Free Mirage Beyond Flames (Coriola) by Melinda De Ross

and tightened his hold, bending to kis s her, she stepped back a little. Gerard, not understanding her seemingly rejection gesture, asked irritated:
    “What’s wrong?”
    “I just applied my lipstick. I wanna make a good impression to your mom, I didn’t want to wipe…”
    She wasn’t able to finish the sentence because his lips crushed hers in a deep stormy kiss, his arms pressing her close to his body, with untamed passion.
    “All nig ht I’ve dreamed only about this - your lips, your naked body next to mine,” he whispered. “I don’t know what you’re doing to me, Linda, but I’m addicted to you like air. I want you more than I could imagine it’s possible.”
    “I feel the same way, baby, and you have no idea how much that scares me,” she replied breathless, nestling against his strong chest, where it seemed the very center of her universe had taken residence.
    He lifted her chin and gazed into her eyes.
    “Why should you be scared of something so wonderful, the feelings we share together?”
    She hid her face again into his chest.
    “Because it’s something new, because I’ve never felt this in my life, because I’m afraid…”
    “Of what?”
    “Not to be hurt. Not to hurt you if our relationship isn’t gonna work.”
    He slightly stepped back from her.
    “ Linda, I understand you were hurt by your ex-husband…”
    “It’s not about that,” she interrupted. “Tony didn’t hurt me, not the way you assume. Now I realize I don’t even think I loved him, not the way I… I never felt for him even a fraction of what I feel for you. It’s just that, I don’t know why, I began to avoid obligations, to cherish the independence which I totally lacked when I was with him.”
    Gerard watched her skeptically while sh e took out a little mirror and lipstick from her purse, trying to apply it with a not-so-steady hand.
    “And do you honestly think having a serious relationship with me would affect your independence?” he asked her in a tone that made the idea seem juvenile and stupid.
    She moved her eyes from the mirror to him.
    “I don’t know. Maybe not. Gerard, this is not the time to discuss it. What matters is today. Today we’re together and we’re fine. We have all the time in the world to analyze things, to know each other better. Right?”
    As though he deciphered the confusion and plea in her voice, he displayed a slightly forced smile and said:
    “You’re right, my love. Let’s go, I don’t want my mom greeting us with a lecture because we’re late.”
    She was in the middle of a deep breath of relief when he added:
    “I’ll abandon the subject for a while, but I’ll leave you with one last thought. I’m determined to break down all the barriers standing between us. I want to have you whole, Linda. Not only your body, but your soul as well.”
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
    The road became a real pleasure once they passed the sectors where rush hour traffic was more intense. The Jeep slid smoothly on the highway. From the speakers, Bon Jovi proclaimed his anonymous eternal love in a sensual, abrasive voice.
    “I’ve always loved car rides, b ut only having a flawless driver,” said Linda, looking through the window at the oscillating landscapes, always in motion.
    “And do I qualify?” he teased.
    “Yes,” she answered truthfully. “You’re an amazing driver.”She cleared her voice and went on:
    “If you’ve proceeded to… invite me to meet your mother, tell me something about her. What does she do, what kind of person is she? Y ou didn’t even tell me her name.”
    Gerard lowered the CD player’s volume to facilitate conversation.
    “Well, let’s start with the essentials: her name is Chantalle Leon, she was a French te acher almost all her life. Now she’s retired. She lives in her sister’s house – my aunt Sophie – who was also widowed many years ago. Her husband, an Englishman called Thomas Barry, died in a terrible car crash. Ever since that time, my