Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Twenty Five- Into the deep end part two

Creedy had never showered quicker in his entire life. The fact that some of his mates had by now finished supper and were waiting for him to finish helped too. There was only so much hot water they could manage to store, and everyone had equal rights to it.

"Creedy, how's Holly doing? She slipped off early tonight, didn't she?" He turned around to look into Jared's concerned eyes, bless the lad!

"She's fine mate, just really tired like Alex predicted. Recovering is obviously still taking much of her energy, probably just a matter of time…"

He had tried to sound nonchalant and was glad to see it working. He smirked to himself as he tossed on his sweats and t-shirt, making his way back to the quiet corridor in the west wing of the castle he had come to love so much. If only they knew how much of Holly's precious energy he was planning on using for himself tonight!

Upon returning he found her waiting for him on the bed, stretching out her shapely legs in front of her. Since when did he own night blue sheets? He decided not to ponder on the subject any longer, but locked the door behind him and made his way over to join her.

As she welcomed him back into her embrace he heard he sigh contently. "Ooooh, you were right. You do smell a lot better like this…"

He offered her a round of searing kisses, pushing her back against the pillows before sitting up again himself, taking his time to finally take in the sexy sight of her.

"Did I already mention you look amazing tonight?"

"Thanks…You have no idea what a hassle it's been shopping for just the right outfit…" She rolled her eyes at him dramatically and he was happy to find her in such a playful mood.

"I nearly torched the place while getting rid of my sweater you know, you and your brilliant plans!"

His eyes once again turned the deep emerald she was so used to seeing from their brief moments of passion, and he lovingly ran a warm hand along the silk of her negligee. "I imagine we'll see a lot of flames tonight…and there is a slight risk not all of our clothes will survive the fire."

Holly swallowed hard, not sure on how to answer or how to proceed now that their evening seemed to turn a little more serious. Her plan had worked, he had been pleasantly surprised and seemed very much into the idea of making love to her…now what? Sensing her discomfort as usual, Creedy created the perfect diversion for her.

"Now, as I recall correctly there was still a certain tattoo I was challenged into discovering…"

Upon seeing Holly's smile, and taking it as a sign of her approval, he started a gentle search for the infamous hidden picture. Holly figured it might take him a while as he seemed to be doing most of the searching with his hands and mouth rather than with his eyes. Just then his hand moved up under her negligee, commencing to move it up.

"I suppose I might have to take this off in order to get a better view…"

It was then Holly's tortured soul woke up again and started screaming in protest. No, not this time, not when I've come so far. I'm not gonna disappoint him again, not now, not ever! You hear me? But as usual, Creedy had already noticed her body's traitorous flinching and immediately stilled his movements on her.

"Holly? Tell me what's wrong love, please. Tell me what you're so afraid of…"

His words were soft and gentle, as his caresses had been before. Not a trace of anger or disappointment could be heard, and strangely it only made Holly feel worse about herself.

"I dunno, it's just…me. This body. I guess…the way people have always responded to me. The things…the things SHE said to me…"

Anger flowed through his veins as he realised she must be talking about Kayleigh. As much as he didn't want her to ruin their special evening, he realised he must try and get Holly to confide in him or Kayleigh's threats would always be haunting her.

"What did she say Holly?"

"That…you would never fall for a corpse like me and that I'd be stupid to even imagine it happening. That she'd tell you my secret if I would try to take you from her…that I'm a freak. At least in that she wasn't wrong…"

He sighed, he had been afraid it was something like that. And sweet Holly, despite seeming so tough, had twisted her fragile heart over all Kayleigh's jealous insults. Kayleigh had sure known how to hit whom in all the right spots, he had to give her that…

Suddenly he thought of a plan, the only thing he could imagine might work to silence Holly's traumas for good. He pulled her up, sitting her down in front of him and kissing her softly before turning her head in front of them, towards the mirror hanging at his wall. Holly looked at him sitting behind her, trying to guess his intentions.

"See that girl there Holly? Sitting on the bed with me? That gorgeous young woman with the softest raven black curls, and those icy blue eyes that hold so much pain and doubt? And those soft lips that set my own on fire each time they reach up to kiss me? That beautifully trained body that moves so gracefully whether she be dancing or killing off dragons? Her round curves setting my body on fire each time I have the honour of having her in my arms as I do now?"

With each of his words his hands accompanied the compliment, slowly making their way down to the hem of her negligee. As he cautiously began lifting it he noticed Holly shudder, yet she made no attempt to stop him this time. As the soft silk reached over her head and landed next to them on the bed before sinking to the ground without a sound, Creedy decided to match her accomplishment by losing his own shirt as well, making her feel less naked. The scarred skin of her back was now pulled back against his strong abs, his arms wrapped around her as if willing some of his strength and confidence into her body.

"You might see a freak because that's what people have been telling you your entire life Holly. But you're not. You're the strongest, bravest woman I have met in my entire life, always risking your own safety to keep others alive and well. And you've been forced to carry along the proof of those efforts because of it.

Let these scars become a part of you love, be proud of them and the stories of hope and bravery they represent. And never, ever think of hiding your beautiful self from me ever again, OK? Tonight we'll start at making some new memories for you to hang on to. Memories that will give you sweet dreams instead of the dark nightmares you've gotten so used to…"

All the while Holly had said nothing, but her fervent trembling and the silent tears now rolling down her face were enough proof that his words had hit home. Never in all their time together had Creedy ever said anything to her he didn't mean. Even in their heated arguments he had always remained completely truthful. So how could she doubt him now? As his hands roamed her body admiringly, pressing soft kisses to her neck and shoulders, Holly felt so loved. And for the first time in her life she felt truly beautiful. All harsh words she had received over the years were completely forgotten as she prepared to start anew with this wonderful man.

Feeling her fears subside Creedy turned her back in his arms, happily welcoming her affectionate kisses while softly laying her back down beneath him. As he started his loving administrations of her Holly started trembling all over again, but not out of fear this time. It was the sensation of being touched in a way she had never been touched before and as with anything concerning Creedy, she decided she could definitely get used to this.

She wondered if maybe she was required to do something back, turn things around and straddle him as she had seen Kayleigh do…much as she hated the bitch for interrupting her thoughts, she knew for fact he had enjoyed that. She had seen it in his eyes. But as it was, he seemed perfectly at ease being in control of her and Holly figured Alex might have been right about wanting different things with different people. If this was Creedy's thing with her she wouldn't dream of interrupting!

That thought reran itself as he quite suddenly moved his lips from her neck to her breasts, circling her nipples softly before sucking on them more firmly. OK, this is where it paid off having boobs! Her content gasp obviously pleased him cause he gave her a wicked grin before continuing down towards her abdomen, discovering ever part of her, lovingly kissing and licking the various scars that for some strange reason no longer seemed so threatening to her.

"You're so amazingly soft darlin'…" Holly smiled inwardly. Thanks for the tip Alex!

"Creedy, hun…you're so hot Creed…and I guess I mean that literally. I mean, those sweats must be fucking killing you!"

He chuckled at her unromantic statement but then again, this was his little tomboy speaking. Always practical! She was right though. The heat of their bodies combined with the warmth of the candles surrounding them made his pants stick to his legs and he definitely did not mind her allowing him to take them off.

"Careful for those candles you know, I speak from exp…" But before she could finish another one of her coy remarks he had already kicked his pants to the floor and continued where he had left off. As he moved back on top of her in nothing but his boxers, she was suddenly awkwardly aware of his straining erection against her thigh. Oh dear, now what? Well, he seems to like your surprises so far Holly, why not toss him another one?

"You know hunnie…you might stand a better chance of finding what you're looking for when you remove this…"

He looked up into her now fervently blushing face, and realised what exactly she was offering. The tattoo…aha…wouldn't I like to know she said? I do indeed!

"Are you sure love?"

"Well, I seem to be right now, so you might wanna hurry before I freak out on you and change my mind again!"

Searching her twinkling eyes once more for any trace of doubt, and happy to find nothing more than natural nervousness, he gave her a tender kiss before moving his hands to the waistband of her lacy girl's shorts. Holly closed her eyes as she cooperatively lifted her hips, revealing even more of her scarred flesh to him as he slowly pulled her panties down and off.

"Now that's a comfy looking dragon if ever I saw one…" He lazily allowed his fingers to graze along the contours of the delicately drawn dragon tattoo that seemed to have nestled itself around Holly's left hip, its tail whipping towards her rear while its head and tongue curled out to the same spot Creedy's attention was drawn to next.

Holly's breath caught at his touch, and positively stopped as she realised in which direction his kisses were moving next. As his hands moved to coax her legs somewhat further apart though, she found she could not resist him. Oh…my…God…he's really going to go…there? Guys do that to girls as well? And they LIKE that?

Yet as he landed his first kiss on her she immediately knew the answer to that question. They moaned in unison, Holly at the touch of his lips at her most intimate spot and Creedy at already finding her incredibly wet for him. Apparently she had taken his words of trust to heart! Finding courage in her approving gasps he allowed his tongue to lash out, causing her to shudder violently while moaning his name once more. And so he continued, teasing her with his tongue while softly caressing her inner thighs, making sure she wouldn't pull away from his touch. He was determined to give her the pleasure she deserved before giving in to his own, by now screaming desires.

Holly felt a dizzying warm and tingly feeling spreading down her legs and up her stomach, and could only conclude this had to be what an impending orgasm felt like. She became restless, finding it near impossible to stay still under his administrations but Creedy would not budge and only held on to her tighter the more she tried to escape from his touch. Sensing her resistance, and wanting to push her over the edge, he abruptly stopped his kisses and just as she was about to wonder why inserted two of his fingers inside of her. The sudden change in touch, as well as his coaxing movements inside of her, made her scream out as she shattered beneath him. He moved back up on her, claiming her mouth in a satisfied kiss while never stilling his movements on her, guiding her through the aftershocks that now pleasantly tingled within her.

"Creedy, that was…oh my God, I mean…was that…did you enjoy that as much as I did?" It was out before she knew it and she couldn't help but feel embarrassed, having no idea what people were supposed to say to each other at such a moment.

"Yeah…that was pretty fucking brilliant, wasn't it?" Oh good, he did feel the same!

"Are you ready for more of the same? Well, maybe not exactly the same but…"

He needn't finish his sentence for Holly to know what he was asking her. She bit her lip as she looked up into his loving eyes. "This is gonna hurt, isn't it?"

He brushed a few curls out of her face, pondering his answer for a while. "It probably will, yeah. But not for very long. Just this nasty thing your body has to go through. The more relaxed you are the better it will be though, so I'm guessing you shouldn't have much to worry about." As she pulled him back into her arms for another warm kiss she realised he was right. She had never felt this relaxed in her life, except perhaps when Doc had just put her on those lovely morphine pills…

"Uhm…well…shouldn't you like…undress then?" Be brave Holly, you've been doing exceptionally well this entire evening, you should be able to handle a naked Creedy as well!

Creedy had a pretty good idea of what was going through her pretty little head right now, and recognised the sweet irony of the situation. The woman feared nothing, shot dragons out of the air as if they were no more than pestering mosquitoes yet felt shy and giddy as a schoolgirl at the thought of seeing her boyfriend all naked. He decided to throw her in at the deep end, allowing himself to drop down on his back next to her, never losing eye contact. "You feel like helping me with that?"

She sat up as if stung by a bee, giving him an almost shocked look and he had to contain himself not to burst out laughing by the sight of it. She had never looked cuter in her life! She noticed his amusement and decided to accept his challenge. After all, if she wished for any repetition of the things he had just done to her -and she sure as hell did!- he should have to get naked sooner or later!

Sliding up to him in her most seductive manner, she hooked her fingers around the waistband of his sexy black stretchy boxers and slowly pulled them down. Taking her time to dispose of them on the floor somewhere, she eventually turned back at him and finally allowed her eyes to graze at him as he had done with her. She seemed almost hesitant to touch him again and so he pulled her closer, landing her on top of him, skin against skin.

"Tell me what you're thinking love…" It was a husky whisper in her ear and he hoped it would coax her into an answer.

"I dunno, I guess I still can't believe you're all mine, all gorgeous six foot two of you…" She seemed seriously blown away and it only added to his love for her. He was more than ready to show her just how much he belonged to her. Mind, soul…and body.

As their heated kisses and caresses flared up once more he turned her back underneath him, liking the way his own body pinned hers back into the mattress beneath them and the way she stared up at him in adoration and anticipation.

"Do you want me Holly? As much as I do you?"

Her hands cradled his face, making sure he would look her straight in the eye as she gave him his answer: "Make love to me Creedy…"

It was all the encouragement he needed, drowning himself in her warm embrace once more as he carefully positioned himself at her entrance. Not wanting to worry her any further he waited for her next sigh of ecstasy, knowing her body would automatically relax on exhaling, and quickly thrusted inside of her.

Holly gasped as a nasty sting shot through her lower body. Damn it, this was just like your PMS starting! As minutes went by however the initial pain subsided, and she felt her body adjusting to Creedy's as they lovingly shared kisses and caresses. As she inquisitively wrapped her long legs around his waist she immediately felt him sliding deeper into her, and heard him utter a soft curse at the feel of it.

"That was meant as a good thing…right?" Hey, gimme a break, I'm only trying here!

He kissed her again as he tried to steady his breath, not wanting to come too soon. "Yeah, no worries, that feels absolutely…Christ, Holly your feel amazing…" And with that he slowly started moving inside of her, testing her response.

Oh hell, he was right. This really was amazing! She felt her body tensing and relaxing in return, unable to do anything else but hold on tight and allowing the waves of ecstasy to wash over her. This felt so special, so right. It was a true union, not just of bodies but of souls as their eyes bore into one another, enjoying the sight of seeing each other in so much pleasure.

"Creedy, I'm gonna…"

"I know love, me too, just let it happen…"

As they both got nearer to release he began to push into her with more force and speed, making Holly toss her head back. This was absurd, she had to have died and gone to heaven. Nothing earthly could ever feel this great. Her whole body felt as if on fire as Creedy continued to push her towards, and finally over the edge to immense pleasure, following close behind himself.

No words were necessary after such an emotional evening. Creedy simply rolled to his side, pulling her with him and allowing her to shed her tears of joy and relief. There would be plenty of time to talk, but not this night. This very special night when Holly had managed to overcome her darkness and climbed back into the light that was Creedy, never to look back again.