by Jacki Kelly
Having both of her parents killed suddenly had only cemented the idea in her mind that life was full of surprises. Having your boyfriend breakup with you by way of a cassette tape did little to dispel the belief. Even Mim’s sage clichés didn’t help put her back together again. Some scars took longer to heal, but she had to stop picking at the wound.
Bishop drove with one hand and held hers with the other.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” he asked as the townhouse faded through the rear window.
“Dinner with your family was fun. Your sister is sweet. I can see why you adore her.” She stroked the top of his hand. “Next week is what worries me.”
“Don’t. My parents are just people. They don’t run my life. Never have. I make my own decisions.”
“Will you tell them you’re spending most of your nights at my place?”
“Have you told your sisters?”
She shook her head.
“Why not? Why don’t you want them to know?” He glanced at her quickly then returned his eyes to the road.
“What’s to tell them? They know we’re seeing each other, beyond that, I don’t know if I can even define what’s going on.” She paused. “Anyway, I’ll just wait and see where we go before I start telling people.”
He parked the car in front of her house and turned off the ignition. “What does that mean? You sound like this is some kind of test I have to pass before you can tell anyone about me.”
With the engine off, the cold seeped in. She shivered. “I’m freezing. We better go inside before my teeth start chattering.”
He grabbed her arm. “Not until you answer my question. Is this a test?” His eyes narrowed and darkened.
“Bishop, you’re a womanizer. I don’t expect you to change your stripes any time soon. You’ve said as much. So let’s not pretend this is something it’s not. We’re having fun. I’m trying to accept what our relationship is.” She kissed his cheek. “Let’s not tarnish what we have.”
“Is that what this is for you? Just fun? Maybe it’s not me that’s holding us back. You’ve got some issues of your own.”
She looked at him for a long time, trying to erase the mental images of him with his arm linked with the blond bombshell or some other beauty in a tangle of arms and legs while he moaned her name. “Maybe I do.” she managed to say.
§§§
Bishop was pleased with the way her body had responded to his touch, but her mind had been occupied with something other than the pleasure he tried to give her. Sometime during the night, she’d inched away from him and curled around the pillow.
Clouds blocked the daylight as the sun crossed the horizon. A gray haze crept into the room, providing just enough brilliance for him to see her face. The tension between her brows was gone. He pulled her closer and held her like a precious gift. As much as he wanted to deny his feelings for her, he couldn’t fool himself. Not anymore.
“Are you awake?” she asked him.
“Just barely. I didn’t sleep much last night since you decided to stay on the far side of the bed.” He stroked her shoulders.
“I saw your sister pull you into the kitchen last night. I’m smart enough to know she wanted to talk about me. So what did she say? Did I pass the test?”
“How did you know that?” He squeezed her.
“It’s a woman thing. What did she say?”
“She really liked you. She says you’re different.”
“Different how? Good or bad?”
“All good. You’re my unique beauty.” He nuzzled his nose into the curve of her neck and took a deep breath.
“Are you smelling me?” She giggled.
“For a start.” He kissed each breast. Her soft, warm skin felt good to touch. He trailed his finger down her breastbone and slid his finger into her wet core. She arched off the bed, capturing his mouth.
While playing with her tongue, she stroked his chest, his abdomen, his thighs, then she gripped his rod. The gentle massage made it hard to concentrate. His senses were primed to burst. Dakota was more than just someone to have a good time with. He wanted a life with her. The thought made him catch his breath.
He shifted away from her touch to kiss her belly button. He rolled his tongue over her stomach and between her legs. What had started out as fun was now something much more significant. As her moans echoed in his head, all he wanted to do was please her—and not only in bed.
“Oh, Bishop,” she repeated his name. Her body stiffened and she gripped his ears. After her body collapsed into the mattress, she continued to whisper his name.
“Yes,” he responded
“You’re fabulous.”
“You’re just saying that because you want more.
She nodded.
The room fell quiet. She was sprawled across the king-sized bed with her hands above her head. He pulled open the bedside drawer and removed a condom. After he put it on, he kissed his way to her lips and slid his tongue inside her mouth. She wrapped her lean legs around him and rotated her hips, drawing him into her depth.
“You are something else,” he muttered in her ear.
“We’re a perfect pair.”
The truthfulness in her words reverberated in his head. He shut it out as he matched her rhythm. The sweet connection between their bodies was like one of those old love songs from his teenage years. He released the bonds that kept him from concentrating on the luxury of her body. Slipping in and out of her as her muscles contracted around his shaft sent heat rising up his spine and drove him deeper. When he couldn’t resist the mounting pressure a moment longer, his body shook as an explosion of ecstasy coursed through every vein of his body.
When his breathing returned to normal, he rolled beside her with his arm still draped over her stomach. Being with her was so natural. No pretending required. He didn’t have to make conversation or entertain her.
“I better get to the bookstore to prepare for renovation.” She moved to the edge of the bed.
He pulled her tighter, not ready to let her go, yet. Something held him back. He wasn’t ready to settle down, but Dakota was as close as he’d ever gotten. There was a warm feeling in his heart whenever she was around. Something he wanted to hold on to forever and protect. But he couldn’t form the words. Not yet.
With his hand under the soft mound of her left breast, he tried to feel her heartbeat. After a few seconds, her pulse pumped against his palm. Each faint beat traveled through his veins to his heart, as if joining them together.
He climbed out of bed. “I better get out of here. This is going to be a busy week. I’ll drop by Bookends later in the week to help you get ready for the contractors.” He reached for his pants and caught a glimpse of her over his shoulder. “I’m picking my parents up at the airport on Monday, so I might be busy while they’re in town. You know, playing referee between them and my sister.” The statement wasn’t entirely true, but maybe a little space would help him sort out what was happening. He certainly couldn’t think straight while spending every available minute with Dakota.
She reached for her panties beside the bed, giving him a divine view of her perfect ass.
“Melissa is coming into town for the opening this week too. We’ll both be swamped in family activity.”
She didn’t look at him as she made her way to the bathroom.
Chapter Nineteen
Dakota rounded the corner of Bookends and hunched her shoulders against the wind. After two days of having Melissa as a houseguest, the walk to the store was refreshing. The next time she saw Darius, she’d remind him he owed her a small fortune for giving him a reprieve from his bossy wife.
Dashing from one store to another to find Melissa the right dress, then the perfect shoes, followed by the most exquisite French dinner available in Delaware, she still found time to miss Bishop, but she was determined to adjust to the condition. Living without him could be permanent in an instant.
Bishop leaned against the front door of Bookends
. Dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, he was hardly recognizable. His rugged appearance held a smidge more appeal than his male-model persona. In his casual attire, he looked like a bad boy.
Her stomach flopped on its side as his big smile greeted her. He balanced a large box of donuts in his palm and his briefcase sat at his feet. He held the box out to her like a peace offering when she walked up.
“I wasn’t expecting you this early.” She unlocked the door and opened the store. Bishop might have wanted to be hard to read, but from the set of his jaw, Dakota could tell this wasn’t just a regular visit. After a three-day absence, had she been replaced already?
“I was hoping to talk to you before your staff arrived.” He set the box on the counter and clasped his hands.
She pulled off her coat and hung it over her arm and tried to delay his announcement. “You have drawings to show me?”
He stepped closer. “Why didn’t you answer your phone last night?”
“My sister is in town. I’ve been going non-stop since her plane landed. Would you like to have a shift being her personal servant?”
“So, you had something legitimate to do?” His shoulders seemed to relax.
“I shouldn’t have to explain my behavior, but yes,” she said. “I thought you were here for something more serious.”
“I wasn’t asking you to explain. I’m just trying to understand what’s going on. What did you think I was going to say?” He held her by her shoulders. She couldn’t pull away.
“I don’t know. Forget I said anything.”
“No.” He lifted her chin. “What? Dakota, say what you were really thinking.”
She shrugged her shoulders hoping to mask her embarrassment. “Okay. I thought you were coming to break up with me. There, I said it. Are you happy now?”
“Hell no, I’m not happy. Why would you think that?” He released her and rubbed his forehead. His eyes were dark and intense and he wouldn’t break contact.
“We had several weeks of fun. Now you might be ready to get back to your reality. You in your world and me in mine.”
His face went blank.
“You have paperwork I need to review?” she asked.
“Don’t do that, Dakota. Don’t brush me off like what we have is insignificant. I came to see you. I wanted to see you.”
He placed his hands palm down on the counter, his eyes riveted on her as if he dared her to believe him.
She bit her lower lip and nodded. For several moments, he stared at her, not moving and barely breathing. All she wanted was standing before her, but she was afraid to claim him. He wasn’t the type of man who lived in a white house with a picket fence and 2.4 children. He couldn’t be tamed, no matter how much love she bestowed on him.
“I need your signature here, here, and here.” He pointed to separate lines on the paper and then handed her a pen, removing the cap with a loud click.
Dakota complied, scribbling her name with a flourish. “Does the work start today?”
“The crew should arrive at noon. You’ll only have use of half of the store at a time. I’ll help you move the books.”
“You’re doing manual labor?” She chuckled. The tension between them disappeared like salt in water.
“Sure. Why is that so funny?” He pulled up his sleeves, exposing his muscular forearms.
“What is this going to cost me?”
“Dinner tonight.” He didn’t hesitate.
She folded her arms over her chest. “Dinner?”
“Yeah, the last meal of the day. I’m sure you’ve eaten dinner before.”
She bit her lip. “Bishop, I enjoy your company.”
“Enjoy?” He nudged her shoulder with his.
“Okay, I really have a good time with you. A swinging-from the-chandelier good time. But I think I’m rebounding. It had been a while since I…since…you know—”
He grabbed her hand and ran his thumb over her palm. “What are we arguing about? You’re having a good time. I’m having a good time. Usually that means keep doing what you’re doing. When the good times stops being fun, then run in the opposite direction.”
“You could talk a woman out of her designer shoes.”
“Let’s start right now.” He placed his mouth over hers. His lips were warm and wet. He pulled away before she did. “I could do this all day, but we really need to move some books, or your store will be chaotic for longer than you can imagine.”
She opened the lid on the box of donuts and selected a glazed one. After taking a bite, she held it up to his lips.
“You’ll need your stamina,” she said.
He took a huge bite and licked his lips. “I like the sound of that. Your place or mine?” He kissed her on the neck, making a circle on her flesh with his tongue.
“Books, Bishop. Books.” She pointed to the far side of the store.
They worked through the morning together in silence. She motioned, he followed. The pile of books disappeared slowly.
As she made her way across the room, Bishop grabbed her by the waist. “You know this is fun. I could do this all day.”
“If you keep stopping to kiss me, we will be here all day. We’ll still be doing this when the contractors come to take down the walls.”
She wasn’t just having fun. This was serious. When he wasn’t with her, she was thinking about seeing him. When he was there, she didn’t want to let him go. Her grandmother always said a soft head made for a broken heart.
“Well, if you didn’t wear those tight jeans and those tiny tops that barely cover your tits, I would concentrate. Do you even own a pair of sweatpants?”
She giggled. “The next time I’m at your place, I’ll grab a pair of yours.”
“Deal.” He pinned her against the wall and kissed her. “How about tonight?”
She lifted her eyebrow. “My sister is here and she’s a handful. Your mother will be here tomorrow. Anything we might want to do will have to wait.”
“I don’t care. I want to see you.”
“Maybe I’ll drive up after Melissa goes to bed.
“Maybe I’ll stay at your house.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Believe me, you don’t want to be there while Melissa is in town. If I could escape, I would.” She pushed her index finger into his chest.
“I’ll be glad when our relatives go back to their respective places so you and I can get back to our lives.”
There it was again. The carrot dangling in front of her nose that hinted they just might have a future together. As much as she knew she should ignore the suggestion that he was only talking, her imagination was already running away with the idea.
§§§
Dakota sat in the middle of the empty bookstore and rubbed her knees. Surrounded by a layer of dust and tools, she was exhausted. The last contractor waved goodbye and closed the door on his way out.
She had an hour before she needed to pick up Melissa and head to dinner at Asa’s house. Finding the energy to get up off the floor took five minutes of her precious life.
Once she got moving, she gathered her things, locked the door and hurried to her car. She rushed into the house, kicking off her shoes on her way to the shower. They were going to be late for dinner. Dakota ran around in a frenzy getting ready. Finally dressed and hopping on one foot as she slipped on her heels, she yelled for her sister to head outside. Melissa got in the car.
“Why is the weather always so miserable here? Every time I come the temperature is below freezing.”
Dakota kissed her sister’s cheek. “It’s not freezing. The temperature is forty degrees. Stick around for a few more weeks and you’ll see real cold.” Now Dakota knew how Bishop felt when she was always complaining about the temperature. She took the exit ramp to Pennsylvania Avenue.
“Now I remember why I moved to California. I think my toes are frostbitten.” She leaned forward and looked at her feet.
“You knew better than to wear sandals in October in Bristol. How could you forg
et that?”
“I left California in a hurry. I wasn’t thinking.” She crossed her arms and stared at Dakota. “You know, if you had a cell phone I could have called you and asked you to buy me a pair of boots. Why don’t you have one yet? Before I leave, you will have the latest cell phone.”
“Melissa, you’re going to have to take it down a notch or two. I don’t operate in high gear, like you. I don’t need a cell phone. And why didn’t you just get a pair of boots out of my closet?”
“Everything in your closet is neon yellow. I want something a little more sedate.”
Between the renovation, Bishop, and now Melissa, Dakota felt like she was being squeezed out of her own life. Getting the store redone was supposed to be her highest priority, but she’d been so busy having fun with Bishop, the store was the last thing she thought about. Now with Melissa crammed in her spare bedroom, she was struggling to stay focused on anything.
“Are you going to tell me what’s got you wound even tighter than usual?” Dakota asked.
“I know. I’m a grouch. That’s why Darius is having an affair.”
Dakota stole a quick glance at her sister. “Are you serious? He wouldn’t.”
“If he’s not, he’s found something way more exciting to do almost every night of the week and someone else to do it with.” Melissa rubbed her right wrist.
“You know you have a habit of exaggerating things. Are you sure you’re not doing that now?”
“I’m sure. That’s why I’m here. I may consider moving back.”
“Oh, Melissa. Don’t say that. You’re crazy about Darius. Don’t you think you need to confirm your accusations before you decide to leave him?”
“I didn’t come here for advice. I’m just going to enjoy my time with my sisters.”
Dakota took a long breath. She loved her sister, but life was complicated enough without throwing Melissa’s crap in the middle of everything else going on.
“Fair enough, Melissa. We can commiserate together. As long as you let me go first each day.”
They rode in silence until they pulled in front of Asa’s house.
“Asa told me you’re dating.” Melissa grabbed her bag from the backseat and followed Dakota.