Logan

138. Hanging By A Thread

*Ripley's POV*

I hated rain during a winter storm.

It started to sleet, and it doesn't look like it's letting up.

I felt anxious thinking about Natalie driving in this, being out in this at all. Logan's vehicle isn't what I'd call safe, and she's had too many close calls during the winter. But she felt better driving it, so who am I to criticize her decisions. I wanted to protect her, from everything, but I couldn't.

I tried to call and see if she got to Alex's okay, but I got a 'I am driving' text back, so I left her a text instead. Ten minutes later I get a picture of her in front of what looks to be the gas station and her holding up a bag of candy saying 'getting stocked up for the storm'

I tried to call but it went to voicemail.

"Hey it's me, I wanted to call and see if you made it home okay. Uh, you're probably busy, looks like a cool load of candy. Better share some with me, so I'll call back later or maybe you can come to the station so I know you're safe. Or you can send a text, whatever works for you. Okay, I love you kiddo, bye."

Fuck.

*Natalie's POV*

I was on the side of the road giving everything a thought. The rain had started coming down as sleet so I thought it'd be better to start going back to Desmond's now. The emergency tone started blaring from my phone, vibrating, and the little light started to flash. I looked at it, clearly a weather advisory combined with temperatures, effects from the road and what kind of things to look for.

I saw a voicemail from Ripley after I'd texted him about the candy, and I savored the message. He then sent me a screenshot of the Newton PD and Fire to be safe and look out for ice, inclement weather. I messaged back that I promised to be safe.

I should probably go get some things at the store, just to be safe. But I was hungry and I tried not to shop when I was hungry. Anything could happen though, so I pulled up to the big box store and noticed the small amount of cars. Usually a storm this magnitude and people would be lined up in self-checkout or cash only lines, but instead I stocked up on batteries, flashlights, tea candles, really any other camping/weather equipment I could think of. I plopped some snacks in, a case of water, new jumper cables, salt, and some dry food. I've learned it's better to be safe than sorry. I sent a couple tweets out about the storm, and sent a few messages out that I was safe.

-

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I walked into Desmond's house and he wasn't in the kitchen, but his shoes were still here so I wandered back down into the basement after putting a few things away.

There he lay in his bed, curled into a ball, the entire comforter covering him. His eyes were closed and he seemed peaceful.

I laid down next to him and lightly pushed a curl away from his face, "Hey."

Desmond opened an eye and then opened the comforter for me to climb into. His arms curled around me and he pulled me in further. He let out a hiss as my fingertips touched his bare chest. "You're cold."

I laughed, "Well duh, I just came in from outside. It's supposed to storm, and its already blowing some strong wind out there. Roads were a little slick, too."

Desmond groaned and rested his head on my shoulder. "We can still go to lunch, I called the restaurant and she said they're still open until closing time. We can set up the fireplace just in case."

I shook my head, "If things get worse I wouldn't be surprised if Ripley calls you in, he already called me and left a voicemail."

"I'm suspended, he isn't going to call me."

I let the silence linger a bit as I let my fingertips graze his side, stopping at the top of his shorts, and he reacted subtly, but I knew it tickled. He shook his head, "I want to take you to my favorite restaurant, so if he calls me, I will have filled you up."

My heart swelled, Logan and I rarely went out to eat.

"Your favorite restaurant? You mean I haven't seen it yet?"

"Nope, this one is kind of a secret, a little hidden gem. It's actually a block or so down from Trixie's."

"I'm really excited now," I laughed, "Guys rarely take me out."

Desmond's smile faded, "Really?"

"Yeah, its not that big of a deal, I just... haven't been on a lot of dates. It's usually a drink at the Iris or the pizza place."

"You deserve to be shown a good time, for someone to take you to a restaurant and let them hold your arm, and someone to pull out the chair for you."

"You think so highly of me that guys would want to do that for me."

"I'm not just any guy, Natalie, and I will do that for you today, and all of the days you let me take you out."

I looked up into Desmond's eyes and without hesitation I kissed him. Our lips met softly once, then again. I pulled away to look at him and he leaned in again, deepening his kiss. Softly, I pulled away to give him a peck on the lips, then the cheek, then down to his neck. His breath shook and a gentle hum vibrated down in his throat as I kissed his neck, softly once then harder with a small bite. His hand wandered down to the hem of my shirt, pulling it into a fist, closer and closer to me. My legs parted and he pulled one over his leg, and his other hand clasped around the nape of my neck and I leaned back. He kissed my neck and I could hear the noises escape my mouth, but everything was a blur as he took his hand and we locked fingers. I pulled his hand to me and led his hand up my side and onto my breast, where he cupped me and moved my nipple with his thumb.

My body was moving against his. "You're so handsome," I blurted and he came up for air from my neck.

"You're beautiful." He pulled away and then he stiffened. "Oh no, I didn't think this was going to happen. I'm sorry, Natalie."

I was so confused, "Wait, what's wrong?"

He put the blanket over me and then sat up. "I don't want to compromise our friendship, Natalie. I'm trying, I am. But I feel like there's something inside me, this place that feels the most for you. Touching you, feeling your skin on my lips, hearing the sounds you make, it's too much for me to handle. I want to make love to you, I want you to be my girlfriend, and I'm hanging by a thread trying not to think about that."

"Desmond." He stopped talking and looked at me, "I am really glad I'm here with you, and I'm sorry we keep getting into this situation. Maybe it's best if I just go home."

"No!" He cried out, holding my hand, "I want you to feel safe here, and it's probably why I should just sleep out there tonight. If I do something wrong, I want you to tell me."

I shook my head, "Nothing you did was wrong, I keep making the same mistakes of telling myself that this isn't the way I'm going to handle something but then I do whatever I want anyway."

We looked at each other in silence, then he looked down and his hand held mine, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. "I hope I didn't let you down."

I tilted his chin up to look at me, "You didn't. But I think we need a change of scenery, so maybe change your pajamas and we go to that restaurant, I'm hungry."

Desmond smiled and kissed the back of my hand, "I'll get ready and meet you at the car."

I went back upstairs and put my shoes on, then my coat and hat. I heard his footsteps come up behind me.

He put his feet into his boots and when he was done lacing them he stood up and pulled me into a hug, "Thank you for being here with me," he whispered, kissing my cheek."Come on, let's go." He held my hand tightly as we walked outside and he made sure I was in the car okay before getting on the other side. He was incredibly giddy to show me whatever restaurant he loved. I wished I could capture that look in his eye forever.