Pete grinned at the dog. "I do love canines." He stood. "Well I do
appreciate the offer of help. Although everyone here has powers,
most either don't know how to use 'em or they aren't very helpful
powers." He grimaced. "One kids power is literally to hold his
breath forever. Not terribly helpful in a survival situation. If
you two are ready, I can have Jeff lead you two your room."
Confused, I asked, "There are rooms in this mall?" Pete shook his
head. "Nah, we got an abandoned apartment building within the wall.
That's where everyone sleeps." He walked to the door. "Once you two
get settled in, if you don't mind doin' some work, come find me and
I'll get ya' started on something. It was a pleasure meeting both
of you." He left, leaving the door open behind him. The boy they
had met earlier poked his head in. "Come on! I'll show you the
apartments!"
I smiled and stood up with Jacob. I liked it here. I figured once I
got over the fear of the crowd, I'd be happy. Brutis jumped to his
feet and followed Jacob and I. Jeff lead us out of the mall and
down the street a little ways.
"How wide does the wall stretch?" I asked Jeff, awed by the sheer
strength it would have taken to move half of the cars I'd already
seen staked. Brutis ran off, but only a few yards away at a time.
Never far enough that he lost sight of us. I still held Jacobs
hand.
"It goes around the whole parking lot! We had to make it a bit
wider on one edge though, to fit the apartments. It's two cars
thick, with UV lights all along the top." I paused to stare at the
wall, noticing the bluish lights along the top. "Why UV?" I asked.
"Don't you know?" Jeff asked with a grin. "All Ex hate UV lights!
It burns their skin. That's why they don't just climb over the
wall." We soon arived at the tall building that housed the
apartments. "You can take any room on the fifth floor or up. I have
to get back to my mom. Bye!" He ran off. Holding onto Maurina's
hand we entered the building. It looked like any other apartment
lobby, except anything that could be used had been pulled out.
Luckily the elevator was still working. It was an old cast iron
beast, not likely to break anytime in the next four hundred years.
Stepping inside, I pressed the button for the top floor. If we got
a choice, might as well go for the pent house!
I stepped inside the metal contraption with Jacob. It took a little
convincing, but I got Brutis to follow. The elevator started with a
groan and a shutter. After a few minutes, the metal doors slid
open, revealing a very modern living space. Sleek metal lines and
glass decorated the walls. Black leather couches and all the latest
tech covered every inch of the space. It didn't work now, but it
would have been worth a fortune. I smiled when I saw the kitchen. I
loved cooking. I didn't have much of a chance to keep my passion
going, seeing as you needed to eat whatever came your way when it
came or perish. Brutis was the first one out and he raced around,
sniffing out everything.
I placed my bag on one of the tables, taking in the room. I sat on
one of the couches, gesturing for Maurina to do the same. I had to
get this off my chest. If I didn't it would eat away at my mind,
begging to be made known. I placed my arm around her shoulder
holding her close. "Maurina, I wanted to talk to you about that
whole prophecy thing. I want you to know that I wouldn't ever want
someone else. I love you Maurina, and no one will ever take your
place in my heart." I fiddled with the hidden chain around my neck.
It held my greatest treasure. "I know this is kind of sudden, and
we haven't known eachother for very long but..." I paused. Was I
ready for this? Was I going to risk everything I had with her on
the slim chance that she felt the same? Yes. I had to do it. I
pulled the chain over my head, removing the small object from it.
"Whether it be long or short, I want to spend the rest of my life
with you." I moved of the couch, taking the traditional bent knee
pose. I held out the my mothers ring. "Maurina Waters, will you
marry me?"
I had stopped breathing. He...he...OH MY GOD! He wanted me to marry
him? I couldn't believe it! I had to be dreaming! Jacob? The
strong, handsome stranger who'd rescued me from my dark corner in
hell wanted to marry ME? I looked at his kind and gentle
face. I suddenly realized he was looking at me nervously and a
little expectantly. How much time had passed sense he'd asked? And
there I was sitting like a fool not saying anything! Speak girl!
SPEAK!
"....YES! I-Jacob! Yes!" I finally managed to say. My heart was
beating so heard I was seriously concerned it would beat out of my
chest!
I sighed with relief, joy flooding through me. Her pause had scared
me. But she had said yes! I slipped the ring on her finger. I
stood, bringing her to her feet as well. My arms moved on their
own, pulling her close, as I pressed my lips to hers. It was the
happiest moment of my life. This woman, this beutiful, strong,
amazing woman, was going to be my wife! My entire body buzzed with
joy, and was acutely aware of every point of contact. I kissed her
more passionatly than I had ever before, love engulfing my soul. We
pulled away only to take shallow breaths, before returning for
more.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, my fingers weaving into his long
dark hair. He wanted me just as much as I wanted him. I pulled us
closer, every nerve ending that touched him was on fire, alive with
the sense of him. I moaned, a soft sweet sound in the back of my
throat. I pulled back with a slight cry as I gasped for breath. My
very soul ached when ever I had to move back to breath. As soon as
there was air in my lungs again, I resumed kissing him.
"I never want to leave you," I panted, kissing his jaw.
"You won't ever have to." I said, forcing myself to breath. Her
moan had unleashed a torrent of new emotions. "Because I'll always
be with you." I ran my fingers through her silky hair. This was
heaven. I made a strange deep noise in the back of my throat,
similar to the noise the beast had made, but without a hint of
threatening. I kissed her again, feeling the softness of her lips.
I never wanted this to end.
"Good," I told him, moving closer still. I liked that I could make
Jacob make that sound. It wasn't lust like Seth's and the beast's
had been. It was love that fueled that sound. The feel of his
fingers against my skull was bliss. I wanted more, but not yet. For
now, I just wanted to kiss him, explore him, learn about him. I
grabbed his hand and took of in search of a bedroom. I wanted to
lay down in his arms and just relax. I finally found the right
door. Inside a ridiculously large bed took up half of the room. It
could have easily fit five or six people! A dark blue comforter lay
on the bed. A black, wrought iron headboard rose behind it. A dark
blue sheer curtain made up a canapy around it. It would lend a
sense of privacy and intimacy. It was perfect. I didn't look
around, but made a beeline for the bed. I crawled up on it and
curled up. "Come lay with me?"
I climbed in next to her, letting the curtain close behind me. I
wrapped my arms around her, bringing her closer to me. My body
wanted more, but I restrained myself without much effort. If
Maurina wanted more, she would let me know. I would wait as long as
she needed. I kissed her again, pulling my fingers gently through
her hair.
Brutis whined, wanting to get up with us.
"Bru," I groaned, laughing at him, "Go explore, okay?"
He sneezed and set off.
"Where were we?" I asked, looking back at Jacob. "Oh! Wait! I
remember! It was somewhere..." I leaned closer, "...about..." I
leaned closer still, "Here!" I kissed him, starting slow and
steady. But it quickly turned deep and passionate.
As the kiss became more and more passionate, my body screamed for
more. Moving slowly, I ran my hands down her sides, feeling her
gentle curves. Pulling back from the kiss, I took in a ragged
breath. If we didn't slow down a bit, one of us was going to
suffocate! I realized that I didn't really care. I needed to be
near her, and something as trivial as breathing was not going to
stop me. I leaned back in to her lips.
I shivered under his touch. No one had ever touched me like this.
Seth had touched me there, but it had been forceful and uncaring.
When Jacob ran his hands over me, it left a trail of red hot want,
a need for his warm hands to touch me there again. I moaned, soft
sweet sounds that would have made me laugh any other time. I
sounded ridiculous, but I didn't care! I rained kisses down on him.
His eyelids, his checks, his jaw, and his soft, sweet lips. I
couldn't take it anymore! I pulled back just far enough so I could
tear the many layers off of me. I left my camisole and jeans on.
Then I pulled back in, kissing him again and again.
I quickly discarded my scarf and jacket, leaving only my white
under shirt, along with my black slacks. I kissed all along her
neck, causing her to moan again. I moved one hand higher, enjoying
the warmth of her body. The other hand moved behind her, rubbing
her back. My fingers curled around the lower edge of her camisole,
but I stopped, silently asking permission before continuing.
I pushed closer, running my hands under his white under shirt. I
pulled back long enough to nod my consent, then pulled off my
camisole, flinging it away. Without a second thought, I had my
jeans pulled off and on the floor. I paused then, looking at him
shyly. I was in a bra and panties. There wasn't anything to
imagine! But it also left the bruises and scars of the past year
open for his scrutiny. I looked down, taking a shaky breath.
Her expression pierced my heart. To see this beutiful woman, my
fiancé, so ashamed of her body, killed me. Did she think I would
love her any less because of her scars? That her bruises would
somehow push us apart? I removed the rest of my clothing, save my
boxer shorts, and pulled her close to me. I loved the feel of her
soft skin against my own. "Maurina, I love you for you. You don't
have to be ashamed of things you couldn't control. You are precious
to me, don't ever forget that." I kissed her, placing my hand on
her thigh.
"I don't think that..." I tried to explain, "It's just...I don't
like them being there. It's a permanent reminder of him .
You never felt his power." I shivered, "But he could...take your
will...It was like being paralyzed but he could move my
body..."
Unable to explain any more, I buried my face in his chest. I didn't
want him to see my cry and think he was responsible. He was
perfect! He had never hurt me, and I didn't believe he ever would
or could. I curled into him, letting him sooth me. He would be my
husband, the love of my life, my whole world. And I loved him
dearly for that. Taking a deep breath, I looked back up to his
kind, warm face.
Hatred boiled in my viens. How dare that swine harm my sweet angel!
How dare he force himself upon her. I silently thanked Bob for
ending the bastard. I ran my hand through Maurina's hair. "I will
never let that happen to you ever again. I would rather die." I
pulled her small frame onto my lap, holding her against my chest.
"I will protect you as long as I live." I rubbed her back, trying
my best to soothe her pain. I kissed her, putting as much love as I
could into it.
I nodded against him. I knew he would. He'd already done so much
for me. I wrapped my arms around him and held on tight. I focused
on his hands running through my hair. It felt so nice. After a few
minutes, I relaxed. My body stopped shaking and I'd long since
stopped crying. Though, I know worried about just how red my eyes
were. I snorted as soon as the thought crossed my mind. Jacob
wouldn't care. He's already shown me he didn't. I looked up and
kissed him.
"Thank you," I whispered.