Джерри Хилл - Gulf Breeze

"Okay. How about something simple? Rum or bourbon and coke? That'll do."

Pat handed over the rest of her hot chocolate and turned back to the TV, watching the radar image that was up. They were in for a lot of rain. Even if the storm moved east, like she was hoping, they would still be hit. The entire gulf was covered by the storm.

"Doesn't look good," Carly said.

"No."

Pat looked up and took the drink Carly offered, then smiled as Carly sat down beside her again. This was nice. It was also the first time they had spent any significant time totally alone.

"What would you be doing if you weren't here?" Carly asked.

"Tonight?"

"No. I mean, what do you normally do in the evenings?"

"Oh. You mean, in my previous life before I agreed to become your photography slave?"

Carly grinned. "Yes. Before you became my slave."

Pat leaned back, and sipped from her drink. It beat the hell out of the hot chocolate. What would she be doing? Nothing nearly as much fun.

"I used to go to The Brown Pelican, a local dive on the island. Their great claim to fame is pool tournaments."

"Are you any good?"

"Of course. I've won my share. Some of the guys there think we're best buds. They always think they can outdo me with Tequila shots. Something I'm very proud of," she said sarcastically. She sounded pathetic, she knew.

Carly watched the expression on Pat's face change. She wondered why Pat was embarrassed.

"Do you date much?"

"Date?"

Carly smiled. "You know, women…go out, that sort of thing."

"No, not really. I never met anyone I wanted to spend that much time with," she said. "Or maybe they just didn't want to spend time with me. Because, you know, I've been called arrogant, obnoxious and a jerk, among other things."

"Of all the things I wish I could take back, I would take back calling you a jerk," Carly teased.

"But arrogant and obnoxious fit?"

"Okay. I'll take back obnoxious, too."

Pat nodded. "Okay, I can live with that."

"How old are you? You never said."

"Carly, you know you're never supposed to ask a woman her age. Surely you know that."

"I'll say thirty-five."

"Are you trying to offend me? I don't look thirty-five."

"Tell me."

"I'm thirty-six," Pat finally said, causing Carly to laugh.

"Is this where I'm to say that you don't look anywhere near thirty-six?"

"That would be the proper thing to say. Especially if you're trying to win points with me. And I would say you don't look a day over twenty-five. See how that works?"

"You are so full of shit," Carly said.

"That's because I know you're thirty-two."

"Let me guess. Elsa?"

"Of course. She loves to talk."

"Yes, I know." Carly glanced at Pat, watching the smile leave her face. She seemed depressed, and she hated to use that word to describe Pat. She was always so upbeat about everything.

"You've had some sort of relationship, surely. Why won't you tell me?" Carly asked again.

Pat shrugged. "I really haven't. At first, I was young and out there, you know. And please don't call me conceited, but…"

"You had your pick of women?" Carly guessed. And why not? She was beautiful. She could imagine a younger Pat walking into a bar, scanning the crowd for a woman willing to go home with her, just because of her looks.

"Something like that. That's when I realized that women could care less about me or my personality, they just wanted to be seen with me. And God, that sounds conceited," she admitted. "I'm sorry."

"You're very attractive, Pat. That's not something you can hide…or deny. You shouldn't have to apologize for your looks."

"No, but I've always had a hard time believing women when they came on to me."

"So you tried your best to be obnoxious and arrogant and see who would run from you and who wouldn't?"

"Well, it was a strategy, at least. But honestly, I've been physically attracted to women over the years, but not really emotionally. I just never met anyone that I wanted to get to know on a more personal level…other than just the physical part. And that's why Angel and Lannie were teasing me. They've tried to set me up with plenty of women and I never bring the same one around twice."

Carly smiled sadly, wondering at the loneliness this woman has endured most of her life. Not only from her parents, her family, but also from not having the intimacy of a relationship. And sadly, she could relate. It had been so many years since her disastrous relationship with Carol ended and she was no better than Pat. But at least she had her family.

"But you know, I can't really lump you in that category," Pat said. Carly looked up and Pat immediately captured her eyes. "I'm attracted to you physically, of course. You know that. But you're the first person I've really wanted to spend time with. You're the first person that I've felt…connected to."

"I won't deny that I'm attracted to you, Pat. In fact, I'm happier when you're here than when you're not." She swallowed hard, her voice catching, but she didn't pull her eyes away. "But I don't know what you want from me," she finished in a whisper.

"I want your heart," Pat said softly.

"I can't give you that, Pat. I won't ever be able to give you that. I might give you some, but I would have to keep some back, for myself. Pat, I nearly didn't make it after Carol. But you, with you, I don't think I could recover."

"I'm sorry, but I want all of it," Pat said. "Every bit of your heart. But that's okay. Because I want to give you all of mine. And I've never given mine away before."

Carly felt tears gather in her eyes and she blinked them away. She reached out and took Pat's hand, pulling it into her lap.

"You say things like that…and I want so to believe you," she whispered.

"Carly, if there's one thing you can believe, it's that I'll be honest with you. Always."

"You scare the hell out of me, you know. I don't seem to have any defense for you."

Pat moved until she was facing Carly, their knees brushing. Her eyes still held Carly captive and she reached out, brushing the blonde hair away from her face.

"Please don't kiss me, Pat," Carly whispered even as her eyes dropped to Pat's lips. "I'm too weak."

"It's not like I have a choice, Carly."

The lips that touched hers were so soft, so gentle that Carly whimpered. She felt her hands slide up Pat's arms to her shoulders, felt herself pull Pat closer. Suddenly their kiss turned hungry, mouths opening, tasting. Carly didn't try to control the hunger inside of her. She had wanted to kiss Pat this way for weeks. She wouldn't deny herself now.

But it was Pat who pulled away and Carly felt the loss immediately. She looked at Pat, her eyes questioning.

"If we don't stop now, I'm going to drag you into your bedroom and I don't think you're ready for that," Pat said.

"Why must you always leave me wanting a cold shower?"

"Because I want to make love to you like no one ever has," Pat said. "And I want you to be sure. I don't want you to tell me this was a mistake in the morning. And because I want you to give me your heart."

"You're asking the impossible. I can only give you my body."

"Then we're going to be taking cold showers."

Carly smiled at that and leaned forward and touched Pat's lips again, this time gently, without the hunger that was simmering just under the surface.

"So you really are trying to drive me crazy," she murmured. "I should have known."

Pat stood up and pulled Carly to her feet. She wanted to hold her. She drew Carly into her arms, holding her with all the tenderness she had never offered another soul. She felt Carly melt into her, felt her arms slide around her shoulders, felt the lips that moved over her neck. She moved her head, taking Carly's lips again. The fire between them ignited and she felt Carly's hips press into her own. She grasped Carly's hips, holding her firmly against her and she moaned. God, she wanted this woman. Never in her life had she wanted someone like this. Before she could stop herself, her hands slid to Carly's waist, then higher, cupping Carly's breasts.