Unlikely Lovers

by Anna Kristell

  “You are going nowhere; you’re staying right here with me.”

  He scooped her up, carrying her to his bed, where he gently laid her on the cool sheets and covered her with the blanket.

  She rolled over contentedly. This is exactly where I am meant to be.

  They remained that way until the alarm blared the next morning. She lay in bed as he dressed for work.

  He interrupted her thoughts when he came out of the bathroom and said, “Are you going to work today?”

  “Not until a little later, I have a meeting so I have a little time.”

  “Baby, you look delicious lying there in my bed like that. But I’ve got to go.” He kissed her goodbye.

  “I’ll talk to you later?”

  “I’ll call you.”

  She heard his truck pulling out of the driveway as she rolled over, loving the fact she was in his bed. But it was time to go home and get ready for work, so she gathered her clothes, dressed and left, locking the door behind her.

  Chapter 14

  As Jessica sat with Missy eating club sandwiches the next day around noon she told her friend what had happened the previous evening.

  “Do you think he was just playing around or did he really want me to say something?” Jessica asked as she took a sip of iced tea.

  “He probably wanted you to say those three little words.” Missy looked at her friend worriedly.

  “You think?”

  “Has he ever told you he loves you?”

  “Only once. After. And I thought it was just a heat of the moment thing.”

  “Well then?”

  “Missy, what am I going to do? I think I do love him.”

  “Tell him before it’s too late. And tell him everything!”

  “That’s easier said than done. Cody’s not your sweet teddy bear, like Andy. Not that he’s not sweet I just don’t think he’ll take too kindly to being lied to.”

  Missy laughed. “What a fitting description. Andy is my sweet teddy bear.”

  “You are sickening, Jessica teased.

  “At least I’m honest,” Missy reminded her.

  “Ouch, point taken.” Jessica winced at the truth. “Maybe he’s my Mr. Right. Who would have ever thought that night at the bowling alley I’d meet the man of my dreams, literally? I never told you I dreamt of being loved by a man like Cody just before I met him. The man in my dreams even had the same chocolate drop eyes. ”

  “Wow, maybe he is then. But honey, you’ll never know until you tell him how you feel.”

  “Food for thought,” Jessica answered then changed the subject abruptly. “Hey, Valentine’s Day is this weekend.”

  “It is at that.”

  “Do you want the four of us to get together this weekend or are you reserving it for Andy?”

  “We could go to that club, Harlow’s, where we went before for a while then call it an early night so I can spend time with Andy alone,” Missy offered.

  “That sounds good. I’ll tell Cody when I talk to him tonight.”

  “Okay, I’m sure Andy won’t object as long as we leave early.” Missy blushed.

  “You are such a baby…blushing,” Jessica teased.

  “Honey, until you met Cody, you were every bit as shy,” Missy reminded her.

  “Yes, I was. He’s really done a number on me, hasn’t he?” She knew her friend was right.

  “That’s why I say this goes far deeper than just good sex. I think both of you are head over heels in love with each other. And you’re both too stubborn to be the first to say it. You need to just tell him everything and get it over with.”

  “Mind blowing sex, not just good sex,” Jessica corrected.

  “Whatever.” Missy laughed and rolled her eyes. “Now who’s sickening?”

  They finished their lunch and went back to the afternoon session of their meeting. When it was over and Jessica had driven home, she sat in her living room thinking about the discussion she and Missy had at lunch. She got up and walked into the bedroom to hang up her uniform so it wouldn’t wrinkle and threw on her old, comfortable pink terry robe. As she walked into the kitchen to see what was in the fridge, she came to the ultimate decision. She picked up the watering can on the counter and walked over to her plant on the windowsill.

  “I’ve been going back and forth on this long enough. I do love Cody. I need to tell him that and everything else. He has to understand. I’ll beg his forgiveness and promise him forever. I’ll do anything to make it right,” she said to her forlorn little plant.

  Chapter 15

  The next few days proved to be very busy for Jessica. With a new project at work and weekend plans to look forward to she barely had time to catch her breath. The two couples were to meet for dinner and dancing. Missy shopped for a new outfit with Jessica accompanying her. She found brown gauchos with a coral and brown filmy paisley top. A pair of brown leather boots completed the outfit.

  “I like it. It’s really you” Jessica said as she picked out a green, satin, empire-style shirt that matched the green of her eyes. “Do you like this? I can wear black slacks with it.”

  “Oh, yeah, that really brings out the green in your eyes, Jess,” Missy agreed.

  After making their purchases, they stopped at Starbucks for iced mochas then Missy dropped Jessica off at home so they each could prepare for their special night.

  Jessica took extra special care with her hair and makeup that night, matching her eye shadow to the new green shirt, carefully adding eyeliner and mascara. I want to look sensational for Cody. I want him to be proud to be seen with me. She styled her hair with combs at the sides and picked out silver jewelry and as always wore the tennis bracelet he’d given her for Christmas. When the picture was complete, she twirled in front of the mirror, pleased with the finished product. She slipped into a pair of black heels, filled a small black leather purse and waited for Missy to arrive.

  When they arrived at the already crowded club, Andy and Cody were waiting for them. The sight of Cody in his khakis and navy oxford shirt literally took her breath away. How can I have been with him so many times and still get this hot just looking at him? That has to mean something, right?

  Missy whispered to her, “I’m a lucky girl, I’m so glad I talked you into going bowling that night all those months ago. Andy is the sweetest man alive. Not bad to look at either.”

  “I’m lucky, too. I just wish I didn’t have this black cloud hanging over me.”

  “You know what you can do about that,” Missy gently reminded her.

  “I know you’re trying to help and I know deep down you’re right. I just can’t do it yet.”

  Missy sighed.

  The two men walked over to the car and as he helped her out, Cody leaned over and kissed Jessica. They walked into the club, found a table, and as they were looking at the menus Cody ordered champagne for everyone.

  “You’re ordering champagne instead of beer?” Jessica asked. Beer was the drink of choice for both Andy and Cody.

  “This is a special occasion,” Cody explained as he leaned over to kiss her. “It’s Valentine’s Day, after all.”

  “I feel honored,” Missy said with a smile. “You two giving up your beer for a night for little old us is special indeed.” They all laughed.

  After ordering their dinner, they talked until the food arrived.

  “You’re really thinking about looking for work in Kansas?” Cody asked, taking a sip of his champagne.

  “Yep,” Andy replied, looking at Missy as he spoke. She blushed in usual Missy style.

  “So you two are getting serious?” Jessica asked.

  “You could say that.” Andy looked at Missy and smiled.

  She smiled back then asked, “Should we tell them, honey?”

  “I can see you’re bursting at the seams, so go ahead.”

  “Andy and I are engaged.” She held up her left hand to display a beautiful marquise style diamond ring.

  Jessica almost choked on her d
rink. “When did this happen?”

  “Today, actually, after we went shopping and before I picked you up. I wanted to tell you while Andy was with me, so I waited.”

  “And I’ll bet that’s the first time in your life you’ve ever kept such an important secret for that long, isn’t it, Missy?” Cody teased.

  “Well, I wouldn’t exactly say that,” Missy replied glancing at Jessica, who shook her head.

  “Jessie, they beat us. Who would have thought?” Cody looked at her with an odd expression.

  “Yes, who would have thought?” she replied, looking down.

  Cody refilled the champagne flutes, making a toast to their friends, “I wish you many years of wedded bliss. You may have been a little slow getting together, but once you did, you moved like wildfire.”

  After dinner, Andy and Missy walked to the dance floor, unaware of anyone else around them.

  “Jessie, is something bothering you?” Cody asked, as they remained at the table.

  “I’m just sad because Missy’s leaving in a few months. I’ll be all right,” she replied sadly.

  “Are you sure that’s all?”

  How can I tell him, no, it’s not all. I just can’t. Not yet.

  “Let’s dance,” She said, a little too brightly.

  “Sure, pretty lady,” he said, walking her onto the floor and pulling her close. He whispered as they moved to the music, “Jessie, you know how I feel about you, don’t you?

  “Do I?” She looked up at him.

  “You’re the only woman in my life. Don’t be upset because Andy and Missy beat us to the altar. We’ll have our day.” He smiled down at her as he pulled her closer.

  “Cody, there are things you don’t know about me,” she began as she looked into his chocolate brown eyes.

  “Let’s just enjoy our night.” He pulled her even closer.

  She melted against him. How can I tell him now and ruin this?

  The evening ended early as planned with each couple going their own way.

  “I’ll be talking to you real soon, Jess,” Missy told her as they said their goodbyes.

  “Call me.” Jessica hugged her friend

  As Cody drove to his apartment, he spoke. “Jessie, remember that talk we said we were going to have when you returned from your trip?”

  “I remember,” Jessica said quietly.

  “We never got around to that. We always got sidetracked.”

  “I don’t want to talk tonight, Cody...”

  “Sure, baby, I understand. But soon, okay?”

  “Soon,” she reluctantly agreed.

  When they reached his apartment, he silently unlocked the door. Once inside, he lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs to his four poster bed with the plaid comforter that she had grown to love.

  “What are you doing?” She laughed as he deposited her on the bed.

  “Being romantic,” he said, joining her in laughter.

  “Cody…I do care about you.”

  “I told you once I loved you. Do you remember that?”

  “Yes.”

  “But you’ve never said it to me.”

  “I’ve been confused. Can you understand that?” Her green eyes begged him to understand.

  “Yes, because I’m just as confused as you,” he admitted.

  “Are you saying now you don’t love me?”

  “Not exactly, what I’m saying is that yes, I love you. I love us together. But I’m not sure if I’m ready to take the next big step like Andy and Missy. Their whole relationship has been different than ours, from the start.”

  “I love you, Cody.”

  “You really do?” he asked, searching her eyes.

  “Yes, but…” she continued.

  He stopped her from going on, “There’s always a but with us.”

  “I love you, you love me, but that doesn’t mean it will last forever. Someday I’ll tell you what you need to know about me, but I just can’t right now.”

  “Where does that leave us now?” Cody asked gently.

  “Loving each other, continuing the way we have been and if it’s meant to be more then it will be at some point. When we’re both ready,” Jessica replied.

  “Do you think we’re really in love with each other or just love the idea of what we are together?” he ventured as he gently caressed her cheek.

  “That’s the whole thing in a nutshell, isn’t it? Neither one of us knows for sure,” Jessica replied sadly.

  “So we just keep on dating and having mind boggling sex until one of us decides it’s over?” he asked.

  “Or until we decide to take it further.” Jessica looked to him for understanding.

  “I’ll agree to that,” he said as he leaned down to kiss her.

  “Did I just hear someone offering mind boggling sex a minute ago?” Jessica smiled as the kiss ended.

  “You little vixen, you just can’t get enough, can you?” Cody teased.

  “No, I can’t, not with you.”

  “Damn, woman, you’re good for my ego.” He gave her his sexiest grin as he teased her.

  “Then show me what you got, cowboy.”

  “Feeling feisty tonight, are we?”

  “Bring it on.” She laughed as he stood up and did a sensual dance for her. By the time he finished she was laughing hysterically.

  “What, may I ask, was so damn funny about that?”

  “You. Acting like a clown just to cheer me up.”

  “Yes, Jessie, I had to do something. You’ve been so sad lately. Did it work?”

  “Yes, but…”

  “Here we go again, always a but with you.”

  “Okay, I’m cheered up…on with the real show.”

  She stood up, pushing him onto the bed. She did a dance for him then, but her dance wasn’t meant to be funny, she was extremely sensual and he was very aroused by the time she was finished.

  “Come to me, baby,” Cody said as she walked toward him.

  “Do with me what you will, my lord,” she said in her best British accent.

  “We are quite the jokesters tonight, aren’t we?”

  “Just trying to lighten the mood,” she answered with a smile.

  “Well, it’s time to get serious if you want me to live up to my legend.”

  She continued to tantalize him with her movements. Suddenly, he rolled her over and crawled on top of her.

  “Tell me what you want, Jessie.”

  “Just love me, Cody.”

  “That I can do, baby, that I can surely do,” he whispered hoarsely as he touched her

  cheek and leaned down to give her the kiss that would once again ignite the flame within her soul.

  Chapter 16

  The next morning, Cody woke her with a breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast served in bed.

  “What’s this about?” she asked, reaching for her coffee.

  “Just doing something nice for my girl, serving her breakfast in bed.” He kissed her as he sat on the bed next to her and buttered a slice of toast.

  “Am I your girl, Cody?”

  “Well, I don’t see any other females around here, do you?” He looked around the room. “I don’t think there’s anyone hiding in the closet over there.”

  “You goof.” She laughed as she spread strawberry jam on her toast and took a bite.

  “What would you like to do today, other than stay in bed and screw all day?”

  “Well, since you put it that way…”

  “Seriously, would you like to go to a movie, or pack a picnic and go to the lake?”

  “I kind of liked that other idea.”

  “Woman…you are crazy.”

  “You’re saying you don’t want to?”

  “I’m a guy. I’m supposed to want it all the time…most women like to be taken out once in a while.”

  “I’m not most women.”

  “So I’ve noticed. I’ll make a deal with you, you finish your breakfast, then we’ll get out of here and g
o do something for a change.”

  “What did I ever do to deserve you?” she asked as she kissed him.

  “You really want me to explain?”

  “In detail, please.”

  He chuckled as he set the breakfast tray aside and kissed her. “Why don’t I show you?” he teased.

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  And he did show her, very thoroughly.

  Later, she woke to find him staring at her. “Did I slobber in my sleep or something? What are you staring at?”

  “I’m staring at the beautiful woman lying in my bed. I could get used to this, you know.”

  “I’m here pretty much all of the time as it is, aren’t I? You should be used to it by now.”

  “I guess you are. Change your mind about going out?”

  “I think we should go up to the Little Wichita Mountains this afternoon.” She caressed his face and leaned over to kiss him again.

  “Oh, pretty lady, you are just too much. Is there any other guy in the world as lucky as me?”

  “Probably not and don’t you forget it.”

  “I’m not likely to anytime soon,” he answered, gently caressing her face.

  “I feel lazy today.”

  “Too lazy for this?” he kissed her neck, teasingly biting, and then moved down to her breasts.

  “Umm… never too lazy for that,” she replied. “But we need to get out of this bed if we are going to spend the afternoon in the mountains.”

  “Let’s go grab some Meer’s burgers and maybe take in Holy City while we’re in the mountains. Have you ever been there? ” he said later as she came out of the bathroom drying her hair with one of his fluffy maroon towels.

  “Sounds good to me, no I haven’t, but I’ve heard people at work talk about both places,” she replied as she took jeans and a sweatshirt from one of the drawers he had emptied to make room for her things.

  He drove up the mountainside, into the animal preserve and on to Holy City. The air was chilly still, but for February it wasn’t bad. They took their time, quietly taking in the memorial for the Oklahoma City bombing victims before making their way through the rest of Holy City. It was a peaceful place and Jessica enjoyed being able to share it with Cody. When they had finished, he drove to Meers. It had at one time been a mining town. The restaurant was in a ramshackle building, which used to house a general store and post office. The building was sort of built into the mountainside and didn’t look like much.