Daniel Connors ex-Navy officer walked up to the hangar door. He knocked and adjusted his tie slightly. Placing the single long stemmed red rose he held behind his back, he plastered on a smile as the door opened to reveal Stringfellow Hawke. He didn't much like Hawke. He had never been very friendly in the few months he'd known Cait. He would have counted him a rival in any book. They were both about the same height and build. Daniel thought he had more of the California look to himself though, surfer tan with blond streaked hair. Hawke hadn't objected when he'd asked Cait to dance that first night at the airfield bar and grill. When he mentioned his belief that Hawke was her boyfriend, Cait had laughed lightly and assured him they were just friends. None the less much as he might be playing the big brother role, Daniel felt like Hawke was constantly sizing him up and finding him lacking.
"Hawke," he acknowledge. "I don't suppose Caitlin is ready?"
"I'm sure she'll be out in a minute." Hawke allowed moving only just enough for the other man to enter. He noticed the red rose in Daniel's hand. "I prefer white," he joked in a tone that was anything but, a smirk on his face.
Daniel felt his temper rising. "Its for passion," he said indicating the rose. "Cait and I are getting a lot closer. To night is the night if you know what I mean." He winked at Hawke trying to get the other man to react.
Hawke stiffened imperceptibly. What a jerk. You never kiss and tell at least not with someone like Cait. She's too sweet and innocent.
When he tuned back into the other man's words he heard, "And, what a kisser. Not to mention that body."
"She's a kid," Hawke stated flatly.
"She's no kid," Daniel returned matter of fact. "I can definitely attest to that. I'm glad she hides it most of the time though. If not, I'd have to beat some guys up." He gave Hawke a look that said he figured him to be at the top of the list before he plunged on. "It helps that she doesn't put her assets out there, but a man does get frustrated. Anyway, I'm going to make sure I keep this ride going. I'm asking her to move in with me."
Hawke stood with his arms at his side barley containing his urge to form a fist. His shoulders were back and he looked Daniel directly in the eye. Just then Dom came out of his office, turning out the light and closing the door. He saw the men standing near the hanger door. He thought String looked stiff and about to punch something. Considering his attention was focused on Daniel, Dom figured that he would be the something punched.
"Ho, ho," Dom began to try to lighten the mood. He smiled as he crossed the distance of the hangar to the two men. "Don't you look snazzy."
Daniel stepped forward and extended a hand. Dom took it and shook heartily. Daniel had nothing against this man. He was just an easily manipulated father figure. Daniel had tons of experience with that type.
"Yes sir." He poured on the 'respect' and charm. "I'm taking Caitlin out someplace very special tonight. Nothing but the best for your Caitlin, sir. With your permission of course."
Dom could see String roll his eyes at the blatantly obvious attempt to curry favor.
"Well Cait makes up her own mind." Dom replied. "You kids have a good time."
Just then, Cait stepped out from the door leading to the dressing room at the back of the hanger. All three men turned to see her. She was wearing a close fitting emerald green silky dress with clear spaghetti straps. It fit every one of her curves and shimmered suggestively when she moved. Her matching heels clicked on the floor as she walked. Every other step revealed the slit on the right side of the dress that revealed her shapely legs all the way up to mid thigh. She took in their reactions as she crossed the length of the hanger to meet them at the far door.
Dom was beaming. "You look great." He said grinning ear to ear like a proud father whose daughter had just been crowned prom queen.
Daniel was astounded and could only say, "Wow!"
She didn't believe Hawke's reaction though. It was as if he'd never seen her before. His eyes roved over every part of her body like a wolf hunting prey. His face for once held not the schooled impassive features she'd come to expect, but an open almost possessive hunger. Her heart skipped a beat. I think he's finally noticed me. His eyes met hers.
Daniel finally found his voice for more that just a monosyllable. "Every guy at the club is going to want to take you home. You look amazing."
Tearing her eyes from Hawke's gaze she looked down over her dress. It had cost her two months pay, but after the way Hawke had looked at her she knew it had been worth it. "Its just something I picked up."
Daniel handed over the rose. She took it with grace even though she preferred white carnations. She knew he was just trying to be romantic. Daniel slid his arm possessively around her and guided her out toward their evening together.
Dom and Hawke watched them go. Dom turned to his young friend and found that Hawke seemed to have recovered from his momentary lapse of self control. He'd seen the unmistakeable look of desire and hunger. So, the boy does have eyes. Now, all he saw was a cold an impenetrable mask. Hawke immediately left on his motorcycle. Dom just shook his head. Kids.
Hawke felt like he had seen Cait for the first time and really liked what he saw. He needed a dangerous amount of speed to clear his head. He needed the distraction. Needed to focus on the road rather than what had just happened.
She's a kid, he kept telling himself. The vision of her in that dress screamed she wasn't. It continued to burn itself into his memory. God, she looked good. His thoughts began to turn more specific when he thought of the way her back was exposed to the waist and how she'd shiver if he kissed every one of her vertebrae. He was feeling uncomfortable in his pants. He went faster. The wind wiped through the longer brown strands of hair at the top of his head. The chill in the California air doing nothing to calm his physical reactions. His mind was working hard to reconcile the Cait that he'd just seen and the Cait that worked with him every day. He wasn't blind. He'd always thought that she was cute. But, this was something else entirely. Caitlin. His, sweet little Caitlin was...was a...a woman.
Damn.
Then it hit him like a ton of bricks. She wasn't his sweet little anything. She'd just gone out with another man looking like that. And, she sure wasn't a kid.
Several hours later, Caitlin O'Shannessy sat on the tan sofa in Daniel Connors apartment gazing absently at the the department store artwork on the the wall. They had had a nice enough date. Expensive restaurant and dancing. She hadn't protested when he'd invited her back to his place for a drink. He was a nice enough guy and at least he appreciated her. She thought the print was trying to be a Monet with its slightly blurred pastels. The real Monet that hung on the wall in Hawke's cabin was in a completely different league. But, then so was Hawke. She wished she were sitting on his sofa after an evening out. He seemed to have finally noticed she was a woman and not a kid earlier at the hanger, but still believed he'd never do anything about it because of her "friend" status. She sighed.
"Penny?" Daniel asked as he sat next to her and handed her a glass of wine.
Before she answered she took a sip of the wine. Definitely not as good as Hawke's. "Just thinking about differences and compromises," she said.
"As long as we don't have any differences," he said smoothly. "And, you are never a compromise. You're a beautiful woman, Cait."
She blushed at his praise not quite thinking of herself as beautiful. Her hands fidgeted with the wine glass which he deftly plucked up and placed on the worn end table behind her. The lean needed to accomplish this the perfect opportunity to move much closer and envelope her in an embrace.
"I have to admit. I like flattery." She said as she leaned into him running her hands through his wavy sandy hair.
"I mean it Cait." He seemed a little too intense. "I know we've only been together a short time, but I feel I've known you for years. Move in with me." He looked at her hopefully.
She let out a breath. "Let me think about it."
"But its not a no?" he asked holding her green blue eyes in his brown hued gaze. She wished there were a particular set of blue eyes behind that question.
"Its not a no," she stated. He looked giddy. "Its also not a yes." She felt compelled to clarify.
He looked into her eyes and brushed a wisp of her hair from her cheek. "As long as its not a no. I have a chance." He pulled her closer and kissed her passionately. His arms encircled her and he traced her spine with delicate fingers.
If she closed her eyes tightly, she could pretend it was Hawke kissing her. Pretend also that Hawke was the one with his arms around her gently lowering her to the sofa. She had intended on thinking about what he'd asked, but his continued kisses and her ardent wish to pretend occupied all her attention.
The next day at the Santini Air hanger, Hawke was cleaning and putting away the tools he used to to finish up a tune up earlier. Dominic was as adamant about the quality care bestowed on his tools as well as his aircraft. A bouquet of a dozen red roses with all the greenery in a rather large vase made its way into the hanger a delivery man carefully keeping it aloft while checking his sheet.
Looking up from the desk in the corner Dom said, "String. You shouldn't have. Its not even my birthday." He flashed a big grin. Hawke shot him a that's NOT funny look as the delivery man called out, "Caitlin O'Shannessy?"
"She'll be back in a few minutes," Hawked answered the man who quickly placed the vase on the desk and left. Dom smelled the flowers and reached for the card.
"Don't you think that's private," Hawke pinned Dom with a quirked brow.
"All come on String," Dom wheedled. "Aren't you the least bit curious?"
"No," Hawke returned a scowl on his face.
Dom read aloud. "Thanks for last night. It was memorable. No pressure on the question, but you know I want it to be yes. Love Daniel."
Uh oh. Dom looked over at Hawke to gauge his reaction. String had no emotion in his eyes and certainly none on his face. This is bad.
Aloud he said, "I didn't know they were getting that close." His voice held surprise and concern. "Don't you think they're moving way too fast. They've only know each other for a few months and now marriage? We should talk to her. Get her to see that this Daniel Connors may not be all he seems."
Hawke recalled Daniel's words to him the night before and knew he wouldn't be able to keep from punching his lights out the next time he saw him. He also didn't feel like enlightening Dom to the fact that he already knew Daniel was a jerk.
"Like you said Dom. She makes her own decisions." Hawke's voice had a quality of steel to it.
"Oh, but you can't tell me you're okay with just letting her go off and..." He stopped mid sentence as Cait walked into the hanger struggling with a large box.
"Hey guys. Here are the parts we were waiting on." Cait stopped as she noticed the large bouquet. "Oh my."
Hawke moved to retrieve the box while Dom used the cover to replace the card. Cait handed off the box and moved to inspect the flowers. She snatched up the card and quickly scanned the words. When she finished she looked up. Dom had disappeared and Hawke was resolutely not looking at her. His shoulders hunched a little as he began unpacking the box.
Something was fishy. She knew this was the perfect teasing opportunity. Neither of them usually shied away from teasing her, so what...they must have read the card. She suddenly became very angry. Her face flushed. Yes she spent a lot of time with them on and off the job. Yes they were like family. But, her father would have set her down and talked about moving too fast. Her brothers would have teased her mercilessly then given their honest opinion of the guy. She hadn't expected Dom and Hawke to just, well, to just ignore her. What kind of family were they? Even friends would have said something. She knew Hawke had finally seen her last night. Really, seen her. So, why the cold shoulder now? At that moment Dom came barreling out of his office.
"Cait its time we had a talk about Daniel," Dom started. "I know he seems like a great guy and all, but...but you barely know him. Don't you think things are going a little fast. I mean I know kids these days do things faster than when I was your age, but I don't want you to settle on the wrong guy." Dom gave String a glance.
Cait broke into a big smile tears glistening in her eyes. She gave him a fierce hug.
"Not that I mind. But, what was that for?" Dom asked a flustered expression on his face.
"I'm just so happy you care enough to but in."
He shot Hawke a look that said see I told you so and hugged her back.
"Of course I care. Why wouldn't I? You're like my own daughter." Dom led her over to the office. "Now why don't you tell me how you feel about Daniel," he said as he made a point to close the door on the hanger and its single remaining occupant.
