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OKDeanna's Passions Fan Fiction Forum > Antonio & Gwen Stories > Playing With Fire Prologue - Ch 7 |
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Playing With Fire Prologue - Ch 7 Posted By: OKDeanna - ezOP Posts: 290 Posted At: (8/18/03 7:59 pm) Reply |
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Playing With Fire Author: OKDeanna Email: asjfan@cox.net Rating: R This is a spin-off from Luis & Sheridan’s story: To Love & To Cherish Prologue He saw her the moment she entered the room and no matter how much she tried to hide it, he knew she saw him too. He'd seen her looking at him. She thought she was sly, but he'd played this game before. He'd practically invented it. He smiled. She may think she had the upper hand, but in a few minutes, she would know who the master of the game really was. He grabbed his beer off the table and made his way toward the bar. She pretended not to notice him as he sat down on the bar stool next to her. He softly chuckled to himself. She was really trying hard to pretend he wasn't there. He had to admire her determination, but he knew it was futile. "Excuse me, sweetheart. Can I buy you a drink?" She turned toward him, then raised her drink to her lips. "I already have a drink." He watched her lips touch the glass and he made a promise that before the night was over those lips would be touching his. "That's okay. I'll buy you the next one." She raised a brow and sat her glass back on the bar. "Who said I wanted another drink?" He laughed. She was feisty. He liked that in a woman. "Don't you?" She cocked her head sideways and pretended to think about that. "I really haven't decided yet. I'm not sure I'd want you to buy me one either." He shook his head. This one would keep him on his toes. "Well, if you do decide to let me buy you a drink, my table is right over there." With that, he got up and walked away. He'd give her ten seconds before she came to his table. He sat down and started counting. He only got to eight. Because that's when she sat down in the chair across from him. "Change your mind?" He asked taking a sip of his beer. The look in her eyes said he already knew the answer, which of course he did. Women rarely said no to him. "Well, before I buy you that drink, how 'bout a dance?" She regarded him with a speculative gaze. "Just a dance?" He flashed her a devilish grin and held out his hand. "Well sweetheart, if you want more than a dance, you just let me know, but for right now, a dance is all I'm asking for." She laughed and took the hand he offered. "Cocky, aren't you?" He led her to the dance floor and pulled her into his arms. He leaned his head close to her ear and whispered, "Does my cockiness bother you?" She shuttered and he smiled. A second later, she raised her head and he found himself staring into her golden brown eyes. She didn't bother to hide her interest. "No, it doesn't bother me." He took that as a sign and never taking his eyes from hers, he leaned in to kiss her. She had plenty of time to turn away, but she didn't. In fact, she raised herself up and met him halfway. The kiss was gentle at first, but as soon as she parted her lips, he took advantage and deepened the kiss. His tongue explored her mouth as his hands pulled her closer, letting her feel how much he wanted her. She moaned and his mind reeled. Never had just a kiss affected him this way. He couldn't get enough of her. When he finally raised his head, they were both breathing heavily. She looked up at him and he saw his own desire, want, and need reflected in her eyes. He groaned and thanked god that this was a hotel bar and that his room was right upstairs. "Let's get out of here." She didn't even hesitate. "All right." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- He unlocked the door to his room and motioned for her to proceed him inside. She looked at him and for a split second he wondered if she was going to change her mind. But then she stepped inside and held out her hand to him. He took it and barely had time to shut the door before she backed him up against the wall and started unbuttoning his shirt. She made quick work of the buttons and pulled it down his arms. He groaned as she ran her hands over his now bare chest and placed gentle kisses along his jaw. Then it was his turn. He pulled her shirt over her head in one quick motion and took his time looking at her. She was beautiful. He kissed a path down her neck toward her shoulder, and lowered her bra strap with his teeth. He did the same for the other side. Then reached behind her and released the strap. She made a grab for the button on his jeans, but he caught her hands. "Sweetheart, you do that and this will be over way too soon." She grinned. "We wouldn't want that." "No we wouldn't." he said. Then he picked her up in his arms and carried her to the bed. He laid her down gently, then made quick work of the rest of their clothes. Once they were both naked, he lowered himself over her and kissed his way down her neck toward her breast. He ran his tongue across her nipple and she cried out in pleasure. When she arched her back, signaling she wanted more, he took her nipple into his mouth. As the pleasure continued to build, she dug her nails into his back. After he treated her other nipple to the same treatment, he raised his head to look at her. "What's your name sweetheart?" Her eyes flew open in surprise and he wondered if she would tell him. Then she smiled and in a soft, husky voice, she whispered, "Gwen. My name is Gwen." He smiled. Gwen. It fit her. "Well, Gwen. I'm Tony." Then he kissed her and the time for talking was over as they gave themselves up to the passion of the night. Chapter One Six months later Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald walked into the Harmony Book Cafe, the day after his brother's wedding to Sheridan Crane, and ordered his favorite drink, a mocha cappuccino. Then he sat down to read the morning paper. In the society section, a huge article on Sheridan and Luis' wedding covered the front page along with a photo of the happy couple locked in heated kiss. Antonio shook his head. He never thought he'd see Luis get married, much less get married to a Crane. But he had to admit, he liked Sheridan. She was spunky, not to mention brave. Any other woman that had been through what she had would have given up a long time ago, but not Sher. She fought and she won. He admired that. He knew she and Luis were going to be very happy. If they could keep from arguing that is. Theresa and Ethan had filled him in on all the arguments they used to have. He still couldn't believe it took them so long to realize they were in love. Antonio took a sip of his cappuccino, then turned to the next page of the paper. He didn't notice that Ethan and Theresa were there until they walked up to his table and said hello. "Hey little sis, Ethan, what are you guys up too?" "Nothing," Theresa replied taking a seat across from him. Ethan sat down in the chair next to her. "We came to get a quick bite to eat before we head into Boston for the day." "Ah, yes. You're supposed to look for a building for your fashion business, right?" "Yes," Theresa said smiling. "Do you want to come along? You could give us your expert opinion on it. After all, you are one of the best architects around." Antonio smiled. He knew Theresa was proud of him and that meant a great deal to him. Still, he knew Ethan wanted to spend time alone with Theresa. It was written all over his face. "Nah, I think I'll stay here and look around town. There is a house listed in the paper and I'm thinking of going to check it out." "Oh, are you planning to move out?" Theresa asked. "Well, yeah. If I'm going to stay in town, I'd kind of like to have my own place. You know, have my own privacy. No offense, but living at home kind of cramps my love life." "You are such a player." Theresa said rolling her eyes. "One of these days, Antonio, some woman is going to give you a taste of your own medicine!" One already has, he thought, recalling the beautiful blond that never strayed far from his thoughts. Gwen. He couldn't stop the smile that formed on his face as the memories came flooding back to him. It had been six months since that night in his New York City hotel room. He had never forgotten her. He only wished she hadn't left while he was sleeping. That was a definite first for him. Usually, he was the one that left in the middle of the night and he damn sure didn't like being on the receiving end of it. "Earth to Antonio." Theresa said interrupting his thoughts. "That's some smile you've got on your face. Who is she? Do I know her?" Antonio gave her a mischievous grin. "Which her are you talking about, Resa? There have been more than one you know." Ethan laughed. "Are you sure about that? You have the exact same look I do when I'm thinking about Theresa." Antonio groaned inwardly. The last thing he needed was Ethan and Theresa thinking he had the hots for some woman. God, he'd never hear the end of it. "I'm positive. There is no way I'll get involved with some woman long term. I'm not cut out for that." "Why not?" Theresa asked. "What is wrong with wanting to share your life with someone?" "I didn't say anything was wrong with it." Antonio replied. "I just said I'm not cut out for it. I don't want to be tied down to some woman. I'm perfectly happy with my life the way it is." "If you say so." Theresa said. "But I still say you were thinking about a woman and there is nothing you can say that will change my mind." He shook his head. Great, now he would never hear the end of it. Since he had arrived in Harmony four and a half months ago and told his family he was there to stay, Theresa had been determined to find him the 'perfect' woman. He tried telling her there was no such thing as perfect, but she was a woman in love and she wouldn't listen. Antonio rubbed his temples as he once again listened to his sister talk about fate. Fate, schmate, he thought, he didn't believe in it. Just as he didn't believe in love at first sight. An image of a blond flashed in his mind and he forced it right back out again. She was just a woman, he thought, she didn't mean a thing to him. Sure, they'd had a great time together and yes it had been hot between them, but it hadn't meant a thing. It couldn't have. Hell, he didn't even know her last name. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen Hotchkiss arrived at the Boston airport and couldn't help but wish she were somewhere else. Anywhere else, as long as she didn't have to go back to Harmony. An image of a dark skinned man with a rogue's smile and a body to die for flashed in her mind and she felt her pulse start to accelerate, the same way it did every time she thought about him. She wasn't sure what it was, but something about him had seemed familiar to her. She shoved the thought away just as she had every other time since she'd walked out of his hotel room six months ago. She knew she'd been a coward, unable to face what she'd done in the light of day. Sneaking out had seemed like the best plan at the time, but looking back, she wished she had at least gotten his last name. Maybe she would run into him again someday, she thought smiling. But then just as quick as the thought came, she forced it back out again. She didn't want a man like that in her life. He was a player and she certainly didn't need to be played. She'd had enough of that with Ethan. Ethan. Even the thought of him and what he'd done made her blood boil. How could he have chosen Theresa over her? And on their wedding day of all days! That day five months ago had been a nightmare for her. That was why she left town. She'd been devastated after their breakup. She knew most of Harmony had been glad that Ethan had chosen Theresa, after all, Theresa was a hometown girl and Gwen, well, she was an outsider. Gwen shook her head to clear the unwanted thoughts, then went to the baggage terminal to claim her luggage. Wouldn't everyone be surprised to see her, she thought. If her father hadn't sent her back to Harmony to look after their Harmony Real Estate branch, she wouldn't be here at all. She still didn't understand why an associate couldn't have come. Deep down she knew her parents were worried about her. She knew they were sending her back to Harmony in the hope that she would finally find some closure, but what they didn't realize is the pain coming back to Harmony was going to cause her. If she ran into Ethan or Theresa, or especially them together, she didn't know what she would do. She prayed she wouldn't see a Crane or a Lopez-Fitzgerald the entire time she would be in Harmony. In fact, if she never saw a member of either one of their families again it would be too soon for her. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Oh come on, Antonio." Theresa was saying for the third time. "How can you not believe in fate? Look what happened to Ethan and I. He was engaged to another woman, but fate ended up bringing us together instead. Don't tell me there is no fate, because I know for a fact there is." Antonio sighed. They'd had this argument many times before. In fact, it was fast becoming an unwanted habit. "Resa, fate does not exist. Ethan and you met and because you wanted to be together you were. Fate has nothing to do with it." "Nothing to - " Theresa started to say, then stopped and looked at Ethan. "Would you say something please?" Ethan laughed. "No way am I getting involved in another Lopez-Fitzgerald argument. You guys are on your own." "I'll remember that." She said playfully hitting him on the shoulder. Antonio just shook his head. He could see how in love they were, but he still didn't believe fate brought them together. It would take a lot more than Theresa and Ethan, or Luis and Sheridan for that matter, finding each other to convince him that fate existed. The door to the cafe opened just as Antonio took a sip of his second cup of coffee. He wouldn't have noticed the woman that entered had it not been for Theresa's gasp of surprise. Antonio looked up to see who his sister was so shocked to see and found himself staring into a pair of golden brown eyes. Images of staring into those same brown eyes and making love came to him in an instant. Oh my god, he thought, it was her. It was Gwen. "What is Gwen doing back in town?" Theresa asked interrupting his discovery. It took all of Antonio's energy to pull his eyes from Gwen's, but he finally managed to do it. He'd seen the shock in her eyes when she'd noticed him. Her eyes had widened to the size of baseballs and he knew she was just as shocked to see him and he was her. And of all people, his sister knew her. He couldn't believe his luck. "You know her?" "Of course I know her." Theresa said whispering across the table. "That's Ethan's ex-fiancé, Gwen Hotchkiss." His Gwen was Ethan's Gwen? Oh god, he thought realizing in a split second that his world had just shifted off it's axis. This was not happening, he thought glancing back at Gwen. Her eyes were no longer friendly. In fact, they seemed almost hostile. Was that because her ex-fiancé and his new girlfriend were in the room or because he was sitting with them? Antonio couldn't help the feeling of regret that washed over him. And as he continued to look into Gwen's golden brown eyes, one thing became crystal clear to him, if fate did exist it certainly was cruel. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Two Gwen walked into the Harmony book cafe and almost walked right back out again. There at one of the tables was Ethan and Theresa and another man whose face she couldn't see. Theresa noticed her and didn't even bother to hide her shock. Ethan looked at her too, but her attention wasn't focused on him. It was on the other man that turned around to look at her. She recognized him immediately and she almost gasped out loud. Tony. He was here... in Harmony... eating breakfast... with Ethan and Theresa. After a few seconds, he broke the connection between them to turn and look at Theresa. That was all the time she needed to gain her composure. She would not let him get to her. He was obviously a friend of Ethan and Theresa's, with an emphasis on Theresa. When he turned back to look at her, she made sure there was no trace of a smile in her eyes or on her lips. She wanted him to know she wasn't affected at seeing him again. Gwen refused to stand there and look like an idiot so she walked up to the counter and ordered a mocha cappuccino. It had been too long since she'd had a good cappuccino. No one made them like the book cafe. When she turned back around Ethan and Theresa were gone, but Tony was still there. He raised his brow and pointed to the chair that Theresa had just vacated. She ignored him and walked to a table on the other side of the room. She made sure her back was to him. She didn't want to be tempted to look at him. It wasn't a split second later that he laid a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, sweetheart." he said leaning down to whisper in her ear. She refused to react to feel of his hand on her shoulder or the warm breath in her ear. "Are you really going to try and pretend you don't know me?" She looked up and sent him an icy glare. "I have nothing to say to you." "Nothing? I'm hurt." He said placing a hand of his chest and slipping into the chair across from her. "Mind if I join you?" Yes, she did mind, but she knew saying it wouldn't make him go away. "What do you want?" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonio heard the anger in her voice, but he didn't see why she was angry at him. If anyone had a right to be angry, it was him. After all, she had been engaged that night in New York. "Sweetheart, I'm not the enemy." "No, you just associate with them. So how well do you know the gold digging little bitch you were sitting with? Are you sleeping with her too?" "Hey, watch it. That gold digging bitch your talking about is my sister." "Your sis... Tony... Antonio, that's your name? Antonio Lopez-Fitzgerald?" He nodded and watched the emotions play across her face. Disbelief, pain, and the last one, full-fledged, white-hot, anger. He knew the fireworks were about to start and he tried to placate her. "Calm down sweetheart. I'm just as shocked as you are." Her eyes blazed. "Yeah right! How do I know Theresa didn't put you up to seducing me so she could have Ethan?" "Hey! Theresa isn't like that!" he bellowed. "The hell she isn't! She pretended to be my friend for months and all the while she was after my man!" Several people turned to look at them, but neither cared. They were too angry to care. "Gwen, my sister..." "Your sister is a lying, two-faced, gold digging whore!" Antonio jumped from the table with lightning quick speed, grabbed her arm, and pulled her outside the cafe. He tried to maintain his cool, but it was no use. Hearing her insult his sister made him see red. "Do not..." he said with lethal authority. "ever talk about my sister like that again." "And what are you gonna do? Is big bad brother Antonio going to come to rescue poor Theresa too? God, men are such idiots!" He watched in surprise as tears started to pool in her eyes. She was hurting and his heart ached for her. He pulled her into his embrace and for a moment she let him hold her. But then she pulled away and sent him a withering glare. "Don't. Don't ever touch me again." "Fine. You want to wallow in your anger, then you do it. But don't give me tears of pity, because you and I both know you would have lost Ethan anyway as soon as he found out you cheated on him - with me." "Who the hell asked for your pity! You Lopez-Fitzgerald's are all the same. You stick together and wouldn't think twice about destroying someone else's life. You all make me sick." He walked toward her and she backed up a step. "Us Lopez-Fitzgerald's do stick together. Because that's what families do. Now I have no idea what happened between Ethan, you and my sister and frankly I don't care. But I do care that you seem to be blaming me and the rest of my family for it. I had nothing to do with whatever the hell happened between you three. Our meeting in New York was totally by chance. What we did after meeting was by choice - both yours and mine. So don't go getting on your high horse with me. It won't change a damn thing." Gwen's eyes had widened to the size of saucers. He figured he was probably the first man to ever speak to her that way. Damn, why the hell did she have to be Ethan's ex-fiancé? It just complicated the hell out of things. "How dare you talk to me that way! Do you know who I am?" He stepped closer and stopped when their bodies were an inch apart. "Yeah, I do sweetheart. You're the woman that I made love to in that New York hotel room. You're the woman that left me in the middle of the night without a damn word. You're the woman that has invaded my damn thoughts every waking minute of every damn day for the last six months. So yeah, sweetheart I know exactly who you are. The real question is, do you know who I am? Because, Gwen, I'm not my family. I'm me." After that was said, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. His tongue traced the soft fullness of her lips and a tiny shudder ran through her body. He groaned as she opened her lips to him. He knew there were a thousand reasons why he should stop and pull away, but for the life of him he couldn't think of one. In fact, he couldn't think at all. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Three The minute Tony pulled her into his arms... the minute his lips touched hers... Gwen lost all rational thought. No one had ever made her feel like this. It was raw, undeniable passion - and she couldn't get enough. Tony traced her lips with his tongue and a shiver of excitement raced through her body. She moaned and he took advantage and slipped his tongue inside. A fire broke out inside her... its blaze out of control. But then just as she thought she would go insane with the need for more, a cell phone rang and shook her out of her passionate trance. She pulled away instantly and looked up to see her own desire blazing in Tony's dark eyes. The phone rang again and they both realized it was coming from his phone. His gaze remained glued to her face as he pulled the phone out of his pocket and punched a button. "Antonio here." Gwen made a move toward the door to the book cafe, but Tony caught her arm before she took two steps. His dark eyes, still filled with passion, pleaded with her to wait. She shook her head, pulled her arm free and walked back inside. There was no way she was going to stick around and talk about what had just happened between them. Because she knew if she did stick around, she would also have to talk about what happened six months ago in that New York hotel room and there was no way she wanted to discuss that. She still couldn't believe that she'd slept with Theresa's brother. Of all the people, in all the world, that he could be kin to it had to be the woman that stole her fiancé. Gwen headed for her table by the window and saw her purse still laying there. She hadn't even realized it was missing. God, why did she let him kiss her again? Because you wanted it just as much as he did, her mind answered. Gwen knew she had to get out of there before Tony got off the phone. She wasn't in the mood to talk to him right now. She wasn't sure she would ever be in the mood to talk to him actually. She grabbed her purse off the table and made her way back outside. Tony was still on the phone, but he had his back to her. Since he couldn't see her, she decided it was the perfect time to make her escape. She slid past him and hurried toward her car, digging her keys out of her purse on the way. She unlocked her door, started the engine, and drove away never once looking back. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Saved by the bell, Antonio thought, as he punched the talk button on his cell phone. "Antonio here." Gwen made a move to leave, but Antonio grabbed her arm, pleading with his eyes for her to stay. They weren't finished talking, not by a long shot. She shook her head and pulled her arm free. He had no choice, but to let her go. Damn. "Antonio," a voice interrupted. "are you there?" "Luis?" Antonio asked as watched Gwen walked back into the book cafe. "What the hell are you doing calling me? You're on your honeymoon for cripe's sake!" "Yeah, well things didn't exactly go as planned." Uh-oh. That didn't sound good. "What do you mean? Did you and Sheridan already get into a lover's quarrel?" "No, we got shot at." "WHAT?!" Antonio yelled. A couple leaving the book cafe stopped and stared. Tony turned his back on them, then lowered his voice. "What do you mean you got shot at?" "Calm down." Luis said. "We're both fine. The baby is fine too. Look, we're on the Crane jet. We're on our way home. Can you pick us up at the airport? I'll explain everything then." Baby? "Luis, did you just say baby?" "Yes, Sher and I are expecting a baby." He could hear the smile in his brother's voice. I'll be damned, he thought, I'm gonna be an uncle. "Look, " Luis said before he had time to reply to the news. "I don't really have time to talk now, I have to call Sam. But before I do that I need to know if you can pick us up or not?" "Yeah, of course, I can. I'll be waiting at the gate when you land." "Good, thanks Tony. We should be there in less than an hour." "Okay, little brother. I'm on my way." With that Antonio hung up the phone. He was about to walk back into the book cafe to tell Gwen he had to leave when he heard an engine start. He turned and watched as Gwen drove out of the parking lot. The little vixen had snuck out on him! Again! "Damn." he said watching as her blue beamer disappeared in the distance. He wasn't finished talking to her. He didn't even find out where she was staying. Or how long she would be in town. Seeing her again had been a shock, but finding out that she was Ethan's ex fiancé was an even bigger shock. He shook his head and started walking toward his own car. When did his simple life suddenly become so damn complicated? The moment you laid eyes on Gwen Hotchkiss, a voice answered. Antonio knew immediately that it was true, but he didn't have time to ponder what it meant. His troubles would just have to wait though, because right now, his little brother needed him. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Excerpt from To Love & To Cherish ch 9 Luis opened the door to the Crane jet and was just about to walk through when Sheridan placed a hand on his arm to stop him. He turned and grabbed her hand, lacing her fingers with his. "Let's go home Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald." She smiled that brilliant three watt smile that he loved so much. "Okay, Mr. Lopez-Fitzgerald ." He took her hand and helped her out of the plane. Then placed a soft gentle kiss on her lips. "I love you." Her blue eyes were lit with love and he knew at that very moment that he had never loved her more. "I love you too." He smiled and together hand in hand they walked down the ramp. Luis noticed Antonio walking toward them and felt some of the tension leave his body. The minute Antonio reached them, he enveloped them both in a big hug. "Glad you two are all right. Now, either one of you care to tell me what the hell is going on?" Luis laughed. Leave it to his brother to cut right to the chase. "Yeah, but would you mind if we got out of here first?" Antonio nodded. "All right." Luis noticed that Sheridan had walked ahead of them. He loved watching her walk. She had the sexiest walk, he thought, and he couldn't wait until they got home. She dropped her purse and bent down to pick it up. And that's when he heard the shot. He turned toward the sound and saw Mike, the man once hired to protect her, a few feet away holding a gun. After that, everything seemed to happen in slow motion. Luis took off running toward Sheridan while Antonio ran toward Mike. A mere second after Luis jumped in front of Sheridan, the gun went off again. The force of the bullet knocked him to the ground. As he was falling he saw Antonio jump Mike and he heard Sheridan's bloodcurdling scream. She was leaning over him a second later, but her image was blurry. Like she was miles away from him. He heard her tell him to hang on. He heard her tell him not to leave her and as the darkness swallowed him, he heard her tell him, she loved him. Chapter Four Gwen opened her hotel room door and threw her purse on the bed. She couldn't believe her luck. Tony was Theresa's brother. God, could her life get any worse. Gwen laid down on the bed and closed her eyes. Memories of the night they spent in New York City flooded her brain. She stared at the man laying on the bed beside her. The small lamp on the bedside table lighted his dark features. What was it about him that had made her lose her self-control? Yes, he was gorgeous, but that wasn't what had attracted her last night. It was the way he looked at her... the way he made her feel. He'd made her feel... alive. Ethan never made her feel the way she had last night. Oh, god Ethan! What was she going to tell Ethan? She had betrayed him. Dear god, she thought covering her face with her hands, how could she have let things go so far? She'd only meant to let him buy her a drink, but then he had asked for a dance. Just a dance. She should have said no, but she couldn't. She was drawn to him and she had needed to find out why. God, being in his arms had felt so good. The feel of his hard muscles under her fingers. The look in his eyes right before he dipped his head to kiss her. She had felt more alive in that moment than she ever had before. And it terrified her. She got out of the bed and dressed quickly, making sure not to wake him. She had to get out of there. She couldn't face him. It had only been a one-night stand. That's all it could ever be. She was engaged. She couldn't... wouldn't jeopardize her relationship with Ethan. She loved him. She looked at the man lying on the bed. She reached out to touch his face, but pulled back afraid it would wake him. She turned then, and walked toward the door. But just before she stepped through it she took one last look at him. Tears welled in her eyes as she whispered. "Goodbye Tony." Gwen reached up to wipe away the tears she hadn't been aware she'd shed. Why did he affect her so much? He was Theresa's brother. She could never have a relationship with him, no matter how much she wished she could. Gwen got up and flipped on the TV, hoping it would help to get Tony off her mind. She found one of her favorite shows on and forced herself to concentrate on watching it. As she started to lose herself in the show, a special TV news bulletin broke in. "We interrupt this program to bring you a breaking story. Moments ago, gunshots rang out at the Boston airport. One man was seriously injured while taking a bullet meant for his wife. Harmony Police Officer Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald was taken to Harmony Memorial Hospital. There is no word on his condition at this time, but witnesses at the scene say it isn't good. The shooter, a man believed to have once been hired to protect Mrs. Lopez-Fitzgerald, was apprehended by the shooting victims brother, who also suffered injuries during the altercation. We will update this story as soon as we have more information." Oh god, Tony. Gwen grabbed her purse from where she'd thrown it earlier and rushed out the door. She had to make sure he was okay. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonio paced the hospital waiting room floor waiting for word on Luis' condition. He knew it was bad. He'd lost a lot of blood. Sheridan's light blue dress had been covered in it and so had his brother's white shirt. Antonio felt tears start to well in his eyes and he couldn't help them from falling. His brother was in there fighting for his life and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it. He fell into one of the waiting room chairs and buried his face in his hands. God, he thought, if Luis dies... No, he'd be okay. He was a fighter. He had Sheridan and the baby to give him strength. He would be all right. He would. He had to be. An image of a seven-year-old Luis begging him to take him fishing with him flashed in his mind, reminding Antonio of how often he had called Luis a pest. Back then he had been irritated that Luis always had to tag along with him, but right now... right now he would give anything to take his little brother fishing with him. God, he thought running a hand through his hair, he had to be all right. He just had to be. Antonio closed his eyes another memory flashed in his mind. This time Luis was begging him not to leave Harmony. Antonio felt another tear trickle down his cheek and he reached up to wipe it away. Then he shook his head realizing that now the tables were turned, now it was his turn to beg Luis not to leave. He glanced toward the door where Luis was having his surgery. "Please don't leave me little brother. We've lost way too much time already." Someone laid a hand on his shoulder and he closed his eyes trying to hide his pain. When he looked up, he found a pair of golden brown eyes staring down at him. Gwen. He didn't think he'd ever been so happy to see anyone in his life. He stood up and Gwen immediately wrapped her arms around him. "I heard about what happened. It was on the TV. Are you okay?" "Yeah, I'm fine." he said closing his eyes and taking a deep calming breath. Her soft perfume floated through his nostrils and he felt some of the tension leave his body. Just holding her in his arms made him feel as if everything was going to be okay. He pulled back slightly so that he could look into her eyes. "Luis is in pretty bad shape. They rushed him into surgery as soon as the ambulance got here. We haven't heard anything yet." She raised a hand to touch his cheek. "He'll be okay. I know he will. He has too much to live for." "Thank you." he said leaning his forehead against hers. "I'm really glad you're here." "I'm glad I'm here too." She raised her head to look at him then removed her hand from his face and brought it to his chest. "Is there I can do? Anything you need?" He needed his little brother to be okay. But since he knew there was nothing she could do about that, he just shook his head. "No, you're being here is enough." She nodded and laid her head to rest on his chest. He wrapped his arms back around her and let his chin rest on top of her head. He was glad she was there with him. He knew the next few hours were going to be the hardest of his life and having her there beside him would give him strength he needed to get through it. "Gwen, I don't know what I'll do if Luis doesn't -" "Don't" she said raising her head and placing her right forefinger over his lips. "Don't even think it. You're brother is going to be okay. He's a fighter. Look at all he and Sheridan have been through together. They survived all that. They'll get through this too." Antonio removed her finger from his lips then pulled her close, until their faces were an inch apart. "Thank you, sweetheart. I needed to hear someone say that." "You're welcome." she whispered right before she closed the gap between them. Her lips lightly brushed his and he felt his heart turn over in his chest. Never had a woman affected him the way she did. "What the hell is going on here?" a voice asked causing them to break apart. He turned his head and saw Ethan and Theresa standing there with their mouths hanging open. Oh hell, he thought, a scene between Ethan, Theresa, and Gwen was the last thing he needed right now. But then he didn't have to worry long. Because in the next few seconds, the doctor came out to tell them that Luis had made it through the surgery. But that he was still unconscious and that the next few hours were going to be critical. Gwen squeezed his hand and he returned the squeeze along with a smile full of thanks. He was so glad she was there. It didn't matter than she didn't get along with his family. It didn't matter that she was Ethan's ex-fiancé. Right now, the only thing that mattered was the fact that his little brother had made it through the surgery. Everything else came second. Excerpt from To Love & To Cherish Ch 10 Sheridan listened as the doctor explained that they had successfully removed the bullet from Luis' chest, that he was lucky, and that the next twenty-four hours would be critical. She nodded as the doctor continued to talk, but all she could think about was Luis. He had risked his life to saver her and this time he'd nearly died. The doctor said she could go in to see him and Sheridan didn't waste any time. Tears rushed to her eyes as she stepped in the room. Machines buzzed and whined. Luis had all kinds of tubes in him. He looked so helpless lying there. His dark skin looked pale. Sheridan walked to the chair next to his bed and sat down. Then she grabbed his hand. His skin was so cold that she shivered. He was lying in this hospital bed because of her. God, she thought raising his hand to her cheek, please don't take him from me. "Luis," she whispered placing a soft kiss against his palm. "Please wake up. I need you. Our baby needs you. It's not your time yet. Do you hear me? It's not your time." Tears rolled down her cheeks as an image of Luis holding there newborn baby flashed in her mind. He was telling the baby how much he loved them. Another image flashed in her mind of Luis teaching their son to play baseball. "Oh Luis. You can't leave me. I don't know how to do anything without you. You're my life. You have to wake up. You have to come back to me... to our baby. I don't even know how to play baseball!" Sheridan laid her arms on the edge of his bed and buried her face in them, sobbing uncontrollably. She needed Luis. She needed him to wrap his arms around her and say everything was going to be okay. Oh god, she couldn't lose him. She just couldn't. Someone laid a hand on her shoulder and she turned to find Antonio, his brown eyes glistening with tears. She knew over how close he and Luis had gotten over the last few months and she knew what having his big brother back in town meant to Luis too. Sheridan laid her hand over his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "He has to be okay Antonio. I don't know what I'll do if he isn't." "Hey," Antonio said gently pulling her out of the chair and wrapping his arms around her. "He's fighter. He won't leave you and the baby. You're his reason for living and he'll fight his way back to you." "Thank you." she said returning his hug. She pulled away a second later and gave him a smile of thanks. "I need to go and ask the doctor something. Will you stay and sit with him while I'm gone? I don't want him to be alone." "I'll stay right here until you get back." He said. "I need to talk to him about his scare tactics anyway." She smiled then leaned down to place a soft kiss on Luis' lips. "I love you, Luis." Sheridan raised herself up then turned and walked toward the door. She knew Antonio needed time with Luis. Besides, she had an idea. She just wanted to check with the doctor first. Chapter Five "Hey, little brother." Antonio said sitting down in the chair next to Luis bed. "We really have to talk about this superman business. I mean did you really think you were faster than a speeding bullet?" "Damn it Luis." Antonio said running a hand through his hair. "Sheridan and that baby need you. I need you." "I know I've never said that before, huh? Well, it's true. I do need you, especially now. I could really use your advice about something. You see I met this woman. Yeah I know. You warned me it would happen, but what you didn't know is that I met her six months ago in New York City." Antonio shook his head and ran a hand over his unshaven face. "It wasn't just a one night stand for me, Luis. I mean it was, but I wish it wasn't. You see something happened between us that has never happened to me before. She got to me. I mean really got to me. I thought that she felt the same way, but then I woke up and she was gone. She left me in the middle of the night, can you believe that? I mean, no note, no nothing, she was just gone. It really ticked me off." Actually, that was an understatement. He had been more than just ticked off. He had been furious. "I didn't know her last name so I had no way of finding her. Because of that I tried to deny what happened between us. I tried to shrug it off as no big deal, that she was just another woman. But the truth is... it was a big deal. I didn't realize how big of a deal until yesterday when she showed up at the Book Cafe. I couldn't believe my luck. I mean I thought this was my chance you know? This was my chance to find out if she felt the same thing I did, or at the very least why she left without so much as a goodbye. But then I found out who she was. It's Gwen, Luis. It's Gwen Hotchkiss, Ethan's ex fiancé." "Yeah I know. Leave it to me to sleep with a woman that used to be engaged to my sister's new boyfriend. God, I've got a mess on my hands, Luis. I mean what am I going to do? She hates our family because of what happened between her, Ethan and Theresa." But then again, she was here, he thought. She had come to the hospital. "She heard about what happened on the news and she came, Luis. She came here to be with me... to make sure I was okay... to see if there was anything she could do. That's got to mean something, right? I mean even if she doesn't admit it, she came here because she cares." Since he had already spilled his guts, he figured he might as well go all the way. "Luis, I think - " A door creaked behind him and he turned to find Ethan and Theresa standing in the doorway. Damn, he thought, had they heard what he said? Had they heard him talking about him and Gwen? Had they heard him say that he had slept with her? If the surprise in their eyes was any indication, he figured they probably did. Oh hell, now what was he going to do? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gwen glanced at the door to Luis' room. She knew Tony was still in there. She wondered if he was okay. She had seen Theresa and Ethan walk in a few moments ago. She wondered if they were asking him about what they saw earlier. Why had she kissed him here? She knew Ethan and Theresa would be there. Is that why she did it? Because she knew it would get to Theresa? No, she thought, shaking her head. Her kissing Tony had nothing to do with Theresa or Ethan. She had kissed him because she wanted to. "Gwen?" a voice behind her asked. She turned to find Sheridan followed closely by Hank. "Hey Sheridan." Gwen said pulling her into a hug. Just because she wasn't with Ethan anymore didn't mean she couldn't care about his aunt. She knew how much Sheridan loved Luis. "How are you doing?" "I'm hanging in there." she said. "I must say I'm a little shocked to see you here, considering what happened between you, Ethan... and Theresa." Join the club, she thought. She wasn't exactly sure what she was doing there herself. "Yeah, I know. I heard about what happened on the news and I wanted to make sure... everyone was okay." Sheridan smiled. "Everyone as in Antonio? Hank told me he saw you two kiss earlier. I hadn't realized you two knew each other." Gwen felt her cheeks heat at the mention of Tony and the kiss. How could she answer that? No one knew she and Tony had met in New York. She wasn't sure she wanted them too. "Um, well..." "Sheridan." Hank said interrupting. "Did you tell Pilar and Miguel about your idea yet?" Gwen realized what Hank was doing and sent him a grateful smile. "Yeah, Hank. I did. I really need to get back in there to Luis, but it was really good to see you Gwen. Maybe we could talk later? After Luis wakes up? That is if you're still going to be in town?" Gwen nodded. "I'll be in town for awhile. I hope Luis will be all right and that he wakes up soon." "Thank you. So do I." Sheridan turned then and walked toward Luis hospital room. "How 'bout going to the cafeteria and getting a cup of coffee?" Hank asked. "You look like you could use one." "Yeah, a cup of coffee sounds great. I think I'll get one for To... Antonio too." Gwen followed Hank down the hall and prayed he wouldn't ask any questions about her and Tony. She wasn't ready to talk about it yet. In fact, she wasn't even ready to think about it yet. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonio glanced at Ethan and then at Theresa. He wasn't sure who looked more shocked. He figured Theresa did, but then again, Ethan looked as if he'd been thrown for a loop too. Damn it, he should have kept his damn mouth shut. He wasn't ready to talk about Gwen with Ethan and Theresa. "Antonio -" Theresa started. He shook his head. "Not in here. Let's go out into the hall. I'm sure Sheridan is back by now." He stood just as Sheridan walked into the room. "How is he?" "The same." he answered. "But I'm sure he would rather hear your voice than mine." She gave a smile of thanks and went to sit down next to Luis. She grabbed Luis hand and Antonio felt the tug in his heart. The love those two had was unbelievable, he thought. He knew that love would bring Luis back. He knew everything was going to be okay. He didn't know he knew, but he did. Antonio turned and followed Theresa and Ethan out into the hall. He wasn't looking forward to answering their questions, but he knew he had to. He figured it would be easier to just get all the cards out on the table. He glanced around for Gwen, but he didn't see her. Had she already left? Surely not. But then again, he wouldn't put it past her. She seemed to do a lot of running when things go too tough. He really couldn't blame Gwen for leaving this time though. After all, explaining to Ethan and Theresa what had happened between him and Gwen in New York was not going to be pretty. "Look I know -" "Wait." Theresa said interrupting him. "All I need to know is if you really care about her? Because if you do then I won't say anything. I never had anything against Gwen personally. I just didn't think she was right for Ethan." "Same goes for me." Ethan said putting his arm around Theresa. "Gwen is a wonderful woman. We just weren't meant to be together is all." Antonio couldn't believe it. They weren't going to object? Not that it would have mattered if they had. It's just he thought for sure they would be against him and Gwen. "I don't really know her all that well. We weren't exactly very talkative the night we met." Theresa shook her head. "Do you want to get to know her though?" "I wouldn't mind seeing her from time to time, but I don't want anything serious." Truth was he wasn't exactly sure what he wanted yet. "Okay," Theresa said. "Then I have just one question for you. Since you don't want a serious relationship with Gwen, then you wouldn't mind if she was with another guy right?" What? What the hell did that mean? He figured Theresa was just trying to get to him and he wouldn't give her the satisfaction of knowing it worked. "No, I wouldn't mind. Gwen and I aren't a couple. She's free to do as she pleases." "Good." Theresa said looking at something over his left shoulder. "Because there she is." He turned and felt his heart plummet to his feet. She was talking with Hank Bennett. They must have just came back from the cafeteria because they were both carrying a cup of coffee. Gwen started to slip and Hank reached out and caught her arm. Antonio sucked in deep breath as Gwen sent Hank a bright smile. Okay so maybe he did care, he thought making his way toward Gwen and Hank. Maybe he cared a lot. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Six Gwen saw Tony talking with Ethan and Theresa and if the look on his face was anything to judge by, it wasn’t a conversation he wanted to have. Were they talking about her? She figured they probably were. After all, they had seen them kissing earlier. Theresa glanced at her and then turned back to Tony and said something. A second later, Tony turned to look at her too. She couldn’t read the look in his eyes. It wasn’t one she had seen before. But then they didn’t really know each other all that well. “I don’t think Antonio is very happy to see you with me.” Hank said interrupting her thoughts. “In fact he looks ready to kill me.” Gwen was so caught off guard by Hank’s comment that she lost her footing and started to slip. Hank caught her arm and helped steady her. She sent him a thankful smile then turned her attention back toward Tony. His eyes had darkened somewhat and fell to where Hank still had his hand on her arm. Oh lord, she thought, Hank was right. He was jealous. Tony started walking toward her and her heart beat in time with each step he took. When he came to a stop in front of them, Hank released her arm. Tony smiled then leaned in to place a kiss on her lips. “Hey sweetheart. I was afraid you had left.” Left? Not a chance. She wasn’t going to leave until Luis woke up. She wanted to be here for Tony if he needed her. “No, Hank and I went to get a cup of Coffee. This one,” she said handing him one of the cups in her hand. “is yours.” “Thanks.” He said taking the cup from her. A tingling of excitement raced up her arm as she felt his fingers brush hers. She looked up at him and he smiled. Had he felt it too? “How’s Luis?” Hank asked reminding them of his presence. Tony turned toward him. “The same. Sheridan is in there with him now.” Hank nodded then turned to look at her. “Thanks for the coffee, Gwen. I’m going to go see how Pilar is holding up.” “Okay.” She said giving him a smile. “And thanks Hank. It was really good to see you.” He smiled and briefly touched her arm. “It was good to see you too.” Gwen turned back to Tony and was surprised by the anger she saw in his eyes. What the hell did he have to be angry about? She could talk to whomever she wanted to. After all, she and Tony weren’t a couple. They barely even knew each other. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonio knew he had no right to be angry, but seeing Hank touch Gwen had set something off in him that he never thought he would feel. For the first time in his life, he was jealous. And it made him mad as hell. “We need to talk.” He said grabbing her arm more roughly than he intended to. He opened a door to his left that said for employees only. It turned out to be a supply closet. He pushed Gwen inside and shut the door behind him. Then he blocked it with his body so she couldn't get out until he was good and ready to let her out. "Tony, what the hell do you think you're doing? Let me out of here!" She walked toward him intending to move him out of the way, but he caught her wrists in his hands and pulled her against his chest. She gasped in surprise then looked up at him with those incredible golden brown eyes. "Sorry Gwen," Antonio said shaking his head. "But we need to talk and I don't particularly want an audience hanging on our every word." She glared at him and pulled her arms free. "So because you want to talk and you don't want an audience you think that gives you the right to manhandle me? I don't think so. You have no right to treat me this way. No right at all." "No?" He said walking toward her, making her back up until she hit the wall at the end of the closet. Then he trapped her against it with his body. He placed one palm on the wall at her head and the other he placed on her waist. "I think I have more than enough rights. After all, you were deliberately flirting with Hank to get me to react." "How dare you! I was not flirting with Hank! And even if I was it is none of your business! You have no claim on me, Tony! We slept together, big deal! It certainly doesn't mean you own me and it doesn't give you the right to act as if you do!" "No big deal?" Antonio asked his eyes blazing with fury. "Did I just hear you say our sleeping together was no big deal?" Gwen swallowed hard, then glanced away. Oh no you don't, he thought taking his hand off the wall and placing it under her chin forcing her to look into his eyes, she wasn't going to run from him this time. "Say that again, sweetheart, and I'll have to remind you just how big of a deal our night in New York City really was." Her eyes widened in surprise, but then in a blink of an eye it gone leaving only white-hot anger. "Why you cocky son of a-" He placed a hand over her mouth to silence her then lowered his eyes dangerously. "Be careful Gwen. Be very careful. I don't take well to insults." Her eyes took on a dangerous glint only seconds before he felt her teeth bite into his hand. "Son of a bitch" he said pulling his hand away from her mouth in shock. He glanced at her in surprise and saw genuine concern light her eyes. "Tony, I'm -" he waved her off before she could finish the sentence. "Don't bother. I had it coming." Antonio stepped back and shook his head. What the hell was the matter with him? He'd never treated a woman like that in his life. Why had he treated Gwen that way? Whatever the reason he vowed it would never happen again. She didn't deserve that kind of treatment. "I'm the one that should be sorry. You were only defending yourself." Gwen looked at him and raised a hand to touch his cheek. "I know you would never hurt me Antonio. I was just angry." Antonio. That was the first time she'd ever called him Antonio. He loved how easily it rolled off her tongue. He closed his eyes and dipped his head toward her. When his lips were just an inch above hers, a knock sounded on the door. "Antonio? Gwen? Are you guys in there?" Hank. Damn his bad timing hide. Didn't the guy realize they had come in here to be alone? How the hell did he know where they were anyway. "What do you want Hank?" "Sheridan just came out. Luis is awake." Chapter Seven Luis is awake If she lived to be a hundred, Gwen didn't think she would ever forget the look in Tony's eyes as he heard Hank say those three words. She knew how close he was to his family, but she didn't think she fully realized how much love they shared until that moment. How could she though? Her family was anything, but close. She really envied Tony that. She envied how they all rallied around each other when one of them was in need. She envied how they stood up for each other no matter what the other had done. What she wouldn't give to have a family like that. Maybe then she wouldn't feel as if the weight of the world was on her shoulders - hers and hers alone. Gwen watched as Tony embraced his mother, Theresa, Miguel, and Paloma, who Hank said had showed up yesterday. Their family was so close. Their joy at hearing the doctor say Luis was going to be just fine, still evident on their faces. She smiled and shook her head. Then she turned away not realizing Tony had raised his head and looked at her. She walked over and sat next to Ethan who was watching the Lopez-Fitzgerald's embrace each other. "Ethan, can I talk to you a minute?" Ethan turned to her, his eyes full of surprise. "Gwen. Uh, sure." She smiled and took a deep breath unsure of how to start. At one time she and Ethan had been close, able to tell each other almost anything, but they hadn't been as close as a couple about to be married should have been. She realized that now. She'd seen the love between Ethan and Theresa today and she knew if she was really honest with herself that she and Ethan had never had that. She needed Ethan to know she understood now. That she knew he did the right thing in calling off the wedding. "I don't blame you anymore Ethan. You or... Theresa. You did the right thing in calling off the wedding. I realize that now. The only thing I ever wanted was for you to be happy and that includes being happy with someone else." "You mean that don't you?" Ethan asked searching her eyes. "Yes, I do." She said smiling at how free she suddenly felt. It was as if she'd been reborn again. She suddenly felt as if she could deal with anything, even an ex-fiancé and his new girlfriend. "Thank you." Ethan said suddenly pulling her into a big hug. "I never meant to hurt you Gwen." "I know that Ethan." She said returning his hug with a smile. "I didn't at the time. But I know that now." He pulled away and smiled. "Does Antonio have something to do with this change?" She blushed and glanced around wondering if anyone else heard that. Her eyes connected with Tony's and she felt her face heat even more. She turned back to Ethan and smiled. "He might, Ethan. He just might." --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonio met Gwen's eyes across the room and was more than a little surprised when she blushed. Interesting, he thought as she turned back to Ethan and smiled, he'd never seen her blush before. He wondered what they were talking about, but then she turned back around to look at him and he lost all thought. There was something about the way she was looking at him, he thought, there was a look in her eyes he hadn't seen before. Hell, if he didn't know any better he would think she was... he shook his head. No way. That was crazy. He and Gwen barely knew each other. There was no way she could be in love with him. Was there? Edited by: OKDeanna at: 8/18/03 8:01 pm |
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