by Lydia Rose
Jennifer was stunned, “Really?”
“Yes. We can work this out, Jennifer. I know what it’s like to be young and in love.”
Jennifer jumped up from her chair and pulled Angie to her feet. “Thank you, Angie. Thank you.” Her arms went around Angie and she squeezed.
Angie pulled herself free from the excited woman. “Okay, okay. Don’t go nuts. Remember, there may be times when you will be away from home for days on end.”
“I know, Angie, but I’m going home.”
****
Reese came down the stairs and headed for the front porch where she found her mother. “Did you reach Jennifer finally?” Carol asked, putting her book down.
Reese nodded. “She’s in California with her agent.” The words felt sour in her mouth.
“What’s the problem?” Carol asked.
“Nothing really, Mom. It’s just my insecurities. Jen has done nothing to make me think she wants to be with someone else.” Her breath came out in a puff. “I just miss her, Mom, I just miss her.”
“I know you do, dear, but she’ll be home soon. I’m sure she will.” Carol tried hard to shed her daughter’s fears.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Thursday night as Jennifer packed her suitcases, Angie walked into the room.
“I arranged for a car to pick you at the airport in Newark.”
“Thanks, Angie. Really thank you for everything you’ve done for me,” Jennifer said as she hugged the surprised woman. “I can’t wait to get home.”
Jennifer landed at Newark Airport at 2:30PM Friday. She ran for her luggage and walked outside the terminal to meet her driver. Jennifer was in front of her house at 4:00PM. The driver helped her with her suitcases and then he was gone. Jennifer went upstairs and changed into a t-shirt and a pair of shorts. Still having time before Reese would arrive home from work she went and knocked on the house next door.
“Jennifer,” Carol said as she opened the screen door. “Does Reese know you’re back?”
“No, I wanted to surprise her.” Jennifer’s smile could not be contained as she knew she didn’t have long to wait.
“Well, she will definitely be surprised. When she pulls up, go into the living room.” They both turned as they heard a call pull into the driveway. “She’s here,” Carol said, as she pushed Jennifer into the other room.
“Hi, Mom,” Reese said as she entered the back door. “Dinner smells good. I think I’ll go get changed. Dad is only a few minutes behind me.”
“Something came for you today, Reese. It’s in the living room,” Carol said, smiling.
“Oh yeah, what is it?” Reese asked as she walked toward the other room.
“Me,” Jennifer said, standing there.
Reese stood a moment in shock before she ran to Jennifer’s open arms. The hug was so strong that she nearly knocked Jennifer off her feet. The kisses began on Jennifer’s cheeks before she captured the mouth she had been missing so desperately. Richard walked in and hearing the commotion, hurried to his wife at the living room entry. Carol wrapped her arm around her husband and they watched the two women in a loving embrace.
Finally, Reese said, “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?”
Jennifer held Reese at arm’s length. “I wanted to surprise you.”
“When did you get here?” Reese asked, squeezing Jennifer again.
“Just a little while ago,” Jennifer answered, smiling.
Reese began to whisper in Jennifer’s ear. Carol and Richard took this time to leave the two women alone.
“I’ve missed you so much. I can’t wait to get you into bed,” Reese whispered.
Jennifer looked at her. “I don’t think we can just say to your parents that we’re leaving. Let’s have dinner and then we can leave.” She kissed her mouth softly. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you too.”
The dinner seemed like it took forever for the two women. Both bounced in their chairs as if they were ready to bolt at any minute. Carol understood their need to be alone and set them free.
“Why don’t you two go next door and get caught up,” Carol said with a wink of her eye.
“Thanks, Mom,” Reese said, with a kiss to her cheek and a squeeze of her dad’s shoulder.
“Carol and Richard, thank you for dinner and keeping my girl safe while I was away.” Jennifer stood and took Reese’s hand. “Good night,” she called as they went out the back door.
They walked into the house and Jennifer closed and locked the door behind them. As she turned around, Reese was on her immediately. She captured the mouth she had missed and their tongues and bodies came together.
As they broke apart, Jennifer whispered, “Don’t you want to go upstairs?”
“I can’t wait.” Her hands went immediately to the hem of Jennifer’s t-shirt. It came off in one quick movement and now her bra dropped to the floor around them. Reese’s mouth went to one of Jennifer’s nipples. She flicked her tongue across the hard peak before her lips sucked softly.
“Oh, that feels so good,” Jennifer moaned.
Reese’s next quest was to remove Jennifer’s shorts. Her hands went to the waistband, but her lips never left Jennifer’s skin. Reese finally had to admit defeat in her quest to remove the rest of Jennifer’s clothing. Her lips left the skin she so desired as she pulled her shorts down to her ankles. “Open your legs,” Reese whispered.
“Not until I have you naked,” Jennifer begged against Reese’s mouth. She reached for the buttons on Reese’s white blouse and unbuttoned just enough buttons, until she could pull the shirt over her head. Next was the belt and pants Reese wore to work. Her shoes had already been flipped off when they came into the house. As soon as their naked skin touched, a moan left both their mouths. “I need to touch you, Reese.”
Reese opened her legs, but her hand went immediately to Jennifer’s wetness, too. They entered each other and came together. Panting, Reese rested against Jennifer who wrapped her arms around Reese to keep them from falling over.
“Now I want to make love to you slowly, and in our bed,” Jennifer said against Reese’s ear.
“I don’t think the next time will be any slower, but I do want to be in bed with you.”
They picked up their clothes and ran for the stairs. They spent the whole evening catching up, but not with words. It was one o’clock in the morning before they lay in each other’s arms and spoke.
“I should go away more often. That was the best sex I’ve ever had,” Jennifer said with a chuckle.
“Seriously, Jen, you’re not going away again are you?”
“I have some dates for signing in New York, but I will be home at night. You’ll be at work and won’t even miss me.” Jennifer squeezed Reese’s body closer to her.
“I’ll miss you, Jen, when you leave the room for too long.” Reese hid her eyes. “I know I’m pathetic.”
“I feel the same way, Reese.” Jennifer removed Reese’s hands from her eyes. “We will be pathetic together. Okay?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
The following week Jennifer was in New York doing one of the morning shows, promoting her book. In the afternoon, she was scheduled for a signing in one of the big book stores. Angie had flown in for the two appearances and she gave Jennifer the itinerary for the next couple of weeks.
“You can see from this schedule,” Angie explained, “you shouldn't be away from home more than two days at a time.”
“Thank you, Angie. It means a lot to me to be home most nights,” Jennifer said, smiling.
“So, you’ve got time before the signing, do you want to go have something to eat?” Angie asked as they stepped out of the studio.
“Thanks anyway, Angie, but I’ve got some shopping to do.” Jennifer smiled.
“Okay, I’ll see you at the bookstore.” Angie waved and got into a cab.
Jennifer also got into a cab and told the driver where she wanted to go. She walked into a jewelry store near the bookstore.
&nbs
p; “Hello,” the sales clerk said as she walked toward the counter.
“I’d like to see your engagement rings.”
****
Jennifer walked into the house at seven thirty that evening. She kissed Reese deeply, as they met in the kitchen.
“Missed you,” Reese said, taking her hand and leading her to the dining room.
“I missed you, too.” Jennifer took her seat. “This is a nice surprise.” She looked at the table set for two. Candles and flowers were in the center of the table and Jennifer looked at Reese smiling. “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Reese returned the smile. “You bet I am. How am I doing?” she asked, bringing their plates to the table.
“You, my love, are doing a wonderful job,” Jennifer said as she patted Reese’s back side, as she walked near her.
They ate their dinner and Reese went to the kitchen to bring them their desserts.
“Chocolate Mousse is my favorite,” Jennifer said, digging in with her spoon.
“I know,” Reese said, taking her seat. She could tell there was something Jennifer wanted to say to her, but she wanted to wait until they finished their dinner before she asked. Hoping it wasn’t another long trip, she asked, “Okay, you can tell me now what’s on your mind.”
Jennifer’s spoon stopped in mid-air, as she shook her head. “I don’t know how you do that.” She got off her chair and looked at Reese before bending on one knee.
Reese’s eyes opened wide, as her mouth hung open.
“Reese Caldwell, I have loved you from the moment we met. I am so sorry it took me so long to realize that.” She touched Reese’s chest with her finger. “You are the only woman I could ever love. I can’t live without you, and more importantly, I don’t want to live without you.” Jennifer reached into her pocket. “Would you do me the honor of marrying me?” she asked, looking at Reese.
Reese looked down at the ring and then into Jennifer’s eyes. “I love you so much, Jen and yes, you took too long to find me again. Yes, I will marry you.”
Jennifer slipped the ring on Reese’s finger. The ring had two emerald green stones and on each side were two round diamonds. It was more than Jennifer thought she would ever spend, but once she saw the ring, she had to have it.
“I know we can’t get married right away because I have to get my residency here. If you want a small wedding or a large wedding, it’s yours.”
Reese lifted Jennifer into her lap. “The first time I got married it was at City Hall. I would like to get married in the yard with just our family and close friends.”
“That sounds perfect, Reese.”
“Can we go tell my parents now?”
“Anything you want, Reese, anything you want.”
THE END
If you enjoyed reading my book, please take the time to write a review on Amazon or Goodreads. As a self-published author, I depend on reviews to continue writing new stories. As always, I appreciate the support my fans have shown for my work.
Other Books by Lydia Rose
The Summer of Our Love
What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? (The Summer of Our Love Sequel
Stay With Me
The House on the Lake
The Country Girl
Coming Home
Are you the One
The Story of Annabelle & Alison
Love Comes to Alaska
Family Ties
The Cruise
My Heart Wants You
Somebody Like You
Lost Memories