Rain and romance in New York City

Chapter 22

New York City

There were rumblings of thunder in the sky. It was the end of a workday night, and the Big Apple was about to experience one of its typical Spring showers.

The sky had darkened from a silver-white to gray.

It started with a few drops.

Pitter-patter... pitter-patter...

Then slowly more drops began to dribble down on the city landscape. They slowly became heavier, and within twenty minutes, New Yorkers had to maneuver through the rain-soaked sidewalks as the headlights from cars and taxis shined their refracted, blurred beams of lights on the wet traffic streets.

Mike was one of those caught in the unexpected deluge.

Holding his briefcase above his head, he strode through the showery streets. The rain bore on endlessly, as dark gray clouds covered the sky, not allowing even a feeble few rays from the sun to penetrate its barriers.

The monotonous sound of raindrops beating on the sidewalk now blended in with whooshing sounds of passing vehicles. People pushed forward, dressed in heavy coats, not stopping to look at anything or anyone.

Everything was bleak, gray and dreary.

In fact, New York City had looked that way to Mike for the past two weeks since he had been back. And now the rain only seemed to heightened his sense of isolation from the outside world.

At last he arrived at his tiny, empty apartment. Mike wiped his rain-soaked shoes on his door mat as he inserted the key in the lock of his front door.

Flinging his door open, Mike brought in a gust of fresh rain-laden wind with him as he entered his darkened apartment. Slamming the door shut, he swore slightly under his breath while he struggled with closing his dripping umbrella. Successful at last, he hung the contraption on a hook in the entry way.

Removing his thick wool coat and placing it on the wall hook, he turned on the lights and walked over to pour himself a glass of brandy. He needed something powerfully effective to warm away the chills from his body.

With his drink in hand, he walked past the living room, and turned on the light to his bedroom.

Buckets of water seemed to pour off his bedroom rooftop onto his fire escape, the sounds like an eternal shower that was left to run. As he peered outside the bedroom window, he witnessed raindrops dribbling off the metal railings outside.

It looked as though the downpour would not stop for hours.

Wind and rain continually pounded against the bedroom window. Soon the cold air from the outside intermingled with the warm air from his apartment, causing heavy condensation on the inside of his window, eclipsing his view of the city outside.

As he held his drink in one hand, he seemed mesmerized by the heavily dewed window.

He lightly touched his finger against the cool glass window. The misty condensation separated at the spot where he placed his finger to give him a slight view of the world again.

Mike didn't know what motivated him to do it, but as he stood there, he slowly and methodically began moving his finger across the moistened glass, spelling out the following words:

I love her

He stared at the words, somehow feeling better that he had been able to express his internal thoughts. Sadly he realized that no one would ever know that he was in love with Connie; it would be something he would keep forever locked away in the deep chamber of his heart.

A frown marred the smoothness of his brow as he noted that the words he had written were already starting to fade. Lifting his hand once more, he made a straight swipe across to erase the blurred words.

He let out one slow regretful breath.

The impromptu lucid mark he made on the windowpane enabled a condensed view of the outside again. Looking down from the second floor, he caught a glimpse of movement below his fire escape on the ground below.

He maneuvered his head, and willed his eyes to focus through the blurry rain-smeared windowpane.

Was that a person standing below his window in the pouring rain? he wondered. Taking two fingers, he swiped a linear path on the window to see better.

The hairs on the back of his neck stood straight up, his mind not believing what his eyes were telling him.

No, it couldn't be...

There was a slight tremor in his fingers that sent the amber liquid in his glass sloshing against the sides as he hastily set the drink down. Then using his elbow, he rubbed away the remaining condensation from the window, making a circle larger and larger with each wiping movement.

At last he could clearly make out the lone figure standing in the rain.

Connie.

She stood outside, her wet body illuminated by the now lit streetlight. Standing steadfastly, she was slightly shivering from the cold as rain continued to pelt her. Mike instantly flung opened his apartment window.

"Connie!" he yelled through the blustery raindrops, "Connie!"

The second time he shouted her name, she looked up. The torrential waters hit her face full on while her damp clothes flapped in the powerful gush of wind. She seemed unconcern as she kept her eyes on Mike.

Water immediately attacked the inside of his cozy apartment and parts of his arm and upper torso, as he reached out to her, "It's pouring out there! Get in here!"

An earsplitting sound of thunder could be heard in the distance as more rain fell.

Mike stuck his foot out and went out to stand on the landing of his fire escape. He quickly released the fire escape ladder.

"Quickly! Climb up, Connie!" he yelled insistently through the pouring rain as waited patiently for her to come up.

Her face was partially shadowed as she stared over at the steel ladder. Then marshalling her courage, Connie tentatively pulled the ladder all the way down. Grabbing the rails, she managed to fight the wind and rain as she clambered to where he stood on his landing. Grasping his outstretched hand, she allowed him to lead her through the window to inside his bedroom. Then he quickly shut the window.

Once safely ensconced in the warmth and quietude of his apartment, he shot her a searching glance as she dripped water everywhere.

"Connie," he looked at her with huge eyes, "You're here… But... how? Why? "

She was brushing water off of her when she suddenly looked up at him.

"I-I didn't know if I should come up," she answered truthfully, "I was just about to leave when you-"

"No, wait! stop!" Mike interrupted, confused, yet ecstatic, "first things first...what are you doing back in New York City?"

"I had to come back," Connie responded quietly.

Mike didn't know what to make of her answer.

"You had to come back to New York City?"

While Mike watched her with wide eyed curiosity, Connie took several long breaths to settle her thoughts. Her heart picked up an agitated pace and her blood stirred with restless heat.

"No, Mike…I had to come back…to you…"

Her words were like an explosion in his brain, setting every cell and nerve afire. He seemed too stunned to reply as he watched her, droplets of water rolling from all corners off of her.

She had been so intent on getting the words out she had not realized how wet her clothes were until she looked down at her dripping form.

"Oh Mike!..I've dripped all over your floor," she glumly commented, as she brushed a wet strand from her face before adding, "And I look like a wet rag!"

Rainwater spilled down from all sides of her, randomly dripping down. Mike looked at her soggy form, and then at the mini-puddles she had created in his living room and he couldn't help displaying a grin.

"What?" Connie asked, unsure of his unusual reaction, as she attempted to jerk away some water from her arms.

"They've invented something called an 'umbrella', you know," Mike stated with lingering amusement.

The mood had turned lighthearted.

"Well, there's that, " she began causally, still shaking off the water, "but who knew the showers would come today? It had been bright and sunny five hours ago when I left California."

"And you never heard of Springtime rain in New York?" he asked teasingly, "We New Yorkers always know to keep an umbrella nearby."

"Pfft! Umbrellas!," mocked Connie, with a no-big-deal wave, "They're for sissies."

Connie looked over as Mike laugh.

Even though Mike's eyes sparkled with amusement, his expression afterwards subtly shifted as both became aware that they were alone together.

Connie's face flushed at the way he was now looking at her. She felt sensations brushing along her nerves. Mike was watching her with inquisitive interest. The room became quiet, except for the torrent of rain outside.

"I'm so glad you're here, Connie," he said at last, "but what you had stated earlier about being here..."

At least he didn't turn her away.

His statement seemed to relax her, "Mike, my only goal was to get back to you as quickly as possible..."

Deep emotions flared inside Mike at her words. But his thoughts shifted as he saw her body gave a big shudder and he realized that she needed to get out of those wet clothes.

"Connie," he stated concernedly, " You're soaked to the bone…Listen...let me bring you a towel and something dry for you to wear," he volunteered, as he gestured towards the bathroom, "then we'll talk."

Relieved, she gave him an appreciative smile, "Thanks, Mike."

A heat of passion rose in both their eyes as they gazed at each other one last time before Connie reluctantly forced herself to turn and leave.

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Mike had informed her through the closed bathroom door that he had left some dry things for her to wear in addition to a towel. He had also been able to change into some casual clothes. With Connie busy drying herself, Mike nervously ran his hand through his slightly wet tousled hair as he walked back out to the living room and looked around his place.

He could hear his hairdryer on. Connie's here, he internalized, she's actually here. Subconsciously, he started straightening some magazines, but stopped himself, knowing he didn't have the time to clean up and organize things now.

Maybe he should get out some wine, he thought as he rushed over to his simple his mini bar. Getting out some glasses, he again stopped himself. He might as well order flowers, and bring in some violin music, he thought sarcastically. How obvious can he be?

He did not want to make it look like he expected this to be a romantic rendezvous. Perhaps he should casually offer her some lemonade instead. Lemonade? How about adding a birthday cake, clowns and a bounce house?

Before he could decide on anything, Connie emerged.

She stood at the doorway, trying to look casual, but her insides were quivering with nervousness.

Mike's gaze when he first saw her became alive and hot.

Without makeup, she looked lovely and fresh-faced, her auburn hair clean and shiny. She was wearing one of his workday buttoned shirts. The fit was large and long, with the opened v-collar invitingly shadowing the softness of her neck. She also had on a pair of his long john pants. At her feet she wore his thick woolen socks as she stood across the wooden floors of his apartment.

A strange expression crossed her face as she looked back at him. There was hesitation mixed in with pleasure. The awkwardness was due to the fact of being alone with Mike in his apartment. The blissful part was feeling dry, warm and content wearing one of Mike's business shirts. She personally loved the masculine feel and smell of his clothes.

At that last thought, her smile was genuine.

The bottom slit of his shirt parted as she walked towards him, exposing the entire length and shape of her long legs. The artificial light from his apartment shone through his expensive European-cut shirt that she wore, giving him an opportunity to make out her womanly form.

Just watching her, Mike felt a peculiar tightness in his chest that gave a strained quality to his heartbeat. He had never known that dressing boyishly feminine could be so enticing. No need for the wine, he thought. He felt intoxicated enough.

More rumpling thunder could be heard from the outside as she stopped in front of him.

"Connie," Mike said in a hushed voice, "I've never seen you look more beautiful."

That one line placated her nervousness.

And as Connie continued watching him, she thought how attractive he looked dressed in his comfortable sweats. His eyes were serious now and his face was so austerely beautiful that the very sight of him made her chest ache with desire.

This time she would not miss her opportunity.

"Mike...first…let me say what I need to say to you…" her voice felt as if it were scraping her throat, "It's just...I never should have allowed you to leave LA without me...I should have ran after you…"

"Connie, I...".

"No, wait...I'm not done," Connie interrupted, forcing herself to look directly at him, "I've been giving this a lot of thought...I'm ready to take that chance you had talked about in LA...I don't know where all of this will lead us, but I'm in it all the way...the two of us...if you still want me, that is..."

The room was as quiet as a tomb, with no sound or movement from Mike, who was only standing inches from her.

She had been rehearsing those words the entire time over here, and she had expected some reaction from him. But he merely looked at her, an unreadable expression on his face.

Connie's hope was getting dimmer.

If he still wanted her, if he still cared, she reasoned, she would be in his arms by now.

But he just stood there. The silence was unbearable. The realization made her want to shrink into nothing. Staring down at the floor, she bit her lip and wondered how to leave this uncomfortable situation.

What more should I say? Connie pondered, What should I do now?

With her head still dejectedly bowed down, Mike's stocking feet suddenly came into her vision. He had come to her so silently. A short gasp escaped her lips as she starred up at him in surprise.

Wordlessly, one of his hands settled cautiously on her cheek, making her heart race. He was smiling at her, as relief and love mingled deliciously inside of her. At last she reached up and covered his hands with hers.

Their hands were now intertwined together when she brought them down.

Mike could not believe all this was happening. There was a peculiar tightness in Mike's chest that made his heartbeat pound wildly as he thought back what he had written in the fogged window.

He would tell her now.

One of his hands slid beneath her chin and he forced her to look at him. There was a strange mixture of tenderness and ruthless purpose in his expression.

"Connie, I've been in love with you so long," he admitted, as her lips parted in surprise, " and I've realized that when you were situated in LA, there was something worse than losing you…it was...not having the opportunity to ever love you at all."

"Oh, Mike…" Connie words sounded breathless as a ripple of pleasure went through her body at the words she longed to hear.

They could still hear the pitter patter of the rain outside, but its rhythmic beating was comforting now.

Mike stared into the lovely brown softness of her eyes, watched her as the color of passion rose to her cheeks. Excitement caused his heart to pound riotously.

"I love you, Connie…" he admitted, his voice sounding thick.

His words overwhelmed her. She moved even closer to him and pressed herself into his warmth. She felt his body shuddering as he wrapped his arms around her. The feel of his touch alone made her quiver with happiness.

When she looked up at him, he lowered his head obligingly.

Her limbs went limp with pleasure as his mouth covered hers. Her heart raced as she responded willingly, letting him kiss her exactly as he wanted. She lifted her hand to the back of his neck and let her fingertips drift into the locks of hair at his nape.

Their kiss seemed to burn with volcanic heat.

When they at last separated, the sound of their labored breathing was slow to diminish.

Connie felt his warmth, his love, as his arms enveloped her. He was so solid, so steady. The scent and feel of him was as familiar as if she had known him for her entire life. She pulled away slightly to look into the blue depths of his eyes.

"Mike, I love you, too," her heart aching for him.

Connie breathed deeply as his protective arms pulled her close to him once more. Her pulse was thrumming with desire as he reached over to kiss her again, his mouth was hot and tender against her flushed skin.

And then... there were no more need for words.

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The end!

It's quite a daunting task to look at a blank of paper and try to create a story emotional and dramatic enough to sustain 22 chapters. I wanted to show Mike and Connie's courtroom tenacity as well as give them the happily ever after I thought they deserved!

I am humbly grateful for all the people who took the time to read and review. Some of them have become dear friends. I am truly the luckiest person in the world!

I plan on taking a 2 month break to write for another site, but I DO have another Mike/Connie story in my head! Tentatively titled, "When Opposites Attract", I will have them on opposite sides of a case! I'm really looking forward to the challenge! Keep a lookout for it!

May you always keep a little romance in your heart!

A heartfelt thank you,

DaisyDay

Please review for the last time!

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