Heart of Fire (6 page)

CHAPTER TEN

The ride to the house was long.  Annabel sat in silence as they drove.  She smiled shyly from time to time as she caught Danni looking at her.  The way she looked at her gave her chills and she wished she could read her mind when she looked at her like that.  That was the look that said I want you and desire you.  At least that is the way is appeared to Annabel.  Danni was the first person she had trouble reading, she had prided herself in the past for knowing just what a person thought or wanted, but not with Danni, she had a poker face.  When she was sure what was going to come out of her mouth, she would surprise her with something else.  It frustrated her.  Annabel started to think Danni was not really interested in her.  How could she stand there in the bathroom and see me naked, and not do anything?  She frowned when it occurred to her that Danni might not find her attractive.

The quiet of the drive was excruciating.  Just as Annabel found the nerve to just ask her directly what she wanted from her; they pulled down the long stretch of road that lead to the house.  The trees that covered the landscape gave her some comfort.  She loved the kaleidoscope of colors fall had on the trees.  The picturesque landscape stretched for miles, she admired the brownish, red and yellow color of the leaves as they cascaded in the sky from the branches above.  It reminded her of a picture that her mother painted when she was only seven-years-old.  Annabel had begged her day and night for the picture, and one night as she climbed into bed, it hung on the wall above her bed in her bedroom.  It was her favorite and it was the last canvas her mother painted before she became bed ridden.  Life was not the same after that. 

Her father would come home drunk every day, and yell and scream because she could not get out of bed and cook.  He told her she was worthless and a waste of space on the earth.  Annabel would be so distraught at night that she would cry herself to sleep and the only thing that gave her comfort was the picture.  As an adult, she still carried the tormented memories and it made it impossible for her to date anyone for any longer than a month at a time. 

Annabel was afraid that she carried her father’s mean genes, and never wanted anyone to feel the way her and her mother felt.  It was easier to tell the girls she was dysfunctional and had too many issues to be in a relationship.  Some women did not take it well, and it got to the point where she had to change her cell phone number so often, she had to keep a note pad with her number written on it to remember what it was.  Then one day, the game was just not fun anymore, she started to just tell anyone who wanted to get to know her that she was not looking for anything more than a one night stand.  That seemed to work over the past few years but now all of that was changing.  Did she really want a relationship with Danni, or was it just a fascination, or a curious childhood dream she needed to concur, or was she really ready for the first time in her life to love someone and love them back?  She knew if she was ready, she could not start a relationship built on lies. 

She knew she would have to eventually tell Danni everything.  But, she was afraid of what she would think.  ‘What would she say if she knew the truth about what happened that night?’ The thought gave her chills.  She sighed when they pulled in front of the house and eyed the enormity of it.  It looked like an eighteen hundred’s Victorian style home with the big white pillars and a porch that wrapped around the house.  “It’s beautiful Danni.”

Danni sat in awe as well, and smiled at the approving statement
.  “If I’m right the house has been in his family for centuries.  I remember him saying it was his grandfather’s or his great grandfathers’ house.”  She shrugged.  “The only thing I’m sure of now, it makes for a great escape and a place to keep witnesses until the trial is over.”

As they walked the perimeter of the property, Annabel came to the conclusion it was time to come clean.  She smiled triumphantly to herself and slowly turned to face Danni.  “
I would like to sit down later and talk about things with you if that is okay.”  The words she had rehearsed over and over during the drive now seemed lame.

“Okay, sure.  What kind of things?”
Danni’s heart pounded in her chest as the worst case scenario came to her mind.  She wants to end what has yet to start.  She wanted to take her in her arms and hold on tight but instead she stood in place looking at her for a ray of hope.

“Just a few personal things about me I would like to share with you,” s
he stuttered shyly.

“You can tell me anything, you know that right?”
Danni pulled her close when she saw the fear in her eyes.  Danni was determined to hide her own tears when she witnessed a stream flow from Annabel’s eyes.  They stood awkwardly looking at one another, still holding hands, like shy lovers.  “Annabel…I…” She started to talk but she could not find the words.

Annabel could see the real compassion and the pain in Danni’s eyes and her own pain hit her, hard and raw.  She threw her arms around her and cried softly.  Danni would not allow her own tears to come.  Instead she held her silently, protectively in her strong arms.

Slowly Annabel stopped crying and stepped back quickly.  “There is so much about me you don’t know.”

She cupped her chin in her hand, and looked deep into the bright blue eyes.  “
You can tell me anything.”  A single tear escaped Danni’s eye.  Annabel carefully wiped it away with a kiss.

“Let’s go inside.  After we eat, we can talk.” 
She took Danni by the hand and led her up the stair into the house.

They surveyed the entrance of the house together for a few moments, but when Annabel turned around Danni was gone.  She eyed the large white pillars that stood erect on each side of the main fireplace in the hallway, Annabel thought it awkward that there would be on there, but then remembered the time when the house was built.  There was no central heating or air, and the only way to keep the monstrosity of a home warm was to light a fire in each room.  To the left, two large oak sliding doors were half open leading into the main sitting room.  When she walked in, she covered her mouth with her hands as she eyed each piece of antique furniture.  It was like stepping out of the eighteen hundreds.  She stepped closer into the next room that displayed a long dining room table that sat sixteen.  Annabel imagined the wonderful dinner parties that had been planned down to every detail and the extravagant meals that were served.  She stepped through a pair of glass doors that led to a smaller room with an amour and mirror where guests could freshen up before dinner.  She felt like she was in a movie scene and when she turned around, there would be women walking around in corsets and puffy dresses and men in tuxedos.  To the right there was one single door, it led into the kitchen.  It was twice the size of the dining room and living room combined.  It was the only room in the home that had been modernized.  There was a new side by side refrigerator, an electric stove, a microwave, and in the middle of the room stood a breakfast bar with stools and above hung the most beautiful set of pots and pans. 

Annabel was eager to let loose her creative skills in the kitchen, she secretly watched cooking shows and would try to make the meal exactly as they did on the show.  She would make some terrific meals and some were not so good, but she would keep trying until the food was cooked to perfection.  She could hear Danni walk in the adjoining room, she entered, and she stood in awe of the entertainment room.  It was a sport junkie’s wet dream.  A fifty inch wide screen television was mounted on the wall to the left was an air hockey table and to her right was a pool table.  In the middle of the room was one single sofa.  She smiled as she saw Danni already flipping through the channels and sitting erect on the couch as she watched a football game. 

She felt like a little girl exploring, she went from room to room.  On the second floor were the bedrooms, but only one had a bed, the other four rooms were in the process of renovation.  Plastic lined the floors with pain buckets waiting to be opened.  She went back to the one room.  A king size bed with mahogany posts that stood five feet in height and supported a silk white sheet that draped down on each side of the bed.  She had never seen anything so beautiful other than in the movies.  The adjoining bathroom had a single shower and a sink, she assumed it was the way they had it set up in the day the house was built.  She smiled as she looked back at the room, then panic set in.  One bedroom to sleep in, would Danni be willing to sleep with her after she finally told her the truth or would she chastise her from not only her bed but her life? 

Danni stepped in the room behind her with the suitcases in hand.  When she finished with the last bag and placed it on the bed.  She eyed the bed, then Annabel.  She recalled how good it felt to be held by her when they slept, and when she woke up in her arms, she realized she had not been that happy in her entire life.

She must have stood there for several minutes because she could hear the clash of pans come from the kitchen.  When she peaked around the door, she watched as Annabel prepared dinner. 
‘I could get used to this’.  She smiled at the thought.

It was a wonderful meal that consisted of roasted chicken, potatoes, biscuits, and gravy.  For desert Annabel served peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream.  After dinner Danni insisted on helping her with the dishes, but Annabel refused and ushered her off to build a fire and relax.

Danni looked over the edge of her newspaper and pretended to read while she watched Annabel flutter around the kitchen.  Annabel abruptly pulled out the oak kitchen chair before she sat with her arms folded across her chest and cleared her throat.

Danni looked over the paper and could see the serious look on Annabel’s face.  “
Is everything okay?”

She nodded her head as she got up and stood by the side of the table.  She handed her a glass of wine and found a spot next to her.  “How about we go relax in the television room?” Danni suggested ready to unwind after such a large meal.

Annabel agreed and within moments she snuggled in and sighed.  “I am so happy when I’m with you.  I never thought I could care this much for someone.”  Danni blinked back at the statement, but smiled when she saw the shy look in her eyes

She caressed Annabel’s arm with her fingers, as she leaned in to kiss her.  At first, the kiss was soft and gentle then it became rough and demanded more.  Danni could not take the torture anymore she had to have her, to taste her, to breathe in her scent.  She took her by the hand and led up the staircase to the bedroom.  As they kissed, she guided Annabel backwards to the bed.  First she removed Annabel’s shirt then her bra.  She tugged gently on the button of her jeans.  Annabel assisted and slid them off.  Danni’s eyes trailed down as she memorized each curve of her body.  She removed her own clothes and then pulled Annabel into her.  She gasped as if the air was forced out of her lungs as their bodies touched for the first time.  As eager as she was to taste her and to feel the orgasm drain from her, she wanted to trace, and taste every inch of her.  She held her in place as she tasted her lips, her neck, and her breasts.  When she moved down to the center, she slowly breathed in her scent.  She could not wait anymore but she needed to make her take her time, she was not going to rush this, so she moved back up slowly allowing her tongue to trail along the way.  Once their lips met, she gently maneuvered Annabel into the center of the bed kissing her and caressing each curve. 

“I need you,” Annabel cried when Danni nudge her thumb over the swollen clit.  The look on Annabel’s pleading face made taking her time hard.  She lowered her head and kissed her inner thighs while she pressed her thumb harder and slid her middle finger deep into her.  Slow strokes at first, then a little faster.  She could feel her own wetness increase as the juices flowed around her finger.  She could feel the muscles tighten then relax.  She was not ready to take her yet, she wanted her to come in her mouth, to taste the juices as they flowed, so she pulled her finger out and rubbed it against her lips and tasted the sweat fluid of Annabel’s desire.

They locked eyes briefly.  “
Don’t stop.  Please don’t stop,” Annabel moaned urging her on.

Danni did as asked.  She pushed her legs up and wrapped them over her shoulder.  She dipped her tongue into the moist center first. “
So sweet, taste so good,” she moaned, and forced her tongue deeper within her.  Her tongue found its way to her swollen clit. 

Annabel clasped her hands around Danni’s head hard against her.  “
I need you, please Danni, I need to come.”  Danni sucked hard flipping her tongue over the soft tissue.  Annabel’s hips thrust as the climax reached the surface.  “Don’t stop, I’m coming.”  The orgasm washed through her, but as soon as it ended another one began.  The second one stronger than the first which caused her body to convulse as it ripped through her.  Once it subsided and her breathing stabilized, she tried to focus on Danni, but her vision blurred as Danni dipped her fingers back in her once more.  She maneuvered her tongue over the sensitive pink skin again.  It did not take long before Annabel’s body began to tremble once more.  She moaned and cried as Danni masterfully licked and sucked.

“Are you ready for another one?”
Danni confidently asked as she nibbled the folds that surrounded Annabel’s clit.

“Are you trying to kill me?”
she panted still trying to get her breathing under control.

Danni giggled as she deposited herself on top and suckled on her bottom lip.  “
Are you telling me you can’t hang?”