Begin to Begin

by Brown,A. S.

  “Damn dude. You are a lucky, lucky man,” he mutters.

  I elbow him to shut him up. “Let’s hope that lucky streak stays strong after tonight,” I say under my breath.

  “Huh?” Liam looks at me, not sure if he heard me right or not.

  Marin rushes over to us and throws her arms around me in the tightest hug she can give, and I can’t help but lean down and give her a light kiss on the corner of her mouth.

  “Hey,” she says, looking up into my eyes. I reach down and brush a stray curl from her face.

  “Hi. So I hear you’re gonna put us to work?”

  She laughs and pulls me toward the back and Liam follows behind us.

  “Let’s go introduce Liam to Amelia and Joey first and then you can get started.”

  Liam is quiet as he takes the store in.

  “Amelia and Joey, this is Liam. He works with Dalton at the garage.”

  They shake hands and say their hellos, but as usual, Amelia eyes him up with caution. Her fierce protective nature for Marin is annoying at times but it’s also endearing.

  I don’t doubt that she will hate me after tonight. When she finds out who I am and what I did. It won’t matter if Marin will forgive me. Amelia won’t let me within a one-mile radius of her.

  Lights in hand, we are directed to where Marin wants us to hang them around the entrance area. Marin, Amelia, and Joey have cleared out the bulky furniture that is normally in here to make space for people. The counter where the register sits is set up as the food area. She instructs us to add lights to that area as well.

  We decorate and move stuff around as we are directed over the next hour, making small talk along the way. Liam seems to get along with Joey well. But Liam is much more outgoing than I am. The guy could sell ice to an Eskimo. He drives me crazy more times than not but there’s no denying that he’s an extremely charismatic guy. I prefer to call him a turd.

  Around 6:15, the caterer arrives with the food. Marin continues to guide everyone to where they need to put things, gently but with authority. You can definitely tell who is running this show and I stand back for a few moments and smile. The woman knows how to get things done.

  How did I get lucky enough to find a woman like her? The total package, as they say. Brains and beauty and so much more. She’s everything I never knew I needed.

  Marin

  “Lord, Marin, he can’t take his eyes off of you. I’m surprised he’s able to get anything done.”

  Amelia has been helping me with the floral arrangements in the back corner of the store foyer, and of course, she can’t help but notice Dalton’s eyes on me. Hell, you’d be a fool not to notice them. Those emerald eyes were one of the first things that drew me in.

  “Stop staring at him, Amelia. I’m sure you are making him feel uncomfortable,” I scold.

  “Well, maybe he’s making me uncomfortable. He looks like he wants to lick you or something.”

  I smirk at her. “Well, maybe he does.”

  “Marin!” she yells and all eyes turn to us now.

  “Everything OK over there, ladies?” Joey asks.

  “Yes, Marin is just being naughty,” Amelia yells back to Joey as we erupt in a fit of laughter. He shakes his head then goes back to helping the guys.

  She picks a wilted petal off one of the white roses that I bought and shoves it into the vase. “Seriously though, Marin, I’m glad he makes you happy.”

  “Yeah, who would have thought,” I say and I grab the vase to carry over to the checkout counter.

  “Marin, wait,” Amelia calls, a sad smile graces her lips. “I know I have been unsure about him but he seems to want nothing more than to be with you, to make you smile, to be your world. I want that for you. You deserve happiness more than anyone I know.”

  “Thanks, Am.”

  “You got it, babe.” She winks.

  As I walk to the counter with the vase of flowers in my hand, my eyes lock with Dalton’s. There is an intensity in them that I don’t remember seeing before. It’s like nothing else in this world matters but me. It shakes me right down to my core. Reaching out, he takes the floral arrangement from me and places it on the counter. He pulls me into his arms and wraps me up and holds me close.

  He leans his head down to my ear, lips brushing my cheek. Then he whispers, “You know you light up this room more than these twinkling lights, right?”

  A blush creeps onto my cheeks as I look up into his eyes, seeing clearly that this isn’t a cheesy pickup line. I can see clearly that he means every word he speaks.

  “Come home with me tonight, Dalton.” I have no idea why those words formed on my lips but I know I want this. I want him.

  “Are you sure? I would never pressure you for anything, you know that, right?”

  “I know. You’re a good man, Dalton. Sometimes I wonder how someone as good as you can possibly exist.”

  “I’m not, Marin. I’m just a man. A man that’s not had the best past. A man that has done bad things and is trying to purge them from my life so they don’t hurt anyone else. A man that is falling in love with a girl that’s way too good for him.”

  It may be cliché but my heart quite literally skipped a beat. I swallow the thickness in my throat. Holding back the tears because even though I feel it too, I can’t admit it yet.

  He places a finger under my chin and lifts my face up to meet his. He places a small kiss on lips. As he pulls away, he whispers, “So damn perfect.”

  “OK, you two lovebirds. There is work to be done!” Amelia yells from across the room.

  Dalton smiles against my lips and I, of course, smile back against his. I start to back away from him and mouth the word “tonight”. This time, I swear that I see him blush.

  ******

  The rest of the time before the party is spent busy and with limited chit-chat. But thirty minutes before the party, I take the time to look around and realize that we did a damn good job if I do say so myself.

  Lights twinkle all throughout the store. The guys really outdid themselves. They are strung around the doorways and around the entire perimeter of the store. Even back in the stacks where the party isn’t taking place. The store has been completely transformed.

  “Oh, my goodness, you guys. This place looks incredible.”

  Joey throws his arm around me. “You didn’t know we were party planners and decorators, did you,” he says with a smirk. I poke him in the side and smile up at him.

  “OK, let’s get ready and in place. People should be arriving any minute and then before you know it, Cole and Gwenn will be here.”

  We all shuffle around. Amelia grabbing the trash that still lingers from our decorating, Joey walking back through the stacks to make sure nothing is needed back there, and Dalton and Liam linger up front, not sure what to do. So I head up there with them.

  “I really appreciate your help, guys.”

  “Hey, no problem. It was actually fun,” Liam says with a smirk. “Who would have thought?”

  “Yep! Decorating isn’t just for girls!” I say with a wink.

  The bell behind us rings and three girls walk in. I recognize them immediately as Gwenn’s friends.

  They all say hello and give Liam and Dalton appreciative glances then move back to where the drinks are set up.

  Several more people come in after that. I recognize a few more of her friends. Cole was in charge of the “out of store” invites because he knows more about her social life and friends than I do. I gave invites to some of her favorite and daily customers.

  Remarkably, everyone we invited is here. I guess that’s proof as to how much Gwenn is adored. I’m definitely not the only person that’s going to miss her.

  Everyone seems to be mingling and having a good time when Amelia whistles loudly to get everyone’s attention.

  “ETA is five minutes!” she yells. Everyone quiets. “Dalton, dim the lights!”

  He reaches behind where he’s standing and flips the lightswitch then moves ov
er to where I’m standing.

  He pulls me close to his side and looks down. “I’ve never been to a surprise party before. This is pretty intense.” I look up at him and he has a huge smile on his face and looks the most excited that I’ve ever seen him. Liam made his way across the room to where Gwenn’s friends were gathered and seems to be hitting it off with them. Dalton wasn’t lying; he definitely seems to have a way with the ladies.

  We hear voices approach the door. The latch turns and the bell rings. “Cole, what in the heck did you forget?” Gwenn asks, confused. Before he has a chance to answer, the lights are flicked back on and everyone yells. “Surprise!”

  Gwenn about jumps out of her skin and I almost feel bad until I see giant crocodile tears drop from her eyes. “Oh, my god, you guys!” Cole grabs her and pulls her into a big hug.

  “You didn’t think we were going to let you out of Florida without a party, did you?” She laughs and then starts to make her way around the room. He leans down and places a small kiss on my cheek.

  “Thanks for including me even though I don’t know Gwenn that well.”

  “You know her well enough, and I wouldn’t have left my date at home,” I joke.

  “Your date, huh?” He nudges me with his elbow and I nudge him right back. I love how comfortable we are with each other now. It’s so easy being with him. He takes what I have and never asks for more in return.

  “You want something to drink?” he asks as he starts to back away.

  “Sure, whatever you are having his fine.” He winks and turns toward the drink table as Gwenn reaches where I’m standing.

  “Marin!”

  “What?” I ask, like I don’t know what she’s talking about.

  She throws her arms around me and hugs me tightly.

  “Thank you so much. This is seriously beyond incredible.”

  “Hey, like Cole said, we weren’t going to let you get away that quickly without a party.”

  “Well, thank you. For everything. It’s been such a pleasure working here and I already miss it. It means so much to me that you invited not only my friends but my regulars.”

  I wave her off. “If they knew they knew we were having a party for you and they weren’t invited, I’m sure they would have crashed it.”

  She laughs. “Yeah, you’re probably right.”

  She gives me another hug before she moves on to the next person.

  Gwenn’s smile doesn’t leave her face the entire night. There are laughs and a few tears but Gwenn is surrounded by family and friends the entire night and that was all I could have asked for.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Marin

  Everyone is gone except Dalton, Cole, and myself. Liam left with Gwenn and her friends. I had a feeling that was going to happen. He’s a player, but a nice guy and he could use someone like Gwenn in his life. Even if it’s just for tonight. Amelia and Joey left earlier than I thought but they were pretty touchy feely all night so we all have a good idea why they left.

  Cole is gathering a few things up but appears to be on his way out the door as well. James, his boyfriend, had to work tonight and was unable to come, but he will be home soon I’m sure.

  “Well, you two, I’m heading home. I assume you will make sure our Marin will get home safely tonight,” he says sternly to Dalton.

  “That I will,” Dalton exclaims proudly. They shake hands and Cole leans in to give me a quick kiss.

  “See you tomorrow, doll face.” And with that, he’s out the door.

  Dalton turns to me and shoves his hands in his jeans pockets. “I like your friends.”

  Walking over, I start to push one of the lounge chairs back to its original spot. “Yeah, they are pretty incredible. I don’t plan on getting rid of them anytime soon.”

  “Marin, stop.” I look up and he’s walking toward me as I try to maneuver the chair. It’s not heavy, just awkward. “Let me help you.” He stands beside me and we both push the chair easily into its spot.

  He’s standing so close to me that the heat of his body is easily felt through my thin, button-down blouse.

  Reaching over, he places his hand on the small of my back and takes a step toward me. He slowly turns me to face him. All things cease to exist except him standing before me. His emerald-green eyes glow with a heat that consumes me.

  He leans down and I think he’s going to softly kiss me but he does the opposite. He devours me. His lips are frantic against mine and mine are just as needy against his. Slowly, his hand makes its way up my back until it’s softly cradling the back of my head.

  Pulling back a fraction of an inch, he whispers against my lips, “I’ve been wanting to do that all night, Marin. If all you ever want me to do is kiss you like that, I will be a happy man.” He returns his lips to mine, this time at a slower pace. And though I also would be totally fine with kissing him forever, because … damn, he’s an amazing kisser, I definitely want more. I wasn’t sure before but as of last night I’m sure.

  A soft whimper escapes my lips at the thought of more. I need him. I want him.

  Tonight.

  This time, I’m the one to pull away. At first, he looks confused because I walk to the front and start pulling down the blinds in the windows. I turn the lock on the door and dim the lights again. I don’t even want to wait until we get to my place. I need this now.

  The fire that’s been burning inside me needs to be extinquished. I realize now that it’s been burning since I met him—I was doing everything in my power to ignore it.

  He watches me with uncertainty in his eyes.

  No words need to be spoken. He knows what I want.

  I start unbuttoning my shirt as I walk toward him but his gaze never strays from my eyes. I get to the bottom button and let my shirt fall open, revealing my white lace bra.

  Reaching where he stands I place my hands on his firm chest and I finally speak. “I want more.”

  He doesn’t respond with words. He slips my shirt off my arms and it falls to the floor. His lips place small kisses down my neck and shoulder, they cross over to my other shoulder, and he moves my bra strap down slowly. He does the same on the other side. Looking up to me for approval, I nod and he slowly unhooks the clasp at the back of my bra. He slides it slowly down my arms the rest of the way and takes a brief moment to gaze at my breasts. He finally speaks but it comes out as only a whisper, “Beautiful”.

  He reaches down and lifts me up by the back of my thighs and carries me off into the stacks of books. It takes a moment for me to realize what he’s doing but he’s shielding me within the stacks in case we are still visible through the cracks of the blinds.

  He lies me down on the faux, white, bear-skin rug that I have in front of one of the bookcases and then sits back on his knees to gaze down at me once more, and it’s the first time I notice a hint of a smile on his lips. “Just tell me if it becomes too much, if you want to stop,” he says, right before leaning down and kissing my breast. I moan loudly at the sensation.

  It’s a feeling that I came close to feeling the other night.

  It’s a feeling I didn’t think I would ever feel again because I thought it would be wrong. But I was the one that was wrong.

  This is only perfection. This is everything that is right.

  He leans over and places a light kiss on my other breast before slowly swirling his tongue around my nipple. The feeling makes my knees weak, and if I wasn’t already lying on the floor, I would have fallen.

  I rasp out, “I haven’t done this in a long time.” He pauses then sits up and pulls me into his arms.

  “Neither have I,” he whispers back, and I look up at him, in total disbelief.

  Then he smirks. But it’s sweet, not sly.

  “OK, that’s a lie.” Reaching up, he places a finger under my chin and tilts it up so I’m looking into his deep green eyes. “But …” he pauses to take a breath, smirk now gone, replaced with seriousness, squeezing his eyes shut at the same time; like it hurts
to say the words. “My heart has never done this. That’s the truth.”

  A small gasp escapes me at his words, and before I can respond, his lips capture mine. His kiss turns frantic, our lips not able to get enough of each other now. I reach behind him and pull his shirt up as far as I can and he reaches back and removes it the rest of the way. He unzips my skirt as I’m in his arms. He then lies me back onto the rug, slowly removing my skirt down my legs as he goes. He stands up and looks down at me, now only in my white lace panties, and I may just combust from his gaze alone. He slowly removes his jeans and kneels in front of me.

  He’s beautiful.

  Without knowing why, a single tear slips down my cheek.

  He reaches down and wipes it away and whispers, “If this is too much, we stop. I can wait. I will wait.”

  “No, I want to be with you.” He leans back to me and places a small kiss to my lips.

  “Promise me that you want this for you. Promise me you aren’t doing this because you think I need it.”

  I place my hand upon his cheek as I say, “I’m doing this because I need it.”

  His body engulfs me in an embrace and his heart beats against mine. Two hearts beating the same beat.

  We lie together, lips touching, bodies touching for what feels like hours but could only be minutes, but in that time the heat slowly builds between us to the point of being unbearable. My want for him grows, and when I think I can’t take anymore, he starts to kiss down my body.

  “Please, Dalton. I need you,” I somehow manage to say.

  He continues kissing me all over. I feel his tongue take small tastes of my skin. He savors me as if I’m a dessert he will never taste again. When he reaches the top of my panties, he runs his finger across the top of them causing me to whimper softly.

  He glances to me again for approval and I give him a small nod before he slowly pulls them down my legs. He then starts kissing from my feet up. I would have never thought a man kissing the arch of my foot would have made me feel the way I’m feeling, but I’m ready to combust.