Capitolo 2 :: 2

Pubblicato: 25-05-05 - Ultimo aggiornamento: 05-04-06

Commenti: The chapter is incredibly short, I know, but it's just the way the story's evolving right now. Please, forgive me. Maybe in time the length will improve. ^^ Enjoy, M.

Capitolo: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

Two months later  

The big tires of the jet finally touched the ground.  

A blond man, a single pink rose in his hand, heaved a sigh of relief, watching the runways through rain-pelted windows. She was home. Safe and sound.  

The past three hours have been a nightmare. A beautiful, sunny morning turned into a gloom, cloudy afternoon, slowly evolving into a storm of apocalyptic proportions. The rain poured down in rivulets, the wind and thunders rattled the windowpanes, and lightning kept piercing the dark sky, drawing ghoulish figures against the cloudy backdrop.  

The first passengers appeared with their baggage trolleys and he turned his head with a faint smile. He couldn’t wait to see her again. She has been gone for only three days, but he missed her badly. I guess I’m becoming like the sissies in the soaps.  

Sighing, he shook his head, his eyes lighting up as he saw Cory walking toward him, a bulging duffel thrown over her shoulder. She never used trolleys and she hated it when he offered to carry heavy stuff for her. She was strong, stronger than any other woman he has ever known, and she wasn’t afraid to show it.  

Cory saw him standing there, grinning. Her eyes twinkling, she waved enthusiastically, running to him, and threw herself in his arms. »Hey, handsome, « she smiled up at him.  

He seemed to drown in her eyes for a moment. »Hey, you. « He kissed her passionately, reacquainting himself with her sweet taste. With her beautiful, generous mouth.  

»God, I missed you, « he muttered hoarsely against her lips, when they came up for air.  

»I missed you, too, « she whispered, brushing her soft lips against his again.  

Mick stepped back, pulling the rose from behind his back. »A rose for a rose, princess. «  

She swatted at his chest, her eyes moistening. »That’s such a cliché! «  

He smiled sheepishly. »Sorry for not being Byron, sweet. «  

Cory took the rose, breathing in its scent. »You don’t have to be a poet, Mick. You’re perfect the way you are. « She batted her lashes above the pink petals. »Thank you, « she murmured.  

Removing the rose from her lips, he kissed her again. Tenderly. »You’re welcome. «  

»So, how was the conference? «  

They were dining in their favorite restaurant. The same where they met. They’ve been coming here ever since. It was a small, family-run Italian restaurant with killer ‘fettuccini Alberto’. Cory loved those and Mick loved Cory. Why not indulge her?  

»Hectic, « she sighed, munching on her radicchio. »But the kids were fantastic, so it was all worth it. «  

»Seen any sights? « He looked sadly at his plate. Damn, but he hated his food when it wasn’t drenched in ketchup.  

Cory nodded enthusiastically. »Yup, I got Harrison Ford’s autograph. «  

Mick rolled his eyes. »Sights, honey, not celebrities. «  

»I was in L.A., Mick. What sights are there? «  

He thought for a moment. She did have a point. »Aha. Film studios. «  

»I did go to Paramount. I saw the Indiana Jones sets. «  

»Would you please cut it out with your Harrison Ford obsession? «  

She smiled slowly. He always got jealous as hell when Indiana Jones was on. She loved to tease him. »What can I do? He’s a hunk. «  

Mick actually pouted. »What about me. «  

»You’re my teddy bear. « Seeing his sullen expression, she patted his hand. »Mick, listen to me. Every woman is drawn to the bad boy. Nevertheless, every one ends up with the good guy. I had my share of bad boy, now it’s time for the good guy to play his role. «  

She never told him more than that. ‘She had her share of bad boy’. When, where, what happened, who was the bastard…? Nothing. If he tried to learn something more, she closed off like a shell.  

Therefore, he decided to use his connections to find out more, but she didn’t seem to exist before she became Cory McGuire. No one recognized her photo; no one seemed to know who she was, where she came from. He always hit a wall, no matter what direction he took.  

»So, I’m the good guy, huh? « He smiled.  

She licked her fork clean. »Definitely the good guy. «  

Oh, baby, if you only knew. He wasn’t a good guy, he wasn’t nice. He was a sweeper, a hired killer, and that suited him. Up until he met her. She was pure, innocent… albeit mysterious… full of life, full of love. She was his sunshine.  

»Helloooo! « Cory snapped her fingers before his eyes. »Are you even listening to me? «  

»No, « he smiled sheepishly.  

She frowned. »Is something wrong? Want to talk about it? «  

Mick shook his head. »Nothing’s wrong. « Except I know squat about who you really are. »Just lost in thought.«  

»Wow. There was some serious thinking going on. You looked like you ate something way past its expiry date. « She winked. »I guess what goes for blond women doesn’t apply to men. «  

»Hey, I resent that. « He laughed.  

Cory secretly heaved a sigh of relief. At least she made him laugh. He’d been all gloomy since her return. Why don’t you confide in me, Mick? He always kept everything inside. Maybe because you, too, don’t confide in him. She firmly closed her ears off to that tiny voice.  

Her conscience was becoming a nuisance of late. She was entitled to her secrets, wasn’t she? Everyone had secrets, why couldn’t she? He had secrets, too. So there you have it.  

»Babe, « Mick murmured, when she didn’t even touch her Tiramisu. She usually jumped on the treat like a grizzly after hibernation. »What is it? «  

She shook her head, winking at him. »I guess this whole thinking thing is contagious. «  

They both laughed, the evening slipping into the pleasantly normal and relaxing vibe again.  

Mick leaned her against her door, kissing her senseless.  

Cory’s arms tightened around his neck, pressing her entire body flush against his. She moaned, her fingers tunneling in his fair mane. She loved the texture of his hair. Silky soft and smooth. She would have played with his hair for hours.  

His hand moved up from her waist, slowly, gently cupping her breast. He was so hard for her he thought he’d burst.  

Feeling his hand on the swell of her breast, made Cory’s world crash down around her. Gasping, she pulled out of his embrace, cheeks burning.  

Mick groaned in frustration. It was always the same. Right when he thought he was making some progress, she became skittish and jittery. He had to have her. Soon. Or he’d die. Is it possible to die from celibacy?  

Cory cleared her throat, brushing a quick kiss across his lips. »’Night. «  

And she was gone, the door closing in his face.  

Muttering curses under his breath, he walked slowly to his car.  

…  

Cory took a quick shower and curled on the sofa in her fluffy dark green bathrobe, with a mug of hot chocolate in her hands.  

Why couldn’t she go through with it? He loved her, she knew that, and it hurt her seeing him so frustrated. She loved him, too, so why not give in to the desire burning inside her. Inside both of them.  

»A virgin at twenty-eight, « she muttered ruefully. »A nice comedy would come out of it. «  

As was her habit, she picked her pad up, doodling on the white paper. She never went to sleep before she was utterly and completely tired. If she did, she knew dreams would eventually come. Dreams that plagued her constantly over the past four years. Dreams of darkness, blood, death, and love. Love so overpowering it consumed her soul.  

She couldn’t stand those dreams. She couldn’t stand waking up in tears, spasms shaking her body. She just couldn’t forget him.  

His eyes, his voice… He still walked in the realm of her dreams, never changing, never aging. His last words still echoing in her mind.  

»You and I together don’t work. I’m sorry to have kept you with me this long, but the promise made to your brother bound me. Now you’re old enough to live by yourself, besides, being with me always puts you in danger, and you’re too weak to defend yourself. I’m tired of looking after you, always protecting you, and sheltering you. Leave, make a new life for yourself, and forget about me… «  

»Forget…«  

A solitary tear fell on his face, she has unconsciously drawn on her pad, smearing the hard lines of his face. His dark eyes still bore into hers… 

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