AN: As has become my habit, I'll post another pair of chapters at the same time. I'm in a good mood today, so you'll find some fluff in this chapter and the next one. For those of you who need a bit of darkness, don't worry, it'll be there soon. As always, these two have neough to discuss. Enjoy...
Disclaimer: Please don't make me repeat myself, it's getting boring...
CHAPTER SIX
Mac leaned against his chest, slightly panting. Her need to be close to him so overwhelming she felt dizzy.
"Ouch!"
"Mac? What's wrong? Are you in pain?"
She laughed, an honest genuine laugh, lifting the last piece of tension from the room.
"Your gold wings, Flyboy. They're poking me in the eyes!"
He grinned, unbuttoning his uniform shirt and throwing it off the bed, together with his undershirt, revealing his bare chest.
"Better?"
"In so many ways…"
She sighed, even more contend to be held by him than before.
His arms were still wrapped snugly around her slim waist and for the first time since she could recall, Mac felt loved, safe, cherished.
Some dancers, or rather strippers, she used to know, took some pride in the fact that they were wanted by the men they were performing for. Mac had never been one of them. She wasn't looking for people wanting to be with her just because of her body or the fact she knew how to move it.
She could only thank God Harm wasn't that way. She knew he wouldn't have even entered that strip club if it hadn't been for his investigation. But…what if she was wrong? After all, everything she had once known about this man might have changed during this year. She stiffened at the idea. He immediately noticed.
"Mac? You okay?"
Concern, real concern was visible in his eyes.
"No, I'm…Jeez I can't explain."
He kissed her temple, a reassuring gesture, giving her goose bumps.
"Try, we've got all night. Just say what's eating you. I'll help you if I can. Is this still about our friends, or mom and Frank?"
"No, no, this is about you. You and me. The way you found me."
"What about that?"
"Harm, I'm a stripper. I take my clothes off for money. That's a very long way down the drain for a former Marine."
When he didn't reply, she turned in his arms, forcing herself to look into his eyes. The truth was always in his eyes, even if his words were telling another story.
"Were you not the least bit repulsed by what I was doing on that stage when you walked in? Can you honestly sit here, holding me like this without wondering how many men saw me or even touched me before you walked into my life again? I know you Harm, or at least I did, and you hate places like the club."
She shivered, bracing herself for the truth.
"Sarah…what can I say? Of course I never figured you'd become a stripper, but there's no need to be ashamed of yourself and I'm not one tiny bit ashamed of you either. I'm glad I found you, glad you agreed to come back and get your life back together, and I'm very, very happy on a more personal level to have my friend back and to see if we can take this relationship to the next level."
"But you'd be dating a stripper!"
She knew she was pushing it, but she had to be sure. If he would ever change his mind it would be the end of her.
"Former stripper. You're not working in the club any more. So I won't be dating a stripper, I'll be dating a Jarhead. A beautiful strong Marine I happen to be very much in love with and very proud of. Besides…"
He grinned a full Flyboy grin at her again.
"Besides what…?"
He kissed her slightly parted lips.
"The moment I realized it was you on that stage, I realized something else too."
"You did?"
"Uh-huh. I realized that all these guys could only see the showgirl, the outside. A very beautiful outside, but nothing more. But I? I get access to your soul, Sarah, to your heart, your being…nobody can take that away from me."
There she went again, crying, with relief this time. His eyes told her he was telling her the truth, his clarity a soothing balm on her bruised self-image.
"Just so you know, I only danced. I was offered good money to…you know, but I always only danced. I haven't…"
She cringed at the thought.
"I know, I know, sweetheart."
He kissed her temples, her forehead, her swollen eyelids, before reaching her lips again.
This kiss was more tender than the other ones, but turned more passionate after a while. When they parted, she looked at him, vulnerability in her eyes.
"Harm…I can't…not tonight, not…"
"I know, it's okay, we don't have to. We've got all the time in the world for making love. But I'd like to hold you tonight, if that's okay…"
"Yes, please. I…that would be wonderful."
They fell asleep in each other's arms shortly after that.
The next morning came with lots of sun and new resolve for both of them. Harm made the necessary telephone call to his mom. As he had expected, Trish had no problem with Mac's presence. She was way too glad her son had found the woman he loved again. He elaborated very little about the circumstances in which he'd found her and at his request, she promised not to ask any questions unless Mac indicated she was ready to talk.
During the drive, Mac pointed out a small boutique in one of San Diego's shopping area's.
"Harm, do we have time to do some shopping?"
"I guess so. Why?"
"Well, first of all, I'm a woman, which is enough reason. And second, all I've taken with me are my best pairs of jeans and some old sweaters. I never needed more after…work…I don't want to face you mom and stepfather with this tattered outfit."
He wanted to point out she looked fine to him and always would, but he could understand her request. New clothes were just a part of her new life and he couldn't deny her the pleasure.
"Very well, shopping it is. You have something in mind?"
"Well, I need a new pair of pants, some nice shirts, new shoes, a summer dress, oooh, and a bikini of course, and…"
Her voice, excited and girlish trailed off as Harm found a parking space. With a happy laugh she hurried across the street while he locked up the car. He caught up with her at the window display of the boutique they'd passed.
"Can we go in?"
"That's the whole idea of shopping, isn't it?"
She shot him a half amused, half annoyed glace before stepping in.
Within minutes, Harm was all but discarded at the doorstep while Mac, giddy as a schoolgirl, plundered rack after rack of shirts, blouses, pants and dresses, disappearing between the curtains of the dressing space countless times, proudly showing him outfit after outfit.
"This is so very Pretty Woman", she gushed.
"So does that mean I'll be paying for this little escapade?"
"Would you? Thanks sweetie-pie."
She blew him a kiss and a sassy wink and he would probably have been annoyed or even insulted if he hadn't been this crazy in love. Whatever, he could afford it.
After a solid hour of shopping, she had gathered a nice pile of clothes and accessories (a girl needed her accessories) and was finally, finally ready to go. She came out from behind the curtains wearing a strapless white summer dress with red flowers and a flowing skirt. She looked young, carefree and absolutely gorgeous.
"You like, Sailor?"
"Me like indeed."
On a more serious tone: "You look amazing, Sarah."
"Wait until you see me back in uniform…"
Shocked, he didn't know what to answer. This was the first time she'd mentioned her life back in the military…so she did want to go back…
Onether chapter coming...
