The next night, Neil Marshall arrived around four. I was peeling some potatoes when Garrison came in telling me to come say hello. When I walked into the living room, there stood a man about Garrison's height with black hair that was rather long and dark skin. He had a body style like Garrison also, broad shoulders, large chest, arms, and legs. But his eyes were the ones that made my spine tingle with anxiety. His eyes made me feel as if he was undressing me right there. I fidgeted uncomfortably, and sunk into Garrison's side trying to stay invisible. He walked up to me, his hand coming forward.
"Hello Raven." His voice was deep and almost cold. I acted obediently, sticking my hand also. When I put my hand in his, I could feel his thumb rubbing the back of my hand.
"How do you do?" I squeaked out. He finally released me from his grip, and I sunk back into Garrison.
Dinner wasn't any better. Neil, who I was told to call Marshall, starred at me the whole time. I tried to ignore the fact that during the whole dinner conversation he never made eye contact with Garrison for he kept his eyes on me.
I left the room, feigning a head ache, as fast as humanly possible. By midnight, I had fallen asleep with the resolve that I was not comfortable with the Marshall guy. A few hours later, I awoke to find that Garrison was not in bed. I got up to get him to bed but instead found the locked room open. I tip-toed to the door hearing their voices.
"Well, she certainly is beautiful. Chris wasn't exaggerating when he said that. I can assure you, I can take care of her." My skin crawled at his small speech.
"I'm not worried about your babysitting or care taking abilities, Neil," Garrison cut in, "I'm more concerned about her being comfortable with being here alone with a man she doesn't know well.
"She seems to have faired well with you." Marshall shot back.
"We've lived together for nearly nine and a half months. I surely hope she is comfortable with me. I'll ask her in the morning what she wants to do."
"So, what exactly is this trip you're taking?" I could hear some movement and a big sigh.
"I have some business men who are not spending the money I have invested in too well. So I must have some meetings to get everything back on track."
"Interesting, you really have become quite the money man."
"What I always wanted to do. I'm saving up for the future."
"Kids?"
"Well, it's not out of the question." My stomach clinched at the thought, and the image of lacy things in my closet that I hadn't touched, ran through my head.
"What about the girl?"
"What about Raven? Who's to say she won't be my kids' mother?" I almost got sick right there. This was not what I needed to hear.
"Well, do you think she would be willing to do that?"
"I honestly don't know. But I'm not going to force myself upon her. She will need to tell me when she's ready." I sighed a relief.
"Back to important things. Is this trip important?"
"Well, I would never tell Raven this, but yeah it is. I need to get in there and get out. I want to get out of town and take Raven with me."
"Why are you leaving?"
"I need a change of scenery, and I'm tired of Raven staying inside all day."
"What time are you leaving?"
"Early noon, then I'll get there later tonight. Tomorrow morning I have meetings all day until two. Then I'll head back and get here by late tomorrow night."
"So I'll be here today and tomorrow." The nauseated feeling appeared again.
"That's the plan. I need to get to bed." I backed away tip-toeing to the stairs then running up and into the bedroom, throwing the sheets over me.
A few moments later, Garrison walked in. I cracked my eye open slightly to see him taking off his shirt. Only his back was exposed to me, from the light from the bathroom he had just turned on. I shivered slightly as he moved, the muscles in his back rippling under his skin. He turned and looked at me, and I saw his chest. Wrong or not, but he was well built, he grabbed some pants and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. I rolled over so my back was facing the bathroom door, the bed sunk next to me as Garrison laid beside me pulling me to him.
I woke up around seven, and rolled over to see Garrison still asleep. Leaned on my elbows over his face, kissing him lightly. I scooted closer bringing my arms up to his chest so I didn't have to strain my neck so much. His mouth started moving this time. I pulled back, running the tip of my nose down his throat and back up. When I reached his face, I could see him smiling.
"Good morning." I said happily.
"Hey." He said groggily.
"You need to get up and start packing if you're going to leave today." He grabbed me and pulled me down so my head was just under his chin and our bodies were intertwined.
"I don't want to get up. I want to lay here, with you, all day." He whined. I giggled at his childish outburst.
"Sorry honey, but you can't, first off we have a guest. And second you need to go and get your business over with." He rolled us over so he was on top of me.
"I think I need some motivation. Would you please be so kind as to give me some?" I smiled brightly.
"Gladly." I leaned up and connected our lips. Five minutes later, I finally needed air. "Is that enough motivation?" I said somewhat out of breath.
"I guess." He rolled out of bed to get dressed. I helped him pack and get ready to go. By early afternoon, like he said, he was ready to leave. I stood by the front door with Marshall to my right.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow night." Garrison said, shaking Marshall's hand.
"You be safe now." Marshall said gruffly. Garrison turned to me and bent down to pick me up so we were face to face.
"I'll see you soon. I'll be back as soon as possible." He said softly.
"I'll be here waiting." I said, trying to sound chirpy. I kissed him deeply wrapping my arms around his neck. There was a sound of someone clearing their throat that made me pull away. I blushed lightly. He set me back on my feet. "Be careful, and call me when you get there." He smiled happily.
"I promise I will." I looked sternly at him.
"No matter how late it is." He laughed.
"O.K. I will I promise. And you keep that talky on you at all times just in case I get lonely and need to talk to someone."
"I will." He picked up his dropped luggage and slung it over his shoulder.
"Bye." He said, and closed the door. I sighed heavily, and went and sat on the couch. Marshall followed suit but sat on the other end. I grabbed a book and began reading. By early evening, I got up to make dinner. I set the table, and we ate without any comments.
"I'm going to head onto bed." I said breaking the silence that had filled the house. Eggo appeared next to me, "Good night."
"Good night, Raven," Marshall called after me.