Sweat broke out on his forehead as his control began to slip. His fingers gripped the bed clothes next to her head as he increased his thrust, first harder, then faster knowing his control would break soon. Kit tightened her arms around his chest, moaning loudly as her hips moved up and down with his in rhythm. Her loud groan, followed by his name signaled her release. Her eyes opened so she could watch him as his desire erupted, exploding into an intense orgasm. He thrust into her two more times, then moaned loudly into her neck.
Afterward they lay still. Drops of sweat dripping from Tunney’s forehead pooled on the sheet next to Kit’s head. Her fingers glided down his back. As he started to get up, she pulled him back down.
“Not yet. Please. A moment longer.”
He closed his eyes feeling her strong, wet muscles flutter slightly against his spent shaft. He kissed her neck, combed her hair with his fingers. She held the bear hug around Tunney’s chest for a few more moments before tapping him on the shoulder. As he got up, his gaze landed on her breasts and worked down, his lopsided grin grew wider than ever. She reached up to push his hair off his forehead, smiling into his eyes. His lips brushed hers in a sweet kiss.
They settled into the bed to watch the fire while finishing their champagne. Tunney lay only half covered by the sheet. The smell of the burning wood mixed with the lingering scent of her perfume was intoxicating. Kit watched the light of the fire dancing, creating angles and shadows on his handsome face, chest and arms. She brushed her fingers through the dark hair on his chest then cuddled up. He reached for her, pulling her up against him. The crackling and hissing of the wood fire was like soothing music.
Her eyes moistened, she reached up taking his rough face in her hands.
“I love you. I love you, Tunney, do you hear?”
His adoring gaze fell on her lips as he gave her the gentlest, softest kiss.
“I love you, too, Kit. Have for a long time.”
Tunney poured out more champagne. He made a toast.
“To us,” he said, clinking his flute to hers.
“To us.” A warm smile spread across her face.
After they finished their champagne, Kit reached for the light but Tunney stopped her.
“One more surprise.”
She cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Christmas Day when I was a kid, we went to Kiwanis. We volunteered at the Christmas party for underprivileged kids. The tradition stuck.”
“So tomorrow—“
“Right! I’ve been doing it ever since. They’re expecting me tomorrow. Would you come with me?”
“Of course.” She pulled the sheet up.
“Good, because I already told them you’d be there…”
“You did?”
“They saved a spot for you in the kitchen—”
She tossed a pillow at Tunney. He didn’t duck in time. He grabbed her wrists, pulling her back underneath him.
“You’re so sexy when you throw things,” he teased, subduing her.
“Am I?” Her hips pressed against him.
“Honey, do that again…we’ll never get to sleep.”
Kit reached over to switch off the lamp.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Two days later on Bay Street
Tunney had to work the next day, so he returned to his house for the night. Kit fell into bed exhausted but satisfied after another long lovemaking session. She survived her first Christmas without Zoe. Instead of celebrating with her daughter, she savored her first Christmas with Tunney in her new home. She met many of his friends at the Kiwanis Christmas party. Small town life had a grip on her. Checking her email before turning out the light she found a message from Sarah.
Kit –
How are you lovebirds? Gotten out of bed yet? Being laid up gives me a ton of time to write. Lol. When are you going to get into your new car and come over?
When I’m not writing, I’m baking. Learned to make scones. Come.
Hugs,
Sarah
Kit hit the reply arrow.
Sarah –
Glad to hear you’re doing a lot of writing. I got back to it today while Tunney did some repairs. He does keep me busy in the bedroom. Lol. But I’m sure Jim does the same for you! Lol. Scones sound great. Will be over this week in my new wheels. Get better fast so I can take you for a spin.
Hugs,
Kit
Kit turned off her computer, switched off the lamp, pulled the comforter up around her shoulders and drifted off to sleep.
The insistent jingling of the phone drew her back from an emotional dream. Slowly she returned to Earth, via the ringing of the phone, at first thinking the alarm clock went off but after hitting it three times without silencing the ringing, she reached for the phone.
“Hello?” Cradling the phone, still half-asleep.
After a few minutes on the phone, she bolted upright, wide awake. She jumped out of bed into the shower, then threw a few essentials into a suitcase and flew downstairs, grabbing the plane ticket from Johnny still on the coffee table. She plucked her passport from the desk in the parlor before running out the front door, and jumping into the limousine waiting in her driveway.
She looked at her phone. Crap! One bar left. She searched her purse for the cord. Dammit, it’s in my bag in the trunk. She typed in a quick text.
Off on an emergency. Back in a few days, added Tunney’s cell number then hit send. The driver turned up the heat but a chill in the air caused her to draw her knees up to her chest for warmth as her gaze pierced the frigid night, still dark with cold stars glittering in the sky. The car picked up speed when it pulled onto the highway headed for New York City.
* * * *
In the modern house in Willow Falls
Tunney got up at seven a.m. He swung his feet over the side of his bed. Stretching his arms above his head then giving a good yawn a smile crept over his face. A great Christmas. He padded downstairs to turn on the coffee maker. He watched a squirrel search for food on his back lawn while he sipped his first cup. Peace and happiness flowed through his veins. He was in love, seriously in love, wildly in love with the right woman. Now he’d do something about it. He couldn’t stop smiling. Then he picked up his cell phone to read Kit’s text. He dialed her number but his call went straight to voicemail.
* * * *
In the airport, Kit sailed through security then settled into a chair. She quickly fell asleep only to awaken to the call over the loudspeaker for her flight. Making a mad dash for the ladies room, she washed her face, then pulled out her cell phone. Time for one call to Tunney. Soap residue made her hands slippery. When she tried to grasp the phone, it leaped out of her hand, into the sink, under running water. Kit heard another call for her flight, scooped up her phone, drying it off on her jacket and bolted out the door.
On the plane, when the crew gave the green light for cell phone use, Kit pressed the “on” button. But nothing happened. She pressed it again with the same result, then asked the man in the seat next to her to try. No luck. After muttering a curse, she accepted the fact her phone had died. Knowing there was nothing to do; she sat back and closed her eyes. Nothing like water to kill a cell phone.
After a nap, she noticed the phone on the plane. A smile swept over her face. Probably cost me fifty bucks to call Tunney but so what. She lifted her hand to dial and stopped. His number. What’s his number? Shit. It’s in my phone! She slammed the receiver down, pressed the button for the stewardess, and ordered a drink.
* * * *
Tunney called her cell phone everyday but never got through. Some days he was so frustrated he called five or six times. A few days became a week, a week morphed into two.
“No messages, Anne Marie?” He tried to look casual, dropping the question into conversation as he stood near her desk, perusing the mail.
“Nope. Not from Kit, anyway.” The receptionist continued to file a broken nail.
“If she calls, put her right through. Find me, okay?”
He tossed half a dozen unopened envelopes in the trash.
“Don’t count on her calling.” Anne Marie cracked her gum.
“Why do you say that? She said she’d be gone for only a couple of days.”
“Well, it’s two weeks already, isn’t it? She lied. Maybe she’s back and doesn’t want to talk to you.” A nasty gleam settled in her eyes as a vicious smile curled her lips.
“Doubt that.” But at her suggestion, his confidence deserted him.
Tunney trumped up an excuse, grabbed his briefcase and got in his car. He drove to Kit’s house. Her new car sat in the driveway, but no one answered the bell. He still had his key. He let himself in and called her name. No answer. He checked every room, even the third floor. No one home.
He went directly to the coffee table. The airplane ticket was gone. He went into the parlor to check the secret compartment in the desk where she kept important papers. Her passport wasn’t there.
Tunney felt like someone had punched him in the stomach, hard. He sank into the wing chair, staring out the window. Kit was gone. Gone to Europe. He had no idea when she’d return. Maybe Johnny came up with an offer she decided to take. She told me she turned him down…yeah but she told me she was married, too. Maybe she did go to be with Johnny just to write her book. He slumped down on the sofa and put his head in his hands. He couldn’t believe she left him. Tunney couldn’t catch his breath.
Why couldn’t he believe she lied again? He thought Kit loved him. Her words said so but… Maybe she lied about that, too. I can’t believe this is happening again.
After another four days with no word from her, Tunney gave up. He had to accept she wasn’t coming back. He packed a suitcase and flew to Seattle.
* * * *
Christmas Eve in the house on James Street
By Christmas Eve, Sarah got around the house by herself. With the help of her family and friends, she purchased all the right presents. The kids were in bed. Jim thumbed through the Christmas cards when he spied a fancy card with an embossed signature “Congressman Michael Flanagan” on the bottom. He flipped it over to read a personal message on the back.
“I’ll be back on Dec. 26. Looking forward to seeing you then. I hope you’ve decided to join my team…resume where we left off. Love, Mike”
* * * *
Christmas morning was chaotic. The kids got together with Jim to buy voice-activated software for Sarah so she could continue to write. Short on funds, she managed to scrape together enough money to buy him a leather-bound version of Dodsworth, his favorite work of American literature.
Jim had a special present for her he saved until everyone had settled down. While Scottie played his new video game and Laura texted her friends with her new phone, Jim took Sarah aside in the living room. He put two cups of coffee on the coffee table.
“I hope you won’t be mad…” he started, sitting down next to Sarah on the sofa.
Sarah bristled.
“I know I should have asked first, I wanted to save you the pain if it got rejected…”
“What are you talking about?” She sipped her coffee.
“Your manuscript…the book you made for Scottie, Old House, New House.”
“What about it?”
“I sent it in to our publisher…Acton Press…the one publishing our writer-in-residence book. Since I’m in charge of WIR, I’m on good terms with the editors there.”
“You sent in my book?” Her eyes widened.
“Remember the copy you gave me? It’s a great book, Sarah. I gave it to Rita Goldman, our editor…who loved it. Here is the best Christmas present ever, honey, a contract from Acton Press to publish Old House, New House congratulations,” he said, handing her a big manila envelope.
Her mouth hung open. She stared at him.
“You gave it to them without asking me?”
“Well, I…I know I should have asked. But I thought you might say no.”
“I would have.”
“Such a terrific book, so original I thought…” he stammered.
She threw her arms around him, kissing him soundly.
“Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Thank you.” She resumed kissing him.
He smiled shyly, pleased with himself. She tore open the envelope and read the details. He peeked over her shoulder. They talked about the terms of the contract then shared a glass of wine. Sarah stretched out on the sofa and fell asleep. Jim covered her with a blanket. He looked again at Mike Flanagan’s Christmas card before he returned home.
Back in his own kitchen, Jim poured himself a glass of scotch. He sat watching the squirrels searching for food outside the kitchen window. Tomorrow he’d probably lose Sarah. She’ll take the great job working for Mike in Michigan, resume sleeping with the man she had loved for years, leaving Jim in the dust. What irony! On Christmas Day I have everything, tomorrow…nothing. As soon as Mike came on the scene, Jim should have left. He should have known she’d leave him for Mike. History repeats itself. This time is worse. Much worse.
* * * *
At midnight, Sarah woke up, turned off lights in the kids’ rooms, covered them up then went looking for Jim. An amazing day, capped by the publishing contract, but not quite the best Christmas present, not the one she wanted.
She looked again under the tree, but didn’t see a small box there waiting for her, promising her his love forever. She sighed, blinked back tears, swallowing her disappointment.
Refreshed by her nap, desire crept back into her body. Sarah slipped the filmy white negligee she’d been saving over her head. Ready for love. But Jim was nowhere to be found. He must’ve gone home. She picked up her cell phone. The phone rang several times before he answered.
“Jim, where are you?”
“Home.”
“Why aren’t you here, with me? I have a special present for you.”
“Leave it under the tree, I’ll get it tomorrow.”
“I can’t,” she said, laughing, “you’ll have to come over.”
“Okay. Okay. I’ll be there in a minute,” he said, sounding tired.
She turned down the lights then lit candles when the key moved the tumblers in the front door lock. Jim was surprised. He stared at her in her beautiful gown.
“I’m taking the reins…”
“What?”
She walked up to him and started to unbutton his flannel shirt.
“Remember you said I could take the reins…make the decision when to resume our love life? I’ve taken the reins, tonight’s the night…if you’re in the mood,” Sarah said, sliding her hands under his shirt.
Jim pulled her to him to kiss her with passion, opening her lips to his tongue. She softened against him. He barely contained his hunger as he slid his hands up and down her back pulling her closer to him.
He picked her up and carried her into the bedroom, laying her down gently on the bed.
“Are you going to tell Mike you’re going to Michigan with him when he comes tomorrow?”
“Mike isn’t coming tomorrow.”
“But his card says he is…he wants to resume sleeping with you…”
“He wants to. But I don’t. I already called Mike.”
“When?”
“A few days ago.”
“What did you tell him?”
“I told him thanks but no thanks.”
“You’re not going to Michigan?”
“No.”
“You’re not going to sleep with him?”
She shook her head
“Oh, Sarah!” he said, tears clouding his eyes as he buried his face in her neck.
“You thought I’d leave you?”
“I did.”
“Why? I love you.”
He closed the door then quickly discarded his clothes
He removed her gown.
“We’ll have to be careful…your wrist…your knee. Take our time”
“I trust you.”
He looked into her eyes and knew she spoke the truth. While she mo
ved pillows around propping herself up, he reached down into his pants pocket. They both sat up at the same time.
“There!” Sarah rested on several pillows before turning her gaze to his face, cupping his rough cheek with her hand.
Jim opened his hand to reveal a small box.
“What’s this?” A tinge of hope in her voice.
Chapter Twenty-Four
“I love you, Sarah, will you marry me?” he asked, taking a beautiful round diamond ring with a ruby on either side out of the box. He offered the ring to her.
She caught her breath, tears started to flow.
“It’s beautiful…yes, I will.”
He eased the ring on her finger then handed her his handkerchief.
“I’m the luckiest man in the world,” he said, gazing at her.
They kissed tenderly.
“This is the best Christmas ever.” Sarah held out her hand and stared at the ring. The diamond glowed with an inner light.
“I must text Callie…Kit…”
“Go ahead with Kit, but Callie already knows.”
“How?”
He turned sheepish eyes to her.
“I took her with me to pick out the ring.”
Sarah laughed.
“Once Callie knows, the world will know within the hour!”
* * * *
In the old Victorian on Bay Street
Kit arrived home exhausted. The plane trip, car trip then getting her daughter into her new room on the first floor of school were overwhelming. Zoe’s broken leg meant the girl couldn’t do stairs. So they had to move all her things down to the new room on the first floor.
Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart Page 21