Bella's Choice by Lynelle Clark Page A

Thank you, Aldrich.” Shyly, she stood up and stepped back, holding her dress against her body. She turned around and walked to her room, closing the door behind her. Leaning her head against the door, she just stood there in order to still her heart and mind, yet relaxed in the knowledge that she was with him, and that he hadn’t abandoned her as she thought he would. Not even after he heard her story. She smiled, all giddy with his assurance and commitment toward her.
    Aldrich sat back once Anabella’s bedroom door closed, his breath still uneven. What just happened had been too close for comfort, and as a result his body still ached. He couldn’t remember the last time he had wanted a woman so much; there was nothing for it but a cold shower. He smiled into the darkness, thinking about how fiery she was, and that he couldn’t wait to have her, to finally unleash the passion within her and take her places he knew they both would love. He heard her move around inside her room, and when he noticed the light go off from underneath the door, he got up and made his way to his own bedroom.
    Both lay in bed with thoughts rushing through their minds. Anabella very much ashamed with her behavior, and Aldrich angry toward the people he’d never met. Never had he thought that people such as they were, could ever be aloud to have children. Did they not have a clue as to how much damage they were doing? He couldn’t help but wonder about something this important. Frustrated, he punched his pillow, turned on his side and willed himself to sleep.
    Eventually, Anabella fell asleep, only to fall into a deep pit where hands pulled her into its black depths, deeper and deeper with a laugh so wretched, it scared her. She felt trapped, fought desperately against the pull, grabbing at thin air. She screamed when lips covered her body. She tried desperately to push them away, but then hands grabbed her once again, wanting to hold her down, making her thrash around. She was shaken with fear.
    “Anabella? Anabella, it’s me.”
    She heard a voice through the eerie laughter and screams, but couldn’t place it.
    “It’s me, wake up, Bella, wake up.”
    A strong, determined voice called to her from the depths in which she found herself. Finally opening her eyes, although terrified at first, she focused and looked up into Aldrich’s face; the face she loved dearly.
    “Shhh, now. It was only a dream. It’s okay, you’re okay. Don’t be scared, Bella, I’m here. I’ll protect you,” Aldrich whispered. He got onto the bed and continued to speak softly, not wanting to scare her even further. He drew her closer so that she now rested in the crook of his arm, her body soft and warm against his, the tank top she’d worn to bed all wrinkled and rolled up around her midriff as she pressed against him. Her skin covered in a sheen of perspiration.
    To him, all that mattered was calming her down, even though seeing her in his arms in this manner set his heart galloping. “Go to sleep, little one. I’ll stay with you.”
    She relaxed against him and fell asleep soon after.
    When he was sure she was truly asleep, he whispered, “I love you...” in her hair before he placed a kiss on the top of her head. He fell asleep with her still in his arms.
     

     
    The sun streamed into the room, painting it a bright amber, its rays touching the bed Aldrich and Anabella lay on. Simultaneously, they woke and felt each other’s presence at once, but stayed in the same position, too afraid to disturb the closeness they shared. His arm was draped over her body as he held her close, and shyly Anabella followed the muscles stringing up it with the tips of her fingers. In response, Aldrich’s long fingers traced the length of her arm, making her snuggle deeper into his neck.
    She smiled. “Hi, boyfriend of mine.”
    He chuckled, the bed vibrating as a result.
    Anabella grinned, and kissed his fingers softly. The closeness they had shared was the most