The Keeper 2

Bella felt herself wake up. She was coming out of a dream she couldn’t remember, her heavy eyelids trying to force their way open. She took a deep breath and felt something get in the way of her rising chest. She slowly opened her eyes to look at the obstruction. It was Katerina’s ribs. Bella gently raised her head to take in her position. Her head was resting on Katerina’s shoulder. Bella’s arm was gently laying across Katerina’s stomach, rising and falling with every breath she took. She felt her legs tangled in Katerina’s, whose arms were around her shoulders, holding Bella close to her. How the hell did we end up like this? Bella asked herself. She was about to pull out of Katerina’s arms, but she felt so comfortable and warm in them, she stopped and rested her head back on her shoulders, breathing in deeply. She loved the scent Katerina gave off. It was unique and better than any perfume.
Bella finally came to her senses and began to pull away from Katerina’s grasp. However, even though Katerina was still deeply asleep, her arms tightened around Bella, holding her in place. Bella, not wanting to wake her, didn’t try to move away, but went back to how she was when she woke up, much to her heart’s content. Bella felt herself falling asleep again to the smell of Katerina and the sound of her heartbeat.

The next time Bella woke up, she was alone. The bed was empty and she felt a little cold as she pulled the sheets tighter around her. She opened her eyes as she smelled something good and sat up. She saw Katerina in the kitchen, the sound of breakfast cooking filled the room.
Then, Bella remembered what she woke up to earlier and felt her heart twist in panic. She wondered if Katerina knew what happened, if she saw how they were sleeping. Bella felt her face heat up and turn red. She hoped that Katerina wouldn’t bring it up since Bella didn’t plan on it.
“Good morning,” came a cheerful voice from the kitchen. Bella’s head snapped up and saw Katerina smiling at her from across the room. Bella automatically smiled back, it was impossible not to when Katerina smiled.
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“Bella. Bella. Bella!” came a loud voice, shattering Bella’s thoughts. She looked up to see everyone giving her a strange stare.
“What?” Bella asked, slightly annoyed that they interrupted her thinking.
“We were asking you a question. Are you feeling all right?” Alyssa asked.
“I’m fine, sorry. I was just spacing,” Bella replied, her voice gentler.
“Oh, well, we were wondering if you knew what Katerina was doing tonight,” Kayla asked. Bella’s face turned hard as she felt a slight panic in her chest.
“No, why would I know that? I’m not her keeper,” Bella said, almost angrily.
“Whoa, chill. What is your deal? Is there something going on between you two?” Max asked.
“What do you mean something going on? There’s nothing going on,” Bella said quickly, her face instantly turning red.
“I mean are you guys fighting? Why are you so on edge?” he said. Bella took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
“Sorry, I’m just tired. I didn’t mean to act so strange,” she said.
“Whatever. I was only asking because I’m having a movie night at my house after school today and I was wondering if she wanted to come. Maybe you could give her a call,” Alyssa said.
“Oh, yeah. I will,” Bella said. “Wait, I don’t know her number.”
“Can’t you get it from work?” Harvey asked.
“Sure, I’ll do that,” Bella said. She called AmericInn, but there wasn’t a number to reach Katerina.
“That’s weird,” Max said when Bella told them.
“Yeah...weird,” Bella whispered. Katerina...where are you? Bella thought.
“Hey guys,” came a very familiar voice that made Bella’s heart jump a million miles an hour. She turned and saw Katerina behind her.
“Whoa, we were just talking about you,” Kayla said, all of them surprised to see her, none more so than Bella.
“I was across the street, trying to find a place for lunch when I saw you,” she replied.
“Join us,” Max said, pushing out a chair for her. She thanked them and sat down in between Max and Bella, whose heart still hadn’t slowed down.
“The reason we were talking about you was because we were wondering if you wanted to come to my house once we’re finished with school for a movie night. I have a huge selection of movies and a home theater system,” Alyssa said. “It’ll just be the four of us, five including you.”
“That sounds great. What time?” Katerina said, smiling happily.
“Three thirty. Do you need a ride?” Alyssa asked.
“Yeah, I don’t own a car and I don’t know where you live either,” she said.
“Bella? Would you mind? You know where her apartment is,” Alyssa asked.
“Sure, no problem,” Bella muttered, still not meeting Katerina’s eyes.
“Perfect, it’s settled then,” Kayla said. Then, their food arrived. Katerina ordered a simple bagel sandwich as Bella picked at her food, her appetite destroyed with the millions of butterflies flying around in her stomach.
“Bella, are you feeling okay?” Katerina asked after a few minutes. Bella finally looked into her beautiful, wise brown eyes.
“Yeah, I’m fine. I’m just not very hungry,” Bella replied, swallowing hard in her suddenly dry mouth. Her heart rate accelerated again when she looked at Katerina.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Bella said, trying to sound assuring.
“Okay, you just look a little out of it,” Katerina observed. “Is there something you want to talk about?” she asked. Bella was about to answer when she felt Katerina’s hand on her knee. It was a friendly enough gesture, but Bella took a very sharp intake of breath as her whole body came alive at her touch. She was instantly sexually aroused, stronger than any other time she could remember. Breathing became difficult as she tried to stop her mind from spinning and get her heart under control.
Bella suddenly stood quickly, almost knocking over her chair.
“I’m not feeling that great, actually. I’m going to go home for the day,” Bella announced.
“Okay. Feel better. Do you think you’ll make it tonight?” Alyssa asked.
“I think so. I’ll call you if I can’t,” Bella answered, then started down the street to the school to get permission to go home. On the way, she stepped into the mouth of an alley and leaned against the wall, taking several deep breaths.
What the hell is going on? she asked herself.
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Bella was sitting in Alyssa’s living room around four thirty, sitting as still as a statue, breathing evenly.
Concentrate on the movie. I’ve never seen it before. Who’s that actor again? His name starts with an M...the girl is...Kate something. Their characters are searching for some kind of treasure...I think. Bella was thinking this as Katerina was sitting next to her on the couch.
Neither of them said much to the other. They glanced at each other occasionally, but immediately looked away when they caught the other one’s eye. Bella was constantly blushing since she picked her up at her apartment.
Now, on the couch, there was Max, Kayla, Bella, and Katerina. They were all very squished together since Max wanted to sit on the couch, but no one would move. Bella was in the middle of Kayla and Katerina, her body pressed up against Katerina’s and she was having a lot of trouble focusing. Her heart was pounding erratically and her body was refusing to settle down. Her mind was spinning in her head, giving her a headache with the battle going on inside it.
A part of her was screaming at Bella to turn her head just a little and kiss Katerina. The mere thought of Katerina’s lips on hers made Bella almost lose complete control of herself. Another part of her body was telling her to get up and leave Alyssa’s before something happened that she would regret. The third part of her was trying to calm herself down, trying to make her deny that anything was happening. The longer Bella sat that close to Katerina, the more she realized that the first part was starting to win.
Then, she heard something amazing and she turned her head. Katerina was laughing at a part of the movie. Her whole face lit up, her beautiful eyes sparkled and her smile made Bella’s already spastic heart feel like it was going to burst with feelings.
Katerina must have felt Bella’s gaze because she turned to look at Bella. Neither of them looked away this time. They were inches from each other’s face. As Bella stared into her eyes, she saw something in them she couldn’t quite figure out. Bella looked into her eyes, but quickly glanced at Katerina’s lips, which were open only a few centimeters. Bella saw Katerina lean in slightly and Bella gave into to one part of her mind.
She suddenly stood, nearly banging her head against Katerina’s, and took off for the stairs. She ran up them and into the bathroom at the top of them, shutting the door tightly, leaning against it breathing heavily.
“Oh, my God,” Bella whispered. She walked over to the sink and splashed cold water on her face trying to get control over herself. She dried her face off and stared at the sink, trying to calm down her body.
Then, she heard the door open and her head snapped up.
“Katerina,” Bella whispered standing up straight. Katerina shut the door behind her.
“Look, Bella,” Katerina said, walking toward Bella, who didn’t move an inch, “I think there’s something we need to talk about.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” Bella said quietly. Katerina continued to walk toward her.
“Yes, there is,” Katerina said just as quietly. She stopped in front of Bella, only a foot away from her.
“I don’t know what you mean,” Bella said weakly. Her hands were shaking and she put them on the sink counter behind her.
“I know what you’re thinking and what you’re feeling. I think it’s the same thing that’s going on with me,” Katerina said, taking a very small step forward. Bella didn’t make any attempt to move, so Katerina took another step. Soon, she was almost touching Bella’s body with hers and Bella couldn’t breathe.
“Katerina...we can’t-I can’t-” Bella said, having no idea what she was trying to say.
“I know, Bella. I know more than you could possibly understand how we shouldn’t-” Katerina said, then stopped and took a deep breath. “If you tell me to stay away from you right now, I’ll go. I’ll leave you alone, but I can’t do it voluntarily, Bella. You have to tell me to go away.”
Bella searched her eyes and saw the pain she was feeling as she said those words. Bella didn’t reply right away as she forced herself to breathe. Katerina’s scent filled her and her knees nearly gave away, but she held herself up.
“You smell so good,” Bella muttered, but Katerina heard her. She smiled and her eyes lit up again, only this time, it was different and Bella still couldn’t figure out what she was seeing in them. Katerina raised her hand and lightly brushed her fingers along Bella’s cheek. Bella closed her eyes, taking in her touch, sighing with happiness.
“You...are beautiful,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s face, making her skin erupt with goose bumps. She opened her eyes again to see Katerina and then it hit her. She knew what she was seeing in her eyes. It was love.
Right when she figured it out, she slowly leaned forward and their lips touched in the lightest of kisses. Bella’s body roared with happiness, a kind of happiness she’s never felt and never knew existed. Katerina locked her arms around Bella and their lips pressed together in a fervor.
Bella put one hand on the back of Katerina’s neck, pulling her closer, and the other ran her fingers through Katerina’s hair. She pushed Bella against the sink and pressed her body against hers. Bella pulled back and gasped at the feeling of lightheaded and dizzy with arousal and happiness. Katerina didn’t stop though, she pulled Bella back for another mind blowing kiss. This time, parted her lips and ran her tongue along Bella’s upper lip. Bella immediately opened her lips and allowed Katerina’s tongue entry. Bella hesitated for a split second before she touched her tongue with Katerina’s, but when she did, bright lights exploded behind her closed eyelids and she moaned, unable to control herself. Katerina’s lips and skin were as smooth as silk and Bella knew she had never felt anything so incredible than Katerina’s body beneath her fingers. Their kiss was like nothing Bella has ever felt before. The feeling was as if the whole world was made for them and only them; that everything centered around their kiss. She felt as if the warmth of the sun was bursting in her chest, sending it’s rays to every particle and molecule of her body.
She was also very aware of Katerina. It was as if she could feel every atom, every reaction, every thought Katerina had. They were completely connected in a way that no one else could ever experience.
Katerina gently, yet passionately, caressed Bella’s tongue expertly, causing Bella’s body to shudder. Bella wanted nothing more than for that kiss to last forever, but she soon had to come up for air and pulled away, both of them breathing heavily. They didn’t move, but looked into each other’s eyes. Katerina’s were glassy with happiness and love.
“Wow,” Katerina breathed. Bella was unable to speak, everything she was feeling was too much to put into words. Bella swallowed and opened her mouth to say something, but then there was a loud pounding on the door, making both of them jump apart.
“Hey! Are you all right? What are you guys doing in there?” came Kayla’s voice.
“Yes,” Bella said, her voice hoarse as it cracked. She cleared her throat. “Yes. We’ll be down in a minute.”
They heard Kayla go down the stairs. Neither of said anything as Bella came back to her senses. She replayed what just happened and she couldn’t believe she just received the best kiss of her life from another girl. Bella’s legs started shaking and she sat down on the closed toilet.
“Oh, my God,” she said quietly, putting her head in her hands, trying to think straight.
“Bella...are you okay?” asked Katerina timidly. Bella looked up and saw fear on Katerina’s face. “Do you regret-” she didn’t finish and Bella knew what she was asking, but she didn’t have an answer. She wasn’t sure how she was feeling. Katerina let out a shaky breath when Bella didn’t reply. “I’m sorry. That was stupid of me. I’m sorry.”
Katerina then started toward the door and Bella saw the pain in her eyes. She realized with a painful twist of her heart that if she didn’t stop Katerina now, she might not get another chance with her.
“Wait,” Bella said, standing as she grabbed Katerina’s hand to stop her. “I don’t want you to go.”
Katerina didn’t face her.
“It was wrong of me to do that, Bella. I’m sorry,” she said.
“I’m not,” Bella whispered. Katerina slowly turned and stared at her, her eyes apprehensive.
“What?” she asked.
“I’m not sorry,” Bella said more confidently.
“What are you saying, Bella?” Katerina asked. Bella took a deep breath.
“I’m not really sure. Things lately have been so crazy and I don’t know what to think,” she said. Katerina looked guilty. “But there is one thing I am sure of.” Katerina looked deep into her eyes, waiting with her incredible, seemingly endless patience. “I have feelings for you, Katerina. They’re strong; stronger than anything I have ever felt before. I don’t know what to do with them, I’ve never felt anything like this. But I do know that I don’t want you to go away. I don’t want you to leave. More than anything, I want you to stay.”
Katerina started to smile, but then stopped.
“Are you sure, Bella? Is this what you really want?” she asked. Bella raised her hand and caressed her cheek, and she realized she was doing what she had been daydreaming about ever since she stayed overnight with Katerina. Bella smiled.
“I’ve never wanted anything more in my life,” she answered. Katerina allowed her smile this time, looking like the happiest person in the world. She pulled Bella into a loving hug and Bella hugged her back, letting her emotions wash over her. Nothing had ever felt so right or so perfect then when she was standing in her arms.
“Come on, we need to get back down before your friends suspect something,” Katerina whispered, her breath tickling Bella’s neck, making her shiver.
“No, not yet,” Bella said, grasping her tightly. She felt Katerina chuckle.
“Don’t worry, Bella. We have all the time in the world to be together,” she said. Bella reluctantly let go of her and stared into her eyes. Katerina leaned forward and gave Bella a tender kiss.