---

 
Admin Note: Originally published on BigCloset TopShelf on Monday 12-05-2011 at 07:47:42 pm, this retro classic was pulled out of the closet, and re-presented for our newer readers. ~Sephrena
 
Image Credits: Title Picture purchased and licensed for publishing from 123rf.com. The model(s) in this image is in / and are no way connected with this story nor supports nor conveys the issues and situations brought up within the story. The model(s) use is solely used for the representation of looks of the main character(s) of this particular story. ~Sephrena

Divider licensed for use in publishing from Photoshopgraphics.com ~Sephrena.

Historical Versions: Originally posted at Fictionmania in 2003, and on BigCloset TopShelf in 2011 and Retro Classiced by same site in 2015. ~Sephrena.

Legalities: This work is the copyrighted material of the respective author. ~Anon Allsop.
 

 
Chapter 1
 

The cool chill of fall hung in the air, frost lightly covering the windshields of the parked cars along the street. As I motored along, I watched a swirl of leaves roll behind my car's passing. A hint of smoke from burning leaves clung to the air as I tapped on the steering wheel, listening to the tunes on my radio, even in this seemingly happy setting I was slightly sad. Nick, the friend I had all through school had suddenly left during the summer for the west coast to live with his grandparents.

Normally I wouldn't have gotten upset at all, except that when he left, he didn't even say goodbye. In fact, I haven't heard from him for the past two months... so it wasn't a surprise to find me rolling through his neighborhood on my way from the campus where I started attending College this semester.

I turned onto his street, slowing down in front of his house. His kid sister was playing in the front yard. "Hey Melissa!" I shouted to her, hoping that she would come over so I didn't have to get out.
"Hi Hunter, what's up?" the 11 year old shouted back.

"You never did get me the address where I can reach Nick!" I shouted from within my Mustang. "You were supposed to be getting it for me!"

"Oh...that's right, sorry about that. Uh...when I spoke to Nick last, he said to just e-mail him and he would respond to it as soon as he could. He said you already had it so I didn’t bug him any further."
She began to walk to the passenger door of my car and lean against it.

"Can't I just have a phone number? It’d be a lot easier." I asked.

Her eyes darted away quickly. "He said that it would be easier to reach him through e-mail or Instant Messenger." She looked at her feet then continued, "Our Grandparents are kind of weird; I think Nick's afraid that he wouldn't get the messages if you phoned." She looked at me with her big blue eyes, and then smiled. "He even said that writing him would most likely be a problem since he felt that they would only throw away his mail."

I rubbed my hand on my rough stubbly chin. "What the heck did he do that would've caused him to move in under conditions like that with them?" I wondered aloud.

"You do have his e-mail, right?" Melissa broke my concentration with her question. "I can get it for you if you need it."

"No, that'll be okay... I have it." I smiled and shook my head. "I'll leave you to whatever you were doing... see ya later kid."

She backed up from my gleaming red Mustang and watched me drive away.

I drove on home wondering of the reasons that could have caused Nick to move away. "Maybe he decided to go on to College out there?" I reasoned with myself. "That's probably it... but he had said that he would attend the local University." I was going to end up giving myself a headache trying to figure out what happened to him.

Before I realized it, I was turning onto my street and pulling into the driveway of my home. I didn't feel bad about living here with my folks, they were giving me a free ride as long as I would go to college here in town... and that was okay with me.

I bounded up the front steps and saw my mother washing dishes, only to place them into the dishwasher after she was finished. I laughed to myself at her redundancy and kissed her warm cheek from behind. She spun around with a twinkle in her eye. "Are you just getting home from school?" she asked.

"It's College Mom, school is for kids." I leaned against the counter.

"Whatever... have you eaten?" She was sounding like the Mother she was.

"I'm not really hungry right now... I think I'll wait until supper." I shook my books in the air. "Besides, I have a bunch of reading to do."

"Ok honey, I'll call you down when it's ready." She returned to her chore and left me to start my studies.
I climbed the stairs to my bedroom and flopped down on the little twin bed of mine and began to read. Throughout the rest of the afternoon I read and read, stopping only to eat and use the restroom. I finally closed the book, finishing the three chapters that I was required to read for class tomorrow.

Pushing the books to the end of the bed I turned my alarm clock towards me, "11:30!"...jeesch, wasted one whole day reading all of that crap. I slowly rubbed my palms over my tired face, when I lowered my hands... I spotted the computer.

I figured I could see if Nick was online, maybe if I was lucky, I could catch him on instant messenger. I crossed the room and pressed the button to start my computer, the deep bass note resounded throughout the room causing me to smile. "Sure hope Mom and Dad weren't trying to sleep."

I waited until the computer booted itself up, pulling out my chair I seated myself down and launched the Instant Messenger. I waited, then smiled when I saw Nick's screen name appear.

"Hey Dude... how's it hanging?"

"Who is this?" was his reply.

"Hunter!" I suddenly realized that he wouldn't have known my new screen name...

"Oh...whatever happened to just using the word... Hunter," he replied.

"Got tired of it. Chose College-boy instead." I added a smiley at the end.

"Hunter is easier to remember." He also added the smiley.

"You going to school out there?" I asked.

"...yeah."

"I saw your sister today..." I pressed send.

"So did I."

I was surprised to see that message and wanted to find out if he was in town.

"You at home?"

"Uh... no... why?" he typed back.

"How could you have seen your sister if you're out in California with your Grandparents?"

"Huh?"

I scratched my head and typed, "You just said that you saw your sister today... how could you if you're living with your Grandparents!"

"Oh... I'm looking at her picture right now. Sorry about that," he apologized.

"Hey no problem... been a long day here too!" Again I added a smiley.

"Been seeing any good looking women out there?" I asked.

"Unfortunately, every day!"

"Nothing unfortunate about that!" I responded.

"Depends on how you're looking at it," he added.

"Oh come on, all of those California Honey's have to be looking pretty sweet after all of these plain Jane's we have here!" I kidded.

"I'm really not in the 'looking mood' right now."

"A bit homesick?" I typed back.

"Maybe... but right now, they just aren't interesting to me at all."

I shook my head and typed back, "You must be coming down with something, not being interested in all the fine women out there!"

"Something like that..." was his reply, then he added, "I have to get going... I start a new class in the morning and it's pretty early."

"Yeah, I have an early class tomorrow too. I guess I should be going to bed myself." I pressed send, then quickly typed another. "You going to be back online tomorrow night?"

"Should be, unless the homework is too much." Then a slight pause. "Why?"

"I thought we could talk again... better than sending e-mail's back and forth."

"Sounds good... I guess I'll talk to you later... gotta go! Bye!"

"Bye!" I replied back, then quit the program and shut down the computer and headed to bed. At least he answered one question I had... "So at least he's going to College out there, I wonder which one he's attending?"

I slipped into bed and turned out the light, morning would come too soon for me.

 
Chapter 2
 

I was in a really good mood as I walked across the campus toward my morning class, especially since I was able to get hold of Nick after all these weeks. I approached the large glass doors that led into Bonaventure Hall where my class was held and noticed a pretty faced girl out of the corner of my eye. She and I reached for the door at the same time causing me to bump her and almost ran into the brick column around the door.

"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I didn't see you until almost the last second."

"That's okay," she spoke, looked at me, then turned her face quickly away.

I held the door for her to enter, it was the least I could do. "Ladies first." I waived my hand for her to pass.

"Uh... thanks," she mumbled.

She was carrying her books up high as if to hide her pert breasts, almost as if on cue two overly excited guys raced by and down the stairs, rounded the corner directly into her path.

Her slight build causing her to fly backwards, books flying all the way across the hall. I lunged out to try to intercept her fall, but ended up on the floor myself. She struggled to her feet and glared at the two fellows who raced their way out the door and towards the parking lot.

"Are you alright?" I asked.

"I guess... I'm fine," she sighed.

I kept watching her just to see if she really was okay, and I could have sworn that she was fighting back tears. "You sure? They practically ran you over."

She looked away quickly and started to pick up her books and papers, "Here, let me help you pick up your stuff," I offered.

"That's really not necessary..." she said over her shoulder.

I smiled, handing her a notepad laying next to my foot. "You're right, it's not necessary... but, I want to help."

She glanced toward me for a moment, gave me a shy smile and nodded quickly looking away. "...Uh...thanks."

I took that moment to assess the qualities of this young woman, she was pretty in a 'girl next door' sort of way. If she wouldn't be into that 'grunge' sort of look, she'd probably be cute. What was it with girls who try to distance themselves from their femininity... it's such a shame. Her profile showed that she had some real decent potential... if she would only use a bit of makeup and maybe do something with her hair. I could see that she wasn't wearing a bra and that added to her charms, with the right clothing... she could be a real looker.

I was holding one of her books when I realized that it was also for a class that I was taking. "Hey... looks like we have one thing in common."

She glanced up, tucking a stray blonde hair behind her ear. "And what would that be?"

"We both are in Marketing..." I held up her book and raised mine up for her to see. For a moment she had a panicked look in her pretty blue eyes. I handed them to her and she gently removed it from my grasp, brushing her diminutive and dainty hands against mine.

I stood up and offered my hand to her, she declined and stood up on her own. "Thanks for your help." It didn't take a brick to the side of my head to see that she was a bit stand-offish, so I nodded my reply back to her. She kept looking away, trying not to make eye contact with me... I just assumed she was shy.

"Well, I hope to see you around campus from time to time." I lowered my head so I could see those lovely eyes of hers. "I'm always looking for a good friend. I again offered her my hand in an attempt to introduce myself.

She shot me a quick glance and looked out a window as if she were a caged frightened animal, I figured that in her past... some guy really hurt her... bad. I tried to make her smile but she wasn't going for it so I straightened up. "Well, I'll see you around."

Her look never rose up nor met my eyes. "Uh... yeah okay."

I watched her turn and quickly walk away, but curiously, we were headed in the same direction. What was it about this girl that held my interest? Sure, she was new and pleasant to look at... but something about her was strangely familiar. I watched her walk along in her baggy jeans dragging the floor, she seemed to be wearing so much over-sized clothing that you couldn't tell whether she was a girl or an extremely effeminate guy. Constantly watching around her as if terrified of being in public.

I smiled and under my breath said, "Oh those hidden charms..." but I knew... guys don't have breasts like she did... no sir, those were the real deal. That caused me to chuckle to myself as I continued on my way to class. But still I couldn't help thinking that she was a bit odd, always cowering in fear as she walked... almost as if she would break out in a run at any moment.

I took my seat in the big lecture hall, opened my notebook and watched people file into the room. Scanning at the screen centered in the front of the room, I began to write the notes on display in an attempt to get a jump on today's lecture.

In a few minutes, the Professor walked in and began speaking on the economy and how marketing can effect it. During a moment where he was taking questions, I turned to see one student try and expound on a theory... that's when I noticed, sitting just beyond, was the girl that I met earlier.

She was sitting there staring intently at her hands, off in her own little world, paying no more attention to the subject than the vast majority of us. She ran her slender hand through her hair a few times then began to play with her earring. I found myself soon becoming more interested in watching her than the subject that the Professor was lecturing on... besides, she was much better to look at than he was.

She stretched out causing her baggy shirt to reveal a bit of her smooth flat stomach, I smiled when she quickly pulled it back down and looked around. The fear of her catching me looking, caused me to quickly turn my head and lock on the Professor.

After a long while I again glanced back over toward her, she looked bored as she slowly played with one of her long golden curls. I smiled at her, knowing that she would probably hate knowing how she was turning me on. She had a very lovely profile and it was such a shame that she was hiding it with all of those loose ugly clothes, even a minor bit of makeup could bring out the beauty that was hidden.

She was a very normal looking girl, without makeup she was above average... with it, who could tell. I just knew that she was pretty and I wanted to know more about her. She wasn't tall but rather leaned toward the small stature, her fingers were long and slender. Her golden hair, waves abounding, fell down around her shoulder blades. I let my eyes drink in her attributes more, she wasn't what any guy I had ever known would call...busty, but rather pleasing. As my father always said, "More than a handful is too much." I tend to agree with him.

She had slender looking thighs and long legs. "I wonder what she looks like in a bikini?" I thought to myself causing me to smile outwardly. I looked around to make sure nobody was watching.

I caught sight of the Professor glance toward the clock making me do the same, class was almost over and I pretty much ignored his lecture. But for the girl, I desperately wanted to know her name... I was finding her strangely attractive and I hoped that I could make amends for our rocky introduction.

As soon as class ended, we began to file out of the room. I hurried and tried to catch up with her, although once I reached the doorway, I could find no sign of her anywhere. I was a bit dejected, but I knew that there would be more chances later, provided I didn't scare her away. I had 45 minutes until my next class started on the third floor of the same building so I decided to head onto the student lounge and have a look around.

While digging for some change, I noticed her sitting by herself on the other side of the room, staring toward a group of girls flirting with some young stud. She seemed interested in what they were doing. But, from where I was standing, I wasn't sure if she was pleased or upset... the look on her face wasn't giving her away either.

"My luck, she's probably a lesbian..." I sighed to myself. Then decided that how ever she lived her life was up to her... it wouldn't change how I treated her. Besides, she looked like she could use a friend and I was determined to be one. I quickly dropped the money into the machine and pressed the button, once retrieving the pop, I crossed the room toward her. As soon as she saw me, her shoulders seemed to wilt and she pressed her face into her hands. "Okay, that doesn't look promising..." I muttered under my breath.

I slid into the chair opposite her and sat my pop down. "Do you mind if I sit here?"

Through her fingers she sighed, "Would it matter?"

"Well...yeah, I guess it would," I replied smiling.

She sat there covering her face from my view, causing me to tap on her forehead. "You can come out if you want... I won't bite," I kidded her.

"It's not that..." she sighed.

I interrupted her. "Hey, I could care less what lifestyle you choose... you look like you could use a friend." I leaned against the back of my chair. "So here I am."

I heard her laugh, the light musical sound like tiny wind chimes dancing in a light breeze. "That's a start," I thought to myself, cleared my voice and softly spoke, "So, are you new around here?" I tried to entice her into a conversation, so when she looked up I gave her the best smile I could.

"Yes... and no," she replied pulling her hands away and placing them on the table. She didn't look uninterested, but rather unsure of me. She drummed her slim fingers upon the table and made a wry face, but still kept looking away from me.

"You don't need to be afraid of me... and I am a really good listener," I laughed.

She looked at me and smiled, God she had a beautiful smile. I kept thinking of ways to make her smile for me. "Most girls seem to really like talking to me... why don't you try me out for a spin?" I smiled and placed my hands on the table, playing with the condensation building on the outside of my pop can.

"I'm not 'most' girls... uh..." She seemed to hesitate for a moment so I quickly assumed that she was waiting for me to give her my name.

"Now I'm hurt..." I smiled. "Hunter... Hunter Rogers." I quickly thrust out my hand.

"I know..." she replied almost instantly, then seemed shocked to have blurted it out, but still hesitated taking the hand that I offered. I had almost dropped it back to the table when she gently reached out and grasped it.

"Oh... now I see, you've been checking up on me." I smiled; at least I felt she was interested... I knew that I was, in her. "So, do you like what you know so far?" I gave her the best boyish grin and leaned against the table on my elbows.

She looked right at me and laughed, "You're impossible..." Her beautiful blue eyes seemed to penetrate deep into my soul... I was hooked.

For a moment I could see the iron persona that she had built around herself slowly melting away. She fidgeted with a book that was lying next to her hand, causing me to glance down at her dainty and feminine fingers. I sat and spun my can around creating little ringlets of water to collect on the table; nothing was said for almost a full minute. My mind replayed the touch and feel of her tiny hand as she shook hands with me, for such a petite woman... she had a very confidant grip. Which isn't uncommon... but it was strange with the recent vibe I had received from her.

She looked up at me from time to time, I felt drawn into those cool pools of blue that were her eyes... God she had gorgeous eyes. Even without make-up, she had very dark and long eye lashes curving gracefully upward. Her cheeks had a country glow that would do any cover-girl proud. I could sit here and drink her natural beauty forever.

I looked toward the clock on the wall; shoot... class would be starting soon. Suddenly I was depressed, I had to know more about this girl. I gave her a smile and sat more upright in my chair. "Uh... I never did get your name!" I spoke softly. "Don't you at least owe me that?"

She had a momentary look of surprise pass over her pretty face, and then almost as soon as it appeared it left. Her eyes sparkled and reflected the light from above as this time she offered her hand to me. "Christine... Christine Hatfield."

"Well, Christine Hatfield...pleased to meet you." I extended my hand to hers, her skin was cool to the touch, the dainty hand was quickly engulfed in mine. Again my eyes darted toward the clock, I felt saddened that I would have to rush away from the captivating creature and go sit in another boring lecture. Only this time I was sure that my mind would be elsewhere. I slowly began to stand up and push my chair under the table. "Unfortunately I have a class starting in about 10 minutes... but I was wondering... if..., could I call you sometime?" I thought it couldn't hurt to try, maybe I could sway her into a date or two.

"Not yet... I'm not ready for that right now," she refused me politely. I felt the air suddenly escape from my balloon, but I put on a front and showed her nothing.

"Well then, maybe I'll be seeing you around?" I picked up my pop and books, "Now that you know me... can I say hi to you when I see you around?"

She laughed... her sweet music danced within my ears. "I'm not that terrible... am I?"

I smiled at her, and with a glance toward the clock, nodded and slowly walked away. Just as I rounded the corner I looked back, she was watching me leave. Upon her beautiful face she had a most confused look.

 
Chapter 3
 

It was around 11:00 p.m. when I threw aside my books and fired up the computer, heading straight toward launching Instant Messenger. In a moment, I could see Nick's screen name sitting there where I found it yesterday.

"Hey Nick!" I began.

"Hey Hunter! How's it hanging?"

"About the same as always...a little to the left." I laughed as I typed.

"I wouldn't know..."

I laughed out loud at his reply.

"So, how was your day?" I figured we had to start somewhere.

"Not bad..."

"How was yours?" his message popped up.

"I just about ran over some girl entering the building this morning," I replied.

"Oh?"

"Yeah, she was knocked into me by some stupid guys running," I typed.

"...anybody hurt?"

"I don't think so... her pride maybe." I thought about her some, and then continued, "She seemed more embarrassed than anything."

"Are you sure it was embarrassment?" he replied.

"If not that... then what would have been her problem." I pressed submit.

"Maybe she thought you were trying to feel her up when you fell with her..." His logic was a bit interesting.

"Well if that's the reason, it's unfounded. Not that I wouldn't have minded though!" Again I added the smiley.

"Actually I found her to be quite attractive... in a girl next door sort of way."

"No kidding... how so?" Nick was a man of very little words.

"She was really pretty..." I typed and hit send almost as fast. "Blue eyes, great smile..."

"No kidding?" His message emerged quietly.

"Yeah... between you and me. I thought she was pretty good looking!" I hit send.

"You seem very enamored with her after meeting her just once..." His message dripped with sarcasm.

"Maybe... there are stranger things that could happen," I shot back.

Again his message popped up. "Fat chance trying to get a date with her!"

I frowned. "Now how in the hell would you know?"

All that appeared on my screen was a smiley face. I thought for a moment then typed, "Why wouldn't she like me? What's not to like?"

Two words popped up, dripping with sarcasm. "Oh... puhleeezzzzzeee!"

"Maybe she's the one?" I smiled and pressed send.

"The one what?" he shot back.

"The one that I'll marry!" I stabbed the enter button.

"...sure." Was his only reply, then he prodded. "Tell me more about her..."

"Why tell you any more...you'll just try and steal her when you come back to visit!" I retorted.

"Not hardly... tell me more."

I continued, "She's good looking... but when I met her, she was wearing those clothes like someone who was into that grunge look."

"Maybe she's just not into anything feminine." His comment caught me off guard.

"Well, now that you mention it, I did think that her pendulum swung to the left but after talking to her later in the day... I'm not so sure."

"I don't understand..." was his only comment.

"I thought she was gay," I typed out.

"Now what would the way she dresses and how she treated you make you think of her as gay?" I was surprised to see his reply.

"What makes you the authority..." I laughed, and then realized that he did live in California now.

"And... if she was... would that keep you from being her friend?" His question made me happy that I had already decided to be her friend.

I answered him, "I've already made up my mind that if she wasn't interested in dating..." I hit send, and then quickly typed, "...we could just be friends."

"Good for you!"

I smiled as I read his comment.

I continued, "Still... with a little bit of effort, I think she could be quite attractive."

"How so?" he questioned me.

"Oh, maybe by dressing just a bit more feminine..." I responded, and then added, "Maybe a little make-up."

"Would that ever be enough?" His message almost popped up as soon as I sent mine out. Then again, even before I could reply. "What if she didn't want to wear that stuff?"

"Oh come on Nick, doesn't every girl have a decent pair..." I laughed when I accidentally hit the key to send it halfway through my typing.

"...of feminine jeans that she could wear with a nice shirt," I continued.

"I'm glad you finished that sentence... I wasn't sure where you were headed."

I laughed as I read this comment from Nick.

"You know the funny thing Nick? I just felt at ease talking to her... she seemed so comfortable to talk to."

"Someone to listen... none of the pressure?" he asked.

"That was it. She was great, I really didn't want to go to my next class." I wondered to myself then
typed, "I hope she enjoyed meeting me, I'd love to ask her out."

Almost a full minute passed before Nick sent anything. "You there?" I hit send.

I kept watching to see if his connection may have broken, when another message finally appeared.

"Did you get her name?"

"Yeah... Christine Hatfield," I replied.

"You didn't recognize her?" Nick asked.

"No, but she looks a bit familiar to me though."

"She should... she's my cousin." My eyes widened in surprise as I read Nick's last message.

"You're shitting me... Really, she's your cousin?" I just couldn't believe it.

"In fact she's living at my house..." As I read his message, I wondered why Melissa didn't say anything when I stopped over.

"So... then you should know, Nick... is she available?" I had to know whether I stood a chance with her.

"That depends on what you mean?" I wrinkled my brow as I read his message.

"Is she dating anyone?" I hoped he would know.

"I'm sure she isn't... she's just going through a difficult time right now."

"Please don't tell me its drugs?" I was hoping I would like his reply.

"No, she's certainly not a user."

I sighed with relief when I read that. "Then why is she living with your folks?"

Again a long pause. "She wanted to go to college but living where she did; she would have to pay extra for dorms..." As I read, another message popped up. "...so that's why she moved in with my family."

"Do you think she'd go out with me?" I typed quickly, and then sent it.

"I doubt that she would," he responded.

"Too young?" I hit send.

"She's the same age as I am, so...no she's not too young," his message popped up quickly.

Then it really dawned on me. "She already has someone..."

"No... hardly." His message was short and to the point.

"Pregnant?" I was fishing for answers.

"Oh god no... not that either!" popped up suddenly, then followed quickly by, "Look Hunter, she's not the kind of girl for you... trust me."

"Can't I decide that for myself?" I hit send and waited.

"You're a great guy and all, but I think you should just forget about her." His message glared out at me.

"Is she a bit on the wild side?" I laughed and continued, "I like wild women..." He knew I was just kidding....

"She's about as wild as I am... so, don't get your hopes up." I laughed as his message appeared, knowing that Nick was about as wild as my Grandmother.

I sat and stared at the screen for a few seconds then typed, "No, seriously Nick... I would love to show her that I'm not one of those guys that wants to get into her pants." I pressed send hesitantly, then continued, "She needs to know that not every guy out there is only interested in sex with her... that's not my scene."

"I doubt if she thinks that way about you Hunter, she's just unsure about who she is..." I was confused but I let it go after reading that message.

He knew a bunch more than he was letting on... she must be in some real trouble to be living with Nick's folks and not with her own. Suddenly, a message popped up on my screen,

"Hey man, I have to get..." then followed by another, "Have class tomorrow."

"No problem... same time tomorrow?" I was getting tired and needed to sleep.

"Same time... later."

"Later..." I pressed send and quickly shut down the program and computer.

 
Chapter 4
 

I took a chance by driving past Nick's house early in the morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Christine. The house looked quiet. "Nuts..." I complained to myself. I turned the corner and headed on toward the Campus when I spied a young female walking toward the nearest public bus stop.

I wasn't sure who I was looking at but I slowed down but by the time I rolled along side of her... I saw that it was Christine! I pressed the button to lower the passenger window. "Hi Christine!" She looked at me and gave me a slight wave.

"Need a lift?" I shouted. She looked down the block where the bus was already sitting, almost as if on cue it began to pull away from the curb. "It'll be 15 minutes before another comes by," I called out.

She contemplated her next move. "What makes you think that I should trust you?"

I didn't know how to take her, but when she gave me a smile I realized that she was joking. "Because I'm a friend of Nick's... what better reason is that?"

She laughed. Her giggle was light and airy like the tinkle of tiny wind chimes. "Oh... now there's a reason."

God she was beautiful. "I promise... I won't lay a finger on you." I took a chance and leaned across the seat to open the door for her.

"It's not your finger that I'm worried about." She laughed and climbed in.

I waited for her to buckle herself in, the seat belt strap crossing gently between her perfect breasts.

"Oh to be a seat belt..." I mused to myself. I put the car in gear and drove off, trying to think of something... anything to talk about.

"I spoke to Nick last night..." I waited to see her response.

"Yeah, I know," she responded while looking out the window.

I shot her a quick glance. "You know?" She seemed surprised by my voice.

"Know what?"

"You knew that I was talking to Nick?"

"Uh... oh that, I was online too," she replied, then turned to again look out the window.

I tried to remember seeing any other screen names while we were talking, but couldn't come up with anything. "So... you know what we were talking about?"

"Yeah." She seemed to be uncomfortable talking.

"And?" I rolled to a stop at a sign. "Would you?"

"Look Hunter, you're a swell guy and all... I just don't think I'm ready for any kind of relationship right now." She fidgeted with the seam on her jeans.

Realizing that she had been online with Nick and I made me suddenly very uncomfortable, I could feel the sweat rise to the surface. "Uh... then you know what we discussed?" Suddenly I felt my palms beginning to perspire.

"Yeah... I'm flattered that you find me... attractive..." She pulled her silky golden locks behind her ear and continued, "…and maybe some day I may be interested... but not now."

I swallowed hard. I felt as if I was caught watching her undress or something, she looked down toward her book bag and gave me a small smile. "Maybe if we had grown up together, like this... it would be different." She gestured with her dainty hand as she spoke.

"Don't you find me at all interesting?" I questioned. "Am I so awful that you could never want to go out for an evening..." I paused for effect. "...Even as friends?"

She looked down at her small feet. "...Well, maybe go out as friends...."

I smiled; at least I had a chance... wait until I tell Nick!

We drove on for a minute or two in complete silence; I could tell she was doing some real hard thinking. For me, I was trying to figure out which screen name she was using when Nick and I were talking. "Uh... Christine?" I continued when she turned her head toward me, "So... what's your screen name when you're online?"

She thought about it for a second. "You'll laugh..."

"Try me..." I smiled.

"It's... Guardian," she grinned.

"That's one of those that Nick used." I turned into the campus lots.

"Uh... yeah, he's letting me use that one until I get my own." She laughed.

"Surely you could come up with one better than that? I could probably make one up for you... I'm pretty good at creating screen names." I gave her a thoughtful look.

"Oh... like College boy?" She giggled which caused me to smile. "Hunter is much better."

"But Hunter's so boring... it's my name for crying out loud." I knew the comment was dripping with sarcasm.

"True. But Hunter could mean so much more." She put her shapely finger to her perfect chin. "Hunter of knowledge... Hunter of great game... Hunter of life..."

"Hunter of love," I added, locking my gaze directly onto her beautiful crystalline blue eyes."

We held that look for a few seconds, not a word was exchanged.

"You sure don't give up easy..." She shook her head and smiled.

"Ask Nick... he would know," was all I said. She looked away and smiled.

"Uh... looks like we're here." I looked back up as she spoke. "Thanks for the lift Hunter." She popped her door open and stepped out. I watched her walking away, she was pretty cute... with very little effort, she would be gorgeous.
 

End of Part 1
 
 
To Be Continued...
 

---

 
Admin Note: Originally published on BigCloset TopShelf on Monday 12-05-2011 at 07:47:42 pm, this retro classic was pulled out of the closet, and re-presented for our newer readers. ~Sephrena
 
Image Credits: Title Picture purchased and licensed for publishing from 123rf.com. The model(s) in this image is in / and are no way connected with this story nor supports nor conveys the issues and situations brought up within the story. The model(s) use is solely used for the representation of looks of the main character(s) of this particular story. ~Sephrena

Divider licensed for use in publishing from Photoshopgraphics.com ~Sephrena.

Historical Versions: Originally posted at Fictionmania in 2003, and on BigCloset TopShelf in 2011 and Retro Classiced by same site in 2015. ~Sephrena.

Legalities: This work is the copyrighted material of the respective author. ~Anon Allsop.
 

 
Chapter 5
 
The days slowly trudged on... from one day into the next, on and on. Each morning I would swing past her home and pick her up, our conversations would be mostly of the latest topic... classes, movies, music, or what have you. On the weekends, we would pal around, go to the Mall, maybe take in a movie or just hang out. Not once did I ever try to pursue a relationship with Christine other than being a good friend. For that I could sense her relief, as she slowly dropped her vigilant guard around me, finally becoming comfortable.

Most of our close friends knew that we weren't an item, and they were ok with it. She had even confided once, that by being with me, none of the usual suspects were hitting on her. When I thought about it, she was right; and that suited me just fine. The guys stopped approaching her after our sophomore year in college... assuming that we were going out or something. But, the girls had also stopped approaching me as well... but I didn't mind, there was always that chance that she would come around... at least I could hope.

Christine had taken to wearing a thin silver ring on her left hand that had a clear white stone... it looked very much like a diamond engagement ring. When I asked her about it, she laughed, saying that it was glass... and if people thought it was a solitaire engagement ring, so be it, at least it kept the guys away. I only secretly hoped that nobody on my side of the family would get the wrong impression... and wished it was my ring that she was wearing.

My family had all come to know and love Christine, they secretly hoped as I did that she would love me in the way that I did her. My mother encouraged me to be patient and advised me to stay the course by remaining her friend. I felt mother was correct and decided if I were to be ‘just a friend’, I would be her best friend.

My life was consumed by being with her... my days and evenings were spent either talking with her during school, in the car, on the phone... everywhere. The whole time she and I became closer, but that was the way it always ended…as friends.

Over time Christine gradually changed... for the better. No, sadly she and I didn't develop any relationship other than a great bonding friendship. Either of us would have done anything for the other, such was the type of friendship we shared.

I had talked her into joining an off campus Sorority the summer between our sophomore and junior year in college, if it did anything it would help her with bringing out her feminine side. It was strange, I wasn't at all worried that she would prefer women over guys, I just was certain that she wasn't gay... in fact, I don't think she was interested in either sex at the moment.

The change over her during those two years was incredible; she started wearing clothing that seemed more in line with her personality... which was sporty. Her jean preference had slowly changed from the baggy, grungy look to a more form fitting style that accentuated her great looking frame. She wore very conservative tops and blouses... but during that whole time, I never saw her in a dress. I remember being surprised when I saw that she had started to lightly wear make-up and shape her eyebrows making her eyes even more beautiful than they had already been. I knew that I could thank her involvement with the Sorority that she belonged to, they along with subtle hints from me, were bringing her closer to that feminine side that I was sure lurked deep inside of that wonderful woman.

Christine would never be caught with anything considered revealing... just practical, but that was fine with me. She was coming closer, moving slowly toward her feminine side; and the closer she got, the more I found I needed her. She was slowly transforming into the beauty that I knew simmered just below the surface; I was just happy that I was the only guy that she seemed comfortable around.

The best moments I had with her been when I would dream at night. There we were more than friends, we were lovers. I fondly would recall the next morning how I would hold and cuddle with her in my dreams, the nearness and seemingly realness of those captured moments with Christine would be burned deep into my brain, carrying me on with a smile throughout the day.

The price of being her friend though was frustrating in a sense because here she would stand beside me; but her love, what I wanted more than anything... was just beyond my reach. I think she honestly knew that I was in love with her, but for whatever reason she maintained her distance...and that distance seemed like a chasm in my heart.

I continued to painfully follow my mother’s advice…I would wait. Waiting a lifetime if necessary, only hoping beyond hope that the end result would make Christine my wife.

All the while, over the three and a half year span that our friendship bloomed, I had kept in touch with Nick. He was muddling on through college like me, seeming to have a love interest but really didn't know how to approach her... also like me. He wanted her desperately but was afraid to make the first move... I told him that I knew the feeling. It was rough but we agreed that it was well worth the wait.

The best thing about Nick was that he was there, albeit online, when I needed him the most. I could talk with him about anything, he knew that I had a real thing for Christine and wanted to move beyond being her friend. His advice was to take our time and give her plenty of room. I was tired of waiting; but Nick was right, something was troubling Christine, keeping her at arms length. The wait was excruciating, but I was determined to be there when she was ready, no matter how long it took.

Christine and I were becoming very fond of each other's company, but it never would go beyond a pal or best buddy sort of thing. I loved to hear her laugh; so much that I would make a joke... just to hear her light giggle. The sound of it made me smile long after we would part company.

I found over those years that she was quite athletic, well... she liked sports. Her competitive nature made her so much fun to tease, but that never stopped Christine, she wasn't afraid to go at me in a game of basketball. She actually wasn't that bad, but would laugh when I suggested that she try out for our college team. Her excuse was her height, she was right I would have to agree, she wasn't the tallest drink of water out there... at about 5'6", she was downright small. I didn't mind, to me... she was perfect.

This past summer I had invited Christine to go along with my family and I to the coast for some fun in the sun. She went, but not one time did she venture out in anything other than shorts and a light shirt. Secretly, I had hoped that at least once I would get to see her in something a bit more revealing like a bikini...sadly no. Although, what I saw wasn't terrible mind you, just covered... and she did have spectacular looking legs, so it wasn't a complete loss.

Our best moment that I can fondly think back on was when she and I were walking along the beach toward sunset, letting the waves wash across our bare feet. We were in a particularly normal conversation as we walked along, slowly approaching four guys playing sand volleyball. They noticed that we weren't holding hands and assumed that we were brother and sister, or some sort of non intimate way. One particular guy, who looked like the body builder type, called out to her. She ignored him... then he shouted to me saying something like, "Hey buddy... ask your sister if she'd like to touch my muscle." That brought a chorus of laughter from his friends.

I'm not the biggest guy around but at 6'3 and 230 pounds... I can hold my own pretty well. I hesitated for only a moment and felt her tiny hand grasp mine. "Come on Hunter, don't pay them any attention," she said low so only I could hear her.

I remember walking along with her for a few steps when I realized that she never let go of my hand, I assumed that she was trying to make the guys watching think we were lovers... and believe me, they were watching. I didn't care; she was leaning in against me brushing my elbow. Then, as if to add to their watching eyes, she slowly circled her other hand around my arm. I could never recall a time that I wished I could freeze more than that one; I wanted to walk on like this forever.

We walked like this as the setting sun slowly painted the sky with its yellow's and pinks, almost a half mile of shoreline passed before she finally let go, I think she realized then that she was still clinging my arm. The removal of her loving embrace saddened me because it felt so natural to feel her closeness, her touch and warmth…her body so near. The best part of the whole experience was that since then, anytime she felt a bit threatened she wouldn't hesitate to hold my hand and give the illusion to those watchful eyes that we were an item... I didn't care, I was in heaven.

School began, and we were now entering into our senior year. I couldn't believe that this was the last year we would be coming back to this campus. I was only a few classes shy of my degree in Industrial Engineering, while Christine was finishing up her Bachelors in Elementary Education. She would make a great teacher; all kids seemed to love her.

Life trudged along, seasons slowly changed from late summer heat to the crisp coolness of autumn. Slowly, that too gave way to the rush of the Christmas season and the light feathery snow of early winter. I had just parked the car in our usual spot and we got out, gradually Christine and I made our way across campus toward Bonaventure Hall where we shared that first class during our freshman year.

I wanted to ask her something but felt a loss for words, she knew that I had something on my mind and as usual, didn't press me to divulge my thoughts. I pulled up short by a great pine tree and with the light snowflakes swirling softly in a gentle breeze, she stopped too pulling her stocking cap down over her beautiful tiny ears; looking beautiful as her long hair fell around her shoulders.

"Hey... um, Christine, I was wondering if you had any plans over the Christmas holiday?" I said while blinking the snow from an eyelid.

"Nothing much... why?" Her breath hung in a cloud until it was pushed away by the light breeze.

"The folks have a cabin in Vale and... I asked them if you could come up with me. Uh... that is if you wanted to."

It seemed that my blood was rushing out my toes as I felt weak and cold, waiting on her answer; though I wasn't sure if it was from the weather or just being so near to the one I loved. "I'll understand if you don't want to go along."

She smiled, her golden hair peeking out from under the cap she wore. "Sure... sounds like fun."

I grinned at her, even though she was all bundled up for winter, I could see the glorious beauty that was hidden from the view of most everyone else. She continued as we turned toward the building, "It's been quite awhile since I've skied. I used to go all the time when I was a kid, you remember..." Her voice trailed off.

"Remember what?" I asked holding the door open for her.

"...uh... remember how it was trying to stay on those things when all your body wanted to do was streak in a straight line." We continued our way inside the building.

"Yeah, Nick and I used to go all the time when we were kids. One time when I was showing him how to go down a hill, I started using the zigzag motion going downhill and when I got to the bottom, I looked back and he was nowhere to be found." I was chuckling as I told her the story recalling how crazy he was on skis.

"...you turned around and he beat you down the hill..." She laughed along with me.

"Yeah, he shot down that puppy like greased lightning..." I laughed, and then realized what she had said. "Have I told you this one before?"

She gave me a wry look and laughed, "No... Something like that happened to me once as well."

"So where is it again that we'll be staying?" She asked as we approached the classroom where I had to leave her. I felt like she was trying to change the subject, but left it there and answered her question.
"It's a cool cabin up in the mountains, not far from all the lifts and lodges." We paused at the door. "My folks have been going there for years... but it has been about 4 since we last went out there. In fact the last time I was out there, Nick was along."

"It has been awhile then, hasn't it?" She smiled and reached for the door handle. "I'll wait for you in the lobby after class... okay?"

"Sure." I smiled as she quickly spun and the long length of hair that extended past her hat was suddenly flipped outward. "I'll see you after class."

"I'll be waiting, just watch for my smiling face," she laughed. I slowly closed my eyes and wished that would only be true, only I wanted her to be the first face I saw when I awoke, and the last I saw before sleep.

She was true to her word, as soon as class ended I approached the Lobby, she was there. Of course, I knew my Christine well and she never disappointed me. I saw her long before she realized that I was nearing her, sitting comfortable at the end of the long couch with her legs tucked up under her. She was slowly leafing through a magazine, while other female students in the room were watching soap opera's. I watched her throw it back on a table as I stepped inside the room, it was the most recent copy of Sports Illustrated. Inwardly, I smiled.

She noticed me coming toward her and smiled. "Hey Hunter." She started to gather up her books. "So, where do you want to eat today?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Anywhere would be fine." But in my mind I was thinking, "As long as it's with you..." But I wouldn't dare say that to her, instead I just smiled.

"Well... how about Charlie's" she suggested while she put her coat on.

She picked up three thick books from the table and balanced them on one arm, but before she could, I grabbed the strap of her book bag. "Here, let me help you with this."

She laughed. "Such the gentleman…" and then watched as I hoisted it to over my own shoulder.

"Wait a minute…If you're going to carry that for me... then I'll take this." She took my single book and added it to the three in her arms.

I used my back to force the door open, holding it for her to pass, "You sure about Charlie's?" Once she walked out the door I let it go and followed. "It's kind of messy."

"That's half the fun of it," she giggled. "There isn't anything better than a real messy Bar-B-Q for lunch." She used her shapely hip to bump into me playfully.

I laughed and bumped her back, sending her stumbling slightly away. She laughed and attempted to poke me in the seat with her toe. This was why I loved her so; she was unlike any girl I had ever known. Sure, she was spectacular to look at... but for a dainty little thing to love western style Bar-B-Q was quite rare. She loved playing sports, reading Sports Illustrated and watching football on TV with me. I smiled as I watched her walk down the steps toward the sidewalk; the funniest thing was that she probably knew more about the sport than I did. People sitting around us at games seemed surprised that this little thing could tell the differences from a split backfield and a power 'I'. Most of them would look at me really envious... wishing that their wives or girlfriends had her knowledge of the game.

We crossed the Campus as the light snow had given a thin layer of white to the brown dormant grass, effectively covering it from view with its stark beauty. As we approached the lot, I was trying to figure out how I would fish out my keys when she beat me to the punch. Sitting the four books she was holding on my fender, she smiled and raised her eyebrows playfully. "Which pocket?"

I was a bit surprised, but managed to open my mouth. "Uh... right side."

She then gave me a grin and pulled the glove from her slender hand. "Now this doesn't mean we're engaged."

I felt her slim hand enter my pocket and was wishing that my keys were closer to my crotch... just for that little innocent thrill. But what she was doing was enough to flavor my imagination. I soon heard the jingle of my keys as she pulled them into view. "Well...that wasn't too painful, was it?" she smiled.

I laughed as she opened the door and deposited the bags into the back seat. "No...But now I feel like I should be having a cigarette."

She shoved me from behind, causing me to fall partially into the car. "Oh, missy... for that you will pay!" She laughed and ran across a short bit of grass to get away from me, it didn't work because I made a snow ball from what had gathered on the car and threw it at her.

I began to smile when she tried to duck from my throw and ended up on her back in the snow laughing uncontrollably. I walked on across and helped her up, brushing the snow from her clothes. She still giggled as she threw a handful of snow into my face that she had been hiding in her hand.

"You're such a stinker." I snatched her hat and wiped the snow off of my face, causing her long golden blonde hair to fall about her shoulders. She quickly grabbed it back and pulled it on, trapping her hair under its protective material.

I turned and began to walk back the short distance to the car when I suddenly was blindsided by a weight on my back, throwing me off balance and in the snow face first. I knew almost the instant it happened, what she had done. "Ooohh... you need to be taught a lesson!" I pulled her off and scrambled to my feet.

She was laying there with a goofy look on her face, no sound coming from her mouth. I wasn't sure if she was hurt or laughing, it was revealed soon enough though. She took a huge breath and began to laugh heartily, rolling back on the ground and holding her stomach the snow sticking to her everywhere.

I picked up a small handful of snow and sprinkled it on her face, she was laughing too hard to notice. She was even making me laugh with her as I took her by the hand and stood her up. My only problem was that her uncontrollable laughter was making it difficult for her to stand, let alone walk. I grabbed her hands and turned my back to her, pulling her up. In this way, I carried her back to the car and deposited her still laughing, into the passenger seat then buckled her up.

I closed her door and walked around to my side and climbed in, she was just beginning to calm down. Smiling, I buckled myself up and put the key into the ignition starting the car, "I told you that I would make you pay." She began to laugh uncontrollably again...I just smiled and shook my head.

 
Chapter 6
 

At Charlie's, we ate their famous ribs. We talked, just small talk for the better part of an hour and when we were finished, I drove her to the mall to do a bit of shopping. She and I wandered from one store to the other just window shopping when she caught sight of a very pretty piece of silk finery.

"Wow... that's red," she laughed.

"Looks fine to me," I answered. "Wow, it's almost $80.00!" I shook my head.

"Actually that isn't bad, but I don't think I could ever wear a dress that racy though." She pulled the bottom out to see that it was awful short.

"Is that supposed to be a holiday present?" I wondered.

"It would depend on who's doing the wearing, Mister Obvious," she giggled.

"Why don't you try it on?" I teased.

She gave me a horrified look. "No way... I could never wear anything like that!"

I frowned at her. "What's wrong, afraid to let anyone see that you're a young sexy woman?" She thought I was teasing but I was dead serious. Pulling out my wallet and held up my credit card, "My treat, look at it like my Christmas gift to you." I smiled, knowing that she would try some way to back out.

As she was slowly looking from me to the little item, a sales associate spoke. "Could I help you with anything?"

Even before Christine could answer, "She wants to try this on." Christine shot me a shocked look.

"I... I..." she began, but I interrupted her. "Christine, you're a beautiful woman, why not treat yourself to a bit of feminine luxury... why not go all out and get this one?" I turned her by the shoulders and pointed to the changing room.

"But... but..." I handed her the dress and gave her a gentle push.

I stood and fidgeted with the hangers and size markers while I waited for her to step out of the changing room. I figured she was trying it on but she never once did come out where I could see, I was relying solely on the sales associate for her opinion of Christine's fit.

The associate stepped out of the hall and came up to the front where I was. "She looks incredible... you'll be pleased with how sexy it makes her look."

I laughed to myself, knowing that it would be a fat chance to see her wearing anything sexy. "Is she coming out here for me to see?" I asked.

"I'm not sure... I'll go ask." She turned and walked back to Christine to ask.

"Not a chance in hell!" was all I heard her quip aloud. I smiled and the sales lady laughed.

Christine walked out of the room what seemed like an hour later still wearing the outfit that she entered with. Across her arm, was the slinky red dress. "Did it fit?" I asked.

"Well... yeah, too well." she groaned.

"Great! We'll take it!" I told the woman behind the counter.

She took it from Christine and scanned the label. "Your boyfriend must really love you a lot to buy something this special for Christmas." She gave Christine a wink.

I gave the girl behind the counter a frown and quickly shook my head no using a short side to side motion.

Christine laughed and elbowed me in the ribs. "If he's such a great boyfriend... maybe we should look at some other items?"

The sales girl's eyes brightened up, causing me to groan. "Well, we do have all the latest styles of clothes that would go well on a beautiful young woman as you." They both laughed when I flopped down in the chair set aside for the guys that come there with their wives. "Well that little joke backfired on me...big time." I sighed.

"Wait there... Hon, we'll only be a minute." She cooed sexily, determined to make me pay for putting her through all of this.

The two of them moved about the store as if on a mission, the whole while I sat in the chair watching them, laughing to myself. After about an hour they both walked up to the register carrying a few items, none were outlandish... and all were practical. I knew she wouldn't spend too much but I was adamant about not letting her get in the last little dig.

I stood up and handed Christine my card again and slowly watched the clothing as it was scanned... "So, what size of shirt did you buy?"

"It's called a blouse, dear... and they're ladies small." Her reply oozed with sarcasm.

I grinned to myself and calmly walked away with my hands behind my back. You should have seen Christine's face when I dropped a shiny white two piece confection of silk and lace on the counter with the other items. "What the heck is that for?"

I just nodded toward the item and the sales woman scanned it in. "Oh, this is lovely!" She exclaimed as she placed it into the bag. "It'll look so wonderful on you!"

The woman handed the bag across to Christine who appeared to be still in shock from seeing the sexy little negligee I dropped on the counter. We turned and walked out into the mall with her purchases. In a low voice just above a whisper Christine spoke without ever looking my way. "And who's supposed to wear that little number?" Then she turned to face me. "Surely, not me?"

"Since you were in such a buying mood... I guess I sort of got all swept up in it as well." I bumped her with my hip and laughed.

"Yeah... well... it's going to look real lovely on you..." She laughed and bumped me back. "...Because you'll never see me in it."

I chuckled softly as we slowly strolled through the mall toward the little ice cream stand we both were fond of. Secretly, in my heart I wanted nothing more than to see her in the little white negligee.

 
Chapter 7
 

Later that evening I found myself sitting at the computer, slowly typing out my thoughts to my good buddy Nick.

"Hey Nick, how's it going?" I typed.

"I'm okay," he replied.

"You still dating that girl?" I hit send.

"...Uh, yeah."

"Got you flustered doesn't she?" I added a straight faced smiley at the end.

"You could say that."

"Same here," I responded. "But with Christine... I'll wait forever."

"I figured you'd say that," came back his reply.

"Huh?" I hit send.

"Same here... only I'm sure that I'm not ready."

"Will we ever be ready?" I shot back, then added, "One of these days though I'll surprise her."

"And do what??"

"I don't know... I really think she likes me though." I hit send.

"...She does..."

"Did she say so?" I asked, hopeful.

"Not in so many words... but I can be pretty certain that she does like you."

I stared at his reply. "Enough to maybe marry me?" I finally typed.

Another long pregnant pause followed. I watched the list to see if Christine had entered our discussion... she wasn't there…yet. Finally his message popped up.

"...I don't know..."

"You're some help!" I laughed as I typed.

"Did you ever think to ask her?" came back his reply.

"Right... I'd love to, but hell Nick..." I hit send. "We've never really even kissed..."

"...So... what are ya waiting for, Christmas?"

"Sure, why not! She'd probably slug me." I added the smiley.

Several minutes passed. "...maybe... maybe not."

I contemplated his last reply, he was right; we had never really kissed in anything more than a innocent peck on the cheek. I looked at my bulletin board where the photo's I kept of her were hanging... "God she's beautiful," I sighed.

I noticed another message pop up. "You there?"

"Just thinking..." I replied. Then continued to type, "I don't want to be too aggressive..."

"You?" His message ended with a smiley.

"I mean... I don't want to scare her off." I sent it out.

"You won't..."

"I don't know... maybe if she would just give me a sign." I pressed send.

"How many different signs do you need???"

That surprised me a bit, but he was right... "My guess is that she'll just laugh at me."

"I don't think so," Nick replied. "I think we're both afraid to take that first step..." he added.

Nick and I were in the same boat with our female friends, he knew exactly where I was coming from. "Well, I guess I'll have plenty of chances when we head off to the cabin next week."

"Next week?" he responded. "That's next week?"

"It's been awhile for you, hasn't it?" I typed, knowing that it was almost four years ago for him.

"...yeah."

"Maybe you could come out and meet us there?" I thought it wouldn't hurt to ask.

"Thanks for the offer, but, it would be impossible..." his message read.

"Christine and I are going out there Friday, after our last class." I hit send.

"You never told me that!"

I read it and frowned, maybe he was just upset that I didn't let him know earlier. "You didn't ask." I hit send.

"You Driving?" He replied with his simple question.

"No, our plane leaves at 3:30 and we're going to rent a car to take us the rest of the way up."

"And where are your parents during all of this?"

"They're planning to come up sometime Saturday," I responded.

"So... you thinking about making your move on her while you have her alone?"

"Well, most guys would... but she's a great friend..." I typed and sent, then continued. "I don't want to jeopardize that friendship by doing something stupid."

"Interesting..."

"Really Nick, I respect her too much to pull anything."

"Oh... we'll see..." Nick's message glared at me.

What was it with him, he was acting so strange over the last few months? I frowned at my computer screen, trying to figure a way of defending myself from his suspicions. I began to type, "You may think I'll try something on her when I have her alone..." I hit send.

"But sometimes when you love someone as great as Christine..." Again I hit send, "You have to make some sacrifices..."

"...and what's yours?" he responded.

"You'll laugh..."

"Try me..." He shot back.

"...I'm saving myself..." I hesitated before hitting send, knowing he would never let me live this confession down.

"From what?" His smiley seemed to mock me.

"I don't want to ruin any chance I have with Christine..." I frowned a bit as I typed, feeling dumb for confiding in a friend that I haven't seen in over four years. "I'm saving myself for her..."

Another long pause passed before his message appeared, "How sweet."

Now I was sure he was making fun. "Look Nick, I probably won't get another chance to talk to you before we get back...I've got a lot to do."

"Good luck..."

I smiled at his reply. "Thanks... Nick, I appreciate it."

"Hey Hunter...when you see Christine..."

"Yeah?" I hit send.

"Give her a big kiss from me..." I smiled at his message.

"If she'll let me..." I laughed and pressed send.

"She will..." popped his message, then followed quickly by another. "Take care..."

"Thanks Nick... you too." I hit send and waited for a few minutes, staring at Christine's photo's hanging on the wall. When I figured he had signed off I too shut down the program and leaned back, folding my hands behind my head.

Slowly I pulled the pin from my favorite photo of Christine and walked back to the bed, stretching out I shut off the light. The moon was shining brilliantly against the white carpet of snow outside, creating sufficient lighting for me to stare longingly at her photo. I knew that I needed to make a few preparations before we left, tomorrow I would make the first one.

 
Chapter 8
 

We drove the rental up into the mountains; snow was softly falling onto a great blanket of white. I smiled at Christine which she returned, "It sure is pretty up here."

She looked out her window and then back to me, "God's country... it has to be the prettiest thing I ever saw" She pointed toward the snow laden pine trees that lined the road.

"I can think of one thing prettier," I said softly, looking at her.

"What was that?" she asked.

I smiled at her again. "I said... I can think of one thing prettier."

Her face reddened but still she smiled, I was sure she heard me the first time. She changed the subject. "So, how much farther is it?"

"Our cabin is on the other side of this tree line." I then pointed through the woods, "See that building down there?" She nodded. "That's where we can get on the lifts."

"Wow... when did they put that there?" she wondered aloud.

"They built that a couple years back... say, I thought you had never been up here?" Her odd answer puzzled me, but she then cleared it up.

"Uh... Nick told me what to expect." She smiled and shot a surprised look when she didn't think I was paying attention.

I gave her a side ways glance and continued to drive, one gradual turn and we rolled to a stop in front of our beautiful cabin. I heard her draw a breath in slowly. "It probably looks different than how Nick described it to you... doesn't it?"

"It's beautiful..." she spoke as she gently stepped from the car.

"Here!" I tossed her the key and laughed when she dropped it in the snow, "You go ahead and unlock the cabin…butterfingers, and I’ll unload all of this stuff."

She gave me a salute, smiled and walked up to the hand hewn door with the oval leaded glass window. I turned my attention to the trunk and the contents it held. Lucky us, we were stuck dragging most of our equipment with us so my frugal parents didn't have to rent any. I began to set each item on the porch, about four trips later I was finished and closed the trunk.

"Hunter, would you want some coffee?" Her beautiful voice caused me to look up.

"Sure. Just let me put this inside and I'll get the wood for you." I picked up two suitcases and carried them through the door.

"I can get the wood." She smiled. "I'm not one of those weak and helpless girls around campus you know."

I smiled and put the luggage down, heading back out to get another armload. She followed me back out on the porch and carried a few logs inside, it didn't take long and we were both done.

I watched her at the little kitchen stove while she prepared the logs for burning, it was apparent that she had built a fire before. "Where did you learn to do that?" I asked.

She kept stuffing kindling and paper in the gaps of the small logs, "Boy Scouts." I laughed, but she didn't crack a smile. I just let it go, because her humor was just that way sometimes.... real dry.

"I'll start building a fire in the fireplace... we'll have it all warm and comfy in here in a jiffy." She was busy pouring water from a plastic jug into an old fashioned coffee pot.

I sat back and banked the small logs up into a nice little pile, one match and they were crackling and popping with zest. I waited until I was sure it would hold a real good flame and slowly laid a bigger log on it. After about 10 minutes the dried wood had taken hold and was burning with vigor.

Christine stood behind me watching the dancing flames in the fireplace, the light played upon her flawless complexion. She noticed me looking and smiled. "Coffee's ready." I slowly stood up and followed her into the kitchen, that's when I glanced out the window.

She followed my eyes and looked over her shoulder. "Sure looks foggy for this time in the afternoon."

"I don't think that's fog... it looks like snow." We both moved toward the great window which almost filled one entire wall facing the woods. "It is snow... and it's really coming down."

"Do we have enough food if we get snowed in?" She hurried into the kitchen and began to look in the cupboards. "There's not much here..."

I thought for a minute. "There's a small store down in the valley about a mile or so away... we could get something there." She walked back to the huge window and took a sip of her steaming coffee.

"I don't think I could ever tire of this view." Her soft voice was like a gentle song to my ears.

“I know the feeling…” I said as I leaned against the doorway between rooms; watching her lovely shape framed by the window. Then added, "…and I couldn't agree more."

She turned, our eyes locked for a moment. "We should get moving; at the rate it's snowing outside... it's going to be getting pretty bad soon."

I nodded. "You want to come along or stay inside here, where it's warm?"

She looked down at all of the items that we unloaded from the trunk.

"If you don’t mind, go on; I'll stay here and put these away."

I smiled and headed outside, the wind was picking up and the snow was laying about an inch thick on the car already. Using my arm I swept it away from the windows, climbed inside and quickly started it up.

The drive was uneventful to the little store, but I made it there well enough, once inside I was met by a small older man. "Stocking up before she rips loose?"

I wasn't sure he was talking to me. "Pardon?"

"You visiting?" he asked.

"Yeah, we’re staying through the holiday." I began to sit items on his antiquated counter.

"Got a big one moving in tonight and tomorrow..." He jerked his thumb toward the window.

"How bad?" I was wondering about my folks coming in tomorrow.

"They're predicting the worst storm in twenty years."

I drummed my fingers against the counter, thinking of what I should do.

The man continued, "I think I heard one of them weather people calling for 12 to 20 inches…with wind."

"Crap... I guess I'll need more than this." I pointed to the meager items on the counter.

"Carts are over there." He pointed behind me.

Reluctantly I was about to put another hit on my credit card. However, under the circumstances I had no choice and I was sure that my parents would be thankful and offer to repay me for my preparation.

I bet I was there for an hour trying to load up for a few days; I wasn't too worried because I knew that if their prediction came as planned, we'd be pretty happy for stocking up. As soon as I started out of the little store, the wind caught the door and slammed it back against the wall, causing the little old man to scurry like a mouse to shut it behind me.

"You got far to go?" he shouted above the blistering wind.

"No, less than a mile!" I shouted.

"Better hurry... with this wind, these roads will drift fast!"

I made a mad dash outside carrying two bags and quickly tossed them into the trunk, when I turned, the old man was following close behind with two more.

"Here, I'll get the other one... you put these in there."

He ran as fast as he could in the swirling snow as I placed the bags he had brought, along side those I had already put in. Once done, I met him coming back out with the last one.

"Thanks!" I shouted across the howling wind.

"Thank me later... now get!" He smiled and went back into the shelter of his little store.

I imagined that the drive back to the cabin took about twice as long as the drive there. I drove deliberately slow, and the swirling snow created a blindness where I couldn't tell what was road and what was ditch. With my nerves frayed to a frazzle, I finally pulled to a stop in front of the friendly confines of the cabin. I didn't know which a better sight to see was; the glowing lights of a warm, safe cabin. Or, the silhouette of the beautiful worried woman I cared deeply about watching for me through the big window. I decided I would appreciate the beautiful woman any day over the cabin.

I picked up two bags and headed up the stairs, the look on her face spoke volumes.

"My God Hunter, I was scared to death... you've been gone for almost three hours!" She took a bag from me and sat it down on the table.

I sat the other on the table beside it, "It's bad out there..." Suddenly she threw her arms around me and gave me a huge hug.

"Let it snow its worse now, you’re here and you're safe.” She looked over to the box where we stored our wood when inside the house. “I brought in a bunch of wood... and now we are stocked up to last out this storm." I smiled at her big pile of wood that she had stacked high above the box.

"That's a good idea." I said pointing to the wood. "But I actually enjoyed the hug better." She smiled and gave my arm a playful squeeze.

"Is this it of the groceries?" she asked.

"No, there are three more bags; I'll get them. You just warm up a pot of coffee for when I'm done, I'll probably need it by then." She wrinkled her cute nose and gave me a salute.

I laughed and stepped back out into the white swirling snow storm.

"Be careful!" I heard Christine say as I closed the door.

The sudden force of the wind almost caught me off guard, icy cold shards of snow stung at my face and neck. Using my right arm I shielded my exposed skin from the wintry blast, the other was running along the length of the car for balance. I had left the trunk open on my first trip and found that the snow had already begun to drift inside. Knocking the snow from a bag, I picked it up. Moving along the car, toward the house I walked fighting this force of nature's fury.

I crossed the few feet to the porch and sat the sack down beside the door, one bag down, and two to go. I have no real idea how long it took me to do something as simple as pull three paper sacks of groceries from the trunk, but in due time I had all three bags by the door. I stood ready to open it and looked back again at the car, its trunk still open to the elements.

"Shit!" I grumbled as I again staggered back out and into the storm.

I was tired; the snow had to be a good 5 full inches by now. I could see that with the storm's dark and angry clouds, night would be falling very fast as it was already getting darker outside. My foot hit a rock frozen in the ground, causing me to stumble but I was able to use the fender to keep my balance. I looked up at the swaying branches being rocked by the violent winds of this storm, there among the limbs were the electrical service lines into the house. "Those probably won't last long," I thought to myself.

My hands were numb, I couldn't feel my fingers by this time and my face was as cold as clay. I finally arrived at the porch and picked up a bag, as I reached for the door knob it was suddenly pulled open. "Need some help?"

I looked up into the face of an angel. "Here take this..." I handed her the bag I was carrying. I grabbed the last two and quickly stepped inside the warm cabin, using my shoulder I pushed the door closed. Christine had sat her sack down and was quickly taking another from my numb grasp.

She carried the bag she took over to the table and sat it down; I followed and placed mine next to hers.
"It's getting pretty bad out there..." I shook the snow from my hair.

"How much we supposed to get?" Christine wondered.

"The guy at the store said they were calling for anywhere from 12 to 20 inches. They get deep snow around here all the time so that shouldn't be the problem... the wind is what will make it really bad." She helped me off with my coat and hung it on a hook screwed into the wall. "That'll make the roads drift, considerably."

"Well, your inside, and that's all that matters," she replied thoughtfully. I watched her get a cup down and fill it with hot steaming coffee. "Here, drink this." I gratefully took the cup she offered, the heat it radiated felt great to my numb fingers.

Slowly I took a sip and smiled. "This tastes wonderful!"

"You're just saying that because you didn't have to make it."

She flashed me a smile, "Why don't you go on into the living room, I'll put this stuff away and fix us some sandwiches." A gentle push on my shoulder was the only encouragement I needed... I was so worn out from my battle with the snow.

I walked into the living room and watched Christine busying herself in the kitchen through the reflection in a window. Slowly my eyes were drawn to the dancing flame in the fireplace; I walked forward and picked up a rather heavy log. Wondering for a moment of how Christine managed to lug this huge thing into the house, I placed it on the already burning logs. I used the poker to stir up the super heated coals until a flame leapt around the log I had just placed.

Settling into the couch which faced the fire, I took another sip of my coffee and began to untie my shoes. I sat them aside and stretched out crossing my feet on the floor and leaning back into the couch. From my seated position, I could still see Christine putting the items away by looking into the reflection of the big window.

Another sip of the steaming coffee, and I sat the cup down. I closed my eyes; I just needed to rest only a minute or two... I was so tired.
 

End of Part 2
 
 
To Be Continued...
 

---

 
Admin Note: Originally published on BigCloset TopShelf on Monday 12-05-2011 at 07:47:42 pm, this retro classic was pulled out of the closet, and re-presented for our newer readers. ~Sephrena
 
Image Credits: Title Picture purchased and licensed for publishing from 123rf.com. The model(s) in this image is in / and are no way connected with this story nor supports nor conveys the issues and situations brought up within the story. The model(s) use is solely used for the representation of looks of the main character(s) of this particular story. ~Sephrena

Divider licensed for use in publishing from Photoshopgraphics.com ~Sephrena.

Historical Versions: Originally posted at Fictionmania in 2003, and on BigCloset TopShelf in 2011 and Retro Classiced by same site in 2015. ~Sephrena.

Legalities: This work is the copyrighted material of the respective author. ~Anon Allsop.
 

 
Chapter 9
 

"Are you going to want something to eat?" The beautiful naked creature lying next to me asked as we kissed...I thought this was such a strange question coming from the girl.

"Huh?" I mumbled. Then felt a slow tapping on my shoulder.

Softly a voice lifted me from the fog of my dreams. "Would you rather sleep?"

I raised my head and looked around. "Wha... where am I?" Then I remembered being at the cabin. "Oh... Christine. I'm sorry, I must've fallen asleep." I leaned forward and rubbed my face with the palms of my hands.

"I'll go away and let you sleep..." She spoke softly, almost as a whisper.

"No, that's ok. If I sleep now, I won't be able to when it's bed time." I slowly rose to my feet and faced her. "How long was I sleeping?"

She glanced at the thin golden watch on her wrist. "About an hour, maybe less."

She picked up my cold coffee while we walked to the kitchen and sat at the heavy table. "Are sub sandwiches ok?" she asked pouring the cold coffee in the sink. "Well, sub sandwiches without the sub bread... all we have are sandwich style slices."

"They'll be fine." I yawned, trying to fight the sleep from my system.

She placed a sandwich for each of us on the table, along with another cup of hot coffee. I picked it up and started to take a bite. "Are you forgetting something?" She asked smiling.

"Wash my hands?" I mused while chewing, then noticed that she hadn't even picked up her sandwich. "Ok... what am I forgetting?"

Her beautiful smile caused me to grin as well; slowly she folded her hands, closed her eyes and bowed her head. "Oh shoot, I'm sorry," I apologized, knowing that she had a great respect for faith, which that was one thing that drew me to her over the years.

In respect I folded my hands, mimicking her action. Without speaking aloud, I thanked the Lord for sending Christine into my life. "Amen." When I opened my eyes she was smiling and slowly picked up her sandwich.

"Do you think your parents will be able to make it in tomorrow?" Christine asked as she picked up her cup. "This snow will make traveling very difficult."

"...If not impossible," I added. I stood up and walked to my coat. "I have my cell phone, if they need to let us know anything, we can be reached here." I laid it on the table next to my plate and sat back down. "I have the charger packed away; we'll probably need to keep it charged just in the chance that we lose power."

"Do you think that will happen?" she asked with a note of concern in her voice.

"It might, but we have plenty of wood in here, plus more outside if we need it," I tried to reassure her fears.

"Plus all the food that you picked up when you went out in this mess." She smiled, and then added, "My big strong hero!" Trying to sound like a girl from the Deep South, while batting her long dark eye lashes.

I laughed, and then did my best Clark Gable for her. "Twernt Nuthin, Maaam!" She was trying to take a drink when I did my horrible imitation; I thought she was going to spit out her coffee. She held her free hand to her mouth until her eyes started to tear up with suppressed laughter; I reached back and grabbed a towel for her.

While we ate I thought about Nick and the problems he was having with his girlfriend. I know that he would have been here in a heartbeat if he were able, but I did ask him and he said that it would be impossible. I took another sip of coffee and smiled at Christine. She was watching me intently. "You look deep in thought... what's on your mind?" She asked.

"I was just thinking about Nick..." I picked up what was left of my sandwich.

"Oh?" she said as she started to take a sip of her coffee. "What about Nick?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "He likes a girl and doesn't know how to approach her." I chewed my bite and swallowed, chasing it down with the hot liquid. "Didn't he ever talk to you about her?"

She smiled and pushed the half sandwich away from her. "Nick and I don't really talk much." She took another drink. "I guess that I just don't understand him anymore." She smiled and played with her hair.

I too pushed my plate away and took another drink of coffee. "He did tell me to give you something from him." I felt the butterflies began to take flight in my stomach.

"Like what?" she asked smiling, absently looking at the snow through the big window. I wasn't sure if I caught her by surprise when I leaned across the table and tried to kiss her cheek. "Hunter..." She turned her head toward me and ever so slowly, and our lips touched.

I can never remember doing anything that ever made me feel so wonderful or terrified before in my whole life; everything taking place during that one fleeting moment. Her lips were gently parted with my name gracefully perched on them, mine were eager as a young teen but controlled by age.

The feeling of her soft, lush lips, warm and sensuous, gently touching mine was both exhilarating and frightening in the same breath. Slowly I pulled away when she touched my face lightly with her soft hands. Our lips parted, this time my hand snaked behind her head and pulled her close, her perfume stroking the gentle recesses of my mind.

Slowly we parted; I became fearful of what she was going to say. She smiled and flushed with a bit of embarrassment. "I... I..." I stammered.

She smiled at me. "Now... was that from Nick... or you?"

"Ok..." I thought. "...at least she doesn't seem mad." I sat in confused silence before I could make my voice speak. "Christine...I ...I know that you didn't want to become involved with me..." I felt like a school boy trying to confess for breaking the window. "...I can't..." I stammered.

"Hunter..." She smiled then took a deep breath. "This is what I was afraid would happen."

I looked away sadly thinking..."Well, here it comes." I turned back to her and softly spoke. "What are you afraid of Christine?"

I could see the tears welling in the corner of her eyes, making the blue even bluer. My heart dropped, how could I ever hurt her? "I'm so stupid!" I sighed.

"No... No you aren't." She placed her small hand on my arm. "At least... you know what's in your heart..." A single tear rolled down her soft cheek as her eyes became glassy.

I dropped my head and clenched my jaw for a moment. "So that's it... after all of these years, you still don't love me." In utter sadness, I stood and walked to the big window, only my reflection was visible to me with the darkness outside. Slowly Christine appeared behind me.

"It's not that Hunter... I..." She looked up toward the ceiling. "Oh God; why did you make my life so complicated?" I slowly turned to see her bury her head in her hands.

"Let's sleep on it... we can talk in the morning," I replied. She nodded slowly as I continued, "It's getting late anyway... and we're both tired."

As we stood there facing each other the lights flickered, then the room was bathed in darkness. The only light was from the soft glow of the fireplace. "I figured that would happen." I sighed and walked to the couch.

"Without power... how will we heat the bedrooms upstairs?" Christine stated the obvious.

I smiled and pointed to the fireplace. "It was intended for show but it'll do double duty and keep us warm too, but... we'll probably need to sleep down here to keep warm." I walked up the stairs and into one of the darkened bedrooms. "These will help." I tossed a few blankets over the banister to Christine.

"I guess there's nothing left but go ahead and get ready for bed," I said as I came down to the first floor.

"Ok... you first," Christine said. "I'll work on the fire." I nodded and headed back up in the dark rooms to seek out my suitcase.

I found where she put them and pulled out the long sleeping pants that I had packed away, quickly slipping them on. I pulled off my shirt and threw it on the bed while digging for the shirt I wanted to wear at night; normally I don't wear one at all. I kept feeling around the bag and everything I found was either underwear or dress shirts. I stumbled over to the bed and looked for the shirt I had just pealed off..."All right, where the heck are you?" I asked the darkness.

I knew that it must have either fallen under the bed or was hidden between the mattress and headboard. I frowned and just left the room in frustration. I was soon walking down the steps toward the living room. Christine looked up and placed the fireplace poker in the holder. "Now it'll be good and hot." Her eyes widened a bit as the soft light brought me into full view.

Her beautiful eyes followed my chest down toward my sleeping pants; I knew what she was thinking. "I can't find my shirt... it's just too damn dark up there." She did a slow nod and that patented look of hers as if she didn't believe me. "Really Christine..."

"I'll get changed now..." She looked from me to the fire. "I'm assuming that we'll be sleeping on this couch tonight? Can I trust you?" She shot me a wry smile.

"I'll be a good boy..." was all I said, and then started to unfold the blankets.

She disappeared into the inky darkness of the room and I was alone to my own thoughts. I knew that I had really messed up this time, I had probably screwed up the one big chance I had, by pulling something as stupid as kissing her. I finished the blankets and sat down at one end of the couch, watching the wood's glowing red embers dance with the flames. I leaned against the corner of the couch and listened to the gentle pop and crackle of the burning log, its hickory smell teasing my nose with its aroma.

I felt myself drifting off to sleep, slowly falling into the welcome rest that I desperately needed.

 
Chapter 10
 

The howling wind brought my mind to wakefulness, I opened my eyes and looked to the big window which was mottled with wind driven snow. A snap of the fire reminded me of the situation we were in. I slowly looked down to the flames, it was still burning nicely. I noticed my watch sitting where I had placed it, 3:35 am. I yawned and stretched my arms out, looking around. Christine was sleeping soundly, her breathing deep and restful. I watched as the dancing light play upon her soft features, her legs tucked under her and the blanket covering her like a shroud. I smiled and slowly closed my eyes, allowing a peaceful sleep to once again claim me.
 

 
I awoke with a start, it was one of those types of reflex actions when you are beginning to dream and have something start to fall, my whole body jerked as I attempted to catch it. I sought out my watch... 4:41am, the soft glow from the fire created dark dancing shadows upon the walls. I wondered if I should get up and toss another log into the glowing pile, I began to stand up when I realized that something was laying on my right leg.

At some time during the last hour or so, Christine had repositioned herself so that she was using my leg as her pillow. Gently I reached out and brushed the golden hair from her face, letting the soft light play upon her delicate features.

The cover she was using slid partially off of her, exposing her arms and upper body to the chill. I followed my love's contour downward from her flawless face toward the long slender neck that I would give almost anything to kiss. I smiled, watching the slow rise and fall of her breathing. Then my eyes spied the slight opening in her top, in the dim lighting I could make out the soft roundness of her sloping bosom. I sat transfixed on her breasts, feeling like a pervert drinking in an erotic view. I tried to force my eyes away, but the view I had was one I had dreamed to see for so long.

She seemed to stir, then rolled completely over and faced the back of the couch. I felt my breath leave in one long gasp; I quickly looked away toward the fire. Another button of hers had come undone, allowing full view of a pert breast. I hesitated, but again my eyes were drawn like a moth to a flame. The soft slope gently curved down toward a gradual round gloriously full breast, I looked back away... almost afraid to be caught.

My eyes were slowly pulled back, the cool room teasing her nipple into a erotic and sensuous erection. I felt my penis stir, oh how I wanted to reach out and gently caress one of those beautiful orbs... but I stayed my lust.

I closed my eyes and said a silent prayer to the power's that be..."Why did you put me into this predicament with a woman who isn't interested in me?" I sighed softly. Again my attention was turned toward her lovely upturned face; I wanted so much to be able to kiss her again... and again. "Why can't you find it in your heart to love me?" I whispered my burning question to her sleeping form.

Her hand twitched under her head, its nearness to my crotch causing a slight wave of pleasure. I could feel it slowly coming to life, hidden under her soft hair. I sighed as I watched her eyes closed in slumber, her long dark lashes creating a feathery curve upward. I adjusted myself, slowly pushing her hand aside. "We could have had so much Christine..." In a barely audible voice I whispered.

I felt tears begin to burn at my eyes and I looked away, laying my head to the back of the couch. After a few minutes I got hold of my emotions and looked back at her. She was staring up at me. "Good morning Hunter... What time is it?" she whispered softly, her voice sounding both erotic and innocent.

"Almost 5am..." I whispered back. I don't have a clue why I did what I did but I gently stroked her cheek with my fingers, pushing a few loose strands of hair away so I could see her beautiful eyes.

"Sorry I used you as my pillow..." Her whisper and the vibration of her reply were tickling my desperate libido. I smiled, realizing that she wasn't in any hurry to move.

"Any time..." I replied softly, as she gently took my hand in hers. Not a word was said over the next few minutes as we both gazed deeply into each other's eyes, each trying to figure out what was to happen next.

She slowly sat up facing me with her back to the crackling fire; her eyes glanced at my chest. Lightly she allowed a cool palm to hesitantly rest against the warm skin of my stomach...gently her fingers stroked upward to my neck. I felt my body shudder with her light ministrations, as her hand slowly came to rest behind my neck. I felt myself lean in; slowly the dim shadow between us darkened... our lips met.

This was the kiss I had been waiting on for almost 4 years; it wasn't me aggressively smothering her... but rather a mutual bonding that I wanted to last for our entire lives. I heard her softly moan, the vibration felt in my own lips. I couldn't believe this was finally happening... deep down I realized that I must be dreaming. If this was a dream... then please God... don't wake me up!

My hands found the small of her back where I let them glide up to her smooth shoulders. The material of her pajama tank top slipped off of one shoulder, I tenderly brought it back up for her only to have it fall again. "Leave it," she whispered.

My kiss began to fall lightly upon her exposed shoulder, her chin slowly raised toward the ceiling. One gentle touch after another they fell until I was dangerously close to her soft breast. My growing manhood, strained to be set free. I backed away and looked deeply into her eyes. "Oh God, Christine... I want you... but..." I slowly eased myself away from her and stood up; keeping the small afghan I had over me covering my huge tented pajamas.

She sat down and smiled at me. "Hunter... sit down... we need to talk."

"I prefer to stand," I answered her sheepishly.

She leaned back against the couch, pulling up the strap that had fallen. "I'm glad you at least... uh... find me pleasing." She spoke, pointing to the afghan.

I sighed deeply. "You do so much more than that for me Christine..." I watched her swing her tiny feet over the edge of the couch and stand up. She bent down and gathered up two more logs, tossing them into the glowing fire. The flame slowly leapt to life creating a brighter glow within the room.

As the flame leapt up around the logs, it created a glow around Christine like an aura. I could see her silhouetted form right through her clothing, the shape of her soft breasts clearly defined. I focused my attention elsewhere so I could lose my lustful human need.

Thankfully, my very pronounced excitement for her was softening into something less embarrassing, she watched me toss the afghan onto the back of the couch and laugh. "I'm sorry, that was mean of me... I really didn't intend for that to happen..." Her voice to me, sounding much like of a little girl.

"Mean?" I was surprised, and then answered truthfully. "I don't mind at all Christine, as long as it's you doing that to me."

Her eyes glistened in the soft light. "I don't believe you'll think that when I tell you what I have to." I looked toward her with a question in my eyes.

"Nothing would make me upset with you Christine!" I replied boldly.

"This may..." She looked down to the floor. "You'll be shipping me back the first chance you get..."

"Okay, out with it... what have you done that is so awful?" I tried to prepare myself for what she was going to say.

She had tears in her eyes and her lip was beginning to tremble. "Sit down..."

I found myself complying as she walked toward the big window, her shapely silhouette framed by the white snow that stuck to the glass outside. My mind raced with all the scenarios that I had thought about for the last three years... pregnancy, a lesbian, married? She wiped her eyes and shook her long blonde hair from her shoulders.

She cleared her throat and began. "I'm not who you think I am..." She bit her lip and shook her head. "About five years ago my cousin was killed in a horrible auto crash... she was 18 then." She raised a trembling hand to her eyes and wiped away a tear.

"But what does this have to do...?" I began only to be stopped by her.

"Please Hunter, let me finish while I still have the courage to do so." She let out another deep sigh and continued. "My cousin's belongings were sent to my sister in the hopes that one day she would grow into them..." Her voice began to quiver with emotion. I attempted to stand up but she motioned for me to sit back down.

"Among her clothing were some odds and ends of jewelry..." She looked at me and then quickly away. "Somehow, as I came into contact with one of the little items in the bottom of her box...and the clothes..." She began to cry and I moved to her side. My arms pulled her in and just held her there until she could continue, something was bothering her greatly. I knew that she needed to get if off of her chest, I only hoped it wouldn't ruin the chances we had with each other.

She gently pushed me away and moved toward the fireplace, I followed and stood at one end of the couch. She began again. "...I felt a tingle pass through my body..."

"A spider bite?" I whispered softly.

"I wish..." She laughed. "If it could only be explained away that easy!" I smiled at the sound of her beautiful laugh... God I loved this girl.

She began to play with her long golden hair. "You sure you don't want to sit down?" she asked again.

"I'm ok." I smiled, wondering what was so mysterious, and yet... enjoying the view.

"Well... that tingle that I felt..." She frowned, and then flipped her hair back over her shoulder. "That tingle changed me... into this." I followed her gesture up and down her body.

"So... That's the part I love!" I joked.

She gave me a sideways glance. "Uh-uh... Hunter, you don't understand." She stomped her tiny foot against the shiny wooden floor. "That tingle... made me a girl!"

I laughed at her seriousness. "Great... like I said, that's what I love about you!"

She threw her hands into the air in frustration. "You’re not understanding me; the Christine you see before you... WAS A GUY!"

The unflattering sound I made came out like a balloon that was released untied, and was dashing about the room on its own. I quickly stopped laughing when I saw that she was very serious. "Ok... you're trying to tell me that you used to be a guy?" She nodded her answer.

"No way..." I laughed. She showed no smile. "That can't happen..." I gave her another long look. "If that's true... then, do I know you?" Again she nodded. This line of questioning was making me very nervous. "Who then?" I asked. "I never met you before that first day on campus."

"Well... an easier answer would be to say that... I am my own cousin." She covered her face with a slender hand. I stepped back in disbelief.

"Oh... shit... shit, shit, shit!" I paced back and forth. "Shit!" I stopped and watched her crying, not sure whether I should hold her or hit her. My heart was aching with pain and anger. Now it was my turn to go to the window.

"This is impossible!" I reasoned. "You're trying to play a joke on me.... right?" I asked hopeful.

The only sound she made was soft crying, and the staggered breathing with emotion. "Damn, Christine... this isn't possible!"

I moved closer to her and looked deep into her stunning eyes... "No way. Nick? No way... No freaking way!" She gave me a weak smile and nodded slowly.

"Things like that only happen in the movies!" I walked around her looking at her generous curves. "You've got to be joking... please tell me you're joking," I pleaded with the pretty blonde.

"I only wished I was..." She sighed and sat down. "That's why I tried to keep you at a distance Hunter; I didn't want to hurt the only friend I had!" She wiped her eyes and sadly looked down. "I tried not to fall in love... but you... you were so nice to me and polite. How could a girl not fall in love with a guy like you Hunter?"

I moved back to the window and watched the snow fly past in the very early morning light. "Damn Christine... I kissed you..."

"Was it that horrible?" she asked.

I stood there looking at her shapely back. "No... No it wasn't." I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "You don't understand Christine... I wanted to do things to you... things that only a man and woman could do!" I turned back toward the window.

In a voice as small as a mouse she replied, "And I wanted you to..."

I raised my eyebrows and turned around to face her. "Why the heck did you wait so long to tell me?" She looked over her shoulder then back toward the fire. "Almost 5 years!" I whispered sternly.

"I tried when we first met... but I was afraid of what a guy... any guy could do to me!" She lowered her head. "But, like you said that day... I needed a friend..."

I swallowed hard walking back to her. "Prove to me that you used to be Nick!" I folded my arms and waited.

She slowly rose to her feet and walked back toward me, her body gliding with grace and beauty. "Well... you have a mole... right there." She pointed at my crotch.

"My folks could have told you that! Try again." I waited as she walked around the room.

"Do you remember masturbating in the woods to see who would ejaculate first?" she laughed.

I felt my stomach drop, that secret was Nick’s and mine alone. "Oh... shit, it is you."

"I told you so..." was all that she said.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing as I watched her beautiful form tremble with fear. "So... that would explain our rocky introduction?"

She looked down. "I had only been female for a short time..."

I put my hands against the mantle, looking down at the fire.

She shook her head slowly. "I never asked for this to happen to me... it was the hand that was dealt and I'm stuck with the results." She wiped her eyes with a tissue. "I fought the feelings I was developing with each passing day... feelings that were natural for other girls my age."

"Other girls? You said other girls; does that mean you now accept what has happened to you?" I stood facing her. "Did you ever think to change back?"

"More than ever... but at the time we didn't know what caused it. When we figured it out... it was too late." She threw her arms against her side in utter frustration.

I pointed toward her shapely figure. "I just can't believe this... you look every bit a female as I've ever seen..." Slowly I moved toward the window again, thinking deeply. I again studied her from where I stood.

"I am..." She frowned and looked down. "In every possible way."

I studied her features, even realizing what she said was true... she was breathtakingly beautiful. I sighed. "You just can't imagine how many times I wanted to take you into my arms and love you..." I paced back toward the large window. "How many times I would dream of lying with you..." I turned to face her. God she was beautiful.

"You probably won't believe me but... I had those same feelings & dreams too!" She took a step toward me, her body's silhouette showing through her pajamas. "I tried to keep away from you... but after awhile... it seemed so natural." She took another step forward, causing her breasts to sway slightly from the movement.

"I too would dream of you... and what we would do together. At first, I fought the feelings, but sometime about two years ago... something changed. By that time, I was afraid of what you would think of me." She sat down hard on the couch, her back to me and cried.

I turned back toward the glass. "Who all knows about this... change?"

"Just the people I love. My family... and... now you." I felt my shoulders slump. My mind raced, on one hand I was upset with her... the other... I couldn't explain what I was feeling."

"So... what do I call you? Are you Nick... or Christine?" I turned and leaned against the wall.

"Nick is gone... he has been for almost 4 years. I'm Christine." She spoke not turning to look at me.

"So, all those times it was you on the computer?" I moved toward her and stood behind the couch. "I told him things... things I could never say to you!" It was then that I realized some of our conversations that we had. "The girl you... Nick was interested in..."

"Wasn't a girl at all... it was you," she finished.

I didn't know what to think with that revelation; she had turned toward me and moved to the edge of the couch. "So... what happens now?" she asked pleadingly.

"I... I don't know. I really need to be alone and think."

I found myself at the door and slowly opened it, feeling the blast of icy wind on my exposed skin. "Uh... just not out there." She smiled at my blunder.

 
Chapter 11
 

I sat in complete silence across the room watching her. She was busying herself cleaning and straightening up for when my folks would arrive, hopefully later today... but, I wasn't sure that was going to happen as the storm continued its fury outside.

She was dusting, and that surprised me somewhat because Nick would never have done anything like that. I decided I would ask. "Christine?"

"Yes?" Her voice was soft as a breeze on a summer day.

"You used to be Nick, right?" She nodded and continued cleaning. "Then, why do you act so... well, so feminine?" She stood up and folded her arms under her breasts. I tried to not make it obvious that I noticed the feminine way she was moving.

"That's a fair question... she responded, then continued to dust. I guess I really haven't noticed as much lately, but it wasn't so at first." She picked up my empty coffee cup and carried it to the kitchen. "My new body slowly craved things at first, feminine scents, make-up, more revealing clothes... those feelings I fought with passion. As you are well aware." She bent down at the sink to retrieve the dish soap, her shapely rear seemed to draw my attention... I forced myself to look away.

"Somewhere deep down, the change was occurring. I wanted to change... but still I fought it. Doing things the feminine way just begins to feel normal. Then, when you talked me into joining that Sorority, that's when I knew to accept the unavoidable... I was destined to remain female." She began to turn the handles to the sink and realized that without power... we would have no water for the dishes. I thought it was funny when she frowned.

"About that same time... my feelings for you changed as well." She turned and leaned against the cupboard. "I started feeling... funny around you." I felt my own face flush with warmth.

"Oh?" That was the only thing I could think of saying.

"I began to wonder what it would be like to be kissed by you, and..." Her voice cracked.

"This is just too weird." I sighed, causing her to laugh.

"Tell me about it." She paused for a moment to think, then continued. "Hunter, when we kissed... did you enjoy it?"

"...Well, yeah." Again my face reddened.

"Did it turn you on... sexually?" she asked.

"I... well... I guess so..." I began to stammer. "You saw the results your kiss caused..."

"Well... I felt those things too! Somehow, the change from Nick to me... made me begin to think like a woman does as well." She slowly moved toward me and sat down. "I can't think any other way now... it's been that long." She slid back against the seat more. Now, I seem to react to things like a woman would do; I keep finding I want what every woman my age wants?"

I smiled. "And what would that be?" I asked, even though I thought I knew her answer.

"I... I want... a house somewhere in the country." Her smile was beautiful. "A flower garden... and..." Her crystal blue eyes looked at the window.

"What?" I found myself wondering.

Tears began to well into her eyes as she fought to find the words. "Hunter... I... I want... I want you."

It was as though she was speaking to my heart with those words, words that I wanted to hear for so long... but now... what did they really mean to me?

I sat in silence, watching her tears streak down her cheek. "I want you for the rest of my life... if you would only have me." I said nothing in response, but instead stood up.

"Part of the reason I liked you Christine was that you enjoyed watching sports with me... we seemed... seemed to have a lot in common. I thought that was so cool... but now... now I know the real reason. Somewhere... deep inside is Nick." I looked down into her tear filled face.

"Nick is gone... he died when I fell in love with you." She stood beside me. "Now Hunter... it's your turn... what is it that you want?"

I smiled and stepped away. "Oh no you don't...you don’t try that stuff on me!" I knew what she was trying... acting so much like a woman. "I told you long ago... when we talked... well, you knew that I wanted children..."

"We can have them..." She stepped closer. "As many as you like..."

I again backed away. "But you... you're Nick!" My voice trembled.

Again she took a hesitant step closer. "...Not anymore Hunter." The little tears still clinging to her eyes, she took another step. "I'm Christine, until the day I die."

I stumbled across the carpet. "What would people think if... if they saw us together?"

She smiled, her deep dimples lighting her entire face with their beauty. "They would just think..." She touched my chest. "What a lucky girl..."

I pushed her hand aside and regained my balance. "Christ Christine... do you know how often I dreamt of you coming on to me like that? Too dam often! I shouted, and then answered my own question. "You can't just drop a bomb like that and expect me to just automatically accept it!"

She stamped her little foot. "That's exactly what I expect Hunter... I had to! Only I didn’t have a choice!" I realized that she was right... to a point. "I didn't have a choice in the matter..." She repeated softly and frowned and tried to hide her tears. She studied my face for several long seconds, "What? Did you think I WANTED this to happen to me?" She began to cry, I wanted to console her but I had too much anger bottled up inside.

I stormed into the other room and stared out of the window thinking to myself. "What right does she have in asking me to accept her... as a woman? How can she possibly accept it herself?" I drug my trembling hands through my thick brown hair, looking back into the room I had just left; I could see her there still crying. I felt like such a lout, it was true that she didn't have a choice on how she was feeling, she was only acting like a woman because that's the way her body dictated she should be. I looked toward the polished wooden floors. "Even now, I was still thinking of her in the feminine context, to me Christine would always be a she." Again, I watched her from across the room, she was sitting there looking at me over her shoulder... almost pleading me with her eyes.

I hesitantly walked back into the room. "Christine?" I was met with a gaze from two gloriously crystalline blue eyes. "You knew long ago that I liked you... why didn't you just play along and not say anything about ever being Nick?"

I slowly sat in the big chair facing her; she brushed her silky blonde hair over her shoulder and cleared her throat. "Hunter, that's a pretty good question... I've wrestled with it for quite a long time." She fidgeted with the pillow under her hand. "I didn't want anything to do with you Hunter; I didn't want to see you for fear of what you would say... but when... when you started to talk to me like... well, like a person... I didn't want to say anything that would chase you away from being my only friend." She looked away then back to me. "I knew you liked me... and that scared the hell out of me!" Just the tiniest hint of a smile crossed her face.

She started to stare at the crackling fire. The words began to flow from her mouth, her gaze unwavering from the dancing flames. "I began to dream... of you... and me, I knew... once you made your way into my dreams at night, that I was in trouble." She lowered her gaze to the floor. "Do you know what it's like to love someone that you know you can't have?"

I laughed. "I know too well how that feels!"

Her beautiful eyes darted toward me then back toward the floor. "Yeah, I guess you would." She turned to face me, leaning against the pillow. "I kept hoping and praying that some day you would make your move on me... but you never did."

"I wasn't brought up that way Christine." I spoke without looking away from the fire. "You were so good at being... female that you kept your true feelings hidden." I glanced quickly at her... God she was so beautiful. "I knew that a girl as pretty as you were would never be interested in a guy as plain as me. I just figured that we were destined to be friends."

"And that's the way I wanted it... but something strange seemed to happen over time." She slowly rose to her feet and walked to the wood pile, all the while I was transfixed by her graceful form. "The longer I stayed as Christine... I began to look at you differently." I felt my face beginning to warm. "I started to shudder when you touched me, then when we would talk... my stomach would fill with butterflies." I watched as Christine picked up a knotted log and deposit it in the flames. "Remember when we were playing in the snow last week?"

I nodded. "You mean when you ambushed me?" I said suppressing a laugh.

She got a gleam in her eyes and said with an almost sigh. "It was that day that I knew."

"Knew what?" I replied, knowing full well what her answer would probably be.

A hint of red crossed her face. "Well, I knew that if I was going to be stuck... like this." She tapped at her chest. "I wanted someone that I felt safe around, someone who wasn't going to take advantage of me... someone who loved me for who I am and not what I am?"

"Someone…like me?" I sighed.

"...Someone exactly like you..." She slowly rose up and faced me. "Hunter... can't you look past what I once was?" I could see tears forming in her eyes. "...and toward who I now am?"

I could feel a swelling in my throat, she was right but I had so many questions. "How could you possibly hope to get away with this... what if the insurance companies come after your family? What about the police, surely someone will figure out that Nick is gone?" I stood, placing a coffee table between us.
"Nick is gone... he left to visit his... my grandparents. He just quietly drifted away..." She motioned with a graceful sweep of her slender hand.

"How do you explain yourself? I mean... Christine. Remember, she was killed in an accident?"

"Yes, she did die from the results of that accident. Only it was almost a year later... the media had already moved on to bigger and better stories." She placed her small hands upon her shapely hips. "My father and Uncle have been working on the legal end for almost four years now... don't you think if anyone would be concerned, they would have said something by now?"

She had a point I thought, and then asked, "What about the insurance company... wouldn't you think they would notice Christine was still alive?" I sat back down in the overstuffed chair.

"It's possible, but, that's why I'm living with my Uncle and Aunt." I watched her walk slowly around the chair. "Don't you find me at all interesting...?" She stopped in the front of the chair.

"Christine... I..." I began to look for an escape route.

Slowly she placed one knee to my immediate right, the other to my left... effectively trapping me between her knees. "A... Christine... I..."

I never finished my sentence; she grabbed my shirt by the collar and pulled me into her. I felt her scoot forward into the chair, seating herself directly over my crotch. As she pulled her soft lips away I focused on her blue eyes. "Christine... I can't. Not this way."

"You don't find me sexually stimulating?" She pouted sadly.

I drew in a breath deeply. "Oh... that's not an issue at all." She smiled and slowly rotated her hips upon my stiffening penis. "It's just... I'm a virgin and I really want to save my..." Her lips settled gently upon mine, tongue darting inside with mine.

My own stiffness was the direct result of being so near to this beautiful creature. Slowly she began to rock gently on my erection. "Tell me you don't want that..." Again she pulled my lip inside her moist mouth.

"In a heartbeat... but not like this." I pushed her back. "Not this way..."

It seemed that the life went out of her. "I... I understand." She began to get up. "I had only hoped..."

"Christine." I gently pulled on her hand, turning her around. "You are so desirable..." I stood up ignoring the huge tent in my pants. "What would we say to you're folks... my folks... what would they think?"

She smiled. "Who do you think was pressing me so much to go out with you? That's right... my folks felt that you could be trusted with my secret."

Her eyes were searching mine as we stood there facing each other. Gently I raised my hand, my thumb stroking her cheek as I kissed her forehead. "I just need time..."

I straightened back up, looking into her closed eyes... she sighed, her hand lightly touched my chest. "Take all you need..." Then she smiled. "I'll be here when you're ready." I smiled at her with a corner of my mouth and turned to walk away. "Hunter?" I looked back. "If it means anything to you... I admire the fact that you're still a virgin after all these years." I nodded my reply, feeling my face grow warm... she glanced away, and then continued, "If it means anything... I'm still one too."
 

End of Part 3
 
 
To Be Continued...
 

---

 
Admin Note: Originally published on BigCloset TopShelf on Monday 12-05-2011 at 07:47:42 pm, this retro classic was pulled out of the closet, and re-presented for our newer readers. ~Sephrena
 
Image Credits: Title Picture purchased and licensed for publishing from 123rf.com. The model(s) in this image is in / and are no way connected with this story nor supports nor conveys the issues and situations brought up within the story. The model(s) use is solely used for the representation of looks of the main character(s) of this particular story. ~Sephrena

Divider licensed for use in publishing from Photoshopgraphics.com ~Sephrena.

Historical Versions: Originally posted at Fictionmania in 2003, and on BigCloset TopShelf in 2011 and Retro Classiced by same site in 2015. ~Sephrena.

Legalities: This work is the copyrighted material of the respective author. ~Anon Allsop.
 

 
Chapter 12
 

We were sitting at the kitchen table both staring out the window at the storm outside. My cell phone began to ring on the table, its sound momentarily taking us back into reality. I picked it up and gave Christine a glance. "Hello?"

"Hi son, you two staying warm?" my Dad asked on the other end.

"Hi Dad." I pointed toward the phone and Christine nodded. "Where are you guys at?" I wondered.

Christine stood up and began making another pot of coffee. I found myself watching every move she made. My Father's voice seemed to fall on deaf ears.

He had gone on for almost a minute when something he said brought me back. "What did you say just now?" I asked.

"I said that the airport has been shut down out there for the last day." Dad sounded a bit irritated to repeat himself.

"So just come out later then..." Christine turned and sat a clean empty cup in front of me as I reasoned with my Dad.

"They told us that it's going to take the rest of today and most of tomorrow to clean up from the storm... I guess they're waiting on the winds to die down a bit before they're going to do anything. That's not taking in how the roads around there are going to be... it could be a week before they dig you two out!" He coughed into the phone. "So... I guess you two kids are going to have fun out there without us... Mom doesn't want to make the trip now and have to sit at the airport until they get everything opened up."

"Oh come on Dad..." I drummed my fingers on the table. "At least you have to try?"

"No son... we're not going to bother. Not now." His voice had a hint of sadness.

"What do you mean... not going to bother?" I surprised myself by answering.

"Hunter... The roads are drifted shut, the airport is closed... we can't get in!" His voiced rose in the phone as if to emphasize his point. Then he calmed down to his usual tone. "You two got enough food?"

"Yeah... I got some when we came in yesterday." I noticed that Christine had paused to listen.

"You should have plenty of wood outside... that's what I paid Mr. Hughes for anyway."

"We do... he has a bunch stacked on the porch and more along the south end of the house in that little shed." Christine began to pour me a cup of coffee. Her beautiful nails reflecting back the light from the window.

"Well that ought to keep you two snug and warm..." he laughed. My eyes darted toward Christine who had seated herself and began sipping her own coffee.

"Yeah... snug and warm," I echoed him. "We'll try to get out as soon as we're able...okay?"

Dad paused for a moment. "You two stay put for the entire vacation; maybe being alone with each other will do you some good." He chuckled on the phone. "So... tell your old dad something. You sleep with her yet?"

"Dad!" I gasped into the phone. "No... No I haven't done anything like that!" Dad started laughing into the phone.

"Well Hunter... I wouldn't pass up the opportunity if it happens! Not every guy gets a chance at a pretty girl like you're having." I rolled my eyes. Christine covered her hand over her mouth... I think she knew that dad was teasing me... how could she not know!

I looked at Christine who was licking some granulated sugar from the rim of her coffee cup, I don't think she was trying, but it was very erotic and stimulating to my libido. My father continued, almost startling me. "Well son, I don't want to use up all your battery...so I guess I'll leave you two to whatever you were doing..." He laughed. "But promise me one thing before I hang up... if you have a son, name him after me!" His laughter was the last thing I heard before he ended the call, I just sadly shook my head in embarrassment.

"Well?" she asked as I laid the phone down. "What did he say?"

I chose to ignore what his last comment was and instead focused on the information he provided in the beginning. "Airports are closed... they aren't coming." She frowned at the news.

"So, we're stuck here... in the snow." She sighed.

"Pretty much it in a nutshell," I nodded. "At least until they get things cleaned up."

"At the rate it's been snowing, and the wind." We both looked toward the window. "We'll be stuck here until well past Christmas." I sighed.

She patted my arm with her cool touch. "It could be worse..." I saw a smile creep across her lovely face. "We could be stuck somewhere without each other for company."

I laughed and took a nervous sip of coffee. "I'll have to bring in more wood... that is, if I can find any under all this snow." I took another sip of the coffee. "Maybe I can find something we could use as a Christmas tree while I'm out there?"

She nodded then looked toward the empty water jugs. "You go ahead; I want to see if I can melt some snow for our coffee and dishes...I have four empty jugs and our cooler. We can boil it clean." I smiled at her answer, thinking that she was one resourceful woman.

I left the room to get dressed; I needed something very warm to head out into this stuff. The upstairs was so cold that you could see your breath; I quickly found what I needed and got back down to the heat.

"Damn it's icy up there!" I called out to her.

She came into the room and looked toward the bedrooms. "Not much chance of heating those until the electricity comes back on, is there..."

I looked up over my shoulder. "Not much of one."

"I guess I should probably get dressed too..." She made a grimace with her face. "I'm going to hate this, won't I?" I laughed at her comment and nodded watching her move hesitatingly up the stairs.

I began to lace up my boots when I heard her squeal. "Cold isn't it?" I called up after her.

She didn't seem to be gone for more than two or three minutes, but once she had disappeared from sight... I could hear her gasping from the cold. "Geeze! It's freaking cold up here!" she called back.

As I was lacing up the other boot, she came bounding down the stairs, making a bee-line straight for the fireplace. "Burrrrrrrr...The next time I go up there will be with a coat on!" I glanced up at her and did a double take; both of her nipples were jutting out from her top. All I could do was smile as she went to warm herself by the fire. She turned to face me and even though I tried, I couldn't help my eyes from darting back. "What???" she asked.

"Nothing..." I laughed and continued to lace up my boot.

She looked down finally and all she could say was, "...Uh... Oh my." I laughed at her reaction and stood back up grabbing my jacket and gloves. "I supposed you enjoyed your little show?" she asked with a smirk.

I couldn't help the grin spreading across my face. "It was alright..." I turned and headed toward the door as one of the pillows from the couch struck me in the back of my head. "...But I have to admit, I never saw a guy who could do that with those puppies..." I laughed and quickly jerked the door open and stepped through for my own safety.

"I'll 'alright' you one!" she shouted over the wind as I stepped out into the blizzard.

The snow was blinding as I pulled the door closed behind me, swirling and biting me like an attacking dog. I could no longer see the car as it became one with the huge drift that had consumed it. Using the lower areas of snow, I began my trek toward the back of the house where I knew the extra wood was stacked. The snow was deep here where I was walking at almost 24 inches high, great drifts towered high above me on each side. The thick snow caused me to work harder, my legs burned from the high stepping through the snow, my breathing haggard.

I trudged into the fierce wind, to the back of the house where I remembered seeing the wood when we arrived but it was now buried under one single drift that left the house and trailed off for about 40 feet. "Shit. It's buried!" then I recalled the little shed that was used for the extra wood. I knew that it was a distance from the house but I was relatively sure that I knew where it was. Amid the swirling snow, I found the shed and began to put logs into my arms when I spied an old toboggan hanging on the wall. Smiling at my good fortune, I began to pile wood inside the sled and dragging it between buildings so it could be stacked on the porch.

After about the 3rd or 4th trip I had become disoriented among the swirling snow, the fear of missing the house completely and stumbling off into the blizzard made me realize just how fragile I was and stupid I had been. I should have tied a rope to the porch so that I could find my way back and forth.

Now I could be lost! In my attempt at trying to find the house, just by accident I ended back at the shed full of wood, I leaned against the pile trying to catch my breath. My chest was burning from the icy air that I had been forced to breath; I was tired and felt as if I could just sleep where I was. For a brief moment I could see the roof of the house some 40 yards away so I had a general direction to travel... if only I could get my body to respond.

I knew that if I stayed in this element too long I would probably die from exposure so I put out one leg and followed it with the other, deep in my mind I knew that Christine would never find me if I fell. Then I began to think about her, here I was snowed in with a beautiful girl... and I had pushed her away from me... not once, but twice. I fell and struggled to get back up, pulling the toboggan behind. My mind returned to Christine, she didn't look anything like the Nick I remembered... didn't act like him either. I leaned against a small tree until I could catch my breath. "God if I can handle this... I can handle anything." I again looked up until I saw the roof through the white swirling snowstorm. "Including Christine..."

All my life I had pined for that creature, then when she finally is willing... "I’m such a dumb ass!" I coughed. But still my mind argued with my feelings... "She's a guy for crying out loud!" I sighed and again fell in the snow only to slowly climb back to my feet among the white blinding blizzard. I could see Nick; I could see Christine... neither alike but both the same. I shook the cobwebs from my addled brain, Nick was gone... he I could no longer touch. Now Christine... she I could touch... and love.

I found myself looking into snow, feeling its icy grip on my face... I had fallen again. Slowly I gathered my hands under me and pushed. "I am such a fool!" I thought about Christine. "I have to get back inside..." My legs felt like butter as I pushed myself into a standing position, my clothes were beginning to freeze into the position I was wearing them. I could just make out the house in the storm, the wind roaring like an angry lioness in my frozen ears.

My foot slipped and I fell forward plowing my head against the icy snow, I rolled over and looked up. "For Christine!" I whispered as I again staggered to my feet in the horrid wind. As if a million miles away I could hear a voice calling out to me... "Hunter! Hunter!"

"Christine?" I shouted back. Then, as if an angel appeared from nowhere, she was there standing before me, gently pulling me along.

"Come on... I'll help you," she encouraged me as we walked. "We're almost there."

It felt as though I had been walking for hours when I finally saw the blessed shape of the porch loom before my watery eyes, Christine sat me at the porch and fought back into the snow to retrieve the sled full of wood. In only moments she stumbled back into view with the sled in tow.

She and I slowly moved up the stairs where she threw open the door and I stumbled inside to the table. My hands trembled from the cold as snow clung in great clumps to my clothing. "Here... drink this!" She placed a cup of coffee before me.

"But... I didn't get the tree..." I argued as she began to strip off my frozen gloves and coat.

"Forget the tree... as long as you're safe!" She sighed, and then threw my frozen wet clothes on the floor. "I'll be right back..." I watched as she left the room and headed outside, my trembling legs bouncing with cold.

I could hear her on the porch for what seemed like an hour, then soon enough she was back inside dragging the loaded toboggan behind her into the room. "I figure it's easier this way." She smiled as she struggled.

She quickly threw off her coat and ran her hand through my hair. "Are you going to be okay?" I listened to her words and mulled them over in my mind... then nodded. She crouched down and looked into my eyes, once convinced that I was alright she hugged me tightly. "I don't know what I would have done if...." I felt her bury her head into my neck, the warmth she expelled felt so good. "You're freezing..."

"We'd better get you over to the fire to warm up!" She pulled at my arm until I stood up, together we walked into the living room where the fire crackled and popped its welcome.

"Sit down," Christine commanded; I was too exhausted to argue. "We have to get these wet clothes off you!"

I couldn't resist her, my muscles failed. She began to quickly work at my buttons until my shirt was lying near the fire, steaming from the heat. She threw the big afghan on my chest while I tried to control the chatter in my teeth. Next she attacked the laces of my boots, now caked with melting snow and ice. In one motion she stripped them from my feet, throwing them aside. She ran her hand under the caked, icy pant bottoms and tugged my socks off. My feet began to burn as she quickly began to unbuckle my pants. I sat shivering as she tossed them next to the shirt, the steam slowly rising from their surfaces.

I tried to talk but couldn't seem to control my body now racked with shivers, she frowned and threw on another blanket. "S... SS... So cold!" I chattered. I felt movement next to me, her face close and filled with tears. I felt her draw me near, gently stroking my head... pulling me into her chest.

"Shhhh...You rest now..." Christine whispered. "I'll take care of you," I thought she said as my eyes began to close.

I wasn't sure if I was dreaming this, while still lying in the snow. Was it my mind playing tricks on me? I could feel warmth against my skin, but I needed rest... needed to sleep... so tired. It was as if someone reached back and pulled the plug on my body, suddenly draining me of all power. One minute I was trying to think, the next I slumped into the warmth in utter exhaustion. I don't have any idea how long I was out but when I opened my eyes, it was dark outside.

Looking down I found Christine sleeping next to me, warming me in the process. I gently reached up and touched her hair, she stirred. "Hey... are you okay?" she asked softly.

I pulled the blanket up under my chin. "I am now... thanks to you," I replied, she smiled and gave me a hug. "I think I'll be okay now..." I tried to reassure her.

My eyes traveled from her to my clothes lying next to the fireplace, a hazy ring around them on the floor evidence of the water that they once... maybe still contained. Slowly as my gaze traveled back toward us, and became locked on her shirt, jeans, shoes and socks lying on the floor nearby. I knew, there was nothing suggestive in her actions... she must have unclothed herself to warm my body. Remaining well hidden and warm under the blanket we shared until I awoke. I flexed my hands... at least that worked. She kept watching me intently for signs of injury. "Thanks for doing that... you know... warming me up..."

"You should know... that's not a problem Hunter," she whispered. I found myself watching the way firelight was reflecting against her shiny lips. Slowly I became aware of another little problem, I was gradually becoming aroused... down there. We both knew what was happening... under that blanket.

"Uh... you can get up now... if you want." I smiled down into her blue eyes, trying to hide my embarrassment.

"I don't... its warm here..." I felt her hand against my bare chest. "And here..." Her hand moved to my stomach. "And here..."

Slowly her gentle touch rested upon my penis. "Uh... you don't have to..." I gasped as it rapidly became more erect.

She raised herself up and swung a knee across my leg, expertly keeping the blanket over us both. "But I want to..." she replied seductively. Again taking up the position that she held me in earlier...straddling me, trapping my penis beneath her; this time though I wasn't about to argue.

I could feel her warm smooth leg against my own, her light hands falling gently on my sides as she leaned in and kissed me. Christine’s slim moist tongue erotically danced along my lower lip as we parted from our kiss. "I don't care if we're snowed in on Christmas. I don't care if we don't have a tree to decorate..." She looked over her shoulder at the crackling fire. "What's more romantic than spending Christmas in front of a warm fire with the one you love." She smiled and again kissed me lightly on the lips, causing a slight chill to run the length of my spine.

I had decided out there in that storm that I was going to go ahead with the plan that I had when I knew that she was coming to Vale with me... only I had hoped to give it to her while we were on the slopes somewhere. I looked back toward the fire as it popped, shooting a spark harmlessly backward into the wall of the fireplace. "I do have a Christmas present for you..." I whispered hoarsely into her ear.

"And I have one for you..." She was facing me when the blanket slowly slid down her shoulder, exposing the sexy little silky white negligee I had bought for her.

"That outfit..." I realized it was the one I had bought as a joke. Only on her, it was nothing like a joke... she was stunning.

"Are you sure?" My voice became haggard with emotion.

"As sure as breathing..." she whispered back, lowered herself down on me and then began to gently rock her hips.

I closed my eyes, my breath escaping slowly. Slowly Christine's perfect lips touched mine lightly, her tongue tracing along my lower lip as she continued to rock my world gently. “Looks like I forgot to put the bottoms on...you don’t mind, do you?” She whispered.

"N…no. Not at all, but can we have a life beyond this?" I whispered as her kisses slowly lowered to my neck. "Won't you ever miss your old life?" The kisses with the weight of a butterfly danced across my chest causing my penis to strain in anticipation.

"There can be no turning back..." I sighed as if the air was being compressed from me.

I felt her finger on my lips. "Shhhh... you talk too much." She pushed my face into her pillowy chest.

No longer did I think about her being my old friend... he was truly gone. She was here with me now... and we were alone, Christine and I. I pulled her close, gently engulfing her nipple within my hungry mouth... rolling my tongue across its erect tip. I felt her gently guiding me into her further, the other entwined firmly in the hair on my head. All I could hear was the gentle crack and popping of the fireplace logs, and our kisses and breathing.

Her smooth fingers lightly touched the base of my rigid penis as it became lost in the void, swallowed within the moist folds of her eager womanliness. She began to rock and drew my head deeply into her chest, her soft pants and moans pulling me deeper into her seductive womb. I gently touched her waist, just above her hips with a light feathery caress causing her to shudder and lean against my chest. We sat like that for only God knows how long, and then she began to move slowly, gently at first. I could feel the want building in my loins; I knew I wasn't far from expelling my seed into her hungry womb. "Christine... we need to stop," I gasped with her rhythm.

"No... I can't... I don't want to stop," she sighed kissing the top of my head.

"We must..." I grunted. "Or I fear you'll be pregnant."

She smiled and slowed her rhythm, kissing my eager lips. "I don't care... I've wanted you for such a long time." She gently forced her tongue in-between my lips. "If it happens... it happens." She then stopped kissing me quickly. "Only Hunter... only if you love me..." She put her tiny hands on each side of my face. "Do you love me Hunter?"

I felt tears sting my eyes. "More than life itself Christine..." I whispered softly.

She straightened up, pushing her unfettered breast into my mouth...quickening her gyrations. I knew I wasn't long from the explosion I knew would seal us as partners for life... still, I tried to prolong it for as long as I could.

Suddenly she jerked with a spasm, a smile slowly settling on her face. "UH..OH…YESsssss..." Like steam escaping a locomotive she sighed. Her trembling body shook again, causing her to giggle. "Oh yes..." She slowly worked her tongue into my ear, the feeling driving me wild with passion. "Are you sure?" I fought desperately against the need to explode inside her.

"I’m..." She began only to feel the steady pulse of my seed directly into her fertile womb. We both exchanged a longing look then she smiled. "I guess it's too late to wonder... isn't it?"

I threw my head back against the couch where I could see her stunning body lit by the soft light of the fireplace. The beautiful white lace top was resting around her small waist. "The bottoms...?" I asked, causing her to smile.

"Would you believe me, if I said that they didn't fit?" She asked coyly. And then she proceeded to rock again on my still hard penis. "I don't care if I become pregnant... as long as it's yours." In reply, I kissed her soft slope of her breast.

Her gentle rocking kept us together for awhile longer, neither wanting to part from our love making. Until finally we both succumbed to sleep, with me still deep between her soft thighs.

 
Chapter 13
 

Morning found us lying on the floor, next to the crackling fire, covered by a soft blanket across our waists. Neither of us was clothed and I felt wonderful there beside the woman I loved. I slowly moved closer, kissing her soft moist lips. Christine's eyes fluttered open and she smiled. "You feel so good..." she said throwing a silky smooth leg across mine.

"I was thinking the same thing." I smiled and slowly rolled her onto her back, and gently kissed her soft breasts.

"So... where do we go from here?" She sighed, lips slightly parted... looking erotic and sexy to me.

"I thought you might ask that," I laughed. "I came prepared... close your eyes."

She shut them tight, the long lashes resting beautifully against her lids. "Keep them that way..." I slowly rose up and reached for my coat, now dry after being near the fire.

"What are you planning to do to me? Christine giggled suggestively.

I quickly crawled back under the covers and let my tongue gently touch the tip of her nipple, causing her to suddenly inhale. "This..." I said then began kissing her nipple deeply. "And this..." I moved onto the other.

Her legs slowly parted, my hand found its way there. "Make love to me..." her quivering voice whispered.

I happily obliged.

She slowly ran her lovely hands through her long golden hair, each erotic move made me hunger for more... when had she become so seductive? I felt my hardened penis at heaven's door, slowly being guided by her light touch.

As I entered she shuddered with anticipation. Gently her legs locked around my waist, slowly rocking her hips with the rhythm of mine. We made love on the floor of that cabin, for only god knows how long. Not rampant sex but love... true and honest until each of us hit the pinnacle of our need at the same time. Gone were the two separate people who entered into this cabin, now we were one... forever one...forever more.

I kissed her neck, and then worked to her precious lips. "Remember last night when you gave me my present?" she giggled, I was sure that she recalled the little outfit she had on for that short while... "Well, I have something for you..." She gave me a questioning look as I raised my hand to her eyes, there perched on my little finger was the diamond I had bought with me.

"Merry Christmas... Christine."

"Are you sure?" Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Yesterday... I wasn't sure of anything. Being out there in that blizzard made me realize what I would miss if I let you go." I kissed her forehead as she stared at the diamond. "I was afraid that if I loved you... that would make me gay..."

She smiled and stroked my chest. "Hardly... you're all man..." She looked back to the ring for the second time. "But I want this to be your decision... Are you completely sure?"

"Always... I've just been waiting on you..." I slipped it from my finger and held it out for her. "Christine? Will you marry me?"

The tears were welling in both our eyes, with a trembling hand she allowed me to slowly slide it upon her finger. I looked down at those beautiful blue eyes, pulled her close... and kissed her.

 
Chapter 14
 

We finally heard a huge payloader outside early in the morning two days later, after the wind had subsided. The local's were slowly digging themselves out and us along with them. As soon as we were able, we loaded our bags... packed the cabin and headed out toward the airport. By noon we were winging our way home... my lovely fiancé smiling and close by my side.

We climbed from the plane and crossed the tarmac toward my waiting parents, hand in hand we walked. My mother exchanged a quick glance with my father, both were smiling. We stepped through the gate and gave them both a hug. "You two seem happy." My mother smiled as she spoke.

"Mom, Dad... we have some news for you." I stood grinning like a Cheshire cat, and exchanged a loving glance with Christine.

"Christine and I..." She held out her hand showing off the ring I gave her. "We're going to be married!"

Mom scoffed. "You aren't surprising me..." She winked at my father. "I've known you'd marry each other since you met... there was just something in the air about you two."

"Hey that's great! You two can honeymoon at the cabin!" Dad exclaimed; he was all smiles.

Christine gave him a shocked glance then quickly looked at me. "No Dad, I think we would like to go somewhere really warm." I laughed.

Dad hugged Christine close and shook my hand, then slapped me on the back. Mom waited. "How soon should we begin planning the wedding?"

I looked from Christine to Mom. "As soon as possible... I don't want her to change her mind." Christine squeezed my hand.

Mom gave us both an unusual look then smiled slowly. "Uh-huh... I feel sooner rather than later." She said, then looked at my father smiling. "Many wonderful things can happen when you're snowed in."

 
Chapter 15
 

I leaned against the window of the hospital while Christine quietly nursed our daughter Gabrielle in the rocker. "Do you ever miss... being... well, him?" I asked, looking back at her smiling and rubbing noses with our daughter. "I guess not..." I answered for my lovely wife.

Slowly I turned and leaned against the bed watching them both. "God, you two are beautiful!" Christine only looked up and smiled. I toyed at the ring on my left hand, even after the last eight months I still don't think I'll ever be used to it... but I'll never remove it from its place of honor. Christine was gorgeous, even after having our daughter... sitting down beside her I kissed them both. Mom was right... Many wonderful things can happen when you're snowed in.