Hey there! I know it's been a long time, hope that you haven't forgotten about this story. I'm not sure that this is a good one but you guys will decide thatby yourself and will tell me about it, right? I love your feedback. Enjoy the story!
Chapter 15: It's Getting Hot in Here
One moment she was standing in the middle of the room surrounded by dozens of people she didn't care about, celebrating her 18th birthday, and the next she was running.
She saw him standing there, smiling that cocky grin down at her. She started to tremble, her glass hit the floor in a loud chatter and her heart started to pound inside her chest. She heard the faint sound of her name coming from people around her, but she couldn't speak. Without another thought Elizabeth ran through the door and disappeared into the night.
"Was it something I said?" Tony asked looking around the room to the astonished faces of the people gathered in the living room.
Grace and Manuel made their way into the room holding the chocolate cake in her hand. She didn't notice the commotion until she was close enough to notice the presence of the young man.
"What the…?" Dropping the cake to the floor the older woman moved closer as rage filled her once tender expression. "How dare you come into this house? I'm calling the police. You can't be running free after what you tried to do to my little child."
"Callate vieja bruja." (Shut up you old witch.)
"What's wrong with you woman?" Manuel asked Grace.
"This animal was the one who tried to rape Elizabeth."
xxxx
She ran, the wind flying by and the tears clouding her eyes. The only thing she felt was her heartbeat and her heavy breathing. Bits and pieces of that night came flooding in and she was unable to stop them, so she ran.
"Come on you know you want to…stop fighting it. We'll do this my way or the hard way…Shh…You know you want to…Stop fighting it…My way…"
"Noooooo!!!!" Elizabeth screamed as she dropped to the sand and started crying harder. Sobs were raking through her body and the tears seem to be endless. Nothing around her made any sense anymore. Not even the rev of the bike as it made its way down the street.
He was late. Grace had called him earlier to let him know that the Webber's were planning a party to celebrate Elizabeth's 18th birthday, so he knew he had to be there, just incase they pulled a fast one on her.
A couple of minutes later, Jason Morgan was standing in front of the door about to knock when it opened abruptly and a couple of girls made their way out chatting away without even noticing his presence. He frowned as he caught the last of their talk.
"Grace dijo que el la intentó violar." (Grace said he tried to rape her.)
"¿Y tu le creiste? A la familia de ella no parecía importarle que el estuviera ahí." (And you believed her? Her family didn't seem to be bothered by his presence.)
Jason turned to watch them walk away. What were they talking about? And why were they leaving? He looked at his watched and noticed it wasn't that late. Turning around he found himself face to face with a blond woman, dressed in a light blue dress. She was smiling at him.
"Jason is nice to see you again."
"Is Elizabeth around?"
"She's not home."
"She's not? I thought today was her birthday. Grace called me and invited me to the party. Is something wrong?"
"Lizzie is just a bit juvenile and she got a surprise she didn't quite like, so she ran away. I thought she'd be running straight to you, but maybe she found someone else on her way there."
"What happened?" Jason was about to loose his temper when he heard Grace's voice. "Grace? Excuse me." He rushed by Sarah and into the living room.
Grace was pacing the room and Caroline was sitting on the couch drinking a martini, while Jeff talked on the phone and Steven stared at his father in exasperation.
"What's going on here?"
"Good night to you too." Steven said in between clenched teeth at the sight of Jason.
"Where's Elizabeth? What happened?"
"My dear boy, something horrible happened." Grace walked to Jason and grabbed his hands on hers. "He came to the party. He had the cojones (balls) to walk into this house and talk to my girl."
Jason's blood was starting to boil with anger, he was beginning to connect the dots, but it couldn't be what he thought. No, he had people tailing the little fuck. He couldn't be that stupid, he couldn't be having a death wish.
"Grace, who came to Elizabeth's party?"
"That monster…Tony Morales."
Jeff Webber dropped the phone and faced Jason. "What are you doing here?"
Jason ignored him. "Where is Elizabeth? Did he do something to her?"
"No. When I came out of the kitchen she was gone."
"Elizabeth saw him and immediately vaulted for the door." Sarah interjected then.
"I called the police. They'll be here any second. How could that man set a foot inside my house like that?"
"We have to do something Elizabeth is wondering out there alone. He left soon after, what if he finds her?" Steven started to move toward the door, but Jason stopped him.
"You are not going anywhere."
"Who do you think you are?"
"All of you are staying here. Grace if you here something from Elizabeth, call me."
With that Jason ran out of the house. He needed to find her before something happened to her, if he didn't he would never be able to forgive himself.
xxxx
Eva was sitting on the chaise lounge looking at the sky. Slowly throughout the day the temperature had been rising. And she was hot. Deep inside she knew that there were other reasons for her change in temperature and that reason was standing on the sliding door behind her staring at her right now.
Without turning, she spoke. "Are you going to stare at me all night or are you going to say something?"
"How do you… never mind."
She never ceased to amaze him. They've met under strange circumstances, they were different in so many ways, but somehow they had a strange connection and it scared the shit out of him.
Turning her head, trying to catch him with the corner of her eyes she spoke again. "Do you need something? Coffee? Clean towels?"
"Eva, don't…"
"Don't what Mr. Caruso, you made it clear that I was the maid. So I'm just taking my place. I guess I shouldn't be sitting here. After all this is for the guests. Excuse me."
She stood up and Francis forgot his name at the sight of the woman standing in front of him. She was wearing a red boy short and an old faded t-shirt, her hair was loose around her face and she wasn't wearing any make up. She looked young and vulnerable and he wanted her. Throwing caution out the window Francis took two strides toward her and before she could react his lips were crashing over hers.
Hot, furious and passionate, his arms were around her waist and her hands were around his neck. Savoring and exploring each other, there was no escaping the feelings that were growing deep inside of them.
The need for air made them break apart. They were breathless, eyes filled with desire and need.
"I…"
"Don't you dare say you're sorry or that it was a mistake." She was shaking a little.
"Don't worry sweetheart. I'm not sorry and it sure as hell wasn't a mistake. In fact I'm pretty much planning on doing it again… and again… and again."
The blush that was adorning her cheeks intensified at his words. She walked to him and smiled.
As much as it pained him, they had to talk before their lips touched again. So he motioned her to the chaise lounge she'd been occupying earlier.
"We need to talk. Sit down please."
Taking a seat next to him she frowned. "What is it?"
"I need to explain some things."
"Like the reason why you've been such a pain in the ass?"
He let out a throaty laugh and nodded. "Yes. Look, you are a beautiful woman and you know you are. You've been walking around the house wearing those flimsy little dresses and that big smile. It's not hard for a man to notice you."
"So that's it. You're saying I'm a tease?"
"Eva, please listen to me before you start a huge fight."
"What are you saying now? That I'm impulsive? That I'm drama queen?"
"Eva, would you shut that beautiful mouth of yours long enough for me to tell you I'm sorry for been a jackass? I'm trying to tell you that I like you… I'm trying to tell you that I was jealous of Johnny and Quincy. That's why I acted like a jerk the other day. I didn't want to like you. I didn't want to feel things for you or anyone for that matter. My life is complicated and I don't know for how long I'm going to be around. I can't promise you I'll be here tomorrow. But damn it woman, I want you."
His admission made her heart beat a little faster and eyes to shine with unshed tears. He intertwined his fingers with hers and for the first time he noticed how thin and delicate she was.
"I like you too. And it scares me, because I've never felt this way before. I mean I've never wanted someone so much after only five minutes of knowing him. You reel me up and make me crazy, but in a good crazy."
"Good because you make me crazy too." He kissed her again. This time it was sweet and soft.
Before he could deepened the kiss she stopped him. "Wait, Francis. Before we go any further I need to know there's no Mrs. Caruso and little Caruso's going around somewhere."
"I'm not married and I don't have children. Well, none besides Johnny. He's my pet."
She laughed a loud and child like giggle that had him smiling too. "I don't think Mr. O Brian would appreciate you saying that about him."
"Are you telling on me?"
"Your secret is safe with me."
"I know it is." He kissed her again and this time everything around them went hazy. They forgot where they were and immersed in each other's arms.
They were making out like teenagers when the doorbell rang. Once, twice, three times… they were desperate. Francis broke their exploration and apologized to Eva before he stood from his place an entered the house. Hearing the bell ring and then the bang on the door Eva frowned and ran after Francis.
The guard opened the door and found a disheveled Elizabeth standing at the doorway. Her clothes were filthy, her hair was a mess and her makeup was smeared around her eyes.
"Elizabeth?"
"Is- is J-Jas-son he-here?"
"No he's supposed to be with you." Something bad was happening and he didn't know what to do. "Come inside."
Elizabeth walked to the living room and found Eva standing there. When the other woman called her name, the petite brunette walked to her and hugged her tight. Sobs started to rake over her small body and tears started to fall again.
"I'll call Jason." Francis walked to the study leaving them alone.
"It's OK. Everything is going to be okay once Jason gets here." The Puerto Rican woman smoothed her hands over Elizabeth's hair in a soothing motion.
xxxx
He got the call and turned the bike around. He needed to get home as soon as possible. If the asshole dared to put his hands on her again he was as good as dead. He himself would make sure of that.
He walked through the door to find the living room empty. Te lights where on and he could hear voices coming from the kitchen. He made his way to the swinging door. Inside he found the blue eyes of the girl he swore to protect.
Eva was standing by the stove filling two mugs with steaming hot chocolate. Francis was standing to one side and Elizabeth had been sitting on one of the stools that lined the island in the middle of the kitchen.
She had been, because now she was clinging to his neck for dear life. They stayed embraced for what seemed like hours. She broke the contact first. Stepping out of his arms she smoothed her hair and dropped her eyes to the floor.
"Hey…Elizabeth, look at me." Putting his fingers under her jaw he made her look up. He found her eyes swollen from crying. "This wasn't your fault. Don't ever look down or feel ashamed."
The scene seemed private and personal, so Eva and Francis walked out of the kitchen leaving them alone.
Jason walked to the stools and sat down, motioning for her to do the same. Elizabeth sat down next to him and willed her tears away. He noticed her bottom lip quivering and took her hands on his.
"I didn't want a birthday party. I didn't want them here. All I wanted for my 18th birthday was a long bike ride along the seashore and not worry about anything but the wind in my face and how close the stars look once we stop." Elizabeth stopped her rambling to take a long breath. "I acted out as I always do. Sarah wanted me to buy a dress and have my hair done so I, been the bitch I am, decided that I was going to do things my way. I bought leather pants and a jacket…I had this dark make up done and made my hair into tight curls…Caroline almost flipped out when she saw me. She said I looked like a biker's whore."
He took in her clean face, her pink tank top and grey shorts. Her hair still had some of the curls in it. She looked like a vulnerable little girl to him.
"I liked the way I looked. I was ready for a bike ride." She smiled sheepishly.
"I bet you were. Sorry I was late."
"This wasn't your fault either. I don't know how he found out it was my birthday. Jeff was doing some lame speech. I was bored and I wanted to get out of there. He walked in then, I guess. I don't know who let him in or how he got in. I was looking down and then I heard his voice… the voice that has been haunting me since that night. I couldn't believe it. When I looked up there he was. Standing close to me, smiling… It was a nightmare, so I ran."
"I got to your house late. Grace told me and I went to look for you. I was scared."
"I ran so fast. I wanted it to end. I could hear him calling my name telling me all the things he said that night. I could feel his hands on me, his breathing…" Tears where falling silently down her face and his heart broke at the sight.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her forehead. "You are safe now. I won't let him hurt you again. I promise."
xxxx
He woke up sweating. Standing up from his bed he walked to the bathroom and splashed some water over his face. It was hot… hotter than usual. Shaking the sleepy fog from his head, he realized that the AC wasn't working. He walked out of his room and walked down the stairs.
The night before he had a meeting with Francis, Quincy and Johnny, they finished up a plan to deal with Tony Morales once and for all. It was just a matter of time now he was going to pay for all the suffering he'd caused Elizabeth.
Reaching the bottom landing, Jason immediately noticed that all of the windows as well as the sliding doors that lead to the back patio where wide open. He heard the voices of women coming from the kitchen and his mouth twitched with the ghost of a smile when he noticed that they were singing.
He walked trough the swinging door that was held back by a chair and stopped at the sight of the two young women dancing around the kitchen.
"Para subir al cielo, para subir al cielo se necesita una escalera grande. Una escalera grande y otra chiquita ay arriba y arriba. Ay arriba y arriba por ti sere, por ti sere, por ti sere..."
"Bamba, bamba. Bamba, bamba. Bamba, bamba..." Elizabeth joined Eva in the chorous.
"Para bailar la bamba, para bailar la bamba se necesita una poca de gracia. Una poca de gracia y otra cosita, ay arriba y arriba. Ay arriba y arriba..." Eva stopped her singing at the sight of her boss leaning on the doorjamb. Elizabeth was still dancing and laughing while she wrapped the sandwiches she had been making.
"Bamba, bamba. Bamba, bamba. Oh come on Eva. Sing it with me. Bamba, bam…"
Elizabeth did a twirl and came face to face with one Jason Morgan. She dropped her hands and stared at the blond Greek god standing in front of her half naked.
Jason was standing inside the kitchen wearing only a pair of blue shorts. His upper body completely uncovered giving Elizabeth an eye full of the well shaped muscles and washboard stomach. She felt the blush start at the base of her neck and crawl up to her cheeks.
"Go on. Don't stop on my account. I was just enjoying the show."
"I… We…"
He noticed that both girls were dressed in short shorts and bikini tops. He moved from his place and walked towards the island in the middle of the kitchen where the girls had set up a picnic basket filled with fruits and cheeses and bottle water and other goodies.
"This is an impressive…what exactly is this anyway?"
"That's our picnic." Eva said as she finished wrapping a tray filled with brownies.
"Picnic?"
"Yeah, as in food to eat while having a day out on the beach."
"So you guys are planning a trip to the beach."
"It's way too hot to stay inside. And since we have the ocean as a back yard we decided to hit the water." Elizabeth was packing the sandwiches now.
"If I remember correctly you work here, and you should be heading home."
"Yeah well, I'm taking a day off."
"And I'm not going home." Elizabeth said her face devoid of any emotion. "At least not until the Webbers leave."
He noticed the playfulness leave her features so he went back to the original topic. "Okay, so let me get this straight. You guys are just going to pick up and leave, then."
"We are not going alone if that's what you don't want to ask." Elizabeth said as she finished with the last of the picnic.
Before Jason could ask, he heard the foot steps reach the kitchen.
"Wow! Did you guys planned on feeding and army or what?" Francis walked through the door. Everyone in the kitchen looked at him and he asked intrigued. "What?"
"You are wearing Bermuda shorts." Elizabeth pointed out with a laugh.
"I know what I'm wearing honey. I dress myself, you know."
"But you always wear suits. And look at you all carefree, wearing sandals and an opened shirt bearing your goods to the world." The younger woman teased the older guard mercilessly while Eva stood there in a daze, admiring his physic.
"Well is not my fault I woke up in a sauna instead of a house. And besides we are going to the beach. The sand and the salt would ruin my Italian tailored suits."
"So you are on this too? What I'm I the only one that wasn't invited?"
Elizabeth laughed out loud. "Feeling left out?"
"A bit jealous are we?"
"I'm not jealous, or feeling left out."
"If you start pouting I'm so going to tell. The guys will have a blast." Francis added.
"What's this pick on Jason day?"
"No this is 'pick on the one that didn't check on the air conditioner before it broke' day."
"Oh so it's my fault that the heat fried the wires?"
"Okay, kids cut it out. We better leave or we won't get a good spot. Come on." Elizabeth grabbed her bag and pointed at Jason to pick the basket. She ignored the looks she earned from the three older people in the room and started her walk out of the kitchen the others simply laughed and followed.
xxxx
As they kicked of their day at the beach they listened to the news and learned that a heat wave was over the Island. The temperature peaked at 115 degrees.
They spend all day lounging around in the sand, playing volleyball and swimming on the ocean. They had a great time together and most important of all Elizabeth was laughing.
She was laughing, he thought as he watched her playing volleyball with Francis. He'd never seeing her that carefree and happy before. He thought she might still be afraid and scared after what had happened the day before, but she wasn't. He knew she wasn't pretending, she really was having a good time and he was thrilled.
Francis won the game and they made their way to the towels where Jason was sitting and Eva was laying on her back.
"Come on big guy it's time for the big deep." Elizabeth tugged at Jason's arm but he didn't move.
"I don't want to go in the water. Why don't you ask Eva?"
"No. Don't ask Eva. She's perfectly content laying under the sun getting a perfect tan." Eva said from her place on the towel.
"Oh come on Jason. You've been sitting there all day. It'll be refreshing."
"Refreshing she says. That water is almost boiling hot."
"You are such a drama queen." She placed her hands on her hips.
"That's an adjective you don't hear people calling you often." Francis said with a laugh as he took a gulp from a bottle of water.
"Come on Jason, please."
She was wearing a plum color bikini and her hair was curly around her sun kissed face, he looked at her again and he realized that there was nothing in the world he could deny her. He stood up and she squealed in delight.
"Yey! Let's go."
They walked into the ocean side by side. When the water was up to Elizabeth's thighs, she stumbled and Jason held her close. With his arm around her waist, the loud thumping of his heart and the battle of butterflies in her stomach they made it deeper inside the water.
As soon as they were both steady, he dropped his hand from her waist. Elizabeth smiled and started to play with the water playfully. She submerged and swam away from him. Jason couldn't keep his eyes away from her. When she came back her hair was back and droplets of water were running down her face. She smiled again.
"Thank you."
"I didn't do anything."
"How did I know you were going to say that?"
"You are a mind reader?"
"No. But I know you more than you think Mr. Morgan. Even when you think you haven't done anything, you have. I know that being out on the beach, playing volleyball and doing all this kids stuff is not your cup of tea."
"I like the beach and I don't mind playing around doing kids stuff as you call it. Not when it brings that big smile to your lips and that beautiful shine to your eyes."
"I needed this."
"I know."
He saw the dark cloud trying to take over her so he did the only thing he could to make her forget. She was surprised as she felt the water on her face. Laughing loudly she started to splash water at him back and soon they were on a full on war.
Back on the shore Francis and Eva watched them with curious eyes.
"They've become close friends haven't they?"
"Yes, they have."
"They look good together, don't they?"
"Eva, don't get any ideas on that beautiful head of yours. Elizabeth and Jason are just friends. She's just a kid."
"Yeah, well… we'll see about that."
