Where Secrets Lie

Alyssa looked like a scolded puppy. "Sorry, I didn't want her to feel left out."

Kara, Amy, and Alyssa laid out their towels and sat down just as Michael and the others reached them. Logan carried a cooler, and Kate held the handle of an old fashioned boom box in one hand. Once the awkwardness passed, everyone started having a good time. Kate switched on the local university radio station, and a sweet voice crooned into the night.

"May I?" Michael asked as he held his hand out to Kara.

She was about to tell him, yes, but before she could, he took her hand and lifted her. They danced across the sand, forgetting about the others. In the moonlight, Michael's face looked pale and ethereal. The breeze whipped his golden curls around his neck and chin. At that moment, all she wanted was for him to kiss her. She wanted it more than she'd ever wanted anything. A few slender fingers tapped on Michael's shoulder, shattering her trance.

"May I have this dance, monsieur?" Kate batted her eyes in flirtation.

Kara had an urge to tell Kate to get lost, but when Michael looked at Kara, quizzically, wanting her permission, she simply nodded and walked away. It flattered her that her feelings concerned him, but she was terrified of letting Michael realize how much she was growing to care for him. It was best to pretend, despite the pain as she watched Kate and Michael twirling.

She sat down next to Amy and looked in the opposite direction where Logan and Alyssa walked down the shoreline. Occasionally, Alyssa bent down to pick up a seashell or some other debris. She was happy that her sister was enjoying herself.

Amy chatted away with enthusiasm about something, but Kara failed to listen. She simply stared at Kate and Michael, longing to know what they were discussing.

Too far away for Kara to hear, Kate looked deeply into Michael's eyes. "I'm sorry for my behavior today. I was out of line, and I just wanted to say that I'm really sorry."

Michael did not seem surprised by her apology. "It's alright. I want to apologize for getting angry."

"I guess that's what happens when you've been friends with someone for ten years"

Michael laughed gently. "I guess so."

Kara finally managed to tear her gaze away from the two dancing. It was too infuriating to watch. She laid on the towel beside Amy." So, when did you have your first overnight stay with Michael?" she asked.

Amy smiled. "It was about a month after I dedicated myself to Michael. He summoned me to his room, and he wanted to discuss something with me. When I got there, he had the fireplace lit and chilled wine waiting on a table. I asked him what he wanted to speak to me about but he said 'all in due time'. He poured us a glass of wine and he told me to join him in front of the fireplace. Then he said it was time to prove my loyalty as his servant. He kissed me, for only a minute. It was forceful, sensual and it was amazing. He's a really great kisser. I had to catch my breath and take a few sips of wine before we could continue. Then we, um, continued." She giggled, her cheeks turning pink. "He was so demanding, yet so gentle at the same time, and his body, it was divine."

"Alright, I think I've heard enough!" Kara awkwardly laughed.

Amy took the hint. "It was the only time I spent with him at any rate. He was always more fond of Kate. You seem to be his favorite now, though." She gave a wink with her long wispy eyelashes.

Kara, feeling disheartened, looked down at the ground, pushing her hair behind her ear. "I'm not. . . " Logan and Alyssa's approach interrupted her.

Alyssa sensed that her sister was not at ease. "Is something wrong?" she asked.

However, Kara did not get a chance to respond. Logan changed the station and then took Alyssa's hand. "Sorry to interrupt, but may I have this dance?"

Logan was such a gentleman that Kara found it less and less appalling that he and Alyssa had a relationship. Alyssa never told her directly they were together but she didn't have to. Kara could clearly see the effect Logan had on her baby sister.

"Um, sure" Alyssa replied, as she blushed.

They walked off and began dancing to the oldies station. Billie Holiday's smooth voice surrounded them, and Kara began to feel a bit lonely. She started gathering up her belongings.

Amy sat up, startled. "Are you leaving already?"

"Yeah, it's getting kind of late. I think I'm going to head to bed."

"Oh, ok. Well, goodnight then."

Kara headed back toward the car, but before she could reach it, Michael spotted her. He left a disappointed Kate standing by the shoreline and jogged to catch up to Kara. "Where are you going?" he asked.

She stopped and turned to face him, but she couldn't look him in the eyes. Instead, she stared at the ocean as she spoke. "I'm going back home. It's getting late."

"It's only been two hours. We both know that you can party a lot longer than that." He teased with his charming smirk, trying to get a rise out of Kara.

She wanted to smile back at him, but she controlled the urge. "It's been a long day, that's all."

"I agree. I'll accompany you back." He turned around and waved at the others. "I'm taking Kara back home. Logan, will you see to it that Amy and Kate get back safely?"

Kara feared what might happen if they were alone together. "You don't have to."

Instead of responding, Michael linked his pale arm in hers and led her toward the car. She looked back at the others. Alyssa and Amy stood side by side, grinning and give her the thumbs-up. Kate still stood by the shoreline, scowling.

Michael helped Kara into the car, and they headed for home. Thankfully, the drive was silent. When they pulled up to the mansion, Michael helped her out of the car and back to her room.

"Are you sure you're ok?" he asked.

"I'm fine. I just haven't gotten much sleep lately." Kara yawned. Her eyelids felt as heavy as bricks. She pinched the skin between her eyes to ward off the drowsiness.

"Is it the nightmares?" Michael questioned.

"How do you know about my nightmare?" she demanded.

She'd managed to keep her nightmare a secret for years. No one knew about it because she worked hard to keep it secret. Michael was the last person she thought would be the first to learn of it. She stared up at him, waiting for his answer. She felt vulnerable, she felt naked, and she hated it.