Chapter 12
Serena stirred, her nose resting on hot male flesh. Her eyes opened wide in shock, and she jumped back, but relaxed when she saw Stanton sleeping in the bed.
She didn't know what it was, but watching Stanton sleep seemed so intimate. His face was innocent, yet beguiling. Putting a hand on his chest, she snuggled closer to him, inhaling his scent. Her hand rubbed over his chest, then her fingers slid down his ribs, and her fingertips traced his hard abs. He shifted, and while she felt a little guilty for ruining his slumber, she didn't deny she enjoyed seeing him wake up. He turned his head back and forth a few times before it stopped in her direction, and he blinked a few times until his eyes focused. He smiled at her, then turned to his back to stretch.
Feeling a little mischievous, she lifted the blanket so she could see his body. And what she saw didn't disappoint her. His muscular torso, the band his blue plaid boxers, and his blue jeans gloving his long legs. Noticing her, he raised a sly brow, and turned, so he could lift the blanket on her side, and she turned onto her back wantonly, giving him a sexy view to enjoy. She was wearing a pink silk night gown with laced shoulders and it cut off below her knees, and also had a v-neck, offering a nice view of cleavage.
In spite of the early morning, non-spoken banter, she felt fresh, cooled and well rested. Like an afternoon nap, only better because now she smelled of his spicy aftershave, and his clean soap.
His gaze heated as he grinned, then looked beyond her to the window. She turned her head, watching as pretty colors filtered into the room. She felt a shift in the mattress, and when she turned, he was out of the bed; moving to the door.
She rose on an elbow, and said in a sarcastic way, "Well. Good morning to you, too, Stanton."
His hand on the knob, he smiled at her. "You better get dressed. I'll go downstairs to start breakfast."
Smiling, she nodded, and he left. Serena launched off the bed, and she bounded to the wardrobe, delightfully happy, but just then, her door opened again, and she heard, "Oh, Serena?"
Turning her head back to the smiling man in the doorway, she waited. "Good morning." Her smile turned toothy at his words, and he smiled back before he gave her privacy.
Serena grabbed her large duffle bag that she had stuffed into the wardrobe, and pulled out an outfit. A tight red off-the-shoulder top with a rose on the sleeve, floral Capri's and black sandals. She took the long trip downstairs, to the main hall, where a warm scent teased her nostrils. She licked her lips, and walked into the kitchen, where she found Stanton standing over the stove, his left hand gripping the handle on the skillet, his other hand managing the spatula, flipping over golden pancakes.
Inhaling deeply, she smiled, and walked over to him, putting a hand on his cotton-clad back. He didn't turn from his cooking, which she had yet to analyze.
Two golden pancakes rested in one skillet, sizzling bacon in the other, and a small toaster looked ready to pop. Her head tilted up at him with a smile. "Nice work chef."
He finally turned from the meal, smiled quickly, then flipped over the pancakes. "A quick meal nothing fancy."
At his sort of defensive attitude, she turned to him with a grin, her hand sliding down his back.
"What's on the menu?"
Still smiling, he answered as he put the pancakes onto a plate. "Toast, bacon, and strawberry crepes."
Here eyes widened with delighted surprise. "You're kidding; that sounds fantastic!" She stated enthusiastically.
His smile spread to a grin at her praise as he poured strawberries and sauce from a container onto the pancakes. "Let's hope it tastes fantastic too," he said as he folded them into rolls, then switched tasks. He spiked a slice of bacon from the pan, and set it on the plate, and was on the verge of getting another one when the toast popped. Knowing he was preoccupied, Serena got down the butter and a plate from the nearby cupboards, and began taking pieces of toast out to butter them.
He smiled his thanks at her help, and they both finished their tasks in time to take their plates to the adjoining dining hall. The meal was indeed fantastic. The crepes were warm and sweet, yet succulent from the strawberries and sauce, the bacon wasn't too crisp, yet not too soft, and the orange juice was the perfect kind. Not too sweet, not too sour. She insisted on the dishes, and Stanton didn't refuse. Instead, he went upstairs, offering to help her unpack when he was done with his own. And that was something she didn't mind much, since the task gave her plenty of room to think.
So far things were going alright. And there were lot's of phones in London if she ever wanted to call up Collin or the girls, or even her dad if she was careful about telling him where she was. She slid the dry towel over the plate, and put it in the drain rack. So the issue of homesickness wouldn't be a problem. But what about the problem with sex?
Her hand scrubbed the glass with a vengeance. All the implications lead to them having sex as an absolute certainty. And not just with her and Stanton's, it was with the other girls too. But...was all that just joking? She'd have to deal with that when the time came.
'Serena, could you come here for a second?' Stanton asked, his voice filled with false innocence. Uh-oh. What was he up to? She took the glass, put it in the drain rack, and untied her basic apron as she left the room, then stopped to hang it up on a rack beside the kitchen door. When she reached the door of her room, it was open. She looked in, her bag open and on her bed, and Stanton examining tiny black and silver packets.
Wondering what he was doing, she said, "Stanton?"
He looked up, a mischievous twinkle on his face, with a matching grin. "Talk about high expectations." Blinking Serena finally registered what those little packets were. She rushed over to the bed, seeing at least a dozen condoms on the bed, and a dozen more in her bag. Her jaw dropped in embarrassment.
"Different colors, brands, sizes, Glow-in-the-dark. Flavored? You like being prepared don't you?" He asked.
She wrenched the condoms out of his hand, and took the ones off the bed, along with the ones in her bag, and put them in an empty bucket, so that way they weren't in the trash but...they were there for emergencies... "I didn't pack these! I don't know how they even got into my bag."
"Maybe this will explain it." Serena whirled around, and Stanton was holding a paper, that he was holding out to her. She took it, and read.
'Serena, this is Vanessa, Catty, Jimena, and Tianna. We just wanted to wish you luck with Stanton!
This is Vanessa right now; I just want to let you know I had nothing to do with the condoms in your bag! I just brought up the thought of protection when we were talking about you and Stanton, and the others took it the wrong way. So Catty made a joke out of it, asked Tianna to buy it, and Jimena put them in your bags. I'm really sorry we had to do it this way, but better to be safe than sorry right? Have a good time! Also, if you're close to anyplace like France, or London or somewhere, send us a postcard! Vanessa with love.
Tianna here. I hope you put those rubbers to good use! wink. Good luck!
---Tianna
Hey Love Goddess! Hope you and Stanton enjoy each ot---er---yourselves! Catty.
Ola, chica. I'm not letting the others read this, and I want it to be between you and me for now okay? I want to get closer to Collin but…'
Serena's eyes widened, and she cringed. She loved her brother and Jimena very much, but there was only so much she wanted to know about her brother! As she read on, her stomach began to churn. Jimena wanted her permission. Oh lord. She dropped onto the bed, her legs twisting tightly.
Stanton put his arm on her shoulder. He didn't try to read the paper, but he gently brought his hand up and down her back. Serena didn't really need the soothing. She didn't give a damn if Collin had sex. But in this case, it would be with her best friend. She licked her lips, unsure what she should do...
She'd been around Collin all her life, so she knew he never hurt the girls he broke up with. But then again, he loved Jimena so much; there was almost no chance they would break up. And Collin was always giving her lectures about safe sex; no way would he be a hypocrite about something so serious. Why not?
Serena nodded, folded up the letter, and turned to Stanton, who was lounging across her bed. Now to deal with the other issue. "They slipped them into my bag. I had nothing to do with it."
'Talk about implications and certainty's,' she thought to herself wryly as she looked down at him.
He grinned at her with an "If-you-say-so" look, and rolled to his back, his arms stretching, his fine muscles toning. He caught her looking at him again, and crooked a finger at her. "C'mere."
She put one hand at the side of his head, the other on the other side of his waist as she slowly drew herself down. Smiling at him in a taunting way, she drew her leg up to his thigh, watching his nostrils flare as she whispered, "I'm here."
He smiled at her words, and cupped the back of her head with his palm, and drew her down for a sweet, wet kiss. But...somehow, this kiss was different.
Lately, their kissing had been passionate and lustful. But now everything was gentle and tender. Like it was in the beginning. Sure they had their share of hot kissing back then, and not that he was rough with his demands these days, but he had always seem to hold back; see to her pleasure before his. Just like now as his hand pushed away a curl that had fallen to his face. He used that hand to cup her cheek in sincere tenderness.
It was so wonderful to have things back to normal for a few seconds. Just enough time that they could love each other, and not worry about anyone catching them, anyone interrupting, and anyone out to destroy them for their love.
He reluctantly broke the kiss, and looked up at her. She couldn't say anything for a moment. All she wanted to do was watch his face. His dazzling blue eyes that now sparkled brightly with tenderness. He had a sharp nose, but it wasn't too pointy, or angled weirdly at all. His hair was a lovely flaxen-gold, shaggy, yet soft. And Serena couldn't resist her impulse to reach out and touch it.
Her fingers lightly traced the bottom of his hair strands, then ran through its warmth, while her other hand made forays to other parts of his body: His bulging arms, his hard chest and abs, and oh-so-huggable waist. She didn't know how long she touched him. She could have gone on forever. So it totally escaped her notice when his hands became equally occupied.
He gripped her hip softly, then shifted his hand down her side to caress the back of her thigh, but he made no moves for her butt, which she was grateful for. The intimacy they were sharing now couldn't be taken from them. Stanton's other hand ran through her hair, tracing the curls and turns with intricate curiosity. His hands smoothed over the small of her back, up and down.
Everything was so perfect, so affectionate and warm, it actually hurt.
"What's happening to us Stanton?" Serena asked in fear.
He paused, looked beyond her, up to the ceiling, as if he was asking the heavens, but when his eyes returned to her, she'd already seen the lost look in his eyes. She pressed her fingers to his lips. No answer was needed.
But he took her fingers, kissed them, then put them over his heart, where she felt the gentle thump. Not pounding, just a simple beat, as though he was perfectly calm.
'I guess we have to figure this out for ourselves.'
Serena shrugged slowly, hesitated, then nodded. "But before we do, I want to ask you something." She rose from him, and she straightened her top. He sat up next to her, and waited patiently for her question.
Serena sighed, ready to ask the inevitable. "Did we...what made..." she sighed, and after one more breath, she continued. "Why did we come here?"
Stanton blinked, and sighed. He swung his feet over the side of the bed, and put his hands together. "Honestly?" At her nod, he told her how he felt, completely and trustingly. "At first, I wanted your company. Then I wanted you to come so I would lose that lust, which was ridiculous, but powerful. After that, I didn't know what I wanted anymore."
His voice was full of questions. So was her mind. But they had over twenty days before she went home, and she wanted to make the best of her time with him.
Trying to assure him, her wrist slid around his neck, and drew his lips to hers. Just as she attempted to pull away, his arms wrapped around her, exploring her back once more. As the kiss went on, Serena recalled what Hecate had said to Stanton. 'If anyone ever says you and Serena are meant to be, listen to them.' She smiled softly, pressed her lips firmer to Stanton's, and crawled over him to settle herself comfortably in his lap.
He let out a soft groan before she felt him gently enter her mind, and she rushed to meet him, their thoughts merging in a way that their bodies hadn't. Her mouth opened in assent, and his tongue tenderly played with hers before he pulled back, and said, "Now I have to confess something."
Alarm ran through her as her hands came away from around his neck. A list of dreadful possibilities ran through her mind, but she quickly shoved them away, knowing that none of them were true.
She blushed at herself for a second, but didn't say anything, and instead waited for him to talk. He gently pushed her off his lap, and she put her feet on the floor, flicked her hair out of her face before standing straight above him. He looked up at her, his eyes taking a slow perusal of her body, making her shiver inwardly. He drew in a quick breath before he left it out in a long stream, and said, "That secret Cass and I are keeping...I realize you want to know, and in this case, you have every right to. And I want to tell you before things get out of hand around here."
Her eyes widened, and a slim brow shot up. Get out of hand?
Oh, this was going to be good.
Hi. Sorry for not updating in forever, but I've gotten into Slash and fictionpress lately. Plus this is turning into a piece of crap isn't it?
Serena stirred, her nose resting on hot male flesh. Her eyes opened wide in shock, and she jumped back, but relaxed when she saw Stanton sleeping in the bed.
She didn't know what it was, but watching Stanton sleep seemed so intimate. His face was innocent, yet beguiling. Putting a hand on his chest, she snuggled closer to him, inhaling his scent. Her hand rubbed over his chest, then her fingers slid down his ribs, and her fingertips traced his hard abs. He shifted, and while she felt a little guilty for ruining his slumber, she didn't deny she enjoyed seeing him wake up. He turned his head back and forth a few times before it stopped in her direction, and he blinked a few times until his eyes focused. He smiled at her, then turned to his back to stretch.
Feeling a little mischievous, she lifted the blanket so she could see his body. And what she saw didn't disappoint her. His muscular torso, the band his blue plaid boxers, and his blue jeans gloving his long legs. Noticing her, he raised a sly brow, and turned, so he could lift the blanket on her side, and she turned onto her back wantonly, giving him a sexy view to enjoy. She was wearing a pink silk night gown with laced shoulders and it cut off below her knees, and also had a v-neck, offering a nice view of cleavage.
In spite of the early morning, non-spoken banter, she felt fresh, cooled and well rested. Like an afternoon nap, only better because now she smelled of his spicy aftershave, and his clean soap.
His gaze heated as he grinned, then looked beyond her to the window. She turned her head, watching as pretty colors filtered into the room. She felt a shift in the mattress, and when she turned, he was out of the bed; moving to the door.
She rose on an elbow, and said in a sarcastic way, "Well. Good morning to you, too, Stanton."
His hand on the knob, he smiled at her. "You better get dressed. I'll go downstairs to start breakfast."
Smiling, she nodded, and he left. Serena launched off the bed, and she bounded to the wardrobe, delightfully happy, but just then, her door opened again, and she heard, "Oh, Serena?"
Turning her head back to the smiling man in the doorway, she waited. "Good morning." Her smile turned toothy at his words, and he smiled back before he gave her privacy.
Serena grabbed her large duffle bag that she had stuffed into the wardrobe, and pulled out an outfit. A tight red off-the-shoulder top with a rose on the sleeve, floral Capri's and black sandals. She took the long trip downstairs, to the main hall, where a warm scent teased her nostrils. She licked her lips, and walked into the kitchen, where she found Stanton standing over the stove, his left hand gripping the handle on the skillet, his other hand managing the spatula, flipping over golden pancakes.
Inhaling deeply, she smiled, and walked over to him, putting a hand on his cotton-clad back. He didn't turn from his cooking, which she had yet to analyze.
Two golden pancakes rested in one skillet, sizzling bacon in the other, and a small toaster looked ready to pop. Her head tilted up at him with a smile. "Nice work chef."
He finally turned from the meal, smiled quickly, then flipped over the pancakes. "A quick meal nothing fancy."
At his sort of defensive attitude, she turned to him with a grin, her hand sliding down his back.
"What's on the menu?"
Still smiling, he answered as he put the pancakes onto a plate. "Toast, bacon, and strawberry crepes."
Here eyes widened with delighted surprise. "You're kidding; that sounds fantastic!" She stated enthusiastically.
His smile spread to a grin at her praise as he poured strawberries and sauce from a container onto the pancakes. "Let's hope it tastes fantastic too," he said as he folded them into rolls, then switched tasks. He spiked a slice of bacon from the pan, and set it on the plate, and was on the verge of getting another one when the toast popped. Knowing he was preoccupied, Serena got down the butter and a plate from the nearby cupboards, and began taking pieces of toast out to butter them.
He smiled his thanks at her help, and they both finished their tasks in time to take their plates to the adjoining dining hall. The meal was indeed fantastic. The crepes were warm and sweet, yet succulent from the strawberries and sauce, the bacon wasn't too crisp, yet not too soft, and the orange juice was the perfect kind. Not too sweet, not too sour. She insisted on the dishes, and Stanton didn't refuse. Instead, he went upstairs, offering to help her unpack when he was done with his own. And that was something she didn't mind much, since the task gave her plenty of room to think.
So far things were going alright. And there were lot's of phones in London if she ever wanted to call up Collin or the girls, or even her dad if she was careful about telling him where she was. She slid the dry towel over the plate, and put it in the drain rack. So the issue of homesickness wouldn't be a problem. But what about the problem with sex?
Her hand scrubbed the glass with a vengeance. All the implications lead to them having sex as an absolute certainty. And not just with her and Stanton's, it was with the other girls too. But...was all that just joking? She'd have to deal with that when the time came.
'Serena, could you come here for a second?' Stanton asked, his voice filled with false innocence. Uh-oh. What was he up to? She took the glass, put it in the drain rack, and untied her basic apron as she left the room, then stopped to hang it up on a rack beside the kitchen door. When she reached the door of her room, it was open. She looked in, her bag open and on her bed, and Stanton examining tiny black and silver packets.
Wondering what he was doing, she said, "Stanton?"
He looked up, a mischievous twinkle on his face, with a matching grin. "Talk about high expectations." Blinking Serena finally registered what those little packets were. She rushed over to the bed, seeing at least a dozen condoms on the bed, and a dozen more in her bag. Her jaw dropped in embarrassment.
"Different colors, brands, sizes, Glow-in-the-dark. Flavored? You like being prepared don't you?" He asked.
She wrenched the condoms out of his hand, and took the ones off the bed, along with the ones in her bag, and put them in an empty bucket, so that way they weren't in the trash but...they were there for emergencies... "I didn't pack these! I don't know how they even got into my bag."
"Maybe this will explain it." Serena whirled around, and Stanton was holding a paper, that he was holding out to her. She took it, and read.
'Serena, this is Vanessa, Catty, Jimena, and Tianna. We just wanted to wish you luck with Stanton!
This is Vanessa right now; I just want to let you know I had nothing to do with the condoms in your bag! I just brought up the thought of protection when we were talking about you and Stanton, and the others took it the wrong way. So Catty made a joke out of it, asked Tianna to buy it, and Jimena put them in your bags. I'm really sorry we had to do it this way, but better to be safe than sorry right? Have a good time! Also, if you're close to anyplace like France, or London or somewhere, send us a postcard! Vanessa with love.
Tianna here. I hope you put those rubbers to good use! wink. Good luck!
---Tianna
Hey Love Goddess! Hope you and Stanton enjoy each ot---er---yourselves! Catty.
Ola, chica. I'm not letting the others read this, and I want it to be between you and me for now okay? I want to get closer to Collin but…'
Serena's eyes widened, and she cringed. She loved her brother and Jimena very much, but there was only so much she wanted to know about her brother! As she read on, her stomach began to churn. Jimena wanted her permission. Oh lord. She dropped onto the bed, her legs twisting tightly.
Stanton put his arm on her shoulder. He didn't try to read the paper, but he gently brought his hand up and down her back. Serena didn't really need the soothing. She didn't give a damn if Collin had sex. But in this case, it would be with her best friend. She licked her lips, unsure what she should do...
She'd been around Collin all her life, so she knew he never hurt the girls he broke up with. But then again, he loved Jimena so much; there was almost no chance they would break up. And Collin was always giving her lectures about safe sex; no way would he be a hypocrite about something so serious. Why not?
Serena nodded, folded up the letter, and turned to Stanton, who was lounging across her bed. Now to deal with the other issue. "They slipped them into my bag. I had nothing to do with it."
'Talk about implications and certainty's,' she thought to herself wryly as she looked down at him.
He grinned at her with an "If-you-say-so" look, and rolled to his back, his arms stretching, his fine muscles toning. He caught her looking at him again, and crooked a finger at her. "C'mere."
She put one hand at the side of his head, the other on the other side of his waist as she slowly drew herself down. Smiling at him in a taunting way, she drew her leg up to his thigh, watching his nostrils flare as she whispered, "I'm here."
He smiled at her words, and cupped the back of her head with his palm, and drew her down for a sweet, wet kiss. But...somehow, this kiss was different.
Lately, their kissing had been passionate and lustful. But now everything was gentle and tender. Like it was in the beginning. Sure they had their share of hot kissing back then, and not that he was rough with his demands these days, but he had always seem to hold back; see to her pleasure before his. Just like now as his hand pushed away a curl that had fallen to his face. He used that hand to cup her cheek in sincere tenderness.
It was so wonderful to have things back to normal for a few seconds. Just enough time that they could love each other, and not worry about anyone catching them, anyone interrupting, and anyone out to destroy them for their love.
He reluctantly broke the kiss, and looked up at her. She couldn't say anything for a moment. All she wanted to do was watch his face. His dazzling blue eyes that now sparkled brightly with tenderness. He had a sharp nose, but it wasn't too pointy, or angled weirdly at all. His hair was a lovely flaxen-gold, shaggy, yet soft. And Serena couldn't resist her impulse to reach out and touch it.
Her fingers lightly traced the bottom of his hair strands, then ran through its warmth, while her other hand made forays to other parts of his body: His bulging arms, his hard chest and abs, and oh-so-huggable waist. She didn't know how long she touched him. She could have gone on forever. So it totally escaped her notice when his hands became equally occupied.
He gripped her hip softly, then shifted his hand down her side to caress the back of her thigh, but he made no moves for her butt, which she was grateful for. The intimacy they were sharing now couldn't be taken from them. Stanton's other hand ran through her hair, tracing the curls and turns with intricate curiosity. His hands smoothed over the small of her back, up and down.
Everything was so perfect, so affectionate and warm, it actually hurt.
"What's happening to us Stanton?" Serena asked in fear.
He paused, looked beyond her, up to the ceiling, as if he was asking the heavens, but when his eyes returned to her, she'd already seen the lost look in his eyes. She pressed her fingers to his lips. No answer was needed.
But he took her fingers, kissed them, then put them over his heart, where she felt the gentle thump. Not pounding, just a simple beat, as though he was perfectly calm.
'I guess we have to figure this out for ourselves.'
Serena shrugged slowly, hesitated, then nodded. "But before we do, I want to ask you something." She rose from him, and she straightened her top. He sat up next to her, and waited patiently for her question.
Serena sighed, ready to ask the inevitable. "Did we...what made..." she sighed, and after one more breath, she continued. "Why did we come here?"
Stanton blinked, and sighed. He swung his feet over the side of the bed, and put his hands together. "Honestly?" At her nod, he told her how he felt, completely and trustingly. "At first, I wanted your company. Then I wanted you to come so I would lose that lust, which was ridiculous, but powerful. After that, I didn't know what I wanted anymore."
His voice was full of questions. So was her mind. But they had over twenty days before she went home, and she wanted to make the best of her time with him.
Trying to assure him, her wrist slid around his neck, and drew his lips to hers. Just as she attempted to pull away, his arms wrapped around her, exploring her back once more. As the kiss went on, Serena recalled what Hecate had said to Stanton. 'If anyone ever says you and Serena are meant to be, listen to them.' She smiled softly, pressed her lips firmer to Stanton's, and crawled over him to settle herself comfortably in his lap.
He let out a soft groan before she felt him gently enter her mind, and she rushed to meet him, their thoughts merging in a way that their bodies hadn't. Her mouth opened in assent, and his tongue tenderly played with hers before he pulled back, and said, "Now I have to confess something."
Alarm ran through her as her hands came away from around his neck. A list of dreadful possibilities ran through her mind, but she quickly shoved them away, knowing that none of them were true.
She blushed at herself for a second, but didn't say anything, and instead waited for him to talk. He gently pushed her off his lap, and she put her feet on the floor, flicked her hair out of her face before standing straight above him. He looked up at her, his eyes taking a slow perusal of her body, making her shiver inwardly. He drew in a quick breath before he left it out in a long stream, and said, "That secret Cass and I are keeping...I realize you want to know, and in this case, you have every right to. And I want to tell you before things get out of hand around here."
Her eyes widened, and a slim brow shot up. Get out of hand?
Oh, this was going to be good.
Hi. Sorry for not updating in forever, but I've gotten into Slash and fictionpress lately. Plus this is turning into a piece of crap isn't it?