a known stranger

Chapter 16

CHAPTER 16

He came behind her, placing his hands on her shoulder, he nuzzled her and whispered, "It's okay, Ashley, I am patient, but please don't take too long to decide. He pulled her into his arms, and held her close for while until she squirmed, and turned to face him.

They walked back to the dance floor. Darien wrapped his arms around her, cradling her in a close embrace, and her own arms slid almost instinctively under his jacket and around his waist. Her head rested contentedly on his chest as they moved slowly around the dance floor. Ashley was dreamily conscious only of the soft throbbing music and the strong beat of Darien's heart beneath her ear. His arms tightend around her, bringing her closer to the hard column of his thighs, and she felt a sudden weakening in her knees. How strange that the touch of him should make her feel so soft and weak in contrast. Strange and bewildering

"Ashley," Darien's voice was gravely and husky in her ear.

"Hmmm?," she answered, snuggling closer to him.

"Shall we make like a tree and leave?"

She looked up at him, "what's the time?"

"Its quarter past 10, we have a long way back," Darien said softly.

"Oh, ok, let me just say bye to Sheila and Jason?" she said.

She goes to Jason and Sheila who were dancing, she was pleased to see that they seemed to be getting along well. Sheila moved away from Jason, and gave Ashley a hug, whispering in her ear, "How are you dear? Did he hurt you? Let me know, I will do to him what I did to Neil!" she told her.

Ashley, giggled, "He's been quite sweet so far, thank you,"

Sheila, was surprised that Ashley could giggle, given the reminder of her experience and the current situation.

She was glad, that Ashley did not seem to be "traumatized" and she looked, and sounded her usual bubbly self.

Darien, came towards them, he shook hands with Jason and then Sheila, there was telling look passed between Sheila and him, he nodded his head, and says, "ok, we've got to make a move, let's do this again soon, maybe with a movie?"

They all made the suitable ascension noises, and parted company.

They walked to the car in a quiet harmony. Darien noticed that Ashley shivering, he took off his jacket and wraps it around her shoulders.

Ashley looked at him gratefully, she snuggled into the jacket, wrapping it more closely around her, and tensed when Darien put his arms and pulled her closer to him, she relaxed into hold and warmth.

They reached the car, again, he helped her into the car, she removed the jacket and held it in her arms before sitting inside. He pulled the safety belt and secured it around her, and closed the door before walking across to sit in the driver's and strapping himself in.

He started the car, and they drove in silence.

Ashley was suddenly feeling sleepy, she yawned widely, and turned to look at him, "I'm sorry, excuse me, suddenly feel very sleepy," she yawned again.

He chuckled, "It's okay, why don't you put the seat down, and sleep, I'll wake you up when we reach home,". He slowed the car down, checking the rear view mirrors, he moved the car to the side, and stopped.

He leaned over, pulling a lever at the left side of Ashley seat, Ashley found her seat lowered, he was looking at her lips, she blinked, and he was taking his jacket from her grip, and covering her like a blanket.

Finally, they reached the cabin. Darien was yawning hard himself. It was pass midnight, nearing 1am. He saw that Ashley was fast asleep, he parked the car in the garage, he unlocked the safety belt, picked her up, and carried her to her room.

Ashley, moved, but went back to sleep. He did not bother switching the light on, as his eyesight was good in the dark, he placed her on the bed, removed her boots, eased her slowly out of the dress, took the blankets, and covered her.

He was ready to drop, he dragged his feet to his bed, and fell into the bed without undressing.