Harm was set on romancing Mac, and wanted to ease into the physical side of their relationship at a reasonable pace. It mattered to him, because internally, he felt so out of control. He didn't want to presume that Mac was as keyed up as he was, or to let his behavior be dictated by his rampant hormones. He was conscious of treating her respectfully. Yet, despite Harm's good intentions, the mounting sexual tension was difficult for him to discount. It permeated Harm's thoughts and affected nearly everything he did around Mac. He tried not to gape at her long sleek legs or feminine curves. He didn't think she saw him check out the way her hips swayed when she waded in the water, leaving his mouth dry and palms sweaty. He made a concerted effort not to gawk too long at her bikini top, even though he gave himself enough time to visually trace the outline of her figure. Basically, he was trying hard not to behave like a sex-starved maniac who wanted to rip her clothes off. It was a valiant effort, but a lost cause. Years of abstinence and Mac's inherent sexiness just put him in a constant state of semi-arousal. One touch, one look, and he was a goner. He knew it.
The next day, Harm climbed up into a tree and surveyed the shoreline – no sign of any watercraft. He bent down and balanced onto a large limb, slouching his back onto the trunk dejectedly. Every time he hoped for contact with the outside world, he was inevitably left disappointed. It was a tiring cycle between momentary optimism and disillusionment. Harm rested in the tree for what seemed like an hour, and whiled away the hot afternoon with aimless musings of a rescue, and of course, sex. He spotted Mac walking up the beach, but sat quietly perched in his lookout. She was his temptress. He had to behave. As Mac came up under the branches, his feet caught her eyes and she called up to him in surprise. She smiled at his panther-like appearance, long and languid, relaxed and hidden amidst the foliage. Harm invited her to join him, and she deftly made her way up to his level. They balanced on limbs from two separate trees, and faced each other across the canopy of leaves and bark, the sandy ground five feet below. Harm stretched out onto his belly and straddled his branch with his arms and legs. Mac mirrored his tree-lined form. Their faces came close together, and they smiled in childlike delight at the novelty of their positions.
They stared into each other's eyes, and silently enjoyed the unexpected intimacy. Then, with steady intention, Harm inched ever closer to Mac and kissed her delicately on her lips. It was sweet and passionate….feathered with soft gentle probing. Goose pimples spread over Mac, as she savored the tantalizing contact with Harm. A balmy breeze fluttered across their backs, and warmth penetrated their exposed skin. Somehow this was quickly becoming one of the most erotic kisses Harm had ever experienced, with the focus on the sensations of Mac's lips so total, so all-encompassing. It was in such contrast with not touching Mac anywhere else…holding back, feeling only her sensual mouth and wandering tongue. They made-out for a few minutes, and Harm became acutely aware of his growing sexual desire. Mac, too, felt the strong pull of excitement, so long withheld between them. Mac's loose shirt had fallen open slightly, and she teased Harm with a glimpse of what lay beneath. Harm felt a schoolboy thrill at seeing her and wished he could reach out for a caress. As each moment passed, the most subtle sensations became magnified. With utter surprise, Harm realized the raw pleasure he was experiencing could easily get out of control, just from lying on the branch and torturous wet kisses from Mac. Being this instantly turned on was reminiscent of the heightened sexuality of his teenage youth – those long, heated summers at the beach, fooling around with bikini clad girls in the sand, before adulthood set in. His unfettered arousal was so sudden, so intense. He was leaning against a tree, for crying out loud! He slowed down the pace of their French kisses, and pulled back to look at her. She probably had no idea how excited he was. He was practically forty years old, but with Mac, he was nearly sent over the edge from her kiss. Harm took a moment to compose himself. All the while, Mac watched him with visible desire and curiosity.
Once calmed down to a presentable degree, Harm suggested they move down from the tree, and she followed his lead. They touched down on the sand with their hands clasped together. Harm smiled self-consciously at her, and then suddenly broke away and headed for the water, taking his shirt off along the way. He left his shorts on. No way was he going to strip down to his underwear right then.
"Join me for a swim!" he called back, as he bolted into the waves.
Mac stood transfixed on the spot, bewildered at Harm's abrupt and apparently overpowering urge to swim in the ocean. Okay, that's unexpected, but with Harm, stranger things have happened. Mac was amenable to his suggestion, and began unbuttoning her shirt and shorts, leaving her wearing only a bikini. As she entered the tepid water, she was taken back when she realized that Harm had just gotten in with his shorts on. She had to stifle a laugh. He was acting so odd.
Later that evening, Mac studied Harm from across the campfire and wondered about his peculiar behavior and mood. "Hey, you're awfully quiet over there. Anything on your mind?"
Harm looked up from his concentrated gaze at the crackling fire. After a pause, his eyes refocused on hers, and he sent her a warm smile. "Oh, nothing….Just thinking about F-14's and flight checks…you know, the usual," he joked amiably.
Mac decided to investigate further. "Is everything okay, Harm? You seem kind of, I don't know… preoccupied."
"Everything's fine," Harm said in surprise. "What makes you think otherwise?"
Mac sent him a knowing look. She had to bite her cheek just to hold back a smile. "Oh, I don't know, maybe the fact that you disappeared this morning for hours, and then I found you hiding in a tree this afternoon. Of course, there's also your mad dash to the water, nearly fully clothed I might add."
The amused expression on Mac's face told him that she wasn't at all upset with him. On the contrary…she seemed tickled to death. Maybe she knew more than she let on beneath those chocolate doe eyes of hers. Harm moved over closer to her and sat down leisurely in the sand. He stretched out his long legs, and thought about what he could say. Nothing sounded quite right….
"Mac, the truth is… um, I just thought I ought to put a little distance between us…" While the humor remained on Mac's face, Harm saw that she looked a little mystified. "You have to know that I'm crazy about you. I'm sure it's obvious. But, well, maybe I'm too crazy…you know what I mean?" he asked hopefully.
"No, maybe you should fill me in."
Harm took a stab at frankness. "I just want to do this right, Mac. I don't want to blow it, because it's too important for us. I've been sort of battling over how to handle our physical relationship. I don't think I aught to just jump your bones at the drop of a hat, which is what I'm sort of inclined to do…" Harm smiled guiltily. "I want to treat you right, not like some sex-deprived guy. Today, I was just giving myself time to cool off."
Mac seemed to give his elucidation serious thought. "Isn't there a place in between self-imposed exile and lovemaking? And I've been a virtual monk for two years as well, you know. Don't forget that."
Harm had never really considered her side of the equation when it came to sex. He really must be incredibly self-absorbed. Well, he'd have to rectify that.
"C'mere," Harm said in a sexy voice. He tugged her gently and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her on her nose, cheeks, eye-lids, everywhere on her face but her luscious lips. He was such a tease, Mac thought.
He leaned his forehead against hers. "I can't wait to make love to you, and if you're ready, believe me, so am I. Just don't go complaining if I act like an animal." He smiled down at her.
"You've always had good instincts, Harm." She kissed him on the lips and lingered there a few moments. "Does this mean we're dating?" she asked.
"Yes, I think we are," he gave a soft laugh. He traced tiny circles on her legs absentmindedly. "So…. how long should we wait to have sex now that we're a couple?"
"What's your track record?"
Aghast, Harm's chest moved back in reflex. "I don't think now is a good time to go over that!" Then, with a touch of self-consciousness, Harm added, "Generally, I've never gotten into bed with someone on the first date. How long have we been dating anyway?"
"Well, it seems like a lifetime, but here on the island, I'd say about three days."
"Hmmmm….I guess, we'd be rash and foolish to just dive right in then, wouldn't we?"
"Yeah, maybe so." Mac sounded a little disappointed. She wondered why Harm always had to be so damn honorable.
For a moment, Harm considered the possibility that something was really wrong with his head. Why'd he have to maintain his scruples, anyway? It wasn't as if they were in a normal environment, held in check by the rules and constraints of society. There had to be acceptable solution. "Okay, here's a deal. If no rescue boat comes tomorrow, we'll call off a waiting period. Then, I guess we'd have done our best to behave respectably." Harm thought he could survive one more day.
"Now, that sounds like a plan!" Mac brightened up.
Harm laughed at her enthusiasm. Then, he gazed into her precious face and patted her firmly on the chest. "You!" Harm accused. "This is all your fault. You've been emitting your pheromones all over me for weeks, months…leaving me helpless to resist! I'm completely at your disposal. I bet you like having me in the palm of your hand, don't you, Mac?"
"Hey, you're the insatiable flirt!" Mac countered playfully. She looked up at the stars, and giggled to herself after a moment of reflection. She couldn't hide her secret smile.
"What?" Harm questioned.
She laughed more openly, and said, "You looked so funny this afternoon, running into the surf with your shorts on, like you were running from a swarm of bees! The look on your face ….!" Even then, evidence of his haphazard behavior could be found in his attire. He was wearing his faded blue jeans because his shorts were still too damp to put on.
"Well…" Harm said with an embarrassed smile. "I really needed a cold shower!"
"I thought that might be it…" Mac said in confirmation, the smile never leaving her features.
They got ready for bed and held each other close, both excited by infinite possibilities. Either way, tomorrow would be a monumental day.