Blurred Lines

Chapter 17 - Earth Angel

October 1, 1992

Marlena's Lakeside Cottage

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Earth angel, earth angel

Will you be mine

My darling dear... love you all the time

I'm just a fool, a fool in love, with you

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The motor was running in the Jeep as John sat in Marlena's driveway staring at her house with mixed emotions. It was nearing dinner time, and he hoped to be in and out quickly. He'd intentionally come when he had a time constriction. He was supposed to meet Isabella and Brady for dinner at Victor's in less than an hour. He'd been avoiding Marlena for the last five days because of their kiss on moving day. His fingers squeezed the steering wheel, and he took a deep breath. He could do this. Don't kiss her again. Another deep breath, and he turned off the car, tossing the door open. Just as he started walking up the driveway, Sami jumped out of the nearby azalea bush with a scream of surprise.

John stood staring down at her with a look of humor, feeling his heart race. Her face was pink with exertion, a wild halo of tangled blonde hair around her face. John laughed, "Well, you got me, Peanut. That was unexpected."

"Eric!" she called. "Daddy's here!"

John lifted her in his arms, kissing her sweaty cheek while walking towards the house, "Where's your mother right now?"

"She's in the house making dinner." Sami whispered conspiratorially, "She made lunch too, and guess what? It wasn't even bad. She's got some cookbook that Mrs. Horton gave her, and its teachin' her how to cook."

"And where is Randy?" John asked, looking around for the security guard who was supposed to be watching the house.

Sami got a quizzical look on her face, as she told him, "Him and Eric are being military men, and checkin' the pere-peri-meter?"

John laughed as he said, "Perimeter. Do you know what that means?"

Sami shrugged like she didn't care, "Walk in circles around the house, and be boring?"

"Kind of." John laughed again, "Kind of. Go find your brother and Randy. I need to speak with your mother."

He could hear the music playing in the kitchen before he even opened the front door. Earth Angel. It was an old one. John kicked his shoes off by the mudroom, and rounded the corner to find Marlena stirring a pot. Her hips swayed, and she was an absolute vision. She'd tied her hair up in a messy bun on top of her head, and she wore a loose dress with flowers. He walked closer, and leaned against the wall watching her sway on bare feet. His eyes scanned over her rounded hips, and the way the fabric laid over the swell of her ass. Fucking beautiful.

On impulse he walked up behind her, singing, "The vision of your loveliness." His arm slipped around her waist as if it was second nature, and she turned in his arms with a smile. One hand landed on his chest while her other looped around his neck holding a wooden spoon aloft.

"John, what are you doing?" she asked him barely above a whisper.

"You looked like you needed a dance partner," he told her. His arm around her waist tightened, "Now let me lead." He took the spoon from her hand, and laid it near the pot on the stovetop.

His snug arm around her body, her belly against his...and then he lifted her hand to his chest, and she nearly melted. Marlena smiled softly. He was such a good dancer. A gentle spin, and she was lost in the past remembering Carrie's birthday party when John first came to Salem.