[||Skittles||]: 321.Peril.ChapterOne.Betrayal

   Removing my apron, I stuffed it into my bag, fixing my hair before I slowly climbed onto my bike. I could feel his eyes on me, but I didn’t turn around.
“Elizabeth.” He called to me. I ignored him. Soon, he was running next to me, trying to keep up.
“Go away, Daniel.” I hissed, turning a sharp corner. He grunted and picked up his speed, just enough to swing in front of me. I watched as he braced for impact, and for a second, I almost didn’t stop. It was as if time slowed to give me this option. But, I chose the latter and came to an abrupt halt, inches from where he stood.
“Would you just listen to me?” He growled the words, grabbing my bike handles as I started to maneuver around him, keeping me in place.
“It would seem I’m out of options.” I hissed back, sitting up. My feet were flat on the ground, keeping me from falling over. “What do you want?”
“What happened in there was not my fault, Liz.” He began, his eyes hard, almost burning with hate- or desire, I couldn’t tell anymore. I winced back, his glare almost touching my soul. His face relaxed, softening at my reaction. “Please, Liz. You’ve got to believe me.”
“You had your hands all over her, Daniel. What was I suppose to think?” I countered quietly. I couldn’t look him in the eyes and be bitchy and uptight. Not with his expression the way it was.
“I was trying to get her off of me. I know I didn’t react quickly enough, but she caught me off guard. I was still trying to process what she was doing, because trust me, it wasn’t kissing. It was more like devouring my face.” He smiled slightly, trying to lighten the mood.
I couldn’t help but laugh. He always won the arguments I started. “I guess you did look kind of horrified. But I thought it was because you had seen me watching.” He continued to brace the bike as he leaned towards me. “Daniel.” I whispered. I wasn’t going to kiss him after that thing had stuck her tongue down his throat; at least not until he’d washed his mouth out with bleach. Well, maybe Listerine would work just as well. He seemed to know what I was thinking and smirked a little before leaning back.
“Where were you going, anyway?” He asked as I climbed off my bike. “The apartment is the other way.” He added quickly at my confused stare. In all my anger I’d completely forgotten I had moved in with him two days ago.
“To my dad’s house, I guess. I don’t really know where else I’d be going that was down this street, except the path to the river. But my chances of surviving a midnight stroll through the forest are about as high as that girl getting in your pants.” I grimaced. I faintly recall having a very brief thought about jumping in the river, and not coming back. But that thought had left me before I could completely process it.
“You wouldn’t seriously consider the river, would you?” His voice broke through my thoughts. “I mean, with all the wild animals in that forest, and the strength of the current…” His eyes widened in horror. I looked away in shame. Though I had no intention of suicide, the thought still lingered in the back of my mind. He grabbed my shoulders and shook me gently, but firmly. “Promise me, Liz…” His voice pleaded against my ears. “Promise you won’t go to the river at night, or alone, ever.” I looked up at him, my expression apologetic.
“I promise.” I sighed after a moment.
“Thank you. Now, let’s go home. I’m beat.”
We walked the two blocks in silence, and averted gazes. I couldn’t believe I just made a promise I knew I couldn’t keep, to the man I loved more than anything. I cringed at the betrayal. He slipped his arm around me, awkwardly, as the bike moved between us, almost like a barrier.
He fumbled with the key as I waited at the bottom step of our three step porch. I waited patiently, in silence, until the door creaked open and the hallway light illuminated the yard. I leaned my bike against the wall after shutting the door and followed Daniel to the bedroom to change and to sleep. As I unbuttoned my shirt, slowly, not thinking about my actions, his arms slid around my waist. He breathed on me, and I could smell the mouth wash. Instinctively I turned my face towards his and our lips met.
We rarely kissed on the mouth in public because his touch made my heart pound to where the whole room could surely hear it. I always forgot to breathe, too. Perhaps I was waiting for it to end forever…No matter the reason, it always left me breathless.
His fingers swiftly undid the rest of my buttons, pulling my blouse open. My body turned to face his, pressing against it with force, passion. He began kissing my neck, biting it softly. I inhaled deeply and that’s when I pushed him away.
“What is it?” He asked, confused and breathless.
“You smell like her.” I accused. It wasn’t my perfume. I only wore a light layer of Velocity. My sister gave it to me for Christmas one year and I fell in love with it. So did he.
“What?” Clearly he had already forgotten about his desperate ex-girlfriend at the bar. It dawned on him quickly. “Oh.” Was all he muttered as he sat on the edge of the bed, sighing.
“Well?” I pressed. God, like the solution wasn’t obvious.
“Well what?” He demanded. I groaned and disappeared into the bathroom. He loved make-up sex so much better than the regular kind. We always seemed to get more anger out that way, making it more passionate. I guess he’d have to follow my lead tonight. This will surely emasculate him, at least a little. I pretended to busy myself with brushing my hair and teeth until he was in the doorway, glaring at me in the mirror. I glared back to the best of my ability, trying to hide the oh-so-obvious solution.
He still didn’t move as I pushed past him to find my nightgown. It wasn’t until I’d stripped down to just my underwear that I heard the water turn on. I smiled to myself, still pretending to be mad. I went back into the bathroom to take out my contacts. He waited patiently until I was finished with that to quickly undo my bra. I caught it before it fell, and he frowned. I slowly took it off to reveal my most recent hiking trip incident. A small, but fairly deep gash spread across my right breast. I had yet to tell him. He looked angry at first, but then grabbed me around the waist and pulled me into the shower with him, despite the fact I still had on the one piece of clothing that restricted any intense physical…fun, that he might have had in mind. I grabbed his body wash, while he kissed every part of my body he could manage, and began scrubbing him down until all I could smell was the soap.
“Happy?” He asked against the soft flesh of my neck, making me shiver.
“Very.” I breathed into his ear. The water turned cold, suddenly, and I flinched, pressing against his warm body. He reached around me and turned it off before he carried me to the bed, still soaking wet.
***
I groaned as the morning light flittered through the window, waking me, and I rolled over to snuggle closer with Daniel. Unfortunately, he wasn’t there. I fell back to my normal position and slowly began to wake up. Before I could comprehend what day it was, Daniel was back at my side. I realized the toilet had flushed while I was trying to force myself awake. I gave up on that immediately and began kissing his neck, my hands exploring his body for the hundredth time.
“Liz.” He whispered in my ear. It was the voice he used when he wanted to ask me something, but he lost the question as soon as I began to arouse him. His hands hesitated before pushing me away gently, but holding onto me so I couldn’t go far. “Liz.” He repeated softly.
“I fell.” I said, answering his question, which was true, more or less. He looked at me skeptically. “Okay…” I said, giving in. He wasn’t going to like this. “I was pushed.” His eyes darkened at my words. “No, it wasn’t an accident, and yes I deserved it.” He sat up, glaring at me. Well not at me, per say, but at the events he was imagining, which he could only imagine if he looked at my face, for some reason.
“Who was it?” He demanded quietly. His self-control was impressive.
“Just some tourist pissed off because I cut him.” Oops. I should have said her. He’d be less angry and more amused if it had been a ‘girl fight’. His jaw tightened.
“Him?” He growled, but managed to keep it quiet. I was in awe.
“Let it go, Daniel. It was two days ago.” He didn’t look convinced. “The tree branch barely nicked me.” Crap. Again with the slip up’s. My story was supposed to be that a girl pushed me and I fell on a rock. Not that a 275 pound man swung a thick tree branch at me. Damn him and his truth finding gaze. He was off the bed now, pulling on some pants and a shirt. I doubted he would find the guy, but he was too angry to think about it.
“I’ll kill him.” He muttered angrily as he marched out the door. I sighed, wondering how long he’d be gone now. Surprisingly, the front door opened seconds later and he was back at my side, cupping my face in his hands. He was sorry, I knew that, but something about his look made me wonder if he was scared for me. “I love you, Elizabeth.” He whispered. I smiled at him.
“I love you, too, Daniel.” His lips pressed against mine roughly, eagerly. My stomach twisted into butterfly knots. I wanted him just as much as he wanted me. He was passionate, gentle and rough at the same time, and he took extra time to make sure I was enjoying myself. This was the first time in ages he had wanted me like this. It was close to the same thing as our first night together, almost four months ago. After that, we discovered that make-up sex was a lot better than regular sex. But first time sex and this…this sad sex trumped make-up sex any day.
***
I sighed quietly, smiling a little as I made breakfast. We both had the day off, and I was already planning on spending it in bed with him. Unfortunately, I discovered as he walked into the kitchen fully dressed, he had other plans. “Where are you going?” I asked casually, trying to hide my disappointment. It failed. He chuckled and wrapped his arms around my waist.
“I’m going to the book store. They are supposed to have a new series of books about Vampires and Werewolves, mingling with humans. The books got very high ratings from some popular New York magazines.” I nodded, realizing he’d want to spend the day reading. He caught my face in his warm hands. “Liz, I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’m just getting some…intermission material.” I pretended to pout at the comment. “What?”
“So you don’t want to cuddle?” I whined. He laughed his bark-like laugh before kissing me firmly on the lips.
“Just a few minutes.” He repeated, walking out the door, leaving me breathless once again.
I finished breakfast, covering the plate with foil to keep it hot for him, and went to the bedroom to relax. I was beginning to doze off when the door opened and Daniel appeared in the doorway.
“That didn’t take very long.” I smiled. He took his place next to me, his expression fairly grim.
“Liz.” Oh no. It was that tone again. “I ran into Marion Apple down the street. He said that the police found a homeless man dead on the street.” I waited, knowing there was only one possible ending to this, seeing as the only homeless person I really cared for was my uncle. “They found a library card on him. It’s Frank, Liz.” He watched my expression as the news slowly sank in.
“How?” I choked out, not meeting his gaze.
“So far, all he can figure is that it must be alcohol poisoning. But Marion isn’t sure and the police haven’t gotten the autopsy report.” I sighed, the tears spilling from my eyes silently.
“Liz, we should go identify him. Give him a proper burial.” I scoffed. We didn’t have the money for it and I doubt anyone in my family would care enough to contribute. But I knew Daniel would make me try anyway. I suggested we wait until after lunch to go to the morgue, and he reluctantly agreed.