AFTER THE RAIN (Bonus edition)

11. Faith in sammy

Marcus was reminded of the story of the Ugly Duckling that turns into a beautiful swan. The duckling had no idea it would turn into a swan. And he'd just watched a similar transformation take place in front of his eyes. He wondered if Stormy knew how beautiful she really was, especially when she removed all the "stuff" that seemed to disguise and distract.

He walked out of the airport thinking about this, and watched her closely as she went. She stopped and picked a single flower that was growing through a small crack in the concrete and tucked it into her ponytail. Even like this – a downplayed version of herself – she was still totally unique, different in every way. She certainly didn't need all those other adornments. There was something so innocent and childlike about her demeanor, in one respect; and then in another, she was an absolute demon in bed... He quickly pushed those thoughts out of his mind.

Yet another disaster was awaiting them at the car rental place. Great! The only car available was an old, manual Merc from the 80s – perhaps even older. No aircon, no electric windows, and a missing hubcap.

But it was all they had. Marcus felt his sense of control slipping again; he was not used to this kind of transportation. At least he'd managed to get himself a new phone with GPS, so there was no getting lost.

He watched Stormy walking around the car curiously, her hand trailing over the roof and then down onto the bonnet. For a split second, he found himself enthralled by her once again. By the way she moved and the way her fingertips left a trail across the car's dusty bonnet...

Stormy dusted off her hands and stood beside the car, nodding approvingly. "Good car. It has a good vibe."

"And how do you get that?"

"Mmmm," she intoned, patting the car's bonnet as if it were a dog that had just done a good trick. "Sixth sense kind of thing-thang."

Yet again, she was demonstrating her unusual talent for leaving him completely speechless and bewildered. "You know, Stormy," he said as he loaded the bags into the car, "I just don't know what to say to that."

Stormy looked confused. "Why not?"

"I feel obligated to point out to you that cars don't give off vibey-vibes."

"How do you know?"

Marcus opened his mouth to respond sarcastically, when he remembered – whenever they argued, she landed up naked and pinned underneath him. It was safer not to argue! "You're right. I don't know. Maybe they do give off vibes," he conceded.

Stormy turned and pointed at him enthusiastically. "See! You're coming around to the many impossible possibilities of life!"

"Mmm-hmm," he responded vaguely. What he really wanted to say was "NO". But he just couldn't afford to argue with her, or he might be compelled to jump her again. He knew it was weird and totally illogical, but that seemed to be how things worked between them. Weird and illogical. Once again, he reflected that no one had ever challenged him like Stormy did. It was frustrating and irritating and infuriating – and inexplicably, irresistibly sexy. And to make matter worse, she really did look beautiful today.

"I'll drive," Stormy said, holding out her hand for the keys.

"I don't think so. I'll drive," he retorted rather sharply as he tried to imagine Stormy behind the wheel of a car. Not an image he could reconcile. Not one he was comfortable with, either.