Author's note: Sorry everyone for the slow update. Honestly life just gets in the way but - here we go people! The last chapters. All Prime and Orianna from here. Will they get their happily ever after you've been hoping for? Only one way to find out….
As always thanks to Musical Medli and Katt210 for your very kind reviews. So grateful for your support. As always, would appreciate any reviews and suggestions so please be send 'em my way!
/denotes internal thoughts/
Warning: these next few chapters (especially the last), will contain some adult themes and content …. And so it bloody well should after all this time!
You've been warned! Read at your own discretion and do not read if underage… (though I'm sure that holds about as much authority as saying ''Wet Paint – don't touch!''). 😊
Chapter 110: You Alone
Orianna P.O.V
''Penny for your thoughts?''
I briefly closed my eyes in both shock and delight at the sound of the voice I loved with all my being. Biting back a smile, I chuckled to the waves before me. ''Personally, I'd save your money Optimus.'' I turned to face him, my breath catching at the sight of the handsome figure striding purposefully towards me. ''Nothing of interest going on in there.'' I smiled mischievously at him.
He was wearing a navy short sleeved T-shirt that showed off his tanned and toned arms to perfection, a pair of dark blue denim jeans with red stitching and a teasing half grin that set my heart racing. He laughed in reply, the sound wrapping deliciously around me. ''Is that so Orianna?''
Coming to a stop before me, he placed his hands on his hips. He arched a thick brow as he tilted his head in quiet consideration. ''Surely there is something on your mind.'' Azure eyes held my own as those inviting lips of his curved into a teasing smile.
''Such as Optimus?'' I folded my arms and arched a brow of my own in reply.
''Major Lennox.'' He offered abruptly. His smile faded and he stood a little taller, his stance stiffening. ''I thought perhaps, given the nature of your conversation yesterday morning, he may still occupy your thoughts?'' Prime seemed to hold his breath as he watched me.
I scoffed out loud and looked away towards the rolling waves. ''Lennox and I are back to just being friends Optimus. Something we are both perfectly happy to be.'' I turned back to face him. His eyes were closed as he stood absolutely still. /Like a very handsome Grecian statue of sorts/. ''I assure you he is the furthest thing from my mind.''
The tension in Optimus' frame seemed to melt away and his eyes flew open at my words. I smiled at him. His mouth moved silently, as if considering what to say in response. A moment later, he glanced skywards and nodded at the inky veil of darkness gathering above us. ''Well, surely, you've noticed the stars are now visible Orianna.'' He shifted almost awkwardly on his bare feet. ''Perhaps they at least occupy your thoughts?''
I nodded as I gazed skyward for a moment, taking in the majesty of the cosmos above me. ''I had Optimus, yes.'' I smiled wistfully to myself. ''Part of the reason I love coming here to this beach.'' I looked back towards him. He was staring at me, an unreadable expression on his face. ''The beautiful view.''
He nodded almost imperceptibly, as he continued to stare at me. ''The view is very beautiful, I agree.'' He took a small step towards me, slipping his hands into his pockets. I felt a nervous tension course through me as his piercing blue eyes regarded me intently. His eyes flicked over my figure, and he smiled warmly at me. ''You look lovely this evening Orianna.''
The breath I was about to take refused to enter my body as I snorted dismissively. ''Yeah, sure Optimus!'' A heat burned across my cheeks, and I chuckled nervously at him as I ruffled my black off the shoulder, knee-length dress I was wearing. It was a very comfortable but rather plain dress. /Nothing like the one I wore the night I told him I loved him/. I brushed some loose strands of hair behind my ear as I forced myself to look up at him again. ''But thanks anyway.'' I reached out and playfully patted his chest. ''You look pretty damn handsome yourself.'' I smiled up at him, even though a dull ache tore through my chest, ''but this isn't a date Big Guy, so no need to say such things.''
He reached up and captured my hand, his thumb brushing gently over my skin. I held my breath as his fingers caressed my skin. ''Is there a reason why it cannot become a date Orianna?''
A stuttering, nonsensical noise erupted from my lips as my mouth fell open unceremoniously. ''I.. um.. well… yes..'' He raised intense blue eyes to stare at me, his thumb still brushing over my skin. I could barely think.
''Is that a no, it cannot?'' Genuine disappointment briefly flickered across his features.
I closed my eyes and willed myself to collect my thoughts. ''NO!'' I replied immediately, horrified I might have lost an opportunity with him -again. ''It's not a 'no it cannot', it's a…'' I frowned up at him. He was looking past my shoulder out over the water, a look of intense concentration on his face. ''What?'' I snapped my head around, turning to face the direction he was looking. A brief stab of fear lanced through me when I couldn't see anything, and I stepped back against him for protection. ''What is it Prime?''
I tried to ignore the heat of his body pressed against me as he chuckled in reply, ''It's only a shooting star Orianna.'' The vibrations of his laughter travelled through me and I bit my lip at the sensations it caused. He leaned down over my shoulder, his deep baritone voice rumbling above my ear. ''Do you see the effect you have had upon me Orianna? For the first time in my life, I wished upon a star.''
I snorted in wry amusement. ''Well, let me know how that works out for you Optimus!'' My tone held more than a hint of sarcasm and I stepped away from him. Bending down, I picked up a small rock and hurled it towards the water line, taking a small amount of delight in the splash that was sent into the air. I turned back to face him, arms folded across my chest. ''While I haven't had the best track record with wishes, I hope you at least get what you wished for.''
''As do I,'' he rumbled softly as he stared at me, that damned unreadable expression on his face once more.
For a moment we simply stood there, staring at each other, the silence growing until he took a step towards me, and reached out to grab my hand, laying it flat against his chest over his spark. I could feel that delicious heat building between us.
''Orianna,'' his voice broke the silence as he reached out and cupped my face. ''I must beg your forgiveness.''
''For what Optimus?'' I asked confused.
His thumb brushed my cheek tenderly. ''For my callous actions towards you right here on this very beach nearly two years ago.'' He shook his head, ''When I made arguably the most regrettable decision of my life.''
At his words, my hand laying on his chest clawed softly at his shirt as I clung desperately to him. I closed my eyes and tilted my head as I processed his words. My voice rang with hope, and shock as I turned suddenly tear-filled eyes towards his. ''You said, ''regrettable.''
He nodded, ''Indeed, I did Orianna.'' His lips curved into a soft smile as he took half a step towards me. ''Remember that night before the mission, and I told you there was more that needed to be said between us?''
I nodded as I bit my lower lip. ''Of course.'' It felt as though my body was trying to go in every direction at once, as though every emotion I could possibly feel, was trying to find a voice. I willed myself to focus on his face, to simply breathe. ''How could I forget Optimus.'' My voice dropped to a whisper, ''For so many reasons.''
Optimus pulled me towards him, gently kissing my forehead. His lips lingering as he caressed my face. ''With what happened to Major Lennox, there was never really a right time to continue that conversation, to say what I have wanted to say to you - until now that is.''
''Well,'' I exhaled a tremulous breath as he wiped several tears away with his thumbs. ''What did you want to say to me Optimus?''
''Orianna – for the past year I have watched with increasing jealously as you and Major Lennox…''
''I wasn't trying to make you jealous Prime when I decided to be with Lennox.'' I interjected indignantly as I looked up at him. ''I was trying to move on because you told me you could never love me the way I desperately wanted you to!'' I brought a hand up to drill a finger into his chest, punctuating each word as my voice rose in frustration and remembered pain. ''I. Was. Trying. To. Survive. You!''
Once again, I felt his hands wrap around mine as he exhaled roughly. ''Orianna!'' The slightest hint of exasperation tinged his voice. ''I know what I said to you then and I cannot change what has happened, the choices I made,'' he placed my hands over his spark, as he stepped before me once more. ''No matter how desperately I wish I could.'' I looked towards him then, his eyes seemed to hold the same pain I felt within me.
Anger and regret washed over me concurrently as my eyes swept over his face. ''Optimus, If I had known, if I had thought for even one moment, there was a chance you would or could return my feelings,'' I swallowed the lump in my throat as I pulled a hand free to roughly wipe at the tears that slipped silently from my eyes. ''I would have waited for you.'' I looked away. ''I would have waited forever for you.''
I felt the gentle touch of his finger under my chin, bidding me to look at him again. I complied. He was smiling at me. ''And I will forever be sorry for the hurt and pain I have caused you Orianna, but please believe me when I tell you now, with utter sincerity, that my spark belongs to you and you alone.'' My hands closed tightly around his wrists, as I fought to remain upright. ''Has done since I was granted a second chance in Egypt to be with you.''
The weight of that memory and my relief was too much to bear, and it brought me to my knees. I sunk slowly to the ground with Optimus, supporting me, comforting me. ''But why?'' I questioned imploringly as I stared at him through tear-filled eyes. ''Why didn't you just tell me that on the bow of the ship that day?''
''Because I was scared!'' He barked, an echo of the fear he held then ringing in his tone. He closed his eyes, taking a deep, measured breath as his hands grasped my shoulders tightly. ''But I'm not anymore.'' He sighed out loud as he opened his eyes once more and ran his fingers lightly down my cheek. I leaned into his touch. ''Orianna, after all I have put you through, knowingly or not, you deserve the truth. You deserve all of me, just as you once willingly and bravely offered to me.'' I exhaled roughly as I bowed my head, overcome with emotions.
My heart was racing a million miles an hour as Optimus removed his hands from my shoulder. Reaching down, he clasped my hands within his own. ''Orianna,'' he squeezed my hands tightly and I looked up at him. ''Please try and understand, before you told me you loved me,'' he looked imploringly at me, ''I had not been loved, nor had I been in love for a very, very long time. I had closed myself off to the possibility of ever loving again.'' He closed his eyes as the ghost of a memory washed over him.
I squeezed his hand in a silent show of support and encouragement. Optimus opened his eyes and brushed his thumbs over my knuckles. Goosebumps, that had nothing to do with the cool evening breeze, began to prickle along my arms. ''But then I met you Orianna.'' He raised my right hand to his lips and kissed my palm tenderly. ''And you found a way past my barriers.'' Shaking his head, he smiled fondly down at me. ''You saw me, accepted me, wanted me just as I was.'' He exhaled softly, tilting his head, as if lost in the memory of that night. ''I knew I felt a great affection for you Orianna, but I just did not know, did not want to recognise it for what it was becoming.''
I nodded slowly. ''I think I finally understand, Optimus.'' I chuckled. ''Plus, I was a human woman. There was that extra curve ball I threw at you too!''
He nodded in reply and a deep rumble of laughter echoed around us. ''Yes, there was that.'' He reached up and brushed his fingers down my face in that intimate and tender gesture so familiar to us both. Placing my hands above his spark once more, he gazed directly into my eyes. ''I never thought a human woman and a Cybertronian mech such as myself could ever find love, could ever feel love towards one other.''
I closed my eyes and grabbed the hand that rested on my cheek, holding it tightly, afraid to let go. He smiled down at our entwined hands. I didn't want him to let go. /Never again!/. My voice trembled as I raised glistening eyes towards a face a knew as well as my own. ''How about now Optimus?'' I held my breath.
The very air around us seemed to still, waiting.
He exhaled slowly as he shook his head, the hand on my face gently cupping my chin. ''Orianna. It has been a long and painful path to understand just how wrong I was to say what I did to you that night, right here on this beach.''
Several tears silently slipped from my eyes as I released a shuddering breath. ''I was blind to not see, to not understand and accept what was always there between us. Human or transformer.'' He brought both my hands back to his chest, reverently covering them with his own. ''What I hope is between us still.'' His deep voice rumbled, washing over me, enveloping me.
He placed a trembling hand behind my head and drew me towards him slowly. ''And what would that be Optimus?'' My question was spoken in breathless anticipation as he closed the distance between us.
Pausing centimeters away from my face, he brought his other hand up to cradle my face. Brilliant azure eyes that reflected all the emotions that raged inside me; excitement, happiness, desire, fear, and need, gazed deeply into my own. He smiled as he replied in a low rumble. ''Love, Orianna. Love.''
Without another word, his lips captured mine, in a long, slow, and passionate kiss. A kiss that spoke of regret, of desperate need and longing. His hands moved to entangle in my hair, pulling me closer to him still. My own hands grasped either side of his lightly stubbled face possessively. I doubt I could ever be close enough to him, could ever get enough of him.
Breathlessly, we pulled apart and he bowed his head against mine. I relished the warmth and contact between us. ''My Orianna.'' He kissed my lips tenderly. ''I love you.''
I reached up and brushed a thumb against his cheek and he leaned into my touch, kissing my hand. Tears of happiness flowed down my face as I chuckled in reply. ''About bloody time you came around! You sure know how to make a girl wait!''
He grinned as he rose gracefully to his feet, reaching out a hand he helped me to my feet. ''Well, I had to make sure Orianna.'' He teased as I brushed sand from my knees.
''Well, are you?'' Though my eyes surely shone with desire, no doubt uncertainty and fear flickered briefly within them too. I held his gaze. ''Are you sure you want me?''
I barely had time to draw breath before I was pulled roughly into his arms, my mouth covered by the Prime's with bruising force. I moaned against his lips, trying to pull him closer still. He replied by pressing his muscled body up against mine, hands shooting out to grasp either side of my face and deepen the kiss.
Fingers held me almost painfully as his tongue darted out to taste me. He growled into my mouth as his hand slid down my neck and over my breast. I hissed out loud in pleasure and wrapped my arms around his neck, anchoring myself to him. Taking advantage of my parted lips, he sought to taste me more deeply. Strong hands found their way to the swell of my buttocks, and he grabbed me firmly, pulling me to him possessively.
It was as though he had lost all control. There was nothing gentle or restrained in his actions. No uncertainty or confliction haunted his decisions. There was desperation, a raw primal need and - fear. /Fear of losing me, just as I feared to lose him?/. I could feel his arousal pressed against me, the heady, warm feeling and thought of what was happening, what was possibly about to happen between us, pooled in my belly and between my thighs as my own arousal slammed into me.
I groaned in delight as Optimus' lips moved along my jaw and down my neck, leaving a trail of fire wherever they touched me. Without a word, he effortlessly lifted me bodily off the ground. Wrapping my legs about his waist, I squeezed him tightly, trying to possess him. My hands moved to rake through his thick, black waves of hair as he placed his hands under my thighs, his lips still hungrily claiming my own.
Breaking the kiss for a moment, I drew deep, gasping breaths as I briefly opened my eyes and moved to capture his face in my hands. My breath caught somewhere in my throat at the look on his face. The intensity of his stare as his eyes held my gaze rendered me speechless. I had never seen Optimus look at me like this before. It was as though I were the answer to every question he ever had as well as the hardest problem he had ever had to solve. There was a ferocity, a passion and an awe that burned within those incredible blue depths that rocked me to my core.
I blinked back tears as he brought his forehead forward, pressing it against my own. He was fire, and I leant willingly into his flames. I knew I would be burned, but I didn't care. I wanted to be consumed – had longed to be consumed by this mech, this being in my arms. /And now – now I was free to play with the flames/.
I could not stop the smile from spreading across my lips as I thought back to that night right here. We had leapt once more but this time - this time we had flown! I finally held the sun in my arms. It's brilliance, its warmth belonged to me and me alone! ''Optimuss..'' I whispered his name as though it were a sacred word. A word to be treasured above all others. /And truly, it was/.
''Orianna,'' Prime's voice rumbled darkly in reply, and I felt a delicious heat tickle my lower abdomen at the sound of my name coming from those lips. ''Does that answer your question?''
An almost feral grin spread across my lips as I rolled my hips against his. ''Almost Optimus, almost.'' His fingers dug into my flesh with bruising force, but I didn't mind. /I quite enjoyed the thought of him marking me/. I leaned down, my lips grazing his ear and his cheek just as they had that day at the firing range. His stubble tickled and scratched. ''Show me.'' I whispered seductively.
I gently bit his lobe and he growled, an almost animalistic, sound. I smiled as I breathed my demand hotly into his ear. ''Show me how much you want me.''