Not Like the Movies

Chapter: 4

Rating: PG-13

Jack led Mary into the bedroom. "So what do you think?" he asked. "Needs a woman's touch, right?"

"Perhaps."

He came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Where do you think we should start?" he pressed a kiss to the side of her neck.

"Here's good."

He was handsome and oh so charming. "Are we moving too fast here?" he asked. "I don't think we should rush into anything."

She turned around to face him. "I think it's a little late for that."

Not to mention the perfect gentlemen. "Oh, I know it is." he agreed. "I just want to make sure that..."

Mary silenced him with a kiss. "I think you talk too much." she said, pulling back. "There's no reason to overanalyze everything."

And he was an expert kisser. Every time their lips met everything else around them just faded away. "Sorry." he smiled. "Nervous habit."

"There's no need to be nervous."

"You're absolutely right."

"Of course I am." she smiled. "Now about the decorating..."

"I want it to be cozy." he told her. "Romantic even."

"Romantic?" she arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah." he drew her back into his arms. "You do like romance don't you? Flowers and chocolates and champagne. Soft music, candlelight."

God, he really was the perfect man. Her lips parted slightly, her tongue slipping between to wet them. And she wanted him. Her eyes were completely focused on his mouth, she wanted nothing more than to kiss him. She moved her mouth closer and closer to his. The tip of her tongue just barely touched against his igniting a fire so hot and so passionate that they both knew there would be no turning back.

"Wow." he breathed out. "Are you sure?"

Mary smiled. "Yes." she replied. "I'm sure."

"Good." he replied. "Kiss me again."

"I think that's my line."

"Sorry."

Their lovemaking was soft and slow at first, moving together with such tenderness, acquainting themselves with each other's bodies. With each passing second their movements became quicker and more deliberate, pent up passion and laden lust came rushing out and they were lost. Lost in each other, lost in the moment. An almost forbidden push-pull dance that ended in such an eruption of passion that it felt as though the earth was shattering beneath them.

They laid together peacefully, intertwined not only with each other but in the sheets as well. Jack lazily traced his fingertips up and down her bare back. "It would be so incredibly easy to fall head over heels in love with you." he told her. "So easy that I think I've already done it."

Mary looked up at him. "You know Jack, you really shouldn't say things like that unless you mean them."

"I do mean them." he said, seriously. "I think we make a pretty good match, don't you?"

She smiled. "The thought did cross my mind."

"I love spending time with you." he told her. "I know it might sound crazy, I mean we've only know each other a few weeks, but I can't imagine my life without you."

"I feel the same way." she confessed. "I thought I was the crazy one."

Jack laughed. "Maybe we're both crazy then."

"Maybe." she said. "But if we both feel this way then there's probably something to it."

"Doesn't that scare you?"

"A little." she replied, honestly. "I've never felt about anyone the way I feel about you. Sometimes it scares me and other times it scares me thinking of what life would be like without you."

Jack dropped a kiss onto her lips. "I don't know what this is between us, Mary, but I think we would be fools not to explore it to it's deepest levels. I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you. And I know that we're moving fast, but I can't help it. Why should we slow down when life holds no guarantees?"

"I know what you mean." she agreed. "We don't know what the future holds but we can make damn good of the present. I think as long as we're happy that's all that matters. And you are happy, aren't you, Jack?"

"Deliriously so." he smiled a million dollar smile. "These past few weeks I've been happier than I've ever been in my entire life. You know I never really believed in love at first sight, or fate until I met you. But now I feel like everything's changed. I feel like I can conquer the world if I have you at my side."

Mary was absolutely captivated by him. He was different from any other man she had ever met. He was the man she had been dreaming of since she was sixteen. Her knight in shining armor. "The world, huh?"

"I think your heart would do."

"Well I think you already have that."

Jack leaned forward and kissed her. "I promise I'll keep it safe." he told her. "It will never get broken in my care."

"I'm going to hold you to that."

"I want you to." he said. "I think you've had my heart in your hands since the very first moment our eyes met at WJM. From the moment I saw you I knew you were perfect for me. And now that I know that you feel the same way maybe what I'm about to ask you won't sound as crazy."

"Ask me?"

"Yes." he smiled. "I would like it very much if you would think about moving in here with me."

"Moving in?" that certainly wasn't what she was expecting to hear. "You want to live together? I don't know, Jack, that seems a little sudden, don't you think?"

"I know it's crazy..."

"It's insane." she interjected. "Absolutely insane."

"It doesn't have to be right away." he said. "I just want you to think about it."

xxxxx

Lunch and the movies somehow turned into spending the entire day together. They had dinner and then decided to take a walk by the lake. It was only their second official date, but Rhoda could see something in Andy that she never did in any of the other guys she went out with. This guy was successful and handsome and kind and caring. He was the kind of guy she could take home to her mother.

Andy reached for her hand. He seemed to be a bit old fashioned that way. "I've had a really great time today." he said, interlacing his fingers with hers. "Even if that movie was awful."

"At least we got some good laughs out of it."

"Yeah." he laughed. "But I think we laughed at all the wrong parts."

"At least we laughed." she said. "I've had a really good time too."

Andy couldn't hide his smile. Not even if he wanted to. "Does that mean you'll go out with me again?"

"Well that depends." she said. "Are you asking me?"

He stopped them mid-step and turned so that they were face to face. "Hey, Rhoda." his smile was warm and inviting. "You wanna go out with me again?"

"I'd love to."

"The Teddy awards are on Friday night." he told her. "Do you happen to own a dress that would make every woman in Minneapolis incredibly jealous?"

There was something about him that made her feel different, made her feel confident. "Uh, I think I may be able to come up with something." she said.. "But are you going to make me wait six whole days to see you again?"

"Of course not." he said. "I have every intention of taking you out to lunch on Monday. If you want to go, that is."

"Yeah, I'll come by the station and pick you up."

"And Wednesday night I have to cover the Vikings game." he told her. "You can come along if you want. Sit right on the sidelines."

"I think I'm going to like dating a sportscaster."

"Yeah?" he asked. "Why's that?"

"Great seats at all the sporting events?" she laughed. "You're going to have a very hard time getting dumping me."

"I wouldn't dream of it." he said, gently cupping her face in his hands. "In fact I see a bright and happy future ahead of us."

"You do?"

Andy inched in closer to her, his lips delicately brushing against hers. "Yeah, I do." he smiled as he pulled away from her. "And by the time we go to the Teddy Awards you'll see it to."

"You're very confident."

"Is that a bad thing?"

"No." she assured him. "I think it's very sexy."

Andy smiled, taking her hand in his. "How about we continue our moonlight stroll?" They walked along with lake for about an hour just talking about whatever came up in conversation. There was something between them that just clicked. Something that they couldn't explain, but something they both wanted to explore. He walked her back to her apartment.

Rhoda unlocked her door. "Thanks for a great day."

"I'm the one who should be thanking you." he said. "After all without you I would have had to spend the day completely alone." he leaned in and softly kissed her. "I really like you, Rhoda."

She wrapped her arms around his neck, drawing him closer. "I really like you, too, Andy." they kissed slowly and romantically. "I would invite you in, but I don't want to rush things. So I guess I'll just say goodnight."

"I'm okay with just a kiss goodnight." he quickly kissed her again. "Goodnight, Rhoda."

"Goodnight, Andy."

tbc...