| Neighbors By Lilybird |
| She opened the door slowly, peeking into his hallway. The entourage that insisted on assisting him home had set him up in the living room. Abby blushed when she saw the Scrabble box on the coffee table. 'Thank god he finally had picked it up.' she thought, remembering some of the words they had put on it, and wondering when he had done it. She hung on the edges of the group, not making contact with Oded immediately. She watched him, seeing the frustration on his face with the people who were milling around as he sat now stuck on the couch. She almost laughed realizing he likely wasn't used to having no command of the room and the situation. He looked up and saw her over Cheryl's shoulder, catching her eye. She saw him smile and she dropped her eyes shyly, the immediate blush on her cheeks warming her face. His smile always had this effect on her. She looked back up at him, smiling back and he motioned for her to come over to him. She worked her way over, leaning against the arm of the couch next to him. But before they could speak to one another they were approached by one of the producers who interrupted them with questions about Oded's condition and when he would be returning to the set. Oded shot him a look that he didn't catch but both Abby and Cheryl did. Abby stepped away from the couch, not even able to say hello to Oded and instead she began cleaning up. Watching him as she gathered cups he shot her a helpless look and she just smiled back at him, making herself useful until they had a chance to talk privately. Soon Cheryl started pushing people out of the door when it was obvious they didn't plan to leave soon enough. Abby walked Cheryl to the door as the last people left. "Thank you Cheryl." "For what?" she asked. "For everything. For calling me yesterday. I've been such a fool, "Abby admitted. Cheryl just smiled. "There is plenty of time to be foolish, it happens to the best of us. I'm just glad you both came to your senses. You are a great couple Abby. You make him very happy." Abby smiled in return and gave Cheryl a hug. She closed the door and slowly turned towards the living room. Her heart was again racing in her chest. She hesitated, taking a big breath and blowing it out slowly. She knew now that they were alone that the time had come for the two of them to talk about what had happened between them these past few weeks. It had to happen, they couldn't keep avoiding it. He was propped on the couch, a pillow under his arm. When she came back into the room he reached out and patted the seat cushion next to him, a wide smile on his face. She stood in front of him, just out of his reach. "'ded, do you need anything?" Her voice was tinged with the nervousness she just couldn't hide and she was obviously stalling. He heard it in her voice, and he felt it inside to, but he smiled gently and said softly, "just you." He again patted the couch, wanting her to sit. She smiled, her cheeks growing flushed yet again. Then tucking one leg underneath her, she sat and cuddled up into his good shoulder. "Oded..." she looked up at him as his hand came around her to stroke her hair, he smiled down at her. "What?" he asked. He could see the worry and concern on her face. He sighed, knowing what was coming. She paused studying his face intently. Finally she said the words, "I'm sorry." She looked down toward her lap. "I know. I'm sorry too," he offered. Leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "For what?" she looked up at him surprised. "You weren't the one who-," she almost couldn't admit to the stupidity of her actions. He interrupted her, "Abby you are not solely to blame for what has happened these past two weeks." He met her eyes as she looked at him confused, bewilderment in her expression. "Believe me sweetness, I've had plenty of time to think about this." He laughed a little, as did she. He continued, as he caressed the skin at the nape of her neck with the edge of his thumb. "I pushed you way too fast. We really should have taken things more slowly. I think the intensity of it scared you. I'm so sorry for that." He paused to read her reaction. But she didn't speak, overwhelmed by his admission. He continued, "And the way I treated you after the faculty party, the callousness of how I touched you that night, driving you from the bed we shared. I didn't know how to handle finding you on the couch. I ran from you that morning. I'm sorry my love, that was a terrible thing to do. And then the horrible thing I said at the bar...if I could do it all over..." "Do it ALL over? You'd change what we shared those first weeks?" She looked at him horrified. "I wouldn't! Those first nights with you..." She couldn't help but blush at the memory. "Oded you are the most passionate man I have ever met. You've made me feel things I didn't know I could feel. You've brought out emotions in me I didn't know I even had. Things did happen quickly between us. Maybe it did scare me a little. But I wouldn't change a thing about the beginning. I would however change the way I treated you these past two weeks-," she dropped her eyes as she began. But he laughed at her cutting off her tirade. She saw the little grin on his face in response. "So you don't think we should slow this down?" he asked changing the subject. He was teasing her and she took the bait. "Absolutely not!" She paused when she realized how strong her words were, "do you want to slow things down?" Her voice now trembled. "No Xatixa I don't. I actually feel like I have lost time to make up for." His eyes sparkled back at her, his voice was confident. "Really?" she asked unable to keep the excitement out of her voice. She almost giggled. All of her emotions were on high alert. She hadn't finished what she needed to say, but hearing his words made her flush. He looked down at her, a bemused look on his face, his lips pressed together in a little smile. "Really." He knew the conversation wasn't done, but since yesterday at the hospital he hadn't been able to shake the desire for her he that had built up for two weeks. Now probably wasn't the best time, but he couldn't help himself. She saw the little spark flash in his eyes. The warm chocolate color getting that deep intense look and she shivered a little. She felt a surge of electricity zoom up and down her spine, reminding her of that very first night they had sat together on this couch. She knew they should finish the talk first, but truthfully she would do anything to avoid it. She wanted to be near him, to touch him and be touched. She quickly rationalized, justifying her physical passion, that maybe the rest of the conversation would be easier after they sated this desire, 'you know, get it out of the way' she told herself, 'be less distracted.' 'If he doesn't want to talk about it now, who am I to argue?' She turned her head to reach for his hand, his fingers playing with the neckline of her sweater. She pulled his hand further around and she gently kissed the pulse point of his wrist. Feeling the beats under her lips increase in speed. She smiled to herself. The gold flecks in her eyes gave away her thoughts and he caught the look immediately. His nostrils flared as he took in a deep breath, the surge of passion for her barely contained. He pulled her into his chest, his mouth meeting hers in a deep but gentle kiss. Lips pressed together softly but fully, moving gently across each other until she parted her mouth just a bit and he slid his tongue inside, tasting her again, getting his long overdue fill of her. She sighed, and he pulled away to stare down into her beautiful face, placing a kiss on the tip of her freckled nose, before returning to her lips to kiss her again. They took their time, now with no threat of interruption, enjoying the slow gentle caresses of tongues and mouths. He stroked her arm with his fingers, rolling her shoulder into him with his forearm to draw her as close as he could. She gently draped her hand around his waist, hugging herself to him, lightly exploring his stomach, his shoulders, his neck with her fingers. She played with the buttons of his shirt, most blocked by the splint of his arm, as she continued to kiss him. He pulled back from her, trying to work his arm lower to her hips, wanting to feel her skin under his fingers. His injured shoulder immobilized he struggled to move without pain. When he flinched, she pulled back from him, seeing the look on his face. "'ded?" He looked down at her, trying to hide the pain from her but he couldn't. "You know what my love, perhaps we should take this upstairs..." he leaned down to kiss her again as he winced. She looked at him seriously, worried first for the pain he couldn't hide on his face, but then she saw the dark look in his eyes, the desire unmistakable. She smiled sexily at him. "Well if you insist," she winked, "please, let me help you." She stood in front of him, reaching for his hand. He smiled, pleased with her response. He really wasn't in the mood for a difficult conversation and like her, he was happy to avoid it. Later they would both think back and wish that they had finished the conversation now, the pain they would soon inflict on each other to resolve it would have been much less. But neither one knew what was about to happen, and they could only respond to the emotions that overwhelmed them at the moment. He reached for her hand and gingerly he scooted to the edge of the couch, then leaned his weight onto his good arm to press himself up to stand. He winced again from the ache in his shoulder and she saw it with concern. His shoulder was his worst injury, but she knew that all of him was sore. They made it as far as the dining room when he stopped her, pulling back on her hand. "What?" she turned to look at him, afraid maybe it hurt him too much to move. He pulled her back towards him and dropped his head to catch her lips. After he felt he had properly kissed her he smiled. "Nothing, I just wanted a kiss." She blushed in his arms. And could do nothing but smile back at him. She stepped away and headed back for the stairs, pulling him slowly along behind her. With a groan or moan on each step he complained all the way up the stairs and when they finally reached the top she began to worry that this plan of his wasn't going to work. She didn't think he had the strength or stamina for sex. But the slow burn she felt in her body was starting to rage. She had two weeks of pent-up emotions and memories in her head. But then she laughed softly to herself. She knew how to get around this. She would just have to do all the work, she decided. She would use this as an opportunity to make it up to him, to baby him, to show him how she felt. As they entered the bedroom she turned and stood before him. She ran her hands over his waist and ribs, circling her arms around his back, letting herself get lost in the gaze of his eyes as she looked up into them, again trying to convince herself that he could handle this. The little grin on his face reassured her that he knew what he was doing. Without breaking eye contact she began, one by one to unbutton his shirt. No words were spoken between them. He stood still letting her take her time, watching her reaction reading her eyes, letting himself enjoy the moment. He hadn't believed he would ever see her like this again. He caught his breath in his throat when her fingers grazed his bare skin, his abdomen tightening under the light caress. He felt a sudden surge of adrenaline. His conflicting emotions making him reach for her, wanting to have her closer. He wrapped his hand in her hair pulling her face to his, a wave of need shooting through him almost aggressively. He kissed her hard over and over, almost bruising her lips with his own. Then he pulled back knowing he should let up, feeling her try to pull away. Looking down into her eyes, he couldn't help but smile as he saw her lick her lips, pressing them together from the tingle he had left on them. He took odd satisfaction in impressing himself upon her like this. He should have sensed it as the first manifested spark of the conflict he still felt with her. She was surprised at the intense way he kissed her. His lips pressed against her so hard it hurt. When he pulled back from her she pressed her lips together to numb the tingle he had left. Even injured he was bigger and stronger than she was, and the strength of his kiss reminded her of that. She felt the butterflies in her stomach return, a little nervous about testing these waters with him again. And she was diving in headfirst she realized. But then she looked up and saw the look on his face, the intensity of his gaze reminding her of how he looked at her that night when she had turned to find him in the kitchen. Pushing the hurtful kiss from her mind she thought only of how much she wanted him. Now they both fought the urgency of their desire. Both knew this was the moment that now marked the point of starting over and they desperately fought to take it slowly, enjoy it, rediscover each other, but it wasn't easy for either one. They both now took a deep breath, struggling to slow down. They were jittery, adrenaline putting them on edge. She heard him laugh softly and she couldn't help but giggle in response, her lips now recovered from his onslaught. The laughter helped to break the tension between them a little. He took a huge breath, letting it out slowly. "Xatixa, do you know how hard it is to be patient with you?" he teased her. She laughed, "Oded, you are amazingly patient," she answered him. They both understood the double meaning of her words. She sighed. Her body ached to feel his hands on her, and she couldn't wait any longer to undress him, but the sling was in the way. She had done all of the buttons down to the point where his arm crossed his chest and she stopped. She looked up at him. "Can we take the sling off?" she asked tentatively, not wanting to move his arm too much. He nodded closing his eyes, knowing it was going to hurt. But he hoped once he was able to lie down that it wouldn't bother him so much. He pulled his arm up with his good hand to relax the tension on the sling and she slid it off his shoulder. Quickly she unbuttoned the rest of his shirt and now she held his hurt arm in her hands as he slid the shirt off his good shoulder. She reached around his neck and brought the shirt over his injured shoulder and let it slide down his arm to his elbow. Then gingerly keeping his arm bent she eased if off his arm. The bruise on his shoulder was horrible. He hadn't dislocated it, but apparently it had been close and the joint was weak. He watched her face as she saw the injury and he flinched when he saw her grimace. He hadn't actually seen the injury himself yet, but could tell from her reaction that it wasn't pretty. She let him now hold and support his own arm again, taking advantage of the chance to work her way around his body placing gentle kisses along his skin. Her fingers trailed the soft spots she caressed with her mouth and she felt him tremble under her touch. She explored him, feeling the muscles in his back flex under her fingers as she openly admired the beauty of his skin, his build, his body. As she kissed her way across the broad expanse of his back she felt her confidence return, no longer trapped by the look in his eyes. She let her hands now slide around his ribs to rest on his stomach. She felt him suck in his breath as her fingers caressed him, twirling around his navel then following the fine trail of dark hair that headed south. From behind him she made quick work of the button that held his faded blue jeans closed. As they slid just catching on his hips she let her fingers trail into the top of his pants, gently scratching with her nails the curls that she found hiding in the waistband of his boxers. He groaned softly and he heard her laugh. He couldn't stop her, he had to support his hurt arm with his good hand and it made him captive. He tried to twist his hips to turn into her arms to face her, but as he turned her hand sunk deeper, reaching down to take his manhood in her fingers. He hissed at the touch, closing his eyes, he arched his hips into her then he stood straight, his muscles flexing in his stomach and back. She giggled again at the response, letting him go, now dragging her fingers back across his stomach, rubbing her cheek against his back, kissing him lightly. "Abby, please... don't torture me," he pleaded. The thoughts of how she had emotionally tortured him these past few weeks starting to creep into his consciousness. The conflict taking more hold. She now realized at that moment just how physically fragile he really was and she came around him, standing back to face him. His jeans slung low on his hips, she sighed at the sight before her. He oozed sexuality, yet he was vulnerable, injured. The physical injury would heal of it's own accord over time. She knew, however, that she had to heal the injuries that she was responsible for. The emotional ones she had inflicted on him. She smiled almost shyly, not looking directly into his eyes. Then reaching forward she dragged his pants down over his hips, followed by his boxers, leaving him nude before her. She sighed and grinned at the sight in front of her. She just couldn't help herself. He tried to wait patiently as she perused him, feeling his own blush creep through his body at her obvious assessment. His lack of control over the situation starting to nag him, he finally vocalized. "Ahem." He cleared his throat to get her attention. She looked up, caught in her lasciviousness, but she was not embarrassed. "Yes?" she asked him. "Do you think you might help me into bed, or are you just going to stand there ogling me?" He teased her. Inside, he was beginning to recognize the feelings of hurt that were resurfacing as he found himself standing in front of her. He saw himself the night she had come to talk to him. Standing there, vulnerable unable to fight. Images of himself these past two weeks, standing before her in the window, vulnerable, unable to talk to her, unable to get her back. Now he stood before her again, completely vulnerable, trusting her to not hurt him again. From out of nowhere he was struck by the thought that now pummeled his brain. He wondered if he had not gotten hurt if she still would have come back to him? Did it matter? As long as she was back in his life, he didn't want to question her motives. But he couldn't help it. He now felt all of the disappointment and anger that he had pushed down and away begin to surface. Mixed with adrenaline and desire, it swirled confusingly in his head. Suddenly he felt the biting need to test her, to find out what she was really feeling. They really should have finished the conversation downstairs, he realized. But it was too late and now he was overwhelmed with conflict. Physically, there was nothing he could do. What he wanted to do was drag her onto the bed and hold her down, make her promise to never hurt him again. But he didn't have the strength. There had to be another way, the thought ran through his head quickly, and he almost frowned. But he had to know. She smiled, a little shyly at him after his tease, and then helped him sit on the bed so she could finish completely undressing him. She leaned him back onto the bed pillows, resting his shoulder on the pillow, propping up his arm, trying not to giggle at the sight in front of her. He looked up at her, using his good arm to again pull her down to his lips. He kissed her again thoroughly, then pushed her away. "Undress for me," he whispered. She looked at him a little surprised as she blushed. "Slowly..." he taunted her. He was conflicted about what he was about to do to her, not sure he could really do it. He knew he was going to hurt her. She heard his words and felt wetness pool between her legs in exquisite pleasure and anticipation. "How slowly?" she asked. "You go ahead and start, I'll tell you how you're doing as you go," he answered her, his voice serious. She had all the control up to now, and he needed some of it back. He was trying to ignore the fact that his erection was glaringly obvious as he lay on the bed in front of her. He grabbed the comforter and dragged it across him, covering himself from her gaze. She stood before him feeling the intensity of his stare. She took a deep breath, unsure of what he really wanted from this. She started by dropping her hair, letting it fall from the clip and watching his expression as it swung around her shoulders. She tried to give him a seductive look but she felt so silly all she could do was giggle. He didn't laugh. When she saw the dark look in his eyes she stopped, now feeling a little intimidated. He was very serious. She felt her breath catch and her heart start to speed in response to the intensity she saw on his face. She tried to read his reactions. Something had just changed and she could feel it. He knew she was trying to figure out his intentions and he tried to keep it off his face. He wanted her with a fury he almost couldn't control, but he also wanted her to understand him, to face the pain he felt. He prodded her, "Well?" "Well what?" she asked him standing still in front of him her hands nervously resting on her stomach. "Go ahead," he really wanted to be able to roll onto his side and prop himself up on his elbow but he was stuck on his back, adding to the tension he already felt. She smiled trying to get over her nerves. "You said to go slowly," she teased him trying to break the strange new tension in the room. It was suddenly obvious that the past two weeks had not left them unscarred. He smiled just a little. "You're right I said go slowly... but maybe not this slowly. Take off your sweater." She smiled again shyly. She reached down to her waist and linked her fingers into the edge of her sweater, crossing her arms over her head as she pulled it up and off. She met his eyes with her own and saw his pupils dilate, his eyes growing darker at the sight of her body. She felt her skin flush. She stood waiting for his next direction. He stayed quiet, letting her stand before him for a moment. Wanting her to be just a little uncomfortable. After taking in his fill, and noticing her start to fidget on her feet he gave the next order. "Now your jeans." She unbuttoned them and slid them down her hips, then off of her legs slowly. She watched him intently. He set his jaw and she saw him close his eyes for a second. When he opened them, she saw the clarity in them, the desire nowhere to be seen. She didn't know how to interpret it. She stood before him in only her bra and panties. Feeling very vulnerable. She waited for his next word. He watched her. He took in all of her. He avoided her eyes. He knew she was uncomfortable. He wanted her to be, but seeing it would be too hard on him. He didn't know where all of the anger was coming from. His intense feelings for her were grounded in everything he felt. Both love and hate. He hated what she had done to them, to him. He didn't want to hurt her, but he was about to. She tried to stand still under his perusal. At first she thought he was paying her back for her brazen ogling of him, but this was more than that. There was a tension in the room that was growing. And she was feeling more and more unease with it. She didn't dare speak. After what seemed like forever, he finally told her to finish. For just a second she hesitated, but then she took a deep breath. She had to trust him. She reached behind her back and unhooked then dropped her bra. She reached down and slid her panties off her hips as they fell to her ankles. She watched him but he didn't look at her, he just looked at her body then he closed his eyes and didn't look at her at all. She felt fear start to creep into her. She was lost and couldn't understand what he was doing or why he was doing it. This wasn't about seduction. The wanton desire she knew they both had felt coming upstairs had gone. She felt her heart race and she fought the tears in her eyes. She knew this was about the way she had hurt him. She had never been able to finish explaining to him. It had been a mistake - to come up here with things still unresolved. When she dropped the rest of her clothes and she stood there nude before him he had to close his eyes. He really hadn't intended to do this to her and he already felt guilty. When they had come upstairs and she began to undress him he felt nothing but desire for her. But as she continued, the seduction had stopped and the need to show her his hurt, to hurt her in return had replaced it. He opened his eyes and looked at her. He saw the look on her face and the tears in her eyes. He almost melted when he heard her voice. "Oded? What's going on? Why are you doing this?" her voice trembled. She didn't try to cover or hide herself. She stood before him as openly as she could. Trying to trust him and trying to understand. He took a deep breath, then caught her eyes. He let the words fall from his lips unplanned, but spoken in all honesty. "Abby, you devastated me when you walked away from me. I love you like I have never loved before and I want you in my life, I need you. But you broke my heart...." he paused wanting to give her a chance to speak, but she couldn't. All she could do was stand before him, as vulnerable as one person can be to another. "I know I hurt you too, but when you denied everything we had shared, and wouldn't even face me about it, I felt like you had died. I grieved." He was fighting back the tears. "Abby... don't ever do it again. I can't forgive you if you do it again." He looked at her, the pain in her face making his own anguished pain rush over him. This was a terrible thing to do to her, but he couldn't help it. She stood before him in solemnity. Now she understood. He had stripped her to nothing. It wasn't even about a physical stripping; it was about an emotional stripping. He had taken away all of her protection, made sure she couldn't run, couldn't hide. He made her tear down all her walls and now she had to face him and the pain. She nodded her head. "I know. I'm sorry. Please..." she begged him to end this agony. What he had just told her, what he had just shown her was more than they could have ever shared by conversation alone. This struck them both to the center of their beings. He wanted to open his arms to her, to hold her and take away all of her pain, but he wasn't quite done. "Swear to me that you will never hurt me, hurt us the way you have these past two weeks." He was serious. He hadn't intended to torture her like this, but the anger about what she had done was closer to the surface than he realized. He wanted - he needed her - to promise. She paused to look directly into his face. She saw the look in his eyes, the pain and the hurt and the love and the desire, all just below the surface. Her voice softened as she spoke. All she could do was answer him with the love that she felt for him. "I swear it. I will never hurt you, I will never hurt us like that again." She meant it. He studied her. He knew she meant it, he believed her and with the warmth returning to his eyes he pulled back the comforter, opening his arms to her, silently asking her to join him. She walked slowly to the bed, climbing in beside him as he covered them both with the comforter. She was trembling and he pulled her close, holding her tightly, their skin now touching for the first time. She wept, and he held her as she did. Tears also running from his eyes. "Oded, I'm so sorry," she whispered the words again, kissing the skin of his chest under her cheek. "I am too, my Xatixa, I can't stand the idea of losing you again." "I'm yours, I promise." She leaned up on her elbow now, pressing a kiss to his lips. She wiped his tears from his cheeks as he wiped them from hers. They both smiled a little weakly at each other. "Good," he answered her. They both laughed a little at his comment the tension finally broken. They lay quietly together for a while. Neither one talking. They felt each other's heartbeats. They gently moved fingers across each other's skin. The pain each had just intensely felt needed time to leave. Each heart needed time to cleanse itself of the hurt now that they had addressed it. They had not spoken of specifics and they never would. It wasn't about the words or the actions it was about trust and respect for each other. It was about hope and patience and understanding and love. They had lost it, but now it crept its way back into both of them. It was like a heavy blanket had been pulled from them both and slowly they felt lighter, able to breathe more easily. The longer they lay together, soothing one another the more the pain of what they had just put each other through was replaced with warmth and love. She shifted in his arms. She thought she heard him chuckle softly, and then felt his heart beat start to increase just a bit, his fingers moving across her skin with a bit more insistence. His body heat started to radiate from his skin and she smiled. Feeling her skin against him as he held her, he wanted nothing more than to relish this quiet moment. But then she shifted and he felt her breasts soft against him, and the soft curls between her legs brush his thigh and he responded. The testosterone in his body surged and he felt his body flush with heat. He chuckled. He couldn't help himself. He had cleared his soul. The hurt was gone and it left room for lost passion. He couldn't deny himself the pleasure, and all he could do was hope that after what he had just done to her that she was emotionally ready to join him. He wouldn't blame her if she wasn't ready for this after what he had just put her through. Things between them were raw. But he hoped that maybe sharing the physical bond could help them heal the emotional one a little faster. He caressed her skin more forcefully wanting to bring her out of the lull that had fallen between them. She looked up at him, hoping she would see the fire in his eyes. She knew he would see it in hers. Having to face the hurt and anger from him as she stood before him had drained her, but she now felt relief. They had gotten through it. They had shown each other the pain and now lay together in the forgiveness. She wanted to complete the healing. She wanted to touch him and have him touch her, she wanted to show him how much she loved him. She wanted make-up sex, and she almost laughed out loud at the realization. When their eyes met they couldn't help but smile at each other. Oded wanted her so badly he forgot the pain in his shoulder and he tried to roll over, pressing her to the bed. But the spasm in his arm made him cringe in pain and he fell back to the mattress. She sat up next to him placing her hands on his arms as he clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. She waited for him to open his eyes then she spoke, "Maybe you ought to let me take the lead here, sweetheart." He looked her up and down as she sat beside him, the curve of her breast so enticing he reached up with his fingers to caress the swell of her skin. He answered her, "Make love to me." He didn't need to say another word. She leaned over him, fitting her breast into the palm of his hand, pressing herself against him as he closed his fingers around her, and she leaned down to kiss him. She started with a gentle kiss on his lips, but then feathered her way across his face, kissing his nose, his cheeks, placing kisses on each closed eye. She ran her hands up into his hair caressing him, letting her fingers disappear into the silver and black locks at his temples. He turned his head to kiss her neck as she nibbled his earlobe, eliciting a quiet sigh from her. His injured arm lay by her hip and he moved his fingers to caress her skin, smiling as he felt the curls at the top of her thighs soft against his hand. She whimpered into his ear as he slid his fingers between her legs, but not far enough to explore her, only able to feel the softness of her against his fingertips. His other hand softly caressed her breasts as she lay beside him. She returned to his lips, sucking his bottom lip into her mouth, tenderly nipping at it with her teeth as she arched her body against him. She draped her leg over his hips rubbing her body all along his now, his fingers sliding from her as she shifted lower along his body. She slowly massaged and fondled him. Wanting to ease all of his pain she worked her way up and down his body reading his reactions to her touch. When he tightened underneath her she would return to the spot gently, coaxing him to let the muscles under her fingers and her lips relax. When she reached his hips and found his sex hard and erect, she ran her hands over him with a newfound confidence. She kissed him gently, feeling the velvety tip against her lips as he moaned. "Abby," his voice was ragged. He reached for her, his hand tangling in her hair, but she took his fingers in her own, entwining them together as she held his wrists to the bed. She took as much of him into her mouth as she could, letting him regain his control before she continued, listening to the sound of his breath. She peeked up at him, his eyes closed, his nostrils flared when she used the tip of her tongue to run the length of his manhood. This time she didn't laugh, remembering his reaction to feeling her teeth. She moved slowly up and down him, tasting the sweet salty flavor of him each time she swirled her tongue across the tip. Her own wetness pooling between her legs, she began to feel frenetic from touching him and not feeling him touch her in return. She kissed him one last time than raised her head, pulling up with her elbows. She needed him inside of her and when she looked up she saw the same need in his eyes. She climbed back up his body. When she let go of his wrists he immediately reached for her, letting his fingers graze her skin all the way down her sides as she pulled her body slowly over his. When her hips finally met his she moaned softly, his arousal pressing against her. She raised her hips then felt him sliding inside of her as she let her hips drop, sinking him as deeply as she could into her body. They both whimpered. The build up between them so slow and torturous this connection now almost painful for them both. She looked down into his eyes, dropping her lips to kiss him. He moved his hand along her hip, up the curve of her waist to once again find her breast. Then quickly, he dipped between their bodies, finding the spot hidden in the curls that he knew would make her quiver. He felt her breath leave her mouth in a whoosh when he found it, their kiss interrupted by her groan of pleasure. "Oh, 'ded," she cried. He laughed. "Xatixa, was that Oded or oh, 'ded?" He teased her, mimicking her as he did that very first time so long ago. She looked at him, a wry grin on her face, then she heard him groan in return when she ground her hips down onto him paying him back for the tease, taking him deeper still inside of her. She was so sensitized from everything that had happened between them that now just the lightest touch made her climax and she shuddered hardly able to hold herself on her arms over him. He felt her throb around him, the pressure making him bite his lip as he now fought for control. She caught her breath, looking down into his face as the last of the pulsations subsided, still holding him deep and she smiled at him. "Thank you for that," she teased him. "You're welcome, seemed the least I could do." he answered her, his sexy smile playing on his face. "Would you like to join me?" she asked him, now slowly grinding her hips against his. He held her gaze with his, "Yes, I think I would like that." She softly laughed, as did he. The humor and fun of their relationship had returned making them both realize how comfortable they were with each other. She began her slow dance, lifting and dropping her hips onto his rhythmically, making his breath leave him in little gasps. They continued to watch one another, neither breaking eye contact as the sexual tension mounted. She felt another crest beginning to build, and his hips began to respond to hers, lifting to meet her each time she ground herself onto him. She closed her eyes as she felt her body starting to tighten, meeting the new pace he set with his hips. Then she heard his voice. "Don't close your eyes, look at me." She couldn't. She shook her head wildly back and forth. He slowed his movement, he held her over the precipice by a thread, the smooth, deep vibration of his voice now playing in her ears. "Abby... please... open your eyes." She did, biting her bottom lip as she struggled to obey him. When she met his eyes with her own she felt him surge underneath her, driving himself deeply into her body. She went over the edge as did he and they watched each other as each gave in to the pleasure, seeing their own reflections in the eyes of the other as they shared the ultimate union. When the pleasure finally subsided and they both caught their breaths he smiled at her, and she sighed, blowing a loose tendril of her hair out of her face, starting to laugh. He laughed too. She dropped onto her elbows, her arms quivering, and rested her head against his chest. Letting herself both hear and feel the sound of his laughter. All was now right between them. And again, they lay quietly. Coupled together, not interested in disturbing the peace. Then Oded poked her with his fingers in her ribs. She jumped a little, looking up at him. "Hey Doc, could you do me a favor?" She looked at him quizzically. "What?" "Could you grab my jeans for me?" he prompted her, shifting his hips trying to encourage her to roll off of him. She didn't even know what to say. This was the strangest thing she thought she had ever heard from him. "Excuse me?" "I asked if you would mind getting my jeans for me." He was trying not to laugh. "Are you going to get dressed?" she asked, rolling to the side. He slipped now from her body and they both had to groan in response. "Abby, just get them... please." He didn't want to explain. "Fine," she sighed, completely confused. She threw back the covers and climbed from the bed. He sighed as he watched her walk from him, shaking his head as the smile snuck on to his lips. She grabbed them from the floor, handing them to him as he tried to brace himself on his elbow, to sit himself partially up. "What are you doing?" she asked him again. He just smiled, now unable to mask it. "Would you please just come over here and sit beside me." She did. "Now close your eyes." She looked at him laughing. "First you insist that I open my eyes, now you make me close them." "Abby, just do it!" Even as he smiled at her, he wondered to himself if she would always be this exasperating. He hoped so. She smiled and followed his direction. She heard him turning his pants in his hands, and then she heard him throw them back to the floor. She sat still until she felt him reach for her hand. She felt her heart start to race when she felt the gold on her skin. She opened her eyes to see him finish the clasp on her bracelet. He looked at her intently. "Don't take it off again." He tried to make his voice sound admonishing, but he couldn't. Abby heard the lilt in it with the smallest bit of laughter. She smiled, nodding her head as the tear ran down her cheek and he leaned into her to kiss it away. "Never," she answered him, "I promise." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Neighbors - Epilogue |