Neighbors

Scene 27:

Her day was purposely quiet. After he left she had tried to find some normalcy in her day but with very little success. She ate breakfast but found herself craving waffles, which she didn't have and she knew he did. She read the paper and laughed when she found The Mummy Returns was going to be on cable this afternoon in the TV guide. She went swimming but found herself constantly looking up to his balcony hoping to see him standing there. Totally distracted she tried to take a much-needed nap on the couch but woke up too soon, her dreams replaying the night she had spent with him. She had gone upstairs to the bedroom but seeing the rumpled covers made her flush thinking of him and what he had done to her in that bed, and she decided she didn't want to climb in the bed and wake up alone. Finally after procrastinating way too long, she finally pulled out her books and worked on her lecture for Monday. But her mind wandered, and she was totally unable to concentrate. She looked at the bracelet, heavy against her wrist, playing with the links, smiling, thinking about the significance of this gift. She put away her work, having enough done to get through the first few days of class and instead found the cable station showing The Mummy Returns. She whiled away two hours, enjoying the chance to watch him, without him with her. "My god, is he sexy, " she said wistfully, thinking again of last night and the way it had felt to have him touch her, kiss her, that little thing he did with his tongue at the hollow of her neck. She got all hot and bothered just thinking about it, and he wasn't here to help her dispel the heat. She laughed outloud at herself "Abby your pathetic, letting him effect you this way." As the movie ended she thought of the women who had approached him yesterday at the art fair, she understood even better now why women were so attracted to him, then she thought of the web sites.

She was at the computer before she thought about it twice, searching again for the lists of sites she had found before. She hesitated for just a moment, then opened one. She started reading; every site she found had new information. She discovered galleries of pictures, him with that sexy long hair, then more recent ones with the short look she had already fallen in love with. She read about the other movies and plays he had done, finding out about Antoine Laconte, the male gigolo he had seemed reluctant to tell her about. Given the plot she could see why he kept that one a little more quiet. "Perhaps not the first impression you want to give a new girlfriend," she thought. Then she found a screen capture from the movie that sent her reeling in laughter, his ass in full view on her computer screen. She also noticed they covered up his tattoo with makeup. She had forgotten to ask him about it this morning, having noticed the little ghost that floated by his shoulder blade. She decided to head out and rent the movie for this evening, knowing he would likely NEVER show it to her.

About to turn off the computer, sated with information she tried one more website- a fan fiction site called Weaver of Dreams. She was astonished to find story after story written about him, Ardeth, Antoine, and other characters they had created. Some were excellent. These fans knew more about Egyptology, then she guessed some of the anthropologists at UBC would know. She read and read, forgetting about dinner, amazed at the detail, the plot lines, the intensity that so many of these stories involved. Most were romances, a lot were downright racy, making her blush as she read them. He had quite an affect on women, and she smiled, knowing she had been the one he had chosen. At least for now... her insecurity rearing it's ugly head. She was finally getting a dose of the level of fame he had, and the fan following that seemed incredibly loyal, and definitely "creative".

She didn't hear him come up behind her. "Tomorrow we get you a cell phone," his voice deep and low, right beside her ear.

She screamed, jumping up out of her chair, her heart in her throat. "You scared me to death!" she yelled at him as she turned to face him, her hand over her heart. She had whacked his chin with her shoulder when she jumped, and he had his hand on his jaw, a rather pained look on his face. Then he smiled a little.

"Sorry," he mumbled, still rubbing the hair on his chin. "Thank god for my beard, I think I'm going to have a bruise."

She stepped around the chair reaching out to touch his chin, but he caught her hand and pulled her entire body against his, crushing her as he leaned down to kiss her deeply. Her heart still racing from the adrenaline rush, now the rest of her nerves firing from the feel of his mouth on hers, she thought she might hyperventilate, which seemed to be a common problem when he did this to her. He lifted his mouth from hers and looked down at her, her cheeks flushed, she had the back of his T-shirt pulled into her fists as she held on to him her legs now weak. Her eyes were glittery and warm, as she looked into his own.

"Hi." He started again, his voice taking on that velvety sound.

"Hi," she answered her voice a little shaky. She rested her head against his chest and felt him breathe under her cheek, she caught the now familiar scent of his skin and smiled, feeling his hands as they stroked her lower back.

He looked over her head towards the computer and saw his own face on the screen. She felt him straighten up over the top of her and the muscles in his back flexed under her fingers. He stepped backwards, away from her, his hands on her shoulders, as he swung himself around her to look more closely at the computer. She let him go of him and turned her body as he passed her to see what he was doing, then immediately she blushed, as he sat down in the desk chair.

"Have you been on the computer all afternoon?" he turned to ask her, not commenting directly about what was on the screen in front of him. "Is that why I couldn't get a hold of you?"

He didn't sound mad, more amused she thought a little relieved, but still nervous since she had been busted. "Yes," she paused, "Oded, have you ever seen the web sites your fans have made about you?" She decided to 'fess up and admit to what she had found.

"Mmm Hmmm," he answered, turning back towards the computer. "I check them regularly, just to make sure the information is accurate. They are much better than the tabloids. I see you found a fan fiction site." He turned to look at her as he clicked to open a story.

Her heart jumped a little again. "You read the stories about you?" she was shocked.

"Yeah, of course," he admitted, turning back to read the first few paragraphs of the one she had clicked opened, "Comfort" by V.N. Levitsky. "Ah, I've read this one before, lots of great sexual tension in it. Lots of psychological layers." He smiled to himself; "I love it when they make up new characters based on me. I'll tell you, a lot of these stories, especially the ones about Ardeth, are better than a lot of the screenplays I see. I've debated about suggesting a couple in particular to Stephan Sommers. There are several stories that I think would be incredible on the big screen. "Power Is" by Eirian is exceptional and I love one called "Dreams of the Medjai" by Mommints I also have reread "Hope for the Future and the sequel" by Ladybug several times. He continued to look down the list of stories on the screen. They do such great character development and the research is incredible. Of course a lot of them would have to be seriously edited for sexual content, I blush whenever I read anything by Ladybug or Ellbee. Ladybug wrote this series about this photographer named Teleah Brockman that hits just a wee bit too close to home. I'm really truly flattered... besides they make me out to be such a stud, why wouldn't I like them." He turned back to look at her again. "I've debated about posting on their message board how much I like they're stories, but I figure they would panic and freak out if they knew I was reading them. This way I get to read them incognito, and they keep writing them." He smiled his million-dollar smile at her.

"I don't know, I'd say they are pretty accurate," she lowered her eyes, suddenly shy as she commented, all be it indirectly about last night. She heard him chuckle softly.

"You know, I've tried to call you all afternoon, to tell you when we'd be done," he chastised her, standing up again to face her. "I've been thinking about you all day."

She looked at her watch; shocked to see it was after 7:00. She had missed dinner, and now realized why her stomach felt so empty. But she was even more aware of him, standing so close to her. "I've been thinking about you all day too."

"Mmmm... and after reading all of these stories, I'm curious to hear what you've been thinking about... hmmm?" He was teasing her. He bent to kiss her, and as his lips touched hers, he heard her stomach growl. He laughed.

"Sorry," she offered, putting her fingers across her abdomen. "I think I'm hungry." She looked embarrassed.

"Then we should feed you, you'll need your strength to keep up with me tonight." He reached up from her hip and brushed his thumb across her breast, caressing her gently, then moved it back to her waist, pulling her close for another kiss.

He had hurried home after dealing with the reshoot today. He had taken a lot of grief for going missing all day Saturday and he ended up having to admit that he had been out with Abby, which led to a barrage of questions and prodding from his fellow cast. Vera had made him promise to bring her to the cast party they had planned for next Friday and he said he would think about it. After spending last night with her, he was so torn between not wanting to share her with the world at all, knowing it would drag them through the tabloids, and wanting to scream out loud to everyone how happy he was. Bethany was frustrated with the news that he was now telling people about Abby, but when she heard he might bring her to the cast party, she smiled, maybe this could be her chance to run a little interference.

No one could explain how the film had gotten lost, but everyone was determined to get the reshoot done quickly. As always, things took longer than planned, it wasn't until after 6:00 that they wrapped, and he had raced home to find her.

Now she stood in his arms, and he wanted nothing more than to take her upstairs to bed. But her stomach was growling and growling loudly. "What do you have in your fridge to eat?" he asked.

"You've seen my fridge... there's leftover lasagna." But she wasn't hungry for that. He followed her into the kitchen. He reached around from behind her to wrap his arms around her waist as she opened the fridge. He leaned in, resting his chin on her shoulder looking in with her, scruffing the skin at the base of her neck with his beard as he nuzzled her with his nose. He had wrapped himself completely around her and she arched back into him as she felt him hug her to him. Her fridge was pretty empty.

"Let's order pizza," he offered.

"Mmmm... that sounds great." She grabbed the phonebook. "Where do you recommend?" He took the book looking for the name of the local place he had found. He grabbed his cell phone, and dialed Toscani's to order. He pulled the phone away from his ear to ask her what kind she wanted. She shrugged her shoulders, "surprise me," she answered. She poured herself a glass of juice while he walked into the other room talking on the phone. She watched him walk away, admiring the long line of his legs and those broad shoulders once again. 'Could he be more handsome?' she thought, feeling that ache he caused in her spike just a little higher.

"It's on it's way, should be here in 30 minutes," he told her, catching her gaze as she walked into the living room, now munching on a carrot stick. She smiled at him and he could see those gold flecks in her eyes.

"Hmmm... and what should we do until it gets here?" she baited, reaching out with her palm up to touch the front of his jeans. He didn't jump as she expected, but he let her cup her hand against him, pressing his hips forward a little, encouraging her. She looked up at him and could see those chocolate eyes grow deep and the smolder spark in them.

"You tell me... all those stories you read must have given you plenty of ideas, maybe a little something by Ladybug?" he baited her back, his voice deep and melodic as he leaned down to her ear. His hands were still at his sides, resisting the desire to reach out and pull her close. He saw her smile shyly, then drop her gaze as her cheeks flushed, her hand on his jeans a little unsure. She regretted starting this, she was out of her league and he sensed her hesitation. He lifted her chin with his index finger and kissed her softly, trying to reassure her, still wanting her to take the lead, looking into her eyes to encourage her.

She saw the warmth in them, then as he smiled, she saw them fill with laughter. He was teasing her, and she resolved herself to accept his challenge. She reached forward more assuredly, running her hand up the length of the arousal he couldn't hide in his jeans. She saw and heard him catch his breath and felt him take a step back with one foot as she looped her fingers into the waist band of his jeans, holding his hips close to her. Their eyes still locked on one another.

"Where are you going?" she now teased him, using both hands to quickly unbutton the top of his jeans and slide down the zipper almost simultaneously. He laughed, fueling her determination even more. She yanked his shirt out of his jeans, running her hands up his stomach. He could feel the gold of her bracelet run across his skin, cold compared to the feel of her skin She felt him flex his abdominals under her fingers. She undid the buttons from the bottom up, and slid his shirt off his shoulders, looking back up at him as her hands came back down to rest on his chest. He stood still, letting her undress him, trying to resist touching her. She bit her bottom lip as she looked up at him, her eyes flecked with gold, and glittering with green. Then he felt her hands run down his stomach, reaching his hips as she tugged at his unzipped jeans. She pulled them down his legs, leaving him standing naked in front of her as he stepped out of them. She stood in front of him again, letting the smolder she saw in his eyes continue to encourage her. Her hands reaching for his arousal. She stroked him, cupping him with her hand as he hissed and closed his eyes looking down away from her, clenching his fists at his sides. The feel of her hands on his body, but not touching her in return was centering all of his nerves and he felt like he might climax in her hands. He fought to maintain control, not wanting to concede the game to her so quickly.

She honestly surprised him with her willingness to take the lead, he was learning quickly that although she may not be as experienced as he was, when prodded she didn't seem to have as many inhibitions as he thought she would. He was pleased that she was willing to play along with his game, but he was not sure how far to push her, thinking at any minute she might retreat into that more reserved side of her personality he knew she lived in most of the time.

She watched his reaction, she knew from the look on his face that he was fighting with himself and she smiled, gaining more confidence as she stroked the length of him again. She surprised herself that she even had the confidence to try this. The things this man encouraged her to do astonished her. He let out a low groan and she chuckled as she felt his hands reach for her waist. She quickly blocked his hands and pushed them away from her, stepping back from him. "Un Uh..." she admonished him, "you're the one who challenged me, remember." She put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him to sit on the couch. He sat, suddenly very conscious of his nudity, as she stood in front of him. He watched her reach down and slowly pull her T-shirt up and off, her breasts erect pressing against the satin of her bra. She unbuttoned her jeans and watching his expression she slowly stripped them off her own legs, one hip at a time as she saw his nostrils flare with desire, his eyes on her hips. She now stood before him bra and cotton panties only. He reached out with one finger to hook it at her hip, encouraging her to finish this striptease for him. She stepped back again, his hand dropping to his knee, groaning in frustration. She laughed and reached behind her back to undo the clasps on her bra dropping it to the floor, then quickly slid out of her panties, now standing naked before him, out of reach, her hands slightly crossed in front of her, still a little shy. One foot crossed over the other.

He was overcome with desire, amazed at the sight in front of him. The curve of her waist and the swell of her hip looked so soft and inviting, begging to be touched, and the way she stood, her arms crossed slightly hiding her breasts from him, created cleavage he couldn't resist. He couldn't take it, he'd let her win this one he thought, there would be other games to be played. He leaned forward, grabbing her around the waist and yanking her onto the couch with him. She landed against his chest, immediately his mouth on hers. She gasped and he moaned as they both responded to the feel of skin on skin, hands running everywhere, legs entwined as she felt his thigh rise between her legs and she ground her hips against him unconsciously. Last night they had taken their time, enjoyed every slow methodical moment, building the heat between them, but now the intensity shook them both immediately. Quickly he pressed her onto her back, spreading her legs with his hands. He climbed between them and giving her little time to prepare, he drove himself deeply inside of her. He saw her bite her lip as she arched her back, and worried that perhaps he had hurt her, but then he felt her hands on his ass, pressing him hard and encouraging him deeper inside of her. He growled deep in his throat as the need for her overcame him. He felt her breath on his neck, her pulse racing under his lips as he caressed her roughly with his mouth and beard. He moved inside of her quickly, his pace fast and hard. She clung to him and he could feel her hands on his back, holding his shoulders. His climax was faster than he would have liked, but he felt her deeply shudder underneath him, her muscles vibrating and pulsating around him, and at least he knew he hadn't left her unsatisfied. He raised his head from the vee of her neck where he had pressed himself against her, yielding to the primal drive that had made him take her so quickly, and looked into her eyes. She was smiling, and her eyes had that clear look he had already learned to recognize as post sex bliss.

For her, when he had pulled her onto the couch, she had gasped. Standing in front of him, naked before his gaze she had felt both exhilaration, seeing the desire in his eyes and also very self-conscious, realizing how vulnerable she was before him. When he grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him, and kissing her so strongly and deeply she felt her entire body course with heat, plummeting between her legs, the feel of his thigh between her legs undid her. His skin against hers was warm and soft, and she could feel the muscles in his arms and back under her hands flex as he touched her all over, his hands moving across her body, pressing against her skin roughly, his urgency obvious. When he laid her down and entered between her legs so quickly, she flinched from the sudden breach, but then felt the warmth and heat burn through her body, loving the feel of the weight of him upon her. She wanted him deeper and arched under him trying to open herself up, pressing him against her with her hands. As he nuzzled himself against her neck, setting the pace for them, she knew from his aggressiveness, that this would be brief. She closed her eyes, feeling his mouth against her neck, his forearms pressed against her ribs, his hands cupping her shoulders. She felt her orgasm building, letting it take her over, he pressed hard into her, she could feel him strain, his breath ragged then he whimpered, as his body gave out on him. She felt the quake in her body, the eruption of her nerves and she also gave in, whimpering herself at the intensity of what she felt for him. When he finally looked up, she smiled and ran her fingers through the silver gray at the temples of his hair. He looked overwhelmed, his face drained from the intensity of what they had just shared. Then the doorbell rang.

"The pizza!" they said simultaneously, starting to laugh. She moaned at the feel of him moving, still buried inside of her, and he purposely rose up and then drove himself deeply into her one more time, making her quiver underneath him again, as he smiled looking down at her.

"My god, Oded, please stop." She moaned, gripping his shoulders. He chuckled, making her whimper yet again, then using his knees he withdrew from her, kneeling between her legs. She covered her chest with her arm, blushing, as he climbed off the couch openly admiring her, his legs weak, then grabbing his pants. He stuffed one leg in, then the other, skipping his boxers as he yanked them up. The doorbell rang again. "I'm coming!" he yelled.

"I think you already did," she said just loudly enough for him to hear, that mischievous look on her face.

He looked down at her, and smiled, laughing softly, he winked, "it won't be the last time this evening." He laughed again as he saw her blush and try to cover her body with her hands sitting up. He ran his hand through his hair, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket as he headed for the door. She grabbed an afghan and pulled it around herself, peeking over the top of the couch as he opened the door, shirtless and barefoot.

"Hi." The pizza delivery boy greeted him.

"Hi," Oded answered, glancing over his shoulder at the couch, seeing Abby drop her shoulders back down trying to stay out of sight, "How much do I owe you."

The pizza guy saw Oded look back towards the living room, and he peeked over his shoulder as he turned back around, catching a glimpse of Abby as she scooted back down onto the couch. He looked back at the imposing man standing in front of him half dressed, catching on to the situation immediately. "That will be $16.00" he answered, smiling knowingly.

Oded caught the look, and couldn't help but smile back, acknowledging what the pizza guy suspected. He handed him a $20.00 "Keep the change." He took the pizza box.

"Thanks..." The pizza guy saw Abby peek over the edge of the couch again over Oded's shoulder. "Tell her I hope she enjoys the pizza."

Oded laughed, "I will, thanks." Then he turned to go closing the door on the delivery boy, who disappointingly was hoping to catch another peek.

By the time he got back to the couch she had pulled her T-shirt back on and was reaching for her jeans.

"Don't bother sweetness, I'll just take them off of you again."

She looked up at him blushing again. Then her stomach growled and he laughed. She stood up, trying to get past him, heading for the kitchen for plates and napkins. He pinched her butt as she passed him and she jumped, turning to bat at his hand. He headed towards the dining room opening the pizza on the table. He called out to her, "Please tell me you have beer in the fridge to go with this!"

"You saw my fridge, did you see any beer in it?" she yelled back.

"No..." he paused, then called out to her again as she walked back towards the dining room, "but I do in my fridge, I'll be right back."

She watched him dart across the grass between their townhouses running up the steps three at a time, still wearing only his blue jeans, and she smiled. He was graceful and she stood admiring him, until she saw him trip in his living room and he disappeared from site. He got up quickly, holding his shin and she saw him look out the window, embarrassed obviously hoping she hadn't seen that. When she waved he shrugged his shoulders and now limping he headed for his kitchen, grabbing beers out of the fridge. He hobbled back to her place and she met him at the door, plates of pizza in hand.

"Are you okay?" she tried so hard not to laugh.

"Yes!" he answered her, but then he flinched a little, "I guess now I have a matching bruise to go with the one I got running out to see you at the pool last Saturday, which hasn't healed yet. Damn coffee table."

She handed him the plate, laughing having forgotten the last injury he had incurred because of her. "Nice choice on the pizza, " she complimented him.

"Well I figured after the vegetarian lasagna that you probably weren't a big sausage eater."

"Are you? You could have ordered whatever you wanted, I would have eaten it." They had walked back towards the living room and sat together side by side on the couch, both propping they're feet on her coffee table to balance their plates. He handed her a beer and laughed when she took a sip and wrinkled her nose from the flavor.

"Not much of a beer drinker either, are you?" he asked.

"Mmm, I do prefer wine," she answered, taking another sip then a bite of the veggie pizza he had ordered, "but beer does taste good with this." She tried to console him. She clunked her leg against his and saw him flinch. "Do you want me to look at your leg?" she asked, worried that he was more hurt than he let on.

"Later," he answered, as he fought with a big string of cheese hanging from his pizza.

She sighed and leaned back with her pizza, content and blissfully happy to have him here with her. She was nervous about starting class tomorrow and was glad to have a distraction, and 'my oh my was he ever a distraction', she thought to herself.

They ate quietly for a few minutes, then she saw him turn to look at her a serious look on his face, but he didn't speak. "What?" she asked him.

"Abby," he paused, this conversation was long overdue. He had been thinking about this since dinner last night, before they had slept together, but there never seemed to be a right time to bring it up, and now they had had sex three times, and he couldn't believe that neither one of them mentioned this.

"What Oded?" she prodded him, starting to get nervous about his indecision.

"Abby, I can't believe we haven't talked about this." He paused again shaking his head, as she watched him intently.

"Talked about what?" she was really nervous now.

He looked at her seriously, "Are you worried about the fact that we haven't used any sort of birth control?"

She laughed at him. He smiled, a little unsure about why she thought this was so funny, but relieved that she hadn't panicked. "My god 'ded, I'm a scientist, you don't think I've thought about birth control? Don't worry sweetheart, I'm on the pill, I have been for years."

He let out a huge breath, flopping his head back onto the couch letting his hands fall onto the cushions. Then he sat up and looked at her again. "Thank god! Why didn't you tell me this."

"Well, like you mentioned, there didn't seem to be a good time to bring it up, kind of spoils the mood." She laughed again, then immediately got serious, "but that doesn't however deal with the issue of STDs... I didn't bring that up because I know I'm okay, and I have made the assumption that you are too. Please tell me I don't need to worry."

"You don't have to worry." He reassured her, taking her hand in his and kissing her palm. "Oh, I can't tell you how happy I am to hear I don't have to worry about condoms!"

She laughed again, patting his shoulder with her hand. "Nope, you don't have to worry about becoming a daddy unannounced."

He frowned a little, "Abby, I don't want you to think that I don't want kids."

"Oh jeez, 'ded, please let's not go down that road. We can't have this conversation yet." She turned away from him grabbing her plate of pizza, leaning back to take a bite, relieved that this conversation was over. He sat back as well, totally relieved at what she had told him, it had been weighing on him and he was grateful to have it behind them.

He went for more pizza and another beer and sat back down beside her. He took a big bite then noticed she was looking at him out of the corner of his eye, as he finished chewing he leaned forward putting his plate down taking another drink of his beer, then he turned to her. "What now?" he asked.

"What do you mean?" she asked him back.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"What? I'm not allowed to look at you?" she teased him.

"You know what I mean, you have this look on your face, like you're thinking about something else... so what is it?" he asked trying to look innocent.

She sighed a little, "I was just thinking... no, never mind..." she turned away from him, reaching for her plate to stand up and go get more pizza.

"Oh no you don't," he grabbed her and pulled her down onto his lap, "Tell me." He looked at her with big chocolate puppy dog eyes. "Please," he pleaded with her, wrapping his arms around her waist, leaning forward to kiss her. She pushed against him trying to get away, but the look in his eyes melted her heart. He had a great pout and she rolled her eyes and groaned at him.

" 'ded, it's really nothing." She pushed against him again but he didn't let her go. "I'm serious...it's not a big deal, it's nothing like what you were thinking about."

"Then tell me."

"Jeez!" she paused, " ...I was just thinking about how happy I am that we met, and that you're here with me now, all day I've been thinking about you. I haven't felt like this for a long time..." she looked down at him and saw the reflection of herself in his eyes. He didn't say anything and she squirmed not sure how to interpret his silence. He held her still with his arms, then pulled her tighter against him, hugging her resting his head on her breasts. She felt him take a deep breath, and she rested her head against the top of his, smiling as she knew he felt the same way.

"Have you had enough pizza?" he asked, now looking up at her his hands working up under her T-shirt along her back.

She looked into his eyes again, and saw the smolder spark. He saw the gold flecks in hers and he smiled his sexy half smile, now running his hands inside the back of her panties caressing her backside. She smiled back. "I can always get more later." She answered him, running her hands through his wispy hair. Kissing a crumb from the corner of his mouth.

"I'll race you up the stairs," she teased and laughed as she jumped from his lap headed across the living room. She heard him growl behind her and she shrieked as she heard him leap from the couch to chase her. He caught her half way up the stairs, grabbing her around the waist and pulling her back against him. She laughed and turned half way around to kiss him. When he relaxed his hold on her waist she giggled and turned, bolting away from him again. She glanced over her shoulder as she hit the top step to see him still standing half way up the stairs, now watching her at the top. "Come on," she teased him, "you're not going to give up that easily are you?"

"You know what I'll do to you when I catch you, don't you?" he teased her, looking up at her with a wicked grin on his face.

"mmm... do tell," she baited him. As she watched him he leaned forward putting one hand on the step ahead of him. His eyes got very serious and as he stared at her she realized he had a predatory look in them. She felt her body flush suddenly realizing she was the prey. He stepped up one step, advancing on her slowly. She stood still watching him, feeling like the gazelle being stalked by the lion.

"Xatixa... you better run," he growled at her as he suddenly picked up speed, tearing up the stairs. She laughed, then her adrenaline kicked in and she turned to run down the hallway towards the bedroom. He was right behind her and she could hear him laughing. He reached for her arm as they entered the bedroom and swung her around to face him by the bed as they fell together onto it. She giggled as she looked up, brushing her hair away from her eyes to find him looking down at her. He was smiling at her, that sexy smile that made her flush a little.

"So now that you've caught me... what DO you plan to do with me?" she baited him again, reaching up to run a finger over his bottom lip.

"I think I shall devour you," he almost whispered as he reached for her wrist. Taking both of them in his hands he pressed her arms down onto the bed on either side of her head, then rose above her straddling her hips with his legs pinning her down. He sat above her looking down at her, holding her on the bed, but doing nothing, just looking at her. She watched him, waiting, wondering what he was waiting for. He continued to study her as she lay still beneath him, looking up at him. Patiently she waited holding his gaze, and then she could take it no longer. She twisted her wrists in his hands but he grabbed her tighter holding her still. She wiggled her body under him but he clamped his thighs around her hips forcing her to stop moving. His eyes still on her face.

"Oded," she pleaded.

"What?" he asked her innocently, enjoying having the chance to study her this closely, again realizing how deeply he felt for her.

She smiled shyly at him, as he couldn't help but grin at her. "What happened to the 'devouring' me?"

"I'm just trying to decide what part to taste first," he answered her, then leaned down to her neck. She caught her breath when she felt his mouth on her skin, then his teeth as he bit her, not hard but hard enough to make her startle a little. She turned her chin down to move him away, but he didn't budge instead pressing her chin further up with his cheek as now he started to nibble her neck all the way up to her chin coming across her jawline to kiss her mouth. She kissed him back and pulled against his hands trying to free her wrists. But he didn't release her. He chuckled against her mouth then moved his lips to her ear. "No no no my sweetness, I'm not ready to let you go yet." She relaxed her arms, and tried to lie still beneath him, enjoying this little game as she felt her adrenaline surge again. She felt his breath on her neck as he ran the tip of his nose down the tendon that ran to her collarbone. She shivered at the sensation. He had let her win the last little seduction, he wasn't going to let her win this one he thought. He twisted her arms to pull her hands down to the level of her waist, still holding her wrists in his hands. He shifted his entire body down the length of hers and now reached for the edge of her T-shirt with his teeth. He dragged it up her stomach, smiling a little as he felt her arch her back a bit to let the T-shirt move up more easily, pleased that she was playing along. When he had exposed as much skin as he could he let go with his teeth and slowly worked his way back down her stomach kissing her skin softly, occasionally nipping at her to make her jump. He looked up but she was not watching him, she had her head turned to the side her hair spilled over her cheek, she was breathing softly her lips parted trying to focus on all the sensations he elicited from her body. He smiled and turned back to the skin beneath him. When he had worked his way down her stomach and reached the edge of her panties he tugged gently on the top with his teeth and felt her jump again underneath him. He laughed between his teeth still clenched on the elastic and felt her start to laugh as well. He let go with his teeth and propped himself up on his elbows, pulling one of her wrists across her stomach, locking both of them now in only one of his hands giving him one free hand to use. He quickly ran it over the skin of her stomach then up under her T-shirt to caress her breast. He heard her softly whimper in response and arch her back a little towards his hand. Then he reached for the cotton fabric that covered her hip and he pulled it down and off her legs leaving her half bare beneath him.

She had given herself completely up to him, relishing the feel of his mouth, tongue, teeth, beard as he had grazed her stomach, tickling and teasing her skin. Her pulse raced and when he had transferred her wrists to one hand then used his free hand to remove her panties she caught her breath in her throat, holding it, not knowing what he was about to do to her. When she felt his beard rough against the inside of her thigh she shuddered, knowing the next touch would be his mouth. The heat of his breath alone was driving her wild but when she felt his tongue slowly slide inside of her she gasped and cried out his name. She felt him chuckle, his beard scratching against her most sensitive skin, then the soft feel of his tongue as he explored her thoroughly. He still held her wrists and she pulled against him, as her nerves fired one after the other finally cresting in an orgasm that made her weak. Somewhere towards the end of his torture he finally let go of her wrists but she continued to lay still letting the waves wash over her as she tried to recover. She looked up at him as he pulled his body up to lay even with hers, letting his hand rest on her stomach, feeling her breathing slowly return to normal.

"So that's what that feels like," she said quietly, rolling onto her side to face him.

"mmm..." he answered, letting his hand now fall into the vee of her waist and hip as she rolled. "Wait a minute...What?" he then said quickly, looking at her with more attention. "What do you mean, 'so that's what that feels like,' certainly you've had... you must have had... you haven't... have you?" He hadn't completed a single sentence, but he answered his own question just by looking at her face.

"Nope, 'ded you're the first," she tried to answer without blushing, but she couldn't help it he was constantly making her blush.

He smiled then leaned in to kiss her, knowing she would taste a little of herself and wanted to see her reaction. She smiled, letting her tongue dance with his enjoying the new sweet almost earthy taste in his mouth. Then she reached down between them to unbutton his jeans, urging him to finally take them off. He sat up and swinging his legs over the side of the bed he stood and dropped his pants to the floor. He turned and saw her sit up, reaching down with her arms crossed to pull her T-shirt over her head. He smiled now remembering the fantasy he had of her that first night, the image of her taking off her T-shirt. He climbed back onto the bed, pressing her down onto her pillow kissing her deeply as he ran his hands over her body and she did the same feeling the muscles in his back and arms.

"Abby, I don't want this to be as fast as it was downstairs, are you ready for this?" he asked, looking down at her face.

She laughed, "Good lord Oded, I don't know what else you could do to get me more ready." She arched her hips up to press against him.

"Oh my innocent, there are so many other things..." he offered, his eyebrow raised at her and his half-sexy smile on his face. But he didn't wait for her response as he found her entrance and buried himself deep inside of her. She curved her back and pressed her hips up to meet him, burying him deeper making him groan with pleasure. He looked down at her as she bit her lip then reached up to wrap her arms around his shoulders. He started to move inside of her, and she relished the slowness compared with the more aggressive sex they had earlier. His pace was constant and strong, taking a long time to build them both to their release. She watched him above her, running her fingers through the hair at his temples, tracing his beard, pressing her hands against his chest as he continued to stroke into her over and over. He closed his eyes to concentrate, biting his lip as he finally felt the crest rise and with one final thrust he released inside of her, feeling her pulse around him.

He collapsed on top of her, and quickly rolled onto his back holding her to him and rolling her on top of him, still inside of her. She lay now, her head on his shoulder, her hips straddling him as exhausted as he was. He ran his hands along her back softly, then let them fall to the bed. She started to lift her chest from his to look at him, to press herself up on her forearms, but he reached around her and pulled her back to his chest. "Don't move Abby, I want you here."

She sighed and rested her head nuzzling his neck with her nose, one elbow tucked by her breast, the other on his arm. Neither spoke for quite some time.

Finally, afraid her legs might cramp she asked him softly, " 'ded, can I move now?"

"Ohhhh... do you have to?"

"Yes I really do," she said as she slowly lifted her hips, pressing her arms against his chest. She felt him leave her body and he groaned as she rolled onto her side, tucked into the crook of his arm. She kissed his shoulder, and slowly stoked his chest and stomach with her hand feeling him breath deeply under her fingers.

"I think I have to be done for the night sweetness, you've exhausted me," he teased her, reaching across to tweak her nose with his finger, laughing softly.

"Oh come on 'ded... I'm ready to go again!" she poked him in the ribs making him jump and then groan.

"Please tell me you're not serious."

She laughed, "No, 'ded, I'm not serious, I think my body is totally numb."

"Good," he chuckled, "mine too." She sat up to pull the covers over both of them and turn off the light, and by the time she had curled into his arm again he was asleep. She lay there quietly, listening to him breath, feeling his skin against her own. She gently pressed her lips to the side of his chest kissing him softly before snuggling in against him and finally surrendering to sleep herself.

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Neighbors - Chapter 28