because you give it power," she said in a soft voice.
"It’s visible because it is there." He caught her hand and removed it. "You are perfect, beautiful, and flawless so you don't understand."
"Not all scars are as visible as yours. You are a handsome man with a scar and the story of a lifetime. When your chapter in history closes, it will be anything but boring. If you think about it from that perspective, then all is well."
“How about this perspective? I think you are extremely beautiful and this evening is the most fun I have had with a dinner date in a long time.”
“I’m flattered. I’m having a good time, as well.”
“Excellent,” he said. “So a third date is not out of the question.”
“Third?” she asked.
“Well, breakfast and now this. Besides, if I say this is our second date, then maybe I can get away with doing this.”
He leaned towards her, hesitant for only a second. His mouth touched hers gently. He lightly kissed the sides of her mouth. His hands were on the sides of her face. His thumbs passed slowly over the smooth skin of her cheek, across her face, hands moving gently and he slowly fanned out his gentle caress to her ears. He brushed away loose strands of her hair and as he did so, he heard a soft sigh escape her lips.
James wanted to pull her across his lap and explore every inch of her. He held himself in check for now, unsure how she might react. His tongue moved lightly across her lips. She sighed again and he felt her hot breath against his lips. He gently captured her upper lip between his and she moved closer to him.
James expected her to close her eyes. In his experience women did not take kindly to his scar this close. She didn’t close her eyes, though. This excited and encouraged him. He turned his attention to her bottom lip. It was then that she put her hands on his shoulders. He felt them slide across his back.
"Don't," he said simply as he clamped his hands over hers and removed them.
She looked at him as if he had done the unthinkable. Her lips were slightly parted and she looked flushed and embarrassed. She stood up quickly, pulling her hands from his.
"I have to go," she said.
"I'm sorry," he said.
"No need to apologize. If you will find your driver, I'll get my coat."
"Willow -."
"Dinner was good."
"Please, let me..."
"James, please. Let's just call it a night."
James could not look at her. He felt like an idiot. He got up and went to the telephone just inside the kitchen. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door; the driver had arrived. They didn’t talk all through the wait for the driver. He busied himself clearing the wine glasses and the dessert plates while she rummaged through her purse for whatever she might have misplaced.
He stood awkwardly as Giles waited at the front door.
"Thanks for dinner," she said.
"I, I...” He hesitated. What could he say? He wanted to kiss her. She had kissed him back. And that moment had gone from sweet to embarrassing and awkward in a heartbeat. He knew it was his fault. “Thank you for coming."
"Good night."
Chapter 4
Willow glanced at the number on caller id. It was him. She looked away remembering the last evening. She was certain if he allowed it, she would not have spent the night alone. Heat rose to her face at her embarrassment. What did he think of her?
The liberal side of her that liked to think it lived by a world-be-damned attitude, immediately tried to console her. She turned back to the laptop and tried to concentrate on the task in front of her.
She supposed he must have dialed at least three times in succession before giving up. She hit the mute button, plugged in her iPod and locked out the world.
James was disappointed when she didn’t answer. He wanted to explain his actions last night. He had no idea what she was thinking but he guessed whatever it was, couldn’t be good.
He was good at masking his emotions, at not letting himself go, especially when he knew there was no tomorrow. It felt different with her. It felt like they’d already had many yesterdays and tomorrow was more than a possibility. James no was no believer in love at first sight, but he knew without a doubt, he was in love with her. He knew he was