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Author's Note: Disclaimer: Do Dreams Come True? Chapter Four She had kissed him countless times before. She was as familiar with the taste of his lips as she was with her own. She hadn't forgotten the feeling of his soft mouth pressed to hers, at first tender and gentle, then harder and more insistent. Nevertheless, she was unprepared for the maelstrom of feelings that threatened to pull her under. It was not just a kiss. It was the fulfillment of her desires, of the immeasurable years they had been apart. It was like coming home. Dazed and more than a little aroused, Serena pulled back slightly and was vaguely disappointed in the immediate culmination of the kiss. Darien moved his lips away, but his hand came up to sweep a few blonde strands off her forehead. "Serena," he whispered softly. She gave a slight moan that spoke of her need for him, her passion, her uncontrollable desire, and he buckled completely. Checking to make sure Rini was still asleep, he moved her to his other side so that there was no obstacle between him and his sweet prize. Then he gathered Serena into his arms and leaned down to continue their passionate embrace. However, Serena had recovered her senses during the brief pause and now pushed him away, feeling immeasurably guilty. "We can't do this!" she said in a shaky voice. Darien felt like someone had splashed him with a bucket of ice water. Sitting up abruptly, he stiffened and looked away. "You're right, I was behaving inappropriately," he replied in what he hoped was a nonchalant voice. "I apologize." Serena stared at his now stony face. It was such a complete transformation from the loving and tender expression he had given her just a minute ago. "No, it was my fault, too," she offered helplessly, wanting to do anything, anything, to make him look at her in that way again. However, Darien did not hear the silent plea in her voice. He brushed invisible lint off Rini's blanket and hung his head slightly, wishing more than anything that he could feel her in his arms again. "It was nobody's fault," he said in a gentler voice. "But maybe I should go…" "No!" Serena surprised them both with her outburst. "I mean, that is… we haven't had dinner.. and…" Darien turned back to her and had to smile at her struggle for words. She melted all over again in the line of his affectionate gaze. "Will you stay?" she asked a bit breathlessly. The color that flooded her face made her already pink cheeks an even deeper hue of rose. Unable to help himself, Darien reached out to touch her cheek, wondering if it would be as hot he himself was feeling. He felt out of control, falling into a sweet blissful dream from which he might never emerge. "I need you," he breathed, knowing that he would die if she pulled away. Serena stared at him, unable to believe the words that had come out of his mouth. She remembered the recurring daydream she used to have in the months following their breakup. In the dream, he came to her, repentant and full of love and tenderness. He swept her into his arms and told her that he was a fool to give her up. He begged her forgiveness and said that he would never love anyone as much as he loved her. Then he told her that if she didn't take him back, he would never be able to live with himself for having thrown away their relationship. Snapping out of her reverie, Serena looked at the man who sat before her now. He was an older and more handsome version of her dream. His dark eyes, normally hooded and unreadable, now seemed as clear as day. He wanted her. He would do anything to have her. Luxuriating in this feeling of being needed, Serena's mouth began to turn up in a tremulous smile. Feeling like a teenager again, she blushed in his steady gaze and nodded shyly to his unspoken question. Letting out a relieved chuckle, Darien stood and pulled Serena to her feet as well so that he could hug her properly. She leaned against him, giving him her full weight as she used to when they were younger. He had always loved the feeling of her body pressed so tightly against his, of the trusting way she let him support her when they embraced. "I missed you," he told her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Serena smiled against his chest. "I missed you terribly," she admitted, nestling closer to him. "All the times I felt so alone after Luke left, I always thought of you and wished you were here to take care of me." His heart ached at her words, hurting for all the times she had needed him and he had not been there. However, she looked up and kissed his jaw softly, then smiled. "It was good though, I learned to take care of myself. I needed that." Knowing that she did not blame him made Darien feel a thousand times better. He let himself fall into the ocean-blue of her eyes, remembering with affection the wide-eyed innocence of the teenage Serena and loving the more mature yet still optimistic woman who stood before him now. "Should we talk about this?" she asked hesitantly. Darien shook his head and silenced her with a kiss, knowing that there would be time enough later to discuss their future. For now, it was simply enough that she was in his arms again. |
