Seducing Peaches (37 page)

       
“That’s two questions.  There isn’t a problem.  You left me remember.”  Damn it he was right.

       
“Fuck this game of yours.  Stick it in your ass.  I’m done.”

       
“Not my ass.  But I could stick it in yours anytime you’re ready.”  Damn him. 

       
“Yep, sure that would cause some pain to.  The thought alone probably is just about enough to make you come all over isn’t it?”

       
“Lois, you don’t understand it?”

       
“Your right I don’t and you won’t explain it.”  She stood walking to the window staring out it.

*****

        The hours went by as they sat there and finally began to talk again.  Just small talk.  She didn’t want anything else.  She didn’t want to explore this any further.  She wanted it to be over.  He was making her feel the way she used to feel.   

       
She could feel his eyes on her watching every move she made.  She repositioned herself and started rubbing her neck again.  She could feel his eyes as if they were burning wholes through her back.

       
“What happened to your neck, you rub it a lot?” 

       
“Who knows, it’s been bothering me for a while.”

       
“Did you ever have it looked at?” 

       
“Nope.  Don’t really plan on it either.” 

       
“When we get out of here, we are getting it checked out, you never know, maybe something was hurt or something.” 

       
“Nothing was hurt, I'm fine really.” 
Fucking scum.  How could he say that?  I would take that pain ten times over then to feel the pain he is causing me.

       
“Lois, I’m sorry.”  He leaned in and tried to kiss her, but she just turned her head and stood sitting back down on the floor in front of the fireplace.

       
“So is that it then?”  His voice almost for a brief second sounded like he was dreading the answer.

       
“Yep, I think so.  I want more than just sex Tom.  You don’t.  I don’t wanna talk about it.  Please let it go.”  

       
“How many times do I have to tell you I thought what we have is more than sex?  What do you want from me now?”

       
“I want answers.”

       
She sat back on the couch and began to replay each moment she had with him.  It was just as much her fault as it was his.  She should have never let it get this far.

       
About thirty minutes went by and she heard Tom come back in.  She quickly wiped her face and stared into the fire.  Tom walked in and hesitated for a moment and then went to warm his hands by the fire.  She watched him as he knelt down rubbing his hands back and forth, holding them close to the heat.  Not a word was spoken between the two of them for the next few days.  The blizzard had come and gone. 

       
“The sun has been out, the snow has melted a lot, I ‘m going to head out in the morning.  I will send help back for you.”  Tom turned and looked back out the window. 

       
That night while she lay on the couch, she could feel him watching her.  As soon as she didn’t feel his gaze anymore she opened her eyes and sure enough he had fallen asleep.  She stood.  Grabbed a notebook and pen from her bag.

             
             
Dear Tom,

             
I am grateful for everything you did to help me.  I know that you were just being kind to an extent.  I truly didn't mean to cause you any discomfort, confusion, or pain.  I should have known people like me and people like you just don’t belong.  I know that gives me no right to hurt you or myself any further.  Before I cause either of us anymore pain, I am leaving.  I will not be returning to work.  I do not want to take the chance of something else happening and feelings being hurt worse than what they already are.  This should of never of happened. I can't let this happen again.  Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart.  I truly hope you find whatever it is you are looking for in life.  Please allow me to go and find what I need as well.

             
                                                                                           Love,

             
                                                                                            Lois

       
She left the letter on the couch.  She left her bags.  Everything but the clothes on her back.  No sooner than she hit the pavement, she ran into a state trooper and begged him to take her somewhere anywhere before he went back for Tom.  Thankfully he did.

Chapter Sixteen

       
A few months went by and everything continued as normal.  But for her it wasn't normal anymore.  Mark had questioned what had happened while they were missing, but she never told him.  Lois had thought about what had happened every day since she had been back.  She thought about how she could have done things different.  How she should have handled things from the beginning. 

       
She couldn’t go back to her place.  She had a feeling he wouldn’t let this go and come looking for her.  She told Michelle she needed to just get away again.  She couldn’t give her much detail either because she knew without a doubt Tom could have gotten it out of her.

       
Every moment she was awake she dreamed of him.  She wanted to beg and plead with him to forgive her.  She wanted to wrap her arms around him and never let go again.  But it was too late now.  If only she had done things differently, maybe, just maybe none of this would have happened.

       
She knew that Mark was Tom’s best friend.  She also knew that we were now friends as well and he wouldn’t tell anyone anything she didn’t want him to.  Even if it included Tom.  It might almost kill him to keep it a secret but he would do it.

       
“Mark, I can't tell you how much I appreciate this.” 

       
“Lois, you’re very welcome.  Look, I think I need to tell Tom, he has been my best friend for so long and I feel as if I am hiding something.  He loves you Lois.  I can see it in his eyes.  He's not himself.” 

       
“No, you can't please, he doesn't need this right now, and he most certainly doesn't need me, I have nothing to offer him.  I can’t be what he wants me to be.” 

       
“You know Lois, sometimes you don't have to offer anything but your heart.  To some people that is what truly matters.” 

       
“I did offer my heart and he took it and then gave it back to me in pieces.  I can't go through that again.  No Mark, I won’t go through it again.  He doesn’t want me like I want him.”

       
Mark took her hand and smiled.  “I have to go to work, but I will be true to my word for now, but you should really consider it.” 

       
“I don't need to, please you don't understand, you can't.  It’s just better this way.”

       
Mark turned and walked away kissing Laura goodbye before leaving.

       
“You know Lois, to cry only makes us human, it is the strongest known emotion.  You can neither stop it, nor hide it.  You feel it before you see it, and when you see it you then really feel it.  There is nothing wrong with crying.”

       
“Laura, you and Mark have been so kind to me.  I need another favor, one last favor.  Mark told me he could set it up for me to stay somewhere else if I wanted to.  I didn't want to put him or you out of your way, but I think at this point I need to go.  I need to be alone and get my head on straight.  I need this time to figure out what my next move will be.”

       
“I agree and will help you.” Lois watched as Laura made all the arrangements and then sent Lois off after Lois thanked her repeatedly for everything her and Mark had done and were doing.

       
The first few nights were awesome.  Florida was really beginning to grow on her though.  Mark had set her up in a hotel that he had been working on taking over when she first arrived.  As soon as the paperwork was final, she started work as the Marketing Director.  It was an easy job.  Mark pretty much said she just had to make the place look good and sell the idea of staying here.  Easy as pie. 

       
She spent the nights walking along the beach and taking in the fresh air.  At first it was a little much.  She walked it but was afraid to get too close.  But she had come to love living there.  She couldn’t see herself living elsewhere. 

       
Tonight the air was cooler.  She should have dressed differently.  But she liked the wind on her skin.  The feeling of being free.  Peaceful.  She walked back to the hotel.  Grabbed her shawl off the back of the couch and walked out onto her balcony.

       
Wine sure sounded nice to her.  She had discovered that she had a hankering for making it to.  The only flavor was Peaches but it was definitely selling good.  She poured her a glass and returned to the balcony.  She heard a noise behind her and turned around. 
Oh Fuck!  Why now damn it?

       
“Tom, what are you doing here, and what are you doing standing in a towel for?”

       
“Let me explain, it’s not what you think, or looks like.  Mark told me where to find you.  I didn't know that you were staying in this suite until I opened an envelope he had given me after I had already arrived.” 

       
“And yet you still stayed.  Knowing that I was staying here.   I can't do this Tom.  I don't want to.  I can't handle it.  I don’t believe you.  Mark wouldn’t tell you.  He promised me.” 

       
“Look, here read this.  It was the letter he gave me when I left.  He told me not to read it until I was here.”  She watched as he shuffled through his bag and then handed her the envelope.  She opened it and pulled out the piece of paper.

Tom my friend,

             
Forgive me for what I am about to tell you.  Before the state trooper came back for you, Lois had called me and filled me in on what happened in great detail.  She stayed with Laura and I for a few months then she wanted some help to get a way.  She didn't want to see you.   I am truly sorry my friend for hiding this from you.  I made arrangements for her to stay in the very room you stand in.  About the time you are arriving she should be taking her nightly walk on the beach.  I have kept in touch with her.  She talks of you often, and always asks how you’re doing.  She feels like what happened between the two of you is her fault.  With all she has been through I wanted to help her and make sure the woman you love was safe and taken care of so when you came to your senses she would be safe and sound.  She may be hesitant at first, but fight to keep her.  It will work out in your favor.  You can thank me later.  Go out onto the balcony.

             
                                                                                                                Mark

        She folded the paper back up and put on the table.  “Can’t believe I trusted him.  Why are you here?  Everything was almost back to normal.”

       
“I can't handle not being with you every day; I can't handle not smelling peaches on your skin.  I love you.  I can't stop thinking about you.  I know I messed up I do, but I love you.  Please Lois, listen to me.  Being without you is like well, it’s like a dying man, begging for water, and getting his hands on,,,,, on a glass nearby, and it only have a drop of water in it.”

       
He took a step toward her, she took a step back.  Tom was surprised, she could tell. 
What did he think he could just show up and I would go rushing back into his arms?  I don’t care what he has to say or play. 

       
“Lois, say something please.”

       
She just stood there looking at him, tears dwindling from her eyes.  “I can’t stand to see you cry Love.  Don’t cry.”  His voice was gentle and soft.  He tried to walk to her, but with each step he took, she took one back. 

       
“Okay.  I understand.  I’ll just get my things, and will be out of your way.”  She watched as Tom grabbed his bags and walked to the bedroom and closed the door. 

       
Shit Lois.  Is this what you want?  He came all this way.  He says he loves you.  Maybe this is your chance.  Damn it Lois you love him take it.
  Her heart was telling her way more than she wanted to hear, but it was true.

       
When he opened the door, she was out on the balcony, getting the fresh air before she suffocated.