Harm’s
Hotel Room
San Diego California
While Mac went off to change, Harm took a few minutes to call his mom.
“Harmon Rabb, you’re finally bringing a girl home to meet your mother!” Trish couldn’t help herself, she’d waited her whole life for Harm to bring someone special home. No matter how much Harm insisted Mac was only his partner, she knew better.
“MOM! You know Mac and I have been partners for eight years. Please don’t go making a fuss.” Harm shook his head wondering what was he getting Mac into.
On impulse at the last minute, Mac had packed her favorite green dress. The sleeveless dress had a scoop neck that descended just below the edge of her cleavage giving just a hint of better things to come. The bodice was form fitting, cinched at the waist by a wide square buckled belt in matching fabric. The skirt flared from just above the hips and swirled gracefully around her legs with every step.
Within the hour they were on their way to dinner. Mac had rolled the window down to enjoy the light ocean breeze. Her now longer hair was blowing briskly behind her as she watched the sea rolling beside them. Filling her lungs with the salty air, she gathered her courage and stretched her arm across the seat laying her hand lightly beside Harm’s lap, her fingers delicately brushing up against him.
It took years of practiced concentration to keep his eyes on the road instead of on the beauty beside him. When she reached over with her hand, Harm’s heart rose to his throat. Without any hesitation his larger hand closed around hers and squeezed tightly.
Mac was just enjoying the moment when she was surprised to see a sign for the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club as Harm turned the bend and followed the drive towards the ocean.
“Harm, where are we?”
“The Marine Room.” He pulled up by the valet parking.
“No, I mean what city?”
“La Jolla.” Harm smiled at her before opening his car door.
“Isn’t this where your mom lives?” Mac asked as soon as Harm appeared by her door.
“Yes, it’s also where I grew up and home to some of the best seaside restaurants.” Harm held out his arm to escort Mac inside.
The restaurant was absolutely beautiful. If the location itself wasn’t impressive enough, the large tanks filled with floating seahorses was well worth viewing before they descended the long staircase down to the main dining room.
“OH Harm, this is magnificent.”
The restaurant sat directly on the ocean, the surf splashing up against the glass. Having already slipped the Maitre D a handsome tip, Harm and Mac were led to a quiet table for two in the corner lit mostly by candlelight, and partly hidden from the crowd by the towering palm plants.
“So how many dates did you bring to this place?” Mac grinned from over the edge of her menu.
“I haven’t really lived here since I left for the academy and this wasn’t exactly in my budget back then. So, to answer your question, you’re the first.”
Mac practically choked on thin air, thankful the menu hid her surprise at Harm referring to this as a date. She shouldn’t have been so surprised. He had after all, declared his intentions to her that night at the Mall. Now all she needed was for the butterflies in her stomach to settle down long enough for her to enjoy dinner.
The food was exquisite, the service outstanding, the conversation had come easily, and the mood was light. When they finished their meal they walked over to the spacious bar with the same breathtaking view of the ocean, and a jazz combo for dancing.
It didn’t take long for the mood to change from light to steamy. The sultry sounds of the music teased their senses as they swayed to the beats and rhythms of the music and their hearts. Harm brushed his cheek along her temple, his breath warmly grazing the edge of her ear, sending chills all the way to her toes.
The two bodies molded together as though they were originally one. Harm could feel her curves pressing tightly against him. His heart was racing faster as his blood rushed feverishly through his body. The desire he’d been fighting so hard to keep at bay was bursting through his last threads of restraint.
Mac was pressed so close to him she could almost feel his heart pounding against her. Unconsciously her hips began to sway more closely against him as the beat of the music slowed. The light friction was stroking her already heightened senses.
The group had started playing a sweet, slow rendition of Billy Joel’s Just the Way You Are. When Mac’s hips swayed more closely to the slow beat, all the air rushed from Harm’s lungs. Nuzzling his lips against her face, he began softly singing along in her ear. “What will it take till you believe in me, the way that I believe in you. I said I love you and that's forever, and this I promise from the heart. I couldn’t love you any better, I love you just the way you are.”
His low husky voice singing in her ear was the last straw for Mac. Tilting her face towards him, she let her lips slide softly across his, pausing to settle a barely there kiss before whispering in his ear. “Let’s get out of here.”
That was all he needed to hear. Leaning over, he placed his lips gently against hers. Mindful of being in a public place, Harm tried to convey all he was feeling in the simple kiss.
Stepping back silently, his arm dropped to her lower back and stayed around her waist as they walked out to the valet.
With the exception of the music softly playing on the radio, the drive to the hotel was ridden in total silence. The only communication being their clasped hands, and an occasional glance.
Even though the short ride allowed him enough time for his senses to calm down slightly, Harm still wanted to be with this woman more than anything else in the world. He needed to somehow make sure she understood this was something he wanted not just for tonight, but for every night. With that thought in mind as he turned into the hotel parking lot, struggling with the cotton in his mouth for the right words.
Helping her out of the car, he pulled Mac up close to him placing a soft kiss on her forehead. “It’s still early, what do you say to a short walk along the beach?”
Mac paused to consider his words. Why was he stalling? He had to know what she meant when she said ‘let’s get out of here.’ What in heaven’s name was running through that convoluted Rabb brain now? Lord, she couldn’t take another night like Sydney. Please God, let there be a good reason.
Smiling timidly, “Sure,” Mac reached down and pulled off her shoes, tossing them into the back seat of the car. “Not very practical for a walk on the beach.” She shrugged.
“Good point.” Harm chuckled. Stepping back, he leaned over and pulled off his shoes and socks. Taking an extra minute to roll the cuff of his pants above his ankles, he then stuffed the socks in his shoes and tossed the shoes in the back of the car next to Mac’s. Now that was a sight he hoped to see more often, his things nestled along side of Mac’s belongings.
Taking firm hold of her hand, he slammed the car door shut behind them and walked briskly around the side of the building towards the sandy path that led to the beach.
“I really enjoyed dinner, thank you.” Mac started. “That restaurant is amazing.”
The sound of the rushing water, along with the light breeze and moonlit night, was lulling both of them into a comfortably slow stride.
“It’s been around for close to a hundred years. It used to be a small inn before it became famous for its dining room, and of course the seahorses.” Harm smiled at her brightly.
“I’m not sure I understand how you could give up living out here. The ocean, the sea air, the WARM weather,” she rolled her eyes, “it’s all so gorgeous.”
Harm stopped walking and stepped around in front of her. “I could never be happy anywhere you’re not. I don’t care how great the weather is.”
“You really mean that.” It was like a light bulb had gone off in her brain. Everything he’d ever tried to say, all he’d ever done was finally making sense. Coming to her when he’d broken out of the brig, when he was having troubles with Jordan, on the admiral’s porch when he said some people were a little in love with her, when he needed help with Mattie, when he made the appointment for her at Bethesda, and on another porch not so long ago when he promised to always be there, he needed her as much as she needed him.
“I told you Mac, I want to spend the rest of my life with you, here like this. Maybe not always on a beach,” his lips curled up in that adorable half smile of his, “but I would be happy if I could just hold you in my arms and never have to let you go.”
He leaned down and gave her another short but meaningful kiss. Once again he was trying to convey all the things he was feeling in that one simple kiss. Still holding her hand, he stepped to the side and turned them around to walk back towards the hotel.
Mac walked along silently, her lips still tingling from the kiss. Her heart racing a little faster at the thought of things to come. This wasn’t the young fighter jock who willingly flashed his dress whites and gold wings. This was the more mature, stable lawyer who had a point to prove and was willing to take the time to prove it.
When they reached the doors to their rooms, Harm reached over and took the keycard from Mac’s hand. “Here, let me.”