Gypsy Designs Ch. 02

"Why in the hell did you do that?" she demanded treading water, staring at him like he'd grown a second head. "Was there any logical reason to throw me in the pool in the middle of the night other than you got a laugh out of it?" she pushed her wet hair back out of her face before swimming for the edge.

Squatting near the edge he smiled at her watching as she gripped the edge of the pool afraid to try and climb out for fear he flipped her back in. "You seemed to be getting defensive, I thought maybe a relaxing dip would take the edge off your suspicious nature and you'd begin taking what I say for it's value, not as an insult or attack," he explained his voice dropping to the deep honeyed tones he knew would make her glare at him.

"You might want to help me out before these wet clothes pull me down and you have to call 911 to rescue me," she snarled rubbing her forehead, "And for gods sake stop doing that it's hard enough to stay afloat without you making me forget to paddle," she pouted slightly only to make him laugh louder.

"Has anyone ever told you you're adorable looking like a wet rat?" he chuckled reaching his hand out to her.

Grasping her wrist he waited until she wrapped both hands around his arm before pulling her up. The breath was sucked out of him when her body came out of the water, the thin spandex plastered to her body as if a second skin leaving nothing to the imagination at all.

"I lost a sock," she said quietly her teeth chattering the cold breeze turning the wet fabric icy quickly.

Shaking his head he met her eyes, "What?" He asked not having the slightest idea what she'd said his attention focused on rock hard nipples pushing against the fabric begging to be released.

"I said I lost my sock," she groaned shivering, "You're busy looking at my breasts and I'm standing here freezing now that the wind decided to blow, and my sock is in the bottom of the pool," she snapped sarcastically

Shaking himself mentally he stepped forward grabbing her waist when she stepped back almost landing in the pool again. Pulling her against him he wrapped his arms around her back just as a gust of wind hit him in the back blowing his hair over his shoulder and hers.

She felt the heat radiating from him and as much as she would've liked to flip his ass in the pool she buried her face against his chest while he protected her from the wind. Leaning down he scooped her up, walking quickly back into the house.

"Gypsy you've got to get out of these clothes," he said lowering her legs, his teeth clenched tightly when her body slid down the length of his, his cock straining toward the contact. "Here," he said grabbing the hem of her shirt pulling it over her head in one tug.

She almost growled finding herself standing in front of him half naked soaking wet. Crossing her arms over her breasts she glared at him, knowing the effect was ruined when she shivered uncontrollably her teeth chattering. Closing her eyes she just wanted him to go away, pretending none of it had happened. The heat from his eyes moving over her making her cheeks flush brightly even though she felt frozen.

He threw her shirt on the counter before yanking his shirt off then tugging it down over her head, her grumbling stifled for a second until she thrust her arms through the sleeves trying to push his hands away from her.

"Damn it, hold still Gypsy," he snapped as his thumbs snagged the waist band of her pants yanking them down over her hips before she could stop him.

She was forced to grab his shoulder for balance when he knelt tugging the clinging wet fabric down her legs for her to step out of them. Stepping back from him the instant her legs were free from the pants. She ran her hands down the shirt thankful it came to mid thigh and covered her body.

"Have you lost you're mind or maybe a better question would be did you ever have one?" she snarled rubbing her arms, her hands lost inside the long sleeves of his shirt. Turning away from him when he tried to grab her hands, "you've done more than enough thanks," she said sarcastically. "Is this how you treat everyone who comes here? Or am I just one of the lucky ones and I'm getting the full out treatment?"

Caydn leaned against the counter, his eyes traveling from the wet curls that'd escaped down over the large black shirt that swallowed her fragile body before reaching the long sun tanned legs that seemed to go on forever.

"Anyone ever tell you you've got amazing legs?" he chuckled hearing her loud sigh, "sorry and to answer your question no," he explained looking up to meet her fiery amber eyes. "This isn't my normal treatment of guests, I guess you can just say you bring something primal out in me I can't seem to resist," he said reaching out to tug at a curl that lay over her breast, her nipples pushing sharply against the soft fabric of his shirt.

"You know if you didn't get so defensive about anything I say then I wouldn't have thought about tossing your amazingly delightful ass in the pool," he winked at her his arms casually crossed over the muscled expanse of bare chest. "I just wanted to make sure that if you'd be able to finish whatever projects you've got going and have something for a semi formal event. Hell Gypsy I don't think I've seen you in anything other than sweat pants or work out clothes since you've been here," he laughed trying to steer his mind to something other than the expanse of naked flesh just barely hidden from his view.

She shrugged her shoulders pushing her hair out of her face. She picked up her wet pants tossed in a pile with her one sock, grabbing her shirt from the counter, glaring at him noticing his eyes dropped to the hem of the shirt edging dangerously close to the curves of her ass when she'd bent over. She closed her eyes for a second taking a deep breath stomping down the urge to step toward him and lean against the hard muscles of his chest.

"Have you never felt out of place anywhere? And had something, a shirt or maybe that leather jacket that made you feel comfortable?" she asked opening her eyes finding hers locked to his before turning and walking to the laundry room with the wet clothes.

"Actually yes and my favorite shirt happens to be the one you're wearing," he chuckled meeting her eyes when she stepped back into the kitchen, "but I'll let it slide this time since you seem to need of it than I do."

Pushing the sleeves up so her hands weren't hidden she almost laughed, looking down seeing herself standing there in nothing but his shirt, a puddle where she'd been standing on the floor.

"Well I guess you can say my sweat pants and work out clothes are those 'favorite' things for me, sort of like old friends that keep me company in a new place and a totally new situation in my life," she explain taking a kitchen towel squatting down carefully to mop up the water on the tile floor. Keeping her head down she felt the heat of his eyes as they slid over her legs and over the curve of her ass where his shirt was riding dangerously high.

Pushing away from the counter he held his hand out to help her up when she finished, "What had you running away to the point you agreed to come and stay in a large house set away from everything and everyone with an older couple, granted I know your aunt and uncle but Gypsy you seem to be more independent than that," he asked meeting her eyes, searching for answers as to how and why his normally regimented life was in danger of being turned upside down.

Taking the towel from her he walked to the laundry room door, tossing it into the washing machine from the doorway before turning back watching her sit down at the table, tucking her legs under her covering them with the oversized shirt. Coughing to cover the strangled sound that almost escape at the flash of long slender legs leading up to what he knew would be heaven.

"I mean did you make such bad mistakes you're not sure how to start over? Or did you get involved with the wrong people and you have to hide out for awhile? What is it because nothing about you seems 'normal' and before you get your back up I don't mean that as an insult just an observation," he said raising his hand stopping her from saying anything when he saw her head snap around her eyes locking with his the anger obvious, her eyes almost burning him on the spot.

Gypsy dropped her head, she hated sharing anything about her life with people especially someone who made her feel small and almost insignificant as Caydn did, but she knew he deserved an explanation since it was his home and life she'd invaded.

"You want some answers fine," she said with a heavy sigh, "but do me a favor put a shirt on, I'm going to go put some clothes on and if you'd care to join me for some hot chocolate fine if not I'd like some to help me warm up," she said standing with only a glance his way, walking out of the kitchen toward her rooms. She silently chuckled when she heard the strained groan when as she felt the hem of his shirt brushing over her ass teasingly. "Good let him see how frustrating it can be to wonder what's under one of his shirts," she muttered to herself, grinning when she heard his deep laugh knowing he'd heard her.

Caydn poured himself another cup of coffee and was leaning against the counter when she walked back in the kitchen. She noticed he was wearing a shirt identical to the one she was still wearing. Since the shirt was warm she hated the thought of taking it off, the dampness already drying. Seeing his hair pulled back and tied, not the way he wore it when he went out just held back out of his face she almost frowned realizing she'd liked it down but knew she'd never admit it.

He almost chuckled hearing what she was thinking. She seemed to be especially vulnerable tonight and wasn't doing anything to keep her thoughts from broadcasting. Stepping back when she passed to get everything she needed to make hot chocolate, he reached up pulling the leather thong from his hair winking at her before putting it in his pocket, moving to take one of the tall stools.

"Hadn't anyone told you that isn't polite?" she asked realizing he'd taken his hair down because he was listening to her thoughts. "My grandfather told me it wasn't polite unless the other person knew and agreed," she admonished him quietly turning to the stove.

Leaning back on the stool watching her closely, feeling the mental barrier she'd put up, weak but her attempt at keeping her thoughts contained. He noticed she still wore his shirt, having rolled the sleeves up so her hands weren't lost, the tail of it hanging free the front tucked into the low rise jeans she'd put on. Her hair was down. He saw the riot of waves and colors for the first time reaching the base of her back swaying when she stirred the chocolate mixture.

"Gypsy did Victor ever tell you that you make it easy for someone to read what your thinking because when you're not consciously blocking you project you're thoughts. I don't have to try to listen I have to work harder to not listen," he said gently seeing her back stiffen and hearing the surge in her heart beat.

Nodding her head she poured hot chocolate into a large mug she'd got out of the cabinet before turning around, leaning back against the counter meeting his insanely dark eyes hesitantly.

"Actually my grandfather and you aren't the only people who've mentioned that to me," she smiled gently, "when I'd go visit him with my dad when I was little, from time to time he'd have guests at the house late in the evenings. Before bed I always went down and gave him a hug. Sometimes the people would frown at me, one of them told me I needed to stop being so loud if I wasn't going to learn to control myself," she laughed.

"I thought he meant running into the room so when I got done hugging my grandfather and started to leave the room I tiptoed out and everyone laughed," she shook her head, "My grandfather sat me down the next day, he told me why and also showed me how to keep things private as he called it."

"You are one of only two or three people other than when I was visiting him that's ever mentioned it or that I've recognized that can do the same thing," she said taking a drink of her chocolate.

"Why don't we go into the study, I'll start a fire so we can talk and you can stop shivering," he smiled standing up walking toward front of the house not even waiting to see if she'd follow.

In the study he turned the knob near the fireplace, pushing the button and laughed when the gas fireplace came to life, the igniter Vince installed working like a charm. "Not as homey as wood but does a very nice job taking the chill out of the room," he said never turning to look at her when she walked in the room.

She sat at the end of the large leather couch near the fire looking into the dancing flames. Feeling something on the couch beside her she smiled when she saw the thick textured throw he'd laid there in case she needed it.

"Thank you," she said quietly, "the only thing not inviting about leather furniture is the time it takes to warm it up once you sit down," she chuckled.

His smile flashed quickly as his eyes traveled over the seductive picture she created curled on his couch, her hair is wild disarray, her lips tempting and full. He saw her look at him quickly before dropping her eyes back to her chocolate, seeing the silent defiance he couldn't help himself.

The soft fabric of the shirt molded itself over the full curves of her breasts, the thrust of marble hard nipple making it obvious she hadn't put a bra on when she'd got dressed. Running his tongue over his lips he imagined circling each peak gently before biting down slightly forcing a groan from her rigid hold of her body and emotions.

She looked up quickly gasping when she felt her nipples tightening almost painfully as his mental images filled her mind. Tightening her hands around the mug she glared at him. "That isn't necessary the leather will warm up on it's own with out any help," she said quietly.

Laughing he took a large over stuffed chair across from her his eyes moving up over her face noticing how large her eyes seemed, the fire reflecting off the deep amber color making them sparkle in the dimly lit room.

Taking a deep breath she never took her eyes from the fire, "well you wanted to know why I'm here," she said with a sigh. "I could say that I needed a new adventure, one not so mainstream but would you buy that?" she chuckled glancing up to see him shaking his head with a smile.

"Didn't figure," she rolled her eyes pulling the soft throw over her legs, tucking her feet up beside her, she closed her eyes as her arm brushed her sensitive nipples fighting to keep hr mind on the task at hand, sharing all the reasons she was there. "A few years ago I accepted some help from an assistant in the literature department at school," she said taking a drink of the chocolate, "I was taking so many classes and working also. I didn't have the patience to do all the proofing and editing I needed done on a project and Roland offered to help me, saying it'd benefit both of us, him with experience and help take some of the strain off of me," she explained. "I wish someone had told me that he'd be nothing but a nightmare," she said sarcastically.

He watched her carefully seeing the slight frown on her face, "how could someone helping you turn into a nightmare?" he asked.

"Well at first he was a help. I turned my project in and got outstanding reviews, later I found out that he took credit with the professor and other people in the department for my work," she explaining meeting his eyes, "he didn't say he'd written it, but that the idea and concept was his work because I couldn't focus on any one thing, which partly was true if I could've focused totally on it I'd have done the damn work without his help," she leaned her head on her hand rubbing her temple.

"I guess you could say my letting him help me on that opened the door letting him into my life, only he took it as an invitation to step in and take over," she shook her head. "We'd started seeing one another or should I say he was seeing me and it was just easier to accept it then to change it," she laughed.

"It was nice to have someone around to talk to, have dinner with instead of sitting on my couch eating cold take out over a stack of books," she grinned. "a lot of it's my fault because when he started talking about 'us' having a life after I graduated I ignored it. I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life and none of those ideas included him, I just never said that out loud."

Caydn watched her closely feeling the stronger barriers she seemed to be enclosing her thoughts behind as she talked, the concentration it took to do that not showing on her at all.

"You can stop because I'm very good at locking down," she met his eyes, "I learned the hard way not to let anything happen to easily because it comes back to bite you in the ass," she laughed at the evil expression that flashed across his face at the mere suggestion of ass biting.

He nodded, "Sorry it's a habit I've never seen someone do the things you do so easily," he said honestly wondering why she was alone and not protected by her grandfather or someone he would've put in place he trusted.

"That's another discussion all together and one I don't want to get into now if you really want to hear this drama story of mine," she sighed.

"When I mentioned my idea of working on a double major that's when I had to stop ignoring what Roland was saying and open my eyes," she said with a frown. "My papers were reflecting all his ideas, not mine anymore, and I wasn't happy but knew again it'd been my allowing it to happen. I mentioned wanting to add the design degree one evening when we were at dinner, he told me point blank I wouldn't be doing that because it didn't fit into the plans 'he' had for 'our' lives. That's when I knew for certain he'd been controlling my life and I was just along for the ride."

"You didn't notice him manipulating everything?" Caydn asked quietly amazed as he always was when he saw people moving through life like robots lead around by others.

"I think I did at first but then it became second nature to just pour some oil on the water so to speak to keep everything calm," she explained, "I had years of practice watching my father do the same with my mother. She set the ground rules and made sure those who didn't want to follow those rules would have to pay the penalty."

"I met your father Elliot, a few times and on one occasion had the pleasure of meeting your mother," he said with a chuckle, "Not speaking out of line, but Evelyn's an interesting woman to say the least. I can see why you picked that behavior up from your dad."

She shook her head laughing, "Not out of line at all, everyone who met the two of them more than once knew quickly what she was like. The only thing I regret was my dad staying and putting up with it but I think deep down he wouldn't allow my mother to take me away from him if he'd divorced her so he stayed," she admitted sadly.

He felt the agitation radiating from her when she turned, looking at the fire for a few minutes not saying anything. He figured she was thinking about her parents until he caught flashes of thoughts and images escaping her control, raised voices and the chill and feeling of something evil that had held her attention before the hard slap to her face, the hand print that remained for an hour or more afterward.

Sitting forward in the chair he looked at her, "He hit you?" he said his voice a growl, "This bastard hit you and you didn't even see it coming?" he said standing up pacing in front of the dark bank of windows shaking his head as he fought the sudden urge to find this sniveling excuse for a man.