One Stormy Night

Part 7

Stevie didn't say a word, the uncertainty, and the exhilaration from the fear of seeing him at that moment--and what it could mean, making speech an impossible task.

He stood there, his entire frame tensed, his eyes searching hers, as he waited for her response. "I asked you a question, Stevie," he reminded her, his quiet voice made deep by the tension vibrating through his body, as a loud clap of thunder, followed immediately by a bright flash of lightening made him glance towards the window, adding to the already intensely charged atmosphere. His penetrating blue eyes returning to hers, Lindsey repeated, "Where do you think you're going?"

She tried to speak. She really did, but the sudden dryness of her mouth made the words lodge in her throat, and she could only watch as he shrugged out of his jacket and hung it next to the door. She retreated a step when he advanced on her, the backs of her knees coming in contact with the leather chair behind her, and before she could gather her wits enough to get around that obstacle, Lindsey caught her wrist, and pulled her to him, grabbing the other when she tried to use that hand to push against his chest in order to get away.

"Lindsey," she finally managed, and her heart skipped a beat when she felt the heat of his breath on her lips, her nostrils flaring slightly when she caught the spicy scent of his cologne. He was too close, and she just couldn't think straight. "You have to let go of me. You...you have to leave. Please," she whispered frantically.

"Not a chance," he informed her, and brought his face even closer to hers, the frown marring his brow displaying his determination. "I didn't spend the last three hours trying to track you down--in the middle of a thunderstorm, no less--to let you get away that easily..."

"Lindsey... Please... just let me go... It's...it's better that way." Stevie's voice trembled as she backed away from him, trying unsuccessfully to loosen his grip on her arms. She was attempting to turn around when she felt herself yanked back around, flush against his body, causing her breath to escape in a rush as she felt the heat of his body penetrate the soaked clothing that still clung to her.

"Better?" Lindsey's whispered words were barely audible over the booming thunder outside the airplane. "Oh no, Stevie, it's not BETTER that way... and I'm not letting you go again... not ever! I love you..." His hands trailed up the lengths of her arms, clutching her to him, and he fingered the lapels of her jacket, grasping at them as he pulled her closer. Staring into her eyes, he watched her as he uttered those last words, needing her to realize that he was speaking the truth from his heart.

"Dammit, Lindsey! You have to STOP th--" Stevie began, but the words were effectively silenced when he caught her lips with his. She gave in almost instantly, the daring, forbidden intensity of the reconnection happening between them causing her to cling to him, her mouth and her hands just as desperately fierce as his, as they searched his lips and body.

It was the most difficult thing Stevie had ever done--to admit she was being weak, and drag herself away from that kiss--and with unsteady legs, took several quick steps away, her hands fists in the hair at the sides of her head in confused desperation, until she was standing behind the bar, rationalizing that she would be safer with some kind of barrier between them. She had spent too much time wanting him over the past month, and not being able to do anything about it, for it not to affect her when he held her close to him, or told her he loved her. She felt, for her own sanity, that she had to create some distance between them.