The Wanderers Beginning: The Wanderers, Reborn, & Unforgiven (137 page)

             
She let out a small giggle as his hands danced dangerously close to areas that haven’t been touched by a man in years – the gynecologist doesn’t count. Danni slipped her hands down the front of his slacks, finding pleasure in watching him squirm. He quickly sat up and smashed his lips into hers. It wasn’t long before all their clothes were off and Xander was back on top taking control. She moved her legs so he was positioned perfectly in between her. “I love you,” he whispered, looking straight into her eyes. “Tell me you love me too.” She knew he needed to hear it. He needed to know.

             
She pushed back the hair that had stuck to his face from sweat, then looked into his eyes and smiled. “I love you Xander.” That’s all it took. Once the words left her lips it gave him the green light to move forward. Danni gasped from the incredible sensation that rushed her body. He kissed her as his hands roamed every inch of her skin. She arched her back allowing him to go deeper. A moan escaped his lips. Her hands ran through his hair and she wrapped her legs around his hips pulling him tighter to her. They were lost in the moment and no longer able to control themselves. She could feel him tense and try to slow his movements, but when she pushed herself into him he had a hard time controlling himself.

             
Not wanting to rush, Xander grabbed her wrists with one hand and thrust them above her head and used his other hand to push down on her hips to stop her from pushing herself up. Unfortunately the move only excited her more, causing her to let out a small cry. “Danni, I can’t…we need to slow down.”

             
“Don’t stop.” She broke free of his grasp and pushed him down on the bed rolling on top of him. That lasted about a minute before Xander took over and was back on top. He always had to be in control, but this was one time she didn’t mind. Her whole body was tingling. Xander shook and then collapsed on top of her and kissed her desperately before he rolled over to his side. They both lay there trying to catch their breaths. Not ready to let go just yet. Danni rolled over on her side and wrapped her arm around Xander’s waist while she laid her head on his chest. His heart was erratic. She smiled, feeling content. Xander kissed her hair and then slid his body down to wrap his arms around her. Their legs tangled together as they lied there and tried to control their breathing.

             
“Tomorrow will be the start of our lives together. I promise you I will do right by you,” Xander said. Danni closed her eyes tight. She no longer felt at ease. She knew what she would have to do was hard and it was killing her. She decided to leave it be for the moment. She would tell him in the morning that it was just one night. That was all he asked for and she never promised him anything else. She would just enjoy it while she could. Bask in the glory of this last night they allowed to give themselves. Danni sighed and relaxed into Xander, falling asleep in his arms.

Danni made sure she woke before Xander did in the morning. She quickly and quietly slipped out of his arms hoping she wouldn’t wake him. She got dressed and picked up her shoes so she could tip toe her way out without waking him. Before she left, she turned to take one last look at him. He was resting so peacefully. He looked so happy, relaxed. Her heart broke at the sight of him and she knew if she didn’t walk out she wouldn’t be able to. Oh how she wanted so badly to slip back into bed with him and lay in his arms, but she had convinced herself she was doing the right thing. Jasa was the better choice. No matter how much Danni loved him she knew he would be better off with Jasa. She hastily wiped away the tears that escaped and opened the door to the bright morning sun, slipping herself through the small crack, and then closing the door behind her. Closing the door on that chapter of her life.

Chapter Seventeen

*

Ella

As always, I woke up starving in the morning. So I went to the kitchen first thing. Grandma Bea was already there cooking breakfast. I walked up behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Good morning Gran.”

              She smiled and relaxed in my arms. “Good morning bumble bee. Will you do me a favor and set the table?” I grabbed the plates from the cabinet to set the table. I caught Danni sneaking in from the outside, tiptoeing in like she was doing the walk of shame.

             
“Good morning,” I said, making her jump.

             
“Ella, you scared me,” she said, grabbing her chest.

             
“Why so jumpy?” I asked with a slight smile on my face.

             
“I’m not,” she said defensively. “I just didn’t expect anyone to be up this early.”

             
“Uh-huh,” I said in a teasing tone. “Gran’s making breakfast if you’re hungry?”

             
“I think I should go.”

             
Xander came barreling through the door like a bat out hell. “Danni,” he said, his voice a little panicked. I looked to Danni who looked a little frightened. She caught Xander’s eye before she turned back to me.  “Ella,” he coughed. “I didn’t um, see you there.”

             
“Must be a glare or something,” I said, trying to hide my smile. “I was just trying to get Danni to stay for breakfast. Gran’s cooking.”

             
“Yes, stay,” Xander said with a slight urgency in his voice.

             
“I would be insulted if you didn’t,” Gran said.

             
With a regretful sigh, Danni took a seat at the table. Next to arrive was Cameron. “Hey Cam, did you sleep okay?”

             
“What, why would you ask that?” she said a little jumpy.

             
“Was being polite? I know it can be hard to sleep in an unfamiliar place.”

             
“Oh right, yeah, slept fine,” she said quickly. I looked at her funny. I was about to ask her why she looked so tense when Dean walked into the room.

             
“Woo, it’s like a brothel in here,” Gran said as she shuffled her feet across the floor.

             
“What was that gran?”

             
“Oh…nothing dear,” she smiled, going back to making breakfast. I looked at everyone sitting at the table. They were all wearing tense and uncomfortable expressions making me wonder what the hell was going on.

             
I turned to Dean surprised to see him up this early. “You’re up early. I trust you slept well?”

             
“What would make you say that?” he asked nervously.

             
I rolled my eyes. “I heard you last night.” Dean looked at Cameron and she shifted her eyes. Poor thing probably had to endure all the horrible noises that was coming from his room. “Not going to invite your friend to breakfast?” I teased.

             
“You know I never mix business with pleasure,” he smiled.

             
“Please, it’s the least you could do after having to spend the night with you,” I joked.

             
“After I’m done with them they’re too tired to get out of bed,” he retorted with a quick glance to Cameron and I saw her smile when she sipped her coffee. At least someone enjoyed his humor.

             
“More like their stomach’s too weak to eat,” I laughed at what I thought was a clever comeback.

             
“Ella, this is not a discussion for the table,” Gran growled at me. I put my hands up in defense, wondering what the hell I did.

             
I helped Gran finish breakfast. Right when we were about to serve, Jasa had made her way down to the kitchen. “I missed you last night. Where were you?” she said, kissing Xander’s cheek.

             
My eyes widened and my mouth dropped. A smile spread across my face. “I couldn’t sleep so I took a walk. Sorry,” he said, glaring at me. I looked at Danni who had her head down. I couldn’t help myself and started to laugh uncontrollably.

             
“Ella, what has gotten into you?” Gran asked.

             
“Nothing,” I said, not able to keep the smile from my face. What I wanted to say was you should be asking what got into Danni or should I say who. I giggled again.

              Xander got up from the table. “Ella, can I talk to you for a minute?”

             
“Can’t it wait?”

             
“No. It can’t.”

             
I rolled my eyes and followed him into the living room. He turned around to face me, not happy with the big grin on my face. “What do you know?” he asked.

             
“Please, it’s so obvious that you and Danni –” His hand was over my mouth in a flash and before I knew it we were flying up the stairs and into my room. “Jesus Xander was that really necessary?” I asked, trying to catch my balance so I wouldn’t stumble from the abrupt stop.

             
He started pacing the room. “Look Ella, Danni and I, what happened…it was…”

             
“Are you guys getting back together?” I asked hopeful.

             
“Back together?” he asked, brows pinched.

             
He didn’t know I knew. “I know you guys dated in high school.”

             
He sighed. “No,” he said in a hushed voice. My heart sank a little for the both of them. “Ella, you can’t say anything to anyone. You understand me? Not even to mom, no one. You need to forget everything. You got that! And don’t go snooping around and trying to get in Danni’s head.”

             
“Okay, geez, don’t get your panties in a bunch.” He let out a deep sigh and sank on the bed. “What happened?”

             
“I can’t talk about it, besides, it doesn’t really matter now.” He looked over at me and I could swear I could hear his heart breaking. I wanted to wrap my arms around him and tell him it would be okay and he should fight for her. Danni was worth it. But the look on his face told me he was defeated and he had lost the fight. I knew Xander was the harder one. He wouldn’t allow anyone to comfort him which just made me even sadder. He got up quickly and went for the door. “I can trust you Ella, please don’t let me down.”

             
“You have my word Xander that I won’t say anything. I promise.” He knew once I made a promise I kept my word. He nodded his head and left to return back downstairs. I fell back on my bed and let out a breath. “This sucks.”

             
“Ella! Your food is getting cold!” Gran called from the bottom of the steps.

             
Damn it!
That always happened. I got up and quickly made my way back down to the kitchen to finish my breakfast. The rest of breakfast made for an awkward silence since no one decided to talk. Xander was the first one to break the silence. “So Ella, do you plan to go back to school?” Of course he would choose a topic to keep the attention off of him and put it on me.

             
“Um yeah, I guess we’ll probably leave tomorrow since there’s nothing really left here to do.”

             
“Oh Ella, I totally forgot to take you out and celebrate,” Cameron said, smacking herself in the forehead.

             
“It’s okay don’t worry about it,” I told her, glad she did forget.

             
“Celebrate what…” Xander started before he realized. “Oh my god Ella. I am so sorry. With everything going on, I’ve been…it slipped my mind,” he stuttered, disappointed he forgot his own sister’s birthday.

             
“It’s okay Xander,” I smiled, letting him know it was no big deal.

             
“No it’s not okay Ella. I’m such a horrible brother.”

             
“Well at least you finally admit it.”

             
“Shut up Dean,” Xander and I said at the same time.

             
“Xander, you’re not a horrible brother and really, it’s okay. I don’t feel like celebrating this year anyways.”

             
“Well you are out of luck because we love you and we will be celebrating tonight,” my mom said, joining us in the kitchen.

             
“No mom really, I don’t –”

             
“Don’t worry honey. It will just be us. I promise. An intimate dinner with family and close friends,” she said, smiling at Cameron and Danni.

             
“Could we invite the McNaughton’s?” I asked. If Josie couldn’t be there having her family there would be just as good.

             
“Of course sweetie, whatever you want.”

             
After the slightly tense breakfast, my mom took us girls to the spa. She had them give me the royal treatment. I forgot how nice it was to have my nails done. We spent all morning at the spa, then headed home and spent all afternoon by the pool while my mom and Gran prepared things for the small party in my honor.

             
The wonderful dinner they cooked was a combination welcome home and birthday celebration. It was the perfect end to a long and grueling weekend. Josie’s parents gave me a gift certificate to my favorite clothing boutique and Jake made me a card. Xander got me a pair of very expensive sapphire earrings with matching bracelet – which I was sure Jasa picked out.

             
Danni had gotten me an awesome pair of black knee high boots –
now I can stop stealing
Josie’s
– and Hadley had made me a picture that I told her it was so beautiful I would frame it and that was exactly what I planned to do when I got back to school. Cameron gave me a silver anklet with tiny stars hanging from it. She told me she bought back in Ireland for me, but decided to wait to give it to me. “Wise choice,” I thought.

             
After dinner – I made my mom promise me they wouldn’t sing – I finished a huge slice of cake and then rubbed my overstuffed belly. I think this was the first time I was ever full. “Happy Birthday sweetie,” my mom said, kissing my cheek. “And before I forget I’m going to go get the rest of your gifts.”

             
“Here,” Dean said, handing me a small wrapped box. I opened it up and inside was a bottle of my favorite perfume. “I remember you saying you were out.”

             
“Thanks Dean,” I smiled, giving him a kiss on the cheek. He mouthed the words
‘better’
to Xander and I just rolled my eyes. Xander’s only response was to glare. When my mom returned she had her hands full of bags. “I think you went a little overboard,” I said, looking at all the presents stuffed in the bags.

             
“Just open them.” She shoved the bags at me and I took them without resisting.

             
Most of the presents were clothes, warmer stuff for the fall when I was in Rhode Island and a few summer dresses. My mom always preferred I wore dresses and at one time so did I. But now I was more of a shirt and pants type girl. “Thanks mom,” I smiled, letting her know I appreciated it.

             
“There’s one more,” she said, handing me a large box.

             
I took the lid off and inside was a beautiful gown. I pulled it out of the box. The gown was strapless with a corset like top that was blue underneath the black lace and the bottom puffed out like a princess dress. “Wow mom, it’s beautiful, but where would I wear it?”

             
“Well when I was at the school Ms. Kraft was telling me about the Fall Ball and well I guess it was wishful thinking,” she said, stroking the dress.

             
“Thank you mom, but after what happened at the last dance I don’t think they’ll be anymore,” I said, staring at the dress.

             
“Better prepared, just in case.”

             
“Even if they do still have it, I’m sure I won’t have anyone to go with.” I put the dress back in the box. “Maybe I’ll save it for another special occasion.”

             
“How about you take it with anyways? You never know what the stars will hold,” Gran said, squeezing my shoulders. I sighed, knowing if I left the dress behind my mom would mail it to me.

             
I thanked the McNaughton’s for coming and the gift and then I got ready for bed. We were leaving for school in the morning and I wanted to get a good night’s rest. Grandma Bea came upstairs to wish me a goodnight. “Hey Gran,” I said, as I sat on the edge of my bed and brushed my hair.