After relaxing for a bit in the swirling waters of the hot tub, Colin and Shannon slowly dressed. Although he was comfortable with the silence, he couldn't help but wonder why Shannon was so quiet.
"Penny for your thoughts, luv." His fingers absently toyed with her curls.
Shannon stepped closer and touched Colin's cheek gently with her hand. "I'm enjoying the same space we share, Colin. This time, these moments.I'm so glad you got whacked on the head!"
They dissolved into giggles as he pulled her to his chest. "Yeah, if I would've stepped back, none of this might have happened!" His breath caught in his throat. What if he had followed the directions! He suddenly couldn't imagine not meeting this woman.
"Colin, you worry too much. If it hadn't been this, it would have been something else. Our paths were meant to cross, at this time, and this place. I firmly believe in fate." Her voice trailed off, but to herself she continued that this crossing? had only a few more days to last. After this week, she would be back at work, too busy to be worried about trying to maintain a relationship with a high-profile actor. Besides, she never knew when she would be called to active status again.
Colin hugged her tightly. It would be so easy, so easy to lose himself in this woman. He knew what everyone would say, Colin, you fall in love too easy, Colin, you're a player, Colin, just bang her and move on to the next, but this really did feel different. Maybe it was just the after-glow of their love-making that made him feel this way, but he really didn?t think so. The only other time he actually felt anything close to this was Milie...
Colin swung the Jeep into the drive beside Shannon's small house. She pressed the button on her keys to close the gate behind them.
"Damn, Shan, this place is like a small fortress." He started to open the door when Shannon grabbed his arm.
"Wait! Don't open the door until I say.! She jumped out of the passenger side just as 2 large dogs bounded up to the vehicle, barking and jumping at the driver's door. Colin had jumped back as Shannon shut the door behind her.
Xena, Herc! Safe!
Colin watched as the two dogs nuzzled Shannon, becoming the most docile angels. She gave them each a treat she had in her jacket pocket.
"Okay, Colin, you can come out now."
Colin opened the door slowly. The dogs didn't even look in his direction, keeping their attention on their mistress. Shannon pointed to the dogs and waved her hand. Both bounded off in the direction they came from.
"Jaysus, Shannon, what the f*ck was that?? Colin swiped his hand through his hair. For a minute there I thought you?d be stitching me up again!
Shannon smiled. "If they would have attacked, you?d be needing more than stitches."
Shannon slipped her key in the lock and punched a code into the alarm beside the door. Please excuse the mess, but the maid hasn't been here yet this week??
Colin was led through a small foyer into a sitting room. He couldn't help but wonder what kind of neighborhood this was, what with all of Shannon's security. Cripes, he didn't have this much at home! And the dogs!
He noticed some pictures on the wall. Damn, was that Shannon? He stepped closer to the photo, realizing it was Shannon, only with shorter hair and dressed in camo. She was standing in front of a helicopter with some others. Soldiers? Was Shannon some sort of military?
He was so engrossed in the picture, and some others in the grouping that were similar, he didn?t hear Shannon come up behind him.
"Would you like a drink?"