Hey all! I hope this moment finds you and your family well. I don't want to say too much, as I'm excited to have written a second chapter to this story!

But hopefully during the craziness, you've found some comfort, somewhere.

My prayers to you and yours. We will get through this.

Rated M for language and theme.

Without further adieu...

"What the hell..." Darien passed through the entryway of his condo, slamming the door shut as his hands quickly moved up to grip his hair in frustration.

"Shit..shit...shit.."

Shaking his head he eyed his black leather sofa and moved quickly towards it; his long legs making short work of the distance. Plopping down, he leaned forward and gripped his hair again.

"What the hell was I thinking?"

Leaning back, he stared at the ceiling, barely blinking as the memories rolled back.

The touch of her skin was silky smooth, much smoother than any woman's skin he had touched in the past. Her ridiculously long silvery blonde hair was soft, luxurious to the touch. Her inexperienced hands that gripped his shoulders, his arms, was intoxicating. And her taste...

Darien groaned as he pulled his head to the side.

"Stop. Stop. Stop. This is SERENA for goodness sake!"

Standing quickly, Darien moved to his kitchen. He ignored the stainless steel appliances, white cabinets and black marble counter tops. Instead, he made his way to the fridge and pulled out a beer.

His deep blue eyes narrowed as his memory brought back the sweet little sounds she had made which made him lose all control. Feeling his body respond, he took a quick swig of the beer and then slammed it on the counter, his mind refusing to stop replaying the events that had happened less than an hour ago.

He wanted to chase after her, but he knew if he had, he would have begged her to come back to his condo. So, he had forced his body to stay still; to watch as she ran away from him.

He couldn't really say when his feelings for the meatball head had changed. He just knew in the last five years something had switched in him. Their arguments had become something he started looking forward too. Her flushed face something he desired to see more and more. However, their five age year difference was something he always kept in mind and he had to admit to himself that his feelings hadn't really "switched" until her sixteenth birthday.

Taking another swig of his beer, he leaned back against the cool counter top and thought back to her birthday.

The girls had planned a fun birthday bash at the arcade, something Andrew never allowed, but seemed to cave under the pressure of Mina and Lita's pleas.

Darien new exactly what day it was when he arrived for is usual afternoon coffee. He also knew that he more than likely wasn't invited, but, that still didn't stop him. While he knew they weren't exactly friends, he didn't mind wishing Serena a happy birthday.

He had just greeted Andrew when he heard the five familiar voices of the high school girls, but one voice stood out in particular. It was a little higher than the rest; sweeter.

Darien turned to make his presence known and then froze as his eyes took in the group, or rather, one woman in the group.

She stood a few feet behind him, her little feet wrapped in a pair of black heels, that easily gave her a few extra inches in height. Lightly tanned legs slipped under a skin tight black dress that hugged every curve in exactly the right way. His eyes traveled up, following the dip between her hips and waist, the perfect shaped breasts, the shoulders that were only covered by thin straps, her elegant neckline and finally to her sapphire eyes; eyes that were too busy eyeing the menu to notice his appreciative sweep. Her excessively long hair was in a massive braid that was hanging down her back to her knees, with a few strands framing her face. He never understood why someone needed that much hair, but a part of him wanted to reach out and use it to tug her into his lap.

He heard the clearing of a throat and glanced to Serena's left, seeing Mina beaming and Raye, who stood on the other side of Mina, glaring.

Not losing face, he gave them his trademark smirk and turned around, taking a sip of his coffee.

Darien shook his head, bringing himself back to the present. That was the first time he noticed the change in Serena-from a young girl to a woman and it shifted his response to her. Chugging the remainder of his beer, Darien put it in his recycle bin and moved to take a shower. He would need at least two freezing showers to be able to get comfortable.

Serena moved the grocery bag side to side as she watched the sun slowly set over the buildings. It had been four days since her make-out session with Darien in the alley. Four long, thought provoking days.

Stopping at the main intersection, she could only stare at the red light and wondered for the billionth time, what had possessed Darien to do what he did. To kiss and touch...she shook her head.

Whispering to herself, "Don't go back there." she finally leaned over and pushed the walk button.

Switching the grocery bag back and forth again, Serena felt the apples roll side to side, shifting the weight repeatedly. The apples made her smile though; her mothers apple turnovers were delicious.

Tapping one small foot, she eyed the still red light and let out a puff. Sure, there were no cars coming, but with her luck, a bus would come crashing down the moment she stepped foot in the sidewalk.

Hearing the roaring of a motorcycle to her left, she lifted her head to give a quick peak and then froze as the rider had his head turned towards her; the black helmet blocking his face from her view. Not being able to see someone's face had always given her a slight panic. But taking quick breath, Serena took the motorcyclist and his bike in.

While she knew nothing about bikes, she could appreciate the matte black color choice with hints of deep blue in various areas. The rider himself was dressed in dark washed jeans, black boots, a black leather jacket, and of course, the matching helmet. His body was definitely male as he sat up; his long legs on each side, braced on the ground.

Taking a deep breath, she turned her eyes back towards the light and looked both ways quickly as the light turned green. She had a sinking feeling as the bike seemed to rev up and move along down the road. Crossing the street, she kept her eyes down on the pavement, her mind wandering a mile a minute about Darien.

"Serena?"

Jumping and almost dropping the grocery bag in the process, Serena snapped her head up at the familiar masculine voice.

She stopped as she came face to face with Darien, a black helmet in his lap, with his legs still straddling his bike. He seemed to be contemplating something as he looked at her.

"Serena, we need to talk."

Blinking multiple times in quick secession, she looked quickly around the relatively deserted street. Most people were already home for dinner. And did he just call her by her name? She stared, dumbfounded. Her vocal cords seeming unable to answer him.

"Can we talk?"

Biting her lower lip and looking to the ground, she wondered if talking to him was actually a good idea. The best plan she had come up with in the past four days was avoid at all cost. Pretend nothing happened. It seemed like a great plan. It was perfect in fact. They could go on not talking and everything would be fine.

Looking up, She saw that he had stood up and placed his helmet on his bike; his tall form standing a few feet in front of her.

When did he go from annoying upper class-man to handsome jerk extraordinaire?

Swallowing, Serena eyed the empty street one more time.

"Okay. I need to get these apples home to my mom, but I can meet you after."

She eyed Darien slyly and saw him nod. His voice seemed so sure as he spoke that it almost made her hate him even more. Almost.

"Can I give you a ride?"

Blushing, she shook her head. That would be impossible. Her dad would have a heart attack after he grabbed his shot gun.

"No, I live right around the corner. Umm." Looking around, Serena realized this spot was as good as any. "I'll meet you back here in 10 minutes."

She didn't wait for his answer, instead she turned and marched quickly down the street

Sighing to herself, Serena closed her front door while shouting, "I'm hanging out with...friends. I'll be home later!"

She barely heard her moms response but gathered it was in some semblance to "okay. be careful." Graduating high school not at the bottom of her class and being accepted into two different universities, had finally afforded her some freedom.

Zipping up her favorite hooded sweatshirt, a soft rose pink colored assemble with a darker pink along the edges, she made her way back to where she had left the buffoon.

She watched as he looked up as she drew closer, his dark midnight blue eyes sweeping her from her pink toe nails and matching Grecian flip flops, to her signature hairstyle. Serena couldn't shake the feeling that she was walking into a lions den the closer she got.

He was straddling his bike again, his long legs providing stability on each side. She noticed that there was a second helmet in his right hand, one he stretched out towards her as she stopped right beside him.

Crossing her arms across her chest, she couldn't stop the small tapping of her foot. "I thought you said you wanted to talk? I'm not going for a bike ride."

His face broke out into his usual smirk as he shook his head, "I'd like too. But I'd prefer not to discuss it on the street, where everyone can hear our conversation."

'Okay,' she thought, 'that made sense..'

"But where do you want to go? We can't go to the arcade. It's a little chilly tonight for the park." Tapping her chin, she looked around at the little shops that littered up and down the street. There were a few cafes, but she didn't want the possibility of someone overhearing their conversation. She could barely think about what happened without blushing, let along discussing it for someone to eavesdrop.

She watched as he lifted the helmet towards her again, "I know a place."

Eyeing him, she glanced down at her feet. "I'm not exactly wearing the right shoes."

"I won't let anything happen to you. It's not far from here."

Lifting a silvery golden brow, Serena cocked her head to the side, "And where is this place that's not far from here?"

Blinking, She watched as Darien slipped his helmet on, leaving the visor up so she could at least see his eyes, and then the sound of the motorcycle turning on.

It was muffled but she heard him through the noise of his bike and her heart stopped as she truly contemplated his words.

"My Condo."

DUN DUN DUN.

Don't hate me for leaving it there. =D

I'd love to hear what you all think. Feel free to leave me a review!

LAla