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Chapter 2
"So Mac, first things first, would you like a beer or maybe something stronger?"
"A beer would be great Stell, thanks," he wandered into her living room to look at her sizable collection of DVDs, "I see you've added a few more since I was here last."
"Oh yeah, well that was some time ago now, you know."
"I know" he agreed guiltily, "but I'm making up for that tonight. Can I choose what we watch?"
"Only if you let me choose which takeaway we have."
"Pizza it is then," he noticed her raised eyebrows and look of disbelief, "well, perhaps you shouldn't be so predictable then, Bonasera."
"Predictable eh" and not for the first time she slapped him, a little harder this time, across his chest, "you're going to regret that later, Taylor!"
"I look forward to it." She had never seen him looking this relaxed before, laughing and joking and totally at ease with himself and her. It was a real pleasure to be in his company tonight, she hadn't had this much fun for a long time.
"Stella, do you agree that whatever I put on, you will sit and watch it with me without any objections at all?"
"Mac, what have you got in mind?" She asked distrustfully.
"Agree or it's Chinese takeaway!"
"Mac!" She scowled at him and when he just grinned at her she gave in, "ok, I will sit and watch it, but I can't guarantee the 'no objections' part."
Grinning like a Cheshire cat he pulled the DVD of his choice from the shelf and handed it to Stella, "now remember Stell, a deal's a deal."
"I swear to god you only bought me that so you could watch it whenever you came around here."
"Are you telling me that you have never watched Spiderman 2 even though I bought you that for your birthday, about six months ago? Stella you disappoint me, Spiderman was good, but Spiderman 2 is so much better." She couldn't help a little giggle escape as he momentarily returned to his boyhood. "What is so funny?"
"Spiderman is for kids Mac. I just can't help but laugh when the images conjured up are of you as a small boy running around in a Spiderman dress up suit spinning webs at everyone."
He tried but failed to look hurt at her, but her laughter was just so infectious and instead he just stood there smiling at her.
"Oh poor Mac, stop sulking and put the film on" and burst into laughter again.
Stella ordered the pizza, much to her delight. The film wasn't that bad actually but she wouldn't him know that.
The film was about halfway through when the doorbell rang. Stella nearly jumped off the sofa fright, 'what if it's him' she thought. She had been enjoying herself so much that she almost forgot about the crazy man from earlier.
Mac had sensed her apprehension and offered to get the door, "It'll be the pizza, that's all" he said as he reassuringly rubbed her arm and then went to get the door.
It was just the pizza and Mac paid the young man that had brought it and returned to the sofa to sit beside Stella. She looked up at him smiling to reassure him she was alright but he wasn't convinced.
When the film finished he leaned over and nudged her playfully, "you enjoyed that didn't you? Go on admit it; I saw you hooked a few times."
"I'm not admitting anything."
"Admit it or I'm going to tickle you," Mac said smirking at her.
"Well go ahead then because I'm not ticklish" she was really, in a couple of places, but she sure as hell wasn't going to let him know where.
"We'll see about that then shall we" and turned to face her with a real mischievous glint in his eye. "Where shall we start? I know the feet!"
He went to grab one when she started shrieking wildly, "no! Mac, please no!" Shit he had chosen one of those places. She wriggled as best she could, but he simply was stronger than she was and quickly gained an upper hand. Once he had one of her feet at his mercy she was senseless with laughter.
"Not ticklish? Well I think you have just answered that one." He paused his attack of her feet temporally to ask her, "Did you enjoy the film Stella? Truthful answers only please. Oh too late" and resumed his attack on her feet.
"Yes Mac! Yes! Yes!" she shouted breathlessly.
When she caught her breath she managed to wriggle herself free and then pounced on top of him pushing him backwards tickling him all over, "its war now Taylor!"
The only trouble was it didn't go exactly according to plan and Mac started to fight back, tickling her just above her pelvis, this was a ticklish spot she didn't know she had.
They both writhed about, each one trying to get the upper hand. "Mac do you know something?" She managed to squeak out between giggles.
"No, what?" He also barely managed to get out due to the giggles.
"You look damn sexy when you laugh like that" and laughed herself as she couldn't believe she had said it out loud.
"You look damn sexy yourself as I've already told you tonight, or did you not believe me?" There was silence for a long time except for the laboured sound of their breathing, neither seemed aware that the tickling had ceased and they were just looking into each eyes.
It was Mac who broke the silent musings first as he reached up to kiss Stella lightly surprising her at first before she responded. It was a beautiful moment that didn't last as long as she was hoping for but it was very sweet.
"Wow, Mac, I don't know what to say."
"Are you alright, I didn't mean to upset you."
"Mac you didn't upset me, you just surprised me that's all." They both sat up straight on the sofa a little awkwardly. "So, how long Mac?" He just looked back at her blankly. "Mac, you're different, you've changed, for the good I might add. You've been giddy and flirting openly with me all night and now you kiss me," she noticed his worried expression and so added, "I'm not complaining you know, but I just want to know we could go from friends out for a few drinks, to this."
"Stell, do you remember that night that I went out with Rose?" She nodded. "Well after I had seen you earlier that night looking stunning and beautiful I simply couldn't get you off my mind. I think Rose realised that my heart wasn't in it and we both ended up coming home early. Since that night in my office it has been like a light bulb being switched on and I now I see you in a completely new light. I find myself looking more and more forward to seeing you and I was practically excited about tonight. You have been there every step of the way whether it's been ups, or downs, you have always been there for me, and I just regret the fact that's it's taken me this long to see what has been under my nose for a long time."
"I have always been there for you Mac because I was hoping that a moment like this would finally happen." She beamed at him and then they leaned in again for another kiss, this time a lot fuller and harder.
There was a contented silence that fell between them as Stella leaned into Mac who put his big strong arms around her and hugged her. She felt safe in his arms.
"So Mac, what happens now?"
He honestly didn't know as he hadn't thought this far ahead. "Well for now let's keep this under wraps; I don't want the gossip mill doing overtime. I can see it now, people whispering in corners, 'Mac and Stella finally got it together, have you heard?' For now Stell I think I should go home and get good nights sleep a change of clothes, get my car and return in the morning to take you for breakfast. How does that sound?"
Stella agreed the last thing they needed was everybody commenting on Mac having the same suit and tie on from the previous day knowing full well how most people new they were out together last night, especially if they arrived together as well. Mac might be getting his life back in order and moving on but they didn't need to rush things.
"Will you be alright on your own with that nut freaking you out earlier," he asked a little concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be fine Mac; you don't need to worry about me I can handle myself," she hoped she had sounded convincingly enough.
"Well if you're sure. You know you're very beautiful," he said as he ran his hands through her bouncing curls and then leaned in for a final kiss before getting up to retrieve his jacket. "I'll be over for about eight in the morning to take you to breakfast ok hon."
"Yeah, goodnight Mac, see you in the morning."
After he had gone she tidied away the beer bottles and pizza box into the kitchen humming as she went. Tonight had been such a wonderful evening she thought to herself. It hadn't exactly gone the way she had dreamed it would, he was so upbeat all night, really out of character. Well if that is the effect a little black number has on him I'll have to wear it the next time he takes me out, excluding breakfast of course.
A knocking at her door made her smile, 'oh Mac what did you forget' she thought to herself as she opened the door. The smile soon drained from her face when she realised who it was and was replaced by a look of utter dread.
"Hello Stella, I thought he'd never leave." Then he pushed past her to gain entry to her apartment.
"What the hell are you doing here! Who the hell are you!" She managed to shout out before his hand held out a chloroform soaked cloth over her mouth.
"Nighty night Stella, you're coming with me now." He picked her up and slung her over his shoulder unceremoniously and carried her out of the apartment complex to his waiting SUV. "You'll find out who I am now bitch."
TBC.
