Ororo's Ghost Story III, Part 5

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Zach’s Suite

She smiled warmly down at him afterward, a grin that grew when he called her gorgeous. Her dimples appeared, and it made him smile too. She did not take it for granted, as the models would have. She was humble, unlike the others, whose beauty he could not even recall right now. He pulled her in, and she settled down atop his chest.

Zizi: Zach....

She started, her breath hot on his neck. She shifted to look at him, and he dipped his chin to find her gaze.

Zizi: That was even better than the first time.

His chest shuddered with a short laugh.

“Yes, it was. You know, you’re not very quiet.”

He observed with glee.

“Not that I’m complaining.”

It was a pleasant surprise, given that she was normally soft-spoken. He pulled the blanket up to cover them, enveloping their warmth.

“Just in case the Sheriff heard, and kicks down the door trying to rescue you.”

He joked, but really he just wanted her to stay right where she was, in his arms. He didn’t want any kind of interruption. Even the sound of a helicopter would have been unwelcome. Just this morning he’d wished he could escape this place, now he didn’t mind being stuck here.

“I’m glad you’re here, Ziz.”

 

[Oracle]

Zach's Room

She told him the second time was better than the first, because she had to, she couldn't stop herself. Because it was true. How had she lived this long without knowing this feeling? Without him?

“Yes, it was. You know, you’re not very quiet.”

Her eyes widened a bit and she felt panic in the pit of her stomach.

"Was I...not supposed to-?"

But he had continued on to say:

“Not that I’m complaining.”

And his face didn't show any signs of annoyance, so she breathed a sigh of relief. Being told now that she'd completely screwed something up was not high on her list of activities right at that moment. What was, was snuggling under the blanket with Zach, who had pulled it over them.

“Just in case the Sheriff heard, and kicks down the door trying to rescue you.”

She blushed a deep red.

"I wasn't that loud, was I?"

She was a little bit mortified to think that the entire house heard her or something, but she decided it would be well worth it if they had.

“I’m glad you’re here, Ziz.”

She laughed lightly, the turn of phrase a little revival prayer meeting sounding, but her smile at his sentiment genuine.

"Well I'm glad I'm here. With you."

She pulled her arm a little tighter around his body. She could feel his heartbeat in his chest, and it lulled her further into blissful relaxation.

"Zach?"

She was starting to feel sleepy, and her voice had a drowsy quality to it.

"Is it always like this?"

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Zach’s Suite

He remarked, with mild amusement, that she wasn't very quiet. Certainly she was more vocal than he expected. Her reply was tinged with concern that maybe she wasn't supposed to, so he quickly added that he wasn't complaining. He joked about the Sheriff overhearing and coming to her rescue.

Zizi: I wasn't that loud, was I?

He smiled softly, starting to play with her hair, gently running his fingers through it as he brushed it back and out over his shoulder.

"No baby, and anyways I like it. How else would I know I'm doing a good job?"

He asked rhetorically, and then kissed the top of her head. He was enjoying the intimacy he'd found with her, and in the haze of satisfaction, confessed to being glad she was here. She laughed, and said she was glad too, making him smile warmly as she cuddled closer. She said his name, softly.

"Hmm?"

Zizi: Is it always like this?

"It can be, with the right partner."

He replied honestly, and then he realized the gravity of what he'd said. Still stroking her hair with one hand, the other began to caress her back slowly. Silently he willed her to stay. Wordlessly he begged that she wouldn't get up and get dressed, using the excuse of seeing what was going on with the murder investigation as a reason to escape.

 

[Oracle]

Zach's Room

Zach commented that she had been loud. That couldn't be good. Maybe she wasn't supposed to make noise? Or maybe she had just made too much noise? Or the wrong kind? Or maybe it was annoying? She asked if she had really been that loud. Oh crap. Crap crap crap.

But then Zach was Zach, knowing exactly what she was feeling - somehow - and was quick to tell her she hadn't.

"No baby, and anyways I like it. How else would I know I'm doing a good job?"

Her heart, stomach and something lower all fluttered simultaneously when he called her baby. It made her smile. He made her smile. He was always so kind and reassuring, knowing exactly what to say.

"Because I will always tell you. You make me feel wonderful."

He kissed the top of her head and her smile got bigger, and she snuggled against him. Then she asked him if it was always like this. Perfect. Terrifc. Amazing. Like I never want to move from your side. Like I couldn't possibly be happier than I am right now.

"It can be, with the right partner."

She drew in a sharp breath. He hadn't said, Like what? So he must have felt it too. Right?

He stroked her back in addition to her hair, and she felt better than if she'd had the Thai massage at Spa Valmont. She didn't want him to stop, and was afraid to move in case he would. She let out a little mmmm of pleasure, because she couldn't help it, and her hand started to make small circles on his skin. She stayed just like that for what seemed like a long time - and not enough. Finally, she slowly raised her head, and pressed her lips against his, because she had to. Then she looked into his eyes and smiled.

"I am way too comfortable right now. You might never get me to leave."

 

[Ruby]

Casa de Spectra



Vivica: “Don’t TOUCH me, Cassandra.”

:: The young assistant pulled back, stung. She was only trying to help, after all. Then Vivica sighed. ::

Vivica: “Sorry…I’m just done with this BULLSHIT! This is a CIRCUS! I knew I shoulda taken my chances on the mountain."

:: Cassandra would’ve told her that it was okay, but it wasn’t okay. So she just kept quiet and offered to get her a drink, with her watching her every move. ::

Vivica: "Thanks but no thanks. I'm not drinking or eating ANYTHING until we get out of here."

:: Well then. Cassandra wanted to scold the girl for what she found offensive. The food and drinks here were EXCELLENT. It wasn’t the food or drinks that were bad. SOMEBODY poisoned Ava – it wasn’t the drinks. But she kept quiet, smiled, and went over to the table where Sally was sitting, the two kittens following after her. Both kittens meowed loudly and jumped into her lap when Vivica fired the shotgun! Then all hell broke loose and Cassandra did not want to be in the room any longer. She tuned in to hear Sally offer to show the sheriff around. ::

Alek: “NOT ALONE, Sally. There’s still somebody out there killing people.”

Sally: “Alek, darling...you have a very important job to do with the generators and the cable car. Don't worry, dear. I'll have Andre and Cassandra with me. Besides, Hulsey is no threat! He's been here before...we've had a drink or two together.”

Saved by the Spectra.

:: She would be getting out of this room AND spending time with two of her favourite people in the world? Things were looking up. She stood up when Sally and Drew did and dutifully followed after them and Hulsey. The kittens followed after them, the little Siamese ‘begging’ Cassandra to pick her up – which she did. ::

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Zach’s Suite

Zach teased her about being rather loud, but when he heard the mild panic in her reply, he reassured her that he had certainly liked it. He didn’t mean to make her self-conscious, and if she went silent, how would he know if he was pleasing her?

Zizi: Because I will always tell you. You make me feel wonderful.

His heart skipped a beat, and he kissed the top of her head, as he ran his fingers through her dark, silky hair. He didn’t know what to say to her then, a rare condition of speechlessness. He could’ve come up with some witty response if she’d said something he was used to hearing, like Zach, you always make me come or Zach, that was the best sex I’ve ever had or Zach, it’s your fault I get too loud.

But you make me feel wonderful was an entirely different sentiment, he thought. Nobody ever told him how he made them feel. It warmed him to the core, and if he was being honest, he felt pretty damned good himself, and not just because he’d gotten laid. There was a whole other layer here. She asked him if it was always like this. No, not quite. He told her that it could be, with the right person, and then he started to stroke her back softly.

He knew better than to let himself fall, he had learned to keep himself in check, and not get too attached. And yet, he couldn’t seem to control himself this time. He didn’t want her to leave like all the rest, and he couldn’t fight that feeling. He prayed to whichever of the Gods would listen to make her stay. For a long time, it was quiet in the bedroom.

Zizi drew little circles on his skin, which felt nice, despite the errant thought that it represented their time together, circling the drain. Zach pushed that thought away, and attempted to enjoy every last second of what he believed was coming to an end. Then she shifted, and moved to kiss him. Here it was, the parting kiss. The it’s been great, but I gotta go do that thing at the place with those people that I can’t blow off, even for you. He hated this part.

Please Don’t Go...

He wanted to say, and suddenly he didn’t care if he made a fool out of himself. Both his arms went around her longingly. She pulled back from the kiss and found his gaze. She gave him the kind, don’t-take-this-personally smile. He opened his mouth to beg, but while he was taking a deep breath, she spoke.

Zizi: I’m way too comfortable right now. You might never get me to leave.

A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and all the air left his lungs in a happy sigh.

“Sounds good to me.”

He replied, and then he kissed her again, because he couldn’t get enough.

 

[Oracle]

Zach's Room

Zizi was happy, and warm, and safe. And she acted on impulse without second guessing herself, kissing him because she wanted to. Telling him things she never would have the day before. That she didn't want to leave his side.

“Sounds good to me.”

And then he was kissing her again, and she responded, because she wanted his mouth against hers. And when they finally parted, she smiled, then moved to rest her cheek on his shoulder, sighing out with contentment.

"Zach? When we're back in the city. And I have my own place to live. Will you come visit me?"

Her hand stroked the skin of his forearm.

"We could have amaretto and lemonade, and Twinkies and Doritos, as a housewarming."

She laughed, and pressed her lips against his chest.

"You know, there's a beach at Coney Island. We wouldn't have to go so far."

Not as good as Thailand but...

"Or there's the Hamptons. Our house has a private cove. I'd have on that tiny bikini, and we'd lay on a beach blanket instead of lounge chairs so we could be closer."

Her hand traveled down his arm to take his hand in hers.

"And every once in a while I'd lean over to kiss you, just to make sure you were really there."

She stared off into space, her voice dreamy, as she continued.

"My fair skin would need lots of sunscreen, and I'd insist you wear it too, even though you'd swear you tan."

A little laugh escaped at the image.

"And when the sun went down we'd build a fire on the beach, and bake clams in the sand. And when it got too cold we'd go back to the house, and you'd help me untie my suit. And I wouldn't be embarrassed at all, because there would be nothing I'd hide from you."

She burrowed her cheek closer into his chest.

"And then we'd spend the night, together, in each other's arms...and wake up and do the exact same thing again."

She smiled against his skin, then picked her head up to look into his eyes, her cheeks flushed.

"Am I being silly? You can tell me if I am."

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Zach’s Suite

He kissed her, like he meant it, and she received him like she wanted him to mean it. When she settled back into his arms he wondered if this was the best feeling that existed, because he couldn't think of anything better.

Zizi: Zach?

"Hmm?"

He murmured curiously.

Zizi: When we're back in the city. And I have my own place to live. Will you come visit me?

"I'd love to."

He replied sincerely, enjoying the way she was stroking his arm, a small gesture, but comforting.

Zizi: We could have amaretto and lemonade, and Twinkies and Doritos, as a housewarming.

He chuckled at that.

"It's gotta be good luck food if it's the cuisine that gets you through a murder-mystery."

Zizi: You know, there's a beach at Coney Island. We wouldn't have to go so far.

She was back to the beach fantasy. He didn't respond right away, because with Coney Island he imagined thousands of tourists crammed into the beachfront by the pier. It wasn't the romantic vacation he'd pictured before.

"Mmm... I dunno..."

He responded, with a certain lack of enthusiasm.

Zizi: Or there's the Hamptons. Our house has a private cove. I'd have on that tiny bikini, and we'd lay on a beach blanket instead of lounge chairs so we could be closer. And every once in a while I'd lean over to kiss you, just to make sure you were really there.

"Ah, see that's more like it."

He replied warmly, pulling her chin up for a kiss. Somehow it had already been too long since his mouth had met hers. When they broke, there was a wistful smile on his lips, as he thought about her scenario.

Zizi: My fair skin would need lots of sunscreen, and I'd insist you wear it too, even though you'd swear you tan.

"I DO tan -- I'm Italian!"

He shot back, with a laugh of amusement that turned wicked.

"But I'd let you rub me down with some tanning oil if you wanted to."

He said in her ear.

Zizi: And when the sun went down we'd build a fire on the beach, and bake clams in the sand.

"Don't forget our coconut cocktails, with little umbrellas and those fun bendy straws."

Zizi: And when it got too cold we'd go back to the house, and you'd help me untie my suit. And I wouldn't be embarrassed at all, because there would be nothing I'd hide from you.

"You've nothing to be embarrassed about, Ziz...."

He told her gently.

Zizi: And then we'd spend the night, together, in each other's arms...and wake up and do the exact same thing again.

"Yes, let's."

He replied, thinking that what she described sounded quite perfect.

Zizi: Am I being silly? You can tell me if I am.

He smiled as he considered it. She was staring at him, flushed with sudden self-consciousness.

"Silly? No. But you ARE being super adorable."

He said, rolling a bit with her in his arms so he could plant a kiss on her forehead.

"Are you going to make me wait until the beach vacation to spend time with you again, or will you perhaps allow me to take you to dinner, on occasion?"

He asked hopefully, brainstorming the nicest places he could take her.

"Or is it too much hassle to go out? There's always takeout. We could do that date-thing all the millennials do -- how do they say it.... 'Netflix and Chill'?"

He suggested, remembering suddenly that she might prefer the activities of her contemporaries, instead of old school dating classics like dinner-and-a-broadway-show.

Gods, what if she hates takeout?

He thought, and instead of immediately questioning who could possibly hate takeout, he inhaled quickly and lobbied another option.

"Or I could cook for you -- but then your only choice is Italian, because that's all I really know how to make. So maybe lie to your mother, in that case. I mean junk food is one thing, but I'm pretty sure she'd kill me if she found out I was giving you pasta."

 

[Oracle]

Zach's Room

He seemed to like the idea of the Hamptons - she had at first wished she hadn't said it, afraid it made her sound spoiled and pretentious. But he perked up when she said it was private, and then he kissed her, his hand tilting her chin. It made her feel giddy, her heart fluttering in her chest, and part of her still couldn't believe he wanted to kiss her. It was odd, so odd, that here, with all that was happening around them, she should be the happiest she had ever been.

She kept on daydreaming, describing their day together at the beach. How she'd insist he wear sunscreen even though he'd protest that he tans.

"I DO tan -- I'm Italian!"

She gave him a look.

"Well if you think I'm letting you get skin cancer you have another thing coming."

His lips moved to her ear, and she could feel his breath hot on her neck, her skin tingling at the sensation.

"But I'd let you rub me down with some tanning oil if you wanted to."

She bit her lip in a vain attempt at stopping the guilty smile that crossed her face.

"Well, I'm sure, one day couldn't hurt."

The daydream moved to sunset and a fire on the beach.

"Don't forget our coconut cocktails, with little umbrellas and those fun bendy straws."

She laughed.

"Oh my, how could I forget? You'll look so cute with an umbrella tucked behind your ear."

And then she described the two of them going back to the house, and how she wouldn't feel embarrassed as he helped her untie her bikini.

"You've nothing to be embarrassed about, Ziz...."

She blushed and smiled, still amazed that such a great guy existed and moreso that he was there, with her. She finished the story, saying they'd spend the night in each other's arms, then wake up and do the whole thing over again.

"Yes, let's."

She picked her head up to look at him, a bit taken aback by what he'd said, her eyes finding his and staying there.

"Let's."

She leaned in and kissed him softly. When she pulled back, she smiled, and asked if she was being silly.

"Silly? No. But you ARE being super adorable."

"Adorable? Do I want to be adorable?"

He kissed her forehead, and she let out a little laugh.

"Are you going to make me wait until the beach vacation to spend time with you again, or will you perhaps allow me to take you to dinner, on occasion? Or is it too much hassle to go out? There's always takeout. We could do that date-thing all the millennials do -- how do they say it.... 'Netflix and Chill'?"

She laughed at that.

"Netflix and chill?"

She reached up and put her hand on his cheek, stroking his beard, gazing into his eyes. She felt like a princess in a fairy tale - none of this could possibly be real - and so perfectly happy.

"I would love to go out to dinner with you. Or get takeout with you. I'll take any excuse to be with you."

She lowered her eyes for a moment, afraid she'd gone too far.

"Or I could cook for you -- but then your only choice is Italian, because that's all I really know how to make. So maybe lie to your mother, in that case. I mean junk food is one thing, but I'm pretty sure she'd kill me if she found out I was giving you pasta."

That made Zizi laugh, and she smiled warmly, making eye contact once again.

"I won’t be telling her about a lot of the things we do."

And hopefully keep doing.

 

[Orion]

Casa de Spectra — Zach’s Suite

Zizi: Well if you think I'm letting you get skin cancer you have another thing coming.

The sudden sass, and the look she gave, sent a thrill through him. He chuckled as he leaned over her.

“Oh is that so?”

He asked in her ear, and then he admitted that he’d let her rub tanning oil on him if she insisted.

Zizi: Well, I’m sure one day wouldn’t hurt.

“Magnifico...”

He replied lustily, kissing her neck briefly. They continued on about the beach plans. By the end of it, Zach wanted to make the dream a reality. Zizi agreed, and sealed the deal with a kiss. Then she asked if she was just being silly. In Zach’s assessment, she wasn’t silly at all, but rather adorable. He kissed her forehead, which received a laugh.

Zizi: Adorable? Do I want to be adorable?

“Tesoro, but of course! Since you are adorable, I will have no choice but to adore you!”

He replied with a smile. And then he realized he didn’t want to wait for the beach vacation, so he began to tryout date ideas. He even offered an activity he wasn’t sure qualified as a date. She must not have thought so either, because she laughed.

Zizi: Netflix and chill?

“Is that not what they call it?”

He asked curiously, feeling out of touch. She went on to say she’d be happy with anything, which prompted him to wonder if she didn’t like takeout, and so he hurriedly offered to cook for her, but warned they would need to keep the pasta details from her mother.

Zizi: I won’t be telling her about a lot of the things we do.

“It’ll be our secret.”

He replied with glee.

“I will have to be sure to give you plenty of secrets to keep.”

He added, his lips on her collar bones.

 

[Oracle]

Zach's Room

They imagined a date at the beach, which led to Zach asking about taking her out before then, which she happily agreed to. He started throwing out suggestions, and she laughed when he said the words, "Netflix and chill".

“Is that not what they call it?”

"Oh, I'm sure they do."

She would be happy to do anything with him, and she told him so. When he offered to cook her dinner, she was pretty sure that her ovaries exploded. He joked that her mother would kill him for feeding her pasta, which wasn't all that far from the truth. More and more this weekend Zizi was questioning her mother's priorities. But Zizi quipped that there lots of things she did with Zach that she wouldn't be telling Dina about.

“It’ll be our secret.”

"I like the sound of that."

“I will have to be sure to give you plenty of secrets to keep.”

"I'll hold you to that."

His lips were on her throat, and she could feel her pulse quickening. Her eyes closed, her fingers running through his hair. Finally her hands moved to either side of his face, bringing his mouth up to hers so she could kiss it.

"You are amazing, you know that?"

She looked into his eyes, and shifted more onto her back, so he was hovering over her.

"Maybe we could start on those secrets right now..."