Dangerous Love

It was a cold December day, icy rain and very windy. But Tanith didn’t mind, she was on the train to Manchester. It was warm and cozy in the train and she snuggled against the seat to get comfortable. It would be another hour before she reached her destination, where she would meet a friend, Kelly and then they would make their way to the hotel where they hoped the actors were staying.
Tanith had been looking forward to seeing Oded again, even though he had got married again,the year before. She had loved him for a long time but she genuinely hoped his marriage would work. It was hard with the job he did, away from home for weeks on end and she had heard there were problems.
Her friend was hoping to see Arnold, as this was her favourite and also Odeds step-brother. Oded about 6’ 2”with long dark hair, Arnold was the same height but although had dark hair, he was bald for the part he was playing. He also had hazel eyes whereas Odeds were brown.
“Hi, Kelly, sorry I’m late, there was a delay on the line”
“No problem, my coach was late too, I’ve only been here 15 minutes. What on earth happened to your eye?”
Tanith changed the subject, she thought she had put enough make-up on to cover the bruise that her boyfriend had given her the day before. Luckily the bruise on her arms and side were covered by her baggy jumper.
He was a bastard, she thought it would work out this time, he had hurt her before and she had left him but 2 months ago he came back and persuaded her that he had changed and to take him back. For the first month he had been fine, then one night he came home drunk, didn’t like the way she had changed the room round and beat her up.
From then on, it became a weekly thing, why she didn’t leave she didn’t know, maybe it was because she hadn’t got the money to do so. The house was council and in her name but she couldn’t get him to leave, she was too scared.
Then Kelly persuaded her to come to Manchester for the weekend.
“Will Peter mind?” asked Kelly not knowing what he was like.
“No, no problem, it will make a nice change”
She got packed and left the case in the bedroom by the door and went and had a bath ready for the next day. Peter came home drunk, saw the case and assumed she was going to leave him. She was still in the bath when he came in, dragged her out by the hair and knocked hell out of her, only stopping when he punched her in the face, knocking her out.
When she came too, he was lying on the bed in a drunken stupor. She dressed, covered up her eye with shades, grabbed the case and walked out. Getting the tube into London, she settled down in an alnight café near the station till it was time for her train to leave.
On the train she applied makeup to her face to cover the bruise. It still showed but not as much.
“How far to the hotel?” asked Tanith as she walked past Kelly. Kelly ran to catch
her up. “Not far, a ten minute walk”
Within 15 minutes they were in their room and unpacking, Tanith went into the bathroom to freshen up, when she came out she had a dressing gown on. Kelly asked again about the bruise.
When Tanith finished telling her, Kelly looked shocked.
“why haven’t you left him, you deserve better than that”
Tanith smiled and sat to put her makeup back on. She dressed in jeans, jumper and put a pair of shades on. It looked quite good although a little out of place. She said she would go downstairs for a cup of tea while Kelly got ready.
“See you in the lounge” said Tanith as she walked out the door.
Kelly got into the shower, still thinking about what Peter had done to her friend. Something had to be done but she didn’t know what.
Walking along the corridor to the lifts, Tanith wondered if Oded was there yet. Although she wanted to see him, in a way she hoped she didn’t till her bruise had gone a bit. Having to explain to everyone what an idiot she was, was going to be a pain.
She got in the lift and pushed the ground floor button. They were on the 5th floor and it started to descend. As it got to the 3rd floor it stopped, the doors opened and a huge man got in. Glancing up, Tanith saw that it was Arnold. He had on a tee-shirt and jeans. If she was not in love with Oded, she could have fallen for Arnold there and then.
Looking shyly at her, he smiled and said hi. “How ya doing?” she asked.
“Fine, you here on business or pleasure?”
“Oh pleasure, actually me and a friend are here to see the actors” she replied without trying to seem like the normal bimp that tagged along. “I’m here to see Oded and my friend is here to see you, actually”
He smiled “Oh see you in the bar later perhaps”
They got out and he turned left to the dining room and after watching him go, Tanith went into the lounge and ordered a tea. There weren’t many people about and with the music playing in the background, it was quite pleasant. She had brought a book with her, a Shawn Hutson one, he was a brilliant horror writer and she was half way through this one. She had to take off her shades to put on her glasses. It was harder to read without them lately.
So engrossed init was she, that she didn’t notice Arnold come back in and order a coffee.
“Would you mind if I joined you?” he asked.
It made her jump and dropping her book, looked up and nodded.
“Sorry didn’t mean to make you jump” he grinned “Good book”
“No problem, yes it is, I love a good horror story”
Arnold took the book off the table where she had laid it and thumbed through. He read a couple of bits.
“See what you mean, looks good, I’ve never read any of his, I like Rachalen King”
“I’ve tried his books but can’t get into them except for the Green Mile and the
film The Stand”
“Seen that, it was good, a bit weird in places but good”
Tanith had taken her glasses off and had forgotten to put the shades back on, she saw Arnold frown at her eye.
“Had an argument with a door” she said quickly.
“Right” replied Arnold not believing her “So you’re here to see Oded, met him before?”
“Oh yes, I first met him 3 years ago, met him a few times since then, in fact I’m very much………, I like him”
She decided not to tell Arnold how she really felt about Oded, he might tell him and she didn’t know whether his wife was with him or not, she certainly didn’t want to cause problems.
“Would you like a coffee?” asked Arnold as the waiter brought his over.
“Tea, if I may, thank you”
“What were you really going to say about Oded just now, I’ve noticed the ring and necklace your wearing, I think it’s more than just like”
“It is more than like and he knows it but it’s all one-sided and anyway he remarried last year, I’ll do nothing to jeopardise that.
“He may have married but it looks like it’s divorce soon too, I didn’t tell you that though”
Tanith was shocked and asked why. Arnold explained that she had thought having him at home injured, he would give up the acting but when he decided to go back, she didn’t like it, she’s made his life hell since. She even tried to turn his two boys against him. But he’s got them staying with a friends mother in LA, except at the moment, they are here with him on holiday.
Tanith felt the pain in Arnolds voice as he spoke about his brother, but she didn’t know he had two boys.
“He’s been through hell the last 6 months, he could do with cheering up”
“Yeah but I don’t think I’d be the one he’d want to cheer him up, I don’t think he even likes me much, let alone wants to talk to me”
“You seem nice, and genuinely care about him, I can tell that”
“Yeah, I’m 13 years older than him, he wouldn’t want someone that old”
“wow, you don’t look like it”
“Thanks” she smiled.
Tanith poured her tea and lifted the cup to her mouth when Arnold asked the question.
“And who hit you like that?”
She gulped the mouthful of tea and looked at him.
“I know a punch when I see one, boyfriend?”
“Sort of, he always promises it won’t happen again but it always does”
Arnold asked how long he had been around.
“About a year, the father of my kids died about 2 years ago and I couldn’t live alone. I knew there would be chance with Oded, I live here and he lives in the states anyway, so I resigned my self to a normal life with whoever I could get”
Arnold saw the tears in her eyes and changed the subject and asked about this friend who liked him. Tanith told him about Kelly and that she would be down soon.
“Arnold, can I ask you something?”
“Tanith, ask away”
“Are you married, kids etc”
He told her that he was married and had been divorced for about 3 years, no children.
Suddenly a sexy Israeli voice said hello to Arnold and then looked at Tanith. It was Oded. As she looked up, he recognized her and smiled then went outside with a beer.
“I’m sure he cringed when he saw me” she said.
“Don’t be silly, he’s been like this for weeks, I wonder where the boys are, I’ll be back in a minute”
He followed Oded outside and Tanith waited for him to come back, as she did so, Kelly arrived.
“Sorry I’ve been so long, I lost my make-up bag. You alright?”
“I’m fine, you’ll never guess who I’ve been talking to the last half hour”
Kelly had no idea but saw the half empty cup of coffee on the table.
“Arnold” replied Tanith.
Kelly sat down shocked, and asked what he was really like etc.
“Well you can ask him yourself, here he comes, Arnold, this is Kelly, Kelly, Arnold. Is he alright?”
“Hi pleased to meet you” he said to Kelly then sat down. “The boys are coming down in a minute, he has just had a row with her on the phone. He asked how you were, go and talk to him”
Tanith wasn’t sure, she wanted to but didn’t want to impose. Arnold solved the problem, he handed her a beer, Oded had asked for one and she could give it to him”
“Go on, I want to get to know Kelly”
He moved closer to Kelly and waved his hand at Tanith to go.
She took a deep breath and went outside. It was cold out in the afternoon air and she shivered. Oded was sitting on the veranda of the hotel with his feet on the little fence round it. She walked over and handed him the beer.
“I understand you wanted this”
He looked up at her and said thanks in his gorgeous accent. Asking how she was he carried on looking out at the lake at the bottom of the hill which belonged to the hotel.
Tanith leant on the fence and replied she was fine. Small voices made her turn round and she saw his two sons, and Nadhir run over to him. They had a ball and wanted him to play with them. He shook his head and told them later. They ran off down the steps to the grass and started kicking the ball around.

“They look like you, your sons”
“Thanks, everyone says that, especially the younger one”
“look if you’d rather I went, I don’t mind”
“No stay, I’m sorry I’m not the best of moods, knowing Arnold, he’s probably filled you in”
“A bit, I’m sorry, I really hoped it would work for you this time”
“So did I, I feel for the boys, pushed from one place to another, one day I’ll have to choose, them or my job, and I need both”
The hurt could be heard in his voice and she glanced at him and could swear she saw tears in his eyes. Quickly she looked away before he saw her. The boys called him to play with them but he shook his head. They carried on.
Tanith walked down the steps towards the boys.
“Come on, I’ll have a game with you if you like, I think your Steve has a headache”
Arfan, the younger one, kicked the ball to her and she kicked it back to him. Soon she was running around with them and they were all laughing. Then she tripped on a stone and fell flat on her face, she rolled over to let them know she was alright and they both jumped on her and started tickling her. Then jumped off and ran. She got to her feet and chased them. Catching Arfan, who couldn’t run as fast, she lifted him in the sir and swung him round, Nadhir grabbed at them and they all fell over laughing.
Then she chased them up the steps and they ran in to get a coke off uncle Arnold. She stood on the top of the steps catching her breath, Oded was smiling.
“Looks like you had a lot of fun. I’m sorry, they can be a bit rough sometimes”
“They’re boys and great kids, you should be very proud of them”
“I am”
She was then going to get a drink for herself when Oded called her over.
“What happened to your face, it wasn’t them was it?”
“No it wasn’t them, it’s nothing, want another beer?”
He said yes and she passed the boys on the way in. Arnold was still talking to Kelly, when she saw Tanith she went over.
“Well is he as nice as you thought?” asked Tanith.
“Yes, I like him, but there is something more, I don’t know”
“I do, you’re falling for him”
“Don’t be daft, I only met him an hour ago, anyway what about you and Oded?”
“So, so , go on , go back to Arnold, I’ll be in in a minute”
She went back outside in time to hear Oded shouting to someone on the phone, then slinging it at the wall and storming off down the steps towards the lake.
Tanith put the beer down and picked his phone up, seconds later following him. As she reached him, he was leaning against a tree watching the swans on the lake. He glanced at her as she reached him and handed him the phone.
“Are you alright Oded, you don’t want to lose this”
He took a deep breath and said yes. He sat down on the bench by the tree, his head in his hands. She sat next to him. He shivered in the cold teatime air, he only
had a t-shirt and jeans on.
Taking a deep breath herself, she put her hand on his shoulder, at first she felt him tense up then he relaxed. She let her hand rub across his shoulders, in the way you’d comfort anyone who was upset.
“Let’s go inside” she said “you’re freezing out here”
As if in agreement he stood, a wave of nausea came over him and he ran to the tree, loosing his lunch. He sat down quickly as the feeling wore off and a sort of dizziness swept over him.
Tanith moved closer and wrapped her arms round his shoulder.
“Are you sure you’re alright” she asked with concern in her voice.
“I think so, I don’t know what caused that”
“Stress, worry, what you’ve been through would be enough for anyone”
As she kept her arm on his shoulder, she ran her fingers through his hair. He leant his head on her shoulder and tears rolled down his face. Her heart broke at the pain he was in and wrapping her other arm round him, held him tight. Slowly he relaxed and put his arms round her.
“Come on, let’s go inside, you need to get warm”
He raised his head and looked at her, with deep green eyes, his face damp with tears. She wiped them away with her fingers and for whatever reason, kissed him on the cheek.
“Feeling better Oded?”
“Yes, thank you and don’t tell Arnold about this, I feel such a fool”
“No your not, you’re human, the same as anyone else, just cause you play a Med-jai warrior, doesn’t mean you don’t have feelings. I think your feelings go deeper than you let one. It’s like elastic, it only takes so much then it has to give”
He looked into her eyes and saw the concern in them, his face was only inches from hers. He moved closer and gently kissed her, first on the cheek to thank her then something made him move to her lips.
She willed him too and as their lips touched, like a whisper at first, then harder, she felt a tingle flood through her. Boy did she want him, what she didn’t know was the tingle was felt by him also.
All at once they were kissing passionately, demanding, her hands cupped his face as she kissed. His kisses were like a fire, a flicker at first, then growing with each flame.
They stopped to get a breath, he kissed her nose.
“I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me” he said.
“Neither do I, bit I think it was this”
She kissed him on the chin, her lips searching for his and finding them, he responded, more demanding than before, his arms wrapping round her, both oblivious to all around them, not knowing they were being watched.
Arnold had come out to get them, he and Kelly were going for a meal. He spotted them by the lake, in each others arms, he smiled and went back in and called the boys over.
“Stevedy is busy at the moment, you are having dinner with us, is that alright
Kelly?”
“Sure, but whose kids are they?” she asked she wanted Arnold to herself but in time she thought.
“Odeds, this is Arfan and Nadhir, come on what do you want to eat boys, Uncle Arnolds buying”
“Burgers and chips” they said in unison.
As they walked into the dining room, Arnold put his hand in the small of Kellys back, it was like an electric shock. She had to catch her breath. She never felt like this about any man.
Arnold felt her gasp “are you alright?” he asked.
Kelly looked at him and nodded, as their eyes met, something happened a spark, something, neither knew what but Arnold hadn’t felt like this for a long time. Suddenly he wasn’t hungry but then remembered the boys and they sat down, Arnold not taking his eyes of Kelly.
“Where is Tanith and Oded?” asked Kelly.
“Down by the lake, if they don’t come in soon, they’ll freeze it’s getting really cold out there”
“You’re worried about him aren’t you?” she asked.
“Yes, he’s been through a lot lately, I don’t know how much more he can take, too much more and he’ll break”
He looked sad, she put her hand on his and squeezed it, he smiled.
“Right, burger and chips twice, whatever kelly wants and I’ll just have a coffee, I ate earlier” he said to the waiter.
Suddenly Oded pulled away from Tanith and stood up. She wondered whether she had done something.
“What’s up Oded?”
“We shouldn’t be doing this, it’s wrong, I’m not ready for anything like this, I’ve enough problems and anyway my boys are here”
“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to………”
Her voice trailed off as he marched up the hill to the hotel, she followed, he walked past Arnold and Kelly, took the boys and went upstairs.
Tanith just stood in the doorway and watched him go, Arnold came over.
“What happened, when I saw you, you were getting on fine or so it looked”
“I don’t know, he was great, then he got up, said it was wrong and came in. he’s hurting bad Arnold, and I don’t know what to do”
“Stay here with Kelly, I’ll be back”
He went off to the lifts and followed Oded upstairs. Tanith asked for a tea and sighed as she sat down. She explained to Kelly what had happened.
“I’m sorry for him, anyway for your information, Arnold is gorgeous”
Kelly sat back in the chair, with a big grin on her face. Tanith looked at her, smiled out of one corner of her mouth and raised an eyebrow.
Arnold went upstairs to find Oded. He knocked on his door, Oded answered and asked him in, the boys were getting ready for bed. They ran at Arnold, he picked them both up as they hugged him.
“You off to bed?” he asked.
“Yeah, will you tuck us in, after Stevedy has read a story”
“Uncle Arnold will read you a story then I’ll tuck you in” said Oded” “How’s that”
“Yeah” they both yelled.
They ran into the bedroom adjoining Odeds, Arnold turned to his brother.
“You alright?” Oded nodded.
After about 20 minutes, the boys were asleep and Arnold went over to Oded as he stood by the window.
“We’ve had 3 rows today on the phone, I’ve had enough of it, what more can she do to me”
Arnold put his hand on Oded’s shoulder “I don’t know, what about Tanith, what happened out there?”
Oded told him what went down and added “I should never have kissed her, it was wrong, she’s been after me for 3 years, it will only end in tears, I don’t want to hurt anyone else”
“Maybe you needed too, there is only so much I can do, Tanith knows the score, I’m sure she wouldn’t take advantage of the situation”
They were interrupted by the phone ringing, Oded picked it up, it was her.
“What now?” he growled.
Arnold could her raised voice on the phone and Oded shouted back at her, then dropped the receiver and headed for the bathroom. Arnold picked it up.
“Arnold here, what are you trying to do, destroy him?” he sked.
“Yes, I want half of his earnings, his house and the boys”
“You might get everything else but you’ll never get his boys, look just leave him alone, he can’t take much more”
With that he put the phone down and went to the bathroom door.
“Oded, Oded are you alright in there?”
All he could hear was the shower running, Oded wasn’t answering. He put his head round the door to make sure. He saw Oded, in the shower, sitting in the corner, head on his knees, still dressed, the hot water falling over him. Arnold knew he couldn’t do anything, he went back and picked up the phone and rang the bar to speak to Tanith.
“Excuse me, are you Tanith, there’s a phone call for you” said the barman.
Tanith went over and picked it up “Hello”
“Tanith, it’s Arnold, I’m up in Odeds room, I think you’d better get up here, I can’t help him, he needs someone else”
Tanith said she was on her way and put the phone down and went over to Kelly.
“That was Arnold, he’ll be down in a minute, he wants me to go to Odeds room, something’s wrong”
Kelly watched her friend hurry to the lifts.
Tanith knocked on Odeds door, Arnold let her in, he looked worried.
“What’s wrong and how can I help?”
“Look round the door of the bathroom”
Tanith hurried back into the room, Arnold was carrying the boys.
“Help him Tanith, I’ll take the boys to my room and get Kelly to come up as well”
“I don’t know what to do, is this because of this afternoon?”
“No, his wife phoned, she wants the house, his money and the boys. Ring me if you need help ok”
Tanith sighed as she shut the door behind Arnold. She didn’t know how to help Oded so she would play it by ear. Walking into the bathroom, Oded was still sitting in the shower, soaking wet, looking like a lost child.
All she could do was get in there with him and take it from there. She knelt in front of him, hot water covering her as well, putting her arms around him, just held him tight. She couldn’t tell if he was crying, as the water ran down his face.
“Oded, come on you can’t sit in here all night, let’s get those clothes off and get you into bed”
“What are you doing here, where’s Arnold”
“He called me, he didn’t know what to do, he’s taken the boys to his room, come on love, let’s get you out of here”
She stood up and got the dressing gown off the door. Then turning off the water she helped him up, then holding the dressing gown in front of her, she got him to take off the wet clothes. Unbeknown to him, she could see his reflection in the mirror on the wall, she liked what she saw. Helping him on with the dressing gown and getting a towel for his hair, she led him into the bedroom and made him get into bed.
“Don’t worry about the boys they are fine, wait a minute, I want to take these off”
She hoped there was another dressing gown in the cupboard, there was. Quickly drying herself she went back to Oded. He was curled up, like a child and she could see the tears.
Climbing on the bed beside him, she held him tight and brushed his hair. He was so tense, it was a while before she felt him relax. His gentle breathing told her that he had fallen asleep. Leaving him, she phoned Arnold to put his mind at rest. Arnold picked up after 4 rings.
“Hello Arnold”
“Arnold, it’s Tanith, Oded is asleep, I got him into bed but he is so upset. I’m not leaving him, are the boys alright?”
“Yes they are asleep, thanks, remember, he may not realize it but he needs you, you may be able to help where I can’t. Kelly is here, do you want to speak to her?”
“Hi Kelly how is it going?”
“Great, I’ll tell you tomorrow, are you ok?”
“Yeah I’m fine, see you later, night”
Tanith put the phone down and went back to Oded, he was restless and she got in beside him and held him. It was going to be a long night. Arnold had got the boys into bed and then called Kelly. She arrived at his room and went in. As she passed the spare room, she saw the boys.
“Are they asleep, is Oded alright?”
“Yes and no, Tanith’s with him but I am worried, he’s cracking up and I don’t know what to do”
He sat on the bed, his head in his hands. Kelly sat beside him and put her arm round his waist. He turned to face her and her lips found his, it was electric.
Within minutes, they were all over each other, clothes were being thrown about and then Arnold lifted her onto the bed, his body covering hers, his kisses demanding, their bodies became one and Arnold entered and released with a moan. He rolled off, shocked at how quick it had been, Kelly climbed on top of him and scratched his chest with her fingernails, this sent shivers down his spine, he pulled her to her as they made love again and again. It was about 3am before they finally gave in to the sleep they needed.
Tanith was woken about 4 by Oded shouting in his sleep. She sat up and tried to wake him. It took a few minutes but he woke with a start, shaking and sweating.
“Take it easy, it’s only a dream, shh”
“Tanith, Oh God what’s happening to me?”
He sobbed in her arms, she lifted his face up and kissed him, then again, he opened his eyes, beautiful brown eyes and looked deep into hers. Then he kissed her, gently at first, then more demanding as she ran her hands over his body under the dressing gown. Their breathing became heavier as he moved on top of her, not once breaking the kiss.
Then just like that afternoon, he got up and walked to the window. “No this is wrong, I’m not ready, I can’t let go”
Tanith went over to him, both naked and ran her hands up his back and over his shoulders, then she moved round to face him.
“Come here, Oded, come to me, you may not want to but you need to”
Her lips found his chest, then his neck and on tiptoe, reached his lips. He lifted her up so that she could wrap her legs around his waist, he carried her back to the bed.
Her kisses were demanding, her arms locked around his neck, she forced him onto his back and she teased him, fondled him, till he could stand it no more, they made love the once but she could feel him relax afterwards.
He fell asleep in her arms and didn’t wake till late morning.
When he did wake, he was alone, he got up and putting on the dressing gown, walked into the lounge part of the suite, there on the floor was Tanith, Arfan and Nadhir, she was helping do some drawing. Arfan saw him first.
“Morning Stevedy, Auntie Tanith said you weren’t well, is Stevedy feeling better now?”
He smiled at him and lifted him in the air, gave him a kiss and then did the same with Nadhir.
“I feel better, thanks little man. And how’s Auntie Tanith this morning” he said with a twinkle in his eye.
She had never seen that twinkle and like it. She told him she was fine and that Arnold had brought the boys in about an hour ago.
“He wants to spend the day with Kelly, I think they like each other”
“I’m glad, Arnold has been alone too long. How about some breakfast?”
He ordered breakfast and told the boys to wash and dress, while he got dressed. When he came back in, Tanith was looking out of the window, his hands went round her waist making her jump. Turning to face him, he smiled and kissed her.
“Don’t you dare Oded, not with the boys here” she said “How are you really?”
“I feel a lot better, whatever happened last night, did me good, thank you”
He went to answer the door and called out that breakfast was here.
Later that morning, Tanith went back to her room to change, there was no-one there, it didn’t take her long. Just as well as there was a knock on the door. She answered it, Arnold stood there.
“Hi Arnold, come in, Kelly’s not here”
“I know, she’s downstairs, how is he?”
“He seems fine, we did, you know, but there is something, he’s hiding something, I don’t know. He seemed too happy after how he was when you found him”
“Mmm, keep an eye on him Tanith, I know him, he doesn’t get over something that quick”
“When do you have to leave for the autograph session” asked Tanith.
“About 1pm, will you be here when we get back?”
“Of course, I’m going to ask Oded if I can look after the boys. Take them out somewhere with Kelly, what do you think?”
“Great idea, I’ll come with you, he may need some persuading to leave them”
After an hour, Oded agreed to leave the boys, especially when they said they wanted to stay with Auntie Tanith and Auntie Kelly.
“What do you think Arnold, is this a front or what?”
“Yes it is, I don’t know why, I’ll see how he is at the arena but yes, it is a front. He’s hurting inside, badly. I’m getting more worried about him with every day”
“Why the long faces, I’m feeling great, better than I have for ages. All thanks to Tanith. Come on let’s go Arnold, bye boys, be good and I won’t be long”
He almost skipped out of the room. Arnold took Tanith by her shoulders and seeing the tears in her eyes, promised to take care of him. He kissed her on the forehead.
“We have to help him Arnold, but how?”
“I don’t know, I’ll think of something”
As he left he gave her a bundle of money to take the boys out.
“I bet Oded forgot, enjoy yourselves”
“Oh Arnold, make sure he eats something, he hasn’t eaten since before I saw him yesterday. He wouldn’t eat breakfast”
“Don’t worry, I will”
The session went well, Oded seemed to be on top form, he refused a meal with Arnold, saying he had already eaten.
“Look I know you haven’t you must be hungry”
“Fuck you Arnold” growled Oded his temper just boiling, “I’m fine, me and Tanith screwed last night and I’m fine, now leave it”
Arnold stood there open mouthed, as did John as Oded stormed off.
“What’s going on Arnold, he’s losing it”
“I know and at the moment I haven’t a clue what to do”
“What about this Tanith, can she do anything?”
“While he is like this, no, she’s not ready for this, she thinks the sun shines out of his arse”
“Well, she’ll soon find out, if something isn’t done soon” replied John.
They followed Oded and the others onto the coach for the drive back to Manchester. Oded sat at the back on the phone. Suddenly he slung it across the coach, it hit Steve in the side of the head.
“What the fuck is going on” he bellowed and was about to stand up to Oded and have a go, when he saw the look on Odeds face and thought better of it. He sat down, holding his head, it hurt like hell.
“I’ll see to it” said Arnold getting up.
“You’d better, before he kills someone” replied Steve.
Arnold walked to the back of the coach to talk to Oded, all he got for his trouble was “Fuck off Arnold, I don’t need you either”
When they reached the hotel, Oded went straight to the bar, Arnold went upstairs to see Tanith and Kelly. As he walked in his room, Kelly ran to him and planted a big kiss on his cheek.
“Kelly wait, I have to talk to Tanith. We have problems”
Kelly stopped, looked at Arnold and asked why, he told her about Oded.
“Where are the boys and Tanith?” he asked.
“In Odeds room, we had a great time while you were gone.
They knocked on Odeds door, Tanith opened it, expecting to see Oded and was surprised to see Arnold and Kelly.
“What’s wrong, where’s Oded?”
“He’s in the bar, we have problems, he totally lost it in the coach, nearly took Steves head off with his phone, after he got a call”
“Look Kelly” said Tanith, “Stay here, I’m going to find him”
She left the room, with Arnold about to say something else.
“Will you be alright Kell, I have to stop her, there’s no telling what he’ll do in that
mood”
As he got downstairs, he heard raised voices in the bar, one was Oded. He hurried in. Tanith was trying to talk to him, but he was having none of it.
“Why don’t you piss off and leave me alone, you got your screw of me, what more do you want, blood, just like her. Typical woman, only out for what they can
get”
“Oded, I’m not, I really care about you, we all do” Tanith tried to say, touching his arm.
He turned, giving her a backhander that sent her sprawling across the bar. Arnold shouted at him.
“Oded, what the hell have you done”
He rushed over to Tanith, who was trying to get up, holding her face where blood poured from a cut he had made with his signet ring.
Oded stopped dead, looked at Tanith, then at Arnold and ran out of the hotel, got into a car in the car park, not knowing whom it belonged to and sped off into the night. Arnold and Tanith got to the door just as he pulled away with a squeal of tyres. What happened next seemed to be in slow motion.
The other coach bringing the second lot of actors back, turned into the car park just as Oded drove off, he spotted the coach, tried to turn the wheel but it was too late. The coach hit him almost head on, with an almighty crash.
Oded hit the windscreen, shattering it with the force. The engine caught fire as Arnold and Tanith ran to it, the other actors climbed out of the coach. One of them, Peter, tried to get the car door open to get Oded out but burned his hands as the flames took hold. Tanith screamed as Arnold picked up something to smash the window at the back of the car.
He climbed in and with Peter’s help, dragged Oded out. They just got a couple of feet away when the car blew up, showering everyone with bits of debris and glass.
They dragged Oded away, Tanith ran to him and cradled his head in her lap.
“Get an ambulance, quickly” she shouted, but someone already had, they were on their way.
Peter pulled his shirt off to try and stop the bleeding from Odeds head and face. The ambulance arrived and Oded was stabilized before being put in the back.
“We’ll follow” said Arnold, he grabbed Tanith and jumped into a cab standing there.
Tanith was sobbing in Arnolds arms, he tried to consol her.
“He’ll be alright, honestly. He was lucky”
When they got to the hospital, the reception said they would have to sit in the waiting room, Oded had been rushed to theatre with internal injuries. Apparently they nearly lost him on the way there.
“Oh God, Arnold” she sobbed as he held her, tears filling his eyes.
“Tanith I have to ring Kelly, wait here”
Within minutes he was back, Kelly was on her way, John was baby sitting. He had been told not to say anything to the boys yet. A couple of hours later, the doctor came in. Arnold , Tanith and Kelly stood up.
“How is he?” asked Arnold.
“He’s gonna be fine, not as serious as we first thought, it was a ruptured blood vessel in his stomach where he hit the steering wheel and his face is a bit of a mess but he should be able to leave here in a couple of days. Do you want to see him?”
They all said yes. The doctor told them he hadn’t woken up from the anaesthetic
yet but they could see him at least. Tanith and Kelly let Arnold go in first, then when he came out Tanith went in. Arnold suggested to Kelly that they went back to the hotel, one because of the boys and two, Tanith could stay with him.
Tanith sat beside him and held his hand, his face was a mess but it didn’t matter to her, she loved him more than anything. She didn’t realize just how much till she thought she’d lost him. It would be great is only he’d care for her. But that would never happen, at the moment she was happy just being there for him.
She was tired and holding his hand, rested her head on the bed and fell into a restless sleep.
Arnold was quiet all the way back to the hotel, when they arrived, Peter was waiting for him. He wanted to know how Oded was, there was no love lost between the two but he wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to anyone.
When they got to the room, Arnold thanked John and as he shut the door, he sighed and rested his head on the door. Kelly went up behind him and slid her arms round his waist. He turned to her, picked her up and laid her on the bed, his lips searching for hers, which opened in an invitation that he took. The feelings that flooded through him were fantastic. He moaned as Kelly nibbled his neck and ear. Within minutes they were as one and both went to heights in love making that neither had experienced before.
Later, much later, Arnold checked on the boys who were still sound asleep. He still didn’t know what to tell them about their Steve, he’d think of something before they woke up.
As he walked back to the bedroom, Kelly was watching him.
“He’ll be alright Arnold, what do we tell them?”
“I don’t know, boy did he lose it tonight, that woman is killing him without using a gun, and what he did and said to Tanith, that was totally out of order”
“Look Arnold if I tell you something, promise me you won’t let Tanith know that you know”
“Of course, I promise, what is it?”
Kelly told him about Peter, her boyfriend back in London and what he had done to Tanith over the last few months.
“The last thing she needed last night was the same thing off Oded”
“I know but believe me, he’s never done that before, he’s not a woman beater, neither of us are. She has to understand what made him do it, although it doesn’t excuse it. As for the bruise I guessed. Oded will be as guilty as hell when he sees what he has done”
“I hope so” said Kelly “ she loves him so much, if he said jump she would say
how high”
Oded was waking up, he felt like he had been hit by a truck, his mind was a bit fuzzy about what happened. Then he saw Tanith, asleep on his arm. He moved and Tanith woke up.
“Thank God” she said “How are you feeling?”
“Like being hit by a truck”
“Well it was a coach actually”
“What?”
Tanith told him what happened, suddenly it all came back to him. As he tried to move his stomach hurt where the stitches were and a wave of dizziness swept over him. He laid back down.
Tanith touched his face gently, he grabbed her chin and turned her face to his.
“What happened to your face?” looking at the red mark and long gash on her cheek.
Tanith looked at him and raised two eyebrows at him.
“Oh Jesus, don’t tell me I did that, Tanith I am so sorry, I can’t apologise enough”
“Don’t worry about it, I’m used to it” she said.
“Nobody should be used to that, is that where the bruise on your eye came from, a beating?”
“Yes, my boyfriend, he’s handy with his fists when he’s been drinking too, look”
She lifted her jumper up and Oded saw her sides and arms.
“Boy, am I a bastard, I’ve never hit a woman before, ever and I’d never do that. I don’t know how to apologize enough”
Tanith poured a glass of water and taking a bit herself, turned to hand Oded the glass. He had his hand over his face but she could see the tears flowing.
Putting the glass down, she sat on the bed, took his hand away, wiped the tears with her hand and pulled him too her. His body shook with the sobs just as Arnold walked in. He stopped dead, Tanith looked at him, he put his hand up and left. He would go to the waiting room for a few minutes.
After a while Tanith came out to where Arnold was sitting, Oded had dozed off. Arnold stood up as she wiped her face where she had been crying too.
“Sorry about that, I had no idea”
“That’s ok, he is so upset about hitting me, I told him about my boyfriend and showed him the other marks I’ve got and he broke down”
“Look go and get a breather, I’ll sit with him a while” said Arnold. There were a few things he wanted to say to him, which he didn’t want Tanith to hear.
“Ok, I’ll be back soon” said Tanith touching Arnolds arm.
Arnold walked into Odeds room, Oded opened his eyes which met the angry glare of Arnold.
“Well are proud of yourself Oded. Boy have you got some apologizing and paybacks to settle”
“What do you mean?” growled Oded.
“Ok, you’ve been a pain in the butt for weeks, then when someone who really loves you tries to help, you cuss her like she was a dog and back hand her across the room, you nearly take Steves head off with you phone, you smash up someone elses car, that you stole, write that off, smash up a coach full of our friends, who are none the worse thankfully. Nearly kill me and Peter trying to get you out of a burning car. On top of which, the boys have been in more rooms in the last 24 hours, they probably think they are on a roller coaster. What the hell is it with you? If you’re trying to kill yourself, I’ll buy the gun, but don’t take everyone else with you”
Oded swallowed hard, he hadn’t realized what a pain he had become.
“Arnold I’m sorry, I …………”
“Oh and another thing, your acting is shit”
“Rub it in why don’t you, I’ll get it sorted brother, I promise. Looks like I’ll have to get down on my knees to a lot of people. Where’s Tanith”
“I told her to have a break, she hasn’t left your side, she was in hell of a state last night, it was all I could do to calm her down, for God’s sake man, that woman loves you, fuck knows why after what you did to her. Anyone else would have left”
Oded looked sheepish and tears rolled down his cheek. Arnold went over to him and gave him a brotherly hug. He hated being so cruel but someone had to do it,
Oded needed to snap out of it.
“I don’t want her getting hurt Arnold and what about the boys, they thought they had a new mother last time and what happened, she was only after my money and trying to run my life”
“Isn’t that up to Tanith, if she is willing to take you on after all this and the boys too, don’t you think you should give her a chance”
“There is something, I don’t know what it is but I get this feeling when she is near me, I do want her but I’m scared brother, real scared”
“I know but look in her eyes, I have, I know she loves you, I wouldn’t have got her to help you otherwise”
Tanith walked back in, she didn’t know what had been said but there was an atmosphere. Arnold got up to leave, he smiled at Tanith.
“I think he wants you”
“Are you alright, what has he said?”
“Enough to make me see what a heel I am, come here”
He pulled her down beside him and ran a finger down her cheek and then moving his hand behind her neck, pulled her to him, his lips searching for hers, which he found, she moaned when he kissed her, she ran her fingers down his chest and scratched him lightly, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back on the pillow. She kissed his neck and nipped his skin.
She moved up to his face and kissed his slightly open mouth, passionately, lovingly.
Suddenly the door opened and the nurse came in to check on him. They pulled apart instantly and Tanith got up, telling Oded she would see him later.
Oded tried to say something but she just smiled at him and left. Anyway, he had already decided he was leaving before the two days were up, as soon as the doctor had been round he was checking out.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dangerous Love continued