by E. H. Lyon
She straightens her dress. Her hair is wild from my wandering hands earlier, yet she still looks like a beautiful mess to me.
I step closer to her and take her palms into mine. My fingers intertwine with hers and do a little dance as we look at our connected hands.
“I know I want you by my side every time I have a night like tonight.” I place my thumb on her face.
She touches my wrist, and gently she tilts her head side to side as if she is pondering.
“Maybe, just maybe, I would consider a repeat of tonight… and the other day too.” She has a sheepish look which in turn makes me grin to myself. She is agreeing, but she will never let me hear that so easily.
With that, I kiss her forehead.
There is silence, but I don’t feel ready to end the night quite yet.
“I think we have a bottle of champagne to drink,” I remark as I go to grab the bottle and glasses from the ledge.
“Do we now?” She looks at me funny, but I return to her as she sits again on the lounge chair and I come join her by sitting next to her.
“We do. We are two well-behaved souls.” I click the side of my cheek and she laughs.
“I feel like we said that line once, and then you told me my clothes would end up on the floor. But sure, a drink with you. It’s what led us down this path all those months ago anyhow.”
“Well, I mean, I could get us a room again here at the hotel, but even I know we have to let the sitter go home at some point.”
She gently leans into my arm as the pop of the cork fills the air. Then she pulls away so I can pour the gold-colored liquid into the glasses.
When I hand her a glass, I notice how her dress is bunched up her leg and resting mid-thigh with her bare legs on display—beautiful. I set my glass on the deck as I grab my tux jacket that found its way to the chair next to us.
My tie is hanging open around my unbuttoned collar on my upper chest. It’s autumn and a little chilly, so I wrap my jacket around her shoulders which makes her give me an appreciative look. When I sit again, she leans her head against my shoulder.
I clear my throat and nudge her arm with mine. “So, this keeps happening now.”
She lets out an exhale. “Moments of weakness… seems to be a habit around you.” She looks forward at the pool.
“Ahh. So, I am a weakness to you,” I sigh, trying to get her to look back at me.
I can see a line forming in the corner of her mouth that she agrees.
I interlace my free hand with hers and she adjusts her body as she moves closer to me.
She looks away, but my thumb goes under her chin to guide her back so she is forced to look at me again. Her face says enough that she knows something has changed between us.
She grabs her glass and drinks. Then returns to leaning against my arm as we both watch the steam float on top of the pool water.
“So, what now?”
“We let whatever happens, happen?” I offer the suggestion as I kiss the top of her head.
Her face and voice turn soft. “I think I am open to that approach.”
“That’s a hell of a lot better than where I was when I came back.” I give her a half-smile.
“Yeah, the Leo Hart charm is wearing me down,” she quips.
“And I haven’t even gone full steam on my charm. Thought I should give you some breathing space.”
She places her champagne glass on the ground then pulls my arm with her to encourage me to lie on my side next to her as she lies down. We are facing one another and our bodies are close. Her fingers playing with my shirt at my chest.
A curious smile forms on her mouth. “Remember last time we were by a pool together?”
I lick my lips and smile. “Before I left, Lucas was house sitting for his parents, and we had a group dinner there. We all went in the hot tub after dinner. The moment you took your towel off I was done for.” She seems to enjoy my words. I bring my hand to her cheek and my voice goes low and raspy. “You were so hot.”
She blushes. “I remember that night. Your eyes watched me as I got into the tub, and even though the tub was packed with our group of friends, I found myself sitting next to you… and I think I wanted it that way.” Her eyes look at my mouth then back to my eyes.
My body desperately wants to press into her after hearing that admission.
“It stuck in my mind.” I speak softly as my fingers brush through her hair.
“I think your outfit tonight complete with your hair slicked back is going to stick in my mind for a while,” she grins.
“Duly noted, what to wear to get you to agree with me.”
We kiss softly on the lips, a gentle peck.
“We should probably get back home soon?” I suggest.
“Let’s stay a little longer. I kind of like this. Just sitting, drinking, and talking. With you.”
My ears love hearing her say that too. We lie there in a new elated silence.
Looking around at both of us sharing a lounge chair under a perfect night sky and formally dressed after just almost having sex. Yeah, I also like how this night turned out.
When we arrive home, we let the sitter go and we walk up the stairs hand in hand until we reach the top of the stairs.
“This is where I bid you goodnight,” she whispers with a mischievous glance.
“Not a chance.” I give her a stern eye.
Following her, I test my luck. We enter her room and I flop on the bed, lying across the duvet as I watch her take her earrings off while I unbutton my shirt.
“No. You want me here. You know your ass molds perfectly into my body when I’m spooning you from behind,” I remind her.
She turns her head over her shoulder to look at me. “Ah, so you are a cuddler.”
“For you, yeah, seems I am. But a fair warning, I am beat.”
Jess gives me a damaging look before she turns around so her back is to me. She unzips her dress, and it falls to a pool at her feet. “I’m tired too.”
My mouth struggles to close as she is 100% naked in front of me with a tiny black thong. All she would have to do is turn around and I would see her beautiful breasts that were teasing me all night as much as her back.
But that’s not tonight. Tonight is setting us up for something permanent.
…And we both want to give our best performance when making the other come. And it’s two in the morning already with a baby who will likely wake once or twice over the next few hours.
She manages to throw on a tank top and comes to bed where I’ve managed to get down to my briefs. Switching the bedside light off, we both shuffle under the covers until we’re on our sides facing one another. I grab her knee and drape it across my hips.
“So, does this mean, I’ve been upgraded from the guest room?” I kiss her forehead.
She chuckles softly. “Is that what is happening?”
I pull us tight together. “Seems so.”
“Right… whatever happens—happens.”
We both meet at the same time for a kiss, a classic sensual kiss.
At last, we seem to have agreed tonight to take a step forward.
Chapter Nineteen
Jess
We woke in the morning and had an easy breakfast with Sam. He woke nice and early which prevented us from having any morning sex or fun in the shower. Leo had to head to the office for an emergency.
It gave me time to think, but it was easy—I didn’t need to think. I know what line I am about to cross, but the rope is up to keep me behind it. I can’t deny it anymore, I owe it to myself to try with him.
That’s what I want to happen.
I stand in the lingerie shop with the girls because Harper is on a mission to drive Max insane. I haven’t updated them yet on my latest Leo news because I feel like what happens between us has always kind of, well… been between us.
But maybe I should do a quick sound check as I am about to make a big decision. Abby asks about Leo when she sees my mind is somewhere
else.
"Is your plan still to keep pushing him away?" Abby asks as she holds up a white lace bra.
"No. Actually…" I begin, looking at the items on the table.
“Actually? Is team Leo finally winning?” Abby’s mouth gapes open.
"I don't know him well, but if I were you, then I would just go for it all in. I’m team Leo," Harper chimes as she comes out of the fitting room. She is always so positive and bubbly. I glance at Harper as she looks in the mirror at her outfit, which I must say she wears perfectly if you’re into silk nighties.
"You,” I joke, pointing a waving finger at her. “You are still on a trial period in this friendship group so keep your opinions to yourself."
Abby drapes an arm around Harper. "Nah. I abolished the trial-period rule," Abby jokes.
"Thank goodness, because I want to see this saga play out," Harper teases then heads back into the fitting room. I look at both and shake my head with a smile.
"Is he now driving you insane in all the right ways?" Abby is curious.
I let out a sigh of frustration. "I can't deny it, so no point trying," I admit, and I am positive a smile is forming on my face.
"So, you are going to give in?" Abby asks. “Or did you already?” She raises an eyebrow.
This is where I should throw on my best poker face. But the memories of the hotel room and the past few days play in my head. Just thinking about it and a warm flare ignites in me. My face must give me away.
Abby’s mouth drops and she drags my arm so we are away from ear’s reach of Harper who spills everything to Max. “Oh my God. You’re sleeping together!”
“Shhh, Abby. Yes. Okay,” I admit in defeat with a smile so wide it almost hurts.
She looks at me with intrigue. “Like, once after you got Sam to bed and the moment was right kind of thing, or like it’s now a regular occurrence?”
My head nods side to side as I debate what to say, but in truth I am bursting at the seams. “Once as in we got a hotel room.” My voice cracks and my face probably looks like a Picasso painting.
Abby’s eyes burn with excitement. “What!? You got a hotel room?”
Letting out a growl that I let it slip, I decide to tell the woman who helped me birth Sam. Whispering in her ear, I tell her about our plan to have no-strings-attached sex in the hotel.
With her jaw dropping open, I tell her. “It was explosive, like the best I’ve ever had.”
“You know, I read once women have better sex after giving birth. But good thing you both came to your senses and will try and give it a spin, otherwise that was a stupid move. Like, really? A hotel room? You both were trying to find a way to justify your attraction,” Abby explains so wisely.
I hold my hand up to stop her from going further. “I know. I know. I figured it out about 0.2 seconds in. And yes, I am completely attracted to him, always have been. And yes, I want to see where this goes, give it a chance. Happy? You know all my secrets now.”
Abby smiles and gives me a hug. “This is great news, Jess. I mean, you deserve to be happy and having the best sex of your life.”
I never admitted to her that, yes, the night I conceived my son was the best sex of my life up until the other day when his father decided to outperform himself again. Hell, his lips getting within a breathable distance of me could make me come.
“Yeah, and I think he makes me really happy,” I reflect, almost enchanted. “I know he didn’t have the best track record with me, and then there are the 18 months he was MIA. But he’s calmer now, softer. I’m beginning to think he was always like that too.”
“You sound like you’re in love.”
I don’t get a chance to answer, and I think I know the answer. Abby promises to stay quiet and gives me a Girl Scout salute before we focus our attention on Harper coming out of the fitting room again. We talk about her outfit choice, and in the process, my fingers reach out to a burgundy lace bra and panty set.
“Big plans?” Harper grins with her eyes bulging.
I release my hand, trying not to let my head get carried away with already planning lingerie for steamy nights. But I really do want to get carried away.
“You should get something, Jess. I’m also getting something for Lucas.” Abby grins with malice.
I want to reference that Leo just destroys my bras in a matter of seconds, but I keep that fact to myself. “You both are in relationships.” I give Abby a secretive grin.
My mind wanders to that place that involves Leo and not just lying in bed with him. But talking and laughing together. Being together.
“So? Every woman deserves nice lingerie. Didn’t you always used to say that?” Abby is throwing my own logic at me.
I grin because I used to always say that before Sam was born.
“It’ll be fun, and if you don’t need it for someone at least you can still wear it around the house. I mean, since you are both unaffected by each other then it shouldn’t matter.” Harper winks and tilts her head to the side.
They start throwing options at me. In return, I throw some options to Abby and Harper. Because Harper is right. Leo or no Leo, I deserve something for myself.
“What the hell, Harper?” Abby quizzes Harper who is taking a photo of the pile of our options.
Harper beams as she hits send on her phone “Just sending Max a preview.”
Abby and I both have bewildered looks.
We all try a few things on. Then we go and pay, each emerging with a perfectly wrapped bag complete with tissue paper. I will carefully decide when to use the contents of my bag.
We walk around for a while before we go to dinner at Forks Lore. The fancy little restaurant filled with white fairy lights, white tablecloths, and gorgeous wine glasses. You can never get a reservation since there are only a few tables inside and outside on their patio.
"We are here," Abby beams.
"Why, however did you ever manage a reservation?" Harper asks theatrically to Abby.
"Connections." Abby winks and looks at Harper with a knowing grin.
We go inside to find the restaurant empty except with one table full. At the table, Lucas, Max, and Leo are waiting.
What the hell?
"Happy birthday, Jess," Harper congratulates and joins Max at the table. Ugh, I hate birthdays, especially when it involves the number 3 and 0. I thought I did a good job of not mentioning it to anybody so they wouldn’t remember.
"It was Leo," Abby whispers in my ear as she goes to join Lucas.
My eyes are glued to Leo as I let out a soft smile and look down then back up at him. The others are already busy in conversation when Leo gets up and comes to me. He kisses my cheek and whispers happy birthday. I already started melting like butter when Abby declared that this is all Leo’s doing.
"How did you know?" I ask softly and so very curious.
“I wasn’t gone that long, Jess, and I should probably know the birth date of the mother of my child. And before you ask, he is with the sitter." He smiles and shrugs and it is kind of adorable that I can’t help giggling a little.
He pulls out my chair next to his and I sit down. When he sits down next to me, it doesn’t take long for his hand to slide to my thigh under the table as he leans into me so only I can hear.
“Max got an interesting photo earlier. Looks like you had fun shopping,” he mutters.
The movement of his head tickles me a little and his hand sliding up my thigh most definitely sends shockwaves. My face warms.
Max must have shared whatever photos Harper took at the lingerie store. My hand finds Leo’s hand on my thigh under the table and I tilt my head so nobody can hear, and I look at him.
“I did. Someone was adamant I use their card to keep me relaxed, remember? And depending what happens, then maybe it will lead you into a relaxing activity too,” I taunt.
He laughs under his breath then whispers into my ear again. “That maybe will change very soon,” he dares then removes his hand and leans back in his chair, joini
ng Max in conversation as I smile to myself.
Dinner was a great time with everyone as we talked about a group ski trip, Netflix series, and funny stories from college. Several times, I noticed Leo’s arm went around my shoulder, and I admittedly several times rested my hand on his leg. In truth, I haven’t felt this at ease and happy in a long time with someone on my arm.
We’re all laughing.
“Really? You guys had a band in high school?” Harper asks in amazement. I nearly spit out my wine.
“This is the best gossip ever. Tell more,” I plead, too curious.
“We played in the basement of this warehouse. All the girls came to watch and screamed the whole time,” Lucas replays the story with his arm around Abby. Max pours some more wine for everyone.
“Yeah. Leo on guitar, Lucas on drums, and I played the keyboard,” Max recalls.
“We really missed our calling,” Leo laughs as he hands over his glass for Max to fill.
“Really? You played guitar?” I ask, looking at Leo. He holds his hands up in surrender and I place my hand on his thigh.
“Guilty. But I don’t remember a note,” he admits.
“Why, do you have a thing for musicians?” Lucas asks me as he is trying to rile us up. Abby nudges him in the shoulder.
“I may have dated a few in college,” I remark, shrugging my shoulders. I can see Leo shaking his head at Lucas like he may just kill him.
“Oh, man. Remember, Jess, that one musician guy who wanted to buy a winter vacation house?” Max recalls. I let out a laugh.
“Do I ever,” I admit and drink my wine.
“Tell us more,” Leo indicates to Max.
“Right, so Jess had just started at the office and this dude was so demanding. I’d already spent months trying to get him to buy this house. Then in two hours, Jess comes along to our viewing and gets him to not only buy the house, but also give her free V.I.P. Burning Man tickets,” Max says, and we clink our wine glasses for the win.
Leo glances at me with a look of steel. “Charming.”