A Golden Heart

"I want my friend back," James stated plainly. "I miss you."

"James, how can I trust you now? We can't go back, our friendship ended the day I caught you in bed with Greg. I like my life just fine now. You are not a part of it. I'm sorry you wasted your time coming here," Alyssa said.

Sighing heavily, James stood to leave. "I had hoped we could mend our fences, but it's obvious you don't want that. I'm sorry my love cost us both so much."

Alyssa sat on the porch for a long time after James left, thinking. How did she feel about James and Greg now, she wondered. She realized it no longer hurt as it once did and that, although she missed James' friendship, it wouldn't be the same now. She couldn't go back to being who she was before. Walking into the house, Alyssa decided to have a long shower and watch a movie alone tonight. She needed to forget all her problems for a few hours.

Curling up on the couch in her pajamas, a bowl of popcorn next to her and a bottle of wine in front of her, Alyssa started her favorite comedy. She needed the laugh tonight. About halfway through the movie and most of the bottle of wine, Alyssa was feeling much better than she had in days. She'd laughed so hard she'd cried and the wine made her light headed. Alyssa jumped when she heard the knock on her front door. Wondering who would be coming by, she stumbled to the door. Opening the door wide, she used it for a prop as she stood staring at Eric. "Well, hello," she slurred slightly.

Eric stared at Alyssa for a few moments before realizing she had been drinking. Alyssa turned, leaving the door wide open, and walked back to the couch. Grabbing her wine glass off the coffee table, she said to Eric, "So what brings you by tonight?"

Eric closed the door softly behind him. He'd hoped to talk to Alyssa tonight but could see it was not a good idea. She was clearly drunk. Sitting on the other end of the couch from Alyssa, he asked, "What are you watching?"

Alyssa giggled as she turned back to the TV, saying, "Just a funny movie; I needed the laughs tonight."

"Why?" Eric asked. With the wine clouding her mind, Alyssa told Eric all about James' visit that afternoon, the entire story. She told Eric about finding James and Greg in bed together, about her feelings since then. Alyssa poured her heart out. When she was done, Eric didn't know what to say so he kept quiet. Alyssa had laid her head on his lap as she talked, enjoying the feel of him under her. As she talked her eyes began to droop, her speech becoming more and more slurred. By the time she finished she was already half asleep. Brushing her hair back, smoothing it down, Eric stayed until she finally drifted off. Eric looked at the clock and saw that it was already after three in the morning. Alyssa had talked for four hours straight.

Realizing she was probably out for the night, he debated what to do. Should he just leave her there to sleep it off, or stay and try to talk to her in the morning? Deciding he enjoyed the feel of her next to him too much to leave, Eric made up his mind to get comfortable and sleep next to her for just one night. Removing his shoes and his shirt, he moved them both until they could lie on the couch. He cuddled Alyssa close to him and drifted off to sleep.

Alyssa woke with a splitting headache and a dry mouth. At first disorientated as to where she was, Alyssa sat up slowly, getting her bearings. Seeing the empty wine bottle, she groaned. No wonder her head hurt. It was then she realized what had woken her; it was the smell of breakfast. Confused, because she knew Adam had left the day before, she cautiously approached the kitchen. She froze at the door. Seeing Eric in her kitchen in just a pair of jeans, no shirt, her mouth seemed to be glued shut. She couldn't have spoken at that moment if her life depended on it. Her body however woke up at the sight of that muscled back.

"Morning," Eric said in a cheery voice as he turned and saw her standing there. What happened last night, she wondered. She barely remembered him at the door, beyond that it was all fuzzy. Please tell me I didn't make a fool of myself, she thought to herself. Not sure what else to say she simply smiled softly and said, "Morning."

Climbing up on the stool at her kitchen counter, Alyssa added, "What are you doing here?"

Smiling broadly, Eric said, "Making breakfast of course. I hope French toast is okay."

Alyssa's stomach rolled over at the thought of food. She didn't think she could eat anything right now. She watched as Eric navigated his way around her kitchen as if he'd lived here for years. He seemed to know where everything was. Fascinated at how well he fitted in her house, Alyssa sat in silence as Eric cooked.

Eric could feel Alyssa's eyes on him as he moved around her kitchen. He'd have given almost anything to know what she was thinking. He'd woken early with Alyssa sprawled over his chest. Another part of him had woken at full attention to her being so near. Realizing she probably didn't remember much of last night, he decided to ignore his libido this morning. Extracting himself from under her had been difficult, as he hadn't wanted to wake her. Finally mastering that feat, he decided his best bet was to wait it out until she woke on her own. They were going to talk today no matter what. He couldn't go on with things the way they were.

Lost in her thoughts Alyssa was trying to remember what had happened last night. The last thing she remembers clearly was sitting down with the bottle of wine after James left. She vaguely remembered opening the door to Eric, but after that it was all a blank spot in her memory. She really wanted to ask what had happened but was afraid of the answer. Had she made a total fool of herself? What did she say to him? Growing more and more nervous as she watched Eric make breakfast, Alyssa didn't know what to say or how to act. Finally working up her courage she asked hesitantly, "What happened last night?"

Debating how to answer that, Eric paused. Should he admit what she told him or should he just answer what she was really asking, he wondered. Finally deciding that the simplest answer was the best, he said, "Nothing, you were drunk when I got here; I wanted to make sure you were okay. So I stayed."

Feeling as if Eric was leaving something out, Alyssa kept quiet as he set her plate in front of her. Finding that she was actually hungry, Alyssa ate slowly. It was very good and she told Eric so. He just smiled at her. After finishing her breakfast, Alyssa moved to start cleaning up. She needed something to keep her busy while she went over what Eric had and hadn't said. She knew there was more to what happened last night but she just couldn't remember. Racking her memory caused her headache, which had started to recede, to slam back in full force. Knowing full well that Eric wanted to talk today, something she just wasn't up for, Alyssa tried to figure out a way to get him out of her house without being rude.

Sensing that Alyssa was retreating into her shell, Eric decided it was now or never for their talk. Finding what to say, however, proved difficult. He couldn't just tell her how he felt, she'd never believe him. Figuring to buy some time, Eric told Alyssa, "Why don't you go take a shower? It will make you feel better. I'll finish cleaning up here. When you're done, we can talk."

Knowing it was unavoidable at this point; Alyssa just nodded her head as she left the kitchen. Climbing the stairs, Alyssa wondered what she was going to do. She couldn't just blurt out that she loved Eric; it was too new even for her. Would he even believe her? Peeling off her clothes from the night before, she was just about to walk into the bathroom attached to her bedroom when the door suddenly opened. Too shocked to bother trying to cover herself up, Alyssa could only gasp loudly as Eric stood still in the doorway. Alyssa watched as his eyes ate up her nude body hungrily. Seeing the lust in his eyes kindled a fire deep within her.

Eric forgot what he'd come upstairs to ask Alyssa the moment his eyes landed on her naked body. Every sense woke up in him at the sight of her standing nude at the end of her bed. Knowing it wasn't the time, even as his body propelled him forward toward her, Eric couldn't help but tremble with anticipation as he approached Alyssa. Not saying a word, his hand gripped her head, tilting it back to accept his mouth on hers. At first he made his kiss gentle in the hopes of not scaring her, but when she wrapped her arms around him and eagerly kissed him back, Eric felt his control slip. Leaning into Alyssa's body, Eric felt his heartbeat accelerate. As his tongue wrestled with hers, he could feel her chest heaving against his own.

Alyssa's body lifted toward Eric, seemly of its own will. She couldn't control herself; she wanted him as she had never wanted anyone before. Alyssa felt the bed hit the back of her knees and automatically sat on the edge, breaking her kiss with Eric. When she looked up into his eyes, she knew then she was lost. She licked her lips while slowly unzipping his jeans which were only inches from her face. Pushing them slowly down past his hips, her tongue snuck out to lick lightly on the head of his rock hard penis. She heard his gasp as her wet tongue made contact. Eric's fingers tangled themselves in her hair as she continued to push his jeans down. Knowing what he wanted, Alyssa parted her lips slightly to take only the head of his throbbing sex into her mouth. Swirling her tongue around and around, she could hear his moaning. Lost in the feeling of him in her mouth, she didn't notice that his hand had moved down to grasp her breast. Rubbing the pad of this thumb over the nipple, it became instantly harder, stabbing out into the air. Grabbing his ass, she took him fully into her mouth, feeling his hand drop from her breast as he threw his head back, moaning loudly. Gripping his ass so hard, she left nail prints in his cheeks; Alyssa worked Eric into a frenzy with her mouth.

Sensing his orgasm near and not wanting this to end, Eric pulled his sex from Alyssa's mouth. Licking her lips, she looked up at him with wide curious eyes. Eric laid her back on the bed, kneeling between her thighs, whispering softly, "My turn."

Leaning forward, Eric ran his tongue slowly up and down Alyssa's wet slit. He felt her jump at the contact. Eric wrapped his arms around her legs, lifting them over his shoulders before licking her earnestly. Alyssa's hips bucked off the bed as Eric's tongue flicked over her clit. The orgasm she'd held at bay since his first kiss was now rushing forward with the speed of a freight train. She could feel it rolling through her body before it slammed into her. Alyssa's whole body tensed up around Eric's head as she reached that peak. Setting her legs back on the bed, Eric sat back to watch her come down from that high. He'd wanted her for so long; he couldn't get enough of her. Taking her hands in his, he had Alyssa sit up. Wrapping one arm around her backside, Eric sat back on his heels pulling Alyssa forward until she slid off the bed, straddling him. He slipped easily inside her wet sex. Eric whispered only one word, "Ride."

Alyssa, breathing heavily from her climax, felt Eric slide inside her. Looking into his eyes, as she was both penetrated and pleased, Alyssa couldn't catch her breath at the emotions showing so plainly in his eyes. Feeling as if nothing would ever go wrong, Alyssa flexed her thighs and began to ride. Alyssa, slowly, lifted herself off Eric, to the point of almost slipping completely off, hearing Eric whimper 'No,' before sliding back down. Riding him a little faster, Alyssa used his shoulders for support. She leaned in to kiss him as she continued to pick up the pace of her riding. She only felt the need to be connected to Eric, not the overwhelming urge to reach their climaxes. Slowing her pace, Alyssa continued to tease Eric with her mouth. Alyssa ran her tongue along his lips, before delving in slowly. She poured every emotion she felt into those kisses, telling him what she felt without a spoken word.

Suddenly the need to climax overwhelmed her; she began riding him faster and faster. Her entire body tensing as she reached that peak. Eric was with her every step of the way, thrusting his hips to meet her. When her orgasm peaked, his did too. Both of them riding the wave out as their hips seemed to move on their own accord. Her body spent, Alyssa could only lean her head on Eric's as her body slowly came back down to earth. She could feel him softening inside her. That had been so amazing, it bordered on scary. When she at last looked up to Eric's face, he smiled softly before kissing her gently. "I didn't mean for this to happen, I only came up to ask you something." Eric said.

The time had past for Alyssa to regret what she felt. "It's okay," she replied.

Pulling herself off Eric, Alyssa stood. Smiling softly at him, she turned and walked into the bathroom. Standing under the hot spray, she went over what had just happened. What she felt for Eric scared her; she hadn't felt this way about Greg. Could she trust another man with her heart? Remembering the pain she'd felt at Greg's betrayal, she didn't know what to do now. Deep down she knew Eric was different, but her mind reminded her that he had never shown an interest in her before that night in the elevator. Would they even be talking now without that blackout? All her self-esteem issues seemed to rise to the surface. She needed time to figure out what she wanted and to figure out if she could trust again. Taking longer than she normally did in the shower, Alyssa tried to come up with a way to face Eric. She knew he wouldn't leave today without something from her.

Mustering up her courage she opened the door to her bedroom, only to find it empty. Eric's jeans were gone just like him. Thinking he only went to the kitchen, she searched there for him, to no avail. After searching the whole house, it finally sunk in that Eric had left, without even leaving her a note. Hurt beyond belief, Alyssa sat down and cried.

Alyssa didn't see Eric for over a week after that day. At first she thought something must have happened for him to leave like that. By the third day, she had come to the conclusion that he didn't care for her. What she saw in his eyes that day was only her imagination. She spent a lot of time reflecting on her life. By the end of the week, she finally decided to forget Eric and move on. She had her work to keep her busy.

One night while cleaning out her desk at home, she came across a picture of her, James, and Greg. For the first time she could look at them and not feel the hate she once did. She remembered clearly what they had been doing just as the snapshot was taken. The three of them had been bar hopping that night and the picture showed all three of them laughing at something James had said. Looking back she could see signs of what was to come, the way Greg would look at James, the way they always seemed so tuned into each other. Something she and Greg had never had. At that moment, looking at the picture of the three of them laughing, Alyssa knew she'd forgiven them both. It still hurt and she knew she'd never forget the betrayal. Alyssa knew she could never be friends with James again but she was finally able to get past her anger.

A few days later, she was cleaning out her garage when she heard a voice just behind her, "Need any help?"

Shocked, but hiding it before turning toward the voice, Alyssa said icily, "No."

Turning her back on Eric, she continued to clean out the box she had been working on. She heard him sigh behind her. "I'm sorry I had to leave when I did last week."

Curious to know why, but also afraid of the answer, Alyssa said nothing. She felt his hands on her shoulders before he forcibly turned her to him. "I had to leave; I'm sorry, I really wanted to talk to you but an emergency at work came up," Eric said, "You know I'm a private detective; I had a major break in a case I was working on. I had to leave to so I could close the case. I would have left you a note but I didn't have the time."

"So you don't know how a phone works?" she asked archly. Chuckling softly to himself, he did like her when she was upset. Of course he liked her at anytime or in any mood. "I didn't want to say this over the phone," Eric said softly.

Alyssa could feel herself melting inside; she didn't want to but it seemed she couldn't stay mad at Eric. The reason wasn't important, she was just happy he was here now. She'd realized this morning that no matter what, loving Eric was the right thing for her. It didn't matter what happened in the future, she would survive it. With her new confidence, Alyssa waited for Eric to say more.

Taking a deep breath Eric said softly, "I can't explain it, I can't even tell you how it happened, but I'm in love with you Alyssa."

Stunned speechless, Alyssa just stood there, gaping at Eric. Whatever she thought he was going to say, that was not it. She wanted to shout with joy, she wanted to dance on the rooftop, but most of all she wanted to leap into his arms and tell him she loved him too. Then her insecurities reared their head. How can he love me, she wondered.

Sensing that Alyssa didn't believe him, Eric pulled a black box out of his pant pocket. Silently he handed it to her. Eric watched as she hesitantly opened the box, inside laid a gold heart on a slim chain. Eric said softly, "I'm giving you my heart. What you do with it is your choice. Just know that I love you more than I've ever loved anyone in my life. You are the world to me."

Tears threatening, Alyssa could only stare at the necklace. Looking up she realized he truly did love her. Throwing her arms around him, she whispered in his ear, "Oh Eric, I love you."

Softly kissing his cheek, she made her way to his lips. Gently kissing him, telling him with her lips how much she loved him. Eric lifted her up, carrying her into the house. Alyssa wrapped her legs around Eric's waist as he walked through her kitchen straight up the stairs to her bedroom. Finally he set her down, breaking the kiss. She realized he'd set her down in the bathroom. Seeing that she had covered him in dust during their kissing, she wasn't surprised when he turned the water on.

Slowly, lifting her shirt up over her head, she saw him looking lustfully at her chest. She hadn't bothered with a bra, figuring with nowhere to go she didn't need one. Eric reached up to cup both breasts, running his thumbs over the nipples lightly. Moaning softly, Alyssa moved to take his shirt off. After dropping it to the floor, she stepped closer to him, pressing her chest against his as she kissed him again. Running his hands down her back, Alyssa felt him slip them inside the elastic of her shorts, pushing the shorts and her underwear down at the same time. Her hands trembling as they continued to kiss, she moved to undo his jeans. Once she had them unzipped, she moved to push them down his legs. She could feel him step out of his shoes and the pants at the same time. Wrapping Alyssa up tight against him, Eric's tongue swept into her mouth. Stepping into the shower, he lifted her over the edge of the tub. Keeping his back to the water, making sure it was warm enough; Eric continued to explore Alyssa's mouth. Once he felt the water was warm enough he turned them so that it hit Alyssa directly on the back. Alyssa gasped as the water first hit her skin.

The different degrees of heat on Alyssa's body from Eric and the water caused goose bumps. She could feel his arousal against her leg. The beating of the water and their hearts was all she could hear. Eric ran his hands up and down her back, enjoying the feel of her wet skin. Leaning her body back over his arm into the water, Eric kissed his way down to her breasts. Taking one nipple into his mouth, he sucked it hard before releasing it to move to the other one. Alyssa moaned at the feel of his mouth on her nipples. She ran her hand down his chest, circling his nipples one at a time. Eric gasped against her nipple. Trailing her hand further down his chest, Alyssa slowly wrapped her fingers around his hard sex. Alyssa ran her fingers up and down the shaft as Eric's tongue continued to tease her nipple. She released him with a moan as Eric gripped her ass tightly.