Chapter Thirteen

Play it once, Sam. For old times' sake.

Stephanie sighed and unconsciously settled closer to Richie, resting her head on his shoulder.  She loved this part, loved this movie.

Play it, Sam. Play "As Time Goes By."

She hummed along as Sam started playing the old ballad.  She loved this timeless classic.

Richie looked down at her, his lips curving into a small smile as she hummed slightly off key and her eyes drifted closed.  He couldn’t think of a better way to spend a rainy Saturday afternoon. Heather had never been a fan of the old black and whites.  Denise like to be out and about every waking minute and Nikki, well, he wasn’t really sure.  He hadn’t taken the time to find out what, other than designing clothes and making music, she liked to do.

He sighed.  Nikki.

He really needed to talk to her.  He had to end their intimate relationship before this thing, whatever it was turning into with Stephanie, got any more serious.  No way was he going to be a player like that.  It just wasn’t his style.  Never had been.  Sure he had been with a lot of women, more than he cared to remember at this stage in his life, but he was never the type to string one along while on the arm of another.  No, tomorrow before he went to pick up Ava, he’d make the phone call he’d put off for much too long.  He wanted to keep working with Nikki, but that was it.  He just hoped that conversation went well.

His decision made and feeling more content for it, he turned his attention back to the movie and the woman snuggled up at his side.  He slipped his arm around her to keep her close, tangled his fingers in the fall of curls down her back and quietly sang along with Sam the piano player.

You must remember this
A kiss is still a kiss
A sigh is just a sigh
The fundamental things apply
As time goes by
And when two lovers woo,
They still say, "I love you"
On that you can rely
No matter what the future brings...

Stephanie’s eyes flew open when she felt a strong arm sliding around her and the low whispery voice singing the time-honored love song.  God his voice was amazing.  As the song ended and the movie played on, she lifted her head up so she could see his face.  The contentment she found there surprised her.  Had she put that look on his face or was it just because of the song, the movie?  Just then he tilted his head to look at her and the warmth in his golden brown eyes radiated through her and any thought she might have had fled.

He couldn’t help himself.  He didn’t even try.  When she tipped her head up and her pretty pink lips dropped open that tiny little bit, he really had no choice.  His free hand came up to gently cup her cheek, drawing her up just a little closer.  Keeping his eyes open, watching for her reaction he lowered his lips to hers, as lightly has he had in the car, and waited.

She didn’t flinch or pull away.  Her eyes drifted shut and a little moan escaped her as he went back for a second sip.  He skimmed across her lips lightly, back and forth, teasing the seam with the tip of his tongue.

The light touch of his tongue jolted her senses.  She pulled back, bracing herself with a hand on his chest and looking up into his face once more.  The warmth in his eyes had turned fiery and the undeniable desire on his face had her swallowing hard.  It had been a long time since she’d had a man look at her like that.  She lowered her gaze, nibbling on her bottom lip before returning her eyes to his.  Could she give him what he wanted?

The fingers cupping her cheek tightened slightly and tilted her head just a little more.  Brown eyes searched her face looking for signs of distress.  He found confusion and desire sparring with each other in her witchy sea green ones.  “Nothing’s going to happen unless you want it to.”

Her nod was nearly imperceptible, but it gave him the permission he was looking for.  His mouth slanted over hers, the gentleness gone, passion and desire taking over.  Her lips parted beneath his and, finally, he got his first real taste of her.  His hand slid from her cheek to her nape, holding her there as his mouth moved over hers.

Her hand slid from his chest to his shoulder as he pulled her closer.  Pressed against him she could feel his heart pounding against hers, the beat as erratic as her own.  His taste flooded her, his lips stole her senses and she angled her head to give his exploring mouth easier access.  

He traveled from her luscious mouth down her long, lovely neck, sipping and nipping as he went, savoring every soft, breathy sound he pulled from her.  He traced a tiny circle in the hollow at the base of her throat, slid across, pushing at the sweatshirt she wore, baring her shoulder.  Her skin was smooth under his lips; soft as silk and sweet as the scent she wore.

Bringing his mouth back to hers, he eased her back, laying her down on the sofa.  His eyes never leaving hers, he unzipped her sweatshirt and slid his fingers along her waist, the tips just sneaking under the hem of her tank top, skimming along her soft, soft skin.

Her breath still ragged from his kiss, she tried to calm her heart as she lay beneath his heated gaze.  When he touched her, her breath caught in her throat.  No man but Mark had ever touched her like this.  No man other than Mark had ever made her feel like this.  Her fingers closed over his as they slid higher on her side.

“Wait” she whispered.

His lips found hers again. “Wait for what sweetheart?”  His voice was rough with need and his fingers continued to try to move over her.

She gripped them tighter, trying to get him to stop.  “Rich, stop.”

His eyes opened and found hers.  “What is it?”

She closed her eyes and sucked in a ragged breath.  “I can’t Rich, please.”  Please understand, she thought.  Please understand.  I’m not a tease, really.

Drawing in a breath of his own he removed his hand and sat back on the sofa.  He rubbed his hand over his face.  This hadn’t happened to him since he was a young teenager.  “What’s going on?”

Sitting up, Stephanie pushed at her hair and righted her sweatshirt.  “I’m sorry.  I thought I could do this.”  She looked over at him, “maybe you should just take me home.”  She dropped her head, letting her hair drape across the side of her face.  She was near tears and didn’t want to break down in front of him.

Reaching over he took her hand.  He had an idea of what the problem was and now that he was able to think with the correct head, he was actually surprised he had gotten as far as he had.  Now, he just needed to get her to talk to him.  “How long were you married?”

“Twenty years.  We started dating when we were 16.”  Turning her head she peered at him through her hair.  “I’ve never been with anyone other than Mark.”

He nodded his head in understanding.  That’s what he figured the issue was.  Tugging on her hand he pulled her closer to him.  “It’s all right sweetheart.  When you’re ready, we’ll try again.”

Surprised colored her features.  “You’re not mad?”

He shook his head, “no.  Now, if you tell me I can’t kiss you again, then I might get upset.  But I can wait until you’re ready for more.”  His gaze roamed over her before settling once again on her face.  “I have a feeling it will be worth the wait.”  He watched the blush creep up her face and found it endearing.  It had been a lot of years since he had seen a woman blush.

“Now, how about we watch the end of the movie and then we can eat whatever it is that’s simmering away in that crock pot of yours?”