Gardens of Stone-Fiction Part 5

The rest of the evening went really well. Marie was surprised by how smart and funny Jack was. He told her stories about when he was at the Naval Academy, about her Grandfather, and stories about growing up here. He didn't dominate the conversation and he was genuinely interested in what Marie had to say and what she thought about different things. But the best part of the evening had to have been when he brought her home. He held her hand and walked her to her door.


"I want to kiss you good night. If you have a problem with that you need to say something right now." He said as he took her other hand in his so that they were facing each other. Marie just stared at him as he ran his hands slowly up and down her arms. He waited patiently for permission. After what seemed to Marie like forever she nodded and he brought his lips down gently on hers as wrapped his arms around  her and pulled her body to his.She could feel the heat of him through her clothing.  His lips were soft and he rubbed them across hers alternately rubbing and kissing until she sighed opening her mouth to him. She felt the electricity everywhere they touched. Her heart began to speed up as the kiss intensified. He tasted of the after dinner mints from the restaurant and she melted into him and he tightened his hold on her.  The kiss was heaven. She could feel her self tremble and she stopped thinking and just let herself feel...feel the warmth spread though her from where his body touched hers. They were beginning to breathe heavy when he pulled his mouth from hers. He leaned his forehead on  hers and said. " If I am going to stay a gentleman I have to stop now." He then kissed her on the top of the head and asked for her keys. Marie stood there blinking for a minute trying to process what he had just said. "Keys?..Oh right keys." She began to dig in her purse for the house keys. Locating them she handed them to him and he unlocked the door opening it so that she could enter.
"Thank you Jack. I had a lovely time." She said turned back to him from inside the house. Jack leaned in and stole a kiss "Is 1:00 too early tomorrow?"
"One will be fine."  She said smiling. Jack stole another kiss and said  "Goodnight" and pulled the door closed.
Maire shook her head smiling at the kisses and the fact that he had managed to get her to break the three day rule. Not just once but 3 times in just three days. "That man is a menace." She said to herself as she climbed the stairs shaking her head.

She climbed into bed and turned out the light but sleep just wouldn't come. She kept thinking of Jack and all the things that told her this would never work. She planned out the conversations in her head. She would tell him that she just wasn't interested in getting into a long distance relationship...with a Marine no less. But then she would remember him asking to kiss her. And waiting for the answer. She could feel the electricity shoot through her body every time she even thought of the kiss they had shared on her front porch. Then she would roll over disgusted with herself and try again to talk her self into breaking it off.

Somewhere after 3:00 am she finally dozed off. Her dreams were filled with goodbye scenes. Airport goodbyes where his kiss would burn itself onto to heart, and I never want to see you again goodbyes where her heart would break. When Marie woke she was exhausted and frustrated with herself. Finally she gave herself permission to have the weekend with Jack and enjoy it for what it was worth. She could always tell him goodbye Monday morning and never see him again. But really what was the harm in enjoying the weekend with a gorgeous guy?
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Jack arrived at 5 minuted to 1:00. He was dressed causally in jeans that fit him to perfection and a pale blue  polo shirt. Marie had on jeans and a light weight green sweater with a vee neck. Marie invited him in and they sat in the living room and the smell from Jacks roses filled the air around them. Jack took her hand and asked "What would you like to do today? It's beautiful outside. We can go for a drive. Or I was invited to go with some friends for a sail.What ever you would like."

"Lets go for a sail. I  love the water and it is a gorgeous day." Marie decided
"Great let me make a call." Jack said grabbing his cell phone from his waist.

They left the house and drove to the Port Annapolis Marina. Marie really hadn't thought about what to expect when he said some friends had invited him to go for a sail, but the 50 ft, tri-level, Catamaran named Shenanigans was far from anything she might have imagined. The party was already in full swing and as soon as they boarded the crew began to cast off.
"Jack! You made it back." A large man man made his way to Jack and slapped him on the back. " So this is Marie. Glad to meet you. I am Vince but everyone calls me Holiday." he continued pumping Marie's hand. Holiday was 6'5' of solid muscle. Dark hair and the most amazing amber eyes. He was dressed in a tee shirt emblazoned with the words I listen to the voices in my briefs, cargo shorts and topsiders.

"Holiday and I went to Annapolis together. He became a JAG lawyer, but I have decided I have decided not to hold that against him. But if he doesn't let go of your hand I might re think my position on that." Jack said  winking.
Holiday threw his head back and laughed letting go of Marie's hand. " You like this one do ya?" Vince asked when he had composed himself. "I might just try to steal her away." He then turned grinning like a fool to Marie and asked " Wouldn't you rather be with a lawyer than a a nasty old Marine?"
"Well the devil you know and all that. I think I stick with who I came with. Thanks for the offer though." Marie answered flirting just a little. Jack began pulling her along with him to meet the rest of the party goers. There were about 15 people on the boat and the faces and names became a blur. But during it all Jack held her hand or had his arm around her clearly sending the signal to all the other men on board "Hands Off". After Jack had introduced her to what she believed to be "everyone" he offered to take her for a tour. They wandered through the "grand salon" the galley past the head and down another level. Jack then
 opened the first door they came to and said "This is my room." and gently tried to tug Marie inside.
Marie dug in her heals and said "Hold on there Marine. What do you mean 'your room'?"
"This is where I stay when I am in town. Holiday and I have had this arrangement since we graduated. I even keep a few things here year round. It is kind of like a home away from home." Jack moved into Marie since she was holding fast in her spot. He reached around her and splayed his fingers on her back and pulled her closer so her breasts were pressed against his chest. He then leaned down and said " You don't have to come in. I am happy to kiss you right here in the hall where anyone can see." He pressed his lips against hers and used his body to pin hers to the wall. His sensuous assault on her lips that made her pulse race and her body throb. Marie had tried to convince herself that the feelings she had felt last night weren't real, that she had imagined them, but the second his body pressed into hers she knew she had been lying to herself. Jack deepened the kiss and Marie realized that he had been holding back last night. She wound her arms around his neck and allowed him to run his hands down her sides. His hands grazed the sides of her breasts and she felt her nipples tighten in response. She involuntarily squeezed he legs together as she felt a jolt between her thighs. Suddenly she was burning from the inside out. Jacks hands that had been resting on Marie's hips grabbed her butt and lifted her against the wall as he rocked his hips into hers. Marie moaned into Jacks mouth effectively egging him on.

"Sorry to interrupt but this is a PG party. You two are gonna have to find a room." Holidays voice interrupted them. Jack and Marie jumped quickly apart. "Oh wait Jack you have a room."
"Marie didn't trust me to behave if we went in my room."
"Smart girl. Except she shouldn't have trusted you outside of your room either from the looks of things."Holiday was grinning and Jack was smiling.  Holiday turned the full force of his charm on Marie and asked "Are you still sure you want to stay with the Marine? You know what they say about Marines..."
"Well my Grandpa always warned me about Navy guys so I guess I will just have to stick with my Marine."
"Now why ever would your grandpa warn you about Navy guys?" Holiday asked
"Because he taught at the Naval academy so he knew what kind of trouble you Navy boys are." Maire answered smiling.
"Maybe I know your grandfather. When did he teach there?"
"Oh you know her grandfather." Jack answered "He was Colonel Bennett."
"Are you insane Jack? Didn't you just tell me you were working on teaching there and now you are dating the Colonel's granddaughter?!" The two of them seemed to have forgotten Marie.
"The Colonel doesn't teach there any more." Maire said quietly
"Holiday," Jack interupted the lecture he knew Holiday was gearing up for, "he passed away last year."
"Oh damn, I'm sorry." Holiday turned to Marie." I also apologize for my language. He was a great teacher and a fine Marine."
"Thank you." Marie replied.
"Lets get a drink and toast the Colonel." Holiday said not wanting this somberness to continue.
The three of them headed back above deck and joined the rest of the party. Jack and Marie found a spot in the sun to sit and enjoy being outside and on the water. Jack told Marie funny stories about all the people on board and kept Marie laughing for hours. He also kept touching her. Small touches, tucking her hair behind her ear, stoking a finger down her cheek, or holding her hand. It seemed that Jack was touching her in some way all day and every time he did little zings of electricity followed his touch. Marie kept telling herself this was a day out of time. That Jack would leave on Monday and that this, what ever it was, would end.