Hmm, special girl? The thought of that made her smile. She never knew what to expect from Billy. He was like no man she had ever dated, not that she had a lot of dates.
“I can’t wait to see what you have planned for the day.”
“You’ll find out within the next few minutes.”
“I love when you are secretive,” Alexandra flirted.
“That’s why I always plan these surprise outings. I know how much you love them.”
Billy took the Page Avenue exit, looped around the circle and pulled into a strip mall parking lot. Where could he be possibly taking her? There was a diner, bar, automotive parts store, and a dry cleaner. She didn’t see anything that would be appropriate for their date.
Her car door opened and Billy extended his hand out to her. Alexandra loved when Billy dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. In her heart, she felt like a kid. Guess it doesn’t matter how young or old you are, for love is love. Did I just say love?
“Where are you taking me?” Swinging her free arms around the parking lot, she stated, “I don’t see anything here, especially since it’s too early for dinner.”
“Trust me, you’re going to love this. Now let me lead the way. Just promise me you’ll have an open mind.”
“I will.”
“You see, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise, so I parked a shopping plaza lot over.”
“No, you didn’t.”
“Yes I did.”
Alexandra stopped walking and turned to face him. “You are insane, but I love how you go out of your way to make our dates special. That’s what makes you stand out from the rest.”
“Thank you.” He leaned into her, planting a quick kiss on her parted lips. “Now let’s go shopping.”
They walked into the next parking lot. Alexandra let him lead the way until they stopped in front of Katie’s Lingerie Boutique. Her mouth dropped open. Oh my God. He brought her to a lingerie stop. Now this was something totally different. Did he have an underlying message behind this because she had yet to give him all of herself? Of course he did. This gave her something to think about.
Billy pushed the door open and walked in behind her.
“Hey Billy.” The woman sitting behind the counter walked right over to Billy and hugged him. “It’s so good to see you.” She turned to Alexandra. “Hi. I’m Katie.”
“I’m Alexandra.”
“It’s my pleasure to meet you. I am so happy Billy brought you in to see me. We go way back.” Katie adjusted her short skirt and pushed her light brown hair behind her ears. “I went to school with Billy’s sister. We see each other all the time. Now this hot number,” she waved her finger at Billy, “has always been all work and no play. So it’s great to see him standing here in front of me with such a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you,” Alexandra said. “I’m just somewhat surprised to be standing in the middle of a lingerie shop.”
“There is something here for everyone. What’s your pleasure?”
“Excuse me.” Alexandra felt her cheeks heat up.
“Are you into fantasy? If so I have a nice his and her dress-up.”
Alexandra’s mouth dropped. Did Billy think she was into this kind of play?
“Or do you prefer submission and….”
“No.” Turning to Billy she said, “This is not me at all.”
“Katie, why don’t you show Alexandra that new line of loungewear you’ve been talking about.”
“I’d like that,” Alexandra smiled.
Billy turned to Katie. “Take it easy with the kinky stuff. Alexandra isn’t that kind of women.”
Alexandra puckered her lips, a nervous habit of hers when she doesn’t know what to say. “Thank you, Billy.” Walking over to the rack of men’s satin boxers, she took a pair off the rack and held it up. “Katie, if you could find me the woman’s version of this, I think you’ll have a sale.”
“Let me bring you back into my pleasure room.” Looking over her shoulder to Billy, Katie said, “I suggest that you get yourself a cup of coffee because this lady is going to be a while when she sees my huge selection.”
When Katie brought Alexandra into the backroom, she expected adult toys and kinky lingerie, instead Katie showed her a private line of clothes her friend designer Sally had designed. After making her selection of two pantsuits and one of a kind floral dresses, she walked back up front.
Billy smiled. He took the three outfits from her and placed them on top of the pile of clothes on the counter.
“I’ll take care of this. I have a few surprises I picked out here for you that I think you’ll like.”
“You don’t have to do that Billy.”
“Honey, when a man is willing to buy you things, never say no,” Katie chimed in. “How do you think I got this store.” She winked.
Chapter Four
Alexandra slid her purple, off the shoulder dress, over her head. Staring into the mirror she nodded her head in approval. This had been the sixth dress she tried on within the past ten minutes. Tonight had to be perfect, being their one year anniversary.
It was hard to imagine their relationship had spanned so long, especially when she hadn’t been looking for a boyfriend to begin with. Now, a year later she relished the time she spent with Billy. They built their relationship on what she swore she would never have and how she couldn’t imagine living without him. Billy had turned out to be a major part of her life. A part, she planned on never giving up.
In the past, relationships and Alexandra didn’t go hand in hand. Every time she met someone, there was always something that held her back from bringing the relationship to the next level. She felt her reluctance went back to the conversation she heard between her mother and father, with her mother accusing him of nailing his assistant in his office, along with proof of her findings.
That’s why Alexandra had stopped dating. If she had the desire at some point to have a baby, she’d visit a sperm bank. And then came Billy. She didn’t see it happening as she let the walls around her down, opening herself up to love. The walls she had built all these years were out of fear, not wanting to end up like her parents. Thinking back and then fast forwarding, Alexandra realized her resistance had been for a reason. She had always loved Billy, unconsciously resisting from getting involved with any other man.
After taking a quick glance in the mirror she felt confident. What she loved most about Billy was his ability to always make her laugh and smile. Their relationship wasn’t based on material things, but on trust, love and lots of adventures.
At seven o’clock the doorbell rang. She opened the door to Billy holding two dozen red and white roses along with two overflowing shopping bags.
“Happy Anniversary.” He kissed her and handed her the roses. “I know how much you love these.” Placing the shopping bags down he spoke, “I thought a nice intimate dinner by candlelight would set the scene. I brought lasagna and a house salad. Hope you’re not disappointed.”
“Nope. I’d rather not go out and share the night alone with you.”
“I like the sound of that, makes me feel important.”
“I would say…desirable.”
“Yes…”
Alexandra leaned into him, licked her lips and smiled. “I say we eat the wonderful dinner you prepared and then decide on dessert,” she flirted.
“I like the sound of that. But in light of the situation,” he said, leaning into her, with Alexandra feeling his hardness, “I say we put dinner on hold and dive right into dessert. We always have the microwave to heat up dinner.”
“Can’t argue with you on that…”
Billy leaned over and swept her off her feet. Her purple stiletto shoes dangled over his arms, and his lips remained on hers as he brought her into the bedroom.
The following week was Thanksgiving. For the first time in years, a four-inch coating of snow lined the narrow city streets.
Alexandra couldn’t have been happier. Her life finally felt com
plete. She had found the life she yearned for with the man she couldn’t live without.
Alexandra leaned against the kitchen doorway glaring at Billy who had just come in with logs for the fireplace. The night before they decided to have an untraditional Thanksgiving. Instead of dressing up, they dressed down.
Billy wore jeans and the blue plaid flannel shirt she had bought for him earlier in the week. She wasn’t sure if she would like him in the skinny jeans she had gotten him, but after seeing him leaning over to add wood to the fireplace, she knew she would have a hard time keeping her hands to herself.
Alexandra focused her attention back to the kitchen when the timer on the sweet potatoes went off. “Dinner is about ready.”
“Let me add a few more logs onto the fire and I’ll be there to help you in a minute.”
“Thanks. It’s nice and toasty in here.”
“And I plan on keeping it that way. You look so sexy.” Billy winked.
His eyes scanned over her and she felt her cheeks heat up. She never was comfortable accepting compliments, but didn’t think twice about giving them. “I’ll start getting things together in the dining room. I’ll need you to open the wine when you get through. I can never get the cork out.”
“Gottcha. I’ll be just a few minutes.”
Alexandra set the table and lit the candles. The aroma of turkey, mixed with cornbread, cranberries and broccoli filled the room. Tonight’s feast had a special meaning to her. It was time to give thanks for all the wonderful things that has happened in her life this past year.
“There’s my girl.” Bill wrapped his arms around her from behind, played with the spaghetti strap that kept falling off her shoulder and kissed the top of her head. “Everything is done. I look forward to spending the holiday with you.”
“I like the sound of that.”
“After dinner, I thought we’d take our coffee and dessert into the living room by the fireplace, if that’s all right with you. I made sure I have the fire going strong enough, which will last us through early morning,” Billy said.
“Hmm…romance after dinner. That is so perfect.”
He kissed her head, walked over to the table and opened the wine, pouring it into the blue goblets.
“The table looks amazing. ”
“Thank you. “ Alexandra turned to walk back into the kitchen, but Billy grabbed her hand to stop her.
“Wait for me. Let’s do this together.”
“No, that’s okay. You prepared the meal and feed the fireplace. Let me take care of you.”
“No way. We’re a team. Doing everything together makes the chores go quicker.”
“I agree with you. I’m just not use to having anyone help me. I’ve been doing it solo all these years.”
“Not anymore. I want to get more involved in your life and hope you’d like to do the same with me.”
“Yes, I would.”
“This is a very special Thanksgiving for me.” Billy picked up the dish of turkey and dropped a few pieces of meat into his dish. “This is the first Thanksgiving in a long time that I’m not sitting home alone.”
“I’ve spent the past few years alone. I got tired of splitting the holidays between my mother and father. No matter where I went, the other was upset. That’s why this year it’s refreshing to be sitting here with you.”
“I have to admit I haven’t looked forward to a holiday in quite some time. But knowing that I’m spending it with you makes it all worth the wait,” Billy said. “Before we eat, I’d like to say a prayer of thanks.”
Alexandra put her buttered roll, along with her knife down and joined hands with him.
“I’d like to give thanks for this wonderful dinner we have in front of us. I suggest before we get comfortable in front of the warm fire, we bring the leftovers down the road to the shelter. Is that okay with you?” Billy asked.
“Yes it is. I think it’s a lovely idea sharing our good fortune with those that are less fortunate.”
“And I’d like to give thanks for the angel that dropped you back into my life. I’m so glad I waited for you, my sweet Alexandra, the love of my life.”
Alexandra felt warmth come over her. Billy always revealed his true feelings for her. She had no doubts whatsoever that he loved her.
“Billy,” she squeezed his hand, “even though we’ve been together for a little over a year, I feel as if the years between never happened.”
“I feel the same. It’s hard to believe we spent preschool through eighth grade together. I was crushing on you since fifth grade. I wonder what would have happened if we went through high school and college together?”
“I’d say eventually we would have found each other. That’s why I am so thankful we crossed paths again.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I never knew what love was until you came back into my life. I have always loved you. So this Thanksgiving, I thank God you are sitting here with me, completing my life.”
Billy lifted his wine glass, as did Alexandra, while still holding hands.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Alexandra.”
“Happy Thanksgiving, Billy.”
Chapter Five
“Hello?” Billy pushed open Alexandra’s door with his shoulder while struggling with the bags in his arms. “Alexandra, are you home?”
“I’m upstairs. Give me a few minutes to finish putting the laundry away. I’ll be right down.”
“Take your time. I’ll put on a pot of coffee.”
Billy placed the packages on the counter, put up the coffee and got to work. From one of the bags he took a red cotton tablecloth with green and white embroidered poinsettias bordering around the edges. In another bag he grabbed two ceramic poinsettia candlestick holders along with two long green candles with silver bells engraved within the candles.
No doubt Alexandra would love the table. She always paid attention to and loved minor details. And when it came to him, she acted like he was the only one in the world. She always paid close attention to him, making sure she attended to all his needs, without showing any vulnerability whatsoever.
The more time he spent with her, the deeper he fell in love with her. He loved her since kindergarten. When they went to different high schools, he still thought about her and continued to until they met again. Alexandra was the woman he always dreamed of, their separation strengthened his love for her even more.
He added logs to the fireplace. They would want the house nice and hot when they got back from their new adventure.
“Hey.” Alexandra walked down the last two stairs directly into Billy’s arms. “I can smell the coffee all the way upstairs. What do you do to it to make it smell so good?”
“It’s my secret ingredient.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
“’I’m going to tell you a lot of things,” he snickered not taking his eyes off Alexandra. “I have another special day planned after we have coffee.”
Billy watched Alexandra grab the milk container and walk into the dining room. The minute she entered the room, he heard her gasp. “Billy, the table looks amazing. What a lovely surprise. You astonish me every time.”
“Anything for my girl. I spotted this when I passed Bed, Bath and Beyond and said my girl would love this.”
“And I do. It brightens up the room.”
Billy sat at the head of the table next to Alexandra. In the beginning, she claimed that seat, but as the months went by, she left the seat open for Billy. It took him some time, but now, he finally felt comfortable around Alexandra, not afraid to be himself.
“Now about that secret ingredient.”
“It’s a touch of cinnamon and cocoa powder.”
“I have those things?”
“You didn’t, but you have them now.”
They both laughed out loud, something else they always did when they were together. His friends always teased him. He guessed it was because he had trimmed his hangout time with them. What he wanted to do was build a price
less relationship with Alexandra, which they had done together.
“Thank you. You are always full of surprises,” Alexandra said while folding her napkin on her lap.
“Then be prepared for the next.”
“Which is?”
He lifted the bag he left on the chair next to him. “Have you ever gone ice skating?”
“Ice skating? Years ago.”
“Then this is perfect.” He took a black and white heavy sweater out of the bag, along with snow pants. “Go ahead, look in the bag.”
Alexandra peeked in and took out a pair of white ice skates. “Oh dear, these are gorgeous. I used to have a pair like this when I was a teenager, except mine had red pompons on them.”
“I thought we’d go ice skating down the road at the pond. I’m sure the ice is thick enough.”
“Without a doubt. The temperature has been below freezing for weeks.”
“That’s why I got you these heavy clothes. We’ll ice skate, and come home and snuggle by the fire.”
“I’d like that. But you have to promise you’ll make another pot of your special blend coffee when we get home.”
“It’s a deal.”
Alexandra wiped the ice off her black and white ski pants. For the past hour, Billy and she had been ice-skating. Billy stole the show with his strategic skating steps, while she spent most of the time on her butt. She’d fall, Billy would pick her up, and then she’d skate a few feet before landing back on her butt again.
The day turned out perfect, with the scent of snow heavily evident. Every time she took a deep breath, she’d exhale, seeing her breath. She hated the cold weather especially, but after spending a wonderful day with Billy, winter didn’t seem so bad after all.
She fell again, right on her knees, laying flat on her stomach. This time she went hysterical laughing. Looking across the pond where Billy skated, and when he saw her down, he skated across to her.
“I think it’s time to call it a day,” Billy said, helping her up one last time.
Whispers of Winter: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Romances Page 133