Thanks for the comments… keep ‘em coming…

@Bvhall: … I know… I totally feel sorry for Alex, but believe or not things are about to get worse… Like she said… when it rains it pours…

@Berks: I think there’s already trouble in paradise… but I’ll try to keep Cherie out of the picture… as much as possible…

@Alecto: Yeah… damn stupid Cherie… but keep your fingers crossed for Shane cause she’s gonna need all the help she can get…

HAUNTED

Chapter 7 – Designer Vaginas

I guess that would explain the irate husband threatening the waitress outside, Alex spoke her eyes brimming with anger. Shane pulled away from Cherie her face in shock.

I can explain she started not being able to think of anything else to say, but before she could launch into a lengthy explanation, Alex turned to Cherie who started straightening her clothes in an attempt to regain some dignity.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. But then again it was only a matter of time, wasnt it Cherie? Shed never liked Cherie. The kind of woman who would slip her tongue down your throat and a knife in your gut, her nana would always say. She hadnt thought that Cheries tongue would have ever been anywhere near Shane, but then again everyone makes mistakes.

Stevens outside? Cheries voice sounded unsteady and her eyes were flickering from Alex to the door as if she were expecting her husband to burst in. Alex nodded. She glanced at Shane who was looking mortified.

I didnt think Shane was your type, Alex continued almost as if they were chatting over lattes. Not like someone who had just caught her girlfriend making out with someone else. Cherie shrugged.

Ah yes how dumb of me to forget. Alex slapped her forehead. The Hollywood bike doesnt have a type, does she? her voice laced with venom. Cherie lurched forward and slapped Alex in the face. Before she could get in another swing, Alex grabbed her wrist. Shane saw Cheries face contract in pain as she tried to squirm out of Alex grip.

If you ever come near Shane or me again, Ill make Steven look like a ***** saint. Do you understand? When Cherie didnt say anything, Alex squeezed a little harder making her whimper.

Yes her voice barely a whisper. Alex let go slowly. Cherie sank down onto the sofa rubbing her wrist. Without a word Alex left the room and came back a few moments later with Steven Jaffe in tow. When he saw Shane his face turned ugly with rage.

YOU again!!! he yelled pointing an accusing finger at Shane. Shane shrank back instinctively as he stepped towards her, but before he could reach her Alex had stepped between the two of them. She stopped him in his tracks her hands pressing against his chest.

Just take whats yours and get out, Alex voice completely flat but the undertone was clear reminding Shane of the way Alex was when theyd been trying to rescue Marina from her family. A shiver ran down Shanes spine. Steven opened his mouth to say something, but closed it when he saw the look in Alex face. He pulled his wife to her feet.

Keep her away from us, Alex said giving Steven a warning look. He nodded just as his wife started sobbing again.

That ***** ***** hurt me, Cherie wailed pathetically. Alex shook her head. She wondered if she was just as pathetic when she was drunk. She hoped not.

If you ever come near either one of us again, Ill show you just what a ***** ***** I can be, Alex walked over to Cherie. They were standing so close, it almost looked intimate.

Trust me, youll prefer being celibate to being poor. The threat was not lost on Steven.

Dont worry shell stay away, even if I have to make her. He looked at his wife with something that bordered on disgust. Alex nodded. At that Steven went for the door pulling Cherie with him who glanced back at Shane one last time her eyes now pleading.

When Alex turned around, Shane was still looking at the door in shock. She still couldnt believe what had happened. One moment she was the happiest person alive and now things had been completely fucked up. She slumped on the sofa not knowing what to say. What could she say to make this all disappear. That it wasnt what it had looked like. That she hadnt kissed Cherie, because she had. Did it really matter that she had pushed her away? She knew that if she had seen Alex in the exact same position, she would have been furious. Just thinking about sent jealous shivers up her spine. Somehow that irrational anger managed to calm her a little. When she looked up, she saw Alex still staring at her almost willing her to say something first.

I guess I owe you an explanation, Shane spoke softly. Alex leaned against the doorframe and shook her head.

You dont owe me anything Shane, her voice still a little shaky now that the adrenalin and anger was leaving her body. She didnt know why she was so sad. Shed seen this coming miles away. Somehow she always managed to ***** up relationships, which is why shed avoided them for so long. Getting together with someone just as messed up as her was just a twenty-car pile-up waiting to happen. Shane got up and walked over to Alex taking Alex hands in hers.

I didnt mean for anything to happen, I swear. Its just that Shane paused searching for the right words, a reflex. Alex let out a soft sound that held the middle between a snort and a laugh. She looked at Shane skeptically.

A reflex? In that case you have some interesting reflexes Shane groaned inwardly. She was messing this up big time.

Maybe reflex is not the right word. Its just that she caught me off guard. Hasnt that ever happened to you?

Not since Ive been with you, no, Alex retorted regaining her usual cockiness.

Please forgive me. I love you, Shane whispered almost pleadingly. She wrapped her arms around Alex and felt her body tense and then to her relief Alex relaxed against her touch and hugged her back. Shane pulled back slowly and looked at that beautiful face that she had grown to love. The face she could stare at for hours at night when she couldnt sleep. Just the thought of not being with Alex was painful.

So were cool, dude? Alex caressed the line of Shanes face with her fingers and leaned in planting a soft kiss. When their lips touched, she felt an electric jolt course through her body just like every time she felt Shane close to her like that. Shane started kissing her back gently trying to coax her into opening her lips, but Alex pulled away.

I dont know if were cool. At that she untangled herself from Shanes embrace and walked out leaving a very dejected Shane in her wake.

*****

Alice tried to suppress a yawn as she listened her editor drone on and on about another top ten piece he wanted her to do. She put her phone on the coffee table and walked to the kitchen to grab an orange juice. When she got back, her editor was still going on about the same thing. Finally shed had enough.

Why would anyone want to read about the top ten designer vaginas? I mean I could care less that a forty year old woman now has the ***** of a playboy bunny. Besides why would this become a trend? I mean whats the point of having ***** with different women if theyre all the same down there? In case you hadnt noticed, we like to be unique in at least certain respects, she ended dramatically almost feeling the chill from the other end of the phone. Groaning she relented and agreed to look into it. Dana was staring at her incredulously from the other side of the room.

Designer vaginas?

Apparently women want designer vaginas and my editor thinks the women who dont have them, want to read about them, Alice sighed. When she saw the puzzled look on Danas face, she laughed. She couldnt blame her. It WAS one of the dumbest things shed ever heard. Maybe she should do a top ten on that she mused.

Well, it turns out women arent all that happy with their vaginas. Theyre too tight or not tight enough. Too flabby or not flabby enough. Whatever! Anyway, these women go to plastic surgeons and have their ***** modeled to match those of playboy models and ***** stars. I mean, isnt that like one of the dumbest things youve ever heard? By now Dana was barely stifling her laughter.

And they want you to write about them? Wow, Al, youre really making it in the reporter world, arent you? Alice looked at her with mock venom on her face as she picked up a pillow and threw it in Danas general direction.

Well, we cant all be professional tennis players, she said sticking out her tongue.

Sweetie, you dont even have the coordination for it, Dana replied smugly as she bent down to pick up the pillow that had landed almost a foot in front of her. She walked over to the couch and put a comforting arm around her sweeties shoulders.

You could say no, she offered. Alice placed her shoulder on Danas strong shoulders and wrapped her arm around her snuggling in her comforting warmth and strength.

And do what?

I dunno serious reporting maybe?

Mmm like what?

Why dont you do something about Laras new restaurant? Alice sat up a little at this.

The soup chef has a restaurant? Since when? Dana shrugged.

Well, its not exactly hers she said. When she saw the questioning look on Alices face, she continued, Shes just gonna be the new chef thats all.

Mmm Alice murmured before settling back into Danas strong arms.

*****

Wow, this place is amazing, Lara said almost dancing in what would soon be her restaurant. Well, not quite but sort of. After all, it was the chef who really owned the restaurant. Everyone knew that. She grinned at her own good fortune. Nicky ambled over taking in the sight of the tall redhead. When shed first seen the place shed fallen in love with it. She hadnt imagined it being more perfect than the first time shed seen it. But now she knew shed been wrong. It hadnt been quite perfect without the beautiful chef in it. Nicky was also reveling in her good fortune and when she looked up she saw her own smile mirrored on Laras face. Their smiles faded when they noticed how close they were to each other. Their faces were mere inches apart.

Nicky looked into those beautiful deep eyes and thought she was going to drown. She felt a flood of desire course through her body and when Lara reached out and caressed her cheek, she literally felt she could die the happiest woman on earth right now. She closed her eyes and sighed when she felt Laras hot breath against her cheek before she felt her full lips kiss her softly. Instinctively she reached out and pulled Lara towards her wrapping her arms around her waist feeling her tight stomach against her own. Her lips traveled over Laras neck hovering just above the skin. Lara put her hand behind Nickys head pulling her closer and moaned a little when she felt Nickys lips on that sensitive spot where her neck connects with her shoulder. She gasped when Nickys tongue flicked over that spot slowly traveling upwards to right beside her ear.

You sure were doing the right thing here? Nicky whispered in her ear. Lara shook her head.

No, she whispered back and she turned her face and kissed Nicky passionately on the lips. The moment their lips touched, they knew they were lost. Lara teasingly trailed her tongue over Nickys lips till she felt them part and found her way inside. Their hands were trailing up and down each others bodies now pulling at their clothes. Nicky pulled back with a gasp.

We should stop before I take you right here on the floor. Lara let out a small laugh.

I knew I was irresistible. Nicky slapped her in the arm playfully.

You wish. Come on, Ill show you the rest of the place, she said taking Laras hand in hers pulling her towards the back. She took a few deep breaths trying to regain her usual cool demeanor.

This is going to be a cozy lobby area, she stopped when she heard Lara chuckle.

What?

Nothing, Lara replied still smiling and planted a quick kiss on Nickys lips.

Go on. Nicky shrugged and continued as if nothing had happened but still very aware of Laras hand in hers. She pointed up to the ceiling.

Were going to leave those old beams and the flooring the way they are. Just a coat of lacquer to finish off the old feel of the place. Lara nodded serious now as this was their future they were talking about, which relieved Nicky enormously who was now feeling her enthusiasm for the place kicking in again and she continued excitedly about how she wanted to decorate. Just as they were walking away, they heard a loud crack above their heads. Before either of them had time to look up, the crack was followed by a large crash. Nicky felt Laras hand slip from hers just before her mind registered the pain of an enormous weight on her back and everything went dark around her.

*****

I like Harry Potter better, she concluded her little monologue with a stubborn look on her face. Lucy shook her head. She should have known better than to try and read one of the classics to her daughter. Sighing she bent down and rummaged through her bag until she found The Philosophers Stone. Shed read this book so often, it felt like she could recite it by heart.

Okay, well read Harry Potter AGAIN!!! she said laughing as her daughters face perked up instantly. Lucy swallowed willing herself not to notice the tubes and machines surrounding them.

Mr. and Mrs. Dursley, of number four, Privet Drive