Part 3 of 5

"Richard, I'd like to do something. Will you allow me one tiny privilege and promise not to fire me?"

He turns his head but doesn't look at her. She can see him thinking it over. "What do you want to do?"

"I can't tell you. Will you trust me?"

"You want me to give you carte blanche without knowing the slightest thing about your course of action? To trust you totally and completely?" His arms are crossed now in defensive mode.

"Yes. If you don't like it, say so and I'll stop."

There is a very long pause of consideration then, "All right." She takes another tiny step towards him and brings her arms up to embrace him from behind… when his next words stop her cold.

"Will it hurt?"

Her breath catches in her throat. How badly has he been hurt to even THINK about asking such a question? How she regrets her defensive move by Tipping's pool. She knew it had been a mistake the instant she'd done it. She had bruised him in more ways than one. It is a sign of his trust in her that he is even allowing her THIS privilege. "Oh, Richard…" she whispers, "… I sincerely hope not..." and she completes the move and nestles herself against his back with a long sigh, arms around his waist, lightly, lovingly, as gently as she can manage.

They stand for many moments. She feels his rib cage halt briefly before he begins breathing again. He has turned his head towards her but he isn't speaking. She can see his eyelashes brushing against his cheek. His eyes are closed. Why would he close his eyes? In shock? In horror? In disgust? What?

After a few more moments of dead silence, she whispers, "Richard? Say something. Should I stop?"

He gives a tiny head shake. She can see his lips are trying to form words but, so far, no sound.

She waits a bit more but still nothing. Her lip begins to tremble as she realizes that he isn't accepting her embrace at all. His arms are still crossed. His eyes are still closed. His back is still tense. She slumps in defeat, "All right. I get the message. Sorry if I've upset you…" and she begins to loosen her arms in readiness to step back and away.

Immediately, his arms drop and his hands covers hers, holding her in place, "Don't… don't let go. You said you would stop only if I said I didn't like it. I haven't said anything… so you can't let go. Please... not yet…"

"But you haven't said anything about ANYthing! How am I supposed to know what you're thinking?"

"What I'm thinking cannot possibly be said aloud but… perhaps… I can show you?"

"Please. Give me a clue… a hint… ANYthing."

"All right," and he slowly draws her hands off his body just enough to turn around in her embrace. As his face comes into full view she sees that his eyes are glistening. If she didn't know any better she would think he is… She never got to finish that thought because his mouth is suddenly on hers and he is kissing her so lightly that she can hardly feel it. His hands are skimming her back as if he is afraid she will break… or explode… or attack.

Well, if he isn't sure of her response, she will have to spell it out for him! She steps boldly into him, eliminating whatever tiny bit of space that remains between them and runs her hands just as boldly up his back to clasp him most firmly by the shoulders.

The move seems to surprise him as he jerks in her arms and almost breaks the kiss… but she isn't having any of that! Not now! Her hands catch his head and press him back onto her mouth. She slips her tongue out just enough to sweep it across his lips. His gasp gives her the access she needs and she is in. His hands clench behind her, tightening down without thought perhaps but she welcomes it none the less. She opens her eyes just enough to check… his are still closed… and she closes hers again in satisfaction.

She lets her tongue tell him a few things he needs to know and maybe a few things he can think about later before she draws back and just looks up at him. They remain in tight embrace and it is another few moments before he opens his eyes. She is pleased to see he looks a bit dreamy.

"Anything to say?" she whispers against his lips. He is having trouble focusing his eyes… which pleases her even more. He shakes his head. She loosens her arms and takes half a step away in order to see him more clearly. He tightens his arms and draws her back. He drops his head onto her shoulder and shudders.

"Are you all right?" she murmurs, trying to catch his gaze but his eyes are closed again. He nods then pauses then shakes his head.

"You don't know?" He shrugs then nods. "OK, you're scaring me now. Please say SOMEthing."

End – part 3