"Does it still hurt?" Scott asked while blowing feathery air at the cut as he applied ointment on Anna's finger.

    "No. It's just a minor cut, there's no need for..." Anna's voice faded when Scott lifted his head and narrowed his eyes at her.

   They were both by the bathtub. She was seated on the rim of the tub while Scott was on a knee in front of her directly.

   "I don't want you to catch a cold." He said when he saw her shudder slightly. "Get your clothes off and let me run you a bath." Scott told her.

   Anna cleared her throat, pulling away from his touch. "It's fine I can manage." She told him, keeping a straight face.

   "Anna..." His tone was like a warning signal.

    "What... You wanna see me naked?" She asked sarcastically.

     "No I don't." He was serious and not kidding. Scott got up to get a towel for her. He laid it down on her lap when he noticed her hands were mildly shaking. "You're getting cold." He held her small hands in his, rubbing the back of her palm. He allowed Anna hands. "Excuse me." He said, turning to leave.

    Anna sighed, wondering why he was just concerned about her. She tried to tug on the zipper on the back of her dress but it was stuck. She tried harder to tugged on it but it wouldn't budge.

    "Scott?" She raised her voice from the bathroom so that he could hear her.

    "Yeah?" Anna heard his voice faintly from outside the bathroom.

     "I um, I kinda need your help..?" She said, not knowing whether it was a good idea to invite him into the bathroom.

In some seconds, Scott knocked and entered.

     "What's wrong?" He asked her, slightly frowning.

   "My zipper, it's stuck. Can you please help me?" Anna asked him politely.

   Scott nodded, walking up to her. She turned her back to him, taking her hair away from her back over her shoulder. He tugged on it for a while before it loosened, slowly, he unzipped her dress, down her back to the back of her waist. Scott could see her red lacy bra. He knew it was matching her panties as he could see the hem.

     "Done." He said, stepping away from her. God knows how tempted he was to run his finger down her back and possible unclasp her bra. He suddenly started picturing them in the shower— naked, making glorious love. The thought made his junior ache badly for release. He has been wanting her for weeks now and was hopeless just thinking about it.

  God! How he wanted to touch her, caress her glowing, smooth, silky skin! Those honey filled, delicious lips he had tasted. He wanted to wrap his arms around her curvaceous body while his tongue tasted every inch of her. He had a bad, deadly craving for her and she just couldn't see it. She was like a personal addictive drug that drove him crazy just with her magnetic scent.

     "Anna..." Scott's voice became deep and low. His throat bobbed up and down, he just couldn't hold it anymore.

     She turned to him. "Hmm?" Her eyes didn't leave his.

    Oh damn, I would love to take you my sweetness. Slow and delicately for a while then pump into you so fast that you'll forget your name. But of course Scott kept his agonizing fantasy in his head. For sure, Anna was going to behead him if he dared to take a sniff of her hair.

    "I-I-I'm leaving." Scott shook his head. He would go insane if he stood beside her for more seconds. He turned to leave immediately. Only if she knew the effect she had on him. Scott knew he needed release and he was certainly not getting any from Anna. He needed another option... And fast.

    Anna didn't fail to notice how nervous and edgy he was. Was it something she said? Or.... Was he too horny to hold himself around her? Damn him! If he was really having erotic thoughts she would cut his stupid whoring dick off! Anna thought firmly.

     Time passed and night approached, there was no news of Scott. He had just left the house without telling anyone where he had gone to. Only one time when he had sent Anna a text, which read:  

     So sorry for not being available but told Daniel to take you home. Kisses to my little girl. I wanna take you both out tomorrow afternoon, you can't say no. PS: it's my cousin Valerie's dress. She got it and didn't like it.

   "Where'd daddy go?" Isla asked her mom just as Anna had finished reading the text.

     "I don't know peaches, looks like he had something important to attend to." Anna told her daughter. "Don't worry, he said he is coming over to our place tomorrow, he is taking you out." Anna smiled down at her baby girl.

      "Really? Where do you think?" Isla looked happy with the news.

    "He didn't say." She cupped Isla's cheek.

   "It might be a surprise." Isla giggled.

   Anna kissed the top of her daughter's hair. "Alright, let's go meet Dee."

    She had changed into a simple red dress Scott had gotten for her but she was yet to say thank you. Anna took out her phone to call him as she had saved his name as Idiot, but he wasn't answering. She decided to send him a short thank you text.

          Thanks for the dress.

   With that, she sent the text.

🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

     Scott sat in an almost empty bar drowning himself in alcohol as he tried to get Anna's image out of his head.

    "Is this seat taken?" A female voice had asked him.

    "Suit yourself." Scott didn't glance at the woman.

     She watched him refill his glass. "Do you mind sharing?" She signaled the bartender to get her a glass.

    Scott turned to the woman and a hint of surprise hit his face. Could it be her?

   "Hi Scott." The same familiar voice he knew spoke in its usual high pitch.

    "Rochelle?" He was more than surprised to her sitting beside him.

    Rochelle smiled widely at Scott. She was on an open back halter neck mini black dress, full heavy makeup, tie up sandal heels, her blonde hair was in wet mermaid curls.

     "I saw you and I thought to come by and say hello." Rochelle spoke softly. "Been years." She flipped her hair.

   "Yeah." He nodded with a smile. She was all grown up. Slim, tanned skinned, she could pass off as a model.

   "Wow, I can't believe I'm finally meeting you after what... Seven years? That's a long time." She told him. She had ordered a martini.

   "That's right. So how have you been?" Scott asked her.

    "I'm fine." She nodded, taking a sip of her martini. "You've been all over the news for a while now, how is life as a celebrity treating you sexiest man alive?" She grinned at her, showing off her long smooth legs.

   Scott chuckled. "It's pretty amazing." He admitted.

     They talked about so many things— life, ex classmates, past relationships. They laughed, having a great conversation with each other.

        In an hour, they were both in a hotel room— naked. Rochelle was responsive to his intense libido and was always screaming in pleasure each time he rammed into her. They both had a good fuck, Scott's urges had been curbed and he was satisfied.

     Scott was buttoning his grey fashionable button down when he saw Rochelle stirring. He had a good time no doubt but his mind was only on Anna. Just Anna.

    "Hey." She smiled at him pulling the white sheet to her chest as she sat up.

    Scott smiled back at her. "Good morning." He was almost done with his shirt.

    "You're leaving already." She said, trying to arrange her hair with one hand.

   "I am." He nodded, ruffling his hair.

   She gave a tight smile. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out sometime? Maybe we could—"

    "I'm really sorry, really." He gave her a small smile. "Last night I had a great time with you, I won't deny it." He sighed. "I don't want to hurt your feelings Rochelle, but it's best we leave it at this." He tried telling her in the best way he thought.

   Rochelle nodded slowly, she didn't seem offended but she looked disappointed. "Oh. I-I understand." She feigned a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But can I call you?" She asked, looking for a sign of hope.

     "Sure." He nodded.

   Rochelle finally gave him a genuine smile. "Alright. It was nice seeing you in person again."

    Scott nodded. "You too." He said before exiting the room.
🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

   
    Scott had gone back to his pad to have another bath and change his clothes, after that he immediately went over to Anna's house.

    "No one told me you were coming?" Naraya frowned at Scott who was holding some grocery bags.

     "I wanted to surprise Isabelle." Scott said to her, looking around.

     "It's Friday, she's in school." Naraya reminded him.

   "Oh. I got these for you." He said while Naraya just nodded. "Where is Anna?" He asked her.

     "Asleep. She isn't feeling so good." Naraya said to him. 

    He frowned. "What happened?"

   "She caught a cold. Syla's gone grocery shopping, I'm going to the restaurant. So, since you're here, keep an eye on her. Her room is the first door to your right." Naraya told him, heading for the door.

    "O-okay." He nodded watching her leave the house. Scott looked around the neatly arranged sitting room before going to the kitchen to drop the bags.

   He walked down the corridor to find Anna. He saw the door of the room opened ajar. He looked into the room and saw her body shift under the comforter. "Anna?" He called he name.

     Anna pulled down the comforter and saw Scott standing by the door. "Go away."  Her voice was raw and hoarse. She then pulled the comforter back over her head.

    Scott walked into the room, going to sit on her bed. "Hey." He reached for the comforter but Anna wrapped it even more firmly.

        "I said go away, you'll get sick." Anna's voice croaked, followed by some coughs.

   "Don't be stubborn." Scott frowned at her as he tugged down the comforter to her waist.

   Anna sniffled. She was wearing a thick sleeved turtle neck chunky sweater, black sweatpants and socks. "You're stubborn." She sat up. "If you don't leave, you're gonna get sick, just like me." She told him.

   "My immune system can handle a little cold." He touched her hand. "It's still cold. Have you taken medication?" He asked her.

    She nodded. "I have."

   Scott lifted her hand and kissed it. He began rubbing his own hands against hers to create heat.

   "You don't have to." Anna wanted to pull away.

    "I have to." He said firmly. "Allow me... Please."

    She gave him her other hand and he did the same. "Thank you." She said after a moment of silence.

    Scott looked at her and smiled. "You look pretty." He told her and she smiled back. "Is it better?" He asked her.

   "Not really." She sniffled.

   "Okay." He dropped her hand carefully and began to take off his shoes.

     "What are you doing?" She asked him.

Scott put in legs into the comforter, pulling it up to his waist. "Come here." He opened his arms for her.

      Anna batted her eyes at him.

  "Anna I know what I am doing." He rolled his eyes.

    "You better." She snuggled close to him.

   They both laid on the bed with Anna cuddled up like a ball in his arms.

   "You'll be better." He said pulling up the comforter.

    Anna's heart was beating so fast as her body felt his warmth and his arms around her. She could hear his heart beat as her head was close to his chest. His scent filled her nose that she didn't want to ever leave his body.

      "I don't want you to get sick." Anna said to him.

     "I won't." His voice vibrated in his chest.

      "Why are you doing this?" Anna asked him.

     "Because actions speak louder than words sweetheart." Scott told her. "I care about you more than you can imagine."

    Anna looked up at him, meeting his eyes. "Why didn't you... Why didn't you tell me?"

    "Tell you what?" He asked.

  "Tell me you... Liked me. Why didn't you say something back then?" She asked him.

    Scott chuckled lightly. "Same goes to you, why didn't you tell me? We both could have told each other how we felt... But we didn't."

    "You said it was a mistake even after you found out about what I felt." Anna sniffled. "I was hurt, so hurt back then." She felt the sting of tears in her eyes. "Scott I loved you too much and for you to say those hurtful words to me was the worst pain I ever felt. You said I took advantage of you, you said I was bringing myself low." Anna immediately pulled away from him, sitting up as she started to remember that day. "You said I was a one night stand. At some point I thought you were right, I blamed myself for acting shameless. Scott you shattered my heart!" Anna cried burying her face in her hand.

     He had sat up when she did. "Anna I'm sorry, I am so sorry." He rested his forehead against her temple. "Anna bear, please kill me, kill me over and over again for causing you so much pain." Scott's heart broke seeing Anna in tears. "I looked for you. I wanted to find you Anna, I searched everywhere to find you."

    "But you didn't come. I sent you a text and you didn't come. I was leaving for Ireland that day and I wanted to see you, but you never came." Anna cried.

   Scott pulled away from her, looking confused. "What text?"

    She sniffled harder. "I told you to meet me at the airport."

     He frowned. "Airport? I... I.. I... What do you mean?"

     Anna looked at him tearfully. "When Daniel told me you left for Berkeley, he said you had changed your number. He had given your new number to me but I was too scared to call or text you. When Aunt Syla and I were leaving some days later, I sent you a text, I told you I'd wait for you for an hour but.... You never came." She narrated tearfully.

    He had never received any text. "Anna bear, I never got that text. When I heard about your mom's death, I rushed down here but... But you had left. It was Daniel who told me about Dina's death." Scott said sadly.

   "You never got my text?" Anna frowned at him.

    "Sweetheart I didn't. If I did I would never have let you leave me, just like that." He said, using a finger to wipe the tears spilling from her eyes.

   "But you... You rejected me." Anna gave him a questioning look.

    "Oh sweetheart." He placed his hand on her cheek. "I'll forever regret that."

   "But you did." Anna frowned. "You didn't—"

   "Anna I was scared." He leaned against her forehead. "I was scared because I did something so terrible to you. That night, I was a coward, I felt horrible. I took something away from you and I was the wrong person. I hated what I did, and I knew you were going to forgive a monster like me. Anna you were so innocent and pure, I emotionally blackmailed you into giving yourself to me. I didn't want you to forgive me for what I did, I wanted you to hate me. I wanted you to hate me so much so that you could see how terrible I was. I had wanted you Anna, but I thought you didn't want me." He lifted his head and inched away from her face.

  "And when I had issues with Rochelle back then and I came to you, I couldn't help myself anymore. I wanted you there and then because I knew you'd give in because you were so naive. I don't regret what happened Anna, I have never regretted it. The only thing I do regret is I took things too far and I lost you completely. Anna I couldn't live again when I lost you, I kept thinking of the cruel things I said to you. I lost my mind." Scott had tears, filling his eyes. "I didn't go to Berkeley anymore because I couldn't live with myself knowing I had lost you, my parents forced me to go for therapy and I did. I tried to learn to cope without you, and it was hard. After one year of searching and therapy, my parents decided it was time to let things go." 

    Anna stared at him shading tears. She was suddenly moved. "Scott..." She reached out for his cheek, wiping his tears with her palm.

     "Anna. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, I know you don't even want to see me. I just don't want you to keep hating me." Scott pleaded with her.

   Anna shook her head slowly, as she wiped off his tears with her palm  "No Scott, how can I hate you when we have a daughter together."

      "I am sorry. I couldn't be with you when you needed me the most." Scott told her. He had bloodshot eyes and his face was wet.

   "It's okay." Anna moved closer to him as she straddled him. "It's okay." She wrapped her hand around his neck, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

    Scott put his arms around her body, burying his face in her neck as he inhaled her scent. It was calming and soothing his nerves. "Forgive me." He nuzzled her neck.

     They both embraced each others warmth. She loved being in his arms, and so did he. There they stayed, platonically filled with so much lost emotions.