Brooke fumbled for her keys, nearly dropping the bag of groceries and her purse in the process. Finally after a brief moment when she was sure she was going to drop everything right there on the doorstep, she managed to tuck the teetering bag up under her chin, slide the key in the lock and slam open the door. Dropping everything onto the couch, she turned to yank her keys out of the door and push it closed. She kicked off her shoes and slumped into the nearest chair, leaning her head back against the soft fabric with a sigh. There was no sound in the big house except the soft tick-tock-tick of the clock in the hallway.
Wait, no sound? Where's Tom? He should be making some noise at least, he heard me get home.
Sighing again, Brooke got up out of her chair and went in search of the dog. She finally found him, passed out on her bed, RIGHT in the middle and taking up ¾ of it. She thought hard, trying to remember why a Great Dane had seemed like a good idea.
Oh that's right, Protection. Moving to a big house in the middle of nowhere, I'll need protection right? Yeah, and you sure fit the bill Tom. She ruffled his fur affectionately as he opened one sleepy eye to inquire as to why she was standing in his sunlight. Smiling she went back down to take care of the groceries. If she had really wanted a protector, Tom wasn't it. The most the big fur ball was likely to do was demand belly rubs from any intruder and give her time to call the police. Oh well, who was going to try to break into her house? It looked like something straight out of Alfred Hitchcock.
After putting away the groceries, Brooke decided that since it was Friday and she didn't have to get up for work in the morning, she was going to indulge. Going into the bathroom she turned on the water and set a few candles near the tub. Pouring in the bubble bath, she went back to her room to take off her clothes and get her book. Coming back, her senses were assaulted by the warm steam and the smell of apples. Odd, she hadn't thought shed lit the candles yet. She must be more tired then she thought. You need a vacation Brooke girl!
Turning off the water, she settled into the bath with a sigh of pleasure. The water was very hot, and it took her skin a moment to acclimate itself to the heat. After leaning against the high back for a moment, Brooke picked up her book and carefully opened it to the marked page...
She was sleeping peacefully in her bed when he came into the room. Standing there looking down at her, he again marveled at her beauty. It was no wonder he chose her. He HAD to have her; she would be his, no matter what it took. Walking softly he reached the edge and sat down carefully on it. She stirred slightly, moaning in her sleep and rolling over. Her arm came to rest on his leg and he shuddered at the touch. His eyes drifted closed and his head ached back, electricity running through his body from the mere brush of her fingers. He knew he couldn't wait any longer. He reached down and brushed the hair away from her face with one hand, his other bringing the cloth towards her face. She began to stir, opening her eyes and looking at him in sleepy confusion. He pressed the cloth against he face, covering her nose and mouth and watching in satisfaction as the surprise faded from her face and her eyes drifted closed again. Tucking the cloth into his pocket, he carefully picked her up and wrapped her in a blanket. Resting her head against his shoulder, he gently rubbed his cheek against the silky softness of her hair. Gathering himself, he strode to the door and shifted her to one arm, easily holding her as he opened the door, stepped through and closed it behind him...
After he had her safely tucked away in the backseat of his car, he drove through the streets slowly and carefully, following all the traffic rules like a good citizen. The drive had never seemed so long, but he finally got her home and pulled into the garage. He waited until the automatic garage door was completely shut before he opened the car door and gathered the sleeping girl into his arms. He was still amazed at how light she was in his arms; she seemed barely more then a feather.
He carried her into the house and lay her down in his bead. Her small form seemed nearly swallowed up by the massive four-post bed. He carefully tied her hands together, then her ankles. He pulled the knots tight, but was careful not to bruise her delicate flesh. Running his hands gently over her skin, he marveled at how soft and smooth it was, it felt like satin against his fingers. With a sigh of desire he slid into bed next to her and pulled the covers up over them both. Wrapping his arms around her, he snuggled up and gently kissed the side of her neck. Lying his head down on the pillow, he watched her sleep until he himself was clai....
Brooke was startled from her reading by the sound of footsteps outside her door. They were very light, and at first she thought she had just been hearing things. She was about to go back to her book when a loud clap of thunder caused her to start and scream, dropping her book into the bubbly water.
Swearing, Brooke grabbed for the book, fishing it out and jumping out of the bath to get a towel. She managed to get most of the water off the book, and only the bottom half of it was soaked. With a sigh she pulled the plug in the bath and wiped the water and suds off her body. So much for an evening of relaxation! She stared out the window at the rain, marveling at the ferocity of the sudden summer storm.
When Brooke went into her room to lay the book out to dry, Tom was nowhere to be seen. Knowing her dog, she peered under the bed. There he was, head on his paws and eyes sorrowfully looking into hers. She sighed.
"Come on boy, come on out, it's just thunder, it will go away soon. It's ok, that's it. That's it. Good boy" The last was said as the dog finally got up his courage and crawled out from under the bed. He was covered in dustbunnies. She couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it. A huge Great Dane, who was supposed to protect her, terrified by thunder, and covered in dustbunnies. She laughed so hard that she had to sit down on the edge of the bed to keep from falling. Tom sat by her feet, looking up at her as if to say it's not so funny from down here you know! This only made Brooke laugh harder and finally Tom wandered off, probably to find another bed to hide under.
Falling back on her bed, Brooke stifled a fit of giggles. It really wasn't that funny, but it had been so long since she felt like laughing that she really didn't want to stop. Finally she rolled over and crawled under the covers, pulling them up to her chin and settling against the pillow with a content sigh. She was asleep within moments.
She was sleeping peacefully in her bed when he came into the room. Standing there looking down at her, he again marveled at her beauty. It was no wonder he chose her. He HAD to have her; she would be his, no matter what it took. Walking softly he reached the edge and sat down carefully on it. She stirred slightly, moaning in her sleep and rolling over. Her arm came to rest on his leg and he shuddered at the touch. His eyes drifted closed and his head ached back, electricity running through his body from the mere brush of her fingers. He knew he couldn't wait any longer. He reached down and brushed the hair away from her face with one hand, his other bringing the cloth towards her face. She began to stir, opening her eyes and looking at him in sleepy confusion. He pressed the cloth against he face, covering her nose and mouth and watching in satisfaction as the surprise faded from her face and her eyes drifted closed again. Tucking the cloth into his pocket, he carefully picked her up and wrapped her in a blanket. Resting her head against his shoulder, he gently rubbed his cheek against the silky softness of her hair. Gathering himself, he strode to the door and shifted her to one arm, easily holding her as he opened the door, stepped through and closed it behind him...
After he had her safely tucked away in the backseat of his car, he drove through the streets slowly and carefully, following all the traffic rules like a good citizen. The drive had never seemed so long, but he finally got her home and pulled into the garage. He waited until the door was completely shut before he opened the car door and gathered the sleeping girl into his arms...
Brooke woke from her dream with a start, her body shaking and a scream trapped in her throat. The moment passed and she realized that it was all a dream, that she was safe in her bed, and no one was going to hurt her. She looked all around the room, the full moon outside covered everything in a silvery sheen that made this seem like this was still part of the dream.
 
                             
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                