DESTINED FOR ETERNITY

CHAPTER 30

JULY 1983

When the tempest finally passed, the Scorpio's stayed in one anothers arms, warmed by the afterglow of incredible lovemaking. For a brief moment they bask in their private emotions as they catch their breath.

Holly had never felt so completely content. A void in her life had been discovered and filled beyond all expectations. She had never known it could be like this and she did not want to ever lose it, not by choice or by fate. Holly snuggled closer to Robert, needing to be as close as possible. He shifted his weight, enveloping her even more with his body as if he would never let her go. Holly prayed that he never would.

As Robert lay quiet he gave a silent prayer of thanks for the gift of this exquisite lady. He never realized how much he wanted her closeness, her warmth, her trust. He needed this woman, and not just for sex, which was a whole new concept for him. He tighted his hold on her, never wanting to let her go.

Finally, able to find her voice, Holly says, "Oh, Robert, that was truly incredible. Even more so than the first time we were together." She holds him tighter and kisses his temple.

Robert looks up from her shoulder, where he had just minutes before lay his head, and smiled at her. A smile filled with such love it took her breath away. "Absolutely incredible," He agrees. "Moments like these are what dreams are made of," He says softly.

Tears in her eyes, Holly places the palm of her hand on his cheek. "I love you, Robert."

Robert's brain, which had been momentarily turned to mush and had not returned to its full capacity, just stared at Holly. Finally, he registers what she is saying. "Holly, I don't expect you to . . ."

"Stop it, Robert!" Holly yells, startling Robert into quietness. "Just stop it!"

"Stop what?" He asks, totally confused.

"For once would you stop interrupting me," She replies, her agitation evident. "I have been trying for daysto tell you how much I love you."

"But Holly, just because we made love doesn't mean you have to say that."

Holly's eyes widen in anger. "Robert Scorpio!" She takes her hands to push him off of her, careful to keep her hands clear of his wound. Once she has shoved him aside, she jumps up and wraps her discarded sarong around her body to the best that she can manage at the moment. She is muttering under her breath as she tries to get herself under control, not sparing a single glance at Robert, who is now sitting on the cushions with a beach towel thrown over himself and a shocked expression on his face. He is in total confusion but seeing the look that is still on Holly's face, he is afraid to say anything.

Finally turning to him, Holly says, "You know, I do believe THAT is usually the woman's line!"

Still in his state of total confusion, Robert can only manage to say, "What?"

"I LOVE YOU!" She yells loudly. "Lord knows, I am beginning to wonder why."

Robert pulls his shorts on and walks over to her. She was surprised when his hand took her arm and he swung her around to face him. "Look, Holly, I realize that you are very grateful that I am alive." Holly rolls her eyes toward the heavens, begging for patience as Robert continues. "And I know that you feel that you have this duty and obligation to me, but that is not the same as love."

"Don't you dare presume to tell me how I feel," Holly warns him. Sighing loudly, she continues, "Boy, did I ever screw this up. All my plans went right out the window." She paces the deck, talking as much to herself as to Robert. "Here I thought we would be all alone today and I would be able to calmly explain to you how I had realized how much I truly loved you, that I only want you and nobody else, and then you have to go and touch me and I forget all my intentions!" She looks at him with an accusatory look, as if blaming him.

"Really?" Robert says with a smile.

Holly glares at him. "Don't be so smug! I had intended for this to be a discussion, not a seduction!"

Robert backs off a little. "YOU were the one who asked me to put lotion on your back," He reminds her.

She opens her mouth to speak, but he continues, "Or was that part of your plan?"

"You didn't have to seduce me," She retorts.

"I thought it was YOU seducing me," He counters.

Standing toe to toe, hands on hips, throwing their barbs at each other, Robert and Holly just stare at each other for a moment and then Robert starts laughing. "You are a constant surprise," He tells her as he pulls her into his embrace, which she does her best to resist. "You are without a doubt the most irresistable female I have ever known." He kisses her neck. "You are delightful," He whispers against her skin.

Holly can feel her resistance melting. She liked being a source of surprise and delight. She slid her arms around his neck. "I do love you, Robert. I do."

"And I love you," He replies as he moves in for a deeply passionate kiss. Still, Holly can't overcome the notion that Robert isn't taking her declaration of love seriously. She pulls back and stares at him for a moment, but being in his arms was pure exquisite joy that she didn't want to give up. Telling herself not to dwell on it, she falls back into his embrace. She refuses to spoil the moment. It can be sorted out later.

Robert continues kissing her neck, her shoulders, her mouth. He is in total awe with this woman. She was a tempting seductress, she was thoughtful and kind, she was playful and tormenting. She was innocence and purity. She was cunning and wanton. She was all these things, and she was his, atleast for now.

Robert removes her sarong as his hands glide sensuously over her body, caressing and arousing her as he teases her with quick, tender kisses.

Moaning, Holly sighs into his mouth. "Robert, you have me on fire with need for you."

She pulls him closer, searching for a deeper kiss, which he eagerly bestows upon her. Delighting in her enthusiasm, Robert once more lowers her onto the cushions they had recently vacated. Looking deep into her eyes, Robert says, "My, luv, I have NEVER known anything that felt like this, not ever." Before she can respond in kind, Robert takes her mouth is a soul blazing kiss which she happily returned. Once more the Scorpio's are united in passion as they discover the true meaning of love.