Chapter forty. By nine, Carly and Pat pushed their way through the local grocery store with the hundreds of others who were stocking up

By nine, Carly and Pat pushed their way through the local grocery store with the hundreds of others who were stocking up. They managed to get the last bottle of water on the shelf. It always amazed Carly that people went crazy when a storm approached, as if they would be stranded for weeks. Of course, she and Pat were doing the same thing.

" It's really hard to shop for food when I'm so stuffed, " Carly said. She had eaten an entire seafood platter and two bowls of gumbo. " Nothing looks good."

But Pat was having no problems. Their basket was loaded with chips, bread and turkey slices and several cans of soup.

" Sandwiches and soup, " Carly murmured. " We're pathetic. You would think at least one of us could cook."

" Frozen pizza? " Pat asked.

" We'll probably lose power."

" Isn't the generator hooked up yet? "

" No."

" Okay. Sandwiches and soup. Works for me."

They stood in the endless line waiting to check out and Pat snatched up a pack of batteries.

" I know the flashlight in my Jeep is dead. Need any? "

" No. I have a new one, " Carly said. In fact, Martin had put several around the ranch house alone.

" So, Elsa and Martin seem quite friendly, " Pat said suddenly. " Are they seeing each other? "

" I guess that's what you'd call it. They're very secretive though. If I hadn't had to practically beat it out of Elsa I would only be speculating."

" Well, I like them both. I hope it works out."

Carly nodded. She did, too.

" How was Rachel? I assume she wanted you to stay with her? "

" She did. But I told her you were staying at the ranch alone and she insisted I stay there with you. To protect you, of course."

Carly smiled. " Do you think I need protection? "

" I may be the one who needs protecting, " Pat said. " You may try to take advantage of me."

Carly laughed. " Yes, I may."

Pat knew she was teasing but there was still an underlying tension between them. She wondered if Carly would allow her to share her bed or make her use the sofa. The sofa, Pat decided. There was no possible way they could sleep in the same bed and actually sleep. At least, that's what she thought. Carly may not have a bit of trouble.

The rain hit just as Pat was locking up the gate. She followed Carly to the ranch house and they unpacked the groceries and Pat's clothes quickly, but they were both soaked.

" We should really put our Jeeps in the barn, " Carly suggested. " It's only going to get worse."

" This is just the first rain band. There'll be breaks, " Pat said. " Come on. Let's put the TV on and see what's going on."

After they changed into dry clothes, Carly made them both hot chocolate and they sat on the floor, leaning against the back of the sofa. Only the recliner faced the TV but she decided to join Pat on the floor.

Adrian was now a category three hurricane. She flicked her eyes to Pat. It still had another day in the gulf to strengthen.

" Total rainfall may exceed twenty inches along the coast. We're now seeing the first bands of rain come ashore but the eye is still more than two hundred miles south-southeast of Corpus Christi. Hurricane warnings have been posted from St. Charles, Louisiana south to Brownsville, Texas. The highest probability of landfall is between Galveston and Corpus Christi..."

Carly let the voice fade as she watched Pat's face. She was worried, Carly could tell. They were perfectly safe here...but their land, that was another story.

" We should move the Jeeps at first light, " Pat said. " Are you sure we have everything secured? Any lawn chairs laying around? "

" No. Martin put them up. And yes, I think we have everything secured. We'll be fine here. Won't we? " she asked.

Pat gave her a reassuring smile. " Sure. It'll be fun. Imagine the shots I can get."

" If you think for one minute that I'm going to let you go out when it hits, you're sadly mistaken, " Carly told her.

" I'm just kidding. I'm really a wimp."

" Somehow I doubt that." She watched Pat sip from her chocolate. " You know, I've got something stronger than that, if you want."

" Yeah? Like what? "

Carly smiled. " If I listed my entire liquor cabinet to you, you might think I was a bartender in another life."

" Okay. How about something simple? Rum or bourbon and coke? That'll do."

Pat handed over the rest of her hot chocolate and turned back to the TV, watching the radar image that was up. They were in for a lot of rain. Even if the storm moved east, like she was hoping, they would still be hit. The entire gulf was covered by the storm.

" Doesn't look good, " Carly said.

" No."

Pat looked up and took the drink Carly offered, then smiled as Carly sat down beside her again. This was nice. It was also the first time they had spent any significant time totally alone.

" What would you be doing if you weren't here? " Carly asked.

" Tonight? "

" No. I mean, what do you normally do in the evenings? "

" Oh. You mean, in my previous life before I agreed to become your photography slave? "

Carly grinned. " Yes. Before you became my slave."

Pat leaned back, and sipped from her drink. It beat the hell out of the hot chocolate. What would she be doing? Nothing nearly as much fun.

" I used to go to The Brown Pelican, a local dive on the island. Their great claim to fame is pool tournaments."

" Are you any good? "

" Of course. I've won my share. Some of the guys there think we're best buds. They always think they can outdo me with Tequila shots. Something I'm very proud of, " she said sarcastically. She sounded pathetic, she knew.

Carly watched the expression on Pat's face change. She wondered why Pat was embarrassed.

" Do you date much? "

" Date? "

Carly smiled. " You know, women...go out, that sort of thing."

" No, not really. I never met anyone I wanted to spend that much time with, " she said. " Or maybe they just didn't want to spend time with me. Because, you know, I've been called arrogant, obnoxious and a jerk, among other things."

" Of all the things I wish I could take back, I would take back calling you a jerk, " Carly teased.

" But arrogant and obnoxious fit? "

" Okay. I'll take back obnoxious, too."

Pat nodded. " Okay, I can live with that."

" How old are you? You never said."

" Carly, you know you're never supposed to ask a woman her age. Surely you know that."

" I'll say thirty-five."

" Are you trying to offend me? I don't look thirty-five."

" Tell me."

" I'm thirty-six, " Pat finally said, causing Carly to laugh.

" Is this where I'm to say that you don't look anywhere near thirty-six? "

" That would be the proper thing to say. Especially if you're trying to win points with me. And I would say you don't look a day over twenty-five. See how that works? "

" You are so full of shit, " Carly said.

" That's because I know you're thirty-two."

" Let me guess. Elsa? "

" Of course. She loves to talk."

" Yes, I know." Carly glanced at Pat, watching the smile leave her face. She seemed depressed, and she hated to use that word to describe Pat. She was always so upbeat about everything.

" You've had some sort of relationship, surely. Why won't you tell me? " Carly asked again.

Pat shrugged. " I really haven't. At first, I was young and out there, you know. And please don't call me conceited, but..."

" You had your pick of women? " Carly guessed. And why not? She was beautiful. She could imagine a younger Pat walking into a bar, scanning the crowd for a woman willing to go home with her, just because of her looks.

" Something like that. That's when I realized that women could care less about me or my personality, they just wanted to be seen with me. And God, that sounds conceited, " she admitted. " I'm sorry."

" You're very attractive, Pat. That's not something you can hide...or deny. You shouldn't have to apologize for your looks."

" No, but I've always had a hard time believing women when they came on to me."

" So you tried your best to be obnoxious and arrogant and see who would run from you and who wouldn't? "

" Well, it was a strategy, at least. But honestly, I've been physically attracted to women over the years, but not really emotionally. I just never met anyone that I wanted to get to know on a more personal level...other than just the physical part. And that's why Angel and Lannie were teasing me. They've tried to set me up with plenty of women and I never bring the same one around twice."

Carly smiled sadly, wondering at the loneliness this woman has endured most of her life. Not only from her parents, her family, but also from not having the intimacy of a relationship. And sadly, she could relate. It had been so many years since her disastrous relationship with Carol ended and she was no better than Pat. But at least she had her family.

" But you know, I can't really lump you in that category, " Pat said. Carly looked up and Pat immediately captured her eyes. " I'm attracted to you physically, of course. You know that. But you're the first person I've really wanted to spend time with. You're the first person that I've felt...connected to."

" I won't deny that I'm attracted to you, Pat. In fact, I'm happier when you're here than when you're not." She swallowed hard, her voice catching, but she didn't pull her eyes away. " But I don't know what you want from me, " she finished in a whisper.

" I want your heart, " Pat said softly.

" I can't give you that, Pat. I won't ever be able to give you that. I might give you some, but I would have to keep some back, for myself. Pat, I nearly didn't make it after Carol. But you, with you, I don't think I could recover."

" I'm sorry, but I want all of it, " Pat said. " Every bit of your heart. But that's okay. Because I want to give you all of mine. And I've never given mine away before."

Carly felt tears gather in her eyes and she blinked them away. She reached out and took Pat's hand, pulling it into her lap.

" You say things like that...and I want so to believe you, " she whispered.

" Carly, if there's one thing you can believe, it's that I'll be honest with you. Always."

" You scare the hell out of me, you know. I don't seem to have any defense for you."

Pat moved until she was facing Carly, their knees brushing. Her eyes still held Carly captive and she reached out, brushing the blonde hair away from her face.

" Please don't kiss me, Pat, " Carly whispered even as her eyes dropped to Pat's lips. " I'm too weak."

" It's not like I have a choice, Carly."

The lips that touched hers were so soft, so gentle that Carly whimpered. She felt her hands slide up Pat's arms to her shoulders, felt herself pull Pat closer. Suddenly their kiss turned hungry, mouths opening, tasting. Carly didn't try to control the hunger inside of her. She had wanted to kiss Pat this way for weeks. She wouldn't deny herself now.

But it was Pat who pulled away and Carly felt the loss immediately. She looked at Pat, her eyes questioning.

" If we don't stop now, I'm going to drag you into your bedroom and I don't think you're ready for that, " Pat said.

" Why must you always leave me wanting a cold shower? "

" Because I want to make love to you like no one ever has, " Pat said. " And I want you to be sure. I don't want you to tell me this was a mistake in the morning. And because I want you to give me your heart."

" You're asking the impossible. I can only give you my body."

" Then we're going to be taking cold showers."

Carly smiled at that and leaned forward and touched Pat's lips again, this time gently, without the hunger that was simmering just under the surface.

" So you really are trying to drive me crazy, " she murmured. " I should have known."

Pat stood up and pulled Carly to her feet. She wanted to hold her. She drew Carly into her arms, holding her with all the tenderness she had never offered another soul. She felt Carly melt into her, felt her arms slide around her shoulders, felt the lips that moved over her neck. She moved her head, taking Carly's lips again. The fire between them ignited and she felt Carly's hips press into her own. She grasped Carly's hips, holding her firmly against her and she moaned. God, she wanted this woman. Never in her life had she wanted someone like this. Before she could stop herself, her hands slid to Carly's waist, then higher, cupping Carly's breasts.

" Oh, God, what are you trying to do to me? " Carly whispered into her mouth. She wanted her. She could feel her own wetness and she opened her legs, pressing against Pat's thigh, so afraid she would have an orgasm right then. And would it be so bad, she thought crazily.

Pat wanted to let go. It would be so much easier than trying to control her desire. But if she had Carly tonight, there were no assurances that she could have her again tomorrow. And Pat knew she wanted a thousand tomorrows with this woman. But what she felt was close to pain as she pulled away from Carly.

" You're dangerous, Dr. Cambridge. I can't seem to control myself when I'm around you."

" I could hate you right now, Pat Ryan, " Carly whispered. " Because you know exactly how much I want you and you won't take it."

" We both know you don't hate me."

" I can't let myself love you, Pat."

But Pat smiled. Carly's eyes didn't lie. The hardest part would be convincing Carly that she was capable of giving...and accepting love.

" Let's call it a night, huh? We're going to have a busy day tomorrow."

" How the hell can you just change gears like that? You're driving me crazy and I think you enjoy it, " Carly accused.

" Yes. Obnoxious, I know."

" You know, of course, that you'll pay for this, " Carly told her.

Pat laughed and bent down and picked up their drinks. She handed one to Carly and drank the last of hers. Yes, she would pay. Gladly.

" Do you have a pillow or something that I can use out here? " Pat asked.

" You don't have to sleep on the sofa. My bed is plenty big enough for the both of us, " Carly offered.

" You're joking, right? It's all I can do to be in the same house as you. Don't tempt me with a bed."

" So when Lannie called you stubborn, she wasn't kidding."

" I'm not stubborn. Jesus, Carly, I'm trying to be a saint here."

" And you're succeeding."