CHAPTER 2

Hawkeye spent the night in one of the spare bedrooms. There was never a kiss between them. Just that awkward feeling that was there. Each held a secret that they would be better off telling, but it was fear of the unknown that held them back. What if they lost each other forever? What If they were together forever? Neither knew what would happen and would never know if they didn't have the courage to be honest.

Margaret didn't sleep too well that night. Between the rumbling of thunder outside and knowing that the man she loved was on the other side of the wall, her mind was racing with fear. It could have been the noise that prevented her from falling asleep, but it was Hawkeye that kept her awake even after the storm passed. There were so many unsaid things between the two of them. Things he didn't know how to say.

When the sun rose she got out of bed and with a total of three hours of sleep. The kitchen was full of food so she decided to make some breakfast. Bacon and eggs sounded good. Knowing that Hawkeye was there she made enough for the two of them.

Hawkeye woke up to the smell of bacon. Unlike Margaret he slept very well. Just knowing that she was in the next room and wasn't going anywhere was enough to allow him to rest. Without any thought he rolled out of bed and stumbled his way to the bathroom. The sun shone so brightly through the windows that he kept his eyes squinted.

Stepping into the kitchen he saw Margaret standing at the stove flipping bacon and eggs. She must have worn shorts to bed because she was wearing a very short robe and he could see her bare legs. Her hair was pinned up very loosely with small pieces falling around her face. She had one hand on her hip as she concentrated at the task at hand. He had never woken up to anything that nice in his entire life.

"Good morning."

Margaret turned around and flashed him with a smile. "Good morning." She noticed he was only in his boxers and she got a good look at his body for the first time. He still had those skinny legs, but it was his upper body that had changed significantly. He was tan and muscular. His frame was skinning, but that was just him. Before she was able to focus on any other part of her body she had to turn back to her bacon before it burned.

"Did you sleep well?"

"Not really," she answered. "You?"

"Like a baby. Storm keep you up?"

"Yeah." Margaret placed some food on two plates. "Would you get the orange juice please?"

"Yep." Hawkeye grabbed the container and took a seat across from Margaret at the small breakfast table. Everything was all set so he poured each of them a glass. "This looks delicious."

"Thank you." Margaret watched his arms as he poured the juice. His arms were a lot more muscular. His chest and stomach looked very hard and she noticed how tan he was. He really had a nice full body tan.

Hawkeye caught her looking at him. He had been alone for so long that he didn't think to put a shirt on. "I'm not offending you, am I?"

"Huh?" She moved her eyes back to his face. "Oh, no. Not at all."

"I've been working on taking better care of myself."

"Yes, I can see." She looked down at her plate and placed a piece of bacon in her mouth.

Hawkeye grinned when he saw her blush, but kept his comments to himself. It was flattering to know that she liked what she saw. "This is very good." It was time to change the subject.

"Thank you. You can make lunch. How does that sound?"

"Very brave of you. I'll see what I can come up with." Maybe this week would turn out to be alright after all. Margaret seemed to want him t here. She hadn't said anything to contrary. Too bad he couldn't just stay there with her. Maybe then he would have the chance to try to get her to fall in love with him.

Throughout the rest of breakfast things were pretty quiet. Hawkeye spoke again once they were both finished. "You look really tired."

"I'm exhausted." Margaret stood and placed her dishes in the sink.

"Why don't you go lay down?"

"No."

He knew it was because he was there and she felt like she had to entertain him. "We could turn the TV on and relax."

"Yeah, I guess so." Her shoulders felt heavy and her eyes felt like someone had thrown sand in there. Sitting on the couch sounded nice. "The breakfast dishes can wait. I'm on vacation."

Hawkeye smiled at her and then stood up. He had always known Margaret would be one of those women that couldn't stand a sink full of dishes. Hawkeye cleared the table and then they went into the living room. "You find something. I'll be right back."

Hawkeye went and put his shorts back on. When he came back she was lying on the couch staring at the TV. He sat down with her and they started watched a movie. She fell asleep within minutes so he covered her up and shut the TV off. He wanted to change his clothes and he needed to go for his morning run anyway. After he found a pad of paper and a pen he left her a note telling her he would be back to make lunch.

He came back that afternoon like has said he would. There was no way he was going to pass up an opportunity to spend time with the woman he loved. Margaret had just woken up when he came back. He told her to jump in the shower while he fixed them some lunch. After all that time and all their differences he still did what he could to take care of her.

Their lunch proved to be better than breakfast was. Margaret was feeling refreshed and she felt a lot more comfortable around him now that he was wearing clothes. They talked and laughed about old times, but there only so much they could say and still hold back what they were feeling. It was weird situation. They didn't want to be apart, but at the same time they didn't know how to be together.

It was getting late in the afternoon and the two of them were sitting out on the deck chatting, but the conversation was getting low. Hawkeye didn't want her to get sick of him hanging around, she he took the silence and lull in the conversation as hint to get out of there. He wanted to be welcomed back the next day.

"I should be going."

Margaret knew he was going to say that. She did everything she could to try to get him to say except ask him. "Oh, okay."

"I don't want to ruin your vacation."

"You're not." She said quickly. In fact he was making it better than she thought it would have been.

He smiled thinking that she was just being polite. "I really should head back before it starts to rain again. You don't want a houseguest."

She couldn't beg him to stay telling him how lonely she was and how much she loved him. "Okay." There was no way to stop him.

He stood up and picked up their glasses to bring them inside. Margaret followed him in to the kitchen. After placing them in the sink he turned and looked at her. "Thank you for everything," he smiled.

Why did he have to smile like that? He made her weak in the knees. "Will I see you tomorrow?"

"If you want to. I don't have any plans."

"I would like to."

"I would like to have you back."

"I'll stop by then." Hawkeye placed his hands on her arms and kissed her forehead resisting the temptation to kiss her lips. "Bye Margaret."

She closed her eyes when he kissed her hoping that he would really kiss her like he did so many times before. "I'll walk you to the door." She didn't want him to leave and she would stay next to him as long as she could even if it was just for another thirty seconds to walk him to the door.

Hawkeye stepped into the deck and looked back and waved catching one more glimpse of her in those white shorts and that yellow shirt she was wearing.

Margaret watched him walk away from her and she couldn't take it. She looked down at her hands and for the first time in her relationship with him she was going to listen to her heart. "Hawkeye," she called.

He was halfway down the stairs when she called his name. She didn't say anything when he looked back, but she looked scared. "Yeah?"

Out of the corner of her eye she saw his shirt draped over the back of a chair so she snatched it up quickly. "Your shirt."

He breathed deeply and trudged back up the steps. He left it there so he had an excuse to come back. "Thanks." He took it and headed back.

"Wait!" She couldn't stand to see him walk away from her. He looked back at her, but again he was silent. Maybe something was wrong. He walked back over to her and was taken by surprise when she threw her arms around his neck and started to kiss him. He dropped the shirt he had in his hand and pressed her body against his, kissing her back immediately. They were desperate and needy; desperate for love and needing each other. Margaret pulled him back for a moment just long enough to whisper "Don't go."

Wild horses couldn't drag him away now. "I won't." She wanted him. Someone wanted him and it was the person he had always hoped wanted him. His hands moved to the side of her face and he stared at her trying to memorize what she looked like at that moment in time.

Margaret allowed him to do so, but only for a moment. His hand on her face was not enough for her. She had to feel him and be pressed against him. His hand fell away when she moved her body toward him and went to kiss him again. She had always waited for him to make the first move, but today it was different. Even if it was just for one night, she needed him. The person she loved.

She had never really made love before because all other men were either using her or she was using them. Hawkeye was different. He embodied all that she had ever dreamed of. He could be powerful and would take over, but he was also gentle and caring. If their relationship was any indication as to what it would be like to be with him then she was ready and more than willing to try. To be lovers, even if it was just for one night, would be worth all of the pain it could cause later on.

Hawkeye started to gain some control of himself and grasp what was happening to them. If he did this he would be taking the chance of losing her, but he would also be taking the chance of finding true love. He decided to take the chance and when he did his hands moved to her hips, up her sides, and around her back and head, and down her backside feeling her body; the body that belonged to the one person on earth that he could ever love and who made him more confident to be himself. He started to push her back to the door so they could get inside. He wanted to do this right. Not knowing if it was his only chance he had to make it memorable. When they door opened he walked the two of them into the house kicking his sandals off at the door.

His hands were demanding and caring all at once as they moved over her body. Each place that he touched left her tingling. He held her so close to him that she could practically feel his blood pulsing through his veins. She desperately needed him, needed to feel all of him. His mouth moved from hers down her jaw and for her neck. That was one of the most sensitive parts on her body. A deep throated moan came from her and he looked into her eyes.

Without saying a word he scooped her up and carried her off to her bedroom. He had never seen it before and was pleased when he saw what it looked like. White satin sheets were on the bed topped with a down comforter to match. He gently laid her on the bed as if she was a baby, making sure her head didn't fall or hit the bed with any amount of force. He climbed over her looking down into her eyes as his bangs fell forward hanging down.

Hawkeye didn't know it, but at that moment he couldn't have done anything wrong. He was perfect, just what she thought he was. His fingers were threaded through her hair as he bent down to kiss her. He moved away, but was still close enough where she felt his breath on her lips. Their eyes locked and Hawkeye's hands gently and slowly slid down the contours of her body. To Margaret it felt like his finger tips left scorch marks on her body. She was on fire. She swallowed hard when his hands started to unbutton her shorts; he did it with such ease. He pulled them off of her leaving her in a pair of white lace panties and then traced his way up her body from her ankles up to her waist. She thought he was going to take her panties off, but he didn't. His eyes locked with hers again and he moved in to kiss her mouth.

Everything seemed to be in slow motion for the two of them. The way he took off her shorts seemed to take five minutes which was nothing compared to the time it too her to get his shorts and boxers off of him. She took a good look at him and then climbed on top of him. She was still in her panties and her shirt, but he was completely naked. His hands were on her hips resting there. She leaned down letting her hands feel his stomach and chest. His muscle rippled in his stomach. He was hard and smooth, not a hair on his chest. When she leaned down to kiss his mouth his hands wasted no time in moving to the hem of her shirt and pulling it off of her. He hadn't had the pleasure of seeing her body yet.

His hands followed the curves of her body once again. Her shoulders were soft and warm. He was guessing flushed from the excitement. Her skin was softer then he ever imagined it being. With expert and practiced hands he unhooked her bra and let it fall, freeing her rounded breasts. She sat there a little nervous as he looked over her body. Hawkeye could sense what she was feeling and as his hands moved from her back to her breasts he whispered to her telling her how beautiful and perfect she was. It gave her the encouragement she needed to feel as free as she would have been had they been married for years.

Very few words were said between them. Leaving a lot of things unsaid, but they both knew where the other stood. It wasn't a summer romance like a person has when they're a kid on vacation. This was real love and although neither said it they both knew how the other felt. His thumbs grazed over her nipples and she threw her head back. He could do anything he wanted to her and it would be the perfect thing.

Hawkeye's hands moved to her hips again and he flipped the two of them over. His body covered hers completely and his lips sought out hers. Margaret's hand pressed into his back holding him as close to her body as she could. She couldn't get enough of him and she was hoping that the wet spot on her panties would tell him that. The only problem was he was staying away from that spot. His hands roamed all over her body except where she wanted them the most.

"Hawkeye," she breathed.

"Hmm?" His mouth was on her neck and working its way down. He licked a path from her neck to center of her breasts. She never said anything else, so he continued. He took her right nipple in his mouth and started to suck on it before he nibbled arousing loud moans from her. Her back arched off the bed offering him anything he wanted. He seemed to know just what to do to her. Her body was hot and getting hotter by the second. Her insides felt like there was a cluster of butterflies moving about it.

Hawkeye gave both breasts equal attention and then moved down her body. His hands rolled down her panties as he kissed and licked his way down her stomach. He could smell her arousal now and felt the wet spot on the crotch of her panties as he pulled them off. He threw them off of the bed somewhere and then looked at her body. She was perfect from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. When he looked into her eyes she looked nervous and he couldn't figure out why.

Margaret felt his gaze on her body and felt very insecure. No one had ever taken that much time with her and they hadn't even done anything yet. Maybe there was something wrong with her, but his hard penis said otherwise. Regardless, she still felt insecure. His hands were on her thighs and he was just staring. "Hawkeye," she whispered, her voice shaking.

"What's the matter?"

"I…I…" She couldn't say it. "Kiss me."

Hawkeye lay down on top of her and pressed his body against hers. Her hands were in his hair and he could feel the need emanating from her. He wanted to tell her that he loved her, but he couldn't do it. He didn't know how long this would last and if it was all just a memory tomorrow he would have to live with that.

His penis was harder then it had ever been before and was stabbing into her thigh. He started to rub up against her slowly for some sort of relief, but it wasn't enough. He needed to get inside her and be one with her. He didn't seem to have to do anything because her hand had reached down and wrapped around his penis leading it to her opening. He opened her legs wider and pressed inside of her. Hawkeye made her move her hand and he held it above her head as he pushed inside of her. His eyes never lost contact with hers.

When he was inside of her he felt her walls squeezing him, almost trying to push him back out. He pumped into her four times before he was all the way in. It was then that he held himself inside of her and leaned down to kiss her. She needed some time to get used to the feel of him inside before they went any further.

Unlike some men he didn't feel like an invasion. He felt like he belonged there. She signaled him to get moving by lifting her hips. That was all he needed and he started to move in and out of her slowly with deliberate stokes hitting just the right spot every time. She was moaning and groaning right along with him. Their bodies were on fire for each other.

He hadn't been sure he was going to be able to satisfy her when they started, but in the end he knew he did. He looked down at her and kissed her, their tongues mingling. He rolled off of her and laid down on his back relaxing for the first time in…well to him it felt like forever. Margaret didn't like the loss of contact and rolled onto her side looking at him. Her hand ran across his chest and stomach feeling the rippled muscles and smooth skin. Soon his hand came to rest on hers and hold it there in the middle of his torso. She looked into his eyes to see if something was wrong, but she saw a smile on his face.

"Hi," he whispered.

She moved to lie on top of him and gave him a kiss. "Hi." Her head rested on his chest and she smiled when she felt his hand start to stroke her hair. "No one has done that for a long time."

"Orgasm?"

"No silly. Stroke my hair like that."

"You don't like it?" He didn't want to do anything that she didn't like.

"I love it." She wanted to tell him that she loved him, but couldn't bring herself to do it. She couldn't be rejected again by him; she wouldn't be able to handle it.

The two of them lay there like that. Hawkeye felt her breathing become heavy and knew she was asleep. He waited a while longer until he knew she was sound asleep and stopped stroking her hair. His hand came to rest on her bare back and he kissed the top of her head sweetly. "I wish you knew how much I love you," he whispered softly, his voice full of emotion.

Hawkeye never dozed off that evening, but he did let Margaret sleep as long as she needed to. To him she looked like an angel and he couldn't have dreamt that it would feel so good to have her in his arms. He never looked at the clock so he wasn't sure how long she had been sleeping. It would be fine by him if they stayed like that forever.

Upon opening her eyes Margaret discovered she was in the same spot she had fallen asleep in. He hadn't pushed her aside or moved a muscle; he actually let her sleep on top of him. She hadn't experienced that with anyone before. When the sun rose or they were finished they always pushed her aside. No one ever held her until her heart was content; not until now anyway.

Hawkeye felt her start to move slightly and he looked down on his chest. She turned her face and looked at him. She had a smile on her lips. "You're awake."

"I didn't go to sleep."

She smiled brighter. "Not at all?" He shook his head. "Are you sure?"

He chuckled. "I'm pretty sure." He leaned down and gave her a kiss. When he did that she slithered up his body so they were face to face. "Are you hungry?"

"We didn't eat dinner, did we?"

"No. Let me take you to dinner."

"You don't have to."

"I want to."

"Well in that case…" How could she say no? "Wait. Do I have to run there?"

Hawkeye let out a hearty laugh. "My car is back at my hotel. If you would like I'll run up there and shower and then drive back to get you."

She shrugged. She really didn't want to leave his side. "There's something I want to ask you."

"What is it?"

"You're not going to let me spend the rest of the week alone, are you?"

Was she saying what he thought she was saying? "I need more then just that."

"You want an invitation?" He nodded. "Benjamin Pierce, would you please stay with me for the rest of the week?"

"I'll be here with bells on."

Margaret gave him another kiss. "Maybe you shouldn't go for that run. You should save your energy." Her hands were in her hair combing it back with her fingers. "Your hair is very soft. Baby soft."

"I know."

"I like it." She looked into his eyes. "I don't want you to go without me."

"Do you want to drive me to go get it?"

She shook her head. "We can take a cab." She didn't want to be without him for a single moment. "Is that okay?"

He nodded. He was a little short on cash at the moment, but he didn't want to say that to her. He'd just call his father when he got to the hotel and have him wire him some. He hadn't worked at all and most of his savings was gone already. "I'll shower here then."

"Yeah." Margaret sat up and moved off of him. She noticed how he stared at her body and avoided her face. It made her feel very awkward. "Hawkeye," she said shakily.

"Hmmm?"

"Is something wrong with the way I look?" She reached for her robe, but he jumped to his feet and took it from her.

"Don't say that. You're perfect." He looked into her eyes almost scaring her with the intensity. He tossed the robe on the bed and took her into his arms. "You're beautiful, Margaret."

She smiled. "Why do you keep dong that me? It makes me feel…"

"You're perfect and everything I ever dreamed you would be. I won't look at you like that if it makes you feel uncomfortable."

"Now that I know your reason I think I should be okay with it. Would you like to shower with me? I'll try not to hog the water."

Hawkeye's face lit up and he suddenly scooped her into his arms. "There isn't anything more I'd rather do."