Part 10
Walking through the parking lot of the mall, AJ held Stormy’s hand, his fingers laced with hers. She had been the one to initiate the contact much to his delight. In fact, ever since she’d given him her trust, it had been like she craved his nearness, his touch…joining him in bed the night before, nudging him to put his arm around her before breakfast, and this, holding his hand. He DEFINITELY wasn’t going to complain. Cleaned up, she was beautiful. Not a super-model, knock-out gorgeous but a simple, down-to-earth beauty that radiated from within.
Reaching the main entrance, AJ held the door for her as he said, "Let me know if you get tired. The doctor said you should take it easy for a couple days."
‘Stormy’ was excited and as she looked at him, her eyes sparkled.
Her eyes say so much but I still want to hear her speak…just say my name, he thought.
Before they could head to a store, AJ was approached by several fans wanting autographs and pictures. He’d prepared her for this so as he talked to the fans, she waited patiently watching him.
He is so patient with them…just like he is with me. I should just tell him but then he’ll have to tell someone and I’m NOT ready to leave him. He’s the FIRST man who’s accepted me for ME…not pressuring me to talk, she thought.
AJ looked up from signing the last autograph to catch her watching him. She’s being so patient, he thought.
One of the fans interrupted his thoughts. "Is that your girlfriend?"
"Sorta. We just met."
"She doesn’t look like the type of girl we usually see you with."
AJ looked at the girl. He knew it wasn’t meant in a bad way and he knew she was right. "No, she’s not and I hope that’s a good thing."
"I hope it works out for you," smiled the fan. "You deserve to be happy."
"Thank you."
Alone again…well, as alone as you can be in the middle of a mall…AJ wrapped his arm around her waist pulling her close to him. "You know, they asked about you."
Placing her hands on his chest playing with his necklace, she tilted her head sideways questioningly.
"They asked if you were my girlfriend." AJ stopped to look closely into her eyes and felt his heart stop. How did she do that? She could look at him and have this affect on him. God help him when she said his name, IF she ever said his name. "Let’s go shopping, beautiful."
AJ and ‘Stormy’ spent several hours going from store to store. She would find an outfit she liked, look at the price tag, and if it was expensive, she would go back to looking only to have AJ pick it up and hand it to the sales clerk who was assisting them. She’d give him an exasperated look but he’d just smile and point to the fitting room.
After about five stores, they were headed down the way headed to get something to eat when they passed a formal attire store and ‘Stormy’ stopped to look at the dresses. One in particular caught her eye and she pulled AJ into the store to look at it closer. AJ watched her finger the material, he imagined her wearing it and decided that if she wanted it, he’d get it for her.
Taking it off the rack, he said, “Go try it on.”
‘Stormy’ shook her head in protest.
“GO!! I want to see you in it.”
A sales clerk joined them. “Can I help you?”
“My girlfriend would like to try this dress on,” smirked AJ.
‘Stormy’ glared at him but deep down, she was smiling, loving the fact that he wanted her to be his girlfriend and was willing to introduce her as such.
“Right this way, miss,” instructed the sales clerk.
AJ caught the lady by the arm and whispered, “She doesn’t talk so don’t be offended. Just watch her eyes and you’ll know what she’s thinking.”
The lady nodded her head and followed ‘Stormy’ to the fitting rooms. A few minutes later, she peaked out and motioned for AJ to join them in the back.
Stepping through the curtain, AJ stopped in his tracks. Before him stood the most incredibly elegant vision he’d ever seen before. The dress was perfect on her….a cobalt blue with ivory stitching, sheer sleeves, and a slit up the side of her leg. The dress conformed to every curve of her body and the slit revealed her shapely legs. She’d taken her hair out of the ponytail so that it now hung loosely on her shoulders.
“WOW!” breathed AJ.
‘Stormy’ blushed as the sales clerk said, “Exactly. Now, what type of evening will you be having? We need accessories.”
“I’ll figure something out. Just do whatever,” said AJ without taking his eyes off ‘Stormy’. “Do you want the dress?”
‘Stormy’ nodded her head ‘yes’.
“Then you’ll have the dress and we’ll go out somewhere to show you off in it.”
Ten minutes later, the sales clerk had found the perfect shoes and purse to go with the dress and AJ was paying for everything. He missed ‘Stormy’ leave the store and when he turned around, she was nowhere to be seen.
Taking the dress bag with the shoes, he looked around the store and began to become concerned when he didn’t find her. Stepping out into the mall, he scanned the crowd quickly for her…nothing.
“Where in the hell did she go?” mumbled AJ and started to check the stores next door to where they were.
For close to twenty minutes, AJ searched for her checking all the stores they’d already been to and ones she’d shown an interest in but he couldn’t find her. Panic was setting in and he didn’t know what to do. Returning to the formal attire store, he stood in the door looking out over the sea of people.
“You did it…you took off, didn’t you? I thought we were happy.” AJ’s heart was breaking. The afternoon had been so magical. They were becoming closer and he had thought for sure she would start talking at any minute.
Turning to go back into the store to return the dress, Marcus stopped him. Angrily, he snapped at his body guard, “What the hell are you paid for if you can’t keep an eye on someone?”
“Before you get totally out of control, come with me.”
AJ followed Marcus across the mall to a pet store where he directed him to go inside to the back. He hadn’t even considered a pet store. Making his way to the back, he spotted ‘Stormy’ sitting in the middle of the ‘crib’ area for puppies and kittens. In her lap a little ball of black fur was curled up and she was gently stroking what appeared to be the head of that ball of fur.
Relieved that she hadn’t taken off he knelt down and reached to pet the kitten too. “You scared me. I thought you’d taken off without saying goodbye.”
‘Stormy’ looked at him to see his tears and her heart broke. Reaching up, she wiped the tears away and placed a small kiss on his cheek.
The kitten looked up because she wasn’t scratching his head anymore and gave a pitiful meow.
AJ smiled, “He doesn’t want you to leave either. Come on, let’s go pay for him and get him some supplies.”
‘Stormy’ had learned not to argue with AJ in that afternoon so she allowed him to help her up. Together, they collected food, toys, a litter box and litter, and a kitty carrier before heading to the counter to pay for all the items.
Marcus was waiting for the two and when he saw AJ carrying the cat supplies, he began to smirk.
“Just SHUT UP!!” glared AJ. “DO NOT even say a word!”
“Not a word,” said Marcus shaking his head. Then mumbling, he said, “The dogs aren’t gonna like it.”
With all their purchases, AJ and ‘Stormy’ followed Marcus to the doors of the mall only to find that it was storming again.
“Wait here,” said Marcus taking their packages. “I’ll go get the car and come back for you.”
The couple waited in a quiet corner watching the rain as it began to fall. AJ held her close watching her as she watched the rain. She had a distant look in her eyes and he wondered what she was thinking about. What was it going to take to get her to tell him?
~*~*~
