Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart

by Joachim, Jean C.

  “I forgot to number the pages. I can’t find the ones you want me to change.”

  Jim placed his hand over hers on the mouse, guiding the cursor to the right place. Sarah spread her fingers so his slipped down to rest between hers. She turned to face him, his breath warm on her cheek, his lips hovering close by. Her blue eyes, wide and passionate, looked into his. He brought his mouth down on hers. Sarah turned toward him, opening her lips as he deepened the kiss.

  He slid his hand down under the neckline of her dress, and closed his fingers around her breast. He groaned as his body hardened. Sarah gasped at his unexpected move. He pinched her peak gently, causing heat to rocket to her core.

  Jim pulled his head back to whisper to her, “I want to make love to you.”

  When Sarah stood up, he took her in his arms for another kiss. His tongue caressed hers while his hands roamed over her voluptuous body, barely covered by the skimpy dress. He squeezed her backside then returned his attention to her breasts. She moaned as he massaged her, kissing his way down her neck. She gripped his shoulders as the heat he created made her knees weak.

  Sarah moved back from him, and led him into the bedroom. She unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it off his shoulders then ran her fingertips through his soft brown chest hair, up over his hard muscles. He pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss while he pulled up her dress to caress her firm backside. He eased the dress up further until she stepped back from him.

  “Shy?”

  Sarah nodded. She hadn’t been naked in front of a man other than Bob for over ten years.

  “Me first then.”

  He took off his jeans and dropped his boxers to reveal his desire for her. Her eyes got wide, looking over his body, aroused, taut, naked, unbearably sexy. Her mouth went dry.

  “Now your turn,” he said, stepping closer to her.

  He gently raised the hem of her dress while Sarah raised her arms. Pulling the garment from her body, he tossed it on a chair.

  “You are so beautiful…amazing…so much better than…” he stammered, his eyes lingering on her breasts.

  “Than what?” she asked, shifting from foot to foot under his gaze.

  “Than in my dreams,” he said, blushing.

  Sarah moved toward him. He pulled her in close.

  “You dream about me?”

  “Almost every night,” he whispered, kissing her neck.

  “I want you too,” she said, seeking his mouth, pressing her breasts against his chest.

  He kissed her, crushing her against him, until she felt him harden even more.

  Chapter Ten

  Jim stepped back and led her over to the bed. Sarah stretched out first, then he lay down next to her, his mouth finding hers.

  “Your breasts are perfect,” he breathed, his hand skimming over her soft skin.

  His mouth trailed down her neck, his lips planting feathery kisses that sent chills down her spine. Her hands slid over his shoulders, gripping his muscles, caressing his skin.

  He nibbled on her shoulder before lowering himself to take her peak into his mouth. His tongue and lips teased, causing her to squirm with mounting desire under his expert touch. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand the heat anymore, he switched to the other breast.

  Sarah combed her fingers through his light brown hair, raking it with her fingernails, enjoying his groan in response to her touch. He moved his hand lower, over her flat belly, down to her core. She gasped as his fingers explored her soft flesh.

  “Did I hurt you?”

  She shook her head. Her gaze met his eyes glowing gold with passion.

  “You feel…your body is…amazing,” he breathed.

  She ran her hand down his side, and wrapped her fingers around him. Her sharp intake of breath registered her surprise at how hard he was. Jim smiled, continuing to stroke her. She grew moist, ready for him…her desire increasing with every circle of his finger and each moan of pleasure slipping from her lips.

  “I’ve wanted you…for so long,” he murmured.

  He buried two fingers inside her. She sucked in air then froze unable to do anything but let heat rocket through her body.

  “Don’t stop.”

  His lips found hers again crushing them in a hard kiss, as his tongue demanded her surrender. Sarah felt the intensity—the excitement escalate—until she thought she’d lose control completely.

  “Jim, Jim,” she whimpered.

  He let go of her to grab his pants. Retrieving his wallet, he whipped out a condom then covered himself. He nudged her thighs apart with his knee while he hovered over her. Her eyes got wide, she raised her head.

  “It’ been a…uh…while since…”

  “Been a long time since you made love? Me too. I’ll be gentle.”

  Sarah let out a deep sigh. He raised her leg to lie up against her chest. He brushed her hair off her face, resting his palm on her cheek for a moment.

  “I want to see you.” His eyes were inches from hers, his gaze never left her face.

  He touched her, gauging her wetness and knew she was ready. Even so, he eased himself into her slowly. Once inside, he felt her stiffen.

  “You okay?”

  “Think so,” she choked out.

  “Let yourself go, sweetheart,” he whispered as he began to move.

  Jim caught his breath. Her hands, resting on his shoulders felt the muscles work. She buried her face in his neck. Her body cried out for release but tightened up.

  “Give yourself to me,” Jim coaxed in a whisper, “Sarah, please…I love you, honey…”

  Sarah closed her eyes and focused on his sweet words. Love, music to her ears. She surrendered. Jim…not Bob…Jim, who’s loving me…Jim. A smile teased her lips as he made love to her. Her mind shut off, her body took over, her senses screaming at the white hot desire he created inside her. Sarah moaned with pleasure at his every move. He increased his pace, thrusting harder and faster, taking her beyond reason. Her muscles clenched, a huge wave of pure nerve-melting bliss spread throughout her body. She cried out as her hips moved rhythmically with his.

  Seconds after Sarah’s orgasm, Jim lost control, groaning loudly as release took over his body. Moisture broke out on his brow as they lay quietly, trying to catch their breath. She put her arms around his neck, and they held each other tightly.

  “Sarah, you are…fantastic…I love you so much.”

  She looked deep into his eyes and saw love shining there. She smiled warmly at him, held his face in her hands to place a soft kiss on his lips. Sarah wasn’t quite ready to confess her love. Emotion rose up in her chest as a sob caught in her throat.

  “Hold me, please just hold me,” she whispered, burying her face in his shoulder, closing her eyes.

  Jim uncoupled then rolled to the side, keeping her in his arms. She rested her head on his chest. He pulled up the sheet, and kissed the top of her head while his hands stroked her hair. Sobs burst through, tears cascaded down her cheeks wetting his chest. Tightly controlled emotions, loneliness, fear and regret, broke through her defenses. He held her until the sobs subsided and the tears stopped. She lay quietly in his arms.

  After a little while, Sarah got up to splash cold water on her face. She walked back to the bed feeling stronger. Jim leaned back on the pillow, watching her, his fingers laced behind his head. She stared at his body, a yearning to touch him growing inside.

  “What?”

  He leaned over, kissed her passionately while his hand moved down to her breast.

  “Again?” She asked, raising her eyebrows.

  “Again…and again…and…” He bent down to capture her mouth.

  She lifted her tongue to meet his in a passionate dance. His hands gripped her face tenderly for his kiss then explored her body. His touch ignited a fire in her core. The heat climbed, their chemistry bubbling. Hunger took over. Jim took her again swiftly with passion and need. Sarah cried out his name soon after they coupled, sending him over the top.

 
; Satisfaction mixing with pure happiness filled her heart as she put her cheek on his chest to rest. He combed her hair with his fingers. Then the clock began to strike three.

  “Three o’clock already?” Sarah asked, sitting up in bed.

  “Yes.”

  “The children will be home in less than half an hour!” Jumping up from bed, She tossed her light blue dress back on.

  “No afterschool today?” he asked.

  “Thursday.”

  “Right!”

  “I don’t think you should wear that in front of me,” he said, rising from the bed.

  “Why not?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “I don’t think I can control myself looking at you knowing you have nothing on underneath.”

  She shot a saucy smile at him, watching him retrieve his clothes.

  “Then maybe I should take it off,” she said, her eyes glittering.

  “If you do, we’ll never get dressed in time,” he said, giving her a sweet kiss before putting on his boxers.

  “Do you always have these control problems, Dr. Caterson?”

  “Only with you.”

  They made the bed together, returning to the computer, just in time to see Scottie and Laura coming up the front steps.

  * * * *

  Five thirty on Monday, Wednesday and Friday was pick up time. Sarah’s turn to retrieve the kids while Jim made dinner.

  “Spaghetti and meatballs?” Sarah fished her car keys out of her overstuffed purse.

  “Fresh pasta here, leftover meatballs in the freezer?” Jim slapped a package of pasta on the kitchen counter and raised his eyebrows in question.

  “Yup. See ya,” She leaned over and kissed him, then ran her hand over the day’s growth on his face.

  “Sorry. No time to shave today.”

  “Love you this way.”

  He pulled her close for a better kiss then released her. She heard him whistling as she closed the front door on her way to pick up Laura and Scottie from dance and soccer practice.

  The children accepted Jim as part of their lives. Scottie expected him to come to his soccer games. Laura, drawn into the drama of middle school, seemed too preoccupied to have an opinion.

  Sarah straightened up, put things away humming a tune before she climbed into bed.

  As she went to turn off her computer, she noticed a new email from Kit.

  Sarah –

  Tunney meets Zoe tomorrow. I’m terrified! What if she tells him I’m divorced?

  Hugs,

  Kit.

  Sarah typed…

  Kit –

  Maybe having Zoe tell him would be the best thing. Off to bed. Goodnight.

  Sarah pulled back the covers, ran her hand over the pillow where Jim had rested his head. She lay down, turned out the light, tried rolling onto her stomach, then bunching the pillow under her belly but nothing helped. She lay, sleepless, on her side with her legs pulled up, a position guaranteed to put her out. At least it worked during her pregnancy. Not tonight. The bed’s too big. Too empty? Sarah turned over and switched on the light. She picked up her phone. Jim answered on the first ring.

  “Hello?”

  “Hi there.” She scrunched down in the bed.

  “Sarah?”

  “It’s me. Were you asleep?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Are you in bed?”

  “Yes, I’m reading some student essays.”

  “What are you wearing?” Her tongue slid over her lower lip.

  “Nothing.”

  “Wow…I didn’t know you slept naked. Sexy, very sexy.”

  She heard him chuckle on the other end of the line.

  “What about in the dead of winter?”

  “I have a big down quilt…very warm, cozy…plenty big enough for two.”

  “Someday…” Her gaze fixed on the ceiling.

  “What are you wearing?”

  “Nothing. I keep a nightgown on the bedpost.”

  “Oh, God. Naked again? Twice in one day.” He laughed.

  “I miss you.” She chewed on her lower lip.

  “I miss you too.”

  “Funny…you’re only a short distance away…a few feet actually, yet it feels like a thousand miles.”

  “Maybe we can do something about that.”

  “You think so?” she sat up.

  “I hope so. Sooner would be better.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Good night, honey, sleep well.”

  “Good night,…my love,” she said, shutting off the phone closed and turning out the light.

  * * * *

  In the old Victorian on Bay Street

  Kit stared out the window late on a Saturday afternoon in October, watching leaves pile up on the tiny front lawn. She tried not to think about the mess her life was when her phone buzzed. Zoe.

  “I want to come to the new house, Mom. Can you pick me up?”

  “Sure. When?”

  “Tomorrow morning?”

  “At ten?”

  “Yeah. Wait! What color is my new room?”

  ”Your favorite color, pink.”

  “Pink! Ugh. I hate pink. Black is the cool color.”

  “It’s expensive to repaint…especially when you don’t need to. I can’t ask Tunney to repaint the room.”

  “Who’s Tunney? Do you have a boyfriend already?” she couldn’t miss the note of accusation in her daughter’s voice.

  “Tunney is…is…our landlord. He’s nice. You’ll like him.”

  “Are you sleeping with him, Mom?”

  “What kind of question is that? Of course I’m not sleeping with him.”

  “Melissa’s mom is sleeping with her boyfriend. He stays over at their house all the time…in her mom’s room.”

  “Do you even know what sleeping with him means?”

  “Means they’re having sex. I’m not a baby, Mom. I’m eleven.”

  “Pretty mature for eleven, Zoe.”

  “Almost twelve.”

  “Tunney and I are…are…friends. He owns this house. So be nice to him or he won’t renew our lease.”

  “If you move to Willow Falls permanently, I’ll never see Dad! He comes back to New York; he’s not going to come all the way out here.”

  “He will. Or I’ll take you to New York. You’ll see him when he’s on break from the tour at Christmas.”

  “I have no choice, do I?” she said, hanging up.

  Were things with Zoe improving, or was it one step forward and two steps back? Kit stopped cold on the threshold to Zoe’s room when she spied the clothes. Oh God, the husband clothes are in Zoe’s room! Tunney worked away downstairs, to the beat playing on his CD player. Those clothes must go!

  “Hey, Kit,” Tunney called up the stairs, “dinner tonight?”

  “Can’t. Zoe’s coming tomorrow. I have to prepare.”

  Tunney climbed the stairs carrying two mugs of coffee. Plaster dust whitened his hair, paint smudged on his cheek along with two days growth plus paint thinner on his work pants made him look damn sexy. Something about a working man.

  “You’re a vision, plaster dust becomes you.” She took the mug then turned away, hiding her smile.

  “Very funny. You can’t stay clean when you renovate. You’re not exactly Miss Neat ‘n Tidy, either. At least I haven’t put my foot in the paint pan!” He shot her his lopsided grin.

  “Thanks for reminding me.” She turned away.

  “Anytime.” He bowed, removing a pretend hat. “Can I meet her?”

  “You’ll be here working, won’t you?”

  “Probably. Need to get things done tomorrow.”

  Tunney meeting Zoe…what if she says something about the divorce? What if Tunney asks her a question about Johnny?

  “Maybe not…” Kit chewed the only fingernail not covered in paint.

  “Why?”

  “She might get the wrong idea about…us, you know? Might text her father something that…isn’t true…I mean about us.”
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  “You’re worried she’ll think we’re having an affair? How old is this kid?”

  “Eleven going on twenty-two.”

  “There is no reason to hide.”

  “Zoe’s going through a phase…a pretty hostile phase these days, so maybe it’s better not to…to…”

  “To appear to be fooling around?”

  “Exactly.”

  “All right. I’ll be out of here by the time you get back. But you have to have dinner with me tonight.”

  “Deal.”

  At six o’clock, Tunney returned with a brown bag carrying the aroma of Chinese food into the kitchen. He set the bag down on the kitchen table while Kit brought out plates and utensils. Munching on a spare rib, he broached a sensitive subject.

  “About the green for the dining room…”

  “You’re right, green isn’t reasonable,” Kit admitted.

  “Thank you! Can you pick something else…something more neutral? Maybe not, not white…but…”

  “Like cream?” She looked up after piling Kung Pao chicken over her rice.

  “Good choice.” He got the whistling kettle off the stove and took down cups.

  “How much are you asking for this house, anyway?”

  “About two hundred and thirty thousand once I get done with the renovation.”

  “If I sell my apartment, I’d have the money to buy this place.” Kit spoke more to herself than him.

  “You’d want this old dump?” He delivered two steaming cups of Chinese tea to the table.

  “Yeah. But I’d have to unload my apartment first.” She shoveled the food into her mouth.

  “Maybe someone looking for an investment property?” Tunney made a pile of fried rice next to a mound of pepper steak on his plate.

  “Keep dreaming.” She added sugar to her tea then took the last bite of her chicken.

  “If you buy the house, you can paint lavender polka dots on the dining room walls.” He finished the last drop of tea and put his cup down.