Andrew grinned. “So it seems.” He then curled his fingers around Chris’s neck and lowered her to his mouth, kissing her deeply.
Chris broke away first, needing to calm her heavy breathing. “It’s too bad anyone could walk in any second,” she rasped, as one of Andrew’s hands made its way to her boob, kneading it expertly as he peppered kisses down her throat, his day old scruff burning Chris’s skin deliciously.
“Don’t care,” he mumbled into her flesh, as she moved her neck to one side and thrust her chest farther into his hand.
Chris groaned, letting her legs fall with a thud against the side of the workstation. “God, this feels good.” She squeezed her eyes shut, painfully pushing Andrew away. “Can we, uh, can we get a raincheck?” she asked, her heavy lidded eyes meeting Andrew’s blazing ones. “Tonight. Come over tonight. I need...I want to talk to you...before you leave.” Chris struggled with her breathing, leaning her forehead against Andrew’s neck as she spoke.
He winced, his hands running over her thighs as he willed his painful erection to go down. Clearing his throat, he looked up to Chris’s face, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’ll bring an overnight bag.” He was being presumptuous, and somewhat forthcoming, but the way Chris’s eyes lit up told him everything he needed to know.
“I’ll be home at seven.” Chris jumped off the counter and resumed her position, trimming the ends off her flowers.
Andrew came up behind her and kissed her shoulder. “I’ll be there.”
“Well, this is a sight for sore eyes,” Mrs. Davis sang, depositing a bag of supplies on the counter space where Chris’s behind had been only moments before. “Nice seeing you again, Andrew.” She smirked and batted her lashes.
Andrew took a step back from Chris and cleared his throat, thankful for the sudden loosening of his pants. A boner was definitely not a problem anymore. Seeing Mrs. Davis felt as though he had a sudden proverbial glass of cold water poured on his crotch.
“Hey, Regina. How’s the trip planning going?” He grinned innocently.
“It’s going great. I was just getting a few last minute things ready before leaving. The last thing I want is to leave Christina empty-handed,” Mrs. Davis explained as she put away some delicate pink silk ribbon. “These are for the Priestly wedding next week, dear. They have more at the dollar store, but I don’t like making a habit of buying it there unless I have to. I swear that bride to be is a bridezilla in the making! You be careful with those, dear.” Mrs. Davis droned on, unaware of the silent laughter from Chris and Andrew, while she walked around the back room of the store, putting a few other things away.
“Yes, I’ll make sure to remember that,” Chris agreed, wrapping a piece of netting around a vase, setting it aside. “I can’t believe you’re still here. At this rate you’re going to miss your boat,” she chastised, clicking her tongue playfully.
“Oh honey, there is no way I’m missing that boat, even if I have to swim to it.” Mrs. Davis looked at her watch with a grimace. “But I really do have to go because these old arms probably wouldn’t make the swim.”
“Have a safe trip,” Andrew said, as Chris came around the table and hugged her.
“Yeah, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Chris laughed, hugging the pervy old lady, reassuring her everything would be okay.
“Pshh, wouldn’t you like to know,” Mrs. Davis replied with a wink, then added with a pointed look. “And just so you know, this counter is very sturdy.”
Andrew paled and Chris’s face reddened to a shade of red, reminiscent of a sun-ripened tomato.
Mrs. Davis giggled as she walked out of the store, proud of the way she had left things and eager to be on that boat.
“I don’t even know what to say to that,” Chris whispered, still in shock.
“You and me, both,” Andrew replied. “God, I hope she didn’t see...”
Chris’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “No, the bell over the door...”
“But I never heard it.” Andrew shook his head, dreading the thought of Mrs. Davis seeing them dry humping the counter.
“Oh, God.” Chris buried her face in Andrew’s neck, as they chuckled together.
“Well, there’s a good way to kill a boner,” Andrew commented, hugging her close. “I don’t want to leave, but I have to go finish up a few things before leaving Wednesday morning.”
“You’ll be coming over tonight though, right?” Chris looked up, biting her lip.
Looking into Chris’s pleading eyes, Andrew couldn’t contain himself as he pressed her up against the cool glass of the refrigerator door and kissed her, sliding his tongue between her parted lips and devouring her mouth.
Chris’s whimpered “please,” as she pulled his head closer to hers, could have been heard throughout the store. But neither of them cared as they, once again, got lost in each other.
Pulling back a fraction, Andrew licked his lips, and pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ll be there with bells on.”
. . .
Lying on the mattress—her breaths coming in pants as Andrew kissed her inner thigh—Chris closed her eyes and enjoyed the way his stubble brushed along her skin.
“You smell so good,” Andrew breathed out, then kissed the crease of her thigh, his nose skimming her sex.
Chris moaned and shifted, her back arching off the bed, as Andrew pressed her thighs open. “I just showered,” she whispered, her breathing a labored mess. God, she just wanted his mouth on her already; enough with the torturous teasing.
Andrew’s husky chuckle had his breath fanning over Chris’s sex. “Oh baby, I wasn’t talking about your body wash.”
Inhaling sharply and running a hand over her face, Chris groaned; a combination of embarrassment and being aroused were quite the conundrum. “Andrew...just...please...”
“All in good time, sweetheart. I’m savoring the moment here.” Andrew kissed her mound and circled his tongue over her clit.
“Oh, thank you, Jesus!” Chris dropped her arms, enjoying the feel of Andrew’s mouth on her. It didn’t take very long for her to find her release. The time they had spent together at the shop had been more than enough foreplay and had left Chris a fleeting mass of nerves, ready to be ravaged and ready for release.
Andrew kissed his way up Chris’s small frame, pressing his erection into her thigh, seeking some sort of pressure. “I’ve wanted to do that all day,” he breathed against her breast, taking a nipple into his mouth, flicking his tongue over the hard bud. “I wanted to do that on the table in the back of the store.” He moved up and kissed her lips. “I plan on taking you back there someday.”
“Oh, yeah...that’d be...great.” Chris grinned lazily and kissed Andrew’s lips; sucking his bottom lip into her mouth, tasting her essence on his skin. “Mmm, and against the glass. It’d be so hot against the glass,” she whispered, grinding herself into his erection, wrapping her legs around his hips.
“Christ, woman.” Andrew pinched his mouth shut, his brows furrowing as he concentrated on not losing his shit right there. To finally be with someone on the same page as he was, when it came to sex, felt so liberating. He couldn’t think of anything else as he slid into her slick heat and groaned at the sensation of filling her that way.
“Chris...you’re everything,” he declared in a soft murmur. “I love you.”
His words caressed Chris’s skin as his hips met hers. “I missed you in my bed last night,” Chris whispered. “I love having you here.” She pulled his face to hers and kissed him hungrily, sliding her tongue through his lips. “I’ll miss you when you’re away.”
Andrew kissed his way down her throat, sucking the skin of her collarbone into his mouth, leaving a small quarter-sized bruise. He grinned, slowing his pace and pressing his lips to the small mark. “Hmm...now you have a little reminder.”
Chris slapped him, shifting her hips underneath him. “You didn’t?”
He lowered his head, kissing her neck. “Oh, but I did.”
<
br /> Chris dug her fingers into Andrew’s side, making him shift away from her and pull out, feeling the loss of her heat instantly as she pushed him onto his back. “You’re going to pay for that, lover boy.”
Andrew smirked as he grabbed her hips, bringing her center flush with his erection. “Promises, promises,” he teased and shifted, sliding back into her and bringing their hips together.
The couple laughed as they worked together toward the common goal: Chris wanted to see Andrew fall apart under her, while Andrew wanted to make sure she remembered how he made her feel. He wasn’t stupid enough to think she would replace him, yet some part of him still didn’t want to leave her for what was going to be a very long and forlorn four days.
Andrew sat up, pulling Chris to his chest as he kissed her. He brought one hand between them, close to where they were joined, making her shudder and quake as her second orgasm tore through her.
Andrew kissed her as he fell apart, the sensation of her walls tightening around him too much for him to continue as he gave in to feeling her.
Sweaty and spent, Andrew fell back onto the bed, pulling Chris into his arms. “That was amazing.” His breaths were choppy at best as he tried to calm his beating heart.
Chris hummed in response, unable to speak as she cuddled up to Andrew, settling her head in the crook of his neck.
“So I’ve now rendered you speechless, huh?” Andrew teased, running his hand down Chris’s back and settling it on her butt, while he pulled the covers over them.
“Yeah...well, I’m savoring the moment, you know, for when I’m all alone.” She smirked, meeting his eyes.
“Oh, Miss Laurence, I’ll give you something to remember,” Andrew retorted, then hugged her to his side. “Just give me about twenty minutes.” He kissed her forehead and closed his eyes.
Chris grinned, her eyes closed as well, and her head on Andrew’s chest, his heartbeat lulling her to sleep.
. . .
After a hectic morning and bittersweet goodbye, Andrew went home to his empty house to finish up some last minute work and packing, while Chris headed to the shop.
A few hours into her day, Chris was already aching for it to be over. Her late night activities had taken a lot out of her. But every time she winced, her muscles not used to the strenuous activities, a rush of heat flushed her face as she remembered her evening with Andrew.
At the other end of town, Andrew grew restless as he explained to his mother he wouldn’t be around for a few days. He had entirely forgotten to call her the previous day, but promised her he would be careful on the trip. To make up for his absence on Wednesday, he decided to drop by Chris’s shop to set up a delivery for Wednesday’s regular customer.
“I swear; I’m not here to grope you in the back room this time.” He chuckled, reaching for her hand, kissing the inside of her palm.
Chris tilted her head and pouted. “That’s a shame. I’m really looking forward to that.”
Andrew groaned, his eyes narrowing. “Evil woman.”
“But you love me,” Chris replied with a wide smile. “If you’re not here to grope me, and I know for a fact I’m seeing you tonight, what do I owe the pleasure?”
Thoughts of groping and having to wait until later almost distracted Andrew from his original reason for being there. “It’s Mom, actually. Do you think you could get some peonies delivered tomorrow?”
“Of course.” Chris grinned, taking down the order. “Will that be all?”
“For now.” Andrew handed Chris his credit card, which she refused vehemently.
“I’m not taking your money, Andrew. Not for something I’ll deliver myself,” she stated in a tone that left no room to argue.
“Can I...pay you in effect later?” He wiggled his eyebrows.
Chris laughed and rolled her eyes. “You can bet on it, darling.”
. . .
Julia didn’t expect her usual flower delivery, but was pleasantly surprised to see the lovely Christina standing at her front door, holding a beautiful arrangement of colorful peonies in her hands.
“Chris, what a nice surprise.” Julia beamed, opening the door wider, letting Chris inside.
“It seems I was summoned here on business, but I’m taking the time to make it pleasure, as well,” Chris explained, following Julia into the living room.
Julia had been doing better and was now walking on her own; the ill effects of her stroke slowly dwindling.
“Those are beautiful, Chris,” Julia gushed as she examined the big, blooming flowers. “You, my dear, have exquisite taste.”
Chris blushed. “Thanks, Julia. Your son picked out the flowers, though. Has he always been so thoughtful?”
It was Julia’s turn to flush. “He’s always been a good boy, very thoughtful, yes.”
Chris nodded. “Very thoughtful, indeed. It’s weird how we’ve fallen so deep, so fast, but it fits.”
Andrew had spent last night with her, and much like Monday, the pair had enjoyed each other quite a bit. She had said her goodbye early in the morning, and spent a good half hour battling with her emotions; determined not to cry.
“You two do make such a lovely couple. I could never regret coming back here, Chris. As difficult as this transition has been at times, seeing Andrew so happy makes it all worthwhile,” Julia confessed.
Chris nodded in agreement. Andrew radiated happiness. His entire being was like a big ray of sunshine to her once cloudy day. “Let’s just say I’ll be missing him for the next few days.”
“I suppose my son’s plane is halfway to Chicago by now,” Julia mused. Turning to Chris, she asked, “How are you doing, dear?”
“I’m great,” Chris responded, as the women took a seat across from each other.” He left early this morning and is supposed to call tonight to let me know how things went,” she continued, not realizing she had basically told her boyfriend’s mother that said boyfriend had spent the night with her.
“Oh, that’s wonderful, dear. I’m so happy for the two of you.” Julia beamed as she took a sip from her coffee mug. “I’m so impolite. Would you like some coffee, tea...anything to drink?”
“I’m fine, thanks. I can’t be too long anyway, but I wanted to see how you were doing,” Chris said, leaning back in her seat.
“Well, as you can see, I’m finally walking without a cane. You can’t imagine how liberating that feels.” Julia couldn’t keep the smile out of her voice or off her face. “Yesterday, the doctor said I could start trusting myself a bit more when I’m inside the house.”
“That’s wonderful, Julia. Andrew hadn’t said anything about that.” Chris was genuinely surprised to hear such good news first hand as she had gotten used to hearing about Julia’s progress from Andrew.
Julia took another sip from her coffee and grinned. “That’s because I plan on surprising him next week when he gets back, so keep it to yourself—would you, please, Chris?”
“Of course,” Chris agreed. “He’ll be that much happier when he gets back. I know he wasn’t very happy about going, as it was.”
The two women chatted a while longer about this and that, but all too soon Chris had to get back to the shop to relieve Amy.
“I’m sorry I can’t stay any longer. I’ll come by again later this week,” Chris promised as she hugged Julia goodbye.
“I’m so happy you came by, honey. Tell Amy I said hello,” Julia called out, watching Chris walk down the steps toward the delivery truck parked in the driveway.
“I will.” Chris waved, before getting into the truck and heading to the shop.
Three more days, Chris thought, just three more days until Andrew comes back.
She hoped they went by quick. She couldn’t wait to see him again.
Chapter 10
Chicago didn’t feel like home anymore. Andrew couldn’t believe how quick his life had changed in the short months since he left the city. No longer was he able to understand the hustle and bustle of city life. Three days there felt like
an eternity. He struggled to go from his hotel to the offices where his meetings were held. He missed driving his own car and the single street light in the center of Westfield beckoned him to go back home.
If anything, this meeting sealed his fate. Andrew was better off in his childhood, small town with his former best friend, who had come to mean more to him than anyone in his life.
He missed Chris. He missed the way her hair smelled. He missed the way she felt when he hugged her. He missed the subtle way her voice cracked when she laughed and the way her eyes darkened when she looked at him at those times.
Never in his adult life, had Andrew been with a woman who elicited so much passion from him. The attraction they had for each other was out of this world. He never dreamed he would feel that way about anyone, and now that he was miles away—halfway across the country from his girl—he wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and make sure she never left his side again.
“Hey, Andrew,” Jason called out, as Andrew was leaving his last meeting.
Hearing the familiar voice, Andrew turned and greeted his former friend. “Hey man, how have you been?”
“You want to join us tonight? Tonie, Carla, Tai, and Rachel are going to be there, as well. Bringing the old gang together, yeah?” he asked, enthusiastically.
It was Friday night and, although Andrew had an early flight scheduled for Saturday, he wouldn’t mind getting together to see a couple of his old buddies while he was in town. “Why not. Sounds like fun. How is Tonie? You guys make anything official yet?”
Jason threw his head back, laughing, he responded, “Man, I missed you. You know how we are? One week she hates me and the next she wants to marry me and have my kids. Some days, I feel like giving her the boot, but I love that crazy chick, you know?”
Andrew’s heart clenched as he thought of Chris and how easy they had it. Jason and Tonie were high school sweethearts, always at each other’s throats, yet both would die for the other, if need be. “I see nothing’s changed around here.” He laughed. “See you guys tonight, then.”
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