A/N: I do apologise for the delay! Many thanks to everyone still reading and a huge thank you to RachelMasonFan39, Mrs Carmichael, hannah5240, FaeMelody, fayeftvanity, LittleH12, Lynny and the guest for the reviews!

Please enjoy.

Burning under your control

Chapter sixteen.

Controlling someone is having the ability to influence and dominate a vulnerable human being.

Infatuated.

Entwining their bodies and rejoicing in the inevitable passion that enticed them. A tantalising and yet intense mood. He'd explored regions that he hadn't previously, and emotions ran higher than ever before. Thoughts and feelings escaping them like giant waves breaking through high guarded barriers. Releasing themselves into unknown territory, rightfully marking what was theirs. She was his, and he was hers. They'd become one, but it was different this time. It hadn't just been sex. It had been more than that; it was an intimacy so pure.

Slowing awaking, he felt a warm presence embracing him. Looking down, his heart soared at the sight of her and he felt relief. Knowing that she hadn't escaped whilst he lay asleep had proved that it was different this time. He found his fingertips running back and forth down her spine. Little did he know that she had been awake and that the sensation caused her body to tingle. She slowly lifted her head from his chest and smiled.

'You're awake? I hope I didn't wake you', he soothed, as his hand found way to her hair gently pushing the odd strands away from her face.

'You didn't', her reassurance was soothing, but he was cautious.

'Are you okay? I mean, I just, if you want-', he did not press further before she interrupted.

'If I want?', she asked puzzled.

'I won't force you-', he admitted glumly. His uncertainty whether or not she would stay dampened the mood a little. It was now that she understood just how much he really cared and how he'd put her feelings before his own. It was common knowledge that he wanted her, however she wanted to reciprocate her own feelings. Gently tilting his face to meet hers, she leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on his lips.

'Eddie, stop. I want to be here. If you want me to be here, of course?', there was no reason for her question, and Eddie did not answer but pulled her closer for another kiss.

The house felt quiet, too quiet. Guilt flashed before her eyes, and she ran to the sideboard on finding a white piece of paper that marked her name. Her heart thumped a million times, and she kicked herself for allowing her ignorance to take over. Her sister quite possible could have left again, and she'd been dismissive. Scanning her eyes over the familiar handwriting, she felt relief.

Hey Rach, you weren't answering your phone. Me and Phil just popped out. See you later. Mel x

It had been twenty minutes since Melissa had scribbled that note for her sister, and she and Phillip had wandered into Rochdale town centre. He'd lagged behind her most of the way unsure where she had been taking him, but a gut feeling had him thinking she'd be heading exactly where they shouldn't have been. Just as he thought, they had finally arrived at their destination, the bank.

'Mum, what are you doing?', Phil asked nervously. His whole body fidgeting and a few droplets of sweat forming along his forehead. He stood with her as she waited in line for a member of staff, and he knew exactly what she was about to do.

'It's fine, love. Don't you worry', Melissa reassured as she looked at him fully aware of his panic. She would have preferred to have gone to town by herself, but Phil had insisted that he join her.

'I .. I thought you didn't have any money?', his concern was obvious and his words had echoed a little too loud for her liking. She pulled at his arm and threw light daggers his way.

'I've got some money coming in. Look don't tell Rach, she already thinks I can't handle things as it is. Two weeks, and we'll be out of here, I promise', she whispered hastily.

'But you're funding him .. mum you can't keep-', Phillip rambled as he scoured the room for some way out. His mother's intentions were never good, and this was no different. She quickly interrupted him before he could talk her out of it.

'I said it's alright love, now please. Come on, we better get back soon, and remember-', she demanded before he interjected.

'Yeah, I know. Not a word to aunt Rach.'

Rachel heard the scrambling of a key in the door and straight away she knew it would be Melissa. She hoped that she hadn't been dragging Phillip across town.

'Rach?', Melissa called out.

'I'm in the kitchen', Rachel answered, as she started with some cleaning to occupy herself. She needed a distraction to shield her from her sister's questions.

'Where did you go?', Rachel asked, washing the last of the dishes before turning around to face her.

'We just went out for a walk, didn't we love?', Melissa threw her glare to Phillip and waited for him to confirm her lie. She watched nervously as he buckled under the pressure.

'Uh uh .. Yeah a w ..walk', he stuttered whilst rejecting any eye contact with the pair of them. Rachel, however, sensed his anxious behaviour and wondered what they had really been up to.

'Phillip, are you okay?', Rachel had a feeling that things weren't as they seemed and she was determined to crack the problem.

'Yeah .. I'm .. gonna go for a lie down', Phillip didn't even give Rachel the chance to question him further before he darted from the room. Loud footsteps thumping against the stairs caused Rachel to become concerned.

'Is he okay?', Rachel asked Melissa as she took a few steps towards the kitchen door ready to follow him. Melissa placed her arm out and steadily stopped Rachel from anymore movements.

'He's fine, think he's just a bit overwhelmed', Melissa lied.

'Go anywhere nice last night then?', Rachel could feel her sister's eyes burning onto her and she felt pressure. Slowly turning away from the direction of the stairs, she took comfort in not having to look in Melissa's direction. Hers and Eddie's business was not to be broadcasted and especially to her sister.

'Mm-hmm', Rachel sounded as she continued to busy herself once more.

'You didn't come home?', Melissa pressed further before crossing her arms and hastily waited a reply.

'No, I didn't.'

The fire roared as they sat peacefully. Their closeness becoming vastly noticeable. His smile was infectious and for the first time in a while she felt human. An illuminating glow radiated from her and he became more in love with her than ever. They'd decided on a quiet drink in the pub, and with it being a Sunday evening they were sure of a little privacy.

'So, what did she want afterall?', he questioned whilst lifting his pint to his lips, appreciating the alcoholic beverage.

'I didn't ask', her reply was short and sharp.

'You didn't?', Eddie sounded shocked. It had been completely out of character for her to ignore her sister's actions, or anyone for that matter. In no way did he want to challenge her on it, but it made him slightly curious why. He did however appreciate the fact that she was looking after herself.

'Nope', another short answer and silence fell for a few moments before she gasped.

'Oh God ..', her was unsure whether she expressed frustration or if it had just been worry.

'What is it?', he mirrored her concern and swiftly took his eyes to the entrance.

'Oh ..'