Kerri looked up into Lance's green eyes, her mind racing. "Why do the hairs on the back of my neck stand
up when you say that?"
He laughed. "Come on Kerri."
"I don't understand the blindfold..."
Lance stood before her, a blue silk scarf stretched between his hands. "It's a surprise, baby. Now come on. Turn around."
Slowly Kerri turned her back to Lance. He wrapped the scarf around her eyes and tied it behind her head. "Can you see?"
"No."
Lance stepped in front of her and waved his hand before her face. When she didn't respond he smiled.
"Okay, let's go."
Taking Kerri by the hand, he led her down the steps. "Ok baby. Step...step..step.."
"Yeah, yeah. Step step, I GOT IT."
Lance opened his car door and placed Kerri in the passengers seat.
"Patience is a virtue."
Lance slid behind the wheel and pulled into traffic. They raced down the streets of Orlando toward an unknown destination. The familiar sound of the radio scanning fillled Kerri's ears.
"Lance?"
"Yeah?"
She smiled. "You playing with the radio?"
After a moments pause, he answered. "Um..yeah."
"Shouldn't SOMEONE be watching the road.?"
Lance stole several glances at her profile. "Do you know where you are Miss Scarlett?" The tone of his voice caused her to question.
"No.."
"Then be quiet because I WILL leave you here."
Kerri smiled at his threat. Lance would never do such a thing, yet she relented. This obviously meant alot to Lance and she wasn't going to spoil it. Instead, she leaned her head against the seat and turned her face to the sun. As she bathed in the warmth, she drifted back in time.....
Four months had passed since she had been introduced to Lance, all of which was credited to her matchmaker friends, Christina and Joshua. Despite her protests, they were determined that she and Lance were destined for the happiness they themselves shared. In retrospect, she was grateful for their persistance. Lance was everything she had ever desired in a man, yet a part of her held back. Try as she may, Kerri was unable to give herself completely to anyone. She admired the trust that exsisted between Christina and Joshua, but her heart could only be given to someone willing to earn it.
Kerri remembered the basketball game she and Christina had been forced to attend...The two sat in swings as the guys played on the nearby court. ..Kerri felt compelled to ask how her friend was capable of giving herself so freely when she herself seemed so unable.
"Chris how can you trust Josh the way you do? I mean how can you put all of your faith, all of your dreams, on one man?"
Swinging gently, Christina's gaze had fallen on Josh. As though touched by her hand, he turned, a small smile on his lips.
"Remember that game you played when you were little? You know, the trust game, where you fall back into someone's arms?"
Kerri nodded. "Yeah. So?"
Christina smiled lovingly at Joshua, her eyes never leaving him as she spoke. "I just close my eyes and do it."
Kerri's feet drew circles in the sand. "What if he doesn't catch you?"
Her friend shrugged in response. "Then I know he'll be there to help me back to my feet."
"What are you thinking about?" Lance's voice brought Kerri back to the present.
"Nothing....."
Lance pulled the car to a stop and shut off the engine. "We're here."
Kerri heard the sounds of children's laughter echoing around her. The scent of the ocean weighed heavily in the air. "Are we at the beach?"
"Yes." Lance helped her from the car.
"Don't let me fall, Lance."�
"Never." Carefully, Lance led her along the beach.
"Are people staring at me?"
Lance looked around. "Yes...And frankly, I'm getting jealous." A beautiful smile covered his face.
Several moments later he stopped her.
"Ok."
Lance reached behind her head and removed the blindfold.
Slowly Kerri's eyes readjusted to the light and two beautiful Arabian horses came into focus. "Lance! They're beautiful!" Kerri approached the closest horse and began to stroke his shiny black coat.
"Come on slowpoke."
Kerri turned to find Lance above her seated on the other horse.
"Need help?"
"I have it." With one smooth movement, she pulled herself into the saddle. Lance kicked his horse into motion gently and trotted down the beach.
"HEY!...Wait up!"
Kerri and Lance rode their horses slowly along the surf as the sun set behind them. Lance stopped and Kerri turned to see why. "What's going on?"
"Come here."
Kerri turned around and came to a stop facing Lance.
"Come HERE, Kerri." Lance slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her toward him for a kiss. When they parted, he ran his hand down her cheek. "You hungry?"
Kerri nodded. "A little."
"Come on then." Lance nudged his horse into motion.
"The car is the OTHER way sweetheart."
Lance smiled over his shoulder. "We're not going to the car."
Kerri followed and in the distance, she saw a flickering light. The light grew as she drew near it. "Is that a fire?"
Lance smiled. "Yes...."
Lance stopped and climbed off the horse. He clasped his hands around Kerri's waist and helped her to the ground. Taking her by the hand, Lance led her to the small bonfire. For the first time, she noticed the picnic spread on a small flannel blanket.
"What is this?"
Lance smiled. "Make yourself comfortable."
As Kerri settled herself on the blanket, Lance reached down and flipped on a small radio. Motown legends began to drift from the speakers.
"What did you bring?"
Lance lifted the silver lids with a flourish. "Pasta."
Kerri leaned toward the plate, the spicy aroma filling her senses. She inhaled deeply and looked up at him. "YOU cook this?"
Lance answered with� a definitive shake of his head. "Christina helped me."
"I thought so."
While eating, they began to discuss Kerri's school schedule and Lance's upcoming tour.
"I guess quality time is out of the question, right?" Setting her plate to the side, Kerri layed back on the blanket and stared up at the night sky.
Lance looked down at her face, watching the light flicker across her delicate features. Overwhelmed by the desire to kiss her, he gave into himself and joined his mouth with hers. Pulling back, he grazed his thumb across her lips and gazed lovingly into her brown eyes.
"Any time with you is quality time."
Leaning down, he once again pressed his lips against hers.
Moving closer, Lance blanketed Kerri with his body and covered her face and neck with sweet kisses. As Lance nibbled her ear gently, he reached between their bodies and released the buttons on her blouse.
"I want you so much Kerri......" Lance breathed his words into her mouth as he pulled the two halves of her blouse aside and trailed his hand down her body.
Lance reposed himself on his knees above her. Slowly, he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it aside. Lance lowered his head and kissed her stomach, tracing her navel with his tongue. He moved up her body, leaving a moist trail which glistened in the moonlight. Lance caught her tender flesh between his teeth and she arched her back in response.
Kerri took Lance's head in her hands and brought him to eye level. "What if this doesn't work?"
"We'll make it work..."
"What if you change your mind?"
"I won't."
"But what if..."
Lance silenced her with a kiss.� "How do you feel right now?"
"I want this to work....I want you."
"Then trust it Kerri. Just let go."
As they discarded their clothing, their kisses became more urgent...more needful. Lance kissed her gently as he joined their bodies as one. "I love you so much Kerri. Sometimes I love you so much it hurts."
As Lance moved against her, Kerri's eyes turned toward the sky.
A shooting star scarred the perfect canvas above her. Kerri closed her eyes to make a wish, extended her arms, and allowed herself to fall.
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