I forced my eyes open, someone was knocking on the door. I smiled, enjoying the view of the star-painted ceiling. I wasn't in my cottage but I knew exactly where I was and the thought of that made me ecstatic. I ran my hands over the soft, purple silk sheets and rolled to the other side of the queen-sized bed. It had been a while since I was in a bed this big. I giggled to myself. I felt so good to be alive; I was so high on adrenaline. I didn't remember much from last night but I could recall being rescued by a knight in shining armor.
My knight in regular t-shirt and pants.
The person at the door knocked again and I jumped out of bed and towards it. I swung it open, pulled him in and locked the door.
"Mia?" my name rolled off his tongue, a bit surprised by my actions. It must have been the first time he'd ever called me by my first name.
"Say it again" I whispered
"I can't do this right…" he started
I placed a finger on his lips and he stopped talking
I slipped a hand into his hair, laying the other on his chest and pulled him into me.
"My name, Ray, say my name" I begged looking deep into his eyes, he took a sharp breath
"Stop" he pleaded placing his strong, sturdy hands around my waist but he didn't push me away. I bit my lower lip.
"Don't do that" he demanded, laying a finger on my lip and I could feel his body tense against me.
"Please" I implored, decreasing the space between our lips and almost immediately he filled the space. His lips moved feverishly against mine, spreading wildfire throughout me. My body screamed for his touch, every inch of me wanted to feel him.
I lifted myself and he wrapped my legs around him, spinning me around and shoving me into the door. He pressed himself into me, running a hand up my leg and gripping it tightly like he never wanted to let go. He sulked gingerly at the flesh of my neck and I tried muffling moans as waves of heat dispersed throughout my entire body and resonated between my legs. I needed more. I pulled him closer, I could feel his rapidly beating heart, his bulge, every twitch of his muscles, every heated breath that left his lips but I still needed more.
"Touch me" I whispered a bit out of breath. He peered into my eyes, also out of breath, before pressing his lips into mine once more and finding the awfully wet area between my legs. I let a satisfied breath go. Almost immediately there was a knock on the door. I jumped, looking at Ray with widened eyes. He released me from his hold and I straightened myself, taking a moment to settle my raging nerves. I ran an idle finger over his lips, replaying our moment in my head. There was another knock on the door and I rolled my eyes at how impatient Mal was. She was the only person I could think of who'd have a key to Ray's house.
"I'm so sorry" Ray muttered with conviction and sincerity and I looked at him suspiciously. What could he possibly be sorry about?
"About what?" I questioned swinging the door open.
"Who are you?" I enquired, staring down the unknown woman in front of me.
"I'm Ray's girlfriend, you must be Mia." She leered in response, shooting me straight in the heart with her words. I froze. There was no way in hell, I was hearing correctly. I looked at Ray for confirmation and he ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
"O my God" I whispered to myself. OH MY GOD. I covered my mouth with my palm in acknowledgment. I was too shocked to hide my reaction.
"Amelia…" Ray tried to explain but I couldn't imagine anything he could say to make this better.
"Get out" I demanded softly, trying to control my anger, embarrassment and pain.
"Amelia, listen to me"
"Ray, I said get out! Get out!" I screamed at him, shoving him out and slamming his door shut. I grunted a moment later after realizing I wasn't in my house. I took a deep breath before reopening the door and walking through and by them both. I was going home.
"Where are you going?" Ray asked, grabbing a hold of my arm and forcing me to look at him. I snatched it from him.
"Somewhere I belong"
"Don't be foolish, it's not safe" He stressed, searching my face.
"I'll take my chances" I replied walking away.
"Mia. Stop!" he commanded through gritted teeth and I paused for a second before taking a deep breath and continuing my journey despite of. He had bigger fishes to fry anyway- he should be worried about what he was going to tell his girlfriend, not about where I was going.
•°•
~Ray's POV~
"What the hell Aleecia?" I yelled at her from the bathroom in my room, pulling on a burgundy shirt.
"I am not the one who's screwing some nobody behind your back" She yelled back
"I have to tell her" I contemplated, stepping into the room.
"Are you soft in the head or something?" She queried walking up to me. She smoothed the collar of the shirt, looking up at me after she did "Look, we came here for one thing, let's do it. This little fling you have going on ends now. Your girlfriend has returned and it will only make things complicated." She examined my face "Do you understand me?"
I weighted the disadvantages and after a moment, I nodded in agreement. My decision left an unbearable burden on my heart but I had to do what I had to.
"Good" she smiled, laying a perk on my lips "Now. You need to go, she's been gone awhile"
I wiped her lipstick from my lips before heading out. She was right. My life had too many liabilities attached to it. I could never let Mia get involved, it would ruin her.
•°•
~Mia's POV~
I took a deep breath, taking in the cool morning's air. I was too afraid to return home by myself and I had no idea where to go. I spotted Miss Ven's restaurant a little distance from where I walked and decided it was the best place to be.
As I got closer I could hear voices participating in a heated conversation. I peered through the glass door. The restaurant was crowded, it seemed as though everyone was inside. I curled my eyes in confusion, trying to figure out what was going on. Everyone's focus was bent solely at the front of the room. I couldn't see exactly what but it must have been important.
I pushed open the door and the bell above my head rang. Immediately all the bustling stopped and I became the center of attention. I looked up at the bell with a pitch of hatred, then at the persons in the room.
"Don't mind me" I waved "I just came for a hot cup of tea" I smiled but no one responded, they all just stared at me like I was melting away. Terror, sadness, pain, rage, were all I could see in their eyes. I scanned the room nervously, this was so far from normal; I had never seen so many unhappy elderly people in one place.
"Maybe, I'll come back later?" I asked shyly, feeling the tenseness in the room weighing heavily on my shoulders.
I turned to leave, ready to get as far away from here as possible. I couldn't take another emotionally draining situation and this seemed like a trap to one.
"Mia. Wait" I heard Miss Ven say and I closed my eyes briefly before turning to face her. Her voice was urgent and pressing. Something was definitely going on
"What's happening?" I half whispered and Grace, one of the regular visitors at the library started to cry. I watched as an elderly male wrapped his arms around her and guided her to a nearby seat.
'O dear.'
I became overly conscious, taking in every detail of my environment. I looked at Miss Ven for an explanation.
"I don't know how to say this but here goes." She took a deep breath "The truth is…"
The door opened and the bell rang diverting all the attention to whoever was behind me.
"I just heard the new…" Ray's voice echoed and I turned to face him, putting my grudges aside
"What news?" I pleaded and he looked between me and the people at the counter.
He straightened his shoulders "The meeting is over everyone, it's time to go. Any further concerns should be directed to the village hall"
The people vacillated, looking at each other in noncompliance.
"You heard the man, clear the hell out" Miss Ven demanded and after a brief moment of incoherent mutters of disagreements and disapprovals, they emptied the room.
"You too Hoe" Miss Ven said with force looking over at Mrs. Hoe. She was seated at a corner table, looking all innocent and nosey. I fought the urge to smile, as she got up with defiance.
"Fine." She walked up to Miss Ven. "We be Hoeing together" she yelled into her ear and nodded with satisfaction. Miss Ven laughed and shoved her away "It's your name you idiot and for the last time, I am not deaf"
Mrs. Hoe looked surprised "O. O well, Vitch, I'll see you tomorrow evening at brunch" she smiled before waving goodbye and exiting, leaving only the three of us. I straightened my t-shirt, mentally preparing myself for what was to come and also noting that Mal was not a part of the group of people.
"I'll leave you two to it then." Miss Ven stated and before I could disagree or oppose she disappeared.
"Can we sit?" Ray asked with an extra notch of sincerity. I eyed him, taking his request into consideration. I honestly wanted nothing to do with Ray but I needed to hear what was happening and that meant cooperating until I didn't have to anymore.
"Please?" he begged and I nodded. Sitting around the nearest table. I waited for him to begin.
"It's about that truth you've been seeking"
I looked up at him in astonishment. 'How did he know that? I never told anyone. Not even Mal.'