Not Through Loving You

by Patricia Preston

  He smiled. He loved for her to sing to him, and as she sang about dreams coming true, he glanced at the picture of himself holding John Aaron. The baby was a dream come true, and so was the woman in his arms. He sensed a shift in her as she slid her hand from his and roped both of her arms around his neck as they swayed to the music. Desire mounted inside her. He heard it in her sighs, felt it in her grip on his shoulders and in the restrained movements of her body. His senses were attuned to hers. Instinctively, he knew her heart was rushing blood to her thighs and she needed her mate.

  “We should call it a night,” he murmured, and she nodded with enthusiasm. He shut off the light in the nursery as they headed across the hall to their bedroom.

  An hour later, they were in bed, but they hadn’t called it a night. Twisted sheets hung off the mattress, and moonlight streamed over his woman as she sat astride him. To him, she was perfection in every way that mattered. He drank in the sight of her long hair floating over the fullness of her breasts, the rock of her hips and the stretch of her slim arms as she gripped his shoulders. He loved how she flushed when they made love.

  She was the woman of his fantasies. He pressed his hands against her thighs. On the outside, her skin was soft and smooth to the touch. Inside, she was heaven. Scorching hot and soaking wet. He could barely contain himself as he experienced all the little private details that made her his.

  Aaron pulled her to him. They sprawled on the mattress together. He could not get close enough or deep enough or intimate enough as their bodies melded together.

  A familiar, punishing ache throbbed through his body, and he groaned as she dug her fingertips into his shoulders. He felt the sweet shudder deep in her womb and heard a soft sob escape her lips.

  At that moment, he lost it. Physically and emotionally. His orgasm in itself was the pinnacle of male satisfaction. Nothing ever matched it. He lifted his head to look at Lia and thought of all the times he had experienced a climax with various women. Roll them all into one and it wouldn’t compare to being with her. Pleasure and love were such a potent combination that he hoped he never had to live without either again.

  The next morning, as the shower sprayed warm water over him and Lia, he said, “Sing to me.” Nothing like having a woman sing to you in the shower.

  Standing behind him, she rubbed a bath sponge over his back. “Hmm.” She hummed a little bit and started out with a roadhouse slant to her voice. “Since you left, darling, all I can do is dream of the days when I washed your back,” she sang with a twang. “I can’t believe we’re through. My tears pour down while you’re running ’round with every slut in town.”

  “Shit,” he remarked, and she started laughing as she squeezed more body wash on the sponge.

  “You want something with a little more romance?” She patted his shoulders with the sponge and started singing off the top of her head. “I wasn’t looking for love when I met the baby doctor.”

  Aaron groaned, and she continued. “I’d never seen a man so fine. I just knew in my heart I had to make that doctor mine.” She gave his belly a playful slap with the sponge.

  He shifted toward her and took the sponge from her. “I like that one better.”

  “Do you?” She leaned against the shower wall, looking sexy and mischievous and almost more than he could resist.

  The pounding water washed away the soap the sponge left behind as he brushed the sponge over her breasts. Inhaling the crisp scent of the citrus body wash, he pushed her wet hair from her face and kissed her. She gripped his shoulders, looking up at him from beneath her lashes while he ran the sponge over her hips and between her legs.

  She gave him a naughty smile as she squirmed, and his body responded to what it perceived as female readiness. He tossed the sponge in the plastic shower basket and pulled her close.

  “Look who’s up early,” she said, glancing down at his erect penis.

  “It’s all the wiggling around you do. It attracts him.”

  “Sorta like a worm on a hook and a big fish.”

  He had to think about that for a second. “Yeah, I guess.”

  “You notice I didn’t say minnow.” She threw back her head and laughed. Her wet hair spilled across his arm. Then she gripped the back of his neck and gave him a deep kiss while she wiggled against him some more. He clutched her back as her tongue stroked his. Damn, he loved how she kissed. Suddenly, he was in the mood. He pinned her against the tile wall and reached for her hips.

  She pulled her mouth from his and let out a dramatic sigh. “Oh.” She pressed her mouth against the prickly stubble on his jaw. “Oh, Cole!”

  He froze, and she let out a lively chuckle. “I couldn’t resist that.”

  “Aren’t you in a teasing mood this morning? Don’t worry. I’ll pay you back.”

  She shook her head as the steam rose around them. “You told me I could call you that.”

  “I did not.”

  “Yes, you did.” She lifted her head, her smile wide. “The first time. Remember? You said I could call you Cole.”

  “At the time, I would have said anything,” he remarked. “I take it back now.”

  “You can’t take it back.” With her hands spread on his chest, she said, “We have a lot to do today, so we need to make this fast.”

  “Okay, Loretta.” He chose the name of the first female country singer that came to his mind. “Quickie, it is.”

  “Loretta? Are you talking about Loretta Lynn?”

  He adjusted the showerhead so the water wasn’t pouring directly on them. “We don’t have time for talking.”

  “All right, Cole. Let’s see whatcha got.”

  Chapter 13

  “I smell bacon.” Stevie walked into the kitchen where Aaron and Lia were making breakfast. Aaron was frying bacon at the stainless steel stove. Lia stood at the kitchen island, getting pancake batter ready. Stevie grinned. “How domestic.”

  Aaron just shook his head, and Lia smiled at Stevie, who had on jeans and a black tee. Other than the shape of their noses, he and Aaron didn’t resemble one another at all; their personalities were completely different as well.

  “Do you like pancakes?” she asked Stevie.

  “Honey, I love pancakes.” He sidled up beside her. “I like plenty of syrup, too.”

  “We have plenty of syrup.” She indicated the bottle of unopened maple syrup on the island.

  He cut his wide brown eyes toward her. “Can you heat mine up?”

  She burst into laughter. There was something just so bad about everything he said that she found him hilarious. “It’s not cold.”

  He lowered his voice. “Can you heat up it anyway?”

  “Stevie.” Aaron turned from the stove. “Make yourself useful. Peel the oranges.”

  “Bro, you’re a slave driver.” Stevie pulled up a stool to the island. “Paint the rooms. Pick up all the junk. Peel the oranges. Where’s Dad?”

  “He’s gone to Cherokee Sam’s to meet his buddies for coffee.”

  Lia chuckled as she carried the pancake batter over to the stove. Aaron grinned at her. “Loretta, is your giggle box turned over this morning or what?”

  She looked into his sexy blue eyes. It was more than just her giggle box turned over. It was like joy had spilled out inside her, and she felt like she was on top of the world. Everything just made her smile. Especially him. He bent and gave her a kiss.

  “There’s a child present,” Stevie announced. “No getting frisky in the kitchen.”

  “Close your eyes,” Aaron said as he moved the cooked bacon off the stove.

  “Are you going to call Miss Pauline today?” Lia asked. Of the three women they had interviewed, Pauline Holloway was the one they both liked the best. Miss Pauline was seventy and had raised four children; plus she had twenty years of experience working in pediatrics. She was soft-spoken and appeared to have an even temperament and an innate kindness about her.

  “I think she’s the best choice,” Aaron said. “I’m goi
ng to check with Dr. Ramsey today.” Miss Pauline had listed the doctor as a past employer and a reference.

  “Are you talking about the nanny?” Stevie asked.

  “Yeah,” Aaron answered as he moved the bacon pan out of the way and Lia heated up a griddle for the pancakes. “We’ve decided on Miss Pauline.”

  “That’s the one with the round face.” Stevie set aside a peeled orange.

  Aaron shrugged and turned to Lia. “Does she have a round face?”

  “I don’t remember.” Lia tried to picture Miss Pauline, who was a little overweight and had lovely short platinum hair. “She looked very nice.”

  “Just tell Dad you hired the one with the round face.” Stevie started peeling another orange. “That’ll make him happy.”

  “Okay,” Lia replied. She poured pancake batter onto the griddle. “Seriously, Stevie, how many do you want?”

  “Three is good.”

  “Three it is.”

  They decided to have breakfast outside at the umbrella table on the deck. Carrying a glass of orange juice and her breakfast plate, Lia chose the sunny side of the table that offered a nice view of the blooming crepe myrtle that grew beside the corner of the house. Aaron sat opposite her in the shade of that crepe myrtle, his back facing the rear of the house.

  Stevie sighed as he put his plate of pancakes, drenched in syrup, and a glass of juice on the table beside Lia. He moved the spare chair so it touched hers and sat down. “Bro, this is how you have breakfast with your girl.” He waved his hand. “For starters, you don’t sit way over there.”

  Lia laughed as Stevie turned to her. “I’m trying,” he said. “He’s got no women skills.”

  “I know,” she agreed.

  Aaron made a face at them and took a drink of his orange juice.

  “You want to show him how it’s done?” Stevie winked, and she nodded. Silly was her thing this morning.

  With his chair against hers, he draped his arm over her shoulders. “Honey, this is the first day of the rest of our lives.”

  “I’m so thrilled.” She batted her lashes, and he tapped his cheek. “Oh.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  “I’m having to teach her, too.” Stevie tightened his arm around her shoulders. “Heads together.” He leaned his head toward her and she leaned toward him so the sides of their foreheads touched. Lia pressed her hand against his chest. “She’s getting the hang of it.”

  Aaron just grinned and kept eating his breakfast as Stevie held up his phone.

  “You have to take selfies of all the once-in-a-lifetime moments.” Stevie began taking selfies of the two of them, cheek to cheek. “Aren’t we cute?”

  “We are.” Lia smiled as the camera in Stevie’s phone snapped. “Maybe we should eat.”

  “Feed me, baby,” Stevie said in a husky voice, still taking pictures.

  Lia struggled to keep a straight face as she cut into the pancakes on her plate.

  “No, from my plate. You don’t have enough syrup on yours.”

  “Sorry.” She picked up his fork and speared a slice from the stack on his plate. “Goodness, they’re so soggy, they’re dripping.” The pancakes sagged on the fork, and she held one hand under the fork as she rushed it toward Stevie’s mouth as he took a picture.

  Aaron let out a cackle as she shoved the pancakes in Stevie’s mouth.

  “Jesus,” Stevie muttered, suddenly choking.

  “Here.” She grabbed his glass of juice, and he slugged it down. She offered him hers, but he refused. “I’m okay.”

  Laughing, she dropped her head on his shoulder.

  “Honey, maybe the feeding part’s not a good idea.” He rested his cheek on her head, and they took another selfie.

  “I think we need to feed ourselves, sweetheart.” She stroked his hair. “You know, maybe I can make it up to you later.”

  “Look at you, girl. Catching on just like that.” Stevie pointed at Aaron. “Are you paying attention? We got skills going on here.”

  Aaron gave his crazy brother a bored glance. “Why don’t you use your skills to eat?”

  Before Stevie picked up his fork, he spoke to Lia. “If you wanna make it up to me, you could let me take a drive in your Jag.”

  “All right. Can I drive your truck?” She was ready for a change.

  “Seriously?” Stevie yanked the keys to his truck out of his pocket and put them in her hand.

  “Wait,” Aaron cut in. “Stevie, you’ve got no business driving that Jag.”

  “Hey, I will take care of that car like it’s my baby. I won’t get a scratch on it. I’ll even wash and wax it until it’s so slick a fly couldn’t land on it.”

  “Lia.” Aaron looked to Lia for support.

  “I don’t mind him driving the car,” she said as she ate. “I hate the way guys hang around it, looking at it. Especially here. I’ve never had that problem in Nashville.”

  “You mean those guys at the hotel that night?” Aaron asked.

  “I know why they hang around it,” Stevie put in.

  “The guys yesterday,” Lia answered Aaron. “After lunch, there were a couple of guys hovering, and I had this bad feeling about them. But they didn’t do anything. They just told me they liked the car, and then they left.”

  “Stevie,” Aaron said. “Take the Jag.”

  Lia fetched her keys and gave them to Stevie. “A red Jag!” He looked like a little kid on Christmas morning. “This is the most awesome thing ever.”

  “Don’t end up with a bunch of speeding tickets,” Aaron warned him.

  “Come on,” Lia said. “I’ll show you some things like how to turn the security system on and off and how to use the computer stuff.”

  She and Stevie walked across the driveway to where the Jaguar was parked. Its sleek curves gleamed bright red and seductive in the sunlight. Lia had been with Dallas the day he bought the car because he was in the mood for a red car.

  “You know, this car is like an orgasm on wheels. That’s why those guys are looking at it,” Stevie told her. “They’re getting off on it.”

  Lia grimaced. “No way.”

  “Yeah. Men have a relationship with cars. Kinda like with women but different.” He paused, and a serious expression came over his face. “Speaking of relationships, my big brother hasn’t been in one in a long time. Be good to him.”

  “I will. Always,” she promised. A part of her wished she and Candace had shared a relationship like Aaron and Stevie, who loved and looked out for each other regardless.

  “Be careful,” she told Stevie. “Don’t drive too fast, okay?”

  Stevie grinned. “Now you sound like a big sister.” Then he gave her an inquisitive look. “Maybe someday?”

  She shrugged. “You never know.”

  As Stevie drove away in the Jag, she walked toward the deck. Someday. The implication of the word was that sometime in the future she would be a part of Aaron’s family.

  Nevertheless, as she walked in the morning sunshine, deep in her heart she sensed the fragility of this new affair. She had written songs about love gone wrong. She heard it in his sigh. Love’s whispering good-bye.

  She had even written a verse about love being a stack of faded pictures stored in an old heart-shaped candy box. Almost like Aaron’s shoebox of hurt. But her breakup songs were just that—songs. She didn’t have a box full of old memories that had been hidden away for years because she had yet to deal with the end of a relationship.

  She and Dallas were unfinished. There was one final thing to do. Their farewell. Both privately and publicly. The thought created sadness inside her, along with anxiety about how she would cope when it was all said and done.

  “We may never see Stevie again,” she said as she stepped up on the deck. Aaron sat at the table with a cup of coffee in hand and his laptop.

  “True,” he replied. “The housekeeping service is supposed to arrive at ten.”

  “I’ll be here.” They had agreed she would be at the house when t
he housekeeping service arrived to give the house a thorough cleaning before the home study provider arrived tomorrow.

  He looked at his appointment screen. “I’ve got to stop by the cleaners and pick up my suit for tomorrow. And go meet with Miss Pauline at lunch. Go to the clinic and sign off on some paperwork and stuff. A pediatric staff dinner at five and go see John.” He stopped a moment. “I probably should stop by Maury’s office and see if there’s anything else I need to do before the home study tomorrow.”

  Standing beside his chair, she bent and gave him a kiss on the head. “Everything’s going to be fine. You’ll pass that home study with flying colors.”

  “I’ll just be glad to get it over with.”

  “Me, too,” she said. “I need some coffee.”

  In the kitchen, she took a coffee mug out of the cabinet, and while she was looking in the fridge for creamer, Aaron joined her. He poured himself a refill.

  He took a sip and said, “I think you should get rid of the Jaguar. We can get you another car. An SUV would be a good choice. Plenty of room for baby stuff.”

  “Yeah.” She smiled. “I’m taking the Jag home next week. Actually, it belongs to Dallas. He bought it on a whim and then gave it to me to drive when he got tired of it.”

  Aaron sat on a stool at the island, cradling his cup of coffee. “I’ve been thinking. Instead of going back to Nashville next weekend, why don’t you have your father come here? We can all spend some time together and get to know each other. John Aaron will be home by then. Your dad can see the baby, and you can break the news to him about Dallas.”

  “No.” The word came out sharp, more so than she intended. She put the coffee pot down without pouring any into her cup. “My father doesn’t know anything about the baby. He doesn’t even know I’m in Lafayette Falls.”

  Surprise was followed by a frown on Aaron’s face. “What do you mean he doesn’t know about the baby or that you’re here?”

  “I haven’t told him,” she answered. “He and his girlfriend, Sheila, are in Europe with a couple of new groups on their first overseas tour.”

  “Okay, but surely you’re in communication with him.”