Winnie stood in her dark kitchen – heart pounding. She knew her breaker had just blown, her mind could explain it, but in her heart it was so much more. Her possible futures suddenly exploded in a thousand new directions. Should she call him right now? Wouldn’t that be incredibly awkward? She should wait until morning. This was her head talking. Her heart – her internal compass – had already made up her mind.
So while her mind fretted, her feet, riding a lava swell of hope, moved her to the front door – just in case – she opened it.
There he stood, in the rain, soaked to the skin, his linen shirt clinging to his broad chest and shoulders. He was silhouetted by his headlights, and it wasn’t until the timer turned them off that she could see his face.
She said nothing, but gently took his hand and pulled him in. It was the smallest token of affection, but the first she had shown with such deliberate intent.
He shut the door behind him.
“Aren’t you the guy who fixes breakers?” she said, looking up at him through the tops of her eyes.
“I am,” he managed a faint smile, cautious, waiting to see how this was going to play out.
“You’re all wet,” she said – her voice small and distant.
Her eyes moved from his eyes to his body and she gently extended her hand – caressing the edge of the placket on his shirt.
His breathing quickened. He raised his own hands, took hers, and pressed against his wet chest. She could feel it rise and fall with every breath – so alive.
“You can’t tempt me like this,” his voice was husky. “You know how I feel about you.”
“Tell me,” she said.
He looked her over, sizing up his own emotions.
“This morning I wanted to change your mind, now I just want you. I want to know what you think, and what you feel, how you came to be, and where you’re headed, because I can’t predict anything about you. Every time you open your mouth you surprise me… and make me smile. You’re the most honest person I’ve ever met. And this is the truest emotion I’ve ever felt”
Her eyes softened and head tilted.
“And if you spin around one more time in that little sundress” He added “I’m gonna have to take it off you.”
Her mouth fell open.
“But you made a promise to yourself,” he continued. “You said we’d be a mistake.”
“A mistake?” she raised her eyebrows. “Well then,” her breathing quickened as she gathered her own resolve.
“I’m about to do the dumbest thing I can think of,” she said with just a hint of a mischievous grin.
Her eyes moved from his chest to his eyes, her hand clasped tightly around his and she walked backwards, leading him into the living room.
He followed – eyes intent on her. She raised herself up on her tiptoes and simultaneously pulled his head down to meet her. He helped remedy their height difference by placing his hands under her arms and lifting her. She instinctively wrapped her legs around him, her sundress bunching up around her waist.
They shared a moment – face to face – to mutually acknowledge their newfound intimacy. She drew in a breath and moved her lips toward his.