Common Ground

by Wendy Smith

  All my love,

  Delaney

  I stare at it for a moment. This is her through and through. She’s in pain, but talking through it. It’s her answer to dealing with everything.

  She tried to tell me, and I can understand her frustration in not being able to reach me.

  The reality was that despite how crazy we were about each other, we’d barely scratched the surface.

  Delaney was left without many options, and she could have sold her story to the press a long time ago. But she didn’t.

  This letter fills a big gap, and I’m so grateful that she gave it to me.

  She always loved me. As I always loved her.

  I place the letter on the coffee table and stand. She’ll be halfway home by now, but I can’t wait any longer.

  I’m going to claim my family.

  Twenty-Three

  Delaney

  Delaney

  Pania looks up as I walk in the front door.

  “I didn’t think you’d be back tonight.”

  “I told you I would be.”

  Flopping on the couch beside her, I lean my head on her shoulder.

  “How did it go?”

  “Tonight was perfect. You should see the kitchen in that house. Brand new, top-of-the-line appliances, marble benches—”

  She laughs. “Girl, shut the fuck up and get to the romance.”

  “He made me a toasted sandwich for dinner.” I raise my head. “He burned the bread a little, but it was the best toasted sandwich ever.”

  Pania cocks her head. “So, not much of a cook.”

  “He never was, but he tried.”

  “And then?”

  “Then we sat in front of this ridiculously big television and watched his first movie.”

  She smiles. “Did you just watch the movie?”

  “No?” I shrug. “And then before I left, I gave him the letter I wrote him where I told him he was going to be a father.”

  Her mouth falls open. “You kept that?”

  “I always thought it was an important part of Amelia’s story. Now it’s in the hands of the person it was meant for.”

  “It’s good of you to do that.”

  I let out a sigh. “It felt right. We don’t have much time before he leaves again.”

  “But he’ll come back.”

  “Will he? Or will he move on with his life once he leaves?”

  Pania’s eyes fill with sympathy. “Oh, honey. I’m sure he won’t. Tonight meant something.”

  “I’ll be okay. I just worry about letting Melly down.”

  “Delaney, you could never let that girl down. Everything you’ve done for the past six years has been for her. You’ve taught her to be strong, and she’ll roll with the punches just like you had to.”

  I lean back on the couch. “I never wanted there to be any punches. It was bad enough she was growing up without her dad. That’s the one thing I never wanted for her.”

  “I know, but her dad’s here now, and it looks like he wants to be a part of her life. So that’s something, isn’t it?”

  Meeting her gaze, I smile. “You’ve become his biggest fan.”

  She grins. “I just love seeing the difference in you when he’s around. You practically floated through that door tonight.”

  “He makes me happy. I can’t deny that.” I let out a happy sigh. “And it’s not because he’s Josh Carter, movie star. It’s because he’s the Josh I fell in love with in the first place. Even down to the slightly burned toasted sandwiches.”

  She places her hand on my arm. “And there it is. You look better than you have in years, my friend. He’s still the one.”

  “You know, I think he is.”

  My heart races at a sudden heavy knock on the door.

  “Who on earth is that at this hour?” I stand, and cross the room.

  “Delaney, it’s Josh. I need to see you.”

  I swallow, turning back to look at Pania. “I guess he read the letter.”

  Pania waves franticly. “Don’t just stand there. Open it.”

  She stands, picking up her bag as I pull open the door. I can’t decipher the emotion on Josh’s face, but whatever it is consumes him as he just looks at me.

  “I’m making myself scarce.” Pania pushes past both of us. “See you on Monday, Delaney.”

  “Sure.” I barely hear myself say the word with all the blood rushing in my ears. “What are you doing here?”

  His eyes are wild, searching mine. “I read the letter.”

  “I guessed you would. Why are you here?”

  He swallows hard. “I want you. I always did. Things got fucked up, but it doesn’t matter.”

  “Josh …” I press my palms to his chest. There’s nothing more to say, and I get lost in those dark eyes. I’ve dreamed about them so many times, and now they’re looking right at me.

  There’s a moment, just one, where nothing happens and we’re just frozen. But it’s only a moment.

  He cups the back of my head with one hand, his mouth closing down on mine. This time, there’s no holding back. I sink into him, and even though we’ve kissed a few times, this is different. This is us, Josh and Delaney, the way we were always meant to be.

  When we finally come up for air, he presses his forehead to mine. “Bedroom?”

  I gulp. As much as I want him, I’ve been terrified of this moment.

  “I don’t want to wait any longer,” he whispers. “We’ve already wasted so much time.”

  He’s told me several times, but it’s taken this long for it to sink in. He wants me.

  We’re still standing in the doorway.

  Thank heavens I don’t have any neighbours.

  But as I pull him into the house, I catch a glimpse of Pania over his shoulder. She’s standing by her car, giving me the big thumbs up.

  She’ll want every minute detail of tonight.

  Looks like there’ll be a lot to share.

  Twenty-Four

  Josh

  “I’m so sorry I never got the letter,” I say as Delaney closes the door.

  “I just wanted to show you that I tried to tell you.”

  I slide my arms around her waist. “I never doubted you when you told me. But I really appreciate you giving me that. It means so much.”

  Her smile quivers. “I’m glad.”

  “You went through so much, and I wasn’t there for you. I should have been, and I am so sorry.”

  “I’m the one who’s sorry.” Her voice cracks.

  “We’re both here now. That’s all that matters.”

  “Are you sure this is what you want? You can have a relationship with Amelia without being with me.”

  I swallow hard. “Do you think I don’t know that? I want you.”

  Delaney is beautiful.

  I see it, but she doesn’t. It’s frustrating. The years we were apart have done some damage. Maybe if we’d been together the whole time, she wouldn’t feel so awkward.

  She nods, taking me by the hand and leading me down a hallway until we come to a stop before Amelia’s open bedroom door.

  “Look,” she says. “We made her.”

  The hall light spills into the bedroom. Fast asleep, under a duvet cover covered in cartoon characters I really should look up so I know who they are, is my daughter. Our daughter.

  “She’s perfect. Just like her mother.”

  Delaney buries her face in my shoulder. “I don’t know about that.”

  “I do.” I squeeze her hand. “Do you think she’ll be okay if I’m here in the morning?”

  “She adores you. She’ll love it.”

  “Are you ready for this?”

  Her eyes give her away before she says the words. “I want you, too. I’ve been holding back, and …”

  “I know you have.”

  “You scare the shit out of me, Josh Carter.”

  I stroke the back of her hand with my thumb. “We’re just Josh and Delaney. As we always should have been.�
��

  She smiles. “I like that idea.”

  “Let’s go.”

  With a nod, she leads me a little farther down the hallway to another room. A large bed sits against one wall, and there are more photos around the walls of Delaney and Amelia.

  She comes to a stop, but doesn’t turn.

  I take the hint and step up, slowly dropping the zip on the back of her dress. She sucks in a breath. I’m so aware of her nervousness, but I know all we have to do is find our rhythm together again.

  She drops her head forward when I plant kisses on her shoulders and push her dress down her arms.

  “Turn around.”

  Delaney hesitates.

  “I want to see you.”

  She looks over her shoulder at me, blinking a bunch of times as if trying not to cry. “I’m scared.”

  “Of what? I’ve seen you naked before.” I stroke her cheek with my knuckle. “You were beautiful then, and you’re beautiful now. We’ve both changed, but my attraction to you hasn’t.”

  “Yeah, but when you changed you became an Adonis. I’m more like Quasimodo.”

  My mouth falls open. “Stop it.”

  “Promise not to scream if you see something you don’t like?”

  “Delaney. I like everything about you. Turn around.”

  She moves slowly, but I catch my breath when she stands before me in her bra and panties. I like everything. She has nothing to be afraid of when it comes to me.

  Her lush curves encased in white lace make me hard as a rock. All I want to do is touch her soft skin, and make her cry my name.

  I reach for her, pulling her closer until her breasts are pressed against my chest.

  “Josh,” she whispers.

  “Don’t you ever worry about how I feel about you.”

  We kiss slowly, growing deeper as we take our time. There’s no hurry, but I ache to be inside her—to return home.

  She relaxes into me, and I reach for the hooks on her bra. I kiss her until I have to stop to release them.

  “Just kissing you makes me so fucking hard,” I murmur.

  After working the clasp with my fingers, I slide her bra straps down her shoulders and throw it to the ground.

  She crosses her arms. I shake my head, wagging my right index finger at her. “Nuh-uh.”

  It takes a moment, but she drops her arms to her side.

  “Do you hear me screaming?”

  Delaney shakes her head.

  “Lie back on the bed.”

  She gives me a slight nod, backing up, but pulling me along, her hands on the hem of my shirt. I help her lift it over my head, closing my eyes as she runs her palms over my pecs.

  The contented sigh she lets out leaves me opening my eyes to watch her.

  “You’re pretty beautiful yourself, Josh Carter.”

  “Nothing compared to you.”

  Her eyes meet mine, and her cheeks flush with colour. I’m so in over my head with her, just as I was from the day we met. I need her.

  “Scoot up the bed.”

  She does as she’s told, and I unbutton my jeans, dropping them to the floor. Her gaze never leaves mine, but I don’t miss that her chest is rising and falling faster as her breathing becomes erratic.

  Flicking my boxers to the side of the bed, I reach for the waistband of her panties and pull them down her legs.

  For a moment, I just take in the sight of her.

  Her breasts are fuller than I remember them being, but I guess that comes with having a baby. And those curves …

  Delaney’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

  She shrinks under my gaze, and I shake my head. I lie on the bed beside her, and trace a finger between her breasts to the stretchmarks she seems to hate so much.

  “Don’t,” she whispers.

  “This is where Amelia grew.”

  She nods.

  “This is where you nurtured our girl until she was ready to come out into the world.” Her expression softens. “You’re so beautiful, Delaney.”

  She looks away.

  I love the gasp that comes from her when I suck a nipple into my mouth. Her skin is soft and warm beneath my palm as I explore her, trailing my hand down over her stomach.

  Delaney laughs. “That tickles.”

  I raise my head. “Some things don’t change.”

  Her breathing speeds up, and I gaze at her mouth as her lips part when I reach her pussy.

  “I want you so much, I can’t even begin to tell you.” I nuzzle her breast, lapping at her nipple while I slide my fingers into her pussy and back over her clit.

  She’s so tense, but as I tease her body, the tension eases out of her, and she relaxes into it.

  “Josh.” Her voice is so soft, and she reaches behind me, stroking my shoulder blades.

  “Ever since I saw you again, you’re all I’ve thought about.”

  “Seeing you confused me at first.”

  “I’m sure. But I’m here now, and you’ve got me for good. If you want me.”

  Her hand shakes a little. “I want you.”

  “I’m yours, Delaney. I don’t want to waste another second of my life without you.”

  Her eyes are so full of emotion. This is it. My heart’s on the line for her, as if it’s ever been off. The truth is, no matter how much time passed, it was always Delaney.

  I move my hand faster, and she catches her breath.

  A strained moan escapes her lips, and I capture them with my own, swallowing down the sounds of our passion. I want it all. Now and forever.

  Delaney arches her back, pulling away and crying out as she comes, her whole body trembling against me. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

  “That didn’t take long.” I tease.

  “Sue me. I’m a little out of practice.” She smiles.

  “Spread your legs for me.”

  I move between them as she complies. Nothing’s changed. She’s still shaved, but with a little landing strip. I thought it was cute back then, and now I grin.

  She giggles as I drop my head to taste her.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Well, it’s just that I’m not sure what to call you anymore.”

  Confused, I lift my head. “What are you talking about?”

  Her face is lit up in a smile. I love seeing her so happy. This is a moment I want to capture forever.

  “I’m not sure whether to call you my favourite Canadian or Mr. Google.”

  I laugh, planting a kiss on her thigh. “Right now, you could call me anything and I wouldn’t care.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Delaney, do you want me to come back up there and find something to occupy that smart mouth of yours, or do you want me to eat your pussy?”

  She lets out a contented sigh. “Please continue.”

  “I don’t know if you ever stop talking.”

  I look up from between her thighs at the hottest woman I know.

  “Maybe I keep talking so you can shut me up.”

  The thought of what I could do to keep her mouth busy makes every ounce of blood race to my cock.

  Instead, I run my tongue up her slit.

  “Ooooh,” she says.

  Ignoring the smart tone of her voice, I tongue her clit until she’s arching her back again. I’ve only ever done this with Delaney once before, and now I revel in the renewed acquaintanceship with her body.

  Back then, I had no idea what I was doing, but I managed to make her come.

  Now, she’s wriggling under my tongue, and when I look up, her fingers are locked firmly in her hair as she pushes and strains against me.

  I’ve got her right where I want her.

  Returning my attention to her pussy, I give her clit a gentle suck. She gasps, then lets out a moan that reverberates to my soul.

  If I don’t get inside her really soon, I’m going to come all over her sheets like the teenage boy I used to be.

  The sound of a drawer opening
makes me look up.

  She reaches into the nightstand and pulls out a condom.

  “I think you want this.”

  Her cheeks are flushed pink. She’s as ready as I am from the heated look she gives me.

  I take the condom from her, tear the packaging open and roll it down my cock.

  Delaney nods, and I don’t hesitate, pushing into her and dropping over her body until I can claim her mouth with mine.

  She’s every bit as tight and hot as I remember, and it’s a strain now, just as it was the first time to control myself. But this is our first night together again—a night to remember.

  I have to show her how I feel about her because I know she still has doubts. Our lives have just progressed in different ways and now we need to come together. In more ways than one.

  “You feel so good, baby,” I say.

  “I love you being inside me.”

  I kiss her again and again, pressing my tongue against hers, knowing she can taste herself on my lips. Each movement inside her brings me closer to the brink, and when she tilts her hips slightly, I angle in better and rub against her clit.

  “Ooooh.”

  When she makes that sound in the back of her throat, I’m done for. My body jolts as six years of love and loss come to a climax, and I’m fully reunited with the woman I’ve always wanted.

  Delaney might not think much of herself at times, but I’d do battle for her any time she needed me to.

  We might have to work out the logistics, but I’m never letting her go again.

  I love her curled around me, the feel of her naked body against my skin.

  All we’ve done is talk and fuck for the past three hours, and I’m content to keep on going.

  “I’m sorry if I seemed a little insecure. You’re a big deal,” she says.

  I shrug. “We’re not much different than we were.”

  “I’m not sure about that. You went and grew these.”

  She runs her fingers over my abs. I shiver at her touch. She’s the only one I ever want to touch me again.

  “I can get rid of them if you want. You just need to keep feeding me that comfort food.” I laugh.