I really do love this story... it so has changed and there isn't much left of it.

I may be able to wrap it up in 3 chapters although it will likely be 4... we'll see...

but, we take a break from Jordan here with some good Harm and Mac loving... who the hell needs slow anyway? :)

Chapter 27 - Electric Love

Harm rented a limo. The thought made her head spin when it pulled up outside of her building and she expected some dignitary or politician stopping to ask for directions. He had on a black suit and held a single red rose which made her melt and raise that smoldering desire that she'd only been able to keep in check because one of them had to.

The innuendos had been flowing since his return to JAG just a few days prior. And the way he touched her...dear God! I wasn't sexual or inappropriate in any way; it was just more that what she was accustomed to from him. Harm took in every chance to touch her that he could - brushing his hand over hers when he reached for the carafe in the break room. Settling his hand on the small of her back to guide her in front of him and letting it linger when in the past it was a quick press.

When she went to grab a paper from the fax machine he was behind her, entirely too close so that she could feel the heat of his body. Maybe she was just more aware of him? The last time around it wasn't as intense despite them being lovers. Of course, he was holding back somewhat because he was afraid to give too much and leave to fly. But then, the last time around they hadn't taken things slow either. There was no waiting for him to heal or her idea of penance over the anguish he put her through. They'd become lovers relatively quick and this waiting was killing her.

Mac could have never imagined that taking it slow would feel like a penance for her. Especially during morning meetings when sitting next to him was no longer the wisest of ideas. Again, he wasn't improper at least, not indecently so but the scent of his cologne was delightfully dizzying and turned her brain into mush. It was enough that Chegwidden had pulled her aside and her excuse had been the insomnia that had once plagued her so badly.

So the following morning she sat across from him but that too proved to be problematic. They both stared at each other a little too long in silent conversations which were intense although it wasn't their intention for it to be. This thing between them wasn't going to be a secret much longer if he looked at her that way. And why did the man have a penchant for chewing on pen caps? It made her think about kissing him and the wonderful sensations those lips could elicit on other places of her body. He had behaved, kept things professional. It was she that was finding it difficult to keep their distance when all she wanted was to be in his arms.

They hadn't spent time outside of the office either - her idea - because she'd been too busy with a rather tricky case and the Admiral had found it in his heart to bury Harm in so much paperwork he barely had time to grab lunch. He called her every night though counting down the days until their first real date.

When Friday rolled around, Mac secured early because she wanted to do this right. Hair, makeup, manicure, pedicure and all of the other girl touches she hoped Harm would appreciate.

The red dress hung on a hook behind her bedroom door.

Before showering, Mac touched the material, pleased on how it had looked when she tried it on at the store. It made her feel sexy in its simplicity because it was, indeed, a simple dress. A 'V' neck plunged down but not indecently so showing off just enough of her breasts. The bodice came down to her hips where the flowy material draped until just above her knee. She would teeter on impossibly high, strappy black heels that made her legs and six look so damned good.

She took her time, letting a warm bath sooth her body and mind and perhaps her nerves as well. And yes, Mac was nervous or maybe the flip flop of her stomach was excitement? Nevertheless, it had been ages since she felt that feeling and back then she'd been too inebriated to appreciate it.

Harm was fifteen minutes late when he phoned her apartment and asked her to step outside. She found it odd that he hadn't made the trek upstairs but didn't question his methods. Maybe he was just as hard up as she was and if they even slightly touched, she was sure they wouldn't make it past her living room. When she stepped outside, she cinched the coat she was wearing and stepped out into the cool Washington night to find Harm leaning against a sleek black limousine.

He held out a single long stemmed rose and stared appreciatively when Mac took off the coat and spun around so that the dress would move in the wind. He swallowed hard. The woman looked better than he could have imagined and damn had he been imagining for the last week. She was a vision, elegant and sexy - his date. "Wow."

"Like it?"

"Love it. You look...You… Dammit, I'm dying of pride at the moment, Sarah." He almost didn't use her given name. Mac had asked him repeatedly not to use it but he couldn't help himself and her eyes lit up when he said it. "Ready?"

"Yes."

Harm behaved like a gentleman should, not presuming that anything else other than a stolen kiss or two would happen. He took her to a fancy French restaurant, lavished Mac with compliments and the most intimate of actions was reaching across the table to hold her hand.

He wanted more, of course but slow meant slow and he would be damned if he scared Mac away over his false presumptions that the night would end differently. It was hell not to kiss her how he wanted to or take her in his arms and show Mac his affection.

After dinner, dessert and a light conversation they stepped outside to wait for the car. Harm actually held her hand as he hailed the limo. Threaded his fingers through hers to be exact. She stared down at their conjoined hands amused at the romantic undertone from a man who stated he was anything but romantic. "Hand holding, huh?"

When he brought their hands up so he could kiss hers Mac had the decency to blush. "Did you not think I'd want to hold your hand?"

"Never thought of you as the type for public displays of affection."

"Then there's a lot you don't know about me." He teased squeezing her fingers gently.

She studied him for a moment and that brush of insecurity made her wonder how long the 'romance' would last. Was this something he would do or was it for the moment? Mac didn't want him to be someone he was not. "Mmm. Do you really want to do this or is this only for my benefit?"

Harm's eyebrow quirked up in defense that his affection might be construed as something other than genuine. "Would it matter?"

"To me? Yes. You don't have to fake who you are around me. I'd love you just the same."

"Mac." He chastised and pulled her away from the port cocher to a quiet corner between a few potted bushes outside of the establishment. "Sarah...Back before I left for the carrier I wasn't sure of what I wanted. I knew I had feelings for you but everything happened so fast. I knew I needed to wrap up that part of my life and I have, it's done. This time. I know what I want...more important...I know who I want." Harm let the hand not holding hers travel up her arm to the nape of her neck and then slide up to cup her cheek.

He kissed her softly, not daring to deepen it although he hoped this slow wouldn't last any longer. She set a pace and he would stick to it. "I'm gonna probably make a zillion mistakes at this." He confessed when he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against hers. "I'm not perfect." Because what he felt for her made him a little crazy, off kilter. He liked that feeling, relished in letting her make him lose control.

"I'm not perfect either, you know? I'm sure I can press your buttons just as much as you can press mine."

"So then we'll have a lot of fun kissing and making up?" He wrapped his arms around her while they waited for the limo. The temperatures had dropped and the lack of sleeves on her dress made Mac shiver despite the coat which covered her. "You're more beautiful than I ever thought possible. Thank you for indulging me."

But who exactly was indulging whom? He couldn't know that Mac had been watching his every move during dinner. The way he spoke while he ordered his meal, the casual way he sipped the single malt scotch. Long fingers wrapping around the utensils, the same one that held her hand then.

His eyes changed hues depending on the subjects that they spoke about. And Mac wondered if he saw the fire in hers, the desire that was slowly burning. She would be remiss to back out of her concept of them taking it slowly, of dating, of getting to know each other. But he couldn't know just how turned on he made her.

So yes, she shivered from the cold but also from the feel of his hands on her arms and the scent of his cologne. Mac was grateful when the vehicle pulled up and he held the door open for her to slide in first. Purposely she sat on the other side trying to keep a decent amount of space between them. But the fates had a way of pushing things into action and they were both powerless to stop it.

The driver had taken a turn too fast and somehow Mac wound up in Harm's lap. He helped her straighten up and that was a touch that did her in because a second later her lips came crashing down on his. It was passionate, needy and absolutely delectable the way he kissed her back, nibbling her lower lip and then following a path that led down to her throat in between the V of her dress un-cinching her coat as he went.

They clung to each other trying to keep their bodies pressed together as much as possible. The concept of taking things slow crumbled into nothing as they came to a stop in front of her building. Breathlessly, she asked him to come up and heated kisses continued in the foyer, the elevator, down the hall, and at the front of her door.

She fumbled with the keys because he kept touching her, a warm palm slowly stroking up and down her bare back after, somehow, he'd managed to slip that coat off. He followed each touch with a kiss and the ragged sound of the breath at the base of his throat made her realize he was just as desperate as she was.

The purse fell from her fingers hitting carpeted floor with a low thud along with the coat when, without warning, Harm had her pressed up against the now-closed door. He kissed her for all he was worth, the desire to restrain himself could only hold out for so long when she kissed him back with equal fervor. And the dress, dear God - Mac good enough to eat - classy, sexy. A desirable woman.

Somehow he'd taken her hands and pinned them above her head, holding her delicate wrists with just one of his hands while the other traced the contours of her body. A strong thigh slipped between her legs, parting them so that Mac was held against the hard surface - his willing captive. He still kissed her, drank of her lips like the finest of wines. She was intoxicating and he wanted so much more it was hard to restrain himself, the evidence of his desire was already painfully begging for release and he tried to temper down his passion but it was no use.

The fiery red dress was exquisite on her but all he could think of the entire night was what she looked like beneath it. He tried to steal a glance in order to find out what color lingerie she wore. Did it match the dress? Was it lacy? Silk?

Harm knew too well how sexy Mac was but it felt like forever since he'd seen her nude and his memories would likely pale in comparison. If the first time they were together was explosive, this purposely waiting was making him self combust. He knew how good they were, he knew what she tasted like and he was so damned desperate for her. "God, Mac. If you don't stop me…" He finally said, tearing his mouth away from hers, panting as he willed his heart to slow down. "...I won't be able to. I'm sorry."

"No. Don't stop… I don't want you to stop." She fought against his hold, wanting to touch, to run her hands under his jacket and feel his heated skin under her palms. He held her steadfast and the feel of Harm dominating her made the ache between her legs even more urgent.

It only took one of his large hands to hold down her two. The other he used to glide down her body, slip beneath her dress and find she wasn't wearing any underwear. "Oh, Mac…" He said her name on a growl as his fingers deftly parted her silky folds.

"During dinner." She explained. "When I went to the bathroom, I had to take them off. You were staring at me and it turned me on, made me wet... I..…" He took her mouth in a punishing hot kiss because any more of that talk from her threatened him to make him come on the spot. As it was when he pushed his hips forward Mac could feel how hard he was. "I want you."

One long finger slipped inside her warmth and she was gone, the sensations far too intense that had it not been for his larger frame pressing against hers, Mac would have fallen. Thankfully he released her, needing his opposite hand to hold her up when her legs nearly gave out.

The freedom gave her a chance to run her hands over his chest under the jacket barely managing to pull it off one shoulder when Harm plunged that long finger inside her again and again. She gave up on a jacket leaving it hanging off of one shoulder as her hands went down to his belt and buckle trying to release his straining erection.

She grasped his length, her shaky fingers skimming the shaft, gripping him so that it was his turn to lose balance. "Damn Mac."

A long leg came over his hip, the need for him to fill her now so urgent. She needed him, ached for him, wanted to sate the raw passion that had been slowly consuming her all week. "No more foreplay...I need you inside me now." She nearly yelled when he did as she commanded, thrusting inside with one hard motion barely giving her time to adjust as he pulled out and thrust into her again.

Mac bit into his shoulder, the one half covered by his jacket and held on. "Yes...more." She encouraged as her arms came around his neck gripping tightly as he savagely took her against the door. It wouldn't last long, she knew but didn't quite care all she wanted was to feel Harm inside. To be ravaged by him and end that ache that was driving her mad. "Oh God I'm coming."

Harm doubled his efforts, hands gripping roughly on her bare six as his hips thrusted up in this dance of passion and pleasure. Mac's inner muscles grasped him, tightening around his rigid length as his own release followed just as explosively. She screamed his name, held on tighter until she felt his warm seed spill within her.

His body sagged against hers then, the door the only thing that kept either of them from falling and for long moments they remained that way, joined - his head on her shoulder and hers on his. "Mac…"

"Take me to bed." She said before he captured her lips with his and then he was moving cautiously maneuvering them through her apartment and into her bedroom.

They were still clothed, sort of. Harm had his jacket on but the buttons of his dress shirt had been ripped which made the edges fall off his torso as he lay on his back panting. His pants were somewhere around his ankles and at the very least he had the decency to tow his shoes off before they fell into bed for another round of hot love making.

Mac too was still clothed although her dress was a little worse for wear, her breasts were exposed, the bra she'd worn was nowhere to be found. She had an arm tossed over her eyes and as her breath regulated she couldn't help but laugh. "So much for slow."

"Sorry, Mac...that was… a little savage."

"It wasn't savage but it was damned hot."

Harm turned his head to look at her, his zillion and one apologizes that he'd begun to amass dying the instant her eyes met hers. "You liked it?"

Mac propped her head up and glanced at him. He was still breathing hard, the exposed skin of his chest and abs glistening with sweat. "Hell yes. That was fun and I do like it a little rougher sometimes."

Wow, he thought as distant memories of his past conquests passed fleetingly through his mind. It was never like this with Annie or Jordan or even Kate. He'd never wanted a woman so badly that all rational thought just flew out of his head and his only purpose was to please her. And she liked it, the way he lost control and just… took… She liked it. Of course she did because behind that Marine rigidity, Mac was fun - a fact he hadn't realized until recently. "I think you may just be the perfect woman."

"Why? Because I enjoy good sex? Just what boring women have you been with in the past?"

There was that. Intimacy with other women didn't feel like this, didn't make him want to lose control. It certainly didn't make him feel. "Making love, baby. With you it's always making love."

"We're pretty good together aren't we?"

"Yeah, we are." He turned to his side and pulled Mac close his lips meeting hers in a gentle kiss. "I love you, Mac...I'm sorry we didn't do the slow thing. I just...you were...we...It was too damned good."

She chuckled at that, the slow thing being completely obliterated in one delightful evening. "How about we hit the shower together? Conserve some water?"

"I am pretty sweaty, so are you." He rationalized.

"Catch me if you can, Commander." There was a glimmer in her eye and once Mac began moving to the bathroom, shedding the rest of her dress, Harm followed - nearly tripping over his own slacks as he went. He pulled off the rest of his clothes, tossing them as he closed the bathroom door. Sounds of laughter echoed from within the small room eventually giving way to moans of pleasure.