Chapter 46: Elephant in the Room

David wakes feeling Candice's bottom wiggling closer to him and smiles. His lower half is waking as well wanting nothing more than to find completion in her arms but his good sense grabbed hold of his wandering thoughts.

"Are you awake?" He asks trying to reclaim his thoughts.

Her response is to rub her bare bottom against his groin, "Yes."

"How are you feeling?" He asked reaching to open the freezer and put some distance between them.

"Better. Still a little sore I guess." She asked turning over to look at him.

He groaned, she was pouting. She looked so adorable when her bottom lip stuck out a little and her nose crinkled up just the slightest bit. Unable to resist her pout he leaned forward and kissed her shoulder smiling, "Then we better get you something to drink."

She watched as he practically jumped out of the freezer. She knew him too well, she knew he was trying to keep his distance and not get aroused. She had planned on making her case last night when they got home from Josef's but she hardly remembered most of the ride home or getting into the freezer.

"David?" He pulled his pants on and looked over at her. "Are you avoiding making love to be because you think I'm not ready or…is it these?"

Looking down at her ugly marks she couldn't help but feel insecure. Her skin had always been flawless. Maybe he was trying so hard to not hurt her feelings. Maybe he wasn't attracted to her anymore.

Seeing the look in her eyes David move to the side of the freezer and pulls her body up and against him in one swift move. He presses his lips to hers and pours his heart and soul into his kiss. When he pulls back they were both breathing hard unneeded breathes and he pressed his forehead to hers. "I want you so badly it takes everything in me to resist. But I don't want to hurt you. I love you Can no matter what and I can wait for you to feel better. Right now I want to take care of you."

Nodding she let him lift her completely out of the freezer and put her on her feet in front of him. "Okay but you know I would be even happier if you'd take care of me in another way."

David pulled back chuckling, "You're trying to kill me."

"No just trying to make you see I'm fine. Sure, I'm a bit sore but we have no idea how long these will take to heal," she holds up her arms. "And I for one have no intention of waiting to make love to the man I love. Sure I might not be on top for a while but I can think of plenty of ways to do it without hurting me."

He could feel his lower half stirring and let out a deep breath. "Let's get something to eat first before you drive me completely insane."

Seeing she was winning him over she kissed his cheek and grabbed her robe. "Yes we'll need our strength because I'm not finished with you."

Candice made her way down the stairs and to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of blood pouring them both a glass without saying another word. She could see the way his eyes watched her, the lust clouding them, he would break soon enough and give into her. For a moment she almost felt bad teasing him to get her way, but it was to get what they both wanted he was just scared of hurting her.

Her mind drifted to what Ryan had said while they were captured. About how David seemed to take good care of her. She'd always known it and she loved how protective he was. When he'd collected her the night before she'd asked if Ryan was okay and even though she was half asleep she could see he had to fight to remain calm while he told her Ryan would be just fine.

Jean was right. They needed to talk about the elephant in the room. "David?"

Setting his empty glass down he looked at hers still full. "Is something wrong with it?"

Looking at her glass she shook her head, "No the blood is fine. I just…we need to talk."

He groaned inwardly hearing those words. They were never the start to a pleasant conversation with any woman. "Can you drink first?" He asked knowing she needed it but also stalling for time. He'd had everything planned out so perfectly in his head for when he came home but then with everything that happened he had planned to do it as soon as he found her and since then he'd been putting it off wanting to make sure she was okay and now she wanted to talk.

Seeing the terrified look on his face she quickly drank her glass of blood and set the glass down. "I know this sounds ominous but I think we need to talk about everything. I know you're holding things inside and I don't want to feel like walking on egg shells."

Moving closer to him Candice takes his hands in hers and brings them up between them. "I love you David but we can't pretend that this didn't happen. I was taken and held captive with Ryan. I was made to dance for him, we talked a lot and I know that bothers you."

Looking into her eyes David knew he couldn't deny the truth. "Lets sit down," he moved them from the kitchen to the sofa.

"You're right. It does bother me."

Candice doesn't say anything just waits for him to continue. "You were trapped with a man who's in love with you. I know you care about him. Ryan was there for you when I wasn't. I know in some situations senses are heightened and feelings can develop."

She starts to interject ignoring what Jean said about letting him talk but he continues before she can utter a word. "I already knew he loved you and then he got to save you. I know you love me and I guess part of me understands if you developed feelings for him but it—"

"No," she cut him off. "David listen please. I do care about Ryan but only as a friend. I've never had any romantic feelings for him. Not then not now. We did get closer but only as friends, I got to finally get this guilt off my chest. I've always felt responsible for his betrayal. We talked about that. We talked about what if he had made a move and you know what I told him. I told him that I didn't know because it didn't happen and I fell in love with you and I can't imagine my life without you."

Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she spoke. "And you were there. I knew you'd find me, I knew you'd save me and that helped me more than you know. Ryan helped too but his help would have meant nothing if you hadn't been there in the end."

Moving his thumbs David wipes her tears away as best as he can, "I love you baby so much."

Leaning forward he kisses her lips softly before standing up quickly and disappearing. He returns moments later with a box of tissues in hand and Candice can't help but laugh.

To Be Continued…

Evilous