If I don't have you

Part III

Charley sat gazing at her reflection wondering about the newest hairstyle she was experimenting with. Full bangs in the front and the rest pulled back into a long loose braid. Dolling herself up was now a habit since she'd started seeing Solemn. He was always so neat and polished being with him just made her feel like she should always put her best foot forward. It wasn't like he didn't understand that she was a working girl that required wearing the dirty jeans and snuffed cowboy boots, as part of her everyday attire. He was so down to earth and real, that he would accept it if she wanted to go out without changing at all

He was everything any sane woman would desire in a man and it was more than obvious that he really liked her. So why was she holding her feelings back? It wasn't like Throttle was a concern anymore. At first she thought that he might have been interested but after she started seeing, Solemn, he treated her more, like just one of the guys, than ever. And being with Solomon did make her life so much more normal. No having to sneak around or use disguises just to be out in the daylight. To talk about things that other normal couples think about. Solomon even hinted about wanting a family and making a home with someone special. She couldn't help but think he was hinting about them. Yes, she should be beside herself with joy.

Her eyes drifted to a frame that sat on her vanity table. She picked it up and ran her finger down the glass outlining one of the three figures posing there. She stared at the one face with the beautiful smile that rarely made an appearance. She gazed into those sad alien eyes that he showed much too rarely, but had been expose for this one picture. She thought of all the impossible things that would face having any kind of relationship with the bearer those gentle whisks of gold that she longed to run her fingers through. She covered her face in her hands not wanting to feel what she was feeling. She had to make herself accept that what ever she might have hoped for just wasn't going to be. That the only logical thing to do was be grateful for having found Solomon and work on building a good relationship with him.

"Yo, Charley girl, we're bookin' before Mr. Clean shows up." Vinnie yelled from down in the garage.

Okay, Vinnie, I'll be right there." Charley looked up into the mirror and with one last finishing glance she went down to see the guys off for the day.

The cute bright yellow sundress with the full flowing skirt, that rustled just a bit when she walked, got a nice smile from all three of the appreciative Martian bikers, but only Vinnie made what could be loosely construed as a compliment.

"Cheese, Charley, if I knew a little bit of lovin' would make you look this fine, I would have put more serious moves on ya, long time ago."

She looked at him and had to giggle, "Thanks Vincent, I'm so glad you approve."

"You have been lookin' prettier everyday, Charley ma'am. I sure hope this guy knows what a treasure he's got." Modo smiled.

"Thanks Modo, I think he does." She smiled and dared to look at Throttle not sure if he was going to say anything, but he actually smiled and nodded his approval then went back to trying to get a problem fixed on his starter so he could leave with his bros.

Modo and Vinnie put their helmets on and hopped on their bikes, "We'll get goin'. We gotta check on Old Lard Butt before heading to the scoreboard anyhow."

"I'll get her goin' and meet you at the hideout," Throttle yelled over his shoulder and the two left.

Charley made sure the garage door was lowered back down. Though she trusted Solomon completely, her promise to keep her Martian friends existence a secret was still paramount.

She stood by the door and watched Throttle, debating on whether to offer her assistance. They had gotten pretty self sufficient in doing their own bike repairs. The really complicated things she would still take care of, but minor stuff they wanted to get use to doing themselves just in case….

"Just in case what?" She sighed sadly, "just in case she fell madly in love with Solomon and he swept her off to his castle in the clouds? It would be the most logical thing to happen with the way things were going. Did she love him? If she really did, she probably wouldn't have to ask.

She slowly moved close to Throttle and stood a few inches behind him, leaning just slightly over his shoulder to look past him and into the motor, "Have you tried reconnecting those two wires. I noticed they were a little wobbly and aren't as secure as they should be."

"I saw that too and replace them yesterday." There is a draw back about being noble, the façade you create constantly has to be re-enforced. He could joke around, like she was a bro, as long as he could keep a discreet distance. He could pretend he felt nothing as long as her soft chestnut hair wasn't close enough to touch or that incredible fragrance that surrounded her wasn't near enough to cloud his thoughts.

"I see what's wrong, that tiny screw over there just under that cable is loose and it's not making the connection. Hand me that small Phillips, with the blue handle. Your hands are too big, I can tighten it in just a second." There is goes again. That funny warm wonderful fuzzy feeling that made her head spin and her knees weak. Why didn't it happen when she was close to Solomon?

"But you'll get yourself all greased up, Charley girl? " And nothing should mess up anything that was as close to prefect as she was at this moment.

"Oh don't be silly. I'm not going to tear down the motor. Give me the screwdriver and move over. It will only take me a second." She tossed her rap over his bike and walked closer to him.

He reached in the tool chest that was just a few inches away and got the needed tool and handed it over his shoulder. He moved over slightly still squatting down and she tucked her dress behind her legs also squatting down holding on to his shoulder for leverage.

He could feel her hand right through the leather vest and gold colored fur that covered the area. It was as if tiny jolts of electricity where emitting from her hand radiating down the length of his body. His other hand rested trembling fingers against her back holding her upright while she turned the screwdriver securing the tiny screw in place.

"You see all done. Nothing to it when you have the skills." She joked and turned to gaze over at him. Her heart trembled as she, for the first time actually took notice of his strong masculine more human like features. If not for the soft golden fur that covered it and the shape of his mouth he could be one of those dreamy models that graced the pages of any Calvin Kline cologne ad.

He smiled and chuckled nervously realizing how close her face was to his. As she slightly moved her head the light caused the color of her eyes to switched between a crystal clear blue to a vibrant sparkling green with long silky lashes encircled each perfect orb. He began to lose what little control he actually tried to have over his emotions, over how much he adored this more than beautiful vision from his most secret dreams and longings.

She couldn't see through the mirrored shades but from the tilt of his head, it seemed as if he were actually staring into her eyes, a gaze that captured her entire being. With just the slightest of movements he could easily slide his hand around her small waist and pull her into his wanting arms. Hold her in an embrace that would lead to a kiss that he had dreamed about for almost the whole time he'd known her. But that wasn't going to happen. All he had a right to do was help her to her feet and see that she got safely out the door to the man she probably would end up spending her life with. The Earthling man that could give her all the things he could never provide. Even if he had been from this planet, even if a world and a war didn't separate them, he could never give her the wonderful life she had been enjoying since she started seeing the new man in her life.

Still, once getting to her feet his hand didn't move and neither did she. Charley was as captured by his touch as he had been by hers. Her heart all but exploded out of her chest it beat so fast and she couldn't control her head as it moved closer to his. Their lips slowly and almost magnetically drew closer to each other. All his resolve to let her have a better life with Solomon dissolved. Making his noble sacrifice suddenly evaporated in the heat of a moment that promised to be sweeter then the silver nectar of the beautiful Moonglow flowers that once blossomed in the cool nights of Mars.

The sound of an engine pulling up and the honk of an all too familiar horn jolted both to their senses and the look of lost was all to clear. Charley started to say something but Throttle stopped her by touching his fingers to her lips and leaning up to kiss her forehead, "I think someone's here for ya Charley girl, you don't want to keep him waiting."

Charley looked at him and knew what he was saying. She gave him a sad smile and nodded walking over to pick up her wrap and walk out of the door not looking back. Throttle heard the sound of doors opening and closing then the sound of a car pulling away from the garage.

"She's better off, you can't give her what he can, she deserves better than you," he said that and anything to make him not go running after her.

They dined, danced and laughed much as they'd done on their other dates. He was so sweet and lovable; each moment with him had been shear joy. He drove a few miles out of the city limits and it was as if they'd slipped into another world. The velvety night sky was sprinkled with a thousand stars and the moon hung low and large like a magnificent painting or something out of a prefect dream. They stopped on a small hillside and parked. Solemn reached over and turned on the CD player and to Charley's delight it was her favorite artist singing one of her soft romantic love songs.

Solomon turned and picked up Charley's hand, kissing it gently. "I think you know where this is heading, Charlene. You are the most incredible woman I've ever met. I don't give my heart easily or often but heaven knows I've fallen for you hard. I don't know if the feeling is mutual, but I want to start something more than just dating." He brushed his fingers down the side of her face.

She took hold of it and kissed his palm smiling. "Solomon, I've been living in a dream world since you've come into my life. You make me very happy and I've never met anyone with more kindness or compassion. It's just…if your talking about love…"

His eyes never left hers, but his hand slowly dropped from her face and she grabbed it in mid air. "Please understand what I'm trying to say. I do care for you a great deal but…"

"But what, Charlene? Don't tell me you're waiting for skyrockets and butterflies in your stomach. That kind of thing only happens when you are sixteen. I can give you anything your heart desires. We can have such a good life if you just give me a chance. Give yourself a chance to learn to love me like I do you.

She glanced in the direction of the Last Chance, " I…I.." Before she could say anything more he took hold of her face and pulled her into a deep tender kiss.

It startled her for a split second but quickly she recovered and reciprocated. She was praying to feel something special, she wanted desperately for his kiss to take Throttle's face from her mind. It ended and he held his finger under her chin. He brushed his lips lightly across her forehead and down her cheek, "I love you, Charley and even if you don't love me as much, I'll make you happy if you just give me a little time."

She took a breath trying to clear her mind. "Tell him you love him. Don't be a fool and throw everything away for something that may never happen. You and Throttle are impossible. Even though he does give you those butterflies by just being in the same room and sends off those skyrockets by just smiling at you. You know you want a family, a life that isn't mixed up in alien war schemes and all the craziness that you've live for the past few years. He's right you aren't sixteen. He's good for you and you know you'd be good for him."

Her hands took hold of his face and she leaned in to kiss him again.

To be continued….