book 2:Old Ghosts

It has been four weeks since I moved into my new home. I spend most of my time with Kane. Lately though, no matter what I'm doing, my thoughts drift to Markus. I haven't seen him since that…Mmmmmmmmm, Woooooonderful night he left this place. He promised that I would remember that night and BOY, he sure makes good on his promises….. Whew.

I know that he has a full life in his dimension, many responsibilities. And most importantly, I know that being here ages him much more quickly than he is used to. Soooooo…I MUST think of HIM and not be selfish. But I STILL wish that…

He's laughing. "Don't even try it! You don't lie very well. ESPECIALLY not to me. I know you love him. Just admit that you `can't get him off of your mind'!" He says that last part purposely sounding like a schoolgirl with a crush.

"I'm just kidding! I know it's hard on you, but you knew how it would be. Hey, I'm sure he'll be back soon. Don't worry about it. But meanwhile, I still get to make fun of you for other things."

"Kane if you touch me with that paint brush…I WILL hurt you. Realize that," I say VERY firmly. He's looking at me with a smirk. "Kane, I'm not kidding. Don't you dare."

"I'm so scared I'm shaking! Oh no, please don't hurt me……" He fakes trembling as he comes toward me. I back against the wall and the doorbell rings. It shocks us both and we laugh. Whew, saved.

"It was a delivery guy with a package for you. It's unmarked…. Oooo, what have you been ordering? It's awfully secretive with NO RETURN ADDRESS and all," he jokes. "Must be something X-rated."

What could Paul be thinking? Why is he doing this to me? I will never want him back. Doesn't he realize that? I don't understand. I just don't. "Kane, I'm sending this back."

"I don't know," Kane begins to scratch his chin and look at the ceiling, "I'm thinking that with my hand wrapped around his throat, he may be able to think a little more clearly."

"I'll get it," I say quickly before Kane gets a chance. He's in a bad mood, and I don't need him answering the phone saying, `What the Hell do you want'. I'd better answer.

I swallow hard. I'm starting to feel stalked by my own EX husband. "Paul I don't…" Kane rushes over to grab the phone…I lean away from him and raise my hand to stop him. He pauses. "Paul I don't know what you are thinking…but I don't want this. I don't want the ring, and I don't want you. Didn't you get the hint when you came out here?!"

"Just listen. We'll meet at uh…We'll meet at T.J. Iguana's. Seven o'clock. OK? And I promise I won't try anything. We'll just TALK, and if you decide then that you never want to see me again…" I hear him inhale. "Then I'll leave you alone…forever."

"Kane. Don't worry about me. He only wants to talk. He promised to leave me alone forever if I do this. It's worth it…. Hey think about it this way, I'll get a free Mexican dinner out of him…and STILL get to rain on his parade. Could you stop inhaling so deeply, you might have a heart attack."

Kane wraps up the plastic and walks through the kitchen to take it to the garage. I hear him grumbling to himself, "Sorry son-of-a-bitch put his hands on my sister…"

He is dressed in a dark blue long-sleeved T-shirt tucked in to black jeans with black biker boots and a gold chain. He wears a diamond stud in his ear and his hair is down.

We all arrive at T.J. Iguana's. It's seven sharp. I walk in first and sit with Paul. Kane and Monae enter a few minutes later so that Paul won't notice, and sit at their own table out of sight.

"Well see…you messed up. If I'm going to sit here and listen to YOU, I don't WANT a margarita, I need straight up tequila. And I don't mean a SHOT…I mean the BOTTLE."

Kane waists no time and rushes up behind Paul! He grabs him by the back of the neck, turns him around and punches the HELL out of him. Paul falls down but is still moving. Kane pulls him up by the shirt and shoves him into my truck, breaking the headlight! He's beating him repeatedly…over and over…until Paul lies on the ground a bloody disgraceful mess.

Kane decides to drive my truck home and I ride with Monae in the Monte. As we're leaving Kane talks to the only two witnesses. They have seen everything and agree that Kane was just protecting me. Good.

The three of us sit outside in chairs around back. Monae helped Kane get his hand cleaned up and put ice on it. He refuses to wrap it up, OF COURSE. `It's just a little scrape' he says. Yeah `scrape' my ass.

Hmgh, `My Lover'. I remember the last night that Markus was here. I can still hear him saying that to me as he held me in his warm, strong, masculine arms and then he…

Oooo looky here…That Sade CD. Hmm well I wanted to here some fast music…but…why not hear this one first…at least `No Ordinary Love'…it'll put me in a better mood. Hee-hee-hee…They'll never know my secret…

As I walk into the kitchen I see Monae singing along with the song as she cuts tomatoes on the COUNTER. Oh gosh, I can't help but to laugh to myself. Whew... Markus and I had an awful lot of fun, and they will never know……. hee-hee…"AAAAA!!!! KANE you scared me!! Don't sneak up behind someone like that!"

It's a little after ten o'clock now. I'm headed back down to the kitchen after changing into my lounging `togs'; light blue cotton pants and a white tank top. I feel a lot better now than I did earlier. Paul sure got what was coming to him. I remember that I did love him once. It used to hurt that my marriage was ending. But now that it's over, the only thing that hurts is that HE STILL thinks I should love him; After all that he has done? He sure has a screw loose……Well…Kane may have knocked it back into place…. Ha-ha-ha……I sure hope so.

I close the freezer door. "Thanks." I look at him and I can tell that he hurts for what I'm going through. "Thank you for what you did tonight." I try and hold back tears. I can't put into words how much I appreciate it, but he knows.

"You're my sister, Myryna. And I'm not going to let any man put his hands on you." I look down at the floor remembering what Paul did. "Except maybe, Markus," he says lightening the mood.

Bullshit. Now I know it was something. I look around the corner outside the kitchen. Nothing. I walk slowly into the foyer. The door is still locked. The light is on here, but the lights to the library and the living room are both out. Pitch black darkness in those rooms. I see nothing from where I stand. I start to turn back to the kitchen and my eyes fall upon something on the phone table that makes my heart stop.

Kane opens the front door and gazes out into the darkness. "No cars in the driveway. But I'm going to have a look around anyway. Inside first. I want you two to stay in the kitchen and wait for me.

We reluctantly listen and retreat to the kitchen. "We'd better hurry or `Daddy' will get mad," I say sarcastically. Monae just laughs a little to herself. I'm not laughing.

Kane has searched the inside AND outside of the house and found nothing. I'm trying to convince myself that I absentmindedly grabbed the jewelry box at the same time as my purse…But I know damned well that I didn't.

Kane has gone to bed and Monae with him. I'm sitting up in my bed with my eyes open, not really seeing the darkness, but thinking. And not of tonight's events, but of something much better. Someone much better. Mmmm. I smile to myself. Markus.

I imagine him standing near my bed as he slowly slips his shirt from his shoulders. I breathe deeply and smile at this thought. He then comes closer to me and places his gentle, yet masculine hand ever so softly to my cheek and lowers his tender lips to mine.

"My love, I know that there is much to talk about since I went away, but…" He kisses me again…"Let's talk tomorrow." And another kiss…as he lies me down and leans on top of my waiting body. "Tonight, I want to show you exactly how much I've missed you."

I do not open my lips but continue to speak with my mind. It is an erotic game. Yes Markus I would like you to stop dilly-dallying around and get to ravishing my body.

"Is that right? Well it seems that I will have to teach you a lesson. Never rush me, I plan to take my sweet…precious…time," He crawls up the bed and over my body like a lion who's just found its prey. He is on all fours and pins my wrists above my head…

"Uuuhhh!" I squeal girlishly. His long, smooooth…wet……tongue…"Oh, Markus"…his SWEET tongue dances across my waist…mmmmmm……. I crave his taste…Markus stop this torture……Oh…I need you………I need you inside me…

I open my eyes to him. As a matter of fact it does! He looks at me. "Markus you tortured me the last time we were together…And oh YES! It was delightful pleasure…but……I think it's MY turn to torture YOU."

My eyes get wide. "No you didn't just say that! IT IS ON!" I push him off of me with newfound force and stand. "Get your ass on the floor!" I yell at him. He looks shocked!

"You heard me! Get your ass on the floor." I just glare at him and try to block my thoughts from him. I rush toward him and he immediately does what I said. He gets on the floor.

I cuff his hands to the bedposts. I grab a belt from the closet and proceed to spank him…NOT TOO HARD though, I still don't want to hurt my baby…I give him ten lashings.

I then kneel down and cool his now heated skin with moist tender kisses. I lick him. Mmm his ass is not only cute……but SWEET……mmghmm. I clear my throat…I know he can hear my thoughts.

I slither between his legs face up until I'm sitting in front of him. I look up at him and wink as I lick my lips. I take his solid searing shaft into my mouth; as much as I can take and a little bit more…hmm, even SWEETER…

He begins to moan and I grab hold of his hips as I slide my mouth up and down NOT SLOWLY, but rather quickly…back and forth like a wild animal feasting on the flesh of its prey…AFTER DAAAAAAYYYYYSSS of no food…

I can't get enough of him but I fear the beauty of his erection and the sweet taste of his entire body has succumbed me to him…He's GOT to take over now…I have no energy left…

He comes toward me in a stalking manner. He grabs my legs behind the knees and FORCES my legs backward! My ankles above my head, he shoves his steel rod inside me. I scream in agonizing pleasure as he rocks me, harder and harder. My legs come down around his neck and he presses his weight onto my hips, not allowing me to move! "OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH GODDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!!"

Mmm; Sunlight as I open my eyes. My arms are still around my wonderful man, our skin adhered somewhat to each other as we never moved during the night; not even once. I love the feel of his chest against my cheek and his chin as it rests on the top of my head. I try and nestle even closer to him.

"I'm going to take a shower…Join me?" I ask seductively, as I play with the light dust of red hairs on his chest. I use my tongue and lips to place a luscious little kiss there……And again……I cannot help myself, just lying here he arouses my sexual desires and……I must rub his body……and yes, down here……

"Myryna……the shower……" He is becoming aroused again himself, and can barely utter the words, "We can either finish this right here…or we can finish it in there."

Markus leans over to start the water and as it begins to steam I stand behind him and slide my hands around his hips. I enjoy the silky feel of his skin beneath my fingertips.

He stands up straight as I begin to massage his hard member and all that it protects. He inhales deeply and turns around to me. He lifts me into the hot shower and immediately pins me to the wall. His tongue invades my waiting mouth and our hands explore each other's bodies as the water pours onto us. He wets his hair completely and then mine as we continue to kiss under the running water.

He lifts me up and I wrap my legs around his hips; my arms securely around his neck. He backs me against the wall with force and begins to thrust his hard cock inside me…I scream his name!!!!!!!! He pumps and grinds into me and I CAN NOT get enough. I am now BITING his mouth and sucking his tongue. His powerful thrusts consume my soul……

We have both dressed. I in blue jeans and a black tank top with biker boots. My favorite clothes. Markus wears the same, but with a black T-shirt. The sleeves fit snugly around his…taut…bulging……muscles………OH! I lost myself for a moment there…I must get a grip…

Whoa! I swear that I saw something black flash passed me in the corner of my eye! There's nothing there! "My mind is playing…Oh yeah…I guess it's not playing tricks huh?"

Monae stands up and puts her arms around Kane. "Don't dare give your sister a hard time, `cause you were doing the same thing last night…RAAAARGHHHHH," she growls like a tiger and claws his chest.

"John!" I turn to Kane, "It's John…" I notice Markus smiling evilly like the cat that just ate the canary. And I remember that I NEVER DID ask him about those incidents.

"Well I'm taking the bike out today and wanted to see if anybody else wanted to go ridin'? I know YOU haven't ridden for a while -and you know I've got two, AND I still have Kane's old bike. Who all is there? Ask if they want to go."

I turn around to see Markus sitting on the most beautiful piece of machinery I've ever set my eyes on. A magnificent steel horse; black with blue flames that adorn its sides. The airbrushed images of souls try to escape them to no avail. I am thunderstruck.

He speeds off down the long driveway and waits at the end for Kane and Monae. I turn back to see the truck coming this way, but my eyes also catch something else. Just passed the trees to the side of the house I swear I saw someone walk. It made my heart stop a moment. Markus felt me jump. "Are you all right?"

We've finally reached town, and still have a couple of miles to go before we reach Monae's house. I start to think about the whole Bradshaw/Markus thing. We stop at a red light right next to my brother. Markus turns his head toward me.

"Alexis. And I'm not kidding. I didn't really want you to know this, but I sent her to watch out for you and to report any potential danger back to me, whenever I could not watch you myself."

"That's not important right now," he dodges. "What's important is that the `incidents', as you call them, were not directed at Bradshaw, but more specifically……at you."

"The point is that Alexis has taken a `liking' to Bradshaw. She wouldn't hurt YOU because she fears my wrath. But you won't have to worry about it anymore; I've taken care of it."

"Hey baby girl," he responds, but just pats my shoulder instead of our usual friendly hug. I turn around and find that there is a reason for this. Markus is staring John down as if to warn him from being too affectionate with me.

I laugh out loud, because I KNOW Markus and John were watching. I turn around to them as I walk and observe that I was indeed correct. Ha-ha-ha…. They both have the SAME look on their faces that say, `Not amused'.

Monae and Candra both look Markus up and down. "We don't doubt THAT!" They look at each other and give five. He had his back turned, but surely heard what was said. He turns to look at us with a surprised expression. I have to laugh.

"Yeah, forget about it. Somebody is just trying to scare you," Monae says as she steps in front of the four men. "And besides you're safe with me and Candra around." She is VERY serious.

We're all sitting in the living room, except for Candra who is locking up the garage for John. The light is flashing on John's answering machine; two messages. He reaches over and hits the button to listen.

Beeeep… 6:48 P.M. "Hey…John this is Paul. Listen man I know that we're not friends…but I HAVE to get hold of Myryna. Man Listen…It could be a matter of Life and………just listen man I can't talk now…Just…just PLEASE try and warn her. Tell her not to trust ANYBODY. You hear me…ANYBODY. I gotta go." Click.

"John Bradshaw, I am NOT joking. You know that I live down the street from him right? Well I just pulled up from work a little while ago and there were cops at his house. I ran down to see what the Hell was going on…You know…being nosy. Well when I got there his girlfriend was talking to the police. When they left, I told her that I was a concerned neighbor. Long story short…She told me that Paul, had left the house in a rage over his EX-WIFE and that the police just found his car in a ditch on Route J."

"I swear it's the truth…And get this…There was no body. Dead or alive…they can't find him. I mean she was crying and EVERYTHING. And she had some strange guy there with her, she said it was her brother. I don't know. It's just messed up."

With that he leans to me and I close my eyes as he kisses my lips. When I open my eyes again…… He is gone. With his bike. No sound, not a sight of him. He has disappeared…probably into thin air.

I touch my lips with my fingertips trying to recapture the feel of him. Markus scares me just leaving like that and with no expression… He makes me think that something is very wrong… And I wonder what he meant by, `something I have to take care of'? And what about Paul? Missing? His girlfriend said that he was in a RAGE over his EX-WIFE?

"He'll be back tonight, but he said that he had to take care of something and it had to be done RIGHT now……But that's not the point. There are some things that I think I need to tell you. Let's walk."

"With Paul missing and…what his girlfriend said… I've begun to remember some things. Toward the end of my marriage to Paul, I started receiving threats. Notes in the mailbox, crank phone calls, someone even tried to run me over while I was checking our mail at the curb. That's how I found out about the affair. Now I've never met Paul's girlfriend, but I know she had to be the one who did all of those things. It all stopped after the divorce. The reason I'm bringing all of this up now is that while we were having `dinner' the other night at T.J. Iguana's, Paul told me that he'd left his girlfriend. He said that he told her she was just a fling. And now all of these strange things are happening? The phone calls, and if Paul had broken up with her… Why was she at his house tonight? Are you hearing all of this?"

"Paul said her name was Sherry. Do you think she and her brother could have done something with Paul? I mean…MISSING? Please. He an awfully big muther-fucker to just come up missing without a trace.

"What?!! You're out of your mind. Somebody crank calls you today, it could be the same woman that threatened you before, a minute ago you were NERVOUS and now you want to play The Equalizer. Forget it. I'm not letting you leave the house. We'll have someone else check into this stuff."

"Excuse me Kane, The Equalizer? I didn't say anything about walking around with a gun in a black trench coat and kicking down doors to get information. I know you love me…But your overprotective attitude is going a little too far. I'm not your child."

"Kane, you fail to realize that I'm grown. I will do whatever I want and when I want to do it. You can't stop me. Besides… I have some shopping to do tomorrow so I have to go."

They look at me with evil grins, knowing that shopping isn't all we'll be up to. "Sure." They both agree. Kane isn't ABOUT to tell Monae what to do, and NO ONE is going to stop Candra either.

And now John, who has a suspicious look on his face. I pretend not to notice. "Bye John. I'm getting kind of tired soooo…I'd better get home and get some sleep." I hug him.

"If he doesn't ask it's not lying. If it'll make you feel better, I'll tell him myself, OK? But not tonight. I'll do it tomorrow after you and Candra and I get back."

I stare at this stranger not knowing what to think. I remember that she could be dangerous. Is she responsible for all that has happened? And MORE importantly…She's beautiful! THIS woman is an apprentice to Markus? I don't know if I'm very comfortable with that thought…

"No I didn't…" She looks away for a second. "And anyway, the reason I'm here is to tell you that Master Markus came to me tonight. As a matter of fact he STORMED into my home to make me confess if it were I that was playing these games with you."

"It was I that caused the little disturbances around you and John over a month ago. But, my Master punished me and I SWEAR to you that I have not done anything since. I have visited and that is ALL. Well I saw someone come to your home the other night. It was after you and your brother came home. While you were in the kitchen a man entered the house. He had long black hair. You had left the door unlocked when you came in from retrieving your purse, and he brought in the velvet jewelry box. Locking the door behind him, he left quickly on foot. I followed him. I saw him run through the trees and down to the road to a waiting car. It was a newer model black Cadillac."

"I have to leave now. I haven't permission to be gone this long…… But please listen to me…Your Ex Husband told you not to trust anyone, correct? Well he was right. DON'T."

I snatch him into my arms! I try to explain everything, but I'm talking so fast that I fumble my words. "Markus…Alexis was here…and I can't find Kane and…the lights were out…"

Now I'm a little concerned. She told me that he sent her! I close my eyes and try to make sense of all this confusion. But first…… I have to talk to Kane. I hurt him earlier and he is my first priority.

He reluctantly follows me into the living room and I close the doors. I turn to see him sitting on the couch. An overwhelming feeling comes over me and I can't quite place it. He looks so angry. Maybe I should back out.

Shit, I can't help it. "Kane……I'm so SORRY for what I said to you. I didn't mean it. But you CAN'T treat me that way. And I don't know what I'd do if you couldn't forgive me."

"I know you didn't mean what you said earlier, but I deserved it. Don't be sorry. I pushed you and I know it. You're my little sister, not my kid. I'll back off…A LITTLE."

Kane tells us that the lights were out when he got here and he couldn't find the problem. He was outside walking off some steam when Monae and I arrived, and that he must have forgotten to close the front door.

"Well good. Then I guess everything is explained," I say, hoping to end the conversation as I've just remembered something. The note! And I don't want MARKUS to read my thoughts!

"I said that I didn't send her here. As a matter of fact, I told her NOT to come near you. Evidently I'm getting soft. My punishments are not effective anymore. I'll have to be more severe this time."

He still sits on the stool and I slide in between his legs. Taking his hand I place it to my hip. "Markus," I speak in a low, seductive…'feminine' voice… "Are you mad at me?" I slowly un-tuck the T-shirt from his jeans. He shifts in his seat, still wearing a frown. I place my hands under and slip them up his waist to his chest. He inhales…

I continue, "Please don't be mad at me," I pout. I find his nipple and begin to suck gently, wrapping my arms around to his back. "Mmm, you taste so sweet," I whisper. His skin is hot. I want him.

"Three times a day?! I WISH!!! I would NEVER get out of bed if Markus were around THAT DAMNED much! But, to tell the truth, big men carry HEAVY packages. I don't think I could really take THAT three times a day!!"

"Well, last night about two hours before the 'supposed' accident, Paul had come home from work and she was there. There was a young man with her. They all started arguing and Paul left in his car…FURIOUS. I figured the harlot was cheatin' on him. It served him right. Then the guy took off after Paul. I went to bed. You know I go to bed early."

"Well I woke from my sleep to put on some mentholatum, you know I can't breathe without it during the night…Anyway, I heard a door slam next door. I looked out the curtains and saw Paul standing in the front yard. His car was in the driveway but that other man's wasn't. I could see the girl inside the window. I went back to bed. Now that was only twenty minutes before they say the accident happened."

"Yes I did. Went out in my robe and everything. Soon as I saw the flashing lights next door. What's more, is when they got there…That young man was back. He was standing with the girl. I heard her say it was her brother. But they looked a little COZY if you ask me."

"Sure can. He was a tall fellow with long black hair. Well, girls I have to go. Have to pick up some new poker chips. I can't find mine, and you know the girls come over today to play cards. They'll have my head if I don't have any chips!"

"There's Candra……I don't see Monae. I'm just keeping my eyes on Myryna. I have the strangest feeling that she's up to something. Did you see the look on her face when she was talking to that old woman?"

He-he……Good… lost them. In sporting goods no less…I knew that for one second they would take their eyes off of me…Just long enough for me to switch directions.

I know she's right. And I haven't been able to get those cryptic words out of my head since I heard them on John's answering machine. `Don't trust anybody'. I still wonder EXACTLY what he meant by that.

"Candra…Myryna, wait." Monae seems to be pondering something heavy. "Why in the Hell would that car be here? Don't you think it just PROVES Sherry has something to do with this? Obviously the car belongs to MR. LONG BLACK HAIR, who HAS to be the same guy she `says' is her brother. I mean look at all of the evidence. Mrs. Findlehorn even said that Paul had broken up with her. So he must have been telling the truth.

What if……What if……Oh GIRL, this is all coming together……Sherry must have found out that Paul wanted you back…She argues with him…He tries to warn you by calling John……AND THEN, OOOHH……"

In the corner of my eye I see the curtain drawing back, in a window of the house. I quickly look up and see an evil looking, red haired woman staring at me from inside……

"Markus," I shift toward him, his hand is pressed against the seat. His skin is soft as I slip my hand across it. "I'm overwhelmed with everything that has happened just since yesterday. And I know that I've run you a little ragged…"

"Markus I know I have. And I've done it to Kane also. I'm sorry. I love the fact that you both want to protect me, and you have…FOR A LONG TIME." I gaze into his eyes now, letting him know that I'd like him to enter my mind as I say this…"I know you have ALWAYS been here. You have been here for my whole life, haven't you?"

The clues have been here all along, but I just realized them last night. When we made love, he told me that he's always loved me. That moment was the first time that I pieced it all together.

"Markus I love you. A lot is going on right now, but the most important thing to me is my relationship with you. I don't want this stress between us. And I don't want you upset with me."

While their tongues dance and their moans become more urgent, Monae begins to unbutton his shirt. She is becoming impatient as passions run high, and tears the article from the remainder of its buttons. Kane lifts her top up and over her head throwing it to the side. He reaches around to her back and tugs at the hook of her bra while they continue to madly kiss and bite at each other.

"Oh, Kane stop…" she giggles. "I HAVE a SURPRISE for you," she says FIRMLY this time, but can't help but smile at him as she grabs her overnight bag from the floor.

Monae instructs Kane to wait in the bed while she enters his master bath to change. She puts on a little outfit she'd purchased in the lingerie store. She'd put it in her bag at home earlier while Kane and Candra waited for her to grab her things. It's a red chiffon chemise with a red silk g-string. She pulls new red spiked heels from the bag as well…"Perfect touch!"

Out of her purse she pulls a jar of edible strawberry body gel also from her home. She'd been saving it especially for Kane. She looks at herself in the full-length mirror, satisfied that everything is perfect. "Kane LOVES strawberries, just like I do. He'll love this," she says with a grin.

Kane licks his lips and slowly walks over to her. He lifts her from the floor and she wraps her legs around his hips. He proceeds to lick her neck as he did before, causing waves of desire to flow throughout her body. Her pulse is rising and his animalistic tendencies are taking over. She LOVES it when he's like this. He carries her to the bed and lies her down, pawing her, clawing her, biting her…

"Mmm, Kane I brought this gel. It's strawberry flavor…put it on and lick it off…" She tries to sound demanding, but the state he has her in won't allow her the strength.

They head out the door and creep slowly down the hallway stopping at the top of the stairs in case Markus and Myryna have returned. Kane heads down the steps and looks out the door.

As Kane carries Monae, her legs are ever wrapped around his hips. She madly bites the flesh of his neck as she tangles her hands in his hair. While she does this, he reaches into the refrigerator and grabs the tub of whipped topping, shredded coconut and…dare he mess with his sister's seedless cherries? She won't miss a few, he decides!

They find their destination and he lies her down. He removes the vase of flowers that sit there. The table is a heavy oak structure… suitable to hold a person…or two…

He removes her chemise and g-string, leaving her heels on. After placing his finger in the creamy topping he smears it onto her skin, starting between her breasts and swirling down to her waist. He takes more and adds to her nipples, immediately devouring them, licking her clean. He sprinkles a light dust of coconut onto the swirls of cream and places a cherry in her navel. He opens her wide for him and lowers his mouth to her.

He begins his feast by inserting his tongue into the moist delicacy that is her own sweetness. He tastes all of her. Her juices already flowing for him, he laps up every drop and craves more.

He now moves upward her body, his tongue leading the way to the cherry. She is nearly screaming… Kane takes the fruit between his teeth, and crawls up to her mouth letting her pull the stem with her own. She proceeds to place it in a knot with her tongue as he slowly chews the cherry, staring into her eyes.

Monae shows the finished product as he reaches up to her mouth and grabs it with his teeth. Spitting it aside neither of them can wait any longer. He takes one of her legs around his waist and enters her waiting womanhood. She screams his name with a newfound energy! "KAAAAANE!!!"

In the throws of ecstasy, her legs still around him, she pulls herself up in a near sitting position, his strokes entering her deeper and harder than before. The coconut and whipped cream mixture smears between them as they reach a climax…the heights of which are indescribable……

They run frantically! Kane throws EVERYTHING into a sack, including the strawberry gel they didn't get to use yet, Monae wipes down the table in record speed, they grab the clothes from the foyer and RUN up the steps!

Markus takes my hand as we approach the front door. I must smile. I love the feeling. It's as though his spirit begins to course through my body, every time he touches my skin.

I reach for the keys and he stops me. He pulls me in to his arms and holds me there. I gaze into his beautiful green eyes. It's almost overwhelming. My heart and body are filled with so much love for this man, that I could actually cry right at this moment. Standing with him under the moonlight, the night breeze flowing through our hair and his body pressed against mine. I could stay like this forever.

"Oh, that's right. You can…" I think for a moment. "Oh, you'd better not do that. I just had a feeling. I know my brother. And if he dead-bolted the door than he must be up to something on the other side. And Monae is probably here so……I'll ring."

"He did? So what?" He laughs as he takes a swig of that beer. I'm really enjoying the way it seems to flow down his throat, his neck muscles slowly move up and down…

"Oh." As I walk over to him, I take a drink of my own beer and set it down next to his on the counter. "Nothing, I just wanted to make you a homemade cherry pie with those." I play with the buttons on his shirt, and forget momentarily that I'd warned Kane not to touch those cherries.

"Markus, I've been thinking about that. I know that you want to stay no matter the risk to yourself…just to watch over me. But I can't let you do that. I don't want you hurt."

I feel a lot calmer now. Markus nears me and with the softest touch of his fingers he caresses my face. I feel myself open up to him. I feel as though a weight has been lifted. I love you Markus. He reads my thoughts easily now and responds with a kiss so gentle.

"Myryna, you are seeing my auras…some of them. I am very proud of you. You are opening your mind even more…A LOT more. I'm so happy. And you can even hear some of my thoughts?"

"It makes perfect sense. Your mind is opening up. You know…to see an aura you must use a lazy eye. When your eyes are tired, sometimes they do it on their own." He laughs a little bit…"You need some sleep, baby. Let's get you to bed and we will talk more in the morning. You can tell me everything that you've been feeling. OK?"

"Great, Myryna. I'll call you back with more details. But one more thing…Could you call all of your friends and invite them? I don't have much time before she gets back."

Oh, this will be fun. And I'm thinking…Everyone that I know of will have a date. Except Candra and Foxy. I'm not worried about Foxy, she always has a man on hand. But Candra……Hmm. We'll have to just find someone won't we?

"No I'm not. I just have a lot on my mind right now. We're having a surprise party here this weekend for Asia's birthday, and uh, Candra called, we're going out for a while today. Not long. I'm picking her up at one."

He knows I was holding back. But I don't need him worrying about me. And yes I was blocking my thoughts. I don't know how I learned it. I just do it. I don't let him SEE what I'm thinking. I think of something else.

As I finish up by conditioning my hair, I wonder how long I can keep this up. I can't hide the note and the phone call from them forever. But I don't want Markus to kill himself just to stay here and protect my little ass. No. I will not let him do that.

YES, I want him here. I wish he could stay here forever. But NO! He can't. It ages him…It hurts him…It weakens him in his own time. NO. I can take care of myself. And so, I must keep certain things from him…AND from Kane. Telling Kane would only defeat the purpose. He'd immediately tell Markus.

I blow dry my hair at the vanity and wear it down. It's growing quite rapidly I must say. At least three inches in the last three weeks. I always keep it long, but it's never been to the middle of my back. I must be getting a lot of vitamins in my food. Huh.

All of this is frightening but I can't let `them' win, whoever it is. I can't let it get to me. I go over and hug my brother as tight as I can. I feel safe when he's near, but I can't let him know everything. Not yet.

I lean down to touch a rose bud. "I can't believe you guys planted these for me." I smile…and slowly the pink rose blooms into my hand as I touch it. I snatch back my hand and stand there staring in disbelief.

I look up with wide eyes at my brother and friend. They too are stunned! I don't know what to say and neither do they. "It's coincidence, hehe…" I say with a shaky voice. "It just opened because of the sunlight…" I can see that they aren't buying it and neither am I. "I'll just go say goodbye to Markus."

Whoa! What is happening? I close my eyes and take a deep breath before I head upstairs. I look in the mirror above the phone table. First my hair growing…and my mind being so `open'……now this. I've also been feeling very healthy lately. It's hard to explain…almost a very clean or pure feeling throughout my body. "What the…"

I kiss him as if I would never see him again……And then I leave. With the thought on my mind of the changes I'm feeling and of that last phone call. They said, `Be careful out there.'

I shake my head quickly no. "No, no, no…that's not it at all. I'm crying because……Because he's never told me his last name…It came to my thoughts JUST NOW on its own….What is happening to me?!"

Upon opening the fridge I quickly notice the rows of light-beer Foxy keeps on hand. I chuckle to myself. "Hey you think Foxy's running a little low on beer?!" I call out.

We are BOTH still laughing as we walk out the door. We drive down to Mrs. Findlehorn's place and knock on the screen door. The main door is open so she must be home.

"As a matter of fact…" She lowers her voice and glances through the curtain to next door. "She AND that so-called brother of hers have been there the last couple of days. What's more is that I could swear I saw them kiss inside the window there……Not that I was spying, you couldn't miss it. I was out last night to let the cat in, and happened to glance over and see them hugged up in there." Her eyes are wide.

"You know girls…" Mildred says with a wicked grin. "I saw you all out there yesterday peepin' in that car. I wasn't spying, you understand…It just so happened that I was lettin' the cat out back. It looked like you found something in that car but couldn't get it. Well…Just before you got here today I saw the both of them leave in her car. If you get my drift."

Candra suggests that we see if there is a wait for the reading. We enter the dimly lit shop to smell the wonderful aroma of patchouli incense. There is a woman behind the counter with long dark hair and purple eye shadow to match her dark purple eyes and red lips. Her skin shines of gold glitter.

"No, dear. My name is Mystique. I am a retired Tarot reader. I sell the items here in the store while Pantera, the gypsy that stands behind you, reads your fortune."

"I like to think so," she says kindly. "Could you girls give me about fifteen minutes? A client just left here and I need to purify the room before your turn. Besides, you should go eat the fruit you crave. I'll be waiting."

"Look little man…I'm not going to tell you again! We have enough bananas at home I saw them this morning! And we're out of apples! I used them in a pie the other day!" The wife yells back.

"WHY YOU HORSES A……..Oh hi ladies," She says in the calmest most polite voice when she sees us standing there. She whispers, "My name is Somber, you'll have to excuse my husband, he's missed his medication today."

"But Myryna, there is something else. You need to be careful. There are two that mean to harm you. They've tried already, and you should be very, VERY careful of whom you trust. You will be greatly surprised to find out who they are. That's all I know for now. Congratulations on your child."

I use these few minutes alone to think about this. Oh, I love Markus with all of my soul. Could this be? How did he not know? Or does he know and had a reason for not telling me. He can't be around a lot…Will I be alone during the pregnancy?

He isn't bad looking. Maybe he isn't a killer and Candra can hook up with him. Nice build, about six foot tall…ponytail. He's just her type. Dark hair, fancy car, Yep, that's her type.

I dry off and put lotion over my whole body. I purposely avoid looking at the test just yet. It's still day light outside, so I blow dry my hair and put on a plain red sundress, underclothes and my sandals.

I put my hands to my mouth and cry silently. It's true. I carry the child of the man I love. I would willingly die for him. I'd give everything I have to spend the rest of my life with him. And now…I press my fingers gently across my waist. Part of him is growing inside of me. Markus, I love you. Please accept this.

Where is Markus? I start to worry a little now. He promised that he'd be here when I returned. Maybe I took too long, or maybe……Maybe he realized my condition and left me. I gasp!

"First I want you to understand something. I want and NEED to protect you. You are my lifeline. Without you I have nothing." He says all of this with an expressionless face.

"You've been UNSURE of how I'd feel?!" He sounds VERY confused. His breathing has picked up and he looks down at the floor, and then all around the room, not really `seeing' anything, just looking shocked.

A warm breeze flows over us as my eyes close, and I become lost in his soulful desire. Our kiss……so passionate…so full of our love…… A wind seems to wrap us like a sheet and I suddenly hear the giggles of children.

Suddenly a vision, it's daylight as Markus stands in a field of lavender… …He wears a white shirt, unbuttoned to the middle and white pants. His hair flows in the breeze… He smiles as someone approaches.

I now sit on a bench in one of my flower gardens. I watch the water spout from the mouth of a fountain. It's the statue of a young boy who leans back on his hands as he watches the water flow from his lips. I smile as it reminds me of last night.

He did show me how happy this makes him. And words were not needed. He made love to me last night. But not in the same way he usually does. He always pays special attention to my needs when he makes love to me. But… this time he was Extra gentle…Especially tender… He bade me lay still as he explored my body with his fingertips and the feather-like grace of his lips…

Every time he kissed me was like the first time. And his spirit spoke to me, and to the child we share together…in a soothing…pacifying whisper that reassured `us' of his devotion, and of his undying love.

Meanwhile, I have a party to help plan, and my brother wishes to escort me to the store. I must smile as I see him leaning against the sliding doors of the house, watching me. He must be ready to go.

As I walk across the yard toward Kane, I remember this morning before Markus left. We told him together, that we are expecting a child. Kane was surprised! But very happy for the two of us. He told Markus that he is proud that he is the father of his nephew, and that he thinks of him almost as a brother, not only as his best friend.

"I am, very. All of your life I've watched in amazement at how strong you are. You always take care of yourself… and I rarely give you credit for that. You've always been my `Baby Sister", and now you're going to be a mother. This baby is very fortunate to have you for a mother, just like I have been to have you as a sister… I just wanted to get the sappy stuff off of my chest while no one else was around." He smiles.

I called Dwayne and insisted that he let me take care of the food items. He didn't want me to pay for that , but I forced him to let me. I love doing stuff like this. Besides, that way the food will already be at my house and Asia won't suspect a thing.

Kane and I shop around… Well actually I shop around and Kane follows. We're having finger foods for the party. All of Asia's favorites, Lil' Smokies, taquitos, hot wings, and every junk food item you can think of. Kane even left me for ONE SECOND to grab the beer and the daiquri mix. When he returns to the cart he's also brought sparkling grape juice for me to drink.

"Red?" Kane huffs. "No. Women always think they need fancy colored stuff, even though it costs more. Sorry, but I have to put my foot down when it comes to napkins. You wipe your mouth, you throw it in the trash. WHITE is fine."

"It said, `NO ONE CAN PROTECT YOU'. Now, Myryna…Ignore that. No one will get to you. And I'm going to kill that bitch AND her brother if I find out that...." He nearly snaps the steering wheel……

Kane is really not surprised about this, but the police didn't help much. They did take the note. As a matter of fact, I brought the first note along. I knew I'd kept it for a reason.

The police say that it's `possible' the two cases are related. That's all they would say. Since we haven't had any physical contact with the `suspect' or actually `seen' them, there wasn't much they could do.

Stop it girl, I sigh. I don't want to think about anything negative today. It's the day of Asia's party! We're going to have a great time! Music, food, friends… All is perfect except for ONE thing. No Markus.

"STOP THIS, WOMAN! Aaaaaargghhh! You don't want him to feel your pain and come back do you?" I'm talking out loud now. "Wellllllll…….." I consider it for a moment. "No, no, no! I don't. I don't want him to do that."

"Shut the fuck up. At least I have a woman to help me do it. Unlike you…who has a suspiciously colorful garden in HIS yard and NO woman to have helped him plant it…"

Everybody has arrived now. It's finally dark. All cars are parked around back. Monae is here, and Dwayne's friend from work. John is with a new girl… Casey is her name. Don't know if we like her yet. Still have to `sniff' her out. She's younger than I am. Seems like a `sweet' girl. Hm.

Man what is it? Every time a couple has a romantic moment, all other couples in the room have to do it too. Hell everybody's kissing, but me and Mideon. It really is sickening.

As the night goes on, the party has moved outside around back, where everyone has room to dance. Asia is having a fantastic time. She was especially surprised that I'd made her favorite… pineapple upside down cake, instead of the traditional type. And despite all of the women having dates, Kane seems to be the main attraction on the `dance floor'. I know he loves it…

"Well really……I'm a… Actually that sparkling grape juice will be just fine. I don't feel much like drinking tonight." I hope they don't press it…They don't know I'm pregnant yet.

"Well," I sigh. I wanted to tell each of you in person, not over the phone. But I also DIDN'T want to give MY news at YOUR birthday party. This is your day." I turn to Kane with tight lips. He shrugs his shoulders.

The men now congratulate Markus, as the ladies continue to coo over ME. Except for one person has an odd look on his face. It's the Cowboy. He stares directly into my eyes…not smiling…not even really `frowning'…just staring. Never blinking… Now he turns away.

"Only for a little while," he answers. He leans down to me, forces my lips open with his tongue, and probes the inside of my mouth. His taste is refreshing as well as EXTREMELY arousing. He presses his hand against the small of my back, pushing my waist against his massive manhood. I forget where I am until he breaks the kiss…

"Oh, it's that way." I try to be polite, but I got a horrible feeling when he touched my arm. It scared the Hell out of me. Maybe I'm just tired or something…or maybe I should tell Markus……No it was nothing.

I look down the hall in the direction Cowboy went. For a second it looks as if there is a black aura around him. He turns to me, smiles, and disappears into the bathroom.

I go to the sliding doors and see Markus laughing with all of the guys as Dwayne apparently is telling a joke. Wait a minute…Markus is laughing with JOHN? Whoa! I don't want to interrupt him. I'm probably overreacting about Cowboy anyway.

All the ladies are listening carefully now as she continues, "Tonight he's been acting a little strange. I thought maybe he was just nervous being around strangers, but he's been getting along with everyone really well. Avoids Markus though."

I've explained my thoughts to my friends. I was nervous about how Candra would react, but she says she trusts me more than this `Joe-Blow' that she hardly knows. They all agree that if I have a bad feeling, we'd better be careful. Especially since I've been really `IN-TUNE' as of late, spiritually.

"Well, I'm fine. But I thought I'd let you know that I just came home about thirty minutes ago from town, and I saw a car out in front of you all's property. There was a man in it. Looked like he had some business with you folks, but he left when I drove by. I'm callin' because he's just driven by here two more times."

The caller's voice is distorted, "How many times do I have to tell you…'Don't trust anyone'? Ha. You NEVER listen. NEVER. All of the clues are there. You are all stupid. Just look by the phone."

"OK. You've received calls at John's house. The locket he'd given you was found in HIS driveway. HE's here tonight and so is the LOCKET that you left at HIS house. The night when we left his house, HE knew that Kane had gone ahead of us… He could've left the note on the truck."

"Well FACT this…" Candra jumps in, "The day that we went to Mildred's and to the Gypsy… You said that you got a call that morning and the caller warned you to be `CAREFUL OUT THERE'. Then we mysteriously got a flat tire!"

I wonder. Why does he have his cell phone on him? He usually doesn't bring it in the house. Could he have used it to call us a moment ago, or to inform the man in the car of goings on inside the house?

In ten minutes flat I've gone from trusting him to suspecting him, and now I must trust him again. I have no choice. Please don't let him be guilty, I pray to WHO EVER is listening.

He smirks, "Well, well, well. You are as sweet as he said you were. Hmm. That day when I flattened your tire for him, I nearly backed out… But the moment I saw you again… It was all worth it. I had to get near you." He saunters toward my frozen frame. "Why don't you come here and let Cowboy have a taste?"

Foxy and Asia kick him repeatedly in the ribs and Monae now grabs him by the shoulders and pulls him up. As she holds him, Candra knocks him SMOOTH across his jaw! The moonlight is bright now and I can see everything!

As we walk slowly down the hallway in the darkness… SUDDENLY I am grabbed from behind… My mouth covered by a hand… Someone of enormous size and strength pulls me into Kane's bedroom.

I back up to the wall, my breath is still. My eyes are fixed on his massive frame. No thoughts roam my mind…I'm in shock. He has planned everything. It all makes sense now. Everything has been a lie.

"Sweet Thing, I've warned you and warned you…" He grinds his teeth. "But you don't listen. I told you that if I couldn't have you then NO MAN will have you… And you went and gave yourself to that…that…."

As I take a deep breath… Markus appears from the darkness standing behind Paul. He places a forceful hand around Paul's helping him to grip the weapon and wrapping his own arms around Paul's, he shoves the blade downward bludgeoning Paul's waist.

"…in order for someone to `bring' you to the seventh dimension, you must be in the MOST vulnerable state possible in human life… That is… near death… near death… near death………"

The darkness has turned to light as I now seem to be walking through a bright white tunnel toward a familiar meadow of lavender. I saw Markus in this field with my son…