Thank you to everyone who read and especially those who reviewed! It is much appreciated! Hope you continue to like my take. (thanks NettieC)
"Figures that this is the only decent thing on to watch," Mac groaned.
"Oh, come on marine, you know you love it. Doesn't Maverick remind you of someone you know?"
"Hmm, I don't know. My flyboy is much better looking, has a better smile and would out fly the Mav any day," Mac said sweetly, snuggling up closer to Harm.
Harm's smug look returned as he tightened his hold around her shoulders. Seeing her yawn, Harm leaned back on the couch bringing Mac to lie on top of him and then began rubbing circles over her back. Mac let out a sigh and rested her head on Harm's chest, listening to the steady thump, thump of his heartbeat.
"You know, I could really get used to this," Mac mumbled. "I haven't been this relaxed in…I don't know if I have ever been this relaxed." Mac lifted her head a little to look up at Harm and found that he grinning down at her. Harm lifted a hand and ran it through Mac's hair. Mac smiled and pressed a kiss to Harm's chest, above his heart. "This has been the most perfect night of my life," Mac continued.
"Mine too. You're tired sweetheart. Let's get you to bed and then I'll head home. You want to do something tomorrow? Running and breakfast, an airplane ride and lunch or dinner and a show?"
"Whoa, whoa, take a breath there partner. First, you are not going anywhere tonight, it is way too late, and I don't want you falling asleep, plus I really kind of like having you here. And why don't we do all of that stuff tomorrow, just no getting us stranded and chased by poachers!"
Harm laughed as he stood up, bringing Mac with him. "You're never going to let that one go are you? I got us out of there."
"Yeah, and I got shot. I think that was my first Harmon Rabb battle wound."
Harm became really quiet at Mac's words and picked up her hand and lifted it to his lips. "I'm sorry I ever gave you any wounds, physical or emotional, but I promise to do my best from now on."
"There was nothing permanent, sailor, and your best is pretty good," Mac said, leaning up to give him a thorough kiss. "Now come on. I may be a marine who doesn't need much sleep, but I am also a woman who could use all the beauty sleep she can get!"
"You don't need sleep to be beautiful. Do you have an extra pillow and blanket handy? I'm glad you finally decided on the newer, longer couch."
"Harm, you are not sleeping on that thing. For one thing, it will kill your knee and back. If you don't want to sleep next to me then I will take the couch."
"Wait, wait—why in the world would you think I don't want to sleep next to you? Mac, ever since that night in the mountains, the time in the desert and even Paraguay I have wished to hold you like that again. I'm just not sure I can be responsible for my actions or reactions," Harm said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively at Mac.
"I'm pretty sure I can hold my own, but I want to wake up next to you and know this wasn't just another fantasy of mine."
Harm picked up Mac's hand once again, kissed her palm and then led her to the bed. "I want to hear you say that every day."
"Which part? Me wanting to wake up next you?"
"Oh, I liked that, but your comment about fantasies really caught my attention. Any interesting ones you'd like to share, marine?"
"In the interest of not rushing anything, I am going to plead the fifth. Let's just say some of them have been rather interesting, and I believe someday soon you might understand."
Harm let loose a full-blown smile as he climbed into bed. "So Mac, are you a snuggler or someone who needs personal sleeping space? All our other times of sleeping close have been out of necessity."
"With you? A snuggler. You are very snuggable, Harm," Mac's voice took sleepy tone as she laid her head on Harm's shoulder. Harm snaked an arm around his girl, shifting both of them to a more comfortable position. "Oh, I almost forgot; what was the meaning for the three roses?" Mac asked, her words becoming slurred as sleep overtook her.
"I love you or past, present and future or marry me, Mac," Harm answered, his voice whispering his last three words. Mac was already asleep before hearing his answer, and Harm was secretly happy because when it came time for a proposal, he had much bigger and better plans—plans that had been in place for years only to have been put on hold because of one or the other's stubbornness.
'Oh, yeah,' Harm thought to himself. 'I finally got the girl.'
Mac woke the next morning to find herself on the edge of the bed, a mere shove from meeting the floor. Harm's arm was around her, securing her to the bed, while the rest of him lay stomach-down and crossways on the Mac's queen-size sleeper. Turning to face her partner, Mac couldn't help but smile at Harm's sleeping form. He really did look like a little lost boy sometimes. Mac sighed, wondering how she could still fall even more in love with this man.
Determined to regain some space, Mac managed to roll Harm over, with herself laying on top of him. Harm merely grunted, and Mac grinned.
"Rise and shine, sailor boy. Day light is burning, and I do believe you owe me breakfast and a run."
Harm's arms snaked around Mac and his eyes opened a slit. "Are you always this cheerful in the morning? And what time is it?"
"0703 and that is late and yes, I am cheerful in the morning. The day is just beginning and one never knows what is in store. But I believe this is the most cheerful I have ever been. You're a sprawler, did you know that?"
Harm suddenly grinned and rolled, pinning Mac between him and the bed. "A sprawler huh? Well, maybe we need a bigger bed." Harm ran a finger over her forehead, tucking a piece of hair behind her ear. "God, you are so beautiful." With that, Harm closed the distance to Mac, crushing his lips to hers, his hands lightly traveling up and down her sides. Mac responded by wrapping her arms around his shoulders, her hands gripping his back.
Harm slipped his hands under Mac's pajama top, skimming over her back and stomach. Mac couldn't stop the shivers from running up and down her spine. Needing more herself, Mac grabbed the hem of Harm's t-shirt and tugged upward. Ever responsive to her desires, Harm lifted his arms up, allowing the shirt to come off.
Mac let out a hum of approval, as her hands went to do some exploring of their own. The moment Mac's hands had touched his skin, Harm's mind had clouded and all rational thought left. It was all he could do to keep things at a sane pace. He hadn't planned or expected this, but it was real and happening. Unable to help himself, Harm planted firm, but sweet kisses to Mac's neck, and his thumbs skimmed the undersides of her breasts.
Mac groaned. Suddenly unsure of himself, Harm stopped his actions and lifted his head to look Mac in the eye, and was overwhelmed at the love and desire shining from her eyes.
"Sarah, is this what you want?"
To be continued…