Another Choice

Libby & March

by Atonia & Layne

Libby drove toward Coff's with her mind a million miles away. She couldn't believe she was having dinner with March, after what had happened between her and Dan this afternoon! Wasn't really sure she could believe it had really happened!

March had asked her to supper last week, though, and she couldn't just call and cancel at the last minute. She'd talk with him while she was there. Try and explain how she felt about Dan. Could she really explain that to anyone? Even to herself?

She did like March, though. They had things in common and she had fun when she was with him. God, things are so confusing, she thought to herself, as she parked in front of March's apartment building.

March knew how to set a table and create a mood, he’d gone all out tonight because Libby was coming to dinner. Soft music, candles, soft throw pillows on his sofa and he himself had showered and splashed on a little expensive aftershave. He dressed casually in a pair of off white linen pants and a light blue shirt which he left loose with a few buttons done up. He left the doors to his balcony open so that the ocean breeze and sounds would penetrate the room. He poured himself a drink while he waited for her to arrive.

When March answered her knock at the door, Libby was glad she'd taken plenty of time to shower and change. The long, loose cotton skirt and tank top she'd put on seemed to match the casual way he was dressed. He had the usual smile on his face and she couldn't help but think once again how different he was from Dan.

March was certainly handsome, especially in the loose shirt and pants he was wearing, and he seemed relaxed, as always. Libby relaxed a little in his presence. Maybe she'd have dinner and a glass of wine before trying to talk with him. It might make her feel a little more at ease. She smiled at him as she said hello.

March took her in a glance and smiled, “Libby miei cari, come in please,” he gave her a quick hug and a kiss on her forehead. She smelled delicious, clean and fresh he took her hand and led her into his lounge.

“It’s so good to see you, what would you like to drink?”

A drink. That sounded like just what she could use right now. "I'll just bet you have wine on hand." Libby smiled at him. "That sounds wonderful."

Taking in the room, with it's relaxing atmosphere, she relaxed even more.. The music, candlelight, the soft breeze and the sound of the ocean- Even the scent of March's aftershave added to the soothing feeling in the room. She let out a long sigh as she sat on the sofa and leaned back against the pillows.

March poured her a glass of wine and freshened his drink as he brought them back he smiled a little at her against his pillows. He handed her the wine and sat down beside of her drawing his knee up on the sofa so that he faced her, “I hope the wine is to your taste. You look lovely tonight.” With a smile in his eyes he gazed at her over the rim of his glass as he sipped his drink..

Turning to face him, Libby returned that smile. Despite his telling her awhile back that he was married, March had a way of making her feel at ease. Whenever she was around him, she had fun and was able to talk freely. She took the glass of wine and returned his smile as she sipped it.

"It tastes exquisite." Still thinking that she really needed a drink, Libby drained the glass. "Could I have some more?" As March got up to get it, she thought to herself how full of confusion and stress her life had been lately."Being around you always relaxes me, March. Makes me feel as though there's nothing to be concerned about. It's always so nice..." Libby kicked off her sandals and drew her feet underneath her.

March returned with her glass and the bottle, “When you are with me there is nothing to be concerned about, nothing to worry about. I want you to relax and enjoy yourself. We leave the world outside the door yes?”

She was about as relaxed as he had ever seen her right now. He liked that she kicked off her shoes and settled into the pillows. He sat down a little closer to her so that his knee was against hers.

"Mmmm..." Libby sighed, closing her eyes, as she sipped the second glass of wine. "Leaving the world outside the door. That'll be perfect... Except for those lovely sounds the ocean makes. We have to let those in."

“Yes…it adds to the comfort I think you can close your eyes and be anywhere but I am glad you chose to be here with me tonight.” His voice dropped a little sexily. He thought perhaps he should put dinner out but he didn’t want to break the mood she was in. He would wait a little and see what she wanted to do.

"So am I. Glad I'm here, I mean..." The music, the ocean sounds, the candlelight, this wonderful wine," Libby sipped it again. "It all makes me feel so comfortable."

March noticed she was downing the wine rather quickly, “are you hungry Libby or would you like to wait awhile for dinner?” He was quite willing to finish off that bottle of wine and see where it might lead. He took her hand and played his finger across the inside of her wrist.

"Hungry?" Libby was losing herself in the wonderful atmosphere. Food had not even been on her mind. "No... Not really. I've just been so- So stressed lately. Work and moving and--everything else." That finger on her wrist felt warm and soothing.

"It feels so good just to have a chance to rest and relax." The pillows were soft and March's voice, his accent, were as beautiful as the music. Libby had a vague thought that she should ask herself what she was doing here, but she pushed it aside, not wanting to deal with it right now.

“But you are so beautiful, you should not be stressed,” he took her hand to his lips and kissed it and the inside of her wrist, “Tell me what I can do to help you relax.” He trailed his fingers up the inside of her arm.

"You're doing it now," she whispered, mesmerized by the feel of his lips against her wrist, those warm fingers on the sensitive skin of her inner arm.

She needed kissing. He was trying to take things slowly, a little unsure of her but she needed kissing. He took her wine glass from her hand and placed it on the coffee table and pulled her into his arms. He looked into her eyes a moment and kissed her slowly and thoroughly.

His lips felt good against hers. Libby was letting March take the lead. With him there was no worry about whether he would pull away. Whether he would turn her down and go away. That was the way it should be, she thought briefly. She responded to that kiss, letting it and him guide her to wherever it would.

“Oh Libby,” his breathing becoming rapid he kissed her again his hand finding the bottom of her tank top he explored her soft flesh. He left a trail of kisses down her neck and pushed her top up. She obliged by pulling it over her head.

Somewhere in the back of his mind a little warning went off but they were downstairs in the bedroom in the drawer by his bed. He couldn’t, he was too far gone. His shirt was unbuttoned and she pushed it over his shoulders she was against his chest and her arms were around his neck.

Libby was still floating on that tide of relaxation, and this was part of it. March's hands and lips against her skin felt warm and they made her feel good. She stripped off her top to allow him access to the rest of her.

His skin on hers was slightly rough--made her feel tingly. That beautiful voice murmured her name and said things to her in Italian that she didn't understand, but they sounded sweet and loving. Right now, she was ready to go wherever he wanted.

March tossed pillows off the sofa, making room. This is not what he’d planned at all. A good meal, a slow seduction and a night downstairs in his bedroom but it was going to happen right here on his sofa.. He’d asked her was she sure, and thought he heard a whispered yes. Clothes were piled in the floor and he had her beneath him. “Bello l’amore mio” He brushed his lips over hers and back again and kissed her. She was ready, she was willing and he took her.

It was all so wonderful, so perfect, Libby thought briefly, as they removed the rest of their clothing. Her skin felt flushed and heated where March's body touched hers--cool where the ocean breeze from the open windows flowed over her. His kisses were heated, but sweet, and she was lost in the sound of his voice, low in her ear.

March's taking of her was slow and gentle, made her feel appreciated and loved. "March-" she moaned softly at his movements inside her, at the feelings of sweetness and caring that he brought to her.

“You are wonderful so wonderful,” he whispered. His hands on her face, in her hair. She was so sweet. He was gentle and caring with her, but his blood was hot. He moved his hands down her body and pulled her even tighter against him and began a slow grind. Watching her face, he brought her along with him. Her soft moans were becoming a little more urgent as he moved inside her, and when he felt her tighten around him he groaned and took her over the edge.

Libby was swept away by March's movements, his voice, his touch. The sensations he aroused were unlike anything she'd ever felt. Even with-- No. She wouldn't think about that. Not about anything in the world but this. How good this man could always make her feel.

And then any coherent thought was impossible as the whole world went away and she was crying out in delight and passion.

March didn’t want to break the connection, but knew if he didn’t move nature would do it for him. He eased off of her and lay down beside her cradling in his arms.

“You are so good,” he said nuzzling her neck. “I think I love you Libby…no I’m sure of it.” He kissed her forehead, her nose and then her lips softly and sweetly.

Quietly, she lay in his arms, her breathing slowing, her mind in a whirl. He'd just told her he loved her. "March-" Libby traced her finger over his face, his lips. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I love you, too. No one's ever made me feel so good, been so good to me."

March smiled, “I will always be good to you, you are precious to me.” He smoothed her hair back, “will you stay with me tonight?”

"Unless you're planning to make me leave!" She teased him. Precious. He'd called her precious. Libby snuggled in next to him, satisfied that she was doing the right thing.

“I would never ask you to leave, in fact I may just keep you here,” he teased. “See you fit right against me,” he pulled her closer. “You make me very happy Libby..”

"I hope so. Although I'm not sure why." Why should he be happy with her? "There must have been so many women for you. You're so handsome, and charming. And a great cook on top of all that!" She laughed.

“I love you because you are fresh, different and enthusiastic about life. You don’t expect me to be anything that I’m not, it’s easy for me to be with you. But, I don’t know what happened to the cook tonight eh? I invite you to dinner and the cook, he doesn’t show.”

"Really?" Libby did her best to put on a surprised face. "The cook didn't show? I hadn't noticed. Some incredibly handsome man has kept me busy since I arrived!" She loved that it was so easy to talk with him, joke with him.

"Oh, well..." She was still in a joking mood. "Maybe we could just have some nice, sugary doughnuts instead!" She made a face at him, thinking back to their first meeting, when he had not been so enthusiastic over her choice of breakfast.

“Hah you will not find any of them in my flat,” he have her bottom an affectionate pat. “But if you would like, I do know where the chef keeps his food.”

"You sure there's not a bakery down the street?" Libby was grinning at him. "Okay, we'll eat healthy if you insist. I'm not sure my body'll know how to handle healthy food, though!"

“Ah I think your body can handle anything I can give it,” he smiled groaned a little as he sat up and reached for his clothes, “I think a simple meal tonight on the balcony.”

"Sounds wonderful." Libby got dressed as March brought out the food, thinking that she felt pampered, whether she deserved it or not. The rest of the evening passed quietly, as they ate, then sat talking on the balcony until late.

March took her to bed and loved her again and, tucking her up against him. fell asleep. It had been a long time since he’d had anybody spend the night with him, a long time since he’d wanted anyone for that long.

Lying in March's arms as they fell asleep, Libby was unable to help herself. She thought of Dan. Felt a pang of longing for it to be him lying next to her. Then, she was ashamed of herself. That was so unfair to March. He was a good man, and he loved her.

Then she resolutely pushed all thoughts of Dan out of her mind. She was in the right place with March. It would all work out. Libby fell asleep listening to the sound of the waves outside.