Time passed relatively quickly for those not impatiently anticipating the most revelatory moment of their lives. But the extended family that Michael Samuelle had brought into being could not be counted amongst those so fortunate.

The unexpected pain of Madeline's death, if not long forgotten, had faded into a tolerable ache for the Hunters. At 16, Connor resembled no one more than his father Neil, and for that, he was grateful. His baby sister Kady was 8 years old now. As intelligent as she was articulate, Kady possessed a maturity beyond her years. Still, an underlying sadness clung to the little girl. Sometimes Neil blamed himself, for Kady not having a mother, for Kady having to confront such a brutal reality so early in life, and yet…he was glad that Kady was capable of feeling such sorrow. It meant that she had compassion. Something her late mother never truly developed.

Connor was on the verge of discovering a whole new world. After Madeline's death, Connor plunged himself into his music, seeking a safer outlet for the volatile emotions that surged through his body. At first, it was just a means to control things that could not be controlled before. But gradually, Connor found that he could communicate things through his music that other people were interested in hearing.

Connor came into his own. No longer totally dependent on his family to define himself, he felt empowered. With that level of confidence came something else, something just as important. His relationship with Faith, stalled two years earlier, suddenly moved forward. Now that he had something tangible to offer, Connor took back the initiative that had been Faith's all along.

Faith was now a tall, athletically-built 17-year-old. Never one to doubt herself, nevertheless Faith had thrown herself into her schoolwork with a vengeance, emerging victoriously at the end of what had once seemed like an interminable tunnel. She had helped Connor deal with his mother's death, but his reluctance to be hurt again had been a major stumbling block in their romantic relationship. It wasn't like Faith to settle for anything, but she did. She accepted Connor the way he was and loved him with all her heart. In a way, they became better friends than would-be lovers. But that time would not last much longer. If Connor was ready for more, Faith would be the one to give it to him.

Her twin brother Chris had grown into a startlingly handsome young man. Never one to hide his protective instincts, Chris remained close to Emmy, the slender 16-year-old redheaded daughter of Declan and Sey. Their relationship had done nothing but deepen over the years, and soon, Chris promised Emmy, they would belong to each other in a way that wouldn't have been possible before.

No longer shy to the point of being tongue-tied, Chris found an acerbic wit that served him well, making him one of the most sought after young men at school. But he only had eyes for Emmy.

As for Emmy, her psychic visions had grown stronger and clearer with the passing time. Convinced that her Druidic heritage had more than a little to do with these visions, Emmy spent several hours a week trying to research her abilities, wondering if she would ever gain complete control of them. That was one of the things that she loved most about Chris. He didn't deny that her visions could be difficult to live with, even painful at times, and he understood how hard it was to be *different* when all she wanted to was to be the *same* as everyone else. But he loved her for those differences. He loved her for *herself*.

Emmy looked up to her older brother Sasha. At 18, Sasha seemed to have *everything*. He was smart as a whip and gifted with both an analytical mind and an emotional nature. After Madeline's death, Sasha seemed to withdraw into himself, the nightmare world he inhabited one he chose not to inflict on *anyone*, including his sister. He became known as a loner. Emmy thought it was a heartbreaking description for someone as loving as Sasha, but it was more than that. There was a part of himself that he couldn't share with anyone but Skye, and when Skye voluntarily returned to boarding school in England, Sasha silently vowed not to give that part of himself away. Someday she might want to claim it. It belonged to her as much as him.

"Are you going to England this year?"

Every year Emmy asked Sasha the same question. Every year Sasha gave Emmy the same answer. "Nope."

"But why? Sasha…" Emmy wailed in frustration. She wanted Sasha to be happy. Something he clearly was not.

"She'll come home soon. I'll be content with that," he said softly, spooning a large quantity of scrambled eggs onto Emmy's plate. He often fixed breakfast for the two of them. Declan was spending long hours at the University working on a special art project that promised to make him worthy of tenure. Sey stayed up nights to wait for him, making it impossible to get up in the mornings. He would have gotten up anyway, but Sasha wanted his father to catch up on his sleep. It was the least he could do for him considering everything Sey had given him.

"I don't want you to be content, Sasha. I want you to be *happy*. There's a difference, y'know?"

"I know," Sasha agreed, sitting down at the table. His own plate was not nearly as full as Emmy's. His appetite had deserted him lately. He was hearing disturbing rumors about what Skye was doing in England now. It was all he could do not to jump on the next plane and act like the jealous boyfriend. But he couldn't do that. It wasn't his role. Not now.

"Don't you worry about her finding someone else?"

Sasha almost burned his mouth on his coffee. //I worry about it all the time. I wish I could get it out of my head.// "Sure," he replied.

"Well, why don't you do something about it?"

"It's not my move to make, Em. If she wants me, she knows where to find me."

"Right. Like she's "found" you for five minutes every Christmas when she comes home for the holidays?" Emmy asked rhetorically. She loved Skye, but the younger girl was playing with Sasha's heart, even though she didn't know it. Sasha lived for the stolen moments when Skye came to visit. He waited in vain for her to show some sign of wanting *more*, but it never came. Now that she was almost 16, he thought it was time. *Their* time. But she kept her distance.

"What's the matter with you, Sasha? You used to be such a fighter, dammit. It's like you've given up."

Sasha lifted his head to stare at his sister bleakly. "No, I haven't given up. Not yet."

"Who's that?" Skye's roommate asked, pointing to a dog-eared photo that Skye kept in her wallet.

"My boyfriend." Skye whispered the words almost reverently.

"Some boyfriend. How come he never visits you here in England?" Amber snorted.

A wistful look lingered on Skye's face as she put away the much-beloved picture. "I don't know. Sometimes I think…maybe he's changed his mind about me. About *us*."

Skye's face abruptly cleared. "But won't he be surprised when I come home this year for good?"

"Did you tell your folks that you're graduating early?"

Skye shook her head. "I haven't told anyone. I've been working like the proverbial dog trying to get my papers done. Kirk's been helping me."

"Kirk wants to get into your pants, girl. Don't think he has any other motive but that one."

"He's not like that, Amber."

"Yes, he is. I'm telling you…watch out for him. He'll strike when you least expect it."

"Besides," Amber continued, "you're smarter than he is, Skye. You don't need his help."

"I just want to make sure I graduate this year, Am."

"Why is it so important *now*?"

"Sasha…he's gifted, too. He already graduated. He's in college now." She chuckled, but it was a bittersweet sound. "He's probably running the place by now. He probably…doesn't need me anymore."

"Oh, Skye," Amber said, giving her roommate a hug. "Anybody that stupid doesn't deserve you."

"You look like shit, son."

"Gee, thanks, Dad. That makes me feel so much better."

Sey yawned without covering his mouth. Declan hadn't gotten home until close to 3 am. He chastised Sey for waiting up for him, but Sey responded by telling Declan that he couldn't sleep without him. One thing led to another and the truth was, neither one of them got very much sleep. But Declan managed to get up and head out early to the University anyway. He was like a man possessed working on his latest art project.

Chasing the cobwebs from his brain with a faint frown that did nothing to diminish the beauty of his sleep-softened features, Sey settled into a chair at the kitchen table. "Did Emmy get off okay?"

"Yep."

"She had breakfast?"

"Uh huh."

"Did you?"

"Did I what?"

"Have…breakfast. You know, that thing you're supposed to do every morning."

"Oh. Um, yeah. I had something."

"Sasha, you think I haven't noticed that you're losing weight? Something is eating you up…and I think we both know what it is."

Sasha sighed and put down his cup of coffee. "I don't want to talk about this, Dad."

"You never do. But if you won't talk, then maybe you'll listen." With that, Sasha stood up, scraping his chair loudly across the floor. "I don't think so, Dad."

"Sasha—"

Sasha stopped at the door, his shoulders slumping in a posture that had become all too familiar to his family. "I can't, Dad."

"Promise me you'll do *something*."

"I—"

"Promise me, Sasha. Or I'm not letting you out of the house."

"You can't keep me here," Sasha responded, slightly shocked that his father would resort to tactics like that.

"You want to try me?"

Sasha gave in none too gracefully. "O-kay, I'll call her."

"Tonight?"

"Tonight. Satisfied?"

"Not really. But if that's the best you can do…"

"I love you, Dad, but don't push me on this," Sasha whispered. "I have a class in about an hour and I need to stay focused."

Sey made his way over to where his son stood. He wanted to hug him, but he wasn't sure if Sasha would allow it in his present mood. He could tell that Sasha was hanging onto his control by a thread and a random act of kindness might very well be his undoing.

"Call me when you get to the University," Sey said. "I worry."

"You don't have to," Sasha protested, albeit weakly. He was glad that *someone* cared what happened to him and he could always depend on his father's support.

"Maybe we could have lunch," Sey offered.

"You should get some more sleep."

"We could go to Angelo's," Sey continued, naming Sasha's favorite Italian restaurant.

"I dunno, Dad."

Good. He was hesitating. Sey smiled. "I'll pay."

"Deal." Sasha leaned on the doorjamb and studied his father with considerable affection. "I'm getting the scampi, y'know."

"Ouch." Sey grinned and ruffled his son's hair. "You're a good kid, Sash."

"I'm not a kid anymore."

"Brat."

"I'll cop to that. But only cause I've sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth."

"You sure you're not interested in becoming a lawyer?" Sey teased him.

"As if, Dad. Sheesh. I'd better go. You're starting to get delusional."

Sey chuckled to himself as he heard the outside door close. But his laughter quickly faded. Emmy was worried about Sasha. So was he. But putting pressure on him wasn't the way to get his son to open up. There had to be another way.

Lunch was a success. Sasha ate heartily, as if he'd suddenly remembered that he had an appetite. They talked, but never about anything serious, anything of *real* significance.

They were having dessert when Sey finally saw a chink in Sasha's armor and unexpectedly pushed. "So what's with this rumor I heard about Skye and some student?"

Sasha paled. "You mean her roommate Amber?"

Sey shook his head. "It's not Amber. It's not even a girl."

"She wouldn't do that."

"Are you sure about that?"

Forgetting that he had no desire to talk about this with his father, Sasha blurted out, "I have no right to be jealous, Dad. It's not like we're together."

"So it's okay with you if she sees other guys?"

The thought of Skye, *his* Skye, being with anyone but him incensed Sasha. "No, it's not okay. I've been waiting for her all these years, dammit. I just—"

"Just what, Sasha?" Sey prompted carefully.

"I just thought she'd come to *me* when she was ready," Sasha whispered.

"Maybe you need to go to *her*," Sey suggested, unprepared for the fierce look Sasha gave him.

"What if she doesn't want me there, Dad?"

"What if she *does*?"

Sasha turned on his computer and gazed sleepily at the screen. He was still thinking about what his father said. What if Skye was anxiously waiting for *him* to make the first move? What if—Sasha raked both hands through his long brown hair. Jesus, he felt like he couldn't think straight.

Maybe he should go to bed.

Maybe you should call her, his father's voice reminded him.

No, he thought, the phone wasn't private enough. As much as he longed to hear the sound of her voice, he dismissed calling her.

He brought up the instant messaging program. She was online. Good. He would contact her and see how things *really* were between the two of them.

"Ange?" he typed. "You there?"

There was a slight pause. Maybe she was away from the keyboard. Maybe she was talking to her friends down the hall. Maybe he should give up.

"Hi," came the eventual response.

Sasha felt his heart squeeze and closed his eyes. How could one person mean so much to him? God, he needed to know exactly where he stood.

"I was wondering," he typed, immediately deleting it. He sounded too unsure of himself. He began again. "Are you coming home for the holidays?"

Again there was a pause. Sasha held his breath, trying desperately to anticipate what she would say.

The silence grew until his nerves couldn't take any more. "Ange? Are you still there?"

"If you mean *Skye*, she's a little busy right now," the words gloated as they rearranged themselves into incoherent bits and pieces in Sasha's tortured brain.

"What? Who are you?" Sasha's fingers flew furiously across the keyboard.

"Her boyfriend."

"No, you're not," Sasha typed back, seized by equal parts of rage and fear.

"Who are *you*? The ex?" The words danced in front of Sasha's eyes meaninglessly. "She doesn't need you anymore. She's got me."

"No fucking way," Sasha growled out loud.

"I'd let her talk to you, but we're getting ready for bed," the words taunted him.

He'll be in her pants before you can get to England, Sasha's inner voice told him.

"Wanna bet?" Sasha answered out loud, hurriedly turning off the computer.

He made it to the airport in record time, taking nothing more than his backpack and his passport. His father would have applauded if he'd known. But time was of the essence.

Sasha left a message on his father's voice mail.

He wasn't coming back without her.

LT #30: Restoration

Chapter 18

by Silk

Skye returned to her room and stood outside the open door. Why was her door open? She was sure she had closed it. She pushed one hand through her thick blonde hair, hooking a long strand behind her ear. Her roommate was at the library and Skye wasn't expecting company. She liked to think she came by her wariness naturally. Sometimes she was convinced it was genetic.

Careful not to utter a sound, she crept silently through the doorway, stopping the second she crossed the threshold. "Kirk! What are you doing here?"

The tall handsome Englishman reclined on her bed, his hands pillowing his head. "Waiting for you."

"We don't have a meeting scheduled."

"You mean a date," he said, making sure to smile charmingly.

"I mean what I said," she retorted. "We're not dating."

"Everyone else thinks so."

"In case you hadn't noticed, I'm not everyone else."

"Oh, come on, Skye. You're such a tease. I can't believe no one else has tried to call your bluff before."

"Get out."

"You need me," Kirk warned. "You want to graduate early, remember?"

"Yeah, I do," Skye said, a new determination making its way into her voice. "Thanks for reminding me."

"I knew you'd come to your senses. Now come over here and give me a kiss."

"Sure," Skye agreed readily, her eyelashes fluttering as she narrowed her gaze to one thing: Kirk on her bed.

She smiled sweetly as she sat down on the edge of her bed. Taking a deep breath, she trailed her hand over the older teenager's groin, feeling his pulse quicken as her fingers lightly caressed him.

"That's more like it," he said thickly.

Suddenly her grip tightened painfully. "Do you honestly think I can't graduate early all on my own, Kirk?" Skye said, recalling what Amber said earlier.

"Hey…that hurts."

"I know. Now get off my bed and get out of my room."

"What if I don't want to?" Suddenly Kirk looked very, very dangerous, and Skye realized how vulnerable she was.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh, yeah? Who do you think's going to protect you? Your boyfriend? He's not here. In fact," Kirk laughed harshly, "you might never see him again." His eyes instinctively went to the computer, which was still on, its last message still on the screen.

Skye followed the direction of his gaze and gasped, inadvertently relaxing her grip. Kirk came off the bed and trapped her arms against her body. With a lascivious grin, he licked the side of her face. "Oh, we're going to have fun, you and me."

"I'm going to take my time fucking you," Kirk breathed against her neck.

Skye closed her light blue eyes and wondered how everything had gone so horribly wrong. She was usually a good judge of character, but Amber had been right. Kirk was only interested in having sex with her. She was still a virgin, a challenge to his sexually jaded appetites, no doubt. He wasn't going to take "no" for an answer. He simply wasn't that kind of guy.

But, Skye thought, as she felt his teeth on her nape, he had no idea who he was dealing with.

"Sasha can't rescue me," she whispered aloud. Kirk smiled and pulled her T-shirt down to expose her bare shoulder. He bit down, hard enough to produce a mottled bruise on her fair skin, but not hard enough to draw blood.

"Your boyfriend's not coming, Skye. But I am," he said, punctuating his announcement with a thrust of his hips against her bottom. "Or I will be, soon enough."

"I don't think so," Skye said, sounding almost apathetic. "I'm not going to let you rape me."

"Oh, it won't be rape by the time I get done with you. You'll want it. Just like everyone else."

Skye turned in his arms and fixed him with a stony look on her face. "I told you before. I'm not like everyone else."

"Uh huh," Kirk nodded, not really listening. But he should have.

Skye thrust her fingers into his face, managing to break Kirk's nose with her first blow. "You really are an asshole. Now get out."

Kirk stared at her with incredulous eyes, blood trickling from his nostrils. "You hit me."

"Yes," she said tersely.

"You fucking hit me."

"You're repeating yourself. Leave."

"I could have you arrested—"

"You could explain to the police why you were lying in wait in my room, too."

"I take back what I said before. You're not a tease. You're a fucking bitch."

"Thanks for sharing. You have five seconds."

"Or what? You'll hit me again?"

"Four."

"I can't believe you're throwing me out."

"Believe it. Three."

"Your boyfriend's still going to hate you. He thinks I'm fucking you…right now," Kirk said, his voice dripping with venom.

"No, I don't," said Sasha, doing his best to lounge nonchalantly against the door.

"Sasha!" Skye exclaimed, her delight in seeing him obvious to all of them, including Kirk.

Sasha studied the older teenager. He was good-looking, but Sasha suddenly realized that he no longer felt threatened. Sasha wasn't as tall as Kirk, but then, his nose wasn't broken either. "I have to thank you, man."

Kirk turned puzzled eyes on Sasha. "For what?"

"You did what no one else has been able to do. You got me where I belong. Here with Skye."

"You were jealous?" Skye asked, her surprise apparent.

"Yeah. Imagine that, huh?" he said softly, his dark eyes lingering on Skye's face.

"I was all…you know…ready to *kill*…only then I got on the plane and I had time to think and I…knew…"

"What did you know?" Skye asked, cautiously moving closer.

"That you would never be with anyone but *me*. You love me."

"Yes," she whispered.

"I kinda lost track of that—"

"I kinda lost track of *you*, Beast. I thought you understood, but you didn't. That was *my* fault. Cause I haven't told you in such a long, long time."

Kirk cleared his throat. "Um…"

"Get out," Sasha said. "I'm reconsidering that urge to kill something and it might as well be *you*."

After Kirk left, Sasha closed the door. He smiled for the first time in months, his heart whole again. "I'm proud of you, y'know. You take good care of yourself."

"I couldn't let him have me," Skye murmured, unable to take her eyes off Sasha.

"Guess you didn't really need me flying to your rescue, then, huh?"

Skye wrapped her arms around his neck, her body responding automatically to his proximity by pressing itself flush against him. "Oh, I need you, Beast. I need you so much."

"Are you sure, Ange?"

Skye nodded. "Are you really here?"

"I'm really here."

"Lock the door."

He slumped against the door, his fingers fumbling with the lock. Skye leaned on him, her body learning his in a way that was forbidden before.

"I feel like I've been waiting for this all my life," she said before she kissed him.

"I know *I* have," he whispered against her mouth.

Sasha felt like his whole body was on fire. At first, he held back out of consideration for Skye. Her youth and inexperience almost compelled him to take things slowly. Then her tongue slipped into his mouth and he surrendered to the sweet, seductive web she was weaving over him.

He'd dreamed of kissing her like this. His fingers pushed their way into her long, pale hair and she responded with a whimper that went straight to his groin. On some level, he registered that he was hard, and yet he felt no urge to hurry. They had waited for too long to rush through the most meaningful moment of their lives.

Gradually Sasha became aware that Skye was pulling him towards the bed. Breathless, he broke away from her. "What about your roommate?"

"She's at the library," Skye said, bestowing another fervent kiss on his lips. Her own mouth was slightly swollen and pink, giving her the look of a young girl who'd been thoroughly kissed.

"When is she coming back?" Sasha asked, trying desperately to concentrate. But Skye was determined that nothing and no one, not even her roommate, was going to stand between her and Sasha.

"Later," Skye moaned, nipping gently at his chin.

"How long do we have?"

"Forever," Skye sighed.

Sasha chuckled against her mouth. "No, seriously. What's Amber going to think if we kick her out of her own room for the night?"

"Mmm…" Skye began to push up Sasha's T-shirt. "She'll think you finally deserve me."

Sasha raised an eyebrow, looking astonishingly like Declan. "I won't even ask what you two have been saying about me behind my back."

"Does it matter? She wants me to be happy."

Sasha grabbed Skye by the wrists and stopped her ardent caresses. "And are you?" he asked hoarsely. "Happy?"

"Ecstatic."

Sasha released her, only to pull her between his legs. Their bodies were pressed so tightly together that Skye couldn't help but feel the effect of her artless sensuality. "I want to make love to you," he whispered, his dark eyes gleaming with an inner light.

"Please…" Skye fell back, tumbling onto the bed. For the longest time, Sasha couldn't move, transfixed by the sight of her long, blonde hair haloing around her face like the angel she resembled.

"You're…so beautiful." Emotion choked Sasha's throat. The intensity of his love for her was overwhelming.

Skye reached out to him with both arms outstretched. "So are you," she whispered.

They took turns undressing each other, prolonging the delicious agony of anticipation that thrummed through their bodies. His hands shook as they gently skimmed over the tips of her breasts. No one had ever touched her there before and he knew it. Skye closed her light blue eyes on a wave of feeling that she couldn't identify. She wanted something, but she didn't know what to ask for.

Sasha kissed each nipple, his hands wrapping around her breasts almost protectively. In truth, he had no more experience than she did. But instinct and desire and love were a powerful combination.

He made his way down the center of her body, trailing tender kisses that promised more would follow. His hand cupped the dark blonde curls that guarded her virginity. "Can I kiss you here?"

Skye's eyes opened abruptly, looking impossibly blue. She nodded without speaking. She trusted Sasha with her life. Now she gave her body into his safekeeping as well.

He touched the tip of his tongue to her center and she arched off the bed. "Oh, my God," she groaned, her hands gripping the sheets on either side of her.

He touched her again, this time less tentatively, and she felt like she was melting inside. She didn't know what this feeling was, but she wanted more.

Sasha could tell by Skye's reaction that she had never touched herself. That meant that, in all probability, she had never had an orgasm. Already convinced that it was his responsibility to ensure that Skye enjoyed their first attempt at lovemaking, Sasha felt an incredible pressure building inside him. What if she didn't like it? What if, in fact, she *hated* it? His erection faded.

As if she sensed the change in Sasha's mood, Skye stroked his hair. "What's wrong?"

His troubled eyes met hers. "I want this to be special for you. But the truth is, I'm…"

"What, Beast?"

"I'm a…virgin, too," he finished weakly, wondering if it was even possible to be any more embarrassed than he was.

"I'm glad," she said softly. He gave her a startled look. "But wouldn't you rather have someone who knew how to make it good for you?"

"You saved yourself for me. How could it get any better than that?"

Skye tugged on his hair until he slid up the length of her body to face her. "I love you, Beast. If we had to live on nothing but kisses for the rest of our lives, I would still love only you. Now do you get it?"

He kissed her, his lips warm and wet and slightly salty. "I love you, Ange."

His dick grew impossibly hard again, and he knew it was time. He jumped off the bed and rummaged in his backpack. Holding up a brand new box of condoms, he smiled shyly at her. "I came prepared."

"You were pretty sure of yourself, weren't you?" she teased.

"No, just…hoping."

She helped him roll the condom over his rigid length. They giggled conspiratorially like a couple of kids, the shared experience somehow drawing them even closer together.

"It might…hurt…the first time," Sasha said, the vaguely troubled look returning.

"Just make sure there's a next time," Skye quipped, breaking the tension.

He poised himself at her entrance, looking deep into her eyes. "Kiss me."

She did as he asked.

"Now bite me."

Her eyes widened.

"Just do it."

At the exact moment that she bit him on the chin, Sasha entered her. There wasn't as much resistance as he expected and, as he'd hoped, the love bite was a potent distraction for both of them.

Her breath hissed out between clenched teeth. "It burns a little."

"It gets better," he reassured her.

"Oh, yeah? How do you know?"

Sasha laughed as he felt her inner muscles relax, adjusting to his cock's intrusion. He nuzzled her ear and whispered, "Jazz told me."

She responded by relaxing even further, allowing him to settle comfortably between her legs. "Y'know, eventually you're going to have to move."

"Are you ready for that?"

"Mmm," she said, raking her fingernails up and down his back, instinctively pulling him deeper inside her.

"Oh, God."

"Do it," she entreated sweetly.

The next thing she knew, she was gasping her completion, totally bowled over by the new sensations that bombarded her body. Sasha thrust three or four times and came. She quivered around him, her nails digging into his back. His legs trembled as he reluctantly withdrew, immediately checking the condom for breaks.

"Are we safe?"

"We are." Sasha tied a knot in the condom and threw it into the wastebasket on the other side of Skye's night table.

Skye's blue eyes lit up. "Let's do it again. Maybe it'll last longer this time."

Sasha groaned before he kissed her. "Mm, I wouldn't count on that," he said, nudging her legs apart with his knee.

They fell asleep in each other's arms. Sasha's face was buried in Skye's hair, his hands clasped together over her breasts. His body language shrieked of possessiveness, but Skye apparently didn't mind at all. For the first time in two years, they both felt safe and satisfied in a way neither of them knew they needed.

Morning came too soon.

The pounding on the door woke Skye. "Wha—?" she said, blearily trying to focus her eyes. Sasha came awake at the same time, tightening his hold on her.

"Must be Amber," she mumbled sleepily.

"What time is it?" Sasha asked, squinting at the clock on Skye's night table.

"Um…looks like 6 am."

The pounding continued, eventually followed by a colorful round of cursing. Other students, awakened by the noise, popped their heads out into the hallway and shouted at Amber to stop. Amber gritted her teeth and hit the door with the flat of her hand. "I know you're in there, Jones. Open up!"

Sasha blinked at Skye, mouthing the word "Jones?"

Skye covered her mouth to stifle a sudden fit of the giggles. "It's a long story."

Sighing, Skye levered herself into a sitting position, no easy feat when Sasha was holding her snugly against his morning erection. "I'd better let her in."

"I thought you said she'd find a place to stay."

Skye winked at Sasha. "I lied."

"You little—"

Skye stood up and pulled the sheets off the bed, exposing Sasha's nakedness for all the world to see. "Hey! I don't want to meet her like *this*!"

She laughed as she wrapped the sheets around herself, turning the bed linens into a makeshift sarong. "Better think quick."

Sasha rolled over onto his stomach, hiding his obvious arousal. He nearly fell out of bed in an attempt to reach his jeans. They were somewhere on the floor. At least, that was where he'd last seen them. Leaning so far that he was practically off the mattress, he finally found them. Under the bed. His long brown hair tumbled over his face in a silken mass. Skye had one hand on the doorknob when she turned back to look at her lover.

It was all she could do not to rejoin him in bed. He looked positively adorable, though she was sure that he wouldn't be pleased with that description. So she settled for one that might take things in a completely different direction. "You look…hot."

He raised his head up, his hair settling around his bare shoulders. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

Skye opened the door and Amber practically fell into the room. "What the hell is the matter with you? Couldn't you hear me out there? Everyone else could!"

Then she spotted Sasha. A very *naked* Sasha who hadn't had enough time to finish putting on his jeans. "Wow."

Skye gazed dreamily at her boyfriend. "Mmm…"

Amber poked Skye none too gently. "And how come you didn't tell me about *this* one?"

"I did. This is *Sasha*."

"You're Sasha?" After that, Amber seemed to be struck dumb by that revelation.

When she regained her senses, Amber leered comically at her roommate. "You didn't mention what a hottie he was."

"Back off, Am. He's all *mine*," Skye retorted playfully, an underlying thread of jealousy unexpectedly finding its way into her voice.

"Okay, I forgive you for locking me out last night. I would have done the same thing. If I knew anyone who looked even *remotely* like him."

"Thanks, Amber."

"Oh, that reminds me. Your friend?" Amber wasn't sure how much Skye had told Sasha about Kirk, but she didn't want to upset what was clearly a very satisfying relationship.

"Sasha knows all about Kirk," Skye declared.

"Oh. Well, here's something you two *don't* know. Kirk was spreading rumors around campus last night. Ugly stuff. About *you*, Skye."

Sasha promptly sat up, unmindful of his state of undress. "I'll take care of him."

Amber blushed fiercely and Skye suddenly saw Sasha through a stranger's eyes. She picked up his T-shirt from the floor and tossed it to him, narrowly missing his head. "We'd better get dressed."

"Um…" Sasha hesitated, unsure of the boundaries of this new level of their relationship. "I need—"

"Yes?"

"A shower."

Skye gave him a coy smile. "What a coincidence. So do I."

"Uh, Skye? The shower room is down the hall. You know it's not co-ed."

"I know," Skye said, giving her roommate a blinding smile. She was too happy to let anything like the rules stop her today.

Amber sighed in exasperation. There was no arguing with Skye when she was in a mood like this. "Okay, I'll stand lookout."

"Thanks, Am."

Skye dragged Sasha by the hand. Luckily for both of them, everyone who'd awakened earlier decided to go back to sleep. She shed the bed sheets that clung lovingly to her body and pulled Sasha into the shower.

"I don't know about this, Ange. What if you get in trouble?"

"It'll be worth it."

They took turns washing each other under the stiff spray, quickly taking care of their hair as well. But when they were done, Skye didn't get out of the shower. Instead she knelt at his feet, the water streaming across her upturned face.

"What are you doing?"

"Exploring."

"Get back up here."

"Uh uh," she said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. She cupped his balls gently and Sasha's good intentions went astray. "Jesus, Skye."

Her pink tongue flicked out to capture a drop of lubrication that beaded at the tip of his cock. "Is it okay if I kiss you here?" she asked, echoing Sasha's words to her from the previous evening.

He nodded, the sight of his angelic lover licking him so intimately making him even harder.

She sucked and nibbled, her unfledged technique curiously erotic. He felt his balls tighten and he knew he was going to come soon. Grabbing her shoulders, he pulled her into a standing position and kissed her. He rocked and thrust against her, his dick trapped between them with just enough sweet friction to make him come. He spurted all over her abdomen, the rapidly cooling spray washing away the evidence before it could even trickle down into her dark blonde curls.

"I love you," he murmured, his face flush against the base of her throat.

"Mmm…I love you, too," she said, kissing the top of his head.

They stayed in each other's arms until the water ran cold. Those who had to shower after them would undoubtedly thank them.

When Skye shut off the water, she shivered, gooseflesh appearing all over her body. Sasha grabbed the clean towels they'd brought and bundled her in them. "Thanks. You take such good care of me."

"I can't help it. I love you."

Sasha's stomach growled loudly, shattering the mood. "Looks like I'd better feed you."

"And then I think I'll track down this Kirk asshole and straighten him out about a few things."

"Don't hurt him, Beast," she warned.

"Not even a *little bit*?" He was more than disappointed. When they'd made love, Sasha had seen every inch of Skye's fair skin. Marred only by an unsightly bruise with a set of nasty teethmarks in its center.

"He did this," Sasha said with a throb of pain, tenderly running the pads of his fingers over her shoulder.

"I know."

"It makes me crazy…knowing he marked you," Sasha said darkly.

"But Sasha, after I graduate, I'll never have to see him again."

"I wish you'd come back to France with me," Sasha sulked.

"I will. After I graduate."

"That's not for another four months."

"I know."

Suddenly Sasha wound his arms around her neck and pressed his lips to her temple. "I don't want to leave you here."

"I don't want to stay behind either. But I have to. Then I'll come home for good."

"Promise?"

"I swear."

"Can I come visit you?"

"You'd better," she said shakily. She wanted nothing more than to accompany Sasha, but they wouldn't be separated for much longer. Besides, that would give her time to work on her father. He thought she was too young to be involved in a serious relationship.

Translation: Michael didn't want her to get married.

But this was too important to her to give up easily.

Translation: Michael had better get used to the idea.