Consequences of Falling -- 9

Subj: Consequences of Falling Ch. 9
Date: 7/9/01 4:11:56 PM Central Daylight Time
From: Nicole

June 29, 1972, Cottage, some time after midnight

"I didn't expect him to act the way he did," murmured Constance, her hands resting on Quentin's bare knees.

Quentin laughed and leaned forward, kissing Constance sweetly on the lips. "Don't talk about Barnabas," he whispered slyly. "The last person we need in this bed is Barnabas Collins."

There was nothing that Constance wanted more, but she could not stop thinking about what had happened earlier. Nothing was going the way she had planned. She had listened patiently days before when Angelique told her about the history between her and Barnabas Collins. It all seemed so perfect to Constance. Angelique would be the perfect diversion for her, shifting Barnabas's glance permanently from Constance and giving her the chance to completely win Quentin over. She knew that Barnabas did not like her, and she knew that he did not approve of her relationship with his cousin. If she could keep him occupied, she could get what she wanted. But Angelique had gone too far too quickly and Barnabas was angry. Constance knew that rage was an excellent motivator, and she knew that he would soon figure out her connection to his former wife. Why did I set the stage for this? There was probably an easier way!. "I don't think he likes me."

"He probably doesn't." Quentin kissed her lips again, his mouth soon easing down her throat. "I adore you. Isn't that enough?"

"It's more than enough," sighed Constance, attempting to catch her breath as his lips trailed over her right breast, lingering as he lapped at her hardening nipple. "I just don't like the idea of living around someone who doesn't like me."

Quentin groaned and fell into the bed, the downy mattress buffering his thin frame. "I don't know what to tell you. Do you want me to talk to him about this?"

"No, I suppose not. I don't want to get you into trouble."

"You won't get me into trouble," insisted Quentin. "If it bothers you, I want it to end. I want you to be happy here."

"Really?" Constance rolled atop him, hoping her face suppressed the ultimate delight she felt. "You love me, don't you?"

"I love you more than anything," he said, placing calm, rhythmic kissed across her lips and neck. "Nothing will change that."

I hope you feel that way after you find out. Constance did not want to think about it. She let him kiss her, throwing herself into it as she eased down his body. If he actually loved her, she was going to use every move within her power to reward him for it. But even that didn't seem to be enough. She stared at him once she was done, his eyes lidded as lingering moans of pleasure escaped his lips. For the first time, she realized how much she wanted Quentin, how much she did not want to let him go. She would be leaving the cottage in a few weeks. She couldn't fathom leaving without him. "What are you doing this summer?"

"Um...more of this?"

"With who?" asked Constance. "I'm leaving soon."

Quentin sat up in bed immediately, his face stripped in confusion. "When were you planning to tell me this?"

"Soon. Anyway, what would you say if I asked you to come with me, you know, a little vacation."

"To where?"

"Well, every summer I go to this island. I have a house there that overlooks the ocean." She fell back into the bed and began to laugh, unable to stop no matter how hard she tried. "You don't know this, but the first memories I have are of the ocean, of the night dark waves crashing of my sand encrusted feet. It was so beautiful. I don't think I've seen anything to match it yet."

"Neither have I," cooed Quentin, his lips nibbling at her neck.

"The ocean?"

"No, you staring out onto the ocean." Quentin slipped on top of her, and kissed her, careful not to rest his weight atop her as he leaned in. "I'll go with you. It could be fun."

"Good! We can work out the details..."

"Tomorrow." Quentin gently spread her legs with his knees, making sure that he held her gaze as he did so. "We can work out the details tomorrow. I'm not going anywhere and neither are you. There will be time."

"Yes," she whispered, her eyes remaining locked on his. For all she knew, she was already at the ocean, his eyes being the only portals she needed to get there. Once they got there, Constance knew that she could persuade him to stay with her, to live with her as long as he could. All she needed was the correct environment, one without interference. She had been fool to think Angelique would get Barnabas off her hands, never thinking that she would push him too far on their first encounter since returning from the past. Constance only hoped that they could keep him off her heels just a few weeks longer. After that, she would have exactly what she wanted. She knew she could make him happy, all she needed was the chance.

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