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"Thank you, Sheriff." she smiled up into his face.
Content that everything was going to work out, she went to the door and stared out, leaning against the door frame.
When she heard a howl, she tensed once more and stood erect, waiting to hear the noise again. He came to stand in front of her, "As long as you've gone that far, I can't see any harm in enjoying it a little...." He tipped her chin up and suddenly he was kissing her like no man had ever kissed her. Long breathless kisses that left her weak and pliant and wanting more as his lips feathered her neck he whispered, "The first thing you have to remember about flirting, is not to melt into a man's arms."
"I can't seem to help it...Ben." she barely whispered. "I'm not experienced at flirting."
He gasped.
Her chest rose and fell against his, and he groaned.
When he pulled away to stare into her face she barely got his name out before he gathered her to him and kissed her again. This time his tongue darted against her lips and she opened for him. She was lost in his arms. Never had a kiss tasted so good, and she matched his dueling tongue and gave herself to the moment. She felt like a piece of chocolate, melting little by little with each thrust of his tongue.
His hands moved up and down her, and then he felt her shiver.
"Are you cold....?"
She tried to pull away, but he held her at arm’s distance, "I wish I were...."
It was as though her words ignited him, he pulled her gently into the circle of his arms, as his lips feathered hers over and over.
But this time, she pushed him away, panting as she spoke. "I can't help that I melt in your arms Ben...I can't help that I respond to your kisses. But...it's all wrong and we both know it. I've just come from a near wedding. Just broken it off with another man. I'm not senseless. I'm attracted to you. But, you don't want what I do. You've been honest. So let's stop this madness...between us."
His smile curled around her like a warm vapor, "It's not madness, honey, it's life. It's a man wanting a woman. And a woman wanting a man. It's nature."
"I won't be your toy, so this goes no further," she said bravely, wishing she could wipe his frown away, knowing she shouldn't.
He stiffened, and moved away.
"Let me get this straight, you're saying you aren't interested in an affair, or a fling. You want the whole nine yards. Wedding bells, is that it? Even though you just ran out on one guy."
"Don't mock me, Ben. But, yes, that's it. And I know you don't want the whole nine yards. I appreciate your honesty, it makes it a little easier. So there is absolutely no reason to get involved."
He leaned against the door jam and studied her long and hard. "You are one hard woman to figure, Savannah. But no man is going to marry you without getting to know you a little."
Savannah felt a deep flush, "That's true, but you've made yourself very clear on the subject and I see no reason to extend our relationship any further. I've been hone
st too. I want a home, a family, a life. You don't. So we shouldn't flirt with trouble."
He stared through the darkness at her, "Oh you've laid your cards on the table alright, but it doesn't explain that little trip to the saloon, now does it? You went in there trying to get picked up by a couple of cowboys that certainly had no intention of marriage on their minds. If you really mean what you say, you should act like it."
Savannah hung her head, "I know that was out of character for me. I've never been good at just simply flirting. I've seen my friends flirt, nothing like that ever happened to them. It looked so easy. But I guess I'm just not fickle enough to pull it off right. Chad hurt my ego a little, you don't understand. I was trying to prove something to myself. I did, I can't change what I am. I want the hearts and flowers and wedding bells, Ben. So don't belittle me. I can't help it. I've faced the fact that marriage is something I really want. Some women want careers; want fame, money, glory. I simply want a good marriage."
She looked over at him, "Is that so wrong?"
There was a short silence, then Ben nodded, "Not wrong, Savannah, I just think you are going about it the wrong way."
"That's the problem; I don't know how to go about it at all. I thought I knew Chad inside and out. I dated him for years, we had such plans. We cared about each other, we still do. But…I didn't know him…like I should have. Until one day I realized I didn't know him at all. How can you think you know someone so well, and be such a fool? And how can you know someone else so little, and yet…know them."
Ben pushed his hat away and came closer. "Maybe it's not how long you know someone, but how well."
"Yeah...maybe. Well, I know you. I know what you don't want. But I guess…I don't know what you do want. You’re a puzzle to me too."
"And Savannah," he said, reaching to pull her chin up, he murmured, "You didn't fail at flirting; you just didn't have the right man for the job. Innocent flirting is alright, but you gotta know who you are flirting with and how far to take it."
Flashing lights interrupted them. She just stood there, too weak to move or react.
Coming to her senses she mumbled to herself, "I'm in big trouble, now!"
