Sunday Morning Interlude

Author's note: To my Editor...thank you for your candor and pitch perfect guidance. To my Girls...keep being awesome. And finally to the Stray...this is your fault, dammit. I wasn't supposed to write another one of these things!

Stephen looked out the window. The rain was coming down harder. A mere twenty minutes ago, it was cloudy, but not threatening. However, the soft staccato of the drizzle turned into the hammering of full on storm. A frown furrowed Stephen's brow as the thunder rumbled low. He had hoped that Lindsay had decided to wait the storm out before returning from the bakery down the street.

When they woke up that morning, she bounded into the bathroom, peeked into the shower and asked him what he wanted from Gleason's Bakery. By the time he got out of the shower, she was gone and left a note:

S –

Back in a bit. Breakfast will be in bed. Dress appropriately!

Kisses –

Linds

Rereading the note, he chuckled. He'd never understood the word "energy" until Lindsay came along. She was like a hummingbird on caffeine. Lindsay went through her day with gusto and verve that was unique only to her. Today was a perfect example. Even after coming home late last night from a company function, she was up early buzzing around the house. She mentioned to Stephen that she was jonesing for a blueberry muffin. And despite his best efforts to entice her to stay, Lindsay was raring to go for a walk.

"Forty-five minutes, tops," she said to him amidst the steam of the bathroom.

"You want to wait for me?" Playfully, he flicked water at her. "I can be done shortly."

A laugh that denoted the word "silly" escaped her lips. "Nah...I'm just going to brush my teeth and I'll be off!"

"Or," Stephen said tugging on her hand, "You can help me finish my shower and we can go together." His smile was dangerously flirty.

But she was not swayed. "Nice try...but the smile won't separate me from my blueberry muffin." Lindsay pulled back. "I'll be back here before you know it. We'll curl up in bed with a little breakfast and see where the day takes us." Blowing Stephen a kiss, she backed out of the bathroom. Before exiting, she quipped, "We'll talk about your idea when I get back. After all...we have an entire Sunday to ourselves." With a growl, she disappeared around the corner.

Another low roll of thunder swept across the sky. The sound of rain hitting the roof and the ground was deafening in the quiet house. Looking out the living room window, Stephen crossed his arms in concern. He contemplated hopping into the car and seeing if he could pick Lindsay up at Gleason's.

Just as he was about to dash for his keys, Linsday came sprinting into view down the sidewalk in front of the house. Scrambling to the door after a few precious seconds of comprehension, Stephen realized she had no umbrella. He swung open the door as he heard the clink of her keys hitting the bricks.

"Baby," he exclaimed as he pulled her inside the house. Lindsay was using a bag to cover her head and was obviously soaked through.

She stopped abruptly, "No, wait. The floor."

"You're soaking wet from head to toe and you're worried about the floor?"

"Yes, water stains are a bitch."

That was Lindsay's way. Her mind was always running in a million directions, but focused at the same time. Stephen learned to accept this quirk quickly, in fact, he found it oddly endearing.

Lindsay handed him a soggy, brown mess. "Well, the Sunday paper bit the big one. Luckily, they double-bagged the muffins!"

"I'll take care of it, baby." Stephen appraised her state of distress. Lindsay's thick, shoulder length hair was matted down with water. She looked like a little forlorn puppy with one glaring exception: A smile that went from ear to ear on her angelic face. Nothing ever seemed to faze this woman, even as water dripped down her onto the entry way rug. As she kicked off her tennis shoes, he noticed something. "You went in your pajamas?"

Stripping off her drenched, grey sweatshirt and dropping it to the floor, she whined, "I ruined one of my favorite pairs!" Lindsay straightened herself, "Goodbye pink bunny pajamas." The soft cotton clung to her shapely legs. As Stephen's gaze moved upward, his eyes were glued to her body. The pajamas weren't the only things clinging to her. "OH MY GAWD!" Lindsay hugged herself, "You can see through my shirt!"

"Oh yes, you can!" Stephen whistled as she blushed. As confident as she was, her humble nature got the best of her at times. He teased her, "Now, now. It's not like I haven't seen them before."

Smiling slyly she teased back, "Oh, I'm not shy, buddy. I just don't want to give the whole show away without proper compensation."

"Compensation?" An eyebrow went up.

"Yes. I went out for breakfast, got caught in the rain and YOU get to view the goods?" Hands on her hips, she stared at him incredulously, "Don't think so."

He moved quickly, playfully backing her against the door. "Oh really?" Stephen brushed his lips against hers. Lindsay felt the door press into her. She mewled in weak, half-hearted protest. Stephen's kiss became deeper. He pressed into her mouth without touching her body.

This always got Lindsay going. Sliding his tongue into her willing mouth, Stephen hummed against her lips. He knew exactly what he was doing. Stephen was a masterful kisser and she enjoyed them almost more than anything.

Pulling back and leaving a fleeting peck on her cheek, he heard Lindsay draw a deep breath. Stephen took her face in his hands and held it. He watched, waiting for her to open her bright eyes.

Inhale. Exhale. Open.

"Go dry off," Stephen whispered. "I'll take care of breakfast." Swooping quickly he kissed her neck and murmured mischievously against her skin. "And then...I'll take care of you."

Stephen had pushed all the right buttons. With a twinkle in her eyes, Lindsay challenged him right back. She pulled her shirt up over her head and dropped it on the entryway rug. As she undid the drawstring on her pajama bottoms, Stephen stumbled back a step.

"What are you doing, you crazy girl?" Lindsay didn't answer. She just took off her bottoms. Whistling Stephen eyed her, "Not that I don't mind..."

Without pausing, she slipped off her socks. Piling her clothes neatly on the rug, she walked past Stephen clad only in her panties. She walked up the stairs under his loving gaze. When she hit the halfway point of the staircase, she turned to meet his eyes. It was a heavenly vision. The roundness of her breasts was fully exposed. Lindsay did nothing to hide it. A coy smile cut her face. "Honey, could you toss those wet things in the laundry room?"

"Of course, baby. Anything for you," he replied. Satisfied with his response, Lindsay tossed her damp hair and continued upstairs. Meanwhile, Stephen lingered until the last possible second. There was nothing better in this world than the sight of her body.

He shook his head and Stephen gathered the clothing off the ground. Their constant flirtation was quite the turn on to him. Most women, in his experience, expected to be treated royally. As much as he wanted to do that for her, Lindsay went against the grain. She understood that there was a pleasure to give and take. And as much as she was giving...she was also perfectly willing to take what he was offering.

Dumping the clothing in the laundry room and discarding the soggy mess of the newsprint, Stephen pulled out a breakfast tray. The fleeting vision of her on the staircase, sauntering up the steps and the implicit tone of her wry smile played in his mind. As he set-up a breakfast fit for a Reluctant Princess, the image became sharper in his brain. Clarity of the sight started to set in and he felt himself moving faster. As the sharp smell of brewing coffee began to fill the kitchen, the silverware clinked against the saucers and coffee cups as he put together the tray. In a split second he dropped the sugar bowl. Though Stephen caught it, the bowl had knocked into the creamer which spilled its inky white contents on the counter. His coordination slipping away, Stephen laughed to himself, realizing what was happening. Grabbing a towel, he shook his head. Lindsay always had that effect on him.

It was simple: He couldn't wait to be near her again.

The warm water cascaded down gently over her. Lindsay thought it was much better than being outside. She enjoyed the rain, but the sprint home was a little much. Sighing, Lindsay lathered up her body and relaxed. Closing her eyes, fingers unconsciously went to her lips and her smile broadened.

That kiss. "Damn you. Why do you have to be so good?"

Of course she couldn't imagine her life without Stephen in it. Well she could. She just knew it wouldn't be pleasant. Lindsay knew she was a different person since meeting him. He just brought out something in her.

Shutting off the water, she grabbed a towel. The plush cotton tickled her skin. As Lindsay meticulously dried off, she caught sight of herself in the foggy mirror. Wiping it down, she took a moment to study her visual echo and marveled at the change that had taken place in her. Stephen brought "it" out of her. But "what" was it that did that? In her life, Lindsay couldn't remember feeling so catered to.

Intellectually, they matched well. Their conversations, in her mind, were legendary in their length and breadth. He was very laid back. She saw herself as frenetic and always running around. Stephen never worried. Lindsay was learning the fine art of letting go. Her friends once asked her what exactly made her flip for Stephen. She couldn't really answer.

As Lindsay continued to look at her reflection, her fingertips lightly traced her collarbone. The brush of his kiss at that spot was a specter on her skin. Her cheeks blushed as she remembered his sweet, yet bold gesture.

And that was the "what" that brought out the "it" in Lindsay. He was always so sure of himself. He was always sure about her. Stephen's security in his own skin and his love for Lindsay fueled her drive for him. Admittedly not supermodel material, but next to Stephen she felt unshakable. The blush deepened on her cheek and spread down her face as she joked with her reflection and said aloud, "Unshakable. Yeah. Maybe sometimes."

But there was no denying it. Stephen shook her to the core every single time.

Stephen walked into the bedroom to the strains of Dean Martin fading into the opening bars of a Michael Buble tune. Music was one of Lindsay's passions in life, so the house was always filled with it. As he walked past the closed bathroom door, he chuckled as Lindsay sang along to the music playing; completely unaware she had an audience. He set the breakfast tray on the nightstand. Lindsay's voice sang in fervor with the modern day crooner.

"...dragonfly out in the sun, you know what I mean..."

Folding back the layers of quilting on the bed, Stephen bopped along to the snazzy big band sound and couldn't help but chortle at how into it Lindsay was getting.

"...And this old world is a new world...and a bold world for me..." Lindsay growled and Stephen heard the door unlock.

Quickly, he turned around to watch her enter the room. The horns in the song were building to a crescendo and the saucy Vegas-style interlude popped with attitude. The door flew open and Lindsay burst forth from it dancing.

As she entered the room, she was caught off-guard by Stephen's amused and smiling face looking at her mini-performance. She froze for a split second. In that pause, Stephen thought she had lost her nerve. Thankfully in the next moment, a coy smile and a sly gleam in her eye told him that she hadn't lost her nerve, just gearing up for more.

With ease Lindsay moved with the music as she flirted with him through her dance. Not missing a beat, she came in on time with the words as she strutted in front of Stephen.

"...Stars when you shine, you know how I feel...scent of the pine, you know how I feel..."

Stephen was thoroughly enjoying her free spirited effort. The fact that she was doing it in lacy boxer briefs and a tank top was a bonus. To Stephen, this was when she was at her most beautiful. When she threw caution to the wind and let loose – he could never resist her then.

The big finish was coming near. With every downbeat, Lindsay took a step closer to Stephen. With swaggering hips and open arms, she sang the final strains at the top of her voice, "...It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new life for me..." voice soaring, she encircled his neck with her arms. Lindsay dropped her voice to match the vocal and relished the last line with a sultry stage whisper, "...And I'm feeling...good."

Pulling her into his arms as the song ambled to its end, Stephen kissed her. "All dry and warm?"

Lindsay nodded, "Yeah. And hungry. Let me just get some pants on." She managed to turn around before Stephen's arms enclosed around her waist and held her against him. "Hey! What gives?" Lindsay squirmed in his grasp.

"You don't need pants, sweetie."

"Don't be silly," she giggled.

"You're being silly," Stephen countered as he cradled her in his arms and moved toward the bed. "This is a no pants zone. You put on pajamas; I may have to fine you."

"Fine me then." Lindsay's eyes blazed in defiance. "I'll pay the toll. Just put me down."

Stopping, Stephen went straight-faced. "You sure?" Lindsay nodded. "Okay. Have it your way, baby."

Lindsay felt his arms give way underneath her. Stephen saw the look of shock on her face as she recognized what he had done. A high pitched squeak of surprise was all Lindsay could manage before she hit the bed with a soft thud. Still half-dazed, she propped herself up and glared at a near hysterical Stephen.

"You dirty little..." Lindsay grabbed a pillow and swung at him.

"Oof. Hey! You said you'd pay the toll!" As her assault continued, Stephen ducked a blow and dove at her.

Anticipating his move, Lindsay rolled over to her side of the bed, trying to get off of it. But, Stephen was just a hair too quick. He grabbed at her and a little scuffle ensued. It was a flurry of legs, arms, and chuckles. Despite her feminine wiles, Lindsay was a scrapper. As they rolled around the expanse of the bed, Lindsay managed to free a hand and land a quick shot to Stephen's shoulder.

"Ow! No hitting!" Taking advantage, Lindsay pushed on him. Stephen rolled onto his back and she followed his momentum ending up on top of him. She straddled his body and held his wrists down.

Triumphantly, Lindsay smiled. "What now, Big Man!?"

"You always go for the hit! Why do you have to be so violent?"

"Dude...are you whining? That was a love tap! And do you really want me to tell your friends you got hit by a girl?" Kissing him on the nose, she let go of his wrists. Stephen tickled her lightly on the ribs, but she dodged that as well. "Look, I'll make it up to you," she told him slightly out of breath. "I'll feed you breakfast right here."

Sitting up and cupping her face in his hands, Stephen responded, "Okay, you big bully."

"Yeah...but I'm a sexy bully," Lindsay beamed and reached to the side table for a muffin.

Nestled on his lap Lindsay sat facing him. They alternated between talking about everything, laughing, and feeding each other. Outside, the rain had slowed to a soft tap on the large bay window that dominated the room. The warm, café au lait colored walls seemed to embrace the room's inhabitants. As they sat on the antique wrought iron bed that Lindsay had hunted night and day for, Stephen couldn't help but notice how comfortable it all felt. How easy it all was. How right that is was for her to be sitting there with him. It really didn't get better than this.

Stephen gently stroked the skin on her thighs as Lindsay was finishing up a story about something that happened at work. Having consumed her blueberry muffin and a cup of coffee, Lindsay's hands were freed of constraints. Sitting back against the pillows and headboard, he smiled watching the light in her eyes dance and her hands animatedly communicating with him.

"...so I couldn't really believe that Paul was asking us to do such a..." Lindsay cocked her head to one side. "What's so funny?"

Caught a bit off guard, Stephen asked, "I'm sorry, what was that, honey?"

"You were smiling at me with a look on your face. What are you thinking about?"

Reaching out and stroking her cheek, he simply replied, "How good is it to be us right now?" A quizzical look was his response. He then leaned in and kissed her. "I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather be than in this bed with you."

"Stephen," Lindsay said shyly, a blush creeping across her face, "sometimes you're just too perfect."

"Oh, really? Is that bad?"

"Maybe," she whispered staring straight into his gaze.

"Would you rather I be an asshole?" They shared a laugh, both fully knowing that wasn't the case.

Lindsay placed both hands on his chest, playing with the soft cotton of his t-shirt. Leaning forward, she rested her forehead on his and said, "You know...I wasn't looking to be saved or anything. I mean, I'm a pretty independent girl, you know?" Stephen nodded, not sure where Lindsay was going with this, "I can take care of myself. And I sure as hell didn't need a knight in shining armor. But..."

What exactly was she trying to explain? Sometimes she felt that he was really too perfect...too perfect for her. Lindsay searched for the words, but failed to find them. All her life she took care of things on her own. Then he walked into her life. And it was a surprise that he wanted to take care of her.

Sensing the loss of words, he interjected into the silence. "Linds?" She looked up at him. "You're too perfect for words."

"Okay," she chuckled, "now you're being cavalier." Lindsay leaned back, still trying to articulate herself.

"I am not being inconsiderate or demeaning," Stephen pulled her back to him, kissing her lips and distracting her. Succeeding at that, he moved his lips to her cheek and breathed, "You think I'm being arrogant, haughty, or careless?"

His warm breath on her skin gave her that heady feeling a couple glasses of Shiraz would give when relaxing after work. A little part of her was frustrated; Lindsay was trying to say something. "Stephen," a nip on her ear was the reply. She brought her hands up to push away.

"Baby, just relax." His voice rumbled low in her ear. Stephen captured her wrists in his hands deftly and settled them at her sides. He loved this woman for her incredible personality and light...but sometimes he wished she would just let go. He moved to the side of her neck with his kisses, "You don't need to say anything. Let's just enjoy this."

"I...but...Stephen..." Lindsay's voice trailed away as he let go of her. His capable hands traced up both her arms. It was an incredible feeling to her. Stephen's kisses were trailing down her to her collarbone while his hands made their way up her arms. The tiny hairs on the back of neck raised themselves in anticipation.

When his hands got to Lindsay's shoulders, he picked up his head and looked at her. Lightly massaging them, he took in her beauty. "Do you know how unbelievably beautiful you look right now?" Turning away, Lindsay wrinkled her nose in a quick laugh. Not letting her get away with it, Stephen turned her face back to him and kissed her fully on the mouth. The remaining hand on her shoulder slipped downward, bringing the thin strap of her tank top off her shoulder. Trapping her with the kiss, he held her by the waist and ground his hips against hers. His voice a hoarse and raspy whisper, he mumbled in the kiss to her, "You know I need you now."

He was kissed every bit of bare real estate that her clothing had left exposed. Still holding her by the waist, the contact became more urgent. Soon, a soft moan escaped Lindsay's lips. Stephen's mouth brushed with the rough edge of the tank top's lace, denoting he'd reached the top of her breasts. Changing directions and pace quickly, he lifted her hips off of him and pulled up the bottom of her tank top, revealing her stomach. Sliding underneath her slowly, pecked downward until he reached the waistband of her panties.