Chapter 25

The next morning I opened my eyes feeling very rested and stretching I turned to face Shannon’s side of the bed to find him missing. Sitting up I glanced around our suite and there was no sight of him, suddenly the door opened and I quickly scrambled to pull up the sheets to cover myself. Walking in the door with a grin on his face he snickered “too late I saw” carrying a pretty silver tray of coffee and bagels with fruit. Blushing I responded “you brat!” while smiling back at him I continued “I wondered where you escaped to, thought you might have decided to run away”. “Like there is anywhere else I’d rather be than with you, you’re crazy to think otherwise! I just thought we’d need some nourishment after last night’s activities and you looked so peaceful sleeping I was not going to wake you.” he explained. Coming over to the bed he set the tray down on the nightstand and bounced on the bed turning to me with a smile just gazing at me he said “why are you so beautiful?” making my blushing increase. “Stop it!” I protested hitting him on the arm and hiding partially behind my hair while turning my face away from him quickly and then back. As I moved the sheets moved up exposing my toes, he reached down tickling them and the bottom of my feet and said “you aren’t going to get away from me for long”. Sitting up he handed me my coffee, I took a few sips and then handed it back to him. I had to run to the ladies room…and I wrapped the sheets around me and tried to escape with it covering me, as I hit the corner he had grabbed the end of the sheet and yanked it and half of it came unraveled as I struggled with holding the rest of it on me I finally dropped it and ran in and closed the door. On the other side of the door he chuckled “haha…you have to come out of there sooner or later!”

Fixing my face in the mirror some, I looked over this new, changed woman who was looking back at me. Realizing I was a little sore from the previous night’s activities I was nervous about our second attempt which I was almost sure would happen sooner rather than later. Opening the door a crack I told him to close his eyes and he laughed “and what are you afraid that I’m going to see that I haven’t seen already?” he answered arrogantly. “You are such a brat, it was dark last night!” it only took him a second to respond back “it wasn’t dark in the shower”. Checking over myself in the mirror again and taking in a deep breath I finally decided that I looked damn good. Opening the door I announced “ok fine” and I teased him first showing just my leg around the corner, he laughed and I laughed back “just kidding”. I felt a sense of freedom overcome me as I came around the corner half shy and slightly blushing. His face became very intense, his mouth opened as he just looked at me while his eyes wandered up and down. “I’m hungry” I told him breaking the awkwardness I was feeling. “Yeah I bet you are….here” he answered as he clumsily reached for the tray on the stand behind him hardly taking his eyes off me and knocking over the creamer for the coffee in the process. “Oh fuck!” he exclaimed turning and cleaning it up, I rushed over to help him clean it up giggling that my birthday suit had made him so clumsy.

Grabbing a bagel and some raspberries I finally wrapped myself back up in the sheets and consumed my breakfast. “So what adventures in Paris do you have for me today Sir?” I inquired. Looking out the window full of streaming rain droplets he looked back at me “well, I actually thought we’d take a rain check today and just stay right here”. Feeling my heartbeat speed up like a hummingbirds wings I took another sip of coffee slowly while looking back at him. “Oh….I …see” I nervously answered back “and do what?” Smiling really big he cunningly suggested “Hmm…well, we could just sit here and watch movies…read a book I guess.” Knowing that he was being sarcastic I smiled back at him and decided I was going to play this game. “Yeah, that’s a great idea! I actually bought a new book at the airport that I really wanted to start reading!” Searching my face to see if he could tell if I was joking or not, I kept a straight face and turning around towards my bag I pulled out my book. Holding it up I said “here it is! Wow, I’m kind of glad we get a day to just relax and catch up on reading.” “Um….okay” he responded “well, I guess I’m going to go take a shower”. “Ahha” I responded acting completely uninterested keeping my nose in my book. As I heard the door close I dropped my book and the sheet and snuck over to the door, listening as he turned on the shower and got in.

Turning the knob slowly I snuck into the steamy room closing the door behind me quietly. Sneaking up to the curtain I pulled it open and let my eyes take in the sight, the water running down his sculpted back, his arms up with this hands running through his hair. Stepping in behind him he noticed the curtain open and turned with a surprised look on his face, and then quickly his surprise turned into a smile. “Well, hi” he said turning toward me “hi” I smiled back reaching my hands up and wrapping my arms around his neck as our lips met. “I thought you were reading” he pulled away to ask me “oh….you bought that huh?” I teased him. Grinning back at me, squinting and then blinking one eye he pulled me close to him “you tease”. As his wet hands hit the skin on my back I was suddenly warm all over my body. Kissing again with our chests together and my arms around his neck he reached his hands down placing them underneath me and stroked me there. Then picking me up in his hands like a seat he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. Putting my back against the shower wall he slid his hands down to my upper thighs as his lips moved to meet my neck I felt him start to enter in between my legs. I cried out a little as all the memories from last night rushed back while he pushed inside my soreness. As much as I loved and craved this new intimacy between us I wondered when it would actually begin to feel good for me. It hurt like a son of a bitch all over again and I dug my nails into his back as he filled me all the way up. All I could do was kiss his lips in a pecking like way as he continued and I let out little cries in between. Even though I was in pain, I still enjoyed the physical closeness between us with him touching me and kissing me so passionately. It was still so new and intense. Then towards the end I had a moment, a glimpse of the future as I suddenly felt something different. His lips were on my neck and when he pumped into me I felt a quick set of pulses as he moaned and then released inside me. Thrilled that I finally felt something good I picked up his face and looked into his eyes smiling. Intrigued he asked “what??” as he set me down on my feet again. “How was that?” I asked him. Making a noise that let me know it was very good I smirked and said “I just felt something different”. “Different?” he probed. “Yes, something that for a moment didn’t hurt, but kind of felt….good” I replied and then turned my back towards him and washed my hair. Grabbing me after I rinsed my shampoo out he said “want to try again?” Feeling as though I wanted to give myself a little bit of a recovery time I put my finger on his nose and said “now..now…let’s not get too spoiled”. Moving the curtain I stepped out as he stayed in the shower a little longer, I dried off slipping on a black lace bra and undies and went back out to the bedroom.

When he emerged from the shower room he was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist, and as he saw my eyes fall on him he dropped it to the floor and announced “well, I guess we have nothing left to hide right?” He was so naughty! My eyes couldn’t help but wander as my breathing sped I looked away and picked up my book. He was no doubt attempting to get me back for leaving him in the shower alone, and he succeeded. He lay down on his side of the bed in sweats with no shirt and flipped on the TV. with the remote control. Switching it to a movie neither of us had seen before I closed my book and turned off the lamp next to me, the gloomy day didn’t provide us with much light and so I got up and strolled across the room to close the curtains anyway. Walking back I noticed his eyes on me, still only wearing my black bra and panties, I slipped under the covers and cuddled up next to him to watch the movie. About 20 minutes had passed and I confessed “You smell sooo good” mumbling towards his ear. He smiled and protested “hey, I need to smell you too, that’s not fair!” so he snuggled his face down to my chest and sniffed me. Hitting his head back against his pillow he rolled his eyes and mumbled about how I smelled too good. “I’m all too familiar with that delicious smell of yours that tortured me for months!” he let out a sigh. “Aww…you poor baby…come here” I stuck my bottom lip out and opened my arms for him to come near. Cuddling up into my arms he put the side of his face on my chest and I played with his hair, he could still see the TV from this angle.

A few moments later he began softly kissing the tops of my breasts that were not inside my bra. Smirking to myself I said “lose interest in the movie?” Looking up at me he admitted “I lost interest in the movie the moment you made me smell you and I laid down here”. “I see” I answered as he continued his kissing, sliding his hand up and exposing one of my breasts out from the cup of my bra. Wrapping his lips around it he started suckling me as I gulped and kept playing with his hair. Reaching around he unfastened my bra and slid it down and off my arms throwing it to the side after removing it. Continuing his conquest, he began suckling me again. I could feel in my excitement that my nipples were very stiff as his wet mouth engulfed them with desire, moving from one to the other. My breathing speed increased. Sliding his hands down while his mouth was busy he gripped my panties and I lifted my bottom up so that he could remove them down to my ankles where I kicked them off with my feet. His lips never left my breast as he put his hand down and rubbed my wetness, the surge of pleasure I experienced at the second he touched me there sent tingles all over my body. Letting out a little noise of liking he looked at me with a grin, looking into his eyes I smirked and pulled his sweats down as they came down his participant popped out as I was pulling and I giggled “ooo are we excited?” “Mmmhmm” he groaned kicking his sweats off the rest of the way and moving over till he was fully on top of me. “Touch me again” I begged and he slid his hand down and as soon as his fingers touched me there my body shook. Pushing him onto his back I moved over him and started kissing his neck, moving down to his chest and back to his face. Gently stroking him he let out a little moan “what’re you doing??” he inquired. “Just saying hello” I grimaced. Laying back down on my back I pulled him back on top of me and we kissed while he moved my legs further apart, pushing them up he pulled them so that they were laying on his chest and my knees were over his shoulders. “Oh really??” I inquired about the position. Nodding his head up and down while looking into my eyes amused he began sliding inside of me, only this time I immediately felt exactly what I wanted, and it felt good. He wasn’t even all the way inside of me when I heaved and curved my back up uttering nonsense, and repeating his name over and over again. Desire took me over completely, it felt like it was 100 degrees in the room and as he moved inside of me waves of satisfaction hit me repeatedly. I could barely contain the pleasure and I grabbed his shoulders and whimpered while moaned loudly. Beaming he said “feels good now huh?” Letting out a labored “yesss!” while tilting my head back on the pillow he kissed the curve in my neck and then my lips. I could feel that something big was about to happen. Looking into his eyes as he sustained pleasing me, my entire body shuddered in ecstasy and I let out one last long groan. He followed and I just lovingly watched the pleasure on his face. When he finished I just laid there unable to move as I felt a surge of fluttering and warmness inside my chest. Slowing turning my head to look at him lying next to me I realized how completely madly in love with him I was. Fears of the day that I could potentially lose him took me over and minutes later tears began to dribble down to the pillow. “What’s wrong baby?” he asked as he held me close. “Nothing, I just love you so much” I let out, and as he told me the same I felt my exhausted eyes close and I collapsed asleep there in his arms.

Editing next chapter…. lovelies…thanks for reading!

24.

Shannon’s Point of View

I couldn’t believe she turned around, the tickle in my ear still active after she breathed those words teasingly inside. I craved her so bad and she just made it worse, I was harder than a brick laying here, I knew she wanted me and this tease was not going to win tonight. Rolling to my side right behind her I snuggled up to her as close as I could get, my “brick” pressing between her legs onto her thin panties. She giggled and turned her head towards me “why hello, that didn’t take long” she continued to be appealing. “Of course it didn’t, you made me miss you too badly” I breathed into her ear as I started kissing the side of her sweet tasting neck from behind. The sensation of being pressed up behind her so closely sent me into a heat that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I can’t remember the last time I desired a woman so bad, I had been teased and tortured for far too long and it was all built up. Having to endure seeing her and being with her every day for the last month with little physical contact was doing awful things to me. She always looked good, some days too good and I would have to secretly excuse myself to give myself some relief in private. Tonight she wasn’t getting away, and this last stint of time while she was healing was enough to kill me.

Rubbing her right side…the silkiness of her nightie sent goose bumps all over my body. Moving my hand gently down her side to her middle thigh I moved the material up her thigh slowly…feeling her hot soft skin all the way up to her hip. I moved my lips to her ear “I want you so bad” I breathed and then wrapped my lips around her earlobe and gently sucked on it. She was like clay in my hands as she began to pant in heat. Her breathing accelerated as I moved my hand from her thigh to her chest, feeling the ribbons that supported her breasts in place and cupping one of them in my hand I roughly whispered in her ear “can I take this off?” “Yes! Please…” she almost whined out her answer, it was more like begging. Pulling one of the ribbons the pretty little bow in between her breasts came undone. She had turned onto her back so that I could do what I asked…the ribbon loosened the tightness around them and putting my hands down on the hem of her nightie…the sides of my hands flowed up her thighs and onto her stomach. I lifted it up over her breasts, each one carefully bounced out of the material, perfectly round and stiff beautiful pink circles in the middle just as I had remembered them. My heartbeat sped up at the sight of them, she was so tortuously gorgeous. I was so lucky. Continuing I lifted it up over her head and pulled her soft reddish brown locks gently out before tossing the gown to the side of the bed. “Hey Gorgeous” I smiled down at her; her chest was heaving up and down with a dynamic rhythm, revealing her excitement. Her blue eyes were big, wide, sparking like gems with a hint of mystery and wonder.

Laying on top of her I pulled her lips onto mine and we kissed more passionately than ever before, her lips were so perfect, soft and smooth, warm and supple, I loved every smooch. Her breasts rubbing on my chest as we caressed sent tingles up my spine. Being this close to her was what I had sought for so long, it felt so right. My “brick” was harder than ever pressed up against the outside of her undies again; it was as if I was knocking in excitement, more like pounding on the “door” to her secret cradle. She rubbed my back and sides, reaching down I felt her with my fingertips, teasing more on the outside of this satin doorway that was between us. She instantly gasped at my touch “Shannon, can I tell you something?” “Mmmhmm” I hummed. “Ok, I’m…I’m afraid” she was afraid of having sex? I wondered. “What are you afraid of?” I asked while kissing her neck softly, pushing her hair back off her shoulder for more access. “I don’t want to scare you” she let out. I laughed out loud “Nadia, I don’t think you could ever be capable of scaring me”. Then she blurted it out “I’m a virgin!” It kind of rang in my ears for a moment. Wow, I wasn’t expecting that, I mean she’s sweet and innocent, very delicate but I didn’t imagine this. “Wow” I looked her in the eyes, “are you sure you want me to…” she put her hand up to my mouth stopping me in the middle of what I was saying “Yes! I’m absolutely sure that I want it to be you! I want you! Now that I’ve let that out, can we continue?”

Breathing in I smiled and kissed her lips again “I just want you to know that I love you” I told her the truth of my heart, kissing her again I started to get more excited, yet terrified knowing that my size could pose a problem here. Feeling her down there again, she was soaking wet, and looking her straight in the eyes on my knees above her I gently tugged at the sides of her panties and slid them down off of her hips to her upper thighs as I kissed her lips in syncopation. Moving down the bed I pulled them the rest of the way off past her knees, down her calves, off her ankles and over her toes, throwing them off to the side of the bed to join her nightie. I grabbed her feet in my hands and massaged them, her toes were adorable with red polish and I kissed them. Looking down at her the desire I felt for her was unrivaled, her curves, and her skin so soft, she glowed in the candlelight. “Baby, you’re so beautiful” I admitted as I kissed the ankle on her right leg and began kissing down finally reaching her inner thigh, her breathing became more labored and she began to tremble “are you ok?” I checked. “Aha” she moaned as I kissed down to her softest area, she whimpered lightly when I hit the outside corner where her first fold was, her legs sliding up and down in anticipation, she couldn’t keep still. Smiling at her excitement I continued moving inward, over her sensitive bump in between the folds, her whimpers grew more intense and she grabbed my hair and breathed out a little cute “yes!” She tasted so sweet; she was so soft. Sucking her sensitivity between my lips and then licking it she muttered my name, I loved the way it sounded. Giving her a couple more rough licks I started a kissing trail up to her belly button, leaving her quivering. Her back slightly arched, I slid my hands under her and kissed up to her breasts where I secretly couldn’t wait to go. They were the most perfect set I had ever seen or encountered, I remembered them from our shower experience, however I was so enraged with anger over her injuries that I was distracted from their perfection. Don’t get me wrong, I had noticed them plenty of times in other tops and dresses she had worn and become very distracted imagining them. But now this was an entirely different level and I could feel my obsession ignite. Kissing from underneath the crease of the left one, I walked my lips up to her nipple, licking it once and then sucking to my hearts delight. Realizing after a few moments that I was treating it like I was being fed from the best bottle in the world, I got a little rough with my suckling and apologized. She could barely speak and out of breath she assured me it was all good…begging me she slid her hips down the bed to meet up with mine, pulling me down on top of her and kissing my neck. She begged out loud“I waaant you sooo bad” looking into her eyes I assured her that we wanted the same thing.

I warned her that it was going to hurt and if she needed me to stop to tell me. She agreed and I moved my hand down and used my finger first, pressing it inside, she moaned as it went in, letting out a little noise as I moved it. Looking at her face to gauge her comfort I pulled it out and this time stuck two in, she was very tight and I could see this hurt, the fears of my size were very real at this moment. Pulling out more instead of in she stopped me “No, keep going!” she begged. “Ok” I answered and kissed her lips while sticking them back inside, pushing them further thru the tightness, she sucked in a tight breath and moaned arching her back, placing her right breast in my face. I took this opportunity as a bottle sucking break while keeping my fingers at work, then pulling them out and un-sucking her nipple I asked her “ are you ready?” Her eyes looked very thoughtful, I detected some fear and she answered “Yes! Omg yes!” getting back into position over her I kissed her shoulder. Spreading her legs wide apart she grabbed my arms and I lightly penetrated a half inch into her, she moaned and pleaded for more…pulling up from her shoulder and looking into her eyes I pressed in a little more and she gasped “you ok?” I asked again…”Mmmhmm” she moaned…pushing a little more she cutely yelped out an “owww”. “Should I stop?” I asked with worry “NO!” she demanded tightening the grip she had on my biceps. Asserting myself more she yelped again. Then she stopped and looked at me “how much more?” She was so adorable! I laughed and told her that all I had inside right now was the head. Her eyes widened and she laughed “omg! Shan you are so big!”

I was nervous, and told her maybe we should stop this time. She grabbed my face and pulled it to hers “NO, I want to do this! I want you! I don’t care how bad it hurts!” Then she placed a forceful kiss on my lips. “Ok” I bit my lip after and pushed her thighs further apart, pulling one of her legs up into my arm so that her knee rested inside of it, I moved back and pulled out of her. “What ARE you doing??” she demanded. I laughed and told her that I was getting into a better position and slowly laid her back down. With her right calf in my hand I pulled it up so that it lay on my back and I laid back down on her “you ready?” I asked her again looking into her eyes with a smile “Please!” she moaned. Penetrating in slowly again she took in a sharp breath as we got back to where we were, my head completely inside, she looked scared. Putting my hand around the back of her knee I held it as I pushed in a little deeper and kissed her neck as she let out “OMG’s” real fast from accepting the pain. I felt myself breaking her, going where she had never been touched; she moved her hands to my back, going deeper she dug her nails in “sorry” I breathed into her ear. She felt so damn good inside, pushing till I was as far as I could go she cried out more “ow’s” in a very cute chime. Amused I looked at her and said “that’s as bad as it’s going to get” with an adorable wrinkled up forehead and breathing heavily she exhaled “you have no idea what I just went through!” I kissed her forehead and we continued “I promise it will feel good eventually” she looked doubtful and giggled while grabbing my face and kissing me, then she fell back on the bed as I slowly pumped in and out of her. Groaning while I held her calves in my hands on my knees looking at her, the way she felt inside was unparalleled to any other I had felt. I almost lost control early when she arched her back again and her breasts bounced up as she reached for me, begging for me to come back down to her. Dropping her legs down I did as she wanted and she wrapped them around my back, the angle I was at now gave me deeper access and as she rubbed my chest I lost it! The waves started crashing over and over and over, I hadn’t experienced this so strong in a long time. After it was over I crashed down putting my head on the side of her neck to rest. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me with the strength she had left. Studying her face as we lay there I was afraid, I was afraid of her because I was in danger. I knew before this happened that she held my heart, but now I realized that she didn’t just hold it, she owned it!

Is in the editing process…it’s a big one. ;) Thanks for your patience!

23.

A Week had passed since my encounter in the alley and I was trying my best to forget it. Sadly, I now had a new fear of going anywhere alone, and forced Shannon to go with me everywhere. He didn’t seem to mind, and assured me he felt good knowing that I wasn’t alone. We had a few days off on the tour, and then we were picking up the tour overseas for 2 weeks. Shannon asked me if I wanted to go spend a few days in Paris and I agreed ecstatically. Boarding the plane, I was extremely nervous as I had never flown before. I sat by the window and when the plane took off I hugged his arm and closed my eyes, when I opened them he was smiling down at me, “You’re so cute” he leaned and kissed my forehead. He still was acting like I was going to break every time we had physical contact and it drove me crazy! Squeezing his hand tightly I slowly lessened my grip as the plane steadied and my heart rate lowered its acceleration. The flight went fairly smoothly except for one little glitch of turbulence in which I hugged his arm again relentlessly. My nerves were a mess the entire time, and Shannon thought it was endearing. Finally we landed and pulled onto the tarmac, I was not looking forward to doing this again to get back home and I couldn’t wait to get off this metal bird.

We caught some dinner at a small café, the atmosphere was very romantic. Shannon reached his hand across the table around the candle in the middle of the table and picked up my hand in his “Hey, I want you to have an amazing time here, let me know if there is anything you want to see or do ok? I’ve been here before, so this is about you.” My heart was fluttering so wild at the touch of his hand and the intensity of his eyes glowing in the candle light made me melt inside. “Thank you, I’m sure I’m going to love every moment” I replied. After paying for our meal, we left our table and holding hands walked out the door and down a cobble stone path. Our hotel was only a few blocks away and we already had our bags brought there. My imagination was bouncing off the walls thinking about being entirely alone with him tonight and in the same bed. Yet, he was still only accepting small hugs and hand holding and a kiss here and there. My hormones were raging like fire and I knew I had no intention of behaving myself tonight.

Walking inside and setting my bag down on the bed I was so tired I immediately went to change into my pajamas, when I came back out Shannon was taking his jeans off, and had already removed his shirt. I’d had enough of this. Walking towards him I pushed him in the chest and took him by surprise. Looking at me with wide eyes he said “what was that for?” “That’s it! I have had it!!” I let out. “Had what?” he lifted an eyebrow in confusion keeping his wide eyes and a slight sly smile on his face. “Look at me! Do you see bruises anymore? My scrapes here are gone, and here’s my back!” I said turning “Have a look!” Tugging the top of my nightie down my back he looked “yeah, it looks good and healed up nice. What is this about Nadia?” Turning back around to face him gruffly I said “I am sick of the glove treatment! Like I’m going to break and shatter like some porcelain doll!” “I’m sorry Babe, the last thing I want to do is hurt you.” This was his excuse? “Are you sure it’s not more than what happened to me? Maybe your feelings have changed?” I asked him. The shock on his face was apparent “my feelings have changed?” he repeated what I had said back to me. “Yeah, maybe you just see us as good friends or a sister?” I suggested.

My eyes fell on his sculpted shoulders and back up to his face in time to catch his eyes on my cleavage. Then staring at me without blinking he stretched with a yawn and said “man I’m tired!” Turning away from me he walked over and got in to the bed as my mouth fell, gaping open. Did he really just end our conversation this way? Hesitating and standing at the foot of the bed still, finally I turned and walked to my side. Pulling the blankets back I slipped inside with my back towards him. Why did I say what I did? Had I just ruined this romantic, wonderful time we were supposed to spend with each other with my big fat mouth? My heart was beating so fast thinking about how we were completely alone, and what I wanted to happen between us, I couldn’t sleep and it wouldn’t leave my mind. Was he sleeping? Slowly I turned onto my back so that I could glance over at him. His eyes were closed! He opened them and turned on his right side with his back towards me now. Apparently I was getting the “cold shoulder” tonight, my emotions started to well up. I had been through so much these last few weeks and I really needed him to hold me, not ignore me.

Laying there wondering, waiting for him to make a move I finally lost my patience. Turning on my side I wiggled over towards him, he was laying on his back again looking up at the ceiling. “Hi” I almost whispered in his ear and he smiled really wide “Hi” he said back. All of a sudden he burst out chuckling, making a face at him in the dark I said “I thought you were tired!? And WHAT is so funny??!” Ending his chuckling fit he said “What do you think is going to happen?” Teasing back I said “I don’t know what’s going to happen?” “We’re going to sleep!” he answered me very forthrightly. “Oh??” I asked tracing my fingers from under the covers up his stomach to his chest. Gulping quickly I could see from the city lights outside that he turned his face towards mine and I felt his breathing pick up pace. “What are you doing? He inquisitively asked. “You don’t like that?” I teased him again. “I didn’t say that, I asked what you were doing.” Giggling I said “Touching you, should I stop?” “Uh, no” he quickly replied. Running my hand over his chest again, I moved it down his stomach and he took in a deep, fast breath. “You know you’re exciting me right?” he informed me. “A girl can dream” I mumbled in his ear as I turned back on my left side with my back towards him.

It’s in the works…. ;) I promise it won’t be much longer everyone! Thank you so much for your patience!!

22.

The smell of coffee brewing woke me up the next morning, and as I rolled over to Shannon forgetting the condition of my back, I saw he was missing. The touch of the sheets reminded me immediately of my injuries. Sitting up, I stretched and rubbed my eyes, moving the sheet off of me I stepped onto the floor taking one step and Shannon was standing there with a cup of coffee in his hand. “Good Morning, here is your coffee Milady” he said handing me the cup. Smiling up at him I said “Thank you Sir, I’ll be right back” excusing myself to the bathroom. As I stepped in I methodically investigated the aftermath of last night again in the mirror, definitely a cut on the corner of my lip, scratch on my neck, huge purple bruise on my left arm and some scrapes by my elbow, bruises on my stomach and then my back that I merely glimpsed at knowing already that it was a mess. Wondering how long it would take for me to heal up I brushed my teeth, applied a little bit of makeup and lip gloss and then went back out. Shannon was cooking a scramble of some sort and I sat down to drink my coffee. Looking over at me he asked “How did you sleep?” “I think pretty well” I replied. Walking over to me with a plate of food and setting it in front of me he continued “you looked so peaceful sleeping that I didn’t want to wake you”. “Aw, thanks” I smiled while taking a bite of the delicious scramble he made. Stepping back to the stove to make something else in a T-shirt and Sweat pants my mind started taking over, all I could think of was what he looked like without anything on.

Jared came over and joined us, sitting down and reading a book and drinking some juice. Just then Shannon stretched one of his arms behind his neck and his shirt went up showing his tummy. Jared started asking me questions about the video that they were going to make and I didn’t hear a thing that he was saying “Mars to Nadia!” he joked with me. “Huh?” I asked looking at him with wide eyes “Sorry, I was um…” smiling at me with a look of “I know what’s wrong with you” on his face. I said “What??!” Teasing me he said “uh-huh I’ll talk to you later about it” as he winked at me. Getting up, I went to get ready for the day throwing on my favorite jeans and a mars t-shirt. Stepping out of the bathroom and heading to get my purse, Shannon and I crashed into each other. “Are you ok??” he looked at me like I was going to crumble apart and fall to the ground. Smiling I went to kiss him and he said “I don’t know that cut on your lip looks like it hurts” and pulled away from me. My heart felt like a little crack started to form.

Ignoring my pain I asked in slight annoyance “So today you guys have two interviews is that right?” Looking over at me from the table that he retreated to he answered “Yeah, and then a radio meet and greet with fans before the show.” He was handling me with little kid gloves today and it was driving me absolutely crazy. Feeling as if I didn’t want to be alone ever again, I told him “Whatever you are doing, I will be right there, I’m not leaving your side”. Becoming desperate for his affections, I snuggled over close to him in the booth he was now sitting in as we were talking I tried to hug him from the side, but he put his arm down seemingly like he was not welcoming me into a hug so I grabbed his arm wrapping my arms around it and hugged it. Grinning down at me he kissed my forehead and kept reading the article in front of him.

A van came to pick them up for the first interview at the local radio station, as I grabbed my things to join them Jared turned and said “I feel really bad about this Nadia, but could you stay here on the bus? I know that I said that you would be joining us, but the one lady DJ is very nosey and she will ask what happened to you. I don’t want you to have to explain that, you know what I mean?” Of course! I was hideous, gash on my lip; scratch on my neck, bruises all over my body maybe they would think that the guys were working me like a slave. It’s best to stay hidden, but I didn’t want to be separated from Shannon. “Plus, I was hoping that you could make those flyers for us, that we’ve been putting off.” I responded “oh…um…yeah I can stay here”. Looking at me with kind eyes he said” Ok we’ll catch ya later!” waving he stepped off the bus.

Going up to Shannon, I went to hug him and he stepped back picking up his sunglasses off of the table acting as if he didn’t realize I was going to hug him. This rejection of sorts had me really confused, it was ok to hug me the night before but now I was off limits? Feeling really clingy and needy and anxious that he was leaving me I stepped closer to him and reached out for a hug but he didn’t hug me back. “I’ll be back before you know it, ok?” he told me. I was totally stunned and speechless; he was purposefully rejecting any physical touch from me. “Oh, ok” I replied stung and turning I made my way back to my bunk, once inside I closed the curtain and my tears fell like an avalanche. After letting the soreness out, I went to do my duty, working on the flyers. My thoughts wouldn’t leave me be, I wondered was it just because of my injuries that he wouldn’t touch me or was there something else now? I felt so safe with him, and now it was as if he was going to leave me alone, avoiding me like the plague maybe he thought my wounds were contagious.

The second interview of the day was going to be on the bus, I pondered how they were going to hide me from this one. When the guys got back from the radio station the next interview was already set to start. The chick who was interviewing them came up on the bus wearing a short mini skirt with a tank top that was too small for her and high heels, she was blonde and she sat down right next to Shannon. She was flirting big time with him, it took all of my power to stay back in my little corner pretending not to care, and acting like I was working. “Can we take a little tour of the bus?” she asked. Walking over towards me and showing the area to her real fast hoping she wouldn’t see and ask about the hideous creature in the corner no doubt, they turned back, but of course she noticed. “Oh, and who is this?” Jared stepped in “this is our tour photographer/editor/she does a little of everything, Nadia” “Very cool! OMG what happened to your lip?!” she exclaimed. Looking over at the guys I said nothing “oh, she just had a little accident and is on the mend” Jared explained. That was such a pretty way to replace “oh, she was just held up against a brick wall and practically raped by some douche bag in another band last night”. “I’m good” I answered. “Oh, good to hear!” she said in a tone that basically announced she could care less. Turning back to walk down the narrow hall between the bunks she purposely slid up against Shannon. “Sorry, wow these ARE tight quarters” she said in his face while rubbing her chest onto his. I felt like biting her head off with my monster teeth and spitting it out a window! I couldn’t wait till she was gone. “I’ll be at the show tonight guys, backstage access” she said as she winked to Shannon and moved past him.

After the interview was over Jared excused himself to a phone call off the bus, Matt got up and used the bathroom and Shannon and Solon still sat with her. I was ready to escort her off myself, but she wasn’t being asked to leave. Trying in desperation to find anything to talk to him about, her attempts made me want to hurl. She even put her hand up on his arm 3 times while laughing, and yes I was counting. Looking directly at Shannon she asked “So, I’m sorry to come off so strong, and I hope this isn’t too unprofessional, but do you have a girlfriend?” My mouth dropped open and I couldn’t sit any longer, standing up and walking to my bunk pretending I had something to get out of my bag that was inside of it, I moved within clearer ear shot. What was he going to say? “Um…” he mumbled then turning his head towards my direction and turning it back he said “not officially, but I have someone I’m really interested in” giggling she fluffed her hair and said “what would a girl have to do to get you interested?” Clearing my throat, I then listened to his response “ah well, you’re very pretty so that’s always a good start, you don’t have a boyfriend? That’s kind of unbelievable”. Smiling and moving closer to him she said “I know, but I don’t!”

I couldn’t take this anymore; grabbing my purse I went past them and walked off the bus. About a half minute later he came tumbling off the bus “Hey!” he yelled after me “where are you going??!” I was a half a block up and I stopped and turned around and yelled “I’m going to that drug store over there for some aspirin! Do I need a permission slip?” It surprised me how nippy I was with him. “Ah, no of course not, but I wanted to make sure you were ok, is that a crime?” he came back at me. Pausing for a moment I looked up at him “Well, I didn’t want to disturb you and Blondie in there so I’m sorry. But, it’s ok Shannon; you don’t have to play the big over protective brother role with me. I will be alright.” Glaring at me I could see the anger I had created in his face, tightening his eyes and jaw “Right, brother type. I don’t know what’s going on, but I don’t want anything happening to you, so I’m going to go with you over to that store!” Rolling my eyes and turning away from him I said “Suit yourself”. Following me like a puppy dog around the store, we didn’t speak one word to each other until we were walking back to the bus “So you’re mad at me because I was talking to the interview chick?” he investigated. Stopping dead in my tracks I turned “Talking? More like “Hahaha..do you have a girlfriend?” (I impersonated her), continuing “And you not knowing the answer to the trivia question!” Looking offended he yelled “What Trivia question? I don’t have a girlfriend! Unless you know something that I don’t know!” Feeling the earth that still existed under my feet I responded “No, I guess you’re right! Silly me, I have no idea what I’ve been thinking and feeling lately. Well, I hope you have a good time with her tonight backstage without me around. At least you don’t have to be afraid to touch her, like you do me! Maybe you’ll get lucky and have a new girlfriend by the end of the night!”

Turning away I started back for the bus, trailing right behind me he said “I feel bad enough about what happened to you, I’m not going to let anything else happen to you ok? So yeah I wanted you to stay here, I want you to be safe! Nothing is going to happen to you on my watch!” “So now I can’t even be trusted to be at the show? Or, no it’s my hideous appearance that we want to spare everyone from seeing!” I spat back. Rolling his eyes at me he continued “We were just trying to spare YOU from any unneeded questioning about what you went through. Yes, we were trying to protect you because we care about you!” Looking at him through my pooling eyes I replied “Like I said, I don’t need you to be my overprotective big brother. Maybe since I’m such a liability to everyone I should just go home! It would also free you up to flirt freely away from my thinking that there is anything going on between us!” “Did you NOT hear the part of the conversation, where I told her I was interested in somebody??!” he retorted. “She thought you were flirting back with her, so no I missed that part, and at this point Shannon I am feeling A LOT more than just “interested” in you, so I apologize if I didn’t pick up on receiving such a small award!” Shrugging his shoulders he said “well, then maybe you should go home, you’d be happier away from me and my small award system and over protection!” Matt and one of the roadies were the only ones on the bus with us and they were unfortunate enough to have been privy to our entire fight. “Whoa, the sexual tension in here is so thick you two need to go find a room somewhere and end this!” Matt interjected before stepping off the bus.

Biting my lip and then wishing I hadn’t due to the immediate reminder of my gash, I moved past Shannon and grabbed my bag and started packing it. Sitting down and watching me for a few seconds he said “What are you doing?? Seriously, what are you doing??” “You told me I should go, so I’m doing just that. All I’ve done so far on this tour is cause problems. I think you’d all be better off without me around.” I answered. Getting up he walked over to me and grabbed my bag away from me, looking at him with tears falling he said “Nadia, I haven’t been touching you because I don’t want to hurt you ok? I can’t tell you how helpless I felt last night when I saw that you were so hurt, or how mad I was that I didn’t walk you to that café and that this had happened! How enraged I was at that guy and what I’m afraid I would have done to him had Matt and Solon not shown up! Another thing, I wasn’t flirting with that chick, she was flirting with me! I was just being nice. You’re crazy if you think I’d be into her over you!” Gently he put his arm around my waist and turned me to face him. “I just feel like you are fragile right now, every time I touched you last night I hurt you. I don’t want to hurt you.” As my tears fell I replied “I don’t want to be away from you, and I feel like a disgusting thing right now, like you guys don’t want anyone to see me with you, and you won’t touch me.” Wiping the tears from my cheeks with his hands he reached in and kissed my lips ever so gently to not hurt my cut. As we kissed I dreamed of the day that all of my damages would be gone, and he could be as strong and rough with me as he desired.

21.

Pulling away from my lips for a moment he said “turn around and let me clean your back, I don’t want that to get infected.” Turning my back towards him he gently applied some soap and then grabbing the sprayer he let the water run into his hand and then cascade onto my back and neck avoiding directly spraying onto my open scrapes. Sharing this experience with him was not what I expected, if I ever fantasized about taking a shower with Shannon it was not under these circumstances where I was all bruised up and broken. Rotating back to face him I took the hose and let the water run on both of his shoulders and he moved in closer kissing me again. The sprayer in my hand moved to his back; my arm leaning on the top of his shoulder as he reached behind me and put both of his hands gently on my waist. The feeling of his slightly rough hands on my body sent tingles rushing all over me, as he rubbed his thumbs over my skin. Wanting to touch him too I used my free hand and reached up to rub his chest and made a path down to his side. My cheeks felt flush in this moment of exploration, his skin was warm and smooth to the touch. Pulling away from me he looked into my eyes affectionately and said “I can’t tell you how much I missed you”. Glancing at the bruises on my left arm he gently moved his thumb over them and trailed them down and over to the ones on my stomach. My heart was beating so hard I thought it was going to jump out of my chest, as the realization that he was really looking at me hit, and he was looking at all of me. Here I was bare and vulnerable, with nowhere to hide; right in front of his eyes. “You’re so beautiful” he sighed looking back up into my eyes he put his hands on both sides of my face and reached in for another kiss. The biggest butterflies ever were fluttering in my chest as I touched his strong bare back, anticipating what may happen between us.

Moving his hands he reached down and around grabbing my behind, as my pulse sped up I wrapped my arms around his neck on top of his shoulders. His touch made me tremor, as he slowly explored areas he never had before, moving over to my thighs he ran his hands up the insides of them where his thumb gently massaged the creases inside, just outside of my most delicate area. My body felt like it was on fire, I yearned for his touch so badly. Reaching around me again he grabbed my outer thighs and picking me up, my feet left the shower floor as I held his shoulders to steady myself. Leaning me against the wall he moved closer to me placing his lips in between my neck and chin. Accidentally the wounds on my back touched the shower wall “ouch!” I cried out again. “Are you ok?” he examined me. “It’s my back, sorry” I apologized. Grimacing he set me down “I don’t want to hurt you, and I’m so afraid I’m going to right now with how brittle you are.” “Don’t worry about it, I’m fine” I said trying to kiss him back to where we were. He pulled free of my lips “I am worried about it; you’ve been hurt enough tonight. Let’s just clean up and go get you some sleep.” It felt like tiny shards had just punctured my heart, we were just so close to something so amazing happening between us and then we had to stop. “But, I want you” I vulnerably admitted to him. Gazing into my eyes he chuckled “You don’t think I want you??” reaching for my hand he placed it on his most gentle part. I felt how badly he wanted me, after touching I couldn’t help but giggle, “What’s so funny?” he asked searching my face with big eyes. “Is that for me?” I teased him. Placing his nose on mine, he gave me an eskimo kiss, rubbing our noses together and said “Yes, it’s all for you”. “I just didn’t realize you were going to hand it over to me, I wasn’t prepared” I joked.

After a few more laughs we finished our shower, Shannon took a cold one for a few seconds after I stepped out. All I could do was smile; we had definitely reached another level in our relationship. I was pleasantly surprised with the things I now knew that before only my curiosity and fancies imagined, he was all that I dreamed of and more. Keeping him off my mind had never been an easy task and now I had even more to think about! As I dressed myself in my pajamas I wondered when we would revisit where we left off, and how long it would take for me to fall asleep tonight.

As he got out of the shower, I couldn’t help but look, drips of water were running down his well-defined muscular arms, dripping down his chest, then torso and he wrapped a towel around his waist just as my eyes went further south. Blushing I continued to dry my hair with a towel and moved my eyes to the ground. He caught on but let it go “You tired?” he asked. I shyly looked up into his eyes, after being in the shower with him and everything that had just happened I really wasn’t tired anymore, I never felt more awake in my life! But I had to admit I had quite a exhausting day to say the least so I answered back “Yeah, but I don’t want to sleep alone”. A bigger bunk in the back of the bus was open, and we snagged it up after he changed. Lying in his arms I had to discipline myself to not touch him and kiss him like I wanted to. “Go to sleep Nadia!” I kept repeating in my head. Closing my eyes I tried again, why did he have to smell so good? I was almost on my stomach, but yet on my right side with my left leg wrapped over his right. Originally this was to avoid sleeping on my sore back, but now I realized I had more access to his neck and face and ear. Seriously was I ever going to visit Mr. Sandman this night? Shannon started breathing as though he had fallen asleep, why was this so easy for him I wondered. Maybe he wouldn’t notice in his sleep if I took a little nibble of his ear lobe. I was starting to think I needed another shower myself and a cold one at that! Deciding finally that I was going to place a small kiss on his neck and then close my eyes and rest with my head over his beating heart, I did just that. Drifting to dreamland in the arms of the man I adored.

.
20.

Grabbing my waist and pulling me towards him while rubbing my lower back; the guy then pushed me against the wall again and tried to undo my jeans with his free hand. I couldn’t believe how strong he was; I couldn’t wiggle free and get away from him! How far was this going to go? My phone buzzed again in my pocket as this guy accomplished unbuttoning and unzipping my jeans. He had one of my hands behind my back, but the other one was free and I was putting up a fight, I scratched his face, making him bleed. Shaking with tears falling down my face, I started to think that maybe this guy was going to get his way with me, when I was suddenly free from him.

Through my glossy eyes and in my confusion I looked over and saw my rescuer Shannon, holding the guy half up in the air and yelling “What the fuck do you think you’re doing??!!” He punched the guy in the face twice, Matt and Solon came in the alley and running over they tried to separate Shannon from the guy. He was shaking with anger and the grip he had on the guys’ shirt was unyielding, after he punched him again he kicked him in the crotch and pushed him into the brick wall. Matt was on the phone with the police and Solon was telling Shannon “Ok enough, the cops are coming, they’ll deal with him!” Matt reached over touching him and said “We will deal with him” and nodded his head towards me looking into Shannon’s eyes. Slamming the guy into the wall again he finally turned away from him and came to me. Eyeing me over head to toe he threw his arms around me; I had never felt anything so good in my entire life. I could feel his chest pounding, his breathing was heavy as he held onto me.

Moments later the cops came in to the alley and took the guy, putting him in the back of their car as they started talking to Solon and Matt. Quivering in Shannon’s arms where I felt the safest in the whole world, I pleaded with him “please, don’t let go of me!” “Don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere!” he reassured me. The cop came over to ask me what happened, and after I could speak again I explained everything, as Shannon moved over to the side of me with his arm around my back.

When we got back on the bus that night Jared was very concerned and asked me over and over again if I wanted to go back home. He had called Ariel and no doubt told her all about it. The thought of being anywhere away from Shannon and his arms again scared me to death. He kept his promise and didn’t let go of me once since he hugged me back in the alley. Jared still was not convinced that I should be on the tour right now after going through something so intense and said “we will talk more about this tomorrow”. Everyone left and it was just Shannon and I in the back of the bus. “Can you just hold me forever?” I wished. “I don’t plan on letting go of you anytime soon” he told me. Frowning I told him I needed to take a shower I wanted to wash the germs and anything else having to do with tonight off of me. He told me he understood, and that he would need a quick shower afterwards as well and would wait for me.

Walking into the bathroom, I removed my clothes and looked into the mirror. It was the first time I had seen myself since the incident and looking in disbelief and horror I assessed the damages. I saw that I had a large, long scratch on the right side of my neck and bruising on my arms, legs and stomach. Turning around I saw the ugly fresh, open scrapes and bruises from the guy pushing me against the bricks, and I lost it. My immediate reaction was out loud, sputtering “oh my god” and I began to cry uncontrollably. Shannon came to the door right away “what’s going on? Are you ok??” not caring about anything else besides just wanting to be in his arms again, I threw a towel around me and opened the door. Looking at my face he didn’t hesitate and just walked in closing the door behind him. Wrapping his arms around me, I buried my face in the crook of his neck. “I look like a prisoner of war!” I cried to him. Feeling his arms tense around me he exclaimed “It’s a good thing for him that he‘s behind bars right now because if I got my hands on him again he wouldn’t be breathing anymore.”

Turning around I showed him my scraped up back, he clenched his jaw tightly while gently moving my hair off my back and said “we need to clean these so they don’t get infected, Babe” When I turned around his eyes got wide and the bottoms filled up with tears as he saw more of the bruises on me. Hugging me he said “This will never happen again!” As our hearts in our chests beat against each other’s, my emotions were running so high that I requested him to stay. He answered “I’ll stay in here while you shower and wait”. “No” I said while shaking my head and lifting his shirt up slowly over his head. Tossing it on the floor I said “I mean, stay with me.” Reaching up I gently placed my lips on his, he kissed back and I pulled away “ow!” Looking at me with worry he said “sorry, did I hurt you?” Feeling my lip with my fingertip I realized that I had a little cut in the corner. “No, just a cut”, I replied. Kissing again I let the towel around me fall to the floor as I reached my arms up and put them around his neck, placing my fingers in his hair. Carefully he put one of his hands on my hips and the other on my lower back “I don’t want to hurt you” he breathed out between kisses. “I know that you won’t” I breathed back. Reaching in and turning on the water without releasing his lips I examined him with tears in my eyes “will you help me forget this happened?” Without words he unbuckled his belt and removed the rest of his clothes, and then he returned to my lips as we stepped into the shower.

19.

Photo opportunities tonight were abounding, I had snapped so many great shots of the guys, and it was a great show! We all left the stage with a rush of emotions and excitement, they worked hard for this and the crowd loved them. I was leaving the stage behind Shannon and I wiggled the towel around his neck and told him I was going to run to the little café on the corner before it closed and asked him if he wanted me to get him anything. Looking surprised yet delighted at the same time that I was speaking to him again he told me that would be sweet of me. Smiling I lifted up my hand and pushed his nose with my index finger and said “not a problem!” He smiled back in amazement and said “ok don’t be long!” It felt so good to interact with him again, and I couldn’t wait to talk to him about everything and figure this thing out between us. I had missed him so badly while I was gone and after I walked away from him and stepped outside, I realized I hadn’t even hugged him yet.

Stepping onto the sidewalk and walking down towards the café, suddenly I got one of those pangs that give you immediate goose bumps, sure it was night time and I was a girl but usually a city street was more packed with people on a night like this. There were hardly any people out here at all, I picked up my pace as I passed the darkened alley behind the venue that I had to pass by to get to the corner café, just then I heard a voice. “Hey I saw you up there taking photos! When we talked earlier I didn’t realize you worked with those guys!” I wouldn’t normally stop in a situation like this but I recognized the voice, it belonged to the guitar player from the new opening band, so I answered “yep I’m with the band”. He came out of the dark alley and after a few seconds I told him I had to run to the café before it closed, but he kept talking! Trying to be as polite as I could I started to walk away from him when he grabbed my wrist! “Hey don’t go, we were just getting to know each other a little better” he laughed while moving my hair off my shoulder. “Seriously, I’m trying to get to the café before it closes, please don’t do that” I told him while wiggling my wrist free, but he squeezed it tighter. I could not believe what was happening right now, my spine tingled with fear as I wondered what this guy was up to.

Starring at me he pulled me towards him “You’re really hot, you really shouldn’t be walking around looking like this!” he breathed at me and then pushed me up against the building as he sniffed me “and you smell damn good too!” Paralyzed in shock and fear I struggled with my words “Shannon’s waiting for me and if I don’t show up soon he’s going to come looking, and I wouldn’t want to be you when he finds you.” Throwing his head back he laughed “Nah, now come on if he really liked you he wouldn’t let you go running around all by your sweet little self! He’s probably banging some other chick right now in the dressing room.” A fire in the pit of my stomach blew up and I reached my other hand that he didn’t have control over and managed to smack him in the face. Pushing him away from me after his startle from my smack I got a few steps away from him before he grabbed me again. My heart was racing as I wondered what he had in mind and I yelled for him to let go of me and leave me alone. “Oh you’re a feisty one, I like you!” he gurgled as he pushed me harder against the wall, my back was scraping on the bricks behind me and as I struggled with him he forced his alcohol soaked lips onto mine. If I could just wiggle a leg free I would hit him where it counts! But I was squished against the wall and him; my mind started drifting it had been at least 15 minutes now since I left for the café that was closing in 10 minutes. At that exact moment my phone buzzed, a new text, no doubt in my mind it was from Shannon. “That’s him!” I blurted out “he should be coming to find me now, you better let go!” He pushed my head back and started coarsely kissing my neck, looking down the alley towards the sidewalk there was no one. Then I saw Shannon walk by, I tried to scream but the guy threw his hand over my mouth. The comfort of at least knowing that he was searching for me, somehow took away a little bit of my fear away. However, I prayed that he would find me before this monster’s intentions for me were fulfilled.