In a minute, two very similar kittens bounced down the stairs and into view.
Ty stared at them, a bewildered scowl on his face. “I’m sober.”
“Uh huh.” Liz kissed his temple.
“I’m not seeing double.”
Liz kissed him again. “Don’t think so, Babe.”
“Why am I seeing two kittens? I only brought one with me.”
“Right. You only brought one.”
As he thought about it, Ty rested his face against Liz’s breasts again. “Your shirt needs a V neck. I brought one kitten and you already had one here.”
“Not bad for a Rhodes scholar. Ouch!” as he pinched her bottom.
Ty rubbed the spot he had pinched by way of apology. “They look so much alike because they’re from the same litter. And Corey’s Alexis produced the litter the same day Beanie died.” One hand began to creep under the back of Liz’s shirt, heading for the band of her bra. She didn’t stop him.
“That’s Norton’s brother, Dodger, as in Brooklyn. I got him from Corey a few days ago. He and Norton were chewing on each other and Norton was very distraught that I took his buddy away from him.” Liz rubbed her cheek on Ty’s head. “I was going to go back for him tomorrow. Thanks for saving me the trip.” She tried to kiss his cheek, but Ty turned his head and Liz found herself kissing him on the mouth again. A moment later, he had her bra unhooked and his hand was sliding forward to cup her breast. Ty broke off the kiss long enough to say, “That’s it. Upstairs. Now.”
“Ty’s way or the highway?” Liz asked. “What if…”
She didn’t get any further because Ty abruptly set her on her feet with, “My way now, debate later.”
They made their way to Liz’s bedroom hand in hand. As Liz tugged off Ty’s shirt, she noticed new definition in his chest and abdomen, bigger shoulders and arms. Ty didn’t object as she ran her hand down his torso, feeling the ripple and play of his muscles. She slid her hands upward and felt the stronger, more defined body underneath his tanned skin.
“Counselor, you’ve been working out,” Liz purred, “I like it.” She wrapped her arms around him and began kissing his chest, working her way up to his neck and mouth. “Such strong arms you have.”
His breathing was ragged as he said, “The better to hold you with, my dear. I found a rowing shell in the garage one day.” Liz felt him slide his hand under her shirt and noticed the change. Where there had been softness, now there were calluses on his hand.
Ty kissed her, tasting deeply from her lips. “I’ve started rowing again. It’s the best gift anyone’s ever given me.” He hastily removed his pants and they twined their naked bodies together. He kissed her again and whispered, “You’ve given me myself back, Darling.”
Liz kissed him and murmured, “And you’ve brought back the man I love.”
Chapter 11
Liz opened her eyes and raised her head from the pillow. Had she been dreaming or…
“Ty?”
“I’m here, Baby.” She heard the deep, soft voice and felt the bed give as he sat next to her.
“I was afraid I was dreaming again,” she whispered.
“No, Darling, you’re awake. Want me to prove it?” He leaned over and gently nipped her earlobe.
“Feel that?”
“Uh huh.” It felt divine.
“You’re not asleep, then.” He stroked her hair. “What do you mean ‘dreaming again’?”
Liz squeezed her eyes shut. “It was bad. I either had nightmares of Jimmy coming after me again or dreams that we were together and making love like we did in the beginning. I’d wake up crying. It got so I didn’t want to sleep.”
Ty gathered her in his arms. “My poor Liz.” He kissed the side of her face.
As they leaned back from each other, Liz noticed Ty wasn’t under the covers, no longer had a beard and was clothed. A sneaking suspicion entered her mind.
Liz leaned back and folded her arms. “You shaved.”
“It itched.” He rubbed his jaw. “And it had served its purpose.”
“Uh huh. Just how long have I been asleep?”
“About two hours.” She could see mischief in his eyes.
“And how long have you been awake?”
Ty checked his watch. “Actually, I didn’t really fall asleep.” The suspicion got stronger.
“Why didn’t you stay in bed with me, Mr. I-Want-to-Wake-Up-Next-to-My-Love?”
He was smiling. “I had things to do and I was next to my love as she slept. She just didn’t wake up at the same time I did.”
Liz sat up. The closet door was open, revealing……empty hangers.She closed her eyes. “I suppose my bureau is empty, too.”
“Probably. I may have missed a sock or two.”
Liz opened her eyes and looked severely at a grinning Ty. “Where are my clothes, Ty?”
“Safe and sound.”
“We’ve done this before. You’ve already seen me naked today...”
“Still one of my favorite sights,” Ty interjected.
“Thank you, may I have my clothes, please?”
“You don’t need them.” He was suppressing a big laugh.
Liz sighed. “Fine. You know what, I’ll just sleep until you get tired of this.” She started to settle herself back into bed.
“The sheets’ll be gone and I’ve removed everything but a face cloth from the bathroom,” Ty stated matter-of-factly.
Liz frowned. “Why didn’t I hear you doing all this?”
“I doubt you’d have heard a mariachi band in the hallway. Judging from the snoring, you were sleeping pretty soundly.” Ty added quietly, “Obviously something you haven’t really done for a while.” His grin was replaced by loving concern as he gently pushed hair from Liz’s face and smoothed out the frown lines with his fingertips.
“Why did you steal my clothes, Ty? I’m not going anywhere. This is my house.” As delightful as the caresses were, Liz tried to stay focused on the issue of clothing and why she didn’t have any. It was tough with the distraction.
“I have my reasons. We’re starting over. You need to learn to trust me again. This worked before,” Ty continued to stroke her hair as she lay there. “Besides, I like the thought of your beautiful body just underneath that sheet waiting for me.”
Liz gave him a skeptical look. “You are so full of it, Tyrone, your eyes ought to be brown.” She pretended to peer closely at them. “Oh, wait! They are brown!” They both laughed.
The playfulness was returning and it felt wonderful.
“Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz, Liz. When will you learn that you are beautiful?” Ty looked deep into her eyes as he said, “And you always will be.” Liz ducked her head. It amazed her that such a simple statement could have such a powerful effect. Ty kissed the top of her head.
“What’s this?” Ty held a bundle of sealed envelopes in his hand.
“That was in a drawer in my night stand.” Liz held out her hand. “So?” Ty kept the packet out of her reach.
“What were you doing in my drawers?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Liz could have bitten off her tongue and not missed it. Ty roared, laughing so hard he almost choked. Liz sat, face buried in hands, shoulders shaking while she laughed.When he could talk again, Ty answered her, still laughing. “I was looking for something.”
“What?” Liz could barely talk herself.
“Our copy of John Donne.” The mood suddenly went somber.
“It’s in Wellesley.” Liz was quiet, serious. The pain of having left him was still too near the surface.
Ty got serious, too, picking up on Liz’s mood. “Okay, we’ll find it later. But right now,” Ty held up the packet again. “What are these?”
“Letters. I wrote them over the last two months.” No sense being evasive or defensive. This was Ty.
“I see my name on the top envelope. Are they all for me?” Ty was watching her face. Liz nodded. “You never mailed them.”
“No.” Barely a whisper. “I just wrot
e them and threw them into the drawer.”
Ty moved closer to Liz and put one arm around her. She shivered at the feeling of his hand on the bare skin over her spine. Almost absently, he pulled her tightly to him and began to stroke her back. “Why didn’t you send them?” From the gentle tone, Liz knew he already knew the answer. But he wanted her to say it.
“I was afraid you didn’t want me anymore. That I’d hurt you too badly by leaving you and you didn’t want to hear from me.” She let it all out. Liz could feel her chest tighten again. “Leaving you was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and until today, I didn’t know if I’d done the right thing.”
Ty rubbed his cheek on Liz’s head as he said, “I have never stopped loving you and I will never stop. I’ve been angry at you and at myself, but I’ve loved you all along.” Ty looked into Liz’s eyes. “Never, and I mean never, doubt my love for you ever again.” He kissed her. “Now, will you read one to me?”
“No.” Liz’s refusal was quiet and firm.
“Why not?” The question was gentle.
Liz put her arms around him. “Because I’ll start crying again and I’ve done nothing but cry for the past two months. I don’t want to cry anymore, Ty. Not for a long, long time.”
“Okay.” Ty’s answer was soft. “Do I get to read them?” He kissed the top of her head. “I won’t if you say ‘No.’”
As much as she wanted to say “no” and take back the letters to burn them, Liz knew what was at stake. Ty would allow her to withhold the letters because he loved her. Liz knew she had to trust him and here was the first step. With a kiss, she said, “They’re yours. Take them.”
Ty returned the kiss, tenderly, skillfully. They held each other for a few minutes.
At length, Ty asked, “Still want your clothes?”
“Well, I can’t stay like this for the rest of my life,” she said. “What do I need to do to get my clothes back?”
Ty’s face grew serious. “Come home with me. Now.”
“No.” It was barely a whisper.
Ty was surprised at the answer. “Why not?”
“I can’t go back there. I wasn’t safe. I wasn’t happy. The bad memories are too bad and I’ll be reliving them every day if I go back. I lost Beanie there. I lost you in that house,” Liz’s face and tone were deadly serious. “I don’t want to be there even for another day.”
Ty looked puzzled. “But Liz, I’ve had it thoroughly cleaned.”
“No.”
“I had the den repainted. The furniture’s been replaced and I had someone clean and repair my rug.”
“No.”
Ty was exasperated. “Do you want me to have an exorcist come in?”
Liz shook her head. “No.”
“Well, do you expect me to move in here?” He didn’t sound pleased with the idea.
“No.”
“Okay, I give. What’s your idea?”
Liz pulled him close and kissed the top of his head. “Can’t we find a new place together? Something that hasn’t been exclusively yours or mine.”
Caught off guard, Ty froze, his lips close enough that Liz inhaled his breath. “What just happened?” His tone was a mixture of confusion and passion.
Liz tried to wriggle out from under him. “On second thought, I do need clothes. And a towel. Now. Move.” She pushed at Ty, who obligingly rolled out of the way. Liz kissed him quickly as she slid out of bed and ran for the bathroom.
While she was lathering up, Liz heard Ty enter the bathroom. He stuck his arm into the shower, towel in hand. “I hear and obey. Now, what’s going on and do you want me to scrub your back for you?”
“Tempting, but no thank you,” she replied. “In fact, you may want to leave. Now.”
Liz jumped as the shower curtain was suddenly shoved aside and she found herself face to face with an angry Ty.
“What the hell, Liz? One minute you’re seducing me and the next you’re throwing me out. I want to know what’s going on!”
Liz reached a soapy hand towards Ty’s face. “I’m sorry, but I forgot that I have company coming,” she glanced at his watch. “Almost any time now.”
“So who’s coming?” Ty was thoroughly confused now.
Liz turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, taking the towel from Ty. “As far as you’re concerned, it’s a lynch mob.”
Ty understood immediately. “Millie, John, Joey…”
“Jenna, Angie and Vinnie.” Liz finished. “Sure you want to stay?”
She was amused to watch Ty’s internal debate. Of course, being Ty, it didn’t last long. He looked up and smiled.
“Just two questions. Am I dressed right and does Angie know where you keep your big knife?”
Liz stopped combing her hair long enough to smile and nod. “You’re dressed fine. As for Angie, you’re almost certainly screwed, Big Boy.” She pushed Ty out the door. “Be with you in a minute.”
When she got to her bedroom, Liz noticed that although most of her clothes were still missing, Ty had returned the dress she’d worn on their one and only date.
She stared, then blinked to keep from crying. He loved her. Still.
Liz shed her towel, slipped into underwear and with a tiny pause, pulled on the dress.
“Here. Zippers are my duty.” Ty spoke quietly as he zipped up her dress, just like the first time. Liz hadn’t heard him come up behind her. When he finished, Ty turned Liz to face him. She twined her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes.
“Really going back to the beginning, huh?” Liz asked.
“Why not? In my mind’s eye, I always see you in this dress, unzipped and barefoot chasing Beanie down the street. Not a bad mental picture.” Ty smiled down into her face, eyes warm and dancing. Liz noted how the life was back in them and silently gave thanks.
Ty kissed her forehead. “Any interest in hanging out with a dry drunk? Just for the next 40 or 50 years.”
Liz looked at him, almost afraid that she’d put the wrong spin on his words. Ty returned her gaze.
“Marry me, Liz.”
“I will.” The words came automatically.
Liz had thought highly of Ty’s kissing skills, but this time, he outdid himself. They weren’t aware of anything around them until…
“Ahem.”
They broke off their kiss to discover Angela DiNardo glaring at them, arms crossed, back straight. Angie was as angry as Liz had ever seen her.
“Angie, Hi!” Liz’s voice sounded breathy and distracted. She and Ty were still clinched. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
Ty made a quick recovery. “Angie! I’m glad to see you.”
Angie was angry. “Well, I can’t say the same, Tyrone.” She turned towards the stairs. “Vincenzo! I need a big knife!”
Ty looked sharply at Liz. “She’s kidding, right?”
“No, she’s not.”
“Vinnie!” Angie yelled again. “Where’s that knife?”
Liz hastily separated herself from Ty. “No, Angie. You don’t understand! Vinnie!” Liz yelled. “Forget the knife!”
Angie was not amused. She pointed her finger at Ty. “You! I warned you about breaking our girl’s heart and you didn’t listen. Two months we’ve been worried sick, wondering if she’d ever get over you. Two months praying and lighting candles…”
“I guess I’m an answer to a prayer, then.” Ty interrupted.
“Don’t be a smartass!” Angie snapped. “Two months! Where have you been all this time while my Lizabetta is crying her heart out over you and making herself sick? And you have the nerve to stand here and paw her like she’s some kind of slut? You’ve got a lot to answer for and you’ll do it right now. I want the big knife.”
Liz stepped in between Angie and Ty. Unconsciously, she spread her arms out. “Look, Angie, you don’t know the whole story…”
“I don’t care.” Angie bit off the words. “Get out of my way.”
“No.” The firmness in Liz’s refusal surprised eve
n her. “I left him, remember? You want to get to him, you’ve got to go through me.” Liz straightened up. “And I’m not letting you through. Mama Angie, I love you and I respect you, but I love Ty. If you hurt him, you hurt me. Is that what you want?”
Angie was astonished. “Lizabetta! You’ve never talked to me like this.”
“I’ve never felt like this about anyone,” Liz said with all the passion she felt. Ty put his arms around her waist and squeeze slightly. “Not even Joey. You still want the big knife? Fine. You’ll have to use it on me first.”
Angie looked at Ty. “Did you hear that?”
“Yes, Ma’am. Couldn’t help it.”
The finger came up. “Don’t be flippant with me, Tyrone. I’ll smack you upside the head.”
“Sorry, Angie.” Ty was contrite, but Liz could hear the underlying amusement.
“Elizabeth, your guests are here. Vinnie’s unpacking an antipasto. You go help.” Angela DiNardo was somewhat calmer, but she wasn’t done yet. “The Kissing Bandit and I are gonna have a little chat. Go.”
Liz opened her mouth to protest, but Angie cut her off with, “Don’t you sass me or I’ll smack your head.” Liz obeyed and heard her bedroom door slam shut behind her. Oy vey, thought Liz.
She found Vinnie and Joey in the kitchen unpacking not only antipasto, but melon with prosciutto and several other dishes.
“Vinnie, I said a salad. A salad. Singular,” Liz kissed Vinnie on the cheek. “Joey, why didn’t you stop him?”
“Ma smacked me and Jenna told me not to be disrespectful to my parents.” Liz got a bear hug from Joey. “What’s going on, Liz? Why is Ma so upset? Where is she?”
Before Liz could answer, Vinnie paused in his labors and peered at Liz’s face. Frowning, he took her face between his hands and looked more closely. “You’re glowing,” he said. Vinnie kissed her. “Much better than last time, eh, Joe?”
Joey stopped to look at Liz’s face. “Pop’s right. You look like you’ve just been thoroughly…” Liz saw Joey figure it out and heard him swear under his breath. “That fucking bastard! I’ll kill him.”
“No, you’re not.” Liz blocked Joey’s path out of the kitchen. “If either you or Rocco raise a hand to him, I’ll kick both of your sorry asses from here to Key West. Capice?”
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