《The Human Rescue Center》


 Introduction: The New Mate

    The steel, elevator door opened in front of Justin¡¯s face to reveal a large kitchen and seating area. It was open, spacious and light in color. Large windows streamed natural light into the kitchen, giving Justin a view of a clear, white sanded Caribbean beach. Justin stepped into the kitchen as the elevator door closed behind him and he was alone in the foreign house that was now his. Now to find his new mate. The Creators had told him that since he was a good looking specimen, he would get a beautiful mate, and despite himself, he was excited to meet her. He stepped quietly through the beach house and entered a bedroom to the right of the kitchen. It stretched out, larger than the kitchen, with two king sized beds on either side. Through a door, in the center of the room, was a large master bathroom, with a hot tub and shower inside. Justin exited the bedroom and soon entered a library across the large kitchen and living room. Inside the library, he found her. Rows and rows of books stretched in either direction and in the center of the room were four long sofas. On one of the sofas, a tall, blonde girl stretched out in sleep. Long, bleach blonde hair spooled down her shoulders and onto the sofa. Her long, delicate fingers stretched across her stomach. She wore only plain jean shorts and a large sweatshirt, but to Justin, she looked like Sleeping Beauty.


    He approached gingerly, afraid to wake her from her nap. But as soon as he became close enough to touch her, her limp body went tense and her eyes flew open. Justin took a shocked step back as her turquoise eyes narrowed onto him. Then, she promptly threw a book at him.


    It had been lying beside her, opened onto a small coffee table and she snatched it faster than he could blink, hitting him right in the gut.


    ¡°Hey!¡± He protested, scrambling behind one of the other sofas for cover.


    ¡°Who are you?¡± She demanded, a British accent only pushing Justin¡¯s curiosity. As far as he knew, the Human Rescue Center was far away from England.


    ¡°You¡¯re English?¡± He demanded, poking his head out to peer at her. She was approaching his sofa, another book in hand.


    ¡°And you¡¯re most definitely Australian.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m not actually.¡± Justin said, backing away as she came closer, ¡°I¡¯m from New Zealand.¡±


    ¡°Same thing.¡± She threw the book.


    Justin ducked away, ¡°Will you stop, please? And it¡¯s not the same thing.¡±


    ¡°I will stop when you tell me who you are.¡± She raised another book in the air.


    ¡°I¡¯m Justin Sanchez!¡±


    ¡°That means nothing to me. What are you doing here?¡±


    Justin didn¡¯t know what was happening. He thought she would¡¯ve been aware of his coming, ¡°I¡¯m your new mate?¡±


    She froze, the book dropping from her hand. Then she seemed to recover enough to look him up and down. Then, frowning, she stormed past him and back into the kitchen.


    She went up to the Creator screen next to the elevator and slammed her fist on the ¡®Assistance¡¯ button.


    ¡°Take him back!¡± She snapped into the mic, ¡°I want Henry back!¡±


    A robotic voice replied over the monitor, ¡°Henry Black was not a compatible enough mate. You have received an upgrade.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t want an upgrade! Henry was fine!¡±


    ¡°Henry Black has been released.¡±


    ¡°Why was he released and not me?¡±


    ¡°Henry Black was not compatible.¡±


    ¡°Why wasn¡¯t he?¡±


    Justin came to stand behind the strange girl, listening to the conversation between her and the robotic screen.


    ¡°Henry Black was not compatible.¡±


    ¡°You stupid piece of scrap metal and cheap technology!!¡± She screamed at it, ¡°Take. Him. Back!¡±


    ¡°Hey!¡± Justin snapped, ¡°I¡¯m right here, you know.¡±


    Justin was sure the technology used to create the Human Rescue Center was anything but cheap.


    Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.She snarled, not bothering to turn around even when the Creator screen went dark.


    ¡°I have rules. You don¡¯t touch me, you don¡¯t talk to me, you don¡¯t look at me, you don¡¯t even breath on me. Got it?¡±


    Justin blinked, ¡°Uh. But aren¡¯t we supposed to be mates?¡±


    ¡°Yes.¡± She growled, turning on him, ¡°But that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m doing a thing that these so called ¡®Creators¡¯ want me to do.¡±


    ¡°Maybe that¡¯s why Henry¡¯s gone.¡± Justin noted as she walked past him.


    ¡°If you wake up in the morning, don¡¯t wake me up. I sleep in. Just pretend that you¡¯re living by yourself.¡± She ignored his comment, ¡°I get the bed on the right side.¡±


    Justin nodded, ¡°Fair enough.¡±


    Then she vanished back into the library, firmly shutting the white wooden door.


    Justin turned back into the bedroom, sighing and running his fingers through his hair. Then, on second thought, he turned and scrambled to the library door.


    ¡°Was Henry hotter?¡± He yelled through the key hole.


    ¡°No.¡± Was her far off reply.


    ¡°Then what¡¯s your problem?¡±


    ¡°I refuse to have my life be controlled by other people, especially my love life.¡±


    ¡°Can you give me a chance?¡±


    There was hesitation, ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°You hesitated.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t flatter yourself. Go soak your head!¡±


    ¡°Can I at least know your name?¡±


    ¡°Crystal.¡±


    ¡°Despite the fact that you just threw three books at me and screamed at the control monitor to ¡®take me back¡¯, it¡¯s nice to meet you.¡±


    There was just a grunt from the other side.


    ¡°We¡¯re going to be friends.¡± Justin continued


    ¡°I thought I said no talking?¡± She snapped.


    ¡°Well I¡¯m not living the rest of my life without talking to someone, so screw that rule.¡±Justin replied.


    The library door flew open and Crystal stood there, glaring at him. For a moment, she didn¡¯t speak. Instead she merely gazed at him, a confused frown crossing her beautiful face.


    ¡°Why would you want to talk to me?¡±


    Justin blinked, ¡°Because you are one of the most beautiful women I¡¯ve ever seen and also you threw a book at me so I¡¯m expecting an apology and I also tend to be a very social person. So. I like people.¡±


    She scowled, ¡°I hate people. So as long as you stay out of my way, we¡¯ll be fine.¡±


    She stepped out of the library, moving past him into the kitchen again.


    ¡°Can you at least explain to me how this works? What we do here?¡±


    ¡°We eat. We sleep. We vacation. We fall in love. We get married. Have children. Our children have superpowers. The Creators take them away at a certain age and we never see them again. When we get too old to have children, say about forty or forty-five, the Creators take us away.¡±


    ¡°Where to?¡± Justin asked.


    ¡°I don¡¯t know. I¡¯ve never been taken away.¡±


    ¡°How old are you then?¡±


    She tapped a few buttons on the creator screen and pressed the menu button. Then pushed the image of a mango daiquiri and went to stand beside the small slot beside the elevator where their food would come out of.


    ¡°I¡¯m nineteen.¡± She said simply.


    Justin was only a year older than her, but it bothered him that she¡¯d been here before him. She was younger and had been exposed to whatever was happening earlier than him.


    ¡°How long have you been here?¡±


    ¡°Two years.¡±


    ¡°Two years?¡± Justin stepped into the kitchen with her, ¡°Don¡¯t you get bored?¡±


    ¡°Well, Henry was here before you. He was good company.¡±


    ¡°Good company, or great company?¡± Justin asked.


    ¡°He was a friend.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m hoping you don¡¯t friend zone me like you friend zoned poor Henry.¡±


    ¡°There will be no friend zoning because we aren¡¯t friends.¡±


    ¡°Ah ha. So we¡¯re more than friends.¡±


    ¡°No. We¡­¡± She motioned to the space between them, ¡°Are nothing.¡±


    ¡°Yet.¡±


    She rolled her eyes, but Justin could see the hint of a smile on her lips as she turned away from him to receive her drink.

 Chapter 1: Making Moves and Remembering Memories

    Three weeks passed in the beach house in the Human Rescue Center. Each night I would sleep on the left bed, alone, and Crystal would sleep on her bed. The bedroom was bare, with only a dresser on each side of the room and doors next to the beds that led to walk-in closets. The closets already had clothes in them, surprisingly to my exact fit.


    Crystal didn¡¯t talk much, she preferred to sit in the library alone, or to sun tan on the beach outside. The turquoise blue water stretched out nearly 100 meters before a tall, see-thru chainlink fence barred them off from the outside world. But I was content. To eat, I¡¯d merely go to the Creator screen, order whatever I wanted, and then receive it only a little while later through the small door next to the elevator. I didn¡¯t know what day it was, but that didn¡¯t matter much to me.


    ¡°So, Crystal.¡± I said as I marched into the library. She was laying on her usual sofa, stretched out, reading a book and looking comfortable.


    She glanced up at me, ¡°What do you want?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m feeling like we aren¡¯t really vibe-ing yet.¡± I lifted her legs as I sat down on her sofa and put them on my lap.


    She rolled her eyes. By this time, she was used to my relentless flirting and didn¡¯t care anymore. This was good, it meant I was making progress. I reached out and plucked the book from her hand.


    ¡°Hey!¡± She protested, ¡°Give it back!¡±


    She sat up, reaching for the book, but I held it out of her reach. Finally, when she realized she couldn¡¯t reach it, she sat back, arms crossed and a cute pout crossing her face.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to do what you want me to do.¡± She said, crossing her arms defiantly.


    ¡°And what is that?¡± I smirked.


    ¡°I¡¯m not going to climb all over you to get my book just so you can grab me.¡±


    She was smart.


    ¡°Dang.¡± I said, but I kept the book far away from her.


    ¡°Justin!¡± She protested reaching for it again. This time, though, I had a plan.


    I grabbed her arm as she reached for the book and jerked her forward, causing her to flail onto my lap. Then I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into a sitting position, so she was straddling my lap. I kept my free arm around her waist, holding her against me, but kept the book out of her reach.


    ¡°Don¡¯t do that!¡± She attempted to squirm away but was unsuccessful.


    ¡°Do what?¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t grab me and don¡¯t¡ªjust give me my book.¡±


    I laughed, ¡°It¡¯s been three weeks and you never pay me any attention. We¡¯re going to be stuck here until we turn old and might as well just get started now. I¡¯ll do a trade.¡±


    She eyed me suspiciously, her blonde hair falling over her face, ¡°What kind of trade?¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll give you your book and you give me a kiss. Whether it means something or not.¡±


    ¡°Typical.¡± She grumbled, ¡°You give me my book and a day of peace also a mango daiquiri at lunch time and I¡¯ll give you a kiss.¡±


    I sat quietly, watching her. Then I threw the book at the other sofa, and my hand dropped to her thigh, bringing her even closer, ¡°Deal.¡± I said simply.


    ¡°But it doesn¡¯t mean anything.¡± She said quickly, her eyes dropping to my lips.


    ¡°Keep telling yourself that, jewel.¡±


    Her eyes flashed at the nickname and she grabbed the collar of my shirt, ¡°One time.¡± She growled, but half to herself, before she pushed her lips against mine in a hot, searing kiss. I pushed against her lips with my tongue until she hesitantly let me in. I flipped her around on the couch, causing her to release a tiny squeak into my mouth, and spread her legs as I settled down between them, my arms holding tightly onto her waist. She buried a hand in my hair and pulled me in deeper before pulling away slightly, letting our lips barely brush. She giggled as I buried my face into her neck and groaned.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.¡°Why do you have to be so beautiful?¡± I demanded, kissing her neck slightly. With our close proximity, I felt a shiver run through her.


    Then I pulled back, watching her. She stared back at me with her light turquoise eyes and smirked. I grabbed her again, reaching for her lips, but she placed a hand over my mouth, ¡°One. Kiss.¡± She said simply.


    I sighed, ¡°Two?¡± I asked, my voice muffled by her hand.


    But she shook her head, ¡°One. And now I want my mango daiquiri.¡±


    ¡°Fine.¡± I grumbled, rolling off the couch and walking away. Halfway to the door, I turned back around. She had stood up and grabbed her book from the sofa, facing away from me. I grinned to myself and ran silently back to her, before wrapping my arms around her waist and turning her to face me, ¡°Justin. Mango. Daiquiri.¡± She said, ignoring my groan.


    Then I easily flipped her over my shoulder and began to carry her out of the library, ¡°Justin!¡± She protested, ¡°You¡¯re not keeping up your end of the deal! I want peace and a mango daiquiri!¡±


    ¡°And you will get peace once I¡¯m done with you.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She wiggled in my arms, but only succeeded in pulling her shirt up slightly. I kissed her bare waist, producing another surprised squeak.


    ¡°I said one kiss, Justin!¡±


    I sighed as I put her on the kitchen counter, then I looked up at her with the best puppy dog eyes I could muster. But she stared back at me with her blue ones and remained stoic in her decision.


    ¡°Okay, fine.¡± I grumbled, lifting her up off the counter and putting her down. I turned to the screen and ordered a mango daiquiri, then returned my attention back to her.


    ¡°But, why?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Why, what?¡± She had opened a fridge and was looking through its contents.


    Even thought we got full cooked meals from the screen, we often had snacks and random ingredients in the fridge and pantry, like a normal home, in case we wanted to cook something by ourselves.


    She closed the fridge with a sigh and turned to the pantry.


    ¡°Why can I not kiss you? Even though you¡¯re my mate?¡±


    ¡°Because I will not fall in love.¡±


    ¡°But why not?¡±


    ¡°You ever had your heart broken, Sanchez?¡± She demanded, pulling a box of cereal out of the pantry.


    ¡°I believe I¡­Well¡­¡±


    ¡°You don¡¯t remember, huh?¡±


    ¡°Well, no.¡±


    ¡°Okay, so in the three weeks that you¡¯ve been here have you ever wondered what life was like before this place?¡±


    ¡°But what if there is no other place?¡±


    ¡°There has to be. Where else would we have been born?¡±


    ¡°Maybe our parents were all in houses like this.¡±


    ¡°Then why don¡¯t you remember anything like that?¡± She poured herself a bowl.


    ¡°Because¡­ wait¡­what do you mean me? What about you?¡±


    She hesitated now.


    ¡°Do you remember?¡± I demanded.


    ¡°Bits and pieces, yes. Not everything.¡±


    ¡°Then what¡¯s it like?¡±


    ¡°Not like this, that¡¯s for sure.¡± She pulled her daiquiri out of the small compartment and turned back to the library with her bowl and drink.


    ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to tell me more?¡± I yelled after her.


    ¡°Maybe later. Right now, I¡¯m going to eat, drink and read in peace.¡± She shut the door and left me alone for the rest of the day.

 Chapter 2: The New Couple

    ¡°Justin!¡± Crystal¡¯s cry echoed in my ears.


    ¡°No.¡± I mumbled, jerking the covers over my body and the pillow over my head.


    ¡°Justin, wake up.¡± Crystal jumped onto my covers, playfully wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck before falling beside me.


    I pulled down the covers slightly to look at her, ¡°You¡¯re in a good mood. You never talk to me.¡±


    She smiled before leaning forward and kissing me gently. Instantly, I sat up, ¡°Okay, you¡¯re hugging and kissing me in my bed. You¡¯re in a very good mood. What¡¯s happening?¡±


    ¡°We have visitors coming!¡± She squealed as she tackled me again, wrapping her arms around my waist and laying her chin on my chest. She looked up at with with her deep blue eyes and grinned mischievously.


    ¡°What visitors? Is that allowed?¡± I casually slung my arm around her waist, rolling onto my side and pulling her with me.


    She struggled to get out from beneath my weight and the tangling covers, ¡°Yes! It happens once a year where another couple comes in and stays for a few months. This way, the couples can mix and match if they want to.¡±


    I scowled, ¡°I don¡¯t like that.¡±


    She froze in her attempt to get away, ¡°Is someone jealous?¡±


    ¡°Yes! I don¡¯t plan on sharing.¡±


    ¡°Justin, you and I are barely a thing. You¡¯ve been here for what, two months?¡±


    ¡°So? You won¡¯t get near me but you¡¯re still my mate.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you want someone who actually pays attention to you?¡± Crystal looked confused.


    ¡°I¡¯ll get you to pay attention to me, someday.¡±


    ¡°Okay, let¡¯s say I pay attention to the dude that comes, instead of you. What would you do?¡±


    ¡°Beat the crap out of him then carry you far away from him then kiss you senseless until you can¡¯t remember why you ever wanted to pay attention to him.¡±


    ¡°I doubt you¡¯d be able to do that.¡±


    I reached out and pulled her face closer to mine, ¡°Try me.¡± I said with a smirk.


    She kissed my nose before jumping away and out of bed, ¡°We¡¯ll see.¡±


    * *


    ¡°Are we wearing bathing suits, normal clothes or are we going commando?¡± I called from my closet.


    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind commando, but I¡¯m thing bathing suit.¡± Crystal replied from her own closet.


    ¡°Whoa whoa.¡± I stepped out of my closet to see Crystal standing in front of her mirror, holding two bathing suits on either side of her. One was a white high-waisted bikini and the other was a blue off the shoulder one piece. She seemed to be debating between the two.


    ¡°Did you just throw a flirt in there?¡± I demanded, coming to stand behind her.


    ¡°Mmhm.¡± She was distracted. She turned to me, ¡°Which one?¡±


    ¡°White.¡± I said simply.


    A sudden door slam in the kitchen made us both turn.


    ¡°They¡¯re here.¡± Crystal whispered, scrambling to the bathroom, ¡°Give me a sec.¡±


    ¡°I don¡¯t recall you being this excited to meet me.¡± I said, following her.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you were coming. And¡ªwhat are you doing? I¡¯ll change by myself, thanks very much.¡± She shut the door in my face.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.¡°You sure you don¡¯t need help?¡± I asked.


    ¡°Positive. Go say hello. Actually, don¡¯t. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ll say to that poor guy.¡±


    She came out a few moments later, her bathing suit cover by a short, beach dress.


    ¡°C¡¯mon. Be nice to them.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m always nice. You¡¯re the unfriendly one.¡±


    We entered the living room.


    A tall, dark skinned woman reclined peacefully on the couch, her high heels set up on the coffee table. Long, black hair fell down her shoulders and she wore a skimpy bikini, covered only by a small mesh cover up. She was one of the most beautiful women I¡¯d ever seen. Beside her, reading a magazine was another tall and handsome stranger. He had wavy, bleach blonde hair and deep emerald eyes. He grinned at Crystal, looking her up and down. I glanced at Crystal, who wasn¡¯t bothering to hide the glare that she directed at the other girl.


    ¡°Hello.¡± Crystal said simply.


    The man was the first to jump up and take her outstretched hand, ¡°Hello, beauty. My name is Danny. You must be Crystal.¡±


    ¡°Uh.¡± She tried to recoil her hand from his grasp but he held tight, ¡°Yes, I am.¡±


    The dark skinned beauty stood up from the couch and approached us gracefully, ¡°My name is LaKiesha, but you can call me Kiesha.¡± She smirked at me, coyly running her fingers through her hair. But I didn¡¯t even glance at her, instead I nudged Crystal away from Danny and shook his hand, ¡°I¡¯m Justin.¡±


    ¡°Good to meet ya, Justin. We¡¯re all good sports, right?¡±


    I chuckled humorlessly, ¡°I¡¯m a good sport until you bother my girl. Then we¡¯re in trouble.¡±


    ¡°Justin.¡± Crystal chided, patting my arm gently.


    Keisha didn¡¯t seem too happy with the statement, she pushed Danny away and shook my hand, scowling at Crystal, ¡°Well, Justin, I¡¯m hoping we can change who you¡¯re calling ¡®your¡¯ girl this month.¡±


    To my surprised, Crystal made an indignant sound in her throat and Keisha smirked at her.


    I pulled away, ¡°I don¡¯t think that¡¯ll happen Kesha.¡±


    ¡°Keisha.¡± She corrected.


    ¡°Yeah, whatever.¡±


    I returned my attention to Danny, ¡°So, are you and Kesha a couple?¡± I asked.


    Danny laughed, ¡°No, we aren¡¯t. That¡¯s why Crystal is at the top of my list for mates right now.¡±


    I blinked, surprised by his obvious bluntness.


    Keisha scowled and looked Crystal up and down, ¡°She¡¯s not that cute.¡±


    ¡°Nah, she¡¯s pretty hot.¡± Danny said.


    ¡°I¡¯m right here.¡± Crystal snapped.


    ¡°That¡¯s right, Sweet Thing, you should feel flattered that I¡¯m saying this about you.¡±


    She scoffed, ¡°Okay, first of all, Danny, I have a name. And it sure isn¡¯t ¡®Sweet Thing¡¯, so don¡¯t call me that. Second, Justin is my mate and he¡¯s enough trouble as it is so I¡¯m not looking to switch it out. So keep your eyes up and your hands to yourself and we¡¯ll get along fine.¡±


    Danny frowned at her, ¡°I thought we came here to get a new mate.¡±


    ¡°Yes, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m interested.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll change that.¡±


    ¡°Mm.¡± Crystal didn¡¯t look convinced.

 Chapter 3: Becoming Closer

    We spent the rest of the day on the beach while Danny and Kiesha explored the house. Crystal lay on her stomach on one of the beach chairs, facing the water and quietly watching as I sat in the water, sifting sand through my hands and getting lost in thought.


    When Danny and Kiesha finally emerged from the house, they lunged for the water instantly. Danny jumped over me with ease and splashed into the water, with Kiesha following close behind.


    I sighed and stood to my feet before walked over to Crystal, who¡¯s eyes were closed in peaceful sleep. I grabbed a towel and dried myself off quietly before sitting down at her feet on the chair. She stirred at the movement and sat up on her elbows to look back at me.


    ¡°Hello.¡± I said simply. She gave me a small smile before laying down again.


    ¡°Yo!¡± Danny yelled from the water, ¡°You two going to come swim?¡±


    ¡°Already done.¡± I replied.


    ¡°Nah, bro. You just sat.¡±


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s enough for me. And I¡¯m dry now too so.¡± I shrugged.


    ¡°Crystal? You wanna?¡± Danny urged hopefully.


    ¡°Nope.¡± Crystal replied shortly.


    Danny frowned, ¡°Are you going to spend any time with me?¡±


    ¡°I told you I¡¯m not interested.¡±


    ¡°But I could win over your heart.¡±


    I scoffed as I pulled up a chair beside Crystal and Danny frowned at me, ¡°What was that for?¡±


    ¡°You can¡¯t win over this stone heart.¡± I replied.


    Crystal swat my chest playfully, ¡°He can¡¯t.¡±


    ¡°Wait what?¡± I turned to her, but she¡¯d laid her head down again and ignored me.


    Then I turned to Danny, ¡°You see that, Danny? She¡¯s my woman.¡±


    ¡°Just leave him alone.¡± Crystal said when Danny subtly raised a single finger at me.


    ¡°What? I just like showing off what he can¡¯t have.¡±


    ¡°You mean showing me off?¡±


    ¡°Exactly.¡±


    ¡°Well whoever said that you can have me?¡±


    ¡°You did. You said that he can¡¯t win over your stone cold heart.¡±


    ¡°But I didn¡¯t say you could.¡±


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry Crystal. I know you¡¯re falling for me, you¡¯re just playing hard to get. But we¡¯ll see how it goes tonight.¡±


    Crystal looked amused, ¡°And what do you think will happen tonight?¡±


    ¡°Well, I would go into detail but I don¡¯t want these two noobs to overhear and then crash the party. I will give a hint though, we¡¯re sharing a bed.¡±


    She sat straight up, ¡°No, we¡¯re not.¡±


    This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.¡°Yes we are. Where do you think Danny and Kiesha are going to sleep? There¡¯s one bedroom, two beds. Unless, of course, you¡¯d like to share with Danny.¡±


    Crystal sniffed, ¡°I would, actually.¡±


    I frowned.


    ¡°Danny!¡± Crystal turned to the water, ¡°Tonight, would you like to¡ª¡°


    ¡°No!¡± I lunged at her, wrapping one arm around her waist to pull her into my lap and clamping the other over her mouth. Then I turned and glared at Danny, ¡°She has nothing to say to you.¡±


    Crystal looked up at me, amused, ¡°Mmm. Hmm mmm.¡±


    ¡°Sorry, can¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying.¡± I said simply. She glowered at me.


    ¡°You know what, guys?¡± I called over to Danny and Kiesha, who were still splashing around.


    ¡°What?¡± Kiesha asked, her hawk eyes glaring at my hand around Crystal¡¯s waist.


    ¡°Crystal and I are tired. We¡¯re going inside for a nap.¡±


    ¡°Right. A ¡®nap¡¯¡± Danny said, rolling his eyes.


    ¡°Yep.¡± I said, standing up and carrying Crystal towards the door, one hand still over her mouth. Her eyes widened slightly at my mischievous grin and she began to struggle slightly as soon as we were inside.


    I removed my hand and she instantly spoke, ¡°Put me down. I¡¯m not sleeping with you.¡±


    ¡°I wasn¡¯t going to make you.¡± I said, ¡°I actually did only want a nap and I want you to nap with me.¡±


    She eyed me, ¡°Sleep. And nothing more.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s fine by me. Just let me hold you.¡±


    I entered the bedroom and dropped her on one of the beds, emitting a tiny squeak from her. I froze as I was removing my shirt and stared at her.


    ¡°What?¡± She asked defensively.


    ¡°Did you just¡­squeak?¡± I asked.


    ¡°You surprised me.¡± She said crossly.


    I crawled towards her on the bed but she backed away, ¡°Do it again.¡±


    ¡°No.¡±


    ¡°But I like it.¡±


    ¡°No.¡± She pushed her arm out and placed her hand on my chest, ¡°No closer.¡±


    I laughed before reaching out and wrapped my arms around her waist, pulling her tight against my chest, ¡°Remember when I said, this morning, that if you paid attention to him, I¡¯d kiss you senseless?¡±


    ¡°No!¡± She protested, squirming, but not really trying to get away.


    ¡°Starting now.¡±


    She froze, eyeing me, ¡°Why?¡±


    ¡°You always ask why. Just stop being so suspicious and kiss me, woman.¡±


    With that, I rolled on top of her, pinning her beneath me and I stayed true to my word; kissing her senseless.