Reflections
by Emily
The dreamless sleep was disrupted by something. What that something was took Chazity a little while to recognize. The telephone? Who would be calling her? It wasn't like she had an over abundance of friends. In fact, she could count her close friends on one hand.
Groaning when she realized who ever was calling her wasn't going to give up, Chaz reached over to her bedstand toward the ringing, knocking over an empty coffee cup in the process.
" 'Lo?" she croaked, clearing her throat immediately.
"May I speak to Chazity Walker?" the oddly familiar voice inquired. Chaz perked up at mention of her name.
"I'll be Chazity Walker after a couple gallons of coffee. Who is this?"
"You don't recognize the voice?"
"If I knew who you were, I would be asking," Chaz pushed herself up on one elbow and looked at her clock radio. 5:15. Who would be calling her at 5:15?
"Chazi, Chazi, Chazi, I'm wounded." The familiar voice took on a tone that Chaz would have recognized anywhere.
"Shane! How did you get my number?"
"You're not happy to hear from me?"
"It's 5:15, I wouldn't be happy to hear from anyone at 5:15."
"But, I'm your favorite cousin. I'm hurt, babe, really I am."
Chaz sighed. Her cousin hadn't changed at all. Even in the...what had it been? 7, 8 years? It still amazed Chaz how the time had flown.
Rubbing her eyes sleepily, she replied, "What did you want?"
"Oh. Straight to business? Gotcha. I was just wondering what you were doing this weekend."
"Working. I work both days this weekend."
"Chazi, you have got to get them off," Shane's voice insisted.
"Why, Shane? Why do I have to get them off?" Chaz brushed absently at her mussed red-brown hair.
"Because you're going to come out here to Connecticut. I haven't seen you in just about 7 years. I thought we could all get together."
Chaz sighed. Shane sounded determined. There was no stopping Shane when he was determined about something.
"I don't know if I can. I've got a kid so I just can't pick up and leave the state whenever the mood strikes anymore."
"You got a kid? Chazity, why didn't you tell me?" Chaz could almost see Shane's brown eyes widening.
"Yeah. Megan, she's gonna be 6 in...little under a month now," she said, an involuntary smile crossing her pretty face. Chaz's mood always lifted when Meg was mentioned.
"Chazity Renee! You could have picked up a phone you know."
"So could you. The lines work both ways," Chaz snapped.
"I didn't know where you were until this morning. You are a tough person to track down, sweetheart. Do you know that?"
"Well, I kinda like it that way," Chaz relented, leaning back onto her pillows, "Never know what kinda psychos will try beating my door down."
"You do have a point there. So will you at least consider it?" Shane asked, "We can make room for Megan. It's not like we're pressed for space."
Chaz grinned at the thought. McMahons, pressed for space.
"That's true. I'll have to talk to Meg. She might want to do something else. Connecticut isn't the kid haven of the world you know."
"Okay, that's cool. Lemme give you the number and you call, we talk. You decide to come out here. It's that simple."
"Shane, I'll get back to you," Chaz said, reaching for something to write on and a pen. Settling on a fast food napkin from her bed stand drawer, she took the number and had to promise Shane over and over that she would call him back before he would let her go.
Setting the phone on the hook, Chaz stretched. Shane had talked to her just long enough to assure she wouldn't be able to get back to sleep. She moved quietly to Meg's room, peeking in to check on her.
It still amazed Chaz that this girl was her baby. She looked so much like him it almost hurt Chaz. She had his eyes. The same wide, blue-green eyes. If only...
Chaz shook her head. It didn't do any good to think about the past and what could have been.
Sighing softly she padded to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee brewing it. She needed it.
Chaz didn't realize how much a person could accomplish before 8 o'clock. She'd never cared enough to haul her lazy butt out of bed. On that morning however, she cleaned out the refrigerator, made coffee and cookies (she wasn't much for conventional breakfast foods), make her bed and shower all before the normal hour she decided to wake up. Chaz even caught herself humming softly.
"This is too weird," she said to herself, as she stepped from the hot shower into the chill air of the steamy bathroom.
Using the corner of her towel, she wiped off the vanity mirror above the sink and studied her reflection in the mirror. Two, sad brown eyes stared back at her. She studied the rest of her face. Her mouth was a little wide and her nose perhaps too pert for her face but over all not bad. Chaz had never considered herself a knockout, pretty maybe, definitely not ugly though.
Guys who came into the bar she worked in always told her she was hot but who's to say they were even sober. She'd never had any real boyfriends. Flings, sure, but she'd never found anyone she had trusted enough to tell everything to. No, she thought, drying her hair slowly with the towel. That wasn't exactly true. She'd told Meg's father everything about her.
At that thought she silently chastised herself that was the second time in as many hours that she'd thought about him. It had been so long since she'd thought of him. Why all of a sudden was he haunting her thoughts?
"Mommy? Are you almost done?" Meg's voice pierced Chaz's reverie.
"Almost, sweetie. How did you sleep?"
"Okay. I smell cookies."
Chaz laughed quietly, as she cinched the belt of her terrycloth robe around her slender waist.
"Nothin' gets past you, does it, kid?"
"Not cookies," Meg giggled.
Chaz grinned and opened the bathroom door. Meg was standing there, holding her Winnie the Pooh with the kind of carefree, happy smile only children are able to possess. Chaz was struck again by how much she truly adored her daughter. It never ceased to amaze her.
Neither did the way she was a perfect blend of her looks...and his. His eyes and heartbreaking smile. Her nose and mouth. Meg's hair was her own, though maybe more influenced by Chaz's. Flaming red so perfect a shade, people often stopped them wondering if she had it professionally done. Chaz was appalled at the notion and often told them as much. She was a 5-year-old. Chaz was not the type of mother that would color a child's hair.
"You are so goofy," Chaz said with a grin, kneeling to Meg's level and opening her arms for a hug. Meg obliged and squeezed her extra tight.
"I was surprised when you were up. I have to wake you up, normal times," Meg said, taking Chaz's hand and leading her to the kitchen.
"I got a call today from my cousin, Shane. Do you remember me talking about Shane?" Chaz asked.
Meg got a contemplative look on her pretty face and hopped into one of the chairs surrounding the small kitchen table. "I think so, Mommy, but I'm not for sure."
"Well, anyway, Shane was wondering if we wanted to come and visit them in Connecticut."
"Where's that?"
"It's a long ways away from here. I told him we had to ask you first."
Chaz got herself a cup of coffee and poured Meg a glass of milk.
"Do they have toys in Conn..Connet.."
"Connecticut. I'm sure they do but we'd bring some of your toys. Pooh, of course would be making the journey with us. So what do you want today for breakfast?" Chaz asked, setting the milk in front of Meg and laughing softly as Meg almost slurped down the entire glass.
"I want cinnamon toast and a cookie," Meg exclaimed
"Cinnamon toast and a cookie? Okay," Chaz kissed the top of her head and started preparing the breakfast.
"Mommy?"
"Hmm?"
"Don't you have to work this weekend?"
"Yeah, I'm supposed to but I would take time off if you wanted to go."
"I think you need to take some time off. You have been sad lately," Meg said, slurping more milk.
"I've been sad?"
"Uh-huh. I'm worried 'bout you Mommy," Meg said.
Chaz felt her heart drop. Meg didn't need to be worrying about her. She couldn't believe that she hadn't noticed Meg was paying that much attention to the way she felt.
"Oh, baby, don't worry about me. I'm a tough chick," Chaz said, leaning over and hugging her daughter tightly.
Then as if synchronized, the toaster popped and the phone rang all at once.
"You get the phone, I'll get the toast," Chaz laughed.
Meg giggled and skipped to the phone.
"Hello?"
Chaz listened to her daughter's cheerful voice as she spread the butter on the toast.
"Who is this?" Meg chirped.
There was a pause and Meg's voice inquired, "Mommy, do we know a Vince McMahon?"
Chaz nearly dropped the toast. She set it down as calmly as she could and walked to where her daughter stood.
"Yeah, baby, can I talk now?"
"Nice to talk to you Mr. McMahon. Here's Mommy. Bye," Meg said, handing Chaz the phone.
"Uncle Vince?"
"Chazity, you didn't tell me you had a daughter." Vince's baritone said through the phone bringing a rush of memories to Chaz.
"I know. I know, Shane nearly jumped down my throat this morning about it."
"So he did get a hold of you? I wasn't sure."
"Yep. He did."
"Did you say you were coming out here this weekend?"
"I have to talk to Meg about it."
"I really hope you do. The both of you. I've got a grand-niece to spoil rotten."
Chaz laughed lightly. It had been too long. She didn't realize how much she missed her family until she talked with them.
"Well go ask her now. I'll wait."
"Hang on." Chaz set the phone down and went back to the table where Meg sat drinking the last of her milk and munching on a chocolate chip cookie.
"Oops," Meg giggled.
"Oops is right."
"Mommy I think I want to go to Connecticut," Meg said.
"You do?"
"Yeah."
"Okay," Chaz ran back to the phone and told Vince that they were going to be coming.
"Terrific. I'll have two tickets waiting for you at the airport and I'll have someone there to pick you up." Vince said.
Chaz beamed. She didn't know why but suddenly she felt as if a cloud had been lifted. Little did she know that darker ones were on the horizon.
Chapter Three
With a few phone calls, Chaz got everything prepared for their trip to Connecticut. Meg insisted on packing on her own bag. Chaz reluctantly agreed, knowing her daughter had also inherited stubbornness from one of her parents. Lord knew both could be stubborn.
Chaz threw on a sleeveless denim shirt and a pair of khaki slacks. When in Greenwich, she thought to herself with a smirk. Brushing out her damp hair, she started humming again. A slow, seductive song, she hadn't heard in years. Not since...Why couldn't she get him out of her head? She hadn't thought of him in so long, now, she couldn't keep him out of her head.
Maybe it was a sign. Maybe she had to think of him and their time together for a reason. Maybe, she thought snappishly, I'm just horny and in need of anything for a thrill.
Whatever the reasoning, Chaz gave in to her thoughts and, as she packed her bags, recollected a time nearly 7 years previous. A time, which curiously enough, had began with a trip to Connecticut. A time when it seemed everything was working out and only the best would come to her.
August 22,1993
Chaz couldn't believe her mother had actually agreed. She was going to Connecticut with her mother's brother, Vince, but that wasn't even the half of it. Her mother had agreed to let her go with her family to ENGLAND to watch one of the pay per views that her uncle ran. Chaz really wasn't into wrestling but she'd always wanted to go to Europe and this was her golden opportunity.
The taxi pulled up to her uncle's immense mansion. In all of Chaz's 17 years, she'd never seen a more beautiful house. It was even more perfect then she'd imagined.
After paying the driver, she gathered her bags and her courage (it had been almost four years since she'd seen her Uncle Vince) and walked up the marble steps to the huge oak door. Just as she was about to knock, the door opened and a man she didn't know plowed into her, nearly knocking her back down the stairs.
"Whoa," a gravelly voice said, grabbing her tightly around the waist to keep her from falling.
Chaz found herself looking into the clearest, blue-green eyes she'd ever seen. Upon closer inspection, she found herself in the arms of the most beautiful male specimen she'd ever layed eyes upon.
"Well, hey there, gorgeous," he said, smirking.
Chaz felt her knees turn to jelly and was thankful for the strong arms supporting her. They'd pulled her upright and remained lightly around her waist. Lord, Chaz thought, if you're going to take me now, I'll definitely die a happy girl.
"Hi," Chaz managed, hating the way her voice squeaked.
"What's your name, Angel face?"
"Chaz?Chazity Walker."
"Well, hello, Miss Chazity Walker. I am Michael "Shawn" James Hickenbottom, but you, can call me Shawn."
Chaz felt her heart flutter and she was sure Shawn felt it too. She'd never seen anyone like Shawn before. Even his eyelashes were beautiful.
"Shawn, get your damn hands off my niece!!" an angry baritone bellowed behind Shawn.
Wincing, Shawn let go of Chaz and turned around. In the doorway of the oak door, stood Vince. Chaz felt her face grow hot.
"Chazity, get in here! Shawn, I believe you were leaving!"
Chaz jumped at the tone of her uncle's voice he definitely meant business. She clutched her bags and casting one last look over her shoulder at Shawn, walked by Vince into the mansion.
Vince closed the door behind Chaz and heaved a sigh. Chaz didn't know quite to make of the situation. Was Vince upset with her for some reason? She hadn't done anything wrong, except majorly swoon for an unattainable man.
"Sorry about that, Chazity. I just don't want to see you hurt," Vince said, rather sheepishly.
"Why would I be hurt?" Chaz asked.
"Let's just say, Shawn has quite the reputation with the ladies to put it mildly. I just want don't my favorite niece hurt that's all."
Chaz smiled at her uncle. For as gruff and unapproachable he seemed at times, he could be the sweetest man.
"Chazi? Is that you?" a voice behind her exclaimed. Turning, Chaz saw her cousin bounding down the stairs toward her. When he reached her, he seized her in a bear hug.
"Shane, I can't breathe," Chaz laughed.
"You are looking great. Little Chazi definitely has grown up. I remember last time you came here, you had braces and pigtails. Now I'm gonna have to keep an eye on you. Beat up any guy who even thinks he can get close to my baby cousin," Shane said.
"Shane, really. I'm 17, I hope I've changed since I was 13."
"Yeah, you are going to have to keep an eye on her. Shawn Michaels had his hands on her when I found them," Vince said, only half jokingly.
"Uncle Vince, he didn't have his hands all over me. He'd run into me and he caught me so I wouldn't fall down the stairs. I, for one, am glad he didn't let me fall," Chaz said, with a determined set to her jaw.
"Well, I'm glad you didn't fall as well, but I'd rather you didn't socialize with Shawn," Vince said.
"I don't think you have to worry about that. The way you barged out there. He'll probably avoid me like the plague," Chaz silently added, unfortunately, " and why would I socialize with him? He's got to be at least...what...25?"
"He's 27 actually. Today's his birthday," Shane piped in.
"See. He's 10 years older then me. Like he's really gonna wanna hang out with me," Chaz said.
"Sorry. I'm just a little protective of my girls. I'm the same way with Stephanie," Vince said, wrapping his arm around Chaz's shoulder, "So are you excited about coming with us to England?"
"Like you wouldn't believe. I'm so psyched. I barely slept last night."
"Well, we'll just take your things to your room and you can take a nap before supper," Vince said, taking one of her bags as Shane took the other.
Chaz, Shane and Vince started up the stairs when the doorbell rang.
"I can get it. You guys have your hands full," Chaz said, turning and walking to the door.
Opening the door, Chaz found herself face to face with Shawn again. And again it felt as if her heart was going to explode from her chest.
"Hey, just the girl I was lookin' for. I didn't get the chance to ask earlier, but I was wondering if you would like to come to a party tonight? It's my birthday and I'm having a little thing ya know," Shawn asked, never taking his eyes from Chaz's.
"I'm not so sure that's such a good idea," Vince
"Uncle Vince," Chaz hissed through her teeth.
"Yeah, come on Uncle Vince. We'll be good," Shawn said with a smirk.
"Please, Uncle Vince," Chaz tuned her eyes toward her uncle and pouted slightly.
"Pops, if ya want, I can take, Chazi. That way, she can go and I'll be able to keep an eye on her for you," Shane added.
Chaz felt her heart sink. Shane coming would be almost as bad as Vince himself. How could this be happening? The impossible had happened and Shawn had invited her to a party and now reality had to butt its ugly head into the situation.
Vince sighed heavily. "Shane, I want you to keep your eyes on Chazity the entire evening. And I want you both home by midnight."
Chaz groaned. How was she going to have any fun with Shane breathing down her neck?
"Don't worry about junior. I've got ways to deal with him," Shawn whispered into Chazity's ear. She could smell the peppermint from his gum and the slight hint of Eternity cologne. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all, she decided with a smile.
Chaz spun in front of the full-length mirror for the hundredth time in ten minutes. She sighed heavily. None of the outfits looked right. She didn't know why she couldn't decide on one. It hadn't taken her this long to get ready for her junior prom. Of course her date for the junior prom didn't have quite the effect on her that Shawn did.
"Chazi, car's leaving in five minutes. With or without you," Shane's voice called from outside the door.
"Shane! I can't decide what to wear. Come here," Chaz shouted, a note of desperation in her voice.
"Are you decent?"
"No, Shane. I want my cousin to walk in on me butt naked. Of course I'm decent you moron. Get in here and tell me what you think."
Shane walked through the door and his jaw dropped. Never had he seen his cousin look more beautiful. Her red brown hair was softly curled and framed her face. Her face was not heavily made up like alot of the girls he'd seen Shawn with. Instead, her make-up was accentuating instead of overbearing. Her dress was white with spaghetti straps. It was tight (but not too tight) at her torso and swirled from her waist to her knees.
"Well?" Chaz asked.
"You look great, Chazi. Really."
"You think Shawn'll like it?" Chaz chewed her bottom lip.
"You really like Shawn don't you?" Shane's voice was softer than usual and his brown eyes didn't hold the sarcastic sparkle that usually lurked just below the surface.
"I don't know. I think I could...but he probably wouldn't like me."
"Chazity Renee Walker, I don't want to hear you be so down on yourself. Shawn's damn lucky a girl like you is interested in him and if he doesn't respect that fact, then there are millions of other guys that would kill to have you for a girlfriend."
Chaz smiled widely and wrapped her arms around her cousin's neck spontaneously.
"Whoa. Did you bathe in that perfume?" Shane quipped.
"I knew you couldn't be sweet for too long."
"Oh, I'm always sweet, Chazi."
Chaz backed away from Shane. "No. You're always a freak."
"Oh that hurts. Really it does."
Chaz shook her head. Shane was really one of a kind. He could be really annoying at times but who couldn't. Chaz knew he loved her in his own way and she adored him for it. Grabbing her purse and slipping on her white sandal pumps, Chaz left the room behind Shane anticipating what lay ahead of her at the party.
Chapter 4
Shawn looked down at his watch. 8:30. Why wasn't she here yet? Had Vince decided at the last minute not to let her come? He had to see her again. She was different. God, he'd never been so enamored from the beginning. Usually it was the girls that fell hard and fast.
Maybe...maybe she was interested in him too. He was a good-looking guy. Lots of girls had told him. But Chazity wasn't lots of girls.
Shaking his head, he was suddenly aware of the pulsating music that filled the crowded room...and the hand on his thigh. He turned and saw a flashy platinum blond with an equally flashy smile.
"Hi, Shawn," the girl said breathily.
"Hello," Shawn said.
Here, he thought, is your opportunity to keep your mind off Chazity. Looking into the blond's eyes he saw they were the color of moss. Very sexy...but not Chazity's open brown...Get a hold of yourself, Shawn, he chastised silently, you don't even know her.
Then as if a sign from above, she appeared. Shawn nearly leapt from his seat on the couch when he saw her walk in. Somehow he contained himself. She looked like an angel and he felt a smile curve his lips. Then he saw Shane. Shawn had known he was coming but it still was disappointing to him.
"Guess I'll have to put the plan in action," Shawn said out loud without even realizing it.
"What plan?" the blond asked wondering if she would really get Shawn Michaels in bed. It would be so rad just to do him and be able to tell all her friends.
"What's your name?" Shawn asked suddenly.
"Lorraine."
"Can you help me out with something, Lorraine?"
"Anything. What do you want me to do?" her eyes lit.
"Great," Shawn beamed, leaning closer to her and whispering his plan to her.
~~~~~~
"Maybe this wasn't such a good idea," Chaz murmured as her and Shane walked through the door.
"What? You want to go home? We can if you want to you know," Shane offered.
"No. I better at least say hi. I mean he did invite me. There he is? with a girl...go figure." Chaz sighed heavily.
"Well, let's go say hi...then if you wanna go we can go."
Shane took Chaz's hand and pulled her through the writhing bodies of the crowd. When they reached the couch where Shawn was sitting, Chaz smiled down at him shyly.
Shawn's heart nearly stopped. She looks even better up close, he thought. Be cool, you don't want to scare her off.
"Hello," Chaz said. He looked up at her and she thought that she was going to faint. He looked even better than he had earlier. He had on a pair of black jeans, a white tee shirt that clung to his biceps and a black vest.
"Hello, yourself," Shawn grinned.
"Hello," the blond next to Shawn said, eyeing Shane. "You're cute."
Shane smiled at the blond. "So are you."
Shawn caught Chaz's eyes with his own and winked slyly. "Yeah, Shane, I'd like you to meet my friend, Lorraine. Ha. Shane...and Lorraine...that's cute. Here why don't you sit down right here next to this lovely lady and keep her company."
Shawn jumped up and all but pushed Shane down next to Lorraine. Lorraine's hands immediately snaked around Shane's neck and she pulled him close for a deep kiss.
Chaz's eyes went wide and her jaw dropped. Shawn wrapped his arm around her waist and led her back through the crowd toward the door.
Chaz finally found her voice as Shawn opened the door and led her out it.
"What was that?"
"I told you I had plans for junior."
"But that's...that's your birthday party in there."
"Hey. I can leave if I want. Like anyone's gonna notice anyway. There's something I want to show you...If you don't mind?"
Chaz didn't know what to think. She barely knew the man...
"What the hell?" The words escaped her lips before she could stop them.
"Well, I'll take that as a yes," Shawn smiled.
Chaz blushed lightly and nodded slightly. With a wink, Shawn took her by the hand and led him to his car.
"Where are you taking me?" Chaz asked after they'd gotten in the car and Shawn had started out down the darkened street. Her heart was racing almost as fast as the car was.
"Oh... I don't know," Shawn responded, eyes darting back and forth from the road to Chaz.
"What? You don't know where you're taking me?!" Chaz's eyes widened to the size of half-dollars and her jaw dropped. Shawn laughed heartily.
"Of course I know where I'm taking you. I just was playing...You're jumpy."
"You ass," her face was serious and her eyes were straight ahead.
"Did you just call me an ass?"
"Yeah I did."
Shawn looked over at her and she was trying desperately not to crack a smile. "Don't smile or anything. Wouldn't want me to think I was too cute."
Chaz's laughter filled the car. "Shut up."
"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."
Chaz shrugged and smiled. Somehow she felt at ease. Sighing softly, Chaz watched as the scenery raced by the passenger window. Minutes and miles flew by.
"We're here," Shawn's voice broke into Chaz's thoughts.
Shawn parked the car on the deserted dirt road and rushed around the car to open Chaz's door.
"Where's here?" Chaz looked around, narrowing her eyes trying to orient herself to the darkness.
"I guess maybe I should have brought you here during the day," Shawn mumbled, "Since it's pitch black and you can't see any of it I guess I'll have to describe it. It's a meadow."
"A meadow?" Chaz was unsure that she'd heard him correctly. Why would he bring her to a meadow?
"Yeah, it's really beautiful. It's got all these flowers and it smells great...Well, I don't know. I just come here to think sometimes."
Chaz studied Shawn. His eyes stared out into the darkness. He had a thoughtful, almost wistful expression on his handsome face.
"I'm sure it's pretty...." Chaz started and was silenced by Shawn's finger on her lips.
"Shh..come on," Shawn's words were low and husky and his eyes had darkened as he held his hand out for her.
Blinking several times, Chaz took his outstretched hand. She was sure he could hear her heartbeat. *She* sure could. It beat loud as a kettle drum and she was sure her hand trembled in Shawn's as they walked through the flowered field. Chaz wasn't sure what she'd gotten herself into. There she was, in the dark, in the middle of nowhere with a man. A MAN. She'd been alone with a few boys from school but this was different. She was sure Shawn had alot more experience then her previous sweaty palmed, pimple-ridden dates had been.
Shawn must have sensed her trepidation. He squeezed her hand gently. They came to a stop and sank into the grass, side by side.
"We don't have to do anything, Chazity. I just..."
"Chaz."
"What?"
"Call me Chaz. Only my Uncle Vince calls me Chazity...and Shane when he's being annoying. But other than that..."
"Chaz. Chaz, slow down, sweetheart. We don't have to do anything. I'm not the kind of guy to force myself on any woman. My mother raised me to respect women. I just wanted to be alone with you and this was the first place I thought of. If you're uncomfortable, we can go back to the party."
Chaz swallowed loudly. "N-no! I mean, we came all this way and...it really is a beautiful night."
Shawn turned to face her. "You are so beautiful."
Chaz looked toward the ground. "You were right. These flowers are great. They smell really... good."
Shawn bent his index finger under Chaz's chin and lifted it so her eyes were level with his. "Chaz. Do you want to head back? I can tell you're uncomfortable."
"I...I've just never..."
"Never what?"
"Been with..."
"Whoa, whoa. I didn't bring you here to...damn, maybe this was a bad idea."
"No..I want to be here."
Shawn and Chaz's eyes met. Through them, they conveyed their desire. Softly, almost timidly, Shawn leaned toward Chaz and their lips met.
Shawn pulled away, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Could he do this? Did she want to? God knew he did and she didn't protest when he'd kissed her. He studied her face for some kind of sign. Her eyes had remained closed even after the kiss had stopped.
"Chaz?" His voice was soft and imploring. Chaz fluttered her eyes open and knew at that moment, that very second, that he was going to be the one.
"Shawn," the word was little more then a sigh. Shawn kept his distance. He didn't want her to feel pressured but at the same time he could feel his own urgency pulsing through him.
"I don't want to do anything you're going to regret," he murmured soaking her in as one would the sun.
Chaz couldn't find the words to explain how she was longing for him. She reached out a trembling hand and brushed her fingertips against his slightly pursed lips. His eyes bore into hers.
"Chaz, are you sure?"
Swallowing, she nodded slowly and leaned toward Shawn tentatively for another kiss. A guttural moan escaped from Chaz as their lips met.
Gently, Shawn leaned Chaz backwards until she was laying down. He broke the kiss and looked down at her. Her skin looked so soft. Her lips, so inviting. Unconsciously, Chaz's tongue darted out and moistened her parted lips.
"Chaz, if you don't want to go all the way, just tell me to stop."
"Shawn, with all due respect, shut the hell up and make love to me."
Shawn lips curved into a smile and he laughed softly. He put his left hand on her knee and slid it up her skirt.
Chaz bit into her bottom lip. Her heart was racing, her blood was pumping. This was really going to happen. She felt a million different things all at once but that changed the minute Shawn's hand reached her panties. All the fear and nervousness gave way to want and longing.
Shawn bent down and kissed her neck as his hand worked to free her of her panties. Chaz's mind went blank and instinctively she wound her fingers into his hair and lifted her hips to allow him to remove her panties with ease.
He did so quickly and she soon felt his fingers enter her. Chaz's eyes widened and she started to pant softly.
"Oh God," her voice whispered. "Don't stop."
Shawn lifted his head, fingers still working to pleasure her. "God, you're gorgeous."
After a minute or so, Chaz's body shuttered with a force she'd never felt before in her17 years. She was climaxing. Gasping for air, she saw Shawn's face hovering over hers.
"I want to see you. I want to see all of you," Shawn murmured.
Chaz smiled, best she could manage and pushed herself up on her elbows. Shawn's hands moved around the back of her to unzip her dress.
As he did this, Chaz sat up farther and started taking off Shawn's clothes. She worked greedily with his belt, finally pulling it off just as Shawn had unfastened her dress and slid it down her arms.
"We're not going to be able to do this at the same time," Shawn laughed.
"I'm not stopping," Chaz murmured. Shawn obliged and dropped his hands, allowing her to remove his vest and shirt and start on his jeans. Shawn watched her face with interest. It was as if she was opening a present. Her eyes lit up at the sight of his toned, tanned, chest. She traced his tattoo with one finger and then ran her fingers through the curly hairs on his chest, biting her lip lightly. Her hands slid down his chest, over his stomach straight to the button of his jeans.
Without a word, she yanked the button open and unzipped his fly. Shawn heard her inhale sharply when she saw the size of his erection. He laughed softly and helped her slide his jeans off the rest of the way. "Now it's my turn," Shawn's fingers nimbly danced up Chaz's arms and without taking his eyes off hers, he slid the dress down. She'd never been so nervous in her life. No one had seen her wearing just her bra and she wasn't sure if she was pretty enough.
"Oh my god," Shawn's eyes widened. Her modest breasts were encased in a white lace bra. He could nearly see through the thin material.
"What's wrong?" Chaz panicked.
Continued