The girl most likely to…
Page 23
Almost.
As soon as she took off her shoes and slipped out of her coat and pajamas, she realized how cold she was. With a shiver, she pulled away the comforter and slipped her naked body into Riley's private cocoon. It made her smile to see that he still slept on his right side, and she curled up against his back and pressed close. He was warm. His body hair tickled her. She nuzzled her nose into the nape of his neck and breathed deep.
Hey there, said a sleepy voice. Riley flipped over to face her. What took you so long?
Kat giggled, noticing right away that he was naked, toogloriously, fabulously naked. I'm middle-aged. I don't run as fast as I used to, and scaling the roof was a bit dicey, she said.
With his fingertips, Riley began to stroke her cheek. Middle age looks real good on you, in case I haven't mentioned that, but I did leave the front door unlocked for you. Kat could see his wicked grin.
What? She smacked his biceps and laughed. You mean I didn't have to risk life and limb to get to you?
Nope. He left little kisses all over her face and neck. But you got to admitit's pretty damn hot that you did.
He was right. It was damn hot. Kat grabbed his head and brought her mouth hard against his. She wanted to inhale him, eat him alive, melt into his flesh.
Riley groaned in pleasure, extending the kiss down to her throat. You do know that this has been my primary sexual fantasy for the last twenty yearsKat Cavanaugh coming through my window, curling up against me, begging me to make crazed, unrestrained love to herright?
She giggled. How about having a crazed, unrestrained heart-to-heart talk with her?
Riley stopped kissing her throat. That was always a close second.
I want another chance with you, Kat said suddenly, before she lost the nerve.
OK
I want to get to know you againas the complex grown man you are, not the kid of my memories. I want you to know me, too, all of me, including my darkest mistakes and my brightest hopes.
I want that, too, Riley said, his voice warm and gentle.
I want to see if there's a future for us. I'm so sick of wondering and guessing and fantasizing about you and meI just want there to /be/ a you and me. Kat's eyes began to fill with tears. Riley, I know I was stupid and selfish yesterday and You sure were.
She laughed in surprise. Yeah? Well, you were stupid and selfish, too.
My God, I certainly was.
I'm sorry, Riley.
I'm sorry, too.
The tears streamed down the sides of Kat's face. Riley wiped them away.
Kat, there's something I want to say. I need to get it out there.
Let me go first. Can I go first?
Riley kissed her gently, smiling at her childlike enthusiasm. Sure.
Kat took a giant breath. She wanted to get through this without too much blubbering. I ask that you forgive me for keeping Aidan from you all this time out of spite. You were rightthat's exactly what it wasand I'm so ashamed to admit that. Kat squeezed her eyes tight; then, when Riley tried to speak, she shook her head to convey that she wasn't done.
Forgive me… oh God, Riley, please forgive me for taking away your right to be a father.
Kat opened her eyes again and stared at him expectantly, swallowing hard as she waited for his answer.
I forgive you, Kat. I truly do.
She mouthed a silent, /Thank you./ When she closed her eyes in relief, a whole flood of tears was released.
Please forgive me for sending you away like I did. The words broke from Riley's throat in a scratchy whisper. Kat, forgive me for not even giving you a chance to tell me you were going to have my baby. I understand now how much you loved and needed me, and I know it must have killed you when I told you I didn't want you anymore.
She nodded quickly. It did. But I forgive you, Riley. From the bottom of my heart, I forgive you.
Riley placed a gentle kiss of thanks on her trembling lips and breathed in the relief of the words they'd spoken to each other. He'd always heard that forgiveness was just as healing to the person doing the forgiving as the person being forgiven. Now, as they both basked in a double shot of forgiveness, he knew how right that was.
Riley gently cupped her face in his hands. Here's my promise to youwe will be able to handle anything the world throws at us, as long as we face it together.
She smiled. I like that.
Who do you love, Kat? he asked, his eyes on fire in the darkness.
That's an easy one, she said. I love Riley James Bohland, forever and ever, the way I've always loved him.
And who does Riley Bohland love?
Katharine Ann Cavanaugh, forever and ever.
What kind of car do you want?
A loaded Jaguar that I drive right off the lot, paid for in cash. She started giggling.
His hand landed on her bare butt. And what's the first house you want to buy?
A run-down row house in Baltimore.
Riley laughed. How about the one after that?
Maybe a beach house. Or a ski chalet. Or maybe we can find an old Victorian rat-trap to get out of hock.
Ugh, he said. Moving along… how many kids do you want?
One is goodand I already got him. His name is Aidan.
Yes, it most certainly is. Riley paused and lifted Kat's chin so he could look intently into her eyes.
Thank you for my son. Thank you for loving him so much and keeping him safe.
Thank you for accepting him into your life the way you have. Kat stroked his solid biceps, his hard chest. He's a lucky kid. And he talked to me yesterday! I didn't even have a chance to tell you! He answered my call!
Riley gathered her in his arms and held her tight, his hands caressing her from her shoulder blades to her upper thighs. It felt so good to her, she groaned out loud.
I knew he'd come around, Riley said, smiling. And now I have a little favor to ask.
Anything.
Would you be willing to give me one more?
It took Kat a moment to realize what he'd asked for, but when she did, she broke out in a smile. I can't think of a single reason why we shouldn't.
Me, either, Scout.
I think we should start trying right away.
You do? He gulped.
I'm ready for a Cherry Hill repeat.
Oh, thank God. Riley said it half-laughing and half-serious.
He kissed her, then let his lips slide down to her full breasts. All the while he moved his hands along her sides, across her rounded belly, to the crux of her smooth thighs. With his fingers, he read her, listened to her, heard exactly what she wanted and needed.
I need you to fuck me, she said.
I'm getting there, he said, smiling to himself at her greedy request.
Don't tease me, Riley, she panted.
I'm trying to please you, so just lay back and enjoy.
With the gentlest pressure, he sank his fingers into her wet slit, then moved them up and down the length of her opening until she was writhing on his hand. He rubbed the swollen head of her clitoris, feeling it plump up further under his fingers, knowing he was bringing her close to coming.
This is the rest of my fantasy, just so you know.
Kat's laugh immediately turned into a gasp of surprise when he introduced two fingers all the way inside her. He found her ready for him, as usual, but she felt particularly hot and swollen. The feel of her inner flesh on his fingers made him crazy with need. I'm going to take you now, sweetheart. I'm going to come deep inside you and give you a baby. Will that be all right?
She came on his hand, a strangled squeak of pleasure all the answer he needed.
Riley jumped up from his position on his side and kneeled in front of Kat. He put his hands on her ankles and widened her legs, then pushed her knees back toward her chest. She looked up at him with pure longing.
She knew this was the way it was supposed to be for them.
He positioned himself before her and was about to push himself in when she w
rapped her little pink hand around his cock and whispered, I want to do it.
Riley saw a mischievous glint in her eye, like she was egging him on. He didn't need egging. That was the last thing he needed. When she placed the head of his cock at her entrance, Riley shut his eyes and submitted to the pleasure of the slow, tight slide into heaven. When he opened them again, he saw Kat already halfway gone again, her eyelids heavy, her chest splotchy with the deep pink of arousal.
He didn't know which was hotterthe look of abandon on her face or the way his cock went in and out of her pussyso he went from one insanely hot vision to the other, back and forth, in and out, suddenly aware that he could see all this beautiful vision because the sun was rising.
The light spilled in the window onto Kat's body. His woman. His love.
She began to pant, then her eyes flew wide, and she said, Oh, Riley.
This is just right. You feel so right.
Immediately, he felt her flesh contract and shudder as she orgasmed, and he waited it out, went for the ride, until the moment came when his own gates flew open and everything he was and everything he ever wanted to be poured out of him and into her. He called out her name as his being went rigid, peaked, then came crashing back to earth, to Kat.
Riley told himself that if they were blessed to have fifty years to make love together it would never get old, that it would always be a destination for his soul, the glue that held his life together. It would always feel just like this.
Kat sat at the dining room table with her laptop, phone, pens, paper, calculator, and three large poster boards. She had four projects going simultaneously, and the strain of organizing everything had given her a dull headache.
But she had no complaints. She had Riley. She had Aidan. She had everything.
Looking at what was spread before her, Kat realized that the simplest of the projects was working with Cliff to create a charitable foundation in Phyllis' name to contribute to the clinic. It took no persuadinghe'd loved the idea from the start, and he and Kat had had a long and enjoyable chat.
Her second project was figuring out a way to halt foreclosure proceedings on the Bohland House. It turned out the loan officer was happy to restructure the mortgage, admitting to Kat that the bank would be relieved not to continue with legal actiontaking on the Bohlands was publicity they didn't need. Over dinner the night before, Riley said he'd tell Matt everything that very week.
Next on the agenda was Thanksgiving dinner for twelve, and so far everything was moving along smoothly. Kat was planning the traditional menu of turkey and dressing, along with a ham, all the usual sides, and three kinds of piespumpkin, apple, and pecan.
Her guest list included herself, Riley, Nola and Matt, her uncle Cliff and his wife and two granddaughters, who would be traveling from Cumberland, Maryland, Aidan and his girlfriend, Rachel, and Jeff the duct specialist from Connecticut and his out-in-the-open partner, Richard. The idea of having so many people in her new home filled Kat with joy, and only the smallest twinge of nervousness.
The last project was considerably more complicated, but once she'd gotten Riley's OK to hold a volunteer extravaganza at the clinic the day after Thanksgiving, things had quickly fallen into place. Kat took that as a sign that she'd hit on an idea that was meant to be. It also helped that she'd enlisted anyone and everyone she could think of to help her pull it off.
The printing shop had whipped up flyers and delivered them all over town. Nola was reading one, tapping her foot in agitation:
Work off that turkey by pitching in at the *GIVIN' THANKS BENEFIT* for the PERSUASION RURAL HEALTH CLINIC!
Bring your tools, paintbrushes, your know-how, your elbow grease, and your checkbooks and credit cardsour hometown state-of-the-art medical facility will open by Christmas only if YOU do YOUR part!
PLUS… YOU COULD WIN A DATE WITH POLICE CHIEF BOHLAND!
Friday, November 23, 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Nola's foot-tapping escalated. OK, she said, placing the flyer on the table and looking at Kat expectantly. Explain to me again why this shouldn't bother me.
It's for charity.
But it's a date! Matt's selling himself for a date! It's like he's a gigolo or something!
It's not a real date, Kat said, then went back to answering e-mails.
Oh yeah? Nola seemed truly agitated. Who says?
He says. Kat stopped what she was doing and noticed that Nola looked close to tears. Honestly. We just figured it would be a good way to get people to come in from other townsMatt knows a lot of people in Randolph County.
He knows a lot of /babes,/ is that what you're saying? Nola pointed to the flyer again. Where do you think this band came from? Well, Matt got them to donate their time, and do you know why they agreed? Because he used to date the lead singer, that's why! It's an all-girl country rock band! I think I'm about to blow a gasket!
Kat tried not to laugh.
I've already moved in with that man! He shouldn't be dating other women!
Nola jumped up from the dining room chair and disappeared into the kitchen. I'm starving, she said from the interior of the refrigerator.
No, you're not starving; you're anxiety-ridden! Kat called after her.
And I just read an article that said you should never eat when you feel anxious because the stress hormones turn the calories directly into abdominal fat.
When Kat got nothing but dead silence as a response, she glanced up to check on Nola. She was leaning against the kitchen pocket door, arms crossed defensively across her chest.
So you're saying I'm fat? she whispered, incredulous. First you make my boyfriend the prized stud at the county fair, and now you tell me I'm /fat/?
Kat would have busted a gut laughing if Nola didn't look so forlorn.
Have you talked to him, like I suggested? Kat led Nola into the living room and sat her friend down on the love seat.
Nola sighed. Yeah. I talked to him last night.
And? What did he say? Kat's cell began ringing, but she didn't answer.
Aren't you going to get that? And you never did reassure me that I wasn't fat. Nola was clearly in a huff.
The phone can wait. You're not fat. What did Matt say? Kat sat down next to her.
He said not to worry, that it's just an auction thing where people can bid to get him out of jail and then go out to eat with him. It sounds stupid and harmless, but I'm just a little freaked about it.
Kat smiled at her. I understand. But you can bid, too. You could be the one to pay his bail and get the date.
Nola's eyes lit up. I could, couldn't I!
The doorbell rang. Over her shoulder Kat called out, Come on in!
Nola sighed and went on. I just don't want that big-ass breakfast-in-bed owner to get her hooks in him again, that's all/ohmigod/.
Kat watched as Nola's eyes widened and she sank back into the love seat.
Hello, ladies, Madeline said. I hope I'm not intruding. I did just try to reach you on your cell to say I was coming up the walk.
Madeline was tempted to take the fresh-baked pumpkin loaf she held in her hands and grind it into Nola's face. If it weren't for the fact that the bread was far too light and fluffy to inflict any harm, Madeline would have thrown it at her.
Hey, Madeline! Kat got up from the sofa. Come on in. We're doing some planning. Join us.
Madeline took a tentative step inside Kat's house, thinking that it must be nice to have the kind of money that made it possible to order absolutely everything being sold between pages 1 and 100 of the Pottery Barn catalog. Even the rug was gorgeous. Thanks, Madeline said, following Kat through the living room, keeping Nola in her peripheral vision. I brought you a pumpkin loaf. It's just a sampling of what I might be able to whip up for the fund-raiser.
Kat reached out and accepted the gift from Madeline. That was very nice of you. Would you like a cup of coffee and maybe a slice of this obviously delicious bread? Kat put her nose to the cellophane and hummed with delight.
I'm hoping five hundred, but you know, Madeline, before we get started, I was wondering if we could clear the air between us. Kat took her seat.
We're going to be working together for the greater good, and I just live a block from Cherry Hill, so I was wondering, are you willing to meet me halfway? Can we just let bygones be bygones?
Nothing Kat Cavanaugh could have said would have stunned Madeline more.
It took her a moment to pull herself together. She surprised herself with what came out. The fault is mine, Kat. I'm the one who should be apologizing.
Kat didn't say anything. Nola did, however, which shouldn't have been a shocker. Well, now's your chance, hon, she said, passing through the dining room on her way to the kitchen.
Madeline pursed her lips and made doodles on her clipboard, so irritated with Nola What's-Her-Face that she could spit. I am happy to apologize to /you,/ Kat. Madeline glared in the general direction of the kitchen before she returned her eyes to Kat. It was wrong of me to tell you that horse-hockey story about the wedding. Carrie kind of pushed me in that direction, and it was a horrible thing to do. I hope you accept my apology.
Kat gave her a smile. Apology accepted.
You don't have to do everything she tells you to, Madeline, Nola said, suddenly deciding to return to the table. She carried a thick slice of the pumpkin loaf on a plate.
Outwardly, Madeline ignored the comment. Inwardly, she sharpened her claws. If she'd known Nola would be the one snarfing down her loaf, she'd have added a half cup of ground glass.
Madeline picked up the benefit flyer and read through it, trying to calm herself. When she reached the line about Matt putting his affections on the auction block, her stomach did a somersault. Carrie made /excellent/ money. She could bid for Matt, take it right up to the stratosphere, then lay some lovin' on thick for Nola to see.
When Madeline looked up, Nola was staring at her. She gave her friendly smile, then returned to the flyer. True, the event was one day after Carrie's Thanksgiving deadline, but hey, Madeline was flexible if she was anything.