Outside it had gotten darker. Angry shades of grey dominated the sky, though the rain seemed to refuse to fall. Sheridan took a deep breath as she walked down the church steps and unto the narrow meandering path that led through the church's small flower garden.
It was there she felt him – the almost vise-like grip that suddenly covered her upper arm. Sheridan whirled around to face him and pulled her arm away, "How dare you?" she accused. Scathingly.
Luis laughed humorlessly, "how dare me…?" he asked incredulously, "…when you're the one who just single-handedly ruined my wedding day?!"
Sheridan shrugged, "somebody had to."
Realization dawned on Luis as he stared at her, "that's it! That's why you were so adamant about Marty not being part of the ceremony today, or even coming – you knew damn well what you were planning!"
"My son will not grow up accepting lies like I did –"
"Our son," Luis quickly corrected her.
Sheridan ignored him as she continued, "Marty will grow up knowing the truth and how important it is to always put truth first…..unlike you," she glared at him. "You once used to boast about that – the truth above all else you used to say, now it seems you just don't measure up, do you?" she added, those bold blue eyes giving him the full once over.
Her gaze was so hot, it burned – Luis could feel it as he tried his utmost to ignore the cause and its effect. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he asked through gritted teeth, getting right up in her face.
Sheridan Crane would not be intimidated – ever. Instead she also got right up in Luis' face, pressing her breasts lightly into his chest, hearing his sharp intake of breath. "Isn't this the truth?" she asked, lowering the octave of her voice to a sultry tone, "the way you keep undressing me with your eyes." It was a statement, not a question.
Luis quickly averted his deep gaze, but didn't deny what Sheridan said. He couldn't.
"And isn't it interesting how…" Sheridan was so close Luis could feel her breath against his cheek, "how you left the woman you claim to love inside while you're out here looking like you want to jump me."
Luis pulled away from her so quickly it made Sheridan chuckle. Again she was right. He had not given Fancy even a backward glance as he rushed outside to confront Sheridan. He hated how she was right. But Luis was determined to get the upper hand in this situation.
A sardonic smile illuminated his handsome face…she was still chuckling at him, "well, you've certainly changed haven't you? Luis commented. "You're nothing like the woman I fell in love with all those years ago."
Light laughter escaped Sheridan's lips again, surprising Luis yet again. "You mean that insecure woman who was haunted by past nightmares? Is that whom you're referring to?" she queried.
"She and I had some amazing times….some of the best times of my life," Luis commented softly, almost regretfully, "but one day she just disappeared and I've come to the conclusion I'll never see her again."
Sheridan pursed her lips and nodded thoughtfully, "yes, I remember her so well – she was the one you had to ride in on your white horse and rescue – over and over again – perhaps that's why you miss her so much. She was so clingy and needy. She needed you to feel whole. But you know, for once you're actually right - you'll never see her again. " Sheridan moved closer to him again.
"Really?"
"Yes….really. You see, I destroyed her….with my own hands," there was a definite gleam as she pinned him with those midnight blue, bold eyes. "I'm not that weak, insecure woman you used to know," she raised her hand and let her manicured index finger lightly and slowly graze his shaven cheek, "now, I'm a force to be reckoned with." Her undertone was sultry again, but there was decisiveness in her voice.
Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald had never seen Sheridan Crane so sexy before. She absolutely enraged him, like she never had before and at the same time he was completely turned on by her.
Luis covered Sheridan's hand with his own, stilling her movement, "is that why you came here to ruin my wedding day? Just to show off your new found ninja skills?"
Sheridan rolled her eyes at him, "I came to save your ass from a lifetime of utter ruin. In spite of what you want to believe, I do care about what happens to you." Her voice held a gentle tone as she spoke, "you're my son's father and I actually want what's best for you."
Luis stared at her, absorbing her words before suddenly stepping back and applauding, "whew! That was quite the performance. Did you write those lines yourself? Man, that was so good, even I was starting to believe it," his voice dripped with sarcasm.
Sheridan glared at him, "what the hell is that supposed to mean?"
It pleased Luis that he had rattled her. Sheridan Crane was too damn smug with over-confident sex-appeal. It was time he finally gained the upper hand.
"The way you just twisted the whole situation around. You've become the master manipulator haven't you? You have truly become Alistair Crane's daughter – bravo!" Luis plastered a very fake smile on his face.
"You know Luis – you really only have two choices – you can see me as your best friend, coming to save you from marrying Fancy - a fate worse than death….or you can look at me as your worst enemy. And you really don't want to cross Alistair Crane's daughter," Sheridan stated distinctly.
"Is that a threat?" Luis asked with narrowed eyes.
"It's merely a warning." Sheridan's eyes sparkled roguishly. "I mean," she continued, "when our relationship ended, you wanted someone to replace me in your bed….I truly understand that – I replaced you," she added for his benefit, "…and you thought little Fancy would do the trick and satisfy all your sexual desires."
"Don't go there," Luis warned; there was an edge to his voice.
Sheridan continued as if he'd never said a word, "obviously you'd gotten tired of taking all those cold showers so you and Fancy had sex…and then you realized that a cold shower was giving you more orgasms that little Fancy ever could…am I right?" she asked with a sly smile.
Luis was seeing red as he grabbed her arms and pulled her body flush against his, "I said don't even go there – my sex life is none of your damn business!" His voice was dangerous and arousing. "You degrade Fancy in the lowest possible way and then have the nerve to call yourself my best friend," he accused.
Sheridan deliberately pressed her lower body firmly against his and her eyes sparkled so bright when she felt him begin to react. "Then I'll become your worst enemy," she hissed hotly.
Luis quickly pushed her away, cringing to look at the satisfaction on Sheridan's face; cursing himself for succumbing. "You truly are Alistair's daughter." His comeback was weakly limp.
"I don't want anything more to do with you, ever!" Luis muttered, still unable to look her in the eyes as he turned and quickly walked away.
Sheridan smiled smugly as she watched him leave.
