Through Hardship Comes Strength
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Trieste on 08-02-2008, 04:08:59</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 04:08:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Glancing up at the clock for the nine hundredth time in the last hour, Alexandra Livingston wrinkles her nose, then goes back to her book. The house around her is softly lit and clearly feminine, decorated in beiges and soft tans, with the occasional splash of red. Al herself is seated on a plush armchair near one of the windows at the front of the house, listening for the car in her driveway. <em>It's a little difficult to plan a romantic dinner when your boyfrind takes longer in the shower than you do,</em> she thinks to herself good-naturedly. His grooming habits are one of his many traits that she's crazy about, even as they irk her. How can she complain when he always comes over smelling not of dust and archives, but of soap and his own clean skin? Even though - or maybe because - they each have their own place, their own living space where they can call the shots, she still can't get enough of him, hugging him, touching him, sleeping with and next to him. If she wasn't so attached to having her own retreat, she would probably have given into the urge to move in together with him a long time ago.<br><br>With a quiet sigh, she looks up at the clock again, then snaps the book closed and starts to pace. She wanders through to the kitchen, running her finger along the edge of the table. The tapers that she's set out are still unlit, so they don't burn down and drip all over the table until they're there to enjoy it. The food is keeping warm in the oven, the smell of fresh bread and the small roast she's made permeating the kitchen. The small table has been set already, plates and glasses laid out underneath the large paneled bay window that rings the dining nook, giving a view of the small lake behind Al's rented house. She likes cooking well enough, and she's made the specific effort of trying for perfection for this particular meal. It's not for any particular occasion, just a surprise, and she smiles again as she tries to picture the look on his face. She's left her dark auburn hair loose for the evening, letting it frame her face and accentuate her light brown eyes. She's wearing a blue lace halter top, its ties looping around the back of her neck and leaving most of her back bare. The hem of the shirt barely brushes the pair of (nice) jeans she's wearing, and the blue slip-on sandals she's wearing make a light tapping on the tile floor as she fusses around the kitchen. Tired of trying to picture his face, she paces back into the living room and peers out the front window, ready to go light the candles and start setting things out as soon as she hears his car.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 04:31:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She didnt have to wait much longer till a deep blue 2005 Hyndai Sonata pulled into the driveway. She could tell that it was his car just by the sound of the engine but it was confirmed as she saw him get out of it and stretch out. He normally wore a business suit of some kind but tonight he was dressed in tight blue jeans, a tucked in white tee shirt, and white sneakers. From her position she could see he had just cut his hair as well, keeping it short with a part down the middle and bangs hanging on the right but not left side. Before he came up the stairs to the apartment he made sure to grab the light brown leather jacket and slip it over his body and then picked up a small box that was about 3 by 10 inches in length. <br><br>He didnt waste anytime in heading up the stairs to her apartment and as he stood in front of the door he hid the box behind his back while he rapped his knuckles on the door, making the sound of knocking echo throughout the apartment. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 04:55:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Having heard his car coming, she goes back to the kitchen and starts setting things out, laying out what she's made. Pulling a lighter from her pocket, she carefully lights the candles, then tosses the lighter in a drawer. As she hears the knock, she looks over the kitchen again, making sure everything is just so, then goes tot he door. Opening it, she grins at him, her face lighting up as she sees him. "Kyle," she greets him happily, closing the door behind him and putting her arms around him. "Missed you," she adds, tilting her face up for a kiss.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 05:02:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Seeing her bright and welcoming face only made him smile himself and the look of her eyes made him slip a hand behind her at the small of her back as he leaned forward to place a soft and deep kiss on her lips. "I missed you too." he said before taking the box out from behind his back and handing it to her. "I missed you too and I know its a little cliche' but I got you your favorite flowers."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 05:15:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Taking the box, her grin widens and she leans against him, sliding her free hand under his jacket and running it up his back. "Thank you." She meets his eyes, admiring them. If she had to pick a favourite trait about him, they would probably be it, but she'd be hard-pressed to choose. Thankfully, nobody's asked her to. She leans up and kisses his cheek. "I have dinner waiting," she says, though she probably doesn't need to with the smells wafting through the house. "And no tests to grade... and nowhere to be tomorrow..." Her voice gets a little lower, and a little more intimate with each statement, as she smiles at him. Being a teacher, her weekends range from wide open to jam packed with meetings or grading. At least she isn't an English teacher, and therefore doesn't have to deal with reading essays. "How was work?" She takes his hand in hers and moves to lead him to the kitchen, lacing her fingers between his.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 05:23:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His fingers closed around her hand as she led him into the kitchen and he didnt make any attempt to pull away, in fact he wanted to get a lot closer to her. "it was interesting. I had a new client come in today and want a copy of Verdaldi's illustrations of exotic plants, published in the early seventeen hundreds. I expect to make a nice chunk of change when I find it." he replied as he followed her into the kitchen. <br><br>With everything spread out he smiled brighter and looked up to her "I dont think there are words in the english language to say how nice this looks Alex..." he said as he looked into her eyes with his own deep emerald green ones. "How was your day?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 06:38:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She raises an eyebrow at him. "Really?" She, of course, has never even heard of the book he's talking about, and has no idea how he has the patience to track down volume after volume of archaic books that seem to matter only to collectors and museums. "Mine was all right. We had an assembly today to discuss the school's weapons policy and violence in school... I wonder why they don't just make them monthly, with how often they've been having them, but I guess even they see the silliness of monthly weapons talks to a bunch of sixth graders." She rolls her eyes a little, then grins at him, releasing his hand while she opens the box he gave her. "Want me to hang up your jacket for you so you can enjoy dinner without looking like you're going to run out the door on me?" She laughs quietly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 07:25:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Oh, right!" he stated before pulling the light brown leather jacket off and handing it to her. He decided not to sit down for the moment, instead watching her as she went to put it away. "Well violence in schools is a bigger thing now. Kids can get away with their revenge a lot easier then when we were in school. To be honest Im sure some of the kids that do become victum's deserve it." he stated but from his background as "bookworm and nerd" back then he knew what they were going through. Sometimes it was just teasing but other times it went far beyond that to the most creul and inhuman treatment a person could ever experience.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 08:02:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She smiles at him over her shoulder as she goes to put the jacket away, catching him looking at her. "Hey, now." Listening to him as he talks about violence and shootings, she tilts her head at him a little, her expression curious, though not disapproving. "You know, it's not just the kids that get hurt in those," she notes, coming back to the table and draping her arms over his shoulders. Kissing his neck, she takes his plate from in front of him and serves it, then does the same for her own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 08:12:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked over the food and smiled at how good it looked and smelled. He sat down and waited for her as well before giving his reply to her statement. "I know, Im not saying its not a terrible thing and Im definatly not saying that innocent people dont get in the crossfire. Just that some of them probably deserve it..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-02-2008, 16:14:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Sitting down across from him, she picks up her fork and shrugs. "It's a frightening thing, especially for the kids." She reaches for her water glass and takes a sip. "So where do you think you're going to start finding that book?" She eyes him curiously, always interested in how he goes about the work he picks up. "Something that old won't just be sitting in a library somewhere, right?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 01:45:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shrugs at her question for a moment as the fork is twirled around in his fingers, it was a habit of his to twirl something whenever he thought about things. "Probably not in a public one, as old as it is Im betting theres only ten or so copies left in the world. I think I'll start with my contacts in the private district and see if anyone knows of one. If they do I can contact the owner and see if they're willing to sell it. It's a german published book so I might need to contact various museum's in Germany if I cant find a private owner."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 02:08:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes drift toward his fingers as they toy with his fork, and a slow half-smile spreads over her lips as she lets her thoughts wander toward how nimble they are while she idly listens to him talk about his book. She chews a bite of her dinner slowly, waiting until he's finished before she asks, "So ... does this mean your weekend is booked?" She tries not to sound disappointed at the idea; it seems too much like hassling him. While she loves seeing him, she's not a nag. She arches a foot under the table, rubbing it along the side of his calf affectionately as she takes another bite.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 02:39:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He ate a few bites before shaking his head side to side for a moment. "Nope, not till I get my advance and the banks dont open till monday. So Im totally free...or maybe I should say Im all yours?" he said with a cheeky grin while looking into her eyes. He desperatly wanted to spend some time with her, lately with the last case he worked it seemed like they rarely got any
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 05:24:21</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				If she said nothing, her wide smile would be an unmistakable indication of how pleased she is. Throughout the rest of dinner, all through the conversation, she can't seem to help touching him. She brushes the back of his hand with her fingers, rubs her foot against his leg, strokes his cheek as she passes for more to drink or to get him another helping. Finally, having been flirting with him all night, she deposits the dishes in the kitchen, then comes back and puts her arms around him, sliding into his lap and whispering in his ear. She whispers how much she loves him, and how much she wants him, and that ... he should <em>see</em> the bedroom. She smiles against his ear as she mentions it, another surprise she's set up for tonight. She's starting to very much like surprises.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 05:35:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned into her, pressing his lips against the vien in her neck and nipping gently at the base. He whispered something about not being able to wait but at the same time he almost didnt want her to leave his lap or to stop holding him. His lips moved up along her cheek and jaw then finally to her own lips, slipping her just a hint of his tongue as if he was teasing her before pulling back. A finger reached up to run down her neck and between her clevage as he stared dreamily into her eyes. "Shall we go see what the suprise is?" he whispered
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 06:00:20</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				She grins, running her fingertips up and down his back, tracing it through his shirt. "Unless you're determined to stay in the kitchen..." She brushes her lips against the side of his neck, nuzzling it a little as she laughs. "We could always try the couch again ..." She grins; she'd been so tipsy after a night out that she'd slid off of said couch, and spent about ten minutes solid laughing. Hard not to laugh at something like that. She tips her head back to look back into his yes, admiring them yet again as she slides her palms down his back, her fingertips teasing the hem of his shirt loose from his jeans, lightly tickling the warm skin underneath.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 06:04:04</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				He shook his head slightly at the questioning and gave her one more soft kiss. "No, your couch is to cold without you there to warm me up." he said with a cheeky grin before beginning to stand. His hands stayed on her hips till he was on his feet and he leaned forward kissing her forehead for a moment and smiling. "So should I get a blindfold for the grand unveiling?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 09:17:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's not what I meant," she mutters, sliding her feet to the floor. "You don't need a blindfold. Just ... here." She leans up, grinning and turning him around, covering his eyes with her hands, leaning up to kiss the back of his neck before guiding him forward. Steering him toward the bedroom, she brushes her cheek against his back, smiling. "Ready?" she asks, just before she moves her hands.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-02-2008, 09:20:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled playfully as she put her hands over his eyes and out of reflex he reached forward with his own hands while trying to make sure he didnt run into anything. He messed with her a bit, hinting that she would run him into something just to laugh but when they arrived at her suprise he reached up to take her own hands in his before he nodded slowly. "Yeah, Im ready Alex." he whispered with a loving smile still on his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 07:01:48</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She scoffs at him as he puts his arms out in front of him, laughing. Pressing up against his back, she murmurs in his ear, "Don't you trust me, Kyle?" She slides her fingers down his face, caressing his cheeks with her fingertips before she tucks her arms around his waist, kissing the back of his neck. As her hands move from his eyes and the bedroom comes into view, the effort she put into it becomes apparent. Candles cover every surface, lighting up the room well, but the lighting is soft and warm. Because of all the open flames, the room itself has gotten slightly warmer. Most of the candles are unscented but a couple of them are rose-scented, filling the room with the subtle scent of flowers. While Al waits for him to take in the scene, her lips skim over his neck and toward his ear, where she kisses his earlobe.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 07:28:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Wow..." he whispered, unable to find any other words to describe the scene. The gentle carress of her fingers and lips made him turn slightly and look behind him, smiling warmly. "This is really nice and it looks and smells like heaven." he said as a hand slide behind her back while his lips curled into a loving smile. He leaned down to press his lips gently against her own for just a moment and as they parted he stared into her eyes. "I wish I knew some words to say how nice this is or how much I appreciate you going to all the trouble..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 08:23:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You could show me..." She takes his hands, leaning up to kiss his neck again. "I love you," she murmurs, smiling. It is, of course, why she's done all of this. "I like to spoil you." She grins, leaning into him and sliding her fingers up the front of his shirt, enjoying the smooth skin under her palms.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>10-02-2008, 08:29:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned into the kiss pressing his lips lovingly and needingly against her own for several moments. "I love you too Alex." he whispered as his hands set on her hips and he began to walk backwards till he felt the bed behind him. There he let his hands fall to the hem of his shirt and slowly pulled it up and over his head showing that muscled chest that he spent every day maintaining at the gym. As he looked into her eyes he smiled warmly and dropped the cloth onto the floor as a single hand slide behind her and into the back of her pants where he could fondle her bottom. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-02-2008, 03:20:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alex makes a contented noise as he kisses her, her hands wandering under his shirt. He has this way of kissing her that makes her feel like she is his whole world; there's nobody else. She trails her fingers gently up the taut skin of his stomach, her fingernails brushing over the subtle ridging that speaks of the muscles underneath. She grins into his lips as she moves her hands slightly to the side, seeking out a couple spots that are ticklish, if she catches him unawares and just right. It's fun to make him jump, even if it's just a little. As he pulls his shirt off, though, she forgets about tickling him, instead flattening her hands against his sides and smoothing her palms around to his back, pulling him close and taking a deep breath, inhaling the scent of his warm skin. Her eyes are tilted upward, not leaving his eyes the entire time her hands are moving; her lips don't move from his, either, except in order to let him shed his shirt.<br><br>She lets out a breathy chuckle as she feels his hands slide down the back of her jeans, wondering if he'll notice she wore the set of lingerie he seems to like so much or if he's already past the point of picking up on such a thing, nudging him back so he's sitting on the bed. Easing herself into his lap, she deepens her kiss a little, running the tip of her tongue along his lips, teasing the corner of his mouth playfully. Her hands slide further down, and she brings them back around his sides, fingers hunting along the front of his waistband until she finds the button on his pants. She admires the way he looks by the candlelight, focused entirely on him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-02-2008, 08:54:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He sat back on the bed easily, pulling her onto his lap more then letting her sit there and its not till his hand slides down the back of her pants that he realizes the silky sensation of her lengerie. Smiling up at her he broke their kiss softly as both his hands move up under her shirt, this time touching the lowest reaches of her breasts and it caused him to grin widely as their lips parted. "Those look so good on you, I almost want to rip off the rest of your clothes so I can look at you in them...and yet I want to keep them on you so I can keep thinking about how good you'll look..." he whispered. <br><br>He decided on a mix of the two, letting his hands reach down to her waistline and pulling along her pants till he found the button and zipper on the front which he undid with two fingers as he leaned back in to kiss her. She felt each side at the front get pulled to the sides before the hands moved up and found the back of the halter top as his tongue slide inside her mouth, just brushing against her own.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>13-02-2008, 23:53:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nuzzling at his ear as he breaks the kiss, she grins as he tries to decide what to do with her clothes. "Just as long as you don't stop touching me, I don't mind either way," she whispers back, slowly sliding the zipper on his pants open. Her hands drift away once she has them unfastened, letting him wonder when she'll get around to finishing the job. She leans into him, pressing up against his hands, and though she doesn't rush him at all by action, there's a small edge to the way she kisses him, just the slightest hint of urgency.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>14-02-2008, 02:21:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do you want me?" he whispered in a needing voice as if asking her to say that short phrase. His hand slowly worked on the halter top and finally he pulled it off and took a long pleasing look over her. "Pure perfection..." he whispered while leaning in and kissing the side of her neck as a hand slide behind her back and pulled her closer till their skin touched chest to chest.&nbsp; 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>15-02-2008, 09:13:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes." She answers breathlessly, without hesitation, her hands wandering whereever they can reach, pausing only long enough to help him off with her halter. She finally slides her hands under the waistband of his pants, her fingers nimbly making their way past his clothing and down his hips, caressing the skin there. "I want you, Kyle," she murmurs, sliding her hands around him, one toward the front and one toward the back. Her left hand strokes his back at the base of his spine, teasing the sensitive skin along the small of his back, while her right hand teases in the front, stroking his abdomen, the front of his hips, but not going any further than that. She smiles, mischievously, as she looks him in the eyes once more.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>15-02-2008, 11:10:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned up to press his lips tightly against her own for a moment before leaning back and pulling her down on top of him as he fell onto the bed. As they layed there his hands moved further down to the rim of her pants and slowly slide them down her mile long legs till she could kick them off and as they made their way back up he took his time feeling every soft and smooth inch of her body as he kissed her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>18-02-2008, 03:00:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Worming her way out of her pants, she settles on his hips, straddling him and running her tongue over his lips. She reaches behind her and unhooks the strapless bra she was wearing under the halter, tossing it aside, then pressing close to him again, enjoying the feel of his firm chest against her soft one, the candlelight playing off of the curves and hollows of her flesh as she leans over him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>19-02-2008, 07:05:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He rolled her over onto her back and leaned up to take the rim of his pants and slowly work them down as he looked into her eyes. A hint of frustration sounded as he found himself unable to shed the last few garments quick enough. The pants came off with no trouble but slowly and all that was left was the normal white cotton socks and a pair of deep blue silk boxer shorts. He leaned back down pressing his lips against her again and taking her hands to put them on his hips, needing to feel her undress that last bit of him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>20-02-2008, 06:49:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She grins up at him as his socks and boxers give him trouble, reaching down and helping him out of them, squirming around underneath him to reach his socks, giggling. She kisses him again, hungrily, arching under him and mming, then kisses along his cheek toward his ear, nibbling on his earlobe. She guides his hands to her panties, wanting them off as well, wanting to feel his skin against nothing but hers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>21-02-2008, 06:32:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled while looking into her eyes as his right hand slide under her bottom, grasping the hem of the thin fabric and pulling them down her bottom and up her legs in one smooth motion. He leaned up while sliding them off her legs and then tossing them to the side as he looked over her again. "You are so beautiful." he whispered before leaning down again to kiss her once. "You want the top or bottom?" he asked in a needy tone before kissing her again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>22-02-2008, 18:47:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Top," she declares, grinning as she rolls over on top of him, her hair hanging down around her face as she grins down at him. She leans down to kiss him again, her hips squirming against his anxiously, heat already radiating from between her thighs. She pulls his hands to her chest, leaning in to put impatient little kisses and nips all up and down his neck and shoulder.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>23-02-2008, 21:38:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned up and pressed his lips tightly against her own as she straddled him and heat between her thighs only made his body respond with greater need and anticipation. He wanted every perfect inch of her and as he looked up into her eyes he smiled while his arm slide behind her back, inching her just a bit closer. "Go ahead." he whispered as his hips pressed up against her, letting his hardened flesh slowly rub against her moist entrance.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>26-02-2008, 03:31:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Smiling, she guides herself down on him, letting out a pleased gasp. Savouring the moment, she goes almost tortuously slow, kissing him again and again. Once her hips are pressed tight to his, she leans to murmur in his ear, "Love you so much, Kyle." She rocks her hips against his, slowly, sliding her hands up and over his shoulders, caressing him, leaning back so she can look back into his eyes.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>27-02-2008, 09:52:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A soft moan escaped his lips as she pressed down on him and slide the hardened flesh into her. As she leaned down he pressed his lips gently against her cheek and leaned up, whispering in a needing and loving voice into her ear. "I love you too Alex" he said softly as his hands set on her hips, gripping just slightly as she moved on top of him. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>28-02-2008, 02:09:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Straightening a little, she grins, gripping the headboard above him and using it for leverage as she moves over him, watching the expressions flicker across his face. Sliding her hips back so that he's almost all the way out of her, then sliding back down slowly, she draws out these first moments, clearly enjoying them. After a minute or so, she begins to move her hips somewhat faster, cher breathing speeding up along with her motions.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>29-02-2008, 00:19:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He she moved her hips he leaned up and his hand slide behind her, the fingers tangling in her hair as he leaned up and kissed her with all the passion and need he could muster. His tongue slipped inside her mouth and touched hers with all that emotion surging through his body. Every bit of him saying how much he loved her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>01-03-2008, 03:34:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With him so close, his hands in her hair and his lips on hers and the scent of him surrounding her and filling her lungs, she all but purrs, letting out a noise of pure happiness mingled with desire. She lets her tongue slide against his, her hands sliding off of the headboard so she can wrap her arms around him and hold him tight to her. The feel and taste of him are perfect, pure, and she moans as she feels the pleasure of it all welling and rising inside her, more than just physical. She keeps her eyes open and locked on his, their expression filled with adoration, lust, all the things he might expect to see from her by now. God, she will never get tired of this, and can't ever picture growing so accustomed to his touch that it becomes ... ordinary. Even after all the time they've been dating, she still loves it. Every time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>02-03-2008, 08:25:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked up into her eyes and felt everything in her look and her movments. She was so special, perhaps one might have said exquisite in her perfection. Even with them rubbing skin against skin he found himself wanting to get closer to her, and it was probably impossible to make that feeling go away even if he were inside her skin. She felt him move his hips just slightly and he tried to relax more so they could both enjoy themselves in the hieghts of the pleasure filled love making. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>03-03-2008, 03:55:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Leaning down, she rests her head on his shoulder, feeling the wonderful feeling well up more inside her. She kisses his ear lightly, murmuring his name. She guides his hands to her hips, encouraging him to hold her, her strong thighs gripping his hips. She whispers to him, "So close..." as she feels her body responding to him, wanting him to know what he does to her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>04-03-2008, 01:18:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned up whispering into her ear "Me too...I love you so much..." he whispered in that needing voice. She felt his arms wrap around her back, pulling her as close as he possibly could while their lips met again. He was just like her, so close that he could let go at any moment and wanting them to be able to go on forever. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>04-03-2008, 02:39:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a sigh against his neck, she arches on top of him, unable to hold back any longer. She melts against him, kissing his neck almost frantically, her body squeezing him tightly in waves as she moans. She slides her arms around him and holds him close to her as she shivers atop him, panting his name in his ear.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>06-03-2008, 07:46:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was only a few more moments till he let go as well, feeling a rush of intense pleasure as he layed back on the bed. His arms wrapped around her back and he pulled her close as his lips gently pressed against the side of her neck. He panted softly as he heard his name whispered and without a thought a single hand reached down to grab the edge of the sheets and blanket to pull it over the top of them. "Thank you, I really needed that." he whispered into her ear while cuddling close.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>07-03-2008, 03:49:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Nuzzling into his neck a bit, she stays still for a few minutes, catching her breath and enjoying the closeness of him. She smiles as he pulls the sheets up, rolling off of him after a few moments and snuggling up against his side. "I enjoyed it, too," she protests good-naturedly, reaching to stroke his hair, smiling at him, admiring the way he looks in the candlelight. "Mmm... you said you're mine for the weekend, right?" She kisses his shoulder, then lays her head on his chest, as she waits for his answer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 11:43:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Something like that." he answered as he cuddled closer to her. He was always like that, cuddling was something he enjoyed almost as much as the sex itself. As the candle lit room shined over their bodies he looked into her eyes, smiling warmly as he watched her. The brilliant flames reflected the love in his eyes as he looked over her, admiring every beautiful inch of his lover. "Im thinking in the morning I should go grab another set of clothes and spending the whole weekend here, with you. What do you think?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-03-2008, 23:13:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I think that sounds fabulous," she answers, smiling at him. "If you stick around, I'll make cinnamon rolls for you Sunday morning..." She grins, knowing he loves her rolls. Then again, he seems to like most of her cooking. Al is a good cook. She trails her fingers down his chest, lazily. She could fall asleep just like this, and she just might depending on how long his day's been. Not that she minds ...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>11-03-2008, 05:35:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned up pressing his lips tightly against hers and spending a long few minutes kissing her before he opened his eyes and let their lips part. "Staying with the most beautiful woman Ive ever seen, eating her cooking, spending the days and nights sleeping with and next to her...I cant think of a better way to spend the weekend." he whispered with a huge grin on his face.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>11-03-2008, 21:09:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Al enjoys the kiss, her lips pressing eagerly against his, though she keeps her mouth closed, simply savouring the feel of skin on skin. It's only after a minute or two that she lets her lips part, letting his tongue tease between her lips, darting the tip of her own tongue to meet his. "I'd be worried about you if you could." She slides her hand down his stomach, caressing his thigh under the covers, her body warm against his as she enjoys the smell, the taste, the feel of him so close. "The only thing I need to worry about is a meeting on Monday morning, before my first classes... so that gives us two days to ourselves." She grins at him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 01:21:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Under the covers his hands slowly rubbed against her thighs, as he felt her being so much closer and much more lovely. "Sounds like you've already made some plans." he said with a big grin, wondering what ideas, if any, she had already come up with. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 08:09:35</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I might..." She skims her fingertips along his skin, caressing him, memorizing the planes and curves of his skin all over again. "I've had a while to think about it." She eases downward, slipping under the covers, lips trasing his chest, down his stomach, toward his hips. She nibbles for a moment on his thigh, peering up at him from under the plankets with a grin. "Are you complaining?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 08:35:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shook his head side to side for a moment to indicate a no with her question and smiled while he watched her. Every little nip and nuzzle turned him on and made him want to be around her even more. If they had been dating longer he likely would have asked her to marry him, she was perfect in his eyes and everything she wanted in the woman he would want for the rest of his life and it showed everytime he looked into her eyes. "I just thought you might like to share those thoughts." he whispered.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 08:47:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She nibbles his thighs a moment longer, then eases to the side, pulling the head of him between her lips, sucking gently. She pauses long enough to murmur, "I'll share something, yes..." then leans in to tease the tip of her tongue along the underside, slowly stoking the fire.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-03-2008, 09:30:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She felt his flesh harden almost instantly at the first lick and he smiled while looking down into her eyes. "Mmmmm, god you know I love it when you do that..." he whispered before laying his head back and letting his fingers tighten around the edge of the blanket. "Are you telling me you want more? or just want it even kinkier?" he asked, playing with an image of her bound and at his mercy. Their sexlife wasnt like that all the time but on occasion he suggested things like playing a submissive himself or asking her to.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 07:01:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughing, she grins at him. "Are you in that mood again?" She closes her lips around the firm head and sucks gently, still teasing, intending to draw him out until he can't stand to wait ... She traces her fingertips upa nd down his thighs, stroking and caressing him, enjoying the look on his face as her tongue plays against his skin.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>14-03-2008, 08:16:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As she sucked gently along the hardened flesh he let his head fall back just slightly as his hips got into the slow sucking motions as well, giving just slight thrusts. "Its just a thought that crossed my mind..." he whispered while looking down into her eyes, showing pure and absolute adoration in his soul as he watched her. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 01:35:28</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Watching his head tip backwards, her grin widens, and she wraps her lips tighter around him, stretching out between his thighs and working her tongue against him rhythmically. She doesn't answer, just focuses her attention on how hard he is, and how warm, and how much she enjoys the reactions that this gets from him. That and the taste of his skin with the faint hint of their mingled flavour is heady. She presses her palms on his thighs, spreading them a little wider as she slides her lips down to the base, letting him slide against her throat and press up against her tongue.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 11:02:03</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She could see his hands grip the sheets tightly as a deep and wanting moan that echoed her name throughout the room came. She was so good at this that he could not imagine going without the feeling of her lips wrapped around him for any long period of time. Everything about her was addicting. Her smell, her looks, her laugh, her body. For him she was absolutly perfect and he enjoyed every moment he spent with her, especially these moments where they could be intimate, close, and a little naughty.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>16-03-2008, 13:47:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing how he moans her name, she arches her back a little in delight. It's one of her favourite sounds, one of the noises she lives to hear. She keeps her mouth on him for several moments longer, then slides up his body, kissing his throat as she murmurs, "I want you inside me again." She tugs his shoulder and moves to roll onto her back, indicatnig they should switch from last time.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-03-2008, 06:10:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As her lips parted and moved from his skin he found himself a little bit disappointed that the intense feelings of pleasure were gone but her words pushed him deeper into the mood. As she rolled over he let a hand wrap around her back as he kissed her furiously, forcing his tongue into her mouth as if he was truely claiming her. After a moment he broke the kiss as he stared into her eyes and she felt the tip of his hardened flesh rubbing slowly against her entrance. One hand wrapped around her leg, pulling it up to spread her entrance even wider as he stared at her. "Tell me how bad you want me Alex." he whispered into her ear
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>19-03-2008, 20:01:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His hard kiss on her soft lips makes her shiver a little, and she wraps her arms around him tightly, wanting him closer, even closer to her. As he stares into her eyes, the lust in them is more than clear, and she feels a hot lance of intense lust stab through her. "I want you so much, Kyle," she murmurs, wanting to wrap her legs around him and pull him deep inside her, but his hand on her thigh holding it apart prevents that. She writhes her hips up against him, trying to show him. "Only you, until neither of us can breathe."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>22-03-2008, 07:31:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His lips curled slightly as he stared into her eyes, feeling the desire and lust well up inside him at the words he longed to hear from her. One hand moved between her legs and touched her mound, stroking the glistening entrance as he looked into her eyes. He made her wait though, wanting her lusty desires to build just a bit more before he took her over and over again till the sun came up. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>25-03-2008, 07:10:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her eyes are riveted on him, meeting his burning gaze. She arches against his fingers and moans quietly as his fingers brush the slick skin between her legs. "Kyle," she murmurs, quietly. "Please?" She leans up, brushing his neck with her lips, running her fingertips down his back.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>26-03-2008, 02:15:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned down, brushing his lips against the base of her neck and kissing his way up along the vein in her neck, then her jaw, and stopping to gently bite her earlobe before he looked into her eyes and gave her a mischevious smile. "Please what?" he asked as his fingers continued running along the moist lips. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>27-03-2008, 02:19:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Kyle!" She all but yelps his name, arching into his fingers, tipping her head back to let him at her throat better. "Please make love to me." She digs her fingers into his back, not quite digging her nails in. "Again," she breathes. "And again, until neither of us can move." She grins, hooking a leg around his legs, trying to pull him closer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>29-03-2008, 08:25:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled when he heard that deep need in her voice and kissed up along her jaw and to her lips as his hands moved to her hips. She felt his warm hands grab her hips and he pulled her closer, rubbing the tip of his hardened flesh up against her entrance several times before positioning himself so he could slide deep inside of her. He leaned down and pressed his lips gently against hers for a moment, still smiling before he whispered "I love you"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>30-03-2008, 05:36:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She moans deeply as he finally slides into her, legs tightening around him. "Ah! God..." She shivers at his gentle kiss, then leans up to harden the kiss, deepen it, her tongue tracing over his lips looking for entry. She slides her hands down his arms, stroking them, feeling the muscular skin beneath her fingers, her hips pressing rhythmically against his. "I love you so much."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>30-03-2008, 08:12:05</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing the deep moan and feeling her press against him made him move slowly, wanting her to feel every inch of him inside her as the made love. His mouth opened slowly to allow her tongue inside and his own tongues tip pressed gently against hers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>01-04-2008, 00:29:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Love and affection well up inside her as she feels him moving aganist her, the emotions suffusing her body and filling her core. Her connection with him, it's so much more than physical, and she loves it more than she could ever put into words. Her lips brush his, her hips meet his, and the pleausre of it all just builds and builds again, until it feels like she can't possibly stand it. <br><br>With him deep inside her, she tightens around him, tightens her hold on him, gasping in his ear as he pushes her once more over the edge, sending her body into spasms of bliss. "Oh god, Kyle," she pants in his ear, hands sliding down to grip the flesh of his ass, as if to pull him deeper inside her and never let go. Her body cradles and welcomes him, as she exults in his touch. "Oh, god," she repeats after a moment, trying to get her breath back, still clinging to him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>03-04-2008, 10:01:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Hearing those beautiful, lust filled moans made him thrust a little harder and faster as he looked into her eyes. She could see a deep longing love for her in his eyes he poured all the intense passion he had into her. "Oh god, this is pure bliss!" he whispered into her ear, his voice was lusty and loving. He let her pull him inside of her, giving her everything she wanted till he couldnt give her anything more and as he felt the powerful climax he smiled while looking into her eyes showing adoration and love in the depths of his soul.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>06-04-2008, 22:06:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Smiling up at him, Alexandra lets her legs slowly loosen around him, gradually snuggling up against him and kissing his neck lovingly. She runs her fingers over his smooth skin, enjoying the play of muscle under her hands. One hand slides up so she can run her fingertips through his hair, letting the soft strands run across her knuckles like water, the other hand moving downward to caress the small of his back, her nails stroking up and down the indent of his spine.<br><br>Nuzzling against his neck, she sighs contentedly, closing her eyes and breathing the scent of him, enjoying the masculine smell of paper and ink and sweat that's entirely his. Relaxing under him, she drifts, somewhere along the edge of sleep, not feeling the need for words, simply letting her contentment and her love for him radiate like the candlelight suffusing the room.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>07-04-2008, 05:58:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned down, breathing deeply as he rolled them off to one side. His arms wrapping around her to hold her as close as he could possibly get her. "I love you Alex..." he whispered into her ear as he took another deep breath, tasting the scent of her lust and love in the air. He felt himself wanting to drift off into a dream as he cuddled closer and pulled the blanket up and over them.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>08-04-2008, 08:02:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She's already up before he is the next morning, the smell of cinnamon and oranges seeping from the kitchen and filling the rest of the house. She herself is seated at the table clad in only a bathrobe, a cup of coffee already in front of her, hair damp from the shower. She has a book in front of her, its pages spread wide on the table as she reads quietly, sipping her coffee and waiting for him to wake up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-04-2008, 08:07:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When he finally stired from the deep slumber&nbsp; he had the pillow tucked into his arms as if it were her. Squeezing it so tightly that the stuffing might have popped out a few moments later. When he realized that she wasnt the one in his arms and wasnt in the bed he sat up, stretching out like a lazy cat and then making his way into the bathroom for his morning routine.<br><br>It was probably half an hour to fourty five minutes later till he came out, smelling perfectly clean and looking like a million bucks. He made his way into the kitchen while wearning nothing but his boxers and the spare bathrobe he had left over once, his hair just slightly damp. "Hey beautiful." he whispered into her ear as he walked around the table, stopping behind her to put a hand on her shoulder and kiss the top of her head lovingly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>22-04-2008, 00:16:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Looking up from her book, she grins at him, tipping her head back and putting one hand over his, on her shoulder. "G'morning. Did you sleep well?" She leans into his hand, still smiling up at him, inhaling the clean scent of post-shower Kyle.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>22-04-2008, 01:14:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded for a moment before leaning down to give her a quick peck against her lips. As he drew away he took in that intoxicating scent of hers and slowly walked around to table to sit down. "I always sleep really well when you're by me. How about you?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>24-04-2008, 21:53:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I slept great." She slides out of her chair and turns to put her arms around him for a minute, then eases away. "It's such a pretty day out, I thought we could try going down the bike trail in the park for a while." She smiles at him. "I know you're used to being cooped up in dusty archives all day, but I don't think I could stand to stay inside on a day like this."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>25-04-2008, 04:54:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				His arms slowly wrapped around her and he leaned forward to peck her lips quickly. "That sounds like fun." he stated as his arms pulled her closer. "How about we go out for a romantic dinner later tonight and then come back here to cuddle up so we can talk and watch a movie?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 03:06:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Her smile at him slowly curves into a grin, and she nods. "That would be wonderful." She leans into him. "Do you have someplace in mind?" She looks him over fondly, reaching to stroke his cheek as she waits for an answer from him.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 03:39:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He leaned forward slowly, kissing her cheek for a moment and taking in her scent. "Maybe that chinese place down the street, Fei Shang's?" he whispered into her ear as arms moved behind her to hug and hold her close. "and if not a movie, we could go to the theatre to see a play or the opera. I dont care what we do as long as I get to spend some time with you, Ive missed you."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 03:42:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She grins at him. "I've missed you, too." She slips away from him. "Let me get dressed and we can talk about it while we ride, huh?" She squeezes his hand a moment, then starts to drift toward her bedroom without waiting for an answer.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 03:52:21</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, grab my change of clothes too. Ill change in here." he said as he watched her walk out. He found himself wanting to hold her so much closer as she walked into her bedroom. Still he stood there stretching for a moment before going to get his own clothes and change for the occasion.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 04:13:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Tossing his clothing to him out of the drawer she cleared out in her dresser for him, she smiles as she watches him stretch. The man is sexy as hell, and she enjoys every glimpse she gets. Mm... Finding herself daydreaming, she quickly turns around to fish out a pair of slacks and a tank top, as well as some socks. She can't wait to get out in the sun and the breeze.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>28-04-2008, 04:20:50</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled as he noticed that she had tossed him the tight jeans he rarely wore but had left over here a long time ago. Still he pulled them on without effort till they mapped every contour and inch of his legs, hips, and butt. The white button up shirt went over his well muscles frame just as well and was tucked into the jeans easily giving his whole body a muscular look that was like a second skin. Socks and shoes went on easily, further augmenting that fit businessman look that he carried on so well. <br><br>She could tell that he wanted to get out for awhile with her and spend as much time as he could with her, probably due to the long process of finding his next clients book when the weekend was over.<br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>13-05-2008, 02:40:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She watches him pull the jeans on with a grin as she changes, enjoying the way the jeans cling to every plane and line of his figure. Once she has her own clothes on, she pulls her hair back, smiling at him as she heads toward the living room. "I'll get lunch if you load up the bikes." She leans to give him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading toward the kitchen.<br><br>As she moves around the kitchen, she contemplates how lucky she is, and how sweet Kyle is. Packing sandwiches and fruit into a backpack, she grins to herself, then tosses a few bottles of water in as well. Once lunch is all set, she heads out to the car to see how the bikes are coming along, and to head out toward the trail.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-05-2008, 08:07:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Alright, dont keep me waiting to long." he told her before heading down to the garage. He got out both of their mountain bikes and loaded each one into the back of her SUV easily as well as loading up some survival supplies in case they got stuck somewhere for awhile. When she came down she would see him sitting to the side of the garage door, just people watching for the time being.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>14-05-2008, 07:32:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do you want to drive or should I?" Grinning at him as she steps into the garage, she opens the back and sets the lunch bag in there, raising an eyebrow as she comes around to stand next to him. She slides an arm around his waist, leaning her head on his shoulder and stroking his side lightly. "Whatcha watchin'?" She asks the question quietly, careful not to let anyone wandering past overhear her. She lives on a fairly busy street, and on a nice day like this it's no wonder there's plenty to see.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-05-2008, 08:08:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He jumped slightly, not realizing she was there till she put an arm around his back. "Uh, sorry I guess I didnt realize you were there." he looked back out, watching the people again, especially the ones that were moving around on the street. "Everything I guess. Just people watching." He leaned over to whisper into her ear "You werent around so there was nothing better to look at for the moment."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>11-06-2008, 07:21:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Smiling at him, she tightens her arm around his waist in a hug, raising her eyebrows as he jumps. "You nervous about something?" she teases, stroking his side lightly. She raises her head from his shoulder and looks toward the street where he was gazing just moments ago. "See anything interesting?" A light flush creeps up her cheeks at the compliment; even after a while of dating, they still please her.<br><br>While she has him distracted with the passersby in front of thm, she sneaks her hand into his pocket, fishing for the keys stealthily.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-06-2008, 01:02:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No nothing like that." he answered as he set his hand over hers. He couldnt help but smile handsomely as she tried to take his keys but he didnt stop her at all. "I would call you interesting but I dont think that counts in this case." He waited a few more minutes till reaching into his other pocket and hanging the keys in front of her face. "Want them? or should I put them back in there and let you fish for them more?" he teased.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>15-06-2008, 03:34:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughing, she takes the keys from his hand, then wraps her arms around him and kisses his chin lightly. "Come on," she answers. "Let's get going, before the day is gone and we have to just unload the bikes and go back inside." She grins, then pulls her arms free and heads for the car, opening the driver's side and hopping in.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>16-06-2008, 07:00:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yeah, we better get going before we loose all the daylight" He smiled and followed her into the car, taking a seat and leaning back into the chair. "So where were you planning on going this time?" he asked curiously while putting on his seat belt.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>16-06-2008, 20:36:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a grin, she starts the car. "I'm taking you to the lake, the one with the bike trail next to it?" She glances over at him. "If it was a little warmer, I'd say we could go back there at night... when nobody's looking... and maybe go for a swim." She gives him an impish smile, then twists around in her seat, resting her arm against the back of his chair as she backs out of the driveway. "Unless you have a better idea?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-06-2008, 04:40:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled and looked over at her for a moment before shrugging just slightly. "No, that sounds great. We can get some more excersise in and spend the day together. When summer comes around we'll definatly have to have that swim though." he said with a grin on his face. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>17-06-2008, 06:53:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"We'll have to see," she teases, still smiling. Turning the SUV toward the street, she glances over at him as she puts it in gear, then leans over for a brief kiss. "I would hate to be a blot on your sterling reputation." She grins, straightening again and driving on ahead.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-06-2008, 07:45:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked over and smiled warmly, thinking about that for a minute. "You're anything but a stain. You're the best thing to happen to me in a very, very, very long time." He leaned over and pressed his lips to her cheek for jsut a moment and then looked back to the road.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>17-06-2008, 07:56:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Grinning, she focuses on the road for a while. Tree-lined avenues and bustling sidewalks whiz by the windows, and she rolls down the window on her side, letting the breeze playover her neck, shoulders and face, enjoying the smell of the fresh air. It's not long before the houses start to get sparser, but larger, and the properties become finely manicured and sprawling.<br><br>She turns the vehicle down an unmarked gravel road, slowing down and bumping along the uneven lane. "You make me very happy," she finally says, almost in answer to his comment. It's too soon to be thinking much beyond the now, beyond the closeness they share. Maybe later, she'll think of more, but for now she just enjoys the moment. "Very, very happy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>18-06-2008, 08:20:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked over but didnt say anything at first, he could only look at her and think about all the fun they had and how well they got along. After several minutes he looked back at the road and rested his head against the window. "I dont think there are words in the english language to say how happy I am when Im around you." 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>19-06-2008, 02:57:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Glancing sidelong at him, she grins, then looks back at the road, navigating it carefully. When they finally get to the small parking area by the lake and the start of the bike path, she leans over to give him a quick kiss, then murmurs, "C'mon, you." With a smile, she pops open her door and goes to retrieve the lunches from the back, pocketing the keys.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>19-06-2008, 07:54:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He took off the seatbelt and then slipped out of the car, looking up toward the trail as he saw a few bikers speed by. For some reason his knee's bent slightly as if he was about to pounce on something but as he heard the door close he looked back and wondered what he had just been doing. He looked back up the trail for just a moment and then turned and walked toward the back, opening the door to take each mountain bike out and set them to the side.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>21-06-2008, 09:54:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Slinging a backpack over her shoulders, Alex smiles at him, holding the first bike while he gets the second one out. Once everything is unloaded, she double-checks to make sure it's locked, then swings a leg up and over the bike. Turning her head, she watches a squirrel on the side of the path while she waits for Kyle, eyeing it as it climbs up one side of a tree and then down the other. <br><br>"You ready?" Turning back to him, she smiles, once again admiring the way his jeans fit him. There's a reason she pulled those particular ones out.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>23-06-2008, 04:01:33</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He took his pack and put it over his shoulders before getting on his bike and taking a long look over the scenery. "Yeah, Im ready." he said as he looked back at her and smiled warmly. "How far do you want to go? 10 miles? 20?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>27-06-2008, 01:07:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I don't know," she answers, tilting her head. "10, maybe. A nice, easy ride." She grins at him, then turns and guides her bike toward the trail. "Maybe go 5, then stop and have lunch and see how we feel."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>28-06-2008, 18:50:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded as he sat up on the bike seat and set one foot on a pedal. "That sounds nice." he said before he started pedalling slowly. When it came to bicycles he always wanted to ride them, not walk them. He was looking forward to a bit of a workout today too, this whole morning he had felt like he wanted to burn some energy off and this was the perfect way to do that.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 08:32:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Riding after him, she takes a deep breath, admiring the scenery to either side of the trail as she gets on it. Despite the nice day, she notes that there don't appear to be a whole lot of others on the trail, and most of those who are are behind them. Very nice. With a wide grin, she takes a deep breath, breathing in the fragrant, fresh air.<br><br>Then she leans hard on her pedals, gathering speed and zipping past Kyle in a whoosh, glancing at him over her shoulder with a wide, playful smile before turning back to the trail and picking up the pace even more.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 09:06:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was a little suprised that she zipped past him at such a pace but as she gave him that wide and playful smile he leaned forward and pumped the peddles hard, moving fast enough to start catching up to her. As he zoomed down the trail he realized that this was what he really needed, some way to work his body and work out a lot of the energy that was stored up inside him. <br><br>"Im gonna get you!" he said as he got within a yard of her and pumped even harder, inching up on her at a slow pace every few seconds. He was determined to catch up to her at least, he didnt care about winning but he wouldnt settle for loosing either.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>07-07-2008, 09:26:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughing with joy, she pushes harder for a moment, then reflects that it probably isn't wise to wear herself out so early in the ride. Easing off of the pedals a bit, she waits for him to come up alongside her, then glances at him with another grin. "Okay, you got me," she teases. "Now what?"<br><br>The breeze blowing through her hair, the sun on her face, the smell of the small forest that surrounds the trail... all of it is divine, and she takes a moment to enjoy it. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-07-2008, 22:33:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked over and smiled at her, showing he was having a lot of fun. "Lets find a spot for that picnic!" he said as he pushed harder on the peddles, shooting past her and down the road but not fast enough that she couldnt catch up with a little work.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>09-07-2008, 07:38:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Fine by me..." Alex leans on her pedals again, keeping up with him as they race down the path. "There's a learing up about a mile..." She grins as the click of the gears, the sound of rushing air, the rustling of leaves all fill her ears, savouring the taste, feel, smell of the outdoors. She loves it ... and it shows.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 00:01:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He grinned and leaned forward, peddling hard "Last one there owes the other a massage!" he called out, zooming past her and down the road. He loved racing around with her and throwing out little bets here and there but even more so he just loved being in this kind of setting with her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 00:53:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Hey!" She laughs, calling after him, "Not fair!"<br><br>Leaning hard on her own pedals, standing up on the bike, she leans over the handlebars a little bit as she zooms after him, intent on catching up. Having to go all sorts of crazy places around the world, she knows he stays in better shape than her, but she's not exactly a slouch,a nd isn't about to let him have it without a fight.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 01:30:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He took the corners like a pro, leaning into them and hitting the brakes to make sharper turns that helped him follow the trail. This was just like mountain biking through Nigeria last year, only less trail to follow since he wasnt miles behind a herd of elephants. He looked forward and saw the landing that she had mentioned and slowed just a bit so she could catch up just enough to think it was a close call when he pulled into the landing first.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 01:42:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Alex groans as she swings in just behind him, braking her bike and climbing off of it, panting a little. "Cheater," she mutters with a smile. "You got yourself a head start." She thwacks him on the back playfully, then slings her backpack from her shoulders, pulling out a blanket to sit on.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 02:33:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He chuckled and kneeled down to smooth out the blanket and put a small rock at each corner which was a normal habit for him. He never wanted the wind to pick it up and blow it away, then forcing him to chase after it. "Say what you want but I still get a massage tonight." he said before setting the basket down and sitting down on the blanket as well. He moved closer and let his hand slide around her waist before he kissed her cheek and whispered into her ear. "Dont forget the hot oil alright?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>10-07-2008, 22:04:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"... right." With a grin, she rolls her eyes, and continues pulling food and bottles of water from her pack. Letting him smooth down the blanket, she starts to arrange things, then looks up at him. "Are you at <em>all</em> tired from that?" His stamina is definitely better than hers, but he doesn't even appear to be the slightest bit winded from the race, as far as she can tell...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>11-07-2008, 00:55:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked up and gave her a smile that spread from ear to ear. "A little bit but not really that much. Im not sure what it is but I've got a lot of energy today." he said as he pulled out some of the food and arranged things on napkin's, plates, and the basket. "Did I tire you out already??" he asked in a teasing tone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 00:21:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"<em>Very</em> funny." She sticks her tongue out at him for a moment, then grumbles good-naturedly, "Didn't know I was dating Superman." She smiles at him over the sandwiches as she lays them out, then picks up an apple and takes a bite from it, crunching slowly. After she swallows, she adds, "I should get you into my classroom to chase some of my kids around... especially on Fridays ..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 00:31:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He couldnt help but chuckle at that as he picked up an orange and pulled out a pocket knife to help him peel away the skin. "When I get done finding that book maybe I can take a few days off to help. I dont know what Im going to say when they ask me if Im your husband though..." he said in a teasing tone again. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 04:32:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She snorts softly. "Well, probably no, since you aren't." She grins, then takes another bite of her apple. "Unless you secretly married me when I wasn't looking." She crunches her apple for a second, then swallows. "In which case, I'll be pretty upset, because then I'd have missed the proposal."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 04:46:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He chuckled agian and took a slice of the orange, poping it in his mouth and chewing slowly as he thought about it. "No. When I make that proposal itll be an event that goes down in history like the day world peace came about or the day we cured cancer...or at least I'ld like it to be something like that. Regardless what others think it'll be that kind of day for me."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 04:51:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She arches an eyebrow at him. "'When', you say?" She laughs at him, shaking her head. "You procrastinate too much." She winks at him, cracking open her bottle of water and taking a deep drink from it. "Still, I think some of the kids would like to hear about some of the places you've been... most of them couldn't care less about books, but the adventures in <em>getting</em> them..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 05:32:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Ive found the right girl but the timing just isnt quite right yet." he said before poping another slice of the orange into his mouth, chewing on it slowly as she mentioned his adventures in getting the books. "Usually I dont have to go anywhere but nice airports, mansions, and stuff like that so I dont have to many stories to tell. Sometimes I get those requests for nearly impossible to find books like the Uraclithique. First I had to figure out what language it was in, then after I found out it was an off shoot of one small village in Nigeria I had to go there and interview their head priestess. Although that was an easy one, instead of a few thousand dollars I got a copy for my Ipod."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 05:38:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Al rolls her eyes. "So... you basically stole it?" She squints at him playfully, then laughs. "That's <em>awful</em>! Did you trade some beads for a bunch of land, too?" She grins at him, then takes another sip of her water, reclining on the blanket and propping herself up with her elbows. She tips her head back, watching a few clouds drift past through the trees before commenting, "The sky is so blue today..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 05:45:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He crawled over to her on his hands and knee's and gave her a peck on the lips, shrugging. "Well I did like that Ipod but yeah pretty much." he said with a chuckle before laying down by her and looking up to the sky. "Mmmm its nice out here. Pretty too, especially with you around."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 06:20:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She grins at him, pulling him toward her for another kiss. "Poor you, having to lose all of that music." She rolls her eyes a little, but doesn't tease him more. Rolling onto her side, she snuggles closer to him and leans to kiss his neck, her lips brushing along the skin lightly. "How long do you want to rest here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 06:36:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled and shrugged, looking over at her and looking into her eyes before leaning over to press his lips against hers for just a moment. "I dont know. How about we keep having lunch and then cloud watch for awhile...did you want to go back and make me dinner tonight? or should I cook tonight?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 06:38:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Either way..." She shrugs a little, settling down on the blanket and pulling him down next to her. She sets her head on his chest by his shoulder, content to simply lay there on her back, one hand up over her head and stroking his arm. "That sounds like a wonderful plan. Did you want to go much further down the path, or maybe head back after lunch?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 06:48:45</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He shrugged again, still smiling as handsomly as ever. "I think we can head back and maybe go get tickets for a movie or how about we get dressed up and go to the theatre before dinner? Then afterwards we can go back and I can make Yokon dai...assuming you have some chicken in your freezer."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>12-07-2008, 20:53:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Do you even have anything dressy at my place?" She can't recall if he left a suit at her house the last time they got themselves dolled up and went out. "We can always swing by yours if you need one, though." She grins and leans to kiss his nose. "That sounds like a lot of fun. I have..." She pauses as she thinks. "I think there's a package of four breasts in the freezer still."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>13-07-2008, 03:18:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He tilted his head to the side, trying to remember and then looked up at her. "What about when&nbsp; I went over to Germany a few months ago? I thought that I wore one over and changed into my traveling clothes to catch the plane the next day...if its not there we can stop by my place though. No big deal. Do you know of any good plays or opera showing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>14-07-2008, 03:21:55</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"There's a show I've been wanting to check out," she comments lazily. "I'll look it up later." She tilts her head as she thinks, tossing her apple core into the woods. "I can't remember if you left it there before Germany or not... we'll have to check when we get back." She grins.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>14-07-2008, 03:34:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He smiled and gave her a short peck on the lips as his hands settled down on her hips. He liked having her so close and just being near her like this. It made him feel content and peacful whenever he could hold her close. "I suppose we'll have to check. I hope its not in storage or anything, I looked good in that suit." he said with a soft chuckle. After a moment he reached forward and brushed away a few hairs from her face as he looked into her eyes. "So should we head back down? We'll have a little more time but Im sure we could figure out a way to pass it by."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>16-07-2008, 21:41:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Yes, you do." She grins at him, then sits up, starting to pack stuff away. "Let's head in and take our time getting ready. I don't want to be rushed and end up looking like a bag lady." She gives him a grin and a wink, packing the blanket into her backpack and slinging it up over her shoulders.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-07-2008, 08:00:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He grinned as he looked over into her eyes and began to help her pack things up. "I dont think you could ever look like a bag lady. You're far to cute for that role." he said. When they had most of it packed up he picked up the bikes and brought them over for easier and quicker loading. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>19-07-2008, 00:41:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Laughing, she climbs back onto her bike and scoots off toward the car. "Yeah, whatever, you just make sure you tell me if I look silly." She whizzes along the path, knowing he'll catch up, and rides off toward the car. Bringing her bike off the path, she fishes in her pockets for the keys. "What are you in the mood for tonight if the show I want isn't playing?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>19-07-2008, 02:18:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He raced down the path just as easily only this time just kept a pace with her instead of speeding past her. When they got back he positioned the bike at the rear for easy loading and looked back at her, smiling. "Hard choice since I dont know whats playing. How about instead of the play you want to see, we cuddle up in bed and watch a movie? Maybe a horror or romance flick."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>19-07-2008, 02:20:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You keep changing the plan," she laughs, reaching out to poke him. "pick something and stick to it. I kind of like the idea of getting all dressed up tonight, but I like seeing you in your suit. You always look so sharp..." She smiles at him, turning to open the back hatch so he can load the bikes, then reaching out. "I'll throw the bags in the back if you give me yours."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>19-07-2008, 03:22:29</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Im just throwing different ideas out there." he commented before handing her his backpack. Without missing a beat he put the first bike in and secured it. "Know of any good romantic plays happening?" he said before putting the second one in. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 07:16:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"You know, the theatre is running Phantom," she comments, tucking the bags into the back seat as she talks. "I know we've seen it a couple times, but I'd like to again." She grins at him. "You know I'm a sucker for the organ." Jingling the keys in her hand, she leans against the side of the SUV, sipping from a water bottle. "What do you think?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>22-07-2008, 10:15:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded as he took care of the last few things with the back and closed the doors. "That sounds like fun. I always liked that show...and I know you love it." he said with a smile before walking by. He stopped in front of her to lean over and kiss her lips with a quick peck. "So Phantom of the opera again. Do you want to stop for dinner after the show? or still want me to cook when we get back?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>28-07-2008, 00:19:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She catches him as he leans to peck her on the lips, wrapping her arms around his waist and taking a second to give him a slightly more thorough kiss before answering. "I love it when you cook, but if you want, we can just see how you feel after the show... I wouldn't mind hitting Piscarino's." Slowly letting him go, she meets his eyes and smiles, then turns to get into the car.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>30-07-2008, 12:43:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He slipped into the car and fastened his seat belt before leaning back in the seat, thinking about what he could make. He was in the mood for Yakotori don tonight, a japanese dish that was like breaded chicken which was marinaded in wine, and it was easy to make. The addition of fried rice and steamed vegtables seemed like a good addition as well. "Yeah, lets wait till after the show to worry about dinner."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>07-08-2008, 20:19:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Driving them back to her place, Al just grins at Kyle, then keeps her eyes on the road, not feeling the need to chat. She's pleasantly worn out from the bike ride, though she wonders if she's losing it. Usually she can keep up with him a little better...<br><br>When they pull in, she climbs out. "I'm going to go grab a shower, and I'll check the times and tickets while you're getting yours..." She smiles at him. Sometimes she'll shower with him, but she's not in the mood this afternoon. It has to be a mood thing.<br><br>"That way, we should both have time to get ready..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>08-08-2008, 15:15:40</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded as he opened the back and began to take the bikes out. "Alright, as soon as I get these put away Ill spy what you have in your freezer and think about dinner...while you're getting dressed, can you check and see if I left something nice to wear over here?"<br><br>He thought about joining her in the shower but knew that if she didnt either offer to go in together or climb into his it wasnt the right time. He could respect that, afterall he had his owns ideas on the when and wheres of doing everything together. 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>13-08-2008, 01:39:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The next time he sees her, she's wearing a bathrobe, her hair hanging in damp strands down her back. She leans against the bathroom door and eyes him appreciatively as he gets out of the shower, smiling. "We have about two hours," she comments, still idly toweling at her hair. "Should be plenty of time. I already grabbed the tickets..." She grins. "There were some middle seats left, so we're not stuck to a side again." The last time they'd had last-minute plans like this, they had only gotten seats in the back, in the far left... it was annoying.<br><br>"And I found a suit... it's a really nice one. I don't remember what you wore it to, but it means I'll have to get dolled up as much to match..." She grins. "Maybe the Versace you liked ..." Alex doesn't have a whole lot of dresses... instead, she chooses to invest in a few very, very nice dresses, so that when she <em>does</em> get dressed up, she tends to sparkle. Not to mention that it's just wiser on her salary to invest in timeless, good pieces that will last a while. Knowing he had had a hard time keeping his hands off of her last time she wore it, the Versace sheath has become a favourite of hers.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>17-08-2008, 16:32:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He looked into her eyes with a mixed look as he recalled the dress she was talking about. He remembered how she looked and how badly he needed to get her home after seeing her in it. Even the part where they didnt make it all the way home for the first passion filled time. "I cant wait to see you in it again." he said as his expression changed.<br><br>"Ild better get that shower. Lay my suit out please." he asked before slipping past her and into the bathroom. He came out almost 45 minutes later, smelling like fresh soap and shampoo and wearing just a red towel around his abdomen. There had been a few times that he thought about bringing a robe over here but he liked the way Alex looked at him when he wore just a towel so he forgot the idea several times.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>20-08-2008, 10:32:09</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				With a wide grin, Alex admires Kyle as he turns to get into the shower, enjoying the view from behind. A bit lascivious, perhaps, but with all the biking he does, the man has a delectable butt. She can't particularly help it. With a smile, she waits until he's got the water on and the bathroom half-steamed before she slips out and heads into the bedroom. That suit is somewhere...<br><br>By the time he's out of the shower, she has her hair blow-dried and arranged into soft waves around her face. She's applied a touch of makeup to her eyes and lips, accentuating her features. Still in her bathrobe, she smiles at him as he finds his way into the bedroom, her dress laid out behind her on the bed, next to his suit. "Umm." She makes an appreciative noise as she catches sight of him dressed in little more than a towel. "I almost wish we had more time." <br><br>She grins at him, then turns to slip into her dress. "Did you find what you needed in the freezer?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>21-08-2008, 06:02:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He gave her a smile and looked over at the bed, eyeing her dress for a moment before he looked back at her. "We could make time, order out instead of cooking dinner for example..." As he walked toward her he took a look in the mirror and turned his head side to side, looking at himself. "Did you find my suite?" he asked before turning around and looking at his backside
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>25-08-2008, 04:02:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She nods and points to the bed, where it's laid out. "I did." She glances toward him as she picks up the body stocking she'll wear under the dress, sliding out of her bathrobe and slipping into it. As she turns, she glimpses him checking himself out in the mirror and laughs at him. Pulling the straps over her shoulders, she murmurs, "Kyle... checking out your butt is my job." She grins to soften the admonition, then steps into her dress, enjoying the way it hugs up against her curves.<br><br>The formfitting bodice transitions into piled satin around her hips, and then smooths out into the skirt, with nothing but the neckline holding the dress up, instead of straps. She pulls it snug against her front, then turns around, looking over her shoulder at him. "Zip me up?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>28-08-2008, 08:34:19</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After taking a look over him he took the pants of the suit and stepped into them, going commando for tonight. He had just secured them as she asked him to zip her up and her took a few steps over to her, letting one hand slide around her belly as the other took hold of the zipper. He smiled as he leaned down and kissed the base of her neck once before starting to pull the zipper up. "Its going to be really hard to keep my hands to myself with you in this dress again."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Trieste</strong> on <strong>06-09-2008, 09:25:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"That's kind of why I picked it," she teases him, with a smile. Making certain her hair is out of the way for the zipper, she waits patiently for him to finish, then turns to get her shoes. "Do <em>you</em> need me to do anything? I'm almost ready if you are..." She gives him a grin, having gone from his casual girlfriend to a refined and elegant date, almost effortlessly.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Through Hardship Comes Strength</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Brandon</strong> on <strong>09-09-2008, 10:57:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As he finished with the zipper he let his hands slide over her shoulders, down the outer sides of her arms, and then around her belly. Once there his hands touched her gently and pulled her back into him as he looked at her in the mirror. He already felt the beginning of a throbbingly powerful&nbsp; erection coming on and knew that by intermission he was going to be a bit uncomfortable just sitting there. "I need you to be patient with me tonight...its going to be hard having you look so sexy and having to restrain myself all night..."
			</dd>
		</dl>
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