The Watcher (11 page)

About an hour later, Lily stirred and slowly woke up. She took a deep breath and sat up in bed and looked around, then burst into tears. She put her face in her hands and cried and cried as my heart broke. What had made my girl so sad? What the hell had happened in the short time I’d left her alone? I saw her look at her closet and noticed one half was empty. Fuck me, he’d actually left her. I wanted to show myself to her right then and there, but I couldn’t. She wasn’t ready to know the truth just yet. As she blew her nose and her crying quieted, she climbed out of bed and shuffled into the other room. I silently followed her and watched as she fed the cats, drank some water, and started the shower. I went back to her room and waited as she cleaned herself, listening to her quiet sobs. I shouldn’t be here. This was a private time and she needed her space to mourn, but I couldn’t bring myself to leave her. Every part of my being wanted to wrap her in my arms and kiss away her pain. For now though, I’d sit with her so she wasn’t alone.

Her routine went on for days, and I grew more and more frustrated with each passing day. I’d pace while she slept, sit in the bathroom during her showers, and sit next to her while she cried. She hadn’t bothered to turn on her phone, check her mail, or even log onto her computer to check email. Was no one worried about her? Why hadn’t anyone stopped by? Where the fuck were her friends and family? I knew she didn’t have many, but there had to have been someone.

On Tuesday night, I’d had enough. I went to her front door and gave it a solid knock. She’d been asleep all day and I refused to let her go another night without eating anything. I needed to do what I could to get her spirits up and if that meant chick food and chick movies, then so be it. It would all be worth it if I get her to smile.

She answered the door and I put my biggest scowl on, pretending to be mad. I couldn’t truly be mad at her because this was how she grieved. Grieving should never be looked down on, as it led to healing. She looked up at me with her beautiful, albeit red and puffy, hazel eyes and my breath caught. I stared at her for a few moments before I said, “What the hell Lily? You’ll text me later this week? What gives?”

Shrugging, she gave me some pitiful excuse about being sick and not wanting to make me sick as well. I called her bluff, and watched her eyes light up with awe at how well I knew her. She confessed she didn’t want me to see her like this and told me about Ryan leaving. Apparently he’d left her a fucking note instead of being an adult and telling her to her face. What a fucking coward! I pulled her into my arms and rubbed her back. I let her know it was going to be OK and that she was better off without him. She got tearful again, telling me this is exactly what she didn’t want me to see and tried to get me to leave. I reminded her that I was her stalker and that I’d love to keep her company tonight. Asking me if I was allergic to cats, she shuffled from foot to foot nervously and I let her know I knew she had two cats, that her fridge was filled with healthy crap, and that I knew she was in desperate need of a Ben and Jerry’s/pizza run STAT. Then I brought out the big guns, knowing I’d stun her senseless.

I asked her if she already owned the Twilight DVDs or if I should pick them up on my way back. How’s that for stalking, huh? The look on her face was priceless.

*****

Lily

“I…I own it,” I said quietly. “Gabriel?”

“Yes, beautiful?”

“H…how do you know all of this?”

“I have my ways, let’s just leave it at that, for now.”

“For now?” I replied.

“Someday I will share my secrets, well some of them.”

“I look forward to it,” I smiled.

“Ok gorgeous, I’m off to get junk food. Need anything else while I’m out?”

I shook my head and looked up at him. Should I kiss him? Do I hug him again? He stared back at me for several seconds, just taking me in.  He smirked that signature smirk then took pity on me and kissed me on the cheek. He walked down the hallway and I closed the door. I needed to clean up the apartment and myself before he came back.  Before he returned, I managed to pick up the random debris, vacuum the kitty litter, and light some candles. After washing my face, I put on some cuter PJs and fixed up my hair a bit. I didn’t have time for much more, as I heard a knock on the door as I was turning on the TV.

I opened the door to his smiling face and stared at him as he looked me up and down. I began to blush furiously when I saw the look of lust in his eyes. I’d always read about that look, but I’d never seen it until now. That look was dangerous and could make a girl forget all her troubles. Smiling back, I licked my lips nervously.

“I’d keep that tongue in my mouth if I were you, Lily.”

“W…what?” I stammered. Stepping back, I let him in and closed the door behind me. I had turned around to show him into the living room, when he came forward, crowding my space and backing me up against the door. He set the bag of junk food down, took my face in his hands and lifted it up so that I was staring into those green eyes. He brushed his thumb over my lips, softly and slowly.

“I said, I’d keep that tongue in my mouth, if I were you. And if you keep looking at me with that look in your eyes, I can’t be held responsible for what I do next.” I continued to stare at him, swallowed hard, and nervously licked my lips again, catching myself a little too late. A deep sound, almost animalistic, escaped his lips and he crushed them down onto mine. He kissed me roughly, pressing his lips hard against mine, then lightened the pressure and began nibbling and lightly licking my bottom lip. I no longer had the strength to resist him and finally gave in. I parted my lips slightly and he smiled against my mouth. I began kissing him back with everything I had. I licked his lips, nibbled his bottom lip, and caressed his tongue with mine. My arms went around his neck and his went around my waist. We made out for several moments, just reveling in each other’s taste. After a few minutes, he still had me pressed up against the door, so I had to turn my head to finally catch my breath. He rested his forehead on my temple, breathing heavily.

“Wow,” I finally breathed out, “Now
that
was stunning, and I didn’t have to sing in front of a crowd.”

He smiled against my temple and replied, “Yes sweetheart, it most certainly was. And I’m sorry, but I couldn’t resist those perfect pink lips of yours.”

“The ice cream is melting,” I giggled. Yep, I giggled. Me, a 35 year-old, soon to be divorced, hot mess. What was he doing to me?

“Then I suggest we eat it,” he said. I didn’t want to move, so I waited for him to step back. I was too warm, too comfortable in his arms. “Gorgeous, you’re going to have to move first, cuz if you don’t, I’m just going to kiss you again.”

I smiled and sighed, “OK, but only because it’s a sin to let Ben and Jerry’s melt.” Breaking the spell, I stepped to the side, and went to grab the ice cream, two spoons, and a dish towel then led him into the living room. I had also grabbed a blanket, in case cuddling would ensue. Hey, a girl could dream.

He looked around at the seating arrangements and asked me if he could sit next to me. I plopped onto the couch, lifted up the blanket, and patted the cushion next to me. He kicked off his boots and folded his tall frame into a comfy position next to me. I covered him with the blanket, handed him a spoon, and opened both pints.

“How did you know which flavors?” I asked

He turned to me and smiled, “Let’s save this conversation for another date.” My frustration returned and I sighed. Sensing I wasn’t going to get any more information I turned on the TV and pushed play. He set the pint he was holding down onto the table and sat back and put his arm around me. I turned to look at him; again, wondering if he was real.

He smirked and said, “Yes?”

“Please be real,” I whispered.

“I’m as real as you are, Lily.” And he kissed me on the nose. “Now, stop staring at me before I get a big head.” My eyes widened as I pictured his head, not the one on his shoulders, getting bigger. I licked my lips, yeah I gotta work on that, and he pulled me toward him.

“What did I say about that?” he growled.

“I…I forgot,” I stammered.

“Perhaps we’ll have to work on your memory, Miss Lily,” and he stuck his tongue out and licked the ice cream off my lips. A small moan escaped me. I had no idea eating ice cream could be so sensual. He pulled me closer and into a full on kiss. My hands were full of the ice cream and he trapped them between us. His lips wandered away from mine and across my jaw. He trailed kisses and tiny licks along my jawline and down the side of my throat. He caught that spot right behind my ear, and I moaned in downright ecstasy. Feeling him smile against my throat, he bit me softly. I jumped back, startled by the way that one bite had turned me on so much.

“Remember that the next time you lick those lips, Miss Lily. I like to bite.”

*****

Lily

I tried catching my breath, turning to set the ice cream down, and forcing him to loosen his hold on me. Biting. Oh my. I wanted him to bite me all over at this precise moment. I couldn’t think about anything else. I tried to focus on starting the movie and adjusting the volume. I sat back and took a deep breath. I went to lick my lips again, but remembered what had happened. If we kept up at this rate we’d be naked and sweaty on my couch in a matter of minutes. As much as I desperately wanted that, I knew I wasn’t ready for it.

Gabriel sat back, fixed the blanket on us and put his arm back around me. I snuggled up and smiled; the guy gave good cuddles.  We ended up watching all four movies and ordering pizza. We talked about the terrible writing, the awesome wolf transformations, and pretty much anything that came to mind. He kept the conversation light and fun. He also never stopped touching me, until he answered the door for pizza. As soon as he was back on the couch, his hand was resting on my leg, or his arm was around me, or he put my legs up onto his lap. He even rubbed my feet at one point, causing me to moan quietly. I caught his eye mid moan and saw that look again. The one that said he wanted to devour me. I quieted immediately and blushed.

“Oh Lily, what am I going to do with you?”

“Be my friend?” I asked hopefully, trying to keep the subject light.

“Well of course, beautiful, I’ll always be your friend.”

“Really?”

“Try and stop me,” he said quietly, “And when you’re ready, I’ll be more.”

My breath caught in my throat. I just stared at him and shook my head slowly.

“You want more?”

“Dammit Lily, of course I do. Who wouldn’t want more with you? You’re freaking amazing.”

“Ryan didn’t,” I responded before thinking.

“Ryan’s a fool, and if I could have told you sooner, I would have.”

I gasped, “What do you mean? How could you have known?”

He lowered his eyes, “I told you I had secrets Lily. And you’ll know some of them soon, but not yet.”

“Gabriel, it scares me how cryptic you are. I mean here I am, broken-hearted because my husband just left me for another woman, and you swoop in. Your timing is almost too perfect. I don’t even know if I should trust you!” I yelled. I was fed up with these weird and cryptic answers of his. I had stood up and was beginning to pace, fully ready to give him a piece of my mind.

“Sit down, Lily.”

“No Gabriel, I won’t sit down. How do you know where I live? How do you know I have two cats? How do you know my favorite music? How the freak do you know what kind of food I have in my house!?”

“Lily, sit down. If I have to tell you again, I’ll bend you over my knee.”

I stopped mid stride not knowing whether to laugh or to freak out. His voice had taken on a new tone. It was hard and commanding, and I knew instantly he was a man of power. Gone was the quiet guy hiding behind a hoodie. I was frozen in place, contemplating shutting up, as this was a side I hadn’t seen of Gabriel. However, at this point I was so pissed at everything that had been happening in my life that I needed to let some of the anger out. I wanted to test him. I wanted to make him as crazy as I felt right now. I stared at him and saw the intensity in his eyes.

I turned to face him head on and defiantly crossed my arms in front of my chest.

*****

Gabriel

“Excuse me?” she said. “You’ll do what to me? Spank me? You’ve got to be kidding me. Am I child in need of a scolding? I’m a grown ass woman, Gabriel, not someone you can just boss around and expect to do whatever you say. I want answers and I want them now!”

I stood up slowly and moved the end table out of the way. I knew my 6’4” was very intimidating and that I currently resembled a green-eyed, angry god. I walked over to her and she began to slowly walk backwards, trying to put space between us. Softly, I put my hand on her lower back and pulled her to me as I backed up to the couch. Swiftly and effortlessly I sat down, pulling her with me so she was lying over my lap. I put one arm across her upper back, holding her in place.

“Are you crazy?” she asked as she tried to struggle free.

“If you struggle, I’ll double the number of spankings,” I replied calmly. I was suddenly completely in charge. She stopped struggling and started to laugh nervously.

“OK Gabriel, you win. I’ll sit down.” I could hear her thoughts as she asked herself,
‘Was he seriously going to spank me? Did men even do that?’

I replied, “Too little too late. You have much to learn about me, Lily. I’m a man of little patience and I like to get what I want. What I wanted was for you to obey me when I told you to drop it and sit down. You didn’t listen so I’m going to show you how I deal with naughty kittens like yourself.”

“Seriously?” she snickered. “This can’t be real. Just let me go and I’ll stop asking so many questions, I promise.”

“For laughing I’m adding two more,” I said calmly. “That’s 12 total, unless you want to keep adding to it?” She tried raising my head to see if I was joking, but I wouldn’t let her move. With a big sigh, she resigned herself to give in to me. And that’s when I startled us both. I pulled her pants down, underwear and all. I was only going to spank her over her pants, but I could smell her arousal and desperately wanted to feel her bare skin

“What the fuck Gabriel!” she exclaimed as she began to struggle again, probably realizing just how serious I was. I held her even tighter, silently begging her to keep struggling. The more she tried to get away, the more spankings I would add. If course, if I had any inkling that she truly didn’t want me to do this, I’d have let her go in a heartbeat. Unbeknownst to her, I was in her head and could read her every thought. She wanted this so much she could taste it.

“You just added one more,” I said, “That’s 13, do you want to keep going?” She stopped struggling and took a deep breath, whispering ‘no.’ She was at a loss for words and very self-conscious about her ass being bared to me. I could feel her wetness leak down her thigh and onto my pant leg. Fuck her ass was beautiful, pale and plump, ripe for my handprint on it. I could hear her try to convince herself that she must be dreaming and that her mind was having some warped fantasy trying to forget what happened a few days ago.

The first slap came fast and hard. She cried out, more in surprise than in pain. I knew she hadn’t known what to expect and that she was shocked that I had actually slapped her ass. She was also shocked to realize she enjoyed it. Then came slaps two, three, four, five and six. I alternated cheeks, starting from the outside and moving my way closer to my center with every smack. Reveling in the way she gasped with each slap, I smiled as she contemplated if I was going to lose count. I could hear her try to convince herself that she should be ashamed that this was happening. I toggled with stopping at this point. I didn’t want her to feel ashamed of anything that she enjoyed, especially if I was causing the enjoyment. I decided to keep going and see where it led.

I moved to her upper thighs, slaps seven, eight, nine, and ten in quick succession, trading thighs each slap. She was crying out louder and louder with each one as they got harder and harder.  Tears had formed in her eyes with the first round and were now streaming down her face. But I knew these tears weren’t from fear or from pain, they were a release for her.  Each slap made her release more of the pain she had been holding inside. I was slowly releasing her heart from the prison I knew she had locked it away in. With each slap I could feel her letting go of who she thought she was supposed to be. She finally let herself enjoy the sensation of my hand on her cheeks and the sound of the slaps echoing in the living room.