Page 27 of Eight Steps to Alpha

This time, when she un-paused it, he could sense she was serious. Deciding not to poke the bear, he settled back into his seat and did his best to pay attention. He was more of an action and adventure kind of guy. Star Wars? He could watch all day. Indiana Jones? He knew all the lines by heart, but an old black and white? He had a hard time not falling asleep.

As the movie continued, Elliot decided it was in his best interest to really study it. After all, Fe had gotten him this far, and he was beginning to think she might actually know what she was talking about.

Everything John Wayne did he paid attention to, everything he said, filed away for further reference. The way he walked, talked, moved—all noted. But to Elliot, John Wayne was just a normal guy. Not overly good looking, kind of old, but watching Fe, you’d think he was God’s gift to woman. She was funny like that. Every time he walked onto a screen, her nose wrinkled up with a smile. The way it always did when she reached the good parts in her novels, or when she watched one of her romance movies. It tickled him to death.

Underneath her tomboy facade, Fe was as much of a romantic at heart. She liked flowers, dressing up—even though she swore she didn’t, and things that smelled good. He contemplated telling her just that, but given the fact the last time he interrupted he almost got his head torn off, he thought he’d save that information for later.

It wasn’t until a good thirty minutes in the movie, when John Wayne kissed Scarlet O’Hara, that Elliot’s interest was pulled back to the television screen. He was pretty damn sure this wasn’t what Fe meant by swagger. John Wayne had found Scarlet O’Hara in his home, obviously not invited, when she bolted out the old cabin door, ran out into the rain, and waiting storm. Wind was blowing everywhere, windows rattling all around them, but before she could make her exit, John Wayne yanked her back into the house, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. Not soft, or gentlemanly, but rough, urgent, and downright shocking. And it took her breath away.

Not only Scarlet’s, but Fe’s too.

When their lips parted, Scarlet’s hand flew to John’s cheek with a slap, hard across the face. After an exchange of a few words, he stalked Scarlet across the room until she was pressed against the wall, caging her between his two arms…and then he spoke a kind of poetry…telling Scarlet that she was a good woman. That she was nice to him…even Elliot was captivated.

When Elliot glanced back at Fe to ask a question, he found her mouth open, eyes glued to the television, and he forgot what he was going to say. He wanted that reaction from a woman. He wanted to completely captivate her and render her speechless.

He turned back to the TV, silently watched the rest of the film, but it was easier after that. It was a battle of wills of sorts. A push and pull between two people who soon became man and wife. But when John Wayne began dragging Scarlet O’Hara across a field, Elliot couldn’t hold it in any longer. “You cannot tell me that’s what you want in a man.”

Fe sat forward, shaking her head. “He’s had enough. He can’t take her acting like a spoiled brat any longer.”

Elliot’s mouth fell open, as he watched John Wayne pull Scarlet O’Hara by one arm through the mud. “You’d be okay with that?”

“No…”

He grabbed the remote and paused the movie. “Explain.”

She regarded him with a blink. “What do you want me to explain?”

“What about this movie is so important? Why are we watching this? What about John Wayne do you want me to be?”

She stood up, her stance a little defensive. “Haven’t you been paying attention? It’s everything! How he tells her what he wants and goes after it. His confidences, the way he doesn’t just let her shit all over him, he gives it right back.”

“You mean by dragging her through the mud?”

“Yes!” she yelled. “No!” She squeezed her fists and pulled in a breath. “It’s not that. Yes, he probably shouldn’t have dragged her through the mud, but he couldn’t let her leave. Because he loves her, and she loves him, and he was man enough to say it.”

Elliot’s eyes narrowed, as he tried to make sense of what she was saying. “So, it’s his confidence?”

“Yes.”

“His assertiveness.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“And you think I’m not confident?”

Her eyes shifted to the ground. “Elliot…”

“Be honest.”

She met his eyes again and rolled her shoulders backward. “Yes.”

He groaned. “Shhhheee-it.” He knew he wasn’t the most assertive of men, but to think he lacked confidence? “And what makes you say that?” He stared at her again.

“Elliot…”

“No. If we’re going to do this, I need to know.”

“Fine.” She smoothed her hands over her shirt. “You let girls walk all over you. You do nothing to stop it.”

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