The Eyes Have It

Chapter Four – The Elevator

Marlena could not sleep. In fact she really hadn't slept well in days. Every time she tried to close her eyes, she remembered what happened in the hospital board room several days earlier. She was absolutely mortified that she had completely lost it and had actually tried to slap John. How was she ever going to face him again? She knew that at some point she was going to have to apologize for her behavior and that just killed her...the thought of apologizing to that arrogant jerk. She'd almost rather leave town than have to face that chore.

But that wasn't the only thing keeping Marlena from sleeping. She also couldn't stop dreaming about that man and his gorgeous, penetrating blue eyes. She would dream that they were standing there in the board room. He was holding her wrist and staring into her eyes. She couldn't look away and was having a difficult time breathing. All of a sudden, he dropped her wrist and his arms were around her...one behind her back and the other behind her neck. He was pulling her hard, against his body. His mouth was just inches away from hers as he whispered, "I want you Marlena. I've never wanted a woman so much in my life." He took her mouth in a passionate kiss, tasting her lips and invading her mouth with his tongue. One hand was tangled in her hair, holding her head tightly to his mouth while the other was on her ass, pressing her into his body. She could feel how much he wanted her and she felt like her body was on fire. As his hand started slowly pulling up her skirt so he could caress her thigh...Marlena jerked awake in her bed. She was breathing heavy and covered in sweat.

"Oh God, not again," she cried softly. She sat up in bed and held her head in her hands. "Why can't I stop thinking about him?" Marlena hadn't thought about being with a man in over a year. She honestly thought that part of her life was over, until John Black came to town. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so physically attracted to someone... Oh God, why him?...an arrogant, rude, conceited Asshole! She had to find a way to get him out of her mind. She got up and decided to take a cool bath. She poured herself a glass of wine and climbed into the tub. The water felt good on her hot skin. She tried to relax and just let the cool water wash away her thoughts. As she began to doze off in the tub, her mind traveled back to thoughts of John Black and the things that he could do to her body.

Across town, John wasn't getting much sleep either. He also couldn't stop thinking about what had almost happened in the hospital board room. He really wanted to know if no one else had walked in and he had the nerve to kiss her ...how she would have reacted. He had wanted to kiss her more than he'd ever wanted anything before and he'd thought...for a moment... that she wanted it too. He sensed something about her...not just anger...but longing, attraction...maybe it was just wishful thinking, but he couldn't forget the passion that he saw in her fiery, hazel eyes and the way she smelled as he stood so close to her. He loved the thought that he had caused such a passionate response from her. The cool, collected Dr. Evans had totally lost it. He couldn't wait to see her again and hopefully get her alone.

Marlena knew it would happen sooner or later. She knew that she would bump into John and have to face him. Well, today was that day. She was riding up in the hospital elevator when it stopped and the doors opened. She took a quick breath as she saw John enter the elevator. Thankfully they were not alone. He nodded and smiled towards her and then turned and faced the front. Marlena hoped that he would be the first one off, but no such luck. The other passengers got off on the next floor, leaving John and Marlena alone in the elevator.

"Good morning, Dr. Evans," John said very politely. "How are you today?"

"Fine, thank you." Marlena replied feeling rather embarrassed. She knew that she really should apologize for her previous behavior, but she just couldn't bring herself to say the words.

They rode in silence for a few moments, as John was trying to decide what to say next when all of a sudden the elevator jerked to a stop.

"What happened?" asked Marlena.

"I'll find out," John opened up the control panel and lifted out the phone line. He waited a moment and then heard a technician on the other end. They assured him that everything was fine and they would have the elevator going in just a few minutes.

"It will be fixed in just a few minutes," John assured Marlena. "..nothing to worry about."

"I'm not worried," Marlena replied a little nervously knowing that this was the perfect time to make her apology. She was getting very warm and feeling incredibly embarrassed as she remembered the dream about John that she had the previous night. "Mr. Black, I would like to apologize for my incredibly unprofessional behavior the other day...," she began.

John interrupted her, "There's no need to apologize Dr. Evans. I was being very rude and I believe that I am the one who owes you the apology."

John turned and looked into Marlena's face. She looked very flushed and incredibly nervous. "Are you all right?" John asked, concern on his face.

"Yes, I'm..." just as Marlena was answering him; the lights went out in the elevator. Marlena let out a small scream and without thinking John took her in his arms. He held her tight to his chest and gently patted her hair, whispering to her and trying to soothe her. Marlena rested her head against his broad chest, thankful to have something to hold on to. Marlena hated the dark, ever since she was a child and she was very glad that she had someone here with her, even if it was John Black. They stood like that for what seemed like several minutes. John was thrilled to be holding her in his arms. Her hair felt like silk and her smell was intoxicating. He could stand like this for hours.

After just a minute or so, the lights came back on and the elevator began to move. Marlena gently pushed herself away from John.

"Are you okay?" John asked.

Marlena just nodded.

"Are you sure? You look a little pale." John asked with real concern in his voice.

"I'm fine, really." Marlena managed to say. "Thank you."

"It was my pleasure Marlena. I'm glad I was here for you." John replied very sincerely.

When the doors opened and they walked out, Marlena held out her hand to John. "Good-bye John... and thank you again." She quickly shook his hand and then headed down the hall. John watched her go and happily realized that they were now on a first name basis.