Only you, just you

Shagrined

If I love myself , I love you.
If I love you , I love myself. Rumi

Ben's form got smaller and smaller as the taxi speed up.

But then Rey heard him shout.... "Rey , I found him... I found him!"

"Stop the car!" She screamed.

           Poppy watched all this with astonishment. This absolutely crazy scene. But something in side of her turned all warm and toasty when it occurred to her that she had never seen a man so totally devoted to a woman that he would give up his own happiness so that she could  get what she wants.

Even if it meant he would lose her.

It looked almost humorous as he over shot the taxi and kept on running.  Poppy guessed that if you were that tall and that fast it would take a mountain jumping up in front of you to stop you in your tracks.

But fortunately for him he did stop . Rey saw how out of breath and sweaty he was and almost felt sorry for him... almost.

"What do you mean you found him?" She called of the taxi window. How in less then 24 hours he could find what it's taken her days to do?

Poppy pulled her out of the car and they joined Ben on the street, Rey not to keen to be breathing the same air as him once again.   "Okay Ben," Poppy said, "tell us what you know."

"I have a friend at the US embassy. And I asked them to look him up. They found him. He comes to Italy once a year on business and follows the same itinerary every time. He starts in Venice, goes through Rome and ends up in Positano."

"That's great! Giovanni can drive us." Poppy cheered. But Rey was wary.

She looked up at him and carefully studied his profile. She had to dismiss the flutter in her stomach as she first looked at his strong, handsome features. She couldn't let herself be taken in by how wavy his black hair hung over his eyes or how soft his raspberry red lips looked.

Was there anything about his eyes or the set of his mouth that could give her a clue if he was lying?

She was cautiously optimistic when he appeared to be telling the truth.

"I did good, huh?" He nudged her shoulder and she couldn't help reluctant smile from forming on her lips.

Lips he still wanted to kiss.

***********

The Cinque Terre coast line took Rey's breath away.

        The rugged cliffs with the sea heaving itself against the rocks below, small medieval villages mixed in with the dramatic landscapes was everything she hoped they would be.   The climate was perfectly pleasant which helped the less than perfect seating arrangements.

      She was beyond grateful for Giovanni for driving them all the way down there, but she had reservations about the size of the car.

   He drove a red Ferrari (nod to Adams new movie) , which had two small seats in the back.  So of course she had to sit next to Ben when Giovanni insisted that Poppy get to sit in front to better see the scenery.

  She blushed when their thighs touched when he sat down next to her, and damn if her heart did a flip and a squeeze  when he smiled down at her.
She could tell he was enjoying this to much when he noticed her discomfort. And why did she sense that he desperately wanted to hold her hand? 

     If he had taken it, she would have ripped it away. But he made no such move. Was that disappointment or relief she felt?

        She felt all her emotions jumble up and twist when he was near. And he was so near she could smell  the masculine scent of him and it confused her.
Where was the gypsy woman with her crystal ball when she needed her? She needed some direction from the stars.

      The men talked about guy  stuff, politics and fast cars, which always  made Rey bored but she felt herself being drawn into the conversation when they   changed  the topic  to their favorite Opera and museums.

This was also disconcerting to Rey. Ben told her he had been a basketball star in his youth. And an all star in college. Of course he did.
   He was as tall as a redwood tree and as fast on his feet. Almost as fast as his hands. She still blushed when she thought of where his hands had touched her.  And her face grew hot when she remembered  his deception.

But there was just something  about him.

This  guy had many faucets and hidden talents, not evident when you just look at him.  And she loved a good mystery she thought ironically to her self.

     The swaying of the car and the warmth that poured from Ben, lulled Rey into a fitful slumber.

      She dreamt of strangely shaped trees that  morphed into Dukes face, his arms turned into roots that slithered and hissed like snakes. They curled around her ankles and arms so she couldn't escape.  She was  trapped!
        Then from  the dark forest came a mist. It swirled and clung to her body. She can't  see where she was standing.  Will the earth open up and swallow her whole?
Suddenly out of the murkiness, comes a tall dark figure.
       He was wearing a  black cloak and his face was hidden behind a mask.  But she was not afraid. She felt  relieved and safe when he appeared.  He was her champion, her hero,  come to save her and take her away from this hellish place.

    He walked up to her and with a sword bathed in a  red glow he slashed through the roots that held her bound.
Then in revenge, the roots came after him. They circled his feet and began clinging and growing.

Up to his face they climbed as he thrashed and fought valiantly. But it looked as if the roots we're winning as they encircled his throat, and he dropped his weapon at her feet.
She could not just stand there and let her hero be engulfed in the deadly roots. She could hear him gasp and groan as his life was ebbing away. Quickly she reached for the saber and slashed the roots at the base of the tree.

It howled and thrashed but eventually slipped away. Never to be seen again.

" Take off your helmet, and let me see my deliverer." She  begged in awe.  He did as he was asked . His face was not what she expected. Dark eyes looked at her with tender care.  And gratitude. " No , my dear lady." He spoke. " it was you who rescued me. We have saved each other from certain disaster."
They embraced as the mist blew and swirled a round them and then suddenly he vanished.

    Ben had heard her moan in her sleep and sensed that she was having a nightmare.

     He hesitated for only a brief moment before placing his right arm gently around her shoulder. He couldn't help himself from protecting her, even as she slept.

    He could not move a muscle, lest he disturb her.  But she didn't wake as she snuggled closer into his side.

        Rey's head rolled to the side, as the car took a sharp turn and Ben looked down at her face was cradled between his chest and shoulder.  He felt her sweetly warm breath on his face as she peacefully slumbered.
     She stilled when his arm came around her and he smiled.

All to soon Giovanni pulled in front of the hotel and the beautiful moment was lost for Ben. 

With the movement of the car stopping Rey startled awake.   They stared at each other and briefly their eyes locked.  Was that a spark of tenderness or terror in her eyes?

Maybe a bit of both as Rey realized she was in his embrace.  "What are you doing?"    She tried to hide the panic in her voice but it was there for him to hear. She was mortified that she was sleeping peacefully on his shoulder.

Ben pulled his arm quickly away as she jumped out of the Ferrari . Reacting as if his touch would scorch her.  She quickly walked into the hotel, Poppy  following after her. Poppy looked over her shoulder and gave him an apologetic glance then took Giovanni's arm. 
This was all so awkward. Even Giovanni knew there was someone strange going on between Ben and Rey.