Lissa's Lover

 "I want you. Matter of fact, I need you. I want all of you. I'm so glad you decided to give us a chance ..." In the morning, Dana opened her eyes, and looked at the space she expected Shane to be, but he wasn't there. She sat up, though feeling groggy, and looked around the room.  She moved to scoot her butt to the edge of the bed when her hand touched something that felt like a thin piece of paper. She picked it up and looked at it. There were a few words scribbled on it that were definitely Shane's handwriting. She read the words carefully, her heart pounding.  "Sweet baby, I'm so sorry I have to leave. Something's happened to my dad. My brother called. I would have told you, but didn't want to wake you. I'll call you. Please do me a favor. Pack your things and get ready by 9 o'clock. We may have to cut our visit to the villa short. I'm really sorry. I love you." Dana's heart sank. She had plans for him today. She wanted to...

"I care about you. Dana. I don't want to hurt you. You are beautiful and sweet, but I know I'm damaged." He cleared his throat again.  "I am flattered by your attraction for me. Maybe we shouldn't take this further."   Shane woke up and watched Dana sleeping. He was tempted to touch her face but didn't want to wake her. He rolled onto his right side and moved slowly to the edge of the bed to get off it.  As he sat up to rise to his feet, she stirred and opened her eyes. She smiled and stretched out her hand to touch his back. He turned around, leaned forward and kissed her hand while it rested on the bed. "Morning baby," he said with a smile. Dana smiled at him, her eyes inviting. He crawled to her and kissed her slowly. When he leaned back her eyes were closed. He touched her face. "Gonna take a shower, okay? "Okay," she replied with a whisper.

 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. (1 John 2:16-17 NIV)   Shane parked his car in front of the Dixons' house and took a deep breath. He looked down the road and then at the house. He saw that a few of the bullet holes were already patched, and was grateful that Corporal Stewart was doing such a great job.  The insurance finally came in and he was relieved. He decided to upgrade to a plum colored SUV, something sleek looking. The glass was slightly tinted. It was a four seater vehicle that was spacious with nice, comfy seats.  He was told by the sales rep that the engine was very fuel efficient, which he was glad to hear. He also told him that the vehicle's RPM was between 1500 - 2000. Shane smiled and told him he didn't believe him. He was allowed to take it for a ride and...

  "Lissa, I want you. Can I have you, not just in my bed, but in my life?" he asked her. "I want to be your man. I want to give my love to you. I want you to fall in love with me," he said making his plea. He touched her face. Lissa woke to the smell of fried eggs, bologna and toasted bread. She sat up in bed and smiled. She remembered that she had slept over at Ryan's place. She listened to the sound of footsteps coming closer. She looked up to see Ryan coming towards her wearing the shorts from last night but he also had on a white marina that barely covered his muscular pecs. In his hands was a tray that held a plate filled with delicious smelling food. She grinned as he placed it on her lap. "Good morning beautiful," he said.

"I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you, and I won't force myself on you.  I want your love willingly. I want you to want me and willingly give yourself to me ..."   He woke up and did his Sunday morning routine as usual. He went for a jog, came back home and did 200 push-ups then did several reps of squats with a 250 pound barbell, then a few bench presses: 100 reps. He had a small space in his apartment he turned into a mini-gym. Later, he showered, cooked breakfast for himself, got dressed and went to church. When Ryan came back from church, he took a nap and woke up at 1 o'clock in the afternoon. He turned on the data on his phone and saw a new message pop up from Lissa. He decided to first look at the messages in his family chat and replied to a few from his siblings. He smiled as he saw their answers, and told them that he loved them.  He sat up and rested his back on the bed's headboard and tucked his pillow behind his back. He was about to open Lissa...

 "I'm falling for you Lissa. I find you very attractive. You turn me on in the strongest way. I don't think I have been this forward with any other woman I'm just getting to know ..."  Gently, he caressed her, telling her she was beautiful, that he wanted her; he needed her. Lissa moaned and opened her arms to him.  He lay on top of her. His body weight was intoxicating. His smell, the feel of his warm, smooth skin made her weak. Lissa arched her body up to him.  It was strange, but she couldn't see her lover's face. But his touch felt familiar, his voice was velvety smooth as he told her she was beautiful and he loved her.  She lifted her head trying to catch a glimpse of his face, but it was a blur. What was clear was his hands caressing her body: Touching her breasts, her thighs, resting carefully on her belly. His chest was large, but she vaguely noted that it didn't look like Shane's. 

"You're safe. I got you. I won't let anyone hurt you."  "You're safe. I got you. I won't let anyone hurt you."  Lissa looked into his eyes. Could she believe him? It seemed like all the men in her life, except her dad and Branno, were the same. She was tired of having her trust betrayed; tired of having her heart trampled. Could she trust him? He touched her face then leaned forward and hugged her. His arms around her shoulders made her feel secure. "Thank you," she said. She was grateful he showed up when he did. If he hadn't ... No, she didn't want to think like that. He released her from his embrace and looked at her. "I told you, I'm here if you need me." She felt a little perplexed. Was he following her the whole time? He was very brave. "Surely you being here when I need you has limits, you have your own life and ..." She paused trying to calm the stormy thoughts inside her head. She was very attracted ...

  She turned her upper body towards him. "Wouldn't it be weird for the counselor to seek counsel from the client?" she asked, a slight smile on her lips. He shook his head, a charming smile graced his lips. Lissa was captivated by it. "Not at all," he said, "once the counselor accepts that the client is open to being a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on."   Lissa dreamt that Shane was laying beside her. He circled his arms around her and held her close to his body. She turned around and placed her hand on his chest and felt his heart beat. "Baby, I love you. I will never leave your side again," he said. He touched her face and kissed her lips. Lissa woke up. She felt at peace. The dream felt so real. She turned on her side and went to sleep with a smile on her face.

"We have been friends for nearly forty years. Almost forty long years, good and bad times. I have always been loyal to you. I have covered your tracks and your ass a million times, as you have done mine. But it seems my loyalty almost cost me my zuhūr na'imah (زهور ناعمة - delicate flower). I am your friend but I will choose my family every time."  Zuzu felt weirdly dazed with Branno laying on top of her. She looked up at his face. She saw fear but also something else. She wasn't sure if it was anger or determination or both. Glass shards fell around them. He flinched when they hit him but he didn't move away from her. He held her close to him. She wrestled a little to get her arm out of the sheet wrapped firmly around her.

"There's a traditional saying from my mom's Arabic roots. It's this: a lḥubbu dawāʼu al-qulūb, which in English says 'love is the medicine of hearts'. This means that love is like medicine. It can heal emotional scars; a broken heart. It can soothe any deep spiri tual pain, and bring hope and joy. I want to be that for you Branno, if you will let me." "Mhm… Brandon, aahh, right there! Right there! Mmh ... feels good! Ahh! Deeper! More, give me more! Mmh!" "Right here?" "Mhm, yes. Harder! Branno aah! Oh god please! Deep, go deep! Mmh! Ohh you're so good! Mmh. Haa! You feel so good." "Where else do you want me to massage?" Brandon asked. His hands rested on his best friend's naked back. He swallowed hard. He knew he was slightly turned on by the sounds she was making. He couldn't take her seriously however, she was the true definition of a tease.  They were in her room. She was laying on her tummy and he wa...