Destined to Love

“Hey,” Anya smiled as Chris answered the phone softly. She swallowed, uncertain and nervous about what to say next. She had spent the last two hours on the freeway driving towards him, leaving home in the wee hours of the morning desperate to be near him. She had never imagined this, she just knew that with him everything was better, clearer.  “Where are you, ah, how are you?” Chris swallowed as he paced the gigantic modern wooden and porcelain kitchen that she had helped to choose. He tilted his head, hoping that she would ask to have lunch or coffee or just spend some time with him.  “Oh, I am good. How are you?” She paused now, nervous, her indicator had been on to turn into the secluded gated compound for more than ten minutes before she had worked up the courage to call him.  “Better now. Where are you Anya?” Chris groaned, angry with himself, angry with her. He had every newspaper article, picture and magazine excerpt that he could find about her laid out on the second level of the massive island. He closed his eyes, remembering how she had teased him telling him that the island was the perfect size and shape for intense love making.  “Outside. I am outside of your home Chris. Are you busy?” she hedged, closing her eyes feeling her heart stampede in her chest. What was she doing there? Their platonic relationship had sparked much debate over the years; it had sparked debate within her home and now within her heart.  “I’ll come down to meet you.” Chris hung up the phone and smiled, briefly pressing the buzzer for the gates to open. He was dressed casually in his space pajama pants and a black T-shirt. He had spent the last three days at home worrying about her. Wondering and then deciding not to make the drive down the freeway to her. Her husband was a jackass, he was no good for her. He had been the better partner to her over the years and now…now….  Anya smiled as she slowly drove up the long driveway. She had loved this house the moment she saw it. Modern and sleek, the tall tinted windows were spectacular in the morning light. The tall wooden doors at the entryway made it even more surreal and “Hollywood” she had called it. She parked now in the garage that opened for her. She stepped out of the car slowly, picking up her handbag swallowing, wondering what was leading her there; always leading her to him.  No matter the circumstance Chris had her back always, always there on the red-carpet with her, at premieres and launches. Teaching her to play baseball or taking her out for an ice-cream. She had tried to set him up with various girl-friends over the years, even going so far as to go on a blind date with him. She gasped when she saw him come out the side of the garage to meet her. Tall, with a wiry and muscular build, neatly trimmed blonde hair with a devastatingly handsome face he glanced at her. Chris took her bag and held her hand smiling leading her through the door to the side room. Anya couldn’t help biting her lips as she felt the strength in his touch, the determination in the way he held her hand. He stopped placing her bag on the chair nearest to the door.  “So you won’t forget it. Did you pack for the night, what’s in here?” Chris joked touching her chin with his knuckles making her smile. He wanted her, but he needed to be calm, to hear what she came to say, to understand her intention for him, for them.  “You know, this and that.” She swallowed when his hands splayed over her stomach as his other hand caressed her cheek. She couldn’t help but close her eyes and lean into the caress. Chris groaned seeing her respond to him so endearingly, she was his, they were meant to be.  Days before, they had stood on the rooftop of her home, locked in an intimate and heady embrace. She hadn’t been able to shake the heady or electric feel of the kiss. She had only asked him to stop when they heard Michael coming up the stairs. The guilt was plainly written on her face and she hadn’t had the nerve to conceal her feelings about Chris from either of them. Michael had only laughed and told her to cheer up, that as far as he was concerned he had thought the two of them started having s*x years ago.  He had actually laughed and told them to get a room, that it was often what he did. She had held back Chris from punching her husband who had laughed loudly to himself as he turned and walked back down the stairs. She didn’t regret marrying her husband; she had been very much in love with him when she did.  Michael had met her by accident seven years before while she shopped on Madison Avenue. They had laughed at bumping into each other, determined that it was fate. He had asked her out for  coffee and she had agreed. He was tall and handsome, obviously very wealthy and didn’t seem to have a clue who she was. By accident again they had met whilst she was in London at a photo shoot for a magazine cover. He couldn’t stop himself from kissing her nor taking her out to dinner that very evening. She had been on vacation with Chris who had come out to be with her at the same photo shoot for a spread that he was doing for the magazine. She had introduced them both and Chris had decided that the universe had smiled on her because Michael seemed to be a really great guy.  Chris had come to their wedding with a very sexy and very famous model in a skin tight red dress. He had purchased a forty-eight piece French porcelain dinner set and fine Baccarat crystal to celebrate their union. When she turned to the crowd gathered in the church she had beamed at him as she was introduced as Mrs. Shahat. She remembered how he had mouthed the words “I love you,” and placed his hands on his chest biting his lips fighting the tears that glistened in his eyes as she became another man’s wife.  Only later at the reception she had a curious case of butterflies when he led her outside for a slow dance under the moonlight. Since they were teenagers on the Hollywood scene they would only dance in the moonlight- it was also the title of their favorite song. Chris had held her gently telling her how beautiful she looked in the fit and flare white gown that she wore. She hadn't been brave enough to say anything to him, she had only closed her eyes and held on to him as they swayed in romantic moon and candlelight that graced the terrace of the hotel that held the wedding reception.  “Anya, I…” Chris had pulled back to speak to her, never finishing the sentence when Michael had jokingly interrupted them telling him to stop trying to steal the bride away. Anya had laughed and gone to her husband sure that she had made the right choice. Hadn’t Chris vowed to be a fifty year old bachelor, never bending to the rules of society by marrying?  Now he pulled her closer making her eyes close in longing and want of him. Chris dipped his head slowly, nervous when his lips touched hers. His eyes closed as they both gasped at the electric spark between them. Slowly his hands wound themselves around her waist pulling her closer to him as their mouths moved in sync with each other. Anya moaned when she felt her breasts pressed against him, she moaned when he moved her slowly, deliberately until she was backed against the wall. She clasped her arms around him wantonly giving herself over to the feeling of the moment. She swallowed when he broke away suddenly, slamming his fists into the wall above her pinning her head down with his as they both calmed their breathing, thinking, swallowing, knowing that the trust that they had built, the security that they had formed over the years would be shattered if they didn’t stop.   Anya’s eyes misted as he nodded and pulled her by the hand into the kitchen. She bent lowly, leaning over the island looking at the mess of pictures and clippings that he had there. She walked over slowly as he poured them both a glass of orange juice. It was only nine in the morning and he was one always to play by the rules, especially where she was concerned.   “What’s that about?’ She jutted her chin out as he wiped his nose ignoring her.  “What are you doing here?”  “Why are these pictures here?”  “Why are you here, did you get bored?” He glanced at her, seriously growing irritated as she smiled shifting through the many and various pictures of them.   “I love this one.” Anya held up a magazine cut out of their first time at the Oscars. The rumors about them were abuzz back then when they arrived together in matching colors very much enamored with the other.  “f**k! Anya what are you doing here?” Chris slammed the juice down making her jump and stare past him shaking her head, nervous about the answer. Chris looked at her breathing nervously knowing exactly why she was there. He wouldn’t stop probing when she was the one that had come to him. It was a promise he had made them both many years ago, when he realized just how deeply he had loved her. When he realized that she was the only woman that he would ever truly want to be with.  “To be with you.” Anya's throat went dry by how swiftly he was by her side. He pulled her close, quickly bending his head low so that his lips kissed her hair.  Isn’t this what she had dreamed of, what they had both dreamed of?  “Anya.” Chris said her name softly now kissing her forehead and then eyes, then cheeks, swallowing as she pulled at his shirt. He couldn’t stop the slow explorative drawl of his lips on hers. He wanted her, badly, he always had. He stopped, willing her to end the moment, willing them to watch a movie, to argue, to cook to do anything that wouldn’t damage their bond.  “Please, make love to me. Do to me what I have always wanted you to.” Anya said the words softly against his cheek. Kissing his neck when he closed his eyes and lifted her unto the island. His hands trembled with anticipation, his heart filled with wonder.  “Chris,” She paused when he blushed, smiling, pulling her closer.  “Isn’t this why you asked me to buy this house my love?” He paused when she blushed and nodded her head gently.  She was the only woman that he used such and endearment with. He caressed her slowly, allowing himself to close his eyes and caress her back, then her supple breasts with his hands before he groaned, opening his eyes to see her bite her lips. She was so perfect in form and size, he had fallen for her the moment his eyes had laid eyes on her, so many years ago.  “Anya, please, why are you here?” Chris pleaded now stepping away, terrified of what he would do to her. She had been on his mind constantly since he last saw her. He was nervous to be around her now. He had gone to the grocery to get staples for her if she decided to turn up. He had ordered new bedding for the guest bedroom so that she wouldn’t feel forced to sleep with him when he came to get her.  He had started the process of waiting for her to call all the day before or respond to his messages or emails when she didn't. With no correspondence from her, he decided to get rid of her. To purge her from his life, to get rid of every picture, every memento, every memory that he had of her. But now she wouldn’t let him.   “Have you eaten?” She swallowed seeing the turmoil that she caused him. Had she mis-read the situation, didn’t he want to be with her? Michael had only rolled over when she woke him up to tell him how she felt. He had patted her arm and said that’s why he insisted on the pre-nup. That Hollywood people could not be trusted.  “Anya,”  “I thought that I would be your breakfast, but since you are clearly all talk and no game...how about some toast?” She pushed against him softly while he shook his head chuckling at the way she enunciated the word ‘no’.   “What’s wrong? Where have you been? Why didn’t you call?” Chris grabbed the bread and passed it to her. He folded his arms and leaned against the counter watching her move around the kitchen. She placed the bread in the oven and moved to get the butter. She flung her curling chestnut hair over her shoulder, shaking her head at him as she moved to the fridge.  “I had a lot to deal with, things that needed looking after. Last weekend…” She let the sentence hang as she regarded him.  “What's with you?” She glanced at him, trying to ignore his biceps as he folded his arms and frowned looking past her.  “What's wrong with me? It could be that I am tired. I am the world’s sexiest man two years in a row now, I could have had a very busy night.” Anya had never been a loose woman, and he knew she wouldn't be there unless she had made her mind up about Michael and him. He wanted her to tell him that she loved him, that she wasn't there because she was angry or upset but truly because she wanted to be with him.  “Sure.” She tutted, making them both smile as she turned back to the fridge ignoring him. Chris looked at the tight sweater she wore against the winter’s cold and shook his head. Cool sunlight did little to wan the cold that seeped into the expansive house. He had even thought of putting it up for sale. It was the house that she loved. It was the space that he only invited her into. His step-mother had only been there once a couple years before. This was their space. Anya had to know that it was taking God-given patience to leave her alone right then, in their turmoil.   “What happened with you two?”  “I don’t know. I…” She paused, licking her lips turning to face him as he nodded. He had always preferred a woman shaped the way she was. Small breasts and an generous rear end with wide hips. She worked out every day keeping her stomach tight, always paying attention to what she ate. Even now she reached for the olive oil spread and water, so that they wouldn't be full on the bread only.  “Are you here to stay with me?” Chris swallowed thinking about what had led to their kiss days before. It wasn’t the first time that they had kissed. But it was the first time that he had asked her to leave Michael. It was the first time that she had openly admitted to loving him. He still remembered how they both jumped when they felt the connection between them.  “I don’t know...I-”  “What do you mean you don’t know?”  “I don’t know! God!”  “Well you need to...this...” Chris splayed his arms, very jealous that someone else had a right to her more than he did.  “I missed you. Is it so horrible that I wanted to be near you?” Anya moved now leaning on the fridge keeping her hands behind her back. She had been battling with herself since he had left her on Sunday. She hadn't had much to say to Michael, who thought that she and Chris had to be kidding about never sleeping with each other. His sense of humor was initially what drew her to him and it had also contributed to pushing her away.  “Tell me that you are here for me. That you won't be walking out that door again.”  “Chris!”  “I came to get you, you chose to stay there with him.” Chris couldn't help slamming his fists down on the counter in a jealous rage.  “Are you serious right now?”  “No, damn it I…” Chris paused as she hugged him. She barely reached his chin. He could smell her hair, feel the warmth of her body against his and he couldn't stop, he wouldn't stop fighting for her to be his.  “Just relax. We don't need to be perfect...I am not...I am not perfect and I don't think you know what you ask of me. Or what you ask of us.” She looked up then kissing his chest as he held her. She frowned, feeling him harden against her. He had been her friend and she had been his regardless of any circumstance that befell them.  “What’s with you?” She pulled back as he laughed refusing to let her go.  “I thought this was what you wanted. Weren’t you just crying…?”  “Crying.” Anya frowned as the oven beeped letting them know that the toast was done. She swallowed, looking up at him. Would they ever just give into the moment and be together? As if reading her mind Chris kissed her slowly. Lifting her up until her legs were wrapped around his torso. He caressed her body making her moan against him. She pulled back slowly with eyes clouding in pleasure to search his face. He kept his eyes closed as he tilted his head to kiss her again. He was exactly one foot taller than her five feet six inches and he loved the way that he towered over her since they had met almost fifteen years before.   He had been attracted to her laugh and love for poetry. They had met on set laughing as the lead couple were doused with hair spray as a prank by the director. They had escaped the finale cool down by running down the studio hallway to the janitor's closet hiding until their cast mates had given up the search. Later on when they met at the after party, they were forced to do nine shots together. They had ended up making out and then throwing up successively. The morning after, they decided to become friends. When he took her home as a friend over the Christmas break, his father had warned him to keep it that way. Years later when his career had taken off with large blockbuster movies and two successful sitcoms, his family was peeved when she was the only one that he would walk with on the red carpet. They had gone so far to promise to disown him if he didn’t distance himself from her. They had never talked about dating, but had had a lot of fun trying to match the other with an ideal mate. Chris however, just wanted to be with her. It was why every year for the   last fifteen years he had gone away on vacation with her. Just her. Sometimes, they met other friends, sometimes they meditated but, mostly it was just the both of them spending quality time together.  Anya leaned into the embrace lovingly tugging at his shirt until she was able to remove it. By the time they got into the master bedroom Chris had yanked her pants off until they were at her ankles. He couldn't stop himself from thrusting into her as she held unto him tightly biting into his shoulder as they fell unto the bed moving against each other. Anya lay under Chris, swallowing when he paused to kiss her. To suddenly pull her close to caress her. She couldn't help but whimper when his lips moved against her neck as he moved deeply within her.   “Chris.” She spoke against him daring him to peak with her. He held onto her, thrusting deeply when he felt her shudder against him.  “Oh, my, god!” Chris bit into her shoulder as she spasmed all around him completely shattered. He couldn't stop, he didn't stop; he didn't believe that he had ever been that aroused in his life.  ...  Anya turned looking at Chris, at the stubble on his chin and face and smiled. She propped herself unto her elbow and looked at the man that she had been too nervous to love. His low blonde hair and pale skin only made her swallow, watching as he slept so calmly. His skin glistened only a little in the waning sunlight. She was ravenous. They had been upstairs for hours, making love, showering and then making love again in every position and manner that she had ever dreamed possible. She leaned back smiling wondering what had kept them apart for such a long time.   She had always been attracted to his good looks. Even before he put on the muscle, designer clothing and the infamous beard and became Mr. Americas. He was always so handsome and came from such a loving and down to earth family. She never understood why he wasn't closer to his parents, they were lovely people. She had hoped that when Michael entered the picture he would fight for her, but he didn't. Instead he had cheered her on, told her all the wonderful places that they could go on honeymoon together.   “Go to sleep.” Chris spoke softly, pulling her to him as she swallowed, naked and cold against the evening air. She watched his muscles tense as he peeped, regarding her.   “I can’t.” Chris smiled, opening his eyes. He was starving. Her lovely brown eyes batted at him as he stretched lazily pulling her closer to him. She always had such clear beautiful brown skin.  It was what made him notice her in the first place. It was the first time that he had met anyone like her and she had just been so nice. She hadn’t been turned into a Hollywood puppet in all their years working together and apart, she had remained the loving, whimsical at times, beautiful girl that he had met many years ago.  “Did we have breakfast?”  “Nope.” Anya smiled as he laughed. A deep husky laugh that made her blush as his arms rubbed against her bare breasts.  “I had no idea you were so sexy when you made love.” Chris teased, making her blush. He had never had s*x with someone whose mouth opened or bit their lips to stifle their screams as much as she did.  “I had no idea that you could be so…” She paused, licking her lips watching as he propped up on the pillows, waiting to hear what she had to say.  “That I could be so?”  “Tender.”   “What!” Chris laughed as she buried her face in his arms groaning as he tried to pull her free of him.  “You know...”  “Maybe you have been reading too many tabloid stories about me. I know you do.” Chris smiled as he pulled her closer kissing her forehead, brushing away the mass of curls that fell around her face.  “God, I love you.” Chris spoke softly, pulling back, staring at the twinkle that came into her eyes.  “Why did we never date? Huh, Mr. Reeves?” She joked calling him her nickname as he nodded slowly, nervous about being honest.  “I was afraid to.”  “What, why?” She turned now glowing with happiness. She had never felt so content. She kissed his chin gently wondering if he wanted to get married in all honesty. It was what he proposed to her last Sunday. Telling her that he was tired of leaving her, that she had made the wrong decision. That it was why she never wanted to go home. She had been angry that he opened up about their feelings for each other. Now, now she was very elated. She had spent so much time trying and failing to leave him alone. Once they were in the same city they had lunch together every day. Her days with Michael were usually scheduled around Chris. Sometimes he brought a date, sometimes she brought Michael, but most times it was just the both of them.  “Let’s get dinner. Do you want to go out? Dine in? I don't think we can wait for the meal to finish.” Chris sat up, being careful to pull her with him. She knew him best, she knew that he was nervous. Anya smiled, touching his bare chest feeling his heart beat.  “Whatever you would like Chris. As long as it involves food!” She shot up then laughing, making him shake his head in love. What had he been doing all his life to not have her in it properly like this?