Chapter 22

    Once he woke up, he sensed that immediately. Even before he lifted his eyelids he knew, that Jay’s not around. He opened his eyes hoping that maybe she’s somewhere in the room. But he was alone. He jumped to his feet, took his jeans and dressing them up fast, he thought frantically of how she’d looked at him. ‘As if she made some difficult decision.’ As soon as this thought crossed his mind, he was frightened that she might have left. Run away from him. Again!

    He looked for his shirt in panic, and when he couldn’t find it, he decided to go to his bedroom and take a fresh one from the closet. He swore under his breath when he stumbled. He was ready to kick the hindrance, but he noticed that it was Jay’s bag. Then he heard that. Quiet sounds of music and busy around the kitchen. He could smell a wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee and eggs on bacon.

    He quietly went to the kitchen and stopped in doorway, paralyzed. She stood there, in the sun rays coming through the windows, dressed in his shirt, a bit too oversized, reaching for half of her thighs, with sleeves rolled up to the elbows. Her hair, still wet after bath, was tied up high revealing her swan neck. On her gentle, but proudly neck, he saw a tattoo, the same as Carter has. She was barefoot and she looked incredibly sexy moving her hips in the rhythm of music. And then she did something that brought a smile to his face. She took a wooden spoon, she used to mix scrambled eggs, and begun to sing the chorus of the song flowing from the speakers. He thought that this song suited her perfectly. ‘She herself is like “Black velvet”.’

    She sensed him as soon as he stopped at the door. But she decided not to disclose it. She could feel his gaze. Sliding over her body. Burning and causing chills at the same time. It was like playing the game. He was watching her and she pretended that she has no idea about it. And she really enjoyed it. Even the song was perfect for that moment, so she sang for him.

    Now she could feel his presence even more. Stronger.

    His desire. Longing.

    She was struck again by the thought, that Bryan can send such clear signals. She knew him from the cradle and would never thought, that this calm and gentle boy may have any power. But maybe it’s only her senses sharpened? ‘Or it’s because we such close?’ She thought.

    Jay took cups without haste and poured coffee into them. She wasn’t surprised when suddenly she felt arms wrapping around her. She clung to him and tilted her head making it easier for him to get to the deepening of her neck. He rubbed her skin with rough cheek and breathed her scent deep into his lungs. When he kissed her lightly just behind the ear, she muttered contentedly and cuddled to him even more.

    Her smell made him dizzy. His heart started pounding like crazy, blood was beating in his ears, pulse vibrated deafly in his temple. He felt her taste on his tongue. Soft. Sweet. He couldn’t control himself anymore.

    He didn’t want to.

    - What have you done to me? – He whispered and nibbled her earlobe.

    She had no answer to that question. What could she say anyway? How could she answer in her situation? When she was in doubt, when her common sense fought against her heart? How could she think rationally in such a moment? Now, when her strength of will was exposed to another test. When her strong determination, to remain heartless, to isolate herself from feelings that buzzed in her, all her strong will, decisions she made, rationalism, she was supposed to hold to, it all was in ruins the moment, she felt his touch. The warmth of his skin. His scent.

    He turned Jay to face him and nailed her to the kitchen counter. Something in his eyes made her feel inexplicable fear grabbing her by the throat. It suddenly downed on her, that he could be dangerous.

    - Bryan! – She whispered with a tightened throat. But she wasn’t able to say anything more as he crushed her lips with hot kiss.

    ‘How did it happen that I can’t stop thinking about her?!’ This question was still in his head. ‘How it’s possible that her touch drives me crazy? The only presence of her makes me go mad!’

    - You must be a witch! – He whispered, lifted her up and sat her on the counter.

    Their eyes were now at the same height. His iris looked like pure amber now, shining in the light of sun rays. They were so warm. Full of so many feelings. At this moment Jay understood, that she won’t be able to leave. She won’t be able to stop Bryan from taking everything she can offer him. And even more. She won’t be able to say ‘no’ to him. She knew she couldn’t.

    She didn’t want to.

    - I want you. – He said in hoarse, changed voice.

    His movements were feverish and impatient. His hands were possessive, fingers brutal. And Jay did nothing to stop him. Though she knew, that happiness doesn’t last forever, she made another difficult decision.

    She didn’t fight. She gave him everything.

***

    Two hours later they ate completely cold breakfast and drank already stale coffee, but after the wild ride they didn’t actually care. Once they started, they couldn’t stop. And now, exhausted, they were sitting on the soft bed in front of the fireplace, in a comfortable silence, enjoying their meal.

    - What are we going to do? – Jay suddenly asked.

    - Whatever you like. – He smiled at her, though he could sensed another meaning of her question. - We have the whole weekend for each other.

    - We can go to the bowling and then to the movie? – She suggested freely.

    - Sounds like a plan. – He answered. – And then?

    - Well… - She looked at him defiantly. – We can order some dinner and spend the rest of the weekend here, in bed. – She said in a sensual voice.

    - I like this. – His eyes sparkled.  – Let’s go! – He jumped up and pulled her with him.

    - Where to? – Jay asked surprised.

    - Bowling. – Bryan grinned.

    - Now?! - She asked a bit surprised.

    - Yeah! The sooner, we go there, the sooner we’ll be back. – He explained. – And I can have you again! – He kissed her gently. – And again. – He nibbled at her lower lip. – And again.

    Now he kissed her deeply, hungrily. And she kissed him back. Once she surrendered, Jay decided to fully enjoy every moment. Every single kiss. Each touch and caress. To give and take as much as she could. ‘I’ll burn in hell!’ She thought. ‘But it’ll be worth it!’ She promised herself.

    Before they left, they took a shower. Together, so it took them a bit more time. But still, they didn’t have to hurry. On bowling, Jay successfully pretended that she can’t play. She loved when Bryan showed her how to hold the bowl. The closeness of his body excited her. Woke up all her senses. Mede her behave more openly. She rubbed herself against his body. Stimulating him. Provoking. Until his eyes darkened dangerously and he grabbed her hand, forcing Jay to face him.

    - Let’s go to the movie! – He said in a hoarse voice.

    - Okay! – She stuttered and swallowed hard.

    In the cinema they took the last row, in a far, dark corner of the hall. Jay wasn’t sure what the film was whole about, as before the end of the show she was sitting on Bryan’s lap. She didn’t feel bad about it. Nor ashamed. It’s not that they were making out at the movie. No! Kissing and touching, yeah, but it has nothing to do with shameless groping! It was gentler. Almost innocent. They both controlled themselves, knowing that nothing will stop them when they reach home.

***

    Jay heard the chirping of birds. So joyful and pleasant. The gentle wind blows were caressing her skin. Each gust was so warm, but at the same time refreshing. She stretched out and turned over to the other side. It was still weekend and she wanted to spend it like that. Lying in bed, next to Bryan. She decided to push away all her problems, questions and doubts. She’ll worry about it later.

    She purred pleased and reached forward bring him closer. But her hand touched cold sheets. She moaned in annoyance. ‘Why is he already up? They have only this weekend and he just left?’ She thought, disappointed. She already missed him, though she tried to cover it with her anger. She hid her head under the pillow when the birds’ trills started to irritate her.

    ‘Wait! What?!’ She thought suddenly. ‘We’re almost in the city centre!’ It crossed her mind. ‘And it’s the end of October! So where that warm wind comes from? She wondered. She took the pillow aside and squeezed her eyes shut as the light dazzled her. ‘What the hell?!’ Jay swore in her mind. She sat up, shielded her eyes with her hand and slowly opened her eyes.

    She was sitting on a king-size bed, covered with white, silk linen, in the middle of… ‘A fucking clearing?!’ She yelled in her head. She recognized the place immediately. There was a lake in a distance, while the bed was standing by the small wooden bridge placed over the small stream. It was her clearing. Place where her life changed forever. Where she met her mother again.

    ‘Why I’m here?’ She thought confused. She immediately thought that she wasn’t at home since few weeks, and perhaps her mother had something to say. Maybe Isabo decided to communicate with her this way? In dreams. Subconsciously. That wasn’t a comforting thought as it would mean that Jay no longer had any influence on the place, much less the time of their meetings.

    - Mum! – She shouted and the echo carried her voice though the woods.

    All sounds died. She couldn’t hear birds anymore. No rustle of leaves. Or murmur of the stream. There was only a dead silence. As if nature froze in anticipation.

    - Isabo! – She tried again.

    - Why you assume, that all your dreams are caused by me? – Jay turned towards her mother’s voice. She was sitting under the tree, with a book in her hand. And seemed to be completely relaxed.

    - And aren’t they? – She asked. – You’re here!

    - Because you’ve called me! – Isabo explained. – I have nothing to do with this one.

    - Great! – Jay sighed. – What is it now? Some freaking prophecy? – She was mad.

    - I don’t think I can help you. – Isabo kept reading. – You need to find out the meaning of this dream.

    - That was really helpful! – She said sarcastically.

    - You need to find some clue. – Her mother prompted her.

    - I don’t think I can move from here. – She pointed to the sheet she was wrapped with.

    - It’s just a dream, Jaysabel! – Isabo laughed. – It’s a creation of your imagination!

    - So I can create clothes for me? – She asked uncertainly.

    - It doesn’t work like that! – Her mother shook her head and begun to blur. – But sometimes you don’t have to look too far, to find the answer. – She smiled at Jay and looked aside before she vanished.

    Jay turned the same direction to check what Isabo noticed before she disappeared. On the bed, right next to her there was Bryan. He was deep asleep. Jay breathed in with relief. Even in a dream she felt safe and calm when he was right by her side. She leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. It was cold. ‘Too cold!’ She thought with panic.

    - Bryan! – She shook his arm, but he didn’t response. – Bryan! – She yelled.

    Then she saw it.

    A trace of blood in the corner of his mouth. She again tried to wake him up but without any result. Instead, blood trickled from his nose. Her hands were covered with blood too and soon the crimson stain was spreading at an alarming pace. Jay couldn’t stop it. She tried her healing gift, spells and prays, but nothing helped. When she was touching Bryan, she could feel nothing but the coldness. And death.

    - No! – She cried out. – No! No! No! No! No! – She couldn’t top shouting.

    Jay was holding Bryan in her arms, rocking back and forth. Tears running down her cheeks. The whole sheets were soaked through with his blood. She closed her eyes and kissed him on forehead. ‘Why?!’ She screamed inside.

    - Jaysabel! – She heard Bryan’s voice.

    She opened her eyes and looked down at him. His eyes were opened. His face still covered with blood. But he was with her. He was alive. Breathing. Tears of relief and happiness ran down her face.

    - You’re okay! – She sobbed.

    - No! – He replied. – You’ve killed me! 

    - What!? – She couldn’t believe in what she just heard. – I would never hurt you!

    - But you did! – He said accusingly!

    - No! – She jumped out of the bed, still wrapped in the sheet covered with his blood and started to run.

    - You won’t run away, Jaysabel! – She heard his footsteps just behind his back.

    - You’re not him! – He shouted and speeded up.

    - Face the truth Jaysabel! – He yelled. – You’re a murderer!

    - No! – She yelled back.

    - Jaysabel! – She heard him yelling from a distance.

    - Get out of my head! – She screamed. She covered her eared and shut her eyes tightly.

    - Come back to me, Jaysabel! – His voice sounded a bit differently. Worried?

    - NO!!! – She yelled the moment she felt his hand on her arms.

    - Jay, wake up! – This time she heard fear in his voice. – It’s just bad dream! – He hugged her tightly, despite she was trying to push him away. – It’s alright! I’m here baby! – He stroked her hair gently.

      He rocked her in his arms until her sobbing ceased and her breathing became even again.

    When he heard her calling his name, he thought that something happened. He woke up immediately, turned on the light and noticed that Jay was still sleeping. The she started to throw herself in the sleep. She looked frightened. And then her scream. Heartbreaking. He tried to wake her up, but it seemed to take forever!

    ‘What’s haunting you, Jaysabel?’ Bryan thought and he fell asleep, holding her tightly in his arms.