The Problem

by C. G Leigh

  Growing impatient I thrust up slightly, feeling him smile against my lips.

  “Tell me you want me to make you feel good,” he orders.

  “Do it,” I instruct. What am I saying? Make me feel good.

  He rubs his hand over my panty clad crotch causing a rush of pleasure to hit, I moan.

  “Shep, please,” I beg. What has he done to me? I never beg.

  He pushes the panties aside, two of his fingers slip inside of me. They’re immediately soaked and enter without causing me any pain.

  He gently eases his fingers in and out repeatedly, using his thumb to press against my clit at every thrust.

  I moan louder and louder with every build up of pleasure. The building up of something getting closer and closer.

  “You smell so good,” Shep says breathing into my neck.

  “Shep,” I breath, feeling it close, whatever it is.

  “Shh just feel, let go Darlin, I got you.”

  “Shep!” I scream, my body convulsing as electricity spreads through my body, pure warmth and pleasure encasing me. He continues to move his fingers in and out as he helps me through it.

  “Wow, you really know how to use those hands,” I mutter, laying flat against the picnic blanket.

  He smiles, removing his fingers from me and brings them to his lips, tasting me.

  He slicks them clean, “You taste so good, next time I’m getting it directly from the source, then you’ll find out how multi talented I can be.”

  “You’re insane, who says there will even be a next time?” I take deep breaths trying to catch my breath.

  “I’m Insane for you Darlin, and trust me this is only the beginning,” he says leaning down and stealing a kiss. He stands up, “Get dressed, I gotta go take care of something,” he glances down at the noticeable bulge in his pants.

  That's how he leaves it, not another word, or look in my direction, he takes off into the woods.

  But I want to take care of that. Wow, down girl. You get one orgasm and now you’re hungry for it.

  I pull my skirt back down and squeeze back into the bra before pulling the shirt on. I can’t believe I just let him do that to me, that’s even worse than kissing. Yet, I know I want him to do it again, that’s the problem. All of a sudden I’m some girl with no self control.

  Folding up the red blanket I head back to the truck, Shep is standing there, holding the truck door open a satisfied look on his face.

  “Never again,” I say. He gives me a challenging look, “You sure about that?” I glare, the game is on and it's either going to end in death and despair or dare I say maybe the yucky miserable feeling of love, but I can't nor will I allow that to happen, “I’m sure.”

  The drive back to the compound is filled with silence and tension, the sexual kind of tension. Every fiber of my body is fighting against throwing myself out of the truck to avoid whatever's happening between Shepard and I. As he pulls up to the house, I don't even wait for him to turn the truck off and hop out, racing inside before Shep can say a word to me.

  I pass by members of the clan in a hurry to make it to my room without interruption, "Gemma is everything alright?" The sound of my name stops me in my tracks. Releasing the breath I no doubt have been holding, I conjure what strength I have and plaster a neutral look on my face before turning to Anna.

  "Everything's fine,” I reply trying to look composed.

  She smiles, "Well good because I could use your help in the kitchen, do you mind?"

  Really I want to lock myself away in my room and obsess over my conversation with Shep, but I reluctantly followed her into the kitchen, "Not at all, I just have to stop at the bathroom first.”

  She beams, “Take your time, my angel.”

  I hurry up the stairs to my room and rush to the bathroom, taking a warm washcloth I clean myself and move to the sink to wash my face, and hopefully get some sense.

  Looking up to the mirror, I freeze, my mouth opening wide in shock, the breath knocked out of me as I wheeze. “No, no, no, no, tell me he didn’t,” I press my hand against the tender hickey in plain view on my neck. Anna had to have seen, oh my gosh, he’s dead. Realization hits me, he sucked on a lot of my body. Pulling my shirt aside I notice the small marks all over my torso and chest.

  “That beast, oh he’s gonna pay for this,” I hiss rushing to the closet for a scarf. I find an aqua blue on and wrap it around my neck, hiding the mark. Great, now I look like a hipster. Trying to reel in my mortification I head downstairs towards the kitchen. A few women besides Anna are in the kitchen taking out pans, mixing bowls, and various other materials. "Gemma, you remember Chantel, she's Jed's Mom,” Anna says formally introducing us.

  I nod, remembering the curious little boy from last night. "And this is Noemi, Madgi's sister,” she gestures towards the other woman who looks at me in discontent.

  "Nice to meet you,” I say, trying to be polite.

  She rolls her eyes, "I can't say the same,” she walks off.

  Anna looks annoyed, "Sorry about Noemi Gem, she's just not used to you, yet. She'll warm to you eventually.”

  "Have you ever baked before? You may want to take your scarf off, it gets kind of warm in here," Chantel mentions. “No,” Anna and I shout at the same time giving each other wide eyes. “I’m kind of cold actually,” I say trying to reason.

  She nods, “Okay that’s cool so about backing?”

  I look away remembering the incident in the kitchen of the Academy as a result of my "baking.”

  "I can't say that I have, most of my free time is spent throwing knives at some vampire guys face on a poster I got for Christmas a few years back,” I say trying my lack of skill with a joke.

  They both share a look of seriousness, worry etched onto their faces, before they both burst out laughing, "Oh Gemma was that a joke, you're making jokes now, that’s fantastic,” Anna laughs.

  I join in, "I have been known to participate in a joke here and there.”

  "You're not so bad hunter,” Chantel smiles warmly.

  "Thanks you're not so bad yourself, now back to business. What exactly are we making?" I’m in desperate need of a distraction, happily allowing my thoughts to stray away from Shep.

  "We're making cupcakes for the local bake sale to raise money to go towards the local widows fund, to go towards people who have lost a spouse and need a little assistance,” Anna Explains.

  Anna sounds so genuine, so unlike how I'd expect her to be.

  She hands me a slip of paper with a recipe on it, I go on my merry way trying to recreate the cupcakes that she assigns me to. After forty five grueling minutes I pull my finished product out of the oven, it's a lumpy mess, resembling a rock. Deciding to try one, I take a bite only to be overrun by the saltiness, coughing.

  "Oh dear perhaps we should keep you on mixing duty,” Anna takes my tray from me setting it aside.

  "Probably for the best,” I agree coughing. Taking the spoon she holds out to me I begin my expert level task.

  Anna puts some music on, and we get into the swing of things, working another two hours in the kitchen.

  A particular song comes on and I fail to stop myself from singing. Before long, all three of us are singing.

  Clapping from behind us brings our attention out of our jam session. Turning around, I look at Shep, Madgi, Ray and Charlie mortified to see them standing there. Madgi comes in kissing Anna on the cheek.

  "That was beautiful,” Ray laughs.

  "I have to agree brother, Gemma I had no idea you liked to sing, I just had no idea you had that in you,” Shep smirks.

  "Oh shut it,” I flick some flour at him, satisfied when some hits his shirt.

  "That's my girl giving it right back,” Anna shouts proudly.

  Shep shakes his head laughing, he makes his way to the sink, taking a cloth to get the flour off, "Alright you lot of troublemakers, we've got a meeting with Ward. So Gemma I'm going to transfer you over to my Mom, try not to do anything hazardous,�
� he adds handing his bracelet to Anna.

  "Do try to stay out of trouble,” Shep places a quick kiss on Anna's cheek.

  Before I have time to comprehend what he is doing he places one on my cheek lingering, “I see you found my present,” he tugs on the scarf a bit. “Yeah I did and we’re going to be talking about it later,” I say fainting nicety, my eyes promising retribution. "Can’t wait,” he adds, our eyes meeting for a brief moment in challenge.

  Shep leaves the kitchen, the other men following him out.

  Once he is out of ear shot I groan, "Your son is a complicated man.”

  "Oh on the contrary dear Gemma he just knows what he wants and my boy has never been a quitter. Now what do you say we finish up here and then go into town for some shopping?” She looks between Chantel and I.

  "Oh yes I still need to get a new dress for the ball,” Chantel announces cheerfully.

  "Sounds fun,” I agree, wanting to get outside for a while.

  Anna leads us around the shops, pointing out the different outfits that would look good on me. Any clothes that I show even moderate interest in she buys for me. As we exit a shop I see someone speeding by us. She has her hood pulled up and her arms crossed as she scurries away without a word, looking obviously angry.

  Anna gives me a knowing look, "Reece has a complicated relationship with her Mom it causes her pain, not that she'd ever mention it.”

  Chantel looks away sadly, "Don't worry about her too much Gemma, Lex worries enough for us all. Come on let's go finish shopping,” she urges.

  We shop all afternoon, leaving the large dress store for last, "Welcome,” a familiar face announces as we enter the store. I look over towards the voice and see Mina, the waitress Sandy's daughter. The one who magicked Fletcher and made the silver band bonds.

  "Mina I didn't know you started working here again,” Chantel comments.

  "Yeah I'm saving up to take some college classes and figure I could do a few shifts a week here and some at the diner.”

  "We're looking for dresses to wear to the ball, any suggestions?” Anna giddily announces looking around.

  "What is this ball I've been hearing so much about?"

  "It's only the biggest event of the year. Every year the whole town gets together with all the big players in the world. That's all the Colonials, royalty and ancient beings all gathered here for one night to celebrate our world. Usually a few couples meet during it and find love, that is where I met my Henry,” Chantel explains looking lovingly as she remembers it in detail.

  "The Colonials?”

  Anna and Chantel share a look, "The Colonials are the vampire form of judges. Except they make the laws and expect all vampires to follow them, when they don't they meet once a year and decide on punishments. While also making any changes to laws or bringing forth any possible grievances or threats,” Anna explains.

  I look for the best way to handle this new information. "They must be intense,” I comment.

  Both the women sigh having probably expected me to react to the news in some kind of killer way. "Believe me they are,” Chantel agrees.

  "Getting back to the topic of the ball, I met Madgi at one, it's quite the affair.” Anna smiles in remembrance.

  "Well you're in the right place and in luck we just got some new dresses in",”na says leading us over to the large selection.

  They have all sorts of styles, patterns, and colors. My eyes fall on a beautiful blue dress, with sparkles all over, the dress begins with white at the top that fades into a sea blue as it descends.

  "Try it on,” Anna urges me, taking it off the rack and leading me into the changing room. Changing into the dress, I zip it up myself.

  Looking in the mirror I take my own breath away. Wow, is that me? Wanting to see, I pull my hair out of its usual ponytail and leave it fall free. I actually look, pretty, no that doesn't sound right, maybe beautiful. I move my long hair to cover the hickey.

  "Do you have it on?" Anna wonders from the other side of the door.

  Turning towards the door, I open it slowly, hesitant to show them. Anna immediately smiles tears emerging from her eyes. She presses a hand to her heart, "You look.”

  "Amazing,” Chantel finishes for her.

  "Really?” I ask, relieved.

  The three of them nod instantly, "I've never worn anything like this before,” I mention shyly.

  "Well it's like it was made for you,” Mina gushes.

  We all turn hearing the door chime signaling another customer is entering the store. A tall bulky man, dressed in black pants, and a dark sweatshirt. His hood is pulled up, his head is down. A smell enters the shop with him, of almost rot. Turning, I look at Anna and Chantel as they both tense, a look of fear crossing Chantel's face. Anna takes a protective step forward.

  The man burst forward, coming towards us in a rush. He whips out grabbing Anna and yanking her towards him, "Samuel wants this land, and he will have it; this is just a warning if you don't take your people and leave,” the beast roars, lifting his face.

  Finally, I set my eyes on its face, a mangled mess. The creature raises a sharp object towards her throat, and I truly realize the magnitude of the situation.

  Before he can drag the blade across her throat, I glide my arm forward knocking the knife away from him, grabbing onto his arm, I twist it behind his back and he releases Anna. With his full attention now on me, he rams me forward, and he’s much stronger than me, he is able to pin me to the wall. Raising his arm to claw my face, I duck at the last second, narrowingly missing the hit.

  Hitting him hard in the abdomen, he appears to not have enjoyed that as he angrily grabs me, and throws me hard. I fly through the air for a moment going airborne, before making contact with the glass door as I land outside the shop. Tiny fragments of glass lay all around me. I struggle to breathe.

  The wind has been knocked out of me, glass is in my back, my body broken in all directions. It takes me what feels like an infinity to move, to attempt to recover. A moment that I don't have as the creature appears before me, ready to strike. Before he can, Chantel jumps onto his back, biting her now lycan formed teeth into his neck. Anna and Mina go for his legs, he stumbles for a moment. What they are doing seems to be working, until he howls, and throws them all off and away from him at once.

  Recovering myself enough and using the adrenaline flushing through my body I force myself to stand and wipe the blood from the corner of my mouth away. Growing angry, I ignore the pain, and strike. It's just him and me now, I hit him hard, not stopping. The head, stomach, neck, anywhere I can find my fist and feet make contact.

  He lashes out trying to push me back, but I don't hesitate and am quicker than he expects. I continue my assault, hitting him until he stops hitting back, with one last hard hit to his face he falls to the ground in a heap, "Are you guys alright?" I ask looking towards the recovering Anna, Mina and Chantel.

  "Are we, are we alright? Gemma you just took down a harpy, all by yourself,” Anna says in awe.

  "Harpy?" I ask questioningly.

  "They're nasty creatures, most work as hired guns, all they're good for is killing, maiming and scaring,” Mina answers.

  "That was awesome,” a young woman runs up to me screaming, I recognize her from the prison, Effie I think her name is.

  "Thanks, but I don't think my body quite agrees with you,” I say sorely struggling to stay standing, the adrenaline wearing off.

  "Oh, not a problem,” she says touching my arm and immediately I begin to feel better, her whole body seems to glow as she heals me.

  "That's amazing, thank you. Wow they should bottle that,” I say feeling my body return back to normal.

  "Not a problem, I'm Effie Greenley, resident light fairy. I've been hearing quite a buzz about you and your friends. Can I just say that I like, love you guys? I haven't seen Fitz this worked up in years. I just love it when people cause him grief,” she giddily comments smiling genuinely at me.

  "Your welcome,” I mutter
unsure if she's using sarcasm or not.

  "What happened here? Are you all alright?” Madgi yells, running to Anna and embracing her in a tight hug.

  Shep and his brothers appear only moments after Madgi.

  "Gemma, my hero she is. She didn't even hesitate, took out a harpy practically by herself,” Anna gushes.

  Shep appears by my side, "Are you alright, did he hurt you?", he asks looking me over.

  I must look a state, my dress covered in spots of blood, ripped in some spots from the glass and the hits I took. "I'm alright Effie healed me,” I say trying to reassure him.