Your Place or Mine
Author: Hollyjp

Here are Challenge 2006 lines for October.
Mac: You were unbelievably rude.
Harm: I was rude? You compared me to a bilge pump.
Mac: Bilge switch. And you deserved it.
(Lifeline)


Your Place or Mine?

Harm couldn’t believe his ears! Mac was pushing him away. After throwing herself at him for the past three days and especially all evening, she was pushing him away! “Mac, what are you doing?”

“I need some space Harm.” Mac slowly eased out of his arms as they danced and began moving away from him.

Mac knew Harm probably thought she was being a tease after the way she had been trying to seduce him for this past few days, however, she had decided it was more important to have him show his desire for her, then for him to merely accept her advances, even if he welcomed them. She also knew she was gambling with their new found relationship but she felt it was worth the risk. She needed to find a way for that man to lose his control. She had waited for him to give it up on his own for years, but after a recent conversation, she decided to give him a little push...or pull...as the case warranted.

“Fine,” Harm agreed between clenched teeth, as he released her, turning to walk off the dance floor. “And you compared me to a bilge pump!”

“Bilge switch,” Mac patiently reminded him, wondering if that conversation would ever fade from either of their memories as she supressed a smile realizing that he was a little steamed. Normally, that wouldn’t be good, but in this instance, Mac hoped it was a positive sign.

“Even better for you at this point...running hot then cold.”

“You’re comparing me to a bilge switch?” Mac asked, trying to catch his arm and turn him back toward her.

“And you deserved it!” Harm ground out between his clinched teeth as he stormed toward the door avoiding her reaching hand.

Mac kept at Harm’s heels while his frustration kept him a step ahead and barely out of reach. Finally, the cooler outdoor temperatures seemed to have a cooling effect on his emotions, as he slowed allowing Mac to capture his arm finally. Getting in front of him she glared into his face.
“You were unbelievably rude!”

“I was rude?” Harm retorted, his eyes blazing now. “You were the one that’s been coming on to me all week. Tonight, when I finally feel comfortable enough to try and show you how I feel; how much you mean to me; you announce you need space, as if I was the one that had been invading your space all this time. Damn, Mac! No wonder I don’t dare tell you how much I want you; how much I love you.”

“Why Harm?”

“Because you already have more power over me and my emotions then anyone I’ve ever known.”

“I do?”

“Yes...are you trying to tell me you don’t know that?”

“I know you control your emotions and won’t let anyone in.”

“That’s not true, Mac. I’ve always let you in, whether I wanted to or not. If I fought harder to keep you out, it was out of self-preservation.”

“I’m sorry for turning you on and off like...”

“A bilge switch?”

“Yeah...I just needed to be sure that you wanted it as much as I did...and after the way I seduced you this week...well I knew it wouldn’t mean as much unless you were coming to me on your own.”

“So now that you’ve driven me insane and we’ve both cooled off, will I get my face slapped or suffer bodily injury if I take you in my arms again...here...now?”

“No...”

“And kiss you...”

“Just do it, alright!” Mac whispered against his lips as she ached for him to touch her and lose at least a little of his control.

“We’d better go to your place - or mine - first if I’m going to let go of my control.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah...because once I start kissing you...I don’t think I’ll be able to stop. I think the switch is worn out.”

“Mine!”

So they did...and he did...and she did... and they did.

****