James Landis story chapter 40

James Landis story chapter 40



I think we could both use a nap, he suggested and she nodded with a smile. Once she was dry he lifted her in his arms once more and carried her to his bed. He used her feet to push the comforter down as she giggled at his efforts then he laid her down on the mattress. He moved to the other side and climbed in under the covers as well. He pulled her close and she sighed as she felt his body touching hers. James wanted to ask Angie where Rose and Zoe had gone but before he could she was asleep and he wasn't far behind.

James woke suddenly feeling a soft hand caressing his cheek. He was gasping for breath and his body felt like it was shaking apart. Something about that flared a horrifying image in his mind and he cried out again.

Shhh, James! It's ok. It was just a bad dream! Shhhh, a soft voice whispered to him.

He panted for breath and let his muscles slowly relax. His surroundings came back to him, his bed his bedroom. And Angie lying next to him with compassion and love glowing in her eyes.

It's over, James. The nightmare is over.

James's tormented mind drew him back to the moment he'd crippled Luis. The feel of the bone fragments grinding in his strong grip. The sickening sound and sensation, of tearing and popping, ligaments and of ripping, muscle tissue. The sudden give of bones snapping under his boot. It all suddenly rushed back to him and he shuddered and shook as cold flashes rushed down his spine. Everything clouded by the booze and suppressed in his mind from that moment had been faithfully recorded in his memory. He recalled the depth and magnitude of the rage he'd felt when he'd punished Luis. It felt alien and it frightened him deeply.
She knew he was reliving the attack in the bar. She knew what he needed. There was no other choice James. You protected Zoe. Luis would have killed you both. I'm so proud of you. We all are. We love you

He clung to Angie, pressing his face to her soft bosom as he shivered, tears running down his cheeks. She held him, running her fingers through his hair and felt him slowly relaxing until he slipped back into an exhausted sleep at last.

Matinee Movie Day on Christmas Eve was a tradition for James and Grace. He'd been a little nervous about Grace being able to do it this year with her hectic course schedule but she assured him that school was out and her assignments were caught up so she was free for the day.

They'd picked a brainless, over the top action brain candy movie as that had also become a tradition in recent years. James paid for the tickets and walked Grace to the concession stand to load up on salty, sugary treats. It still bothered him how much he was charged for the junk food but the smile on Grace's face made up for it.

They cuddled together after lifting the armrest between their seats and prepared for their game of hit-or-miss when the previews began.

I told you Monster Trucks in Outer Space was going to be a flop! Grace said smugly.

The lack of an audience with a sophisticated enough palate for such a fine movie is not the movie's fault. He said to her with his nose in the air.

Grace busted out into a bark of laughter causing her to be shushed from multiple spots in the theatre. James grinned at her look of outrage.

The movie hasn't even begun! Winkers’! She yelled.

James scrunched himself down a little though he was too big to really hide himself. Wait a minute. He looked over at Grace.

Since when do you say 'Winkers'?

Grace smiled at his look of surprise. It's become a new favorite. A bunch of us in class have adopted it. That and a few other phrases, she turned her face back to the screen. One of our group is a recent immigrant from Jolly Ole' England Lawrence Phipps. He's a really funny guy and he has an awesome accent! Very smart and very charming, she teased, watching him from the corner of her eye. Her smile dropped when she saw his look of despair.

James I was just teasing you I have no romantic feelings for him, she said placing her hand on his arm.

I'm sorry Grace. I've just been very confused lately. My emotions are all over the place and I don't understand how I'm supposed to behave or deal with these insecurities. In some ways it was simpler when I was living with you and Shirley and I was secretly in love with you. My simple brain could deal with that situation. Being in love with one woman, even when it wasn't returned, I could deal with that.

"James you know it was returned!" she interrupted.

He nodded. "Yes, but at the time I didn't know. My point is that... the math was simpler then, one man one woman." A troubled look passed over his face. Now I find myself in love with six women and I have no clue how to behave. He gazed into Grace's eyes. I just had a terrible surge of jealousy when you were talking about the fancy British man and at the same time my mind is screaming at me that I have no right to expect you to be faithful to me. But the idea of you being with another man James's eyes flared and he closed them tightly. Grace felt a shudder pass through his body.

"James! Shhh, I'm not with him. I don't want to be with him! I want you! I'm in love with you!" Grace pressed her forehead against the side of his head and whispered to him, feeling him slowly begin to relax.

How can I be so jealous? Where do I get off expecting any of you to not find a better mate? Someone smart and funny, who can have smart and funny conversations and challenge your mind, James’s emotions were going off the rails again.

Grace could see he wasn't going to enjoy the movie so she stood and picked up her drink and popcorn. "Get your stuff and follow me."

James scrambled to follow as Grace left the theatre. He found her standing by a table in the snack bar seating area. She pointed to a seat and once he was in it she asked him for the tickets to the movie. She got them exchanged for the next showing then sat down next to him.

Grace took his hands in hers. A woman doesn't mind when her man gets a little jealous but she also expects her man to trust her not to do anything to jeopardize their relationship. Being friends with another man and some innocent flirting is not a sign that a woman is looking for a new boyfriend. That's just normal behavior and it makes people feel good. Going beyond flirting means something entirely different and that trouble usually begins with a communication problem. I can't speak for the others but I'm not interested in other men. I'm in love with you and you're all I need. I know you'll be honest with me and you haven't hidden the fact that you are in love with the others. Loving them doesn't mean you love me less, does it? James shook his head with wide eyes and she smiled. I didn't think so. She stroked his cheek with her hand and he smiled. When did you start worrying about this?
When I was in New York with Angie and she told me I couldn't be in love with her because I was in love with you. That got me to wondering if the others felt that way, even a little bit, and thinking about how greedy I must seem. I felt really bad but I can't help what my heart feels. I'd never lie to you or hide something from you or the others but I made Angie so unhappy by telling her. I didn't know what to do. I felt so much better when I talked with you and Rose when I got back but I was still really sorry I'd hurt Angie. Grace smiled at him and kissed his hands.

When I took Zoe to the prison I was worried how I'd react around her, especially after what happened with Angie. You know how confused Zoe makes me. When that bad man started to make her scared and sad I- I got really possessive of her. Like I just, did when you mentioned that guy at your school. Only with Zoe I was drunk and he was going to kill us. James shuddered as he flashed through the memory. Grace squeezed his hands to comfort him and it did.

This jealousy and possessiveness I never knew I could feel like that. I don't like how they make me feel. I don't like the kind of person they make me feel like I'm becoming when they get in my head.

Everyone feels those emotions from time to time. Understanding them and being on guard against them is natural. I feel that way about you too but I know you love me and I've been able to set aside the jealousy when you are with our friends. Only because I know how strong our love is. Grace said gently.

James scooped her up onto his lap and squeezed her tight. He kissed her tenderly and she moaned softly in his arms. When he pulled back from the kiss he rested his forehead against hers.

Please tell me you'll never leave me! I need you so much! he whispered to her.

Oh James! You have me for life! she gasped.

He hugged her and they sat like that for a while just enjoying the intimacy of their bond. He felt so safe in Grace's arms. She could explain anything to him without him feeling like an idiot.

Grace loved his big arms wrapped around her. It felt like the strongest armor imaginable. Recalling what he did to that creep Luis just made her feel safer.

Finally Grace slipped to her feet, picked up her snacks and pulled James over to the games area. They had some time to kill until the next showing.

After a largely forgettable movie they decided to finish their day with dinner at the restaurant they went for their first date. Not surprisingly it was very busy so they wandered through the mall, trying not to get trampled by the last minute desperate buyers.

"Grace, I have a terrible confession to make," James said with a sigh.

She looked over at him with a smirk as she knew he couldn't keep any deep, dark secrets. "What is it?"

My Christmas shopping sucked this year! I didn't get a chance to get any serious shopping done. Work was so busy and when I did get to shop in New York every place Angie took me was so expensive I couldn't afford anything! I got little things but I'm ashamed with how little I managed to get.

Grace laughed at his pout and he looked at her in surprise. Oh James, I wouldn't worry too much about the presents, she said giving him a sweet smile





By nutbuster