The Legacy series: The Love series, the Wrapped series, and the Burning Souls series.

by Mj Fields

  ���Good morning,��� he laughed when he noticed her quickly turning and walking towards the back door trying to escape him.

  Leia bounded towards him, and he patted her head as he walked her towards Tessa.

  ���Thanks, Leia,��� she scowled at the faithful companion that was all too taken with her neighbor.

  He squatted down beside Leia and pet her, he turned and stared up at Tessa and reached for her ankle.

  ���Nice piece of wrapping,��� he lightly fingered the ace bandage wrapped around her ankle.

  ���My Mom fixed me up before she left. She���s a nurse,��� Tessa gazed down at him touching her and then slowly pulled her leg away from him.

  ���That���s wonderful. And what about you?���

  ���I���m a nurse as well. I just finished my degree.���

  ���How long are you here?��� he stood and looked down at her.

  ���I was going to stay for a month, but I have this really creepy neighbor that asks a lot of questions,��� she answered with a smile.

  ���Well, what���s he look like? Sounds kind of hot. I bet he���s got a great view,��� he smiled that sexy little grin as he said it.

  ���Yeah, he���s cute, you know��� for a creepy neighbor. Pretty full of himself though, pretty arrogant. Actually I���m not quite sure how his head fits through his doorway.���

  Jake popped his head out. ���Hey man, are we still on for today?���

  Collin dragged his eyes from hers, ���Absolutely I just went out and grabbed a few things. If you want to take this, I have a couple more bags to grab in the car.���

  ���Dude is that a Cayman?��� Jake asked. ���Sweet ride!���

  ���Thanks,��� Collin smiled.

  Perfect time to escape, Tessa thought as she turned to walk inside.

  ���Hey, Tessa want to give me a hand?��� Collin grabbed her hand and led her towards his car.

  ���I would love to,��� Tessa���s voice was full of exaggerated radiance and pulled her hand back.

  Ok, so this is how it���s going to be now, cool.

  ���Hey, I grabbed this for your niece so she could wear it on the boat today. I don���t have any child- sized life vests onboard. Is it the right size?���

  She was taken aback, ���Yes but what boat, what���s going on?���

  ���I lost a bet last night. I owe your family a boat ride around the Cape,��� he winked.

  ���A bet? Seriously? What were my brothers betting you, that you couldn���t get me in your bed last night?��� She turned and was about to walk away.

  He spun her around ���I���m pretty sure your brothers didn���t seem like the kind of guys to pimp out their sister. It was the volleyball game, besides you need to get over this. I don���t want you in my bed. I���m afraid you���d never stop talking,��� he laughed.

  Her face began to turn red, and as she grabbed a couple of bags, he leaned over her shoulder, his breath hit her neck stopping her dead in her tracks.

  ���Not my bed, Tessa, I want you here like this from behind. I want you in the water with your legs wrapped around me. On my boat in the middle of the day, just not my bed,��� he smacked her in the ass with a twelve pack of beer and walked by.

  Why can���t I learn to keep my big mouth shut? She could see how much satisfaction he was getting out of this. She followed him into his place with the bags. His house was much different from she had expected. It was clean, very clean. Not something she would expect from a man who lived alone. The appliances were stainless and the countertops concrete. The floor was thick planked hardwood that looked like an old barn floor. The walls were a dark gray, but with all of the natural light flowing in from everywhere it wasn���t gloomy at all. His home was a perfect mix of old and new. It was breathtaking. From the outside, you���d have never expected this; it looked like a huge log home.

  She helped him fill the cooler and noticed he had bought two bottles of Doobie Blues, when he realized she saw it, he smiled and winked.

  ���Pretty good, huh?���

  She smiled and nudged him, ���Pretty sad actually, trying to get me drunk, not real confident in yourself are you?���

  Leia was sniffing around and about to get on his leather couch when Tessa snapped at her.

  ���See that���s why she likes me better,��� he grabbed a thick throw blanket and told her to wait.

  Leia sat patiently until he looked at her and said ���Ok Girl.���

  Leia sat on the couch and looked at Tessa. Tessa swore that damn dog rolled her eyes at her.

  Tessa scowled, ���Traitor.���

  The cooler was packed. Collin took it out on the deck, Tessa followed him.

  ���If you come through here and go under the deck you’ll come to a door. Go down the stairs and you���ll see the boat launch,��� he told Tessa���s family.

  She looked around and saw the hot tub and a fire pit, it was a good six feet off the ground you could see everything from here, even Ann���s back yard, she noted. She felt so at home here, she closed her eyes and hugged herself.

  Collin watched her as she stood there. She looked so peaceful he didn���t want to disturb her. He pointed for Leia to get down from the couch, and she followed him over to Tessa���s back porch. He made sure the water dish was full and put some food in her food dish.

  ���You be a good girl,��� he patted her on the head.

  He walked through his house and to the deck; she stood in the same spot: she hadn���t moved an inch. He watched her look out over the water she seemed so content. He felt the same calm, the same ease in watching her.

  Tessa could feel his eyes on her, and she turned around, ���Are you ready?���

  ���Sure am,��� he replied quietly and looked at her a few seconds longer than he should have.

  ���Hold on, I need to take Leia home,��� she said looking around for her.

  ���Already did,��� he gave her a shy smiled.

  ���Thank you, Collin.���

  Tessa followed him down to the enormous space under the house. It held a beautiful forty foot boat. There was a deck up top and a cabin with a galley below. ���This is beautiful.���

  Collin smiled and got everyone on board. He handed Sydney the life jacket he had gotten her and pulled out a captain���s hat. She was all smiles when he promised he would let her drive the boat.

  They cruised slowly out into the water and took in the breathtaking views. The afternoon sun was getting hotter, Tessa pulled off her sweatshirt. She had a white halter swim top on. She threw her hair up into a messy bun and slipped her shades back down. After applying sunscreen, she lay down on the lounge and fell asleep.

  Alex, Jake, Cory, and Collin sat up in the captain���s area with Sydney. Although the boat was anchored, Sydney thought she was driving and was having a great time.

  ���So what���s up with you and my sister?��� Jake asked and the other���s snickered.

  ���That���s a good question, I think she and I could be friends, but sometimes I get the impression that she can���t stand me. Reality is, I don���t know her all that well. So nothing is going on.���

  Sydney looked at him, ���My Momma said that your name was Collin, but when they were talking about you they said you were a great view, I asked Momma why, and she said������

  ���Alright kiddo��� that���s enough of that story,��� Cory grabbed Sydney up and tickled her until she was laughing a deep belly laugh. ���Let���s go see what Mom���s up to.���
/>
  Alex and Jake took turns telling Collin a bit about Tessa. That she had just called off her wedding and that she really did love him but knew that things never would be what she knew life could be. She had dove into her studies and finished her degree: one that her ex made her feel, was worthless.

  ���She���s really vulnerable right now; a week from today she was supposed to get married. I don���t know what you���re into, but steer her straight. She���s amazing and has a heart as big as this ocean.��� Alex stared out into the water

  ���Well honestly, I just like to meet new people. I don���t start something with anyone until I���m sure they know it���s all work for me. I work hard and would never hurt anyone. That���s not my thing.��� Smirking Collin looked back at Tessa, ���Your sister kind of drives me crazy though. Very different than what I look for in a woman.���

  ���We lived with her for 18 years; we know all too well how crazy she can drive people. She drove our folks crazy for years. She���s all heart and she gets a great deal of satisfaction out of helping and doing for others. I remember one day she was driving out of the school parking lot, and I threw a snowball. I hit the biggest guy out there, an honest to God accident. After seeing the kid grab me and push me down shoving my face into a snow bank over and over, her crazy ass pulled over, blocking half the traffic. She ran in dress shoes and a skirt- ��� she shoved him so hard, he fell into the snow. He jumped up as if he was going to kick her ass. She got nose to nose with him and said something about having a small penis and needing to feel like a big boy by shoving a kid less than half his incredible grotesque size down. Then told him that if he ever touched me or any other kid and she found out about it, she would fuck him up. It was the most embarrassing moment of my life, but my boys thought it was hot. Before the cops came, she was grabbed by one of her friends and tossed back into the car. She was swearing like a sailor the whole way home. Growing up with sisters, our friends all had big ass crushes on all three of them but Tessa was always the favorite. She wasn���t quiet and shy, and gave as good as she got you know? We both got into plenty of disagreements when our boys would start talking about what they would like to do to them, pissed me off and grossed me out at the same time,��� Jake laughed.

  Collin laughed at their stories; they continued talking about her for what seemed like hours.

  Tessa woke to watch the sun go down. Today was supposed to be her bachelorette party, she smiled thinking this was even better, and she knew all these people loved her. Her family was her light. Sydney ran up to her and hugged her tight; she always made her feel much better about the world.

  Tessa heard Collin laugh, and she was brought back to the moment. His laugh was as beautiful as he was. She walked up to them with Sydney on her back and asked what was so funny.

  ���Well, it’s top secret, but I will tell you it���s not at all about you or your crazy antics when you were younger,��� Collin winked at her.

  She scowled at her brothers, and Sydney looked at her thoughtfully.

  ���Its ok Aunt Tessa everything is fine. The sun is going down and it’s beautiful and a great view,��� she grinned a sheepish grin.

  ���Alright you,��� she pulled up her shirt and blew on her belly making a loud sound. ���You���re so lucky you���re a beautiful, intelligent princess or I���d feed you to the whales.���

  They all ate the dinner they had warmed up on the boat. It was starting to get dark, and they decided to head back in. By the time they docked, Sydney was fast asleep on Tessa. Everyone was able to relax. It was an amazing day.

  Molly took Sydney, and Tessa grabbed her sweatshirt and put it on, it was getting chilly. She grabbed the garbage and whatever else she could carry and walked off the boat. Collin and the boys grabbed the coolers still full of beer.

  ���It���s been a great day, thank you so much, Collin.���

  ���I had a great time; hey I could turn the hot tub on if anyone is interested? It���ll take about half an hour or so.���

  Everyone agreed and Tessa smiled at them. She felt him looking at her.

  ���I���ll put the beer next to the tub, see you soon?��� he asked Tessa.

  She smiled and shook her head yes.

  Tessa went home and put on her bathing suit bottoms brushed her teeth and pulled her hair into a side ponytail. She looked in and saw Molly and Sydney fast asleep in one of the rooms. She turned off the light and walked down the stairs. She brought Leia in through the house and out to the backyard to do her business. She threw together a tray with cheese, crackers, and some fruit.

  Everyone was already in the hot tub when she walked over. She set the food next to the cooler and took off her towel. Her brothers started making chick a chicka wow wow sounds and Phoebe and Sarah smacked them. Again the only seat left was the one next to Collin. He had a glass of wine waiting for her. She smiled and took a sip. She put it back on the ledge and asked where the music was. He pushed a button and a control panel lifted from the ledge. He chose Sirius 80���s music and Berlin���s Take my Breath away was ending, and Jake started singing ���Take my breasts away,��� and they all laughed.

  They talked about music and what the greatest bands of their generation were. They decided on Pearl Jam, Zeppelin, and even Counting Crows made the cut.

  ���You���re all missing some great stuff, Jazz, Blues, the instrumental pieces,��� Collin seemed passionate and Tessa laughed.

  Jake asked Collin to show him what else this tub could do; he pushed a button that caused a disco ball effect of lights to happen in the hot tub.

  ���Holy Porn Star, Batman,��� Jake burst out they all laughed.

  The girls decided to call it a night. And the four of them left.

  Tessa had fallen asleep but not before finishing half the bottle of wine. The guys had polished off an 18 pack, more than any of them were used to drinking. Collin was slightly buzzed.

  Collin asked her ���if she wanted another glass of wine,��� she didn���t answer.

  He removed her sunglasses. She was asleep ��� or passed out he wasn���t sure which. She started sliding towards him and put her head on his shoulder and then turned to him her eyes opening slightly she smiled. He pulled her on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his sides and rested her head on his chest. He pulled her hair to one side and twisted it into a ponytail. He gently kissed the top of her head; she took a very deep breath completely relaxed. He could feel and see her chest rise and fall slowly with each breath she took.

  She didn���t want to move. She felt very comfortable, safe, and secure wrapped around him like this. She could feel that he was getting aroused which made her body react by pushing towards him. He lifted her face to his, his eyes burned with desire and her body couldn���t stop responding to the pressure she felt beneath her. He rubbed is nose slowly up the side of her face breathing her in deeply. He kissed her forehead, pulled her back, his jaw clenched and nose flared, he wanted her so badly. He kissed her lightly. Slowly��� again and again, he pulled her lip and she opened her mouth and invited his tongue in to explore. They slowly, deeply, moved their tongues around each other���s hot mouths. She pulled away slightly and bit his lip. Looking up at him, she moved to his ear and down his neck to his chest. She bit his nipple lightly tugging on it with her mouth, she watched as his eyes glassed over and rolling slightly back. She kissed his stomach, moving down until her eyes and nose were the only things not underwater.

  He grabbed her and forcefully lifted her up. He tossed her over his shoulder, and she laughed. He brought her into the house and wrapped her in a towel and dried off her back. She turned and smiled at him and looked down, and was completely without words for a few seconds.

  ���Wow,��� was all she could manage.


  He lifted her up and sat on the leather couch with her straddling him.

  ���Look at me up here, not down there,��� he lifted her chin.

  In the light, he could tell that she was loaded.

  ���Tessa you���re drunk, and I���m feeling no pain. We as adults need to make an adult decision. I know the view is great��� it���s pretty damn amazing from here, too. Unless you���re ready to beg, I think I need to stop this,��� he teased.

  ���I like the kissing a lot, a whole lot. I���m absolutely NOT going to beg.���

  She began to kiss him again. He didn���t refuse and this time it wasn���t as soft. He kissed her hard, every inch of her body was on fire. Her hips rocked into him, and he grabbed her by the waist, and lifted her off of him. He ran his hands through his hair and growled, he looked up at her swollen, red lips. He stood and lifted her over his shoulder, walked into the bathroom and turned on cold water and walked into it, with her still over his shoulder. She began to kick and flail. He turned off the water and walked out. He grabbed a towel and wrapped her up in it and wrapped one around his waist while he dropped his trunks. He walked into the closet and he returned with pajama bottoms that sat perfectly on his body, revealing a deep V that made her jaw drop. He was undeniably beautiful. Tall, cut and lean, with just the right amount of tan to his skin. His chest was���Dear God, she thought as she felt her insides tighten.

  He put a pair of drawstring shorts and a hooded sweatshirt on the counter and instructed her to put them on. She turned and dropped the towel and did as he asked. She was shivering when she walked out of the bathroom and into the kitchen where he was leaning against the counter with a glass of water and a couple of Tylenol for both of them. He handed her water and the Tylenol, and she took them. He looked angry, and she had now sobered up a bit from the cold shower. She couldn���t look him in the eyes she felt like a child, like a child who was in a lot of trouble.

  ���I don���t do this, the kissing, the holding, the talking. I don���t do this,��� he looked towards the door, ���I don���t hang out with family and I don���t take a minute to relax. I work hard, I don���t take time off, and I certainly don���t feel drawn to some girl who���s a mess emotionally.���