-Kiss the Rain-

The air was fresh, the kind that comes just before the first rain shower of April. Seasons were changing, she was changing, but really who could blame her? In the past few months her world got flipped upside down, more then once. Her sister murdered, her boyfriend the suspect and himself a victim, her mother having returned; and even more astonishing her father returned. With everything Maxie Jones at times felt as though she was being sucked into a black hole.

Tonight was no different as she sought out the peace by walking the docks. Peace was really code for Johnny Zacchara. She would see him across a room; in the diner or hospital, and every time her mind flashed with the memory of his lips on hers. First when the new year rolled in and then on Valentines.

It wasn't that she wanted to kiss him tonight. She wanted instead to see if he still had that hope. It rang true; not only in his voice, but his eyes, his touch—the way he smiled.

"Why do we always run into each other here, at night?"

Maxie turned, her eyes locking with his, "You mean you didn't know? Why this is our place. Any where else in town we're--."

"Barely acquaintances. But here, we're the best of friends." He smiled noting that her eyes were not clouded with sadness.

She took a step closer, "Do you kiss all your best friends, or just me?"

"You're the only best friend I've ever had, maybe I'm doing it wrong?"

"Kissing? You're doing fine." She smiled.

A sly grin crossed his face, "Good to know."

She could smell his cologne, a classic scent, not weak, not strong; just perfect. "I had a feeling you would say that."

Johnny watched her eyes study him as he reached up, pushing her blond locks from her face.

Maxie could feel it, this was different, a storm was brewing.

The rain began suddenly, Johnny picked her up—carrying her to the first spot he could find to keep them; mainly her from getting soaked.

Maxie felt her back pressed against the brick wall as Johnny covered her with his body.

"I think it'll be a quick storm." He looked down, realizing how fragile she looked, "I'm not hurting you, am I?"

So many answers flew through her mind, "I don't think you could."

A chill ran down his spin as his whole being responded to being this close to her. He knew that he shouldn't be feeling this for Maxie Jones but he couldn't deny it. Each day he saw her, he was drawn to her, wanting her, needing her.

"Johnny." She purred in his ear as she held him closer. The warmth of his body keeping the chill from hers.

He pulled away, just long enough to reposition himself before kissing her.

She pulled his body closer, as close as they could be dressed. Yet she didn't want to rush. She wanted this to last forever, to never end.

This was what Johnny had yearned for. The kind of thing that stirred every part of his being. He didn't want to stop kissing her, but he was desperate to see what her eyes were saying.

Back and fourth she searched as her hands rested on his chest, his rock hard chest. "One night at time will come, when we can't stop."

He kissed her forehead, "When more happens, I don't want it to be against a brick wall like some lewd, drunken mistake."

She slithered from his grip as the rain stopped. Taking his hand, intertwining his fingers with hers, memorizing the moment.

He didn't want her to leave, "Maxie."

"The suspense will make it better." She released his hand, pulling away.

Johnny leaned against the brick wall again, no knowing he wouldn't be able to resister her again.