As Fate Would Have It-11
by:: Leslie
Chapter 11
Ooh, if you only knew!!!!! I'm already in sooo deep!!!! she thought. But, it was so difficult to think with those penetrating eyes boring through her skin, reaching straight to her soul.
Jax mistook her thoughts for apprehension, and said, "I'm sorry -- I've frightened you haven't I? It's a little fast for these feelings. But, you know me, Blaine, I go after what I want with such reckless abandon, disregarding common sense at times, and foregoing caution altogether!! I've been the same way all my life. Trust me when I say, I feel something very powerful for you. My intentions for this trip are to explore those feelings. I want to be completely upfront about that."
Blaine's hazel eyes blinked as if trying to wake up from this dreamland she was sure she was in. She wrapped her legs around his back, pulling him closer, making it clear that she understood his intentions, and that they were on the same wavelength. "I like upfront!" she told him with a very sexy smile. She caressed his face with her fingertips. "Jax, you're doing anything but frightening me!!! I've never heard anything sweeter than what you said to me. What's happening between us is worth exploring!"
"I'm glad you feel that way --- for a moment I wasn't sure. You looked so lost in thought."
"I was lost in thought, thoughts of you. Thoughts that up till now have only been a dream. I can't believe you're here in front of me, saying what you're saying."
"Believe it, Blaine." Jax's face was so close that she could feel the brush of his breath on her skin. But he wasn't ready to give her the kiss she was so hungry for, not yet. He tantalizingly drug the tips of his fingers down her neck, running them around the collar of her shirt. Blaine's breathing immediately hastened, letting him know he was succeeding in bringing her to a slow boil. Jax untucked her shirt from her jeans and ran his cold hands up her back, causing it to arch sensuously. She tightened her leg muscles around him as he lowered her from the railing and fully received her into his arms. At that moment he couldn't deny his hunger any further! His mouth sought hers with an ardent vigor, and was received with the same. He turned her around and laid her back on a deck chair, his hands roaming and their mouths exploring each other with such fervency.
"Well, Ahoy, mates," Cap'n Gerry's gruff voice was the equivalent of a bucket of ice water being poured over them. They automatically jumped to their feet, and scrambled to straighten themselves. "Just thought I'd tell you two that dinner will be served in an hour, if you're hungry, that is!" The Captain tossed them a wink and turned to walk towards the front of the boat, leaving Jax and Blaine embarassed at their complete immersion in the moment.
Jax cleared his throat and suggested that they both go ready themselves for their first dinner on board the Abentueur.
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Blaine and Jax decided it would be a good idea to shower in separate rooms, in order to assure that getting ready would remain the priority and eliminate the temptation to distract each other. Blaine was putting on her makeup, wondering what she would wear, when there was a knock at the door. She put on her robe and answered it. The woman introduced herself as Diane, their Chamber Maid for the voyage, and delivered something she said was from Mister Jacks. Blaine thanked her and then eagerly tore open the envelope as she drew in the scent of the solitary red rose that had accompanied it. It was a handwritten note that read: "About now, I'm guessing you're wondering what in the world to wear!! Now you're smiling because you know I've got you pinned! Well, to answer your question, it's in the closet. I look forward to your breathtaking entry into the dining room, and what I promise you will be a mythical evening. Yours, Jax."
"Mythical??? Mythical??? Oh, that sounds intriguing," she said out loud, all of a sudden feeling a bit more nervous than before. She jumped up and tore open the doors of the closet, her eyes falling on an indescribably beautiful red crepe evening gown. It had a wide and deep square neckline with long tapered sleeves, form fitting throughout the bodice and widening with the aid of a slit as it touched the floor. Beneath it sat a pair of matching red crepe platform pumps. This wasn't one of the dresses she'd tried on in Anchorage, so she was a little baffled. But, who was she to question the judgement of Jasper Jacks??? She finished drying her hair, put on her dress, and then touched up her lipstick. Slipping her feet into the red crepe shoes, she got an odd sense of nostalgia, remembering the many hours she'd spent as a child watching "The Wizard of Oz", and listening to Dorothy's melodic voice proclaim, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home . . . ." How odd a thought to come to mind! She shook it off, and headed out the door and towards the dining room, red rose in hand, to meet her "beau", as Clarice had called him.
She remembered her way to the dining room thankfully, as there seemed to be no one about to ask directions. As she opened the door she could see the illuminating glow of candlelight and Jax's outline at the table. He rose and met her with a kiss. "I told you you'd be breathtaking!" he declared. "You know the drill . . ." he laughed, taking her rose from her hand and placing in the vase on their table.
She indulged him and turned slowly on her red heels, her right leg peeking out the strategically-placed slit. Jax's eyes drank in her beauty, as his ears received her "Thank you, Jax. It's beautiful."
"As are you," he responded. "Wine?" he offerred. The perfect speciman of a man that was before her was looking illegally handsome in his black suit with a sharp contrasting white shirt, and a black, white and silver tie.
"Please." He poured her a glass and her hands grazed his as she accepted it.
"Dinner will be out momentarily, would you like to take a stroll out on deck until it does?"
"That woud be perfect." Jax placed a black cashmier wrap around her shoulders, his arms lingering as he did, and escorted Blaine out onto the deck. It was much brighter outside than in the dining room. The moon was full, and it was being absorbed by the glaciers, which reflected the moonglow back over the Sound, casting an almost surreal light. Blaine's radiant red dress what quite a striking contrast, Jax noted. He had known from the moment he saw this dress in the boutique that he had to see it on her. The simple elegance suited her, and the color reminded him of this newfound boldness she possessed that kept him spellbound.
As they neared the railing, the memory of their afternoon conversation and the escapades that followed were refreshed. Jax nuzzled his face in her neck as they faced a moon that looked almost close enough to touch. Blaine closed her eyes and relished this moment, as she had been every moment spent with Jax. He had to pull back, just being near to her was causing an untimely physical reaction. "The moon is beautiful here in the Sound. Clarice told me tonight would be a full moon. I think she believes it's part of the Sound's magical prowess. The great and powerful moon!"
She turned her head to look at him quizically, "That's such a coincidence!!!! That's the same line used to describe Oz!!!" Again, she shook it off, discounting it completely.
"The stars are as bright as I believe I've ever seen them. My dad and I used to come out on nights like this while he made me learn the constellations. He thought I was going to be interested in sailing, but I took to the air instead. I've never forgotten those lessons out on our back lawn. Jerry and I used to fight over the telescope!! Dad only ended up getting frustrated and going inside. He'd be surprised to learn that his lessons actually took hold!!"
"Did they? Point some out to me, the only one I ever seem to get is Orion!"
"Ahhh, a novice!!" Jax took the opportunity to show off a bit, pointing out the Big and Little Dippers, the Great Bear and various others. But his last one, he seemed especially proud of -- "Look, down close to the horizon between those two glaciers. It's the Lion. Connect the dots with your eyes -- can you see it? It's a rare find to the untrained eye. Leo the Lion," he repeated wistfully.
I KNOW I'm not imagining this!!! she thought. "Jax, are you . . ."
"Dinner's served," Clarice's sweet voice beckoned, interrupting Blaine.
"Come on," Jax said, escorting her back into the warmth of the dining room. He pulled Blaine's chair out and helped her get seated, then took his own seat. Clarice served them a hand tossed salad with crisp homemade croutons. Blaine chose the parmesan peppercorn dressing, while Jax opted for oil and vinegar. Blaine's muffled laugh did not go unnoticed by Jax, but he let it pass. They enjoyed a mouth watering dinner of bacon wrapped fillet mignon, new potatoes in a basil cream sauce, asparagus with raspberry vinaigrette and homemade rolls. Clarice offerred desert, but both Jax and Blaine were stuffed. They praised her culinary talents. She thanked them, and left them to the rest of their evening.
Without explanation, Jax rose and went over to the stereo set up in the corner. With the flick of a switch, music came at her from all directions. This man is pure magic! she pondered. She watched as the sexiest, sweetest man she'd ever had the priviledge of knowing walked towards her and reached for her hand. She accepted his with a smile.
He led her to the dancefloor, and amidst the glow from the candles, the scent of his irresistable cologne and the rhythmic sensations penetrating her ears, they danced . . .
There was a time
I was everything and nothing all in one
When you found me
I was feeling like a cloud across the sun
I need to tell you
How you light up every second of the day
But in the moonlight
You just shine like a beacon on the bay
And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight with your smile
You pull the deepest secrets from my heart
In all honesty
I'm speechless and I don't know where to start
And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight
And I can't explain
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
It's that feeling I get about you, deep inside
And I can't describe
But it's something about the way you look tonight
Takes my breath away
The way you look tonight 1
They danced without exchanging words, and let the words of the song convey their feelings. Jax never let her go when the song ended, nor did he stop dancing . . . for one song led right into the next . . . .
I've never seen you looking so lovely as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright
I've never seen so many men ask you if you wanted to dance
They're looking for a little romance
Given half a chance
And I've never seen that dress you're wearing
Or that highlights in your hair
That catch your eyes
I have been blind
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I've never seen you looking so gorgeous as you did tonight
I've never seen you shine so bright you were amazing
I've never seen so many people want to be there by your side
And when you turned to me and smiled it took my breath away
And I have never had such a feeling such a feeling
Of complete and utter love, as I do tonight
The lady in red is dancing with me
Cheek to cheek
There's nobody here
It's just you and me
It's where I wanna be
But I hardly know this beauty by my side
I'll never forget the way you look tonight
I never will forget the way you look tonight
The lady in red
My lady in red 2
There were tears in Blaine's eyes as Jax finally pulled away from her. He knew he'd gotten to her. He gently raised his thumb to brush her tear away, and he asked, "Will you indulge me one more dance?"
"You know I will!" she answered as she lay her head again upon his chest, positioned over his beating heart, which, she noticed, had quickened its pace. As the music began playing the pieces of the puzzle began to come together . . . it took her a minute to recognize the song . . .
When are you gonna come down
When are you going to land
I should have stayed on the farm
I should have listened to my old man
You know you can't hold me forever
I didn't sign up with you
I'm not a present for your friends to open
This boy's too young to be singing the blues
So goodbye yellow brick road . . . 3
"I KNEW it!!" she exclaimed.
"Of course you did!! When are you ever going to turn off that incessant reasoning and allow me the extreme pleasure and challenge of surprising you??? When did you figure it out?"
"It was the red shoes!"
"That soon?? I at least expected to get to Leo the Lion!!"
They had stopped dancing and were just standing there smiling face to smiling face. "Well, it's the writer in me -- always trying to figure out why something is here, or where something fits! You seem to be missing a few reference points though!"
"Oh, you think so?" he asked slyly. "And, just what would those be?"
"Um, the wicked witch?"
"House fell on her -- no witch." he answered, shaking his head.
"Glenda?"
"Clarice was in pink, so you missed one genius!!"
"The munchins?"
"As you told me earlier, don't go there!!"
"Ok, what about the obvious? Tin man, the Scarecrow, who Dorothy was going to miss most of all, and Toto? Got an answer for those??" she challenged.
"As a matter of fact, I do!" he responded with a great air of satisfaction. "There is no Toto -- an oversight that couldn't be helped! I'm the Tin Man, note the silver in my tie, and my desperate need of oil, accompanied with vinegar of course -- and I'm definitely in search of a heart . . . namely yours," he whispered in her ear as his hot breath sent chills rippling over her skin.
"You forgot about the Scarecrow," she reminded him, although quite distracted herself.
"No I didn't! I've saved the best for last . . . " he let his words trail has he led her by the hand out of the dining room, down the corridor and into their stateroom, which was aglow with the lights of many, many candles.
She looked around but couldn't figure out what any of this had to do with the Scarecrow.
"I got you this time, didn't I?" he looked so smug as he said it.
"Ok, I give. You're idea of a Scarecrow is completely lost on me!"
"We're going to 'hit the hay'!!!" he laughed, "I know it's a little lame," he said as he let go of her hand and layed back on the bed, his eyes were inviting her to join him as he spoke so softly to her, "but I promise I'll send you over the rainbow."
Blaine kicked off her ruby red slippers and took him up on his offer!
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1 "Something About The Way You Look Tonight", by Elton John
2 "The Lady in Red", by Chris Deburgh,
3 "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", by Elton John