04. Finding Her Center

Robert admires Anna's figure flattering red dress as she comes out of the bathroom. She pairs the evening gown with a pair of black boots, and her hair cascades down her backside.

"What's the matter Scorpio…cat got your tongue," she teases.

"Words don't do your exquisite beauty justice. Every man in the room will be looking at you tonight and trying to figure out what you are doing with me."

"You exaggerate Scorpio. You are the one who will be turning heads tonight. You still look as sexy as you did the first time I saw you."

"You think I'm sexy huh?"

"Maybe I do…Then again; it could be the champagne we just had."

"You want to test out that theory Devane," he challenges.

She tilts her head slightly and he reaches up to touch her cheek…the gentle caress of his fingers on her skin still eliciting that familiar jolt of electricity in her. She should have known he would still have this effect on her.

"Maybe I am a little curious," she states. She hoped he would not catch her staring at his lips.

"Curious huh," he questions. So this is how you want to play it Luv. Two can play at this game. "About what?"

"About whether or not, you are still a good kisser." I cannot believe I just said that.

She tugs him to her by his tie, her fingers tangling in his hair as their lips mingle. He tasted just as she always remembered and their bodies needed no time to reacquaint themselves with each other. Her lips parted immediately so his tongue could plunge inside. She wraps her arms around his neck and he pulls her into his arms as they crash against the wall.

Neither of them knew how long the kiss had lasted but they were perfectly aware of how their breathing seemed to speed up when it ended and how neither of them wanted to let each other go as their foreheads touched.

"Well, "he asked?

Her shy smile when she looked at him told him all he needed to know.

"I don't believe it. Is Anna Devane actually speechless?"

She blushes slightly and he kisses her forehead. "Don't worry Luv…Your secret is safe with me."

Where the hell did that kiss come from…and why did it feel so much like coming home again?

"I think we better get going Scorpio. You promised me a night out."

Why can't she admit that she liked it?

He wraps his arm around her shoulder as he picks up her shawl. "Then we don't have a second to waste, do we?"

"Robert?"

"What is it Luv?"

"I was wrong. You are a hell of lot more than just sexy."

"Is that your way of saying that you liked it?"

An involuntary shiver runs down her back and she can no longer deny what just happened back in his hotel room. "I think you know it was a hell of a lot more than just 'like' in there."

"Good. Then it wasn't just me who felt it."

She puts her hand on his chest as they wait for their cab. "I don't like it admitting this but that kiss…It was a whole hell of a lot more than I like you and to be honest it scares the hell out of me. I came here to find myself again and the next thing I know, you and I are acting like lovers."

"Is that such a bad thing?"

"No…and that might be even worse. My problem has never been not wanting you…it is wanting you too much. What if that is why none of my relationships ever worked out before?"

"What if it is? What are you so afraid of Anna?"

"Of losing you. Don't you get it Robert…I am terrified of going down this road and finding out that we can't make it work…Because if that happens than what chance do I have at ever being happy again. Robert I have tried so hard to find the magic that we had with other people…and every time I failed. I could not stand it if I failed again…especially with you. You are the one I can't imagine my life without."

"Oh Annie," he sighs as he tugs her against him, his arms wrapping around her waist as he holds her close.

"Maybe part of finding yourself again is finding out where you feel most at home. For me, home has never been four walls…For me; home has always been you Luv. "