Chapter 18

Pushing the door to "The Cheating Heart" open, Carly entered the familiar, bustling bar, glad she gave in to Melanie and Nicholas' urging. Some couples were already dancing to the music coming from the jukebox. She soon spotted Melanie and Abby, watching Nicholas challenging Brady in a game of darts and from the incensed scowl on Brady's face, Nicholas was beating him squarely. Daniel, John, Rafe Hernandez and Roman were playing pool, pausing their game to greet her warmly.

'Where's Starr?' John asked.

'At Caroline's.' Carly waved at the children who cheerily waved back.

'Hi Carly! Good to see you out for once,' called Jennifer who was seated at the bar with Marlena and Adrienne. 'Join us.'

'Yeah, come on,' Adrienne beckoned.

John put a hand on Carly's arm when she was about to join the women. 'At the risk of butting my nose where it isn't wanted,' he said, 'please take a chance at happiness while you still can, Carly. I'm not saying this just because Bo's my brother and friend but because you deserve to be happy.'

'Thanks for the concern, John. It means a lot to me.' Carly replied. Turning to Roman and Rafe she asked, 'So… how does it feel having Bo back in Salem P.D?'

Rafe made a face. 'I wouldn't say he's back exactly.'

'What do you mean? He's going off on another mission?' Carly asked, feeling her heart sinking at the thought.

'God no.' Roman replied. 'He wants to be a P.I again and open an agency, didn't he tell you? After years of being a cop and making Commissioner; he's taking several steps back and going private.'

Daniel looked intrigued. 'So Bo was once a P.I? I can easily imagine that.' He chuckled.

Carly raised her eyebrows at Roman's criticism of his brother. 'Why shouldn't he be if that's what he wants? And what made him decide to leave Salem P.D in the first place?'

'Something about being fed up with the bureaucracy and all that.' Roman snorted, a look of disapproval on his rugged face. 'I know Bo's real reason, he's done with the rules of authority.'

Carly couldn't help smiling. 'As I recall Rom, you weren't exactly thrilled the day he told you he wanted to join the force. You thought he was too much of a hothead and a total non-conformist. I was the one who had to cope with his sulks at the boat.'

'Yep, that sounds like Bo all right.' Daniel laughed, Rafe laughing as well.

'Leave him be, Roman; you can't change his mind when he's bent on something.' John said. 'You and I both know that he would rather work his way.'

'Whatever.' Still put out by his brother's decision, Roman resumed his game.

'He's really having a hard time with this, isn't he?'

Rafe shrugged, twirling the cue stick in his hand. 'He just thought things will be back to normal when Bo came back. Not in your case of course,' he added hastily.

'Thank God for small mercies,' was Carly's acerbic reply.

'Hey,' Daniel put an arm round her shoulders. 'Seen Bo lately?'

Carly shook her head.

'What's going on with you two so far?'

'It's complicated and I really don't want to talk about it. Excuse me, guys.'

'Remember what I said, Carly.' John reminded.

Nodding, Carly joined the women at the bar. About to order a beer, she suddenly changed her mind. 'A glass of white Zinfandel,' she said to one of the bartenders.

'If I didn't know any better I would think you've been avoiding us.' Marlena commented, sipping on her own drink. 'This is the first time in ages everyone's actually seen you in public.'

'I have a baby to take care of,' Carly replied defensively. And I needed time to think.

'That's motherhood for you,' Adrienne said, 'You think of nothing except tending to the baby; separation even for a minute is hard.'

'Take it from a woman who had two of her children taken away from her, I'm loving every minute of motherhood,' Carly took a sip of the drink handed to her. 'I almost changed my mind about coming here when I dropped off Starr at Caroline's but then I thought, screw it… I deserve a few social hours.'

'Hear, hear…' Jennifer raised her glass, smiling at her.

'Is everything okay now… between you and Bo?' Adrienne asked tentatively.

'Yeah, we've been wondering about that.' Marlena said.

Carly shrugged, reluctant to discuss it with them either.

'Come on Carly this is us,' Adrienne urged.

'Please…' Carly begged. 'it's hard enough as it is! It's between Bo and me so I would rather you all just let things be, thank you.'

Marlena patted her arm soothingly. 'If you need to talk, in a more formal capacity, just let me know.'

As she spoke Hope entered, her arm tucked into Aiden's. She stopped short on seeing Carly from across the room, Carly and the others staring back at her. The young couples were still absorbed in their game, while the men playing pool didn't notice. Whispering a few words to Aiden who looked rather astonished, they left abruptly.

'Well, at least we know how your cousin still feels about me,' Carly said to Jennifer, her tone bitter.

'It's not what you think,' Jennifer placated. Wincing at the look of scorn on Carly and Marlena's faces and the sound of Adrienne's derisive snort, Jennifer added quickly. 'It's really not what you think Carly; I swear. Hope's moved on and she really feels sorry for what happened… it's just that she has trouble facing you right now. She told me this herself. What you saw just now was guilty conscience, not animosity.'

'I find that hard to believe.' Carly said coldly.

'It's true.' Jennifer persisted. 'I know she came across to you as a bad person but she's really not. She just made some selfish mistakes and was unfair to you, she's realised that now. And if it's because of her you don't want to be with Bo again, you'll be making a mistake. He loves you very much.'

'And they'll always be connected, that's what you told to me.'

'I had no right to say that and I'm sorry.' Jennifer replied, touching her arm. 'And yeah, they will be but not in the way I implied back then. Things have changed and he knows what he wants now. And everyone now knows that happiness and love comes first, not what they want. Please Carly, it's not just Bo who deserve another chance, it's both families. Julie and Maggie feel you're still being kind of distant with them and they really want to be close again.'

Carly felt rather ashamed as Jennifer was right. 'I didn't mean to be.'

'Of course you don't mean to be, it's only natural you want to be on your guard after everything.' Marlena said in her defense.

'But don't let the past keep haunting you,' Adrienne added. 'Remember what I told you once, Time eventually heals wounds.'

Carly was touched at the sisterly counsel she was receiving from all sides. During the "dark period" it was only Adrienne who really cared and understood how she felt, now she had the warm happy feeling of being fully back in the former circle. 'Thanks.' She smiled.

'Hi Mum!' Melanie appeared, pressing a kiss on her cheek.

'How's the game going?'

'Well, so far it's Nicholas 6, Brady 2 and if things go on like this they'll be coming to blows next.' Melanie wrinkled her nose. 'Some of the guys here are already placing bets.' The women looked over and sure enough a small crowd was gathered at the corner where the dart game was going on.

'Oh, I want in on that,' Scrambling off her bar stool, Adrienne hurried over to the throng, followed by Marlena and a giggling Jennifer. Rafe and Daniel were there already, putting down five bucks on Nicholas.

Melanie sat on a stool next to her mother. 'You okay?'

Carly nodded, signalling the bartender to pour her another glass of wine.

'But you look preoccupied.'

'I have a lot on my mind, honey.' Carly replied. 'Mostly, thinking over what you said at the square. And everyone's pretty much told me to give Bo another chance. I love him… I can't deny that. Letting go of my fear and all that hurt is just real hard to do.'

'I know,' Melanie said sympathetically. 'I told you that day it's a matter of faith and trust that Bo will never hurt you again. You're a different woman from Hope, Mum. You love him enough not to keep him in limbo like she did before she,' air quoting with her fingers, 'came to her senses. And I believe Bo knows deep in his heart you won't do that to him. It's not a matter of him being so sure of himself but of that bond which kept you connected all these years is still there.'

Once again, given the stark truth, thought Carly.

'Remember, you're paying.' Kayla said as she and Bo entered the bar.

'The first two drinks, after that you're on your own,' Bo reminded.

'Look who's finally made an appearance,' John paused to shake Bo's hand and kiss Kayla on the cheek.

Roman only glared at Bo and continued with his game. 'Still sore about my decision I take it?' Bo asked John.

'Pretty much.' John lowered his voice. 'If he knew I offered to be your silent partner, he'll slit my throat for sure. Give him time, he'll come round. By the way, your lady's here.'

Turning to where John was pointing, Bo saw Carly seated beside Melanie and talking to Kayla. She looked lovely in black jeans and a red cowl neck sweater; her hair fashionably tousled. Kayla said something to her and she turned to meet his eyes, vivid green eyes locking with piercing brown ones. She looked very beautiful and Bo could feel the flames of desire running through him. As promised he'd kept away but it hadn't been easy at all. But the end will justify the waiting. He knew exactly what he wanted; her heart, her mind, her trust… and her body.

'Our cue to melt away,' Melanie murmured to Kayla, grabbing her beer and Brady's club soda as Bo approached them. Kayla managed to scramble off her stool and follow Melanie without spilling her martini.

'Hi,' he said softly, inhaling her crisp but utterly feminine perfume.

'Hi, Bo.' Was Carly's equally soft reply. Black jeans, black shirt, he looked beyond handsome. And the beard was still there, he hadn't shaven it back to the goatee. But then again she had always preferred the rugged sailor look. She'd loved everything about him… until he betrayed her.

He loves you.

Things are completely different now.

Take a chance at happiness while you can.

You love him enough not to keep him in limbo like she did.

'I miss you, you know that right?'

'I know. And… I miss you too. I'm sorry for doing this to you...'

'You've got nothing to apologise for,' Bo chided, interrupting her. 'And I'm giving you the time that you need because I love you. Remember that.'

He went back to Roman and John at the pool table.

'Why aren't you over there with her?' John asked in surprise.

'Giving her some space,' Bo replied, taking up a cue stick to play.

'Are you kidding?'

'It's what she wants and considering what I did, it's the least I could do.'

'Sure, when the woman I love almost died, it's best I take things slow!' Roman retorted, looking up.

Bo glared at him. 'Lay off me, will you? It's nobody's business anyway.'

'Hey Bo, we're just saying… you've given her enough space. Don't you think you should do something else instead, like making some kind of gesture to show her how you feel? You love her and want to respect her wishes but it's time you took the bull by the horns. Show her, fight for her.' John urged.

Bo looked at Carly's direction. Make a gesture… what could he do to show her just how sincere he was? He proposed and she said no. But John was right… he should show her. But how?

The idea came to him when someone put money in the jukebox and The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody filled the air. Some of the men led their girlfriends to the dance floor, Brady and Nicholas following suite. Putting down the cue stick, Bo strode over to the bar. 'Princess.' Looking deep into Carly's eyes, Bo held out his hand to her. 'May I have this dance?'

Carly stared up at him. The love he had for her was in those beautiful brown eyes, so deep felt and crystal clear that she found herself unable to hide behind her walls any longer. Taking his outstretched hand, she followed him to the floor.

Dancing with Brady, Melanie saw them and grinned. 'Nick, Abby… look.'

'Well, it's about time!' Nicholas exclaimed.

'I just knew she wouldn't keep him waiting any longer,' Abby smiled, very pleased at Bo and Carly's progress.

Anger gone, Roman joined John in indulgently watching the couple; Marlena, Kayla, Adrienne, Daniel and Jennifer happily watching too. It was more than obvious to any stranger how much the man and woman dancing loved each other, raw emotion on their faces.

Bo moved in time to the music with Carly in his arms, savouring the close contact of her soft and pliant body with his. For Carly, she felt she was finally back where she belonged. Her arms round his neck, she breathed in his tangy aftershave, unable to stop looking into his eyes. Succumbing to the mood, she reached up to stroke his lower lip with her fingers. Breathing hard a little, Bo's hands moved down her lower back, pressing her harder against him as he lowered his head to kiss the side of her neck.

'I swear if people weren't here, they would be doing it right now,' Roman said.

'Exactly,' John agreed.

'Okay… too intense, too intense,' Nicholas looked the other way while Abby giggled at his sudden prissiness.

Carly trembled with sheer longing as Bo's lips moved across her sensitive skin, aware of how deeply he loved and desired her, yet was holding himself in check, or at least trying to. 'I love you, sailor,' she whispered, feeling the tears creeping from her eyes.

Raising his head, she saw he was crying too. Not trusting himself to speak surrounded by other people, he grabbed her hand, leading her outside.

'Love you too princess,' he choked, holding her face between his palms. 'I wish what I did to you never happened, it's haunted me for a very long time...'

Carly shook her head firmly, reaching up to hold his face. 'Neither of us will ever think of that time again. We can't turn back the clock but we can move on…' more tears, ' make new memories and be together for the rest of our lives. I love you sailor! I love you… and I forgive you!'

Their lips were about to meet at last when the unbelievable happened. Bo and Carly found themselves wet from rain drops pouring down on them from the sky. Neither of them had even noticed it was drizzling when they hurried out of the bar. Watching them from the windows, Melanie and the others couldn't keep themselves from laughing at the lousy timing and the stupefied looks on Bo and Carly's faces as the rain drenched them.

After the first shock, Carly started laughing heartily, not caring what the rain was doing to her Ann Taylor sweater. 'Did a higher being suddenly decide we needed cooling off?' she gasped as Bo, who was also laughing pulled her back into his arms, pressing kisses on her wet face.

'Maybe the heavens are just happy we're together again,' he smiled down at her. 'And that's how we're going to stay. Forever.'

'Forever,' Carly repeated, pulling his head down. The rain was cold but their kiss was fiery, deep and eager; leaving them both breathless, clinging to each other as they kissed and kissed some more.

'All right, Bo!' Melanie yelled joyfully, joining the others in their exuberant applause, whistles and cheers for the reunited couple.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

By the time they got to Carly's house, the rain was pouring down in buckets. Carly found her key and let him and herself in, shivering in her soaked clothes as they went up the stairs to her room and found the dimmer switch. Sneezing, Bo turned on the heat. 'We look like a couple of drowned rats,' he joked as she walked up to him.

'Uh huh…' she smiled, slipping her arms round his waist. Bo kissed her again, his hands moving under her wet sweater. Their eyes met, both remembering their kiss in the rain of long ago. If he hadn't been very ill at the time he would've carried her into the cabin and made love to her all night long.

'We better get out of these wet clothes before we catch our death of cold.' She murmured, blushing under his heated stare, leading him into the adjoining bathroom.

'Allow me,' Bo pulled at her sweater and she raised her arms so he could pull it over her head. Carly helped him with his shirt, pressing kisses on his hair matted chest. Growling, Bo lifted her face to deeply kiss her again, fingers finding her bra clasp and kneaded her breasts after getting the damp garment off.

Leaving their clothes in the bathroom, they went back into the room, feeling warmer. Carly glanced at Bo, feeling shy all of a sudden as she clutched the towel against her chest, her need for him so much she could barely stand.

He felt the same. 'Come here,' Bo whispered, pulling her hard against him. She closed her eyes as his lips moved down her neck, his beard sensually grazing her skin before moving up for another heated kiss, his fingers moving over her body.

'Bo….'she whispered. 'Turn out the light.' She didn't want him to see the ugly scar from Starr's caesarean birth.

'I want to see you, all of you,' he whispered back. 'Don't hide from me, princess.' As he spoke he peeled the towel off her, both towels hitting the floor. Pushing the quilt on the bed aside, he scooped her into his arms and lowered her onto the warm sheets.

Carly ran her hands over Bo's muscular back; loving his weight on her and the sensual feel of his hairy chest on her breasts. Kissing the sweetness of her mouth, Bo moved to the side of her neck then lower; taking a hardened peak into the hot cavern of his mouth, savouring her cry of pleasure before giving the other his attention.

Carly parted her thighs when she felt his hand slide between them, his fingers stroking the tender flesh, the burning ache inside her by degrees and leaving her trembling with the excruciating need to be joined with him.

'I can't be gentle, princess.' Bo rasped against her lips as he moved her thighs further apart to receive him. 'I've wanted you for so long.' With one swift thrust he was inside her, kissing her fiercely as she wrapped her legs round his hips, her fingers digging into his shoulders. 'Oh darling…' Carly gasped as she felt him move powerfully, hotly and fiercely reclaiming her, taking her with him deeper and deeper in the vortex, eagerly giving herself to him; her passion matching his in their primitive mating. Then suddenly, their mutual climaxes shot through them like lightening. Gasping her name Bo grabbed her hand, tightly entwining his fingers with hers as they succumbed to white-hot pleasure, their bodies quivering with the aftershocks of their wild, untamed loving.