After dinner, they cleared up the dishes together. Colin pulled a fleece blanket off the bed and set it on the sofa. Leah scooped out Panda Paws ice cream into two dishes and brought it to the coffee table.
"I wish we had this flavor in the city."
"I don't. Keeps you coming up here to satisfy your craving."
"Silly. I come up here to satisfy my craving for you." She shot him a flirtatious smile.
He was feeling better already. Maybe I'll get another chance at Kensington. Maybe I'll apply to Wellington University, too. There's got to be a college job out there for me.
They cuddled together, eating their ice cream before he switched on the television.
"I have an idea…a crazy idea," she looked at him with mischief in her eyes.
He raised his eyebrows. "Nothing about you could surprise me. Shoot."
"Is it too crazy for you to come to Paris with me?"
Colin dropped his spoon and coughed. "What?"
"Come to Paris with me. Even if just for two months. You have July and August off, right? You can be back in time to start school again and we'll have two more months together."
"Me? Go to Paris? With you?"
"Is that so odd?"
"It's wonderful! It's brilliant!"
"You can stay with me, so you won't have to pay for housing…"
"I pay my share or I don't go." His brows knitted.
"Okay, okay."
"We're going to Paris!"
Colin jumped up, grabbed Leah, pulling her to him and twirled her around the room. He stopped so his mouth could descend on hers. His kissed her hungrily, his tongue pressing against her lips until she parted for him. Her arms wound around his neck pulling them closer together.
Colin stepped back, reining himself in. "Do you really want me to go with you?"
"More than anything. A dream come true, making love in Paris. I won't be alone."
"Are you afraid to go by yourself?"
"A little. I did everything with Hank. I've never moved…alone except across town. Going to such a new, exciting and fast-paced place is a little…well, daunting. But if you're with me, I…I won't be afraid."
"I won't let you down."
"I know."
"Maybe I can find a job there, teaching English or something."
"Wouldn't that be wonderful! If you stayed…"
Leah clasped her hands together, her eyes danced with expectation.
"If I stayed, we could get married…or something," he said.
She stopped and looked at him. Suddenly silence hung heavily in the air.
"Married?" She asked, cocking her head at him.
"Just…only if I stayed…I mean, otherwise we'd be living together forever…and married is better…isn't it? I mean…wouldn't you?"
Leah put her fingers on his lips. He stopped talking.
"We've only been seeing each other for three months."
"To some people, three months is a lifetime. I already know how I feel, Leah. You don't have to say anything," he said, placing his fingers on her lips. "In fact, please don't. I'm not saying we should get married or have to get married. But I'd be a liar if I didn't confess that I know my mind about this."
"Do you? So young?"
"I'm not so young. Plenty of people…men, get married younger than I am. I've been waiting for a woman like you…forever. Now you're here."
"You don't want to wait anymore?"
"Why should I? I'm an adult. I know my own mind."
"Wish I could be as sure as you are that you won't someday find a younger woman and…"
"That will never happen. No one could equal you, Leah." He took her in his arms.
She sighed, resting her head against his shoulder.
"We don't have to talk about that now. Let's watch that movie you wanted to see."
Change the subject. Subtle. Not! Can't lose her.
"Let's call your parents and tell them."
"My parents? Why?"
"Why not? Won't they be happy for you to go to Paris?"
"Don't know." Sweat formed in his palm.
Shit! No, they won't, not with you.
Leah picked up his phone and pressed the button that dialed the Andrews family. Colin snatched the phone away but not before his mother picked up.
"Colin? Everything okay?"
"Yeah." His stomach tightened.
Leah made motions with her hands.
"Is there something you want to say to me?"
"I guess. I didn't get the job at Kensington State…"
"I'm so sorry, dear."
"But…instead…I'm…uh…going to Paris."
"Paris?"
"Yup, Paris. With Leah."
His mother's gasp was loud.
"You're following her to Paris? For good?"
"We're going together. Just for the summer. July. August. Then back for school." He spoke quickly.
"Oh. I see." There was a long pause. "Staying with her, I suppose?"
"Of course." He wiped his palm on his pants.
"Well…have a good time."
"I'm not going until after Grey's wedding."
"Then there's time…" She stopped.
"Time for what?" Colin cut in.
"To change your mind?"
"What! You don't get it, do you? Goodbye, Mom." Colin snapped his phone shut while anger filled his heart. Leah sat back against the sofa and stared at him.
"She wasn't happy?"
He shook his head. Last thing I want to do is explain. "How about that movie?" Colin picked up the remote control.
"Is something wrong?"
"I'd rather not talk about it." Colin began switching channels. "What was the name of that movie again?"
"Serendipity. Doesn't your mother like me?"
"Sure she likes you. There it is. Starting in five minutes." He avoided her gaze.
"Then what?" She stared at him.
"Can't we watch the movie and forget about my parents?"
"Both your parents? They don't approve of you…sleeping with me?" Leah placed her hand on his forearm.
Shit, she's on the scent. "Not exactly a mother and son topic."
"I don't understand." She raised her shoulders.
Colin turned off the television.
"Look…it doesn't matter to me what my parents think. I love you, Leah. I want to be with you. Nothing will ever change that. If they're a little old fashioned, well, they'll get over it."
"Old fashioned? About…oh! I see. The age thing? Right, right." She nodded.
He pulled her into his embrace and switched on the television again.
"Watching the movie and forgetting about my parents…right?"
She peered up at him. "Sure?"
"Not a doubt in my mind."
When she snuggled closer to him, resting her head on his chest, Colin pulled up the fleece blanket, covering them. She sighed as he stroked her hair.
"Can I tell Carrie?"
"Why not?" A small smile curled his lips. She wants to tell everyone. A good sign.
He focused on the movie while Leah dialed.
****
Grey and Carrie were sitting in front of a roaring fire, looking at hotel brochures for their honeymoon when Carrie's phone rang.
"Hi," She rejoined Grey on the sofa.
He slipped his arm around her, hugging her to him. She rested her shoeless feet on the coffee table and leaned back against him.
"What?" Carrie bolted upright, snagging Grey's attention from the brochure in his hand.
"Really? That's wonderful!" A huge smile spread across her face.
She nodded twice. "Tell Colin I don't care, I'm telling Grey. Right, right. Uh huh. Perfect!"
A frown furrowed Grey's brow.
"We'll celebrate when he comes down for spring break. Love you, too, hon."
Carrie clicked her phone closed. Her eyes danced mischievously.
"What? Give!" He closed his fingers around a sensitive spot on her waist an
d squeezed.
Carrie jumped and squealed. "I should never have let you find that spot." She twisted around trying to pry his fingers off but Grey was too strong for her.
"And I'll never forget it…" He grinned. "What are you keeping secret? Tell me and I'll let go."
"It's not a secret. Bad news…Colin didn't get the job at Kensington. Good news, Leah asked him to go to Paris with her for the summer."
Grey slid his hand up from her waist to the back of her head. He drew her toward him for a kiss.
"Colin's going to Paris with Leah?" He asked when their lips parted.
She nodded.
"Wow!" He gave an air pump. "Way to go, little brother! She's his, she's his. He's got her. Gotta hand it to him. That old Andrews charm. Women don't stand a chance."
"You're so sure of yourself." She said, laughing.
"Not over-confident…maybe you could say…hopeful? Persistent? I got you, didn't I?"
"Totally."
"Now it's Colin's turn to get the lady of his dreams. We'll be in Paris at the same time."
"We will?"
"Paris is the most romantic place in late June. And this hotel, here, has me salivating. Come and look at what it's got, honey. Just you and me…and all the romance one guy can handle. Whew!"
He pretended to fan himself.
"You are so into this…"
"Hey, you've got more than enough help with the wedding. The honeymoon is more my style," he snickered, his gaze traveling the length of her body. "Gonna bring any of Leah's outfits with you?"
"My honeymoon trousseau is a secret." She shot him a wicked grin.
He stuck out his lower lip.
"I need to have some surprises left for the wedding night, don't I?"
"Every night with you is like a wedding night, honey." He pulled her close for a kiss which became passionate quickly, until Carrie's cell phone rang again.
"Okay, but just for an hour, mom. I have…uh…edits to do." Carrie stared at Grey and licked her lips.
"Your mother's coming over?"
"She has a brochure of flower arrangements and fabric samples for bridesmaids' dresses."
"What does Delia think of all this?"
"She threw up her hands. So I said mom could have the final say on food because that was her field and Delia on clothes because that's her field."
"So why is your mother coming her with fabric samples? And who handles the flowers?"
"Because mom can't take direction from Delia or me. And the flowers. Hell, I forgot to assign those. The groom's family is supposed to supply those. Since I haven't heard from your parents, I guess I'll assign them to mom. I'm getting pretty fed up with her…"
"Oh, no! If my family is supposed to handle flowers, then I'm calling my mom right now. Do not let your mother do that. I don't want her messing with my mom. This could turn into World War Three…"
The doorbell rang before Grey could finish. Grey whispered in her ear as she was pushing to her feet.
"Las Vegas."
She chuckled as she folded her cashmere cardigan sweater around her body before she opened the door to the cold air outside. Janice didn't wait for a greeting but barged right in, talking.
"I know you want everyone to look good but the only one who has to look good is the bride…and the mother of the bride, of course. So if you put all the others in yellow, no one will outshine you…"
"Hi, mom, I'm fine, how are you?" Carrie rolled her eyes, closed the door behind her mother and followed her into the kitchen. Janice plunked right down and pulled out a large envelope from the bag she was carrying.
"Got any coffee?"
"Coming right up." Carrie picked up the empty pot under the coffeemaker.
Janice turned to address Grey. "By the way, Harvey wants to get theater tickets for next Thursday night. Our treat. Grey are you two available?"
Grey pulled out his phone to check his calendar. "I'm going to be in Boston then but you go ahead, Carrie."
His fiancée shot him a "thanks a lot" look behind her mother's back.
"Boston, again?" Janice raised her eyebrows.
"The deal I'm…uh…closing has hit a few snags. Sorry, babe. I won't be more than a day or two."
"Every day without you is like an eternity," Carrie said, stopping to plant a kiss on his cheek.
Grey smiled. "You say the sweetest things."
"For a man so in love, you seem to be trekking up to Boston quite a bit."
His palms started to sweat, heat crept up his neck into his cheeks. Damn, she's nosy! Thank God Carrie's not paying any attention.
"Gotta keep the money rolling in for my future bride."
Lame, totally lame. Get outta here before you blow it completely. Janice isn't buying this at all.
"Not that I'm not interested, but I hope you'll excuse me. I have some paperwork to take care of before tomorrow. I leave you in good hands."
The smell of freshly brewing coffee almost lured him back. Grey frowned at his future mother-in-law. Damn your hide. If you weren't so impossible, I'd stay, join in this a little bit. If I didn't know better, I'd say Carrie was adopted.
Grey got up and moved towards the stairs. Carrie stopped him to whisper in his ear.
"Call me upstairs in about twenty minutes."
He nodded and gave her a pat on the rear end. Carrie returned to the kitchen. As he ascended the stairs, Janice's voice rang out loud and clear.
"Aren't you worried he flits off to Boston all the time? What's he up to? Is it really business?"
Shut the hell up, Janice. You'll ruin everything. He shook his head as he closed the bedroom door.
Chapter Thirteen
A Friday night in April, New York City
"Bon jour, Mademoiselle," Colin said, bowing as Leah joined him in the lobby of Nina's building. Leah was apartment sitting again and this week, Colin was joining her. Spring break, Easter parade, Central Park overflowing with daffodils all made this a romantic week. Leah was looking forward to Colin's arrival.
She giggled at his French greeting. Lance, the doorman, gave Colin a quizzical stare.
"Practicing, my man, practicing," Colin said.
"We're going to Paris together, Lance…at the end of June."
"How exciting!" Lance picked up Colin's small suitcase and carried it over to the elevator.
"Don't do that. I can manage."
"Happy to help, Colin."
Leah couldn't stop grinning. She had been brushing up her French and a visit to the French embassy provided her with brochures on everything wonderful to do in Paris. Colin researched sights to see. When he entered the apartment, he pulled out a big envelope stuffed with his pages on Paris.
"Lady Jeanne has arranged for a small apartment for me for six months, to see how I like it and how we work together."
"An apartment in Paris…you and me. How romantic!" Colin picked her up and twirled her around the living room.
"Do you think we'll get out of bed long enough to see any of these," she said, fingering the papers he dumped on the coffee table?
"Maybe, maybe not." His mouth descended for a hungry kiss.
Leah returned his ardor, holding him tightly against her.
"I've missed you so much," she breathed.
Thought about you every day. Amazing man…
Colin took her hand and led her into the bedroom. He shoved the door shut with his foot then gently picked her up and dropped her on the bed. He toed off his shoes before climbing up on his knees next to her. He buried his face in her neck while his hand slipped under her sweater and covered her breast. Desire grew in her belly as he massaged her soft flesh. She unbuttoned his flannel shirt, gliding her hands underneath only to be impeded by a t-shirt.
"Damn!"
He pulled back, shrugged the long-sleeved shirt off his shoulders and ripped the t-shirt over his head.
"Better?"
"Much." Her eyes widened as she gazed at his hard chest. His shoulders are as wide as the
Atlantic Ocean…
Running her long fingernails over his then through the soft light brown hair there sent a shiver shooting up her spine. A smile spread across her face when she heard him emit a low growl and close his eyes. Today is about pleasure for you. Her lips sought his neck, placing tiny kisses there, moving down to his pecs. She took a long lick of his chest, tasting him, feeling him shiver. When she scooted over, he stretched out next to her. She slid on top of him, straddling his hips and moved her assault back to his neck with her mouth while the fingernails of one hand scraped lightly down his chest.
Colin inched her sweater up until she grabbed the hem and pulled it over her head. She tossed it on a chair. He unhooked her bra.
"Oh, I have a present for you. In that bag over there," he said pointing.
"I'll get it." She scampered across the room, snatched the bag and returned.
Colin had slipped his jeans off and lay there wearing only his boxers. Leah unbuttoned and unzipped her skirt, then wiggled it down slowly. His gaze followed the garment slink down, revealing her pink bikini panties. She heard his intake of breath as the skirt hit the floor. Then she hooked her thumbs into each side of her panties and took them off striptease style, humming while she danced for him. Colin was practically drooling.
"Open the bag," he said, his voice cracking as he stared at her.
She pulled out a teal blue beret.
"Perfect!" She laughed.
"Put it on."
"Mais oui," she replied.
Leah arranged the small hat artfully on her head then bent over in a fit of giggling. Colin reached out for her, touching her hand. She left the hat on and climbed on the bed. When he went to sit up, she put her hand on his chest, pushing him back down.
"Oh, no. This one is for you…no work, just pleasure," she cooed.
She bent over and slipped his swollen shaft between her lips.
"If this is a dream, don't wake me up." He lay back and closed his eyes.
Leah continued until he sat up.
"Stop, you're pushing the limits…"
She sat back on her haunches.
With a hand on each side of her waist, he easily lifted her up and placed her over his hips. She balanced herself placing her hands on his chest, one knee on each side of him. A sexy grin curled her lips as she straightened the beret on her head.
The Dating List Page 15