~ Chapter 6 ~
Seconds turned to minutes as both Kate and John waited for their respective dinner companions to return. Having grown increasingly impatient, he motioned for her to come near.
"Would you mind checking the ladies' room to see if Doc's okay?"
"Of course, John. When Alex comes back, let him know I'll just be a moment, okay?"
"Sure thing."
Making her way across the restaurant, she glanced towards the lobby. No sign of Dr. North. Suddenly wary, she quickened her pace. Sure enough, her suspicions were confirmed as she found the ladies' room empty. She strode back to John's table, frustration oozing from every pore.
"They're gone," she informed him tersely.
"What do you mean?" he queried, not yet grasping what had happened.
"Marlena and Alex – they've both left."
"That son of a bitch!"
John rose so abruptly that his water glass tipped over. Without pausing, he threw a few bills on the table and, grabbing Kate's hand, practically ran from Chez Rouge. There was no time to waste. He had to get back to the penthouse on the double, before that charlatan tightened his grip on Marlena even further.
Down by the water's edge, Alex and Marlena inhaled the fresh river air. Seated comfortably on a wooden bench, they were soothed by the sound of the gently lapping waves.
"It's so peaceful here," Marlena sighed, deeply content. "Thank you so much for suggesting we come. How did you know I wasn't ready to go back to the penthouse yet?"
I know you better than you know yourself.
"Just a hunch," Alex replied, outwardly minimizing the significance of his actions.
As she relaxed, Marlena leaned her head on Alex's welcoming shoulder. Within moments, she was in another time, another place…
It was dark, and it took Marlena a few seconds to figure out where she was. The movie theatre. She and Alex were seated side by side. Having just finished the last of their shared popcorn, Marlena wiped her fingers on a napkin before reaching for his hand. It gripped hers firmly and, it seemed, somewhat possessively. She snuggled closer, glad deep down that the group had chosen to see a tense thriller. A frightening scene caused her to jump involuntarily, and soon Alex's arm was wrapped around her. Her every nerve ending tingled at his touch. Turning to look at him in the dim glow reflected off the screen, she was surprised to catch him staring back at her. They stayed that way for what felt like ages, lost in each other's eyes. Just as he moved his lips towards hers, the house lights came on, breaking the spell. She sighed audibly, disappointment coursing through her. Realizing that one of her classmates was talking to her, Marlena struggled to focus.
"Shall we head to the pub?" Carol asked again.
"I'm feeling quite tired tonight," she responded. "Can I take a rain check?"
"Sure."
Carol accepted Marlena's decision easily and made no effort to change her mind, knowing how hard Marlena had been studying lately.
"What about you, Alex?" his best buddy, Tom, piped up.
"I'm going to walk Marlena home," Alex reminded Tom. "If I've still got the energy, I'll join you later."
Goodbyes were exchanged, and the rest of the group headed off for drinks. Alone at last, the duo linked arms and strolled leisurely down the deserted street. Pausing under the shelter of a large oak tree, Alex turned Marlena towards him. Cupping her face in his hands, he brought his lips to hers. The sensation was electric.
"I've been waiting for you to do that all night," she whispered dreamily, as he broke the kiss.
Offering her that glorious smile she could never get enough of, he leaned in to kiss her again.
Alex had been observing Marlena closely. She was clearly remembering something and, judging by her expression, it was definitely pleasant. Now, if he could just determine whether he was the object of her recollection, or if it was the annoyingly interfering John Black. It didn't take long for him to find out.
Returning to the present, Marlena shifted on the bench. Opening her eyes, she found herself curled up in Alex's arms. The memory of kissing him was as vivid as if she had just experienced it. Without conscious thought, she reached up and trailed a finger across his lips. It took all the self-control he could muster to resist the lure of her touch.
"We can't."
His refusal lacked conviction, and the feel of her palm on his cheek was almost more than he could bear. Getting a grip on his raging emotions, he tried again.
"We need to be getting back to the penthouse," he reminded her, his voice husky and tinged with regret. "John may already have called in the National Guard," he added, only half-jokingly.
"You're right," she acknowledged, moving away from him in an effort to still her rapidly beating pulse.
Once Alex had put the car in gear, they rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. The kisses they had shared at the cabin had whet their appetite for more, and now the attraction that had been simmering just below the surface for weeks had flared to life. Neither of them knew if they'd be able to contain it – or for that matter, if they wanted to.
