Forbidden

---- Non narrative POV ----

It had been a couple of weeks at the Kesler house. Dawn wasn't ready to be alone so she remained with the Keslers. Dawn sat at the breakfast table with the three Kesler children Makayla, Ryker and Kinsley and their mother Andrea. Ryan was still asleep as usual. She was trying to hurry them up so that Makayla could get to school. Dawn got up and took her dishes in to the kitchen. "Can I help?" Dawn asked as she watched Andrea load the dishwasher.

"Nope, I'm good." She said coldly. It was no secret that Andrea wasn't thrilled with having Dawn under her roof. She wouldn't have agreed to it but agreed that nobody should have to stay in an abusive situation.

"I'm not here to take him you know." She said quietly so that the children wouldn't hear.

"Listen." Andrea started leaning her hands against the sink without even turning around. "I know Ryan isn't faithful. I've known that for years. I just never expected him to move his lover in right under my nose." She said shaking her head.

"I'm not...we're not..." Dawn said unable to believe what she was hearing .

"Save it." She said turning around putting her hand out as if to tell her stop. "Just keep things away from the children. Please." It was like she had admitted defeat. "Just because you couldn't find a proper husband doesn't mean you can steal mine." Dawn stood there in the kitchen as Andrea played super mom getting the kids ready to go. Dawn craved that feeling of having somebody to look after. Perhaps that's why she enjoyed her job so much. After she heard the door shut she walked into the livingroom and she cried. She looked down at the spot where her engagement ring would be. Brett had tried to contact her several times when he was released the day after the incident. She just ignored his pleas and went on with her life. She was thankful for a road trip to take her mind off of things.

"You packed?" A shirtless Ryan entered the living room with two cups of tea, one for him and one for Dawn. She silently thanked him as she moved over so that he could sit beside her.

"Yeah, you?" She asked sipping.

"If you call throwing a spare suit, boxers and toiletries into a bag packed then yes, yes I am." He smiled putting an arm around her.

"I umm, am going to start apartment hunting when we get back." She said looking down at her cup.

"But we get back in time for Christmas." Ryan said to her. "Are you sure you won't stay for Christmas with us?" He asked her.

"No, I'll be alright. Plus it may be fun spending the holidays in a swanky hotel." She smiled.

"It's not right." He said rubbing the back of her neck looking into her eyes.

"Look, Andrea already thinks you're cheating with me, I think that I should at least give her Christmas with the family without me." She said. "She already thinks I'm a skanky whore."

"She said that to you?" He asked pulling away looking upset.

"Not in so many words." Dawn said looking Kes in the eyes. "But I could tell how she felt."

"It just doesn't seem right, the holidays alone." He said to her. "What about your parents?" He asked.

"Christmas cruise with my sister and brother in law and the kids." She shrugged. "Really Ryan it's ok." She said as he took her hand. He pressed her knuckles to his lips.

"I'll figure something, I promise" he said before leaning in and kissing her softly on the mouth. It was completely wrong in a right way. She felt a passion that was totally different than anybody she'd been with. She knew that they couldn't continue doing this, but it felt so right. Kes laid her down on the couch kissing her taking his hand and running it up and down her body. He slid a hand under her shirt up to her breasts that he discovered were braless. He squeezed one with a throaty growl against her mouth. She could feel him hardening against her. She wanted so desperately for him to continue. She didn't want to say no. The heat and intensity that they had together was amazing. They were passionate, soulful, hot and forbidden. "Ryan, no. Stop." She said. "We can't, not now not again." Ryan sighed, he knew that she was right. They both wanted this but this wasn't the time.

"You're right." He said slowly getting up trying to hide his arousal.

"We should get ready to go." He said as he got up and left the room

. -----

The flight to Minnesota was delayed, fog and bad weather was not a good combination. Dawn sat in the airport on her carry on suitcase as she awaited instructions on what would be happening for them next. "Hey Dawn." David Booth said walking up to her. "You know we never did have that lunch we talked about." He smiled a nervous yet megawatt smile. "Could I buy you a coffee?" He asked her pointing his head in the direction of Starbucks.

"Yeah" Dawn smiled. "I'd like that." She said smiling as he reached a hand out to help her out then taking her bag wheeling it for her like a gentleman. He offered her his arm in a chivalrous manner which she took willingly blushing out of flattery. As the two walked away Kevin Bieksa turned to A slightly jealous Kes.

"So what do you make of that?" Kev asked Kes nodding his head in their direction.

"Well," Kes started "he may just be the only one of us good enough for her." He said seriously. "Because I sure as hell am not." He said a bit sadly .

"Come on Kes," Kev said tapping his friend on the back. "I'll buy you a beer while we wait." He said as they walked away.

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