JM BENAVIDEZ

Someone knocking on my door awoke me from a dreamless slumber. The dreamless part I was glad about. “I’m coming!” I grumbled, rolling out of bed. I shuffled, half asleep towards the front door and then flipped the lock, opening it without looking to see who it was. “Good morning!” Zuriel greeted me cheerfully before leaning in to kiss me. I held up my hands, stopping his kiss and then stepped backwards to let him inside. “Says you. Some of us should still be sleeping.” He shook his head, blowing off my rejection to my having been woken up. “You can’t be that tired, Elijah brought you back fairly early.” I placed a hand on my hip, looking at him sternly. “And this would be your business how?” He frowned holding up his hands. “Easy there tiger. I think you got up on the wrong side of bed. I was hanging out with some of the guys when he came in. It wasn’t like I was following you around.”

I sat down on the couch with a huff, rubbing my face briskly. “I’m sorry. I was just finally getting some dreamless sleep. That’s like ten times better sleep then I’ve had all week.” He sat down next to me, taking my hand in his. “It’s alright, I’ll forgive you. Why don’t you jump in the shower and then get dressed. I’ve got a great morning planned for us.” I looked down at our hands and then up into his face. “Have you gone out on any other dates? You should have.” 

He wrinkled his brows looking into my still sleepy face. “Just take a shower. We’ll talk about all of this after.” I shook my head. “No. I’m not taking a shower and let’s talk about it now.” I sighed. “This is the kind of thing you don’t get Zuriel. Do you see what you’re doing? You’re ordering me around. This is who I am. Sometimes, in fact I frequently wake up grumpy and that’s not going to change. I may never be a morning person.” He leaned back against the couch, looking at me solemnly. “Alright, I can get that.” I shook my head. “But you don’t.” I sighed, pulling my hand from his. “I like you Zuriel. I think you’re a great person and you are going to make someone very happy. But it’s not going to be me.” 

I looked up into his eyes. “From the moment I realized what was happening in our dream, I felt like we were wrong together. I accepted it without question because I thought it was ordained by the Creator. I gave everything I had to it, even though it was hard and I felt like it was forced.” He narrowed his eyes and I sighed. “Not like you forced me. But like I had to try too hard.” He looked down at his hands and I placed a hand over them. “I don’t feel that way about all of the others Zuriel. I’m sorry, but I don’t.” He shook his head. “Just go with me on this date. You’ll see how easy it can be.” I hung my head, feeling terrible for hurting him. “Take Aureliana. She really likes you and I think you two will have a better chance hitting it off.” He jerked his hands from mine. “What? Why?” I sighed, feeling slightly annoyed. “Honestly, because she’s older, beautiful, pushy and stubborn just like you are.” 

I stood up looking down at him. “I’m trying to be nice Zuriel and honest. But you aren’t listening. This isn’t open for discussion.” He stood up looking down into my eyes. “So that’s it. You wait until we’re about to go out to tell me you don’t want to?” I frowned. “I’ve been trying to tell you since yesterday. I even asked Amadeus to talk to you and Aureliana too.” He nodded. “Yeah, she talked to me last night a bit. I thought it was strange she’d try to get so chummy.” I fought the urge to touch his arm, to comfort him. “Go knock on her door Zuriel. Take her out to whatever amazing date you had planned. Don’t let this chance pass you because your efforts were wasted on the wrong girl. I’m sure the date will be perfect. For her.” 

I watched as he clenched his jaw, staring into my eyes and I shook my head sadly. “You’ve always had a very intimidating stare. You had me freaking out in the kitchen that first night.” He sighed, letting his shoulders slouch. “That’s just me trying to keep it together. I’m not trying to be mean to you.” I reached out for him and then stopped, pulling my hand back. “I know you aren’t. I’m not either. I want you to be happy. But I want to be happy too.” That’s what did it. That’s what finally got it to sink in. “And I can’t do that for you.” I shook my head. “You have me too tied up to be happy.” He nodded. “That will never do.” I walked over to the door, placing my hand on the knob. “Are you going to be ok?” He sighed, following me to the door. “I will be. Thank you for being honest and insistent. It would have been harder if you had let it go on longer.” I opened the door, letting him out. “I know.” He stepped out the door and tossed a last glance over his shoulder. “Have a nice day.” I forced a smile, trying to ignore the pain in his voice. “You too Zuriel.” He turned and walked away and I closed the door before checking which direction he headed.

I looked down at my sweatpants and oversized shirt and shrugged running my hands back through my sleep disheveled hair. I was tired of trying to live up to everyone else’s expectations. I flung open the door and stepped out onto the path in my bare feet. I walked to the kitchen enjoying the cool concrete and brisk morning air. As I entered the dining room I looked up to see Lael and Elijah sitting at a table eating breakfast together. Other than that, the room was empty. Elijah pulled out a chair for me. “He didn’t take it well did he?” I shook my head frowning miserably and Elijah crossed the room, wrapping his arms around me in a hug. “Honey I’m sorry. Don’t worry, he’ll get over it.” He looked down at me and then led me over to the chair. Lael looked across the table at me. “Do you want to talk about it?” I shrugged. “I was going to give him a little more time, you know just ease into the conversation but he was being so damn pushy.” I snorted and then rubbed my hands on my face. I looked up at them. “I am not a morning person.” Lael smiled. “It’s ok, we like you feisty.” 

I smiled and the ease and comfort between the three of us. “This feels so easy.” Elijah sat back in his chair. “I told you we wouldn’t kill each other.” I nodded. “And I told you that I liked that you guys gave me shit right back.” I cast a pointed glance at Lael. “Forcing me to eat your eggs like I was some sort of a child.” He grinned. “You are a child.” I wrinkled my face and stuck my tongue out at him. He laughed and did it back. “But I like you that way. It’s not over the top.” He cringed and I looked at him curiously. “What was that?” He shook his head, closing his eyes and Elijah laughed. “Aimi.” I looked over my shoulder and Elijah laughed. “No, that’s what’s wrong with him. She gets under his skin.” Lael snarled. “That girl never shuts up. Did you know she can talk ninety miles a minute?” I giggled. “Only if she’s nervous and you aren’t talking to her. Did you actually try to engage her in a conversation?” He threw his hands up in the air. “About what? Everything she said was nonsense.” I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter now I guess. You could have picked any topic though. She’s actually pretty bright.”

Lael smiled. “Speaking of eggs, are you hungry? Elijah cooked this morning.” I shrugged. “I was kind of just thinking about cereal.” Elijah laughed. “What kind? I’ll go get you a bowl.” I wrinkled my face. “I can get it.” He touched my arm. “You’ve had a rough morning, let me spoil you. Since you won’t eat the food I cooked.” He teased as he stood up. His blue eyes seemed radiant and I smiled. “Oh hell, I’ll have whatever you cooked.” He grinned. “That’s a good girl.” I shook my head chuckling as he walked away and Lael scooted around the table, sitting in Elijah’s chair. “I know you are sensitive about the age thing, does it bother you when we tease you like that?” 

I smiled at him as he crossed his arms and leaned them on the table casually as he looked at me. “You know, it doesn’t. If you were anyone else maybe. But I don’t take it personally, it feels like it’s meant to be endearing.” He nodded, trying to drive his point across. “Even though I’m the second oldest?” I nodded, leaning closer to him as I spoke. “I’m not afraid of you.” He laughed and I returned his smile. “You that’s not what I meant.” I nodded. “Of course. But your age isn’t an issue. You never try to strong arm me because you’re older, so I don’t even think about it.” Elijah set down a plate of waffles in front of me. “Do I strong arm you?” I leaned towards Lael as if seeking his protection. “Oh God, he’s making me eat waffles! It’s so awful. What a jerk.” Lael wrapped his arm around me in mock comfort. “Don’t worry honey, I’ll make that mean old man take his waffles away.” 

We all started laughing and Elijah sat down in the empty chair on the other side of me. “Seriously though.” I shook my head as Lael removed his arm and I smiled at the plate of waffles. “No. Both of you are just fine.” I looked up at Elijah curiously. “Did you actually make these? You know with a waffle iron and everything?” He nodded, leaning back in his chair and kicking his legs out comfortably. “It’s not as hard as you’d think. I can teach you some time.” I took a bite, sighing joyfully. “Way better than cereal.” The guys relaxed, just watching me and letting me eat a few bites in peace. 

I tilted my head and looked up at Lael curiously. “So, what did you have planned for our date tonight?” He smiled. “Nope, that’s a secret.” I giggled. “I guess what I was getting at was that my schedule had opened up for the day. Elijah leaned forward looking past me to Lael, grinning. Lael laughed. “Actually, it hasn’t. I heard that we have some sort of a structure to build?” I looked up at him with a mixture of excitement and disbelief. “You want to try a joint date before your solo one?” Lael leaned closer, whispering softly in my ear. “Nervous?” I giggled, blushing at the lusty undertones in his voice. I put another bite in my mouth, focusing on my plate and not him. He leaned back laughing. “I see.” I cocked a brow at Elijah mischievously. “So I take it you told him about the conversation we had last night?” He laughed. “Yeah, I’ve got a few bruises to prove it.” 

I looked up at Lael. “Did he tell you what he said? Exactly what he said?” Elijah laughed. “I think the question you should be asking is if I told him what you said. Exactly.” I whipped my head in his direction, narrowing my eyes. “You didn’t.” Elijah buried his face in his crossed arms on the table as he laughed hysterically. Lael turned my head by the chin, looking down into my face. “No he didn’t. But maybe you should.” I blushed violently. “No, really I shouldn’t. It shouldn’t have been spoken the first time.” Leal leaned forward looking as Elijah. “What was it about?” Elijah smiled. “About what type of dream she had about you.” Lael looked down at me. “I see.” I sighed as he lifted his brows. “And what kind of a dream was that?” I wrinkled my face. “You said you wouldn’t ask.” He nodded. “But I didn’t expect you to tell him either.” I nodded. “I told him that it was a quote, I have no idea where this shit came from, super steamy sex dream, type dream.” I looked at Elijah. “I think that’s what I said.” He nodded and I looked back up at Lael. 

He smiled, humming softly before placing his lips against mine in a very soft and timid kiss. “Now was that so hard?” I nodded emphatically. “Yes it was!” He smiled, lowering his gaze to my lips. "Shall I say something just as inappropriate to make you feel better?" I bit my bottom lip thoughtfully and he brought his mouth so close to my ear that his lips brushed against it as he spoke. "I can't wait and just thinking about it, makes it hard for me too." I squeaked and he placed a kiss on my cheek. "You are so cute when you get embarrassed." I clamped my eyes shut, shaking the images from my mind. Elijah laughed. "I don't know what you said, but I think she liked it." I groaned, laying my forehead down on the edge of the table. "I am in so much trouble." Lael laid his arm over my back pulling me up from the table and looking into my eyes, sincerely. "Only if you want to be." I giggled nervously. "What if I do in theory but the practical application is a little more stop and go?" He dropped his arm, letting it rest across the back of my chair. "We have no expectations. None. We're just thrilled to be here." I sighed leaning against him and resting my head on his shoulder. "I wish I wasn't." Lael jerked his head down towards me and I smiled up at Elijah. "I wish I was lost."

Elijah nodded. "That can be arranged." I sat up kissing Lael softly on the cheek. "You need to relax and not take things so seriously." He smiled down at me. "Maybe I need to get lost too." I nodded, standing up from the table. "Well, let me go change and I'll meet you by the pool in about ten minutes?" Elijah smiled. "Give us fifteen we've got further to travel to change." Lael raised a brow and Elijah laughed, patting him on the back. "Just come on." Lael stood up and we all left the dining room. They smiled and we split at the fork in the walkway. I heard their laughter and heavy footprints as they obviously decided to race home.

I put back on the bikini and the skirt but left off the cover-up since we would have to be back in time for dinner at the latest and it shouldn't be cold enough to need it. I brushed my teeth and hair and even put on a little scented lotion, not wanting to go overboard. I slipped on my white flip flops and headed out the door. Lael and Elijah ran up the path behind me, laughing and taunting each other. I turned and Elijah ducked past me just seconds ahead of Lael. "Hi guys." They nodded at each other and then placed a kiss on either of my cheeks. I grinned and wrapped an arm through each of theirs. "Lions, tigers and bears. Oh my." I giggled, as we walked into the trees behind the pool. 

I cast a sideways glance at either of them, looking at their outfits. Both wore and unbuttoned white cotton shirt and shorts. Elijah wore white shorts again, but Lael's were brown. Elijah grinned as he caught me. "I like the change to your outfit too." I blushed and Lael smiled. "You'd never think she detested anything flattering or feminine." I sighed. "I never said that. I just like to be comfortable." I looked down at my shoes as we made it to the sandy shore. I pulled my arms from theirs and bent down pulling them off. "That means I won't be walking through the sand in these damn things again." I tossed my shoes near where we had entered the trees the night before and Lael laughed. "I like your style." Both guys kicked off their sandals and I ran across the sandy land bridge. "Man, you guys are slow!" I yelled over my shoulder, taunting them.

They were both older, bigger and probably faster, but I didn't let that stop me. Lael pushed Elijah down in the sand and then bolted after me. I broke out into a full sprint; which isn't an easy feat in the sand. I was nearly to the island when Lael grabbed me around the waist, spinning me backwards in a circle. "What was that you said Missy?" I giggled as he dipped me backwards and looked down into my face. "Did I say slow? I meant old." Lael scoffed as Elijah caught up with us. "Did you hear that?" Elijah shrugged, shaking the sand out of his hair. "I think she was talking to you, I'm only three months older than she is but you are seven." I pretended to be disgusted and Lael grabbed his back with the arm that wasn't supporting me. "Oh my aching back. You young whipper snappers are going to be the death of me." 

I ran a hand up his bare chest as I noticed it for the first time. Lael's eyes met mine. "How do I compare to your dream?" I smiled up at him seductively. "I don't know, you weren't facing me." His mouth fell open and I giggled. "Elijah do you know CPR?" Elijah looked at me curiously. "What?" I laughed. "I think Lael's old heart just kicked the bucket." Lael shook his head, bringing himself back to reality. "What? No, all the blood just left my brain." He stood up looking down at me. "You can't spring something like that on a guy and then expect him to be brilliant." He turned his back to me, clearing his throat and adjusting the waist of his pants as he walked away from me. I stared after him curiously and Elijah placed his hands on my shoulders. "You can't be surprised that you have that effect on him. You do it to all of us." I turned my head looking up at him. "You too?" He smiled. "Why do you think I told you to lock your door last night." 

I nodded thoughtfully. "I wasn't surprised, he told me as much at the table this morning." Elijah laughed. "Is that what got you all flustered?" I shrugged. “What? Just because I don’t have an extra appendage doesn’t mean the blood doesn’t leave my brain.” Lael turned around, scrunching his face. “An extra appendage? Really? You could have called it anything else. So what, it’s like an extra arm or a third leg?” I cast him a sultry glace. “Hey, if you can do the things with it you did, then it’s no different than an extra arm alright.” Lael ran his hand through his hair, resting it on the top of his head as he looked at me. I don’t know what came over me, but I sauntered over to him, placing my hands on his chest and smiling up at him. “Now, would you stop sputtering and kiss me already?” He blinked down at me, trying to assess if I was teasing or genuinely trying to goad him on. I took his hands in mine and placed them under my hair, cupping the back of my head gently. I then wrapped my arms around the outside of his and pulled his head down closer to mine. “Lael?” He looked from one of my eyes to the other. “Meira?” I smiled brushing my nose against his. He closed his eyes and pulled my head against his chest, hugging me tightly to him. I laughed softly as he caught me off guard. “Ok.” He lifted my face up, looking down into my eyes again, before pressing his lips to mine. It was firm, but controlled and I knew that he would be well worth the wait.

His eyes danced as he pulled back, smiling into my face. “Pushy aren’t you?” I smiled, nipping his lips gently. “Sometimes.” Lael looked past me to Elijah and then back down at me. I turned and held my hand out to Elijah. He stepped closer taking my hand and I smiled up at him. “Does it bother you if I kiss Lael in front of you?” Elijah shook his head. “No, but it does make me wish you were kissing me.” I leaned towards him, kissing him sweetly. “Is that better?” He laughed. “No.” I smiled and patted his cheek before looking up at Lael. “Does it bother you when I kiss Elijah?” Lael shook his head. “No, because I can see how you feel when you look at me and it’s no different when you look at him.” I nodded and took his hand, pulling them both towards the trees. “Come on or we’ll never get our shelter built.” They both laughed and we walked into the tree line.
Lael let out a low whistle when we stepped into the clearing. “When you said you wanted to build a jungle hut, I didn’t think that you really meant a hut.” Elijah rolled his eyes. “I told you.” Lael nodded. “Yeah, but I thought you were screwing around.” Lael let out a large sigh and then stripped off his shirt throwing it at me. “There you go princess. Hold on to that would you?” I snorted and Elijah tossed his at me too, hitting me in the face. I hung my head as they laughed. I took their shirts and found a shady spot to sit down to watch them. Lael pointed to the larger logs. “Let's lay it out and then stand it up.” Elijah nodded and they got to work. 

Logs were shifted around and then readjusted as they changed their design. After about twenty minutes of debating, they finally had a game plan. They dug holes and managed to erect four main logs for corner posts. Then they had me use the vines to tie down the ends of another log to the tops of the vertical logs to make cross braces as they supported it. Once we had a makeshift frame, they began strengthening the walls by adding cross braces in the middle of the vertical logs about waist high. They only did that on three of the walls so they could make the fourth the entry. After they had done that, they laid a few smaller logs across the top and tied them off as well. Then we began layering palm leaves on the roof and walls, tying them to the logs if needed. 

When we were all done, we sat back, looking at our finished product. All of us were covered in sweat and sand and while they were dreamy to look at it really wasn’t very romantic. Lael looked at Elijah. “So what’s the plan now?” Elijah shrugged and I laughed. “How about we go take a swim and cool off. I’m dying.” Elijah pointed behind us. “Go that way, away from home.” I headed the direction he pointed and they followed behind me. There was a small shaded alcove where the water got deep and cool.  I dove into the water; skirt and all; eager to get the sand off my skin. I popped back out of the water, swimming to a shallower area and running my hands back through my hair. Both guys were still standing on the shore looking at me as if I had just grown two heads. “What?” Lael narrowed his eyes at Elijah. “You didn’t really think that one through did you?” Elijah swallowed hard, running his hand back through his hair. “Nope.” I looked down and noticed how thin my swimsuit was and how translucent it was now that it was wet. I ducked down into the water and jerked my skirt up under my arms like a dress. Luckily it was still long enough to cover me to mid-thigh and I crossed my arms over my chest. I grinned as I noticed Elijah was wearing white shorts. “Maybe you should get in Elijah.” He looked down and frowned as Lael knocked him into the water. 

Lael dove into the water after him and then swam up to me. “Are you ok?” I nodded. “A little embarrassed, but I’ll be fine.” He lifted my chin kissing me softly. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about.” Elijah popped out of the water and Lael splashed him. "This guy on the other hand should be ashamed of himself." I looked down at the rear of Elijah's now see-through shorts and shook my head. "Nice underwear you got there." He looked down at his dark blue briefs showing through his shorts and wrinkled his face as he ducked back under the water. "I'm such an ass." I winked at Lael and he nodded as I lunged at Elijah, knocking him back into the water. He wrapped his arm around my waist and swam backwards towards the deeper water, holding me against his chest. "You want to play rough?" He grinned and I shook my head. "No, I just wanted and excuse to press myself up against your wet body." My comment caught him by surprise and he loosened his grip. I slipped out of his arms and ducked beneath the water. 

Unfortunately, my skirt didn't make a clean getaway. I swam as far as I could underwater and then poked my head out of the water. Elijah lifted my skirt in the air laughing. "I think you lost something." I shook my head laughing. "Fine, then I want your shorts in exchange." Lael burst into laughter. "Yeah, give them to her." Elijah shook his head. "Why not his? They aren't white." I shook my head. "Oh no. I've had enough of his nakedness for one week." Elijah grimaced and Lael shook his head. "Should we tell her your secret Elijah?" I raised my eyebrows as I looked between them. "What secret?" Elijah shook his head and Lael laughed. "I think Elijah is a bit more dangerous than I am when it comes to being naked." I wrinkled my face. "What?" Elijah shook his head. "Did you have to go there?" Lael laughed. "Hey, she's going to figure it out eventually." I shook my head still not getting it. "What am I missing?" Lael smiled. "Why don't you go give our boy in white a hug?" I shrugged. "I just did." Lael shook his head. "No, a real one." 

Elijah's eyes met mine and it felt like the wind had been knocked from my lungs. "Lael, just let it drop." His voice was stern and Lael nodded. "Yeah man, I'm just playing." Unfortunately my voice recovered before my brain did. "So wait, you feel totally comfortable telling me that I'm more likely to be yelling your name than his, but you won't give me your shorts? What happened to Mr. Cocky?" Lael burst into laughter as Elijah's head snapped towards me. "Excuse me? Are you seriously trying to pick up this fight now?" I had slowly drifted into shallower water and I stood up, allowing my top half and the edge of my swim bottoms to poke above the water. "Do you see what I'm wearing? This is your fault. So if you think I'm going to let you off easy, you've got another thing coming buddy." 

Lael let out a low whistle and Elijah crossed the water to wear I stood. He tossed my skirt at Lael and then took off his shorts, handing them to me. "Fine, if you really want them they are yours." I took his shorts and also threw them at Lael. Of course they didn't travel nearly as far and I had to stifle a laugh. I cleared my throat and then put my hands on my hips, challenging him. "So?" Elijah's eyes met mine, with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. "I'm not going anywhere." He taunted, trying to call my bluff. I walked towards him slowly. "I'm not afraid of you." I countered, stopping about a foot in front of him. He ran his eyes down my body and then met my eyes again. "I would hope not." He reached his hand out, touching my naked hip and sending shivers down my spine. I stepped the final step, closing the gap between us and pressing by body up against his. He slid his hand from my hip around to my tailbone, pulling me tight against him. I gasped as I felt his large bulge press into my stomach. He was a giant and I was definitely in trouble. His eyes met mine as my nipples hardened against his chest in an instant reaction to his arousal. 

I wrapped my arms around his neck, forcing my racing heart to calm itself. Just because things weren't the way I expected them to be, didn't mean there was a problem. This was still Elijah. I caressed the back of his neck softly, trying to get past my raging hormones. I bit my bottom lip thoughtfully and he leaned forward, pulling my bottom lip from my teeth with his lips. "Say something." He whispered against my lips and I smiled. "You spring something like this on me and expect me to be able to function?" I giggled, tossing him Lael's words. I cast a quick glance over my shoulder at Lael who shook his head. "Don't look at me. He's the one you have to worry about right now." I looked back up at Elijah and smiled. "I thought you were addicted to me." He smiled. "I am." I brushed my lips across his. "You could have fooled me."

He wrapped his other arm around my back, splaying his hand between my shoulder blades and pressing my tighter against him. "That's because I'm trying very hard to control myself." I looked into his eyes. "In what way?" He shifted his hips, pressing his massive shaft harder against me and I moaned softly. "I would really like it if I didn't run you off right away." He whispered and I smiled, brushing my lips against his. "Look at me Elijah. Do I look like I'm going anywhere?" I tightened my hands in his hair, pulling his lips against mine as I kissed him passionately. I kissed him, I caressed his lips with mine, I breathed against his lips, opening his mouth and then slid my tongue inside. His tongue touched mine and I shivered in his arms as my body pulsed with need for him. He brushed his forehead against mine as he pulled back enough to look into my eyes. "No it doesn't. But you have also ordered me to go on another date tonight." I shook my head. "I didn't order you to. I asked you to. You always have a choice. I don't own you or wish to control you in any way." He smiled against my lips. "Ah, but I wish you would." I sighed and he released his hold on me. "Perhaps it would be smarter if you ran away. At least for a little while." He nodded towards Lael and I followed his nod with my eyes.

"Ok, I think he can have his shorts back. He could really poke an eye out with that thing." Elijah hung his head and Lael laughed, tossing the shorts. I kissed Elijah on the cheek. "Don't worry big guy. I'm not running far. Besides, I'm slow and easy to catch." He smiled up at me and went about pulling on his shorts as I walked towards Lael. "So are you totally grossed out yet?" His eyes met mine. "What over that? Are you kidding? That was the hottest damn thing I've ever seen." I rolled my eyes teasing him. "Yeah right! Says the guy who has mind blowing sex with me in my dreams, but shies away from kissing me." 
Lael fisted his hand in my hair, pulling me to him and kissing me demandingly. His hands caressed me roughly as his tongue coaxed my mouth open gently, caressing mine with as much skill and attention as he had shown me in my dreams. I moaned softly against his mouth and he relaxed his grip on me, slowly pulling away. "I don't shy away from kissing you. I refrain. There is a difference." He nipped my earlobe curling his tongue around it before whispering into my ear. "And when I have secured my place in your heart, I will make you mine over and over again, calling you my love every time." His eyes met mine with such promise and adoration it stole my breath away. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders hugging him tightly. He leaned his head against mine and hugged me back. "Sometimes, it's the simple things that make a bigger impression." He said, softly caressing my back. I smiled against his shoulder. "You always do."

I sighed as I released him and looked back and forth between them. "So what now?" Lael smiled. "Well, I actually have a date to prepare for, so I think I need to head back. But you guys are welcome to stay and hang out." I tilted my head looking up at him. "Should I wear anything special?" He smiled. "I'll let you know, I haven't gotten that far yet. But I'll meet you at your house before dinner to pick you up." I nodded. "Alright then, have fun." He bent down and kissed me sweetly. "You too." Lael nodded towards Elijah. "Don't let her break anything. If she starts acting crazy, just sit on her." Elijah grinned at me. "Did you hear that? I'll sit on you." I giggled. "It's a good thing you're skinny or you might break me." Lael headed back towards the shore and then paused to look at me. "I'll leave my shirt for you to wear back, just in case." I smiled. "Thank you." He nodded and headed into the trees. 

I sighed and Elijah placed his hand on my shoulder. "I'm really sorry about the suit." I giggled looking up at him. "I'm not. It's really not a big deal to me unless I think about it." He nodded towards shore. "Either you need to put his shirt on or you need to get in deeper water." I crossed my arms over my chest and he shook his head. "That really doesn't help." I looked down at my exploding cleavage and giggled. "Do I have you all hot and bothered?" He nodded. "Yes, very much so." I noticed my skirt floating in the water nearby and swam over to it, pulling it over my head and tucking it under my arms like a dress again. "I don't think this helps that much, but is this a little better?" He motioned towards shore. "Maybe we should just get out and dry off."

I tried not to laugh as he walked onto the beach ahead of me with his shorts clinging to his legs and his underwear showing through. I focused on wringing out my skirt and shaking out as much water as possible so it wouldn't do the same thing. I turned my back to him to give him some privacy as we went about wringing out his shorts too. "I really need to think this through better next time. This is ridiculous." I ruffled my hands through my hair, shaking out some of the excess water and I heard him get very still. I glanced over my shoulder and caught him staring at me. "Is everything alright?" He closed the distance between us, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me to him in a kiss. I giggled as he let me go but took my hands and put them in his hair. "Do that thing to my hair again." I smiled, running my hands through his hair and caressing the back of his neck. "That one?" He nodded dreamily. "It feels nice." 

He cupped my head in his hands, curling his fingers in the hair at the base of my neck. "Do you like it?" I nodded, humming as he did it. "Yes." He bent forward, nibbling my lips. "And this?" I nodded, brushing my cheek against his. "I like the way you caress me with your cheek or nose. The way your lips feel when they brush mine, the way it feels when I breathe against your lips." He smiled against my lips. "I enjoy it as well." I placed my hands on his chest, looking down at the difference in our skin tones. He was paler and more defined where I was darker and softer. I thought about his short, wavy, pale blonde mane versus my shoulder length straight brown hair and his brilliant blue eyes and my brown ones. "We're so different." I smiled into his eyes. "And yet, I feel like we are so much the same. It's the little things that speak to us." 

He nodded, wrinkling his brows. "I should probably take you back. I have a date to prepare for also." I sighed at his awkward timing and then nodded. "Yeah sure." Elijah shook his head, taking my hands in his. "I just want to get it over with so I can stop dreading it and just be yours." I frowned. "Can I ask you something?" He nodded, meeting my eyes. "Of course." I sighed. "Is it weird for me to want the three of us to be able to exist together? To not have two separate relationships but just one?" He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, walking me back towards our fort. "I think I understand what you're saying but I'm not sure why you're asking. How do you see this relationship working out?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. If we decide that it's really the three of us and it's a permanent deal, wouldn't it make sense to cohabitate?" He wrinkled his brows. "As in the three of us all living under one roof? Sharing a bed and everything?" I nodded thinking about how I had spent the night with both Amadeus and Zuriel. "Could something like that work?" Elijah scratched his head, stopping to pick up his shirt and hand me Lael's. "With me and Lael? Possibly, but we'd have to talk about it. I don't want to say yes until I've really thought it through." 

I nodded, putting on the shirt and trying to make light of it, sensing his discomfort. "I wasn't asking you to move in. I was just trying to imagine how something like this works out." He shrugged, motioning for us to continue back towards home. "I would imagine it would work just like it does for mom and our dads." I sighed as we started to cross the land bridge. "Yes, but then she always has to choose between them and someone is always left out." He wrinkled his brows as he looked up into mine as we stopped to get our sandals. "I can see how that could be undesirable. I haven't ever really thought about it that way. Let me think about it and talk to Lael. Maybe there is a third option. That's what Lael is really good at, seeing things from new perspectives." I nodded and we headed into the trees on the outskirts of the pool area. "I'll mention it to him tonight as well." 
Elijah laced his fingers through mine as he took my hand. "Please don't let this leave a sour taste in your mouth. We'll figure it out." I smiled, squeezing his hand gently. "Of course we will." We stepped out of the trees and could hear loud laughter coming from the pool area. I winked at Elijah and then dropped his hand. "Just for now, until after your date tonight. I don't want to upset anyone." He nodded and I looked down at my outfit. "I really don't want to be seen like this, so I'm going to make a quick dash for my house." He smiled and I kissed him sweetly. "If I don't see you later, have a great night and I'll see you tomorrow." He nodded. "If I have half as much fun as I know you will, then it will be a good night." I shook my head laughing. "Great way to be optimistic." He shrugged. "Hey, I want this to fail remember." I gave him a stern glance. "Go into it with an open heart and mind. No sabotage." He smiled. "If I'm lucky, Zuriel has already swept her off her feet and she doesn't want to have anything to do with me." I nodded. "Then we'd both be lucky." 

I kissed him again and then made a mad dash for my house. After taking a quick shower I decided on a short nap to make up for being rudely awakened. As I crawled into bed, I let my mind wander about all that had occurred over the past few days and how things may turn out in the future.