Never Forgotten

Part 6

Part 6

John looked at his watch...9.15. He began to worry, thinking that she changed her mind about meeting him.
He had spent the day with his family, but he kept looking at the time, counting down the hours until he would see her again. He had lied to his wife and told her he was meeting with a business associate for a late dinner and that he would probably be back late.
He stood at the pier and took in his surroundings. The small fishing boats getting ready to sail out into the night, the full moon reflecting on the water and the smell of salt and fish. It all brought back so many memories. This pier had always been their special place, for many reasons. In the years after he left Salem, he would often try to find a similar place, a place where he could come to clear his mind, to find peace, to speak to her..
He looked at his watch again..9.30...

Marlena ran through the dark streets, the sound of her heels echoing through the alleyways. She was running late, very late.
She had spent the whole evening trying to gather her thoughts, and trying to figure out what to wear. It wasn't a conscious decision but she found herself in a very flattering outfit. She wanted to look her best, but also casual. It was not like she was going on a date or something, she told herself. But his opinion mattered. So she settled on a nice pair of fitted jeans, heels, a low cut t-shirt, and a leather jacket.
Just minutes before she was planning to leave her house, Roman had informed her that he was going to the police station and taking the car. She almost argued that she needed the car, but then again, she didn't want to explain where she was going and why she needed it.
Looking at the time on her phone..9.40, she cursed out loud and prayed that he would still be there.

John paced back and forth impatiently. The feeling of hope disappearing and fear of her not showing up reminded him of that night 25 years ago. That night he told the pilot to wait, hoping that she would come to him and tell him to stay. He had been looking out the window into the rainy night, praying to see her run to the plane and into his awaiting arms, telling him that she loved him and only him. But she didn't, so he told the pilot to start the engines.
He looked at the clock again, 9.50. He took off his watch and looked at the back. "To JB, for giving me time". He treasured this watch, it being a present from Marlena. He inhaled deeply, placing his lips against the watch as he closed his eyes, almost willing her to come. He had given her time, then and now. Putting his watch back on, he looked around in the dark and listened, but there was not a single sign of her.
Wiping a tear that had escaped his eye, he started walking towards the stairs.

Finally Marlena reached the pier, their pier. She began to panic as she quickly scanned her surroundings, looking for him  But John was nowhere to be seen. Her pulse was fast and she was out of breath as she desperately called out his name into the dark. "John!!!! John!!!"  No one responded.
With great sadness she realized she was too late, again. Just like 25 years ago, she didn't make it in time.
"John!!!" She called one last time, before she covered her mouth with her hand, trying to muffle her cries.

Just as John opened the door to his rented Jeep, he thought he heard something. He stood still as he listened again.... And there it was, a distant sound of a woman's voice, calling out his name.
He quickly turned on his heels, running back to the pier.
When he reached the stairs, he saw a small silhouette standing, looking out over the water.

Hugging herself tightly, she tried to calm down her cries. So wrapped up in sorrow and sadness she didn't feel the presence of the man who she longed for, even though he was now descending the stairs behind her.
A small wind blew past her...her nose picked up a male musky scent of a cologne, she knew all too well. Her breathing stopped as she slowly turned around and there she saw him, slowly walking towards her with a big smile on his face.

                                     ———

Without hesitation they both ran into each other's arms. Marlena wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and pressed her cheek against his.
John wrapped his arms around her waist, almost lifting her off the ground as he buried his nose in her hair, inhaling her sweet scent that hadn't changed through the years.

"I made it...I made it" Marlena cried and hugged him even tighter.

"You came!" John whispered with relief in her ear.

He didn't want to let go of her, but he needed to look at her. Threading his hands into her hair, he gently pulled back a little, so he could see her beautiful face.

Neither said anything, as they stood in the moonlight and studied each other's eyes, their hands wandering, touching, caressing, feeling, getting reacquainted with one another again.

Through her sobs Marlena said
"John.... I'm sorry I was late.. I ran the whole way. I have so much I need to tell you..." staring into his beautiful blue eyes.

John moved his hands to her face, wiping away her tears as he admired her beauty. He felt his body respond to her closeness, his eyes falling upon her luscious lips, to her visible cleavage. Marlena noticed his wandering eyes and the tip of his tongue licking his lips. Her stomach fluttered as she waited for his next move.

"I know...but first I have to do this" he said with passion and desperation.

Slowly he pulled her face so close to his that their breasts mixed, them breathing the same air for the first time in 25 years. He gently brushed his lips against hers as he let out a sigh. Staying like that, he didn't think of consequences or anything else, only she consumed his thoughts and actions in that moment. With their noses together and their lips barely touching they both held their breaths with anticipation. Both were afraid to speak or move as they fought against nature and not to act on pure instinct.
John lost the battle when he looked deep into her eyes, into her soul, and saw her longing and desire. He moved his lips over hers, slowly and passionately.

Marlena welcomed his mouth, her lips trembling with a mixture of excitement, desire and fear.
She felt him holding back, maybe he was unsure if this was okay with her.

Marlena opened her mouth and deepened the kiss, her tongue finding its way to his as they began swirling around each other, mating. It was like a dance never forgotten.

They both felt their temperatures rising as the kiss grew more and more desperate and intense. It felt like home, safe and oh so right.

After several minutes, the need for air became too strong, forcing their mouths apart.

John noticed Marlenas shivering body. "Doc, are you okay?" He asked, concerned.

"I'm fine...just a bit cold" she lied.

John raised his eyebrow as he smiled at her
" Marlena.. you couldn't lie to me when we were married and apparently you still can't" he said with a grin.

They both burst out laughing, feeling the tension slowly disappearing.

"Do you want to get out of here?" He asked, still laughing.

Marlena wasn't quite sure what he meant by that. Did he want to leave already, they hadn't even talked yet? John saw her confusion and started laughing even more.

"Let me rephrase that. It's getting late and it's dark and cold out here. So I was wondering if you wanted to come with me?" He gave her a boyish smile.

"I do!" She whispered, not even questioning where they would go. She still trusted him with her heart, body, mind and soul.

Without saying another word, he took her hand, lacing their fingers together and guided her to his car.

                                    ————-

They drove in silence on deserted streets, both lost in thought. Every now and then they would glance at each other and smile.  Both still overwhelmed by their unexpected reunion.

Marlena didn't notice where they were going until she felt the car stop.

"John....Did you keep the loft" she asked with excitement as she looked at the building in front of them.

"Yeah, I couldn't get rid of it...too many memories!" He said as he got out of the car and went to her side to open the door for her. He held out his large hand for her to take. Placing her small hand in his, he pulled it to his mouth and kissed it.

The same questions filled their minds. Was this a bad idea?  They were both married... would they be able to only talk and not give into the passion and desire that their kisses had ignited?

Holding her hand John walked them to the front door and into the elevator.