The Rain Began to Fall

by A. K. Hartline

  “We need to get back,” she said, smiling. “You’re girlfriend will be wondering about you.”

  “Ask me if I care,” he replied, as she walked around him to exit.

  “Don’t give up on your writing, Kyle,” she said sincerely, taking his right hand softly in her own as she passed. Her touch triggered him into action. He wasn’t going quietly into the night again, and as she started away he grabbed her arm, pulling her forcefully back to him, chest to chest.

  “Don’t talk to me about giving up, Leigh!” he exclaimed, his lips close to hers, his eyes hard and passionate. She could feel his hot breath on her face. She stared back at him, wide eyed and surprised by his intensity, but turned on by his primal aggression. I have to make my move, he thought determinedly.

  “You want to race?” he asked in a whispered tone, glancing around. He was still holding her close, and he gave her that cocky grin, raising his eyebrows. She laughed, pulling away from his grip.

  “What?” she asked incredulously. “Are you kidding?”

  “Do I look like I’m kidding?” he said. “I need an easy win.”

  “Ha! You think you could beat me again?” she asked, her eyes dancing. “Don’t push your luck, Mr. Tilston!” In her compromised state, she was alternating between coherency and freewheeling emotions.

  “I told you,” he replied. “Remember? Luck has nothing to do with it.”

  “So now you’re the big shot, huh?” she teased. “I heard about your win. But let me tell you, buster, I can beat you in a fair race!”

  “So how was our race unfair?” he asked, laughing.

  “I wasn’t expecting it!” she exclaimed. “I wasn’t ready!”

  “Likely story,” he countered, smirking.

  “Oh, you arrogant man,” she replied, smiling and shaking her head, looking into his face, “you gorgeous, arrogant man.” Her back was against the wall in the hallway, and he put his hand against it, beside her, blocking her escape route. He leaned down in her face.

  “So let’s do it tonight!” he said, his eyes gleaming.

  “Tonight?” she hissed. “Are you crazy? We’re here…”

  “Yeah I am. I’m crazy for you, baby,” he interrupted, “always will be. And you’re more fond of me than you care to admit.” She had no ready response for that. He looked around a moment, then back at her. “Listen, make an excuse. You both drove here; I saw your cars in the parking lot. Get sick or something.”

  She shook her head at his audacity. He was unbelievable.

  “Kyle,” she replied, attempting to get control of things, “we can’t do th...”

  “I’ll be in the parking lot in fifteen minutes,” he interrupted. “See you there.” He winked, then turned and walked quickly away. She watched him go, her hands on her sides. He’s out of his mind if he thinks I’m going to meet him! she thought. What in the world does he think I can do?

  In less than ten minutes, her answer came. She had just watched as Kyle excused himself from Lisa and went again toward the restroom; but this time, she knew, he was leaving the party and heading for the parking lot. As she sipped her margarita, Gene walked up to her, his ear to his cell phone. He put his caller on hold.

  “There’s been a development in the Roberson case! They’re ready to settle, right now! I have to go, honey,” he said, with a pleading look. “I hate to cut out, but you know how important this is! It’s the mother lode!”

  “I do! I understand,” she responded. “You’ve worked hard on this.”

  “I’ll call you later, okay?” he said. “Have a good time, babe.” He pecked her on the lips, put the phone back to his ear and left quickly. Mindy was watching, and when she saw him leave, she and Rob came over and sat down at her table.

  “Where’s he going?” she asked.

  “Duties call,” Leigh responded. I must be in the twilight zone, she thought. Kyle’s down there waiting for me. What were the odds?

  Though they had driven separately for just this reason, the coincidence was still extraordinary. She looked across the room and noticed Lisa sitting alone at their table. Is he just going to leave her? Every reasonable fiber of her being told her she shouldn’t go. She had slammed that door shut, locked it and walked away that day at the mall. But now he was back, and she knew he meant to kick that door down. She was way too tipsy to think reasonably, which meant she shouldn’t be attempting it at all. She studied Lisa a little more. That girl had been all over him all night - and he had left her sitting. For me, she thought, smiling. Oh well… tough luck red head.

  “I’ve got to go, too,” she said.

  “What?” Mindy replied. “Go? Where?”

  “I’m not sure,” she replied, standing and slinging her purse over her shoulder.

  “What do you mean?” Mindy asked, rising. But Leigh was already walking away, heading to the parking lot where Kyle, and the unknown, awaited.

  CHAPTER 22

  Kyle, parked a couple of spots over from Leigh’s vehicle, had seen Gene leaving in his Jag just a few moments after he’d gotten in his car. The wheel of fortune, he’d thought, smiling. Now he revved his engine and honked the horn when he saw Leigh approaching, and she walked over to his rolled down window.

  “What did you do, wave a magic wand?” she asked, glancing furtively around the parking lot to make sure no one was watching.

  “Glad you could make it,” he said, laughing.

  “Well, however it happened, I’m here,” she replied, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.”

  “Just go with it,” he replied. She stared at him. Lisa had unbuttoned his shirt another notch while they had been dancing, far enough down that Leigh could see the top of his broad, muscled chest, the beginnings of the happy trail that she wanted to trace with her finger down to his stomach, and further south. Her eyes were helplessly doing just that, and she turned them back to his, breathing in deeply.

  “So what’s the plan, hot shot?”

  “Follow me,” he said.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Trust me.”

  “Now that’s a tall order!” she said, laughing.

  “You can fill it.”

  A moment later, she pulled out behind him and followed. She realized she would probably regret this tomorrow, but she didn’t allow that thought much space. She was here, and she was going to go through with it. No amount of rationale would stop her. The jealousy she had felt had been unexpected, as was the joy she felt now that Kyle still wanted her. Sometimes it was best not to think.

  In a few minutes they arrived at Summerville Road. No surprise. Okay, she thought daringly, let’s have some fun. She pulled up beside him and rolled down her window.

  “Let’s do it, princess!” he hollered above the noise of the engines. “To the bridge!”

  “Alright!” she hollered back. “You’re on!”

  “I’ll let you jump!”

  “You’re mistake!” she hollered back, and immediately stomped the pedal to the floor. Her head snapped back with the force of the take off, and she was already gearing into second when Kyle hammered his pedal down and took off after her, his rear tires squealing and billowing smoke into the night air.

  She wanted to beat him badly, and she would hold nothing back. She changed gears smoothly, and increased her speed. He pulled up close on her left, his engine screaming. After the quarter mile straightaway, the road curved sharply. She geared down and braked quickly. Kyle bore down on her, and gained a bit of ground as they went through the curve. As the road straightened again, she was gripping the steering wheel tightly. She had maintained a slight lead, but he was creeping up. As they tore down the stretch to the bridge, she glanced at her speedometer and saw she was doing 110 mph. Her driving ability or the power of her Porsche wasn’t news to Kyle. But he knew the power of his engine since the tuned header had been installed, and when he slammed into overdrive, it was simply too many horses to beat. She saw him pulling up beside her, and no matter
how hard she pushed the pedal to the floor, it wasn’t enough. Can’t let him catch me! she thought. But he did just that, and they flew across the bridge, all tied up. She drummed her fingers on the steering wheel as they braked and slowed down. I didn’t beat him. But at least he didn’t beat me!

  Kyle drove beside her, and when she glanced over, she saw him waving her to follow. After the resulting adrenaline rush from the race, she had sobered up somewhat, and was now thinking more clearly. She’d already done enough, without engaging in any more risky business. What should she do? He’s just driving on, expecting me to follow, she thought. And why shouldn’t he? I was willing to come this far. He looked in his rearview mirror as he pulled ahead, and saw she had not yet committed to following him. He slowed to a stop. Come on Leigh, he mentally coaxed. Just a little further. As he idled in front of her, she struggled with her next move. She should turn around now, she knew, and go home, sober up.

  That she was here now, that she had felt such tremendous jealousy at the sight of another woman on Kyle’s arm, proved she was still captive to the romantic idea of Kyle and herself. But it was still just an idea, a fantasy not yet physically explored, and could securely remain so if she tempted fate no further. In her altered state, however, she ignored that argument and threw caution to the wind. She flashed her headlights at him and revved her engine. Ahead of her, Kyle grinned - That’s a girl. She followed him another half mile, then they turned left off the road, onto a dirt drive. There were no streetlights here, but the moon was full and bright, shedding its light on the area. Trees were close to the road on either side, and behind him, Leigh’s apprehension grew as she followed him into the remote location. When he came to a stop, he killed the motor and got out; but she remained in her car, her engine idling in park. She gripped the steering wheel tightly as she watched him coming back toward her. You shouldn’t be here! a panicky voice screamed loudly in her mind. She thought of just throwing it in reverse and getting gone now. She was steadily sobering, and suddenly realized the stakes at hand. What am I doing? she thought wildly. He walked up to her window and leaned, arms folded, on the edge of her door.

  “Are you just going to sit there?” he asked, smiling. The full moon was bright enough to illuminate his handsome face, and when she looked up at him, that internal voice warned her once again to leave. But it was fading, and after staring a little longer into his mesmerizing eyes, her anxiety lessened, replaced by a familiar, wanton desire. She climbed slowly out of the car. The moon cast its soft, romantic light on them; her long, blond hair spilled down her back, and her dress clung tightly to her, conforming to every feminine curve. He took her hand and led her to the front of his car, where he leaned against the hood. She leaned beside him.

  He looked over at her, at her long eyelashes, soaking in every feature of her face, down to her soft, full lips.

  “You look beautiful tonight, Leigh,” he said, “as always.” Now that they were out here alone, his chance, and time, had come. He wanted her completely, and he would take her tonight if he could.

  “Thank you,” she replied softly, still looking straight ahead; but she could feel his eyes on her and those butterflies, now numbering into the gazillions, swarmed in her stomach. Beside her was the man that had so excited her, who had more than once entered her dreams so erotically. She glanced over at him, and felt goose bumps explode all over her body. The brilliant starry sky shone through the trees behind his face, and in all honesty, right or wrong, she still wanted his kiss.

  “Good race,” he said.

  “But I didn’t beat you,” she responded.

  “We finished together, side by side, and that sounds good to me,” he replied, pushing off the hood of the car and moving smoothly in front of her. His whole life stood before him, and he would not hesitate now. He looked down and all over her body, a body he wanted so much. Watching him look at her, she felt heat coursing through her, her skin warming. The night was alive with the spring sounds of crickets and frogs echoing through the woods. It was just Kyle and Leigh now, away from everything, and all alone.

  “Kyle I…I really shouldn’t be here,” she said in a voice barely above a whisper. As though coming out of a mist, she looked around at the remoteness of the wooded area. She had been at a party with her fiancé just two hours ago, her life and plans stable, her flirtations with Kyle a distant memory. Now she was out here in a secluded area, alone with him, and once again feeling the excitement of a yet undiscovered passion. She suddenly put her hands to her face, an emotional battle raging in her heart and mind. Feelings of guilt and weakness warred against her resurgent desire for Kyle. She knew better than to put herself in this position; but her jealousy had driven her here, close to the burning hot flame again, longing for the heat. He stepped closer, placing his hands on her wrists, pulling them down from her face. She allowed him to do it, and when he continued to hold her hands, she did not pull them away. Her head was still lowered, her eyes on the ground, and he softly caressed her cheek.

  “Why not, Leigh,” he whispered. He put a finger under her chin and tipped her face up to his. She allowed that too, offering little resistance, now looking into his eyes, at his lips, so close. She felt helpless against the tsunami of desire crashing through her, and she knew they were at a point of no return. She was as positive as ever that if this kiss finally happened, it wouldn’t stop there; if it went that far, she would want everything, all of him, and nothing would be the same again. As his mouth lowered to hers, their lips almost touching, she turned her face sharply away. His lips pressed against her neck instead, and she shuttered.

  “Kyle, don’t,” she pleaded, sighing as he ran his fingers softly up her long, slender neck to her ear. “I…I can’t.”

  “Yes you can,” he whispered. “We can. You’re not married yet.”

  “Kyle, I….” she tried to protest, but her words trailed off as she involuntarily uttered a small, rapturous moan. How she wanted him in every last way! She imagined him making love to her, sweet and rough, caught up in the heights of passion. Then, in a sudden flash of visions, she saw Gene, their childhood together, his marriage proposal, her father, her Mom, her words...love can live in a cave..., her own indecision, and she wasn’t sober enough to do this reasonably!

  Kyle knew she was struggling internally, that she was almost over the line. With great purpose, he took her face in his hands and began to forcefully turn her to him, her lips into his, unwilling to let her escape again, to deny the love he knew she felt.

  “Come on, Leigh,” he whispered, urging.

  “No! I…I can’t!” she exclaimed breathlessly. She tore herself away from his grasp and ran blindly to her car, trying for the door handle, missing it the first time, and then finding purchase on her second attempt.

  “Leigh, wait!” he hollered, but she jumped in and slammed the door. She had no strength to stop his advances; she had to get out of there. She couldn’t allow herself to do this, to give in. There was too much at stake. And just what is that, Leigh? What, exactly, is at stake? But she ignored her insufferable mind and started her car, rolling up the window. He ran up and began pecking hard on the glass. She glanced at him and shook her head, gearing into drive.

  “Please!” he hollered. She sighed heavily and relented, cracking the window just enough to hear him.

  “Leigh, hold on a second,” he said through the opening. “Where are you going?”

  She stared straight ahead, her right hand trembling on the gearshift, ready to fly. He saw a tear rolling down her cheek.

  “Leigh, it’s not too late! Not yet!” he implored. “Give us a chance! I know I don’t have everything your fiancé does, but I’ve got plans!”

  “It’s not about that, Kyle!” she cried. ‘It’s not about…money, or whatever!”

  “What is it then? Help me understand!”

  She shook her head and groaned.

  “You feel something for me, I know it!” he continued. “Why are you fighting it? Love is
all that matters!” She squeezed her eyes closed, another tear spilling out. He straightened up and ran both hands through his hair in frustration. He stared up at the heavens then fell forward, his hands landing heavily on her door’s edge.

  “Listen to me!” She looked over at him briefly, then away again. “I know it doesn’t make any sense, but we can make it together! Love finds a way! Do you hear me?”

  She looked over at him one last time, tears now pouring freely down her face.

  “Keep writing, Kyle!” she said, her voice breaking. “Don’t give up! I believe in you!” She then threw it into to drive and sped off. He briefly ran after her, and then stopped in the dirt roadway, watching her taillights disappear in the dust, his hands on his sides. He had come so close! His heart wrenched in his chest that he hadn’t been able to kiss her, to break through that wall. But he knew now he wasn’t just a fantasy to her; that he had not planted seeds in vain, and she had not meant all those things she said at the mall. It had taken bringing Lisa to the party, but he had gotten what he wanted. He had plainly seen her jealousy, and he was certain she loved him. She was fighting and resisting to the end, but he would not give up this time.

  “Go ahead and run!” he hollered, jabbing his finger after her. “But I’ll catch you. And I will have you.”

  He got into his car, revved the engine, and sped into the night.