Authors: Jess Parry
Wincing at the cool voice, Siobhan sighed wiggl
ing
out of her shoes, as her mother informed her that she had a package at the concierge desk outlining their itinerary for the next week before they moved on to another part of Ireland.
“Mom, I thought this was a trip for us to learn about Ireland on our own?” Siobhan said furiously to her mother as she sat up on the bed
“You will learn about Ireland Siobhan, but this trip was planned with several stops and culture learning experiences for you.” Her mother replied “We didn’t let you take this trip and not have some schedule of structure to learn”
“Unbelievable” Siobhan mumbled
“Siobhan, Ireland is a wondrous country with lots of culture and fables that have been handed down by generations, but there is just as much trouble that can be found there as here. I and your father, along with Jason and Sarah’s parents agreed that you three where still too young to be out on your own without some semblance of supervision.”
“Fine, mom, I need to go, I’m supposed to be meeting Jason and Sarah for dinner and still need to shower. I’ll stop at the concierge desk on our way out
.
T
hanks for at least giving us 24 hours of freedom before strapping the ankle bracelets on” Siobhan barked into the phone
Sighing, Siobhan’s mother told her to enjoy her time and that she
expected
Siobhan to call home in a few days
to
speak with her and her father. Replying meekly that she would, all fight gone as she knew deep down, and her parents were only trying to give her a wonderful set of memories
while
keep
ing
her safe.
Ending the call with I love you, Siobhan got up pulled out one of the suitcases still sitting in the corner
.
Pulling
out a black paisley maxi dress
, her favorite
denim jacket
, dressing quickly, she tried to shake the ominous feeling looming over her
.
She finished off her outfit with a pair of black ballerina flats
, checking her makeup in the mirror, groaning at the blush still lingering on her face
.
Pulling
her
wile
hair up into a messy bun, letting some of the longer hair in the back fall out and cascade down her neck.
D
eciding this was the best it was going to get, she grabbed her purse
,
check
ing
to make sure she had her key card inside
before walking out the door. Quietly shutting the door, she
headed to Jason’s room.
Knocking softly, Siobhan heard Jason rumbling around the room
as he
step
ped
loudly to the door.
Throwing
the door open,
boldly
wearing only jeans, the top button undone
smirking wickedly at Siobhan
.
B
razenly look
ing
her up and down before stepping aside to let her in
, but leaving enough space for her to brush against him as she eased into his room
. Knowing she was blushing, Siobhan cleared her throat before turning back to face a very sexy and nearly naked Jason.
“Siobhan, you are going to be the death of
me” he whispered hoarsely stepping widely over to her pulling
Siobhan into his arms.
“What are you talking about Jason? I’m not the one half dressed” Siobhan whispered into his chest.
Bringing his unsteady
hand under her chin
he
lifted her face up to his
leaning
down
kissing
her
softly
. The kiss started slowly
giving
Siobhan the little butterfly effect inside her every time he kissed her liked this.
Feeling h
er pulse start
ing
its
crazy fluttering, Jason
sighed into her mouth
bringing
his tongue to dance lightly with hers
over and over
. Her arms encircl
ing
Jason
as the kiss deepened,
massag
ing
the strong
back muscles of his
bare skin
.
Groaning, Jason lifted her into his arms stepping towards the bed feasting greedily on her swollen lips. Feeling the bed sloping with their combined weight, Siobhan sighed as she felt Jason’s weight resting atop her.
The door to Jason’s room shuddered as a loud boom filled the room
br
eaking
the moment
. Jumping apart
from each other
, Jason ran to door
. It had sounded as if someone had kicked the door in. Siobhan heard the click of the lock as Jason turned it
slowly
open
ing
the door.
Stepping
out
into the empty hall, Jason glanced from one
end to the other.
Running his hands through his hair, lightly disheveling it he stepped back into the room letting the door close behind him
.
“That was just weird”
Jason muttered stepping closer to Siobhan
“What was that?” Siobhan asked quietly
“I have no idea, there was no one out there, probably some kids staying here and running up & down the hall banging on doors” Jason replied
“You would know this why?”
Looking sheepish again, a slow grin spread
ing
across Jason features, bringing out the dimple Siobhan loved before responding.
“Well, you know how we travel sometimes for games
” Jason started as Siobhan nodding her head for him to continue “W
ell a bunch of us did that a couple of times at some of the hotels we were staying at”
“Has anyone ever told you, you are all boy?” Siobhan asked as a chuckle escaped her
“Mom says it all the time” Jason returned,
just
as a knock sounded on his door. This knock wasn’t as loud as the previous one, so neither Jason nor Siobhan jumped at the sound.
“That must be Sarah, can you let her in while I finish getting dressed.”
Jason asked before grabbing
a polo shirt
off the bed. Turning quickly he
w
alked
into the bathroom shutting the door behind him.
Opening the door, Siobhan mouth fell open as she took in
Sarah standing before her.
She
was wearing a little black dress that fell just short of being revealing. It had a deep square neckline that left little to the imagination
hugging
every curve Sarah had.
H
er
blonde
hair
was
cascading down her bare back, topping the ensemble with
these boots that ran up her legs
ending
an inch below her skirt. Sarah’s red lips parted into a
gleaming
smile
as she
sauntered into the room past a shocked Siobhan.
“Holy hell Sarah” Jason exclaimed
walking
out of the bathroom
doing the
same bold once over he had just given Siobhan. Siobhan watched as Jason took in the sight of Sarah before him
letting
the room door slam shut. Startled by the sound Jason turned to Siobhan
blushing a light pink
. Siobhan felt the anger simmering just underneath her as she walked over towards her best friend and boyfriend. Jason looked as if he had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar,
while
Sarah’s grin had a wicked glint to it.
“Just the effect I wanted” Sarah said as she ran her hand through her straight blonde hair, blue eyes shining brightly at Siobhan.
“Really
,
and just what were you looking to get out of my boyfriend Sarah?” Siobhan asked angrily
“Hey there Becky! I don’t want anything out of Jason; I wanted to get the hot damn look out of my best friends nothing else.”
Sarah
replied tersely “You have a boyfriend remember; I on the other hand do not and would like to meet a man while on this little vacation”
“Well you will definitely get a few heads turning walking around Dublin in that outfit!” Siobhan retorted
“Siobhan, I really don’t know what has crawled up your petunia, but to think that I would want to go after Jason…really…he is cute, but honestly so not my type!”
Sarah chided
“Ladies, come on let’s not fight, we’re on vacation…remember no parents…can we make the most of this trip!”
Sighing loudly
Jason
stood
between his two friends.
“Jason, you are right as always, Becky, I should have given you a heads up that I was going to be dressing to impress, I’m sorry” Becky voice resonated honesty
Sighing, Siobhan walked over to her best friend
wrapping
her arms around her. “I know, I don’t know what got into me, I’m sorry too!”
“Look, we are all really tired, we are seriously messed up on time, let’s just grab some dinner, figure out our plans for tomorrow and come back to sleep for 12 hours” Jason calmly said as he walked over and took both girls hands.
Laughing, they turned
walking
out of the room,
making their way down the narrow hall to the elevators.
A
s they waited for the elevator; Siobhan thought she might as well drop the bomb her mom gave her over the phone now. “Umm…guys, I need to stop at the concierge desk on our way out.”
“Why to see what restaurant they recommend for dinner?” Sarah asked
“No, um
m,
my mom has a package there for us, so I have to pick it up”
Turning Siobhan
looked at her friends as they each raised their eyebrows. “Seems our parents have a little surprise for us, so let’s just get the package, go to dinner and we’ll talk about it then”
Nodding their heads in agreement, the rode the elevator to the lobby in silence, Siobhan stopped at the concierge desk,
giving
them her name. The dapper older man behind the counter turned
quickly walking into
the back
,
returning a few minutes later with a large envelope with Siobhan’s name.
Thanking him, they turned and headed out.
41
Gathering Storm
5 CHAPTER
Five
There was a chill in the evening air,
Siobhan was glad she had brought her jacket;
pulling it closer around her as a shiver escaped her. She was
slipping
into the warmth it provided
,
a
s they crossed over one of the many canals, the wind pick
ing
up whipping around
them wildly. Siobhan
glanced over at Sarah who was shivering
as she made her way across the open bridge
.
“Do you want to go back to the hotel and change?” Siobhan asked
“Oh hell no, I’m suffering for my art Becky” Sarah said between slightly chattering teeth.
Rolling her eyes at her friend, Siobhan looked up into the dark night sky; a few twinkling stars
stopping her in her tracks
to get a better look. Jason reached over
pulling
her to him.
“Hey Sarah, hang on a second” he yelled as she continued to walk ahead of them.
“Look, we can see the damn stars whenever, I want a warm spot to plant my ass before it freezes!” Sarah yelled back
as she
continued walking. The distance between them growing, Jason looked at Siobhan still staring up at the evening sky
then
back to Sarah as she grew smaller in the distance.
“I’m going to go catch up to Sarah, before she takes a turn and we lose her” Jason kissed the top of Siobhan’s head before jogging after Sarah.
Standing alone on the bridge,
shutting
her eyes slightly
watching
the stars twinkle brighter.
U
naware of the mist slowly start
ing
to make its way towards her, weaving itself between her feet wrapping itself around her.
Siobhan’s heart quickened as she felt the coldness begin to surround her, holding her breath, she closed her eyes,
before exhaling
the breath.
Feeling the barest
caress down her cheek
as cold
fingers
tenderly
touch
ed
the back of her neck.
The pressure increasing as her head was lifting up, feeling
strong lips press again
st
hers firmly.
T
he slight nip at her lower lip teasing her to open her lips
drew a
quiet sigh
to escape
her lips
.
She felt the cool breath blowing softly into her, cooling the heat rising inside.
A longing she had never felt before filled her entire being.
Raising
her arms towards the unseen presence trying to pull it closer to her
, she wanted to open her eyes, but knew the illusion would vanish if she did
. Tongues met, playing wildly as the kiss became a frenzied rush. She ran her hands through long hair that was slightly damp as cold hands traced shivers of pleasure down her back.
She didn’t want this moment to end;
wanting
to lose herself in
the
pleasure surrounding her. Her heart ached with
a deep
desire as she felt herself being lifted into strong arms. A single tear fell from her closed eyes;
trailing
light down her cheek as warmth spread through her.
Shuddering as the heat began consuming her, she pushed wildly at the arms tightening around her
She heard
the
sudden growl of anger before she felt herself falling hard to the ground.
The sound of the city once again filling her ears, as she watched the air shimmering violently around her
. Looking around
in bewilderment,
the streets lights on the bridge
began flickering out, catching the light of one
illuminating a shadow a few feet away. She watched as a breeze blew a dark trench coat around him, long blonde hair with streaks of black and blue
obscuring his
face. The stranger took a tentative step towards her
, as
the street light caught sparkling green eyes staring intently as her.
Sucking
in a breath of air
Siobhan
felt her chest tightening; quickly
raising up she
started to back away.
With every step back she made t
he stranger slowly continued towards her, a wicked laugh escaping his lips as his eyes began glowing.
“Siobhan” Jason yelled as he ran towards her
Taking her eyes off the man advancing towards her, she watched Jason run past the stranger.
“Jason be careful!” Siobhan screamed as the stranger started to reach out for Jason. Stopping suddenly Jason turned towards the stranger
,
l
ooking from side to side,
before
turn
ing
back to Siobhan.
“Siobhan, what’s wrong, there is nothing here?” Jason called
as he
started walking towards her again.
Looking back in the direction where the stranger had been the space was empty. She ran to Jason
throwing
her arms around him.
“Siobhan, you’re shaking, what’s wrong?” Jason asked as he pulled her closer to him.
“There was a man standing there, he was walking towards me.” Siobhan whispered into Jason’s chest.
“Honey, I didn’t see anyone but you standing on the bridge.” Jason muttered
running
his hands up and down her back, protectively shielding her from the racking sobs that escaped her.
“God, Jason what is going on?” Siobhan asked trembling
“I think your just tired, I shouldn’t have left you alone on the bridge” Jason said “I should have just let Sarah continue on her way, as she went straight into this restaurant around the corner
planting
herself at a table near the window”
R
each
ing
down
, Jason
tilted Siobhan’s face up to his,
taking
in the wild look in her eyes.
Leaning
down
he
lightly kissed her before turning with Siobhan in his arms.
Walking
armed in arm down the bridge;
they
turned the corner
walking
into the upscale restaurant.
The warm arm inside instantly hovered
around
Siobhan,
feeling
her muscles relaxing from the tension she had felt moments before as she searched for Sarah among the patrons inside. Sitting at the table Jason described, was Sarah looking over the menu. The place was sleek and chic with pristine tables
filled with
people artfully sitting around seemingly deep in conversation. Sarah looked up when Jason and Siobhan pulled out their chairs
sitting down across from her
.
“What the hell happened to you Becky?” Sarah asked eyes wide
“She thought she saw a man on the bridge that spooked her” Jason answered before Siobhan could open her mouth.
“Was it like the thing earlier today?” Sarah asked
“What thing earlier today?” Jason asked turning his head to Siobhan one eyebrow tweaked questioningly
“It was nothing, I guess you were right, I’m just tired, in a new environment and getting spooked over nothing” Siobhan replied calmly as she kicked Sarah under the table hard
“Ow” Sarah winced
“What the hell happened earlier? Siobhan stop kicking Sarah and tell me.” Jason hissed
“Jeez, it was really nothing Jason, we were at the Guinness Store and you guys were ahead of me. I stopped to read about the water system there. We got separated and when Sarah caught up to me on the stairs, she made a big deal out of my hands being cold” Siobhan sighed on the last word
“Your hands were like freaking ice cubes Becky, your eyes were too bright and you were flushed!” Sarah retorted looking at Jason
“Sarah, my hands are always cold and I was flushed from running to catch up to you guys!” Siobhan huffed
Before Jason could say anything a waitress in a crisply ironed white shirt and straight black pants had stepped up to the table
asking
if they were ready to order. Grabbing the menu, Siobhan ordered the first thing she saw, followed by Sarah and Jason. After the waitress had walked away to place their order with the kitchen, Siobhan reached over pull
ing
the envelope off the table.