Amour

"Long time no see, Sammy. Where you been?" Paul greets me with an unprofessional yet warm hug.

"Hey, Paul. So sorry I didn't call, I'd been sick these past few days." I give him my You-Have-To-Believe-Me smile.

"Oh dear. You're all good now though, right? Zack could really use some help."

"I'm here now and perfectly fine."

"I'll let you get to work then. By the way those new Kathy Reichs novels just came in, flew off the shelves but I kept one in the back room for you."

"Thanks, boss."

"No problem. And today the new album for someone goes on the shelves."

"That explains the girls outside the store. Who's album is it?"

"Selena Gomez. They're in the back room as well with Zack right now."

"Alright. Thanks, Paul."

I walk around the cashiers' counter and go into the Staff Only room in the back. Zack's opening the boxes that I bet contain the golden new arrivals.

"Morning, Zack." I toss my satchel onto the chair and start helping him with the boxes.

"Hey. Did you cram in any studying yet?" He asks while we set up the albums on the large display case.

"Are you kidding? Its been less than twenty four hours. I haven't touched my books yet. You?"

"Me neither."

Our class got today off so Zack and I decided to take the early shift at Paul's store.

"Ready to open the doors now?" Paul asks from behind the counter.

"Ready." We answer in unison as I go to reload the packets at the cashiers'.

Paul opens the doors and I swear the noise can be heard in Greece. The girls rush to the various music stands and come running up to the counter to trade cash for product.

I maintain the niceties despite being put on the verge of going deaf and it finally calms down by ten. The regular manageable flow of customers begins and I take a walk around the store doing a rough inventory.

Its Friday so the shelves need to be repacked before the weekend. Zack and I both won't be in tomorrow so Paul had to hire two helpers. I go off in about an hour and I plan to hit the books and never wake up.

"Sam!" Zack is calling me from the counter.

"I'm here." I approach him and see Tommy standing before me.

"There's someone here for you." Zack says and walks away.

"Hey, Tommy." I greet him and we hug very briefly but not awkwardly.

"Hey, Sam. Can we talk?" He opens the glass door and we step out.

"What's up?"

"I know I'm disturbing you at work so I'll make it quick. Your grandma's birthday is next week Thursday so I thought we could make it extra special for her."

"What do you have in mind?"

"A wedding."

"Oh."

"It won't be big, we're too old for that now. I thought maybe just us and we could do a simple ceremony that she'll love."

"I think she'll like that, she isn't one for parties. So you aren't going to tell her?"

"Nope. It'll be a surprise."

"Okay, what do you need from me?"

"Help me organize everything, please. On Thursday I'll take her out early in the morning so you can get some friends to help set up."

"Done. I already have an idea."

"What is it?"

"Its a secret. I also think you should take her out somewhere for a week or something with just the two of you.

"I think I will but its bound to get a tad boring at some point. Why don't you and Jase come along?"

"I wish I could but I have..........previous engagements."

"Oh that's a shame. I can take her and Jase out to the farm after Thursday."

"That will be perfect. Thanks for making her happy, Tommy."

"She's a wonderful woman, its my pleasure."

"I better get back in there."

"Yeah, sorry. Bye."

He gets into his four-wheeler and drives off. I go back into the store and take a deep breath. I really need a diary. My phone vibrates in my pocket, pulling it out I unlock it to see a text from Louis.

Lunch date, my fair maiden? ;) x

I smile at the cheesiness in that message before tapping at the keypad.

I'd be delighted, prince charming :) I get off in less than an hour, Capt. Cheesy ;) o

He answers me immediately.

I'll put the cauldron on ;P Pick u up in 45 mins xo

I tuck my phone back into my jeans pocket and go back to work. My shift is over in no time and its all I can do not to slump against a wall and sigh dramatically. Paul's closing the store early too so Zack and I rush to neaten the store.
When the money is locked up, plastic packets in the cupboards and shelves restocked we get ready to leave.

"I'm off, guys. Zack has the keys." Paul waves and departs.

"You wanna lock up?" Zack offers me the keys.

"No thanks." I say.

There's a knock on the glass door and we both jump from being spooked. Oh dear God, its Tony. Not now, Louis' coming and I'd much rather have him in a good mood than see Tony and get all mad.

"Sam?" Tony taps on the glass. Its unlocked so he simply presses the bar and walks in.

"We're closed, Tony." I tell him walking back around the counter. "Zack, can you please get my bag from the back?"

"Sure." Zack disappears into the back.

I start walking to the first light switch and flip it off then walking to the next. Tony follows me and I become very agitated.

"Can I help you with something?" I speak while keeping my back to him.

"I came to apologize to you. For the party, I was drunk and didn't know what I was doing." He sounds so sincere.

"The party was over a week ago. Did you sober up last night?"

"No, I just couldn't find you. I'm sorry, Sam. Can we still be friends?"

I hate grudges but I hate uncontrollable hormonal guys more. "I forgive you. Now leave please."

"You're lying."

"I'm not lying. I'm serious, you're forgiven. Now please go."

The door opens and closes, letting me know that someone's here. Please don't be Louis, please be three minutes late just this once.

"Sam-"

"Tony, please go." Jeez, I'll write it in gold if you want me to.

"Sam?" A disembodied familiar third voice calls out. Whipping my head to the side I'm glad that Louis isn't within hearing range yet, but then his hearing is bests the best.

"That's why you want me to leave. Fine, I'm going. Friends again?" Tony takes a step back but waits for a response.

"Yes. Yes, friends again. Go!" I point toward the side entrance so that he and Louis don't have to cross paths.

He theatrically crouches like a soldier on battleground and hurries out. Just when I think I'm homefree I turn to my right and end up face to face with a very angry-looking Louis. It is dark and I could be half mole. Please don't be mad.

"Was that who I think it was?" He looks straight at me, his eyes turning to black pits.

"He came to apologize, which is a good thing." I try to reason with him.

"Bastards like him aren't allowed to apologize. They never mean it."

"You can't know that, Lou-"

"But I do. Let's go, I don't want to spoil my mood." He takes my hand and pulls me toward the exit. I notice my satchel in his hand. When did that appear?

When we're out in the street he starts walking down the street rather than to his car.

"Where are we going?" I tug a little on his hand.

"For lunch." He answers calmly

"Are you mad?"

"Slightly."

"Oh -"

He cuts me off when he pulls me into the alley between two buildings. Distracting me with a rough kiss, pressing his lips to mine in a desperate sort of need for reassurance. Keeping our fingers entwined against the wall he leans into me. He pushes my legs apart moving between them without picking me up. Completely taken aback I feel his tongue shove its way into my mouth, I don't even put up a fight. The steamy moment is only momentary, as he pulls away all too soon leaving my wits scattered all over the floor.

"I'm a very jealous man, Sam. You know I hate it when someone gets too close to you. You're mine, only mine." He whispers with a very authoritative tone.

"Yes." Its the only word I can get out, my brain has shut down.

"Did I hurt you?" He steps back so that I can stand on my own feet.

"No."

"Lunch? I'm hungry now."

"Yes, please. Me too."

Biting my lip I taste something salty. Blood. Reaching up I lightly hold my finger to my lip then remove it so that I can see. My lip is bleeding. How did that happen? He takes me out of the alley and leads me into an ordinary diner. Thank God, I need greasy food and carb-filled drinks. We sit in a booth at the far corner against the wall. I slide gracefully into my seat and Louis seats himself opposite me. The waitress waltzes over with our menus and tosses both onto the table, I take mine and she slides one to Louis. Opening the menu I glance over the choices. Salad, burgers, fries, milkshakes, sandwiches - my kind of menu.
All the while the waitress is tell us the specials. More Louis than us. The pang of anger is subtle, based of the fact that she could be that rude with me sitting right here.

I choose a burger with extra fries and a milkshake. Why do I even bother to look at the menu?

"And for you, hun?" She gives her attention back to Louis.

I roll my eyes unable to stop the silly smile making an appearance n my face. Louis orders a cup of tea and the waitress shimmies off toward the kitchen.

"What are you grinning about?" Louis plays with the salt and pepper shakers.

"Nothing. Tom came by the store today." I pick up a tissue and start folding it.

"Oh?"

"He wants to have the wedding on Nana's birthday next week Thursday."

"Surprise wedding?"

"Beats the heck out of a pointless party."

"True. So what did he want from you?"

"Help with organizing everything. I have an idea that might work but I didn't get time to elaborate."

Our food arrives in double time and I put salt on my chips then eating one by one.

"What's the idea?" Louis dips the tea bag into his cup.

"It could happen in our backyard. I know it sounds.........cheap but its ideal because they don't want a big ceremony and its so perfect for them."

"Are they gonna have a honeymoon?"

"I told him to take Nana somewhere alone for a few days. He wants to take Jase and me too but I can't go."

"Why not?"

"He wants to take her after Thursday and my graduation is on Friday."

"Won't Aggie be there?"

"I have to speak to Tommy soon. It slipped my mind while he was talking to me. Won't you eat something?"

He's been stealing my chips for a while now, even sipping my milkshake possibly thinking I didn't see.

"Nope."

"What time is it?"

"About one. Why?"

"I have to get Jase and then go home. Tomorrow is my final exam."

"You must be excited."

"Ecstatic. I want to camp outside the hall right now."

He laughs softly and I find myself staring again. He's so carefree at times and uptight some times, he's overprotective 24/7 especially with me and then there are those moments he makes me feel like jell-o when he takes on a darker more suggestive demeanor. But the hardest to witness is when I look into his eyes and see nothing but pain, it makes me want to cry; I've seen that in the bar when I turned away from him and again when we met at the party after the Tony incident.
I never want to be the cause of his pain and I will bear the brunt of any pain to make sure of that.

"In the alley, why did you think I was hurt?" I ask maintaining eye contact.

"Sometimes I can forget how fragile you are, you do that to me sometimes. I just wanted to make sure I wasn't too forceful." He says simply.

I do that to him? No way. I notice his eyes are a couple shades darker than their usual ocean blue.

"Are you hungry?" After playing with the sentence, that's as subtle as I can be in public.

"No, I'll survive on these fries."

"I don't mean that."

"Oh. Um.........no,why?"

"Your eyes are dark blue."

"You don't like my new style? Eat up. I have to get you home."

"Louis, I saw the man from my nightmares."

"What? Where?"

"Yesterday at the diner with Zack and Ella. He was across the street from us and at first I thought I was imagining things but his face, his body looked so real. He looked right at me and smiled. He could see me, he knew who I was." I pause looking up at assessing his features. His jaw is tight and his lips are set in a hard line. "I wasn't going to tell you but I can't get his image out of my head."

"Finish your food. I'm taking you home to pick up your stuff, you're staying with me." He says it with a sense of finality.

"I can't do that. I have finals starting tomorrow."

"I'll take you to campus and I'll pick you up from there when you're done."

"Why is this suddenly so serious?"

"Because I did some research into the man from your dreams. After you told me I'd asked Roger to do a background check and he didn't come up dry. I'm not leaving you alone from now on."

"And what about my family?"

"Aggie, Jase and Tom are safe. Trust me. Eat your food, I'm bringing the car here. Don't move."

"Ugh." I grumble while he stands and leaves me here.

I take my sweet time finishing my food and when Louis gets back he asks for the check.

"Done?" He holds his hand out and I take it - only because its impossible to get out of this booth without help.

He pays the bill and ushers me out of the building and doesn't waste time opening the car door for me hop in. We drive to my house in silence because I'm too afraid to say anything. He's brooding and its best not to speak to Louis when he's like that.

When we arrive I jump out of the car and hurry up the path to the front door. Its unlocked so I just walk in and go straight upstairs to my room. I enter my closet to find suitable clothing that can by dumped into a duffel bag.

"Can I come in?" Louis knocks on my opened door. "Aggie's downstairs. I didn't tell her anything but I did say that we were doing a trial run."

"A trial run?" I almost laugh at his terminology.

"I was under pressure."

"You sure were. I don't know what to pack."

"Well don't pack shirts because you always end up wearing mine anyway."

I roll my eyes at his comment. When I'm ready I gather all the textbooks I'll be needing, all my technology and phone charger. Louis' carries both the bags downstairs and places them in the trunk of his SUV, I follow behind at a slower pace.

"A trial run, eh?" Nana corners me in the doorway.

"Yes, Nana. I'm not running away." I joke.

"I believe you." She kisses my forehead and let's me go.

Louis' apartment building comes into view after a five minute drive. He pulls into the driveway and kills the engine while I get out to remove my bags from the boot. Louis opens the door and let's me in first.

"You can use the spare office to study. I'll show you." He takes the bags upstairs and drops one off in the bedroom bringing the other one to a room down the hall.

"You won't be needing this room?" I ask after he opens the door and I see that it is equipped with a solid table and chair, several shelves and cupboards, and a computer system.

"No, my office is opposite the bedroom. I'll be downstairs if you need anything." He bends low enough to kiss me before leaving.

Its kind of exciting to have my own office. Bad timing of course. I decide to set up my stuff first, firing up my laptop I leave it on the table then get to work with my textbooks. I can't have any distractions from here on out, so I close the door and sit down with my books.

Having complete disregard for the time I go on studying right into the darkest hours of the night. There's a handy white board hung up on the wall that I use for diagrams and notes as well as sticky notes that I plaster all over the walls in the required order. The explanations and definitions, the various apparatuses and methods have to memorized and I have to be able to explain them in fewer words. A ring coming from my phone draws me out of my reverie. Its my phone, I pick it up and answer.

"Its Zack. Accept my Skype invite." He hangs up and I want to laugh at his urgency.

Rotating my laptop I open up Google and accept the request from Zack.

"What's up, Zacky?" I greet him.

"Hey. I officially cannot stuff anymore knowledge into my noggin. Think we can be virtual study partners?" He looks tired, I bet so do I.

"Yeah sure. I've covered majority of the curriculum though."

"Its fine, so have I. Let's start with the third set of questions in Module Nine."

"Okay. I have them."

We dictate question and answer to one another for the next four hours. For numerous sections we have debates and have to use either of our white boards to exhibit our reasonings.

"Goodnight, Zack." I'm too tired to shut off my computer and instead doze off on the couch to be awakened by Louis picking me up and carrying me into the bedroom.

"What time is it?" I ask him.

"Almost midnight. I could hear you and Zack studying together, did you finish everything?"

"Every last bit. I need a shower." He puts me down and I stand still trying to regain my focus before looking back up at him. "Join me?"

"Weren't you tired two seconds ago?" He chuckles keeping a hold on my waist.

"That was a long time ago."

He takes me into the bathroom but doesn't switch on the lights. "Undress me then."

I bite my lip nervously and move my fingers to the hem of his shirt lifting it over his head and dropping it onto the floor. Darkness makes this a whole lot easier. Drifting over to the button I unhook it and Louis tilts my chin up to press his lips to mine. I unzip his pants and let it fall without breaking the kiss.
He stops me from removing his boxers by seizing my hips and moving backward into the shower. He turns the tap on letting the water gush over us and it soaks my clothing. The water is warm and welcoming.

Louis takes my hands and bring the up to his neck letting my arms wrap around it. Thankfully I'd removed my shoes before we got in here. He doesn't bother with opening each button of my shirt, and rather pushes his fingers into the gaps between buttons and rips it open. The buttons spray all over the tiles. He deepens the kiss pressing himself against me, while peeling the shirt off me and out of the shower. Then he goes for my pants, unzipping it first then popping the button he forces it down my legs and kicks it out. My bra and panties are wet beyond recovery and their white hue doesn't help with covering the remaining parts of my body.

Louis moves to my jaw then to my earlobe which he bites playfully before kissing his way down my neck. His hands move up and down my sides, then floating over to my bra and unclipping it. He discards it and resumes the kissing trail. He hooks his fingers in the band of my panty, with a slight tug it rips in his hand and he throws it out.

He finally breaks the kiss, takes the shower gel from the stainless steel rack and squirts some in his hand. The steam from the water makes it harder to him. He lathers his hands and kisses me again while moving his hands all over my body. My arms, my breasts, my tummy, my hips, down my thighs. Hmmm......

He pulls away from the kiss only for a second as he travels all the way down my leg and back up the other. I let the water wash off the soap from the surface, but not the feel of his hands all over me.

"I want to feel you." He pushes us both up against the wall.

"Hmmm." I gasp when I feel his fingers leave my waist and relocate on my thighs.

He moves wretchedly slow, his fingers brush my skin several times on the trip North. He slides a fingers inside me and my fingertips press into his neck. He deepens our kiss, our tongues thrash against each other as they dance in tune to the uncontrollable sensation coursing through my every vein and nerve. He moves his finger in and out of me, then sliding a second finger into me and I moan helplessly. His thumb is at my entrance and he uses that to his advantage, he rubs my clit in circles putting me on the edge. I'm climbing higher and higher, eventually my body the point of release. I fall apart sandwiched between a wall and Louis, he supports me as I combust giving in to the flame that has grown too powerful for me to tame.

Releasing my mouth he removes his fingers, he slips them into his mouth and closes his eyes as he sucks on them. Without giving me time to catch my breath he leans in, hiding his face in my neck. He grazes the wet skin with his tongue and sometimes his teeth. His other hand cups the side of my face, moving it to the side so that he has more room. I don't resist any of his movements, clearly giving him permission for what I think he's going to do. He runs his nose along my jaw and down my neck.

"No. I can't." He shakes his head and steps back to grab a towel that he wraps around me before stepping out.

Notes