Free Seducing Peaches by Crystal Smith Page B

stripped her clothes off, dressed her in a t-shirt, passed out apparently not once but twice. 
         “I think you should stay right there.  You don’t need to be moving around.”  As convincing as spending the night with Tom was, she wouldn’t in his mother’s house. 
         “I don’t want to stay here.  I’d rather go home to my bed, my place, I’d be more comfortable there so I would get more rest there.”  He looked at her for a minute and she watched as his face softened almost as he totally and completely understood what she was saying. 
         “Ok.  Let’s go.”
         “I need something else to wear.  I can’t exactly walk out in front of everyone in your t-shirt.”  He gazed over her. 
         “Yeah, I don’t suppose I want you to.”  Letting out a sigh and walking to the dresser he pulled out some sweats.  “These are probably gonna swallow you whole but it’s the best I can do for ya.”  His voice was soft and apologetic. 
         “Do you mind giving me a moment alone?”  His smile said it all.  He didn’t want to but he would.  He turned and walked out.  After dressing, she grabbed her wet clothes and opened the door to her very own personal bodyguard.
         “I’m ready.”  They didn’t speak on the way back.  She didn’t know what to say.  When they turned the corner, emergency vehicles blocked the street. 
          Several fire trucks and fireman sprayed water. Lois held her breath unable to breath at the thought of it being her building.  They rushed through the crowd, finally seeing it was indeed her building.
         “Michelle!!!!!”  She screamed out.  Lois tried to get to the building but the police stopped her. 
         “You don’t understand my friend Michelle.”  The cop grabbed her wrist pulling her back and into his chest wrapping his arms around her waist holding her there.
         “It’s ok Ma’am, no one was inside.”  The officer spoke, trying to either soothe her fears or stop the screaming in his ear as he held her from running to close.  He let go of her when Tom took her shoulder, pulling her into him. 
          Her body trembled from the complete devastation of losing what she had worked so hard for.  Her feeling of safety and security burned with her home.
         “Lois!  Lois!  I was so scared.  Do you think he did it?  Do you?” 
         “Michelle, I’m ok, it’s ok.”    As soon as Michelle began speaking, Lois pulled from Tom grabbing a hold of Michelle, hugging her as if she would never let go.
         “It’s all gone.  All of it.  What happened?”  Michelle cried gripping Lois even tighter.
         “I don’t know.”  But inside she knew it was Alex.  She leaned down and whispered in Michelle’s ear, don’t say anything else please.  Let it go, do it for me.”  Lois was begging, pleading with her.
         “Ok.  What are we going to do now?”
         “I don’t know Michelle, we’ll figure it out.  Don’t we always?”  It was more of a statement of reassurance than a question.
         “Don’t worry about it.”  Tom quickly jumped in.  “I know this man who happens to be quite smitten with you and he just happens to be in the hotel business.  I know he will more than likely insist on you both staying in one.  He won’t take no for an answer.” 
          His hand on Lois’s shoulder, him so close to her, his words and the look in his eyes gave her comfort and also some confusion as to how he was able to comfort as she stood watching her blood, sweat, and tears dissipate in front of her.
         When the streets were quiet again and only the three of them stood there, they stared at the building that was now black, broken windows, small swells of smoke still visible, it was undoubtedly a complete loss.
         The ride to the hotel was quiet with not a word spoken.  Lois stared out the window,