by Kat Bammer
Every woman in attendance, ahh’ed… Kevin did too…silently. Wow, this love thing turned him into a real sap. Kevin looked at Alan, whose eyes were glued on Jessie and whose smile radiated on his face. There was a man in knowledge of hitting the jackpot.
Kevin looked at Julie who was mesmerized by the procedures. He leaned down and kissed her temple.
He knew exactly how Alan felt.
He was damn lucky Paul made him come here for therapy.
He’d never thought he would meet the love of his life and find this place…and a home…here in Moon Lake. Shuffling behind him made Kevin turn around. There was a very disheveled Paul, followed by Holly, the owner of the café.
Kevin’s eyebrows shot up, but Paul just grinned back at him and fixed the knot of his tie. He had his shirt buttoned the wrong way.
Holly’s hair was a little on the wild side and the glow on her face told Kevin everything he needed to know. No…more like everything he didn’t want to know.
His friend really couldn’t keep it in his pants, not even here in his hometown.
Kevin shook his head and looked at Julie whose eyes were boggling at the sight of the two.
This was obviously a brand new development.
Paul grinned and kissed Holly’s temple. “Don’t you just love weddings?”
Kevin shook his head. He hoped this wouldn’t put a strain on Julie’s and Holly’s friendship. Paul was a player, but then again, so had he been…until he met Julie.
It only took the right woman to catch a guy’s heart and turn him into some sap who only had eyes for her.
It would happen to Paul just like it had happened to him.
He looked at Julie who was once again captivated by the ceremony. He touched her arm and a familiar electrical jolt made his arm tingle. When she looked at him, she raised her eyebrows and tilted her head slightly. He smiled at her, just grateful for having her next to him. Grateful and in love.
She shook her head at his silliness, but she must’ve understood his feelings without him needing to say the words. Slowly, she leaned in, and when their lips met, he could feel her melting against him.
Best. Feeling. Ever.
Paul’s elbow made contact with Kevin’s lower back and interrupted their kiss.
He turned back to him, and his rolling eyes and silly face caused Kevin to grind his teeth. “Childish, much?” Kevin couldn’t wait for the day Paul would fall in love. Then it would be his turn to mock his best friend.
Paul just grinned and Kevin looked over to Holly, who still stood next to Paul, but with a gap between them.
Could she be the one? Later he would ask Julie what she thought of her brother’s antics.
Kevin focused back on the ceremony in front of them and was surprised Alan and Jessie were already done with their vows. He hadn’t paid attention—at all.
Katie moved a little and let out a soft cry, and his eyes shot down. Her eyes were still closed but her mouth was making sucking noises.
Kevin froze, but when his eyes met Lisa’s over the heads of the other guests, his heart rate settled back to normal.
If Katie woke up, all he had to do was hand her over to Peter or Lisa. Easy-peasy.
Kevin shifted Katie. She was getting heavy, or maybe he was getting weak already. He’d slacked off a little the last few weeks, but Peter and Blake had invited him to join their daily runs and workouts, which would help keep him fit.
His thoughts turned to the old ice rink he’d visited yesterday. It was rundown and he wasn’t sure if it was worth renovating or if he should just build a new one. Lucky for him, his parents had taken his financial literacy very seriously. So since day one of earning the big bucks, he always handled his money carefully. Now his investments earned him an obscene amount of money every year.
As soon as they came back to Moon Lake, Julie had been working nonstop to make up for the time she was away. She had clients galore during the day and had started yoga classes three evenings a week. She was keeping herself busy, and Kevin realized right away he needed something to keep him busy, as well.
A skating rink, maybe even an arena, where he could keep the ice year round, would do just that—keep him busy. His mind wandered to the other surprise he couldn’t wait to show Julie. Hopefully it would be a good surprise. He’d worked on it ever since they arrived back in Moon Lake and he’d known as soon as he saw it. Living with her parents was okay for maybe another week or so, but not for much longer. And since Lucas Ford moved into what had been his cottage, staying at the Inn long-term wasn’t an option, as well.
Kevin jumped when Julie squeezed his side. Lisa was standing in front of him, her arms stretched out, ready to take Katie.
He looked to the empty trellis. The first ceremony was over.
Wow, he really got caught up in his head. He kissed Katie before he softly laid her into her mother’s arms. “She’s perfect. You really did good, Lisa.”
Lisa chuckled.
“Hey, that’s my DNA too,” Peter said from behind Lisa and thrust his chest out.
“And thank God your genes were not the dominant ones,” Blake replied and everybody laughed.
Kevin joined in on the laughter.
These were his people. Not only was he lucky enough to find the perfect woman but also the perfect town with the best people he could imagine.
“Okay, let’s get the party started…again. Before the little ones wake up.” Jessie and Alan had joined their little group and Seb was jumping up and down between them, holding a hand of each of his parents. Alan picked him up and Jessie leaned in to give her son a kiss.
They looked like the perfect little family.
Perfect…and happy.
“Okay, once again. Let’s get moving.”
Lisa handed Katie back to Kevin and Claire did the same with Amelia.
Now it was Claire’s and Blake’s turn.
Claire kissed Blake on the lips before she turned around and went inside to get herself ready so they could do the thing once more.
The whole afternoon was filled with a lot of laughter, good food, and good conversations, and when the daylight faded, little lamps, which were slung over trees, handrails, and bushes, illuminated the romantic setting.
Kevin wasn’t a good dancer. Well, that wasn’t true…he wasn’t half bad, he just never saw the appeal of dancing. But with Julie in his arms and a slow song on, it wasn’t half bad.
“It’s been an okay wedding, but this is nice,” Kevin murmured against Julie’s temple and he could feel her chuckle against his stomach.
“You should’ve seen Jessie and Alan’s first wedding. Pure torture. This was great. This was everything they deserved.”
Kevin watched Paul and Holly standing together and laughing over Julie’s head. “So, Holly and your brother?”
Her chuckle died, and a stiffness went through Julie’s body before she relaxed again.
“I hope he doesn’t fuck it up. Holly’s my friend. It wouldn’t be cool if I had to kill him.”
Now it was his turn to chuckle. His little fairy was fierce, but as much as she and Paul dueled verbally, the love the siblings had for each other was clear as daylight.
“He’s Paul. He will fuck it up. You know that, right?”
Julie sighed and snuggled deeper into him. “I know. I just hope Holly knows what she’s doing.”
Kevin shrugged. They would see soon enough.
“So…you up for a little surprise?”
Julie looked up into his face, her eyes wary. “Maybe?”
“It’s just a little way. We can come back afterward. Dance a little more. I hear there’s a bonfire planned, later on.”
Julie nodded and stopped dancing. “Show the way.”
Kevin grabbed her hand, and together they left the dance floor.
“Hello, Julie, how are you?”
A man with black hair and a full beard stopped them before they could escape. He’d seen him dance with his contractor Tara Patterson
earlier.
“Oh hey, Caspar. I’m good. You?”
Kevin didn’t care much for small talk. He couldn’t wait to show Julie his surprise.
Tara Patterson joined them, kissed Julie on both cheeks, and leaned into Caspar’s side who squeezed her to him.
“Hey, Kevin.”
Julie’s eyebrows shot up and Kevin’s heart stopped. He had to get Julie away…now.
“Hey, Tara, Caspar.” The men shook hands and he could feel Julie’s eyes staring a hole in his head.
“I’m sorry, but I gotta whisk Julie away for a second. See you later?”
Kevin didn’t wait for an answer but dragged Julie along with him.
When they got to his truck, she crossed her arms and refused to get in. “How exactly did you know Tara?”
Kevin smiled at her. His woman was jealous. “I’ll tell you, but first I need to show you something.”
Julie got in, reluctantly. When he leaned over and pulled the blindfold out of his glove department, she inhaled sharply.
“So, this is a sex thing?”
Kevin chuckled. “No, this is a surprise, but we sure can use the blindfold later.”
Lust surged through his body and hardened his groin. He couldn’t wait for them to move out of Julie’s parents’ house. Their sex life at least would improve tremendously. Even though Kevin couldn’t complain.
He tied the blindfold on the back of Julie’s head, careful not to destroy her hairdo and was floored by the trust Julie had in him. He kissed her on the nose and fastened her seat belt and his.
Their short drive was silent.
“Where are we going?” When he turned left from the highway onto the small road up into the woods, Julie got antsy. If she’d followed their turns, she most likely already knew, and with the rumbling on the gravel road, she would know they were going up into the woods. Kevin concentrated on the road. The absence of light beneath the trees made him squeeze the steering wheel until his knuckles turned white. He’d been up here every day for the last two weeks, but he still nearly missed the turnoff—Every Single Time. They would have to mount a sign or something once they lived up here.
When he stopped his truck at the edge of the clearing, he held his breath and loosened her blindfold.
He hoped this would be a good surprise, but he really didn’t know.
25
Julie opened her eyes and blinked a few times. Now she knew where they were.
She’d tried to follow the way here but got confused when they turned from the paved road to the bumpier gravel.
The last time she’d been up here was with Kevin. Everything had been covered in snow and the pond had been frozen solid. Now the pond lay still in the fading light and from the meadow came a deafening chirping of crickets.
Julie’s eyes moved to the old house and her heart skipped a beat.
There was clearly construction going on. A crane stood next to the house with other heavy equipment scattered all around. The crew must’ve left for the day.
“What the hell?”
“Well, I bought the place. And I thought, maybe if you want to…”
Warmth radiated through her body and she squealed, released her seat belt, and threw herself at Kevin.
He’d bought them a home. And not just any home. He’d bought them a place with meaning and memory.
She crawled over to his seat and straddled his lap. She looked him in the eyes and saw a faint sheen of uncertainty there. Then she kissed him…slow, languid kisses full of gratitude and happiness.
Soon Kevin took over the kiss. His hands slowly pushed her dress up her thighs, and when his fingers slipped into her panties, Julie widened her legs so she could press her pulsating core deeper against Kevin’s rapidly growing bulge. They kept at it for several minutes, pending between plundering each other’s lips and soft nibbling. He kept her just at the brink of release as if he could see into her. Every time she got near the edge, his fingers retreated and his kisses slowed down.
“You bought us a home?”
He leaned his forehead against hers. His ragged breaths mirrored her own. “So, you’re not mad?” He kissed her nose. “I know this is a surprise, but I hope it’s a good surprise.”
“Hell yeah.”
He kissed her again; this time it was sweet, innocent smacks on her lips, which made her lips tingle.
After a while of making out, he opened the door and with her still in his arms, he exited the car.
The cool air touched her behind with her dress still bunched up around her waist…but she didn’t care.
“Come on, I want to show you what they did so far. I only had them do the construction work for now. So, we can decide on the interior together. I need this to be your home.” He stopped and looked deep into her eyes, and something in her went all gooey. The seriousness, the hope in his eyes, were doing her in, and she smiled and kissed him on the nose.
That was enough for him, because he resumed walking and carried Julie across the meadow to the house. He squeezed her ass in his hands which made her giggle.
How luxurious to have a man who could carry you around without even breaking a sweat?
She nibbled on his neck until Kevin’s breath turned ragged.
“Already out of breath, old man.”
Kevin squeezed her ass and smiled at Julie.
“I’ll show you out of breath.”
They entered the house through the door and Julie’s breath stopped.
There was a bed in the middle of the room, decked out with crisp, white sheets and flowers…hundreds of flowers, their scent sweet and summery, matching the meadow outside.
“Oh my God, you’re a closet romantic.”
Kevin chuckled. “Should’ve figured that out by now.”
Julie smiled, laid her hand on the side of his face, and kissed him again.
How could she be so happy? Just a month ago she was miserable…alone and miserable. And look at her now.
They kissed and Kevin crawled onto the bed, pressing her tight against him. Julie held on like a monkey.
When he reached the position he liked, he slowly stretched out and pressed her deeper into the mattress.
“I love you, Julie Brooks.”
“I love you, Kevin Reyes.”
They resumed their kissing and slowly Kevin moved her dress up and over Julie’s head.
Julie opened Kevin’s dress shirt, one button at a time, kissing every patch of skin she revealed.
Kevin stood up and got rid of his black trousers, but before he threw them to the side, he pulled the blindfold out of the pocket.
“So, this is about sex.” Julie chuckled at the lustful look in his eyes.
“Only if you want to.”
“Oh, hell yes.”
He fastened the blindfold again and then settled between Julie’s legs.
By now he knew exactly where and how to touch her to skyrocket her arousal, but he was also so in tune with her body, that he adjusted to every one of her moans and micro-movements.
She was in heaven. The blindfold enhanced everything. Every touch and every languid movement of his tongue nearly did her in. The sounds of his mouth on her sex and her own moans were too loud in her own ears.
Julie’s strong climax came fast and when Kevin settled between her legs, he glided inside of her infuriatingly slow.
Until Julie was done with slow.
She rolled them upside down and rode him—just the right rhythm—just the right depth…until they both reached bliss together.
A while later Julie opened her eyes. Kevin had positioned her against him with her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat while hers slowly settled down again.
She looked up at the billions of stars above them.
“There’s no roof. Why isn’t there a roof? Winter’s just around the corner—we need a roof.”
Kevin’s chuckle made her head bounce on his chest.
“We’ll get one next week. And a second floor. So
, we get more space.”
For a family.
He didn’t say anything after their short touch on the topic this afternoon. But he didn’t need to. They would need the space, once they started their family, and honestly, Julie couldn’t wait. Even though they would. At least a little while.
But this was it for her. Kevin was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, have a family, grow old—everything.
Unconsciously she’d known that before she had let him go. She’d felt it all the time they’d spent apart. And she knew it now with a certainty that should frighten her—but it didn’t.
And thank God Kevin felt the same.
Julie kissed Kevin’s chest and snuggled deeper into his side and squeezed her eyes shut again.
“We probably should get back to the party.” The vibrations of his voice rumbled in his chest and Julie nodded. They probably should.
They took their sweet time before they got up and got dressed. Julie looked around the room, but it was too dark and she couldn’t really see anything. They had to come back tomorrow…in daylight…so she could take it all in.
The only thing she could make out were the remaining exterior walls. They must have gotten rid of the interior walls. But then again, he told her he wanted to include her in the construction.
“How did you make all of this happen in such a short amount of time?”
“Ahem.” Kevin cleared his throat. “I bought the house before I left. I bought the house for you.”
Julie’s eyebrows shot up. So he bought the house in April? Before he left? For her? That didn’t make any sense.
“I contracted Tara Patterson, and she was working on the permits over summer.”
Julie turned to Kevin, who looked at his feet, and she stared at him with her mouth gaping open. “But…you left me. I mean, you didn’t say a word that you’d come back. Ever.”
He looked up and touched her face. “Because I wasn’t sure… No, that’s not true. I was sure I’d come back. But I just needed to figure out the rest of it. Figure out how to get everything I wanted. I didn’t know I was ready to quit playing back then. I worked so hard to get back on the ice…I couldn’t just let go of my dream. Not even for you.”