-soo happy this story is getting read! I was worried it wouldnt be since its been so long since the movie came out. But anyway please continue!
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He allowed himself to be kissed by her for a few moments, before raising his large hand up to cradle the back of her neck and pull her more into him. He took control of the kiss as he leaned more into her, a passion awakening in him he hadn't felt in so long. Her scent and touch over took his senses. He kissed deeper, harder--hungrier. It took him a few moments to realize she was no longer enjoying it. She had gone stiff He was hurting her. He instantly let go.
"I…I'm sorry." he said, backing away from her. "I don't know what came over me."
"I kissed you, remember?" she said breathlessly and rubbed her bottom lip.
"Yes, you wanted to be kissed, not mauled. I apologize."
"We could try again." Rachel ventured a small smile, but he didn't return it.
"It's late." he said and pursed his lips.
Rachel's heart fell to her stomach. She had thought that he liked her. His kiss had held so much passion moments ago only now to be told to leave? She had come here to thank him for an amazing day-only to have him ruin it at the end.
"I should go then." she said, though it sounded more like a question.
He nodded.
She then nodded as well and cleared her throat. Mustering the rest of her dignity, she stood and exited his room. He watched her go-angry with himself at hurting her, not only with the kiss, but also by pushing her away.
--
Morning came and with it, breakfast. She had cooled the same hot cereal again but not as happily as the day before. She saw him as he went outside to conduct the men's PT exercises on the lawn, and she was sure he had seen her as well, but he didn't acknowledge her.
I'm a terrible kisser. She finally decided. That's the only explanation for it.
She went back to the pantry and began gathering a few more things for supper. She thought about making something terrible just to watch him try and eat it, but instead she knew she would try to pull out all the stops and make something amazing-just to get a bit of his attention back.
"So, you're their servant girl now?" It was Selena. She was alone. She was leaning on a nearby counter as Rachel came out of the pantry. Her arms were crossed, and she looked amused.
"I'm earning my keep." Rachel said irately and laid the few ingredients out on the counter. She wasn't necessarily mad at Selena but the previous night with West had her on edge.
"So what's next? You going to start doing their washing up too?" Selena smirked. "I'm sure they'll really love that special way you get out those stuck in grass stains."
"What's your problem, Selena?" Rachel said finally putting down her spoon and giving the other woman her full attention.
"My problem is you cowering down to Major West and his band of merry men." Selena moved forward and put her arms down on the island.
"What?!" Rachel had not been expecting this. "I'm not cowering down to anyone! They're keeping us safe."
"Safe from the infected." Selena nodded.
"What else is there?" Rachel asked.
"He pats you on the head and tells you that you're a good little cook, and you completely miss everything else."
"What have I missed? Please enlighten me."
"All his talk about the future? About rebuilding humanity?" Selena said as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"What's wrong with that?" Rachel still wasn't getting it.
"How do you think he plans to do that, if not to use us, you, me, and heaven forbid, Hannah?"
Rachel's face darkened. She looked down. That was preposterous. If he wanted her as a baby factory he wouldn't have stopped last night. He wouldn't have been such a gentleman before. Selena had to be wrong.
Rachel swallowed hard. She looked back up at Selena. Her jaw set and her bottom lip trembled. She hated this. After he had turned her away last night, she hated defending him.
"Major West is a good man." Rachel said fiercely , and in her heart she hoped she was right.
--
Selena had left some time ago. The food was nearly all but done. All Rachel's earlier anger at the Major had now been transferred to Selena. How dare she say such things about him? He was in charge here and he didn't need people going around sabotaging him when he was trying so hard to keep it all together. Briefly, she wondered if these thoughts were just to keep her mind off what Selena had said.
What did Selena say anyway-besides some neurotic accusations and a jab that I should be doing their laundry?
Rachel's eyes lit on the pile of dirty clothes setting by the fire. A smile crossed her face.
That would show her.
--
The washing part was easy. She boiled water and added soap dumped clothes in, scrubbed a bit then rinsed. Drying was the harder part. She noticed they had been hanging their socks above the fire place, but she saw they were just getting dirty again by being covered in smoke.
No, they need to be hung outside where they can smell better. She thought and remembered the red door just a little ways down the hall.
It took all but five seconds for her to open the door, take two steps out-before she was face to face with Mailer.
--Hopefully not too cliffhanger! please keep reviewing!