Because the weather had cleared up, Sean put the top down on the jeep. We drove through the city and across the Golden Gate Bridge to the Marin Headlands. The beautiful area on the Marin side of the bridge was rich in history. At one time, various parts along the coast had military fortifications. As we walked along the old military bunkers, I turned to say something to Sean and found him looking at me. “What?”
He shook his head. “Nothing. You were going to say something?”
“I was going to say I like imagining what it all would have been like before all the people arrived — vast, wild, and untamed. I mean, look at this rugged coastline. Can you imagine what the first explorers thought when they got here and found they still hadn’t reached the end and there was still more land across the water?” Sean was starring again. “What? Okay, I guess I sound like a dork. Never mind.” We had been standing on the top of the bunker, and as I turned to walk away my foot slipped off the edge and I started to fall. Sean quickly grabbed me, pulling me away from the edge and into his arms.
That stupid, stupid gong went off again in my head as I looked up at those shimmering green eyes. I meant to say thanks. I wanted to say something. Anything! But I couldn’t speak. Sean gently eased himself away from me. I tried to read the look on his face but it was clear to me he wasn’t hearing the same gong I was. I mumbled my thanks and headed to the car.
For the life of me I could not see why I found this man appealing. Since I had arrived on the scene a few weeks ago, he had spent the majority of that time glaring at me. Was that it? He was unobtainable, therefore I wanted him? Sounded reasonable to me. But how to put a stop to this? I mean, we weren’t even on a date. I was paying my own way. We were just sort of friends going out. But when I had looked into those damnable green eyes of his, I felt like I was drowning. God help me, I needed a life raft — quick!
We drove around a bit more before going to the movie. Having spent his whole life in San Francisco, Sean knew quite a bit about its history. We even joined the line of cars that had to traverse the world’s crookedest street, Lombard Street. A beautiful but expensive curvy street that seems to embody what San Francisco is like — a bit on the odd side, but colorful, eccentric, and unique. I wondered if the folks who lived in the extravagant homes along its curved edges got tired of the constant stream of traffic and tourists? Sean and I chuckled at the number of tourists who switched off cameras with other tourists to make sure everyone got in the picture.
As we headed back toward the movie theater we took some of the same route I had run earlier that morning and I mentioned this to Sean.
“I didn’t know you liked to run. I know Mason runs several miles a day. Pretty much every morning, like clockwork. I like to run along the Marina with a dip in the ocean sometimes.”
I looked at him as if he was nuts. “A dip in the ocean? You actually voluntarily swim in that cold water?” I shivered. “William and I surfed when we lived in Santa Cruz but even then I wore a wet suit.”
“Wet suits are for wimps,” he teased.
“Yes, well, then I must be a big wimp because I don’t like cold water. Maybe I need to live somewhere tropical?”
“Where would you live if you could? If money were no object; where would you live?”
I had to really think about that. Home had been where I hung my hat. I had never been one for dreams about what ifs. William had been a big enough dreamer for both of us. “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it. How about you?” I was hoping to steer the conversation away from me. “Where would you live?”
“A few years ago, my brother Ryan and I — Ryan is the oldest — we took a car trip. Packed up and drove mostly east. We ended up camping in the Shoshone National Forest. It’s on the edge of Yellowstone. We’d hiked in for several miles and had basically fallen into our sleeping bags right after making camp. I woke up early the next morning and when I stepped out of the tent and looked out over the basin we had camped above, I damn near dropped to my knees in awe. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything so beautiful. The sun was just rising behind me and the valley was filled with a whirling white bank of fog. I swear it looked like I could walk out right on it and not fall through. Then the fog’s edges started pulling back and the green basin below was breathtaking. I took tons of pictures but I it didn’t do it justice. But of course, it being National Forest I don’t think I am going to be able to buy property there.” He laughed. “But I have a place all picked out up in Oregon. It sits on the edge of the Ochoco Mountains right before it turns into grasslands. You can see herds of antelope wandering out there.”
I watched Sean’s face while he talked. His eyes lit up as he described his adventure. If it were possible, his eyes turned greener. Maybe it was just the play of sunlight across his hair and face. Whatever it was, it took my breath away. I had to force myself to look in the opposite direction so that I might be able to breathe again. What the hell was going on with me? I had never lost my breath before just looking at a man.
“Laney?”
“Huh? I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“I was asking where you were. You seemed so lost in thought. Have you thought of a place to live?”
“No. I live where I am. That’s always been enough for me.”
“Really? No dreams?”
“What is with all these questions?” I was feeling uncomfortable and at odds trying to not let my tongue run off with my dreams. I had them buried deep inside me and that was good enough. “I thought we were going to a movie, not an inquisition.”
He shook his head as he turned into the parking lot of the theater.
“Woman, I swear, you are at times, the most exasperating person in the world!”
I got out and slammed the door. “Good!”
Sean just shook his head at me but held his tongue. It seemed he was making a much better attempt at not starting an argument than I was.
Once inside the theatre, I got a soda and some popcorn and sat down, propping my feet up on the seat in front of me. Sean sat down next to me with a bottle of water. He turned sideways to look at me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “Laney about earlier,” His fingers began to play with my hair.
“Look, I … ” The seat to my other side rattled as Mike Taylor sat down and handed me a yellow rose.
“I’m so sorry I was late. Somehow the distributor cap came off my truck.” I raised an eyebrow at him. “I tried calling Muldoon’s but I didn’t get any answer. Can you give a guy another chance?”
Sean’s hand had tightened on my shoulder.
“Sure, I guess so,” I said. “Thanks for the rose.”
Mike leaned forward and looked around me to Sean. “Thanks buddy,” he said with great emphasis. “Thanks for taking Laney out. I think I’ve got it from here.”
Sean smiled at Mike. “No problem. Oh look, the movie is starting.” Sean settled back in his seat with a grin.
Something was going on here. I was having difficulty reading Mike and Sean, but I could definitely feel a tension between the two men. It was forgotten once the movie started. I mean, come on, James Bond was on the screen and I only had eyes for him. Well, okay, maybe him and the whole adventure of the movie. I have a keen sense of imagination and have often wondered what it would be like to have a grand adventure of daring, life on the edge, and all. Of course, some people might have considered my life in the streets living on the edge. I just considered it living on the fringes of society. True, I had been arrested for B&E but it was never prosecuted. I hadn’t done it, but I knew who had. Wrong though it may have been, I wouldn’t give them up. Thankfully there had not been enough evidence to convict me. Sure, I’d pandered. Hell, I was fifteen, cold, and hungry. California isn’t always palm trees and sunshine. Thankfully, the cop who busted me got me into a shelter. I had a place to stay for a while and I was able to get my
diploma. I had refused to give out any information to him about my family so getting me enrolled in a school hadn’t been easy. Somehow, he pulled some strings and I graduated among the top ten in my class.
He also taught me to defend myself. He was the closest thing to a parent I had ever known. I wasn’t the only kid he helped out with food, shelter, or some basic self-defense lessons. He was realistic enough to know that his help was only for the short term and that most of those living on the streets would return to the streets: if one of us got ahead in the game, then so much the better. It was one less kid heading for the morgue.
I dragged my thoughts back to the movie at hand and realized that Sean’s hand was still on my shoulder and still absently playing with my hair. I say absently, since I glanced over at him and he seemed to be intent on the movie.
Mike leaned in close to my ear and whispered. “I love this part.”
I had not realized he had already seen the movie and I was curious as to how he knew which movie theater I was at. I turned my head to ask him only to find his lips a hairsbreadth from mine. His eyes looked into mine and he smiled and looked at my mouth and then back to my eyes. I would have to be as dead as a doornail to not know what he was thinking.
Sean’s hand moved from my shoulder to my neck and all at once I felt like I was in the middle of a tennis match and I was the ball. Love thirty anyone? I set my drink down and placing my hands on their knees I pinched hard causing them to both yelp. “Enough!”
I stood up, grabbed my drink, and climbed over into the seat in front of me. I decided a bit more distance was necessary and climbed over one more row before settling down to finish watching the movie. I’d paid for the damn thing and I was going to watch it. I was not going to be bounced back and forth between their egos. They could both sit and spin for all I cared.
“Asshole,” Mike loudly whispered to Sean.
“Bite me,” Sean whispered back and both of them received shushing noises from the few people in the theater. I didn’t even bother to stifle a laugh.
I managed to ignore them throughout the remainder of the movie and the credits. I always sat through the credits. Those makers, gaffers, and stunt people were the unsung heroes of the movie industry so I figured they deserved some recognition. I stood up then looked back behind me.
“You two still here?” I didn’t wait for an answer, but put on my jacket on and headed out, both of them following me. “Well thanks for the movie, Sean. Mike, thanks for the rose,” and I walked over to the curb to hail a cab.
“Come on, Laney. I can give you a ride home,” Mike said.
“Yeah sure, in what? Your magic carpet?” Sean said to Mike. I watched Mike turn on Sean with barely restrained violence. “If you’re the one who messed with my truck then you’re the one I’ll kick the crap out of.” Sean cocked his head as if to say, go for it. Mike moved forward to take that dare and security stepped in between them.
Good grief, this was ridiculous. I was not going to hang around and wait for the children to play nice, so I started walking home. There were no cabs to be seen but I was pretty sure I’d find a bus stop before long. The streets became less business and residential and more run-down as I walked along. Before too long, I realized I was lost and turned around to backtrack to the theatre. Two dark shapes moved from the shadows down the street and started toward me. I didn’t wait to find out if they were friend or foe; I did an about face, ran up the street a couple of blocks, then quickly ducked down an alleyway.
I stepped back into the shadows and waited to catch my breath and see if they had managed to follow me. Probably not one of the smartest things I could have done. I soon realized this, when a grimy hand covered my mouth from behind and a strong arm slid across my throat. Fear shot through me as I was pulled backward, deeper down the alley. All the self-defense training I had done raced through my head. Unfortunately, it was all at once and combined with the fear, I couldn’t get my muscles to do squat. A fat lot of good all those bruises and cracked ribs did when I had been training.
The arm across my throat moved to my waist and I heard the audible click of a knife being flicked open. “Scream and I will cut you.” My attacker had the voice of a rat and the stench of a garbage can. Funny what runs through your head when the sharp point of a knife sticks into your ribcage.
I nodded my head to indicate I wouldn’t scream. My muscles were already lax and I was shaking like a leaf. No need to fake it, I was scared. He moved in front of me removing his hand from my mouth and shoving me hard, back against a wall. His hand moved to my throat and he waved a knife in front of me. “Let’s see what you got for me? Give me your money, sweetheart and I promise not to hurt you.” His voice moved along my spine like a cheese grater.
I knew he was lying. I was finally able to get my brain to get over this scared crap and get in gear. I nodded and slowly unzipped my jacket to reach inside. “Easy now, girl. No tricks.” The knife hovered near my face, as he moved closer to me.
I shook my head as his hand tightened on my throat. My heart was going a mile a minute and so was my breathing. It was now, or never. My attacker heard a noise behind him and turned his head away for one second. I brought my knee up into his balls, raised my arm up to block the descending knife arm and with my other hand grabbed his hand at my throat and twisted it. His knees gave out but he didn’t fall to the ground as he grunted in pain and doubled over some. It figures. I get an attacker that has balls of steel. I had his left wrist in a lock but the knife arm was coming around again. As I used his own arm to turn him away, he kicked out with his foot at my knee.
I quickly let go of him, dodging the kick. Moving away from the wall, he came at me again, swinging the knife at my face. I let it go by and kicked him in the gut. This had some effect as he doubled over. Finally, I thought; but I was wrong. He was only faking it. He rose up quickly and backhanded me, ass over teakettle, into a trash can. Somehow I still managed to get back up before he got too close. Tasting blood in my mouth, I smiled at him, now I was pissed. The man and I squared off, a little more leery about the other’s abilities.
“Come on, asshole. I ain’t got all night to wait for you.” I hoped that if I goaded him enough he would do something stupid. But he just smiled, licked his lips, and shifted the knife to his other hand.
Over the man’s shoulder, Mike and Sean came into the alley. Sean started to run forward but Mike stopped him.
“Hey, Laney, you done yet?” Mike casually asked. Thankfully this was the diversion I needed for “asshole” to turn away to see who was talking. I grabbed the metal lid off a trash can and hit him in the knife arm and then in the head. Finally, he dropped like a rock, as did I. I fell to my knees and started trying to breathe normally again. Sean ran over and hauled me up, his hands moving firmly over my arms and then up to my face. “You okay?” His hands were gentle as his thumb wiped blood from my lip. All I could do was nod. I’m not sure what had me more speechless, the look of fear in his eyes or the whole past ten minutes. Mike kicked the guy on the ground for good measure and took out his cell phone and called the cops. Sean handed me over to Mike. “I am going to run back to the theater and get my car.” Sean gently touched my face again. “You’ll be okay.” I wanted to tell him of course I’d be okay, as he ran off, but my brain had not reengaged yet.
“Nice job,” Mike said. “I think you might need some more practice. But not bad.” I muttered “thanks,” and leaned back against the wall, my knees still shaking.
The cops showed up and chaos ensued for a few minutes as they got my attacker off the ground and took my statement. Eventually we were all allowed to leave and we got in Sean’s car. Sean dropped Mike off at his house first. Mike stopped by the passenger side and looked at me. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” He leaned in and lightly kissed me, his eyes watching me. Straightening up, he flipped Sean off and sauntered away. Lovely. The war was still o
n. Sean pulled away and we drove in silence for a few minutes.
“Go ahead,” I say to Sean.
“What?”
“Aren’t you going to scold me? Chastise me for running off?”
“Nope.”
“No?”
“Nope.”
“Okay. Good.”
“I’m just going to let Tommy do it.” He began whistling.
“Don’t you dare tell Tommy! Damn it, Sean, I handled it fine.” Sean abruptly swerved to the curb, ignoring the honking horns behind him, threw the car into park and turned to look at me. Fury had now replaced the fear in his eyes. “Damn it, Laney! You could have been hurt. Maybe killed.”
“Piss off, Sean.” I grabbed the door handle to get out, but that was as far as I got. Sean reached over, grabbed the front of my jacket, and hauled me across the center console.
“Damn you, I don’t want this!” he growled, as his lips descended on mine.
Okay, whatever he just said about not wanting this was a lie. His kiss, a mix of passion and ferocity, said he wanted it; and the molten heat that was now pouring through my veins said I wanted it, too. Even though there was this small weak voice yelling in my brain to resist, I ignored it. I had never had heat move through me like this. His lips plundered mine with strength and skill. When I tried to draw in a breath his tongue touched mine and I moaned in spite of myself.
With an oath he let go of my jacket and shoved me back into my seat, threw the car back into gear, and left a strip of rubber as he pulled away from the curb. I don’t know what hurt worse, my pride or my mouth. It hurt from the slap I had received from “asshole” and now felt bruised from Sean’s kiss.
We said nothing to each other for the remaining ten minutes it took to get back to Muldoon’s. As soon as he pulled up to the house I got out and slammed the door.
“Laney. Wait.” Sean quickly came around the car and grabbed my arm. I swung out and my fist solidly connected with his jaw. He staggered back a full two feet and then his ass hit the ground.
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