Because I Love You

"Anna."

One word. A thousand memories.

"Robert."

She steps inside, and for a moment, they both feel the electricity lingering in the air. Like fireworks going off. His smoldering gaze focused on hers, holding her hostage with the magnetic pull of his piercing blue eyes. Eyes that once stopped her heart.

"Shouldn't you be on your honeymoon," he finally asked her. There was no anger or resentment in his tone…She almost wished there had been.

"Don't be so Coy Scorpio. It doesn't become you."

He did not say a word then…she recognized the gleam in his eyes as a challenge. The man was exasperating on a good day. So why was she so focused on his lips? Stop it Devane. Just stop it.

"There is not going to be a wedding; I think you know that."

"Do I now?"

"Damn it Robert; are you going to make me say it.

"Say what Luv?"

She did not want to give him the satisfaction of watching her squirm. This is what he does to her. He makes her flustered.

"What's the matter Luv… am I making you all hot and bothered," he asks, before she can even answer him.

"In your dreams," she shoots back.

He waits a beat and then she just sags onto the couch. He wants to ask her why she cannot just say it. He certainly knows she can feel it. He sees it in the way her cheeks flush bright red.

"You are so adorable when you get embarrassed," he says. She raises her hand to hit him but he is quicker. She lets the anger fade into a huge smile.

"That's better," he says.

"Why do you have to make this so hard Scorpio? I am no good at this 'feelings' thing. You know that."

"What I know is that you still manage to take my breath away…but until a few hours ago, you were all set to marry Lavery again…So I am sorry if you think I'm being difficult sweetheart… but I am going to need to hear you say it. "

She takes a deep breath and tries to steady her rapid heartbeat. "Duke thinks I'm still in love with you."

"Does he now?"

"Oh for God's sake…"

She springs from the couch but he pulls her back down. "Would you just sit? I'm listening."

She narrows her eyes at him in defiance but then surprises herself when she continues. "He's right Robert. When you were both in danger and I did not have time to rationalize whom I should save first…It was you Robert. It was instinct. I knew that if you died, I would never be okay again. So yes Robert. The wedding is off. It is off because when it really counted…when my head did not have time to weigh the pros and cons…my heart chose you. It always was you. It always will be you. "

"Well what took you so long," he asks.

"I guess it took you almost dying again for me to realize how much I love you."

"I'm sorry…can you repeat that."

"I love you Robert Scorpio. Dear God, do I love you."

His lips trail against her own until the kiss was so intense that they had to part for air. "God, do I love you," Robert says. "Always was you, Devane. Always will be you."

His fingers trail down her backside as his lips devour her own. She has never wanted anyone more.

"Make love to me Robert," she pleads. "Please. I want you so much."

"I want you desperately," he returns, as he lifts her off the ground. Anna is already unbuttoning his shirt as he walks them into the bedroom.

"Are you sure," he asks her.

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life. I love you Robert Scorpio. Forever."

"I love you Anna Devane. Forever. "

They would spend the rest of the day making love and making plans for the future. A Future that included nothing but blue skies ahead. This time Forever.

THE END