Author's Note:

Sorry ladies and gents…I've been on a sort of a hiatus from writing altogether. I've been quite sick this last month. Something is going on with my wellbeing that I can't quite put a finger on, but I know it isn't good. My body is acting up in ways that are painful and making me weak. In attempts to lighten my spirits I have decided to update another chapter. I'm sorry it's not much. Thank you so much for remaining with me even as I have slacked off a bit. Many blessings, I love you all.

M-

Chapter 9: A Minor Speed Bump

This odd game of Cat and Mouse was intriguing just as much as it was unnerving to King and he wasn't about to let it rest on that note now that Abby had crossed that line and fully awakened his senses. He sprang up from his bed darting out into the hall when he nearly ran over Zoë coming out of her room. King looked momentarily mortified by the young girl and she looked at him with a sleepy and puzzled disposition.

"Shit!"

King covered his mouth as a reflex and she just stared at him. Zoë had on her fuzzy pink bedroom slippers that were currently shifting back and forth as she redistributed her weight from one foot to the other, eyeing him strangely.

"King, don't say that. That's a bad word."

Forgetting all about his state of dress, or more accurately, lack there of, he rumpled her hair and reacted with normalcy.

"What are you doing up Squeaker?"

She rubbed her eyes to gain a clearer view and replied to him in a rusty voice.

"I'm getting a glass of water…"

King made a face of enlightenment as is to say 'Oh I see…' and then held up a finger to her.

"One moment…"

He made a beeline to the bathroom and hurriedly filled up her small princess cup. Anything he could do to get her back to bed sooner, the better. He looked at his haggard reflection in the mirror and was reminded of the reason for his appearance. A sly and knowing grin crept discreetly on his face as he brought the water back to her. Handing over the cup, Zoë took it, but didn't move. King looked at her expectantly, inadvertently telling her with his body language to go back to bed, but still she didn't budge.

"Were you and Abby fighting? I heard you yelling."

Shaking his head no, King decided his best and quickest bet was to tell a little white lie. Although he hated to lie to the child who was nothing but sweet to him, he didn't want her to worry about what was going on and he wanted her to leave.

"No sweetheart. I was just having another bad dream."

Zoë looked at him as though she understood what he was talking about all to well.

"Oh…well Mommy says that when I have a nightmare, I have to just remember that it's only a dream and that I'll wake up from it and be safe."

She hugged King and he welcomed the embrace. Even though he hadn't had a nightmare that night, her innocent advice was still good to hear.

"Thanks munchkin. I'll be sure to keep that in mind."

Zoë yawned and he shooed the confused imp off back to bed and waited until she was safely inside her room with the door shut before he moved quietly into Abby's where he breathed a sigh of relief. King figured the less suspicion of a child, the better. He turned her knob and was met with Abigail's laughing eyes and serene smile. He feigned a look of horror and betrayal which was very close to being the real thing.

"You were listening and you didn't come save me!"

She chuckled, eyes sparkling, and shook her head, leaning on the doorframe by her elbow. Her hair, he noted, was in a sexy tousled state framing her face.

"Nope…hearing you try to pull yourself out of that embarrassment was far more amusing. Besides, I must admit I thought you handled it very well."

He looked at her indignantly and after a beat she just grabbed him, pulling him into the room. Immediately he came to life and spun her and pressed her up against the wall, kissing her hard. She was eager to touch every part of him when he held her there with his body. His large hands rested on the base of her neck as the continued to kiss frantically. King gave a domineering growl when Abby reached for his hips to pull them tighter to hers. With him only being clad in his boxers, the layer of resistance was thin and barely there, so he could feel every move she made against him.

"Why are you doing this to me Abby?"

She pushed him till he came in contact with the foot of her bed. Gently pressing his shoulders down, Abby got him to sit on the edge. King nervously cleared his throat and licked his lips anxiously. He drew in his breath sharply when she straddled his lap. Abby bent her head to the side and nipped and his earlobe, which earned her a groan before she whispered into it.

"I'll let you in on a little known secret…I like to play games. But don't worry King; I'm not going to run anywhere."

King's body started to heat up and he could feel a sheen of sweat beginning to form on his body. Abby too, had a glow about her that was entrancing as he watched her look him up and down. He moved her hair off her skin and placed it behind her shoulders as he bent to kiss her collarbone. He kept his eyes on her, wanting to observe this new unrestrained Abby. His hand snaked up her top and he felt her breath hitch against his skin.

"King…"

That was perhaps his favorite sound to ever come from her mouth. He loved inducing it from her just so he could do it over and over again. Abby held onto his powerful shoulders as his fingers worked their magic on her skin. She had to admit that he was very good at foreplay. He was only beginning to touch her and already she felt like having him deep inside her. King was in the process of slipping Abby's shirt over her head when they heard a small knock on the door. Immediately, they both knew it could only be one person. Both Abby and King were deeply involved in an intense kiss when Abby broke it and whispered.

"Fuck…"

King clenched his eyes shut and gave his own frustrated sigh. He planted one more kiss on her lips before reluctantly releasing Abby.

"I'll handle it."

Trudging through the bedroom, he opened the door just a crack to see just who he expected to see on the other side, Zoë. She looked up at him and held her bear closer to her. That meant only one thing. She was frightened and wanted Abby to sit with his until she fell asleep again. His mind screamed at him. Damnit! Why? He briefly looked up and mentally talked to God. What did I do so wrong to you? I mean, yeah, okay, I was affiliated with the devil incarnate, but c'mon…Where's your sense of forgiveness? He looked down to find Zoë still standing there, looking at him expectedly.

"Hang on Half-pint. I'll go get Abby for you."

King retreated back into the darkened room where he saw Abby slipping her tank top back on. Fuck me! I'll go to church! I swear! Just give me tonight God… Unfortunately King already knew that his plans were shot to hell for the evening. At least Abby had the decency to look just as reluctant about leaving him there. As she passed him, she placed her hand on his abs and gave a soft sigh.

"I want you to stay here…"

He nodded and his head and shoulders dropped as he shuffled to the bed. Abby smiled as she came to the door and saw Zoë there.

"Monster in the closet?"

She just bit her lip and nodded. Abby nodded.

"I thought so…C'mon, I'll keep an eye out for it if you promise to go back to bed."

She agreed and Abby led her back across the hall, leaving King in her room laying on the bed and silently cursing at himself.