CHAPTER TWENTY SIX

Ready?

My shoulder was killing me and as I went to take a pill for it, I realized I was running low and I would run out before I flew back home. I called around to see if I could get a refill over here, which I could, so while Sarah was out to lunch with her friend, I took a cab to an outpatients clinic near to the London Eye. I wanted to take Sarah up there, I figured it would be a good way to keep her cornered with nowhere to run while I told her how happy I am being with her.

It was something I planned on doing much later in the coming week after getting to know her more, but I never imagined I would fall this quickly for her. I wondered whether to ask her on a date or just set it up and surprise her, but seen as though I forgot to bring the surprise with me over to England that I had got her a month ago, I settled on this being the surprise.

"Hey!" I called out to Sarah who almost walked straight passed me, on her cell. She merely looked up at me and waved her hand for me to be quiet. Don't get mad...

"Sorry, just had to talk to a guy about some work he was meant to be doing. Did you get sorted? Are you OK?" There she went again, asking if I was all right.

"Yeah, I'm just fine sweetheart and I got the pills I needed." And the other things I'll need for tonight.

Dark clouds gathered above us and I made my suggestion that we go up in the London Eye, but Sarah vehemently shook her head, saying she was afraid of heights.

"Oh crap. It's starting to rain now. Aside from getting me in something that would have me all foetal position and rocking in a corner like a nut job, where shall we go? The aquarium is just over there."

Sarah pointed to a huge building a block away, I nodded and she led the way.

It was a nice place to visit with plenty to see and do, but I just wanted to get her back so I could put things in to motion.

I still had to shave and knowing women, Sarah would need about four hours to get ready for tonight. After an hour or so, the rain had stopped and the sun came out again.

"Let's get the tube back and we could take a walk around Knightsbridge if you want."

"Sure." As long as we don't go shopping!

We took a stroll around the famous Harrod's store and Sarah looked at a few things before ranting about how much stuff in here costs.

"Let's get out of here then if you don't want to get anything."

We walked outside and I said we should get a cab back to hers, as the dark clouds were threatening once again.

"The house is at the end of this road, we may as well walk it."

I almost got dragged into another museum, but between hitting all the tourist spots yesterday and seeing the aquarium today, I was all schooled out. And I was getting hungry!

Sarah asked what I wanted to do instead and I really had to watch my mouth! I looked down at her well hidden body and thinking about the shape she hid underneath and touching her like I did this morning, how she responded to me, it made me want to spend the next few days making her scream. Just get tonight out of the way first..

"How about we go back to yours and plan what to do tonight? The evenings are so much more fun, don't you think?"

"I...er...if you...OK." Her cheeks turned crimson and I love to see her at a loss for words. She does blush a lot for someone who claims to dislike men and who has so much front! I started to think about what front she does have and my thoughts strayed once more to touching her this morning.

"Right, let's get you back before it starts to rain." And before I fuck you in the middle of the street.

Sarah placed a coffee cup on the breakfast table for me. "You haven't had lunch have you? Do you want me to make you something?" She started to get up before I could even answer, but I told her to sit down.

"I'm just fine, darlin' I'll get something later, just sit down." Part of me wondered if she was actually concerned with my not having anything to eat yet, or whether she was just avoiding being sat with me with no distractions to stop her from relaxing around me. I looked at her face and saw it was genuine concern. How could any one hurt her?

I put my hand on top of hers as I asked if things were OK between us. She looked like she wanted to run away from this, but she didn't move. She never even took her hand away.

I tried to say I was sorry about yelling and shouting at her, but I couldn't do it without thinking about that bastard hitting her. And I couldn't let on that I knew because in all likelihood, she would just fortify her defenses and I would have no chance in getting close to her.

"I had no right to get mad at you like that and I didn't mean to scare you sweetheart. I'm really sorry." I couldn't read her emotions, but whatever was written on her face made me want to crawl under a rock. She pulled her hand away and stood up. I've fucked up. I shouldn't have said anything. I held my hands to my face, but then I felt her arms around me, pulling me into her.

"We are just fine." She said as she placed a kiss on the top of my head. Is this another baby step? I put my arms around her and rested my head on her chest, not wanting her to move away from me. The warmth of her body seeped through her clothes, but the gentle way in which she rubbed my shoulder warmed me more. I was quite comfortable!

"I'm sorry if I made you feel bad too, but it's over with now so lets just forget about that and move on." Forget about my temper? Or forget about what happened before?

Sarah went back to her seat and quietly drank her coffee until she had ran out and started twirling a strand of her hair around her index finger. Her eyes drifted downwards and her chest heaved while she bit on her bottom lip. I had seen her go off in her own little world before, but the tell tale sign of that was her playing with a strand of hair. This bottom lip thing was new. And sexy! What does she think about? I was tempted to bring her back to reality, but I liked to watch her think away to herself and with this new thinking addition, I really liked to watch her.

I said her name, but my voice didn't register. She stopped twirling her hair and started to look like she had finished thinking about whatever it was.

"Sorry. Was just thinking about what to do for the rest of the day." She slowly bit down on her lip for the last time and her cheeks started to pink up and I noticed her pupils were almost fully dilated in a very well lit room. Was she just thinking naughty thoughts?

"So tell me, darlin', what ideas has that creative mind of yours come up with?"

"Er..just...nothing...I need a shower." She got up, lowering her head, hoping her hair falling down her face would hide her bright red cheeks, but all it did was confirm to me that she was indeed thinking naughty thoughts! I made a joke about having a cold one and she hurried even faster out of the kitchen muttering something about a beer.

I just sat there and chuckled to myself while I finished my coffee. Who knew she had such a mind? I always thought she was kind of innocent with her sexuality, not just when it came to the physical side of it, but with everything connected. Unless the occasion called for it, she never really showed off her amazing curves, never wore make up or anything that would draw attention to her and she never spoke teasingly or suggestively. But the way she touched me, the way she kissed me was so purposeful and so masterful it made me wonder if it was just one more thing she was good at hiding. Although, her blushing cheeks were now becoming an almost permanent feature! I'd love to know what she thinks about...

I went upstairs with the intention of shaving, but I couldn't stop wondering what she was thinking about at the breakfast table. And then another thought hit me that made the stirring in me worse. What does she fantasize about? Has she ever fantasized about me? The idea turned me on, but not as much as the mental picture I had in my head of her laying in her bed and pleasing herself. That was the one thing that set me on fire. Ever since I saw the photos she did for that magazine, I had fantasized about her slowly stripping for me and then telling me I could look but she was the only one who got to touch. It got me every time and this time was no different.

I came down the stairs, freshly shaven, and Sarah followed about two minutes later. She made me some lunch, even though I never asked her to, and started talking about housework and other mundane things and never once looked me it the eye. Was she thinking about me at the table? Her avoidance at any kind of contact and the way her cheeks flushed when she did steal a glance made me think that she was. Damn, I'd love to know what she was thinking. I'd love to do to her whatever it was she was thinking.

I sat and ate my sandwich and watched as she wiped down the kitchen counter and did the dishes, then she disappeared into the lounge and turned on the TV set.

I washed my plate and went and stood next to her as she looked at the soccer scores.

We got into our favorite pastime of arguing about our national sports and Sarah said she would give me a 'taste of England' on Monday. I couldn't resist making an obscene comment and Sarah looked thoroughly offended at my choice of words.

I apologized and said I should watch my language around a lady, to which Sarah sat down and giggled. "One- I'm not a lady! And two - as far as swearing in front of me goes - have you met Stewie?" I laughed, knowing from first hand experience that Stewie's mouth didn't filter what ever it was that fell out of it. He was so much like my friend Will. Every other word was a cuss word.

She asked my opinion on what she would like for us to do on Monday and it sounded like a pretty good way to spend the day. Not as good as being in bed with her, but still!

We spoke for a while longer about maybe heading down to the coast if the weather was OK tomorrow and then I noticed what time it was. Shit. It's a quarter to six. I have to make my move. I pulled out my cell and text Stewie not to call, like he said he was going to and as if Sarah was reading my thoughts, she asked what I wanted for dinner. This was my chance.

I had planned on getting her relaxed first, so she would be less likely to run away from what I have had planned for two days and she looked rather skeptical at the fact I had ideas of my own.

"You're freaking me out. What have you got up your sleeve?" She raised her eyebrow at me and it was so hard not to ask what she has up her sweater.

"Don't get worried. I told you a while ago I was a gentleman so just indulge me a little while I try and prove it to you."

So maybe having an ulterior motive for doing something nice for her wasn't really being a gentleman, but I planned on getting everything right later on.

I went to her bathroom and poured bubbles into the hot water that was filling up the bath while I went to dig out the things I had gotten while Sarah was out to lunch with her friend. OK, now for the difficult bit. I had to sneak these things downstairs without Sarah seeing and I had to hope she was like other women and spent an hour in the bath so I could get dinner ready.

I stopped the bath and and lit some candles. Here goes. I went downstairs and hid the bag of lanterns and candles under the end table in the entrance hall and found Sarah on the couch where I left her. She was sipping a cup of tea and was watching a program about knights. Not the mythical dragon slaying kind, real ones. She does like her history! Sarah pointed to the table, saying she had made me a coffee but I really didn't have time for that.

I asked her to come with me, that I had a surprise for her and she looked even more skeptical and 'freaked out' then she did before, but she still took my hand and I led her to her room.

I stood by the bathroom door and smiled as she tried to see past me, even though the door was closed and she had no chance of seeing through wood.

"What are you up to? Oh...have you re-grouted the tiles?" Sarah jumped up and down on the spot and clapped her hands like a child at Christmas, she was clearly mocking me, but she looked so cute doing it.

I opened the door and she took a few tentative steps in. "What the fuck is this?" Her face was full of confusion, not anger, yet she swore at me. "Sorry, I swear when I'm a bit...overwhelmed, too. What have you done this for?"

I said I just wanted her to relax and I implicitly instructed her to stay in her room until I came back for her. I closed the door behind her and waited a few seconds until I heard her get in the water and I knew it was safe to go and prepare.

I got a chicken salad and pasta ready while I cut the strawberries and left them to get to room temperature and left a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice before I noticed her cell on the kitchen counter. It was flashing that she had a missed call and I don't know what made me do it, but I looked who had been calling her. Alex? Oh, yeah. He was the drummer in her dads band. I put her cell down and then realized she would know I looked because she wouldn't have a missed call and new message icon on the screen. Fuck. She's going to go mental about this. Oh well. I looked at the rest of her in box and her call history. I shouldn't have, but I figured it would give me a hint if I could really trust her and give me an idea about who her friends were and what she talked about, because she didn't tell me anything about her life. They were mostly calls to and from contractors judging by the names of them, and Stewie and a girl called Elle, who I know she met for lunch today. But there was no personal stuff to speak of.

I did look at her saved text messages, knowing she wouldn't find out about that. What the fuck? She saved these? All the ones she had saved were from me, dating back at least a month. She really saved these? I couldn't believe it. I discovered the other day when we had my 'birthday' that she had a sentimental side, but I didn't realize the sentiment was for me.

One text stood out and I remembered it started an entire thread of text messages to each other.

'It was nice to hear your voice, but don't leave it so long before I hear it again! Can't wait to see you. Sweet dreams x' I sent her that the night when she first called. The night I chose her over Michelle.

The next morning Sarah had sent a text back and it felt like I had made the right decision. She sent back that I could call her too and that she was looking forward to seeing me again. I knew even back then that her text was about as close to showing emotion as she got, but it still made me feel like everything would be worth while. Should I go up to her?

I wanted to. I wanted to go up to her and kiss her until she knew it was OK to feel the things she clearly did, but that's partly what tonight was for. She had to see I wasn't a bad guy who would hurt her and in doing that, then maybe she would start to let me into her heart.

I finished preparing the food and set out all the lanterns ready to be lit and was about to go up the stairs to get dressed when I caught Sarah peering over the banister trying to see what was going on and asked why she had been kept waiting. I told her to go back to her room and to my surprise, she did as I asked with no back chat or snarls!

In her room, I was greeted with a very stubborn looking Sarah, but seen as though taking control a few seconds ago worked, I thought I'd try it again. "Now, close your eyes and don't move." There was no real reason for her to close her eyes, I just wanted to see if she would do as I say.

"You're being quite bossy to someone who's about to kick your arse." She turned her back, arms folded across her chest but she gave me a playful smile as she did. I stood right behind her and it took all the strength I had not to find that sweet spot on her neck that made her wriggle under me this morning.

"Like you could take me!" I'd fucking love to make you tap out.

"Hey! I could take you! I grew up watching wrestling remember, and I do have some skills of my own!" I had to stop my mind from picturing what her skills were, as I was so close to telling her to give me everything she has. She changed the subject pretty quickly before I listened to the little devil on my shoulder that was telling me to touch her everywhere.

"Why am I stood here like an idiot with my eyes closed?" I walked around to face her and sure enough, she did have her eyes closed! OK, so this taking control thing works!

I said I wanted to do something, but looking at her now I changed my mind. I wouldn't tell her. I would just surprise her. I wanted to do something nice for her, to show her I wanted her in my life but seeing her stood silently waiting for me to speak and seeing a drop of water drip off the end of her hair and trickle down her chest in between her breasts made me want to do something else entirely. God, she's so fucking beautiful.

I became aware I had moved closer to her and I couldn't fight the urge to kiss her.

The faint minty taste on her lips and the sweet coconut scent of her hair drove me insane with desire to take all the time in the world exploring her and relish every sight and sound and taste of her. She made that sexy 'mmm' sound again and it turned me on so much that I couldn't stop myself from kissing her deeper. I wanted to lose myself completely to her.

"So much for baby steps!" Sarah said in my ear, and I had to pull away. Am I pushing her too far?

No matter how much I wanted her right now, she needed me to take things slow so letting her stick to her baby steps -that she asked for- was for the best. God, I just want to hear her scream. "I don't want..."

"No, you're right. We should take things slow. Anyway, that wasn't what I wanted to give you." She doesn't want me touching her? I didn't understand what was going on, but if she wanted things to go slow then I had to respect that. No matter how much it was killing me.

I said I had a surprise for her and her attitude flowed once again, telling me she didn't want another surprise. Maybe kissing her was pushing her too far and it really wasn't what she needed from me, but I was getting frustrated with the mixed signals.

I told her to meet me downstairs and I left her to calm down.

I got dressed and paced the entire width of the room several times questioning whether of not I should tell her how I feel tonight. I wasn't even sure if I could trust her or sure if I was really ready to be involved again this soon, but they are just doubts that can be easily countered by thinking of her smile and her warmth.

I'm ready. I waited in the lounge and couldn't sit still. I was nervous and I found myself praying that tonight would go as planned.

I heard Sarah's footsteps echo in the vast entrance hall and I got to my feet. OK, here goes. When she walked in, I couldn't believe my eyes. She looked fucking stunning. And really fucking sexy!

"You look fucking edible!" I should have kept my mouth shut, but I wanted to taste every inch of her. A seductive smile spread across her red lips and I could see a spark ignite in her eyes. Stick to the baby steps.

She walked slowly over to me, not breaking her gaze from my eyes and I couldn't keep from thinking of her looking into my eyes while I fucked her on this floor.

Her hands made their way to my chest, just like they always did, but this time it didn't bring the calming feeling it usually does. I felt the opposite. Baby steps, Mark, baby steps.

I managed somehow to break away from the seductive trance Sarah was putting me in and led her out to her part of the garden that she said was her favorite place and asked her to close her eyes while I went to light the candles. Not bad! I was quite impressed with myself at the set up and as I looked at Sarah standing with her eyes closed waiting again, I felt my heart explode. I am ready for this. I do feel this strongly for her.

"OK, sweetheart. Open your eyes." Sarah slowly opened her eyes and I couldn't wipe the smile from my face as she looked absolutely speechless. Well, almost speechless!

"Fuck a duck." I couldn't help but to wonder if this was another one of her 'overwhelmed' moments, or if she was pissed with me.

She just stood shaking her head, and I thought I saw the corners of her eyes glisten with moisture.

"I did all this because I want to do things properly. I don't want to rush and fuck things up."

Sarah still didn't say or do anything until I told her I thought she would prefer dinner at her favorite place, rather than a restaurant. Plus, I didn't want the usual argument of who was paying.

"This isn't my favorite place." But she told me... I didn't understand but I didn't have time to think about where her favorite place was as Sarah willingly and without prompting hugged me and held me tight. Another baby step? "This is my favorite place."

My heart exploded once more and felt that we were finally together.