Blind Faith
 mf

Christine toyed with the strings of her dressing gown, a frown puckering her
lips and forehead. She'd heard steps moving past her room, and had hoped
someone would stop in to wheel her somewhere more exciting, but no one had
come in. Her hands fell from her lap to the heavy wheels of her chair, and
she clenched the tires angrily. She knew from her hesitant experiments that
she could move the chair herself if she tried, but without her sight she
couldn't see where to go and was more likely to fall down the stairs than
anything else.

She groaned in frustration. It was all so stupid, and annoying. She had been
traveling home for the holidays when her classes ended just after
Thanksgiving, two weeks before. Her roommate drove, since she lived only an
hour beyond Chris's home. It had started to storm, and it was getting late
as they approached Chris's home. And only a few blocks from home, some fool,
apparently begin partying early, had run a red light, skidded on the soft,
wet snow, and run headlong into the passenger's side of the car Chris was
in.

When she awoke it was two days later. She was told Leigh had been treated
for bruises and released. But Chris's seatbelt had been defective, sending
her forward and sideways, into the central mirror and dashboard, knocking
her head violently, and broken glass injuring her eyes. A heavy sliver of
mirrored glass had lodged in her right eye, and it had taken the surgeons
several hours to repair the damage, and although it had missed the delicate
cornea, it was assumed she had lost her sight on that side.

What a Christmas present. Chris sighed, knowing that by going over it again
and again in her mind she was only getting herself into a worse mood. Even
realizing that the man who had done the deed had been so pickled in alcohol
that the police had immediately carted him away did her heart no good. And
the longer she sat alone, the more depressed she got.

"Chris?" a hesitant voice called from the doorway. She turned her chair
slightly so she faced the doorway, a slight smile lighting her face.

"Adam?"

Her brother moved quickly into the room to envelop her in a hug. "God,
Chris, you're a sight for sore eyes!" His voice trailed off and an
uncomfortable silence descended. Chris giggled nervously.

"Hey, Kent, aren't you going to introduce me?" a strange voice called.
Footsteps moved close, and she heard Adam stand and move slightly away from
her.

"Chris, this is my friend Jonathin." A strong hand found hers and grasped it
warmly.

"Pleased to meet you," Jonathin greeted her. His voice was deep, as if it
had echoed from a very large chest. She imagined this stranger as being very
broad shouldered.

Chris smiled. "I'm sorry I can't stand, but they seem to think I should stay
confined to this silly chair until my head recovers." She gestured futilely
towards the door. "They also seem to think to keep me trapped in here until
that day. " She turned her face to her brother, and he could imagine her sad
puppy eyes gleaming at him as she said, "Adam, *please* take me downstairs!"

Adam chuckled as strong arms lifted her from the chair and a deep voice
rumbled, "Your wish is my command, dear lady." As she felt Jonathin lift
her, she automatically leaned against his chest - which was broad, though
not as much as she had expected. She felt the motion as Jonathin nodded and
said, "Get the chair, Kent, and we'll trot this girl downstairs and outside
to get some sun on her face!"

"Yes, sir!" Adam laughed.

Chris nestled against Jonathin's body, enjoying the feel of him warm against
her. She had been ignored by her family for so long since she had come home
from the hospital a few days before. They either smothered her with worry
and affection until she wanted to scream, or they tiptoed around afraid to
say a word f or fear she'd drop further into depression. It was such a
relief to have people treat her *normally*!

She felt the chill as they stepped outside, and laughed to feel snowflakes
falling across her nose. "You forgot my jacket!" she laughed. "Do you want
me to catch my death of cold and give everyone something else to worry
about?"

As Jonathin lowered her to the ground, she felt something placed about her
shoulders, and heard Adam's voice saying, "Don't worry, kid, your big
brother remembered the little details, even if this lummox can't."

Jonathin chuckled good-naturedly, and the two enjoyed easy banter while
Chris just enjoyed being outside. One hand in front of her, she hesitantly
moved to the side, trying to find the porch rail in a space where there was
no danger of her tripping down the stairs. Her hand was too high, and when
her legs struck the railing she made a startled sound at the pain. But then
she just leaned on the railing, her head thrown back, her tongue out to
catch elusive snowflakes on its tip.

Soon, her mother called them in to dinner, and with Jonathin on one arm and
Adam on the other, Chris walked for the first time to the dinner table.

"Chris?" Her mother sounded surprised as she entered the dining room. "Are
you sure you want to... I mean, with the bandages ... even your other eye...
The voice trailed off.

Chris's hands clenched against her escorts' arms. "I realize that the
bandages make it impossible for me to see from either eye, mother, but I'm
tired of being tucked away in my room like I'm something to be ashamed of. I
want to eat at the table. I'll work something out." Her voice was stiff and
stilted, and full of raw pain. She felt the pain of tears starting. It
angered her to be without both eyes, but the surgeon had explained that the
second eye had been scratched slightly, and needed time to heal as well.
Leaving her without either for the time being. She sat in the chair the guys
guided her to, and placed her hands on the table, hesitantly touching the
fork and plate. She moved her hand slowly forward, fingertips on the table,
until she touched the base of her glass. She lifted it to her lips, sipping
at the water, then slowly placed it back on the table, smiling broadly when
she accomplished it without spilling.

She heard the dinner chatter begin as the others seated themselves, and then
the dishes being passed around so each could fill their plates.

"Do you like green beans?" a low voice asked from her left. She shook her
head.

"Only slightly," she answered, just as softly. She heard the scrape of a
fork in a bowl, and then a brush of motion in front of her.

"Then only a few on your plate, " the voice said, and she finally realized
that it was Jonathin to her left. He continued to fill her plate as each
item was passed to him, before passing the bowls on to her brother on her
right. When done he told her, "Your ham is at the top of the plate, at 12
o'clock. Squash is at about 7 o'clock, and its the orange squishy kind, not
summer squash. A roll is next to your plate, to the left. And about five
green beans are at 5 o'clock. The ham's cut already, so you shouldn't have
any problem."

Chris turned a grateful smile to him. "Thanks."

"No problem," he returned. "My mom's blind, so I was brought up with it."

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Later, in her room and already tucked into bed by her mother, Chris heard
her doorknob turn and soft footsteps enter the room. "Who is it?" she called
quietly.

"Just me, " Adam answered. She felt him sit on the bed next to her. "I just
wanted a chance to say hi, and to say how sorry I felt. It looks like mom
and dad have been giving you a hard time."

Chris shrugged. "They just don't know how to deal with it."

Adam's voice was rough as he said, "I know, but they shouldn't *blame* you
for it. That's stupid." He laughed shortly. "I guess its a good thing I
asked Jonathin home for the holidays though, eh? Never would've expected
held end up being so needed here."

Chris smiled. "It's wonderful having both of you here. You treat me like I'm
human."

Adam touched the bandages about her head with gentle fingers. "How long till
this comes off?"

"Two weeks. Just in time for Christmas." Chris smiled bitterly.

Adam reached out to hold her, and she felt warm in her brother's comforting
embrace. Then he pushed her back and tucked her in, like he used to do when
they were younger. Dropping a kiss on her forehead he whispered, "Sweet
dreams, little sis."

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Over the next week, Adam and Jonathin did everything they could to make
Chris feel as alive as possible. They took her out in the old sleigh, hooked
up to a borrowed pair of horses, and drove around the Connecticut
countryside wrapped in warm wool blankets. Chris snuggled between them,
enjoying the ride as they traded jokes.

Slowly she came to know Jonathin's voice, instantly recognizing his step or
her brother's when they came upon her. By guiding her about the house, they
helped her learn her way enough so she could walk down the stairs by herself
without fear of falling. Even her mother finally relaxed and allowed her to
take care of herself.

It was only two days until Christmas, and the guys had gone to buy a tree,
so Chris made her way into her father's den, where a fire was burning in the
fireplace. Her father had let the fire to burn while he went with Adam and
Jonathin to find a tree, and Chris welcomed the warmth as she knelt in front
of the hearth.

She heard footsteps behind her, and asked, "Who is it?"

"It's me," Jonathin replied, dropping to sit next to her. "Kent and your dad
are bringing the tree in, and I was only getting in the way. So I thought
I'd take a look about for you."

Chris smiled. "You found me."

Jonathin was silent for a while. "You see the doctor tomorrow, don't you?"

Chris nodded. "I might even be able to see by Christmas," she said softly.
Sighing, she added, "I might even get to see what you look like before you
go back to school with Adam."

She felt his hand over hers, lifting her hand until it lay against his
cheek. Instinctively, her hand moved from his cheek to touch his forehead,
moving over his brow, sliding down his nose - feeling the slight bend of a
broken nose as she did so, feathering across his wide lips, exploring the
curve of his chin. With her hands she explored his face, knowing that she
would recognize him again if she could only touch him. Her hand snaked back
until it tangled in his rough, slightly curly hair. "What color is it?" she
asked softly.

"Black," he said, his voice hoarse.

Her fingertips traveled slowly back to his eyebrows, dropping lightly over
his closed eyes. "And your eyes?"

"Brown... "

Her fingers again touched the bump in his nose. "What happened here?"

"I broke it, skiing. My collarbone too, and one leg." She felt his smile
against her fingertips as they brushed his lips. "It was a pretty bad
accident."

Her fingertips tingled as his tongue snaked out to lick his dry lips,
touching her lightly by accident. Before she could draw away, she felt his
hand on her cheek, drawing her face closer to his as his lips moved to hers.

His lips were slightly moist, and hard against hers. She responded to the
kiss, her lips parting, her body relaxing. Her hands clasped at the back of
his neck, and she felt his lips move from hers to trace the curve of her
chin and neck.

At the sound of footsteps in the hall, Jonathin drew back, and Chris
blushed. The footsteps came quickly into the room.

"Hiding in the warmth, eh Jonathin?" Adam's cheerful voice inquired.
"Figures. You always were one to get out of work."

Chris was still close enough to feel Jonathin's shrug. figure you two had it
well in hand." He stood, and clasped Chris's hand in his to draw her to her
feet as well. "Shall we go guide the decorators?" he asked cheerfully,
tucking her arm around his as he led her from the room.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

As she sat in the waiting room, Chris thought about Jonathin. She was amazed
at how attracted she was to him, even though he was little more than a
stranger still. He had found her alone once more, sitting out in the
backyard last evening, and again he had kissed her.

Chris had loved the feel of his lips on hers, and his tongue caressing her
lips under his. His hands had held her close, and she had felt the tautness
of his body as he whispered soft words against her neck, his lips moving
with feathered touches to kiss the hollow at the base of her neck. Her
breath had grown short, and her hands had grasped his head, pulling him back
to her so she could feel his lips on her again.

But again, with the unerring instinct of a protective older brother, Adam
had come out into the backyard, carrying lemonade and dessert for each of
them, and Chris had unwillingly drawn back from Jonathin's arms. As he had
sat next to her, she could feel his tension, and his hands brushed hers
lightly when he helped her find her glass after misplacing it.

"Miss Kent?" an older woman's voice called.

"Here," Chris said softly, struggling to her feet. She turned in the
direction of the voice and felt someone standing in front of her. Capable
hands took her arm and led her into a room, pressing her down into a chair.

"Wait here until the doctor comes."

Chris's mind wandered again back to Jonathin. She hoped she would soon be
able to get rid of these stupid bandages and actually see the man. After all
the time they had spent together, she half feared she was falling in love
with him, and she didn't want to give in to her feelings until she could see
his face, and read his emotions. She didn't want him to toy with her, but
she was afraid because there was so much that could happen without her
seeing it now. Now, more than ever, she desperately wanted her vision back.

The doctor's voice interrupted her thoughts, and she blushed fiercely. She
felt hands against the bandage, and then they were gone. Her eyes fluttered
open in surprise, to be greeted by only darkness.

"I had to turn the lights out," the doctor explained, his voice soothing.
"I'm going to fit a patch over your right eye, but your left should be
healed enough that you can start to spend some time without the patch there.
Chris felt him slide something around her head, then felt the snug patch in
place over her right eye. He fitted something like a mask over both eyes.

"You can't go directly to bright light," the doctor cautioned. "A few hours
each day, and in dim light, until your eye adjusts. It's been weakened
severely."

Chris nodded, excited to have even some small amount of sight back. She
listened carefully as her doctor cautioned her not to wear herself out, to
avoid tears, and that if she needed to go anywhere with bright light to be
sure and wear dark glasses. Chris readily agreed to it all, anything for her
sight.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chris sat on the edge of her bed, waiting for her parents to bring up Adam
and Jonathin. They had already turned out the lights and drawn the curtains,
leaving only the dim light of the hallway to lend what little light there
was in the room. She toyed with the string on her mask, anxious to remove
it.

"Chris?" Adam called as he entered the room. She heard the click of the
light switch, then heard her parent's turn them off again.

There was a movement next to her, and a body sat on the bed. "So, what's the
big surprise?" Jonathin's voice rumbled.

Before they could guess, Chris had the mask off, and was blinking in the dim
light, trying to see with her left eye.

Her parents stood by the door, smiling widely. Adam had stopped while
walking toward her, and simply stood, staring. She turned to the man next to
her.

Jonathin looked surprised, but not as surprised as she as she stared at him.
His hair was curly and dark, and his eyes brown. But there the match with
what she had imagined ended. His face was not handsome - strongly built,
yes, but not handsome in the classic sense. He was dark skinned, and his
nose was severely crooked, more than Chris had thought when she had explored
his face with her hands. It lent his face and odd look, taking away what
appeal his face might have had with its unusualness. Across one cheek he had
a slight scar. His chest and arms were broad, as Chris well knew. The rest
of his body was rather pleasing too, but she found her eyes drawn back to
his unusual face, and was troubled to know that her expression showed her
surprise.

There was a hurt expression on Jonathin's face, and he stood slowly.
"Congratulations on having your sight back, Chris, " he said softly, gently
touching her shoulder. As he left the room he told Adam that he'd be out
back if anyone was looking. Chris watched as Jonathin left the room, limping
slightly - something she hadn't noticed when he had carried her.

Her mother's pleased chatter quickly distracted Chris from her wondering
about Jonathin, and the hours before she had to return to the darkness
passed quickly.

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Merry Christmas, Chris!"

Her brother's voice shook her out of her nice dream, into the cold waking
world. She listened carefully, but didn't hear any greeting from Jonathin
and assumed he wasn't in the room. Held seemed to be avoiding her lately,
and Chris wasn't certain why.

She felt hands on her shoulders, then on her arms pulling her out of bed. A
bathrobe was placed about her shoulders, and Chris shrugged it on, following
her brother as he led her from the room, down the stairs into the living
room.

"We've got it as dark as it goes, sis, so you can take it off now."

Chris reached up and slipped the mask off of her eyes, blinking in the
colorful glow the Christmas tree lent the room.

Jonathin sat across the room from her, but wouldn't meet her eyes. She
didn't have any time to think about it, or to move closer to him, though,
before her brother placed a package in her lap.

She opened her packages, glancing occasionally at Jonathin. When she saw the
package she had bought, with her mother's help, after her doctor's
appointment that week placed into his lap, she stopped what she was doing
and watched. She had wanted to thank him for everything held done for her,
and to let him know how much she thought about him. She'd asked Adam for
advice, but he had only mentioned things that Chris didn't think were
personal enough. So she'd gone on her own and picked out an ID bracelet, one
of the ones with large links, made for a man's hand. She hadn't had it
engraved, simply because she was too frightened to put anything on it, and
now that Jonathin seemed to be ignoring her, she was glad she hadn't had
anything done with it. But it was still a nice gift, and even though it
couldn't be pure gold, it was plated and looked good.

As Jonathin opened the box he looked over at Chris, and she wondered how to
read his expression. It didn't look angry, or like he didn't like it. He
just looked, well, confused. Chris tore her eyes from his and started to
open another gift.

Feeling a hand on her shoulder she glanced up to see Jonathin standing by
her. He sat on the arm of the chair, and said quietly, "Thank you."

Chris looked at him curiously.

He looked away, then back again. "Come with me." Tugging her arm until she
stood, he pulled her gently from the room into the hallway.

Pushing her back against the wall, his lips closed on hers in a hungry kiss.
Chris's eyes flickered closed as she let the welcome sensations wash over
her. Her arms moved around his waist, pulling him close as his tongue
slipped between her lips to plunge into the warm cavern of her mouth. Almost
immediately, though, her eyes snapped open again. She wanted to *see* how he
felt - read his expressions in his eyes.

She drew back slightly, and Jonathin stopped. He raised a hand to her cheek.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you."

Chris shook her head and smiled. "Surprise yes, frighten no." She stared
into his eyes, and couldn't suppress a grin at what she saw there.

"What happened?" she asked softly.

Jonathin turned away, his back rigid. "Chris, if you could've *seen* the
expression on your face when you saw me - the pity and horror. I've seen
that look before, and it's never turned out well. I'm not exactly the best
looking of men."

Chris laughed, and Jonathin whirled to face her, hurt written on his face.

"I'm not laughing at you," she said quietly. She moved up to him again. "I'm
laughing because it's such an easy answer. I feel so silly for not realizing
what was wrong." She gently touched his crooked nose, ran her fingers down
the scar on his cheek. "But when I started to fall in love with you I had no
idea that your face was scarred. I just loved *you*."

Jonathin groaned. Chris felt, rather than saw, his arms go around her and
pull her close. She could feel the length of his body against hers as he
feathered kisses across her face, her forehead, cheeks and lips. "Do you
really love me?" he whispered in between kisses.

"Yes."

"Wait here."

Jonathin went back into the living room and returned carrying Chris' mask.
He gently fixed it over her eyes and then said, "Come with me."

"Where are we going?" she asked, laughing, her hand feeling oh so
comfortable in his.

"Somewhere where we can be private and I can kiss you silly!"

  ------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Where are we?" Chris felt the wooden bench beneath her, wondering where on
the property they could be.

"A cabin your brother told me about, down by your lake," Jonathin called
from the other side of the room. "It's pretty light in here, so keep your
mask on. I couldn't find any curtains." There was a crackle and a pop, and
the sound of Jonathin softly swearing as he tried to get a fire started in
the small fireplace. When it finally worked he led Chris over to join him
sitting in front of the fire.

Chris warmed her hands and feet, which were cold from the walk out here.
Already the air in the cabin had warmed slightly. She remembered the cabin,
and knew that somewhere in it were all their fishing and boat gear, while
the boat was outside, pulled up on land for the winter.

She felt hands on her shoulders, turning her slightly, then lips against
hers, moving with infinite gentleness, coaxing a warm response from her.

"This feels strange," she whispered.

"Hm?" Jonathin replied without lifting his lips from hers. He shifted
slightly so he could hold her closer, drawing her up so he could kiss her
jaw, then the base of her neck. His tongue tickled at the edge of her
sweater.

Chris pushed gently at him. "Stop that and be serious for a moment."

Jonathin sighed. "Chris, I *am* being serious. I am seriously in love with
you, and going mad for wanting you...

She couldn't suppress a grin. "Well, okay. But... "

"But what?" Jonathin's voice was more serious now. "I'll stop, if you want,
and we can go back up to the house."

"It's just... Chris's voice trailed off, as she tried to figure out exactly
what she wanted to say. "It just feels strange not being able to see you...
I can't see your eyes, and see what you're thinking. It frightens me."

Jonathin was silent for a few moments. When he spoke again, his voice was
low, and not quite steady. "I see." He took a deep breath, then was silent
again.

"Jonathin?" Chris reached out a hand to touch his shoulder lightly. He
trapped it beneath his own large hand, holding her tight.

"Chris, believe me when I tell you how I feel." His voice was hoarse, and he
spoke as if each word were being measured very carefully. "I can't find
anything to block the windows, and God knows, I don't want you to hurt your
eyes. God also knows how much I want you, but I can wait if you want me to.
I just hope you'll have faith enough to put your trust in me, and believe
me."

Chris wriggled her hand out from under his and raised it to his face. She
could feel his taught expression beneath her fingertips, and she began to
smile, as she leaned towards him and replaced her fingers with her lips.
"I'll trust you," she whispered softly.

She felt him relax against her, as he gathered her close, pulling her onto
his lap. "Thank you... "

His hands moved to the edge of her sweater, gently massaging and caressing
her shoulder. Her fingers and toes were finally warm, and she could feel the
nearby flames from the fire sending licks of warmth through the small cabin.
The small fireplace couldn't warm the cabin completely, but it would make
the room more comfortable.

Chris sighed as Jonathin stroked her back, his hands sliding up under her
sweater, leaving only her bare skin and bra between them. "Mm... "

"Turn around." Placing his hands on her shoulders, he tugged until she had
turned her back to him. She sat between his thighs, sitting back against his
groin, her back before his hands. He lifted her sweater slightly, and began
to sensuously massage her back. His hands stroked her waist, then up to her
shoulder blades, then down along her spine. she shivered slightly under his
hands, and he switched to a harder touch, his fingers digging into her
muscles, as she relaxed into his hands. He paused briefly, and pulled gently
on the sweater, pulling it up slightly again. she reached down and tugged it
off, still keeping her back to him. Pulling her hair forward, out of the
way, she bent her head and waited patiently.

She felt Jonathin pause behind her, his hands resting on her waist. She
imagined she could feel his eyes boring into her back. "Well?" she said
softly.

He brushed his lips over her shoulders, as his hands stroked her sides.
"Beautiful. You are absolutely beautiful."

Chris smiled, a silly grin, and she felt as if little shivers were running
through her muscles, turning everything into mush. She leaned back, feeling
his arms go around her as he gathered her against his chest. His hands
stroked across her stomach, then feathered up over the soft fabric of her
bra. Her head fell back, against his shoulder, as her back arched, moving
her breasts against his hands. She both felt and heard him sigh behind her.
"Not only are you beautiful, but you feel so beautiful too. Like this... "
His fingers brushed over the covered nipple, and she moaned slightly as she
twisted to feel more of his touch. "The slightest touch and I feel you
react. It's a wonderful feeling."

She wiggled back against him, feeling him hard against her, then playfully
asked, "What happened to my backrub?"

He nuzzled her bare shoulder, his tongue stroking the side of her neck. "You
want a backrub?" His hands slid up her sides, caressing the swells of her
breasts, then moving around to her back, gently pushing her forward. "Then
you get a backrub."

He unhooked her bra, and she slipped it off. A gentle push against her back
and she realized she was to lie down. There was a soft rug under them, which
tickled her bare skin, and she felt Jonathin's weight settle against her
buttocks, as he sat in preparation for the massage. He paused again. "It's
getting warm, Chris. "

She smiled. "So, maybe you should try to cool off?"

She felt his weight shift, then the soft sound of something landing on the
rug next to her. "Much better," Jonathin said quietly, then his hands were
on her back.

His hands coaxed and teased her, first softly stroking, then fingers digging
gently, then palms moving warmly across the skin of her back. She felt her
mind relax, her muscles turn to jelly. His hands brushed up the middle of
her back, then over her shoulders, pausing to massage her upper arms. Then
back down her body, along her sides, brushing slightly against her breasts,
then down over her hips, across her buttocks, then back up to the small of
her back. She sighed in enjoyment.

Finally, his weight lifted, and she felt him lie down next to her, one hand
over her shoulders lightly. "So," he whispered, his face close to hers.
"What do I get in return?"

She rolled over slightly, so that she faced him, freeing her breasts from
where they had been imprisoned against the floor. Her hand stroked his face.
"Good question... what do you think the answer should be?"

He laid back, moving slightly away from her. "Up to you, sweetling."

She pulled herself up to her knees, and reached out to touch his shoulder.
She felt his arms, pulled up where his hands were behind his head as he
relaxed. She moved down and felt his bare chest, realizing that he had
removed his shirt earlier, when she had suggested that he cool off. Her
hands stroked softly across his nipples, drawing a moan from him when she
increased the pressure of her touch. Keeping one hand in place so she could
find her mark, she bent over to place a light kiss against the nipple. His
hands grasped her head, and he pulled her up so their lips met. As they
kissed, his hands moved down her body, tugging her over him. Her hips were
against his, her breasts pressed against his skin. His hands fell against
the cheeks of her ass, massaging them.

She sat up, her hands against his jaw, feeling his smile against her
fingertips. Bending down again, she brushed a quick kiss across his lips,
then held him back, a single finger against across his mouth as he tried to
sit up. She grinned at him, and wriggled back, her hands sliding down over
his chest, tangling in the coarse hairs as she brushed across his waist. She
felt his stomach muscles tighten and jump under her touch. Then she reached
the waist of his jeans. With both hands she slowly unbuttoned his jeans,
then drew the zipper down. She wriggled back even further, so that she
crouched over his knees, and started to tug the pants off of him. When he
didn't move, she stopped, placing her hands on her hips, and pouted.

"You have to help, Jonathin." Her hands brushed over the front of his pants,
where the fly was open, and she could feel him hard beneath the thin fabric
of his shorts. "And then, once I've got you just the way I want you, you'll
have to help me more. Because, of course, since I can't see you, I'll have
to find everything by touch."

Jonathin groaned and lifted his ass so she could pull the pants down over
his legs, then finally off. She twisted a finger in the elastic of his
shorts, starting to pull them off as well, but stopping when he tried to
help. She placed a hand over him, caressing him slightly, as she giggled. "I
think we'll leave you just like that for a while."

"Tease."

She shrugged, smiling, and wished she could see the expression on his face.
Standing over him, she slowly unzipped her own jeans, then slid them over
her hips, down her legs, and kicked them off to the side. Then her underwear
followed, and she heard the sharp intake of Jonathin's breath as she
straightened up again. Suddenly nervous, she tried to smile and asked,
"Well?"

Only silence answered, and her face fell, and she took a step backwards. "I
... "

"Wait." There was the sound of a sudden shift, and she felt the rug moving
beneath her feet. She dropped to one knee to steady herself, and felt
Jonathin grab her arm. He was sitting up, his knees still beneath her, his
hands quickly covering her shoulders. His hands moved up to her chin, then
his thumb gently caressed her lower lip. "I'm sorry, I forgot you couldn't
see me lying there, grinning like an idiot, with the biggest hard- on I've
ever had in my life."

Chris's voice squeaked. "Really?"

"Really." His voice was low and sensual, and he pulled her down to sit on
his lap. His hips moved slightly, and she felt him against her, imagining
she could feel his pulse. His hands moved across her body again, up to her
breasts, and she felt his hair brush her chin as he lowered his head to
suckle first one nipple then the other. Her hips moved against his, starting
a slow rhythm, wanting to ease the ache she felt. Her back arched, pressing
her breasts against his lips and hands.

"Sweetling," she heard and felt him whisper against her breasts, "I don't
suppose I might be able to remove my shorts finally?"

In answer, she slid back until she was off his lap, and her hands grasped
the elastic of his shorts and tugged, pulling them of f quickly. Then her
hands slid back up his legs until they reached their destination, and her
slim fingers wrapped around his length. She caressed him slowly, learning
what he looked like but what it felt like. He was hard, and smooth, the skin
soft and warm. She could feel the pulse of the vein on the underside, and
leaning down she pressed her lips against it.

"Oh, God, Chris, if you keep that up... " he groaned, as his hips moved in
response.

Moving forward again, she positioned her hips over his, his hands against
the cheeks of her buttocks, her hands guiding him, and she started to lower
herself. He slid inside her slowly, savoring the feel of her around him. And
then stopped, not quite completely inside, when he felt her tense.

Her expression was suddenly pained, and he thought he had hurt her. "Chris?"
He stopped all movement, supporting her in her half-kneeling position.
"What's wrong?"

She shook her head, unable to speak clearly. "I ... did you... I mean..."
Her voice trailed off as she tried to collect her thoughts. "I ... Oh,
Jonathin. I completely almost forgot. Did you *bring* anything?"

He froze at her words. "Christ, Chris, I almost forgot. In the pocket of my
jeans there's... no wait. I'll get it." She stood, and he felt the sudden
cold as her body released him. She moved stiffly away as he knelt and dug
into his pockets, finding the foil- wrapped package in his wallet. "Do you
want me... or should you... ?" She shrugged, her back to him, and he began
to feel the slight cold of the cabin across his body. Her arms were crossed
across her chest, her back stiff in the fading light. He quickly tore open
the package, and slid the condom on, wanting only to hold and comfort her
again. As his arms slid around her, he realized she was shaking. "Cold?"

She shook her head. "Scared."

He sighed, his hands stroking her arms as he stood behind her, holding her
body against his length. "I'm sorry," he whispered, "I'm so sorry. There's
just something about you, about watching you, about seeing you that makes
everything leave my mind. I can't believe I forgot."

She shook her head again. "I'm not upset with you. I'm upset with me,
because I shouldn't have forgotten either." She wrinkled her nose. "That's
what frightens me, that you could make me feel so wonderful that I forgot."

"Come here. " Jonathin led her back to the rug, and pulled her down to sit
next to him. He took her hand and gently placed it against his groin, so
that she could feel where he was still hard, and now protected. "Chris," he
whispered softly, as her hand began to caress him on its own. "Oh, God,
Chris... "

Her body relaxed, and she pushed him back to lie down, climbing over him.
She held him, guiding him inside her again, this time swiftly, moaning with
the pleasure of holding him deep inside. Her hips began to move slowly, her
hands braced against his chest, while his hands caressed her back, sides,
and breasts. Her hips moved faster, as she pulled him deeper inside, her
hips against his as if she tried to become one person.

He watched the shifting expressions on her face. She had returned to pure
abandonment, and her face reflected every thrust, every caress of his
fingertips. With each sensation she felt, her expression changed and her
tempo increased. And Jonathin felt his own need building, until she cried
out, her hips pressing hard against his, and he felt as if he burst deep
inside of her.

She collapsed against his chest, and he cuddled her close as her lips
nuzzled his chin. "I'm sorry I got weird... " she whispered.

He smiled against her cheek. "No problem. I should have remembered."

"Me too." She sighed and was silent again. As she felt his fingers tugging
at the strings of her mask, she sat up. "What?"

"Sh." He pulled her back towards him, and finished untying the mask. "It's
gotten dark while we've been here. I think a storm's moving in. So I thought
you might want to take this thing off."

He pulled and her eyes were suddenly freed, and they blinked open, trying to
take in everything at once. She saw the f ire beginning to die in the
fireplace, the clothes scattered across the floor, the rug rumpled beneath
their bodies, the dark clouds massing outside the windows. And she saw
Jonathin.

She stared at him, trying to memorize his face. His hair was dark with
sweat, slicked down against his forehead. His eyes glittered as they watched
his hand trace a path across his thigh and leg. Her own gaze followed his
hands down their bodies, and she saw where they were still nearly joined,
her leg thrown over his groin. And finally she raised her eyes to meet his.

He was smiling. "Ah, Sweetling, I really do love you."

She grinned. "Me or my body?"

He grinned in return. "Both."

She snuggled down against his chest, closing her eyes as her hands went
around him. Her body tangled with his as she sighed, "Good. Me too."