2 comments/ 28820 views/ 3 favorites Recluse By: PeggyBuxton Molly Stewart I tell people when asked my name. These days it is rare as I find myself become more of a recluse preferring to stay either at my house at the ocean or the one on Lake Wendell. Thirty-eight and still nice looking, at least I like to watch myself in the mirror. The novel falls from my hand as I drift into a nap. The afternoon is warm and the ocean breeze has a particularly pleasant sedative-like effect on me. "Madam," Estelle gently calls. She has been my housekeeper for less than a month since Louise left to follow some silly dream in another country. I stir and stretch then look around slightly startled. "Yes?" I call out still not completely awake. Wearing only an unbuttoned denim work shirt now draped along each side of me, I struggle to sit. "Give me a hand please," I say holding my hand out. She sits the cup and saucer on the table and helps. "I'm impressed with the way you handle not having legs. You rarely need help." I laugh at myself. "Yes. Sometimes I find myself in an awkward position." I laugh again. "Forgive me...." Estelle pauses and watches me sitting with an arm propping me up from behind. "Yes?" She stands a little straighter, her feet tight together and her hands clasped in front. "I know my position here and I shouldn't presume to be treated as a, ah, friend. Would you mind if I ask about your legs?" "It's a nice day, isn't it?" I scan the empty stretch of white sand and the turquoise waters. Slowly I look back at the woman younger than I am. She is tall, long bare legs, slim firm body with tight khaki shorts and black tee shirt tight against bare erect nipples, and quite attractive. "No I don't mind ... unless it is out of pity." I smirk then frown. "May I ask the nature of your curiosity? Do you find me attractive this way? Perhaps you might like to be this way." I smile and point at the chair next to the lounge chair where I sit. She repositions the chair as she sits facing me. She casually crosses her left leg atop the right and lets her foot slowly swing a few times before letting the sandal fall to the floor. A small cough clears her throat and her hands fidget in her lap. "Ah," she stammers to collect her thoughts. "I guess I should be honest. Yes, I find you very pretty and your lack of legs is strangely exciting to me. After I first met you on the interview, I probably would have worked for free just to be around you." She laughs nervously and becomes quiet. "Am I the first?" "First amputee? Yes. You are the first that I have known. At the university, there was one, a senior when I was a freshman, but I only saw him twice from a slight distance." "Was he missing both legs?" "Yes. I don't know why I never made an effort to speak to him. Maybe I was too shy. Anyway, I didn't. A woman at church when I was young had one leg and walked on crutches. I've never forgotten the way she looked as she moved so gracefully about. My mother wouldn't talk to me about her and a few Sundays later the woman stopped attending." "Since we're being honest...." I giggle. "Have you ever thought about what it would be like to be missing a leg ... maybe both legs?" She nods and squirms in the chair. Her foot swings a little faster for a moment and her chest swells as she takes a deep breath. "Really?" I ask her, more to reassure myself as I think about what to tell her. "I hope you don't think I'm crazy." She re-crosses her legs with the right on top and lets the other sandal fall from her foot. A moment later she half stands and settles back with her left foot underneath her. "Excuse me, this is an area I've never discussed with anyone. Guess it had been something I've considered a dark side of myself. Your questions are making me think you might understand though." She relaxes slightly and lets her body drape casually over the chair with her leg still folded underneath. "Does the fact that I'm almost naked bother you?" I laugh as I twist my hips and move to a regular chair like the one she is in. "There, that's a little more comfortable. Sometimes my butt hurts." I laugh again and adjust my shirt leaving most of me exposed. "Guess not." I smile and watch Estelle smiling back. I reach over and pat her hand lying on the table then take the cup of tea and sip. "I had a boyfriend that was a nudist." She sighs. "We'd go camping with others. It was great." "What happened to him?" "One night after some particularly great sex, I asked him if he would still love me if I were to lose my legs. The conversation quickly went down hill as I got near to confessing my needs. We split up a few days later without me ever telling him. Is that why you are not married?" "Sid died a few years ago." "Oh, sorry. At the university, I, ah, experimented with my roommate." "I assume it was a she." I smile as though I don't mind." "Yeah-h," she drawls. "Did you enjoy it more than with the nudist?" "It would be hard to compare. It was just different. I guess I don't have a preference. There have been others but I never really stayed all that long with anyone of either gender." "I've experimented too," I whisper, almost ashamed. "I even lived with Georgia for a year before I met Sid. I had legs. She never knew. I doubt she would have understood." "And Sid did?" "Oh yeah-h-h." I let the word drag out forever. "Hell yeah." I giggle and smile. "Hell yeah." I laugh. "Is that how you had your legs amputated?" "Guess it's obvious from the direction of the conversation." "Yup." "The Internet, what would life be without it?" I laugh and sip my tea. "A dating group I stumbled upon linking amputees and those who wanted to be with them ... well after a month of sneaking to my computer so Georgia wouldn't catch me, I got a message from Sid. My profile was simple - woman wishes to be legless. I never thought it would interest anyone. Oh, I'd seen and read all kinds of articles about people wanting such things, mostly gay men. I don't know why I should be the only one allowed to feel this way, but I guess that's the way I felt." "So you just let it all hang out. Good for you." She pumps her arm with her hand in a fist. "Well, yeah. That was all Sid could talk about and I stayed aroused listening to him. We'd ... well we enjoyed each other at night." I snicker. "I moved in with him after a month ... quit my job, moved here." "And the legs?" "Not long after that we flew in his private jet to a clinic in Asia. We rented a large villa with warm tropical winds and luscious young bodies to help with every whim." I giggle as I think about the experience. "Wow." I open my eyes and glance at Estelle. "I sometimes forget how wonderful it all was. I know most people don't feel that way about losing their legs ... it was special to me." "Both legs, both that much?" "Yes. There are just a few inches of femur to help keep the shape of my hips." "Wow-w," she moans. After a moment of silence, she asks, "More tea?" "Please." I watch her walk into the house and then absorb the view of the ocean and the beach. I pull my wheelchair against the chair and flip my hips towards the cushion. As I land, the wheelchair rolls a few inches and I reposition myself. I pull the shirt closed and button the middle button then roll closer to the railing. "Lovely wheelchair. I like the yellow color." "I struggled picking the color. There was a dark blue that was pretty." "I might go for a dark green unless I got a titanium chair. I think I'd go for a painted chair though." As she talks, she moves about the patio eventually stopping next to me. I put my arm around her waist and she reaches down then pats my hand making no effort to remove it. "It is a lovely day, isn't it?" Her hand now rests atop mine pressing firmly against her side then letting the fingers intertwine. I say nothing for some time, just enjoying the budding friendship. "Thank you," I finally say while giving her side a slight rub with my fingers. "I don't presume to...." she begins. I cut her off shushing her. "No. I should be the one to not presume. I sometimes get lonely. Guess this is one of those times. I miss contact." My fingers continue to massage her side for a moment longer and I remove my arm. I roll to the table and sip my tea looking away from Estelle. I hear her walk into the house. I slip from my wheelchair and crawl to the edge of the pool then dive in. - I know she demands to talk about that conversation. She does not speak of it for the next week. I choose to let her make the next move. My life is comfortable alone even though I hinted of needing contact. I do not know where that thought came from and I ignore it. Today I am dressed in a short skirt and tee shirt as I lean against the railing with a strong shore breeze blowing my hair while watching a pair of sea gulls diving for fish in the shallow water. "Such freedom," Estelle whispers as she too leans against the railing next to me and looking at the gulls. Her hand then lays over my shoulder in a strangely familiar way. It remains in the same place for a moment. "Sorry," she moans as she removes her hand. "It is okay dear." I use the word in a more casual manner than many people do and I believe she will understand. Her hand returns to the same place but we remain silent. "I've thought a lot about last weeks conversation," she eventually says as she removes her arm and turns to face me. Her arms cross. "Forgive me, but...." She turns back towards the ocean, her hands on the railing, and is quiet looking like she is somewhere else. I turn my wheelchair and watch. "The amputee stuff, the lesbian stuff, or just talking about such personal stuff? "Yeah." She pauses. "All of it. I'm just an employee of yours. I shouldn't presume to mix work with friendship." She turns and walks to the house. I watch. In the doorway, she turns back. "Maybe I should find another place to work." She turns and whispers, "I'll be in my room for a while," then disappears into the house. "Stay," I say softly not knowing if she hears. She is gone from view. "Let me help you. Let you help me too." - Estelle lives in the guesthouse. A tiled roof loggia connects it with the main house. I can see it from the deck off my bedroom. I find myself enjoying knowing she is there. Louise was efficient, professional, but never someone I could connect in a personal way. There had been other help, all like Louise. I don't know why Estelle is different. One night I find myself sitting in my wheelchair looking at the light in her window wondering what she might be doing. After a daydream and a glass of scotch, I go to bed and pleasure myself into a deep sleep. I awake naked and uncovered with the morning filling my bedroom. I stretch my arms and body to awake more while enjoying how there is nothing past my hips. "Morning," she says as she carries a tray with a cup of coffee towards me. I roll to one side propping myself up on one elbow. "How sweet of you," I coo. She sits the tray on the table by the bed and stands with her head down. "I didn't sleep well last night. I've already had my first cup." I sit upright and pat the sheet. "Tell me," I instruct. My hand continues to pat until she sits next to me. "Not like you haven't seen me naked." I giggle and sip the dark black liquid while I prop myself with the other so I will not fall over. I sit the cup back down and glance at her. "What is the matter?" I reach out and stroke her long hair down her back a few times. "I ah, I...." she stammers. "Shit," she mutters. She lays her hand against the small of my back and holds her lips just in front of mine. A moment later, they make contact and do not lose grip. Her hand finds my willing breast and kneads it. I lose my balance and we fall back on the bed together. "Need this," she moans and then our mouths consume each other. I nod without losing touch of her lips. Sid had been the last to kiss and suckle my legless hips. Her lips willingly explore the rounded orbs and kiss along the scars without objection. Her fingers toy with my opening, with my clit, with the wetness forming. I flex my waist forcing myself against her hand. She knows what I am begging for and her fingers fill me. "Oh-h," I moan loudly each time her thumb rolls my clit under it. I ride her hand, her pressure just right. "Oh-h," I roar and moan. It has been twenty-two months since I'd been with Sid, twenty-two months since I'd been with anyone. It fells great. "Oh-h. Oh-h," I grunt reassuring Estelle that she is pleasing me greatly. I can feel my breaths coming with greater difficulty. I gasp. I groan. Strange grunts float above my mouth. Then her lips wrap around my clit. "Oh God-d!" I drawl. It is noon according to the clock and our naked bodies still press together. I hear her soft breath and her lap cradles my hips. I look at her lovely face and her kissable lips then let her sleep. I fall asleep, again. - The year has been good. I watch Estelle crutch though the open French doors to the patio. The one-piece swimsuit cut high over each hip with slivers of fabric more like suspenders across her nipples does little to cover her gorgeous body. I savor the way it reveals the nearly total lack of thigh dangling from her left hip. Our new housekeeper Julie follows with a tray with two glasses of ice tea. She sits the tray on the table and returns to the house with a slight shake of her head. I know there is a smirk on her face because she does not understand. Estelle leans down and kisses me letting her tongue roll around my mouth. "I love you," she blows around her tongue into my mouth. I pat the cushion of the lounge chair and she settles as she lays her crutches neatly on the floor. "How can I ever thank you?" she whispers as her finger roams my chest partially covered by the denim work shirt I wore that day this all started. "I'm glad I can be reclusive with you." Recluse It was a hot Tuesday in June. I was at work, manning one of the two registers in the small grocery store I was working at for the summer. I sighed and pulled my long blond hair into a high bun, trying to catch a breeze on the back of my neck, though the air outside the open door seemed to be even hotter than the air inside. I leaned against the counter and watched my co-worker, Jackie, snapping her gum and reading a magazine. There wasn't a single customer in the store; I was beginning to wonder if this was worth 10 dollars an hour. The shift manager, John, came out of the office and handed me a grocery list with an address scribbled on top. "You have a car, right, Jen?" I nodded. "We've got a delivery. Bag the stuff on this list and deliver it. He always pays cash." John waddled back into the office and I grabbed a bag and started collecting the groceries. It seemed like a normal mix of things for a single person, a lot like what I might buy for myself. But why couldn't a single person come do their own shopping? When I got in my car I thought I was going to die from the heat. I rolled all the windows down (my AC is busted) and cranked the music up. On the way there I tried to think of reasons for someone to get their groceries delivered. I only came up with DUI and crippling agoraphobia before I got there. I grabbed the bag and bounded up the steps of a modest little white house with an overgrown lawn. I gave a sharp rap on the door and waited. There was a glass panel in the door but it was very dark inside and I could only see a vague man-shape moving down the hallway to the door. "Who is it," a deep voice growled from within. I was sure he could see me on the sunny porch, even though I couldn't see him inside, but I answered anyway. "I'm from Gillert's? I have your groceries." I said, hefting the bag up for him to see. There was a pause and then "Just a minute," the man grunted, and retreated back down the hallway. I put the heavy bag down on the mat and stretched my arms above my head, happy to be out of the store for a little while. When I heard the chain rattle on the door I bent to pick the bag up and take it inside. "Leave it on the mat." The deep voice barked. I straightened up and took a step back. "It's, uh, $18.50," I said, holding up the receipt. The door opened a crack and a large hand emerged, holding $25. "Keep the change," he rasped. I took the bills and put the receipt in his palm. "Thank you!" I said brightly. The door snapped shut. I hesitated a moment and then hopped back down the stairs to my car. I took my time putting on my seatbelt and adjusting the radio. I was hoping to catch a glimpse of the mysterious customer but the door didn't open again. The next Tuesday morning I was at the register again, trying not to die of boredom when the phone rang. I let it ring three times, assuming John would pick it up in the office. He must have been grooming his mustache or something, though, so I picked up. "Gillert's this is Jen. Can I help you?" I pulled a pen out of the bun in my hair, ready to take down a message. "Yeah, I need some groceries delivered," a familiar deep voice rumbled down the line. "Hey, I know you," I exclaimed brightly. "101 Maple Ave. right?" There was a pause. "Yes." I waited a moment for him to say more. "So what can I get you today?" He listed a few items, mostly the same as what he got last week. "Ok," I said when he had finished. "I'll collect these and see you in a bit!" "Alright," he replied. When I got to the little white house I set the grocery bag down on the mat and gave the door a smart rap with my knuckles. I bounced on the balls of my feet, waiting for the mystery man to answer the door. When I saw his shape approaching down the hall I waved at the dark glass. "It's $20.19 today," I called through the door, reading off the receipt. There was a pause and he unlocked the chain, reaching just a hand through to give me the money. I took the bills but instead of giving him the receipt right away I grasped his hand in my own. There was a moment when I thought he was going to pull his hand back but he stopped. "My name's Jen," I said, giving his hand a firm businesslike shake. His palm was warm and dry, his nails well groomed. There was a long pause but he didn't let go of my hand. "I'm Gabriel," he said, finally, softly. I couldn't help but grin; I wanted to jump up and down. "It's so nice to meet you Gabriel! Will I see you next week?" Gabriel withdrew his hand and chuckled darkly. "No, but I'll probably order groceries." I laughed out loud; I hadn't realized how I'd worded my question. "Ok then. Bye Gabriel!" I jumped down the steps to my car again. I spent the week wondering about the mysterious Gabriel. Why wouldn't he come out of the house? What was it like in there? Even if he didn't want to come out for some reason why wouldn't he even let me see him? Could he be hideous? He didn't sound hideous, if that makes any sense. I actually thought his voice was kind of sexy. It was deep but he didn't sound old; maybe 30 if I had to guess. I decided he could probably use a friend. Next Tuesday I was excited and waiting for Gabriel's call. He greeted me by name and I almost started jumping around with excitement. The radio antenna on my car had recently snapped off in a freak me-driving-too-close-to-a-tree accident so I was listening to my iPod. I know you're not supposed to drive with headphones on but I can't stand to drive without music. I knocked on the door and did an air-drum solo while I waited for Gabriel. I was startled to hear HIM knock on the door. I'd gotten really into the air drumming and closed my eyes, not noticing his shape darkening the doorway. "Oh!" I exclaimed, pulling the ear-buds out. "Hi Gabriel. It's $19.04 this week." "What are you listening to?" Gabriel asked, handing the money out around the door. "Teurastaja," I said. "By Turmion Katilot. They're from Finland." A pause. "Could I listen?" Gabriel rumbled. I restarted the song and handed the iPod around the door to him. I sat down onto the doormat next to the grocery bag while he listened. After a few minutes Gabriel's hand appeared again, giving my iPod back. "Not what I was expecting," he said; it sounded like he was sitting down on the floor too. "You look more like a One Direction girl, Justin Bieber, something like that." I laughed. "I guess you're right. Don't judge a book by its cover and all that." I stretched my legs out, touched my toes. "What about you? What kind of music do you like?" He was quiet for a while. "I like oldies, I guess. Like from the forties and fifties." "Cool," I said. "But you're not like...sorry this is totally rude. How old are you?" I hoped I wasn't about to scare him away. Gabriel chuckled. "I'm 32. How old are you?" I grinned. "Guess! Nobody ever gets it right." "Hmm," Gabriel mused, mock deliberating. "Stand up?" I stood. "And turn around?" I put my arms out to the sides and spun slowly. My hair was loose, falling in long waves down my back. I was acutely aware of just how awesome these shorts made my ass look. "21."Gabriel said. My mouth popped open, everyone assumes I'm older. "Well done!" I exclaimed. "That's it exactly!" I plopped down next to the door again. "Do I get a prize?" Gabriel asked teasingly. "I don't know," I mused, smirking. "What did you have in mind?" Were we flirting? How bizarre. "Never mind," Gabriel said, suddenly gruff again. "You should go." And with that the door snapped shut. "Bye?" I said. But I think he was already gone. I wasn't sure what to expect the next week. Gabriel called like usual. John the shift manager picked up but Gabriel asked to speak to me especially. I took down his grocery list, all the usual items. "Hey Gabriel?" I said, before he could hang up. "Do you like strawberries? We just got a delivery of these totally kick-ass local strawberries." "I do, actually." He sounded surprised. "I'll take some of those, too." "Okey Dokey. I'll see you in a minute." I said, adding strawberries to the list. "Or...not. Y'know." He was chuckling when we hung up. We exchanged the money around the doorway as usual. I didn't want to leave just yet but I wasn't sure if Gabriel wanted to talk. "Jen?" he rumbled, just as I was about to leave. I turned back around. "Do you like strawberries?" I grinned. "I love them." "Do you want to, um. Do you want to share them? With me?" he sounded almost nervous. I was starting to picture him in my head as, like, a bear; gruff and dangerous but also cute. I sat down cross-legged on the door mat and fished the pint of strawberries out of the bag, setting them down right in the open space of the door. I popped one in my mouth, biting off the green top and tossing it off the porch into the long grass. Gabriel's hand appeared, selected a strawberry and retreated. "Mmm. These are good," he rumbled. "Thank you, for telling me." "No problem," I smiled, eating another strawberry. "Gabriel?" "Yeah?" he sounded guarded. I'd been about to ask him the big burning question but I chickened out at the last moment. "Tell me about yourself?" He seemed to relax. "Only if you return the favor." I nodded, remembered he couldn't see me. "Ok." "Ok. Well, my dad was from New York, my mom was Romanian, they moved here and had me. No siblings. I grew up in this town. Went, to high-school, joined the army. My parents both died young. I was deployed oversees and when I came back I moved in here." I waited. "And that's it." "Hmm, the abridged version," I said, nibbling another strawberry. "Your turn," Gabriel said, choosing another berry with long brown fingers. "Um, well I was born in California. I grew up there and my family moved here when I was 12. I probably went to the same high-school you did! Now I'm in college, one more year! I'm studying physical education." "Like to be a gym teacher?" Gabriel asked, laughter at the edge of his voice. "Yup." I answered. I was used to getting that reaction. "Wow, no, that's really cool. It's just that all the lady gym teachers I've met were not like you." He was really laughing now. "Don't laugh!" I chided, laughing. If he were really here I would have swatted him. I checked my phone. "Shoot, I'd better go. They'll miss me." I got up and dusted myself off. "I'll miss you." He said, very quietly. It made my heart wrench. I couldn't stand the thought of him all alone in there all day. "Gabriel," I said, kneeling down right by the door. I reached my hand inside, trying to find him. He caught my hand and held it in his own strong grip. "You know I don't just have to come on Tuesdays..." I felt awkward, like I was setting up a play-date. "Come back tomorrow?" "Ok. I'll come by after work. Thanks for the strawberries." I felt something on the back of my hand before he let it go, something brief and warm. A kiss. The next day I took special care getting ready. After work I changed in the store bathroom from my usual shorts and a t-shirt into a sundress, it was certainly hot enough for it. As I brushed out my hair and applied a little mascara my thoughts turned towards Gabriel for the millionth time. Learning that he had been soldier was interesting to me. My first assumption was PTSD but he didn't really seem to have any problems except that he wouldn't leave the house. I couldn't help wondering what had happened to him. When I got to the little white house there was a dining room chair in the porch next to the door. I knocked and waited for Gabriel to come, I hadn't actually told him what time I finished work; I hoped he hadn't been waiting. I knocked again and finally I saw his silhouette moving down the hallway. Late in the afternoon like this the light was behind the house and I could see him a bit better than I could before. I still couldn't see his face but I could make out his shape. He was tall and broad shouldered. I could see the muscles of his arm flex as he reached up to brush a hand over his head. "Hey Jen," he said, sounding a little out of breath. "I was working out, I didn't hear you. I wasn't sure when you were coming." His voice seemed even sexier to me now that I had some idea of what he looked like. "No problem. Thanks for the chair!" I said, smoothing out my dress and taking a seat. I heard wood creak as he sat down, too. "You look beautiful today." He growled, a little nervously. "Thanks," I smiled. I watched the sun set and he watched the wall of the hallway (presumably) and we chatted about a million things. Movies, food, our childhoods and things we remembered about the town and school. He got us a couple of beers and we clinked bottles around the door, giggling. Finally I realized that the sun had set and I was exhausted and needed to get to bed before I fell asleep in my chair. "I'm gonna head home, Gabriel. This was fun." I didn't get up yet, though. "I enjoyed this," he replied warmly. "Come back any time. Really." "K." I hesitated, then went for it. "Gabriel?" I said, before I had time to lose my nerve "Why won't you let me see you?" I held my breath waiting. He was silent for a long time. "You don't want to see me, Jen. You don't want to know." He sounded so sad. All I wanted to do was take him in my arms and prove him wrong. I opened my mouth to protest and changed my mind. "Ok but I'm not giving up. I'll be back." "I'm counting on it," he was smiling. I got up to go. "Wait. Give me your hand." I placed my slim hand into his broad one and he drew it around the door. I felt his lips again on my fingers this time, gently kissing each one. I leaned against the doorframe, breathing shallowly. He released me. "Goodnight Jen." "Goodnight Gabriel," I whispered. When I made my Tuesday grocery run there was a little purple and white flower waiting for me on the mat. I picked it up with a smile "Pretty. What is it?" "An orchid," Gabriel said as he handed me the grocery money. "I grow them." "Inside," I clarified. "Yes. Of course inside." He said a little tensely. "Gabriel?" I tried again. "Will you just tell me? I won't freak out, I promise." There was a charged silence. "I thought you were going to let it go." "I'm just curious. And I like you. I want to see your face." "You don't want to see my face," Gabriel said sharply. "I think you should go." He closed the door and left the hallway. I was frustrated and a little angry. Why didn't he believe me? I couldn't imagine it being bad enough for me to care. And how did he think our friendship was going to progress? We couldn't keep having conversations around a door forever. I left in a huff and didn't return all week; if he wanted to contact me he knew where I worked. On Tuesday it rained. I waited for Gabriel's call. I'd cooled down by now and I was ready to make friends again. The day dragged by and it got to the end of my shift but no phone call. I even asked John if he'd taken any messages but no cigar. I told myself that Gabriel was probably just still mad at me, or he didn't need groceries. But a nagging part of my brain worried that something had happened to him. I'd planned on just going home after work but my car seemed to drive to Gabriel's house all by itself. I sat in my car by the curb for a long time, watching the rain pour down the windshield in sheets. Finally I pulled my hood up and ran for the porch. The worn wooden steps were slippery from the rain and as I ran, my foot slipped out from under me. I went down hard, hitting my forehead on the corner of the chair that was still sitting next to the door. I must have blacked out for a moment because the next thing I realized I was being picked up and carried down a dark hallway. My head was resting against Gabriel's muscular shoulder. "I'm bleeding on your t-shirt," I mumbled. I heard his familiar chuckle above me. Gabriel sat me down on a toilet seat. "Close your eyes, Jen. I have to clean out this cut." I closed my eyes obediently. I felt a little dizzy and there was a pain above my right eye. I suppressed the urge to touch it. I heard Gabriel fumbling around and felt a sharp sting as he dabbed at my cut. "Sorry," he mumbled. He placed a Band-Aid carefully on my forehead and I slowly opened my eyes. Gabriel was crouched on the floor in front of me, looking into my eyes nervously, waiting for me to run. The right half of Gabriel's face was a mangled mess of scar tissue. Most of his cheek and one ear were missing. It looked like skin had been grafted and sewn on, pulling the right side of his mouth up in a sneer. The dark hair on the left side of his head had been shaved to match the mottled pink burn scars on the right. While the right half of his head would be considered monstrous, the rest of him was handsome. Whatever had ravaged his face had spared a classical aquiline nose. His lips were full and sensuous and he regarded me with large dark eyes. He was a big man, with broad shoulders and a wide chest. I could see the prominent muscles of his chest and arms stretching the soft fabric of his shirt. "Hey you," I said, smiling at him for the first time. "Thanks for rescuing me." He continued to stare at me, waiting for me to get scared. I reached out and touched his forearm delicately with my fingertips. He looked at my hand, then back to my face. I grinned wider. It was so nice to finally see him. He smiled back, tentatively at first. It transformed his face completely and already I couldn't think of him as anything but handsome. "You're such an asshole," I whispered, teasingly. "Did you think I'd be afraid of you?" "Or disgusted," he murmured. "After a few too many bad experiences I decided it was easier to just hide." "What happened?" I whispered, reaching up to gently brush my fingertips over his burned skin. He sighed and closed his eyes, relaxing under my touch. "It was a bomb," he said, as if for the thousandth time. "Booby-trapped door. I opened it first, got a face-full of shrapnel. This is eight surgeries later," he gestured derisively at his ruined face. "Good as it's gonna get." I tilted my head to the side, studying him. "I think you can pull it off," I said matter of factly. "It's all about the attitude anyway, right?" I grinned at him. "So what do you want to do tonight?" He looked up at me doubtfully. "Are you sure you're ok? You hit your head pretty hard." I waved my hand dismissively. "This in nothin'. I feel better already. Give me a tour?" He gave a tentative nod and helped me to my feet. "Wow, you're tall." I slapped a hand over my mouth; sometimes I wish I didn't have to speak every thought out loud. Gabriel grinned at me and patted the top of my head. "Six foot six." He took my hand gently in his own. "Well this is the bathroom," he said, gesturing around. He led me down the hallway to point out the living room and the kitchen. The house was very tidy and organized. Still towing me by the hand Gabriel led me up the narrow staircase. "And this is my bedroom," he said, finally. The only room upstairs, his bedroom was the largest room in the house. Like everything else it was neat and modern, dominated by a king sized bed in the center, covered in a grey blanket. "Nice," I said. "Ooh, I got blood on you." I indicated the dark spots on the shoulder of his t-shirt. "Hmm!" he said, looking down at his shirt in surprise. He pulled it over his head in one fluid motion and I bit my lip, trying not to check him out too obviously. He was muscled like a boxer, heavy and thick. I couldn't help recalling my first imagination of him as a bear. Gabriel strode across the room to toss his shirt into the laundry basket and got a clean one out of his dresser. "Oh please don't!" I blurted out, as he started to pull the shirt on. Gabriel raised an eyebrow at me. My heart was pounding. I took a step towards him and then another. Not meeting his eyes I placed my hands gently on his chest, feeling the soft dark hairs there with my fingertips. Gabriel gently encircled me with his huge arms. When I did look up at him his gaze was tender and questioning. Recluse I stretched up on my tiptoes and placed my lips against his. He returned my kiss with a sigh, tracing one powerful hand along my jaw before gripping the back of my neck. I moaned at the feeling of his tongue in my mouth and wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt so fragile in his arms; he could crush me like a butterfly and that power thrilled me. I pressed myself against his chest and Gabriel began to touch me. Tentatively at first, he traced his fingers down my back, over my ass and around my hips. I could feel him starting to grow against my stomach. His kisses grew more intense and soon I was gasping for air and clinging onto his body as Gabriel touched and caressed me. I broke the kiss and planted my lips on his jaw, his throat, his shoulder. His hands touched me idly and I could hear his shallow breathing. Sinking slowly to my knees I traced the tip of my tongue over the ridges of his abs. I kissed each hipbone and traced one finger inside the waistband of his jeans, looking up to meet his eyes in the dim light. I heard Gabriel's sharp intake of breath above me. His mouth was slightly open, his eyes glazed with lust. I unbuttoned his jeans and let his cock out. Long, hard and silky smooth; I was a little intimidated to tell the truth. He had his hand on my damp hair, gently tousling it. I gripped him with one hand and gently licked the tip of his penis. I was rewarded with Gabriel's sudden moan above me. I licked him again, flattening my tongue against the underside of his cock before popping the head into my mouth. I licked and sucked him vigorously, trying to fit as much of him into my mouth as I could; he was so big! After a minute or two Gabriel stopped me, gently stilling my motions with his hands. He drew me to my feet and led me over to his bed. We sank down and Gabriel began kissing my neck. I shuddered and gasped when I felt his lips and tongue on my throat. My blood beat hot and fast through my veins and I felt my pulse throbbing against Gabriel's lips. I wrapped my arms around Gabriel's shoulders, exploring the knots and ridges of muscle, feeling them move under my fingers as he shifted, caressing me. His strong fingers were fumbling at the hem of my t-shirt. I sat up and pulled it over my head. I unclasped my bra and threw that on the floor too. Gabriel let out a rumbling growl, looking down at me. I lay back, giggling, spreading myself out for him to touch. Gabriel bent to kiss me again. His full lips caressed mine sensually and his tongue darted into my mouth to play with my own. I touched his face, running my fingertips over the course stubble of his strong jaw on one side and the slick, lumpy scar tissue on the other. Gabriel's hand traveled over my flat stomach to caress my breast. I felt his breath turn shallow with lust as his long fingers squeezed my soft flesh gently. His fingertips found my nipple and rolled the stiffening tip between them. I gasped and moaned, wriggling on the bed. I was so turned on. I could feel the slickness between my legs and I needed him to touch me there. "Gabriel," I moaned into his ear, clinging to his neck. "Please." "Please what, my darling?" He grinned playfully, still twisting my nipple in an exquisitely painful way. The unbroken gaze of his huge dark eyes was magnetic. I reached out and grasped his long cock, causing his gaze to turn distant with lust. "Please fuck me now?" I purred. Gabriel deftly unbuttoned my jeans and threw them, along with my damp panties, to the floor. He shucked his own pants, standing before me, for a moment, in all his naked glory. The sun had set early behind the rainclouds and in the dim light of his bedroom Gabriel stood like some dark god. His face in shadow, all I could see were the perfect, colossal proportions of his bullish body. I lay back, spreading my knees. Gabriel knelt on the floor at the foot of the bed and surprised me by planting a kiss on the inside of my knee. He kissed up my thigh, running his hands over the soft skin of my legs until he reached my throbbing sex. He pushed one broad finger inside me, feeling the hot slickness guide him in. I shuddered at the long awaited invasion and the muscles of my pussy contracted involuntarily, gripping his finger. Gabriel drew the digit out again and pushed it back in, fucking me slowly. I gasped and thrust my hips. I needed just a little more. I let out a little cry when Gabriel's lips descended on me. He covered me with his hot mouth and when he ran his tongue over my sensitive clit I almost came. He pulled back a little and flicked his tongue fast over my clit again and again. I wriggled my hips against his finger until he started pushing it in and out of me again. I came all at once, with a soft cry. Before I was ready for it to end Gabriel was pulling back, kissing his way up my body. When he flicked my nipple with his tongue I felt myself stirring inside again. Gabriel kissed my lips, my cheek, my eyelids. He smoothed my hair back with his incredible hands. I raised my knees and he positioned himself at my hot, slick entrance. I moaned when I felt his incredible, long cock push into me. His breathing sped up and he pumped into me slowly, capturing my lips again. He kissed me sensually and fucked me hard. I was getting close to orgasm again. Each time he thrust deep into me I felt my insides coiling tighter and tighter until I was sure I would explode. Just when I felt myself getting close, Gabriel pulled out and sat back. I cried out in protest. He chuckled and patted the outside of my knee. "Turn over, Baby," He rumbled. I picked myself up and got to my hands and knees. Gabriel let out a sound that was half groan and half sigh as he surveyed my rear end thrust into the air before him. One hand resting on my hip he ran the other hand up and then down the groove of my spine where my skin was slick with sweat. I felt his rock hard cock, still sticky with my juices rubbing against my ass. I longed for him to put it back into me again. Gabriel wound his thick fingers into my tangled hair and tugged gently as he slid himself inside me. I arched my back and reveled in the pain and pleasure. Gabriel held my hip with one hand and my hair with the other, fucking me harder and harder. As his cock slammed into me again and again I shuddered and came for a second time. I trembled and shook, squeezing him hard with my muscles. Gabriel let out a grunt and came, hard, thrusting into me once, twice more. My knees were trembling as he pulled out of me and we both collapsed onto the bedspread. I didn't want to move, every muscle in my body was weak and relaxed. I picked myself up and crawled over to where Gabriel lay. I draped myself over his broad chest and he wrapped his arms around me. I awoke in the chill grey of an early morning. I felt a little cold and unpleasantly sticky in more places than you would think. Gabriel was still asleep with his arms around me. I peeked at the digital clock on his bedside table and realized I would have to get up pretty soon to make it to work. I didn't want Gabriel to wake up and find me gone and get the wrong idea. I shifted around and kissed him gently on the lips. He stirred a little and squeezed me tighter. I playfully kissed him all over his face, giggling and nipping his earlobe gently with my teeth. Gabriel growled and opened his eyes, catching my face in his big hands and kissing me back. I could feel his cock swelling to its full and impressive size against my bare thigh. "Mm, no," I murmured, pulling away with difficulty. "I have to take a shower and get to work." "I'll help you," Gabriel said, hypnotizing me with his eyes again. "You don't know how to work my shower or anything," he grinned fiendishly. I pretended to ponder. "Ok!" I finally conceded. With alarming speed and agility for such a large man, Gabriel jumped out of bed and swept me into his arms. I yelped with surprise and giggled all the way to the bathroom. Under the hot spray of the shower I felt my sore muscles relaxing. Gabriel and I kissed and helped each other wash up. His soapy fingers skimmed over my body, lightly caressing my breasts, my stomach, sneaking between my legs. I soaped my own hands and ran them over Gabriel's chest, felt the washboard ridges of his abs. I wound my hands over his broad shoulders and gripped the thick muscles of his arms. When I glided my fingers over his rock hard cock, Gabriel's kisses grew more intense. He gripped the back of my neck with one hand while he plundered my mouth and snaked the other arm around my waist, crushing my body against his. The way he was with me was so intense. I'd thought of him as reserved before he let me in, but he was a wild animal in the bedroom...or shower. I disentangled myself and turned around, pressing my hands against the cool tile of the shower wall. Gabriel wasted no time but plunged his hard cock inside me. He fucked me slowly this time, reaching around to caress my breasts, pinching my hard nipples until I was quivering every time he pushed into me again. Gabriel increased his pace, fucking me a little harder, a little faster. He kissed the side of my neck, gently testing my skin with his teeth. My breathing was coming hard and fast. His hand glided down between my legs and he started rubbing my clit in time with his insistent thrusts. I relaxed against him, giving myself up to the pleasure until I came, softly. I trembled, impaled on his cock as waves of pleasure wracked my spent body. I leaned forward again, bracing myself on the wall as Gabriel grasped my hips, thrusting into my tender pussy until he came with a growl. He pulled out and caressed me tenderly. We rinsed off and hurried out of the cooling shower spray. At work that day I felt like I was in a daze. I couldn't concentrate, my thoughts kept going back to Gabriel and the amazing night we'd had. Thinking about his body made me go all drooly and weak at the knees. I decided I just need e to get him out of my system. The day passed excruciatingly slowly but I was finally able to clock out and escape back to the little white house. When I knocked on the door and saw Gabriel's dark shape moving down the hallway I experienced a moment of panic, thinking he wouldn't let me in again. He opened the door and greeted me with an enthusiastic kiss. I pushed him up against the wall of the hallway and started to work my hands up under his shirt but he stopped me. "Not yet," he grinned, placing soft kisses on my lips. "I made you dinner." Gabriel led me into the kitchen and sat me down at the little table. I pushed aside the lustful feelings that had been building up inside me all day. The food was almost as good as sex, though. "Oh my God, Gabriel," I exclaimed after swallowing the first bite. "This is amazing." He grinned at me across the table. "There's not that much to do in here; I taught myself to cook." We didn't talk much during the meal because I didn't want to stop shoveling food into my mouth, but there was moaning. When we were finished I sat back and smiled shyly at him. "Wow, sorry." I said. "I think I just ate like a pig." He only laughed. "Do you want a beer or something?" he asked, going to the fridge. I nodded. "Can we drink them in the back yard? It's really nice out." I waited, nervous. This was a little test. Gabriel hesitated a moment and then came over to give me my drink. "Alright." He said, reserved. I grinned and hopped out of my chair to the back door. We found some plastic lawn chairs against the back of the house and dusted them off. The two of us arranged ourselves looking out over the back yard. It really was a beautiful evening. The sun was setting and fireflies winked under the trees. Gabriel kept glancing from side to side, into the neighbors' yards but there was no one to be seen and I pretended not to notice. "Thanks for making me dinner," I smiled at him. "Any time," he grinned back, sipping his beer and relaxing in his chair. I got up and moved my seat closer so I could rest my head on his shoulder. "I'm glad you came back to see me. I was worried that I'd come on too strong, making you dinner and everything. I would take you out but..." I frowned, resting my chin on his shoulder. "You can take me out you know." I said. "Not that this isn't enough for me or anything. But I'm not the only one who can accept you. I know you've had some bad experiences but not everyone is that much of an asshole." He scoffed and took a long drink, pulling away from me. "No offence, Jen but you have no idea. I bet nobody has ever had a negative reaction to you in your life." He frowned out at the darkening yard. "I think there was a compliment in there," I said, trying to lighten the mood. "Let's forget it for now anyway." I set my bottle down and got up to perch on Gabriel's lap. "I've been thinking about fucking you all day long," I whispered and I kissed him. He kissed me back with a sigh, all the tension bleeding out of him into the night. His large hands pressed my body against his. The air was cooling around us and he felt so warm. His tongue delved into my mouth and he growled low in his throat. We made our way inside in a giggling tangle of limbs and finally fell into Gabriel's bed again. We lay on our sides facing each other. "Let's take it slow tonight," I murmured. "I'm still a little sore." Gabriel smiled at me and nodded. He kissed me deeply and I melted against his broad chest, enjoying the warmth and solid presence of him. We removed our clothes and he touched my body tenderly, with long, smooth strokes. I was thrumming with need but so relaxed at the same time. When he slid his amazing tool inside me I moaned and hooked my knee over his hip, taking him in deeper. We fucked slowly, just like I'd asked, and I watched Gabriel's scarred face in the moonlight as he sighed and thrust himself inside me. I came to a slow, shuddering orgasm, pressing my body even tighter against his. Gabriel flipped me onto my back and began thrusting into me harder, trying to be gentle. I lifted my knee and squeezed my inner muscles, trying to massage him on every stroke. He gave a grunt and came inside me, breathing hard into the curve of my neck. We spent most of the next week together. We ate and fucked and watched DVD's and talked together. When I delivered Gabriel's groceries on Tuesday I slipped inside for a knee-shaking quickie against the wall of the hallway and returned to work with a silly grin on my face. I really found myself enjoying Gabriel's company. He was easy to talk to and a better lay than anyone I'd been with. He seemed happy to have me around too. Whenever I came over he was thrilled to see me and he seemed more comfortable in himself the longer I spent with him. I couldn't imagine how lonely he must have been before. I still wanted to get him out of the house, though. Already I didn't even notice his scars. I was sure that if he realized that not everyone thought he was a monster he could be part of society again. I brought the subject up again while we were watching TV on the couch the following weekend. "Gabriel?" I said, meeting his eyes during a commercial break. He tensed up at once at my unfamiliar tone. "What?" "I think we should go out." He sighed and ran his hand over his head in a characteristic gesture of frustration. "No." He said flatly. And when I didn't reply, "You can do whatever you want, Jen, but I'm staying here." "I know you think people won't accept you but I think you're wrong." I said. "Just try one more time." "Let's talk about this another time," he growled, pulling me into his arms and kissing my neck in a way that made me breathless. "Don't you have dreams and plans?" I said breathlessly, trying halfheartedly to squirm away from his lips. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" He kissed my neck and growled into my ear, "I want to fuck you, and then I want to make you dinner." "You can't keep distracting me with sex!" I giggled, trying to pull away from his strong grip. He pulled me hard against him and locked his dark eyes onto my blue ones. Straddling his lap I could feel his cock through his jeans, pressing hard against my thigh. I gave up struggling and kissed him. He fucked me from behind on the couch, pulling my hair just the way I liked. Afterwards I lay against his broad chest, rising and falling with his breathing. "Please take me on a date, Gabriel. What's the worst that can happen?" He sighed against my tangled hair. "Alright." The following weekend a few friends of mine were hosting a barbecue and I thought it would be the perfect low-key setting for Gabriel to get out of the house. My friends knew I was seeing someone and they were getting curious to meet him. When the night arrived Gabriel was nervous but he was pretending not to be. He kept patting down his pockets, the way guys do, to make sure he had everything. I was fishing my keys out of my purse when Gabriel put a hand on my wrist to stop me. "I have a surprise for you," he said with a twinkle in his eye, leading me out to the garage. I'd never been in there. "If we're going to go out we're going out in style." He rolled the door up to reveal a gleaming classic motorcycle. "Ooh," I couldn't help myself cooing as I walked over to run a finger over the glossy paint. "I've been tuning it up," Gabriel growled, somewhat sheepishly. "I've been thinking about taking you for a ride," he grinned. I smiled back and threw my arms around his neck. "You ready to go, baby?" He squeezed me around the waist and gave me a kiss that left my knees wobbly. Then he pulled back and nodded. Gabriel handed me a helmet with a full face visor and put the other one on himself. He started the bike up and I climbed on behind him. I'd never been on a motorcycle before; something about the powerful machine purring between my legs was turning me on. I wrapped my arms around Gabriel's waist and felt the hard muscles of his abs shift and contract as he maneuvered the bike out of the garage and onto the street. As soon as we were up to speed I was enchanted. The engine hummed and the wind rushed over my warm skin, pulling my dress up to expose my thighs. I let out a whoop that was carried away in the rushing air and I felt the rumble of Gabriel's laughter. Roaring through the twilight streets I felt like the road was alive and Gabriel and I were a part of it. When we reached our destination I was breathing hard and my heart was pounding. I wanted to fuck Gabriel right then and there but I knew that wasn't possible. We parked at the curb in front of my friends' house and pulled off our helmets. "What did you think?" Gabriel asked, grinning and looking into my eyes. "That was amazing," I gushed, leaning into his broad chest and giving him a kiss. "I'm so turned on right now," I whispered, my breath fluttering across his ear. Gabriel growled with lust and gave me a squeeze. "We'd better go in." We knocked on the door and waited. I took Gabriel's hand, but he didn't seem nervous anymore. He smiled at me. I knew my friends would love him. When the door opened we were greeted by a rush of smells and music and voices and my friend Carla hugging me and hugging Gabriel and ushering us inside before we knew what was happening. I kept a firm grip on Gabriel's hand as we made our way through the party, making introductions. All of my friends were pleased to finally meet my boyfriend and nobody said anything about his scars or even seemed to notice much. The tequila had already been flowing for a while before we got there and everyone was having a good time. We finally got drinks and plates of food and found a cozy spot to sit down outside. "What do you think?" I asked Gabriel when we finally had a chance to catch our breath. "You OK?" "Yeah, this is great," Gabriel said, taking a long sip of his beer. "Your friends are really...enthusiastic?" Recluse I laughed, "Yeah, they can get a little overwhelming. But they mean well." I ate a bite of potato salad. "Someone will probably try to make you dance later." I grinned at Gabriel and he scowled. "I don't dance," he grumbled. I shrugged and we kept eating. When we finished our food Gabriel and I made another circuit of the party, stopping to chat with my friends. They were curious about Gabriel, what he did, if he'd seen this or that movie. I'd (obviously) never seen him in a social situation but he held his own, joking with my friends and complementing our hosts on the food. Carla convinced me to do a couple of shots with her and before I knew it I was giggling like a crazy person and holding onto Gabriel's strong arm to keep myself upright. He tactfully steered us back to our corner outside and I snuggled up to him. "Gabriel this is so fun," I gushed, touching his face. "My friends all really like you." "You were right," he murmured. "I'm glad we came." He brushed his thumb over my wrist in a soothing rhythm. My breathing slowed and deepened. The alcohol was making me horny and all I could think about now was feeling his strong arms around me, dominating me. I captured his mouth with mine and kissed him deeply. He sighed and shifted me to his lap, straddling his lap. I threw my arms around his neck and ground against him, feeling his moan in my mouth when I kissed him. Gabriel had one hand firmly on my waist and he snaked the other one up into my hair, making a fist and pulling gently. "Mm Gabriel," I sighed as he kissed my neck. "Take me home. I need to fuck you." The tequila made the ride home even more magical for me. The night air had cooled and the wind that rushed over my bare skin raised goose bumps. I shivered pleasantly and pressed myself tighter against Gabriel's strong back. Back at the house Gabriel picked me up and carried me inside, like on that first day. He took me up to his bedroom and set me on my feet by the bed. He undressed me slowly, in the semidarkness. I stood still and let him, not touching. He unzipped my dress and let it puddle at my feet. He ran a rough thumb over the line of my jaw and brought his palm down to gently cup my throat. I shivered but I just stood there, watching him touch and explore me. He cupped my breasts in his hands, then twisted my nipples between his fingers, like he was tuning in a radio. My nipples tightened burned a little; my breathing sped up and I felt myself becoming even more aroused. Gabriel ran his thumbs down the lines of my stomach and hooked my panties, dropping them to the floor. He stepped close and cupped my ass in his hands, squeezing. I placed my hands lightly on his arms to steady myself. He smelled so good, spicy and a little sweaty. I pressed myself against his chest and breathed in his scent, my head still swimming from the alcohol. Gabriel wrapped his huge arms around me and I felt so safe, so satisfied with him. Gabriel caressed my back and brought a hand up into my hair, he pulled gently, tipping my head back. My breathing shortened to little gasps as he licked and kissed my exposed throat. I was almost trembling with want and my hard nipples poked into Gabriel's chest through his shirt. I was slick between my legs and I wanted Gabriel to touch me there, but I loved it when he was in control. He was so much bigger and stronger than me and I loved it when he used his physical power to dominate me. Finally Gabriel released me and gave me a little push towards the bed. I fell back onto it with a sigh and watched him undress himself. He pushed my knees apart and knelt between them, naked. He looked down at me lying in front of him, completely willing to do whatever he wanted. His tool sat up proud between us, big and hard. I licked my lips involuntarily. I wanted to touch him but I waited for his invitation. Gabriel's expression, as usual, gave away nothing of what he was thinking. His dark eyes roamed over my skin and there was something predatory in his expression. He ran a hand torturously up my thigh and probed his finger into the slickness of my pussy. He growled approvingly and leaned forward, suddenly thrusting himself inside me. I gasped and braced to meet his next thrust but it never came. He stayed inside me, his member throbbing slightly, filling me completely. Still not moving inside me, Gabriel leaned down and started licking and sucking my nipples. I was in exquisite agony. When Gabriel shifted I felt every slight movement inside me as though it were amplified a hundred times. I gasped and moaned as my nipples became sensitive and swollen under the onslaught from Gabriel's mouth. He moved his lips up to my throat, pushing even deeper into me. I was throbbing around him like a heartbeat. My legs trembled with the need to move, to get some friction, any satisfaction. Gabriel looked into my eyes and smiled his lopsided smile. He was breathing hard now too. Holding my eyes with his he began to rock in and out of me very slowly. It felt like every nerve ending in my pussy had been set on high. I felt every inch of him slide smoothly out of me and then slowly back in. We were both breathing hard with the effort of keeping still. I could already feel myself building to a gigantic orgasm. Gabriel reached down and pulled my one knee up, bending it to my shoulder. As he picked up the pace of his thrusts I felt him pushing even deeper inside me. His pubic bone rubbed steadily against my swollen clit with every thrust and I suddenly felt myself shattering apart in a tremendous orgasm. I clenched around his cock, my arms and legs shaking uncontrollably as Gabriel slammed into me harder and faster, the tip of his cock hitting my g-spot on every stroke. He came right after I did, groaning against my neck and thrusting into me a few more times, like a spasm. We rolled apart and lay in the dark together. My legs felt like jelly. Gabriel reached for me and pulled me against his sweaty chest and we fell asleep. The next morning I was sitting at Gabriel's kitchen table having coffee while he made us eggs. I had a bit of a hangover and when my phone rang I picked it up right away to silence the buzzing. It was my friend Carla; I wondered why she wasn't at work at the diner this morning. "Hello?" I said. "Jen," she sounded anxious. "Ok, I'm freaking out. Jesse, the cook here, just slipped in the kitchen and my manager took him to the hospital." "Is he OK?" I asked, wondering how I could help. "Yeah, I think he broke his arm. Anyway, I called the other cook but he's not answering and there are people here, like, waiting for their food. Do you know anyone who can cook?" I met Gabriel's eyes across the kitchen. He was holding a spatula and raising his eyebrow at me quizzically. "Hold on," I said to Carla, pressing the phone to my chest. "Gabriel," I asked. "How would you feel about making eggs for some more people this morning? Carla's having a bit of an emergency." He hesitated for only a moment. "Ok." When we slipped in the back door of the diner Carla was flipping hash browns on the grill. She looked close to tears. Another harried looking waitress brushed past us with two pots of coffee in her hands. "Oh, thank God you're here!" Carla said when she saw us. "Here," she put the spatula in Gabriel's hand. "Just eggs, bacon and sausage, as fast as you can." He moved to the grill, looking right at home. "What can I do?" I asked, pulling my hair back in a bun. "Umm," Carla looked around. "Toast? I've got to check on my tables. The order slips are here, Gabriel," she pointed to a spindle of paper tickets. "Plates are here." And she whisked out the door again. We worked together for about an hour, Gabriel working the grill and me helping out where I could. Cooking wasn't really my thing but I could load a dishwasher like a pro. When the breakfast crowd started to clear we got a little time to breathe. Carla came back in and thanked us. "Gabriel, you're a hero!" she gushed. "You totally saved the day!" he smiled shyly and flipped an egg. "It's slowing down now, but do you think you can stay through lunch? Jesse's still at the hospital. He just texted me; they haven't even given him a cast yet." "I can stay as long as you need me to," Gabriel rumbled. "This is kinda fun." Carla beamed. "Thank you!" In a lull between customers Gabriel came over and nuzzled my ear. "Sorry about our Sunday," he murmured. His breath at my ear made my heart flutter. "That's OK. I'm glad we could help. Or you could anyway," I laughed. "You could probably take off, if you want," he said. "I think we've got it handled now." I nodded. I had some laundry and dishes piling up at my place anyway. "OK. Text me when you're done, I'll come over." "Mm, I don't think so," Gabriel said, stepping closer and putting his arms around me. "How about I take you out instead?" Recluse: The Epilogue Here is a little epilogue for those of you who read "Recluse" and wanted some more closure. Enjoy! --T. * I stepped outside into the warm May sunshine after my last final exam, feeling like a weight had been lifted off of me. I was graduating from college on Saturday but this was the last time I would have to set foot in a classroom. It was a good feeling. My mood lifted even more when I saw Gabriel waiting for me in the parking lot. He was leaning against his motorcycle looking cooler than anyone's boyfriend had a right to look. I skipped over to him and he caught me in his arms and kissed me breathless. A few other students walking by were staring but we both ignored them. "What are you doing here?" I asked when he put me down. "I thought you had a shift at the restaurant today." "Tony gave me the day off," he replied with a grin. "You know how much that guy loves me." The manager of 'Anthony's Italian Eatery' couldn't get enough of Gabriel's cooking ever since he hired him last fall. "So what should we do," I asked, slipping my arms around Gabriel's waist and looking up into his dark eyes. "Now that I'm a free woman and all." Gabriel brushed a few strands of blond hair away from my ear and whispered, "I have a surprise for you." I grinned and his eyes twinkled with a secret. With the sleek motorcycle growling between our legs, Gabriel drove us a few miles outside of town. I'd never been here before but Gabriel seemed to know where he was going. We parked in a little pull off by the road that I would never even have noticed. He took my hand and led me up a narrow path in the woods. The birds were singing in the warm sunshine and new green leaves covered every bush and tree branch, bathing out path in a clear emerald light. After walking for a few minutes the path opened up into a small grassy clearing. There was a blanket spread out in the sunshine and a picnic basket sitting next to it. "Aww! You made me a picnic!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms around Gabriel's neck. He smiled and kissed me, suddenly lifting me into his arms he carried me over to the blanket. He sat down and we feasted on grapes, cheese and crackers; he'd even brought a bottle of wine and we drank it out of plastic cups. When we'd finished eating Gabriel and I lay together on the blanket, watching the trees sway above us. I snuggled up to his side, feeling content and a little buzzed from the wine. He turned to take me in his arms and kissed me deeply, framing my face with his big hands. I kissed him back, my tongue darting out to taste him, making him moan and press against me. Gabriel sneaked a hand up under my shirt, running his rough palm over the smooth skin of my stomach. I gasped moaned at his touch, feeling myself becoming aroused. Gabriel kissed my neck and traced his tongue along my collarbone, pulling down the strap of my tank top to expose more of my skin to his insatiable mouth. Gabriel pulled his t-shirt off and tossed it aside. While he licked and caressed my breasts I ran my fingers over every familiar curve of him. My fingers knew his scars like old friends now but I never got tired of touching them. He kissed his way down my body, smoothly unbuttoning my shorts and slipping them off my legs. The man was an artist at undressing me. I lay back and looked at the sky, shuddering and gasping when he kissed my sex, stroking me with his tongue and fingers. When I was trembling with the need to come Gabriel stopped. I tore his pants off almost savagely, giggling when I couldn't get his zipper undone and finally, finally he was sinking inside me. I moaned and wrapped my arms around him. It felt so right, like coming home. He kissed my neck, testing my skin with his teeth. I shuddered as he stroked smoothly in and out of me, his thick cock stretching me exquisitely. He pounded against me harder and faster and I felt my orgasm building as he brushed against my g-spot over and over again. Gabriel grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled, tugging my head back as he slammed into me. I cried out as my orgasm hit me like a wave and I clung to him, squeezing his cock inside me and throbbing like a heart. When we were finished we got dressed and I lay with my head in Gabriel's lap, looking up at the lacy pattern of the leaves against the sky. Gabriel played with my hair, winding strands of it around his thick fingers. "This was a nice surprise, Babe. Thank you," I said. He smiled and bent forward to kiss me upside down. "This wasn't the surprise," he rumbled. I sat up, wondering what he was talking about. Gabriel reached into his pocket and sat up on one knee, holding a small black velvet box. I brought my hands up to cover my mouth, tears suddenly springing to my eyes. "Jen," he began, meeting my surprised blue eyes with his steady brown ones. "I know I've only known you for a year but this has been the happiest year of my life. Before I met you I was a different person. My world was a dark and lonely place and you burst into it like a ray of sunshine. You pulled me out into the light and I'm not sure how I would have survived if you hadn't." The tears were flowing down my cheeks now and when Gabriel opened the box I could barely see the sparkle of the ring inside through my tears. He continued, "If you do me the honor of being my wife, I promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me. Jen," he cupped my face in his hand, wiping my tears away with his thumb. "Will you marry me?" "Yes," I choked out, wiping my tears away with the backs of my hands so I could see his adoring face looking down at me. "Yes, of course I'll marry you!" he slipped the ring onto my finger and I held it up to the light, watching the diamond sparkle in the sunshine streaming through the trees.