Chapter 8

CHAPTER 8

***ARCHIE***

A rchie could feel Felicity's pain and heartache as if it was his own, and for a moment, it stunned him; he'd always had plenty of empathy for his patients; it was what made him a good doctor, but this was different. What he was feeling was more intense, waking the creature inside him and filling his blood with the magic that stayed hidden for so much of the time. As the power rushed through him, instinct slowly took over, and the urge to kiss Felicity became more than he could resist.

Reaching up, he cupped Felicity's face in his hands and gently ran his thumb over the scar on her cheek. "I thought you were beautiful the first time I saw you on the dock. You make me feel things I didn't think I ever wanted to feel again," he said, looking into her eyes. You're a strong woman, a survivor, and this scar proves it. It only makes me want you more."

A thrill rushed through him when he saw desire blossoming in her eyes, and she let out a long sigh, then leaned into him when he gently pulled her closer. He'd planned to just brush his lips against hers, but the feel of her breath mingling with his, her intoxicating scent, and the magic thrumming through his body proved to be more than he could handle. Wrapping his arms around her, he lowered his head to hers and kissed her again, but this time, it was more than just a simple brush of his lips across hers, and he felt her melt in his arms.

A long sigh escaped from deep in Felicity's chest as he slipped his tongue into her open mouth, and the world around them faded away as he deepened the kiss. Pleasure unlike anything he'd ever experienced filled him, his body began to throb with need, and the creature inside him came fully awake. Deep inside, he realized that the woman in his arms was made just for him, shocking him out of the haze of pleasure and making him pull away.

Felicity stared up at him, her chest rising and falling, her eyes still filled with desire, but only a second later, they filled with shock and a touch of fear, and she quickly scooted away from him. Neither of them said a word as they sat staring at each other, both shocked by the power of the kiss, and the urge to do it again slowly began to build inside him.

He started to scoot closer to her again, but Max's voice cut through the spell between them, "There you two are," he said. "I was beginning to worry that you'd been swept overboard during the storm."

Felicity looked over at him, then scrambled to her feet, a blush spreading across her cheeks, "We're just fine. A little rain never hurt anyone," she said, stepping away from him. "Thanks for staying with me out here. I think I'll go inside and get something hot to drink."

She was gone before he could reply, Brittany trailing along behind her, a confused look on her face, and he slowly got to his feet. "Did we interrupt something?" Max asked, an amused look on his face. "I thought you two were just friends. "

"We are, that was just a……." his words trailed off, unable to make himself say it was a mistake. "It was just the storm or something, it had to be."

Max studied him for a second, then shrugged his shoulders, "If that's what you want to believe, that's fine," he said. "But it looked like more than just the storm to me."

He got to his feet, "It was nothing, just two people keeping each other warm," he said, but they both knew that he was lying. "I'm single and that's not going to change, so let it go, and before you start giving me a lecture about hurting Felicity, you can save your breath. I won't be seeing her anymore; what happened today will never happen again; you have my word on that."

"So, that's your answer," Max said, shaking his head with disappointment. "You're just going to run away?"

"I'm not running away, I'm just making a choice not to see Felicity again," he said, annoyed that Max wouldn't let it go. "You have no idea what I've been through the last couple of years, what my life has been like since I married Susan."

"No, I don't, because you didn't tell me," Max said, giving him a dirty look. "I thought we were friends, Archie, but when you were going through one of the worst times of your life, you didn't call me. I would have been there for you, even if it was just for moral support."

He was a bit surprised by the turn the conversation had taken, "How did this become about our friendship?" he asked. "I didn't call you because I'm a grown man; I should be able to handle my problems on my own; I shouldn't need anyone's help. I'll always be grateful for all the help you gave me during college. I would never have made it without you helping pay my bills and keeping me fed, but it had to end somewhere."

"I guess you and I had a different view of our friendship," Max said sadly. "I thought all those hours you spent helping me pass chemistry, all those nights we stayed up talking about our lives, the holidays we shared meant something to you. Were you just paying me back for all the money I was spending on you? Did you feel like you had some kind of an obligation to pretend that you were my friend just because of the money?"

"No, it wasn't like that. We are friends, Max, I just didn't want to be the friend who always has his hand out," he said. "I've spent my whole life asking for help, I guess I hit the point where I couldn't do it anymore."

"No wonder Susan stomped all over you," Max said, shaking his head. "You don't see your own value. You can't see what a great person you are. I saw it, that's why I became your friend. You weren't just a charity case to make me feel better, you were someone special to me, but if you can't see that, then I don't know what we're doing here."

He was stunned and didn't know what to say. "I just thought……I mean……" he stammered. "I didn't want to feel like a burden to you." You had your own life to lead, and I didn't want to bother you with my problems."

"That's what friends are for, but I guess you never learned that lesson," Max said. "You'd better figure it out soon, or you will be alone for the rest of your life, and stay away from Felicity until you do. She doesn't need friends like you."

***Felicity***

Felicity walked across the deck on legs that would barely hold her, telling herself it was the storm and the roll of the boat, not the power of the kiss she'd just shared with Archie. She refused to admit that no one had ever kissed her like he just had, wouldn't let herself think about the pleasure that had flooded her body or the way she felt so safe in his arms. She was done with men for a long time, couldn't trust herself not to fall for the wrong guy again, and the powerful emotions she was beginning to feel when she was with Archie could only spell trouble.

"Felicity, will you slow down?" Brittany called, grabbing her arm. "What did Archie do to you?"

"He didn't do anything to me," she said. "We just got to talking, and things got intense, that's all."

Brittany studied her for a second, "What do you mean things got intense?" she asked. "Did you tell him about Joe?"

Relieved that was her sister's question, glad she could skirt around the kiss, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "He told me about his ex-wife, and I don't know, with the storm and everything, it just felt like I could trust him," she said, shrugging her shoulders. "It was just a lot talking about it, then he started saying all the right things, he told me I was beautiful with or without the scar……"

Brittany gasped, "He kissed you, didn't he?" she demanded. "I knew he was up to something. I told you over and over, but you wouldn't listen. Men don't know the meaning of the word friend, they're all just a bunch of pigs out for one thing."

"It wasn't like that at all," she said, wondering why she was defending Archie. "We just got caught up in the moment, that's all, it won't happen again."

"I can't believe that you're defending him," Brittany said, her voice full of outrage. "What happened to just being friends?"

She let out a long sigh. "It was just a kiss; nothing has changed," she said. I'm not getting involved with him, and he doesn't want to get involved with me. We'll work it out; you'll see."

"He kissed you," Brittany said. "You're already involved."

"Can we please just drop this? I want to enjoy the rest of the trip back to the island," she said. "The last thing I want to do is fight with you, especially over a man."

Brittany blew out a big breath, "Okay, I'm sorry, I just worry about you," she said. "I don't want to see you get hurt, but I won't say another word."

"Thanks, big sister," she said, giving Brittany a hug. "Now come on, let's go stand on the bow and watch for the island. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for a hot shower."

"You do have an aroma," her sister said, grinning at her. "Parfum de fish, I believe."

"I hate to tell you this, but you don't smell much better," she said, grinning back. "We're going to have to flip a coin to see who goes first."

It was almost dark by the time they made it back to the dock, unloaded the day's catch, and stored it in the small fish house for the crab boil the next night. After they'd returned their gear to the boat, they made their rounds thanking the crew, but she found herself watching for Archie the entire time. She was just beginning to think he'd slipped away without saying goodbye when he showed up as they were walking up the dock toward shore.

"That was fun today, but I'm exhausted. I think I'm going to skip my morning run tomorrow," he said, looking anywhere but at her. "I was thinking about changing things up the next day, so I don't think I'll be there then either." Mornings just aren't going to work for me anymore. I hope you understand."

"Oh, okay," she said, trying to hide her disappointment. I understand. It was fun having a running partner for a few days. I hope everything works out for you."

"You too," Archie said. "I guess I'll see you around the island."

He was gone before she could say another word, striding ahead of them, his long strides widening the gap between them in only seconds. Aware that Brittany was watching her, she fought the tears that stung her eyes and told herself that it was for the best. She was getting too attached to Archie, starting to like him just a little bit too much.

"He wasn't good enough for you anyway," Brittany said, putting her arm around her. "And now I won't have to share you with him, but I'm sorry it didn't work out. I might have been wrong about him after all."

"Now you say that, but thanks," she said, letting out a long sigh. I guess I got a little more attached than I should have. It really is better if we don't see each other again. I don't need those kinds of complications in my life right now."

"Someday, the time will be right, and so will the guy," Brittany said, leading her up the dock. "Come on, we're both tired and hungry. Let's grab some food on our way through the village and take it home with us. I'm thinking one of those big burgers and a huge pile of fries is just what we need."

"And a nice thick chocolate shake," she said, shrugging off the disappointment and sadness. "We worked hard today, we deserve it."