Rachel sat back and closed her eyes, exhaustion claiming her entire being. She dozed off knowing she was surrounded in warmth and security.

Chris turned and saw Cassandra sleeping. He moved towards the console separating them and gently brushed away her hair from her beautiful face while leaning down and giving her a soft kiss on her head. He rejoiced in the fact that he loved her. That was such a big ego boost, a reason to celebrate.

For Chris, his commitment meant everything to him and Cassandra with her simplicity, demure nature had won him over. He marveled at the strength shown by her today. He loved her for her quirkiness, her benevolence, her shyness; she was perfect.

A fiery, no-nonsense girl with a quick temper and a stunning heart.

Now looking at her, sleeping peacefully; he wanted to wake up next to her every morning. He simply wondered at the fact; that being in love changed his entire perspective on life. Now, he wanted a companion, a person to love unconditionally and be loved in return.

This was what love did to people, he mused.

Made them man from a boy, gave them direction in life and an over whelming desire to protect the one they loved.

It was spectacular; the feeling, the sensation.

Chris vowed to always be there for her; protecting her, fulfilling her dreams and just being there enjoying her smile and her cuteness.

He shook his head as he remembered his foolishness, he should have given his phone to her when he asked her to wait on the side but in his defense, he simply thought she would be carrying hers and he was more focused on protecting that other woman and keeping his love safe.

Chris took out his phone and messaged Anna and Robert to meet him at his house. He had a sprawling mansion on the twenty-fourth street; a huge house with a gorgeous garden.

The garden was what pulled Chris to buy that place. He wanted a personal area- his area where he could simply sit and relax after those long, torturous working days. He loved the greenery; it always motivated him, inspired him and rejuvenated him for the next day. Chris hoped as he glanced towards a sleeping Cassandra that she would share his fondness for his garden. Owing to the fact, what he had witnessed during their date. He knew, she was a nature girl and would simply love his humble abode.

Chris parked his car in his driveway and slowly shut his door. He waved at Anna and Rob, who rushed to his side.

He went on to Rachel’s side and slowly opened the door, Rachel sprang up awake. She was breathing heavily, her eyes full of worry and stress.

In her dreams she could see a man coming towards her with an axe filled with blood and Chris wanting to protect her but failing to reach her.

“Chris,” she cried breathlessly as she tried to cling to his arms.

Chris realized the grave situation, he moved closer to her and engulfed her into his tight embrace,”Shhh, Everything is aright. I am here. Everyone is alright. Shhhh!”

Rachel gulped loudly and sought to find comfort in his strong arms.

“I am with you. It’s okay,” Chris cooed, running his palm gently across her back. Rachel lifted her head and looked into his eyes, “I am sorry. I just had this nightmare and I was so scared.”

Chris simply pulled her in for a hug again, “its okay, my little one. You don’t have to explain. I am there with you.”

Rachel lifted herself from his warm, comforting hold; gave him a small smile as he brushed away her hair away from her face, cupped her cheek ever so lovingly leaned down and kissed her forehead.

Behind him, Anna piped in, “Is she drugged? Is she alright?”

Rachel looked into Chris’s eyes and smiled again, she was happy to see warm, caring eyes looking back at her. She squeezed his hand in return.

She felt protected and very safe.

Chris making sure his Cassandra was alright moved aside to give way to Anna. Anna jumped at the opportunity and furiously hugged Rachel, “I was so scared. So very scared. Thank God, you’re okay.”

Rachel simply hugged her best friend back, thanking God for such an amazing friend, “I am okay, now.”

As they let go of each other, Robert smiled at Rachel and patted her head affectionately, “Never scare me ever like that again.”

Rachel beamed at him and hugged him, “I won’t.”

Chris smiled, he felt at peace, watching the love his little girl had garnered from other people in her life; new and old. It spoke a lot about her, her loving nature, her respect for relationships. He was truly lucky to have her in his life.

Chris watched Anna and Robert trying to make her laugh with their silly antics. They dragged her inside his house. He simply followed them quietly enjoying her presence in his home.  With her; his house seemed to be his home, no longer just concrete and loneliness but a part of them, an intricate part of their relationship.

Chris had taken a unanimous decision to have Cassandra and Anna at his house tonight. He couldn’t bear to leave her all alone after the horrifying night. What had started as a lovely date, had taken such an eventful turn. But, he wouldn’t have had it any other way. They were lucky they were there for that girl. He was lucky he got to see a whole new side of his love.

His love, he mused happily.

He found Cassandra looking at his face which was cut at various places and seemed to be a bit sore. He knew he would have to treat some of those bruises.

Chris simply smiled at Cassandra and walking towards her, led her to her room. Anna and Rob decided to make themselves home and give them some privacy.

Rachel was very impressed with the house. She loved the beautiful, tastefully done interior. It smelled, spoke of Chris with simple elegance all around.

She looked at Chris as he led her to his guest room. She was glad she was staying the night with him. She knew her nightmares would have been bad and she would not have been able to sleep without knowing he was close and beside her.

Rachel had enquired from Anna if she had told her parents about the said incident. Anna shook her head in a negative and Rachel simply hugged her for her thoughtfulness. She did not want her parents to get worried about her.

She stopped in the room which was wonderfully decorated. Light hues of peach on the wall provided the room a serene, relaxing atmosphere. The double bed in the centre, with elegant side tables and lamps indicated exuberance spending. The carpet placed on the corner seemed soft and luxurious. The room was spotlessly cleaned and went with the character of being a ‘guest room’, a room that gave the feeling of home while catering to their varied needs.

Chris watched fascinated as different emotions played on her face each one voicing its approval for his home, this room.

He put his arms around her waist and laid his head delicately on her shoulder, “You, my beautiful girl. Go shower and change your clothes, Anna brought you some fresh ones and I will be back to escort you for dinner,” he kissed the side of her neck.

Rachel sighed delightfully, enjoying his closeness and those sweet kisses; she arched her neck giving him more leeway and blissfully closed her eyes.

She turned in his embrace and put her arms around his neck dragging him closer to her; she stood up on her tip-toes and flicked her tongue on his lips seductively. Chris groaned and expertly took over the kiss. Feeling, enjoying; the sugary taste of her kiss on his lips. Waves of desire hit them both as Chris pulled Rachel closer to him and touched her tongue with his. Relishing, loving her intense, wonderful, so very addictive taste.

He continued to kiss her and when she pulled back a little and rested her head on his chest, he engulfed her in a tight hug. Savoring the precious moment of being with the person you love, being with the one you would do anything for.

Rachel lifted her eyes and looked at him. He looked at her and asked,” Are you alright?”

She leaned on to him and replied, “I am now; I am not going to cry anymore or let those men ruin our date. I have you with me and that is what matters.”

Chris hugged her closer to him, “You are strong, my bunny. I am so very proud of you.”

Rachel smiled and laid a kiss on his chest, “Please Chris, go and apply some antiseptic cream on your bruises.”

She laid her palm on his cheek in a loving gesture, Chris moved his head and simply kissed her palm and said,” Alright, beautiful. You better get ready by then. I will go and check on Rob and Anna, hope they have not eaten each other and are still alive.”

Rachel quickly showered and slipped into a long shirt and some shorts. She walked out of her room and moved towards the main living room.

En-route she saw a door and saw Chris, standing on a side with his back bare, devoid of any clothing looking for something.

She simply wanted to swoon. She was unable to control her wanton behavior.

That back was beautiful; there was simply no other way to describe it.

Rock-hard and solid; pure muscle.

She wanted to run her hands over his back. Rachel desperately wanted him to turn; she wanted to see his vast expanse of delicious chest.

And did he turn.

Oh! Lordie.

Chris looked straight at her and Rachel felt her knees go weak. That front was what wet dreams were made of. She licked her lips as the temptation walked towards her.

Jesus! He caught me checking him out. Why can’t you floor just open up and swallow me, save me from the embarrassment but oh God, that chest. She could die right now and have no regrets. On second thought, she just wanted to touch him once and then die.

He had probably just taken a shower as his hair was wet and instead of standing straight up as it usually did it was stuck to his forehead.

He was simply beautiful and so very hot.  A pair of jeans hung loosely on his hips.

"Are you alright, Cassandra" he said, cocking an eyebrow.

"I… um." 

Get a grip Rachel.  His abs are not distracting.

 He's not distracting!

"I was just going to the living lounge."

"That's the best excuse you can come up with for coming to see me naked?" he said and winked.

Rachel was just thinking for a good comeback when his wink caught her off guard and she found it unbelievably hot. 

I'm going mad! I'm going mad! She focused on chanting that in her head and didn't notice she hadn’t replied.

"Are you sure, you’re alright? Please come in," he said and started putting his shirt on.

No, don’t wear that offending thing, it’s blocking my view. Her conscience screamed.

His room screamed of him. The bed, the chairs, the table were all teak. The color of his walls was light blue giving the entire room a spacey feeling, a room which could be called a personal space. The room was cozy without being too flashy. It was something Rachel would have loved to live in. It was a room to fall in love and a room to be called your own.

The best part was the captivating view the room provided. With the entire garden lighted up; it looked almost magical. She loved the idea of having such a huge garden; his home was perfect for raising children, for making a home, for being with each other.

 Not that she was implying anything by it, she reminded herself.

“Like it?” Chris asked her with his arms around her.

She turned in his arms, “Love it, it’s beautiful; your house is the perfect setting for a home.”

“Thank you,” Chris beamed proudly and taking her hand in his walked towards the living room. 

It was just after midnight when they left the kitchen. Anna and Rob had already retired to their rooms. Anna and Rachel were sharing one. Rachel was happy to have someone with her for the night. She was terrified of her nightmares making an appearance again.

 "Thanks for the dinner, Chris." She said as they prepared to head towards their respective rooms. Chris had helpers staying with him in the outhouse, a lovely couple but because it was quite late in the night; he didn’t want to bother them and laid the dinner himself.

“My pleasure,” Chris chimed and leaning towards her gave her a quick goodnight kiss.

…………………..

Later that night, Chris heard a floorboard creak and looked up towards the stairs. Rachel herself was on her way down, her hair tangled from bed, dressed only in a shirt that barely covered her. Her long, slim legs, leading higher than even he'd imagined, to the most delicious looking derrière he'd ever seen.

She was a pure beauty. Her bed hair made her indisputably irresistible. Her face lacked of any make-up and her natural beauty shined in the night. She was ideal.

He almost exploded with need.

She hadn't seen him yet, giving Chris a chance to adjust himself and slouch casually in the chair. He thought he must act casually, he couldn't jump on her, pull her down into his lap, kiss her, touch her, make her moan.

"Chris," Rachel’s voice squeaked.

He looked up, to meet the eyes of an observably mortified Cassandra Morgan, her hands tugging the bottom of her shirt down as far as it could go, still not nearly covering her, her face bright red.

Despite every instinct he had screaming at him to soak in her glorious half-naked form, he averted his eyes. She was obviously embarrassed; he didn't want to make that worse.

But, she looked so very edible.

Utterly delicious.

"Couldn't sleep, Cassandra?" He asked; his voice unusually husky.

"No, I-I wasn’t expecting anyone to-o be up," she stuttered.

“Nightmares again?” Chris asked her looking very worried.

She simply nodded, her hand firmly gripping the bottom of her shirt.

“You could've just asked me for help, you know?" Chris asked quietly.

"I don't know…" she whispered.”What if you denied me help?"

Chris walked towards her and was now standing very close to her. He reached up and brushed a strand of hair off her face. "Cassandra, look at me."

She looked up, and completely serious violet-blue eyes bore down on hers.

"I would never deny you anything. Never."

Rachel wasn't sure of what to say, so she kept quiet.

"I can't tell you how special you are. How the last couple of months have been the best in my life. How much fun you are to be around. You're perfect, everything about you is, and you shouldn't be afraid to let people know that, you know? You’re strong, you’re brave,”

Rachel buried her face in his chest, and shook her arms free to snake them around his waist. "Thank you," she whispered against him.

Chris knelt his head down, against the crook of her neck.

He lifted her face with a finger, and a loving smile adorned his face. "You're welcome, Cassandra. Always."

Rachel put her arms around his neck, allowing her hands to sift through his hair as Chris put his hand around her waist, cradling her closer to him.

Rachel hugged him to her. Chris reciprocated the embrace, drawing his arms tightly around Rachel's small frame. He could feel her sobbing into his chest. It killed him to see her like this, but he knew she needed to let it out. He rubbed soothing circles into her back while he whispered comforting words into her ear.

"I know you're hurting," he whispered soothingly. “I am with you, at every step.”

Rachel nodded her head and Chris gently picked her up in his arms and sat down on the couch, “You sleep my little bunny. I am here with you.”

Rachel felt her heart thundering, Chris was perfect and hers. Only hers as she closed her eyes encased in Chris’s warmth and laid her head on his chest listening to his soft rhythmic heart-beat.

****************