4. Adding Colour

Coffee had turned into dinner followed by an incredibly romantic walk, and even though he'd apparently misread her that first evening, McCoy was relieved that his misguided attempt at kissing her hadn't ruined their budding friendship. Quite obviously he'd been out of the dating game too long, but Sandra had graciously overlooked his ungentlemanly faux-pas.

Now, three days later, it almost felt as if they'd known each other forever, and there was no question anymore, that they wanted to spend as much time together as they could. He'd have liked them to be even closer by now, of course. She was the most attractive woman he'd ever met, and he was only a man, after all. But even so, the way she made him feel when they were together, just talking and occasionally touching hands, was far beyond anything he'd ever hoped to feel again.

McCoy was just happy to be around her, trying his best to ignore the sparks igniting every time they touched, however briefly, or even just when she gazed at him with her big, soulful eyes. But since he was leaving for space again in a few days anyway, and she was far too precious to just be a shore-leave romance, he was simply grateful for every wonderful minute they had, thankful to have met her at all.

Besides, she seemed to have a lot of male friends, and she'd been talking very affectionately about this Dan guy in particular, so maybe keeping this strictly platonic was for the best. McCoy had never really been the jealous type, but he had a feeling that Sandra being a whole galaxy away could easily change that, if their relationship went beyond friendship.

x-x-x-x-x

After an early dinner of chicken sandwiches in a little café by the sea, Leonard had suggested an evening stroll along Coronado Beach, one of her favourite spots in San Diego, and possibly the most beautiful place on Earth. It certainly held some cherished memories, and she couldn't help imagining Leonard finally sweeping her into his arms for a breath-taking kiss there. Just as she felt they were meant to, and certainly a dream come true.

She couldn't really pinpoint what it was about him. What had her fall for him so fast and so completely. Incredible as it sounded, it had been love at first sight. And then a little more every day. With every look, every touch, everything he said or did. He was the kindest, gentlest, most fascinating man she'd ever met, and she couldn't even begin to describe what she felt gazing into those compassionate, mesmerising eyes, or even just being near him.

Standing or walking close to him, listening to his deep, rich voice and heart-stoppingly charming southern drawl, the way he admired her drawings, his gentle, genuine laughter at her jokes and puns, the sincerity of his interest in everything she had to say, filled her with a comforting, if unfamiliar, sense of confidence, a feeling of self-esteem she hadn't known before.

She'd always been self-conscious and shy, feeling bland and boring, almost invisible, compared to most other women she knew. But she wasn't invisible to Leonard. He saw her. In fact, he made her feel like the most attractive and interesting woman in the world. Being around him felt like basking in a warm sea of affection and, incredibly, even admiration.

He'd certainly had his fair share of personal drama, too. Far worse, in fact, than she'd experienced in her life. And the way he talked about his past, hiding the hurt behind dry humour and irony, he sometimes seemed almost flippant, but never bitter, just maybe careful and a little guarded. Through everything that had happened to him, he'd held on to his compassion and remained kind, warm, and caring.

But Leonard wasn't just beautiful on the inside. He was stunningly gorgeous to behold, too. Not your typical, handsome boy, though. His was a more ragged kind of handsomeness that took her breath away every time she looked at him. A big part were those electric blue eyes, of course, but it was also his lopsided smile, his stance, his gait, even the hair on his arms, or poking out from under a V-neck, that were sexy in a way she couldn't even explain.

Just seeing his profile, or his back, even just the nape of his neck, or his full head of glossy hair, did the most disturbing things to her innards. Butterflies. Now she finally knew what people meant when they talked about them. And then, of course, there were his hands, their gentle tenderness, felt in every little touch, that had captured her even in her dazed state, when he'd first checked her for injuries that fateful morning in the park.

Oh, how she craved the touch of those magical, healing hands, how she longed to be held in those strong, hairy arms, to feel those gentle fingers rubbing her back, touching her face, those soft lips on hers instead of on her cheek. God, she was on fire. But she needed to put a halt to those thoughts before she did something stupid and made a complete fool of herself.

They were strolling hand in hand along the beach now, and she'd thought she'd die, her heart had been racing so fast, when he'd suddenly, almost casually, threaded his fingers through hers. Leonard was such a gentleman, so considerate in everything he did, and she very much appreciated that. But how could he not feel about her the way she felt about him? How could he not want her the way she wanted him?

"You're such a gentleman, Leonard, and I really love that about you, but," she blurted, stopping short when she realised what she was about to say.

"But?" he prompted softly, breaking his stride and turning towards her, gentle eyes fixed on hers and his fingers seeming to tighten their grip on her hand, as an almost naughty smile spread across his face.

"But I wish… I mean … Aren't you attracted to me in that way at all?" he had her so flustered, she could barely speak.

"What way?" he took her other hand in his, too, and was openly grinning now, clearly delighting in teasing her a little, affection written all over his face.

But she couldn't find her voice, trembling with nerves, and anticipation, and insecurity, as he tenderly pulled her against him, bent down and brought his face close to hers, silently searching her eyes, waiting for a sign of consent.

"That way?" he breathed when she gave a small nod, and then his lips captured hers, caressing, exploring, and endlessly giving.

All she could do was cling on to him as she felt her knees go weak with longing, and disbelief, and excitement.