by Vivian Kees
****
They spent the rest of the drive to the lake house in silence. Kyle kept his eyes peeled to the road as he navigated the narrow road that would lead them there from the main highway.
Late autumn, the colours, the crispness in the air; it was family and tradition all rolled into one. And when the lake finally came into view, he was there again filled with that sense of home which never seemed to dissipate no matter how many years fluttered by.
Janine had drifted off a while back. He smiled listening to her snoring softly, her head resting against the passenger’s window. What was it about this woman that made him hold on, even after she proclaimed them to be over more than once? Normally, he’d just move on, and in fact he had in the past in other relationships when things did not work out.
It wasn’t just the baby, though finding out she was pregnant with his child had forced him to see things in a whole other light. It forced him to see them differently. No longer did they just have themselves to consider. They now had to think of the new life coming. And boy, just thinking about being a father thrilled him. Pulling onto the driveway that led up to the lake house, he wondered if his father had felt the same way when the news came that his mother was expecting.
His admiration still to this day stood strong for his father. That man had been the rock in their family.
The house stood proud against the backdrop of the lake with its log structure blending in with the surrounding wilderness.
“We’re here,” he said, bringing the car to halt in the driveway. He reached out, gingerly touching Janine’s soft cheek. She stirred and then stretched her arms a little.
****
Stepping out of the car, Janine paused taking in her new surroundings. Even this late in the year the place managed to take her breath away with its majestic scenery. Kyle must have caught her reaction.
“It’s something, isn’t it?”
“I’m a self-professed city girl, but I have to admit it’s places like this that make me rethink my position. Heck, I think I could even forego Starbuck’s.” She grinned, marvelling at the freshness in the air, pine scent lingering combined with the mossy undergrowth of the forest.
“Starbuck’s, eh? Then this place really must be magical.”
“So I like my coffee. A girl’s got to have at least one vice in life.”
Kyle moved around the side of the car towards her. “The bags can wait, let’s get inside.” His right arm curled around her shoulders and together they walked up to the house. This time she didn’t push him away. Kyle wasn’t a bad guy, far from it. If anything, he’d been the best thing to come into her life for a long time, though pride and independence often overruled her in admitting such things.
Janine stood to the side once they slipped through the door while Kyle called to his mother who had yet to appear.
“That’s strange,” he said, removing his jacket. “The door was unlocked and … come to think, her car wasn’t in the driveway.”
“Perhaps she had to leave for something,” she suggested. “The nearest town isn’t far. Supplies maybe?”
Moving into the kitchen he stopped just a few steps ahead of her. On the countertop was a letter accompanied by a grandiose vase of assorted flowers. She watched as Kyle read the letter, his eyes glancing up momentarily at her.
“What is it? Is the note from your mother?” she asked, hoping that nothing was wrong.
He nodded still staring at the page in front of him. “She says she had to attend to some unforeseen business … and that she hopes we will stay for the weekend and close the place up for her.” He paused, shaking his head. “This is very unlike her.”
Janine closed her eyes and shook her head. She knew exactly what was happening. This had all been planned. “No, Kyle. I think she intended to do this to set you and I up to be alone this weekend.”
“But she doesn’t know that we’re no longer together,” he replied. “How could she even begin to guess that?”
“Like you said, she’s very perceptive. She might have sensed things were not right and here we are together again.”
“Here we are,” he repeated, placing the letter back onto the countertop. “We can leave. You don’t have to stay here. I can drive you back into the city and come back to take care of business on my own. I know this has to be uncomfortable for you.”
She pondered the thought for a moment wondering what the right thing would be to do. “It’s a long drive back, and it’s late in the day.”
“It’s no problem. I don’t mind driving in the dark.”
She didn’t like the idea of him driving the roads at night and coming back alone. Not with all the twists and turns, not to mention the fact that some animal could easily wander out and … well, it just wasn’t a pleasant thought. “No. I’ll stay.”
“Okay then. I’ll get our bags and see about starting a fire in the fireplace.” He flashed her a killer trademarked smile as he grabbed his jacket, whizzing past her and out the door.
One hand went to her forehead. She’d gone and done it now!
****
Crafty was the first word that came to mind when thinking about his mother. And while the woman had placed them in an awkward situation Kyle made a mental note right then and there to thank her when he saw her again, pending the outcome of this weekend, of course.
He loved Janine. And just because she’d decided to turn her feelings off towards him it didn’t change his. Now all he needed to do was prove himself. To prove to her that what they had was worth saving, and that love was worth fighting for.
And the baby. He swelled with pride. Imagine him, a father. He couldn’t forget the baby.
Grabbing the bags from the car, he dashed back inside the house. Janine was making herself at home, brewing a pot of coffee.
“Decaf,” he chided, a goofy grin crossing his lips.
“Of course,” she agreed, rolling her eyes. “I wouldn’t brew anything but.”
Their eyes met, for a brief moment holding one another. She turned from him and walked to the refrigerator. “I’ll see about making us some dinner.”
“And I’ll see to the fire.” He stopped as he passed her but didn’t dare look back. “I’m glad you decided to stay.”
“Ditto,” she replied.
****
Dinner was simple. Kyle grilled steaks while Janine saw to making a fabulous light salad filled with various greens and other delectable veggies. To top it off she whipped together a mild vinaigrette dressing that complemented the meal nicely.
Dim lighting set the atmosphere around them as they ate. Janine had to admit that the rural setting was both relaxing and romantic. She still wasn’t sure if she wanted the latter, but she was quickly warming up to the idea of being with Kyle once again. “I like it here,” she admitted. “If I had a place like this I’d be up here on a regular basis. Sometimes I feel like my life is running me instead of the opposite.” It was the life of a nurse and possibly a single mother.
“I understand. Life’s often like that unfortunately. And before we know it things are out of control.” Kyle paused for a moment and placed his fork on the table beside his plate. “I take partial blame for us. I don’t do flings, and I should have known better. I was drawn to you, and I can’t explain why. We have a connection. That’s the one thing that I’m positive of.”
“I won’t deny it, we do.” It took a lot out of Janine to admit that. Her emotions were screwed and her hormones whacked. She glanced up from the table where she’d been averting her gaze to avoid looking at Kyle. His hand fell upon hers and she didn’t pull it away.
“Can’t we continue on? Who cares what anyone thinks. To hell with them. This is about us … the three of us.”
Tears came to her eyes and try as she might to hold them back, they came anyway. “It’s more than that.” She had feelings for him, deep feelings. “I keep thinking that it won’t work between us. My track record with men hasn’t been good, and I don’t wan
t to go through that again.”
“Don’t compare me to the other men you’ve had in the past. I’m not them,” he assured. He got up from the table and so did she. Together they sat on the couch and when Kyle took her into his arms, she felt safe and secure. She knew what was coming next. She wouldn’t fight him, not this time. She wanted and needed this just as much as he did.
Chapter Four
Janine felt soft to the touch just like Kyle remembered from their past encounters together, only this wasn’t just an encounter. This was more now and he felt different as he caressed her all over on the bed they now shared.
“Kyle.”
He listened as Janine called his name, her voice soft and seductive. He moved downward and trailed tiny kissed across her belly and stopped to pay her naval special attention. She writhed beneath him and his thumbs found the waistband of her panties. He pulled them down slowly as she lifted her hips slightly to aid him.
“Oh my,” Janine said when his tongue found her. He spread her legs and his fingers separated her slick folds as he toyed with her clit. He knew from previous experience that she loved this.
She yielded to him and listening to her breathing change, Kyle knew she was close to coming. “That’s it,” he whispered, “let go and come for me.” He kissed her pussy and rubbed her clit with his forefinger. Her womanly scent intoxicated him. He wanted more. He ached to be inside her.
Her hands intertwined in his hair and pushed him farther into her pussy. “That’s so good. Keep doing that. That’s it. That’s how I like it. I’m going to come. Oh my!”
Kyle felt her bumping against his tongue. He sucked her clit and swirled his tongue around her. She gasped, and he guessed that was it. He couldn’t help but grin. Now it was his turn.
****
Janine blushed and was thankful that in the darkness of the room, Kyle was not able to notice. Being pregnant, she also felt extremely naughty enjoying the way he pleasured her. Her nipples tingled, anticipating Kyle’s lips as he alternated taking each in his mouth. His tongue teased them just like it had her clit. She smiled when Kyle looked up at her with a wry grin on his lips. “That was something,” she said. It was the first thing that came into her mind.
“This is only the beginning,” Kyle replied. “It’s a long night, and I want to make it memorable for both of us.”
Kyle’s words lingered. She sat up in bed and watched as he undressed. Even after their long played out affair, she never got tired watching him undress. Kyle had a hot body, well defined with muscles in all the right places. Slowly, he slipped out of his jeans. He stepped out of them and shed his shirt. Standing before her clad in only his black boxer briefs, Janine sucked in a deep breath. She exhaled slowly and drank everything that was Kyle Van Peter in.
“What?” he asked. His erection tented his briefs in a most obscene manner.
“I’m thinking about,” she hesitated to say more. This was sharing at its most intimate and something she’d never done before with any man including Kyle. Before tonight things had been different between them. Their relationship had moved to another level. They were breaking new ground with each other. She felt comforted and scared at the same time at the thought of being serious with Kyle. “How much I want you.” That summed how she felt nicely without going into the gritty details. It was the wrong time for a deep conversation.
Janine yielded to Kyle as he entered her slowly. She savoured every inch and he moved forward into her. She reached down and wrapped her arms around his waist with want and need for him. They fit perfectly together just like she had remembered. Sex with Kyle was wonderful. He did all the right things and knew exactly how to please her.
“You feel so good,” Kyle said. He leaned down and their lips met. Their tongues merged and Janine stifled a moan. She felt hot. She throbbed for him all over. Kyle’s firm chest rubbed against her nipples. He tweaked each one, moving back and forth between the two as he slid in and out of her pussy. He broke their kiss and his breath started to quicken as he tensed up, rocking in and out of her with a most delicious rhythm. He was going to come. She sensed it. “I love you.” He kissed her neck and nestled his head on her shoulder as he pushed inside her one last time, coming.
Janine clutched at Kyle as she felt her own orgasm rock through her. He’d said he loved her. Had she imagined that? Sex did strange things to people. Did he really say those three words?
Janine turned on her side away from Kyle. She felt him spoon her from behind as he draped one arm over her until his hand rested against her stomach. They were now so much more to each other. Even the air around them felt different. Did Kyle also feel this?
“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low.
“Yes,” she managed to reply, but for some silly reason she felt like crying. She didn’t, but the emotion was there welling up from deep inside her. “I’m fine. How about you?” Her voice nearly cracked at the moment.
“I’m enjoying every second being here with you.”
Janine said nothing and when she heard Kyle’s breathing change she knew he had fallen asleep. She slipped out easily from under his arm. She was careful not to wake him.
In the bathroom, she turned on the shower and settled under the hot spray. This was happening entirely too fast and all feelings aside, she had to stay practical. She didn’t have only her to think about. She was going to have a baby, their baby. Sex wasn’t a cure all for a relationship. They both had a lot to work on to make their relationship successful. That was a given.
****
When he woke, Kyle immediately saw that Janine wasn’t in the bed next to him. He literally rolled out of bed and almost fell to the floor, but managed to catch himself. “Janine,” he called out as he walked out of the bedroom. He called her name a second time before she responded.
“I couldn’t sleep,” she explained. “I took a shower and didn’t want to disturb you by getting back in bed.”
“That’s silly.” He sat beside her on the couch. She was wrapped up in a robe that he kept in the bathroom. “Come back to bed. It’s still late.”
“I have something to ask you. But I want an honest answer from you.”
From the tone of her voice whatever she had to say was serious. “Sure.” He wouldn’t be anything but.
“All this … I mean us. This isn’t just about the baby, right?”
“I’m not sure I know exactly what you mean,” he answered.
“You said you loved me while we made love.”
He nodded. “I did and I meant it.”
“But is it love for me or just because I’m carrying your child?” She paused. “I don’t want us to be together only because there’s a baby involved. Do you get what I’m saying? A loveless relationship would be worse than no relationship at all. And you know I would never deny you your rights as a father. It’s not in me to do that, Kyle. I’d never use our baby as a pawn.”
“I know you wouldn’t. That thought has never crossed my mind. I know you’re not that type of person. When I said I loved you, I truly meant you. I love our baby too. I want us to be together. I don’t want to push you, but when I think about my future, you two are in it. I’d never lie to you, ever.” What else could he say to make her believe and trust him?
“I worry far too much.”
“Yes, but there’s no need. I’m here for you, and I’m not going anywhere unless you tell me to. You’d never get rid of me totally.” He laughed, lightening the mood. “I’ll always be a dad no matter what and if you give me the chance, perhaps a husband.” The choice was hers.
****
Janine returned to bed with Kyle. She curled up in his arms and the safe and secure feeling she felt warmed her. Pushing him and everyone else around her away achieved nothing. Sure she had trust issues, but if things were ever going to change she had to get over them and move on with her life.
Her opinion of Kyle had changed for the better. During their affair she never really got to know him. Things back
then had been fun between them. Everything had been casual with no strings attached or so she’d thought at the time.
Life was about change. Time stood still for no one. People evolved and so did relationships.
With her head rested firmly against Kyle’s chest, Janine listened to his heartbeat. She smiled and looked up at him. He was sleeping soundly. Once again, she felt tears come to her eyes, but this time she didn’t feel sad, she felt happy. Maybe this was it. Maybe Kyle was the one. Maybe this time love had found her at last.
The End
Other Books by Vivian Kees:
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/pages/Vivian-Kees.html
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Evernight Publishing
www.evernightpublishing.com