After Dark

Chapter 18 - Competition

After they had pilled into the car Mabel felt a little car sick, but not bad enough to make her puke on the upholstery. Gideon rubbed her back trying to soothe her. While it did help with the car sickness the physical contact was making her body heat spike as she felt his large hand on the small of her back. It sent shivers up her spine and sensations of hot and cold vacillated through her body in flashes. Mabel felt the heat creeping up her chest and her face. She took his hand and removed it from his back placing it on the seat next to her. She realized after the fact that touching his hand had heightened the sensation of hot and cold in her body. While it was scary it was also wonderful and exhilarating. She felt like her heart was going to burst. She closed her eyes and breathed calmly. Opening them she saw Gideon had leaned back and looked relaxed. How could he be so relaxed when his hand was mere inches from hers she wondered in exasperation?!? Guys...they were a mystery to her sometimes.

As they sat there for a couple of minutes Mabel decided that if Gideon was so relaxed and not paying attention that she would take the time to observe him with oblique glances. His polo shirt

Mabel thought for a moment as she watched his hand twitch. She took the tip of her finger and ever so slightly touched the tip of his finger. He all but jumped. Mabel smiled at him as if to say, 'you couldn't fool me!' Gideon smiled at her and then got a slightly nervous look as he swallowed silently. He looked down and her hand. After furrowing his brow in concentration he reached over and laced his fingers through hers.

Mabel felt her body had split and fire and ice rapidly fought the other for ceded supremacy within her body. She looked up into his eyes as her own darted rapidly between his. He whispered. "Your wavy brown hair framing those freckled cheeks is about the most beautiful thing I have ever seen." She blushed deeply. Deeper than she has already. She tried to say something but only managed to choke out "I..." before her throat closed up. Gideon brushed her hair softly with his other hand as he whispered close to her so Dipper and Pacifica could not hear. "You're so darn cute when your shy. I may just have to kiss you one of these days," He said with a charming wink. Mabel looked down hiding her face in her hair as she smilled from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, in the front seat, Dipper consulted the GPS for no other reason than obsessive compulsion, while Pacifica turned the wheel lazily with one hand while the other adjusted the rearview mirror so she could watch Mabel and Gideon. The sun shone brightly through Pacifica's golden blonde hair transforming it into an angelic appearance. Mabel quickly caught on and stuck her tongue out at her. Pacifica smirked as she wagged her eyebrows no doubt seeing the blush from the cheerful brunette.  Mabel turned her face and buried it in Gideon's shoulder. Then smelling his aftershave and cologne she smiled in the tight muscles of his biceps. Gideon raised her hand and lightly kissed it with his lips silently. Mabel smiled all the more into his navy and white wide striped polo shirt.

Part of Mabel's mind was terrified holding his hand and sitting a few spaces apart. But another part burned within as she wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers across his broad chest. She now looked down again realizing that she had turned her head slightly as she ogled at his fit body. It was as if her body and her mind were at war. Her mind was terrified of the implications of getting closer to Gideon, but her body had a predilection and a mind of its own, autonomous in its forward motion. It was a gale wind storm, a tempest of apprehension and desire.

Mabel pulled her hand back placing it between her legs tightly as she fought to steady her heart as it pitter-pattered beneath the purple meow-wow sweater she wore that she had hand knit. She had resized to fit her now. Not that she had grown much other than vertically some and naturally she had matured in other ways besides vertically.