In The Moment

by Alison G. Bailey

  “You’re kidding?”

  “Why is that so hard to believe?”

  “Because I’ve experienced firsthand the spell you cast just by walking in a room. Clayton was ready to propose the first time he laid eyes on you. So the idea that there have been no other girls seems impossible.”

  “Oh, there were other girls.”

  A sharp twinge of jealousy pierced my chest.

  He sat up and grabbed another beer. “You didn’t ask me about other girls. You asked me if I’d been in love.”

  “True.”

  He gave me a nip on the shoulder. “God, you’re cute when you’re jealous.”

  “Pfft, that’s ridiculous. I never said I was jealous.”

  “You didn’t have to. I can see a hint of it in your eyes. That’s a good sign.” He kissed my cheek before reclining back.

  “There’s nothing in my eyes.”

  Since I’d gone this far with my questions, I figured I might as well go all the way.

  I scooted back and turned toward him. “Wouldn’t you rather be on a date with someone who’s better suited for you?”

  His grip around the bottle tightened. “I’m on a date with someone perfectly suited for me.”

  “You could have had your pick of any of the girls at the club the other night. Why me?”

  “Because you’re not like any of the girls at the club.”

  “Well, that’s for damn sure. I’m old enough to be…” I cringed. “…their mother. If I’d been a child bride that is.”

  “Do you want me to list all the reasons why I’m attracted to you?”

  Waving my hands, I said, “No. No. That’s not necessary.” I paused, my gaze bouncing around for a second. “Unless it’s something you feel compelled to do.”

  “You’re smart and funny and sweet. A little awkward. Beautiful. Hot. When I saw you at the end of the bar, I somehow felt you needed me and I knew I needed you. It doesn’t make sense, but that’s how it is.”

  I slipped my hand behind his neck and pulled him closer.

  Brushing my lips against his, I whispered, “It makes sense to me.”

  As the kiss deepened, Luken’s hand moved up my thigh and over my hips, coming to rest on my ribcage. Sinking my fingers into his hair, I felt myself leaning back, pulling him along until he was almost completely on top of me.

  I broke the kiss and tried to catch my breath. “We better control ourselves, or they’ll throw us out.”

  “It’s hard to control myself around you.” He rubbed the tip of his nose along mine.

  My body vibrated. “But you made all these plans and what about the movie?”

  “What movie?”

  Laughing, I shoved him back. “Come on.”

  With his arm draped over my shoulders, I snuggled under the blanket and into Luken’s side as the movie started. For the next two hours, we touched and kissed, each becoming more intense as the evening wore on. For the first time in two years not only was my body feeling sensations but my heart was feeling deeper than I expected, and I was loving it. I decided to get out of my head and stop worrying about the “what ifs”. Luken was helping me find Cadence Fletcher again, and I didn’t want him to stop.

  We rode back to my place in comfortable silence. Luken held my hand practically the entire way, except for a few times when he touched my thigh. When he parked the truck in my driveway, neither of us made a move to get out.

  It had been twelve years since I’d been on a first date and I wasn’t sure of the protocol. Should I ask him up? Was he expecting me to ask him up? If I asked him up would he think I wanted to have sex with him? Not that I didn’t want to have sex with him. I did. Which was very inappropriate and hypocritical of me. I’d been all over the guy for the past four hours. But he needed to know about my diagnosis if we went further, just not tonight. Once I told him, he’d look at me differently and I wasn’t ready for that just yet.

  “Cadence, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, I’m fine. I guess I’m a little tired.”

  “I’ll walk you to your door,” he said before getting out of the truck.

  As he rounded the front, I let out a sigh of relief. He didn’t expect to come in, and I didn’t have to deal with an awkward conversation.

  When we reached my front door, I slid the key in the lock and twisted.

  Turning to face him, I said, “Tonight was incredible. Best I’ve had in a very long time.”

  “So do I get a second shot?”

  “Luken…”

  “Cadence…”

  I hesitated for a moment and then decided to shut my brain off and listen to my heart for a little longer. “Yes.”

  Luken stepped forward, causing me to move back until I was pressed up against the door. His hands tangled in my hair as he devoured my mouth. My legs parted letting his hips push into me as close as possible. I hadn’t been this wet in over two years. Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pulled him harder against me. The friction was exquisite. The deep growls that rumbled from his chest, almost caused me to come right then. This had gotten out of hand fast. Things needed to slow down. Thankfully, Luken broke the kiss.

  Gasping for air, he said, “I’ll see you tomorrow at work.”

  Breathless, I nodded. “Okay.”

  He came in for another kiss, only this time, it was slow, controlled, and hot as hell.

  He took a step back. “I’m going now. I gotta date with a cold shower.”

  He left me laughing as he backed away. But just when I got the strength back in my legs and was about to peel myself off the door, he rushed in for another kiss.

  “Best night of my life,” he whispered against my lips, then finally disappeared.

  I floated all the way into my bedroom. Passing the full-length mirror, I stopped. No longer did I see the chemo ghost hovering in front of me. The only thing reflected back was the glow of happiness.

  MY HEART FLUTTERED when I peeked in the partially opened door and saw him. With a cup of Starbucks in each hand, I nudged the door wider and scanned the conference room making sure it was empty.

  “Good morning!” I winced at the amount of cheer in my voice.

  His eyes lit up when he saw me. “It is now.”

  “I brought you a going away present,” I said, offering him one of the coffees.

  For the past week Luken and I not only spent our days together, but our nights as well, going to dinner, the movies, and concerts in the park. If I had to put a label on it, we were casually dating, I guess. All I knew was I hadn’t felt this happy and excited in years. But today was the final day of training, and I wasn’t quite sure how that would affect our after-hours time. In a strange way being held up in this conference room all day and then going out each night for the past two weeks felt like we’d been living in our own little cocoon. And after today, we’d be heading back into reality.

  “Thank you,” he said, taking the coffee. “You’re here early.”

  “I wanted to have a few minutes alone with you since it’s our last day.”

  “Don’t say that.” There was a bite in his tone.

  “Well, it’s true.”

  With coffee in one hand, he closed the door with the other and walked me backwards until my ass hit the edge of the conference table. Never once taking his eyes off of me, he put down his coffee, grabbed my hips, and sat me on the table. There was barely an inch of space between us.

  “Spend the weekend with me.”

  I had a hard time thinking clearly when he was this close. “I don’t know.”

  “Do you have plans?”

  “No, but…”

  “No buts. Cadence, today might be my last day here, but you and I are just starting.”

  “It seems kind of quick to be going away together. Can I think about it?”

  “We’re done here at noon. If I don’t have an answer by then, I expect a call later.”

  I gave him a slight nod. The tip of his tongue slid over his bottom lip as his gaze
dropped to my mouth. With his hands flat on the table, he leaned in even closer, forcing me back slightly. My hands traveled up his torso feeling every ripple and curve. His lips crashed into mine unapologetically. Opening my legs wider, he stepped in closer, pulling me to the edge of the table. Forgetting who I was and where I was, I allowed a slow deep moan to vibrate from the back of my throat.

  The sounds of a rattling doorknob and voices faded in and out of my awareness. I was so lost in Luken that nothing else was able to penetrate the fog. Suddenly, he broke the kiss which was quickly followed by Clayton’s voice.

  “Oh, Susan! I forgot the surprise I have for you in my office,” he said, blocking the door.

  Luken and I froze, clamping our mouths shut trying to contain our laughter.

  “What surprise?” Susan asked.

  “Now if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

  “Why on earth would you have a surprise for me? It’s not my birthday, and I was under the impression you didn’t even like me.”

  “Lady Gaga! Whatever gave you that idea?”

  Luken and I were both turning red from lack of oxygen.

  “Well, your constant eye rolls whenever you see me are somewhat of an indication.”

  “I have astigmatism. Now come on, let’s get your surprise.”

  As the click of heels faded, I peeked over Luken’s shoulder toward the door to find Clayton’s round face peeking in the room.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “You’re welcome. You owe me. And nice form.”

  Realizing we were still tangled together, Luken and I disengaged from each other.

  “What are you going to do when Susan finds out there’s no surprise?” Luken asked.

  “Honey, don’t worry about that. I’ll tell her Grace confiscated it. A catfight will ensue. It’ll be fabulous. You two have about ten more minutes. Carry on.” He gently closed the door smiling.

  By 4 p.m. I was sitting at my desk and still hadn’t given Luken my answer about the weekend. I assumed when he asked me to spend it with him that included sharing a bed. I wanted to, but my nerves were taking over again. Even though I doubted much had changed in the sex department, the fact was, for the past twelve years I’d only been with one person. And that person was my age. Plus, I hadn’t even broached the subject of my diagnosis yet. I realized I needed to fill him in on the past two years of my life, but everything was going along so smoothly I wanted to enjoy it a little longer. Suddenly, my phone buzzed with a text.

  Luken: Hey, hottie. You busy?

  The corners of my mouth involuntarily curled up.

  Me: No.

  Within a second my cell phone rang.

  “I’ve missed you.” The deep, gravelly voice caused goose bumps to pop up along my arms.

  “It’s nice being missed by you.”

  “That can be fixed with one simple word. Will you spend the weekend with me?”

  God, it would have been so much easier to say no to his invitation via text. Hearing his voice melted all of my resistance.

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.” The excitement in his voice made me laugh.

  “Hold on, buddy. I’m still at the office.”

  “Can’t you duck out early?”

  “Since it’s a Friday, probably.”

  “Text me when you get home, and I’ll come over.”

  “Exactly where are we spending this weekend?”

  “It’s a surprise.”

  “Luken, you have to give me a hint otherwise I won’t know what to pack.”

  “Nothing fancy—shorts, T-shirts. Oh, and don’t forget your bathing suit.”

  “My what?”

  Chuckling, he said, “Bathing suit.”

  “That’s what I thought you said.”

  A few hours later Luken picked me up, remaining closed lipped about our destination. After being in the car for about twenty minutes, it became apparent we were headed toward the wealthy part of town with oceanfront mansions and a private marina.

  “Now would you give me a hint about our final destination?”

  “My home.” He smiled.

  I rolled my eyes and huffed. Then shock and horror hit me. Was he taking me to meet his parents?

  “Um… Luken, please tell me exactly where you’re taking me and if there’s going to be anyone else joining us.”

  He patted my upper thigh. “Just relax.”

  My fingers twisted and untwisted in the hem of my cardigan. If I was about to meet his parents at least I had dressed appropriately in my white maxi dress with turquoise chevron stripes and matching sweater.

  Pulling up to a big ornate black gate, he waved a keycard in front of a panel and open sesame we were in. Luken parked and after helping me out of the truck, grabbed my overnight bag from the backseat. Taking my hand, he tried to pull me forward, but I didn’t budge.

  He stopped abruptly. “Hey, come on?”

  “Be honest with me. Am I about to meet your parents?”

  “That’s what you’ve been sweating about the entire ride over here?”

  “Well, you said we were going to your home, and this area is pretty swanky.”

  “And because of that, you assume I live with my parents?”

  “That and your expensive truck.”

  “Cadence, I don’t live with my parents, and you’re not meeting them this weekend.”

  “Oh, okay. Whew, I was freaking out a little bit.”

  “A little bit.”

  “So are they rich?”

  “Nope. Why do you ask?”

  “I just had no idea being a software trainer paid so well.”

  “It does when you own the company.” He let go of my hand and took off down the dock.

  With my face pinched in confusion I followed. “You own the company?”

  “Yep,” he said, grinning.

  “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “It was all in the information packet.”

  “There was an information packet?”

  “The one I placed by each computer the first day of training.”

  “Oh.” The tiny word was the only thing that pushed through my embarrassment.

  He slapped his hand over his heart. “I’m shocked, appalled, and brokenhearted.”

  As we continued down the dock, I tried to get my head around the face that Luken owned the software company.

  “Here we are! Home sweet home!” He announced.

  Not paying attention, I bumped right into him as he came to a stop. “You live on a boat?”

  “Sure do.”

  I turned my head, and my mouth dropped open. I didn’t know the exact nautical term to describe it, but this was definitely not just a boat. The word yacht came to mind.

  “Now that’s a boat. You’re full of surprises.”

  “Gotta keep you on your toes.” He hopped from the dock to the boat.

  Sliding my hand into his extended one, he helped me onboard.

  Still reeling from shock, I got the grand tour of Luken’s home. Down below was decorated tastefully in navy blues, greens, and creams. The main living area had two built in leather sofas, bookshelves, and a desk along with a large flat screen TV. The kitchen was state of the art with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. He showed me a bathroom and two other small bedrooms before leading me to the master. My breath caught just before entering. I was expecting dirty clothes piled in the corners, an unmade bed, and empty beer cans strewn about. What I got was a beautiful masculine room decorated in earth tones. The long window above the bed let in a ton of natural light coating the room in a warm glow.

  My gaze followed as he placed my overnight bag at the foot of the king-size bed. His bed. Unfazed by the implication, he walked toward me.

  “Let’s head up top. The sunsets over the water are awesome.”

  “Sounds great.”

  We made a quick pit stop in the kitchen for wine and beer before heading up.
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br />   Luken wasn’t exaggerating about the sunsets. The different shades of red, orange, violet, and blue bouncing off the water were awe-inspiring.

  “It’s absolutely gorgeous,” I said.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Glancing over, I saw his gaze fixed on me.

  A prickling sensation spread from my head to my toes as I felt the flush of my cheeks. “You must like to make me blush.”

  “I do.” He ran his thumb over my hot cheek. “Did what’s-his-name make you blush?”

  This was the perfect opening for me to finally tell him about my diagnosis and Michael. I’d put it off long enough.

  I sucked on my bottom lip, dragging my teeth across it as I thought about the right words to use.

  “Michael wasn’t as much of a flirt like you.” Luken’s chest visibly puffed out. “Look, there’s something you should know.”

  “Is this a sit-down thing?”

  “Here is fine.”

  “I’m all ears.”

  “There are many reasons why Michael and I aren’t together, which I won’t bore you with right now.” I hesitated for a moment. “But the main reason is two years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer.”

  I paused, giving the information time to soak in. His body tensed as shock and fear took over his eyes and expression. The beer bottle slipped from his hand into the water.

  “Fuck. Are you okay?” A hint of panic laced his question.

  “I am now. I celebrated my one year anniversary of being cancer free a couple of months ago.”

  A wave of relief washed over him, and his muscles relaxed. He took the wine glass from me and placed it on the ground before scooping me into his arms. He was holding me so tight it was hard to catch a breath.

  “God, the thought of losing you, Cadence…” His voice cracked.

  I wiggled myself free enough to look up at him. “I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.”

  “Did that motherfucker leave you because of this?”

  Taking a step back, I shook my head, and said, “It wasn’t like that. Michael and I had been coasting for a while, but neither of us did anything about it. He stayed by my side all through my treatments. We tried, but by that time we both knew it was time to say goodbye.”