“No.” He shrugs, looking down then up again. “Maybe an hour.”
I clap my hands together, laughing. “Why didn’t you come knock on my door?”
“I didn’t know if you were up or not,” he says as I step up to him. His hand goes to my face, and he takes my lips in a kiss that starts off soft but quickly heats up. His hands slide under the sweater to my waist, leaving me breathless as he kisses me gently. “I could get used to kissing you every morning.”
I smile as I wrap my arms around his waist and pull him closer. “I don’t think I would complain,” I say as he holds me.
“Are we still on for dinner?” he asks as I tilt my head back and smile.
“I really hope so,” I tell him as he kisses me again.
“Okay, good. Now I can go to work.” He smiles as he rubs my arms. “How about you come by at around five?”
“Sounds like a plan.” I let my arms fall from him. “I’m going to walk there from the beach. Is that okay?”
It’s perfect,” he says. “Now are you gonna kiss me?” He laughs as I kiss him. “Have a great day,” he says as he walks away with Flounder following him. I wrap the sweater around me as I watch him walk away. I spend the day cleaning and dusting; there is so much dust. I don’t see Crystal the whole day. Even when I go upstairs to take a relaxing bath, the door to her room stays closed. I take out my white jeans with a chiffon white tank top and pair it with a cream-colored sweater. I take out a gold necklace and put some mascara and a light pink lip gloss on. I grab my ballerina shoes and the cherry pie I bought, then lock up and make my way down the beach to Jensen’s house.
I walk along the shore, slowly taking in the waves as my mind fills with Jensen and his kisses. I feel like a teenager going over to her boyfriend’s house. The butterflies float all over my stomach, and my hands get tingly. The wind blows in my hair, and I finally make my way up his walkway. His house is huge; I never actually looked at it before. I walk to the back and see him sitting slouched back in a wooden chair. His black jeans, worn perfectly, and his black tight V-neck long-sleeved shirt molds his chest and is pulled up a bit, showing me his black belt. The open button at the V-neck gives me a glimpse of his chest. “There you are,” he says as he gets up and makes his way to me. “I tried to text you,” he says.
“Oh, I left my phone at home. I didn’t think I needed it.” I shrug. Ever since I moved here, I rarely have my phone on me. “Did you need something?” I ask him as he stands in front of me.
“Yeah,” he says, raising his arm and scratching the back of his neck. His shirt lifts, so I catch a glimpse of his toned stomach. “You.” He leans in to kiss my lips, leaving enough room for the pie.
“Really?” I grab his hands and intertwine our fingers, laughing as we make our way to the house. “Your backyard is almost like a resort. I was here before, but I was carrying Mila and didn’t have time to look around.” I say as I look at the huge pool with a rock wall, hiding a slide.
“Good,” he says as he makes his way through a door that brings me to this huge great room. The high ceilings boast exposed wooden beams. A rock wall with a fireplace and a television right over it. Big leather couches sit in the middle of the room. “This is the great room.”
I look around. “It really is a great room.” I smile as he walks to the kitchen, which is right behind the great room, the whole room open. The kitchen cabinets are a dark wood, the counters a black granite. A big island in the middle has four stools around the front. The appliances are all stainless steel. He walks to the fridge that must be at least seven feet tall. “I thought we could have baked potatoes with the steaks.”
I lean against the island. “That sounds delicious.” I place the pie down on the counter. “What can I do to help?” I ask as he takes out four steaks and brings them over to the counter. “Are we having company?” I ask, a little sad that it won’t be just the two of us.
“No.” He smiles as he puts them on the counter. “I just got extra in case you’re a big eater.”
I shove his shoulder as he laughs out loud, turning to get the potatoes and a glass bowl. “You can prepare the potatoes, and I’ll marinate the meat.” He sets the potatoes on the counter with the aluminum foil. I walk behind the island and stand next to him as he prepares the steak, tearing off the foil to wrap the four potatoes tightly. I’m looking down as my shoulder touches his arm, but then I look over at him. He reaches his arm around me, his hand cupping my neck, and he brings me close to him, bending down to kiss me. The butterflies start in my stomach and spread throughout me. He tilts his head as he comes close to my face, and I open my mouth to kiss him. His warm tongue invades my mouth, and I groan into him. My heart beats fast as my stomach drops, and he kisses me softly and passionately. He pulls back, leaving me breathless, wanting more, aching for more. “I’ve been waiting to do that all day.”
“Me too,” I whisper as he comes close again and pecks my lips, leaving them tingling. He turns to get a baking sheet and then places the potatoes in the oven.
“Want to go sit outside? It should be ready in an hour.” I nod, and he opens the fridge. “Do you want something to drink? A beer, wine?”
“I’ll have wine if you have it.” He grabs a beer, then walks over to the other side of the island and opens another fridge, pulling out a bottle of wine. He turns to grab a wine glass.
We walk past the couches again, and he goes out another door off the side.
“Holy shit,” I say as I take in this side of the backyard. Its wooden roof covers the whole area, and the floor is all pieces of different rocks. To one side, there is a table with big brown chairs, and to the other side is a seating area with a matching couch set. Potted plants are everywhere. The barbecue is situated behind a half brick wall but is still covered. Tea lights are all over the place and slowly lighting up the area as the sun starts to set. He walks over to the table where he opens the wine bottle and hands me a glass. “Is that a hammock?” I ask him as I look in the yard and see two trees holding up what looks like a hammock.
“It is.” He nods as he opens his beer. “No one really uses it, though.”
“I think I would lie in it every single day. I love hammocks,” I say as he walks over to the couch and sits down. I walk to the edge of the rock floor and look to my left. “Is that a hot tub all by itself?”
“Yes.” He nods his head. “It’s right outside my room.” My stomach fills again as I picture him in it naked. I take a sip of wine to stop myself from asking him if he goes in it naked.
I turn and walk to him as I sit beside him and tuck my legs under me. “So tell me something about Jensen I don’t know.”
He laughs. “I sleep naked when Mila isn’t here.” He winks at me as my pulse speeds up. “What about you?”
I take a sip of courage, oh, I mean wine. “I sleep naked every single night,” I say as his jaw stays tight. I lean in. “Naked, naked.” I giggle when he glares at me. “Don’t play the game if you can’t handle the heat.”
“Oh, I can handle the heat,” he says and then looks out at the horizon. “This is the first date I’ve been on since Julia left.” He looks over as my mouth closes, and I swallow the feeling like something is stuck. “I just wanted you to know that I don’t do this”—he points to him and me as he takes a pull of his beer—“ever.”
“Why me?” I ask the obvious question.
“Because I know you won’t play games with me. I know that if you let me in, it’s genuine and real.” He puts his hands on my leg. “And honestly, I can’t get you out of my head.”
I take a gulp of wine, or rather, I finish the whole glass, then lean over him and place it on the side table as his eyes grow darker. “I won’t play games with you, and I know you won’t play games with me either. I didn’t come here expecting to find you.” I wipe my eye before a tear comes out, blinking the tears away. “I didn’t expect to find myself, let alone someone who makes my heart flutter.”
“I make your heart fl
utter?” His hand comes up to cup my cheek, and I lean into the touch.
“When you aren’t an asshole, yes.” I laugh as he smiles. “It doesn’t hurt that you’re easy on the eyes.”
“Were you checking me out?” He smirks.
“I can’t guarantee you anything.” I swallow, looking down at my hands as they tap together. “I don’t know when I’m going to be ready for the next step, but …”
He places his finger on my lips. “How about we just take this one day at a time?”
I smile and then kiss his finger. “I like that.” I lean in. “But with kissing, right? Because I really like kissing you.”
“Good.” He grabs my face as I lean over him. “Because there is a fuck load of kissing that will be happening,” he says right before he tilts his head and nips at my bottom lip. “In fact”—he kisses the side of my mouth—“I think we should practice right now.” He kisses the other side as my stomach pulls tight. “Actually, after dinner I think we should practice on the couch.” His tongue comes out to lick my bottom lip. His mouth devours mine, and my tongue dances with his. I climb into his lap, and we practice kissing till we are both breathless and itching with need. “I’m going to go check on the potatoes before I throw all the promises I made you out the window.”
I think that is a great idea. I’m going to go visit the restroom.” I follow him inside, and he points at the door across the room. I walk into the bathroom, close the door, and then collapse on the back of it, willing my heart to slow. Pushing off, I turn on the cold water. Wetting my hands, I pat my cheeks and look up. Little red dots are all around my mouth from his beard, and I smile at my reflection. My index fingers trace them; I’m loving them on me. My eyes that were dull a couple of months ago now sparkle, and the creases around them are back from smiling so much. “I’m happy,” I whisper to myself in the mirror. Turning off the light, I go in search of the man who helped bring some of the light back.
Chapter Nineteen
Jensen
I breathe in, and something tickles my nose as I shake my head side to side and open my eyes. Looking down, I see blond hair. My arm under me is asleep, my body stiff as the other arm hugs Hailey’s waist. I pull back a bit and see her sleeping with one hand under her cheek and the other around my waist.
Last night, we ate outside, telling each other stories about our childhood. She told me stories about her and Crystal and her brother, Blake. My stories always involved Gabe and Brody. I brought her to the hammock after we finished eating, and we lay there with each other, her head on my chest, and looked up at the stars. Not a word was said; it was just the two of us lost in our own world. When it got too cold, we walked inside. The time got later and later, but neither of us wanted the night to end. We lay on the couch as I put a movie on, but the last thing we did was watch the movie. We kissed each other senseless. The kisses never stopped as we drifted off to sleep, only to wake in the middle of the night with the need to touch each other, and then we drifted off again.
“You suck at pretending to be asleep,” I hear her say as I look down. She put her hands over her head and stretches as my hand brings her closer to me, and I roll on top of her.
“I wasn’t pretending; I was listening to you snore,” I tell her as I lean down and kiss her lips as she smiles. “I think you drooled on my shirt.” My nose rubs against her jaw, and she opens her legs for me to settle between them, my cock bursting to get out.
Her hands roam up my chest as she rubs my shoulders and groans. “I do not snore.”
“Oh baby, you snore.” I kiss her chin. “Softly.” I kiss her chin again softly, moving it along. “You also make this little noise,” I tell her as her legs wrap around mine, “almost like a moaning.” Her breath hitches as she swallows, and as I watch her neck move, I bend to kiss it, sucking in gently. “So you see.” I keep kissing her neck, moving up to her lips. “That is why I didn’t wake you.”
“Really?” she says as I look at her. “I tho—” She stops midsentence because a gasp fills the room, and I look over to see Norma standing in the middle of the room. “Oh, my god.” I hear Hailey whisper under me as she pushes me away from her, and I fly up off the couch, eyeing Norma.
“Norma.” My voice comes out harsh as I get up and try to shield Hailey even though we are both fully dressed. “What are you doing here?” I ask her as I drag my hand through my hair.
“I thought I would come by and see if Mila wanted to take a walk on the beach. I didn’t know you would be entertaining a guest.” The venom dripping from her tongue makes my body go tight, and I feel Hailey tense also.
“I should go,” she whispers from behind me as her hands leave my waist and she looks for her shoes.
“Maybe you should,” Norma says, and I snap as I see the shocked look on Hailey’s face.
“She isn’t leaving. You are.” I look at Norma, who looks shocked. “And from now on, you call before coming over.”
Her hands entwine as she holds them together. “Is this how you plan on raising my granddaughter, with a revolving door?”
“Yup, we are done here,” I yell. “You don’t get to tell me how to raise my daughter.” I stand there, pulling Hailey to my side. “No one does. That’s the joy of having her mother sign away all rights to her,” I say as Norma’s eyes go to slits.
“Julia could still change her mind.” She stands there as I put my hand up.
“I don’t give a shit if she changes her mind or not, Mila’s mine. Not hers. She has two other children she chose to raise.”
“I’m not going to discuss my daughter in front of a stranger,” she says.
“We aren’t discussing anything. From now on, you call before you come into my home,” I tell her, thinking I need to change the locks anyway.
She looks over at Hailey then back at me and then back at her again. “Don’t get too comfortable. My daughter will be back, and she will take her rightful place as his wife.”
“Ex,” Hailey says from beside me, “his ex-wife.” Norma doesn’t say anything, so Hailey holds my hand, and she squeezes it and smiles. “From what I heard, she threw him away along with her beautiful girl.” Norma nods, then turns and walks out of the house, slamming the door behind her. “I’m sorry, I had to say something.” She looks at me as I try to get my anger under check.
“You’re sorry?” I laugh sarcastically. “You’re sorry? Fuck, I’m the one who needs to be sorry for bringing that woman into your life.” She shakes her head. “She crossed so many lines by saying all those things. This conversation with her isn’t over; I can tell you that.”
“I’m not the other woman,” she says quietly from beside me. My body goes solid, and ice fills my blood, and I have a hatred stronger than when Julia left. I walk to her, grabbing her face.
“You are not the other woman,” I tell her as she nods her head and tears form in her eyes. “You will never be the other woman again. Ever.” Her tears fall on my hands, and they soak into my skin. “I promise you will never cry because of that bullshit again.” I kiss her cheeks where her tears just rolled off.
“Okay,” she whispers, her voice cracking as the perfect night got drowned out by the nastiness of this morning.
“I really want to forget this just happened, but I know we won’t.” I kiss her lips. “Last night was the best night I’ve had in a long, long time.”
“Me too,” she says as her hands go to my waist and she holds on to my belt. The doorbell fills the room as I put my head back and count to ten in my head. Brody walks into the room with Darla, but they stop in their tracks when they see us in the middle of the room.
“Well, fuck me,” Brody says as Darla just looks stunned, “we brought doughnuts.”
“What is wrong with everyone today?” I say under my breath as Hailey laughs. My hands drop from her face, and I stand next to her, not sure what to do, but she surprises me by linking our hands together.
“Holy shit,” Darla says still stuck at her spot, “we are
so sorry.”
Brody looks at her as he puts the box down on the counter. “Why are we sorry? They aren’t naked. So.” He walks around and starts the coffee. Then the door opens again, and Gabe walks in, taking in the four of us.
“What the fuck? Is this a meeting?” he asks as he walks to the doughnut box, opening it up and taking one out. A knock on the back door has us all turning to find Crystal looking in. “Fuck,” I hear Gabe say as he bites again and swallows. Hailey walks over to the door, opening it.
“Seriously, you can’t go out without your phone. I was texting you all night,” she says as Gabe starts coughing with a fist in front of his mouth.
“You spent the night?” he asks as he continues to cough. “I need water,” he says as he opens the fridge and takes out a beer. “Why are you here?” He points at Crystal.
“I was making sure she was okay. Why are you here?” She folds her arms over her chest.
“This is my cousin’s house,” he says, and we all look from one to the other like it’s a tennis match.
“Well, my cousin went out for dinner, and it’s breakfast, so …” she says, tossing her hair behind her shoulder.
“So you thought you would cock block her?” He smirks. “Nice.”
“I wasn’t cock blocking her; I was making sure she was okay. Why are you here? Did your date wake up and notice what an asshole you were?”
“I told you, she wasn’t a fucking date.” He smashes the can of beer in his hand.
“Whatever. I couldn’t care less.” She rolls her eyes at him, and I look at my cousin and see he is about to throw that can and smash my wall.
“Okay,” I say as I clap my hands together. “Who wants breakfast?” I ask, looking around. “Darla?” I ask her as she looks like she is in another world.
Perfect Love Story Page 14