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take him in her arms and protect him from everything that
could hurt him, both physically and emotionally. She also
had the urge to beat the crap out of the guy who had done
this.
Michael nodded.
Why didn t you tell me? she asked.
I didn t see any reason to.
Is that so? You get hurt defending my honor and you
don t see any reason to tell me?
When he saw the doubt in her eyes, he covered his hand
over hers and said reassuringly, I m fine. Really.
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His hand felt heavy and hot over hers. Her knees
weakened, threatening to buckle under her. She couldn t take
her hand away nor stop staring at his rugged face. Again, she
couldn t bury the overpowering urge to kiss him. She wanted
him to know she cared and she was sorry for what had
happened. She stood on her tiptoes and gently kissed the
bruise.
Michael froze, enjoying her tender lips on his skin. He
couldn t have moved if he wanted to. Her touch and
affection immobilized him. The burning bond the kiss had
created between them consumed all his senses. The beating
of her heart echoed in his ear, her breath bounced softly off
his cheek, the fiery warmth where their skin touched was
magnificent. There wasn t a sane thought in his head when
he felt her lips move down the length of his jaw. The trail of
kisses ended at the corner of his mouth.
Jessica felt him pull away as her lips brushed his. His
movement was inconspicuous, but she noticed it nonetheless.
She took the gesture as her cue to stop, and she stepped
back. You better get washed up.
Michael returned to the kitchen five minutes later. They
both ate in silence and seemed anxious to finish the meal.
Jessica wished that Mrs. Mayfield hadn t left. She would
have enjoyed not only her conversation but also her
presence. Michael looked as if he were miles away. At least
he hadn t taken his dinner and fled to his study like he had
done before.
When the meal was finished, they stood side by side at
the sink and did the dishes. The process was done without
thought. When the dishes were finished, Jessica grabbed a
towel and started drying. There s a good horror movie on in
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about five minutes. Are you up to it? She bumped him as
she bent down and put the pan under the stove.
He turned his head and coughed uncomfortably.
When she rose, she watched the change in his face. Are
you getting sick?
No, to both of your questions; I have work to do, he
said as he closed the cupboard door and walked out of the
room.
Jessica went into the living room and flopped on the
sofa. Why did she even bother asking him? She decided
against the movie. Her imagination was getting out of hand,
and she wasn t in the mood anymore.
Grabbing a magazine off the coffee table, she flipped
through the pages and stopped to read a poorly written article
on how to lose ten pounds in five days. Disgusted, she tossed
the magazine on the table. She was bored. Looking around
the room, she noticed the stereo. Country music roared out of
the speakers when she turned it on. She loved music.
She danced around the room, singing at the top of her
lungs. She was having so much fun that she didn t see
Michael come in. When the song ended, she heard clapping
coming from the corner of the room. She turned around; her
face was flushed when she saw Michael smiling. Enjoy the
show?
Yes.
When did you come in?
Just a minute ago.
His stance and the boyish look on his face made her
smile. The music too loud?
Michael walked over to her and held out his hand,
offering a dance. No, it s not too loud.
You dance? She started laughing.
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What s so funny? Michael asked.
He took her in his arms and began moving to the soft
beat. Their bodies melted into one when they touched. The
barrier that kept Jessica at bay dissolved and vanished into
the words and melody of the love song.
He held her with care as she followed his lead, twisting
and turning as they glided through the room. His body
moved smoothly and gracefully, keeping with the beat.
Missing the lamp and end table by inches, Michael pressed
Jessica s body snugly against his.
When they had made their way back to the center of the
room, Michael put his hand in the middle of her back. He
pushed her slightly, sending her spinning away from him.
Jessica was about to curtsy but Michael pulled her back
again. She landed against his chest with a thump. She
laughed as he tossed her out again. This time she was
prepared and when he pulled her back, she snuggled against
his chest. When the song ended, he dipped her long and
slow.
You were great, she said, slightly out of breath.
So were you.
Where did you learn to dance like that?
My mother taught me. Reluctantly he released her
hand.
She did a wonderful job. What was her name?
Anneliese. I was young when she died. I don t have a
lot of memories of her, but I do remember there was always a
lot of singing and dancing. She loved to sing me to sleep.
If you don t mind me asking, how did she die? she
said.
My father and she were killed in a car accident.
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Jessica sensed him draw back from her. He had lost
everyone he loved: his parents, his grandparents, and his
fiance. She ached for him. Pain and sadness had essentially
followed him throughout his life, never giving him time to
heal. She couldn t imagine having loss upon loss like that. I
was six when my mom died. She was killed in a car accident
too.
The shared experience seemed to reduce the tension.
Were you close?
Very.
Michael s eyes fell to the floor. How did you manage?
The pain was unbearable at first, but it eased over time.
Michael knew the kind of pain she was speaking of; he
lived with it every day. A month after Cathy s death, he asked
Dan: When would it stop hurting? How long until the pain
went away? When would he stop expecting her to greet him
at the front door? When would he forget her magical smile or
the feel of her lips against his? He knew it would take longer
than three years. The dim ache in his soul refused to fade. He
would never really forget. The guilt and pain were branded
in his memory.
Jessica allowed him a moment of silence. She knew he
needed it. It was my dad who got us through it. He had four
children and he knew he had to be strong for us.
Michael nodded. I don t know what I would have done
if I didn t have my grandparents. I had no other family. If it
wasn t for them, I would have gone to a foster home.
She smiled. You loved them a lot, didn t you?
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