Shadow-Land - Heather Parsons (bill gates book recommendations TXT) 📗

Travis how she felt and if she didn't then Teri would. And Sierra didn't want that. So of course she will wait until they get to the club for that because there will be others around if it doesn't turn out well. God, her heart skipped a beat just thinking about that. Would he reject her? Would she survive another loss?

The moment the door shut she saw what dress she was holding. It was a simple black dress but not something she was in the mood to wear. Any other night she would gladly wear this but not tonight. Then she remembered Teri and her had gone shopping for this night and in the back of her closet hung the garment bag. Walked into the closet she reached in the back where it was hung up and pulled it off the rack. Unzipping it she pulled out the dress and stared at it. She slipped out of her robe and into the dress. It fit so perfectly, strapless and an inch above the knee. The color is what caught her eye, it shinned an endless blue and when the light hit it, it looked black. She slipped into the matching shoes and in no time was ready to go. With one last look in the mirror she checked to make sure everything was perfect. Her hair she had already done earlier and make up well, she doesn't wear. Only because she has never liked covering up who she truly is.

"Sierra, can I come in?" Travis asked from the other side of the door. He'd been waiting and thinking seriously that maybe this wasn't a good idea after all.

She hadn't realize she had been in here that long. And by the sound of his voice he must be worried about her. But instead of worrying herself it made her smile but she couldn't let him in and risk him seeing her right now. He'd have to wait just like everyone else.

"I'll be right out." She yelled through the door, quickly grabbing her long black mink coat. Slipping her arms through and getting it buttoned up before opening the door. It's full length and covers the dress entirely. "Okay I'm ready." She walked out to see him still standing on the other side of the door.

He reached out and put his arms around her waist and looked into her eyes. The intensity of his stare was undoing her self control. Her heart skipped a beat when he leaned in and her breath caught in her throat. "I'll get the car," he whispered kissing her cheek. She closed her eyes releasing her breath slowly before speaking.

"Travis, tonight is supposed to be fun and relaxing and I don't think driving is necessarily relaxing so, I was thinking about maybe taking the limo." Sierra looked up and saw him smiling, the smile she loved. The same one that could and probably would stop her heart if she let it.

"Do I get to see the dress your wearing?" He looked intrigued, brushing his fingers against the fur of her coat. The feel of her skin against his was intensifying his desires for her. But he couldn't show it, didn't want to ruin what they had if it was ever found out how much he wanted her, and more than a friend.

"Your going to have to wait just like everyone else, sorry." She said, blushing yet again for the tenth time already. Feeling the heat burning in her cheeks but before she would let him see this, she turned around. "Let's go, shall we." With her hand now in his, they walked together to the garage where the limo was. And out of all the cars they owned, she loved this one the most. This one hold ten people comfortably or more if someone wanted to sit on someone else lap. Again she blushed just thinking about it.

Sierra reached out to open the door but was too slow. Travis had it opened and was waiting for her to climb in. "Always the gentleman, thank you." She turned and smiled at him then climbed in. Sitting in one of the middle seats, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Paying attention only to the rhythm of the beating of her own heart and trying very hard to control her breathing.

"Are you sure you want to do this? You know we can just stay here." His hand touched hers, reassuringly. Sitting this close to her, he knew going out tonight would be hard but he'd hoped with him around it wouldn't be this hard on her.

"I'm just nervous, that's all." She smiled but never opened her eyes. If he only knew it was him that was causing her to feel this way and not what she was about to do then would she still be feeling this way?

"Everyone will understand if we don't show up." He said reaching for the door. She took a deep breath knowing this was true and opened her eyes.

"I'll be fine. Honestly." Sierra didn't look at him until she was sure he wouldn't call her bluff.

"I'll protect you." He whispered in her ear. Why he whispered she didn't know but his breath against her neck was beyond anything she has ever experienced before. Wondering if he knew what effects he has on her. "Are you ready?" She took a deep breath and then nodded. "I'll be by your side all night."

"You don't have to. I'm a big girl and I want you to have fun too." Sierra squeezed his hand then stepped out of the limo. Taking in all the fans and camera men had her frozen.

"I'm right here." Travis said stepping out and putting his arm around her waist. Sierra looked up at him and tried smiling but couldn't shake off the horror she felt. Taking a deep breath instead and looking toward the door. Walking close beside him.

Once inside the club Sierra caught sight of their friends. Moving as quickly as the crowd would allow. Although they could no longer stand side by side because of the crowd inside, Sierra stood in front with Travis very close behind. The crowd she was following stopped and she started looking around nervously. Sierra had her hands clasped behind her back and felt him put his hand in hers and squeeze. Reassuring her he was right there.

Just then she spotted someone she would have never thought she would see, at least not here. "Kelly is that you?" The girl looked like Kelly but she was wearing a baseball cap so Sierra couldn't be sure. But when Kelly did look up, she knew without a doubt it was her.

"Sierra!" Kelly reached out and hugged her. Well as best as they could with Travis still holding her hand.

"Why don't you join us and I'll introduce you to everyone else." Sierra pointed out where everyone else was sitting and Kelly agreed. "Why don't you bring your date?" They both looked back to the young man who was sitting quietly. Sierra felt foolish standing there inviting them to sit without introducing herself and Travis first. "Hi I'm Sierra and this is Travis," placing her hand on his chest without thinking. "Would you like to join us?" The young man looked up at Kelly first then at Sierra and finally stood.

"Hello Sierra, Travis, I'm Rob." He shook their hands then followed their lead.

"Guys this is Kelly and Rob. They're going to join us." Sierra caught a few smiles from everyone before continuing with the introductions. "This is Teri, Joseph, Carmen, Dean, Christy, and Ben." She didn't have to point anyone out because it was obvious who's who. Each name she called out they would wave and say hi.

Without another thought in mind Sierra slipped out of her jacket and hung it off the seat in between Teri and Carmen. Holding on to the back of the seat and staring at Travis' face.

"Your going to make it hard for me to protect you wearing that." Travis was serious and being overly protective right now. Standing so close Sierra could feel the electrical current pulsing through his body and into hers, making her heart flutter again. Thankfully it was dark in there because Sierra is sure her cheeks are bright red. She loved when he felt protective and even more now because of what she's going to do. Later of course, later.

"Let's dance but one thing. You have got to dance with someone other than your date." Teri smiled at Sierra and grabbed her hand, pulling her out of her trance. Sierra danced with Joseph first then Dean and every new song after that she danced with someone new. It was quiet enjoyable and Sierra even managed to laugh and loosening up with every dance. When she danced with Rob the song that they played was a slow one.

"You do know that Travis is staring at you?" Rob whispered.

"Have you thought that maybe he's not looking at me but rather at you?" She whispered back, trying hard to keep a straight face about it but the look on Rob's face was classic and she couldn't hold the laughter in any longer. Just then when she was finally able to catch her breath the song ended and she was grabbed by the waist by yet another guy who wanted a dance. Closing her eyes, she hoped that it was Travis holding her. Prayed that it was until she heard his voice.

"Sierra you look amazing." He whispered and she spun around. She knew that voice but it couldn't be.

"Simon? Is that really you?" She put her arms around his neck and hugged him. She has not seen him in years and couldn't believe he's really standing here.

"Yes I'm really here, sis. Teri called me earlier and told me you'd be here so how could I not show up." He pulled away and smiled, kissing her on the cheek. God, he missed his baby sister and seeing her now made this entire trip here worth it.

"Sierra why are you crying?" He whispered and took a step back. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all.

She was speechless, looking into his eyes. Still not believe he was standing in front of her after all this time.

He took his hands off her waist and put them on the sides of her face, wiping away the tears that escaped her eyes. "Maybe we should sit down."