Chapter 17

Ryan pulled up in front of Marissa's apartment. Her hand rested comfortably on his thigh and he was surprised at how right it felt to have it there. There was nothing sexual about it. Just a connection that he was coming to notice more if it wasn't there than if it was. As he turned the engine off, he placed his hand on top of hers, turning to her and asking. "I have to ask … do you have any idea what that movie was about?"

"Only from what Molly told me about it before we went." Marissa replied. "Something to do with someone robbing a casino?" she asked somewhat rhetorically, knowing that he had even less idea than she did.

Ryan nodded. "Just thought I should know in case Luke asks." He explained. "Did we enjoy it?"

"I certainly did." Marissa replied. "Although it does seem that I was otherwise occupied during the actual movie." She replied smiling. "I'm not even sure that I saw any of the previews. What about you?"

"Hmm … same here." he smiled. "You know we could have probably saved ourselves the admission price and simply sat here in the car and made out?"

"We'll have to keep that in mind for next time." Marissa suggested laughing.

By the time they'd finished dinner it seemed that it was all that either of them could do to keep their hands to themselves. The flirty chatter, the glances across the table … made it patently obvious what both would rather be doing? So … as soon as the lights went down in the cinema, it was as if a switch had been thrown and they went into make out mode. Even on the few occasions when they came up for air and to eat some popcorn, they were so busy looking at one another, that what was happening on the screen was irrelevant.

"Next time?" Ryan asked surprised. "Does that mean that you don't mind hanging out with me? Even if we're not 'doing' anything?"

"I'm getting used to it." Marissa replied trying to snuggle in to his side as he put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her as close as he could given the bucket seats. But she couldn't get comfortable. "I think that we'd have to use the back seat if we were going to spend too much time in here." She suggested.

Ryan smiled. "Want to try it out?" he asked mischievously.

Marissa looked at her watch. "I really should be going in. I have work in the morning." She said and then looking at Ryan's playful pout she weakened and added. "But I guess that a few minutes wouldn't hurt."

"We're just doing research for next time." Ryan said climbing in to the back seat of the Range Rover and then helping her to join him. "To know whether or not it's comfortable enough." he explained.

Marissa couldn't help but smile as she snuggled in to his side. He was so cute. Once they were settled she said. "You know … you could have just come inside. I have a whole apartment that we could make ourselves comfortable in?"

"Yeah ... but …" Ryan started.

"You don't trust me." Marissa stated. "You think that I'll try to seduce you again."

"I don't trust myself." Ryan replied. "Because I'd be hoping that you'd try to seduce me again."

Marissa looked at him surprised. "I'd be happy to try; if I thought that it would actually do any good."

Ryan was weakening. If it was what she really wanted then maybe he should just give in. They certainly knew one another a lot better now than they had on Monday night … even if it was only five days ago … and the truth was that he wanted it just as much as she did. He couldn't believe that he'd just spent the better part of three hours making out with her in the back seat of the movie theatre. It was like a return to his teens. But he couldn't be happier. Whenever he was with her he felt like he couldn't stop smiling. "Don't you think that we can last a week?" he teased knowing that at this point in time, it was more likely that he would be the one to break not her.

"We may not have any choice." Marissa replied.

Ryan frowned, puzzled by her reply. "I don't understand."

Marissa shrugged. "Well by my calculations, Mother Nature is about to intervene, so you'll have a few days where you won't have to worry about me attacking you." She said and then added with a smile. "Except with a knife. PMT can be a real pain." She laughed nervously. "And I mean that literally."

She'd never been so frank with a guy before. But then she'd never done a whole lot of things before that she'd done with him. And she intended to be doing a whole lot more yet. It seemed only right that she warn him about what was in store. Plus, if she was honest with herself, she felt a whole lot more comfortable with him than she'd ever felt with any guy before. But after all this time she didn't want him planning something and then her being the one to say no.

"Oh." Ryan wasn't sure what to say. Part of him could see that this could take a lot of pressure off them. But then another part was bitterly disappointed. Here he was having basically decided that they didn't need to wait any longer and she tells him that they mightn't have any choice.

Marissa wasn't sure what sort of reaction she'd expected but 'Oh' definitely wasn't it. She'd heard that it was possible to do it during menstruation but there was no way that she wanted to try that. "I know that you are supposed to be able to … you know … but I don't want …" she wanted this clear right from the start.

Ryan was startled by her reply. "No. Of course not." He replied wanting to reassure her. He could see that she was embarrassed and that was the last thing that he wanted. They'd come so far already. He didn't want her getting nervous and self conscious. "This … this will be good." He said. "We can take the time to get to know one another even better." He said and then hesitated as he tried to make himself believe what he was saying. Then he smiled as an idea came to mind. "But it hasn't started yet?" he asked.

Marissa could see the sparkle in his eyes from the street light. "No. Why?"

"It seems like we shouldn't waste the chances we have." he said as he brought his lips to hers and started kissing her again.

She smiled as she kissed him back. "I'm not sure what you're up to but I really should go." She said kissing him back. "I have work in the morning." She added as she began running her hands up inside his shirt and over his taut abs sending sparks of electricity through his body.

Ryan nodded. "Right …" he said between kisses. "You should go."

He grabbed a blanket from over the back and put it over them and as his tongue reinvaded her mouth, his hands began to explore her body, making short work of her shirt and bra … allowing his hands to mould themselves around her breasts.

Marissa melted into him.

His hands on her were gentle and coaxing and her whole being ignited at his touch. She had no idea if this was what experience enabled you to do but all she knew was that she couldn't get enough of him. His hands left a trail of fire as he rid her of her thong and moved towards her core.

She was pleased with herself for being able to get his fly undone even though her senses were overloading due to the things that he was doing to her. She firmly took his hardness in her hand and began to pump him in time with his fingers that were now thrusting inside her. She was rewarded by his hips bucking into her hand as they set up a frantic rhythm. His thumb was circling her nub and she knew that if he didn't come soon then she wouldn't be able to continue. Her body was about to explode.

She was teetering on the edge and it was all she could do to keep up her pumping of him and just as she was scared that she wasn't going to be able to continue, Ryan used his free hand that had been wrapped around her and grabbed for the t-shirt that she didn't even remember stripping off him and quickly forced it into his lap as he came in short sharp bursts, his body shuddering in release. Marissa couldn't help him, she was beyond the point of no return and she let herself go and the waves of her release left her trembling as she spasmed around his fingers.

When she had regained her composure a little she said breathlessly. "I do wish that you'd make up your mind." She said with a contented smile on her face.

"Me? Why?" Ryan asked innocently as he attempted to clean up.

"One minute you tell me I should be going … and the next minute you have me coming." She smiled as she snuggled into his bare chest under the soft blanket. "Is it any wonder I'm confused."

"If it's any help … I'm just as confused as you." He stated truthfully.

---

Ryan couldn't remember looking forward to anything quite as much as he did taking Marissa to meet the Cohen's. It was Saturday afternoon and he was sitting in his car outside the library waiting for her and all he could think about was what they would think of her.

When he'd called Kirsten back to confirm that there would in fact, be two of them coming … well … let's just say that fending off the Spanish Inquisition would have to have been easier.

There was no doubt that they were excited to meet her.

He had tried to analyse just why it was so important for him that they approve. But he had come to the scary realisation that much as he would like it … it actually didn't matter.

He hoped that the Cohen's would realise how special she was … but … if they didn't … then it wouldn't make any difference. He was completely smitten and nothing that they could say or do would change that.

But that didn't mean that he wouldn't be delighted to have their approval.

The reason that he was so excited about them all meeting was that he was hoping that perhaps Marissa would realise that what Sandy and Kirsten had was what Ryan was seeking.

Ryan was completely in awe of their relationship. These two people had so much love between them that it seemed to spill over onto those around them.

They were sweethearts.

They were lovers.

But most of all … they were friends.

They were partners in every sense of the word.

And that's what he had always hoped to find.

He wanted that sort of relationship. One that was built on trust and love.

And so far everything about Marissa pointed to her being the closest that he'd ever come to finding someone that he could feel that way about.

The girls in his past only helped to establish what he didn't want. It seemed that every moment he spent with Marissa only confirmed what he did want.

A smile broke out on his face as he noticed her leave the building and make her way towards his car but she was carrying a sizeable overnight bag with her that she was struggling with. He jumped out of the car to help her with it.

"Planning on staying a while?" he asked smiling and then lent in and kissed her sweetly.

Marissa couldn't help the huge smile that beamed across her face as his lips met hers. She knew that she shouldn't be this happy. The day was cold and overcast but it seemed that nothing could dampen her spirits.

"What's with the bag?" he said throwing it into the back seat of his car and then moving to open her door for her.

Marissa sat down in the passenger seat and explained. "I didn't know what to wear."

Ryan frowned … puzzled … but made his way to the driver's side and sat beside her and started the engine. "What you're wearing is fine." He said as he moved the car out onto the roadway.

"No way." Marissa commented. "We're going to meet your family and I want to make a good impression. I'm not wearing my work clothes." She said as if he'd just made a ridiculous suggestion.

"Sorry." He apologised "So what? You just decided to bring your wardrobe with you?" he said quizzically.

"Not even close." She laughed. "You'd need a bigger car if I wanted to do that. I just brought a couple of outfits for you to choose between. I thought that I should wear something nice. But then I was scared that I might be too dressed up so maybe I should be more casual … but then you mentioned that we would be building and so I thought that I should have some old clothes with me. And then I thought about wearing jeans …. But then I didn't know what top to wear. I just didn't know." She shook her head. "Anyhow … when I couldn't make up my mind I decided to bring them all and let you decide. I know that we're short of time so I figured that I'll just change in the car on the way there." She explained.

"You mean that you expect me to drive while you take your clothes off beside me?" he asked.

Marissa smiled at his reaction. "I'll be putting them on as well." She explained.

"Not if I can help it." he replied laughing.

"You're driving." Marissa pointed out.

"I can easily pull over." He smiled.

"Why is it that whenever we can't do anything then that's the times that you show the most interest?" she asked.

"Why is it that whenever we can't do it, that's when you tempt me the most?" he returned quickly.

"You mean that you weren't even tempted on Wednesday night?" she asked.

"I was very tempted and you know it." He laughed.

"There was nothing holding us back then." She stated clearly teasing him.

"I know. Don't remind me. I'm starting to think that I must have suffered from temporary insanity to not take what you were offering." He said. "But don't expect that sort of reaction again. I can assure you that it won't happen. Whatever was wrong with me back then, I've definitely recovered from."

"So now that I can't do it you're finally ready to see things through?" Marissa asked exasperated.

"Can't do it?" Ryan queried.

Marissa nodded. "Started today." She said resignedly.

Ryan looked disappointed but tried to remain positive. He took a deep sigh. "It's probably for the best. But please let me know when you're ready to go again. We have some unfinished business to attend to." He replied glancing at her, the longing clearly evident in his eyes.

Marissa gulped. Any doubt about his commitment completely removed. His words … the look in his eyes … he wanted this.

She was startled by her own body's reaction. She could feel the flames of desire simmering and she knew that it was going to be a long few days. Never had she wanted her period to be over so quickly.

"Sure." She replied meekly, watching as he navigated the traffic deftly. Wanting to change the subject from the dangerous but clearly frustrating topic at hand, she asked. "So what do you want me to wear?"

He glanced at her again; the flames of desire still clearly visible in his eyes and a slow smile appeared on his face.

She burst out laughing. "Don't even bother saying it. I am not meeting your family naked."

He shrugged. "Well you were the one that asked what I wanted you to wear."

"To meet your family. Remember. How dressed up should I get?" she asked.

"How about undressing … and we'll go from there." Ryan suggested.

Marissa playfully whacked him on the arm. "I'm serious."

"So am I." he replied playfully.

Glancing at what he was wearing she asked simply. "Jeans?"

He smiled. "Jeans is fine. Do you need some help getting out of that skirt?" he asked, his eyes telling her that he would be more than happy to help.

Marissa rolled her eyes. "Thanks. But I think I can manage." She said as she started to remove her skirt only to have his right hand swiftly join in, running up her legs and leaving a trail of sparks in its wake. She swatted it away. "I think that I'd better do it in the back seat." She said unbuckling her seat belt to make the move.

"I think that we already did." Ryan replied. "Or at least we got pretty close last night." He smiled.

Marissa returned the grin as she climbed into the back seat and removed her jeans from her bag. "We did, didn't we?" she said as she removed her skirt and noticed that Ryan was watching her intently in the rear vision mirror. "Eyes on the road." She instructed.

"You really are no fun." He replied.

"You didn't think that last night." She said.

"Yeah. That was then. This is now. And now … you're just teasing me." he said.

Marissa returned his smile in the mirror and then slowly began to unbutton her white work shirt, her eyes never leaving his as she watched him moving in his seat trying to get a better look at her reflection in the small mirror. "True." Marissa confessed. She stripped off her blouse and was left in a pale pink bra that was causing Ryan all sorts of trouble.

By now he was bobbing around in the front seat trying to get a better look at her assets in the small mirror.

Marissa laughed. "Do you have ants in your pants?" she asked as she searched around in her bag looking for a top.

"Very funny. There's certainly something in them thanks to you. Something that I need to get rid of before I get home to my family or they are going to wonder what you've been doing to me. I don't usually arrive with wood and right now if Sophie ran at me, I could poke her eye out." He explained. "How would you explain that?"

"Sophie's your little sister right?" Marissa asked.

"Yeah. She's four."

"Well … I don't think that I would be the one that would need to be explaining." Marissa offered. "But all that I can suggest is that you stay up close behind me. Maybe I can cover it for you."

Ryan shook his head. All Marissa's suggestion had done was to give him a picture of him taking her from behind and that was doing nothing to ease the hardness in his pants. In fact it was making it even worse. "You have a lot to learn and I'm going to enjoy teaching it to you." He stated.

Marissa smiled. "I'll look forward to it." She said as she pulled on a long sleeved patterned top and offered herself up for inspection. "How will this do?"

"Perfect." He stated. "But then you were even better without it." He smiled.

Marissa climbed back in to the front seat and buckled up. "So tell me about your family again." Ryan had explained it all last night but she just wanted to go over it. She wanted to make a good impression. "Who am I going to meet? And what should I call them?"

"My brother Seth is at college in Rhode Island, so you won't meet him until the holidays. But Sandy, Kirsten and Sophie will be more than enough for a first time visit to the Cohen's. You need to go into training to cope with Seth."

Marissa laughed. "I'm sure that he can't be that bad."

"He's not bad per se. But definitely 'unique.'" Ryan explained smiling.

Marissa looked at him sceptically.

"If you don't believe me ask Luke. Actually, if it comes to that ask Kirsten and Sandy … he may be their son but I'm sure that they would agree." He laughed.