This work is a departure from my usual crime stories. I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it. As always, I welcome your comments

LEAP OF FAITH

by CDR

     Rita unlocked the door. "Let me take a few of those packages, Christopher."

     He gave her a quick kiss over the top of half a dozen grocery bags. "I’ve got them, you just sit and take it easy." Grinning at her, "This is man work." He said, flexing his muscles. "I’ll put things away."

     Rita laughed. "Right, Sam. And all those other times I did it, that would make it...?"

     "Ah..." He pretended to think for a moment. "Woman’s work!"

     Laughing, Rita sat down on the couch, watching him in the kitchen.

     It was hard to believe that only two months ago they had gone from being partners to lovers. She studied him intently. His dark brown hair contrasted with his ice blue eyes. Muscular arms were outlined underneath his tee shirt. As he bent over to put away a box of cereal, she found herself inspecting his well-developed backside and felt herself blush. No one knew that they had crossed the line into intimacy. She found it hard to believe herself. But the one thing that she couldn’t deny was her feelings for him. She felt a little silly, being suddenly shy around Chris. For over five years they had been partners and best friends. And truthfully, she had deeper feelings for him for most of those five years. Now that they were lovers, it had become a curious combination of passion and ...

     She shook her head slightly. Hard to put into words, it’s almost like being on a first date. The rush of desire and the awkwardness of being aware of your every move, your every thought. She felt her cheeks turning redder.

     Quickly getting up from the couch, she walked over to the blinking light of her answering machine. She pressed the play button.

     "This message is for Rita Lance. Congratulations Miss Lance! This is Mary Stewart from The Heart Foundation. You’re a big winner in our raffle. You ticket was selected in last night’s drawing I’ll call you on Monday with the instructions on how to collect your prize. Again, thank you from the Heart Foundation and congratulations!"

     Rita stared at the machine. Chris walked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist, hooking his thumb in the waistband of her jeans.

     "Hey, Sam, that’s great. What did you win?"

     "I don’t know. I’m trying to think where I put the ticket."

     She opened the desk drawer underneath the telephone. Rummaging around for a minute, she finally pulled out a slip of frayed cardboard.

     "Here it is. I must have bought this months ago, I don’t even remember what the prize is."

     Chris stood behind her, his arms circling her waist, chin resting lightly on top of her head. He watched as she turns the ticket over.

     "First prize...an all expense paid trip for two to Lovers Paradise Resort in Jamaica." She felt her blush returning.

     "Uh, Lovers Paradise..."

     Rita lowered her head, tipping her chin to one side. Her brown curls cascaded downward, concealing part of her face.

     "How does a week in Jamaica sound to you, Sam?"

     An audible rush of air escaped Chris’s lips. Her turned her around in his arms until she faces him. Cupping her face in his hand, he raised it so he could gaze into her sea green eyes . "I thought you’d never ask."

     He kissed her, first his lips lightly brushing hers, then with more intensity. He tightened his arms around her as Rita responded, her lips parting

     Rita melted into his arms, as much from relief as passion. She’d thought of this often, but still didn’t know if either of them were prepared to take the step of going away together. Knowing she loved him, it scared her. Through all her previous relationships, she’d suffered a thousand invisible wounds, and the thought of losing Chris gripped her heart with a fear that she couldn’t let go.

     Why doesn’t he have any problems showing his emotions? She questioned herself. I can’t believe how open he is, never holding back. He shares in a hundred different ways. A look, his touch, the habit of making a quick phone call to, just to hear the sound of my voice. She smiled to herself. The way he makes love, giving himself totally, with a passion that’s always surprising.

     She felt her cheeks begin to color again as she let herself be swept away by her emotions. She wrapped her hands around the back of his neck and deepened the kiss.

     Chris moaned and slipped his hands beneath her blouse. Stroking the taut, smooth skin on her abdomen, his hand moved upward, gliding underneath her bra. He felt her nipples harden instantly at his touch as he caressed them. Trailing kisses down her neck, he unfastened each button, kissing the spot beneath each before progressing.

     Rita slipped her jeans over her hips and a moment later was naked in his arms. She took a step back from him and placed her hands on her hips. Looking at him boldly, she motioned to his still fully clothed body. "What are you waiting for, Christopher?" she said huskily

     Chris stood there, unable to speak.

     This woman affected him like no other woman ever had. If he was honest with himself, he would have said that he knew from the first day that her emerald eyes had invaded his spirit. He never doubted that Rita was in every way his match. And the thought scared him. The love he felt for her was nothing like the relationships he’d had in the past. No one ever challenged him to the extent she had, no one ever captured his body, mind and soul like she had done. It was like plunging down a roller coaster, exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.

     A groan escaped his lips. His body responded to hers. Chris swept her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Quickly stripping off his clothes, he joined her in bed. Their bodies fused together as Rita wrapped her legs around him and arched her back to make full contact. Tossing back her head in ecstasy, she pressed her slim fingers into Chris’ back as he alternately kissed and nipped at the exposed pale smoothness of her neck. The intensity escalated until the two ignited Every sensation was felt where their two bodies collided until they toppled over the edge, desires fulfilled.

     Later, lying in each others arms, they were both lost in their private, yet comparable thoughts.

     Going away for a whole week. Rita tossed restlessly in bed, troubled by the thoughts revolving in her head. I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. What if he said he’d go just to please me. It might be too soon for us to do something like this.

     Her face creased into a frown. Maybe I should offer the trip to Cap and Frannie instead. I couldn’t bear hurting him. I love him." It was the first time she had made this plain statement of fact. " I don’t want to spoil things between us.

     Chris studied the expression on Rita’s face, then shut his eyes. She’s having second thoughts about going away with me. I knew it. I’m taking it too fast.

     He grimaced as he ran his hand through his dark hair.

     We both spent a lot of time pretending our feelings didn’t exist. I should know better than to rush her.

     Chris absently stroked Rita’s shoulder as he thought. Maybe I should see if she wants to offer the tickets to someone else. I love her too much to risk all of this."

     Chris kissed Rita’s bare shoulder, and then rested his chin on it.

     "Sammy," he whispered.

     The ringing of the telephone pierced the stillness. Rita leaned over and picked up the receiver.

     "Hello, yes this is Rita Lance. Oh, Ms Stewart, I didn’t think I’d hear from you until Monday. My prize?" Her voice caught slightly. "Oh, yes, that’s wonderful. I’ll come by your office next week and pick it up." As she hung up the phone, a feeling of disappointment washed over her.

     Chris lightly caressed her bare shoulder. "So, Beautiful, tell me all about the trip."

     Rita smiled at him, trying not to let her unhappiness show.

     "Sorry Sam, I didn’t win the first prize after all." She brushed his cheek with the back of her hand. "I won third prize."

     "Third prize? What’s that?"

     "A lover’s evening. Everything we need to have the perfect romantic rendezvous. Candles, wine," She smiled, her eyes glowing "a jazz CD and fresh strawberries. We don’t need to go to Jamaica after all."

     Chris gathered her in his powerful arms, and brushed back her hair. "I’m sorry Sam, I knew you wanted to go away."

     Rita looked tenderly at him and kissed the corner of his mouth. "I know you’re disappointed too, Chris. But now we don’t have to worry about getting the time off together."

     Chris looked impassively into her eyes, trying not to betray his heart. "We don’t have to worry about being found out by the Cap, either. It’s better this way."

     Rita winced slightly at the remark, then composed herself, not willing to let her feelings show. She turned on a small lamp on the bedside table. A soft pool of light spread throughout the room.

     "Let’s go get some dinner, Sam. I heard about a new place in the Palm Grove Mall that’s supposed to be fantastic. Authentic Northern Italian cuisine."

     She hurried out of bed , wrapping herself tightly in a celadon silk dressing gown.

     "All of a sudden, I’m starved." She tugged at his outstretched hand.

     Chris tried to pull her back into bed as she slipped away.

     "All right Sammy. All of a sudden, I could eat a horse!" said Chris, stung by her quick dismissal of their week together. He bounded out of bed after her and rapidly tossed on his clothes. Dangling the keys to his Charger in front of her, he grinned. "Ready, Sam!"

     Rita slid her shirt over her head, eyes filling with tears as her face momentarily disappeared from view. She focused, trying to regain her composure, determined not to let her disappointment resurface.

     "Ready," she sang out.

     They drove the few miles to the mall, talking about work, the new clanking sound the Charger was making, anything but their lost weekend. As they pulled into the parking lot, Chris tried to brighten the mood. "Hey, Sam, this place looks pretty popular. It must be great."

     The couple strolled the short distance to the restaurant. The heavy double dark walnut doors were framed with leaded glass windows. Chris opened the door for Rita, following her through. Inside, the restaurant continued the theme of dark wood, white walls and gleaming brass. The small alcove was packed with people. A delicious fragrance, pungent tomatoes, mingled with garlic and wine interlaced with the crowd. Chris maneuvered his way to a small podium and spoke briefly with the maitre’d.

     "Without reservations, the wait is about an hour, Sammy."

     "We might as well stay, it would take us at least an hour to drive somewhere else. We could do some window shopping at the mall."

     "Uh, Sam, if its all the same to you, I think I’ll pass on the shopping. You know how I feel about it." Chris grinned. " I saw a barber shop down one of the corridors. I think that I’ll get a quick trim." He slipped his arm around her waist and into the back pocket of her jeans. "Care to watch?"

     Rita looked up at him, her mouth bent with a wry grin. "Gee, this is a real quandary, Watching you get a hair cut or browsing at Neiman’s." She pretended to ponder this for a minute.

     "Pass on the haircut, Sam. I’ll meet you back in front of the restaurant in about an hour."

     A brief kiss and the pair parted, walking in different directions.

     Whistling a tuneless melody, Chris walked down the main promenade of the mall. Loitering at the back of his mind was the canceled trip.

     Rita, it’s time to make a move. He composed his persuasion. I want you to know that I love you, heart and soul, and that it’s safe to love me. He pronounced to himself. What we have is timeless, our feelings for each other are undeniable. Sometimes, you just have to make a leap of faith.

     He stared at the ground as he walked, concentrating on choosing the correct words that would convince her. The sharp sting of a metal bar across his shin interrupted his train of thought.

     He had walked into a small easel advertising the shop behind it. Righting the sign, he looked over at the store. Its front window displayed posters of exotic locales in brilliant colors. A travel agency. Before he could think twice, he walked into the store and spotted a woman at a desk in the back of the room. As he sat down at her desk, he said, "I want to book a trip for two to Jamaica."

     Thirty minutes later, Chris stood up and shook the woman’s hand, thanking her. Whistling the same wordless tune, he began to leave the agency. Halfway through the room, something familiar caught his eye.

     Seated at another desk, with her back to him, was a woman with dark, wavy hair.

     Happiness washed over Chris. Quietly, he walked up behind her and slipped two airline tickets into her line of sight.

     "Can I interest you in a trip for two to Lover’s Paradise?"

     Rita stood up and quickly spun around. A look of shock was immediately replaced by one of tenderness. "Christopher...."

     Chris gently placed his hand on her mouth. "Sammy, we’re ready for this. Trust me. Trust yourself. This trip is just the beginning of our journey."

     Rita quietly became enclosed in his arms. "Our journey together."

Thanks to Lia for spurring me to new horizons in my writing and Cathy for her usual terrific job of editing. As all of us fan fic writers have said at one time or another, Please let me know how you feel about the story. It makes it a lot more fun writing knowing someone out there is reading it! I can be contacted @ : cdr3@hotmail.com. See Ya!