False Romance (Jasmine and Rogue)

[Rogue]

She speaks so quickly I tell her to relax, and my date does so when I say there is no need to apologize, and smile and reach for her hand. The curtains raise.

I have never seen a musical of the story and she enjoys filling me in. I see the love and passion for the fairytale in her eyes as she does, and it continues throughout the night. I look over at her from time to time. She is always dressed so elegantly. Her other hand rests on her lap and her legs are close together, her feet crossed and tucked back a little. Alexandria lip syncs the lyrics of the song where the girl is sat by the fire and I smile wondering if she knows she is doing it.

We reach the finale, where the play depicts the wedding. The actors sing "Now you can go wherever you want to go, now you can do whatever you want to do, now you can be whatever you want to be, and love is the song you'll sing your whole life through...."

Our hands stay together, my thumb caressing her soft skin. The cast bow to appreciative applause when it's over. I let her out and up the steps, chatting about the play. She is so pleased that I enjoyed it too. As we head towards the exits of the theatre she trips up in the corridor and a shoe falls off. Before she can step back into it I kneel down and position the heel for her. She laughs as she slips her foot inside while my hand grips underneath. Of course, it is a perfect fit. My very own Cinderella.

[Jasmine]

I love this musical and it is so much more fun with James! I can’t believe he is here! My heart races as I chatter away at him. I have to be quieter when the curtain goes up. I love the theater, the lights, the sounds, getting dressed up and making a night of it. I thought it would be a boring evening, but it has turned out to be magical. Once again, I find myself caught up in the musical.

When the curtain comes down, I look at James and see that he is watching me. I hope that I wasn’t singing! My face flushes and I smile at him. “I’m so glad you are here!” I tell him as we head toward the exit. He seemed to like the play and we talk about it as we leave.

Turning to look at James, I am jostled by a woman trying to get the last stuffed mouse souvenir and stumble a little. My shoe comes off and James kneels down and puts it on me. My heart races I smile and think about a pillow that I have in my bedroom that says, “One good shoe can change your life ~Cinderella”. I feel like Cinderella as I look down at him and wonder if he can be as perfect as I think he is.

He escorts me to his car and I am on cloud nine. This evening is turning out to be an enchanted evening. We talk as he drives. It’s so comfortable to be with him. Our talk is interrupted by my cell phone ringing. It’s Lacie so I ignore it the first time. I answer the when she calls right back though. I’m afraid something is wrong.

“Lacie, what’s wrong? Is Carla okay?” I listen as she tells me that everything is fine, but that she made some phone calls about James and… I interrupt her. “James came to the play after all. We are on our way home now.” She keeps talking but I don’t want to hear it and I’m only half listening because James has started to stroke my hair then I hear her say, “ the Orlando Sentinel president is actually Kathleen Waltz, not James. Did you hear me? Something is wrong. You need to come straight home. Okay?” I turn and look at James and feel the magic vanish.

[Rogue]

As we begin our journey home, Alexandria looks at me and my eyes return to the road. I gaze over at her and she smiles, turning away. We can't keep our eyes off each other and it is a game we play for several minutes. She had the time of her life and is in a wonderful mood. I want to touch her now but my hands have to stay on the wheel. Eventually I can't resist any longer and I reach for her hair that lays on her shoulder. She had just answered her phone.

It's her sister and it sounds like she only answered the second time incase it was important. I had a feeling it was about me but she knows I dropped by and collected my ticket. My princess is distracted by me playing with a strand of hair, twirling it. But a sentence from Lacie seems to change everything. She looks at me as if someone has just died. Our playfulness and flirting becomes non existant for the last few minutes of the drive and very few words are spoken.

"You've been quiet since Lacie called, is everything ok?"

She just nods and delivers a little smile, turning away to look out the window again. When we stop outside her gate she opens the door herself. I tell her to wait and run over as she is walking into the garden. I hold her shoulders and ask what's wrong. She's reluctant to admit what's bothering her but finally she says it.

"No...it's nothing...it's just I wanted to find you tonight so my sister made a few calls to Florida and...."

"She heard I'm not the president", I interrupt. "Why didn't you say so? I resigned recently to look after my mother. If she died and I wasn't there I couldn't live with myself, you know?"

[Jasmine]

Lacie’s revelation signals the end of the magic, but I don’t ask James about it. I mull things over in my head, trying to decide what it means. The last few miles are tortuous for me because I want my prince charming to remain on his white charger, but the news he is not who he said he is had pulled him from his steed.

He keeps trying to engage me in conversation but the debate in my head is too compelling to do more than just monosyllabic responses.

Once we are home, I don’t even wait for him to open my door. I am out of the car and in the small garden when he catches up to me. He stands in front of me, looking deeply into my eyes, his hands on my shoulders, “What’s wrong? You can tell me anything.” He asks with such conviction as I look into his green eyes that I finally answer him. I’m embarrassed that Lacie was looking for him to begin with but I stammer out an explanation.

My heart soars again as he explains that he resigned to be with his sick mother. He is a good son and a good man. We spend a few moments in the garden together before he walks me to the door. He releases my hand and I look into his eyes as his hand gently caresses my cheek, I close my eyes and tilt my head into your caress. He slightly lifts my head upward, my eyes open to see his passionate gaze as he leans down to kiss me. My heart pounds in anticipation, I lick my lips, my eyes flutter closed as our lips meet.

[Rogue]

I see the relief on her face when I explain Lacie's discovery. Her worry turns to admiration for what I will do for my mother in what could be her final days and weeks. I accompany her to the door and let go of her arm. My hand raises to her heavenly face, starting behind her ear and slowly moving to the cheek. She responds to my touch, shutting her eyes and rubbing into my palm. Soon Alexandria is looking into my eyes as I lean closer and bring my lips to hers. I lift her chin a little and sense that we have both wanted this since the moment we first met.

Our lips barely touch and I pull away at first. Her pretty eyes switch from mine to my mouth, eagerly awaiting the inevitable. I press into her lips fully this time and we kiss passionately. Both our eyes close and our hearts beat in excitement. I hear the door opening but the voice that follows is like a low echo, we are in our own little world. We don't want to let go of each other and our kiss is long. My hand caresses her cheek and my other hand holds her hips. It ends with my slow seperation from her velvety lips, my mouth moving across them. Her sister is hiding behind the door but we hear her call. Alexandria looks at me and smiles, stepping inside and catching the side of the door. I walk forward as she prepares to whisper something to me. I fully expect to be invited inside.

"I had a wonderful night James, thank you"

She looks down at the ground as she says it, knowing I will be disappointed. Her eyes tell me it's not what she wants either. I say that I had a great time too and wish her a good night. I reluctantly wave and walk away, unable to resist kicking a can nearby. I consider charging the door while it is still half open because I will not get another chance, there won't be a key this time.

[Jasmine]

The kiss is heaven, but then I knew it would be. I hear Lacie at the door, but I don’t care until James pulls away from me. I give him an embarrassed smile and step inside. I feel like a teenager again. I lean on the door and look wistfully at James. I want to ask him to come inside, but with Lacie there pacing behind me I can’t. Still, I want him to know that I loved our evening together. “"I had a wonderful night James, thank you." I am certain that my feelings are shining in my eyes. He says he has fun too and I can see the disappointment in his eyes as he tells me he did too. I slowly close the door and lean against it, close my eyes, savoring the kiss.

My moment is harshly interrupted by Lacie, “What were you thinking?! Letting him drive you home? I told you he was not who he said he was! Something is not right about this guy and I know it. I feel it. You let him kiss you!” She drones on as she paces back and forth in front of me.

“Lacie, he explained it all to me. He quit to be with his dying mother. Now, let it go. I believe James and I’m going to see him again despite what you say. I believe him.” I turn off the lights and walk upstairs leaving Lacie in the dark. I hear her come upstairs behind me, but I don’t even say goodnight.

I am too wired to sleep. I keep on my dress and shoes and twirl around in my room, softly singing, “Ten minutes ago I saw him. He looked up when I came through the door. My head started reeling and gave me the feeling the room had no ceiling nor floor. I have found him, he’s an angel…” I turn and see Carla standing in the door watching me. I am so embarrassed and start to giggle. Carla asks me about the date and I tell her that I feel like I have found my prince charming. We talk for a while and Carla hugs me, tells me she is glad I’m so happy and goes back to her room.

I undress and put on my gown. Before going to bed, I take my shoes to the closet and look at them thinking of how it felt when he put the shoe back on my foot. I sigh and think of how much I really do feel like Cinderella. I put the shoes in their place and move to my bedroom window and gaze at the stars for a few moments before I get into bed.

[Rogue]

I wait an hour before returning to the house, this time without my car. I check the front garden where I had found the key before, but this time there was nothing under the stone. The living room lights are switched off and so are the ones in the kitchen when I walk by. This is my first time round the other side, past the tree and closer to the dog's kennel than I'm comfortable with. Surely it's only a matter of time before he wakes up and smells this intruder.

I'm happy to be faced with sliding doors in the back garden, and find a piece of metal resting against the wall nearby. It might not have the proper locks or a dowel in the bottom track. I start jamming the thin object inside near the handle. After a couple of minutes I finally manage to lift the door from the track and pry it open. I hear a sudden bark so I quickly jump inside and slide it over. The kitchen is first, followed by the living room which I am already familiar with. There is no charging phone tonight. I be careful not to trip up in the dark and slowly make my way up the stairs. I'm aware of each creak my foot makes on the steps. That basket is there again, bulging with clothes ready to go into the washing. I pick up the lid and take a peek but I don't know who owns what in this house of 3 women.

I walk along the green carpet and it is like a guessing game. I know the one on my right is the bathroom, but which room Alexandria is in is a case of trial and error. No one says no to me, especially after a night like that. Each door is brown with a golden handle, and the middle one isn't fully closed, so it is the first to attract me. It squeaks as I gently push it open. This is a rather small room and it is Carla in the bed, facing me on her side. I bend down from where I am and look at her sleeping peacefully a moment. A huge Johnny Depp poster occupies the wall space next to the wardrobe. I pick up a pair of polka dot panties from the chair near me, sniffing them and stuffing them in my pocket. As I'm leaving a baseball bat in the corner catches my eye. The thought of the teenger creeping downstairs with it in an oversized shirt, prepared to swing at any tresspassers amuses me. I take it and step outside, where it then dawns on me that her aunt's bedroom can only be on the far left, since I watched her undress from that side of the house only 2 nights ago. But I decide to walk in the other direction.

The wooden door makes a little noise again as I slowly walk through. This is a double bed and Lacie is of course sleeping in it. I come around by the right side, where the small cabinet with the alarm clock is. She is resting in a similar position to her daughter, one arm outside the quilt and breathing through her nose. We have yet to meet but I know this bitch all too well. She ruined our special night and as long as she is around Alexandria will never realise our destiny to be together. I raise the bat above my head, standing above the helpless woman.

"Goodbye...."

[Jasmine]

Morpheus finally takes me and gives me tantalizing dreams of a green eyed prince charming. It seems that I have just begun to dream when I hear Carla yell, “Mom! Mom! Did you hear something?" I bolt out of bed and find Carla at the stop of the stairs, looking stunned. “What’s wrong, baby?” I ask as I put my hands on her shoulders. I hear something downstairs, the sound of someone running.

“Go check on your mother! I’m calling the police!” I run to the window to see if I see anyone outside, but it is too dark. I don’t know if he is still in the house! I grab my cell phone from my room and go into Lacie’s bedroom. I close and lock the door, hoping it is enough as I give our address to the police.

“I’m going to check” I tell them as I peer out the door. Seeing nothing, I step outside and check each bedroom. Finding nothing, I tell Carla to go to her room and get dressed. I grab some sweats from mine and dress at the top of the stairs where I can see if he tries to get up the stairs. “Stay in your rooms. If he’s still here, we don’t want to make it easier for him.”

[Rogue]

I start to have doubts as I hold the weapon tightly with both hands. I'm so angry with Lacie, she's one of those people I was talking about that will get inside her sister's head. But I'm not sure even I can stoop this low. There may be another way to get rid of her. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. This bitch below me takes a little breath, and shifts her arm a little.

Then, I hear the creaking of the bed next door, followed by footsteps. This is becoming amateur hour I think to myself, remembering that I closed Carla's door when I shouldn't have. She calls out to her mother. I hesitate for a moment but soon realise an immediate escape is the only option. I pull up the hood of my black jumper, it is a bit short for me so my lower back is sometimes exposed if I bend over. As soon as I hear the door handle turning I run, letting the bat drop near the doorway. Carla is just out of the room and approaching the basket by the time I reach the stairs and I hear her gasp. She is wearing a grey shirt and socks, similar to what I imagined, but I have no time to look. I keep the hood well wrapped around my head and duck to hide my face.

Once I reach the living room I don't look back and go back out the way I came. The doors are slided open and I run as fast as I can. Loud barking can be heard from the kennel and fortunately Charlie doesn't appear until I have made it past the tree and to the front gate. He barks furiously but is held back by his leash. Once I'm out on the road I walk normally, to avoid drawing any attention. I rest my hands on my knees around the corner, catching my breath, relieved at not being caught.

[Jasmine]

I look out the window and see nothing but I hear the dogs barking and hear the squeak of the front gate. I listen and hear only the sounds of the night and a few dogs. So I dress and wait for the police. Lacie comes out of her room and goes into Carla’s. In a few moments they come out and sit on the stairs with me. “Lexie, the only thing we can find missing is a pair of panties and the softball bat from Carla’s room. There doesn’t seem to be anything missing from mine. Go check your room and see if they took anything.”

I look around, but my jewelry is all there. I go back into the hall. “No, nothing’s missing from my room.” Carla is clearly scared. Putting my arms around her, I tell her that it’s okay that he’s gone. “I saw him Aunt Lexie! I saw him!” I hug her tightly just as there is a knock on the front door. We all move downstairs for the first time and let the police in.

Carla is embarrassed about telling the police about her underwear, but she does it. We find the softball bat so that wasn’t stolen. Carla surprises me when she reveals that she saw the intruder. He had on a black hooded sweat shirt and she saw a tattoo of a dragon or scorpion, but she can’t be sure.

[Rogue]

THURSDAY

After I dropped off a little present for my Alexandria that morning, I sneaked over to the kitchen window at the side of the house. Carla's agreement for her mother to collect her at 5:00 can be heard, although it was a struggle with the running tap water. There is no mention of the incident but I'm sure it was up for discussion during breakfast. I recall seeing the name of her college on a book on her desk last night and walk back to my car.

When it's a couple of minutes after the scheduled time, I sit in my BMW and watch Carla standing patiently outside the building, like I have done for almost 10 minutes now. It's time to drive over to the pavement on that side and roll down my window. She says hi and that she is waiting for her mom. Traffic has been pretty heavy I inform her, she is probably stuck whereas I am heading that anyway. She pushes a strand of hair away and folds her arms again, unsure what to do. Finally she agrees as long I text Lacie now. I type in some jibberish and only let her see the "message sending" process, but in reality it is being sent to a phone booth. The teenager smiles and thanks me, but soon shows her true sad mood. After passing the first set of traffic lights she explains how a man invaded the house late last night.

"Why would someone do that?" she wonders, close to tears, referring to the theft of her intimate clothing.

"There are some bad men out there honey, but don't worry, it's over. I won't let anything happen to you", I assure the teenager, comforting her by putting my hand on her shoulder.

When we reach the home, Carla calls out for anyone there but there is no answer. She tells me to hang my coat up and have a seat. There is an awkward silence when she joins me, clearly still upset by the whole thing. She points out that she lost the house key once. I tell her that I can get someone to change the locks tomorrow if it'll make her feel safe. She smiles as I call the man's number and arrange it. She suggests playing the Xbox 360 while we wait and begins setting it up on the TV.

[Jasmine]

Breakfast is trying as we are all tired and on edge. Talk of the intruder is all we can talk about. Finally, we set the schedule of transportation. We will all go together this morning. We go about getting dressed for the day. I need a boost so I select the red pumps and wear my cream suit with the red silk blouse. I pair it with a jeweled tone scarf, sweep my hair up, spray some of my favorite perfume and call for Carla, “Carla! We’re late! Let’s go!” I yell up the stairs. Lacie is ready and we all head out at the same time, not wanting to leave anyone alone in the house.

At the car, we find a red rose. I smile, knowing that it is from James. It was a such a magical night and something he would do. Lacie teases me that it could be the intruder’s calling card. I give her “the look” and get in the car.

All day my thoughts are either on James or the intruder. I can’t seem to concentrate on work at all. At the end of the day, a frantic call from Lacie about Carla not being at the school when Lacie goes to pick her up makes me worry a bit, but as I tell my sister, “She’s 19, she probably just got distracted with her friends.” Lacie is adamant that Carla would have let her know. Lacie picks me up and we head home, all the while worried about Carla, but I don’t show it.

When we get home, the door is unlocked, there is laughter and talking coming from inside. Carla! I’m relieved! I am shocked to see her there with James. “James? What are you doing here?” I ask as I walk over and stand in front of the sofa.

[Rogue]

Carla and I play WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2007, and we chat a little while we do. Sometimes she playfully charges her elbow into my arm when I do something sneaky in the game. When I ask if she goes out much, she says no because her mother has been strict as of late. A few months back she passed out drunk a couple of times in one week and she had to collect her from some college boy's house. This was when she lost the door key. She has been forced to drink at her friend's house without Lacie's knowledge. I tell her it doesn't matter, she's an adult and she can go out whenever she wants. We have fun with the video game again as she is close to beating me and giggling.

Just then the ladies come home. Lacie is relieved to see her young daughter and lets her handbag drop immediately. She is reluctant to turn her attention away from the screen and this dedication and Alexandria's distraction allows her to beat my wrestler in the end. I smile at my new girlfriend, although she is surprised that I am here today. Lacie demands to know why she wasn't contacted but Carla insists I texted her straight away.

"It mustn't have gone through, sorry, it's been like that lately."

I offer my hand to the worried mother and introduce myself, and I don't get anything in return but a stare and a shake of the head. Carla shouts "Mom!", clearly embarassed, so she eventually mumbles "nice to meet you" and rushes her to the kitchen. She is willing her sister to join them with her eyes. I tell Alexandria that I'm sorry if I shouldn't have interfered, I just happened to be passing by.

"Did you find anything interesting this morning?" I ask, with a playful smirk.

[Jasmine]

We are both relieved to see Carla home and safe. James is a surprise. A pleasant one at that! I give him a smile when he asks if I found something this morning. Blushing with pleasure, I thank him.

James immediately begins to talk about the intruder last night. “Carly has been talking I see.” I respond and thank him for his offer of help.

Lacie is getting impatient and calls me to the kitchen. I excuse myself and promise to return momentarily.

In the kitchen, Lacie’s diatribe to Carla and me about this is our fault. “Just what is our fault? You were late; James was there and gave her a ride. You just don’t like him for some reason.”

Lacie tells me that she has done further investigating and found out that the Orlando Sentinel has never had a James Grant as president or any other position at the paper. “What? What are you talking about? Who told you that? Wait, why are you checking..” Our conversation is interrupted when I hear James approach. I know that he heard everything. He just turns and walks away. “James?”

[Rogue]

Alexandria's face shies away as she thanks me for the flower. She doesn't seem sure that her niece should have told me about last night but appreciates my offer none the less. Eventually she can't fight off Lacie's calls for much longer and walks to the kitchen.

"Excuse me for one sec"

They are out of sight around the corner, next to the drawers of knifes and forks. I can hear Lacie is the one talking and at first she is loud and angry. I stand up from the sofa, making my way to the doorway. My head peeps out from behind the fridge when the gist of the conversation becomes clearer. The only thing I hear from Lacie is something about my paper and her sister wants to know what she's talking about. When I'm caught eavesdropping I back away, walking quickly to the front door. Alexandria calls my name and soon follows. She fails to stop me from opening it and reaching the parking space. Finally the confused lady catches up, forcing me to come to a halt. I sit on the hood of her car and put my head in my hands, on the verge of tears.

"James....what's going on?"

She joins me, her cream skirt meeting my trousers. Unsure whether to console or question me further, she awaits my response. I rub my eyes with one hand, clealry distraught. She asks again and is becoming worried. Carla was going to step outside too but Lacie stopped her to allow us privacy.

"My mother died this morning. Can you believe it, I wasn't even there, I was asleep. I guess when I saw Carla I thought she could cheer me up, she's such a free spirit like my Mom is....um.....was. I think I forgot to pay my rent yesterday.....I....I don't even.....", I stutter, the emotion getting the better of me.

[Jasmine]

His answer is slow in coming and I sense the tension in him. I don’t know what to do or even what I am feeling right now. When he uses the heel of his hand, I realize that something is terribly wrong and I ask him again, “James, what’s wrong?”

He tells me that his mother died and I my heart breaks for him. I wrap my arms around him and hold him close. He seems lost and alone. He has no place to go. I can’t help feeling his pain. He can’t even finish his sentence. I hold him closer and whisper softly in his ear, “You can stay here with us.”

He tries to decline, but I will not take no for an answer. “James, you know that we had a break in last night. We would all feel better if we had a man in the house. You would help put our minds at ease. We would feel much safer with you here.” I tell him even as I wonder what Lacie will say about James staying with us.

[Rogue]

She hugs me warmly when I break the news, her arms comforting me like a friend and lover does. I start to calm down and embrace it, the car starting to push down as I slide off a little. I look up at our reflection in the window facing us and the vehicle and stare for a moment. We begin to make our way inside, Alexandria cuddling into me and ensuring I'm ok.

When we come in Lacie has a curious look on her face as to why I'm invited back in to their home. I sit on the couch and the ladies go upstairs, having learned their lesson from earlier. The footsteps can be heard, eventually becoming pacing and back and forth conversation. The decision that I'm staying the night is undoubtedly being told to the other. Over the next couple of hours, when Lacie passes by her face is usually blank and never looks my way. Her sister smiles from time to time, asking if I would like anything, I tell her I don't want her to go to any trouble. I stay on their long black sofa and watch the movie The Girl Next Door.

I walk upstairs to go to the bathroom, I believe Lacie is outside. Walking past Carla's room, the door is half open and she is getting dressed. I glance and walk back, but the girl calls out my name. I push the door forward and approach her, wearing a short jeans skirt and black boots. I can see her black shirt better when she turns as she adjusts her earrings. She walks over quickly and hugs my stomach. Not being prepared for it, my hands are loose, and I thank her when she says "Sorry about your mom." I guess she is taking my advice about going out and when the teenager asks me not to breathe a word, she plants a kiss on my cheek. I smile and treat it as nothing until I catch the reflection in the mirror; her lipstick imprinted.

"James?" Alexandria calls out from the stairs.

I pick the tissue out from pocket and rub my face as fast as I can. When I step out of the room my girlfriend's head is only just peeping around the corner and turning my way. I nervously wipe the last of it off and act as if I've forgotten where the bathroom is. I take her hand and thank her for being so kind today. We hug again, my hand catching behind her neck, enjoying the touch of her hair.

[Jasmine]

Finding James in the upstairs hallway seems strange. I see him hurriedly shove a tissue into his pocket and realize he must have been upset about his mother again. He takes my hand and I just have to hug him. He’s trying to be so strong. I meant the hug to be one of sympathy and feel guilty when his hand touches my hair and I feel the surge of electricity it brings.

I take a step back and give him a smile. “You’ll be sleeping downstairs on the sofa if’s that’s okay. Come on and I’ll show you where everything is. You’ll have a private bathroom down here but you will have to shower up here in my bathroom. I’ll make sure that everyone announces themselves before they come downstairs.” He doesn’t release my hand as we go back downstairs. “Do we need to go get your clothes?” I ask as I turn toward him. He is so close and my heart beats wildly.

[Rogue]

I didn't want another sympathy hug but I suppose I'm going to get one anyway. I feel her excitement as I stroke her hair. Then, Carla peeps out of her room. She sneaks behind Alexandria's back undetected, giving me a nervous smile and a thumbs up of sorts. She caught me looking at her ass, swaying in the short skirt and gives me a playful wave goodbye. Although I didn't orchestrate this escape plan, I allow the dressed up teenager to creep downstairs and out the front door, still holding her aunt affectionately. She better give me something tonight....

She steps back and asks if I mind sleeping on the couch, and it is what I expected. She smiles and points to her room, which contains its own bathroom, this is what I'll be using in the morning. I tell her there is no need to get my clothes as we walk downstairs, her outstretched hand still holding mine, following her lead. When we reach the sofa, she switches off the tv and there is already a blanket ready for me. We sit down on the soft white quilt and talk for a few minutes. Our cuddling soon continues from earlier as I hold her arms, rubbing them up and down past the sleeve. My lips close in on her neck, gently teasing her skin. She giggles when I begin kissing her passionately there, holding her ear. Just when I think I have her all to myself, I see Lacie step inside with my one eye open. Alexandria's are closed, her head leaning back in pleasure. I continue regardless, but suddenly the door is slammed shut. The surprise causes us to jerk back, and my girlfriend smiles to herself, facing down at the carpet.

"I'm going to bed now, goodnight", Lacie says, her footsteps pounding up the stairs.

[Jasmine]

Cuddling on the couch is like a dream. He knows just how to kiss on my neck. I am lost in the moment. His touch is gentle and so tender. I could stay here forever. His kisses are intoxicating and I never want this to stop.

We both jump when Lacie slams the door. Glancing at him of a split second and then looking down at my feet I have to smile. My smile is one of pleasures that are yet to come. I tell James goodnight reluctantly and move from the sofa. He stands with me and I can’t help giving him another kiss as I tell him goodnight.

At the foot of the stairs, I turn and blow James a kiss as he unbuttons his shirt. My breath catches just seeing his hand on that top button! I run up the stairs after Lacie.

She’s already in her room by the time I get upstairs. I close her door and quietly tell her, “Lacie, knock it off! I like him and he’s going to be around for a while if I can keep him. You aren’t helping by making him feel unwelcome. His mother just died for god’s sake. Now, you don’t have to like him, but you do have to be polite.” I don’t wait for her rebuke although I hear it as I leave. I close her door and go to my room. I have trouble falling asleep with him so near. I clutch my pillow to my chest and finally sleep and dream of him.