"Unexpected Love" part four
by: Rina
Two hours later, Bryony walked into the Outback. She looked fabulous in an emerald green mini-dress that matched her eyes and made her deep red hair even redder. After half an hour, Felicia had finally managed to tame the wild, curly mane into a beautiful French braid with curly tendrils framing her ivory face. With Felicia's onyx drop earrings and black heels, Bryony looked like a model. She looked around for her date, and saw Jax sitting at a table near the stage, looking at her very appreciatively. He stood up and waved to her with a welcoming smile, and she headed in his direction.
"Hey, beautiful," Jax grinned. "You look absolutely fabulous." He greeted her with a gentle kiss on her cheek as he seated her at her place before heading back to his own.
"Thanks. It's Felicia's dress. Actually," she laughed, "most of this ensemble is Felicia's." She looked at him in his navy slacks with a white shirt and returned the compliment. "You look great, too."
Jax smiled at her, and responded, "Thanks. And remind me to compliment Felicia on her taste." He gave her a look that sent shivers up and down her spine. "Ready to order?"
"Absolutely," Bryony replied, glad for the distraction.
"Good," Jax said, as he motioned the waiter over. He indicated the menu. "May I?," he asked.
"By all means," said Bryony surrendering all choices to him. He selected a meal that sounded incredible for each of them, topped by the Outback's best wine. Mario, their waited, nodded and walked away. As he left, a new song came on over the speakers. Bryony listened intently for a moment, and then grinned.
"Oh, I love this song! Come on, let's dance." She dragged him, not unwillingly, onto the dance floor. As they swayed to the romantic ballad "Take My Breath Away", she rested her head on his chest. She felt so safe with him, for some reason. Jax tightened his hold on her back, wondering how something so wrong could feel so right.
Watching every motion
In my foolish lover's game
On this endless ocean
Finally lovers know no shame
Turning and returning
To some secret place inside
Watching in slow motion
As you turn around and say
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Watching I kept waiting
Still anticipating love
Never hesitating
To become the fated ones
Turning and returning
To some secret place to hide
Watching in slow motion
As you turn to me and say
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Through the hourglass I saw you
In time you slipped away
When the mirror crashed I called you
And turned to hear you say
If only for today
I am unafraid
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
Watching every motion
In this foolish lover's game
Haunted by the notion
Somewhere there's a love in flames
Turning and returning
To some secret place inside
Watching in slow motion
As you turn my way and say
Take my breath away
Take my breath away
When the song was over, a faster paced Menudo song, "Like a Cannonball," came on.
"Oh, no," groaned Bryony. "What a way to spoil the mood. I really don't like this group, especially this song!"
"Well, you're in luck then. Our dinner's at our table, so we don't have to stay out here," grinned Jax. He kept his hand on her waist, guiding her back to the table. "So, why don't you like this song?"
"UGH!", exclaimed Bryony. "Did you not see them on 'Love Boat' about ten years ago? It was horrible!" She wrinkled up her face adorably and sang along, complete with hand motions. "'Like a cannonball. My love hits you like a cannonball." She shuddered as Jax softly laughed at her. "Oh, you think it's funny, huh? It was terrible. Ruined the show forever for me." She laughed, and then clapped her hand to her mouth and blushed. "OH! I'm rambling, aren't I? I'm sorry! I'm not usually like this."
Jax gave her a sweet smile. "It's OK. I don't mind. I'm actually enjoying it. I'm enjoying *you*," he said, gently taking her hand and looking into her clear green eyes. The moment was charged with electricity. She broke eye contact first, unnerved by their undeniable connection and the desire she had suddenly felt. All of a sudden, she felt sick to her stomach.
"Oh, God," she moaned as she covered her mouth and ran to the bathroom, leaving a surprised and concerned Jax back at the table. After ten minutes had gone by without any sign of Bryony, Jax became even more concerned. He wanted to go in and find her, but knew that any others in there would not be happy to see him.
In the bathroom, Bryony slumped in the corner, her body racking with sobs. She couldn't believe it was happening now. It had been so long since the last time. Maybe five weeks? "Oh, who am I kidding?," she whispered to herself. "I remember to the last minute when it happened. It's been exactly 7 weeks and one day—since Valentine's Day." She nearly started crying again, but remembered that Jax was out there waiting for her. She looked at her watch and did a double take. She had been in here crying for over 20 minutes! She stood up and stared at herself in the mirror. She looked like h*ll. And she had left her bag that had her make-up in it at the table. She groaned. "Well, the best thing to do is get the worst of it off," she reasoned, and proceeded to do exactly that.