Queen of Spades (House of Car...

Alice had managed to burn the second batch of cookies, but the original batch was cool enough to eat when Malcolm had finally let her go stop the cookies from bursting into flames. He had chased her, and he had caught her. Alice was wearing a hand print to one butt cheek as proof, though that only occured after she had flicked him in the forehead then running away. He hadn't done it to hurt her, actually it was only stinging slightly compared to what she normally received, but this slight pain was making her blush, not cringe.

As frustrated as Alice was by their playful flirting, she was also greatful that Malcolm was taking his time with her. Even though they'd seen each other almost naked last night, today she was a little more cautious and controlled. She trusted him but....she needed time. So when Alice felt that things were getting a little too hot, she reminded him about the cookies and he let her go. It made her feel guilty, he left a girlfriend that was more than willing to do those things for her and she was choking up at game time. But the smile he gave her as she tried to salvage the burned cookies made the warm glow in her stomach flare up. It wasn't fair to him but she hoped he'd stay anyways.

"I like a crunchy cookie, but I think these ones could break atmosphere if hurtled right." Malcolm teased. Alice stuck her tongue out and went to his fridge grabbing the milk.

"Problem solved smarta**." she retorted.

"Ouch, I'm wounded. Now do you know where the cookies and milk glasses are kept?" Malcolm asked, eyebrows raised in challenge.

Alice narrowed her eyes, studying him. It could be a trick question, but he was just oddball enough to honestly have cookies and milk glasses. It was one of the reasons she liked him. He was a secret screwball. Subtle things like funky belt buckles and the racing jacket gave it away. She faced his cupboards and thought, where would I keep my cookies and milk glasses. She hesitated for a moment more, then strode forward and opened a cupboard. But as she opened it up, the lights went out.

"Mal? That's not fair." Alice stated, standing in pitch black, no longer sure how far away the counter was or if there was a corner she might kill herself on.

"I didn't do it Ace. I think the power just killed out." Malcolm replied, still on the other side of the counter.

"S***." Alice replied, and could almost feel Malcolm roll his eyes at her bad language. Face of an angel, swears like a sailor.

"Hang on, reach to the drawer on your right, there should be a flashlight in there, candles and matches." Malcolm instructed.

Alice pulled them all out, embarassed to be so relieved to have light again. Her hands shook slightly and it horrified her that he might see that she was freaking out over a little darkness. But it made her afraid that someone might be about to grab her, and she couldn't see to fight back. It reminded her too forcably of the nightmares lately and of Stuart's many midnight visits.

"You ok?" Malcolm asked, picking up on her tension.

Alice stiffened up a little and blurted out the first excuse she could think of, "If the power's off everywhere, what'll happen to the animals?" Perfect distraction! Alice cheered to herself as she saw Malcolm's concern for her get supplanted with a good fear for the cute beasties in an ice box without their heat.

They both hussled towards the master bedroom without another word. Alice was about to pull on her useless kilt and uniform when Malcolm chucked a pile of clothes at her. "It'll be big but it's warmer than that thing." he suggested. Alice nodded quickly and hussled to the bathroom to yank it on. There were a pair of brand new jeans she tore the tag off of, an old tattered belt that she had to use to hold the pants on, a long john style jersey shirt and a turquoise blue dress shirt. She used her own socks and shoes, grateful for her practical flats. They were out the door within ten minutes of thinking about those animals, and the power was still out.

The drive from Malcolm's apartment to the pet shop was far longer than it should have been. Even with no other cars on the road, Malcolm didn't dare to travel about a snail's pace. The snow was so heavy and thick that Alice could barely see the front of the hood let alone the road he was supposed to follow. She gripped the armrest with white knuckles, inexplicably worried about Monster. It had only been thirty minutes since the power outage, but she was worried he'd panic when the other animals started to act up and hurt himself. Malcolm sensed her worry but refused to speed up, but they arrived before Alice lost her patience and ran to go faster. Malcolm husseled to the door, unlocking the stiff door and they fell inside, then had to push to close the door against the wind.

In the back they could hear the animals making a ruckus, barking, hissing, chirping and some thumps of those already fighting. Malcolm clicked on the large flashlight from his kitchen and Alice had on a headlamp she used to read at night when living at the foster house. The first order of buisness was to seperate the animals that were snarling at each other or growling. The ones that were just covering in their caged they let loose into the largest display pens, piecing it together to make a massive pen for the dogs. Add in some houses and tents to hide in, with blankets,water and food; they settled while the storm raged, wind banging and howling around the building.

The felines were harder to take care of, most puffed out and hissing at everything that moved. They managed to transport a few of the less hostile ones to the giant cat tree but mostly left them in their cages with extra blankets, water and food. Alice finally got to collapse a little and Monster was asleep across her lap, not scared but acting like a sentinel for her. When Malcolm came near her, Monster raised his head to growl at him, letting Mal closer only after Monster got a good sniff of him. Approval granted, Monster settled back down and chased squirrels in his sleep.

"You have an attack puppy." Malcolm said softly, sitting on the floor next to the duo.

"My pet monster." Alice joked, softly petting the scarred puppy. He was so sweet and protective of her and she hated the fact that he'd been so badly abused before his rescue. The other rescues tended to get a lot of attention because they were that much friendlier than Monster was, but Alice had been patient and persistent which won the cautious dog over.

"Salali is staying at the apartment, and sends her thanks for thinking to come straight here." Malcolm informed her as they sat, listening to the storm bluster around their building. They'd lit a kerosine lamp Salali kept in the shop and had theit flashlights off. It didn't provide much light but it was enough to hold Alice's fears at bay. Maybe Malcolm's shoulder touching hers helped as well.

"I'm thinking it's going to be a snow day tomorrow." Alice pointed out, figuring they'd already gotten over a foot of snow since school ended. Malcolm nodded and settled a horsey smelling blanked over them; the store was loosing some of it's heat. They heard some of the animals shuffle and resettle, coming together for warmth and with a few soft chuckles and grunt from Monster, Alice ended up between Malcolm's legs, Monster draped over both their laps. The blanket wrapped around them and they snuggled underneath, taking advantage of a necessity.

"Think we should spend the night here?" Malcolm asked after they'd settled.

"I'd prefer it. I know how very cold this city gets in the winter. The first little while after I ran away, the streets taught me real quick to come together with others for warmth. I ended up with fleas from my bedmates, but those strays kept me alive. Though we can construct a better bed to sleep in. As cozy as this is, neither of us will sleep right." Alice explained, feeling Monster lick her palm when she started to become distressed. Malcolm's response to her 온라인카지노게임 was simply to settle her closer to his chest, heat sinking into her back. His arms were draped over her body and she tried not to squirm too much when one thumb landed on her chest. Everytime she breathed in, he innocently touched her, and it made her flush because she didn't want him to move if he realized it. She scolded herself for being a pervert but still didn't move him. He rested his forhead against the back of her skull for a moment, just breathing in the smell of her hair.

"Alright, I'll dig out some more comfortable arrangements, this floor is killing my a**." Malcolm finally spoke up, pulling Alice from her dozey day dream. It had felt warm and safe sitting like this and she'd let it lull her into a sleepy state.

"MM'k." Alice agreed, then reluctantly settled Monster on their discarded blanket, shivering as she felt the cold creeping into the building. It's be chill but manageable tonight. She hoped Salali would be alright in the apartment alone.

She grabbed a pile of dog pillows and built a mattress out of  them, wanting to at least cushion the floor. Thankfully Salali had a whole closet full of blankets, most chewed up, but serviceable. They widened the dog pen even more, laid out a bathroom for the dogs to use, and settled their makeshift bed into the center of the dog pile. Warm bodies would gather as it got colder, something they wanted to encourage. Alice settled into her side of the bed, awkward at trying to sleep in jeans next to someone. She eventually had to shuck them off and stuck them under her pillow to keep a dog from stealing them away to chew on. Monster was a little cranky at being moved from his comfortable sleeping spot, but he settled down to sleep just above Alice's head, guarding her with his horrid puppy breath. Malcolm pulled off his shirt and wrapped it around one old dog the shop was sitting, the older dog not having the energy to climb into the middle of the dog pile. He tucked the old hunter closer to the group and left his shirt tucked over him too.

"Don't." Alice exclaimed, fear in her voice as Malcolm reached to turn off the kerosine lamp.

He frowned at her, catching the fear in her voice. "We're not going to do anything Alice. I'm not rushing you." he misunderstood.

"No, it's not that." Alice wanted to clarify. "I.... let's just say I want the light on so I don't step on anyone if I have to go to the bathroom, ok?" she asked, not wanting to lie to him. Malcolm looked down at her for a moment but nodded, turing down the brightness of the lamp but leaving it lit. They'd have to buy Salali more fuel for it later. Malcolm settled into the bed next to Alice and they were uncomfortable at first. Neither one wanted to make a move the other didn't want, and that made both of them overthink even the act of hugging. Monster harumphed at them and flopped over, smooshing Alice's head. "Hey you little bas****." she nudged him but the puppy didn't move.

"Here." Malcolm readjusted, pulling Alice's head onto his shoulder, curling and arm around her back. Alice settled against his side, unconsciously bringing one leg up, resting it over Malcolm's. Her arm wrapped over his stomach, weighed down by the layers of blankets over them. It was more comfortable now, and they both relaxed into the feel of the other. "I honestly thought that if I ever got into bed with you, the first night wouldn't be on a floor surrounded by dogs." Malcolm mused softly, humour in his voice.

"You're forgetting this isn't the first time we've slept together. I remember drolling on your shoulder the other night." Alice reminded him, smiling at the memory of how he woke her up.

"Ah yes, I remember now." Malcolm's arms tightened around her a little. "You were wearing that brown sweater of yours that just isn't fair." he chuckled.

"How is it not fair?" Alice asked, mock offended. "It's an old, worn out brown sweater. It doesn't  even fit right." Alice objected.

"That's what made it so unfair." Malcolm retaliated. "It drapes over you, suggesting at every swell and curve you have, but hides away everything but one shoulder that peeks out." Malcolm smiled at Alice as she looked at him.

"You poor thing. However did you survive?" Alice's tone was pure sarcasim.

"I don't think I did." Malcolm's tone aimed for joking, but it fell short of the mark. Alice flushed but he couldn't see it so she let it bloom across her cheeks. The way he said that made parts of her anatomy dance; namely heart and stomach, with a slight swoon thrown in for gravity.

"So tell me what life is like for the average seventeen year old woman?" Malcolm asked, killing the tension that was building.

"I have no clue. I'm far from average." Alice quipped, making them both laugh softly. "I missed school while I was away. Though now that I'm back to it, I remember why it's highschool hell for most people. I was never popular, having friends was discouraged with the Walter family, but  back then I was invisible. Now though.... too many people know my face and assume they know my 온라인카지노게임. So I deal with a lot of idiots and a**holes." Alice stated with a shrug he felt in the ribcage..

"They do grow up. Not that being an adult cures them from that, but everybody becomes a lot more backhanded and sneaky about their hatred and obsessional backstabbing." Malcolm promised.

"So looking forward to that." Alice mocked. "Though I think I'm glad I skipped the waiting around part and came across this great guy who took the time to try and get to know me a little."

"Yeah? What's this great guy like and where can I find him?" Malcolm asked, hearing the teasing smile in Alice's words.

Ace snorted a little. "I can't tell you his identity, it's a secret." she stage whispered.

"Is he a superhero then?" Malcolm asked, making his voice sound anxious.

"Nothing that special. Just a boyscout who apparently moonlights as a DJ." she poked him gently in the chest.

"I forgot that part. There were so many other more...distracting things that night." Malcolm's voice lost some of the joking and took on a different tone. Alice felt the butterflies in her gut again as she remembered wrapping her legs around his waist while he held her against the wall. She became aware of his hand resting on her knee, innocent except for heat between them.

"Hmmm, really, that was pretty much the highlight of my night." Alice taunted. Malcolm snaked his arm around her back and grabbed her knee, shifting her over him so she ended up straddling him, still secure under the blanket.

"Really?" he demanded, the dark fire in his eyes again. Alice couldn't speak, mouth too dry to even swallow, so she just nodded. She wasn't sure if the strange tingles in her lips and fingers was due to nerves or excitement, both flared up irradically only to be overtaken by the other. "I guess I'll just have to try to be more memorable then won't I?" he asked, then kissed her nose tip. His hands caressed at her through the layer of her borrowed shirt.She'd discarded the jersey shirt in favour of the softer dress shirt and it made his touch more ticklish than normal. She squirmed a little until Malcolm held her still aginst him. "Please don't do that." he said through gritted teeth.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" Alice froze, concerned.

Malcolm jerked his head in negative, eyes closed. "Not at all. But I can't keep my promise to go slow with you if you're doing that to me." He warned. A full blush burned across Alice's face as she finally realized what he mean, and could feel his reaction to her wiggling.

"Oh." was all she could manage to say before a giggle escaped. Then she clutched at her mouth, trying to keep the next couple of giggles in.

"Are you laughing at me?" Malcolm asked, not sounding offended, thankfully.

Alice shook her head, not trusting herself to talk instead of laugh. "You are card short of a full deck aren't you?" he asked jokingly. More than you'd ever know, Alice thought but only smiled and nodded.

He loosened his grip on her, body calming down now that she wasn't inadvertently provoking it. She settled beside him again, one leg still hooked up over him. "Goodnight Malcolm." Alice whispered when she thought he'd fallen asleep.

"Sweet dreams Alice." Malcolm murmered softly.

They both woke up in the early morning when the power hummed back into life. The lights flickered on, rousing not only the humans but the furried ones as well. It was cold inside the shop, the storm having quieted down but the chill still biting. Alice pulled on the jeans and extra shirt gratefully, loath to leave the warm sanctuary of the blankets behind. Malcolm had already pulled on his shirt and boots, scuffling to round up the animals and settle them back into their cages. It took just long enough to get them all, that both humans had fully woken up, too chilled to settle down into sleep again. They broke the temporary bed apart, setting the shops to rights again before either one spoke.

"Think we should brave the roads?" Alice asked, trusting Malcolm's judgement.

He peered out the shop window, trying to make out shapes under the snow. "It'll definitely be a snow day, but I think my Jeep can make it." he announced. Alice nodded and tucked herself into the jacket, cold snaking shivers down her spine. They headed out to the Jeep and spent ten very cold and wet moments digging the Jeep out. Malcolm got the vehicle started and the warmth up, but both of them were a little blue and shaking as he pulled into his heated parking garage. They dripped as they thawed out, clothing damp with snow as they reached his apartment.

By now Alice was freezing, wet, tired and fighting off a headache. Between nightmares, insomnia and the rude awakening, she was getting precious little sleep and it was starting to take its toll. She didn't think anything of it to strip off the wet jeans, setting them on the edge of the bathtub to dry, or discarding the shirts into his laundry hamper. She recovered the long ago forgotten tunic from the floor and pulled it on, dropping her bra to one side of the bed before flopping down onto her stomach.

Malcolm gave a chuckle from his side of the bed. "Please, come inside and make yourself at home." he teased.

Alice lifted her hand and gave him a one finger reply. She squeaked and jerked her hand back when she felt him suck the middle finger into his mouth, slobbering all over it. "That's dsgusting! Can't you see I'm resting?" her voice was muffled from the pillow she was tucked into.

"My apologies your Majesty." Malcolm mocked. Alice was sure she'd come up with a smart reply but he started to rub her shoulders, thumbs digging in lightly and she groaned. He moved her hair out of the way and started to work the muscles of her back with his strong hands, making the muscles quiver and relax. It was almost hypnotic, a soothing massage that was just short of being painful but still managed to dig the knots out. He started at the base of her neck and slowly worked his way down to the muscles at her hips. By then she was no longer sleepy or relaxed. Her skin prickled with goosebumps and parts of her reacted with other indications of building excitement. It wasn't anything special he had done, but just the fact that he was touching her seemed to flip her switch. When he shifted positions to reach across and get the muscle on the other side, she could feel for certain that he wasn't unaffected by this moment either. He skipped past her butt and started on her legs, the sensation enough to make her toes curl and for her to bite her lip to keep quiet. A moan had almost snuck its way out and she didn't want him to stop. He hadn't touched her in anyway sexual, not really even thought he was massaging her, but she felt lit up like a firecracker, ready to explode.

When Malcolm reached her ankles, he asked her to roll over. Her heart in her throat, Ace lay onto her back, staring at Malcolm down the line of her body. And then he slowly massages the front of her legs, starting at the foot. He watched her, keeping eye contact as he slowly worked the knots earned from dancing and chasing puppies away. He stopped half way up her thigh, jumping up to her stomach and she wasn't sure if she was thankful, or angry. But she was finding it harder and harder to not squirm, gasp or moan as his fingers danced over the muscles of her torso. He skillfully avoided areas that had sexual purposes and instead managed to fully turn her on without ever using the obvious methods. Mal was gently running his fingers over her face, no so much massaging right now was just tracing the lines of her bone structure. She could feel where his own excitement was pressed, but he was ignoring it entirely. His hand fell away and his lips brushed hers softly.

"Goodnight Alice." he said softly, then settled under the covers, ready to go back to sleep.

Alice blinked, nearly gasping with need and could only think: You've got to be f***ing joking. Instead she replied with a bewildered, "Sweet dreams Mal."