Home for Christmas

Chapter Eight

Scarlet sat in the car and gazed doubtfully at their supposed 'hide out'. It looked like any ordinary house, the darkness made the details vague but Scar noticed a moonlit lake behind its massive structure. Alvin looked at the woman sitting beside him and a warm feeling ran though his body. He didn't know why he couldn't realize how much he loved her sooner instead of denying it and finding faults in her. She looked at him and smiled and stole his breath away. He cleared his throat nervously and got out of the car. Al rang a nervous hand through his hair. He needed to do something about her fast or he would go crazy with wanting her. Meanwhile Scar sat quietly in the car trying hard not to cry. "Just tell him!" she lectured to herself but before she could get far in her trail of thoughts Al yanked the door open and reach to assist her out of the car. "Come on, Dravin and the family must be asleep" "Who is Dravin?" "He is my brother. He lives here with his family after he retired from the navy." "What about your parents? Where do they fit in?" "Died in a car crash years ago...and I haven't been back here since the funeral, although Dravin begged me many times I always made an excuse..." "Oh". Scarlet felt sorrowful. She wanted to hug him but dare not risk it or her feelings might be revealed. "I'm so sorry." He watched the drizzles of rain kiss her face....a face of an angel. "It's okay...life goes on I guess...anyways enough of that. Let's get your bags and head inside before you catch a cold." Scarlet felt her heart sing. Alvin sounded like someone who cared for her. She would keep her fingers crossed in hope. *** They entered the house quietly and went to the kitchen. When Al reached and put the lights on Scarlet gasped. "You are bleeding Alvin!" Alvin looked at an ugly gash on his right arm, noticing it for the first time. "Oh that's nothing I will just tie it up." "I should have never asked you to come with me! Look you got hurt just because of me and...." Al grabbed her arm and dragged her in front of him until they were face to face....inches apart. "I have no intention of leaving you! Not now, not ever!" Her eyes widened and Al knew he just gave himself away. Scarlet wanted to shout for joy but didn't dare, she would pretend she didn't hear and go on as normal. Until this bomb business was over she would keep it cool. "Ok fine. At least tell me where the first aid kit is so I could fix you up" "Wait here. I will get it." When Al was out of the room he breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't catch the slip he made. Now was neither the time nor place to discuss his feelings for her. Her safety came first. When he came back with the kit she asked him to take his shirt off and sit on the kitchen table. Scar tried hard to steady her racing heart. Being next to him was so intoxicating she could hardly breathe. There they were so close to each other that she could feel his warm breath caressing her neck. She swallowed hard and concentrated on getting her task done. Al was as nervous as a hooker in church. He wondered if she could hear his racing heart. His hands itched to touch her but contented himself to just watch her as she tended to his wound. He soaked up her appearance. The smell of her hair, her lush lips, and the feel of her hands on his skin...her velvet touch....."Good! All finished...Al you ok?" Al looked like he was caught with his hands in his gran's cookie jar. He cleared his throat and thanked her. As soon as this mess was sorted out he would have to keep himself in check and take some cold showers....