Forbidden Moments Are The Sweetest

Audrie woke up after tossing for a while in her sleep. She was dreaming but couldn't recall the dream. She just remembered feeling heavy with so much guilt but without knowing what her sins were. And she was sweating so much as though she carried an unseen burden on her shoulders. It could be her conscience. Or it could just be the worst hang-over on earth. Her head was filled with hundreds of little men banging a hammer against her skull. She couldn't see straight. Everything around her was woozy and blurred, just like in the movies when somebody's dreaming. Maybe, she was still dreaming...

When Audrie chose to believe that she was still dreaming, the splitting headache disappeared suddenly. It was replaced by a peculiar hotness. Her whole body was burning from unseen fires, which she desperately wanted to get rid off. She forced her heavy limbs to move. Her legs staggered drunkenly as she moved towards a door that she only guessed as the bathroom. This bedroom looked strange yet familiar. She knew she had been here before but couldn't remember when.

Her eyesight was still foggy and she hazily noticed the spaciousness of the elegant bathroom. But her main concern was the blazing fire inside her body and the throbbing heat inside her head. Without removing her clothes, Audrie got inside the glass cubicle and turned on the shower knob. The water was icy cold against her skin. She let out a a very loud gasp but remained unmoving under the steady jet of needle-like spray. Her short hair got plastered around her head. Her make-up got washed away from her face. Her clammy hands tried to peel off her wet clothes but her trembling fingers lack the strength to lift the heavy fabric. She giggled softly at her foolishness. She just destroyed her new dress but she couldn't care a bit because she was only dreaming.

"I wish I'm dreaming about Sean, too," Audrie whispered to herself. She tried to sound nonchalant but she could almost taste the underlying desperation and fear bubbling inside her guts. She was afraid because her feelings towards her sister's fiance were fast becoming uncontrollable. Loving Sean was like riding a giant rollercoaster with lots of twists and turns. And the only way she could set herself free was to remove the safety harness...

Audrie sighed loudly and shook her head to get rid of the murky thoughts. She felt dizzy instantly due to the sudden movement. She shook her head again with more force. When she experienced nausea again, she was forced to accept that she was not really dreaming. The floor kept rolling under her feet because she was still very much drunk. A languid hand slapped on her forehead as she scolded herself drowsily. "You're such a naive fool, Audrie Jacobs!" Her voice had gone hoarse now and her body was starting to tremble. The water from the shower had gone icy cold against her skin. She forced her freezing fingers to unzip and undon the clingy wet dress. She was shuddering very badly when she managed to remove the dripping clothes. Her legs were shaking and she just got able to stand on them through sheer determination. Even though her earlier thoughts were almost suicidal, Audrie's sense of modesty could never let herself die in the nude.

She giggled helplessly. There's nothing funny in her present predicament but she preferred to laugh rather than cry. Hysteria was like a moth circling the flame. Her self control was ready to snap anytime but she still had enough sense to keep herself calm. The cold shower helped.

 

How to Catch a Woman's Heart

The Fritz was well-known for its delicious food and good music for dancing. After a sumptuous dinner, the guests were encouraged to proceed to the dancing room, where a long bar counter with stools lined the length of one wall. A wide space with a giant strobe light on the center was surrounded by small round tables and slim chairs, designed for couples who wanted to get close to each other. The whole room was dimly-lit. Audrie could hardly see Nick's smiling face and yet she's still feeling relaxed. She smiled back at him even though he could not see her properly. She was glad because the dinner was a success. And now, she's hoping that they'd pass through the next level. If she could dance to sweet music with Nick , her crazy infatuation with Sean Talbot would be history before the night was over.

"Thank you for bringing me here, Nick," Audrie said impulsively.

"Are you happy tonight, Audrie?" Nick asked eagerly.

"Yes."

"I'm glad to hear that, sweetie." Nick caught her hand and pulled her up. "Let's dance, darling."

Audrie did not resist when his arms encircled her slim body. She managed to keep still when Nick started kissing her hair. She tried hard not to squirm when his mouth began nuzzling her neck. Her skin crawled due to the trail of wetness left by the unwanted caresses. "Nick, please stop," she said calmly. "This is a public place," she added without thinking. She just wanted Nick to take it slow without discouraging him.

"Then, let's go somewhere private," Nick suggested quickly. "Come with me. I have a big bed in my apartment."

"No." Audrie baulked when he started pulling her again. "I don't want to go to your apartment."

"Why?" Nick scowled.

"Nick, please understand. Don't rush me." Audrie used a pleading tone to pacify him.

"Rushing you? I've been patiently waiting for you to come around and notice me. I've waited for nine months and 28 days, y'know."

"I didn't know you're counting. I'm sorry."

Nick sighed aloud. He had calmed a bit but still very much irritated. "Ok, let's have it your way. But please don't make me wait forever." His warning sounded petulant.

Audrie could not answer due to disappointment. And she was fast changing her mind on anything related to Nick. She thought she knew Nick; but the man in front of her had transformed to someone shallow and unpredictable.

"Let's dance again."

"No. I want to go home now."

Nick hesitated for a moment before nodding his head curtly. "If that's what you want," he said as he started dragging her again.

"Please let me go. I can walk by myself." Audrie was feeling cold from the inside. The warmth from Nick's admiration earlier was gone and she felt alone once again.

Nick sensed her change of mood and apologized instantly. "I'm sorry for being such a grump, Audrie. The only explanation I have is frustration. I've been longing for this moment to have you for myself. I admit that I'm wrong to rush you."

Audrie sighed. "It's alright. I understand." She accepted his apology reluctantly.

"Let's have a drink to help us cool off."

Audrie hesitated.

"If we're really friends again, you'd go with me to the bar." Nick was standing close to her, watching her face intently. "C'mon, just one for the road," he added in a cajoling tone.

"Oh, alright." Audrie was forced to accept. This could be their last time together. Nick was a nice guy... But she couldn't just stand his touch--period. She must stop this foolishness before it escalated to something uncontrollable. Emotions were like explosives. They're too dangerous to play with... could explode in your face anytime... and many people could get hurt...

Audrie was still deep in her chaotic thoughts when they reached the bar. Nick managed to find two vacant stools. "Two brandy, please." He ordered without asking her.

"Just water for me," Audrie cut in hastily.

"And one glass of cold water," Nick added, after glancing at her with something like irritation.

Audrie was starting to feel nauseous once again. Someone was smoking beside her and she could not avoid inhaling the cigarette smoke. Suddenly, she felt like she's going to puke. Covering her mouth with one hand, she mumbled a hasty "excuse me!" before rushing off towards the direction of the restrooms. She went there after dinner. She had lost count of the glasses of champagne and red wine she consumed during dinner. Her cheeks felt thick so she splashed cold water to her face. She knew she was already drunk so she ordered a cup of black coffee.

"I'll wait for you here." Nick was reluctant to leave because the bartender had placed the two glasses in front of him.

Audrie just nodded her head once. The sharp movement was a mistake because it caused her world to roll and her stomach to grumble. She almost stumbled as she maneuvered the crowd in the dance floor. "Sorry! Excuse me!" She kept on mumbling these words because she kept on bumping against someone. She was thankful when she went through the door without falling on her wobbly knees. The air outside the dancing room was fresher so she could breathe better. Her nausea lessened but she continued walking towards the restroom area, until a tall and hard shape blocked her away.

"You're drunk," Sean stated flatly. His dark eyes was criticizing.

"Sean!" Audrie gasped when she recognized the deep voice. "What--what are you doing here?"

"Fetching you."

"But--but how--?" She was not allowed to complete her query. Long, talon-like fingers clamped around her arm and dragged her towards the main entrance of the restaurant.

"Wait--there's my car." Audrie managed to direct a shaking finger towards the service car parked on the opposite side of the long parking space.

"Yours?" Sean sounded disbelieving.

"No. It's a company car--" Audrie tried to explained but stumbled because Sean dragged her again.

"It will be safe," he cut in brusquely after he opened the passenger door. "Get inside." Sean didn't wait for her to obey. He pushed her into the car and deftly locked the seatbelt himself. In a flash, he was sitting in the driver's seat and turning the ignition key.

"I--I left Nick inside!" She gasped once again.

"He's old enough to fend for himself." Sean told her in a cold tone.

"But--"

"Is he your boyfriend?" The question was sharp.

"No, but--"

"No more buts. You're going home now. You have no right to be irresponsible. Drinking while driving, huh?"

Audrie was effectively silenced by guilt and renewed nausea. Feeling weak, she laid down her head against the softly upholstered head rest. She stared at the dark night outside the window.

"Sulking?"

"What?" Audrie was forced to turn her head towards Sean. He was busy driving the black luxury car.

"Sulking because your fun is cut short?"

"No..."

"Then talk to me."

"What is there to talk about?" Audrie was hesitant. "We have nothing in common."

"Why do you drive a company car now?"

Audrie sighed before she replied timidly. "I've been promoted."

"Congratulations." Sean threw her a mocking smile but his tone was sincerely warm. "Why did you cut your hair?"

"For the new job."

"Or for the new boyfriend?"

Audrie refused to rise to his bait because her head was starting to swim in pain. She closed her eyes to let them rest for a while.

Sean did not speak again so Audrie was lulled to sleep. She was confident that he would wake her up when they reached home.

*     *     *

When Sean noticed that she was deeply asleep, he pulled out his cellphone to call the police station. "Hello, Ken? This is Sean. I'd like to ask another favor." Ken was a close buddy since high school. They remained friends until now.

"Ha-ha, I can already guess the reason for this out-of-the-blue request from the mayor," Ken commented mockingly. "It's the motorbike girl again, no?"

"Not a motorbike anymore. You'd need a tow truck this time." He gave the plate number, which he had memorized while passing by the parked black SUV. "Please bring it to the townhouse."

"Right away, sir." Ken was laughing now. "And you owe me double rounds now."

"Yeah, more than a double, I think." Sean forced himself to laugh lightly.

Sean decided to bring Audrie to the townhouse once again because no one would assist the drunk girl if he brought her to her own home. And he couldn't possibly bring her to his house at this time of night. His mother's sharp radar would be alerted at once. And he didn't need further complications while he's trying to get rid of his crazy attraction to Audrie Jacobs.

'Yes, I'm a crazy man, indeed!' Sean told himself after he switched off the engine. He was hesitant now that they were parked in front of the townhouse.

Someone knocked softly on the driver's window. It was Police Officer Ken.

Sean pushed the power button to open the window.

"Mission accomplished, Sean. The lady's car is parked right behind yours now."

"Thanks again, Ken." Sean heaved a deep sigh before he spoke again. "Could you open the gate and front door, please? She's asleep and I have to carry her inside."

"Ok." Ken took the keys from Sean. He had been a visitor here several times before so he was familiar on the whereabouts of the light switches. "Don't you think it's wiser to put her in the living room instead of the bedroom?" He commented seriously. "Sorta away from temptation?"

"She's a temptress anywhere you put her," Sean said in a clipped tone.

"Yes, you're right... but is she really the motorbike girl?" Ken did not recognize Audrie.

"The same girl. Just no more long hair and rugged clothes." Sean placed Audrie's sleeping form on the bed carefully.

Ken followed closely behind and quickly covered the girl's shapely long legs with the thick bed cover. "C'mon, let's leave her here in peace," he said after arranging the pillow beneath Audrie's head.

Sean was reluctant to leave Audrie but he had to heed Ken's insistent stare.

"Brandy?" He asked when they reached the living room, where a small wine bar was located in one corner.

"Just one shot, thanks." Ken sat on the bar stool.

Sean fought with himself quietly while nursing his glass.

"A woman's heart is sometimes elusive," Ken said after a few minutes of thick silence. "It's hard to catch, especially when it belongs to another man."

"I'm not interested in catching any woman's heart, Ken. I already have Anne's," Sean muttered with a false calm.

Ken just shrugged. "That's good to hear." He gulped down the brandy. "I have to go now, Sean. I'm on duty until 8 tomorrow morning."

"Thanks again for your help." Sean accompanied his friend outside. They waved at each before Ken drove the tow truck away. He switched off all the lights, except the pinlights in the small lawn.

'Does Audrie's heart belong to that man in the restaurant?' Sean asked himself while pouring another shot of brandy for himself.