Storytime: Loving Lana, Ch. 14 & 15

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Loving Lana, Chapter 14

After a quiet dinner of lasagna and salad, Lana got her portfolio out of her bag, and sat down with Brad in the cozy living room of the cabin. He'd started a fire to take the chill off, but she pulled a plaid throw over her lap anyways, tucking her feet up into the plush armchair she'd chosen.

"I thought maybe we could go over a few things, since we have some time to kill." Lana opened the folder, and cocked a pen, holding it ready. She held Brad's gaze for a moment, expecting him to object. He simply watched her, and Lana tried to ignore the thick tension building in the space between them. She looked down at her scribbled notepad, her cheeks heating as she tried to make sense of her perfectly logical notes.

"I...uh...I have some ideas for replacement greenery at your offices..."

A dark shadow fell across the page she was trying to read, and Lana looked up, briefly confused at how Brad had moved so quietly. He reached out and slowly took the folder from her lap, holding out his other hand for her pen. She glanced at it, knowing that the rest of the night hinged on her willingness to give it up. He waited silently while she made up her mind.

Lana dropped the pen into Brad's outstretched hand. He turned and set her things on the end table, then held out his hands again, this time for her. Lana took them without hesitation, feeling only brief pang of guilt as he pulled her up into his arms. She melted against his hard warmth, nuzzling her nose into his neck, and placing tiny kisses where his pulse beat hard at his throat. He groaned, then took a step back. Lana stepped forward, but he took another step back, and she stopped.

"I'm sorry...uh...wow...I..." Lana stuttered, feeling the heat creep up her face. She bit her lower lip, looking down at the coffee table. She'd really misread the situation, it seemed, and she wasn't sure how to proceed. A soft touch on her arm brought her attention back to Brad, who was standing there grinning.

Grinning? This was funny? Adrenaline washed through and Lana frowned, opening her mouth for a good lecture. Brad held up both hands, surrendering as he backed away slowly.

"Don't shoot," he said, lowering one hand and reaching out to her. Lana just glared at it, unwilling to put her feelings on the line again. "I just thought maybe we could relocate," he said, his fingers moving over her fist, gently prying it open and tugging her forward. "You know - to a room with a bed, maybe?" He winked.

Lana allowed herself to be pulled forward, feeling shaky from the emotional roller coaster she'd just been on. Did he even realize what he did to her? How he affected her mental state? She followed him down the hall and into the bedroom, both agitated and aroused. [Bedroom scene intentionally left out.]

Loving Lana, Chapter 15

Lana was pouring a cup of coffee in the galley kitchen the next morning when someone knocked at the door.

"Good morning Susan, Judge Riley. Come in." Brad's voice carried through the thin walls, and Lana got two more cups out of the cupboard, filling each with hot coffee. She put them on wooden cutting board with the sugar bowl, creamer and her own cup, and carried them out to the living room.

"Good morning," she said, placing the tray on the coffee table. "We have coffee, if you'd like some."

"Perfect Lana - we brought donuts." Susan pointed to the box on the table. "Your other witness is on the way. She should be here within the hour, and then we can get you two married." Lana forced herself not to glance at Brad. After all they had shared last night, she was still confused about the status of thier relationship. She smiled at Susan, and opened the box of donuts. Would anyone notice her hands were shaking?

"Thank you for arranging all this, Susan." Brad took a glazed donut and sat on the couch with his coffee to eat. "Who did you get for the other witness?"

Susan shrugged nonchalantly, taking her time to swallow a bite of donut, then follow with a sip of coffee. "Just a friend of Lana's," she said, quickly taking another bite. Lana frowned at her, then glanced at the judge. He was apparently oblivious, enjoying his own breakfast. Susan sipped her coffee again, and Lana raised her eyebrows pointedly.

"Not Sara," Susan clarified. "Someone who's been a little preoccupied lately, but wanted to show her support."

Lana pondered for a moment. She only really had two close friends, and Sara was one. The other one was busy working with another high profile client...

"Sandra!" Lana smiled broadly. "Thank you Susan. But how did you know?" Lana had been friends with Sandra since high school, and still considered her the best friend she'd ever had. With Sandra busy working the Anderson case, and this whole Brad thing, Lana hadn't had a change to talk to her in days, when they normally chatted daily.

"I know a lot of things, dear." Susan winked, and Lana's smile faded. She knew everything - Lana felt it as she looked into the other woman's eyes. Yet she must have kept quiet, otherwise Brad would already know. Not that it mattered now. He would know in just a few hours anyways.

A car door slammed outside, snapping Lana to attention. She jumped up and ran to the door, opening it just in time to see Sandra step out of the passenger side of a navy blue classic Mustang. A tall blond man was helping her out, and Lana ran out to meet them.

"Sandra - I'm so glad you're here!" Lana hugged her friend. "You look wonderful - and nice ride."

Sandra looked uncomfortable, her eyes flicking briefly over Lana's shoulder. Lana turned, offering her hand and a smile to the stranger.

"I'm Lana Anderson," she said, noting the firm grip of his hand. "And you are?"

"Darrin...uh...Anderson," he replied politely, his gaze wandering back to Sandra. "I hope you don't mind that I came," he said.

"No, of course not," Lana said. "Come on in, both of you. We can get this wedding started, now that you're here." They walked up to the cabin, where everyone else waited. Lana made the introductions.

"So then, should we get started?" Lana's voice was a little too bright, and she felt her face flush.

"Lana, can I talk to you for a minute first?" Sandra spoke up, and all eyes turned towards her. "In private," she clarified, walking towards the kitchen. Lana followed, unsure of whether she was irritated or relieved. Maybe both. Sandra leaned against the counter, her expression serious.

"You don't have to do this," she said softly. "Sara and I can handle it. If I'd known what was going on --"

"We've all been a little busy lately," Lana said from the doorway. "But it's okay, Sandra - I want to do this. Not just for the company, but for me. For Brad and me."

"Did you tell him what happened?" Sandra asked. "Does he know what we really do?"

"Not yet." Lana looked down at the floor, rubbing the toe of her shoe against the wooden planks. "But I will - as soon as we're married."

"That's not fair, Lana. You have to tell him now, before this goes any further." Sandra's disappointment hung heavy between them.

I know - I lied. I promised a wedding scene this week...and wrote two more chapters just trying to reach it. But first drafts are like that, I just have to roll with them, and see how things play out. We'll get there eventually (I think)!