The girl had a lovely way of snuggling up into him. Sweet little Becky. He’d never felt so wanted, so necessary as when she burrowed into his chest, clinging to him with an almost animalistic tenacity as though her very survival depended on his presence. I’ll take good care of you. Don’t fret love. I can’t promise that I won’t have my moments of doubt but in the end, I’ll always be there for you.
He hadn’t actually vocalized the words but merely willed her to hear his thoughts, to magically absorb them into her heart. It was enough for him to believe that she understood his commitment to her. This lovely little life-form that had been delivered to him on his doorstep.
***
“How will I get through the next few hours?” Becky asked, standing between Kelley’s knees, absently playing with the lapels of his trench coat. Dorian was standing out on the small balcony of the hotel room while Crispin was in the bathroom, getting ready.
“Just do your best, love,” Kell said, looking up into her sad eyes. “But if you feel you have to cry, don’t hold back. It’s better to let it out rather than trying to be brave.”
“I don’t feel brave,” she said, her lips all aquiver.
“You don’t have to be,” he said, standing up to his full height, slowly pulling her into his chest. “We’ll be brave for you.”
“That’s right, little dormouse,” Crispin said, having heard their conversation on his way out of the bathroom. Hearing his voice behind her, Becky turned and put on a brave smile especially for him.
“Sweet Crispin,” she said, holding her hand out to him. As much as she was glad to have Kelley at her side, she hadn’t forgotten how thoughtfully Crispin had treated her last night. In fact, she would never forget his rare display of sweetness.
This time, it was Crispin’s turn to ignore Kelley’s questioning glare. “Suddenly, I’m sweet. Go figure.” He chuckled, rather amused with himself.
“When you’re not prickly, you can be quite sweet,” she said, giving his hand a squeeze.
“Should we try and keep the room for one more night?” Dorian asked when he stepped back inside.
“No,” Becky spoke up first. “I’d really rather go straight home after the funeral. If you don’t mind. Besides, I don’t want to keep you from attending classes tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry about classes. Take all the time you need,” Kelley answered for all three of them.
“I really just want to go home,” she said beseechingly. Suddenly, it was the most important thing to her. To get back to Kingston and to routine. Whatever that routine might be.
For whatever reason, Kelley’s heart did a little leap at the way she referred to the House of Goths as her home. Again he thanked God that she’d found her way safely to his front porch that fateful day. Protect her, you’re all she’s got now, his beating heart demanded. She needs you more than ever.
Becky held up pretty well throughout the entire funeral process, from the viewing at the funeral home to the cemetery where after a short service, Granny’s ashes were placed in the niche.
With a secret promise that she would return periodically and place flowers in the small vase, Becky said her final goodbyes. She regretted not having had the chance to tell Granny about Kelley, Crispin, and Dorian. She was sure the old lady would have liked to know that her granddaughter was in very good company. Things are so much better now, Granny. I’ve made some very lovely friends.
“Ready, love?” Kelley said, holding the car door open for her. Crispin and Dorian were already sitting in the back.
“Yes…” she said, putting on a brave smile.
Chapter 13
In the weeks that followed, Becky had the pleasure of meeting a few friends of the Goths. Mostly other Goths like themselves. She hadn’t realized that there were so many around. Then again, a lot of them didn’t always dress quite so obviously, unlike her eccentric housemates. Usually she would stay out of their way, not wanting to impose herself on their guests. Most of them were polite when she did happen by. Others simply ignored her altogether.
One, in particular, Jax, his name was, showed quite a lot of interest in her. So much so that his avid attention unnerved her.
Usually, when he came around the house, Becky would stay in her room or if they were out in the garage, she would stay inside watching television. The guys hadn’t actually banned her from hanging around them, but she just felt it would be best to give them their privacy. Besides, what did she have in common with Goths?
When it was just the four of them, though, she didn’t mind hanging out together, especially to watch television. Next to painting, huddling around watching movies quickly became Becky’s favourite pastime.
“Joining us tonight, dormouse?” Crispin asked, making room on the couch between him and Dorian.
Becky smiled and nodded enthusiastically, sensing that the normally prickly Goth secretly liked it when she sat beside him, even though he pretended not to.
Kelley would watch with a reluctant smile as she tucked herself in between his housemates. At first, it had bothered him to see her sit so comfortably with his all too eager housemates, usually with her head on Crispin’s shoulder or lap, her feet up by Dorian’s knees, but he’d convinced himself that it was perfectly all right for her to feel comfortable in doing so. They were housemates, all of them. Still, he secretly wished it was on his lap she sat.
“You’re such a little couch hog,” Crispin protested playfully. “What if I wanted to lie down?”
“Go ahead.” She giggled, tugging the throw over her shoulders, resting her head on his lap. “There’s plenty of room.”
“Hey, I draw the line there,” Dorian said, tucking the throw around her feet. “If anyone’s going to lie down beside Becky, it’ll be me.”
Having heard enough, Kell scowled at the lot of them. “Are you all quite done?” he scoffed, suddenly very unamused. “Shall I start the movie or leave you three alone?”
“Kelley?” Becky gasped, attempting to sit up. She couldn’t help but frown at his inappropriate comment. How dare he imply such a thing? She suddenly felt quite indignant.
“What the fuck’s up with you?” Crispin snapped, placing a steadying hand on Becky’s shoulder.
“I do believe he’s jealous,” Dorian snickered teasingly. “Plenty of room for all four of us here on the couch. If you don’t mind sharing.”
“Fuck off,” Kell said, tossing the remote control at the suddenly not so amused Steampunk before storming out of the room. Immediately, Dorian got up and went after him. Moments later, shouting and swearing could be heard from somewhere in the house.
“No, you stay put,” Crispin insisted, holding Becky down. “This isn’t your fault. If he can’t handle it, that’s his problem.”
“I don’t understand what just happened,” she whispered with a frown.
“It’s nothing I didn’t see coming. I’ll tell you that much,” Crispin said cryptically, reaching for the remote.
Ten minutes into the movie, Dorian and Kell returned, acting as if nothing at all had transpired. Perhaps Crispin was right, Becky thought, watching Kelley sit stiffly in his chair. She’d done nothing wrong. Crispin seemed perfectly okay with her being where she was. Dorian seemed quite comfortable too. She was small enough that she didn’t take up a lot of room on the big old couch. Why it bothered Kelley was beyond her.
Could Dorian be right about the jealousy thing? But Kelley hadn’t shown any particular interest in her ever since they got back from Toronto. In fact, he’d been acting rather aloof and cool around her at times. She figured he was doing it on purpose so that she wouldn’t get any romantic ideas about him. She sensed that about him, his desire to distance himself from her. She couldn’t blame him for thinking it either.
Becky had indeed developed a crush on the handsome Goth. How could she not have, given the circumstances of her life as of late? Without her grandmother around, she was very much aware of the fact that she would’ve been completely alone
in the world, had she not met Kelley. She owed him a lot and she couldn’t help but grow attached to him. He’d been so kind to her in the immediate days following Granny’s funeral.
She had even snuck into his bed a couple of nights just so that she wouldn’t feel so alone. He hadn’t seemed to mind at first. He’d even cuddled her into his chest which was a bonus since all she really wanted was to lie quietly next to him. Then suddenly, one night he pretty much told her to back off. Not so much with words, but nevertheless she’d gotten the impression that she was imposing on him.
It happened on the third night she’d snuck into bed with him. She noticed that he became very tense, and she was quite sure she heard him swear under his breath. Instead of pulling her into his chest, he’d abruptly turned his back on her and grumbled to himself. Ever since that night, Becky had stayed away from his bed. The last thing she wanted was to be a nuisance.
Halfway into the never ending horror flick, Becky flinched at a particularly shocking scene. In fact, they all did. Moments later, they were chuckling at themselves.
“I don’t know why you all enjoy these movies so much,” Becky protested, hiding her face under the throw.
“Scared?” Crispin teased, tugging the throw off her face.
“I don’t know how I’ll be able to sleep after watching this,” she complained.
Hearing her words, Kelley turned to look at her with a wistful expression on his face. Come to my bed tonight. I’ll keep you safe, he wanted to say. He couldn’t, though, because he realized how foolish that would be. If they were to be housemates, it could never happen between them. Even so, he wondered why she’d stopped coming to his bed at night. Had he done something wrong? Had he held her too tight? Whatever it was, it was best she stay away. He wouldn’t be able to resist her much longer. He couldn’t take that chance with Becky. He would only let her down, and besides, it wouldn’t be right.
As it was, it had taken every ounce of his willpower not to take her the last time she’d snuck into his bed. He realized that all she’d wanted was to be comforted, and he did his best to keep his desires at bay, but damn it all, a man could only handle so much temptation. Just the memory of her curvy little body pressed against him made him as hard as a rock.
“And here I thought it was only me who scared you,” Crispin said with a vulnerable smile.
“Oh, you don’t scare me, Crispin,” she said, looking up into his troubled grey eyes. “Well, at first you did, but not anymore.” The winsome Goth smiled all the more.
“He should scare you,” Dorian teased. “He scares me.”
Chapter 14
The next morning at breakfast, the guys had just sat down with their coffee and flyers when a scream tore through the house.
“What the deuce?” Crispin gasped, nearly spilling his coffee.
Another squeal, followed by a dull thud, roused them from their chairs. All three Goths immediately bolted for the stairs and scrambled up towards the source of the scream.
Reaching the bathroom door, they hesitated. “Becky, you okay?” Kell asked frantically.
They waited. Nothing. Dorian shuffled nervously, Crispin looked about ready to break down the door, Kell frowned and knocked again.
“Becky?”
“Ouch... please, I’m… hurt.”
It was impossible to judge who made the first move. In the very next moment, all three Goths charged into the bathroom only to find Becky in the most unfortunate situation.
She was sitting, naked in the tub, rubbing her upper arm. After a moment’s hesitation, the suddenly speechless Goths exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Thankfully, first by her side was Kelley, effectively shielding her nudity from the others with his broad shoulders.
If she wasn't in so much pain, she'd be dreadfully embarrassed, but in that moment, all that mattered was getting out of that tub. “Becky, what's happened?” Kell asked, draping the towel which Crispin had kindly handed him, over her middle.
“I fell.”
“Obviously!” Crispin remarked sarcastically, averting his eyes.
Ignoring him, Becky winced when Kelley ran his hands over her limbs. Despite the frown on his face, she was never so happy to see those bright red streaks of hair.
“Where does it hurt?” he asked with concern.
“Everywhere,” she whimpered.
“Did you hit your head?” Dorian asked nervously from the door.
“No... I don’t think so,” she said while Kell inspected her skull for scrapes and bumps.
“Is anything broken? Should we take her to the hospital, Kell?” Crispin asked, pacing anxiously.
“No, please, that’s not necessary,” she said, wincing as Kell thoroughly inspected her limbs for broken bones.
He gently ran his hands up and down her limbs, glancing at her to make sure he wasn’t causing her any undue pain. “Well, nothing appears to be broken. What do you think, love?”
“No hospital, please.”
“Are you sure?” Crispin asked warily.
“I think I just bumped my arm and my…” She stopped short, looking pleadingly at Kell.
Sensing Becky’s discomfort originated more from embarrassment than actual pain, Kell looked over his shoulder and with a subtle gesture of his chin, sent his concerned friends from the room.
“Becky, I’m going to get you out of this tub,” he said, slipping an arm around her back, the other under her bare, bruised bottom.
“Please… Kelley,” she gasped, momentarily forgetting her aches and pains.
“Hold on to me, love,” he said, easily lifting her up and carrying her into her room.
All too aware of his warm hands on her naked flesh, Becky couldn’t keep from blushing. Too bashful to look at him directly, she rested her head on his shoulder and hid her face under the dark curtain if his long hair.
“Poor little thing,” he crooned, loving the way she cuddled into him. He had missed it terribly, the way she needed him. He would never tire of it. If he wasn’t so purposeful at the moment, his knees would have buckled from the sheer wave of emotion that swept through him. “How did this happen?”
“I was trying to hang a towel over the window,” she said, looking up at him with sorrowful eyes as he placed her gently on her bed. Sadly, she felt the loss of his hands on her body when he pulled them away. Thankfully, it wasn’t long before he placed them on her again.
She tensed momentarily when he attempted to look under the towel that covered her midsection. “Don’t worry, nothing I haven’t seen before,” he said with a crooked smile, wanting to put her at ease. Becky blushed and nodded, allowing him free rein while wondering if he meant women in general, or if he was referring to her specifically.
Turning her slightly onto her side, he ran his hand over her lower back, inspecting her for damage.
Becky could only hold her breath while he once again perused her body for injury, running his warm hands over her sensitive skin.
“Why?” He winced, finding a great big bruise on her right arm and another large one on her otherwise flawless bottom. Before he could help it, he soothed the sore spot with a gentle caress of his hand.
“Well, I wanted to take a shower, and you see, the window is right there,” she explained.
“Oh, I do see,” he said, guilt-ridden. Why hadn’t he thought of that? He supposed it was because it hadn’t really mattered to him since the bathroom faced the backyard. Besides, being a guy, that sort of thing never crossed his mind. “Sorry, Becky. You should have said something. I would have picked up some blinds.”
“I know, but I didn’t want to trouble you. All I ever seem to do is need your help. You’ve been so good about everything,” she said, averting her eyes from him.
“Obviously, I haven’t,” he said with a troubled frown. He realized that his hot and cold attitude towards her hadn’t exactly helped to put her at ease. In fact, it had worked so well that she felt she couldn’t even ask him for a simple thing as a s
et of blinds for the bathroom window. What else had she gone without because of his self-imposed aloofness?
“Kelley…” She put her hand on his forearm.
“No, Becky, it’s true. I’ve been unnecessarily cruel to you,” he said, patting her hand. “You should feel comfortable in approaching me with your needs. Whatever they may be.” He paused, giving his head a slight shake at where his mind was taking him. “Ahem…” He cleared his suddenly dry throat. “What else do you need me to do? Please tell me.”
“Just the blinds for now,” she said with a shy smile, blushing slightly at his choice of words. “Oh, and maybe a mirror somewhere on the bathroom wall where I can reach to see my reflection.”
“Oh… Becky, poor little thing.” He chuckled, leaning forward and resting his forehead against hers. “Of course.”
The very next day, a proper set of blinds were hung in place at the bathroom window along with an ergonomically correct mirror for Becky’s personal use. She watched from the hall as Kelley attached the blinds and Crispin hung the mirror.
“How’s this, Becky?” Crispin asked, gesturing for her to step up next to him. He chuckled when he still had to lower it a few more inches to accommodate her.
“Thank you,” she said, looking bashfully between Crispin and Kelley.
“Now you can take your showers without worrying about exposing your girlie bits to the world,” Crispin teased.
“Right…” She blushed.
“No more falling in the tub,” Kelley said, ruffling her hair.
“And now with this mirror, you can primp all you want for when Jax comes to call,” Crispin said with a conspiring wink.
“Yeah, right,” Kelley huffed, taking his tools and walking off.
“Why would you say that?” Becky asked Crispin with a frown.
“Come on, Becky, you know Jax is smitten with you. Something about you calls to Goth boys, I suppose,” he said with a curious smile.
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