(Say's in big movie announcer dude voice) 'And now, the moment you've all been waiting for...'
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The place where Kate and her friends were holding the party turned out to be a gorgeous five-bedroom villa on the beach in Malmok. The wide-open layout at the center of the house was perfect for parties, with tiled floors and glass everywhere. The view was all Caribbean and garden and pool.
The catered party had been set up around the pool, though, with tables piled high with finger foods and desserts and drinks. A small reggae band was playing on the far side of the pool. Torches had been set up everywhere, flickering and flaring in the light breeze.
"Now aren't you glad I talked you into coming after all?" Mac asked.
"No," Spencer said, stepping farther back into a bush as a group of laughing people tried to move past them.
Spencer's day had been miserable. She'd fought with Ash and argued with her father. She started to do the same thing with Mackenzie when she showed up at the house in the afternoon. Mac wouldn't put up with it though. She'd been determined they were going to the party, even if she had to drag Spencer. And Spencer's excuses that she had a sunburn, that she was exhausted, and that she had a headache fell on deaf ears. Mac had simply bullied her into dressing up and coming to the party.
"Aiden said he and Ash will try to get here by 9:00. They had an organizational meeting to go to at the fisherman's hut for the races."
"Do you know what time it is now?"
"No, why?"
"I want to leave by nine."
Mac shot her a narrow glare. "You're being impossible, girl."
"I am not, look at her," Spencer said through gritted teeth. Kate stood near the band,
swaying to the music. She was dressed in a very short strapless white dress that hugged her curves like a glove. "She looks like one of the stars on Baywatch."
"Not a star," Mac corrected. "Only an extra. But since were discussing looks, maybe you should go and stand in the bathroom. Go on, take a peek at yourself in the mirror. I'm telling you girl, you look hot."
"Yeah. that's because I'm burnt."
Mackenzie slapped her on he hand. "Fix the attitude. I just spotted one handsome looking guy and gorgeous looking girl walking in."
Spencer glanced at the glass French doors of the villa and saw Ash and Aiden. At the same time, she saw two of the Lizards pounce on them like five year olds at an ice-cream vendor. They both obviously had their plan in place. Quite the reception committee, and Kate wasn't far behind. As she rounded the pool, her smile looked so bright Spencer figured people were getting blinded in Venezuela.
Spencer smiled at a fact she took in. "Out of all the people I know, Ash would be a person who wears jeans to a formal party; and still look hot."
"Well she is wearing a dressy pair of jeans and she does still fit in, as always," Mac chided. "I'm going to greet Aiden." Mac said. "Are you coming?"
"No," Spencer said in a small voice. "I think I'll just stay here and dig a hole I can crawl into."
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As Kate approached, Ash grabbed the bottle of beer out of Aiden's hand and held it up as if she were reading the label.
"Finally! I was expecting you this afternoon," Kate said, trying to lop her arm around Ash's neck.
Ash continued to hold the bottle in that way, and then she took a sip out of it. In a split second, the whole thing became too awkward, even for Kate.
"Nice party," Ash said, looking at the crowd. "Is Spencer here?"
"Yes she is," Mac answered, reaching them. Aiden immediately put an arm around her and stole a kiss. Mac smiled and pointed, reluctantly taking her eyes off Aiden. "She's by the garden. Oh, wait a minute. . .there she is. She's walking by the pool."
Ash stepped away from Kate and looked that way.
"She's moping a bit, Ash. She had a real hard day. Id say she needs a bit of TLC."
Spencer's back was to the brunette's, and Ash let her gaze move appreciatively from the blonde curls tumbling on her shoulders like a waterfall of golden, silky threads to her beautiful back. A long skirt reached her shoes, hiding all but the toe of her cast. The blonde turned to look at the band, and her gaze moved in Ash's direction and caught her eyes. Ash felt the sharp kick in her chest, and started towards the other girl.
"Not yet," Kate moved in front of her, pressing a hand to Ash's chest. "There's something I have to show you first. It's a surprise."
"Not now," Ash tried to get around her, but Kate blocked her again.
"It can't wait Ash. It's inside."
"Then let me go get Spencer, and you can show both of us your surprise."
"You can't spare five minutes with your girl?" She was pouting and hugging Ash's arm.
"Actually, I could spend an eternity with her, and she right there by the pool,' Ash said sharply, peeling Kate of her.
Ash didn't want to see if her words sank into Kate or not, for her attention was immediately drawn to a disaster being engineered before her very eyes.
Ellie was direction two of the waiters, who were holding one of the food laden tables like a battering ram and backing toward the pool. Ellie was taking of a wrap, revealing a dress with a neckline that plunged to her navel, and continuing to motion the men backward. The waiters' eyes were fixed on her. Ash watched in horror as Ellie aimed the end of the table right at Spencer, who was now standing and facing the pool. It was like a slow motion scene from a movie. Spencer was going to get knocked into the water.
"SPENCER!" she shouted.
The blonde must have heard her voice over the music, for she turned just in time to see the table about to ram her off the edge of the pool. As she stepped aside, one of her crutches banged the leg of the table, and Ash saw it fold inward. The men whirled around, letting go of the table as they saw Spencer.
As one end of the table collapsed, the great shrimp slide began, and Ash saw all the food slide irrevocably toward the pool.
Spencer stared in stunned belief at the stuffed mushroom caps spreading onto the surface of the water.
A watermelon fruit bowl came next, but it went down like the Titanic. The swan centerpiece carved from ice made the leap into the pool and seemed to peck once at the mushroom caps, but then quickly went belly up. Cocktail shrimp dove in like shiny red lemmings.
A strong arm encircled her waist and lifted her up, carrying her bodily away from the chaos.
"I won't have you taking all the credit for that," Ash whispered in her ear and kissed her earlobe.
"It was amazing, wasn't it?" Spencer asked as Ash put her down at the edge of one of the gardens closer to the beach. "These crutches have been the best weapons."
"Yes, but this time they were only used in self-defense. . .and Ill take them now." The brunette disarmed her and laid the crutches against the palm tree. "How about we walk on the beach until thing get cleaned up in there?"
The blonde looked down at her long skirt. "Walking in this with the crutches is a little bit difficult. Without them, I think the walk will be impossible."
The skirt was too tight. She shouldn't have listened t Mac. She should have just wore a pair of shorts or something.
"No problem," the taller girl responded.
Spencer squealed when she was lifted by Ash and shrieked when she tossed the blond over her shoulder. Spencer never realized the extent of Ash's physical strength until now. Then again, Spencer was pretty light weight.
"What are you doing?" She asked, dangling upside down.
"Going for a walk."
Sand was being crossed at a pretty good rate. "This is ridiculous! Ash, put me down. My brain is getting scrambled."
"Not yet."
She tried to lift her head to see where they were going. Ash was almost at the water's edge. She turned left. But whose left was it? Ash's or hers? "I'm getting dizzy."
"I'll put you down in a minute."
"That might be too late," she complained. Although, she wasn't complaining at the same time. Being carried away by Ash to some serene place on the beach seemed like a pretty good idea to Spencer, secretly." I might get brain damage."
In a few seconds, she found herself being gently place on her feet next to two white lounge chairs. The water lapped the sand a couple of feet away. Spencer looked around, her head still spinning a little. She held onto Ash's shirt.
"I told you it would be too late. I can't see or think straight."
"Good," The brunette whispered, pushing the hair out of Spencer's face. She took the blonde's chin and lowered her mouth to hers. "If you're not thinking straight, then I can take advantage of you."
Ash kissed her, and every inch of Spencer's body came to life. Ash made her feel real. And her touch brushed away all the negative thoughts that had been buzzing in her brain. In the older girl's arms, she believed there were no limits to what they could do.
"I'm sorry about this morning," Spencer whispered, as soon as the other girl's lips lifted from hers. "I'm really sorry about the way I behaved. About my carelessness in approaching those two guys. I know you were trying to be protective of me."
"I'm sorry about leaving you all alone on the beach." Ash leaned down and kissed the young woman's shoulder.
"You were racing. . .or bumping and jumping. . .or whatever." She then smiled. "I wanted to be there."
"Really? Because I like being here way much better." Ash drew her into her arms again, and the blonde rested her head against the other girls chest. "You look really beautiful tonight." The music was playing once again at the party in the distance. Things appeared to have returned to normal.
Spencer nuzzled her head into Ash's neck, sighing in content. "Do you ink we should go back?" she reluctantly asked.
"No," Ash replied softly. Sitting down on one of the chairs, she pulled Spencer down with her. "I just want to stay here . . .with you."
Spencer nestled her back against the brunette's chest, and Ash's arms wrapped around her. They looked out in silence at the black water for a while.
"This is perfect," the blonde finally murmured with another sigh.
A brightly lit cruise sip was moving slowly across the dark waters in the distance. The thought came to Spencer that there was nowhere else she truly wanted to be in the world. Nowhere but in Ash's strong and secure arms. What she felt for Ash didn't frighten her anymore. She was ready to live her life.
"This is quite a dress," Ash said.
"You like it?"
"Way to much." she rubbed the fabric gently across Spencer's stomach. "We'll have to add it to the 'do not wear' list. . .unless you want your girlfriends hands all over you."
Spencer turned her head and pressed a kiss against the other woman's jaw. The blonde wanted Ash's hands all over her. She'd have to find another occasion to wear it.
"You got burnt today," the brunette said, pushing the blondes hair of her shoulder and kissing her fevered skin.
"Not burnt. Tanned."
"Is your tan painful?" Spencer could hear the smile in Ash's voice.
"Very. But only in a couple of places."
"Where?"
"My arms, face, back, chest, and my legs."
"Does it hurt here?" Ash's thumb brushed over the blonde's breast.
Spencer fond herself arching her back, lifting herself into Ash's hand. Sensations vibrated through her.
"No," she said softly. "It doesn't hurt there. Just everywhere else."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "I wasn't burned there. You can see for yourself."
Spencer couldn't believe that she'd said the words, but it was too late. The brunette's fingers skillfully untied the string behind her neck. She almost bought a hand up to stop the older woman, but he touch of Ash's mouth on her neck numbed her.
The triangle of cloth dropped down. She felt the whisper of the breeze kiss her naked skin.
"You are so beautiful," the brunette said hoarsely, sliding her fingers beneath the blondes breasts.
Spencer thought she was going to die. She moved slightly in Ash's arms, wanting more, not knowing how to ask. A couple's voices came from somewhere behind them. Spencer immediately tensed, and Ash reluctantly pulled her shirt back up, tying it behind her neck.
"I have some great aloe cream for sunburn," Ash whispered in her ear. "It even smells good," she added, rather seductively.
"I'm not burnt," Spencer corrected. "I'm tanned."
"Excuse me. I have some great lotion for tans that hurt."
Spencer smiled. "Really" Where?" she asked, leaning to the side to see Ash's face.
"Back at the guesthouse."
Spencer threaded her fingers through Ashley's hair and bought her mouth closer until she could taste her. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying, if you come back there with me tonight, I'll spread his amazing lotion all over your body."
She swallowed. "All over?"
Ash nodded. "All over."
"You know, that could only lead to one thing."
She nodded. "But you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. And I don't have to do anything you don't want me to do. I love you, Spencer."
Spencer froze, staring into Ashley's Hazel eyes. They conveyed so much emotion. So much care, and love.
"I've never felt what I feel for you with anyone else in my life," she said, cupping the younger woman's face and bringing it closer to hers. "I've never wanted anyone else as much as I want you. I know this kind of talk makes you ready to run, but its okay. I just wanted you to know how I feel. As far as everything else, I'll wait as long as you-"
Spencer put a finger to her lips, silencing Ash. "I love you back, Ash. And you can do whatever you want to do to me, for all I care. There, I said it. And look, no thunderbolt appearing out of the sky to strike me. And no earthquake. I said it out loud and nothing horrible is happening."
No sooner had the words left her lips than she was aware of two figures standing not five feet from the chairs.
Lorenzo's nephew, Tony and one of the Gorillas that she'd seen at the restaurant moved toward the chair.
Tony was holding a gun in his hand.
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Wow, didn't this chapter just rock your socks off?? Come on, tell me what you think. Review this chapter, just because you think I'm awesome and all.
Thanks for all of chapter 22 reviews!
TTfN \m/