“Sorry, guys, not this time. Just know we had a great time and I’m going to see him again, okay?”
“Okay, sweetie. We get it,” Jane said, patting her hand.
“Okay? That was lame as fuck. Maybe we’ll get further with Ian’s new little girlfriend,” Charlie said, looking at Katrine.
“What?” Katrine asked obtusely.
“Don’t what me. You know what,” Charlie said, pointing at her with her fork. “You know him best and he must have confided in you. Come on, don’t leave us hanging like Mads did.”
“Well, he only told me that she’s an interior designer and her uncle is Ian’s boss. She seemed really nice and he seemed to like her.”
Crap, why did I use past tense?
“Seemed to like her as in no longer does, or you’re not sure?” Paige inquired.
Katrine sat quietly, not sure how to answer.
“Trine, spill it. You know something, it’s written all over your face,” Izzie pushed. Katrine looked at Maddie, who just shrugged her shoulders. She was getting no help from that corner.
“Seemed as in they’re no longer dating.,” Katrine said.
Okay, that should do it…
“Aaaaaaand?… If it was just that, you wouldn’t be acting so cryptic. Oh MY GOD, did you two finally get together?” Charlie gasped. The rest of the girls were wide-eyed and expectant.
Damn Charlie and her psychotic, I mean psychic tendencies…
Katrine took a healthy drink. “Don’t get all excited, but yes, we may have crossed into more than a friend territory. We are taking it very slow, so don’t start planning my engagement party just yet. I know you, Jane, quit it!” Jane grinned sheepishly. That was exactly where her mind was going.
“Did you guys sleep together?” Paige asked. Of course that was what they were all wondering.
“No, just a little heavy petting,. I’m definitely not rushing into the physical this time. I’ve learned my lesson.”
“Don’t let him ruin your chances of something great. We all love Ian, he’s such a good guy and he adores you,” Izzie said. That was high praise coming from her. She didn’t compliment any guy very often. Only superficial things like “he was hot” or “he went down on me like a kamikaze. He was on a mission and didn’t care if he came out alive.” Direct quote.
“Guys, this is exactly why I was hesitant to tell you anything. Please, no pressure, in case we decide to just be friends.”
“You mean, if you decide,” Maddie added.
“Okay, if I decide to just be friends, then I don’t want you guys giving me a hard time. With that said, my feelings have been changing for him over the past month or so. And when he started dating someone, I don’t know, it changed something in me. I didn’t want him with anyone else. I felt jealous and that isn’t something you feel when it’s just a friend. So anyway, there it is.”
“Well, whatever it is, we’re glad you’re taking a chance again. It’s about time,.” Jane smiled and lifted her glass. They all clinked in the middle and Katrine felt relieved that the big announcement was done and wasn’t as bad as she though it would be.
Teddy and Katrine spent her birthday celebration going to the movies and then picking up dinner from their favorite pizza joint. After devouring the cheesy goodness, Teddy brought in a gift. He’d glued some of the shells he had collected at the beach last summer onto a frame. Inside was a picture of the two of them on the slopes of New Mexico. They were clad in their winter gear complete with large goggles, arms around each other. That was a wonderful day. Katrine blinked away tears when she pulled it from the bright purple bag.
“Teddy, it’s beautiful,. I think it’s my favorite present I’ve ever gotten. I love that we’re cold in the picture but the frame says summer.”
“Grams helped me glue the shells and I emailed Maddie the picture. She got it printed for me. But I paid for the picture and the frame, with my own money, I promise.” She hugged him with all of her might. “How did I get so lucky?”
He brought out a small chocolate covered cupcake with a candle stuck into the icing. He handed Katrine the lighter.
“Here, you better light it. Unless I’m old enough to play with fire now.”
“Very funny. You’ll never be old enough.” She lit the candle, Teddy sang off key, and she closed her eyes. A soft puff and the candle went out, the room engulfed in darkness. She felt his not so little arms around her shoulders.
“Momma, I hope all your dreams come true. You deserve it more than anyone.”
Tears flooded her eyes. “Baby, you’re my dream come true and this is the best birthday ever.”
What to wear, what to wear? This is kind of a big deal, right?
But only if I make it one, right? Right!
I’m cool as a cucumber baby! Okay, maybe more like a luke-warm soup.
She wanted to look fantastic. One, she was now on the wrong side of 35, and two, it was their first date. Not counting the one last summer, but that seemed like another lifetime ago. No, she wasn’t counting that. Then she saw it, snug in the back of her closet, with the price tags still attached. It was red, fitted, and totally sexy. But would it be too much?
“Why the hell not?”
The dress fell just below her knees. It was sleeve-less with a high square neck. The material was soft and very thin. The deep red complimented her coloring, or lack there of. She decided on red slingback high heels and gold mesh earrings. She had a gold cuff that would look perfect. Hair up, with some soft, straight pieces loose on the side. She gave herself the ol’ once over and survey said…hottie.
They sat at a small table by the window, overlooking the lake. White linen contrasted the industrial interior of the restaurant. Boathouse was new, hip, and impossible to get a table. Ian had designed it, hence their prime table location. Katrine had heard amazing things about this place. Kelly Roy, the chef and owner, had spent the last ten years as sous chef for one of the best in NYC. She had since come back home and opened her own place. She wanted to combine innovative with southern favorites. The menu was eclectic and exciting.
“Have you decided yet? You’re gonna need like twenty more minutes, aren’t you?” Ian teased.
“I’m sorry, I can’t seem to make up my mind. I have narrowed it down to three, though.” She smiled at him and took a sip of her wine.
“Kelly has put together some special starters for us, so you have plenty of time. By the way, did I tell you how extraordinarily beautiful you look?” He grinned and a dark curl fell over his eye. He casually pushed it back and grabbed her hand.
“Only about ten times, but I’ve gotta say, it never gets old.” She smiled. “Ian, this place is amazing. You are so talented, but we knew this already.”
“Thank you. I’m pretty proud of it. Very rarely am I given free rein and this was one of those occasions.”
The owner came to the table just as a plate with bite-sized morsels was delivered. Paper-thin ahi tuna over diminutive slices of watermelon, mozzarella and basil with a drizzle of a balsamic reduction, and sliced asparagus over squares of sweet potato tempura with a light habanero cream sauce. Veronica gave them recommendations for their main courses. Katrine decided on salmon with a miso ginger glaze served with mashed buttered turnips and sauteed spinach. Ian ordered short ribs marinated in bourbon and coffee. It came with potato pancakes and broccolini. Everything was delicious. Katrine had to close her eyes with almost every single bite.
“I love to watch you eat,” Ian said, brushing his thumb tenderly over the inside of her wrist. She grinned shyly. That wasn’t the first time she’d heard that. She pushed that thought away and looked into his gorgeous face. The dark wavy hair, the ocean blue eyes, the full lips. And that fantastic tongue.
Yes, that’s better. Focus on the greatness in front of you.
“Can I give you your present now or do you want it later?”
“I thought dinner was my present. You didn’t have to get me anything else.”
&nbs
p; But since you already did…
“Of course I did. But since I left the bag in the car, I guess I’ll give it to you when we leave, sorry about that.”
“Please don’t apologize. I can wait thirty minutes,” she said with nonchalance before sipping her wine.
Whadya get me? Whadya get me?
“I meant to give it to you here. I thought that would be more romantic than in my jeep.” Katrine grabbed his hand. “Ian, the fact that you even think about those things makes you romantic. Really, I’ll love it whether it’s delivered in a restaurant or in your car, okay?” He smiled, seeming convinced that she wasn’t let down. But now the wheels in her brain were doing some serious turning.
Why does he need a romantic setting? I hope he didn’t do something crazy.
Oh god what if he did?
“Katrine, stop. I can tell you’re in over-thinking mode. Don’t worry, okay?” She smiled, he knew her way too well. She needed to get some new moves if she was going to keep him on his toes. The chef came by one last time and they gushed about the meal, which had been superb. They thanked her profusely and then decided to leave. Ian pulled out Katrine’s chair and helped her with her coat. After he pulled the coat onto her shoulders, he snuck his hands inside and grabbed her waist with gentle hands. He dragged them back and buttoned her coat. Not once did he drop his gaze from her face. To the bystander it would seem casual, but it was an intimate moment that had her heart racing. Her stomach would be flip-flopping, if it wasn’t so full of food. They clasped their fingers and left.
They pulled in front of Katrine’s place and Ian turned off the car. “Since Teddy isn’t home, would you like to come up?”
“I would. Then I can give you your gift.”
“Oh yah, I totally forgot about that.” Katrine shrugged and smiled at him.
“Please, I know how much you like presents, so just quit with the act, I’m onto you.” He smiled.
“I don’t think this is going to work out. You know me too well and it totally prevents me from pulling the wool over your eyes, not fair.”
“Oh, I’ll pull your wool.” He gave her a sideways glance.
“You did not just say that!” She pushed his shoulder, but couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re a pervert.” She jumped out of the car and waited for him on the curb. He was reaching for a box in the back seat. She loved that he wrapped it and it had a beautiful orange bow, her favorite color. He knew that, too. Ian was so observant for a guy.
It still took her by surprise.
Chapter 11
She poured them each a glass of wine and got comfortable on the couch. Ian put the box in Katrine’s lap and kissed her on the cheek. “Happy birthday,” he whispered into her ear. And then the shivers, sweet shivers. She loved when he did that.
She held the present for a moment. It was a perfect square and was very light.
Should I go dainty or pit bull on this sucker?
She decided to go dainty on the bright orange bow and pit bull on the wrapping paper. Ian laughed at her enthusiastic ripping. Under a mound of white tissue was an envelope.
Hmmm.
She opened the envelope gently and studied the contents. She didn’t respond and Ian sensed her unease.
“Don’t read into this, I’m not expecting anything. I was planning on doing this even before we decided to try for more. Look at the date, Katie-Mac.” She grinned at the sound of his occasional nick-name for her. No one ever used her last name, it had always been Trine. Well, if you didn’t count Nelson Caselle who sat behind her in Mrs.White’s fourth grade class. He called her Big Mac, which was kind of funny considering she was the smallest one in the class.
She did as he asked and furrowed her brow. Why did that date look familiar and then it dawned on her.
“This is the weekend of David’s wedding.”
“I knew it would be hard for you. And with Teddy gone the whole week, I thought you might need a little vacation of your own.”
Katrine was touched beyond words and her eyes misted a bit. Two tickets to Mexico.
“Ian, it’s too much, I can’t believe you did this.” She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. “Thank you.”
“I haven’t booked the rooms yet. I wanted to see what you thought. I can reserve two separate ones or we can even invite some of the girls. Like I said, I wasn’t expecting anything. But, if you wanted to thank me with that smokin’ hot body of yours, you won’t hear me complaining.” The seductive sound in his voice and the look in his eye made her lady parts clench. She had never heard him talk that way. She liked it.
“Also, I have an intimate resort in mind on the Riviera Maya. They assured me no spring breakers. What do you say?”
“Ian, I can only say that I would love to go with you and only you. And as for the bedroom count, one, please.” One hand cupped her cheek and the other hand knocked the box onto the floor. He used both hands to grab her around the waist and pulled her so she was straddling his lap. They hadn’t kissed yet, her lips just hovered over his. She could feel the hardness of him between her legs and she couldn’t help but thrust into him. He groaned a little and then crushed her lips with his own. Their tongues tangled immediately and the thrusting became a little harder and a little faster. Ian had her hips in a tight grip as he moved her into him. He was moving into her as well. No clothes had been removed at this point, just devouring each other’s mouths and grinding into each other’s bodies. Katrine pulled his shirt out of his pants and ran her hands up his deliciously toned stomach. Ian took her cue and ran his hands over her tight dress that had ridden up around her hips. He cupped her over the fabric and kissed the skin exposed above her neckline. Her head fell back and she knew she was going to come, right here, fully clothed, like a teenager on their parents’ couch. She moaned and rode him harder. When Ian started rubbing the wet material of her panties it pushed her over, hard. She put her head on his shoulder, attempting to catch her breath.
“Sorry, it’s been a while,” she admitted sheepishly.
“Never apologize for enjoying yourself. I know I did.” His voice was deep and his breath labored.
“But you didn’t finish, that’s not fair,”
“I enjoyed myself plenty, don’t worry about me.” She did worry, so she did something spontaneous and bold. She kissed his lips softly as she un-zipped his pants.
Staring at the ceiling the next morning, Katrine started to second guess. She was swept up in the moment when she agreed to go on the trip. And to add insult to compulsion, she said they should stay in the same room.
How stupid would it be to stay in separate rooms? Don’t be a prude.
She was pretty sure she wanted to sleep with him, okay, last night she really wanted to. Once again the heavy mug down was kept as such. Although it got pretty intense, they both seemed to be on the same page about waiting a bit for the sex part. Did the trip together mean they had to sleep together? No, Ian wasn’t like that, but why the hell not? Two adults who obviously had great chemistry and a mutual attraction.
But sex was a big deal. They could come back from heavy petting, but if sex was thrown into the mix it would be harder to go back to friendship if this didn’t work out.
Come on! There are worse things than going to a tropical resort with a gorgeous guy. Not to mention we have a great time together.
Win, win.
She got into a hot shower and as she scrubbed, she decided no expectations and no pressure. If they felt like doing it, then great. If not, then fine, there are other things they could do. He had very good hands and his talented tongue was so good in her mouth, she thought about it in other places. Her nipples hardened just thinking about it.
“Might need to break out Buzz before breakfast.” That’s what she called her battery powered bed buddy. After a little roll in the hay with ol’ Buzz she made her way into the kitchen for some much needed caffeine and a quick breakfast. She also wanted to clean the house before Teddy got home. Katrine docked he
r iPod into the stereo and got busy. Katrine was emptying the dishwasher when “Hypnotize” came on.
“Aww yeah!” Her hips started to move and she started getting down with herself. The wooden spoon she was holding was now between each hand, long-ways. She put the spoon above her head and broke it down a little more. Closing the dishwasher, she made her way out into the living room, where she continued to dance and rap along with Biggie. If anyone saw her rapping and spanking the air, she would never her the end of it. It wasn’t the music, but the fact that she knew all of the words by heart and was grinding like a stripper on a pole.
Ahhh the beauty of alone time.
As the song finished, she did a Nestea plunge onto her soft couch. She was breathing pretty hard. Dancing around like a music video reject was great cardio.
She made her way into the office after a particularly boring lecture. Katrine became well acquainted with the back of her eyelids every time Dr. Darwin opened his mouth. She started to wonder if she really wanted to spend another year or so stuck in lecture. But it wasn’t like every day was going to be stimulating and exciting. Had any day? A few, and this was the class she liked.
Keep a positive attitude and everything will be all right. And if you get a kick ass promotion without the MBA, then even better!
She walked towards reception and Jaimie flagged her down. Her lips were fully glossed as usual and her hair curled tightly.
“Hey, Katrine, how was your birthday weekend?”
“It was very nice, thank you,” she said in a dreamy voice. She realized her mistake and straightened her back, trying to play it off.
“Oh my gosh, did you have a date?”
Too late, damn it.
“I had dinner with my son and then dinner with a good friend on Saturday.”
“I know you went out with your girlfriends on Thursday, so I think your friend from Saturday night is a guy. I’d know that dreamy voice anywhere. Come on, you can tell me.”
Resilient (Rebound Book 2) Page 9