Page 43 of Dirty Discipline, Vol. 2

The next two hours flew by so fast that Traci could hardly believe it when she realized the sun had almost set against the backdrop of the skyline. They had talked effortlessly about everything from books to travel to favorite movies and even their shared fear of snakes. Never had she clicked with another person so quickly. Traci's first inkling of regret started to seep in as they sat quietly sharing a flour-less chocolate cake and ice cream for dessert.

Figures I'd find the perfect man and he lives ten states away.

It's almost as if Sean had been thinking the same thing because he reached up to grasp her hand resting on the table and looked into her eyes. "I'm so glad you said yes. I haven't had this much fun in... well, a very long time."

Traci hated to feel tears springing to her eyes. "I'm glad you asked, because I know I haven't had this much fun in a long time either. It just sucks..." She let her voice trail off, self-conscious of where her thoughts were taking her.

Sean finished her sentence. "It just sucks we live several hours by plane away from each other. I'd really like to see you again, Traci."

He looked sincere, but that was all the more reason she should say no. "I'd love to see you again too, Sean, but I'm only going to be in town two more nights. Maybe it's best if we don't—"

Sean cut her off. "Oh no, you don't. This date isn't over yet, anyway. I'm still willing to risk life and limb to show you a good time."

She must have looked confused so he continued. "The Ferris wheel. I'm not crazy about heights, but without a doubt, the views from the top are some of the best in the city. I can't let you go home without experiencing it."

Traci giggled. "Such a gentleman, although I somehow doubt we'll be risking life and limb."

Sean took care of the check. They exited the restaurant and walked hand-in-hand back up the pier towards the large Ferris wheel. Sean stopped long enough to buy a bag of pink, fluffy cotton candy which they enjoyed as they awaited their turn for the ride.

Only once they were safely settled into their gondola and leaving the ground did Traci notice Sean hadn't been exaggerating about his fear of heights. Sean got quiet as they stopped and started to take on new riders, moving higher and higher.

"Why didn't you tell me you really didn't want to come on this ride? I can tell you hate

it."

"I don't hate it. I just hate the way it makes my stomach churn. I hope I'm not going to embarrass myself here."

"That's not possible. Anyway, we all have things we're afraid of. Yours just happens to be heights."

Sean turned in the seat, focusing his attention on Traci instead of the gorgeous skyline of the city below. "You seem fearless. What is Traci Jackson afraid of?"

Such a baring question. Maybe to the outside world she looked fearless, but inside, Traci felt anything but. Her vulnerability hung precariously in the air. She longed to confide in Sean. He was a good listener and they had clicked so well, yet she didn't want to ruin their night by exposing things to a man she was never going to see again, let alone a man who could do nothing to fix her problems anyway.

"You know. The normal stuff," Traci finally answered noncommittally.

"I'm afraid you'll have to expound on that. I've lost all perspective of what normal is." He smiled kindly, before continuing. "I don't want to pry, Traci, but yesterday you sure seemed like something had you spooked. What's happening with you that you don't want to attend any of the conference dinners?"

His eyes bored into her, reminding her that she was the center of his attention right now. Despite how nervous that made her feel, it warmed her to know he saw her... really saw her. Her insecurity mingled with the cool evening air had brought a visible shiver.

"Hey, you're getting chilled." Sean moved to take off his jacket like a gentleman, but before he could get it off, Traci leaned forward, closing the distance between them. She fought back the tears threatening as she realized she was now less than twelve hours away from delivering her keynote speech tomorrow morning.

Sean caught her, pulled her into his arms, and wrapped his sports jacket around her to cocoon them together for warmth. It was his comforting "shhhh" that made her tears spill over and down her cheeks to drip onto his dress shirt. He smelled so good, and his muscular arms holding her felt like a slice of heaven. Alarm bells were going off, telling her she was crossing a line she shouldn't.

It might be crazy, but she'd never felt safer than being held by Sean one-hundred feet off the ground. He stroked her back lightly and helped her take a few calming breaths. They cuddled silently for several minutes, each enjoying the quiet intimacy of their private embrace. Each unsure how to proceed.

Sean took the lead, pulling apart just enough to pin her with a look that held more questions than answers. He was as tempted as she was to throw caution to the wind. His fingers brushed her cheek gently and swiped at her tears, never taking his gaze from hers. Traci's heart raced at the possibility of a kiss, but Sean maintained his gentleman status.

"I may be out of practice, Traci, but that didn't feel like normal to me. Why don't you tell me what's really going on with the conference?" Traci tried to hide her disappointment that he wanted to continue to talk, especially about a topic she wanted to forget.

"There's nothing you can do about it, Sean. It's just something I need to work through on my own."

"You're used to working through issues on your own, aren't you?"

Traci didn't want to let his off-hand comment hurt her, but it did. She was used to working through issues on her own, not because she wanted to, but because it's just the way it had to be. "I've had to get good at it, yes."

Her voice had a sharp edge, and she could see Sean noticed, but he didn't back down. "In case you missed it, this time you don't need to work through your problem alone."

"You don't know anything about it."

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