OUTBREAK: ZERO is a semi post-apocalyptic pandemic roleplay set in the fictional city of Lethford, USA. Current season: Winter, 20/21.
March 2020. The world is in pandemonium as one month ago, GHNv-20 was confirmed, five months after the beginning of norovirus season. The number of the infected are in the higher hundred thousands, and the death toll is at an estimated 250,000, with about seventy percent of the rest of the population experiencing mild to moderate illnesses connected to the S. pyogenes bacteria.
The fear of the unknown has caused mass hysteria and panic.
In an attempt to provide a semblance of safety and control, military personnel patrol the streets, even here in Lethford City, and the police force is trying to keep up with the rising street violence, assault, and theft.
Welcome to OUTBREAK: zero. Will you survive?
HAYANA
SITE OWNER + HEAD ADMINISTRATOR
Hi! I'm Haya. I'm pretty much your girl for everything! If you have any questions regarding our plot, membergroups, etc. don't hesitate to ask me. I'm also in charge of coding, graphics, anything skin related, and advertising/affiliates.
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ADDI
ADMINISTRATOR
Hey! I'm Addi. Hit me up if you need help with anything. I'm always for plotting so don't be shy. I like coffee, booze, and working out. I'm back from a long hiatus the dead so if you need anything, best ask the others until I get back into the groove of things!
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FINNLEY
GLOBAL MODERATOR
Hi hello! My name is Finnley, or Finn, call whichever and I'll be there for you (yes like the FRIENDS theme song). I am in charge of the claims and helping with miscellaneous things. Let me know if you have any questions!
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outbreak
/ˈaʊtbreɪk/ zero /ˈzɪərəʊ/
a sudden occurrence of something unwelcome, such as war or disease. number, no quantity or number; nought; the figure 0.
He laid in the aftermath with her tucked against him, steadying his breathing and listening to hers. She fit against him as if she was made for him, and no matter how he shifted them, she washed over him. Settling easily. Her soft touches brought goosebumps to his skin as he closed his eyes, humming with satisfaction as she seemed to be basking in the post haze of what transpired between them. His own hand tracing small circles on the bare skin of her back. He hadn’t forgotten about their little conversation. She was insanely good at distracting him, but he knew that eventually he would be pressing her for answers. If they were going to attempt this, he needed to know.
She seemed to have the same thoughts, as she suddenly spoke up. Her light touch was calming, though he paid close attention to her words. The words that started painting a very different picture than the one he had offered to show her. She was an orphan, left on her own and never knowing a true family. Her sad joke of not having to memorize her facts had him tightening his hold on her slightly. He didn’t seek to see her eyes as she spoke. Not at first, he stared at the ceiling above them that was catching the story just as much as he was. He couldn’t imagine life without family, without knowing who you really were. Where you came from. But she truly didn’t seem bothered by it.
She was smart. He already knew it, but hearing her talk about schooling and what she chose to do just confirmed it. The lift in her voice made him know she was smiling, she was happy about it. How she had come out on top. He felt just as proud of her as she was of herself. At the mention of the tacos, he gave a soft, almost silent chuckle. “Hm, hands down the best tacos. I might need directions.” he commented lightly. Not in a way to interrupt her, but to encourage her on. He wanted to hear her talk about Boston and what she loved about it. What she missed most now that she was here in Lethford. He wondered briefly why she left. What he didn’t expect was the turn in the story.
Will had to tell himself to not move, not tighten his grip on her. He wish he could have been there, somehow be there to stop what happened to her. His eyes slid shut as she talked about the testing that was done. But what truly shook him to his core was that clearly the guy was military, he hid behind his uniform and apparently felt so inferior that he had to drug a woman. His woman. She spoke so openly about it, about how she tried to follow the case legally but was let down. Clearly he had friends in higher places and knew who could make things disappear. Someone with high clearance. No wonder she met him with anger and disgust when she first met him.
She saw the uniform and was instantly reminded of the wrong doing that was left for her. As her hands moved from stroking his arms to his waist, he shifted his look to her finally. “A damn pity.” He repeated after her. He had a feeling her mind thought like his, because he really truly meant it was a pity. People like that, they were the ones that deserved to be publicly beaten and shot. He didn’t know what to say though. Sorry felt all kinds of wrong, as if he was apologizing and turning pity to her for what happened. Sorrow was what he felt. She deserved so much better than what she had been given. And now she was trusting someone who served in those same uniforms. He reached over and turned her head to look up at him. “Sounds like we need to go to the range sometime.”
It was a joke. Mainly. Part of him thought it’d be best if he brushed up on his shoot skills. Just in case. He almost asked for his name, but as he looked down at her, he knew that would mean a life behind bars for him with the rage he felt behind his mask of calm. He didn’t pity her, he didn’t look at her as if she was some victim, though she was. He saw her as a damn warrior that was so much stronger than he could ever be. He shifted them, thankful that the couch was wide enough that they wouldn’t roll right of the edge as he placed her back to the fabric and leaned over her. He didn’t have words for her, not yet. So instead, he offered her him as he pressed a kiss to her, his arm under her pulling her close to him.
“What is your favorite color? Flower?” He started asking her questions that he really did want to know. He wasn’t dismissing her story, and if she got upset at his questions, he would tell her exactly why he couldn’t make a comment on it. Because it made him want to jump onto his bike, head to the base and pull files that he could get access to. And from there, he would get violent. The man would wish he had been shot dead when Will was done with him. Because what he did, was unforgivable and pathetic. “What case are you proudest of?” his lips kept pressing to hers between questions. This was easy with her, the way that she made his heart pound in his chest as he held her close. He wanted this. With her. Whatever this was, he wanted in. Whatever she would let him have.
He chuckled, her against him just felt right. The weight of her in his lap, her small hands on his skin, her breath between her kisses that danced along and gave him goosebumps. As he started talking, she mimicked his earlier movements and pressed her lips to his neck, he was slowly turning to putty under her. As he was sprinkling some basic information of himself, she started asking him questions, pushing to know more. He found one hand reaching up to tangle lightly in her hair, slowly stroking the long locks between his fingers. "I was born on a base in Washington," he felt like she might get a kick out of it. He was military from start to finish when you really broke it down.
"Do you want more kids?"
Will almost felt like it was a trick question. It seemed like a slippery slope to try and answer that question honestly. But the way she was moving against him was fogging up his brain, making him breathe heavily and almost lost to words in general. She was distracting him and he was weak to it. Her next question pushed through, something easier to possibly answer. A soft groan as her hand moved into his hair, the light scratch of her nails was almost too much. "I guess it all depends," he felt like that was a good enough answer to the kids question. Did he want more kids? Yes, in a way he'd love another one. He loved Harper beyond words could explain and he would love to maybe have another. But he also knew he wanted to do things right, and not rush.
"They are still together, going strong and making us cringe to this day," He joked. Though he easily fell silent as she locked eyes with him after his statement. He was curious as to what she was going to do. "Do you want me?" His grip loosened as the t-shirt he gave her was tossed aside and a soft groan left him. Of course he did. That wasn't any question he felt like he needed to answer verbally. Had she just asked the question, he would have answered and teased her. But the moment that fabric left her body, all thoughts were out the window.
His hands immediately wrapped around her and pulled her tightly against him, shifting them so he could stand up and take her with him. As much as he thought about having his way with her in the kitchen earlier, he wanted something a little more comfortable for them. Though more for her, because he could have laid back on hard gravel and enjoyed every minute of what she was offering. But right now, that couch around the corner sounded just about perfect, as the bed was a bit too far.
He padded them into the living room, thankful that the blinds were still drawn from the day before, giving them some sort of privacy from a neighbor that might walk by. It made him really look forward to having the place off base where he didn't have to worry so much about what was around him. He sat back, keeping her in his lap as he settled into the couch. "Of course I want you," he started, his hand tangled his way into her hair and urged her close, lips finding the underside of her jaw. "You've got me wrapped around your finger. You are an incredible mix of sexy and beautiful."
His hand not tangled up in her soft hair slowly traced down her side as he kept his assault of kisses up on her. "And I would love to be drowned in you,"
Her eyes never wavered from him. She always met him head on. And he knew that he was going to be left in ruins when she decided to run from him. It was almost more of a when it was going to happen over an if it was going to happen. She was going to leave him broken into pieces and he could spot it from a mile away. The way she was trying to push him away, as if he words were going to start driving that wedge between the two. And yet, even with the warning flag waving in his face to turn around, to back out, he push forward. He met her and continued to push himself, the idea of his vision for them on her. In a way, he was insanely selfish.
"This is all on you? If you want to break it down, this was partially on me." He pushed. "I let a stranger get inside my head, she dared me to take a drink with her and I lost control. I gave you that opportunity of taking a badge to get you on the base because I was blinded by a beautiful woman with wit and a sharp mind." He pushed. "We all make choices and they got us here Ruby. I know it doesn't make it any better or make you feel better. I wish I could take that pain for you, but I can't. He also made choices that made it worse. He could have surrendered. He could have choose not to run." Will looked at her, at this point, he shook his head. "We are going to go around and around on this," He almost laughed, but instead he just shook his head and looked down at the table in front of him.
As she admitted that the case was not taken anywhere, he watched her for any sign of anything. But damn her and her resolve, she held herself well. He wanted to push, but he also didn't want to push her too much. She would tell him if she wanted to, and going after something like that was going to only hinder his need to get her closer to him. He had a feeling he wouldn't like the story, and his stomach was knotting at the idea of that conversation, no matter where in the future they had it.
His heart was pounding in his chest as she started a sentence he wanted to beg her to finish when that phone went off. She didn't want to what? Disappear? He didn't want that either. Or maybe she didn't want to continue this with him. She didn't want to see him again after this. But the desperation in her eyes and the tone made him feel like she was on the same page as him. And then that damn, blessed and yet cursed, ring tone went off. He was so thankful for it, and yet he wished he had heard what she wanted to say. He wanted to hear her say that she wanted to stay. With him. And that she didn't want to just up and leave.
And then he was in front of her, kissing her, earning laughter from her in the darkest of their moments as he couldn't help the feeling of hope that spread through his chest. He watched her eyes shift as she started thinking over what he just positioned to her. His ID. At this point he might be able to lie that it just fell into the wrong hands. He had already gotten the lashing on the fact that he had lost it. Fell into the wrong hands. As it was, he was just glad he wasn't the poor soul who forgot to deactivate the authorization he had on the damn card. That poor soldier was probably being dishonorably discharged as they spoke.
Ruby shifted out of the chair, and he easily folded under her pushing, moving to where she wanted him and immediately letting his arms trap her. He stared at her, holding her steady gaze as she went on about how to further this outcome. His eyes closed for a moment as she invaded his space and pressed her forehead to his. His heart was aching, but in a different way as before. Could he lie about them? His eyes reopened to look to her. Yes. He could. Because to him, it wouldn't be a lie. He'd throw himself head first into it, letting her eat him alive as he had thought she would do. Did it hurt him to think she'd have to lie to everyone about him? Sure. But perhaps he could change her mind. Turn himself from her lie to her realty. But that was thoughts for later.
Will knew that she'd probably push him to waiting to answer. That his immediate 'yes' would just make her question him more and push the thoughts of "think about it". So instead he nodded his head. "Okay, I'll take some time to think about it. But then that means I need some things from you in the mean time. To see if we can pass these tests you speak of if we go forward with you being mine," he pulled her a bit tighter against his bare chest. "You need to be honest with me Ruby. We need to play 50 dates in fifty hours. Give or take some time." He grinned at her as he pushed his face into the crook of her neck and placed a few soft kisses along her skin. Enjoying the feeling of her hair against his face.
"I can start," he nipped the skin on her neck, his hands starting to kneed the small of her back in gentle circles. He wasn't trying to start any funny business but he wanted to touch her. Wanted to feel close to her. "William James McCabe, named after my grandfather on my dad's side and an uncle who passed away on my mothers. Born December 8th to Barbie and Austin. I have only one sibling, which is my little sister. We grew up military brats, father served out his time and we moved around a lot. I followed in his footsteps clearly. Harper joined my adventure on August 23rd. She's wicked smart and we have regular FaceTime dates and she sends me artwork when she can." He pulled back and looked at her, staring at her full pout as he spoke.
"I normally sleep in the nude, I have to have the fan on, and sometimes snore after a hard day at work. I've woken myself up a few times," he joked, giving her a crooked grin before pressing his lips to hers, pulling away just enough so he could speak again.
"The first thing I noticed about you was your fierce eyes and how they made me feel like you could look right through me. And I love the way you react to me," his hands moving to squeeze her hips and pull her closer, hoping she'd react the way she had in the past. As if to prove his point.
Her being speechless was terrifying in a way. The closeness and fact that she wasn’t pushing him away was the only thing that was keeping him steady as he confessed to her that he basically wasn’t even sure of his own actions. At least was unsure of a way to put it into words at least. Her small nod only gave him a brief moment of easiness, and only a little bit of the loosening in his chest. It didn’t last very long because once the conversation started on the harder questions, his chest went back to feeling tight and sore, as if he had been shot in the chest with a shotgun.
As she apologized, he laughed lightly and shook his head. “I honestly expected worse. But they laid off it for now. So don’t think much on it.” he tried to reassure her. Truly he had been through worse, even during his bootcamp days, they had grilled him possibly harder. He figured he was just getting really good at lying or faking a good confused face. He took another bite, his plate almost clean from food. He knew how to shovel food into his mouth. “The cameras in the cell are placed facing inward, so no shot of you from the cell. Pretty sure they are re-thinking that placement now. So if anything this was a good learning experience for them.”
Will watched her closely as he went on about Alejandro, frowning as she shut her eyes. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms. He almost got out of his chair to act on it, but her ocean eyes stilled him as they reopened. And the fact that she shook her head at his outstretched hand, he knew that touching her was going to be a bad move on his part. So instead he closed his hand, curling it into a fist before he retreated back to his side of the table. Her speech on her job choice had him watching her eyes intently. He never looked away and let her speak, though he was starting to regret that as she laughed and called herself the villain. “Ruby, he didn’t have to shoot him. He could have surrendered when caught and called it a loss.” He was ready for this battle, because he didn’t want her to keep reliving the idea that this was all on her. “He was a man who made his own decisions, you just gave him a shot to get home.”
As she went on to start talking about what she’d do if she was working on this case, he shook his head as she started on again about turning her in. If she hadn’t figured it out yet, he wasn’t going to do that. Will frowned as she went on, the one argument he possibly had was crushed in front of him as she pointed out an important piece of evidence that would easily expose them. She would have had her ID scanned upon entering if she did just come through, and it would be tied to his military ID as he was the one who authorized her entrance. Back to the drawing board for him.
Ruby paused and it gave him the refocusing he needed on her. When she started on about her bringing up charges against a captain, part of him had the idea that this was personal. And something extremely violent built up in his chest. “Did you nail the one in Boston a good one?” All he wanted to hear was that it wasn’t against her and that she had gotten the results that she wanted. She moved on and talked about how him and Harper could be in trouble. He was glad she was with her mother, far away from them right now. At least she would probably be left out of it.
And thats when the gravity of what she just said hit him. Never see her again. She disappear and that was it. He would be left to pick up and act like nothing happened and watch as this got put into an almost cold case file. She would move on and forget about him. Perhaps only thinking about him when she saw broken glass or a golden retriever pass by. And he would be lost and left behind. The idea of losing her now, made him close his eyes to try and suppress the emptiness that spread to his hands. A numbness that washed over him that he didn’t know how to handle. It made him stand up and move across the space between them quickly and take a knee in front of her. He was going to invade her space. “I don’t want that to be the answer. I… I don’t want you to disappear.”
His next move was to reach out and turn her chair towards him, his blue eyes seeking her. He went to open his mouth, to say what, it was lost in the next second as a noice started up from the hallway. He froze until he recognized his cellphone ring tone. A curse left him as he collected himself, standing up and making his way to the hallway. He picked it up, sliding the little ball across the screen to answer. “Hello?” the unknown number picked up and a female voice on the other end came through. “Hello, Mr. McCabe? This is Veronica from u-haul. I just wanted to make sure that you were still planning on coming to pick up the truck in two days?” He blinked. Once. Twice. Before he almost laughed as his brain started working. “Uh, Mr. McCabe?” “Ah, yes.” His voice light and had a lift to it as he almost started telling the woman on the other line how he loved her for her timing. “Yes, I am still picking it up. Thank you. See you then.”
Will jogged back into the kitchen, a wide grin across his face as he dropped down in front of Ruby and took her face between his hands and kissed her. Long and hard. “I know how to get you out of here.” Though he wasn’t going to bring up the idea of her fleeing from him and the city. He would worry about that later. “You just need to extend that promise of 48 hours. Just by another 24.” He kissed her again, if she’d let him. “I promise to make it worth while for you. I will get you out of here safely.” He was repeating himself without giving much info but he couldn’t help it. He settled himself in front of her, his hands stroking her hair and cheek. “I am moving, off the base in two days. I am picking up a moving truck in two days. The furniture isn’t mine, so it stays here. Its only my boxes of stuff. And considering they are going to check the truck on the way in, they won’t check it on the way out. Though we could cover you with a box just in case,” He laughed lightly. “This could work Ruby.”
tag: Ruby Torres | OOC: *insert the beginning of tears here*
“You dancing? Now that might be something I can't miss.”
“Oh, so I can tempt you,” he joked. Will was no professional, so anything faster than a slow dance was… improvised. That would probably be the best word for it. But he could have a good time, that was for sure. He did a slow hip rotation at his station for breakfast spatula in one hand. Just to see if he could get a laugh out of her once more before the morning took the turn. “I’d save the slow songs for you, unless you begged for the rest of my horrible dancing.” He let out a laugh of his own. A slow dance though, that he was a master of.
Will craved this closeness with her. He wanted nothing less, a sign that he was already in too deep too fast. It scared a part of him, and he would not voice it to the brunette in front of him. Because honestly, she would fly as fast as she could out his door. But he had a feeling she already knew. A part of it slipped when he said he’d do it again. To save her. It was a type of intimacy that he wasn’t able to stop. And even when he kissed her, he was trying his best to have her drop it. He knew she wouldn’t, he knew that with that wickedly sharp brain of hers she was going to meet him head on. So the why, that he was ready for. The risk it all for a stranger part, was even expected. But the last two questions, those are the ones that threw him.
“Was it lust? Was it some sort of damsel in distress thing?”
He stared at her with blue eyes that were intense. “No.” It wasn’t lust. He was a stronger man than that. And that had been the farthest thing from his mind last night as he had her pinned to the wall of the hallway. As for this morning, he hadn’t thought that’s where they would have ended up after last night. He didn’t regret it, not a moment of it. And he looked forward to possibly dragging her back to his bed, hell maybe the couch because it was closer. But that’s not what was running through his head last night. If he had to pick between her questions, then damsel in distress made more sense. But it wasn’t quite that either.
“You asked for my help. And I’m a damn sucker for those blue eyes of yours,” He was trying to make light of the conversation. Steer it where he wanted it, but it was useless. That he knew. He took a deep breathe, giving up as his shoulders sagged lightly before brushing a soft kiss across her forehead. “If it’s easier to believe it was because of a damsel in distress, I will blame that. But if you truly must know, I couldn’t picture not being able to see you again. Whether you were angry or looking at me in disgust. You were scared and I felt the need to protect you. You are so strong and bullheaded all the time, and to see that panic in you, made me feel like I needed to step up. I wanted to step up. I don’t understand it fully and I don’t want to try and explain it because I don’t think we are ready for anything like that. Not yet.” God this was already terrifying to talk about to her.
And it didn’t end. As they sat there, breakfast between them, he knew it was going to continue down that hill. He shoveled another fork full of food into his mouth, tasting nothing as the first question fired off. He chewed almost mechanically as she kept on with her questions, clearly needing to say them before she either lost the nerve to or because she wanted him to hit her hard and fast with the answers. As he stared across the small table at her, he wanted nothing more than to tell her to not worry about it. That he was going to take care of them. That he was going to make sure she was safe and wouldn’t have to worry. But he knew she wouldn’t let him do that alone. He wouldn’t expect anything less from her. She was stronger than anyone else he had come across.
Will decided he would answer the easiest question first. “Not much on you as of last night. Though I got a hell of a tongue lashing, which I am sure will continue.” He fell silent for a moment. It was true, he knew that their questioning on him would come back around, even if he silenced them for the time being. He was face to face with her at one point. “The flashing lights in the hallway and my body blocked a lot of yours. We know you are female, brunette, and had access to my lost badge. They’ve been checking other angles but that wasn’t providing much else at the moment. And finger prints hadn’t really shown up, the areas they caught you touching had so many others that they can’t positively ID one right now.” The last part he had lead. He had to play off that he wanted to catch her. But knew that the doors and pads would be compromised.
The two left to answer were not easy. But the one he could digest was the first one she asked. “The man you released, Alejandro, when you two split up, he ran into another soldier on the base. The two of them fought, and Alejandro got the upper hand on the fight. From the camera angles, we weren’t sure exactly what happened at first, but a flash went off and the soldier dropped before Alejandro ran into another group. Which was the shots we heard.” He didn’t want to go too much into detail, so he ended it there. She knew he was dead, but now she knew why.
He wanted to go around to her, he wanted to take her in his arms. But he didn’t want to push her to shut him out. So instead he reached out with the intention to just hold onto one of her hands, if she’d let him. And if she did, he would be firm in his hold as he ran a thumb against her knuckles. “I want to do everything we can to avoid you going in. Because honestly, I don’t know if you would.” And that was something he didn’t want. He wanted to give her false hope, but he respected her way too much for that. He needed her thinking on the page he was, they needed to do this together. Not apart. “Ruby I want you to stay out of that headspace of you going in. I need you here with me, right now. However you need to stay out of it, please. If I came to you as a client with this situation, what would you suggest. Think on that. Because I do not want to be that one that marches you into the viper pit. I can’t be that one.”
He reached for his coffee at that point, taking a long sip of the warm liquid before he exhaled.
“In case you haven't picked up on it yet, I'm not the biggest fan of marriage. You might want to set your sights on someone a little more pro-love for that date.”
Will wasn’t a complete idiot. Sure, his past 24 hour track record would state otherwise, but he noticed how she shied away from any topics of future talk. She had since he first met her. Part of him wanted to know what she had against plans, specifically with him. Clearly she was attracted to him, the way she kissed him all those days ago at the pharmacy, to the way she moved against him this morning. He would like to believe that she looked at him as more than just a piece of meat that she could get under. And he felt deep down that maybe he just scarred the hell out of her.
He shook his head, not taking it for an answer. “Has nothing to do with being a fan. I think I’d quite enjoy you being dressed up and on my arm. Perhaps even letting me lead you in a dance or two.” He stated, shooting a smile over his shoulder again. It was light hearted, he wasn’t going to make her promise or hold it to her to actually make good on it. But he did enjoy the idea. She’d be beautiful and he’d feel so proud to have her on his arm, to have her as his date. He was sure that she would also be one of the smartest women there, if not the smartest one. And that wit of hers was something that caught him from the beginning.
The swat on his rear had him jump a little but he just let out a laugh in response. This was so much easier. This playful, flirtiness that was between them. The easiness that this was. He craved it, as he stalked towards her, he loved the way her eyes met his. The way that she looked at him, and the way she automatically responded to him. Almost as if she wanted him in every way that he wanted her, and that was more than just him getting between her legs. Though, that was definitely something he would say is a huge perk. Ruby knew how to get under his skin and light him on fire. From his brain to his toes.
And her kisses. Don’t even get him started. His heart was racing just by the touch of them against his. As she looked up at him, he stared back at her. Blue eyes on blue, and he saw the way that the color moved as she spoke. Her light breath caressed his skin as she held him close, and he returned it just as well. She fit against him so comfortably, it was just… easy. Though her words made him grow a bit more serious. His first thought was to tell her this wouldn’t be the last time. That he was going to get her out of this. But instead he took the road of logic. “I’d do it again for you.” He wasn’t sure if that would push her away or pull her closer in her mind. But he followed it with meeting her lips, as if to seal it. Because he meant it. He trusted his instincts.
He let her ease back, and barely moved so she could slide off of the counter, wanting her to have to have to press against him to get around his body. He was glad that the ‘feast’ so to speak was to her liking. He rubbed the back of his head as he made a motion to pull out her chair for her. He was sure that she’d remark about his golden boy status on that. Once she was seated, he would grab his mug of coffee before making it to his spot at the table. He knew it was creeping up on them. This conversation that was going to shatter a lot of things for them. But he would be a coward to let her make that move, after he had already postponed it.
He took a few bites of the food in front of him before he took a deep breath. “What questions do you want answered first?” He was offering to start the conversation. But he wanted to know where she wanted to start, because he couldn’t quite figure out if he should just hit her hard with the question she already asked. Or maybe she would want to be eased into it.
“Well, this thing can't go on forever. Give it a few more weeks and your little tribe will be back together again.”
For some reason, he read more into that. There was something in the tone that made him frown. The first thing that popped into his head was that she was talking about them. This thing, whatever was going on between the two of them, couldn’t go on forever. The thought alone had him feeling almost violent in a way. He didn’t want to just downplay this, to let her downplay them. He had a feeling that if they got out of this, she would try her best to put distance between herself and him. He mentally went through that address again that she gave him. Will had a feeling that he would show up there if that happened, meet her at her door. Or if she wasn’t home, he made a mental note to go on a day off.
He felt insane in one way. Why did he feel like this with her? His body was on autopilot thankfully as he cooked and thought way too deep into things. “They’ve replanned for the fall, maybe if you stick around long enough, I can see you all dressed up as my date.” He knew it was either going to make her laugh or make her uncomfortable. She seemed to hate the idea of picturing anything in the future with him. But he couldn’t change that about himself. Sue him.
He listened to her move about to make the coffee, commenting on how being sweet wasn’t in her wheelhouse. He peeked over and reached out for the mug she was offering. “You were plenty sweet this mornin’,” He said under his breath, before pulling the mug to his lips and taking a small sip. It was good he had to admit, so he gave her a nod of approval before taking another sip and refocusing on the breakfast.
He didn’t want to press her on what she shared. Not yet. He would do that later. Because he made his mind up that there would be later. One past these thirty one hours and one that didn’t have a time limit so to say. That was what went through his mind as he invaded her space and she smiled right back at him. It was something he really enjoyed. She met him head on every time. She didn’t shy away, though he might like to see a day he catches her off guard. But she wasn’t afraid. Proving it even more so as she moved into him.
Her lips moved against his skin and he closed his eyes. What was demanding his attention? Her. She consumed every sense he had and was making it very easy to forget about the breakfast he had just prepared for her. But he wanted to show some self control, something that she deserved that him constantly throwing himself on her. Will’s hands slid up and captured her face, softly but with enough strength that showed he was controlling this. Though his resistance broke for a moment as she shifted her legs around his waist, pulling him closer and causing his eyes to close. A soft noise rumbled in his chest as he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Once, twice, the third time a bit more firm. “As much as I want this,” his hips shifting into hers as if to physically show it, “I also think it’s best to re-fuel before I take advantage of you in my kitchen.”
It wasn’t a no, or a rejection by any means, and he kissed her hard and with promise after he spoke. If she wanted to disagree with him, he wouldn’t put up too much of a fight but he knew that after last night, she probably could use some food. Himself included. He didn’t move from her, instead sliding his hands through her hair and leaned his forehead against hers. She would have to be the one to signal that they’d have to wait. Or else it was game on here on the kitchen counter top.
“He must be a pretty good guy to pass the trials that I am sure you put him through.”
Will let out a chuckle. Ruby already pegged him down as the protective older brother. And boy was she right. Like straight out of ‘family 101’ chapter “older brothers”, there was probably a picture of him standing besides his sister, looking menacing and ready to attack whoever so much as looked at her funny. He fit that role and took it as a very serious job, ever since the day that she was born. He was there to help her along the way.
So when she brought home her soon to be husband for the first time, Will was the first to come to him. He didn’t threaten him, at first. But he definitely was immediately watching the boys every move. He will say he was impressed that he made the point to approach their father and shake his hand first, before coming up to Will. And he then switched to a warm hug to his mother. The boy had brushed up on how to impress the family that was for sure.
What really got him, was watching his sister and him interact the next several visits. The way he was gentle with her, how he would reach out and just simply hold her hand or rub her shoulders affectionately when he went to get up. It was the small gestures and how so in sync the two seemed as they moved around. That’s what got him. It wasn’t the words that he said, the promise of how he’d never hurt her. It was the way he acted and reacted to his little sister. “I’m pretty sure he was terrified of us at first. Me mainly, as I was a lot bigger than our father. But the way he treats her, the way he looks at her. It says way more than anything that would fall out of his mouth to try and convince me of how he was a good man. So he won me over by that alone.”
As he moved on to talking about his ex girlfriend, the mother of his child, he watched her with calculating eyes. Her lips pursed, as if she was not exactly thrilled by the answer that he had given her. He wanted to reassure her, to take her in his arms and kiss her as if that would bury any negative thoughts she had. There was nothing there, not on his end, with her. And considering she was set to get married, he took that as her also being past them. They had heat back in the day, but it didn’t hold anything compared to what heat he had with the brunette that was in his shirt, currently making a cup of coffee.
“Make it sweet, there’s creamer in the fridge if you’d like. But its only half and half, sugar in the small pot next to the coffee maker.” He had half a mind to reach over and swat at her behind, but it meant possibly ruining breakfast. It would have to wait until later. But it was going to happen. He knew that the topic was going to turn into a debate soon. That he was going to go toe to toe with that brilliant damn mind of hers, and he was going to be kept on his toes. He only hoped his years of training had prepared him for this battle. But for now, he would take in the grin on her face and the way she made herself comfortable in his kitchen.
He listened to her very vague answers as he flipped the eggs around. He could only make scrambled eggs, if he tried anything else, it just ended up scrambled. He started to pile the eggs onto the plates he had grabbed for them, when he shot her another eyebrow raised look at her talking about her loads of past lovers. Even if it were true, he didn’t care. She was allowed to do what she wanted with her body, and that was before him. He turned the stove off, setting down the spatula as he stalked forward towards her.
He placed a hand on either side of her hips as he pushed his way forward until the countertop stopped him. “Well, kitten, hopefully I am high ranking in that list. If not, I might have to prove to you that I deserve that number one spot,” He had a wicked look in his eye, one that easily transferred to his lips in the form of a smirk. His grip on her tightened a little as if making a small promise to make good on that statement. “If I do that though, the food will get cold, so choose your words carefully.” It was all teasing, all boyish charm pouring out of him. But he also had the undertone of being so serious on that threat.
“If I see cheap coffee I'm running though, fair warning.”
He cracked another grin at her, eyes narrowing as if he was judging her slightly. “What kind of man do you take me for?” he joked, even though he was constantly on the go, when he found something good, he made sure to carry it. Coffee was one of those where he had a couple different flavors, just all depended on the day. On whether or not he had time for a second cup before he was out the door, or if he had company over. Though since being stationed here, it had been maybe two other soldiers after work, and never an overnight guest. Not until now. And he truly hoped that he had something she approved of.
He caught the way her eyes went over him and he felt like his skin got tight under her gaze. Damn she was under his skin and lighting a new fire under it. One that he hadn’t felt before, even with the mother of his child. And he thought that was something back then. He knew that he was going to fall fast and hard for her, he was already tripping now. Forget that, stumbling hard while traveling down stairs. He was going to wind up at the bottom of the stairs broken if he wasn’t careful. And yet, even with that thought, he was smiling while stumbling. Will could only hope that she felt the same way, because if not, he was in deep deep trouble.
“If we get out of this I'm going to kick your ass in the gym. Your military workouts don't have a thing on me soldier.”
Brows immediately shot up, eyes giving her an ‘oh really’ look as a wicked smirk hit his mouth. He immediately pictured her in a comfortable work out outfit, a pair of leggings and his shirt on her. He would love to have her try to prove herself against him, and the way she was carrying herself, he had a feeling she might take him by surprise. He found himself licking his lips slightly at the thought. “I look forward to the challenge kitten,” Hell he might just lose on purpose so she could pin him and give her that sexy grin of hers.
And then suddenly his thoughts went to something else with that statement. ‘If we get out of this’. That was a hopeful note. As if she thought maybe they could actually get her out of this. That there was a light at the end of the tunnel, and something about the thought that she might not fight him so hard on it, made his heart jump in excitement. Excitement that made him just nod along with her talking about VPN’s. He knew about that stuff, but now thinking about it, he wasn’t sure if he had ever gotten that set up on his personal laptop.
“I got him out Will. I broke the law. I took matters into my own hands, it's on me. Why did they shoot him? You never said why they fired on him.”
He really didn’t want to tell her yet. Not yet. He’d rather get some food for them and ease into that conversation. She wasn’t going to take anything well when it comes to that, she was attached to that situation, just as much as him. He shook his head lightly, he wasn’t ready for that conversation yet. “We will talk after breakfast. I promise.” He silently prayed to the heavens that she would accept that and just hold him to it. He was sure that the moment he put his fork down after breakfast, if she agreed, she’d be pressing for an answer to that question.
Downstairs, and after him telling her he had so many hours to convince her, he almost took her being quiet to his statement as her agreeing with him. That she did want the same thing as him. And that she just wasn’t ready to admit that, whether to him or herself, he wasn’t sure. But damn there was that hope flaring up In his chest again as she went forward with purpose for coffee. He listened to her going through the selection of coffee he had on hand, he glanced over at her as she got on her tip toes, her legs showing off the lean muscle and lines in her calves beautifully. This, he thought as she went about brewing the coffee, was something he could get very used to.
He told himself to focus as he turned back to setting up his station on the stove. Will flashed a smile over his shoulder at her when she mentioned the protein shake. Well, she better get used to this if she wanted to stick around a bit. Protein shakes didn’t fly every morning here. As she started asking away questions he started laying out the bacon in the heated pan. “I’m a big brother as well, little sister. She was supposed to get married a few weeks ago but had to postpone due to, well, ya know.” He flipped the bacon and went to ask her a question when she slipped out another one, one that seemed to almost catch her by surprise to.
“Where's her mother?”
He glanced back at Ruby over his shoulder, his blue eyes watching her as he answered. “With Harper, back in Georgia.” He had a feeling that there was more to that question so he continued on, “We met back when I was stationed near her hometown, years ago. I found out she was pregnant when I was overseas. She wanted someone more present, I couldn’t offer that. So we decided to keep things civil for Harper and we do a pretty damn good job co-parenting.” He turned the bacon over once more, making sure its perfectly crispy. “She’s happily engaged, guy seemed decent and passed a background check. Harper like’s him and he treats her right. So I’m a happy father.” He wasn’t sure why he felt the need to add that, but he also knew he knew why. It was because he wanted to reassure her that there was nothing there. And that she had him wrapped around her little finger.
He pulled the bacon out of the pan and moved onto the eggs. “What about you Rebecca… oh I mean Ruby.” He said, his voice was amused and teasing, “Favorite past time? Job? Family? Any past lovers I need to be worried about?” He just wanted to give her something to go on, fill in on the blanks that he wanted to know. “What about a last name?”
“Well that's a relief. Though I have to warn you, I like my coffee the way I like my men: strong and hot.”
He couldn’t help the playful side of him that made him flex his pectorals once as she said that, as if to say that he fit that bill. Hell, he wished that he could fit the bill for her in more ways than just physically. Even though she put up this whole front of ‘I don’t need anyone’ and tried to push him away, he wanted to be that one that she needed deep down. Whatever that may be, and if for the time being it was just physical, well he would take it. “Then lets hope I have the stuff to fit that bill for you,” he joked. Though in reality, he had all of two types of ground coffee down in his cabinet, so hopefully she could make something to her liking from it.
“Nope. No allergies here. I'm not too picky when it comes to food. How about you? Are you a secret vegan or keto guy?”
He snorted. “This body wasn’t built on leaves and tofu.” And could he eat. Before he got used to keeping up with his needed intake, he would get embarrassed if ever on a date. Only having a plate and yet that was never enough. He would wind up back at home later on, downing more food because he’s stomach was screaming at him come that time. Will was actually surprised it hadn’t yelled at him yet, seeing as the last meal he had was a late lunch the day before. He was a bit distracted last night to even think of putting together a meal. Which was probably why he was pushing for breakfast without much thinking. The food would hopefully settle his stomach and get the planning juices running. “I eat just about everything and anything, always have to make sure I’m properly fed to keep up with the demands of the job.” Between teaching classes, training, and running work outs, he had no reason to slack on those meals.
When he let go of her, he watched the sigh leave her as she went on about her phone being left at home. Good, that was smart. There was nothing putting her at the base then, no cell phone pings, nothing. And why would they think to look into an email on his laptop for that matter, for any trace of her. That made some of this easier. He already knew that the video of her in the halls wasn’t really clear. The best shot they had found was when he was actually with her, and really her upper half of her face was covered by the hat, and then mainly blocked by him as he held her to the wall. But that was last night, and who knows who was working through the images today. Part of him hoped that they didn’t go back through it much more. “Yeah, you can use my personal laptop. Just erase today’s history once you are done.” He made a note to grab it for her later.
“I don't think my clients would be too thrilled about being represented by a treasonous murderer anyway.”
She gave him the smallest of smiles, as if she meant what she said as a joke. It was the first push into talking about the situation from last night. He almost winced at the way she talked about herself. “You didn’t pull that trigger Ruby.” He tried to remind her, though after he said it he knew that her response would probably be more along the lines of ‘but I let him out, I started it, I might as well have pulled that trigger’. His eyes watched her as she stared at his hand that he offered. He almost pulled it back, feeling embarrassment rise in his throat because she was going to push the hand away. She was trying to put distance between them. Getting dressed, bringing up her client, making the comment of being a murderer. But before he could drop his hand, she slipped her hand into his.
His hand closed around hers, securing it. He almost let out a yell of triumph, but then that would just be ridiculous. They made quick work of the stairs and moved into his kitchen, her hand never leaving his. As they made it through the doorway, he paused, not ready to let go of her. Wanting to turn around and pull her back into his bed, or perhaps just the couch since it was closer, and just forget this whole thing. His eyes slide shut as he felt her free hand make it around his waist, and small kisses started on his bare back. He gave her hand a small squeeze as she got close to his side.
“You know we can't keep doing this.”
Will felt the air freeze in his lung for about five seconds, his breathing just stopping. He always knew this would be part of the 48 hours. Deep down he knew, the topic was going to come up. Especially once they were pressed to one another, bare and needy. As much as he knew it, it was still like taking a step into a cold shower unprepared.”We can, and I want to. I believe you want to too,” his voice was soft as he stared down at the clean floor in the kitchen. “And I have at least another,” He looked over at his oven to read the time and frowned at the fact that it was already after nine in the morning. “thirty one-ish hours to convince you if you say you don’t.” He lifted their hands up and he brushed his lips against the back of her hand. Leaving a kiss on her middle knuckle before he let her go, heading for the fridge.
He didn’t look back at her because he knew he’d break if he did. Those blue eyes would cause him to fall to his knees and make him beg. Right now, that wasn’t going to help anything and she would probably end up disgusted by that behavior. Hell, he’d be ashamed of it too. “The ground coffee and filters are in the cabinet above the coffee maker, as well as the mugs,” He was slightly desperate to change the subject as he opened the fridge, pulling out eggs, bacon, and last container he had of fresh fruit. Today was probably going to be one of the hardest days he has had to face. He looked over at her and couldn’t help but stare for a moment, because he had to appreciate the beauty that she was, even if she was going to be the one to shatter his heart.
He smiled even wider at that. Will took pride in the fact that he wasn’t selfish in the bedroom, he cared a lot more than that. Especially with Ruby. He already had his mind set on making sure she was throughly taken care of before himself. It was probably the best part, knowing that he could be the one to cause the gasps and moans, it fueled something within that made everything that much better. So he never understood how other men had failed so often and so awfully, judging by the few women he was close enough to that would talk about it. Or even the few men who bragged about their quick hit it and quit it moment. He always walked away shaking his head.
But with Ruby, it was more than just how can I quickly take her over the edge. He was mapping her skin during their ‘good morning’. He wanted to know every inch of it, wanted to touch and feel her. What made her toes curl, what caused her breathing to stop, and what caused her back to arch up under him. He felt like he had only scratched the surface of that this morning, and he wanted to know more. Which was why he was glad that she seemed to sink into him when he ran his hand over her back and had tucked her against him. This was a different, comfortable pleasure that, if he was reading her right, she liked.
“I'll make the coffee if you make the breakfast? You do like coffee don't you? I'd hate to fall for someone who didn't like coffee, might have to re-think this whole thing.”
His heart seemed to skip a beat at her words. Yes, like a damn young adult romance novel, his heart did a weird flip flop as she spoke. He tried his best not to break out in a cheek splitting grin. He knew that she would probably recoil from him if he did that. Not after all the talks they had had about damages and how she viewed things. That kind of smile from him would probably push her to close up on him and he wasn’t ready for that. He didn’t think he would ever be ready for her to shut him out again, especially after this morning. Instead, he brought his hand up to capture her face and brought them together for a kiss. One that wasn’t like the lust filled ones just minutes before, but one that was soft and sweet enough to make his teeth hurt.
Fall for him. Even though those were not the exact words, that’s what he read through that sentence. Because somewhere, somehow, he had done just that for her. As insanely crazy as it sounded and not logical, the intense moments between them had him stuck on her. Had him consumed and willing to pull off things that he never thought he’d do before meeting her. And he didn’t even know her last name. When he pulled away, he brushed another kiss to the very tip of her nose, and then forehead as he laid his head back. “Don’t you worry kitten. Coffee is mandatory with me. And preferably in large quantities.” He gave her side a squeeze as he continued, “I can handle the breakfast. Anything I should stay away from?”
As he gave her the option for round… well the next round, she rolled over, propping herself up on her elbows. Something shifted, her eyes no longer holding the smile there anymore. His heart took a small hit, but his mind told him that he knew it was coming. She was about to spend the time that he basically guilted her into convincing him to turn her in. He pictured the room that he was called to a week ago, where he saw something he didn’t want to believe. And he pictured her there, alone, tied to the chair. Her fingers in his hair pulled him out of it as he stared over at her. His eyes scanned her face, then moved down her graceful neck and the curve of her back, to the next curve that made him want to pull her back to him. To erase whatever was pulling her mind away from him by wrapping her in his arms.
Her kiss was one he welcomed and he met her easily. If he got them out of this, if they got them out of this, he promised himself that he was going to take ever chance he could to kiss her and hold her. If permitted. “You are certainly something William McCabe.” He leaned into her touch and held onto how her small hand fitting against his stubble filled jaw. Within a moment, she pulled away and was standing up, slipping his shirt over her head. He liked the way it covered her, just enough to hide her curves but short enough to drive him wild. Will took it upon himself to get up as well and pulling on the shorts he had on as PJ’s, forgetting about the shirt because it was his day off. And she seemed to like his chest, judging by the way she touched him.
“I have a client I need to email sometime today, unless you think that might be too risky?”
He walked up to her and, determined to not to be closed out, he pulled her close to him. He gave her another kiss, firm yet tender and held her close to him. He’d be damned if after everything she shut him out, and he wanted her to realize he was not going down without a fight. He had made it this far and shown that while probably insane, he was at least loyal as hell to her. As he slowly released her, he took a deep breath, his mind starting to shift into his strategic thinking. “It would be better if you tried to do what you would normally, communication wise. But stick with the stuff you have to do, but don’t take calls. Email, texts.” He nodded his head towards his door, getting them going towards the kitchen. He was only a step away when he turned around and reached out to grab her hand, hoping she’d let him.
“I've got you all day hmm? What could we possibly do to pass the time?”
A small chuckle rumbled in his chest. Several sinful thoughts ran through his head as he replied to her, “I could give you a few ideas if you need help.” His voice held an unspoken promise that he would make sure she was well taken care of and utterly exhausted at the end of ‘passing the time’. “You might not remember anything but my name come the end of it though.” He continued, his grip tightening just enough on her hip to show that he meant it. That he would make good to that statement.
Even as she rolled away, he was ready to pounce on her and pull her back. But instead he was given a game of sorts, a way that would be teasing and flirty all at once. And he was loving the way she was going along with it. The nickname she had given him, Golden boy, was one that was starting to grow on him. He’d be her golden boy, that was fine by him, if it made her want to be around him. As she told him that she had to look him over, he felt goosebumps rise on his skin at the thought. She hadn’t even turned around yet and Will was already swallowing hard for the sight about to come to him.
And he wasn’t disappointment, not even in the slightest. But what he was locked onto was her eyes, the way they held his had him unable to look elsewhere. And as she moved towards him, he couldn’t help but lick his lips in anticipation of her kissing him. Or perhaps he was going to be the first to make that move. As patient as he could be, as much training as he had gone through to make him sit for hours at a time just observing, he was awfully failing at it right now. His hands immediately shot out and captured her hips as she made the move to straddle his lap. He moved so his back was laying against the white sheets under him, giving her full access to curling up against him.
Will’s hands slide up her bare back as she started her assault on his neck, a soft groan leaving him as he pulled her down against his chest. He couldn’t get her close enough, and suddenly the few articles left covering them were the obstacles that he needed removed. As she carried on with her talking, asking him where it hurt, he felt a small piece of him snap. His hands flew down to grab the back of her thighs and flipped them both, so he would now be the one looking down at her. “Everywhere,” He breathed out as he brought his lips down on hers. He gave a small bite to her lower lip, being gentle as he could in his state before releasing it. “But don’t worry, I know how to fix it,” he said against her lips as he put that promising look he gave her earlier into action.
~FADE~
He didn’t know what time it was by the time he tucked Ruby against his side, his breathing starting to settle itself and his hand dragging soft touches up and down her back. Sheets long ago kicked to the floor and his heart still hadn’t quite settled. He kissed the top of her head and let out a small hum as he closed his eyes. Not tired enough to go to sleep, but definitely content and spent in other ways. “Well kitten, I would say that’s the best ‘good morning’ I’ve ever gotten to be a part of,” He couldn’t wipe the smile off his face if he tried. “Are you ready for that breakfast yet?” He offered as he shifted to look down at her before a teasing smile turned the corners of his lips up, “Or do I need to tire you out some more first?”
The breath that left her as he kissed her skin made him smile lightly, he wanted to plant more kisses to see how many times he could make her sigh and react to him. When she would grow tired of it and want more, or less from him. Something about the early morning light was making this all feel like a dream. She was soft against him as she shift around, coming face to face with him, a sleepy grin being pulled across his lips as he got his first look at her. Her blue eyes meeting his before she let them drift down him, which a very male part of him wanted to rip the blankets off himself so she could get a better look.
Though that would probably be too drastic of a move to make and would break this reality that he had. He liked the way her eyes combed over him and the smile that went to those pillowy lips of hers, thanking himself for all those hours he spent training along side others. Clearly it all paid off in this moment because she seemed to rather enjoy the way he looked. Her good morning was what brought him to know that he wasn’t asleep and dreaming away. That she was really curled up to his chest and making herself comfortable against him. Not pushing him away or starting with the plan of action after last nights events. The moment that passed his mind, he pushed it away. No need to get caught up in that right now, he had plenty of time to do that later. Not enough time to do just this.
“I’m not keeping you from work am I?”
He reached up his free arm, and brushed some of her hair over her shoulder, away from her face. The smile that showed up when she turned to him never left his face as he let his eyes roam every corner of her face, committing it to memory. “No, I have the day off today.” He also made a joke that it was because they figured he’d need rest after his brutal attack last night, the one that caused him to lose the target that he had pinned at one point. But that would bring up the whole topic of the night and flood them both with memories that he wasn’t ready to face yet. His hand moved from her hair down her arm and to her side, his thumb drawing small circles on her hip through his shirt that she was wearing on.
“Lucky us, you have me all day. Uninterrupted, unlike last time,” William joked, referencing the pharmacy where he practically took advantage of her on the hard floor. Well maybe ‘taking advantage of’ was the wrong term to use, she definitely was the instigator in that situation. He almost pressed on about breakfast when she shot him down, even if she just accepted a cup of coffee. Hell he had a feeling he was going to down several of those over the next 48 hours… wait no, less time than that now. Her hand pulled him out of that thought as it touched his chest and he took a deep breath. With half opened eyes, he hummed contently as she mimicked the circles he was drawing on her. His mind already drifting as she grabbed hold of his dog tags and his lips parted slightly, waiting to be greeted with her kiss.
“Oh, I almost forgot. Can you look at something? I think I may have hurt a place on my back."
He practically groaned in disappointment when she pulled away from him, his mouth was suddenly dry and she was the full glass of water that he desperately needed. He almost didn’t let her up when she rolled away from him. Instinctively he followed, moving his way through the sheets to keep her within arms reach as she sat on the bed. She probably only moved inches, but he felt like it was miles. Her words finally sank in and it was enough to knock him into a more serious, not lust driven thought process. He propped himself up on his elbow as she started to pull up his shirt. He expected it to rise just a little so she could expose whatever was bothering her. But instead the piece of clothing was completely removed and might as well smacked him in the face.
“Do you see anything?”
His blue eyes locked onto the exposed skin that as in front of him. He shook his head and tried to look for something that would be causing her pain. He briefly thought maybe he caused it when he caught her at the base last night, that he truly was too rough with her. But he didn’t see anything now, and he had immediately let up on his hold the moment he realized who he had captured. Was she… was she flirting with him? Tempting him? His heart hammered in his chest as he ran through several different thoughts. “Hm,” He mused as he juggled with what was possibly going on. Instead of pondering too long, he leaned forward and place a kiss along her spine, just at the small of her waist. He placed another one right above it, and then another one. A line of four kisses before he spoke against her skin, “Did that help? Or do you need more?” A kiss to make it better right?
