Book Three/Chapter Ten

"So tell me about you." Chris asked after he and Lissa had returned back to the living room and were seated comfortable on the plush sofa.

Lissa met his blue eyes with her own. "Not much to tell. What ever I do tell you will probably either bore you to tears or send you running out the door."

Chris remained silent, waiting for her to go on.

"Well," Lissa began, seeing that Chris wasn’t going to let her off the hook. It wasn’t that she had anything to hide from him. She just always felt awkward talking about herself.

"Have you lived in Saint Paul all of your life?" Chris sensed that she was having a hard time getting started so he gave her a little push.

"No, I lived in a small town in the southern part of the state until I was finished with high school. Shortly after I got married and we moved up here."

"Married?" Chris was completely taken by surprise with that statement.

"Yeah." Lissa sighed as she sat back and thought about it. It was over before it ever started though. I probably would have never married Scott, but at that time things were a lot different than they are now." Lissa paused and took a sip of her water. She was amazed at how intently Chris was listening to what she was saying. Very few people did that.

"For me, marrying Scott was my means of escape. My childhood and teen years were a bit rough going. My Dad was a surgeon. He worked long, odd hours. We rarely ever saw him. My Mom was an alcoholic, although she did manage to become sober and was so for fifteen years before she passed away a little over a year ago."

"I’m so sorry." Chris reached out and brushed away a tear that slid down her cheek. He’d lost his own Mom just the past year and knew the devastating heartache that Lissa was feeling.

"Thanks." Lissa took a deep breath in effort to get her emotions under control again. "It was very sudden. A car accident. A head on collision with a drunk who had passed over into her lane. The only comforting thought is that she didn’t suffer. She was killed instantly and so was the bastard that hit her."

Chris drew her into his arms, giving her all the comfort that he had to offer her. He tenderly rubbed her back as he kissed away her tears. After a few moments she’d settled down again and was ready to continue on.

"You sure you want to hear all of this?" Lissa asked before going any further.

Chris took her hand into his. Her blue eyes were still damp with tears as he stared into them. "What ever you feel comfortable talking about. Or if you’d rather wait until another time, I understand."

Lissa let out a long, slow breath as she looked back at him. "No, actually it feels nice to talk about this. Normally I wouldn’t spill my guts like this to an almost complete stranger, but . . ." She trailed off, wondering if she sounded as stupid to him as she did to her own ears.

"But if we’re going to be spending more time together, we need to get to know each other anyway." Chris finished her sentence for her. Lissa felt her heart leap in her chest. He’d just said exactly what she’d been thinking.

Shaking her head slightly, Lissa cleared her thoughts before she let her emotions get out of control. So they’d been thinking alike. Big deal. It happened all the time to people. Lissa silently berated herself for letting her feelings get the best of her. It wasn’t like her knew her every single thought thankfully. Giving herself a good mental shake, Lissa continued.

"When I was sixteen I got really sick. I almost died. I spent most of that year in the hospital." Lissa stopped as the painful memories of that time played through her mind. Even after all the years that had passed, it still hurt to think about all that she’d been through. All the tests that had been run, needles, IV’s and tubes stuck into her body. The countless amount of hours spent in the hospital hovering in a near death state. The numerous surgeries that came with curing the illness and then even more after the fact to cure yet another life threatening disease. Lissa wondered over and over what had given her the will to survive through all of that.

Chris could clearly see the wide range of emotion lighting her blue eyes. He could tell that it was difficult for her to speak of this. He took her hand into his, letting her know that he was there for her as she spoke again.

"After everything was said and done, I was given a clean bill of health. I was I can’t even begin to be able to tell you how happy I was. I just wanted to put the whole ordeal behind me and get on with my life. But that didn’t happen. A lot of people made fun of me when I returned back to school. I had been held back a year due to missing so much time. People didn’t care that I was held back because of the illness. They didn’t want to hear it. They called me stupid, dumb and said that I wasn’t smart enough to pass the classes and that was why I had been held back." Lissa paused for a moment and reached for a tissue to dry her eyes. She shivered noticeably as more memories flooded her mind. Chris gathered her against his body to warm her again.

"As if that wasn’t bad enough, the medication that I have to take has some nasty side effects that they didn’t understand. They didn’t understand that it was the medication making strange things happen to my body. The called me a freak, a monster, a beast, and every other name along those lines. Even after the dosages had been lowered and the side effects subsided, they still didn’t stop. They were all so cruel, making fun of my scars from the surgeries. Telling me that I looked like I had a road map on my stomach and all kinds of other cruel comments. When I had to change for gym class, they always cornered me and made fun of me. They even ganged up on me a couple of times and beat the hell out of me." Lissa stopped again, unable to go any further for several moments. Chris held her close to him until her shaking subsided. She pulled back, but not completely and went on again.

"I quickly found out who my real friends were. There wasn’t a one of them. The ones who were nice to my face and said that they were my friends talked behind my back. My sister Judy was my only lifeline. With out her, I have no doubt in my mind that it would have been over. I wouldn’t be here talking to you right now." Lissa dried her eyes again as she finished speaking.

This amazing woman fascinated Chris. What inner strength she possessed to be able to over come such huge obstacles. She had him completely captivated. "Please, go on."

Lissa smiled weakly. It felt weird that she was going to be talking to Chris about her ex-husband. But if Chris wanted to be with her, he had a right to know what he was getting into, although she wasn’t telling him everything. Some skeletons were better of staying in the closet…some demons were better off staying buried.

"So, I pretty much kept to myself through the remainder of school. I never dated none of the guys wanted anything to do with me. Then during the senior year, Scott came to our school. When he showed interest in me, I was so starved for any kind of attention that I clung to it. He was always a few short of a six pack. But after he got married, it got worse. After we moved up here, I got a job and met a lot of people. I began emerging from my shell. Scott suddenly made me quit my job. He refused to let me leave the house with out him and he became very controlling and abusive. Then one day he just suddenly up and asked for a divorce. I was more than happy to grant him one since I had served him with papers on several other occasions and he always refused."

Lissa paused, looking to see if Chris had heard enough yet. "Bored yet?" Taking a long drink of her water to ease her dry throat, she waited for his answer.

"Far from it." Chris replied sincerely. He’d never met such a strong person. To be able to survive was one thing, but to be able to get past it was another. Her life had been hard, but she wasn’t dwelling on it. She was trying to make the absolute best out of the hand that had been dealt to her. Chris’ admiration for her soared to new heights.

"Please tell me the rest."

"Okay, but remember when I’m done and you’re bored to tears, you asked for it." Lissa laughed softly as she sat back again and got comfortable.

Chris said nothing as he put an arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his body, waiting for her to continue. Lissa looked up at him for a moment. She continued to be amazed by his genuine interest.

"So I got divorced from Scott. Everything was going great. I loved my job and quickly fell into a comfortable routine. I have some great friends at work. My sister moved back here after being gone for a little over three years. Life was good. Then just a few months ago, Scott started stalking, I guess you could call it. He followed me when I went some where. Sometimes I would see him outside of my windows. The police tried to help in anyway possible, but they really couldn’t do anything unless he was caught in the act. When I would call them, Scott would always be long gone by time they got here. The best I could do was put a restraining order on him. Which I did. I had done it just a day or two before you found me in the parking lot that night."

"So it was him that attacked you that night?" Chris asked. He was completely intrigued by all that she had told him so far.

"Well, I can’t be positive. He had a mask on. It was dark, he hit me from behind and it all happened so fast. Just a matter of seconds although it seemed like an eternity. But I’m pretty sure that it was him." Lissa shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly. She was tired of talking about Scott. She just wanted to concentrate on the gorgeous man sitting beside her.

"But enough about all that." Lissa effectively put an end to the subject before Chris had a chance to say anything further.

Book Three/Chapter Eleven

"I should let you get some sleep." Lissa was no where close to wanting the night to end, yet she knew that Chris needed to be rested for the pay-per-view. He did look tired.

Chris sighed, reluctantly agreeing with her as he glanced down at his watch. Had four hours really just past? It seemed like he’d just gotten there.

“I don’t want to leave, but you’re right.” Leaning closer, Chris ran a finger down her cheek and then across her lips, savoring the softness of her skin beneath his touch.

“Who said anything about leaving?” The words were out of Lissa’s mouth before she even had a chance to attempt to stop them. A blush instantly colored her fair cheeks as she quickly looked away.

Chris’ head snapped up, a teasingly wicked grin curving his full lips. “Well, now that you mention it…” He was stopped before he could finish his statement.”

“I didn’t mean…Well, I did, but…I…”Lissa stuttered. Just the mere thought of having him in her bed with her…even if only for sleeping, had her completely flustered. And quite frankly the thought of anything more than sleep made her stomach clench into a tight ball of nerves. She wasn’t exactly what one would call experienced.

Chris chuckled softly at her frazzled state. Yes, he’d been known to do that to women before, but with Lissa it was completely different. With the others, they’d had one thing and one thing only in mind. Lissa was genuine. The real deal, so to speak.

Hooking a finger around her chin, Chris gently urged her head back until she was eye to eye with him again. Lissa stared into those beautiful sapphire pools and felt herself drowning as Chris allowed his fingers to travel from her chin down along the line of her neck. He watched a shiver race through her body, marveling at how even more beautiful she’d become as one emotion left her and was replaced by another. His breath stuck in his throat as he watched her blue eyes grow dark with desire.

Reluctantly Chris pulled back. He didn’t want Lissa to feel like she was being pushed into something that she might not be ready for in light of her recent divorce and situation with her ex-husband. But damn, it was hard. She sat there looking at him with such fire in her eyes that Chris swore he could feel the heat radiating off of her in. It took all of the will that Chris possessed in him to not just pull her into his arms and take her right on the spot.

Lissa gasped in shock when she felt Chris’ hands leave her. Not feeling his touch left her feeling empty.

“Maybe it would be best if I did go after all.” Chris finally found his voice and choked the words out.

Lissa stared at him for a moment. Unconsciously she chewed on her lip as she tried to figure out what she really felt in her heart. She knew what her body was screaming for her to do, but in her heart, was that what she wanted as well?

Leaning forward, Lissa wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled his head down to hers until their lips were mere inches apart. “No, I think it would be best if you stayed.”

Book Three/Chapter Twelve

Before Chris had a chance to say anything, Lissa closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in a kiss that was gentle, but quickly intensified. It was all the convincing that Chris needed.

Running her hands up his perfectly muscled chest, Lissa began working the buttons on his shirt. After a few moments she pulled back, a groan of frustration escaping her lips. Her hands trembling so badly, she was unable to get her fingers still enough to work the buttons. A tiny smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, Lissa grasped his shirt collar and tugged hard on the flimsy material. The buttons fell away, unnoticed as her eyes touched the prize that had been hidden underneath.

Lissa watched, her mouth running dry as Chris stood and shrugged the shirt off of his broad shoulders, letting it fall to the floor. She slipped her hand into his when he held it out to her. Once on her feet, Chris pulled her against the curve of his body. He was amazed at how well they fit together. Like two pieces of a puzzle that had been made to fit exactly together.

Tenderly cupping her face in his hands, Chris kissed her lips and then bent his head further, brushing his lips along the line of her throat. Lissa was instantly on fire, She tipped her head back further to give him better access to the sensitive spot that his lips were seeking. Her body trembled against his, her knees threatening to buckle as Chris sucked gently on the soft skin.

Lissa again ran her hands along his chest, her fingers lingering longer on the perfect six pack of abdominal muscles. Her breath stopped instantly in her throat when Chris pulled back. His eyes meeting hers, she saw the same fire burning hot in his eyes.

“Breath Lissa.” Chris whispered against her lips when he saw that she was holding her breath.

Lissa closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath and slowly letting in out in an attempt to calm herself. It worked…until Chris wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her tight against his body, his mouth coming down on hers. Lissa tentatively parted her lips when she felt his tongue tracing lightly around them. Scott had never kissed her like this before so she wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Letting Chris take total control, she tipped her head slightly, allowing him to deepen the kiss even further. She moaned softly, pressing her body closer to his as his tongue gently explored the inside of her mouth and then began a slow, sensuous dance with her own.

Sucking gently, Chris drew her tongue into his mouth. Lissa hesitantly repeated what he had done to her. She found that she really liked this new, to her, way of kissing, but she wasn’t sure that she was doing it right. She didn’t want Chris to be disappointed with her. His throaty groan eased her doubts for the time being.

Chris ran his hands along the curve of her back. Needing to feel her skin against his, he reached up and slowly undid the zipper down the back of her dress. He stepped back, watching as her dress slid from her body and fell to the floor. It was Chris’ turn to forget to breathe when he saw what was waiting for him.

Small smile curving her lips, Lissa stepped up to Chris and looked up, gazing into blue eyes that had gone dark with the depth of his desire.

“Beautiful. So beautiful,” Chris murmured against her throat as he placed a kiss to the spot where her pulse pounded rapidly. Pulling her tight to his body, their lips came together in a kiss that had both of them reeling.

Breaking the kiss, Chris bent slightly, scooping Lissa up into his strong arms. He turned around, looking for the way to her bedroom.

Seeing the question in his eyes, Lissa pointed in the direction of the hallway on the opposite side of the room. Chris walked over there quickly. Once in the hallway, he paused once again.

“Last one.” Lissa answered his question before he was able to ask it.

As Chris stepped through the doorway, it began to fully hit Lissa what was about to happen. Her whole body began to shake uncontrollably, her heart was pounding furiously, feeling as if it would burst out of her chest at any second. Her head was spinning, her stomach was clenched into a tight ball of nerves. She was excited and at the same time she felt like she was going to violently sick..

“Hey, you okay?” Chris asked softly, concerned after noticing that she’d stopped responding and that her body had become tense in his arms.

Carefully he placed her on the bed and slid in beside her. Pulling Lissa close, Chris wrapped her up in his arms like a warm blanket. Tenderly stroking her hair, he waited for her response.

Book Three/Chapter Thirteen

Parked in the car across the street, Scott sat keeping a watchful eye on his ex-wife’s house. Since he’d followed her back from the banquet hall hours ago, his anger had steadily been climbing towards the point of breaking. His fury was directed not only at Lissa, but also at the golden haired man that had arrived with her.

His fingers clenched around the steering wheel in a vice like grip until his knuckles turned white. His eyes narrowed dangerously as he continued his watch, waiting until the right moment.

Scott knew full well who Chris was. He’d seen Chris on TV plenty of times and he’d been watching from the dark shadows that night he’d attacked her and Chris had found her.

Venom raced through Scott’s veins as he thought back to that night. Lissa had been meant to pay the ultimate price that night… And if not for Chris, she would have.

Scott fingered the gun that was tucked into the waistband of his jeans, an evil smile touching his lips. “Soon Lissa, soon. The end is near for you…And your man.”

Book Three/Chapter Fourteen

Lissa closed her eyes and gave herself a mental shake. This was not the time for her to be freaking out. All her life all she ever wanted was someone like Chris; kind, gentle, caring…not to mention incredibly gorgeous. There was no way that she was going to allow herself to ruin this chance at happiness with her own insecurities.

Taking a calming breath she opened her eyes again and looked at Chris, seeing the obvious concern on his handsome face. “Its okay, Lissa.” Chris tenderly ran a finger along her cheek. His eyes held her, letting her know how sincere he was. “If you’re not ready for this I will wait.”

Lissa felt tears burning the back of her eyes. No one had ever been so gentle, so thoughtful, so understanding towards her. No matter how deep Chris’ feeling for her went, Lissa knew that she was falling for him. And falling hard.

The tears that she felt pricking at her eyes hung on her lashes for a split second before spilling over. Chris’ own eyes grew a little misty as he framed her face with his hands and kissed her tears. Sighing deeply with content, Lissa wrapped her arms around his body and pulled him close as she turned her head until her lips found his.

As the kiss deepened, Chris wrapped her up tight in his warm embrace. Shifting slightly, Chris covered her body with his. His weight pressing her deep into the mattress, Lissa never felt safer, or more loved in her entire life. His long golden hair hanging about their faces provided an extra sense of comfort and security.

Lissa lightly raked her fingernails down the length of Chris’ spine. The shudder that she felt pass through his body in response to her touch made her want more…all of this amazingly beautiful man. Pressing her body tight to his, she let him know what she wanted with a soft whisper in his ear.

Chris pulled back just enough to be able to see her eyes. He wanted to make absolutely certain that it was what she wanted. What he saw there told him far better than any words ever could have.

Letting the last threads of uncertainty leave her mind and heart, Lissa drew his head back down. A deep groan escaping his lips, Chris pressed a gentle kiss to the pulse pounding wildly in her throat before he sucked passionately on the tender flesh, leaving a possessive mark there. Bending his head deeper Chris found the spot located between her shoulder and her ear that quickly had her melting right in his hands.

Moaning softly at the pleasure that Chris was giving her, Lissa arched her body to his, wanting, needing all that he had to offer her. Picking her up slightly off the bed, Chris held her tight to him with one arm while he worked the tiny clasps on her bra with the other. Once he had the little bit of satin and lace removed, he dropped it to the floor behind him. Only in the way and of no use to him, it was completely forgotten. He placed her back and followed her down until his body completely engulfed hers once again. A shiver wrapped its tingling fingers around his spine and spread through out the rest of his body as Lissa ran her long fingernails over his broad shoulders, down his back and then up his perfectly muscled chest.

Chris ran the palms up his hands over her smooth, flat stomach and then up further until he caught one full breast in each hand. Running the pads of his thumbs over the tips, he felt them become hard under his touch. His lips traveled down until his mouth closed around the impossibly hardened peak. He ran his tongue over it, sucking and nibbling gently at first and then increased the pressure when he heard her pleasure filled moan. He moved over to the other and gave it the same treatment.

Crawling back up, Chris caught her lips in a hungry kiss before he moved down again. While his mouth worked its magic, his hands roamed over her body. He explored freely as she did the same to him.

“Lissa? What’s wrong?” Chris asked urgently when she suddenly froze. “Was it something I did?”

He watched eyes grow wide as she sat up, listening intently.

After a few moments she sank back to the bed with a weary sigh as she began to silently berate herself for being so paranoid all the time. She looked up at Chris seeing that he was waiting for some kind of explanation for her strange behavior.

“I thought I heard something.” Her voice trembled with a mixture of nervousness at what she’d thought she heard and disappointment towards herself. “But I must have just imagined it.” She paused for a moment and then added, “I’m sorry Chris. I’m really not the total basket case that you must be thinking that I am right about now.”

Chris smiled but said nothing as he gathered her small form into his arms. He would never think of her like that and with that freak of an ex-husband running around and stalking her, she had ever right to be as paranoid as she was. Lowering his head, the kiss was slow, gentle at the start but quickly intensified as Lissa ran her hands down his back. Stopping at his waist, she brought her hands around, slipping them between their bodies. When she had his pants unfastened Chris pulled back and stood long enough to remove the remained of his clothes, and then hers as well.

Part 5

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