Chapter Three: A Second Chance

Erica was dressed in a long leather coat that hugged her small curves and draped down to her slender calves. She wore her hair up, with delicate dark wisps of hair framing her face. She was beautiful. Jack could not believe how beautiful she was. She seemed to become more beautiful with the passage of time. They stood there in the doorway for what seemed an eternity, staring at each other, Erica awash in the sea of his deep blue eyes and Jackson entranced by the curve of her soft sweet lips.

"Well, are you going to let me in?" Erica asked with a wry smile. Jack's obvious pleasure at seeing her had not escaped her notice.

"Oh, um, yeah, sure, of course. Come on in sweetheart". Jack was flustered. "Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine", she lied, as she walked into the room.

"Uh, huh. Sure. Well, what brings you here?" Jack didn't believe her for a moment. But, he knew there was no use in trying to force the issue.

"Well, you offered me a raincheck, and I'm here to collect".

Remembering that he wanted her to feel loved and not rejected, Jack chose his words carefully.

"Uh, look, Erica, I'd like nothing more right now than to take you into my arms and keep you there all night long--"

"But?!", Erica pressed gently, still smiling and moving closer to him.

"But, but, uh, but what?" Jack stammered confusedly, thrown off guard by her closeness.

"What's stopping you from taking me into your arms?" Erica persisted, sliding one hand up his arm and slowly caressing her way up to his shoulder, neck and face, her hand coming to a stop on his cheek.

"Uh, nothing I suppose, but--"

"Shhhhh. No buts." Erica moved her hand from Jack's cheek and nestled it in his hair. She gently pulled his face down to hers until she could feel the warmth of his breath against her lips. She kissed him softly, tentatively, afraid to give in too soon to the full force of her longing.

Jack returned the kiss, enfolding her in his arms, parting her lips gently, inquiringly, with his tongue. The lovers kissed with increasing passion, losing themselves in the moment.