm not a bodyguard." The gruffnerr in his voice was apperent.
'Bodyguard seems to annoy him. Something about his past that upset him. I guess it is another thing I will never figure out about him.'
She walked up the path so fast it is a wonder she didn't fall. She really had no intension of falling into Darien's arms. To her, the best thing she could do, rude or not, was to loock herself in her room with a book, and try to get Darien out of her mind. And while she tried to do that maybe she could figure out her true feelings for Andrew. She came to figure out her future with Andrew and found herself facinated by his best friend. There was something wrong with that picture. She should really think that about this before she made any comitment to anyone.
It's really started to looks like Mina was right about this. She could hear her sister saying, "I told you so."
****************************
Darien stopped outside Serena's door his hand half raised to knock on her door. For some strange reason he couldn't bring himself to knock.
After the way she raced up the path so fast he couldn't catch his breath. Then she locked herself in her room the rest of the morning. She said something about paper work to do. 'That's kind of weird. Since this was suppose to be a romantic getaway for her and Andrew. But I bet Anderw would have brought some work to. I guess those two are really two of a kind.' Scowling, Darien rapped on the door harder than he ment to.
Serena opened the door quickly. "Yes?"
"It's almost one. I thought you would be hungry."
Surprised Serena said, "I didn't think it was that late. Did you eat already?"
"No."
"Then you must be very hungry. You made breakfast so I'll make lunch."
He made a sheepish smile. "Too late, I already did that. Does grilled chicken and veggies sound good to you?"
"Sounds great," she smiled, "but you shouldn't have gone to the trouble. I didn't expect you to cook for me."
He shrugged. "I have to eat anyway. I'll see you in the kitchen."
"I'll wash my hands and be down in a minute."
He really didn't mind making lunch. It gave something to do besides think about Serena. He turned and walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. The table was set and the food was on it when she joined him.
"This looks wonderful," she said sitting down. "Since you cooked, I'll clean."
'I'm not going to argue. If doing dishes made her feel like she is pulling her weight, I'm not stopping her.'
"You're a wonderful cook," she said after a few bites.
"As long as there is a grill and a microwave, I get by."
Looking around the chef's dream kitchen atteched to a nook where they were eating. "You have that and more here."
He looked around, too, "Andrew always has the best top-of-the-line things."
"Does Andrew cook?"
"He knows how to. He always pay for the survice but he believes everybody should have basic cooking, laundrey, and basic home and car maintenance skills."
"Thats practical, if he suddenly bacame poor, at least he'll be able to take care of himself."
Darien knew she was kidding. They both doubt that Andrew Falcon would ever have to be careful with money. Darien knew he would be there if that ever happened. He wasn't sure Serena was the same way. If this thing betwen them wasn't for love but for money then bankruptcy would put an end to that.
When Darien didn't answer her, she changed the subject. "You told me about your trip to Italy. Have you had to travel a lot working with Andrew?"
"Sometimes."
"Do you enjoy it."
"Work or travel?"
"Either."
"I enjoy the work. I travel because it's part of the job." She looked a little upset, than he remembered her telling him about her dream to travel. "I do like the travel," he felt like he should appologize for how he said that, "sometimes."
He didn't seem to have confinced her, because she changed the subject agaun. "Have you worked with Andrew since you got out of college?"
He took a bite out of his chicken. "I didn't go to college. Out of high school I joined the Army."
"I didn't know that. Andew always said you were with him from the begining."
"We stayed in touch while he went to college and I went in to the military. When he broke away from the family company and started Andrew Falcon Enterprise, he got me."
"Were you in the Army, still?"
"No, I was out for a while."
"What did you do before you worked for Andrew?"
"A little of this and a little of that." 'He doesn't really like to talk about his past.'
He knew she was trying to make conversation, and trying to avoid the awkwardness between them. Lapses which they became tongue-tied, when their glances locked and held for long moments, before Serena looked away embarassed. He didn't think she was fighting the same inapproiate attraction he was, but he scenced she felt the attraction between them.
'We have been spending way to much time together. It would be a hell of a lot better when Andrew arrives,' Darien thought
Leaving Serena to clean, Darien went to the office he usually uses when he is here. He turned on the computer and spent an hour checking his e-mail. The phone rang, "Cross."
"How's everything there?" Andrew said without bothering to identify himself.
His voice brought Darien's eyes away from the moniter. "Tell me you'er on your way here."
"Something wrong? You and Serena getting along okay?"
"Yeah, but she didn't come here to see me she came here to see you. I bet she is wishong she stayed home."
"What did you do today?"
"Work. Parker in L.A. wants an answer by tomorrow and Conners got a proposal she wants us to see."
"You can do that later. I want you to keep Serena entertained. I don't want her bored while I'm stuck in New York. If you make an effort I knwo you can entertain people. Try it, will you?"
Darien's sigh vibrated through the phone. "I have better things to do than play babysitter to your du jour girlfriend while you're in New York."
Before he finished what he said he looked at the door. Serena was standing there with a cup of coffee. The look on her face was expressionless. Darien knew she heard his crack. Her stance let him know she didn't like the remark. "Ah...."
"Serena just walked in, didn't she?" Andrew said.
Daien frowned. "Yeah."
"Let me talk to her. And Dare, when you get your foot out of your mouth and appologize be nice to her, okay?"
"Andrew wants to talk to you," he said and handed the phone to Serena.
She nodded. "I brought you some fresh coffee."
"Thanks, I'll let you talk to Andrew alone." After taking the mug from Serena, she turn her back to him.
Wincing Darien walked out of the room. 'It's hard walking with both of your feet in your mouth.'
Done at last!!!!! I bet your happy I updated it. As I said before school started so updates will take a while. But they will happen. And I might start another story. So hey it'll take a while. But please review adn tell me what you think so I know if I should write another story. Lets Reveiw. Darien made a real ass of himself and almost kissed Serena. It's getting good. Moon Baby. E-mail me and tell me what you think.