~.~
After a few short days at the cabin, we return home, and still haven't talked about the surgery. I've been reading his study every chance I get, but we never seem to have any down time. I contemplate talking to him tonight but remember that he wants to ask Jessie and Laura for dinner. Then, tomorrow is Sunday, and we all promised Lillian Sunday dinners, so that's not a good day either. I make a mental note to ask him to schedule some time with me, with no interruptions. I want to get this resolved.
After putting what little clothes I have with me inside the extra dresser in Matthew's closet, I go to the kitchen and find Rebecca at the stove.
"It smells good in here, Rebecca. Can I help with anything?" I ask, standing next to her.
"Well, let's see. I'm making the sauce for spaghetti right now and need it to simmer for a few hours. I think you and Matthew can handle the pasta and salad, right?"
"I'm sure we can. Maybe I'll bake a cake for desert," I ponder, wondering what kind to make.
"I know Matthew is fond of German chocolate. I have all the ingredients in the pantry. Do you want to do it together?"
"That would be great. I need your eyes since my recipe …" Oh, God, I lost all my valuable recipes in the fire. It suddenly hits me hard how much I've actually lost, not only my computer equipment, but my grandmother's recipes. The photo albums that she put together for me documenting my life, with the dream that I would see one day, are gone too. I can't help it but the tears start and, of course, that's when Matthew walks into the room.
"Joy? What's the matter?" he asks, coming to me, wiping the tears away with his thumbs.
"I'm thinking about everything I've lost in the fire. Everything is gone, Matthew." He didn't say anything … what could he say? He just holds me and quietly rocks me back and forth, and tells me everything is going to be all right.
~.~
After Rebecca and I make the cake, she turns off the heat under the sauce and tells me to reheat it thirty minutes before I want to serve it. She says a quick goodbye to Matthew and leaves to prepare dinner for her ailing father.
At six-thirty sharp, the doorbell rings signaling Jessie and Laura’s prompt arrival. Conrad eagerly answers the door.
"Hey, Joy. I'm really sorry to hear about your place," Jessie says, picking me up in a hug. After setting me down, Laura has her arms around me.
"That fucking bitch," she whispers into my ear. Other than Matthew and I, no one has outwardly accused Emma of setting the fire, so her comment surprises me. "She had better never catch me alone in the same room with her."
"Let's get a glass of wine and go to Matthew's office so we can talk, all right?"
"Good idea,” she says taking me by the hand. “Hey, baby," she calls out to Jessie, "would you get a glass of wine for us? We're going into Matthew's office for a little girl-time."
"Sure," he replies, pouring two, and handing them to us. "Here you go. Don't be too long, I'm starving."
"We won't, I promise,"
"Matthew, will you keep an eye on the sauce so it doesn't burn? Laura and I will finish dinner when we’re done,” I call out over my shoulder.
"Anything for you, baby." I blow him a kiss and turn back to enter the office, shutting the door behind me.
"So, did you go by and look? How bad it is?" I ask, sitting next to her on the soft leather couch.
"It's pretty bad. There's burn damage to the exterior of the building, and now that the window coverings are gone, you can see through it. The interior is totally blackened. The only thing standing is the charred remains of the walls. Your furniture, cabinets, all of that is gone," she explains, describing the ruins in detail. My heart sinks deep into my chest thinking about everything I have lost. The insurance isn't going to cover my prized possessions. The jewelry Matthew got me was in there, except for the bracelet he gave me for Christmas, which I always wear.
"Where are you going to live? Are you staying here with Matthew?"
"He wants me to. I thought maybe you or Brian could spare a room for me?"
"First, Joy, Matthew wants you with him, but you already know that. Secondly, um … Jess has asked me to move in with him, and I'm considering it," she says quietly as if she's scared to tell me.
"I think that's wonderful, Laura. I know how you feel about him." Reaching for her hand, I give it a firm squeeze. "Plus, Matthew told me that man is very much in love with you."
"I know he is. He's so good to me, Joy. I can't help but love him." She squeezes my hand in return and then asks, "Do you think it's too soon to move in with him?"
"I don't know if it's a matter of it being too soon, but rather if you two love each other enough to live together. You know marriage is next, right? I absolutely think you should, Laura. You don't give your heart to just anyone. That man had it the minute he bumped into you on that street corner … holding up my panties." We both burst out in giggles.
"I guess I've already decided to do it, but what about you? I think you should stay here with Matthew. You two are as inseparable as Jess and I, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I guess," I say, pondering the situation. "But, Laura, we just got over a very difficult hurdle that isn't quite resolved yet. Don't you think a decision like this is rather hasty with all that's looming over us?"
"But you made it, right? You've decided to stay together and work through that as a couple rather than separate, right?" I consider everything Laura says. We have made it through together.
"We still need to discuss the surgery though. He told me he doesn't want to do it, and I've decided that I do." Her ear-piercing scream is so loud that Matthew and Jessie come running through the door just as she jumps on top of me flattening me onto the couch.
"What? What happened?" Matthew is at my side instantly, checking me over for injuries, making sure my legs and arms aren't broken.
"Joy just told me she's doing the surgery," she screams again.
Matthew sobers and clears his throat.
"I've decided not to do the surgery," he says, helping me back up into my seat.
"We still have to talk about it," I reply sharply. "Come on, let's eat. I'm starving, and we still need to make the salad."
Getting up, I start for the door when I hear Matthew's whisper.
"What did you just say, Matthew?" I ask, turning around quickly. When he doesn't answer, I walk back to face him. "What did you say?" I ask again.
"I don't want to do the surgery, Joy. It isn't worth all the hurt and anguish we've just gone through. I want you happy, and you were a lot happier before I even mentioned the damned procedure … so it's off … now let's go eat, I'm hungry too."
"This conversation isn't over, Matthew. We will finish it." I search for Laura's hand, and we walk to the kitchen together. "Let's go make the salad and garlic bread."
After dinner, I get out the cards for a game of Cribbage, and there's no mention of the surgery for the rest of the evening. Jessie announces that he and Laura are moving in together, and I, for one, am very happy for them. I'm pretty sure Matthew is too, and I know he would like an answer about me moving in with him.
~.~
The following morning, I wake fully rested and feel around the bed for him, but he's not here. Getting up, I slip into a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt and go in search of him. Padding in my bare feet, I quietly make my way down the stairs and hear him on the phone in his office.
Who’s he talking to I wonder. I can't make it out, but all I know is he's talking to someone about getting me a full wardrobe and telling them to put it on his account. I slowly push open the partially closed door, and the squeak of the hinges alerts him to my presence.
"Speaking of my princess, she just woke up. Okay, Maddie, you and Laura do your thing. Get her anything Laura thinks she'll need … I love you too … bye," he says before I hear him place the cell phone on the desk.
"Hey, baby. Did you sleep well?" He rolls his chair and walks toward me.
"I did ... like a log. I can't beli
eve I slept in this late." It's true. I never sleep past seven o'clock, and it's almost nine right now. "So, what are you up to, Matthew?" I ask, my head nodding toward the phone he placed on his desk.
"Oh, I thought you could use some clothes, and since Laura knows your sizes, and Maddie, well, she just likes to shop, and since I heard you say once that you hate shopping, they're going to do it for you. I hope you don't mind."
"But, Matthew, I don't like you buying my clothes. I'll pay for them," I insist.
"How about you pay me back out of your insurance reimbursement when you get it? Will that make you feel better?"
"Yes … much."
"Then it's a deal. I don't want you to be unhappy here, Joy. I just know you need some clothes, and we have dinner with my parents tonight, remember?"
"Yes, I remember, and you're right — I don't have anything to wear. Thank you." I rise up on my toes to kiss his cheek. "I need some coffee."
"We just happen to have some. Come on, let's get you a cup." He lifts me into his arms and carries me by wrapping my legs around his waist. I snuggle into the crook of his neck and it's such a natural feeling … we fit perfectly.
Setting me down on the counter, he goes through the cupboards looking for a mug. "Ah ha!" he blurts out, slamming the door a little too harshly, startling me. I hear him pour the coffee, and the wonderful aroma fills my senses. When he hands the cup to me, I wrap my hands around it and take my first sip, closing my eyes to the caffeine rush. He steps between my legs and cuddles up against me.
"I can never get enough of you, baby," he murmurs against my neck as I take another sip of the warm brew.
Unfortunately, the ringing of his cell phone breaks the spell and my body chills the moment he releases me.
"Hello … yes, sir, she's here," he says cautiously. "Um, yeah, we'll be here … okay … we'll see you in an hour."
"What is it now?" I ask, exasperated. "What else can possibly happen?"
"Nothing, well, at least nothing new. Detective Berkley is coming by to talk to you about your apartment." I hate all this drama and wish it would end.
~.~
While Matthew holds up in his office, I take the binder and read more on his research, until I hear the doorbell.
"Joy," Matthew whispers in my ear as I enter the living room. "He's here. I'm going to get us coffee if you want to go in and talk to him."
Slowly making my way to the large room, I stop in front of him when I hear his voice.
"Joy, I'm Detective Berkley," he begins, taking my outstretched hand.
"Nice to meet you, sir," I reply, taking a seat on the couch.
"I understand you've had some trouble lately. Do you want to tell me about it, starting from the beginning?"
Between Matthew and I, we explain everything that's been going on with Emma from the point of her showing up in Seattle to the disturbing phones calls she made to me. We don't tell him that Matthew made an appointment to meet with her on Thursday, however. Matthew doesn't want that known yet, for some reason.
"We have our investigators on this, Joy. They are interviewing the local businesses to ask if they saw anything. Right now, we are going through the process of issuing subpoenas for video recordings from the security cameras of a few shops that surround the area of your apartment building."
"I know it was her," Matthew says quietly. "I just know it."
"We are doing everything we can to prove that, Dr. Davis.
"Well, I need to get back to the station. I'll call you with any news. Like I said, I will report the phone calls she made to your phone, Ms. Johnson. I doubt anything will come of it because you don’t have a restraining order yet, right? You will go down and get one now, won't you?"
"Yes, this morning," Matthew promises, answering for me.
"Good. I'll keep in touch." After Berkley leaves, Matthew takes me in his arms for a hug.
"Oh, Detective Berkley?" I call out as an afterthought, meeting him on the front steps. "When can I enter my apartment? I need to see if there's anything left of value not lost in the fire."
"Why don't I meet you there on Monday, at two o'clock? Will that work for you?" he suggests.
"Yes. We'll meet you there. Thank you." We watch him drive away then Matthew takes my hand and pulls me back into the house.
"Let's get ready to go. I want to get you an Order as soon as possible. Each time that lunatic even thinks about talking to us, I want her arrested," he says angrily. An hour later, we walk out of the police station with a restraining order.
"How about some breakfast? I'm kind of hungry," Matthew says, as we leave the police station.
"Me, too," I reply. "How about Julia's? We haven't been there in a while," I suggest.
"Sounds great, let's go," he says.
~.~
That night during our first official Family Sunday Dinner, Jessie clinks his glass to get our attention.
"I have an announcement to make." Jessie says, scooting his chair out to stand. Taking nervous gulps of air, he finally speaks. "I've asked Laura to move in with me, and she said yes."
Everyone at the dinner table starts talking at once offering their congratulations and best wishes.
"I'd ask her to marry me, but she nearly went catatonic when I suggested we live together. I think I better wait a few weeks for a proposal," he says, making everyone at the table laugh.
"I'm happy for you both," I say, taking Laura's hand, squeezing it for support.
After Jessie makes his announcement, Maddie informs us of her and Brian’s plan to move in together as well.
"Congratulations, Brian," I say, smiling in his direction.
"Thanks, Joy. I guess we all knew it was inevitable. I love her beyond distraction, and I suspect you all know I will ask her to marry me — I just need to plan it without her trying to plan it for me."
“I hear Matthew’s been trying to get you to stay with him since the fire destroyed your place,” Laura discloses to everyone sitting at the table.
"That's an understatement," he mutters.
"Well, Matthew, I've given it some thought, and I would love to be your roommate," I say to him quietly.
I hear him choke. "Really? Do you mean it?" He coughs again, pulling me close to him for a more private conversation.
"Yes. I don't want to wake up without you anymore either," I confess before placing a kiss on his warm lips.
"I love you so much, baby," he whispers against my lips.
"Good God, doesn't anyone believe in marriage anymore?" Leland speaks up, breaking us out of our private moment.
"Dad, you know it's just a matter of time before your house is filled with grandchildren, so give the six of us time to have a little fun working on that, will ya?" Matthew says, laughing.
"See, Leland? This is why I wanted to move to Seattle. All my kids are getting married," Mom says, starting to cry.
"Mom," Matthew and Maddie say at the same time.
"Oh, hush, let me have this. You all know very well that you’re going to get married. I'm just cutting through the bullshit. Now, let's have dessert, shall we?"
After our first Sunday dinner, I know Matthew can't wait to get me alone to talk to me. He's been antsy and needy all night. He needs to touch — whether it's holding my hand, touching my leg, kissing my cheek, hugging me — his hands are always on me. I know the minute we get in the car, the interrogation will begin, and it does.
"So? What made you decide to move in with me? Was it my charm or my impossible good looks? Maybe it was my cooking. Oh, hell, I don't care what it was. I'm just so happy you decided." He pulls me in for a deep, passionate kiss. "You are so getting lucky when we get home."
Chapter 9
Once we pull into the garage, I kiss her cheek and tell her that I’ll meet her in our room after I take care of Conrad and lock up the house.
Turning off the last light, I eagerly run up the stairs, taking two steps at a time before stopping outside the bedroom door. I try to calm myself
the best I can by taking a few deep cleansing breaths before entering the room. That turns out to be futile since I find her kneeling on the bed, beautiful and naked, with her hair cascading over her perfect breasts.
Slowly making my way to the side of the bed, I drink in the sight of her and can’t help but notice that she’s turned on the light so that I can see her. As soon as my legs touch the edge of the mattress, she rises up on her knees and reaches out for me. I take her hand in mine, and she inches closer, stopping directly in front of me. I sigh at her gentle touch as her hands travel across my chest, coming to rest at the hem of my sweater, seductively lifting it over my head.
When her hands reach the waistband of my button down jeans, she slowly, unbuttons each one, spreading the fly and tugging the waistband down my thighs. I slowly inhale deeply as her hands bury into the elastic band of my briefs getting close to where I want her to touch. Releasing the breath I’ve been holding, she gently strokes me, making my knees weaken. Being the gentleman that I am, I assist by removing the remainder of my clothing.
I shudder and inhale a hiss through my teeth as soon as her mouth covers my needy cock.
"Oh, Jesus … baby … that feels fucking incredible,” I moan, my head falling back. My orgasm is building already and I don’t want that yet. I want to come making love to her so I pull out and cup her face in my hands. “Your warm mouth on me is one of the most pleasurable feelings in the world, but," I say quietly, slowly laying her down while I hover just above her, "I plan on worshipping your body tonight."
Closing the distance between her lips and mine, our tongues meet, and the passion builds between us.
"Matthew," she whispers, breathing heavily, not attempting to hide her desire.
"Shhh," I say against her lips. "Let me please you."
When I hear a shuddering breath escape her, I close my eyes and tuck my face between her neck and shoulder to gain control of my own desire. Under any other circumstances, I would fuck her … hard, but tonight I just want to make love to her.
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