Chapter 9

Time refused to stand to a halt while the young couple discovered together the joys of love. Linka was not sure if it was day or night, which day of the week it was, or how many other nights they had together before their vacation was over. All that mattered was Wheeler's warm touch, his wicked mouth, the desire in his blue eyes anytime he looked at her. She'd developed this deep hunger for him that shocked her. And suddenly she understood – not without a blush – why everything was built for two in that hotel room. The shower, the bathtub, the sofa by the fire. She fell under Wheeler's spell time and again, each time more wonderful than the last, until she could no longer deny she was completely and utterly in love with the American.

Not even with Aleksandr had intimacy been so intense. Sure, the Russian boy had been her first love and she had enjoyed their nights of passion, but he'd always been so insistent on being in charge. Linka had always let him dictate the pace, she hadn't known it could be any different. She had never realized until now how cold it had felt with Aleksandr at times, kinda of like they were two separate entities drifting in opposite directions.

But with Wheeler, it was different. It was okay to initiate things with him, he easily gave her control when she felt like taking it. She did not have to feel guilty for it, or strange. Linka liked that she could surprise him, and even when she felt self-conscious about new things, the American would tenderly reassure her with a kiss or a smile. She was fond of the fire they created together, it was powerful, addicting, and most of all, comfortable. The way Wheeler respected and encouraged her self-expression generated a special kind of glow inside her, and she cherished it.

When their last day unfolded before them, Linka had to admit she was saddened a little. she would miss the place that had given birth to their passion, their love story. But, at the same time, she was excited about sharing her new romance with her friends and the rest of the world.

She was just asking Wheeler about the best way to break the news to the rest of the Planeteers as they waited for the Jeep in the parking lot. His broad shoulders shook with laughter before he addressed her query.

"We should sooooo mess with them!" Wheeler replied deviously, slinging an arm around her shoulder and giving her an exaggerated wink.

Linka giggled along and nodded her head. "Da, let us do that! Ohhh, I was so angry with Gi when I first saw all the slutty things she packed in my suitcase."

"Did you just say 'slutty'?" Wheeler laughed again, tugging on her ponytail a little.

Linka laughed, too, but then his tone got more serious as he moved closer to her. His warm breath was on her cheek as he added seductively, "although, I can't say I was too mad at Gi when you tried those on for me."

Blushing, Linka hid her face in his neck, smiling to herself a little. She had been so naughty! She realized suddenly, and it seemed more poignant out in plain daylight, under a bright sky. Warm shivers travelled her body when she recalled the way Wheeler's eyes had practically undressed her out of those lingerie pieces, and what came afterwards…

It was best that her thoughts were interrupted by the Jeep's trajectory towards them, and she and Wheeler broke apart, with a look that spoke high volumes to their amusement.

"It's payback time," Wheeler grinned, rubbing his hands together like a comical villain in a cartoon.

As soon as the unsuspecting Planeteers were out of the vehicle, Linka put on her best pout and rushed towards Gi.

"Thank God you are finally here!" she delivered her line, watching surprise etching its way on their faces. "I could not take another minute alone with this… this… arghh, just get me away from him! What were you thinking?"

"Hey, you're not my first choice for a relaxing vacation, either, Miss-Know-It-All! We are so getting separate Islands when we get back!" Wheeler retorted annoyed, and she watched him cross his arms over his chest.

"You are still fighting?" Ma-Ti asked worriedly, scratching his head, his mouth agape at his two close friends. "But how is that possible?"

"Oh, it is very possible, Ma-Ti! Or maybe you have never hung out with Wheeler for more than one hour? He will find a way to drive you crazy, that is all I know!"

Linka was laying it on thick, starting to take pleasure in this wicked little game. Gi looked devastated, Kwame did not know what to say. Wheeler's eyes were laughing and she had to bite the inside of her cheek to keep a straight face.

"You mean… it didn't work? But this was the most romantic hotel ever! I did my research!" Gi looked like she could burst into tears at any given moment, her shoulders slumped, her bottom lip quivering a little.

"Ha!" scoffed Wheeler, shaking his head. "Not with this Ice Queen! It was as cold in the bedroom as it was out here in the snow, if you catch my drift."

"Shut up, Wheeler!" Linka walked up to him and pretended to shove him away a little. "Instead of your little insignificant monologues, why don't you tell them to mind their business once and for all? They need to realize we can never be!"

"Linka, Wheeler, let us all calm down," Kwame interjected, his hands held in the air as a type of peace offering. "Maybe you are right. We should not have meddled…"

"But… but…" Gi started out, her eyes wide as she looked from the Fire Planeteer to the Wind Planeteer. She could barely believe her eyes! Her apparent failure was probably leaving the most bitter taste in her mouth, too.

"I agree with you on that one, babe," Wheeler was nodding, before he took Linka's hand and pulled her closer. "We can never be… just friends, that is."

And with a few quick movements, he drew her in and kissed her lips in front of everyone. Linka did not resist, and kissed him back until she forgot all about the rest of the Planeteers watching on. It was as electrifying as their very first kiss, and Linka could not imagine that it would ever be any different between them.

Wheeler gradually let her go, turning her around in his arms so that she was resting against his chest as they faced three very stunned Planeteers.

"Gotcha!" The American winked at them, and Linka burst into laughter. Their friends' mouths were hanging open but no words came to them. Until suddenly, everyone was speaking all at once, hugging, and in Gi's case, squealing and jumping up and down.

"I knew it, I knew it!" The Asian girl shouted, and while Kwame and Ma-Ti play-fought with Wheeler, Gi enveloped Linka in a giant hug that nearly caused the Russian girl to stumble backwards.

"Oh my God! Oh my God! How great is this?" Gi laughed and Linka's face heat up a little at such excitement emanating from her friend. She felt loved in that moment, with all her friends cheering on her happiness in that genuine way.

"I guess we have you to thank," Linka smiled widely, and when the girls turned to look at Wheeler, he flashed them a thumbs-up sign, beaming as much as Linka.

"You're lucky I'm so awesome… and that I happen know what men want!" Gi replied, winking at her with an underhanded smile. Linka knew her face was all kinds of red, but for once, she laughed along with Gi and did not care in the slightest.