Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Recovery

It took several weeks for me to recover after my three day illness. We were never sure what it was or what had caused it. Demetri took my recovery very seriously, often cajoling me into 'one more bite' or an extra nap. He watched me more carefully than ever, and I had to tell him often that all humans get sick at some time in their short lives. It was a risk we faced. I saw the expression of fear enter his eyes at those times.

He was pretending to read a book when I caught him staring at me, the fear plain in his crimson eyes. I got up from where I sat curled on the bed in the late afternoon sun and made room to curl up on his lap, laying my head in the hollow of his neck, listening to the soothing sound of his breathing, dragging his scent deep into my lungs. Memorizing it. Since my sickness, I didn't like too much distance between us and though I knew I tempted him, I trusted him and couldn't help feeding the need I felt.

"You shouldn't worry so much." I said softly, smoothing a wrinkle in his shirt. "All humans get sick. It comes with imperfect bodies." I repeated my part of the conversation again and he sighed as he curled his arm around me and began rubbing little circles on my thigh with his thumb.

"I can't help it; you are far too fragile." He laid his cheek against my hair. "I keep expecting the next episode."

I laughed quietly, "It could be tomorrow or in ten years or never. I have never been as sick as that. Would you have sent me to the hospital?" I hadn't asked that question before and I felt him stiffen.

"You were hallucinating and talking about ... I don't think …" His voice faded, pained and full of regret.

I covered his restless hand with mine and intertwined my fingers with his. I marveled at the size difference. He was so big and strong, yet he had really quite beautiful hands and wrists … and forearms … and … everything.

"I understand."

His fingers curled into a fist around mine and I know he fought not to crush my hand, "That's just it, you shouldn't have to understand. You shouldn't have to be here. It's not right." His husky voice was harsh in his conviction.

I smiled at the beauty of his voice, "There are a lot of things that happen in this world that are not right, but I don't mind being here. This may have been one wrong that was right."

I felt him shake his head. "No."

I shrugged, "Well, it's done and can't be changed now, so don't think about it. You can hardly have regrets over something that can't be altered."

His hand relaxed. He knew I was right.

"Shall I read to you?'" he asked, taking my advice and attempting to forget about it.

I couldn't imagine anything better then his low husky voice filling the room, "Depends on what you're reading." I actually couldn't care less, but felt I had to keep him on his toes -- for form's sake.

I looked at the open book he still held. It wasn't English, could have been Spanish or Italian or Latin, but the book itself didn't look old enough for the last.

"It's Don Quixote, in the original Spanish." He said quietly, holding it closer for me to examine. "Do you understand Spanish or shall I get something different?"

I shook my head as I stifled a yawn. I was still weak, "Don't bother, that will be fine. I doubt I'll be able to stay awake for more then a page."

"Do you need a blanket?"

I considered, his skin was quite cool, but there was not a whole lot of skin on skin contact. I would survive and I didn't want to move or feel the further distance the blanket would put between us, "No, I'm good."

He began without further comment.

I had heard a lot Spanish spoken by the people who lived in my home town, but never had it sounded quite like this. It dripped from his tongue like warm honey; golden and pure. His perfect intonation and inflection surrounded me and wreaked havoc with my heart.

He stopped when he heard it, "Are you all right, Sarah?" Concern darkened his luscious voice further and his arm tightened around me. I never wanted it to relax.

"I'm fine. It's beautiful."

"I hardly think the story of a bumbling fool is beautiful." He said sardonically as he closed the book and exaggeratedly examined the cover.

I smiled, "I don't have a clue what you're saying anyway. I meant your voice is beautiful. I used to think that only looking in your eyes could stun me, but I am learning I was very wrong."

He chuckled softly, his breath ruffling my hair, "Well, we are made to attract your kind."

"What a way to go. Does it take the fear away?" I genuinely wanted to know.

He was thoughtful, "Maybe, but not the pain. Would you like me to continue? Will your poor heart be able to take it?"

I sat up slowly and peered into his eyes, "Were you teasing me just then?"

His eyes were soft and a smile played around the edges of his lips.

"I wasn't sure that was possible," I said with a grin. "It's good to know."

His face suddenly sobered, "Sarah." He whispered.

"Yes?" It hadn't escaped my notice that my face was only a few inches from his.

The hand that had been holding his book a mere second sooner slid up my arm causing me to shiver and paused for a moment as he brushed my cheekbone with his cool fingers. His breathing had quickened and the red eyes that were no longer frightening, darkened to crimson velvet.

"Be a good girl," He whispered as he slipped his hand under my ear and cupped my jaw.

I didn't move, unsure as to what he meant, but almost completely sure of his intent. I trembled in anticipation.

He pulled my face closer and brushed my cheek with the lightest of kisses. Still I didn't move, though I could feel my heart throbbing in my chest and that seemed to make my whole body vibrate.

I was good -- really, I was -- until his lips gently brushed mine and then I could not stop the sigh that came through them or my arms as they curled around his neck and pressed him closer to me. My movements weren't rushed or urgent, just impossible to stop. Inevitable. I had to be closer -- inside his skin would have been good.

Demetri didn't stiffen, but he did stop moving. I opened my eyes and found his pressed tightly shut, his strong jaw was tight.

I waited not moving, trying not to breathe while at the same time calm my heart. When he finally sighed and opened his eyes. They were fierce and hungry but I couldn't back away. I was entranced. Then he settled me again against him, retrieved his book and continued reading as if nothing had happened. I let his words swirl around me as my heart quieted and my thoughts ran.

You know that kiss, the one that leaves all others behind and irrevocably changes your life? Well, I had just received it.

I had never been so naïve as to think that there was one special person out there just for me. I mean, there had to be hundreds who would have worked well for me and me for him, but in those quiet moments after that one soft, hesitant and frighteningly tender kiss, as the incomprehensible story of a bumbling fool wrapped me in warmth, I knew I had been wrong. There had only ever been one and there would only ever be one and all my life I had been waiting and searching just for him. Demetri. Strange how life is.

I must have fallen asleep at some point for I woke up some time later while it was still dark out. I was alone and that left a hole in me, but I knew he would come back – he always came back.

So I lay there quietly and waited in the dark. The wait wasn't long and soon he was there, curling around me. The sweet scent of his skin perfuming the air I breathed, his restless hands smoothing my hair and brushing my skin. I cuddled closer, he pulled the blankets snug around me, and I fell asleep this time until the light of morning woke me.