RED

Chapter 7

The past five days were a plain torture for Red. He had had luck; the bomb hadn’t killed him because it had been under the luggage rack and he had stood in front of the hood but the explosion had taken him aback then he had hit his head hard.

But the most painful thing these days were that he had thought that his enemy had caught Lizzie. When he had found out that a man named Francesco Lottie had been behind the happenings Red had hunted his associate down. This associate had said that he had killed Eliza and before Red could have had killed him slowly in his hidden psychopath way, the man had taken cyanide.

Red had totally broken down when Dembe had tried to reach Eliza on phone and after they hadn’t got any answer he had asked his bodyguard to take him to the safe house. He had to run again before Lottie’s other people would find out that he was still alive.

As he slowly entered the house a lonely thought crossed his mind; why didn’t he help Lottie and end up his miserable life on his own?

He shook his head when the realization hit him; he couldn’t die until he’d found Lottie and destroyed his whole world like Lottie had done to him.

He was really tired and his heart ached like hell so he headed toward the bedroom.

And then he saw her lying on the bed in his shirt, hugging his pillow. He stopped for a moment to make sure that he hadn’t imagined her. His Lizzie. His beautiful and loving woman was alive and she was there. He thought that she was sleeping so silently he leaned to the bed and hugged her because right now he needed her closeness, Red needed her proximity.

When Lizzie started crying and held on to him so tight he realized that she still thought that he was dead. How she reacted, it meant the world to him because right there Red knew that Lizzie loved him as much as he had been in love with her for a long time. The relief and the happiness created a small tear which couldn’t help but escape from his right eye.

Hush my love now don’t you cry

Everything will be all right

###

A few minutes later Lizzie calmed down a bit but still didn’t release her grip.

“I thought…I thought you were…your blood everywhere.” she sniffed.

“It wasn’t my blood. A poor guy stood close to the car…it was his blood. I just hit my head pretty hard but thanks to Dembe I could get out of there.”

“Where have you been?” she searched for his eyes and stroked her fingers against his sideburns; his entire face danced in the shadow of joy and overwhelmed happiness but Lizzie could tell he was tired. Usually Red looked younger than his age but at that moment he exactly looked like a 54 year old man who had been caring dead weights on his shoulders in the past five days since they hadn’t met.

“I thought they caught you. I hunted the man down who put the bomb under my car. Before he died he told me that he…he…” mere idea of Liz being dead strangled him painfully “killed you. I came here to get packed before I chase this man, Francesco Lottie. Because I simply couldn’t rest in peace while your murderer is still alive.”

His words took her aback. Rest in peace? Did he mean it that way?

“Rest in peace?” she furrowed her brows.

“I hope you don’t think that I could live without your presence in this world, Lizzie. You are my everything. My only reason to keep breathing and fighting in this world. Do you remember what I asked you from the night before…well, before hell broke loose?”

“Yes.” before she could answer him Red interrupted her.

“What I want to say is that if you don’t have the same feelings for me…” he feared her rejection but he had to know her answer, even if that would be painful for him. “I’ll leave and you don’t have to see me again. After these five days I can’t have only a half of you. Whatever decision you make I’ll respect that and after I’m done with our enemy I’ll step aside and let you live your own life- without me. But before you say anything you must know, if that isn’t obvious for now, I love you more than anything in this life and I’m afraid there’s no description which could perfectly phrase my love and affection toward you, sweetheart.”

She was so dead and gone to heaven. It was the most gorgeous declaration which she had ever heard from a man. How could he possibly assume that she would let him get away from her after everything?

Before she could have said anything Dembe knocked on the opened bedroom door and spoke quietly in his low but calming tone.

“Red, we should move quickly before somebody could realize that we’re here.” as he stepped closer Dembe saw who had been held by his boss and a sudden relief ran through his face. “I’m glad to see you again, Liz.” he smiled and went out.

“Where are you two going?” Liz asked still caressing him wherever she could reach him.

Red turned back to her with a disappointed sight; he knew he wouldn’t get his answer now because they really should have been moving fast.

“We have to disappear for a while. Lottie hasn’t found out that I’m alive but he definitely knows that you didn’t die. I’m surprised he hasn’t made any effort to find you already. And under ‘we’ I referred to Dembe, me and you.”

“What about the FBI?” she didn’t want to protest; she would follow him to the end of the world but also she knew that in her state she shouldn’t have made serious decisions like giving up her job and becoming a hunted woman.

“I talked with Cooper yesterday and he told me they were also searching for you and we agreed if I find you I’ll give him a call. I also told him that I’ll disappear with you for a while until Lottie’s dead and of course he protested as the head of the FBI. But as a man who knows how this system works he said that they won’t search for us either. The choice is yours but I want you to come with me.”

“Let’s go.” she whispered and kissed him. The kiss was slow and gentle; Liz tried to memorize every bit of him. She rolled him to his back and deepened the kiss but this time she didn’t want anything than to kiss him until she didn’t feel any oxygen in her lungs.

Red grabbed her waist with his right hand and caressed her back with the left, he held her tight. After an eternity she put her hand on his chest and smiled at him.

“Let’s get out of here.” she whispered and stood up from the bed. Quickly she put on her pants but she left Red’s shirt on her and grabbed her things while Red picked up his own necessary items.

Ten minutes later they were in the car. They were like young lovers; none of them could keep their hands off of the other’s body. Liz wanted to know where they were going but suddenly she felt herself really exhausted; she lay down and put her head to his lap then he started stroking her hair, silently lulling her but he fell asleep faster than Liz.

Close your eyes and drift in dream

Rest in peaceful sleep

###

It was five in the morning when they arrived at their destination. Liz was woken by gentle kisses on her cheek.

“Wake up beautiful, we’re here.” Red whispered. She slowly stepped out of the car still feeling tired. Sleeping in a moving car was anything but relaxing and she could tell it wasn’t enough for Red either; the dark circles under his eyes told her that he hadn’t slept much more than her these days.

“If you don’t mind sweetheart, I’ll show you the house tomorrow. Right now all I want is a freshening bath and warm bed. And you, next to me.” he smiled and kissed her knuckles. It was unbelievable how he could still make her blush with a simple look.

After Red navigated her to the bedroom he excused himself to speak with Dembe. The room was simple but beautiful; the warm wood walls were sanded and covered in a diluted wash, the fabrics were in natural, muted tones, and all the colors she saw in the view – whites, grays, and blues, a bit of pale pink. Simple but beautiful. indeed.

“White bed linens look fresher when they're paired with wood.” Liz thought. She sat down for a moment and thought how she could have answered to Red; of course she loved him but she didn’t want to say it like a ‘good night, oh, and love you hon’. No. She had to give him a full declaration with all of her senses.

“Making love? No, we’re tired and it’s such a cliché, moaning restlessly to his ear. Maybe next time” she smirked then went to the bathroom to wash her face with cold water.

Just like she expected; the beauty of small but cozy bathroom adjusted to the style of the bedroom. Artful brick cube walls stood between the large bathtub which set in wooden walk-up platform with beige marble countertops, toilet, and vanity spaces. The light-brown wooden floor perfectly contrasted the light-beige walls. It was so intimate, so lush.

A great idea entered her mind and Liz opened the tap. She dressed down and slipped into the red silk bathrobe which hung on the door. As the bathtub started filling with water Liz was looking for some special things in the drawers – luckily she found the necessary items; herbal oils and candles. She lit a few candles and placed them at the foot of the tub. When she closed the tap she mentally patted her shoulder; yes, she had done a pretty good foam-bath.

“Lizzie?” Red knocked on the door. As carefully as she could she opened the door and closed it immediately behind her so he didn’t see anything. He stood in front of her with his mischievous smile but also she witnessed something new. She had never seen him so tired, so vulnerable in her presence. His vulnerable heart gave power to her, yet it scared Liz; she had to be cautious not to break his already damaged heart. “What are you doing?”

“I want to show you something.” she said with bright eyes. How he loved when she was as excited as that moment! She looked like a little girl who wants to show her draws. She slowly released his tie and placed in front of his eyes then knotted behind the back of his head. “Don’t worry; you don’t have to do anything.” she opened the door and lead him next to the bath. Liz stood on her toes and whispered into his ear. “Just let me take care of you.”

Red felt the sweet lavender scent in the air and sensed the hotness in the room.

“She made me a bathwater?” that was his last rational thought because Red felt her silk fingers undoing the buttons on his shirt slowly, one by one. When the shirt was gone Liz let the tips of her fingers roam around his torso, leaving goose bumps behind them. Shortly her lips joined to the group and danced on his skin leaving wet marks across. After a while her fingers found the belt and unfastened it then Liz unzipped the pants. As her hands pushed the pants down on his muscular thighs she lowered her lip to his belly and kissed him there passionately then slowly she kneeled in front of him and continued her trip with her mouth to his thigh as her hands massaged his calves; right leg first then the left.

Red felt his heart beating faster and faster but this time it wasn’t driven by the wild s****l heat; it was by the loving touches she was giving to him and Red clearly felt that s*x wasn’t her intention tonight either. Not in a physical way. It was something stronger; their souls were going to make love.

When she pulled down his boxers and his proud manhood was eye-level with her, she felt that the she-devil was stirring in her and wanted to arouse him immediately but she shook her head and stood up quickly. Liz wanted to show him her love in a more tantric way. She slowly turned him around and before she released the tie she had kissed every inch on his back. When the tie was gone he blinked slowly and turned around to see his beautiful woman. Red leaned down and kissed her slowly and sensually, gently sucking her lower lip.

“Get into the tub” she whispered against his lips. He smirked and he obeyed. The temperature of the water was absolutely perfect. When Lizzie didn’t join he was about to turn around to take a look at her but then he felt her beautiful legs sliding into the water right next to his upper arms.

Lizzie sat on the countertops and put some eucalyptus oil into her palms then cautiously but firmly she started kneading his shoulders. Her thumbs drew circles above the hardened muscles and she felt him relaxing under her ministration.

“The eucalyptus is helping to relax the tired muscles. You know, the orientalists say that eucalyptus can assist in walking in the dream world. It alerts us to the importance of our dreams. It clarifies dreams and balances emotions.” she spoke quietly and rubbed the nape of his neck, never ignoring his hums. He lowered his head so she could massage the entire length of the back of his neck then after a minute she rubbed his temple. “For example when you have this strange dream about a man who starts a s****l relationship with you but right after the first time…” she stopped for a moment and pushed his back a little, she lowered herself into the tub and pulled his chest back so he was practically wrapped by her. Liz caressed his chest that she loved the most while her other hand held the left side of his face. She pressed her lips against his ear and continued telling the story.

“You start feel something but it scares you because you know he doesn’t have any romantic intention. But then it turns out that he actually has and he wants to sleep next to you. Most women would jump out of their skin and happily stay for the night. But you’re not a ‘normal’ species of woman. You have to hesitate. You have to go home and you have to lay awake in bed. Alone. But thankfully you have a glass of water mixed with eucalypt oil at your nightstand which clears your mind so you decide; you’ll meet with him and tell him the truth but you can’t because…” she tightened her arms around him. “Have you ever loved someone such intensity which was almost painfully and embarrassing but wonderful and addictive at the same time?” she asked him and she felt his rapid heartbeat against his palm, his slight shuddering and felt her own emotions grow ever more. “Because this is how much I love you, Red.” she whispered into his ear.

It didn’t happen too much in his life but now Red was a speechless, but certainly the happiest man in the world. The love of his life had just declared that she felt the same! During the trip to here he had been thinking about how he should live with the rejection that she was going to give him because after what had happened in the bedroom he still couldn’t believe in his luck. But for now all of his dubiety faded away. Slowly he turned around and rested himself on his palm, next to her hips while the other took her cheek and he kissed her. That kiss tasted like the very first; those thrilling little things danced between their lips and his heart pounded heavily. He wasn’t in hurry he wanted to memorize her again and again.

Lizzie cupped the back of his head and pulled him as close as it was physically possible. This overwhelmed joy brought tears to her eyes and a nasty teardrop shamelessly ran across her face. He broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers as his thumb wiped the wetness away.

“When I thought I had lost you…” she whispered.

“But you didn’t. I’m here and I’m not going anywhere. Sorry sweetheart but I’m afraid you can’t escape from me anymore.” he smiled and eased her mood.

“I don’t want to anymore.” she gave him a short kiss but then a sudden shiver ran down on her spine. When she met with his questioning eyes she laughed. “I’m just tired and when I’m tired I’m freezing.”

“Then let’s go to bed.” he got out of the tub and helped her as well. He wrapped a warm and fluffy towel around her; this time he was the one that caressed her with kisses and touches. He gave her one of his boxers and shirt as he slipped into his own underwear then all of sudden he stepped closer; Red lifted her in bridal position and took her down on the bed. As he lay down next to her and placed his hand around her waist their noises were brushing a bit so she took this advantage and kissed him properly before she put her head to his neck and inhaled his sweet scent while her hand rested on his chest and her legs were lazily thrown around his left leg.

Oh my love... in my arms tight

Every day you give me life

As I drift off to your world

Rest in peaceful sleep

“Good night.” she whispered and kissed his neck.

“Good night, sweetheart.”

Both Lizzie and Red felt that this night would be followed by their brand new dawn.