Disclaimer: I don't own any of these wonderful characters!
Author's note: OK, here's the big sit down with D/L. Now the fun can begin!
Chapter 11
Danny was uncharacteristically quiet as he and Lindsay made their way to her car. He opened the driver's side door for her then climbed in the passenger seat and the two drove off into the night. After several minutes, Lindsay finally broke the silence.
"Um, wow, I guess my sister and Flack have it bad, huh. Well, too bad she has to go back to Montana tomorrow."
Danny was quiet for a moment, then: "Somethin' tells me attraction was not the only reason for their sudden need for caffeine."
Lindsay, unable to think of a suitable reply, fell silent once again.
Across town …
The coconspirators picked up coffee at one of Flack's favorite diners on 43rd, and they strolled the sidewalks of New York compatibly. Beth was feeling pretty pleased with herself.
"I'm glad I came. I love my sister but she can be a bit thick sometimes when it comes to men. I think she needed a little push."
Flack chuckled. "More like a shove into oncoming traffic. Well, we've done all we can for now."
She smiled coyly at him. "You know, I appreciate the sacrifice you're making, playing babysitter to a country girl in the big city."
Flack turned, guided her to a nearby bench and pulled her onto his lap. "Now who's being thick …" He placed his lips on hers, and Beth snuggled in eagerly. Wow, I love New York, was her last coherent thought.
Up on the roof …
Lindsay found a spot about a block away from Danny's - no small feat - and they sat in the car for several minutes without saying a word.
"You tired?" Danny finally asked. Lindsay shook her head. "So, um, it's a nice night and there's a full moon. How 'boutwe grab a couple brews and we head up to the roof?"
Lindsay couldn't help but grin. "Is that the Staten Island way of inviting me up to see your etchings?"
Danny returned her smile before turning serious. "We need to talk, Montana. I think that's what Heckell and Jeckell were trying to tell us. How 'bout it? You game?"
She nodded slowly, trying to ignore the strange combination of apprehension and excitement that crept into her chest. Wordlessly, they walked toward Danny's building. After a few steps, she felt his hand grab hers. Though stunned, she let him, and, after a beat or two, clasped his tightly in her own. Danny couldn't help but feel his heart leap a bit. Okay, Montana, let's find out what's what.
Following a brief pit stop in his apartment, they headed up to the roof, where the stars shined brightly. Danny pulled out a couple of lawn chairs, turned on a radio he'd grabbed downstairs, and they made themselves comfortable.
"What are ya thinking' Montana?" He knew what he was thinking. This woman did something to him, had since the day at the zoo. Her combination of spirit, naiveté, compassion and strength drew him as much as her chocolate brown eyes, hot bodyand silky hair. He was beginning to think Flack was right - this woman didn't do sex for sympathy - and Danny needed to know what she did think.
"I'm thinking there's a reason you brought me up here, and I'm almost afraid to find out what it is." Lindsay replied truthfully. She didn't know what scared her more: finding out he felt nothing but friendship for her or that he wanted something more. She had assumed the former, but something about dancing with him - twice in as many days, he said - and the way he looked at her had her thinking the other was possible.
Danny suddenly jumped up. Reaching down, he pulled Lindsay up to face him. "I think we seem to do better this way," he said.
"Danny …" Lindsay began to look down but he gently tipped her chin upward.
"Whatever you have to say, Montana, you have to do it to my face."
"That's the thing," she began, a little breathless. "I don't know what to say."
"Maybe we don't have to say anything at all." Gently but firmly, he cupped her face in his hands and looked into her eyes. When she didn't pull away, he placed his lips gently on hers. Memories flooded him, and when she responded to his touch, he deepened the kiss.
Lindsay opened herself to him when his tongue probed, requesting entry. It seemed she could do nothing else. Danny's arms slipped around her waist and he pulled her closer. Several minutes later they parted, a little breathless.
"Ya know, that night …" Danny kept his arms around her to keep her from pulling away. "Things got a little crazy a little fast. I'm sorry about that. You reached out to me, and I just kept taking, Linds, I'm sorry."
As always, Lindsay was struck by his use of her given name. "You took what I offered Danny. No one could blame you for that - you needed something, someone, and I was there."
"I didn't need someone, Montana. I needed you," he said, dipping his head to kiss her again. "The situation was not ideal, but I can't be sorry it happened. What I need to hear from you is, do you regret it? Were you just comforting me?"
"I don't use sex for sympathy, Danny," she said a bit tartly, and he smiled, relieved.
"After having a friend screw my head on straight, Idon't think so either. So I'm gonna take that to mean you might feel something for me."
Lindsay colored slightly and looked down, but Danny once again tipped her chin so she was looking him in the eye. She sighed. "I feel something Danny, but I'm almost - hell, no almost about it - I'm scared to death to find out what it is. I don't have the best track record, and my parents certainly didn't set the best example …"
Her voice trailed off, and Danny decided honesty might help things along. "Your sister filled me in a bit - don't get mad! I was bellyaching about my baggage, and she set me straight, she let me know that we all have our demons, I guess."
Lindsay was quiet for a moment. "Well, my demons have pushed people away in the past. I guess I don't need that to happen again," she took a breath, and decided to explain further. "This guy in college - we dated three years, and I finally told him about my parents. He seemed to take it well, but a few weeks later he broke things off. He was in law school and had political aspirations amd was worried my checkered past my hinder his advancement."
Danny held her closer at the bitterness in her voice. "I don't know what's supposed to happen here, Montana, but I will never push you away for that. God knows I have my issues."
Lindsay pulled back and looked in his eyes, which seemed clouded with feeling and nerves, much as she imagined her own were She made a decision.Enough of this, she thought. Enough being afraid. I came to New York to live again, and maybe this is my cue. Before she spoke again she reached behind Danny's neck and pulled him to her. She kissed him deeply for several minutes, thrilling at the way he seemed to envelope her with his body.
Danny pulled back reluctantly. "I have a plan, and this isn't exactly part of it - now, anyway. Wanna hear it?" At Lindsay's nod, he continued. "So I'm thinking, we both got cheated. We hopped in the sack - great as that was, let's face it …." Lindsay giggled. "Anyway, we never did the dinner thing, the date thing, you know. I thought we could give it a try, maybe put a hold on the other stuff until we see what happens. Not forever, you understand."
Lindsay grinned. "You promise?" Danny's wolfish grin was answer enough. "Ok, so what do you think? We're both off Thursday …"
"My car should be fixed by then. How 'bout I pick you up at, say, 7? We could go to Nucio's, maybe have dinner?"
"Sounds like a plan. One more thing … I think we should keep our mouths shut for the time being. And since Flack seems up on the gossip, maybe you could tell him to keep quiet too."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of Flack."
"Great. So, I should be going ...?"
Danny tightened his grip. "Whoa there, Montana. I know I said things should settle a little, but I didn't mean completely. I'm not done with you."
He kissed her again, and this time his touch was full of promise and excitement rather than sadness and need.
TBC
