He’d hated easing out of her; leaving the incredible heat and feel of her body but there wasn’t really any other choice. They had things to do, places to go, people to see and while he’d prefer to stay right where they were, engaged in endless love-making until they dropped, the situation called for some of his trademark finesse.
Having taken her in the most basic and carnal of ways just now meant that he’d have a better chance of making it through the day ahead without embarrassing himself. For a guy who hadn’t been bothered to engage for years in anything other than a rare sexual encounter for purely self-gratifying reasons, the current situation was making him crazy. To be unexpectedly placed in the position of being constantly in a state of arousal and actively seeking any advantage or opportunity to have his way with her, wasn’t exactly an easy thing.
It hadn’t taken much to scoot her along into the glass enclosed double shower where he subjected her to a long leisurely washing that included plenty of kissing and fondling to make up for the lack thereof from earlier.
He’d helped her wash that glorious mane of hair, much to her delight he noted, and then rather matter-of-factly had rubbed every inch of her body dry.
Men really don’t have any clue he marveled a short time later when he watched in utter fascination as she shimmied into yet another mind-blowing pair of panties, this time something in virginal white satin with a tantalizing ribbon of pink.
As if that hadn’t been enough to send all thoughts south he was treated to the most tantalizing visual ever dreamed when Shannon went through the mechanics of drawing on the matching bra. The way she bent forward slightly and scooped her delectably round globes into the waiting cups, causing them to bobble and sway till just right, made his mouth go bone dry. After fastening the back hooks she adjusted the straps, bent forward again and gave the bra a little shake making her boobs shake too and then stood up straight.
Apparently not yet satisfied he watched as if in a trance while she scooped her hands inside each cup and adjusted both of the luscious pale orbs. When a plain black t-shirt was pulled over the mouth-watering sight of Shannon dressed in prim white satin decorated with tiny pink ribbons, he was sorry to lose the image of that strangely intimate moment.
He’d never witnessed a woman’s toilet before and had found everything about it staggeringly enticing; the way she touched a crystal perfume wand to the space between her breasts or the adorable twirl in front of the mirror so she could inspect her pert little derrière or the way she adjusted the seams of those tiny panties.
Now how exactly was he supposed to get through the day he wondered? Knowing what was beneath her clothes was only making him randier than usual. The tight black jeans that accompanied the simple t-shirt came next. Was there anything more fascinating to watch than a woman wiggling in to her jeans? He doubted it.
She picked up the boots she’d worn yesterday and hesitated, bringing Nick’s ever alert watchfulness to high.
“What’s the problem?” he asked maybe a bit too sharply. Constant sexual arousal and a good deal of frustration thrown in seemed to be doing crazy things to his composure.
Sighing Shannon tossed the boots aside. “My ankle seems a little sore today.” she said while flexing her injured foot. Her tone suggested that she was taken aback by this discovery but Nick was hardly surprised. Her legs were to die for to begin with but when you add the sexy heels they went into the turn-on hall of fame. Unfortunately those same heels put an extra strain on already injured muscles and tissue. She hadn’t complained until now, so he suspected that vanity had been over ruled in this instance by discomfort.
“Looks like flats for you today Posh Spice!” he joked, locating a pair of every day sneakers next to her bags. Picking them up he tossed them her way and then whooped when she made a two hand catch. “Way to go Sharona.” Nick teased. “Glad to see you haven’t lost your touch.”
She stuck her tongue out at him and pouted while she looked disdainfully at the shoes in her hands. “If I wear these you’re going to like, oh I don’t know, maybe dwarf me by a foot!” she whined.
“Ah. Once again I must remind you my love that you are nothing short of adorable and totally irresistible when you pout so unless you want to spend the next hour trying to fend off my dastardly ways, I suggest you put the shoes on and get marching!”
She laughed. “Oooooooooh. I love it when you get all bossy and commanding. Be still my beating heart!” she cooed merrily while she mimed a fainting spell
Throwing back his head and laughing joyously Nick stepped in with a quick press of his lips to her forehead. “Come on my lady. Time for us to be afoot.” he joked as he put out his arm for her to place her hand where it belonged, right there in the crook of his.
Wandering through the upstairs of the big house Nick briefly pointed out the laundry chute by the hall bathroom that he and Jules used to pretend was an escape hatch through which they dropped all manner of things, including the family cat. He showed her the etched marking on the inside of the linen closet where his Dad had scraped a notch each year to mark the children’s height.
This was a real family home Shannon thought. Not like the lonely adult-centered existence she had experienced as a youngster. She loved her parents but admitted that the warm loving ambiance from Nick’s childhood was the type of home every kid yearns for. Was this what Nick visualized when saying he wanted it all? She could see herself in such a home. One just like this.
Breakfast with Alana and Mr. Allen was lovely. His mother was a charming hostess and quite versatile in the kitchen. Shannon was astounded when Nick pulled a huge platter of assorted cut fruit from the chiller enjoying the simple straightforward presentation and the cups of homemade yogurt that went with. A plate with Anna’s almond cookies with a couple of slices of home-made zucchini bread made for a delicious start of the day.
Nick of course grumbled that there wasn’t any meat making both women laugh and tease him endlessly about his carnivorous ways. When Shannon announced that she’d fix his diet right quick once they were married, his mother beamed while Nick tried not to grimace.
With a few hours yet to go before it was time to leave, Nick politely excused himself, apologizing profusely; indicating that something important had come up at work that he had to deal with. Once he had retreated to the study where he could get at a lap top, Mr. Allen headed off to town to pick up some items on his ‘Honey Do’ list while Shannon and Nick’s mother settled in the den.
Alanna had insisted on showing her old photo albums from Nick’s earliest years, making Shannon laugh with delight viewing shots of him on Santa’s lap; in his first Little League uniform; dressed like a Ninja at Halloween. She was surprised just how like his father he was.
David Barrett was as dishy in a 1970’s way that Nick was today. Tall, virile, killer smile. She could totally see how the little southern belle would have lost her heart to such a dashing figure.
One picture in particular hit Shannon like a two ton brick. It showed Alanna and her husband, perhaps 2 years or so before the man’s untimely passing, dressed for a formal affair looking like they’d just walked off the set of TV’s Dynasty.
David looked impossibly handsome in dark tuxedo with a roguish grin and hair probably a bit longer and more casual than was the norm while Alanna wore a form fitting pink ice gown with a diamond necklace hanging in the deep v of the low cut dress. They were gazing at each other with open adoration, a look Shannon had become intimately familiar with over the past week.
Her heart clutched for the woman. By her calculations, Nick’s mother had only been thirty-six when David died; such a young age to lose one’s husband.
There were more pictures, most showing Nick and Ned as childhood BFF’s and the usual sorts of antics young boy get themselves in to. She laughed spying Jules in many of the shots; the adoring little sister in the background who one day grows up to marry the best friend.
Shannon had secretly dreamed about Prince Charming as a young girl. Her world
had been inhabited by fairy tales and flights of fancy which no doubt explained a great deal about why she was so good at creating fantasy for others.
Somehow though, her very own Knight on a white horse had come thundering into her life when she’d least expected it and claimed her for his own. In every way that mattered, the fantasy was hers. What on earth had she done to deserve such perfection? She felt lucky and counted her blessings in gratitude. She was especially grateful for whatever force had brought them back together and given her the strength to let down her guard long enough to give him a second chance. Give them both a second chance to love.
Their Connecticut good-byes were bittersweet. Shannon had found a true friend in Alanna Barrett and while their paths would no doubt be crossing with regularity, she was sad to leave the splendid home with its tree house and commando laundry chute. She made a mental note to text Jules later to add her agreement to the woman’s declaration that the Connecticut white house was the most awesome ever. It certainly was.
Mr. Allen escorted them efficiently and on-time to a small airport where they boarded a chartered helicopter for the short flight to Boston. This was a first for Shannon and her eyes widened at the comfort and luxury of the big black private helicopter. A bottle of Perrier-Jouët sat in a chilled slot along with two gorgeous crystal flutes. She spied a dish of butterscotch candies and looked at Nick who chuckled softly saying, "I never fly without them.”
Before she knew it they were in Boston with plenty of time to settle in at their hotel before the anniversary event that would take the rest of the evening. This time it was Shannon who chattered on while they sped along in a chauffeured car, as she brought his attention to points of interest in the old, puritan city.
They were en route to the Ritz Carlton when their chauffeur informed them a young pop star staying at the hotel was causing quite the stir with the local paparazzi. To avoid all the nonsense they would be going straight to a private VIP entrance in a secured area.
Shannon giggled when she heard who was getting a ton of free publicity and told Nick she had worked with his management team on a release party last year. She recalled the teenage heartthrob as being something of an airhead and said so, shaking her head. “Fame is sometimes wasted.” Nick muttered while Shannon nodded in agreement. She’d certainly seen enough the past couple of years to validate that statement.
By the time they arrived in the exclusive suite with a breathtaking view of Boston Common, Shannon was privately glad that they’d been given the VIP treatment without having to pass through the impressive front lobby. She’d been spared feeling conspicuously dressed in casual jeans while sporting a pair of everyday sneakers in the midst of such classic luxury.
The staff assigned to accommodate their every want and expectation had melted away shortly after their arrival in the massive suite. Shannon realized that since packing the beautiful luggage Nick had gifted to her, she hadn’t seen it since. The world that the Barrett’s lived in meant that others were doing the packing and unpacking for her now. Glancing into the elegant dressing room she spied her dressing gown draped over a chair and all her clothes hung carefully in a large walk-in closet.
Feeling unnerved by everything, Shannon tried to express how odd it was to have other people, quite literally, waiting on her. Nick was clearly amused by her observations telling her that that he was profoundly grateful each and every day for the myriad of people coming and going throughout his personal and professional life that saw to all the details. He pointed out that every job had value and told her that his parents had impressed upon him at an early age that with great privilege came great responsibility.
Her cell phone rang interrupting their talk with Shannon jumping up excitedly when the caller ID indicated it was her mom calling.
“Hi Mom! Yes, arrived safe and sound. Uh huh. Okay. Will do. What? Oh, well, um………..actually I’m at the Ritz Carlton. I know, right? Don’t worry Mom, I’ll explain when I see you. By the way, are you wearing the dress Rory sent? I can’t believe Vera was so cool about giving it up. You’re going to look amazing Mom.”
Nick smiled at the little girl quality to the conversation and marveled at yet another facet of Shannon’s personality. Laughing with delight Shannon ended the conversation saying, “No hippie dancing tonight, okay?” and another laugh at her mom’s answer. “Love you too Mom. See you in a bit.”
“I’ve never hear my mom so excited! It’s almost funny. She was always so practical and no-nonsense when I was growing up.” Shrugging she added “I think maybe she and Dad are experiencing what they call a Young at Heart Moment. I’m glad. It’s sweet in a way.”
Considering what Shannon said Nick told her, “I wish Alanna would put herself out there more. She’s only fifty-six and lots of years away yet from a senior citizen moment. I’d have thought she’d find some debonair older guy to treat her special after all this time. Your folks are lucky to have this grand moment to share.” He got quiet after that last statement so Shannon went to him and wrapped her arms around his middle, hugging him tight.
She hadn’t appreciated how a big celebration to mark her parent’s 50th wedding anniversary would affect Nick. His parents had celebrated less than twenty years together so it was no surprise to hear his thoughts were on his widowed mom.
Nick was warmed by Shannon’s instinct to immediately offer him comfort when he had sounded down. She was going to make a wonderful mother he thought, an instant before a whole host of random images and scenarios shot into his mind.
“Shannon, we need to talk.”
The seriousness of his tone brought her head flying off his chest where she’d been snuggling to search his face in alarm.
“Uh oh.” she said. “This sounds serious. Am I in trouble?”
“Well I certainly hope not.” he replied trying for a lighter tone. “But in a way that’s what we need to discuss.”
When she didn’t immediately get where he was going with is train of thought, he sighed and pulled her down with him to the L shaped sofa at the windows overlooking the Common.
Holding her close he jumped in and went for it. “We’ve been playing with fire, little one. I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your attention that we haven’t exactly been being cautious in the birth control area lately. In fact, clearing his throat, we haven’t made any effort at all.”
The color leeched from her face while Shannon struggled to wrap her mind around what he was saying. They hadn’t been using any birth control at all and since she wasn’t on the pill they had indeed, as he put it, been playing with fire.
“I’m not on the pill.” she blurted out bringing a sardonic look from Nick and a quietly voiced, “I didn’t think so.”
She considered what he’d just said about being in trouble and her heart sank. Was he trying to be casual or was he saying kids didn’t fit into his plans? Panic fed into her nervous system in a steady drip. She’d been unbelievably careless, they both had, by indulging in the sort of love-making that ended with things like pregnancy tests and babies.
What had she been thinking? It was too late to indulge in a little personal psychotherapy since doing so wouldn’t change anything.
“Don’t you want children?” she asked in a panicked, frightened little voice which surprised her, and apparently him, if the look on his face was any indication.
Nick didn’t like the pale, frightened way she was reacting but kept his concerns to himself. He felt again like there was something else, something he just couldn’t pin down dancing about the periphery. Maybe now hadn’t been the best of times to bring this subject up he scolded himself silently. She looked like the world was ending all of a sudden and the notion that they’d hit a stumbling block scared him half to death.
“Do you want kids?” he shot back? Oh my god, he thought in panic. Is that what this is about? Maybe she didn’t want the babies and the diapers and all that went along with it.
“I asked you first.” she pointed out icily but the fact t
hat she wasn’t looking at him settled around his heart like a stone.
Think, Nick. Think, he chanted silently. Something had clearly spooked her. She had reacted to the kids issue more strongly than the birth control problem and he was sure there was a clue in there somewhere.
Choosing his words carefully and with slow deliberation he answered.
“Shannon. Nothing would please me more than to be a parent with you. I think you’ll be an amazing mother. Don’t ever doubt that.”
She was looking at him but her eyes were cautiously blank.
“I didn’t want to upset you by bringing this up now and I especially didn’t intend to make light of the situation.”
She blinked and let her eyes fall away. Nick was on pins and needles.
“I love you. I want whatever you want. If children are something you’d rather not think about right now, I understand; but I’d be lying if I said that having kids wasn’t pretty high on the agenda.”
Relief surged through Shannon like an avalanche tumbling down a steep mountain. Until he said the words, she thought she might die if he’d answered anything different. With a sudden welling of tears in her eyes she assured him, “I want your children Nick. More than anything.”
“Then what’s with the tears my love? Why the sudden worry? Did you think I’d be mad if you got pregnant Shannon?”
Covering her face with hurried kisses he assured her over and over that to make a baby with her would be out-of-this-world, which only made the tears flow stronger.
“Please don’t cry. Your tears are killing me, honey.”
She hiccupped to a stop, swiped her eyes and attempted a watery smile. “I’m okay, truly. I don’t know why I got so emotional Nick.”
Liar! Her conscience screamed. Ugh. Came the defeated response.
“Let’s talk about this later sweetheart.” Nick said. “Everything is going to be okay, remember? Let’s not borrow worries and just enjoy the happiness we’ve found. Hmmm?”
She nodded and kissed him sweetly. Yes. They would indeed have to talk about this later. Now, as he pointed out, was not the time. They had a party to get ready for and a potential dog and pony show for the family that was making her nerves stand up and take notice.
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