Aloha, Mr. Steele 3/8
Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008
From: "SusanRS" <myrtlelauragroggins@yahoo.com>
 
 
Aloha, Mr. Steele
Chapter three
 
Remington and Laura finished their wonderful meal and headed out to the lanai for some fresh air. The briny scent of the ocean blended with the fragrance of the flora. The sky was dark, save for thousands of twinkling stars. Remington lay down on a chaise lounge and motioned for Laura to join him. She snuggled up next to him as he wrapped his arms lovingly around her. She placed her head on his chest and draped her leg over his.
 
"Comfortable?" Remington asked.
 
"Yes," Laura replied. "This is perfect."
 
"I must agree," he said and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
 
"I hate for it to end," she remarked.
 
"Why does it have to?" he inquired.
 
"We can't stay like this forever," Laura replied. "We have to go back to Los Angeles; to the real world"
 
"Maybe we can't stay here," he said. "But we can definitely stay like *this* forever."
 
"Why are you always so optimistic?" Laura asked.
 
"Why *aren't* you?" Remington countered.
 
He had her there. She always seemed to look at the negative side of things.
 
Remington's voice was soft and tender and sincere. "Laura, everything in my life changed the day I walked in to Remington Steele's office, *my office*, as Ben Pearson and saw you. Before I met you, I had not stayed in one place very long. I was always on to the next conquest . . . the next adventure . . . the next heist. The first time I saw you, I *knew* that you were special. But the more time I spent with you, the more I appreciated how exceptional you are. I realized that you were more precious than any gem or painting I had ever desired," he kissed her forehead, "Even Royal Lavulite."
 
Laura was enjoying this new forthrightness. "When did you know that you wanted to be with me?" she inquired.
 
"I *wanted* you from the first moment I saw you. That hasn't changed." Laura smiled as he continued. "I know if we had been lovers in the beginning, I wouldn't be here today. But, because of your stubbornness, I waited and discovered the real Laura." Remington kissed the top of her head. "I fell in love with the real Laura."
 
Laura turned her head up to smile at him. Remington leaned in and gave her a loving kiss. When their lips parted he tightened his embrace.
 
"Do you want to hear something that may surprise you?" she asked.
 
"Sure," he answered.
 
"I wanted *you* the first moment I saw you, too," she said.
 
"Really?" he replied smiling.
 
"Oh, yeah," she said in a steamy voice. "The second I saw Ben Pearson, I was instantly attracted."
 
"You hid it well," he joked.
 
"Did I?"
 
Remington chuckled, "No. . . . But you *did* want me to think you weren't interested."
 
"I was working," Laura replied. "I was busy with the case at hand." She smiled. "I was trying not to get distracted by a tall, blue-eyed stranger who was consuming my every thought. If I let you think that I didn't want you, then maybe I might believe it, too. Besides, I really didn't know that much about you, except for the fact that you were *so* damned sexy."
 
"*Were*?"
 
Laura grinned. "You *are* so damned sexy." She kissed him. "It wasn't long before I knew that if we ever *crossed that line*, I could never get enough of you. I would want you even more and it would be so painful to ever let you go."
 
"I know that now," Remington said. "But it took some time for me time to see it . . . . . .One of our earliest cases together, we were helping some poor chap from the CIA . . ."
 
He thought for a moment.
 
"Sheldon Quarry," she offered.
 
"Yes, that's right," he recalled. "And we had to spend the night in that awful car."
 
Laura snickered, "I remember."
 
Remington continued, "I remember waking up next to you, how good it felt."
 
"I remember," she said softly.
 
"And then the brief conversation we had. You really put me in my place. I realized then, that if you and I were ever to have a relationship outside of the office, I had to be sure I didn't hurt you. By the time you spent the night at my apartment, after your house was destroyed, I knew how I felt about you. But I was still afraid to tell you, for fear of you rejecting me."
 
Remington gave her a gentle kiss.
 
"Do you know when I saw your true character?" he asked, "Who you really are?"
 
"I shudder to think," she replied.
 
"When Wilson Jeffries came to our office, asking for your help."
 
"Oh, god," she said, covering her face with her hands.
 
Remington pulled her hands away. "Laura, I'm not talking about your repeat performance for his banker buddies. Even though, surprising as it was, it *was* enjoyable to see that side of you. No, I'm talking about the fact that when the man you lived with for so long, who walked out on you without a word, came back to you when he was in trouble, you were still willing to help him. Even *after* all the pain he caused you. I could see what a kind, caring, generous person you were. I could also see how much he meant to you."
 
"I loved Wilson," she said. "And I thought he loved me, too."
 
"Laura, I think he only loved the part of you he thought he could control."
 
"And the other part?" she asked.
 
Remington smiled. "I think it scared the *hell* out of him."
 
Laura raised her head and looked straight into his eyes. "And what about you, Mr. Steele? Does it frighten you?"
 
Remington smiled, "Fear is definitely *not* the emotion that is stirred within me at the thought of your *wild* side, Laura. At any time today did I seem frightened of you?"
 
"No," she replied smiling, "Not at all." She lay her head back down and asked nonchalantly "Do you think that making love has solved all of our problems?"
 
"No," he replied. "But I *do* think that our lack of intimacy has been holding our relationship back. Now that we're past that road block, I think we can finally move forward. Any problems that we may still have, we can work through together." Remington tipped her chin up to look into her eyes. "Laura, what do you want to happen with us when we get back?"
 
". . . I don't know," she lied. "I haven't really thought about it." She *had* thought about it. *A lot*. She wanted a commitment from him.
 
"What do *you* want to happen when we go home?" Laura asked curiously.
 
"Well, I know I don't want to spend another night away from you," he replied.
 
"You want us to move in together?" she asked.
 
"If that's what it means," he answered. "We have spent *too* much time apart. We have been business partners for almost four years. Now that we are lovers, I want us to make our personal life a top priority. Whether we stay at your loft or my apartment, it really doesn't matter to me. I just don't want to wake up another day without you in my arms."
 
"I already lived with a man," Laura stated matter-of-factly.
 
"Yes, I know you did, Laura," he replied. "But you didn't live with *this* man. I am *not* Wilson."
 
Laura quickly sat up and turned to face him. "I know you're not."
 
"Do you?" Remington asked, trying not to sound angry. "I have been punished for his mistake for longer than I would care to admit."
 
"I know," she replied. "I'm so sorry. I didn't realize how much my constant tests had injured you until I saw the look on your face last week at the spa. Never again do I want to be the cause of the pain I saw in your eyes. I didn't mean to hurt you. I've just been so afraid of losing you and having my heart broken again."
 
Remington gently pulled her down so she was safely nestled in his loving embrace again.
 
"I know that, Laura," he said. "You're not going to lose me now. If you were any other woman, I wouldn't have put up with all of your little tests for so long. I would have moved on years ago. But there *is* no other woman for me. You are the *only* one I want. At some point you have to realize that I would never hurt you."
 
"I'm trying," she said. "Thank you for being so patient with me."
 
Remington looked deep into her eyes. "You're worth the wait," he replied. He pulled her close for a deep, passionate kiss. "I'll admit, at first, *this* was all I wanted. But now, I want *so* much more. I didn't stick around all this time for a night---or even a week, for that matter---in bed with you. I want a lifetime of days like the one we had today."
 
Laura absorbed every word he was saying. She stood up and reached for his hand. "This day isn't over yet, Mr. Steele." She smiled. "I think I'm ready to get out of this robe."
 
Remington took her hand and grinned as she pulled him into the bedroom.
 
******
 
Remington woke first. He didn't even have to open his eyes to know she was there. Not only could he feel the lovely curves of her body touching his, but her fragrant scent permeated his entire being. He opened his eyes to look at her. Laura was a vision of loveliness. Remington had always dreamed of what it would feel like to wake up to her after a night of lovemaking. But the reality was much more satisfying than any fantasy he had ever had. He wanted so much to touch her, caress her, but he didn't want to disturb her peaceful slumber. So he just watched her. When Laura finally opened her eyes, he was staring right at her.
 
"Good morning," Laura said, a little startled that he was looking at her, but enjoying the fact that he was there in bed with her.
 
"Yes, it is," Remington replied. "A *very* good morning." He leaned over and kissed her. "How are you feeling?" he asked.
 
"Spent," she said, with a sly grin.
 
"Well, Miss Holt, thank you for spending it on me," he replied.
 
"Miss Holt?" she said, smiling. "A bit formal, wouldn't you say, considering the fact that we're in bed together and neither one of us is wearing anything?"
 
"I'm wearing a smile," he said with a huge grin. Laura laughed. "Besides, you still call me Mr. Steele."
 
"It's what I'm used to," Laura said and then grinned. "Although, if you recall, I did call you Remington a few times yesterday."
 
Remington flashed her a wide grin. "Oh, yes, Laura. I remember it *very* well." He kissed her again. "Would you like some breakfast?"
 
"Does it require me getting dressed?" she asked.
 
"Not at all," Remington replied. "I actually prefer you without clothing," he said smiling. "In fact, I think we should make all of our meals *clothing optional* from now on."
 
Laura chuckled. "I'm sure you do," she said.
 
Remington leaned in and gave her a long, loving kiss.
 
"What do you want to do while we're here in Hawaii?" Laura inquired.
 
"I think I'm doing it," he replied.
 
"You don't want to do anything else?" she asked.
 
"Do you?"
 
"No. . . Not really," Laura said.
 
"What's next on the schedule?" Remington asked.
 
"What schedule?" she answered.
 
"Well, you planned this little getaway," he said. "What comes next?"
 
"Yes," Laura replied. "I *did* make the reservations for the flights and hotel. I made sure the office details were taken care of. And I wrote your letter. But beyond that, I didn't plan anything else for us." She gave him a sly grin. "Except for what we did once we got to the room."
 
"Oh, Laura, I would have loved to have seen that list."
 
"What list?"
 
"Your *To Do* list for this vacation." Remington sat up. He used his hands and pretended to write on an imaginary notepad. "Book flights and hotel . . . Check! . . . Lock up the office. . . Check! . . . Write a flowery letter. . . Check! . . . *DO* Mr. Steele. . ." He flashed her a wicked grin. "Check!"
 
"OH!" she screamed playfully. "You're going to pay for that!"
 
In one swift movement, Laura grabbed both of his wrists, knocked him on his back, climbed on top of him and planted a hard, deep kiss on his lips.
 
"Laura, I'm sorry if I offended you," he said sarcastically, knowing she was in no way offended.
 
"You should be," she said, joking back. "Besides," Laura quipped, "It didn't say that. It said, *make mad, passionate love to Mr. Steele*."
 
Remington smiled at her, wiggled both eyebrows and said, "Check!"
 
Laura laughed, still pinning him down. "You are so much fun!"
 
"Isn't *fun* number 34 on Laura's *Top 100 Reasons Why I Love Remington Steele*?" he said, ribbing her about her long list of his most endearing qualities.
 
"Oh, I think it`s much higher than that," she said in a deep, seductive voice, enjoying the teasing.
 
"I do, you know," Laura said.
 
"You do, *what*?" Remington asked.
 
"I do, love you," she replied.
 
Remington smiled. "I know."
 
Laura smiled and slowly leaned into him. She gently placed her lips on his and kissed him ever so softly. She released the hold on his wrists and slid her hands down into his. Their fingers laced together. She lowered her body onto his. Their kiss deepened and became more passionate. Breakfast would have to wait.
 
******
 
Remington and Laura were in no hurry to leave the confines of their bed. They relished the feeling of their newfound intimacy. It was almost noon by the time they got up, showered and got dressed. They decided to go to the hotel restaurant for the Sunday brunch buffet. They were very pleased at the vast array of food. Not only were all of the traditional brunch items present, but there was also a wide assortment of tropical fruits, seafood and sushi. They sat down at their table with their plates of food and were just about to start eating when Remington excused himself.
 
"I'll be right back," he said. "I forgot something."
 
As he headed towards the buffet table, Laura began eating. She was enjoying her food so much, that she hadn't noticed he had been gone for an unusual amount of time. When she finally looked around for him, he wasn't at the buffet. She scanned the room and saw him in the corner, talking to a man. Laura watched intently. They were smiling and laughing while they spoke. When the conversation ended, they shook hands. Mr. Steele patted the man on the shoulder as he walked away. Laura quickly turned back towards her plate. *What's he up to*? She thought. Mr. Steele sat down.
 
"Did you find what you were looking for?" Laura asked curiously.
 
Remington smiled and looked right at her. "Yes, Laura. I've found *everything* I was looking for."
 
Laura smiled back and asked, nonchalantly, "Who was that man you were talking to?"
 
Remington took a bite of food. "What man?"
 
Laura asked more directly, "The man in the corner; the one you were laughing with for almost fifteen minutes."
 
"Oh, him." Remington took a bigger bite. "He's the restaurant manager." He stalled for another minute. He knew that Laura would not be satisfied without an explanation, so he quickly made one up. "I just wanted to let him know how impressed we were with the food here. I told him we would probably come back here for dinner this evening."
 
Laura didn't think he was being completely truthful. But if he *was* planning a surprise for her, she wasn't going to spoil it by interrogating him.
 
After brunch, Remington and Laura decided to go into town. He wanted to buy some groceries to stock the refrigerator in their suite. She also thought it might be fun to do some shopping. Since Mr. Steele had believed they were coming here on business, she wondered if he might want to pick up more casual wear. They took the hotel's complementary shuttle to a downtown market. First, they went to Hilo Hatties to buy Mildred a muumuu. Then they went to a clothing store and found a few shirts and trousers for Mr. Steele. After that, they went to a local grocery store. This was the first time they had been away from their room. Remington and Laura quickly put the groceries away. They couldn't wait to un-make the freshly made bed.
 
To be continued . . .
To Part 4
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