Starting Over (Paradise Place Book 3)

by Natalie Ann

Did the whole world have to know that they were a couple if Philip wasn’t ready to share it yet?

  No, they didn’t. Not if she was okay with it all and she was.

  “I told Livi she could play for a few minutes in the tub and then it was time for bed. She was already yawning, but I wanted to come down and check on you first.”

  “I’m just sitting here enjoying a glass of wine on the couch. Go tend to your daughter. I’ll still be here when you’re done.”

  “Will you always be here?” he asked, then quickly said, “Never mind. I shouldn’t have asked that.”

  “It’s fine. I’d like to be here for a long time. I know it seems to be moving fast, but I’m okay with it. Whatever works for you works for me.”

  He smiled and nodded his head, then went to take care of his daughter.

  Ten minutes later he returned, saying, “She fell asleep before I even finished her story.”

  “I love that you read to her each night.”

  “It’s a little thing that we both enjoy,” he said, sitting next to her and putting her wine glass on the coffee table.

  “My father always read to me at night. Then when I got older I’d read to him. By the time Pops moved in we were beyond it, but I’m positive he would have done it too. Even though we didn’t read together, we looked at fashion magazines together.”

  “Jake is a character. So much different than your father.”

  “Yeah, I always thought so too. But they make it work.”

  “You can see how much they care for each other in their eyes when their gazes meet. Even your family doesn’t blink when they bust on each other. Or when Jake slipped his arm around your father. No one seems to think anything of it. I think it’s amazing.”

  “What I think is amazing is that Livi found out on the way over and didn’t even care. That was me too. I know I say most kids are accepting of things, but not all. Not if they’ve heard differently in their own home.”

  “To be honest with you, it’s never been a conversation that has come up in our house. Not for any reason other than it hadn’t touched our lives yet. Not until you.”

  “Is that a good thing? That I’ve touched your life so soon?” she asked, crawling into his lap and wrapping her arms around his neck, her mouth to his. She’d been dying to get her hands on him. They very rarely had any time alone and even now Livi was in the house.

  “It is. I sometimes wonder if I’m doing right by you.”

  When his lips moved along her jaw, then down her neck she had no thoughts other than getting his hands on her bare skin.

  “You do just fine by me. You could show me how good right now if you want.”

  “I want to.”

  He started to lift her up and carry her to his room, but she said, “We can stay here, can’t we?”

  “We can.”

  “But you’re afraid Livi might wake up and come looking for you?” she asked.

  “I don’t think she will. I just figured that you might be uncomfortable with it.”

  “I’m not, but why don’t we compromise and go into your office on the couch in there and shut the door,” she said.

  “That works just as well.”

  Rather than let her walk, he carried her to the other room and shut the door with his foot, then locked it, moving to the couch and putting her on his lap.

  “I’ve been thinking of getting my hands on you all day long. I’m sorry if you were put on the spot by coming over, but secretly I was happy to be able to spend the time with you too.”

  “It was time to meet them.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way. I know they liked you. Not as much as I like you, but it’s good enough.”

  He laughed and kissed her slowly, his mouth nudging hers open, his hands going under her shirt. “I don’t have a condom down here. I’m going to have to go upstairs.”

  “I’m on the pill, but it’s your choice. I’m okay either way.” She’d never had unprotected sex before. The pill was a backup plan, but with Philip she just wanted no barriers between what they had.

  “I’m okay if you are.”

  “More than okay. I want to feel all of you tonight. Every part of your body making us one.”

  He lifted her shirt over her head and let it fall to the floor, attacking the button on his shorts, and spreading them wide.

  His hands went to the clasp of her bra, flicked it open and had it joining her shirt. When his mouth lowered on a taut nipple she dropped her head back and just enjoyed what he was doing to her body.

  “You have such a wonderful mouth.”

  She’d removed his shirt too, then reached her hand into his underwear and pulled him out, stroking his tip, sliding her hand up and down, spreading the moisture everywhere. He was hot, hard, silky, and all hers.

  “Your mouth isn’t so bad either. Neither are your hands,” he said, letting out a groan when she started to pump him.

  “I think we need to spend more time together doing this,” she said. “Make a game out of it, like hiding in a closet.”

  He laughed. “We’ll work on it.”

  She lifted off his hips and wiggled out of her shorts and underwear. She was soaking wet and just wanted to feel him inside of her. Stretching her, stroking her, filling her up.

  When she adjusted him at the opening and slid back down, dual groans filled the room.

  His hands went to her hips raising her up and dropping her back down, his mouth to hers, his tongue sliding in and mimicking what was going on below.

  There was a tightening inside of her. Her muscles were starting to constrict, his hips moving faster. It was a pace she wanted to maintain but didn’t think she could.

  Then she wondered why she cared if she couldn’t. It was all about what they did together and it didn’t need to be perfect—it just needed to feel right.

  She got on her knees on the side of his thighs and started to ride him on her own. Up and down, bouncing, her breasts rubbing against his chest as they were plastered together, neither of them wanting an inch between their bodies.

  She started to squeeze her muscles down below as she rode him, heard the moan escape his mouth and did it again, then one more time.

  “I’m so close,” she said.

  He fisted his hand in her hair, held her head in place and attacked her mouth, telling her that she was testing his limits, and she decided to give him everything she had.

  Increasing the speed, she bobbed up and down, her body working up a sweat. The noises they were making in the room were nothing compared to the thumping of her heart.

  This was what she’d been waiting for all along.

  Being in Philip’s arms. Being held tight by him. Feeling loved.

  Feeling cherished.

  Her body let go. Everything inside her was coiled up tight and just released. The throbbing she felt made her wonder if it was her or him as he held her tight, his head to her shoulder, her head on his chest.

  “That was amazing,” she whispered.

  “You’re amazing,” he said back.

  “I think I’m falling in love with you,” she said, the words no longer able to stay locked up.

  “I know I am with you,” he said and kissed her neck.

  19

  Love Finds You

  Somehow Blair had managed to talk Philip into going to the Paradise Place Picnic. Or the summer party, as some were calling it. He was still reserving judgment on attending, but Livi wanted to go once she'd heard some of the kids talking about it on the playground.

  "Are you sure we don't need to bring anything more than a side dish? Is it even enough to bring this one tin?"

  He'd made potato salad, one of the few sides he was comfortable doing. He’d used five pounds of potatoes in it.

  "It's fine. There are so many people and everyone brings something. Marilyn and Stephen Butler started this party years ago when the development first came about. They bring the hot dogs and burgers and rolls. The rest of the residents bring
all the sides and what they want to drink. There will be water provided and juice boxes for the kids, some jugs of lemonade and ice cream, but anything else we bring ourselves."

  "That's very generous of them," he said.

  "They are that type. Their two sons and their families run the business now and they should be there. I'll introduce you to everyone."

  "How are we introducing ourselves?" he asked. Livi was ahead of them as they walked over.

  Blair looked hurt by his question, but he wasn't sure he wanted everyone to know that he and Blair were dating.

  "I'm going to introduce you as the new neighbor in my backyard. Everyone knows me and I love to talk. Don't worry, no one will think anything of it."

  "I'm sorry if I hurt you asking that. It's just we haven't really told Livi yet and it's best if she knows before strangers do."

  "I understand," she said, her hand going to his cheek. "I get it. And don't be nervous. You're going to have a great time."

  When they arrived he realized there were a lot more people than anticipated. There were plenty of cars from people that probably drove from the other ends of the development but almost double the amount of people than the cars they could have belonged to.

  He, Blair, and Livi had walked over pulling his cooler which had the potato salad in it, Blair's cookies, and a few beers. She'd said it was okay to do that, as most did. He even had two canvas chairs in their bags strapped on top.

  Blair was going to bring a blanket for them to sit on the ground since she didn't want to carry the chairs, but the bungee cords in his garage solved the problem and everyone had a free hand but him holding the handle.

  Livi was skipping ahead of them more excited over this than she was on Christmas morning.

  "If it wasn't for the fact we aren't the only ones walking through the development looking like this, I'd feel kind of silly," he said.

  "This place is one of a kind. Everyone who lives here loves it. Don't feel silly."

  He pulled the cooler over to the pavilion where all the food was being laid out. "I should probably just keep it in the cooler until we need it so it doesn't get warm."

  "They've got huge kiddie pools of ice for the food."

  He looked and saw what she was talking about. "They think of everything."

  "They do. Hi, Evan." She pulled Philip forward. "Evan Butler, this is Philip Aire. He just bought the house behind me. I had to nudge him a bit to come but assured him he'd have a great time. This is his daughter, Livi."

  "Nice to meet you," he said, shaking hands with the man that was probably around his age.

  "My brother, Christian, is over there with my parents, Michael and Judy, and my aunt and uncle, Matt and Wendy. My father and Uncle Matt are getting everything set up with us and my cousins. We told my grandparents to come later for the surprise."

  "What surprise?" Blair asked.

  "This is the fiftieth year of the picnic. We've got a DJ setting up rather than having music and speakers. There's a massive cake coming too."

  "Is that why there are barbeque trucks and grills set up this year?" Blair asked.

  "Yeah, we told my grandparents we'd take care of it all. They know we are doing something a little different and didn't ask a lot of questions at least."

  "It's going to be great," Blair said. "Put your salad in the pool, Philip, and we can get out of the way."

  He did as he was told and followed her to a spot in the shade under a few trees. They weren't there five minutes before a couple came over and Blair jumped up giving the woman a hug. "Ruby, what are you doing here?"

  "I live here now. This is my boyfriend, Josh Turner. I sold him a house at the end of last year and, well, you know what they say about Paradise. Love finds you here."

  Philip felt his face flush over that statement. He'd thought it was funny, but it was actually the truth. Not that he was about to admit that to anyone.

  "It sure does," Blair said, but only introduced him as her new neighbor and he was thankful for that.

  Once Ruby and Josh moved off, several more couples came over to talk, some older, some younger. A few of the parents of the kids that Livi had made friends with.

  He'd met them before on the playground, but he had to say it was nice to know they were all here too.

  "It's not as bad as you thought it was going to be, is it?"

  "No. I'll never remember everyone's name," he said.

  "It's not meant for you to. Those you have something in common with you will. The Smiths have a son at RPI, so I bet you remember them."

  "How could I not with the way they were asking me a million questions. It didn't matter that I said it was my first year and I hadn't even started to teach one class yet."

  "It happens," she said. "It's no different than everyone asking me questions about my shop and products."

  He'd noticed that too. Many wanted to know how she made things, how busy she was, what the profit was in it, how she got started. He'd felt a lot of the questions might be on the personal side, but she smiled and brushed it off while changing the subject.

  "I feel like everyone is looking at us. Why?"

  "A lot of people know me. I haven't brought anyone to the party before. Don't worry, they know how friendly I am and I keep saying you're my new neighbor."

  "And it bothers you to say that? Doesn't it?"

  "It's all good, Philip. Don't think anything of it. Just enjoy the day. Look at Livi and the fun she is having." He turned his head and saw Livi on the playground running and playing like she always did. "That's what it's about."

  "It is," he said, having the sudden urge to reach for her hand and hold it. But he didn't because people would see and he'd said he didn't want anyone to know before he could explain to Livi.

  The question being—was he finally ready to do that?

  20

  Dying to Have

  School had started for Philip and the same for Livi.

  Everyone was in a nice routine now. Dinner a few nights a week at Philip’s, even a few times at her house.

  It seemed crazy that they’d only been in this relationship for a short period of time, yet it felt like forever. Like the family she’d always wanted and waited for but resigned herself to never finding or having.

  She was in her yard pruning flowers and getting ready to dry them out.

  “Hi, Blair.”

  She turned to see Livi standing on the path looking at her. She’d gotten into the habit of leaving the gate unlocked and partially open for Philip and Livi to visit easily.

  “Hi, sweetie. What are you doing today?”

  “Not much. Daddy is going to fix a shutter that is loose. He’s getting a ladder from the garage. I asked if I could come see if you were outside and visit with you.”

  “I’m always outside in nice weather,” she said. Early September was beautiful in Upstate New York. She loved the changing of the leaves in her yard.

  “Is that your kitty?” Livi asked.

  Blair turned her head to see a neighborhood cat wandering around. Livi was still begging for a pet, but Philip showed no intention of giving in yet. She knew this because at night when Livi was in bed she and Philip talked about everything. His life. Her life. Livi’s life. Yes, a family that she’d been dying to have. A tease that it might just happen.

  “No. I think she belongs to someone down the street, but she comes and visits now and again.”

  “Is she friendly? Can I pet her?”

  “Cats are fickle creatures. Hold your hand out to her and if she comes forward then you can pet her. But if she starts to get sour, don’t push it. We wouldn’t want to have to clean up any scratches on you.” Scratches that Livi managed to get daily. She was always getting into something.

  “Okay,” Livi said, holding her hand out as Blair had instructed.

  She went back to pruning her flowers to the sound of purring when she heard her name called and looked up to see her cousin Brina standing there.

  “Hey, wha
t brings you by?”

  “Hi, Livi,” Brina said, then turned back to Blair. “I need some more lotion if you get a minute. Or I can go in and get it myself.”

  “Help yourself,” Blair said. Her cousins often visited and gathered what they needed. She kept her family supplied. “You know where everything is if you’re low on anything.”

  “I’m low on a few things. I’ll write down what I’m gathering so you know. I know what a freak you are about inventory.”

  “Thanks,” she said, smiling as her cousin walked away. She always kept inventory, even of the things she didn’t sell. Damaged bottles or batches that didn’t meet her standards. Those could be donated.

  “Livi, you aren’t being a nuisance, are you?”

  Blair looked over to see Philip standing at the fence looking handsome as ever. His hair was a bit windswept and he had a speck of dirt on his cheek. “No, Daddy. Blair said I could pet the kitty.”

  The cat took that moment to walk away and go through the fence toward Philip, who didn’t seem to want anything to do with her. “Hey there. She’s fine.”

  “I’m sure, but I always need to check,” he said.

  The cat took off into the yard and Livi ran through the fence after her. Blair stood and walked closer to Philip and put her hand on his on the fence, then winked at him. She wanted to lean in and kiss him, but they’d been careful about too many romantic gestures in front of Livi. They weren’t there just yet. Maybe soon, but Blair was the one holding back now.

  Once she realized that Philip didn’t want people in the neighborhood or coworkers to know, she figured it might be best if she let him decide what to do with Livi.

  He reached his other hand over and touched hers. “Are you free for dinner tonight? We haven’t really had a chance to see each other lately. Work and school are both kind of crazy.”

  “I can make time. I do need to run to the shop in a little bit, but I’ll be back by five. Or maybe we can go out to eat?” she asked. They hadn’t gone out yet together, not even the three of them. Maybe that would be a nice start with letting people know about their relationship?