These lyrics were not an inspiration, as such, it's just a song which I've always liked. To me, it fits these
stories and they seem to go hand in hand. It's always a bit dicey posting song lyrics, because unless you
know the song, it probably won't have any real meaning to you. But it does to me! :)
'WHEN THE WAR IS OVER"
from the Cold Chisel CD 'Circus Animals'
music and lyrics by Steve Prestwich.
Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away
Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away
When the war is over
Got to get away
Pack my bag to no place in no time no day
You and I we used each other's shoulder
Still so young but somehow so much older
How can I go home and not get blown away
You and I had our sights set on something
Hope this doesn't mean our days are numbered
I got plans for more than a wanted man
All around this chaos and madness
Can't help feeling nothing more than sadness
Only choice to face it the best I can
When the war is over got to start again
Try to hold a trace of what it was back then
You and I we sent each other stories
Just a page I'm lost in all its glory
How can I go home and not get blown away
Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away
Ain't nobody gonna steal this heart away
IF I DON'T LEAVE NOW
Rating NC17
Author MArcher
Summary After all they went through, did Rick and Evelyn really wait until
the wedding night before they fell into each others arms? As well
Rick gets an insight into Evelyn's nightmares.
Part 1: Crossing The Sands.
Evelyn had fallen asleep in his arms not long after they embarked on the return journey to Fort Brydon. He watched her, somewhat amazed she had managed to keep up as they fled the destruction, not that he'd given her much choice. Her exhaustion was never obvious until now and he admired her perseverance. So tiny in his arms, so big in her will. He was enchanted by her. It had only been a few hours since the three of them had watched the ruins of Hamunaptra collapse and disappear beneath the red sands of the Sahara and Rick O'Connell, for one, would be happy if he never returned. As their camels labored forward he held onto her, knowing he wouldn't want to let go when the time came, but for now he was happy with her snuggled into his chest.
He and Jonathan passed the monotonous journey with small talk. Neither of them felt like reflecting on what they'd witnessed that day and seeing as Jonathan was Evelyn's brother and a keen talker, Rick was discovering some interesting insights into her life and character.
"Don't be fooled by that innocent exterior." Jonathan advised. Rick's infatuation with his sister was evident to say the very least, and he relished his opportunity to spin a few stories which might throw Rick off centre and fan his curiosity. "She might look like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, but by God, she can take a piece out of you when she gets her back up." His eyes gestured toward his shoulder "I've got the scars to prove it." Rick nodded, smiling uncertainly. Jonathan's arrows were hitting their target and Rick found himself wondering exactly what sort of things would get under Evelyn's skin. However, it was obvious Jonathan was enjoying himself, perhaps a little too much, so Rick decided it would be better to change the subject than let him carry on.
"Where are you planning on heading once we hit Cairo?" Rick enquired, secretly hoping they'd both have to stay put for a while to pay off this disasterous expedition.
"Well, I've no firm plans." Jonathan sighed and looked skyward "As for Evie, well, she's hell bent on getting that crowd of crooks to take her seriously, so I'd imagine she'll be putting all her energy into the books again." He couldn't help himself, opportunities to torment O'Connell would be few and far between so he was making the most of it. " That is once she's cleaned up that mess she left behind." Jonathan laughed at the memory.
"Crooks? Mess?"
"There's not much for her back in London." Jonathan continued without acknowledging Rick, just gleefully playing on his sensitivity. He believed he was entitled to elicit some form of return torture for having to watch them continuously coo and kiss. Her slumber was a godsend! "She won't give up, old boy! She'll burst a vein trying to satisfy their ridiculous prerequisites. Yes, I'll bet she'll be straight back with her delicate little nose pressed firmly in a book."
"What are you talking about?" Rick said shaking his head at Jonathan's babbling.
"That Bembridge crowd! I'm sure they intend to keep her at arm's length indefinately. You must know by now that our Evie's a bright one...and those Scholars know it as well. That's the reason they keep rejecting her." Rick continued to stare at him, still not understanding "She'll make them look bad. God forbid they should have a woman in the ranks!" He shook his head and sucked his breath through his teeth. "She won't stop though, not until she gets their seal of approval." he tutted, continuing to play the notes on O'Connell's emotions.
Rick looked down at the still sleeping Evelyn and wondered about her. She was somewhat of an enigma. A treasure in herself. He leaned his head into hers.
"Oh no, don't kiss her again!" Jonathan begged and looked away. If it wasn't bad enough the whole trek had to be made on camels, as none of them had the price of a steamer ticket, he was made to endure this display despite his best efforts to ebb the flow. It was indeed going to be a long journey back. He glanced back in order to make one last groan, then shouted "Hey, wait on! What's that in your saddle bag!?"
*****
When they set up camp each night was the hardest part for Rick. Jonathan refused point blank to sleep any further from the group than necessary, no matter how much Evelyn insisted on her and Rick needing privacy. To Jonathan, their behaviour was deplorable, he didn't have to put up with it at night as well. He was also completely put out that they wouldn't agree to bartering a few of the trinkets they'd found for a berth on the steamer. The ongoing war between the siblings was a convenient distraction for Rick where Evelyn was concerned. He hadn't really planned on seducing her in the desert, mainly because it would have to be the most uncomfortable place on earth, but he knew his desire for her wouldn't allow him any rest if she was nestled next to him, so her quarreling with Jonathan gave him good reason to keep his distance at night. Instead, he always opted for the first watch, that way he was guaranteed of falling asleep from sheer exhaustion, after he was able to kick Jonathan into duty.
*****
Once in Cairo, Evelyn settled back into her lodgings at the Fort and, just as Jonathan predicted, she again began thinking of impressing the Bembridge Scholars, but first she had that mess to clear up. Two perfectly good reasons to keep herself busy and firmly push the events of the last few weeks into the back of her mind. So much so, that she hardly let herself think of Hamunaptra at all, except when she sat surrounded by the treasure they found stashed in the saddle bags. She preferred to have either Rick or Jonathan with her while cataloguing the pieces, their conversations kept her mind from wandering. She even persuaded Rick to help her sort out the disaster that was the library.
"You did this?" Rick stood at the doorway in disbelief.
"Yes." She refused to be intimidated by his tone of voice, she was embarrassed enough as it was.
"All by yourself?" he chortled.
Evelyn turned to him, her hands on her hips "Very well, get all your jokes out of the way now, then we'll able to get on with it."
Rick took a few steps into the room as he surveyed the damage and laughed aloud "You know, I'm amazed you didn't just run away and never come back." She spied him cantankerously, but didn't answer. "Can't say I'd own up to it....or did you get caught?" he teased.
"Finished?" she waited for him to speak but he remained silent. She wasn't seeing the lighter side of the situation. "Good, then perhaps now you could make yourself useful." Rick sighed deeply, running his hand through his hair. Evelyn's fuse had been short since arriving back in Cario, in fact to call her bitchy would be pretty close to the mark. However, he took his cue to shut up and proceeded to get on with the clean up. Something else Jonathan had been right about, her temper.
*****
Within a few hours they had filled the floorspace with books stacked in piles of varying height. The more they worked the clearer it became to Rick that Evelyn was happy so long as she was occupied with the books or talking about the library and the museum. At every turn, she avoided discussing Hamunaptra and the events which took place there. This was the same girl who had happily agreed to marry him when he asked her as they camped their second night in the desert. But now it appeared she was preoccupied, agitated and reluctant to set a wedding date. She was building walls which he was finding difficult to climb.
"We might as well call it a day." she said suddenly and stood to brush the dust from her skirt. "I'm sure you've had enough."
"Well, now that you mention it." Sorting the books wasn't so bad, but her mood was really beginning to piss him off.
"I'll just grab my bag and we can leave." She walked through the piles of books stepping over and around them, weaving her way up the few steps to where her desk was situated. She misplaced her footing and with a squeal and a thud she landed awkwardly onto the stone floor. Rick got to her as readily as the maze of books would allow. Helping her sit, he was surprised to see a flood of tears stream down her cheeks and she began to shake and sob.
"Hey, hey. What's this?" He touched her face "Where are you hurt?" He knew she hadn't fallen hard enough to break any bones, and like everything else lately it appeared she was over-reacting.
"My foot!" she choked out and reached for the injury.
"It's alright, let me do it." He lifted her foot, carefully removing her shoe. It was swelling as he watched. "You've done something to your ankle. Can you move it at all?" She grunted and painfully wiggled her toes. "Don't think it's broken, probably just sprained." He looked up at her, knowing her tears were for more than a sore foot "What else hurts, Sweetheart?" She reached out her arms and he took her into his. He sat there, just holding onto her, rocking her gently as she wept. She let loose all the demons she'd buried deep, pouring them out in one enormous display of emotion. "It's alright Evie" he whispered to her over and over "Just let it all go." He stroked her hair and kissed the top of her head. He was prepared to sit there for hours if it meant she stayed in his arms.
*****
Walking back to the Fort took forever. She had refused to let him carry her, insisting it was far less humiliating if she just held onto him and limped her way home. Usually, the trip only took a few minutes, but she hadn't expected the effort to be so painful. Her pride was ultimately tested when she was faced with climbing the stairs. There she conceded defeat, and with great relief and a silent cheer, Rick lifted her easily and carried her the final few yards. He placed her gently onto the bed and rested her foot on a pillow. "You're pretty tough, you know that? Stubborn as a pack mule, but tough."
"It's really hurting now, and throbbing awfully." She winced as he sat at the foot of her bed and removed the bandages which were blackened by the so called 'walk' from the library.
"Well, my darling." He began drolly "That's because you insisted walking for blocks when you should have been carried. You haven't helped the swelling any."
Evelyn responded with a look of mock indignity. "Indeed, well it appears you're the expert."
"You'd better believe it. I've wrapped up plenty of battered bodies...mine included."
"How are your wounds?"
"Ahh, they're alright. Let's just get you sorted out."
"What do you prescribe, Doctor?"
If he didn't know better, he'd swear she was giving him the come on. "I'll put a wet towel around it for now. That should ease it a bit and I'll bandage it again for you later." He grinned at her. She was beautiful. Her once tidy hair in disarray, her cheeks red from the hot streets "So long as you follow doctor's orders from now on...and stay put!" he slapped the bed.
She huffed at him. More than anything she hated being confined, especially by something as trivial as a sprained ankle. "Oh, that can't be necessary."
"I mean it Evelyn, I'm not carrying you another yard!"
"You didn't carry me, I walked."
"You hobbled."
She let out that frustrated "Ooohhh" which so suited her and he rolled his head back laughing
"But you were very elegant...at hobbling."
"You're teasing me, Rick O'Connell." she tilted her head slightly and smiled at him.
"Just a little." he rubbed her leg softly. Ironically, her good humour was returning. Sitting here with her was nice, he could happily do this for hours.
****
Part 2: Please Stay.
Rick and Evelyn spent the rest of the day in her quarters. The only time he left was to organize a meal for them. Other than that, they just sat and talked. Evelyn finally began to speak of the terrible nightmares she'd been having ever since Rick had pulled her off Imhotep's sacrificial alter; and the relief that came with this had lightened her mood considerably. She felt that if it wasn't for the pain in her ankle, along with Rick's insistance she not move, that she'd be able "...to jump for joy at finally being able to get all of this off my chest."
Her injury may have been painful, but Rick was enjoying his role as doctor. He got to fuss over Evelyn and play with her leg at the same time. He laid across the foot of her bed telling tales of his life while he happily nursed her bandaged ankle. He made her laugh, something he hadn't heard since the night she made her drunken advances at Hamunaptra. But now, it was getting too late for small talk and he had to think about leaving her alone for the night. He stood and stretched. Looking at her, he leaned down to kiss her goodnight.
"It's time for me to go and for you to go to sleep." He was looking directly into those deep eyes,the last thing he wanted to do was leave.
"So soon." her voice tinged with disappointment. He smiled and kissed her again, only a little softer this time, his hands resting on her shoulders. Before he realized, he was perched on the edge of the bed. He took his lips from hers and placed a peck on her nose. She looked up at him and spoke "I'm sorry for behaving so badly these last few weeks. I just couldn't seem to help myself."
"Forget it. You had reason enough." His voice was deep and hushed and he was so close to her. "You can tell me these things though, don't think that you have to go it alone." The gentle touch of his finger down her cheek was causing a tingling sensation right throughout her body, and her breathing had changed.
"Do you have to go right now?"
"Evie. If I don't leave now, I'm going to stay all night." His words were resolute "And I won't just be sitting at the foot of your bed telling stories. It's really time I went."
She reached up and placed his face in her hands "Please stay."
Rick kissed her forehead "Maybe tomorrow night. I'm just telling you how it is right now."
"Stay" her voice was low and her eyes wide. She leaned in and brushed her lips against his "Please."
"Do you know what you're saying?" Evelyn nodded and held her gaze "If I stay...tonight...with you." He seached her face, grappling for his words "I can't just sit here anymore, Evie....I want ... more than that."
She put her finger to his mouth and whispered "Stay with me Rick."
That was it! He was staying! He wasn't going to push for a written invitation. His arms fell from her shoulders and wrapped around her. Their kiss was deeper and more passionate than either of them had dared before. He lowered her back onto the pillows and climbed onto the bed to lay next to her. He ran his fingers along the outline of her face, then pulled the pins from her hair. He kissed her eyes, her nose, her mouth. He placed soft open kisses down her neck to the valley of skin peeking through the top of her blouse. Putting his weight onto one arm, he brought his lips back to her cheek while his fingers toyed
with her buttons. She let out small gasps as he nuzzled her neck and slowly began unbuttoning her blouse.
She whispered to him "Show me..."
"Sshh" He lightly pressed his finger to her lips, soothing her concerns "There's no rush." His words were so close to her face it made her shudder "Just be you." He lifted her to slip her blouse from her shoulders, letting it drop down her arms, then softly ran his fingers along her spine making her shiver. He fiddled with the clasp of her bra, groaning in frustration at his inability to work it free. It was Evelyn who modestly dealt with the hindrance, allowing him to peel the flimsy material from her body. He looked upon her for the first time. Slowly, gently he traced his fingers over her soft form, touching one nipple with the tip of his fingers. He lifted his gaze to her face, her cheeks were flushed and she had bashfully averted her eyes, "You're beautiful" he reassured, and truly began to make love to her.
He did wonderful, unexpected things to her. He moved his hands and kisses all over her and she quivered at his touch. He removed her clothes so reverently, then for her, he remained patiently still as she mismanaged the buttons on his shirt. Her hands shook as she attempted to unbuckle his belt and found it was now she who bit her lip in frustration at her awkward movements. He laughed softly, "Gets a bit tricky in places, doesn't it." He rolled onto his back keeping hold of her hand to guide her over the buckle and then managed the rest for himself. Lying beside her again she trembled at the touch of his body against hers. "You still okay?" He asked, running his fingers down her arm.
"Yes, just a little shaky." She couldn't believe she'd said that! 'My God! What a ridiculous thing to say to your lover!' She shouted in her mind. Rick smiled at her, but she didn't see. She had squeezed her eyes shut with embarrassement, silently berating herself. She had so much wanted him to see her as sophisticated, instead she felt she was merely blundering through. Her thoughts were racing, 'He must think me a silly schoolgirl'
Rick was forcibly withholding his amusement at her self-inflicted distress, but he found her adorable. This was the Evelyn he loved. He perfectly understood her nervousness and reclaimed her attention by placing tender kisses from her lips to her breasts. He took each in turn, squeezing them and teasing her nipples with his tongue, sucking and nibbling. It was intoxicating to her and any embarrassment was soon forgotten. He went lower, placing tiny kisses on her belly and hips, making her jump when he moved his mouth over her groin. Putting a hand beneath her knee, he lifted her injured leg and cushioned it with a pillow, then he ran his fingers up the inside of her thigh and lightly circled her wet flesh. She couldn't control her trembling as he ran his nose along her tender skin, breathing deep and placing soft kisses as he so very slowly moved higher.
Evelyn hadn't realized she'd stopped breathing. With her eyes wide, she waited, unsure of what he'd do next. The warmth of his breath between her legs caused her to whimper slightly, then she heaved a loud sigh and half rose from the bed as he put his mouth on her soft folds of flesh, separating them with his tongue. She gasped for air and clutched at the sheets but he merely placed a calming hand on her belly as his tongue moved over her, inside her, back and forth with the most intense itimacy. She had no idea it would be like this and her response was impulsive. Her hips moved with him, her fingers knotted into his hair while he licked and tasted her, caressing her with gentle hands. The pleasure she heard in Rick's quiet
moans matched her own as she built a steady rhythm. Such a sensation was building in her body! She was so consumed in the passion, she hadn't realized she'd been calling his name. He began moving back up her body, she ran her fingers over his chest as he rested above her, still tingling she was almost incoherent from his attentions. He caught the look in her eyes and laughed quietly "You still with me here?"
"Mmmm" was all she could manage.
He put his mouth to hers, devouring her. By lifting her leg slightly, he allowed himself to rub against her. She could feel him throbbing as he carefully moved only slightly inside of her. He momentarily settled there knowing this would hurt her, wondering if she knew it too. Evelyn looked up at him and touched his face. He decided quickly would be better, though no way was best, and slipped one arm around her waist lifting her to him and cupped her face with his free hand. He placed his mouth over hers and kissed her to hide her cries as he pushed through her barrier, taking her virginity. He moved deep inside her, squeezing her to him, running his fingers through her hair and swallowing her pain. Her muffled shrieks belied her expectations! She was stunned by the pain and impulsivley dug her fingers into his arms. When her body relaxed he opened his eyes to look at her and saw tears. Kissing his words into her face, he vowed "I'm sorry Honey, I'm so sorry....it'll never hurt again, I promise you."
This stung in sharp contrast to how he'd made her feel with his mouth. It was painful and he felt huge inside her. But he hadn't moved, he was stroking her hair, waiting for the word to continue. "I'm all right" again touching his face "Really...it's gone now." She hated her tears, but like so often this night she found it impossible to control the sensations she was experiencing, but she trusted him. She wanted him now as much as when she pleaded with him to stay.
He carefully began to move inside her, at last permitting himself to enjoy the feel of her body. At times he had to stop in order to gain control of himself before he was able to carry on. He whispered passionate nonsense, biting her earlobe as he moved in and out of her and, with the initial pain vanished, Evelyn freely moved her body in time with his. When she arched her back to meet his thrusts, Rick moved his hand between them, gently rubbing her swollen core, still moving inside her. He wanted to see her, to hear her. He gradually brought her to the brink then pushed her over. Her legs coiled around him, she dug her nails
into his back and cried out as her small body writhed beneath him.
He covered her body with his, pushing deep, again and again. Still quavering, she hung onto him, raising her body to allow him deeper. She was completely aware he was physically stronger and more experienced, overpowering her would have been easy, but he held her lovingly, moving with passion and kindness,
His head began to spin as he neared his climax. The pleasure of her was indescribable. He had planned on stopping before he got this far, but it was impossible now! He was willing to take whatever responsibility came with this night, so long as he finished inside her. She was accepting him! He could hear his name being murmured in his ear. He had his arms tight about her, there was no way he could let her go! To his delight, she wrapped her legs about his back as he began to moan and push harder into the depth of her. The strength of his movement overwhelmed her and as she pushed her face into his shoulder, he
buried his in her hair His body jolted! He groaned her name as he released himself deep within her body, shuddering as her tiny fingers danced along his spine.
He lay there for what seemed an eternity, taking in the scent of her hair while, until his shoulders began to give way under his own weight. Moving reluctantly, he lifted his head to look at her and she stroked the hair from his eyes, smiling at him.
"Are you all right?" he asked
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, you know...first time. Are you all right?" he needed to know
"Yes, I am. I'm more than all right."
He touched her face and offered a smile that melted her heart. "You are just beautiful" Kissing her, he rolled onto his back taking her with him.
"Arrhh! My leg!" She winced
"Oh Honey! Sorry, sorry! I forgot about your leg." He helped her as she wriggled about trying to find a place to stash her injured limb. Once she settled, he pulled the covers over her, silently tending to her shyness at being totally naked in the lamplight. He would have happily laid there running his fingers over her bare skin, but the covers gave her a type of assuage in such a new situation. As she snuggled into him, he was content just to feel her pressed against him.
She chuckled at the thought of her injury "It seems I'd forgotten about it for a while there."
"Yes, I noticed that." he smiled. Then sincerely asked her "You're sure everything's all right?"
She beamed a smile at him "Only my foot hurts, Rick. The other couldn't be helped. Besides, you've already made it better." Her eyes sparkled, sending his heart crashing through his chest.
Rick lay there, looking at her. This girl laid wrapped in his arms had such an enormous hold his him. She was going to wreak havoc on his life, he knew it! Without even trying she would be able to draw him into her world and he was fully aware that he would follow happily. It was a sweet surrender.
****
Part 3: Dreams And Screams.
Rick awoke to shouting and fearful cries. His senses shocked into awareness by Evelyn fighting to break away from him. He still had hold of her in his arms where she had fallen asleep and now she was hitting at him, struggling and pleading to be set free.
"Evie! Evie!" he touched her face but it only made her more frantic. "EVELYN!"
"NO! PLEASE...STOP!" She was begging to be set free, thrashing at the air with her fists, though they mostly connected to Ricks chest and shoulders "LET ME GO!" She shouted and Rick caught her wrist before she swiped the side of his face.
"Evelyn? C'mon Honey, open your eyes!" She was surprisingly strong and he needed to curb his own strength so as not to hurt her while he tried to keep her arms close to her body.
She bagan to shake herself from side to side, bringing her legs and feet into play as she began to kick and scramble away from whatever had invaded her sleep. She struggled for breath as tears crept from her tightly squeezed eyes. Rick rolled her onto her back and held her down by the shoulders, it was the only way to protect her from her own wild thrashing...and himself for that matter. "Come on now, wake up!" he started to shake her, but she wasn't responding. She was sweating and crying with real terror. Himself now fearful at not being able to rouse her, Rick shouted "EVELYN!"
Then she stopped, completely still. Rick looked at her, waiting for her to open her eyes...waiting for her to do something...he called her softly "Evie?"
He noticed her hands tembling, then in only a whisper she begged "Oh please...please don't". Rick grabbed her by the shoulders and none too gently forced her to sit up. The abrupt movement made her open her eyes and she began to scream.
"Evie, it's me! Look at me!" She stared at him, unrecognizing. Tears slid unknowingly down her cheeks and her fingernails dug into his forearms. "It's me, Rick.....Honey...can you see me?"
Slowly she realized. "Rick?" She started to breathe properly again and her hands relaxed.She sat in stunned silence while Rick peered into her eyes, making sure she was fully awake. Satisfied, he pulled her to him and she reached her arms about him letting the safety surround her. When she had talked of nightmares, he hadn't imagined this! He wondered just how much more of this emotional turmoil she would be able to stand.
"Sshh, it's alright." he whispered holding her to his chest "...whatever it was, it's gone now." He laid her down next to him, far more gently than he sat her up, and let her cry. She clung to him. Rick rubbed her shoulders and put kisses in her hair. Through everything she'd survived recently, he had never seen her as afraid as what he had just witnessed. If all her nightmares have been this bad it was a wonder that she was still sane.
Her tears began to abate and she moved a little in his embrace, he lifted her chin to look at her "Feeling any better?"
She offered an abashed smile "Yes and no...at least I'm awake now, so that's something" The battle with her phantoms had returned the pain to her ankle. Struggling a little, she reached down the bed trying to release the bandage, hoping to ease the discomfort.
Rick stopped her. "Hang on, I'll fix it for you." He shoved the blankets back and began unwrapping the bandage. Embarrassment overpowered her and she hastily reached about for something to cover her naked form. She looked at Rick, wishing she had his surety.
"It was him, wasn't it?" He asked looking back at her, a little surprised to see she was wearing his shirt. "Had you back on that stone slab again, yeah?"
Evelyn nodded, her arms wrapped firmly about herself "He comes back every night." she was still shaking. "Sometimes you and Jonathan don't make it in time." She stopped to force herself from crying again.
He listened, gently rubbing her leg for reassurance. "Did I get there tonight?"
She shook her head, holding back tears "No...tonight he was going to kill me...except..."
"Except I woke you up."
"Yes, you did" She smiled unsteadily, "Thank you."
"I was saving myself as well, you know. You were throwing some pretty mean punches there."
She laughed self consciously. Looking at him she was beginning to understand just how much she loved this man.
"Better?" he'd loosened the bandage and elevated her leg. She nodded gratefully. He slid up the bed to sit next to her "It's just a bad dream, Evie. He can't get you anymore." He took her close to him again, pressing her head to his shoulder "You're safe from him now. It's over."
"Yes, perhaps." Her eyes searched out his "But all that talk about death only being the beginning...I try not to let it play on my mind but sometimes I just can't stop it...what with those very effective ancient curses and his mummified army at the ready..."
"Were they in the dream too?"
"One time they were." Quivering as she spoke "He seems so clear in my dreams. Maybe he can ..." her voice trailed off.
"Evie, he was just pissed off that he lost, that's all. Dreams are the only way he can get at you now, and that's all they are...dreams." He tried to sound reassuring but she didn't appear to be buying it. "Look...this is the first time you've had someone to wake you and drag you out of it, right?" she nodded. "Well, it'll get a little easier each time. You'll feel safer when you wake up and the dreams won't be as frightening, I promise." He made her look at him "Trust me! I'll be here!"
"You will?" she sounded surprised.
"What? You think you're gonna make me go back and sleep alone!?" He shook his head at her "Uh uh. You just need to get serious about picking a date, girl."
"To get married?"
"No, to organise getting a price on that booty, so we can split it and I can finally leave this hell hole!"
For a moment she was stunned, unsure of what he'd just said. He looked at her, and a hint of a smile crossed his face and she smacked him on the chest...hard! "Ouch! Oohh, you're nasty." he laughed at her, but rubbed the sore spot just the same. "So go on, pick a day to marry me."
"Never!" she scolded him
"What about tomorrow?"
"No!"
"You'd better hurry, or people will start talking about your loose morals." He was enjoying the game.
"Loose morals!"
"You know, wayward girl keeping soldier company long into the early hours..."
"They'd never imagine that!"
You're joking! In this town? You'd have to be dead before they lost interest, especially in a pretty Librarian."
'Well you'll just have to leave, right now." Her playful anger not withstanding his teasing.
"I'm staying in this bed." He moved to kiss her and ran his fingers up and down her thigh "I like the company here."
"Oh you do!"
"Uh huh" He was kissing her neck and she was giving in to him.
"And why is that?" She leaned her head so he could kiss behind her ear.
"You're sweet...soft" He lulled in her ear and nibbled her lobe "And you look incredibly gorgeous in my shirt."
She giggled and turned to look at him "Anyone who saw us now would think I was already your wife."
"You are." taking that deep, hushed tone again. She was putty in his hands. "It's official once you start wearing my clothes." He ran his finger down her bare skin peeking through the open shirt. "This is very sexy!"
"Tomorrow then."
"Tomorrow what?" He'd forgotton the conversation.
"You can marry me tomorrow." She was whispering now and he was beginning to move over her.
"Maybe....we.... should wait.....a week" he said between kisses placed softly on her neck and shoulders
"I need a wife who can walk by herself." he teased and put his mouth over hers before she could chide him.