Darcy poked her head in the door just as Stephanie was shutting down for the day. Her last day before heading back to the east coast for the holiday. She had crossed the room and set a small, festively wrapped box on Stephanie’s desk before Stephanie could even say hello. “Merry Christmas.”
Stephanie looked from the box up to Darcy’s face and smiled. “Thank you. We must be on the same wavelength today.” She pulled open the lower drawer of her desk and took out a flat square box wrapped in pretty embossed paper with a big red bow on it. “Merry Christmas to you too.” She handed the box to Darcy.
Darcy sat down in one of the chairs facing the desk. “Thanks. What time is your plane tomorrow? Do you need a ride to the airport?” She worked the bow off the box as she waited for Stephanie to answer.
Stephanie picked up her own gift. “Eleven and no, I don’t need a ride. I’m going to leave my car at the airport. I’ll be back on the 30th.”
Darcy’s interest was piqued. “So you’ll be back for new years?”
Stephanie didn’t like the glint in her friend’s eye. “Yes. But I already have plans.”
Darcy started to frown, but her lips curved back into a smile as she ripped the paper from her gift and dropped it to the floor. “Oh...” she looked up at Stephanie a little in awe as she ran her fingers lightly over the interlocking C’s on the top of the box. “This isn’t for real is it?”
Stephanie didn’t say anything, she just nodded her head and watched.
Darcy carefully lifted the lid off the box and gently slid the tissue paper away. “Oh, it’s beautiful. But you shouldn’t have.” She picked the scarf up and nuzzled it against her cheek. It was the exact blue of her eyes and soft as water. She got up and walked around the desk, pulling Stephanie to her feet and wrapping her in a hug. “Thank you. I love it and it’s going to look great with my coat.” Even in southern California there were days when you needed and overcoat and a scarf.
Darcy moved back to her chair. “Go ahead and open yours. Though I can guarantee it’s nothing as nice as this.” She sat back and fingered her very first Chanel scarf.
Stephanie peeled the paper off her gift and lifted the lid. She pushed aside the tissue and carefully lifted the snowflake from it’s nest. It was made of crystal, so fine and delicate it looked like spun sugar. Stephanie twisted her wrist gently and the snowflake bounced rainbows of light across the air. “It’s so pretty, Darcy. Thank you.” She studied the snowflake again, maybe she should have put a tree up after all.
“I know you come from the east coast where they have snow for Christmas. I like this kind of snow better. You don’t have to shovel it and it won’t melt all over the place.”
Stephanie laughed. “I was never a fan of the stuff, but it sure was pretty to wake up to on Christmas morning.” Her laughter faded. Mark had loved the snow. She remember many Christmas mornings standing at the front window, the mess of Christmas wrap on the floor behind them, watching out the window as the snow gently fell.
Breathing deeply, she pushed the thought to the back of her mind. Standing, she reboxed the snowflake and tucked it into her bag and gathered the rest of her things. “I’m heading out. I still need to pack.”
Darcy stood and wrapped her scarf around her neck and picked up her box. “I’ll walk out with you. I’m ready to go myself.”
They stopped at Stephanie’s car, Darcy’s was parked just few spots away. Darcy waited as Stephanie set her things inside. “So do you really have plans for new years or were you just pulling my leg? She didn’t want her new friend to spend that night alone. She’d done that before, it was no fun ringing in a new year by yourself.
Stephanie shook her head slightly. “I really do have plans. Rich is having a get together. He insisted I come. Wouldn’t take no for an answer really.”
Darcy pulled her into a brief hug. “Good.” She stepped back and looked at her friend. “You have a great Christmas with your family and I’ll see you when you get back. I have to go, I have some last minute shopping to do.”
Stephanie pulled open her car door. “You have a good Christmas too. See you next year.”
~
Stephanie set her suitcase by the front door and shrugged into her coat. She took one last look around before locking the door behind her and heading out to the airport. She had hoped to hear from Richie before she left, but he hadn’t called. She knew he was traveling home from a million miles away, but she missed talking to him. This was the first time since he left that they hadn’t had any contact.
He had called or emailed at least once a day, every day after he left. It might just be a picture or a funny text, but there was always something.
Until today. Today, there had been nothing. Maybe she should call him.
He had always initiated the calls or emails. So she wondered if she should take that step today. Maybe he was busy or there was no cell service wherever he was. She went back and forth with herself all the way to the airport, while she checked her bag, while she took off her boots and loaded all her things into the bins to go through security.
“This is crazy” she muttered as she pulled her boots back on and repacked her laptop bag. She dug out her phone and as she headed to her gate she made the call.
Hey, this is Richie, leave me a message.
She sighed. Guess she’d just do what he said. “Hey you. I’m at the airport about to board my flight. I hope you get home safe.” She paused then added quietly, “I just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, Rich. I’ll see you soon.”
~
Dragging his suitcase behind him, Richie wearily climbed into the backseat of the dark sedan. He was wiped out. The flight across two...three... six, however many time zones it was between Australia and California always took its toll. He needed to sleep for a week to readjust. He could barely summon the energy to groan.
Resting his head against the back seat he fished his phone from his pocket. Pushing a button, he closed his eyes and waited for it to come to life. When it beeped his pried his eyes open and saw that he had a message. From Stephanie.
This was a first. He had been the one to do all the calling or emailing. She would always answer, no matter what time of day, but she never initiated. The sound of her voice on his phone eased some of his weariness and made him smile.
She had missed him.
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Chapter Twenty-Six
Pushing back from her desk, Stephanie dropped her pencil and rubbed her temples. It was nearly seven and she was still at work. Again. She really needed to stop staying so late. She stood and moved to the window, looking out at the gaily decorated city below. What a day. She shook her head. She didn’t expect to miss Richie already, but she did. She couldn’t stop thinking about Thanksgiving night and how he had just shown up at her house, not expecting anything from her; just wanting to see her,to be with her. Now here it was two weeks later and she couldn’t stop thinking about the man, thinking about that night.
Sighing she sat back down and pulled out her phone. Richie had sent her the picture he had snapped of them. She’d looked at it about a million times now. Looking at it once more she opened her google mail. It was way past time to tell her friends what was going on.
To: The Girls
Subject: Richie
Hey girls. I know you all want to know what’s going on and I’m sorry I’ve been less than forthcoming with any details. It’s all just been so... I don’t even know how to explain it. Richie is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s not pressuring me for anything more than I can give right now and he is more than understanding about the difficulty I’m having with moving on.
I’ve thought a lot about everything and I’ve decided that I am ready to move things along. I know it’s going to be hard, but I really think I’m ready.
I’m going home for Christmas to see my family and I think I’m going to try to get to a show after the first of the year, so I’ll be back on the east coast again at some point in the new year. Maybe we can try to get together so I can see you girls then.
Love to you all, happy holidays and watch your mail, Santa’s been busy!!
Q
Shutting down her computer, she gathered her things and headed for home. It was also time to stop avoiding decorating her home for the holidays.
~
Flipping on the light, Stephanie headed down the stairs. She paused in front of the storage shelves. Her Christmas decorations took up three of the four shelves. For a long moment she just stared at the neatly labeled red and green bins. Reaching for the first one she nearly rethought her decision about decorating.
Dragging the bins up the stairs she sat in the middle of the red and green forest in the living room. Tentatively she opened the first one. The memories nearly overwhelmed her as she came face to face with Ben’s New York Giants ornaments. She touched each one gently, remembering her little boy’s excitement about hanging each and every one on the tree. He had loved decorating the tree. Her eyes burned with unshed tears at the memory of Ben at about two years old, just sitting in front of the tree and staring at it in wonder and awe.
Taking off her glasses, she wiped her eyes and snapped the lid back on the bin and slid it toward the door. All the bins with ornaments would have to go back downstairs. She wasn’t putting up a tree this year. She wasn’t going to be home and she just wasn’t ready to re-live all those special moments. It was going to be hard enough to set up the Village and nutcrackers without them, but the tree, there was no way she was going to do that to herself. Maybe next year.
Dragging all the bins back down the stairs, she got everything back where it belonged and dug around for her wrapping paper. Finding the right bin, she lugged it up two flights of stairs to her spare room.
Looking around the room she just shook her head. What the hell had she done? A little Christmas shopping had turned into an all out shopping spree. She could open her own store with all that she had bought in the last couple of days. It’s a good thing she had set aside her entire day for this. Wrapping all this was going to take her until the new year.
Dropping to her knees, she set the tape and scissors down and dragged her box of wrapping paper, tags and bows close. She needed to get this done so she could ship everything home and have it get there before she did. Digging her iPod out of her pocket, she docked it, dialed up her holiday play list and pulled the first box toward her.
Sitting amongst the crackling sacks, boxes and tissue paper Stephanie couldn’t help but remember all the Christmases she and Mark and sat and wrapped gifts for Ben. Always on Christmas Eve after Ben was in bed they would mix up their hot chocolate, put on the movie White Christmas and sit and wrap all his gifts in special paper bought just for Santa to use.
She sucked in a breath. She’d might never have the opportunity to play Santa again, but she could certainly spoil her nieces and nephews just a little bit.
She picked up the box from Coach. She could spoil her sister, sister-in-law mother and friends a little too.
By the time she turned off the iPod her back ached from sitting on the floor for so long. Glancing around she smiled, pleased with her progress. There was just a couple things left, for Darcy and Richie, to wrap and those she would get to tomorrow.
Rolling her shoulders, she headed downstairs. It was time for a glass of wine and something to eat.
As she heated up her chicken and broccoli, she sipped on her favored Riesling. She glanced into the living room. The village glowed softly along the mantle, two nutcrackers stood guard on either side of the fireplace doors. Picking up the wreath that lay on the couch she headed down the hall and hung it on the front door. She dusted her hands and headed back to the kitchen. Her decorating was done. It wasn’t much, but it was more than she had done the year before. Maybe next year she could do a little more, maybe it wouldn’t hurt quite so much to see their things by then.
At the ding of the microwave she grabbed a fork and sat at the counter, looking down at her plate, she suddenly didn’t seem as hungry as she had just a little while ago. Her phone rang as she set her fork down and reached for her wine. Her hand detoured to the phone by her elbow.
It was Richie.
“Hey you.”
Richie was sitting on the balcony of his hotel room looking out at the most amazing view. He decided Stephanie need to see what he was seeing so he dialed her up. She didn’t sound like she was in a very good place. “Hi sweetheart. How are you?”
She took another sip of wine. “It’s been a rough day, but I’m all right. How are you and where are you today?”
“We’re in Sydney today. Can I skype you? I have something to show you.”
Taking her glasses off she rubbed her eyes and prayed they weren’t as red as they felt. “Sure. Just let me get my computer.” She grabbed her laptop from the office, her wine glass from the kitchen and settled on the couch, her dinner forgotten on the counter.
Once they got a connection and they were face to face he started to turn his laptop to face away from him. “Look at this sweetheart.”
The view was breathtaking. She could see the Sydney Harbour, the bridge and the city below. Then she was looking at Richie’s brown eyes and dimple again. “That was absolutely beautiful” she said quietly. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Even across the computer screen he could see she had been crying. “Sweetheart, tell me what’s wrong. I can see you’re not yourself tonight.”
Taking a fortifying sip of wine she told him about her day. “I came across Ben’s Christmas ornaments while I was looking for some other decorations. The memories hit me hard.” Her eyes stung with tears again and she sniffed them back. “Sorry, I’m still not quite past it yet.”
“I’m sorry sweetheart. I wish I could be there with you.” He couldn’t imagine how hard this time of year must be for her. Maybe he could brighten her mood just a little. “What are you doing for New Year’s sweetheart?”
“I get back on the 30th and have no plans for new year’s. Going to bed early probably.” She watched him shake his head. “What?”
“You are not going to sleep through new years. You’re coming to my house. I’m having a small get together.” No. No way in hell was he going to let her spend new years alone.
Sighing she sat back down and pulled out her phone. Richie had sent her the picture he had snapped of them. She’d looked at it about a million times now. Looking at it once more she opened her google mail. It was way past time to tell her friends what was going on.
To: The Girls
Subject: Richie
Hey girls. I know you all want to know what’s going on and I’m sorry I’ve been less than forthcoming with any details. It’s all just been so... I don’t even know how to explain it. Richie is one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met. He’s not pressuring me for anything more than I can give right now and he is more than understanding about the difficulty I’m having with moving on.
I’ve thought a lot about everything and I’ve decided that I am ready to move things along. I know it’s going to be hard, but I really think I’m ready.
I’m going home for Christmas to see my family and I think I’m going to try to get to a show after the first of the year, so I’ll be back on the east coast again at some point in the new year. Maybe we can try to get together so I can see you girls then.
Love to you all, happy holidays and watch your mail, Santa’s been busy!!
Q
Shutting down her computer, she gathered her things and headed for home. It was also time to stop avoiding decorating her home for the holidays.
~
Flipping on the light, Stephanie headed down the stairs. She paused in front of the storage shelves. Her Christmas decorations took up three of the four shelves. For a long moment she just stared at the neatly labeled red and green bins. Reaching for the first one she nearly rethought her decision about decorating.
Dragging the bins up the stairs she sat in the middle of the red and green forest in the living room. Tentatively she opened the first one. The memories nearly overwhelmed her as she came face to face with Ben’s New York Giants ornaments. She touched each one gently, remembering her little boy’s excitement about hanging each and every one on the tree. He had loved decorating the tree. Her eyes burned with unshed tears at the memory of Ben at about two years old, just sitting in front of the tree and staring at it in wonder and awe.
Taking off her glasses, she wiped her eyes and snapped the lid back on the bin and slid it toward the door. All the bins with ornaments would have to go back downstairs. She wasn’t putting up a tree this year. She wasn’t going to be home and she just wasn’t ready to re-live all those special moments. It was going to be hard enough to set up the Village and nutcrackers without them, but the tree, there was no way she was going to do that to herself. Maybe next year.
Dragging all the bins back down the stairs, she got everything back where it belonged and dug around for her wrapping paper. Finding the right bin, she lugged it up two flights of stairs to her spare room.
Looking around the room she just shook her head. What the hell had she done? A little Christmas shopping had turned into an all out shopping spree. She could open her own store with all that she had bought in the last couple of days. It’s a good thing she had set aside her entire day for this. Wrapping all this was going to take her until the new year.
Dropping to her knees, she set the tape and scissors down and dragged her box of wrapping paper, tags and bows close. She needed to get this done so she could ship everything home and have it get there before she did. Digging her iPod out of her pocket, she docked it, dialed up her holiday play list and pulled the first box toward her.
Sitting amongst the crackling sacks, boxes and tissue paper Stephanie couldn’t help but remember all the Christmases she and Mark and sat and wrapped gifts for Ben. Always on Christmas Eve after Ben was in bed they would mix up their hot chocolate, put on the movie White Christmas and sit and wrap all his gifts in special paper bought just for Santa to use.
She sucked in a breath. She’d might never have the opportunity to play Santa again, but she could certainly spoil her nieces and nephews just a little bit.
She picked up the box from Coach. She could spoil her sister, sister-in-law mother and friends a little too.
By the time she turned off the iPod her back ached from sitting on the floor for so long. Glancing around she smiled, pleased with her progress. There was just a couple things left, for Darcy and Richie, to wrap and those she would get to tomorrow.
Rolling her shoulders, she headed downstairs. It was time for a glass of wine and something to eat.
As she heated up her chicken and broccoli, she sipped on her favored Riesling. She glanced into the living room. The village glowed softly along the mantle, two nutcrackers stood guard on either side of the fireplace doors. Picking up the wreath that lay on the couch she headed down the hall and hung it on the front door. She dusted her hands and headed back to the kitchen. Her decorating was done. It wasn’t much, but it was more than she had done the year before. Maybe next year she could do a little more, maybe it wouldn’t hurt quite so much to see their things by then.
At the ding of the microwave she grabbed a fork and sat at the counter, looking down at her plate, she suddenly didn’t seem as hungry as she had just a little while ago. Her phone rang as she set her fork down and reached for her wine. Her hand detoured to the phone by her elbow.
It was Richie.
“Hey you.”
Richie was sitting on the balcony of his hotel room looking out at the most amazing view. He decided Stephanie need to see what he was seeing so he dialed her up. She didn’t sound like she was in a very good place. “Hi sweetheart. How are you?”
She took another sip of wine. “It’s been a rough day, but I’m all right. How are you and where are you today?”
“We’re in Sydney today. Can I skype you? I have something to show you.”
Taking her glasses off she rubbed her eyes and prayed they weren’t as red as they felt. “Sure. Just let me get my computer.” She grabbed her laptop from the office, her wine glass from the kitchen and settled on the couch, her dinner forgotten on the counter.
Once they got a connection and they were face to face he started to turn his laptop to face away from him. “Look at this sweetheart.”
The view was breathtaking. She could see the Sydney Harbour, the bridge and the city below. Then she was looking at Richie’s brown eyes and dimple again. “That was absolutely beautiful” she said quietly. “Thank you for sharing that with me.”
Even across the computer screen he could see she had been crying. “Sweetheart, tell me what’s wrong. I can see you’re not yourself tonight.”
Taking a fortifying sip of wine she told him about her day. “I came across Ben’s Christmas ornaments while I was looking for some other decorations. The memories hit me hard.” Her eyes stung with tears again and she sniffed them back. “Sorry, I’m still not quite past it yet.”
“I’m sorry sweetheart. I wish I could be there with you.” He couldn’t imagine how hard this time of year must be for her. Maybe he could brighten her mood just a little. “What are you doing for New Year’s sweetheart?”
“I get back on the 30th and have no plans for new year’s. Going to bed early probably.” She watched him shake his head. “What?”
“You are not going to sleep through new years. You’re coming to my house. I’m having a small get together.” No. No way in hell was he going to let her spend new years alone.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sliding his long fingers through her hair, Richie loosened the band and tugged her ponytail out, letting the dark, silky strands flow over his hand. He loved long hair on a woman. She relaxed more fully into him and moaned softly as he lightly massaged her head. As he toyed with her hair he felt her breathing even out and deepen. His lips curved into a satisfied smile. She had fallen asleep on him. He also liked a woman who liked to cuddle. Tipping his head, he brushed his lips across the top of her head.
The movie played on unnoticed, white noise in the background. He looked down again at the woman sleeping in his arms. Her long dark eyelashes rested against a soft, creamy cheek. He hadn’t been looking for a relationship. Hadn’t thought he needed a woman in his life again right now. But somehow, karma had known something he hadn’t and sent this woman to intervene in his life. He was a big believer in karma, fate, luck, whatever you wanted to call it. This woman had come into his life for a reason and he wasn’t going to question it. He was just going to enjoy her for as long as he was destined to have her.
Carefully lifting his hip, he slipped his phone from his pocket and turned it on. Holding it over them, he snapped a quick picture. He was going to be away for nearly a month, he wanted something, even just a picture, to take with him, to remind him of what was waiting for him back home.
She moved against him, her knee eased across his hip, resting just below his crotch. He wrapped his arm more tightly around her. A warmth slid through him, easing his heart and soothing his soul. Sitting here in this dim living room with this warm, soft woman lying in his arms, he felt more content than he had in as long as he could remember. He missed this; just being able to sit on the couch together and watch a movie. He chuckled quietly and fluttered kisses across her forehead, even if one of them had fallen asleep. He missed the normal, everyday things that he had taken for granted when he had been married.
His fingers wandered to the hem of her sweatshirt, finding their way to the soft, warm skin beneath. He caressed her lower back lightly. He had needed this tonight just as much as she had.
Shifting slightly, Stephanie blinked her eyes open and looked to the television. The movie was still playing. She couldn’t have been asleep that long. Raising her head, she breathed in the warm, musky male scent that was all Richie. She glanced up, his head was resting against the couch cushion, his eyes were closed. She couldn’t help the quiet smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. He was still here. He hadn’t turned tail and ran at her cranky behavior just a short while before.
Levering herself up, her knee slid higher, drifting across his crotch. He started under her.
“Be careful with that knee, sweetheart.”
Looking up, his eyes were still closed, but he was no longer asleep. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”
He opened his eyes. They immediately found hers, even in the dim light of the room. “S’okay, just don’t make any sudden movements.” His lips curved into a smile. “I’m kinda fond that particular part of my anatomy.”
Without thinking, she let go with the first words that came to mind. “From what I understand, you should be proud of that particular part of your anatomy.” As soon as the words passed her lips, she clamped her mouth shut and squeezed her eyes closed. She was glad for the dark room. Hopefully her face wasn’t glowing with the heat she felt in her cheeks. I can’t believe I just said that.
His eyes and his smile widened, this was the first time she made any mention of anything even remotely sexual in nature. Even though emotionally she probably wasn’t in the best place tonight, he couldn’t let the opportunity pass them by. “You’re a fan; I’m sure you’ve heard more than one story about me.” He waited. When she didn’t open her eyes or respond he stroked her jaw lightly with the pad of his thumb. “You’re more than welcome to find out first hand, sweetheart.”
She shook her head and opened her eyes, silently damning Mother Nature and her impeccable timing. “As ready and willing as I may be tonight, Mother Nature seems to have other plans for me this week.” She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, “I’m sorry.”
His hand slid from her lower back to the curve of her bottom, pulling her more fully on top of him. “That’s all right sweetheart” he murmured in between kisses. “That’s not why I stopped by tonight anyway.” But he couldn’t help the excitement that surged through him. She hadn’t come right out and said it, but he knew it would be soon.
Pushing back, she sat up and looked down at him. Desire had darkened his eyes and, from her perch on his lap, she could feel the evidence of that desire pressing against her. She smirked and rolled her hips. “From where I’m sitting, I’m afraid I’d have to call you a liar.”
He chuckled and clamped his hands on her hips, holding her still. “I have a beautiful woman on my lap, how would you expect me to react?” He didn’t wait for her answer; he slid his hands up under the hem of her sweatshirt and gently tugged her back down on top of him. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed fun, flirtatious banter. Their mouths came together in a lingering tangle of lips and tongues. His hand slid lazily up and down the smooth expanse of her back, slipping to the curve of her bottom, the back of her thigh, before wandering back to the gentle, enticing dip of her lower back.
The movie played on unnoticed, white noise in the background. He looked down again at the woman sleeping in his arms. Her long dark eyelashes rested against a soft, creamy cheek. He hadn’t been looking for a relationship. Hadn’t thought he needed a woman in his life again right now. But somehow, karma had known something he hadn’t and sent this woman to intervene in his life. He was a big believer in karma, fate, luck, whatever you wanted to call it. This woman had come into his life for a reason and he wasn’t going to question it. He was just going to enjoy her for as long as he was destined to have her.
Carefully lifting his hip, he slipped his phone from his pocket and turned it on. Holding it over them, he snapped a quick picture. He was going to be away for nearly a month, he wanted something, even just a picture, to take with him, to remind him of what was waiting for him back home.
She moved against him, her knee eased across his hip, resting just below his crotch. He wrapped his arm more tightly around her. A warmth slid through him, easing his heart and soothing his soul. Sitting here in this dim living room with this warm, soft woman lying in his arms, he felt more content than he had in as long as he could remember. He missed this; just being able to sit on the couch together and watch a movie. He chuckled quietly and fluttered kisses across her forehead, even if one of them had fallen asleep. He missed the normal, everyday things that he had taken for granted when he had been married.
His fingers wandered to the hem of her sweatshirt, finding their way to the soft, warm skin beneath. He caressed her lower back lightly. He had needed this tonight just as much as she had.
Shifting slightly, Stephanie blinked her eyes open and looked to the television. The movie was still playing. She couldn’t have been asleep that long. Raising her head, she breathed in the warm, musky male scent that was all Richie. She glanced up, his head was resting against the couch cushion, his eyes were closed. She couldn’t help the quiet smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. He was still here. He hadn’t turned tail and ran at her cranky behavior just a short while before.
Levering herself up, her knee slid higher, drifting across his crotch. He started under her.
“Be careful with that knee, sweetheart.”
Looking up, his eyes were still closed, but he was no longer asleep. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to do that.”
He opened his eyes. They immediately found hers, even in the dim light of the room. “S’okay, just don’t make any sudden movements.” His lips curved into a smile. “I’m kinda fond that particular part of my anatomy.”
Without thinking, she let go with the first words that came to mind. “From what I understand, you should be proud of that particular part of your anatomy.” As soon as the words passed her lips, she clamped her mouth shut and squeezed her eyes closed. She was glad for the dark room. Hopefully her face wasn’t glowing with the heat she felt in her cheeks. I can’t believe I just said that.
His eyes and his smile widened, this was the first time she made any mention of anything even remotely sexual in nature. Even though emotionally she probably wasn’t in the best place tonight, he couldn’t let the opportunity pass them by. “You’re a fan; I’m sure you’ve heard more than one story about me.” He waited. When she didn’t open her eyes or respond he stroked her jaw lightly with the pad of his thumb. “You’re more than welcome to find out first hand, sweetheart.”
She shook her head and opened her eyes, silently damning Mother Nature and her impeccable timing. “As ready and willing as I may be tonight, Mother Nature seems to have other plans for me this week.” She leaned up and pressed her lips to his, “I’m sorry.”
His hand slid from her lower back to the curve of her bottom, pulling her more fully on top of him. “That’s all right sweetheart” he murmured in between kisses. “That’s not why I stopped by tonight anyway.” But he couldn’t help the excitement that surged through him. She hadn’t come right out and said it, but he knew it would be soon.
Pushing back, she sat up and looked down at him. Desire had darkened his eyes and, from her perch on his lap, she could feel the evidence of that desire pressing against her. She smirked and rolled her hips. “From where I’m sitting, I’m afraid I’d have to call you a liar.”
He chuckled and clamped his hands on her hips, holding her still. “I have a beautiful woman on my lap, how would you expect me to react?” He didn’t wait for her answer; he slid his hands up under the hem of her sweatshirt and gently tugged her back down on top of him. It had been a long time since he had enjoyed fun, flirtatious banter. Their mouths came together in a lingering tangle of lips and tongues. His hand slid lazily up and down the smooth expanse of her back, slipping to the curve of her bottom, the back of her thigh, before wandering back to the gentle, enticing dip of her lower back.
Easing her mouth from his, Stephanie just looked at him. He wasn’t Mark. She stroked his stubble covered jaw with her fingertips. No one would ever replace him, but maybe there was room in her heart for another man. She hadn’t been looking. Men weren’t even on her list of priorities when she moved out here. But somehow, she managed to find one. And he was as good a man as Mark had ever been. She could see that in the way he looked at her, the way he had treated her since they first met. She could trust him. That much she knew.
Leaning in, she kissed him once more before slipping to his side. She pulled the blanket up over them again and snuggled into him. Reaching across him for the remote she started the movie up again. “Why don’t we watch the end of the movie?”
He stroked her arm and pressed a kiss to her head. He would have preferred to keep doing what they had been doing, but if this is what she needed, that was fine too. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”
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