Bridge to a Distant Star - Carolyn Williford [123]
Stephen took her arm and directed her to the outside door. Pulled Michal out onto a small patio bordered by thick bushes and a strand of trees that provided nearly complete privacy. He walked away from her and paced back, shaking his head the entire time. “This is simply unbelievable, Michal. You need to learn from this. We need to figure out what God’s trying to teach you.” He stopped within inches of her, close enough for Michal to feel his breath on her face. “What do you think that is?”
Michal was instantly intimidated, caught off guard by Stephen’s question. More so, his proximity. “I don’t know. I’ve been trying to figure that out all day.”
He put his arms tightly around her waist, and she could feel her heart begin to pound. She struggled to breathe, feeling like she couldn’t take in enough air.
“Figure out what?”
“My aunt said finding God’s will isn’t like this little point—something so small that’s hard to find. And if we don’t find that tiny little thing, then we’re out of God’s will and—”
“I don’t think your aunt reads the Bible very much. That’s not what I’ve been taught by lots of preachers.” He tightened his hold on her waist, pulling her even closer. She could smell his scent. Feel the heat of his body pressed against hers and the need to breathe in tandem with him, they were so tightly wedged together.
The combination of not eating, working all day, and her sudden anxiety all combined to make Michal feel nauseous. She attempted to push away from Stephen, pleading, “I don’t think we should be here, Stephen. I don’t want to … please, let’s go back inside, okay?” She attempted to keep her voice lighthearted. Casual. But she was beginning to feel frightened. Of Stephen. And what he intended to do.
“I know this is God’s will for you and me, Michal.” As purposefully laidback as she had attempted to be, Stephen was the exact opposite. His intensity was an autonomous, demanding force. “I’ve been praying about it. You need to trust me more.” He moved one hand up her back, worked it beneath her blouse. The other inched its way up the front.
“Stop it,” she cried, tears stinging her eyes for the second time that day. But as Michal attempted to push him away, she discovered just how strong Stephen actually was.
“Don’t tell me you haven’t wanted this. And God wants—”
Out of nowhere, it seemed, powerful arms reached out to grab Stephen by the shoulders, lifting him up and throwing him out and away from her. Where he tumbled into the bushes at their feet.
Out of breath from the push of adrenaline, exertion, and fury, Allistair spat at Stephen through clenched jaws, “Now get out of here.” Seething with rage, he added, “And if I ever catch you touching her again … if I ever see you near Michal again … I promise you you’ll regret it forever.” His voice was thick with the threat. “Have I made myself perfectly clear?”
Stephen nodded, meekly. Scrambled to his feet and ran off, never looking back at either of them.
Michal, crying still, her legs suddenly weak, nearly crumpled to the ground when Allistair reached out to catch her. He held her around the waist, supporting her, but before he could open the door to the lounge, she stopped. Shook her head vehemently. “Don’t. I can’t go back in there yet. I’m just so ashamed.”
“Michal, I never trusted that guy. I’ve been—truthfully, I’ve been keeping an eye on you because I was afraid he’d pull something like this.” He retrieved a rumpled tissue from his back pocket, handed it to her. “Didn’t your father warn you about creeps like him?”
She blew her nose. Shook her head no.
Allistair looked uncomfortable, glancing away from her wounded look. “When I first got the word that you two were … involved … well, I backed off. The first night back after spring break? I was planning to come see you when I heard about … his kissing you.” He shrugged his shoulders. “I figured you’d made your decision. But I still felt like I needed to watch out for you. To keep an eye on him. Boy, am I ever glad I did.”
Suddenly aware of his arm around her still, Michal backed away from