***
Lynne poured the coffee.
As soon as she'd opened the door, and she saw him, even though she was scared of the mouse, she felt all those warm tingles rise in the pit of her belly. And she couldn't stop looking at how handsome he was.
And the way he came in there to rescue her. No one had been willing to help her, but he showed her that she could depend on him. Did it out of the kindness of his heart in the pouring rain, and she'd had the nerve to try to shuttle him out of the door, because he made her feel so happy and loved that he scared her.
She deserved to be treated like shit, because she'd treated him like shit, but he'd been kind to her in spite of it all. She treated him like shit, because she was scared to get close to him as a green, naive woman with affairs of the heart. Frankly she was scared of the feelings of love and passion he was causing her.
Frightened to death. Confused. Passionate. She felt all those emotions at the same time. He was so loving and sexy, and even when he put her in her place just then, and was firm, he was tender and kind. So different than her ex had been. The ex treated her like dirt when he couldn't get his way. Talked to her like dirt on his expensive shoes.
Leif didn't have a mean bone in his body. Lynne had truly tested the poor man's patience. She deserved more meanness than he gave her. And she was glad Leif stood up to her. He was so sexy and gentle that she'd wondered if he had a firm side. She liked a firm side in a man, knowing that he wouldn't be disrespected. But she was no longer interested in being controlled, like she had when she was a teenager, and didn't know any better. Leif was the perfect balance, between a man who wanted respect, and a man who was tender and loving.
Any man would have given her grief for how she was acting. A lot of men probably would have given up on her. Some men would have talked to her like a dog. But not that sweet, tender Leif, who was now also proving to be manly.
Oh, she'd felt so wet when he'd ordered her to get him a cup of coffee. Wet and mushy all over her body. And he just sat down on her living room couch as though he said to himself 'woman, you will answer me'. He wasn't leaving until he got an answer. Not mean, but firm.
God, she needed him to put her in her place. To force her to confront herself. Her inner demons. She'd been too stubborn to face it any other way unless she was forced to confront her issues. Could it be possible that Leif was meant for her?
"Here's your coffee Leif. I'm so sorry," she added taking a sip of her own coffee.
"Let's see how sorry you have to be gorgeous. Start talking,"
"I don't know how to start and stuff I..."
"I'm a gentleman, and a patient listener. I'm sorry I was rough earlier sweetie. But you needed to hear those things and I couldn't say them any other way so you could hear me. And you know that darlin'," he said tenderly stroking her cheek with a gentle palm.
He sat his coffee cup on the table.
"I...I had an unusual childhood. It was....It was unusually strict. I acted out and rebelled...developed a secret wild side. But I was never...well my religion. And stuff...when I was in it...I'm not anymore..I..."
"Sweetheart, just take a deep breath. I'm not going to judge you beautiful. I just want to know why you are so fickle with me. Please explain it in ways I understand. If it takes you telling me this life story, that's fine, don't be nervous. I care so deeply for you, I will stay here listening until the sun comes up," he added stroking her lip with his thumb.