Chapter 19: Forces of Nature

The sound of rain drops crashing on the glass window made her open her eyes. She had been sleeping for hours and still she felt tired. She'd never wanted more than to lay in that bed and not have to worry about anything else. But the truth was that she had to leave.

With some trouble because of her injured arm, she managed to sit upright on the bed. His bed. It smelled like him too. This was definitely going to make it harder. Allowing herself to close her eyes for a minute and resting her head on the headboard of the bed, she sighed.

The door opened slowly and he made his way inside the room. His breath was caught in his throat at the sight in front of him. The Puerto Rican beauty was lying on his bed, her raven black hair cascading down her shoulders in complete contrast with the white linen covers. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. The most annoying too, but he still couldn't stop the yearning he felt when they weren't together nor the electric shots that cursed through him when they were. He was standing there inside his room, rain falling outside and suddenly it hit him, he didn't want her anywhere else.

She sensed his presence there, didn't have to open her eyes to see him staring at her with those beautiful blue eyes of his.

"What?"

Her lips parted to speak the single word and all he wanted was for those luscious lips to press against his in a kiss. He walked closer and sat at her side on the bed. Her eyes opened to show uncertainty.

"I was just about to leave. I..."

"I don't want you to leave." He said truthfully.

"Riiight... still haven't said everything. You left in a hurry last night. Go ahead..."

"You are right I haven't said everything."

Eva's eyes filled with unshed tears and her bottom lip trembled though she tried to hide it. She berated herself for been so fragile around him. The truth was that Francis Caruso was the only man that had the power to make her feel so helpless.

His heart broke at the sight in front of him. The woman he loved was lying on that bed because of his line of work and she had been through so much... It didn't mattered to him, he knew her heart and what ever she did before was done and buried.

"I'm sorry I walked out on you last night."

"People have done worst."

"I'm not one of those people."

"No you are not. You are the one person that matters the most, but I can't ask you to turn your head and make as if nothing happened. I am what I am and I understand if you..."

He interrupted her then. "Hey, you had your turn last night. Let me say what I need to say please."

"I changed my mind. I don't want to hear it. Not from you. I couldn't bare it. I..." All the while she was struggling to stand up, but between her injured arm and the strong man sitting in front of her the task proved to be impossible.

She pushed at him to move but he didn't. Instead he grabbed her, careful not to hurt her and sat her on his lap.

"Hey, stop that. I won't let you run away. Not now, not ever. Do you hear me?"

She looked up at him, their faces were inches apart and she looked into his eyes. He was beign honest.

"I don't care what you did before that night we met. All I know is that you barged into my life and settled in my heart. You are there to stay Eva, and I won't let you run. I love you, all of you. Your past is done and your future is staring at you right now."

"W-what do you mean?"

"You are the most infuriating woman I know, stubborn and smart-mouth...but god I love you. I love you and I want to be with you always."

"I love you too, Francis. I love you so much..." All of the sudden she could breathe easy again.

Their foreheads touched and soon his mouth found hers. Soft and testing, as sweet as the first time they kissed. Her tears were of relief now and not fear.

Her hands cupped his face as they broke the kiss, still sitting on his lap she pressed closer as she kissed his nose, his eyes and his temple.

"Thank you, Francis. Thank you so much..."

"For what?"

"For accepting me and loving me as I am."

>>>

The door of the kitchen opened to reveal a soaking wet Jason. Elizabeth ran toward him to help him with the many bags he was trying to move inside while holding the door open and his keys in his mouth.

"Herfulwiththatmighthere."

"What?" She said as she placed the bag on the counter and reached to his mouth to take the keys.

"Okay, that's better what was that?" She asked again as she moved around the counter still barefoot and clad in her pajamas.

"Careful with that right there." He said turning just in time to see her slip on the water he'd dripped on the ceramic floor. He acted fast and grabbed her by the waist. Her back collided with his chest and she laughed.

"Right, got it." She said in between laughs, even though her heart was jumping from her chest at the feel of his arms around her.

His strong arms were tight on her midriff. Her black tank had ridden up, so his hands were flat against her stomach. Her head moved back and settled on his shoulder as she laughed. But he wasn't laughing. The heat that was rising withing him and the faint smell of watermelon that emanated from her hair was driving him dizzy. He realized that she fit perfectly in his arms. Lightning crashed somewhere outside and it brought him back to reality. They were friends and she was just a kid.

She had stopped laughing the minute his strong hands found their way to her belly. Her back was pressed against him and her head was resting on his shoulder, they were standing in the middle of the kitchen in a very personal embrace and it made her tingle with exitement. She didn't want to let go, but all of the sudden he stepped back and the warm of his arms left her body. Before she even had time to turn around, he was standing far away from her, the counter top posing as barrier between them.

"I didn't see the water there."

"I'll look for a mop." She noticed how he avoided looking at her and somehow she thought that he'd felt exactly the same surge of electricity she had.

"It's okay, I got it."

He didn't answer, just kept unpacking the groceries. Elizabeth walked to the small supply closet and took the mop out. She ran it by the water that he'd splashed over the floor and then placed it back on it's place.

Rain was still coming down hard. And the storm was not schedule to show up until later that night.

"How are things out there?" She asked casually, finding the silence uncomfortable.

"Crazy. There's no other way actually. People are attacking the markets as if it's the end of the world. Cars are lining up on two hour lines to get some gas and everybody is panicking."

"But not Jason Morgan." She said smiling not noticing the look he was giving her. She was rummaging the cabinets for the box of cereal. Her back was to him and as she raised on her tip toes the black tank rose again giving him an uncensored glance at her lower back. Shaking his head he forgot about the tantalizing view and looked away.

"Are you always this calm and collected before a natural disaster hits?" She said looking at him as she opened the box of cereal and began eating it straight from it. "I mean come on, it's not everyday a storm hits. It's a threat to both material possessions and life."

"Yeah, but you are forgetting this is a tropical island and they do have a hurricane season. They should be better prepared."

"Good point." She said in between bites. "Is that why you rushed in the early hours of the morning to get caned food, bottled water, electric batteries and... what else did you buy?"

"We were already out I just..."

She interrupted him, raising her finger and pointing it at him in disapproval. "Shame on you. Living in a tropical island and not being prepared for a storm's arrival."

"Okay, okay I get your point... it's just that people get hysterical. Is a whole project getting from the market to the gas station, to the Casino and then back home."

"Is everything alright there?"

"Yes, all of the employees have their orders and the guests of the hotel are all informed and warned not to leave their rooms during the storm. They are all stocked too."

"Good. That means you don't have to go out again. It's dangerous to be driving in this weather."

The tension in the room had vanished and they were again talking in their usual friendly way.

"Have you seen Eva?"

"Nope. I didn't want to bother her. But I did see Francis go into her room earlier."

"I'm going to go and talk to him. We need to..." Jason was walking out of the kitchen, but before he reached the door Elizabeth stepped in his way.

Almost running into her, he stopped looking at her questioningly. "You can't go there Jason."

"Why not?"

"Because..."

"Because... what?"

"They have a lot of things to deal with."

"Are they fighting or something?"

"Haven't heard screams yet, which might mean they are making up. In which case I still haven't heard screams yet so maybe they are still talking."

Jason looked at her confused. "Why would there be screams if they are making up?"

Elizabeth raised an eyebrow smiling at his ingenuity. Jason thought better and then his face wrinkled in dislike. He couldn't believe this was the same sweet innocent girl he met so many months ago. She had definitely spent too much time with Eva.

"Elizabeth! Ewww! Thank God I'm not good with mental images. Excuse me."

"No. I told you not to interrupt them."

"I'm not going anywhere near that room."

"Then where are you going?"

"I'm going to turn on the CD player and turn the volume all the way up."

>>>

"Let me be the first to show you the difference between having sex and making love. Let me show you what love is..."

Francis was looking at her, love shining on his blue orbs. Soon clothes had been shed and they both lay naked over the white linen covers. Skin over skin, kissing and caressing each other showing their love in the most special way.

His lips traveled down her long and smooth neck placing butterfly kisses everywhere. Her mocha brown skin under his stark white made the contrast even more beautiful. His hands traveled up from her waist and rested just under her breasts. The tingling sensation made her run her hands over his shoulders and down his back.

His mouth traveled to the valley in between her breast as his hand came higher to cup both of them. He kissed, licked and slowly bit his way toward the first mound. Teasingly he circled her aching nipple with his tongue making her breathing hitch until he took it in his wet mouth. She was sure she wouldn't be able to take much longer, her coil tightening at the sensation of his mouth on her. His name came out of her mouth on a plea, which he ignored completely as he lavished her other breast giving it the exact same treatment and leaving her nipple as hard as it's twin.

Eva ran her hands over his blond hair as he made his way south, kissing her ribcage and down to her navel. There he plunged his tongue inside as he kissed down. She was flying up with the clouds, not even hearing the drops of rain loudly crashing on the windows. She was in heaven.

She felt him kiss his way down her long legs and back up stopping close to her feminine center. Though he was lying half on top of her, she managed to open her legs a bit, the pulsating need leading her instincts. His hot breath made her buck up a bit. She was so lost in him, in her love for him, in her want for him that it made her feel complete.

"Francis..." What was she going to say? Did she wanted him to stop or go faster?

He flicked his tounge exploring her womanhood for the first time. She was already wet for him, and so sweet... He kissed her there and then flicked his tongue over her aching bud. Slowly he began to play with her, placing a kiss in her center and then runing his tongue over her slit. The coil withing her was tightening, her heart was pounding in her chest and her blood was rushing in her ears. Soon her orgasm took her higher than she ever thought she could go.

Francis ran kisses up her torso again after finishing her glorious nectar. Their mouths found each other and they sealed in a passionate kiss. He kissed her temple and said softly in her ear that he loved her. Opening her legs wider and placing himself over her he entered her slowly.

In and out, slowly at first wanting her to feel loved and completely pleasured, he took his time. When it was clear that neither could take it any longer they found their pace and quicken their strokes.

Their climax came at the same time. Both looking at each other and whispering loving words.

Minutes later, Francis lay beside her. Her head was lying on his shoulder and her breathing was calmed.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm better than okay."

"Did I hurt your arm?"

"No."

"Are you sure your alright? You are unusually quiet."

"I'm trying to find the words."

"For what?"

"To thank you for showing me what it feels to be in heaven. I love you."

"I love you too."

>>>

It was late at night and the storm was brewing outside. The ocean seamed to come to life as great waves crashed on the shore. The intensity of the wind made the palm trees bend almost completely.

The stereo system was blaring and Elizabeth was dancing. Jason was standing in front of her as she stood on the couch and twisted along with the music.

"Come on Jason! Dance a little... Live a little!"

He had to bit the inside of his cheek to stop from laughing. She was the cutest thing he had ever seen. She was wearing a pink top with big blue letter's that proclaimed her an 'Angel' while her shorts proclaimed her a 'Devil' with big red letters plastered on her bottom. The very nice bottom she was now shaking in a very appealing way.

"Do you love me?" Her voice took his mind from the gutter for a second as he heard her ask in a loud cry. Why was she asking him that? Did he love her?

"Do you love me?" She said again and then he heard backup singers asking the same thing.

"Do you love me? Now that I can daaaance!" Elizabeth jumped off the couch and danced her way toward Jason. "Come on I'll show you how to mash potatoes."

"What? I don't want mashed potates we already ate." He said seriously.

"That's the name of a dance step. Here, you follow me. Do it like this." She proceeded to do the dance step, but Jason just stood there. "How about the twist?" She changed dance steps but he still didn't follow her. "Oh come on! I'm running out of dances here. What can you do?" She stopped dancing and placed her hands on her waist.

She looked cute with her hair all tussled and her lips in a slight pout. All he wanted at that moment was to kiss her...

Outside thunder hit hard and the loud sound made them both jump. Elizabeth yelled and moved closer to Jason. He placed his hands on her shoulders to keep her from running. The power went out and they stood in the middle of the dark and all of the sudden silent room.

"Jason?"

"It's okay the power generator will start automatically in a couple of minutes."

Time ticked by and nothing.

"Jason?"

"Any minute now."

Still nothing.

"Jason?"

"Something went wrong."

"Yah, I kinda figured that."

"Stay here. I'll go out and see what's wrong." He let her go and stepped back but Elizabeth moved too.

"Oh, no you don't." She grabbed him by his shirt. "Are you nuts? It's pouring outside... it's dangerous to work with that thing right now."

"But..."

"Nothing. We'll use candles tonight."

"Okay."

They stood there for a minute neither wanting to let go, but soon he stood back and went to work on finding the candles and candle holders.

A few minutes later they were sitting on the floor over two sleeping bags, talking and listening to the music that was coming out of a small radio, powered by batteries.

"I love the rain, but I hate thunders. Lightning is not that bad, but still."

"You don't have to be afraid."

"I'm not afraid. I'm never afraid when I'm with you."

She looked up to find him staring at her. They were sitting side by side and all she wanted was for him to lean in and kiss her. His gaze was intense over her and she bit her lip in wonder.

Damn that lip! He wanted to taste it and bite it and then salvage the wound with his tounge as he pressed for entrance and ...

Involuntarily he moved closer to her. Under the candle light her eyes seemed more shiny and her skin irradiated innocence.

The devil made him do it. That was the only explanation. Suddenly lighting lit the room and he looked down on her. His hand moved up and played with a strand of hair that had fallen over her face. Slowly he placed it behind her ear. His fingertips lingered there giving her chills of excitement. Her breath was caught in the back of her throat and her heart rate quickened even more.

A mere centimeter separated them, his nose played with hers and she felt like she was falling. He was about to kiss her. She closed her eyes as he made his way closer to her lips. His hand pulled on her chin making her released the tortured lip. His fingers caressed her cheeks and...

"Jason?"

"Elizabeth?"

"Guys where are you? Are you alright?"

Francis voice traveled toward them from the stairs making them step away from each other. Jason stood up and walked over to the stair case leaving Elizabeth sitting on the floor. She placed her trembling fingers over her lips and tried to calm her heartbeats.

"Jason is that you?" Francis moved his flashlight over the livingroom.

Jason cleared his throat. "Yeah it's me."

"What happened? We fell asleep and when I woke up everything was in the dark." Francis walked down and came to a stop in front of Jason.

"The generator didn't kick in. It was raining pretty hard and I couldn't go out there. The other guards are staying in the hotel."

"Where's Elizabeth?" Francis said.

"R-right here." Her legs still felt like jell-O, so she decided to stay sitting for a few more minutes. She lifted her arm so Francis could see her.

"Rain seemed to have stopped. So if everything's alright down here I'll go back to Eva's?"

"Congratulations, Francis." Elizabeth said smiling.

Elizabeth smiled mischievously at the mention of the older girl. Jason noticed for the first time that Francis was shirtless and wearing his bermuda shorts from earlier.

"How are things between you two?"

The older man's face turned pink and he nodded. "Everything's great."

"Good for you man." Jason knew that Francis was happy and that was all that mattered.

"Thanks. Okay, I'll go up now. Be careful down here you two."

The older man walked up the stairs leaving them alone again. Jason kept looking away, mustering the courage to turn around and face the very beautiful girl sitting on the floor... the very beautiful and young girl he almost harassed a few minutes ago.

He ran his hands over his face, breathed in and out and turned around. When he walked closer he saw her lying down inside her sleeping bag. She had her eyes closed, but he knew she wasn't asleep. Still he didn't say a word. Things were just too complicated to deal with right now.

"The eye of the storm has left Puerto Rico and is now making it's way out into the open water. So it's just a couple more hours until things go back to normal. Stay put and try to relax for the rest of the night, because tomorrow the sun will come out again..."

Jason blew out the candles and walked over to the couch. He sat down and watched her fall asleep.The announcement of the dj did nothing to calm Jason down. How was he supposed to relax when he was feeling a storm brewing up in his chest. No, that guy on the radio was wrong. The storm wasn't over. It had just begun.