Chapter 3

Carly's resolve to stolidly forge ahead was tested when she ran into Bo outside the Brady Pub a week later. Since their breakup she'd avoided the place all together guessing her presence wouldn't be welcome so she and Melanie, who still held a grudge against Caroline for switching Parker's paternity tests, always went to The Java or The Cheating Heart instead. Considering she'd helped out when Shawn senior had decided to change it from a fish market to a family pub, it added more to the bitterness already in her heart but she rather not have more hostile eyes staring at her.

Bo was just coming out as she passed by and instantly, brown eyes locked with green. Recovering fast, Carly walked on, increasing her pace when he called her.

'Carly... Carly wait, wait!' In swift strides, he caught up with her, grabbing her by the arm. He noticed the bandage. 'What happened to your hand?'

'None of your business; and let go of me.' Carly wrestled her arm from his grip fiercely. 'You don't get to touch me again.'

'So now it's come to this... hostility?' Bo asked, upset by her attitude.

Carly adjusted the sleeve of her jacket. 'If it makes it easier for me to get over you, then so be it.'

'Wait!' he stopped her as she made to walk away. 'We still have a lot to say to each other.'

'We have nothing to say.' was the icy cold reply. 'Everything you wanted me to say to you was said. And if you now want to justify what you did to me; save your breath.'

'Carly,' Bo shook his head. 'We've travelled this road before. And that time we managed to stay friends all the same.'

'Back then,' Carly replied, her face hard. 'You made it clear there could be nothing between us; that's why. Now, how dare you think I could ever be friends or anything else with you after the way you lied to me.'

'I didn't lie.' He denied quietly.

'Will you stop saying that!' she cried, infuriated. 'And stop trying to make me listen to whatever you have to say to me because I don't want to hear it. If you want to unload some of the guilt you feel about me, I'm not giving you that satisfaction; because you richly deserve to feel guilty.'

'I didn't lie.' He grabbed her by the arms, shaking her. 'I didn't!'

Disdainful green eyes staring up at him said it all. She didn't believe him.

'Carly, I'm so sorry.'

'Don't.' She disentangled herself again.

'I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear. But... you've got to understand it's a very complicated situation...'

Carly gritted her teeth. I won't cry again; I won't! Instead she stepped away from him, refusing to look at his face. She'd never loved him more yet a part of her hated him as well.

'I said don't. Leave me alone.'

'I can't do that, Carly.' Bo insisted. 'Things can't be this way between us.'

'Exactly do you want from me? Haven't you done enough already?' she demanded. 'Don't kid yourself; I have no place in your life! I'm a distant memory and after a while, you'll be and that day can't come soon enough. Go back to your wife and stay away from me!'

Bo felt angry and helpless as she walked away from him. My poor princess... he whispered. Despite what she thought of him, she was constantly on his mind. He tried not to, which he hated himself for, for Hope's sake; he truly wanted this latest reconciliation to work. But the morning after they made love, Carly's face crept back to mind and he'd worked hard to make sure Hope didn't suspect anything. While he told himself he never wanted to be without Hope again, the sight of Carly looking so unhappy and showing no sign of forgiveness got him so guilty and confused. For some reason, he still wanted to hold on to her.

Carly thought that unleashing some of the pent up rage would do the trick; but it only added to her pain. She still loved Bo Brady; she couldn't deny it. But what sort of future was she heading towards, having to witness him so happy with Hope and nursing the stinging fact that their time together had been an interlude. Why oh why did she even allow him to go that far?

'We aren't exactly total strangers; we've done this before.'

And how... she thought, growing warm at the times they'd made love; his hands over her body, kissing every part of her. But still...

'I know but shouldn't we make sure that...' she wondered how to put her fear across to him.

Bo regarded her solemnly, handsome eyes fixed on her. 'You're afraid I'm going to regret this.'

'Yeah, I am.' She looked at him squarely; relived he took the words right of her mouth. There was time to walk away before somebody got hurt; her.

'You know what?'

'Yes?'

'Let's leave the world outside. For you and me... here, right now... this is right. You know it as well as I do.'

'I do.' She whispered longingly.

Without a word, he resumed the passionate kiss, sucking her lower lip like he used to; pressing her hard against him, his mouth brutally devouring hers. With trembling hands she unbuckled his belt and he lifted her onto the bed, still kissing her, his large hands tenderly touching her. Memories of their past lovemaking flashed in her mind as he undressed her; their first time in Mexico when they became one person, the many times they did it on the boat, in his office... unleashing white-hot passion. She never thought they would be doing this again or feel his body against her. His eyes blazed over her as he parted her legs with his knee...

Lost in her thoughts, Carly failed to see the oncoming car until it was too late. Bo screamed in terror as she went flying before landing on the sidewalk. Concerned bystanders were already bending over her by the time he ran up.

'Get back and give her some air! Somebody call an ambulance!' He shouted, elbowing them aside angrily. 'Carly, can you hear me, princess?' he whispered, slipping his arm under her neck. Her forehead was bleeding. Caroline came running out, disturbed by the commotion.

'I'm so sorry,' a contrite voice spoke up. 'I honked loud but she walked right in front of me. Is she breathing?'

'The only one who won't be doing any breathing will be you if anything happens to her!' Bo shouted at the culprit. The man looked his early fifties, dressed in an obviously expensive business suit and curiously spoke in a broad New York accent.

'Bo, calm down; it was an accident!' Caroline admonished him. 'Has somebody called an ambulance?'

'Let's take her to the hospital in my car.' The stranger said anxiously, bending over Carly. 'It's my fault so it's the least I can do.'

No shit; Bo thought darkly but concern for Carly prevented him from bashing the idiot's face in with his fist. Between them, Carly was placed on the back seat and they set off for the hospital.