Chapter Four: Six White Horses
Summary: He told himself it was the polite thing to do. That's all it was, right? Seth/Marissa
Disclaimer: It is not mine, alack, alas- I tell you this to save my ass.
Author's Note-
I am on a veritable roll here. However, please bear in mind that the chapters may start coming in a little slower now that the working week has begun. To my reviewers I again offer up my most sincere thanks for the feedback. Truly, nothing warms my heart more. I had meant to leave a postscript at the end of the last chapter, but as usual my memory failed me so I'll just mention it now. Firstly, for anyone who may wonder why I skipped a detailed description of the dancing I can tell you only this- I myself have never danced. Sad but true. Unsure of how to write the motions of two people hot-footing it together I chose to simply skip it. Should you feel cheated by this omission I beg your forgiveness. Secondly, I'll let you in on a secret. If you're the kind of reader who ignores the author's note then tough toenails for you. I'm not sure where this story is going. I don't want it to be too long nor do I want to cut it down while it's still in its prime. The ifs and whens of a kiss are undecided. Therefore I turn to you, dear reader, to help me along. What do you want to see happen? My phone lines are always open. Many gracias.
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It was hardly the first time Seth had been on the beach after dark, but it was the first time he had been here with Marissa Cooper on his arm, and for that reason he felt that this was a special occasion. All special occasions deserve special treatment, naturally, so he'd taken the liberty of buying them both ice cream cones to enjoy while they walked. He'd gotten plain vanilla while she chose plain chocolate, and they'd gotten a strawberry cone to share.
I bet she'd taste like neopolitan ice cream if I kissed her. Not that he was going to, but the thought had flitted across his mind before he could suppress it.
She was wearing his jacket now in an attempt to ward off the chill in the air. With one hand she grasped the lapels to prevent the coat from slipping off her shoulders while the other hand held her dessert. Her shoes had been discarded back at the car, and she focused on navigating the coastline so as to avoid stepping in anything unpleasant. He would have been more than happy to carry her again, but decided against suggesting it in case it led to any awkwardness.
Feeling her suddenly nudge his elbow he saw her gesture to a rocky shelf protruding from the overhead cliffs. They picked their way over to a smooth ledge of stone and sat, shoulder to shoulder, on the lip of the ridge.
He was grateful when the wind picked up a little, enough to blow the ocean spray closer to them and make her lean into him for warmth. With her face angled so that her nose practically touched his neck he could savor the sensation of her breath gently brushing by his skin every now and then. He shifted his own head so that his cheek- and lips- rested upon her forehead.
Funny how agreeable these positions were to them both.
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Thankfully he hadn't shaved in a few days. Marissa considered how much more she liked the feel of a man's jaw line when unshaven, and decided that Seth and bead stubble went very well together. He didn't use any cologne or aftershave, but there was still the lingering aroma of soap on his chin and throat that dared her to scootch in even closer to his body.
Hadn't Holly once told me something about women making the first move? Don't do it, basically.
Holly, to be fair, couldn't seem to get a guy who wasn't already with somebody else, and had given herself a reputation that a lifetime of celibacy in a convent couldn't repair.
Screw it. Forget all of them. I want this.
Their situation, however cozy, was far from ideal. They were sitting cuddled close together, yet Seth had done nothing to suggest that he would wrap an arm around her as she hoped he would. Mentally she willed him to move his arm. If she had some latent Force-like abilities that needed exercising now was the perfect moment to break them out.
Nothing happened. Holding back a sigh she ceased her efforts and relaxed against him again.
"Are you done with that?" He spoke alongside her ear.
Glancing down at her ice cream she wrinkled her nose.
"You can have whatever you don't mind licking off my fingers," she said. "But most of it's melted now."
In a flash he ducked his head and dragged his tongue across the knuckles of her right hand. Shrieking and flapping her left fist to keep him at bay she jogged to the water's edge and bent to wash her fingers in the ocean. He came with her, laughing softly, and held the hem of her long dress clear of the waves.
"Are we ready for home now?" He said when she stood back up.
She adjusted the straps of her gown and managed to keep a small smile on her face despite the disappointment.
"Ready when you are."
Stopping to gather his coat and her purse Marissa discovered herself to be genuinely happy, if somewhat damp and sandy, and paused to bask in the unusually harmonious mood she felt all around her. Turning away from her ocean view she was surprised to find that Seth was gone, and was on the brink of panic when one lean arm circled her waist and a familiar hand holding two small flowers appeared in front of her.
"Where did you find those?" She asked, recovering from her momentary distress.
"I just know where to look." He replied, tucking one blossom behind her ear and the other into a buttonhole on his shirtfront. "Shall we?"
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Standing in the shadow of the House That Grandpa Built was enough to intimidate anyone, and it had succeeded in making Seth feel considerably less confident than he had seconds before.
Marissa walked along with him, still barefoot, and speaking dreamily about their latest English assignment. He hadn't actually meant to start a conversation about school this time.
"It's just the most romantic thing I can think of." She said, and he snapped back to attention. "What woman wouldn't want to hear words of love spoken from beneath her balcony?"
"But she didn't know it was him! She thought it was the other guy the whole time!"
"Nonetheless." She rested her case.
They had climbed the final flight of stairs and stood before the private entrance that led into her room. Neither was willing to say goodnight yet, but as there was nowhere left to go the adventure had come to an end. Silently she leaned in and kissed him gently on the cheek, then slipped quickly into the house.
Oh no, no, no. That just won't do. Scanning the mansion quickly he saw what he had been looking for and began to hurry down the steps.
I can still catch her if I move fast.
Author's P.S. - Fluffy enough to smother Mary Poppins, I know and apologize for it. Anyone recognize what play they were discussing? It's gonna affect the next chappie! Stay tuned, oh ye faithful! I plan on doing a few shout-outs next post as well!
oddsie out!