|
Whom
are they meant to convince? |
By:
M. J. Cogburn and C. E. Krawiec
|
At
first, Allen thought that the brief ride down to his quarters would give him
a few moments to think about the last hour spent on the winter wind-swept
beach with Siren. That thought
was disproved when the elevator made three stops before it drew to a stop on
the fifth level. Two or three
friends accosted him, asking about his day, one even ribbing, "For as
red as your cheeks are, you must've really gotten outta line for her to slap
your face. Or did you deserve it
and just stood and took what you had coming to you?" Rolling
his eyes, Allen gave Ty Gibbson a shove, sending the other man almost to the
other side of the elevator car. "Not
that it's any of your business but my face is red because I took a walk on
the beach. So the only
"she" that did anything to my face was "Lady Winter's"
winds." Just saying the
words sent a trace shiver up his spine. Ty
and Sandy Leedum just pasted on "yeah...sure...whatever you say"
looks, chuckling like hyenas. Allen
just shrugged and turned to face the elevator doors, having noticed that
level five was the next stop. Getting
off the car, he headed purposefully down the hall toward his quarters,
ignoring his aping friends trailing behind him until each reached his own
front door. Once
in his quarters, Allen got out of his parka, tossing it on
the sofa. At first, he did
nothing, just standing there, rubbing his hands together and thinking,
allowing one or two thoughts he had studiously ignored since parting ways
with Siren a few moments before to venture to the foreground of his mind. Of
those two thoughts, the one he entertained most readily, and reviewed more
than once, was how easy and relaxed things had been on the beach.
Two people... "Friends,"
he said softly aloud to himself, unaware of the trace of firmness in his
tone as he spoke. "Just two
friends...and, okay, co-workers, taking a walk on a beach.
People do it all the time."
The comment felt right, so Allen dismissed it.
A glance at the clock revealed that he had plenty of time for a
leisurely shower, and to call the theater to check what movies were playing
tonight. Though not a movie
palace by any stretch, the complex's movie theater boasted three screens,
and more often than not, the limited show times were sold out. "Right,"
he said, continuing to comment aloud to himself. "Standing here isn't
getting me any closer to that shower." Grabbing his parka from the
sofa, Allen started down the hall to replace the coat in his closet but as
he entered his bedroom, an errant thought flaunted itself through his mind. So
it was just two *friends* walking on the beach, huh?
People do it all the time, huh? Tell me, pal, how many people
do you know who go for long walks on a beach
in the dead of winter? Allen
stopped, standing in the open closet doorway, parka in one hand while
reaching for a hanger with the other. He
frowned, hissing under his breath back at his conscience, "It's not
like that!" Not
like what? his conscience prodded
him. That you didn't enjoy Siren's company?
Or, that you enjoyed the chance to put your arms around her and give
her a good tight hug? She did
feel good...didn't she? Allen's
response was more reaction than anything else. "Yes...No!
It's not like that at all. Siren
and I are just co-workers and...and friends.
Nothing else." Yet
for all of the vehemence in his voice as he argued with himself, there was
that other thought that kept blocking his escape from the first thought.
It was one he was having a hard time getting past. Perhaps if he just
said it aloud and... "No!"
he declared strongly, shoving the parka into the closet and slamming the
door much harder than necessary. Stubbornly
Allen ignored his conscience's whispering as he stripped off his clothes and
took a shower. Forty-five
minutes later, showered, dressed and his thoughts under a tight rein, Allen
called the theater to check show times.
Jotting them down on the notepad he kept on his nightstand, he hung
up the phone and stood up. Tearing
the sheet of paper from the pad, he tucked into his pocket then turned off
the small lamp and crossed to his bedroom door.
Stepping into the hall, he stopped to reach in and turn out the
overhead light, plunging the room into darkness. As luck would have it, a
narrow shaft of light from the hallway cut through the darkened bedroom,
cutting a swath across his rumpled bed.
It was all that the imp in his head needed to start it whispering
again. Allen ignored it, as best
he could, as he left his quarters and headed for the elevators, turning his
thoughts in any direction that didn't include Siren, at least until he had
to think of her. At
the elevator, he was grateful that there wasn't anyone else around as he
waited. A car soon arrived, he
got in and pressed the button for the seventh level. "I
hope she's ready," he murmured under his breath, more to drown out the
whispering than anything else. The ploy worked, at least until he presented
himself at the door of Siren and Xavier's quarters and rang the bell.
A moment passed before the door was opened Siren.
That's all it took to break the short leash he had his thoughts on. It's
going to be a long night,
he thought with a silent sigh. Could
be you might have company to pass all those long hours? Siren
smiled at her co-worker standing before her.
He looked rather introspective at the moment, but she quickly opened
the door wider to let him in. "I
still need to get my shoes. Come
on in," she beckoned him in with her hand as she moved back in through
the door. She watched as Allen
came in before she moved back to her room. When
she had gotten home, she had immediately stripped out of her clothes and
took a shower. She had wanted to
at least look decent on her "date" with Allen.
She had picked out one of her nicer dresses and had continued to
argue with herself over anything happening down at the beach with Allen
McAllister. Even as she went to
her closet to get her shoes, she was still berating herself.
"No,"
she said softly. "Nothing
happened out there. It was
just..." Yeah,
right. He would have kissed you
if you had let him. If you
had... Siren
shook her head. "No.
There's nothing there. Nothing." Pushing
the little voice aside, Siren grabbed her purse from the edge of the bed and
started back out into the living room to see her father and Allen talking
quietly to the side. She
frowned, not quite sure what was going on, but she'd find out.
"So,
is this the fatherly meeting before we can go out for dinner and a
movie?" Siren asked carefully with a grin, making sure that they knew
that she was kidding. At
the sound of his daughter's playful question, Xavier turned his head toward
her, a genuine smile on his lips. "Should
it be?" he asked lightly. Displaying
for a moment a side of his personality rarely seen by the other complex
occupants, Xavier's blue eyes twinkled as he glanced sidelong at Allen.
"Mr. McAllister...do you have designs upon my daughter
other than dinner and movie?" Though
he still felt a certain sense of watchfulness about who Siren's
father was, nonetheless, Allen was surprised at how deftly the older man put
him at his ease. The two or
three minutes of chatting was light and even interesting. Still,
he watched what he said and how he said it.
A father was a father in any language, but when a young woman's
father was the Supreme Torture Master for Lothos, a smart man stayed on his
toes all the time, even during a relaxing moment.
Now, he followed Xavier's lead, responding, a grin appearing,
"No, sir. The only designs
I have are for whatever I wind up choosing to have for dinner."
Glancing at Siren, and appreciating very much how pretty she looked
at the moment, he added, "This is just what your daughter indicated,
sir. Just dinner and a
movie." Xavier
nodded, his eyes still twinkling. "Well,
in that case, I'll wish you two a nice evening.
I've got some paperwork to finish and then I'm going turn in
early." With the obvious intent that Allen McAllister should see the
action, Xavier dropped a broad wink at Siren. He chuckled lightly when she
took the bait, swooping forward to brush a kiss on his cheek before moving
toward the door, saying as she went, "Dad, I'll bet you lunch at your
favorite restaurant that you'll be sitting right there in your chair,
reading when I come through the door later." Xavier
affected a "how could you think that" expression, chuckling when
Siren's only response was to roll her eyes as she grabbed Allen by one arm
even as she opened the front door and started out.
Staying with the mood of the moment, Xavier went to stand in the open
doorway. Watching as
the couple started off down the hall, he called out, "Siren...what
should I be reading when you come in?" An impish fatherly smirk
appeared on his lips as he watched his daughter stop and turn back to look
pointedly at him, waiting for her reply. Siren
smiled at her father. "The
Three Little Pigs?" she said before she glanced at Allen.
"And don't forget to do the huffing and puffing!"
She then brought her hand up to her mouth and blew him a kiss.
"Be back in a little bit, Dad." Siren
saw the smile that her words brought to her father's face.
Looking at Allen then back to her father, she waved a goodbye then
shut the door before anything else could be said.
Turning back to Allen, she smiled at him.
"I hope that little fatherly talk didn't make you nervous." Allen
shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly but the grin that appeared on his face
as waited for her belied the casual action.
"Maybe just *this much*," he admitted, holding his
index finger and thumb just barely apart. He, too, chuckled at
her reaction as he stepped back then moved to her side as they started
toward the elevator. "Actually, he wasn't as bad as a couple of other
fathers have been when I picked up their daughters for a first date."
He affected wiping sweat from his brow.
"One guy..." he shook his head as if the memory was still
fresh. "I thought she and I
would NEVER get out the front door!"
Allen's grin broadened and inside he felt something good when Siren
chided him, "Oh that didn't either happen! You're just saying
that." Reaching
the elevator bank at that moment, Allen pressed the call button then turned
to face Siren, holding his right hand up solemnly, his left pressed over his
heart. "Yes it did, too!
I swear! If you don't
believe me, you can ask her!" Siren
fixed her impromptu evening companion with a mock stern look, her gaze a bit
narrowed. It didn't, however,
stop her blue eyes from twinkling as she demanded, "Alright, I will!
What's her name?" Allen
blinked a couple of times. "Her name?" "Yes,
her name," Siren repeated. She paused in her 'inquisition' just long
enough to step into the elevator. Turning,
she watched Allen get on, waiting only until the doors closed and Allen had
pressed the button for the second level. Then she got right up in his face,
wagging a manicured finger at the end of his nose, demanding, "Name,
please." The
easy relaxed bantering had come up between them as effortlessly as taking
one breath then another and, if asked, Allen would have readily admitted
that he was enjoying it. What
would another minute or so of it hurt? "Name?
Oh, oh, right. Name," he said, swallowed, licked his lips then smiled
brightly, "Allen. Nice to meet you." Siren
couldn't help but laugh and pushed him slightly to the side of the elevator
car. "You are so full of
it," she told him plainly. She
smiled as he came back over to her and chuckled.
She shook her head good-naturedly.
"It's a good thing that I have a good sense of humor." "It
sure is," Allen said as he placed a hand on the small of her back.
"Okay, so you got me," he admitted as caught a whiff of her
perfume. Oh...
yeah... she's got you all right his
conscience told him quite plainly. She's
got you more than you know. Allen
shook his head to rid himself of the nasty little voice that was coming back
to him. "Should we go pick
up our tickets for the movie first and then go eat?" Siren
nodded. "Sure, why not?
Easier to watch something when you're not trying to concentrate on
eating something that's in your lap anyway." The
two of them went directly to the movie theatre once they got to the second
level and were thoroughly disappointed when all the movies for the shows had
been sold out. Seeing the way
that Allen seemed to be irritated, Siren poked him lightly in his ribs. "No
worries, Allen. This just means
that we can have a more relaxed dinner." He
conceded to that and decided that he would treat her to the best food that
they had on the island. He
placed his hand back on the small of her back again, then told her plainly,
"Then I pay for the meal. It's
already been set anyway." "Allen.
I can't..." "Oh
yes, you can. It's my treat,
Siren." Seeing
the look in his eyes, Siren nodded then thanked him.
She was more than surprised when she was led to The Island Room, the
most exclusive restaurant on the island.
When her escort wrapped her arm around his she smiled, and just
decided that she was going to enjoy herself for the evening. The
movie had been a wash-out, but on the other hand their impromptu evening
together wasn’t a total loss. In
spite of the fact that Saturday evening was traditionally one of the two
busiest nights of the week for The Island Room, Allen and Siren were shown
to a table after a brief ten minute wait. As
the waiter held her chair for her, Siren looked across at Allen and said in
a low voice, "Exactly what did you do to get reservations here?"
She smiled her thanks to the waiter as he continued about his duties,
offering each of them a menu. She
didn't see the way the man pursed
his lips thoughtfully to keep
from chuckling when Allen's sense of humor maintained its level as he
answered, "Crossed my fingers behind my back," causing Siren
to roll her eyes yet again. Her lips twitched a moment before she told him,
“If I wasn't a lady, I'd kick
you under the table." For
Allen, it was far too good of a line to let it slip by, and as he focused on
his menu he murmured, "My ankles are most grateful that you are a
lady." "Would
you care for a drink, ma'am?" David Tighman, the waiter, smoothly
interjected. From their behavior
and conversation, he knew this
was going to be a good table. Couples
that enjoyed each other's company as this couple clearly was, always tipped
generously. Thus, he gave the
lady his most courteous and genuine smile as he waited for her answer. Siren
looked up at the waiter and said, "I'll have..." Allen
cleared his throat softly and placed his hand on Siren's arm.
"We'll both have a glass of Dom Perignon Rose' and some water,
please." Siren
just looked at Allen for a brief moment before the waiter tilted his head
and said, "A fine champagne, sir. A
most excellent choice. I'll be
right back with that then I'll take your order for your meal." Siren
waited until the waiter was gone before she said, "Good grief, Allen,
that's expensive. Are you sure
that you..." "Siren,
don't worry about it. What good
is money if you can't spend it here and there and enjoy the company that one
is with?" Allen smiled
warmly at her as he placed his hand on top of hers.
"Please, indulge me." Though
the restaurant, as usual, was quickly filling up with other patrons, at that
moment, as Siren sat there looking across into Allen's eyes it seemed for a
moment that there was no one else in the room.
On the fringes of her thoughts, she vaguely admitted that she like
the feel of his hand on hers. "Alright,"
she said at last, her smile warming, "consider yourself indulged." Allen
didn't give Siren a chance to change her mind. "Good," he said
softly, deciding it was time to rein in his sense of humor at least some.
"And you have to promise to order whatever you want from the
menu." Seeing her mouth open as if to speak, he lifted a hand, pointing
his finger at her. "Ah, ah, ah. Remember,
you agreed to indulge, me, pretty lady, and I’m going to hold you to your
promise." It
had been a while since the last time she had been so spoiled...in fact,
it was Dad who spoiled me on my last birthday.
That thought was enough to make her realize that it had been too long
a while since an attractive man had wanted to spend time with her for an
evening. It felt good.
It felt very good. The
waiter returned just then with the champagne.
As he deftly poured two flutes of the Dom Perignon, Siren simply
looked across at Allen and smiled warmly at him.
Accepting the flute of champagne from the waiter, she waited for
Allen to receive his the held her glass out to him. "To
good times spent with good friends," she said.
"To
very good friends," Allen reiterated. They clinked glasses gently and
started to drink. Well, Allen did. Siren's glass got only as far as her
lips. "What's
the matter?" Allen asked, immediately concerned when she didn't take
even a small sip. Siren
studied the champagne with longing in her gaze as she set the glass on the
table. "I can't," she
said softly. "Why..."
Allen began then stopped when the proverbial light bulb came on and he
offered her an understanding, if sheepish, look.
"I'm sorry," he apologized as he immediately signaled the
waiter. David
Tighman just happened to glance in the direction of Siren and Allen, thus
seeing the lady set her glass down. He
responded promptly to the gentleman's signal.
"Is there a problem, sir?" "No,
it's fine," Allen assured the man then added, "Would you bring her
some...sparking cider..." At
the waiter's uncertain expression, Allen said softly, "She's
pregnant." Understanding
lit up David Tighman's eyes as he smiled. "Yes, sir. I understand
completely," he said smoothly then moved quickly away to get the
requested beverage. By
the time that the waiter came back with the sparkling cider, Siren had
decided on her meal. They placed
their order; both had a salad with Siren choosing filet mignon and Allen
ordering a T-bone steak and, in due time their meals arrive.
As they enjoyed their food, they continued to banter back and forth
and laughing at each other’s silliness. After
paying for the meal, Allen stood and helped Siren out of her chair before he
wrapped his arm around her back. He
led her out into the open area of the second level and stopped outside of
the restaurant to look at the lovely woman beside him.
"Do you want me to walk you home?" he asked softly. Siren
couldn't remember the last time she had spent such a pleasant evening with
someone other than her father or her girlfriends. What about those nights
with Trevor? Being
in punishment with Trevor isn't the same,
Siren argued with her conscience even as she smiled at her companion. You
didn't seem to mind potluck with him instead of filet mignon and champagne. Siren,
however, displayed her inherited stubbornness as she argued with herself.
She ignored her conscience, deliberately pushing the annoying little
whisper firmly out of her thoughts. "Doesn't
a gentleman always escort his companion home at the end of the
evening?" she asked, "Okay,"
Allen agreed. However, when he
turned to guide her back in the direction of the elevators, he stopped when
she added, "But not yet." Siren's
smile widened as she sighed, looking around the grand main walkway.
"I'd like to just walk for a bit."
She met his gaze and held it. "Give our dinner a chance to
settle." Allen
didn't need a lot of convincing. Inwardly,
he had admitted to himself that he wished the evening could last a little
longer. It was early yet--a bit
past nine-thirty--and he wanted to spend a little more time with his lovely
companion. She's
your boss. *So
what? Employees sometimes spend
time away from work with their boss.* Yes,
they do his conscience agreed, but
even that agreement was ignored. Allen didn't like the snide manner in which
it had been offered. Instead, he
gave Siren a warm smile and offered her his arm. "Shall
we stroll?" he asked. "Yes,"
Siren agreed, slipping her arm through Allen's proffered crooked arm. They
strolled slowly the length and back again of the second level, their
conversation as general yet light and fun as might be expected between
friends. Yet as the hour grew
later ever so subtly, unrealized by either of the couple, the undertones of
the conversation, and their body language, began to change. It
was only when perchance that the couple saw their waiter on his way toward
the elevators, his jacket unbuttoned and his tie loosened a bit that they
realized how late the hour truly was. It
was with unspoken reluctance between them that Siren and Allen made their
way to the elevators. A press of
the call button brought an elevator quickly and they entered into the car. Siren
didn't think a thing wrong when Allen slipped one arm behind her waist,
holding her lightly by his side. As
the elevator descended silently, she turned to him. "Thank you for a
perfectly lovely evening, Allen. I
had such a good time." As
the elevator slowed then stopped, Allen reacted, not looking at the floor
level indicator as he applied light pressure to Siren's back, urging her out
of the elevator. It was only a
moment later and a few steps forward that both realized... "Ah,
geez," Allen murmured apologetically, turning to Siren. "This
isn't your floor," he apologized. "I'm sorry, Siren."
Immediately he started to turn to guide her back to the elevator, good
manners dictating that he amend his error as quickly as possible.
However, at that moment, good manners were forced to step aside by
other feelings as Allen stopped, taking Siren lightly by her arms and
turning her to face him. "No,
I'm not," he murmured, gazing into her eyes.
Somewhere in his mind, Allen McAllister knew Siren was going to do
something...say something. When
she did, he knew that he would have to honor whatever she said…but she
hadn't spoken yet. That, for
him, was the “do or never think on it again” moment. Not
giving his own sense of chivalry a chance to step in, Allen took a step
closer to Siren, lifting his hands to gently cup her face between them.
He saw the brightness in her startled eyes, felt the warmth of her
blushing cheeks...the soft fullness of her lips. "I'm
not sorry at all," he whispered again then leaned forward and gently
kissed Siren. Siren
was more than surprised; she was... enjoying the feeling of his lips on
hers. The soft kiss was
something that she hadn't expected to receive from Allen, but it was nice
nonetheless. The soft pressure
of his lips on hers increased only slightly and Siren stepped slightly
toward Allen, placing a hand on his chest.
His
lips lightly parted and Siren allowed herself the pleasure of his kiss, his
tongue meeting hers. Siren
moaned ever so lightly and felt Allen respond in kind.
She didn't want to pull away from him, didn't want to ruin the
moment. It was so nice, so what
she wanted. It
was Allen who finally pulled away from her and met her eyes.
"Come with me?" he questioned, his eyes searching her
reaction to the kiss. Seeing her
nod her head slightly with a soft blink of her eyes, Allen wrapped his arm
again around her body, and walked her the rest of the way to his quarters. Opening
the door, he held the door open for her before he too entered and shut the
door. He knew exactly what had
spurred him into the action - the soft moan he had heard from her that he
had so wanted to hear again. He
moved quickly to her, pulled her to him and moved in to kiss her with a
passion, only to kiss her as softly as he could.
* Responding
as she had to Allen's soft, "Come with me?" had felt right to
Siren. There was no getting
snagged by her conscience to make her hesitate. Or
was it that she didn't want to hesitate to go with Allen?
That thought, too, had been swept aside as they continued to his
quarters. Stepping inside, and
as she heard the door shutting behind her, Siren chose to be in the moment,
turning and watching Allen moving toward her.
Unresisting, she went into his arms, his lips on hers all that
mattered now. From
the look in his eyes, Siren had expected Allen's kiss to be intense but it
wasn't. Rather, it was tender,
his embrace, though definite, not demanding.
All of that, swirling and melding together in a flurry in her mind,
was considered and answered. Answered
when the kiss was broken, her breath catching softly in her throat, tilting
her head to one side to allow Allen's lips to explore the line of her jaw,
the warmth of his breath on her skin sending a quiver throughout her body. Allen
couldn't just keep his hands on just one spot of her back.
They roamed over her back as he kissed her jaw and down onto her
neck. "Siren," he
whispered her name softly, as his hands dipped as low as he dared at the
moment. He could smell the soft
scent of her perfume, the smell of her shampoo and of the soap she had used.
All of it mixed within his senses, becoming a heady fragrance that
wouldn’t let him resist. As he
slowly made his way back up to her jaw then to her lips once again, this
Allen’s his kiss had become demanding, wanton.
He was surprised that her response was just as demanding. From
the first time he had kissed Siren in his quarters in front of everyone at
the party, Allen had wanted to be with her then.
Pulling away from her, he leaned down slightly and scooped her into
his arms before his lips found hers again as he carried her carefully into
his bedroom. Feeling her hand on
his face, her arm around his neck, all he knew was that he needed her.
After he gingerly set her down on his bed, he kissed her yet again.
He moaned slightly in anticipation when her hands came up to unbutton
his shirt. He
let his hands roam lightly over her frame, down her shoulders, arms and back
up again before his hands began to unbutton her blouse as well.
Even after he had unbuttoned them all, he slightly waited knowing
that she'd stop him if he was going to far. Siren
must have felt his resistance in going any farther.
Keeping her lips on his, their tongues dancing with each other, she
stripped out of her blouse and her bra before their lips parted.
Their eyes met and before either could say anything else, they worked
together on getting out of the clothes they had so carefully picked for
their evening together. Up
until Siren's fingers had reached to release the first button on his shirt,
Allen hadn't allowed his thoughts to wander into the tantalizing landscape
of "what if" where Siren was concerned.
Yet as the evening had progressed, that landscape had steadily if
most subtly advanced toward him. When
he felt a tingle on his chest where Siren's fingers lightly brushed in
loosening the button, only then did Allen permit himself to reach for what,
or rather, who he wanted. Siren. Even
then, he hesitated, searching Siren's face as he unbuttoned her blouse. He
wanted to be certain this wasn't a game his companion was playing.
It was the insistence of Siren's kiss, as well as her removing her
upper garments. that sealed it for Allen.
He followed her lead without another thought...and then they were
naked. For
only an instant, the electric tension of the moment seemed almost surreal,
as the couple looked at each other. Then that fraction of time disappeared;
it was Siren who reached out first to Allen. In
the soft low light cast only by the small bedside lamp, Allen looked into
Siren's luminous blue eyes that were transfixing him. There was nothing to
hide any more yet... "Siren,"
he whispered softly, vaguely aware of his heart thumping madly, his own
passions growing as he gazed into her eyes.
The longing in those blue depths was plain. "Turn
out the light, Allen," Siren whispered.
His unfinished question had been answered. Allen
turned out the light. As
soon as Allen came back to her side, Siren opened her arms and closed her
eyes as Allen began placing kisses over her face, neck and slowly down her
body, tantalizing her. Her
breathing increased as he touched her tenderly, carefully and lovingly.
Even as he felt her body responding to his touch, her back arching,
her nails slightly digging into his arms, he whispered softly against her
skin words that he hadn't uttered to anyone. Tell
her, his conscience chided him.
Tell her that you love her. That
you only want to be with her. Allen
ignored the words that kept taunting him as he continued to kiss his way
down Siren's body, liking how her body shivered in response when he kissed a
spot on her abdomen. He heard
her gasp and even felt the way that she grabbed at the sheets. Tell
her. Again,
he ignored the words as he kissed his way back up her body.
His hands roamed over her, never staying in one place too long,
tantalizing her and causing her to gasp and respond to his touch.
If only she had known what it was doing to him, how he wanted her to
experience more than he. "Allen,
please..." she whimpered softly as he came back up to her mouth,
pausing long enough to kiss her passionately.
*TELL
HER! his conscience screamed during the kiss as he let his hands roam
once more down her sides and up once more.
He
placed his hand on her left cheek then broke the kiss.
He looked into her face, the darkness hiding her twinkling eyes.
He felt her hand come up and gently touch his face ever so tenderly. "Allen?"
she called to him. Without
warning, Allen slowly pulled away from her and sat on the edge of the bed,
his head hanging. Frowning,
Siren scrambled slightly to the side and turned on the light before moving
over to where Allen was sitting, now shaking his head. "I
can't," he said softly, miserably. Siren
put her hand on his back and lightly kissed his shoulder before laying her
head against his arm. Allen
turned to her and their gazes locked. "I
want to be with you, Siren. I
want to tell you that..." his voice faltered slightly and he shook his
head -- he couldn't say those three words.
"As much as I want to, I can't do this to you or to
Trevor." "...I
can't do this to you...or to Trevor."
That handful of words was the bittersweet sting of reality that faded
the subtle blurring of passion from Siren's vision. As the words echoed in
her ears, she realized what had almost happened, realized it even as she
felt shame strip away the last of the quickly fading passion.
Bowing her head a moment to hide behind the veil of her loosened dark
red hair, Siren pulled the sheet modestly around her torso even as she edged
away from Allen. She wanted, needed to say something but the words just
weren't there. Without
looking at her, Allen felt the change insinuate itself between them; he
didn't fight it. After a moment,
without looking at her, he stood up from the bed and went to pick up Siren's
clothes then placed them on the bed near her.
Returning to pick up his own clothes, his back to her, he said,
"I'll leave you alone so you can dress."
Not another word passed between them as he exited the bedroom,
closing the door softly. In
the living room, Allen pulled his clothes on, making himself presentable.
Several minutes later he paused in his pacing about the silent room,
his gaze going toward the hallway at the sound of his bedroom door opening.
Only when Siren appeared in the doorway, once more dressed, did Allen
move. Going to her, he started
to reach for her, to hug her just to reassure her.
It was the look in Siren's eyes--not anger or accusation,
more...regret than anything else--that prevented him. "I'll
take you home, now," was all he murmured quietly, gesturing with a
gentle wave of one hand for her to precede him. The
brief trip from Allen's quarters to Siren's front door was accomplished in a
mutual painful silence. Neither said anything as Siren unlocked the door.
Only when she stepped across the threshold and turned to face him did
words come to Allen. "I'm
sorry, Siren," Allen said quietly. Siren
closed her eyes a moment at the soft apology, her head bowing slightly
before lifting it again. Opening
her eyes, she offered him a sad, regretful smile. "So am I," she
said softly. An
awkward moment hung between them but only for a moment.
The longer it existed the more painful this was going to be. "Good
night, Siren," Allen finally said, his tone quiet. Turning away, he
headed for the elevators, not once looking behind him.
However, as he reached the corner at the end of the hall, he
hesitated for a second at the sound of a door being closed.
Only for a second did he dwell on that sound before completing his
journey back to his quarters...alone.
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