Hello everyone, I'm not even going to bother making an excuse. It has been an eternity since my last post. I've been so busy after the wedding and work that I just didn't have a moment to spare. this time around, I promise I'll actually finish. leave me some feedback, and please forgive me!

Always,

Vine

I could feel my pulse racing, and by the glint in his blue eyes, he could too. I was about to refuse bitterly when he stood lithely and offered and proffered his hand. My hair feel in front of my eyes as I panicked, grabbing his fingers tightly as he lifted me off the ground. A few of the other players looked at us gloomily, I'm sure they would prefer to take my place. I wondered briefly if they were spinning the bottle properly, Michel had been called more than anyone else thus far.

He turned and led the way forward and I trailed behind, my face fully flushed. This wasn't supposed to happen, he didn't think of me like that. I wasn't supposed to think of him like that. My mind went to that awful night when he had kissed me. I had felt like I was drowning in him, a drug I walked away from. I did not know if I could do that a second time.

When the door closed behind us I realized how small the space really was. I could easily reach out and grasp the collars of his shirt, push off his blazer and unbutton... Shaking my head I frowned. It was dark. Before he could say anything, I began blabbering.

"We don't have to do anything, I don't want to impose or make you feel like I was up to something. This is probably just a stupid idea of Alice's, she enjoys making me miserable. Besides we should be leaving soon, shouldn't we?" All while I was talking, I didn't dare take a look up.

Silence invaded the space before he suddenly grabbed my waist, yanking me close until our chests were pressed together. My blush, if possible, got deeper. I was suddenly regretting the choice of my dress. The neckline was already low, but in our position, he had a clear visual of the tops of my breasts.

His grip was tight, and he bent his neck until his lips were level with my left ear. I could feel laughter rumbling between us. My eyes narrowed in confusion. What was so funny?

"Relax Kerry, it's just a game. Lighten up and treat me like that James guy. It's not like you did much in here anyway." He told me lightheartedly. When he was this close, I could feel his lips pull up on the corners, mocking me. The butterflies in my stomach disappeared as my irritation grew, most of them anyway.

"You keep saying that, but unless you conveniently forgot to mention you could see through walls, I don't know how you could tell." I hissed, though I was mildly curious about the X-ray vision. Comics had to get there ideas from somewhere right?

He shrugged, pulling back so I could see the outline of his face. "Your heartbeats barely changed. Either you didn't do much, or you really need to work on your seduction skills."

Less than a minute had passed but I wanted out of the closet. He was too sterile, too collected. I had spent energy in dressing up for the evening but he made me feel like a gangly girl. I wasn't very experienced, it was true, but I had a couple of boyfriends in high school. I felt divided, part of me wanted to run and the other wanted to prove him wrong. Irrationality began to bubble over as I straightened my spine. I shifted my hands from their useless positions, trapped between us, to tangle my fingers into his hair.

I cold feel a slight quiver in my movements as I pulled him down, brushing his lips against mine. He could have stopped me, he could have pulled away, but he didn't. Instead I could feel his palms sliding up and down my back. He broke the kiss lightly and I could see the edges of his white teeth. I was suddenly nervous.

Without pause, he brought his mouth back to mine harshly. My head hit the wall as I found himself pinned against it. He ran his tongue across my bottom lip before nipping it teasingly. It wasn't so much permission as a warning as I suddenly found him forcing my mouth open for access.

I could feel myself battling him for control, falling into a pattern of give and take. My skin felt like it was on fire, every nerve was hyper sensitive. My nails dug into his scalp as I groaned. Maybe because it had been a few years, or maybe I had gotten better but this was nothing like the first time. His kisses reached lower and lower, I could feel heat curling my toes.

I allowed my fingers to explore, tracing his sharp jaw line before following his jugular down to his collar bone. He wasn't warm to touch, but I couldn't help feeling flushed. I felt down to his chest, hard muscle under the thin fabric of his shirt.

I ran the tip of my tongue along the roof of his mouth, and with dizzying speed his arm skid down past the edges of my flowing skirt, grasping my legs and hoisting me up until I locked my ankles behind him. My head fell back, as I closed my eyes, concentrating on his ministrations.

He shifted his attention downward, first finding a tender spot beneath my ear, then sliding down to the point where my neck met my shoulders. I shuddered at the feathery kisses as he increased the pressure, drawing small circles where his lips touched. His hands gripped my hips tightly; skin on skin contact. I squirmed a little, gasping and our lower bodies ground against each other.

Unconsciously, with one hand planted firmly at the nape of his neck, the other went lower, slipping under the bottom of his shirt. I could feel his stomach, the ridges of his abdomen and the V-line that sprouted at his waist line. He seemed to be responding positively. When I felt his teeth graze my skin though, I panicked.

"Don't bite." I whispered fervently, remembering the mark on the other girl. Remember who, and what, I was with.

He shook his head lightly, rising until I met his gaze. " Not even a taste?"

My eyes widened, brown and doey and scared shitless. I began to loosen my grip, wanting out. He scoffed at me, and tightened his grip not letting me go.

"Relax Kerry," he repeated, rolling his eyes. I was beginning to hate that phrase. "I was kidding."

When he was sure I wasn't going to bolt, he bent down to kiss me once more. Abruptly, I found myself back on the ground, fighting to gain my balance. The lack of contact with him was disheartening.

"Times up, let's go." he announced, not bothering to glance in my direction before opening the door and leaving me behind. I followed momentarily in a daze, my lips feeling swollen. I knew without looking that my hair was also a mess. By the looks others were giving me, I felt it necessary to straighten my dress as well.

Alice gave me an over exaggerated wink, as I looked over at Michel. His hair was slightly messy but he carried himself easily as if nothing had happened. Gulping, I cursed the thudding in my chest. I could play innocent to the whole room but he would know. He always knew.

Looking at his watch, he called over to me. "It's almost 10:30, wanna go and find your friend? I can bring the car around."

I nodded to him as he left. It was still a little early, and Nelle would not be please. Still, with so many people around it would take him a little while and I needed a moment to clear my head.

There was a moment of discontent as the people around me to get us to stay, especially Jillian. It was a wonder, the girl hardly ever talked to me before. Chances were she was just experiencing with drawl from Michel. I pitied her, I knew how it felt. I promised to talk to Alice later before heading out to find my best friend.

She was in the kitchen talking to some of her other guests as she searched the pantry for more plastic cups. I realized I hadn't had so much as a drop of alcohol. At least I wouldn't have to lie about that one to my father.

"Nelle, Chris wanted to hang out a bit. He's leaving town again tomorrow. I think we're gonna head out." I told her nonchalantly.

She narrowed her eyes and I covered my torso, feeling self-conscious. "What?" I muttered.

She gestured to all of me. "What in seven hells were you up too? You look ravaged."

For the umpteenth time that night, I blushed. She gave me a measured look before shrugging. "I didn't get to see you at all tonight. You were supposed to stay over."

"I know, but I didn't realize he'd be in town. I was expecting a change of plans." I soothed, I felt bad ditching her. If only Michel didn't have such awful timing.

"Promise we can hangout later in the week then? If I've got to share you, I better at least get some details. You never even explained who he is."

I gave her my word before giving her a quick hug. I passed the crowds, most were definitely crashing, and headed outside. It was chillier and my feet were starting to hurt in my heels. Pretty as they were, I was beginning to admit their impracticality. I walked further down the street to where we had parked to see Michel pull out between a few other cars, stopping close by so that I could enter the passenger side.

Music was playing, a classic jazz album by someone I couldn't quite place. He was humming to the tune, light hearted as usual. Looking at his profile, I wondered yet again, how old he really was. He played the college student so well but it was an obvious lie. He must get so bored so easily. Why was he wasting his time here with me, what could I possibly have to offer?

As we drove, most likely towards his manor house, we didn't talk. He was still humming, but I was feeling anxious. I could still feel his lips against mine, my neck, grazing my earlobe. I remembered his muscles under my hands, his touch on my legs. Maybe I really was a child, it hadn't seemed to have any affect on his current mood. As soon as the ten minutes were over, he had marched straight out.

I crossed my legs, straightening my dress so it covered my knees. Tucking my hair behind my ear, I gave into the temptation.

"So...not so innocent am I?" I hedged, biting my lip slightly.

He glanced at me momentarily before bringing his eyes back to the road.

"We didn't really do anything."

My jaw crunched. "You hands were up my skirt!"

He shrugged. "We were still just kissing."

I wish I could wipe that miserable grin off his face. My body had yet to cool down completely, as nonchalant as he was, he couldn't have felt nothing. The feel of his pelvis against my hips jumped to my mind.

"You can't pretend you didn't care, I could feel you. You reacted as much as I did!" I didn't know why I was pushing it, it didn't really matter what he thought, she had only started it to prove a point. His smile was ever present on his pale face.

"Never said I didn't like it", displaying his teeth. Blood rushed to my face once more, drawing his attention. He gave a bark of laughter, enjoying my discomfort.

Oh yeah, that's why he bothered to stick around. I was his own personal comedy act.