Fervent Desires

Chapter 15 - Confrontation Round 2

“What the hell is she doing here?” yelled Erica angrily.

I couldn’t blame her for being angry, I had just assured her today that Noelle and I were finished; yet here she was standing inside my condo. Truth be told I had no idea what Noelle was doing there we hadn’t even spoken since the incident; it was funny how she happened to turn up the one night Erica was at my place. I swear that woman must have people watching me. Noelle completely ignored Erica and instead turned her attention to me.

“Taylor sweetheart, have you seen my tennis bracelet? I think I may have left it here the other morning.”

She knew exactly what she was doing. Noelle loved to play games and this was right up her alley. She smiled sweetly at me and I knew she did it just to get under Erica’s skin.

“The other morning?” Erica looked at me with accusing eyes.

“Yes,” responded Noelle wryly. “When I stayed over.”

I could see the anger creep up in Erica’s face, but before she had time to say anything, I stepped in between her and Noelle. “Now you know good and well that I ended things with you the other night. I stayed in a hotel, the same hotel that I booked you into for the rest of your trip here. You have no place being in my apartment. I’m dating Erica now”. She almost looked hurt but I knew she was only trying to manipulate the situation.

“I can’t believe you would allow her to stay over here,” I could see the hurt in Erica’s eyes.

“I’m sorry-,”

“You’re always sorry,” she cut in, “you don’t respect me”. Her voice cracked and the pain tugged at my heart.

“Erica please,” I took a step towards her. I couldn’t lose her again. I reached for her and she slapped my hand away.

“She has and will always be mine,” said Noelle pompously.

Noelle leaned arrogantly against the door frame with her hands folded across her chest. I could see the rage flash in Erica’s eyes. Our perfect little world had shattered and Noelle was responsible. “Get the hell out of here!” she yelled, her anger now directed at Noelle.

I could see shock register on Noelle’s face. She hadn’t expected that outburst from Erica. She looked from Erica to me and then back to Erica. 

“Are you just going to stand there and allow her to speak to me this way?” she finally asked. 

“I told you already I’m with Erica; now get out of my condo before I call security.” My voice was firm and she knew I meant it.  

I hadn’t noticed that Erica had disappeared, and only realized when she returned holding the bracelet in question. “Here!” she yelled as she threw it at Noelle.

“You b***h!” she yelled before lunging at Erica.

This could not be happening I thought, stepping between both ladies and receiving a slap to the face for my troubles.

“Noelle leave,” I said sternly “I’m not going to tell you again.”

I saw vengeance in her eyes but she didn’t say another word. She picked her bracelet off the floor and headed for the door, pushing a lamp off the table on the way out. The lamp fell with a loud crash and I let out a long sigh as I watched her stomp her way towards the elevator. I could feel Erica glaring at me, her eyes burned a hole through the back of my head. I turned to look at her, not quite ready to accept my fate.

“How could you put me in that situation?” she asked, tears glistening in her eyes. “You said you want this to work but I feel like you’re not even trying.”

I didn’t have an answer; she was right. This was the woman I loved, the woman I wanted to be with; she should never have to go through things like this and I was willing to spend however long it took making it up to her. Erica had turned bright red by now, with tears streaming down her face. I wanted to console her, I wanted her pain to go away. I crossed the space between us in an instant, I needed to hug her, I needed her to feel loved. To my surprise she accepted my embrace, burying her face into my shoulder.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered, pulling her even closer. Her sobs were muffled against me. “I never wanted to hurt you, you have to believe me.” She lifted her tear stained face towards mine. Our lips were inches apart and I instinctively closed the gap between them. To my delight she did not hesitate. We shared a deep, passionate kiss and when it was over we were both gasping for air.

 “I need you,” my voice came out as a hoarse whisper.

Erica was quiet, her eyes searched mine. I took her by the hand and led her to the bedroom. I pinned her against the wall, and put my lips on hers again. Her lips were soft and loving and I felt like I was in heaven. I pulled her even closer to me and proceeded to place soft kisses against her neck. She responded by stroking my hair and wrapping her leg around me. I held her neck with one hand and stared into those magical blue eyes of hers.

“Make love to me,” I whispered.

She blinked as if she was trying to clear her vision. “I can’t,” she slowly pushed me away “not in this apartment and certainly not in this bed that you had her in.”

I looked at her stunned. Her whole demeanor had shifted. I felt like I had be doused with ice water; but as shocked as I was I couldn’t blame her. I needed to regain control of the situation and fast.

“How about we go away for a day or two, just you and me?” I suggested.

She laughed humorlessly. “It’s the middle of the week.”

“I don’t care. I’ll cancel all of my meetings,” I was determined.

“When are we leaving?” she asked sarcastically.

“Tonight,” my answer was swift and final.