Weston offered his jacket to Jessica, but she declined. His jacket was as wet as hers, but she was happy her fairly new Coach bag wasn’t out in the rain.
The park where Jessica walked during the lunch hour was right across the street from her office. She loved to sit and look out the window to see the children playing there in the afternoons. As Weston guided her in that direction, he stopped every few steps to kiss the rain from her nose and steal a kiss from her luscious lips.
Was this the craziest thing they had done so far? No, it wasn’t, Jessica mused. They had fallen madly in love after all these years.
Weston kept his arm around Jessica’s shoulder as they strolled into the park. The rain came much harder. She thought they should turn back. A brave soul didn’t act in a cowardly manner. Rain never hurt anyone, at least not by falling down on them. It just left a body a bit chilled and wet.
At any other time Jessica would’ve been horrified that her hair would frizz up. Funny, but it didn’t bother her to look and feel like a wet rat. She would have to wash and blow-dry her hair. In the interest of time she’d flat-iron her long tresses and let them flow about her shoulders, the layers falling smoothly.
A lightning strike caused Weston to turn Jessica back in the direction of the office parking lot. He also worried about her getting sick. They couldn’t have that. She was returning to New York with him and he wanted her in tiptop physical condition.
The moment the couple entered Jessica’s town house she quickly excused herself. Badly in need of a hot shower, she hightailed it upstairs, ran into the bathroom and turned on the water. Wishing she hadn’t committed them to dessert at her parents’, she stripped hurriedly out of her wet, smelly attire, tossing it into the wicker hamper.
Following right behind Jessica, already butt-naked, Weston guided her inside the shower, behind the glass doors. As they settled beneath the steamy, pulsating mist, he pulled her back fully against his body. Taking the plastic bottle of shampoo from the metal caddy, he commenced washing her hair.
Weston’s fingers moving all about in her hair excited Jessica to no end. As he began to massage her scalp deeply, she dropped down on the built-in seat and let him do his thing. If it were possible to fall asleep in the shower, she could with ease. The hot water and his soothing hands had her completely relaxed, ready to succumb.
Before rinsing the shampoo from Jessica’s hair, Weston lathered up his own curly locks. Minutes later, after he’d thoroughly rinsed out the coconut-scented suds, he applied a generous amount of rich conditioner to both their heads. Since the conditioner had to stay in for a while, he used the wait time to seduce her.
As Weston lifted Jessica into his arms, she wrapped her legs around his waist. He sat down with her and positioned her snugly on his lap, kissing her all the while. The water wasn’t the only hot thing. As always, she burned white-hot for him. Allowing him carte blanche, she closed her eyes. This was her idea of heaven. His hands caressed and explored her nudity, his kiss warm, wet, wild yet tender.
Lifting Jessica a second time, Weston slowly and gently slid her down onto his granite-hard, aching-with-need manhood, condom-protected. She purred softly. As her body shivered with pure delight, he filled her up. While she moved herself up and down and around on him, her trembling hands entwined in his wet hair.
Tossing her head back, her eyes fiery with lust and passion, Jessica rode the rapturous waves. This kind of delicious lovemaking should never end. She felt his ardor all the way down to her toenails. Her body had started out humming sweetly. The song it belted out now thrilled her senseless.
If only Weston knew…He did know…. He had to know…. Her body revealed her intimate secrets, every single one of them, every time he made sweet love to her. At the same moment their shuddering climax detonated, shaking their inner cores, the shower ran out of hot water. Jessica didn’t freak out, nor could she barely catch her breath. She laughed along with Weston, the cold water freezing off their tails.
As they stepped out onto the plush bathroom rug, he wrapped her up in one of the thick bath sheets she’d laid out. Once he’d towel-dried her body, she eagerly returned the favor. Massaging lotion and oil into each other’s bodies followed.
A quick nap was decided on once the call to Sahara and Roman was made with deep regret. The Harringtons were a bit disappointed, but Jessica and Weston didn’t want to drive around in the rain. More time alone was also desired. The walk in the rain had been fun, exhilarating and romantic. The day had already been full of sensuality. He had made more than her scalp tingle. Everything was beautiful, running smooth as silk.
Jarred’s number was on the home-phone caller ID. Jessica decided not to respond. The timing was all wrong. He’d find out Weston was in L.A. in due time, and she was grateful that her lover hadn’t questioned her about not picking up. Growing closer and closer to the man she loved was the most important order for this first visit.
By candlelight, naked as the day they were born, Jessica and Weston prepared dinner side by side. He drained the pasta in the sink while she stirred the plump shrimp into the marinara sauce. After dipping a wooden spoon into the sauce, she brought it up to her mouth to sample. She rinsed off the spoon and stirred the tomato concoction some more.
Weston pulled out two place settings and hurried to set the table. The fresh salad mixture she’d cleaned and stored in a plastic bag was removed from the refrigerator. He then poured Italian and blue cheese dressings into a glass server and blended them together well. Jessica liked the two sauces mixed. In the mood for red wine, he retrieved crystal wine stems and half filled each one. Wine made Jessica sleepy so he didn’t want to ply her. Awake and fully alert for the rest of the evening was how he wanted her.
Instead of setting the food out on the table, the couple filled their plates straight from the pots. Before sitting down and digging in, Weston held Jessica’s hand and said a blessing of thanks.
The pasta tasted wonderful and both were proud of how it had turned out. The lightly toasted French bread and tossed garden salad were also delicious.
Weston held a forkful of pasta up to Jessica’s mouth. “Was your mom upset?”
“Disappointed, I’d say, but understanding. She’ll get over it. We talked about lunch tomorrow. No plans were made.”
“Lunch is good. Their place or out somewhere?”
“Probably a nice restaurant somewhere. Ports o’ Call was mentioned, a sleepy, colorful little fishing village. Lots of quaint shops and tourist traps.”
“Sounds like an idyllic spot. What about Venice?”
“That’s an alternative. Several restaurants are right on the boardwalk.”
“If you don’t mind, I’d prefer Venice Beach.”
“Not a bit. We’ll call my parents in the morning.”
“What’s up for the rest of the evening?”
Wiggling her eyebrows, Jessica giggled. “Play house or doctor?”
Weston cracked up. “Either one works for me, as long as I’m the doctor.”
The kitchen was cleaned in minimal time, as they worked together. The doorbell rang just as they curled up on the sofa. Jessica sucked in a deep breath, wondering who was at the door. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Her parents wouldn’t come by without calling, especially knowing she had company.
She opened the door to find Jarred standing there, looking pitiful, making her nervous. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Just needed a little company. Inconvenient time?”
Jessica nodded. “I’m entertaining.”
“Who’s here?” He rudely pushed past Jessica before she could respond.
Weston braced himself the moment he laid eyes on Jarred, his rival’s surly words ringing in his ear. She’s busy, taking care of me. He grimaced. Hoping there’d be no encore of their previous meetings, Weston swallowed the huge lump.
Jarred gave Jessica an intense, questioning look. “Haven’t had enough, huh? Still a glutton for punishment, I see.” Jarred had his
back turned to Weston so his comments weren’t heard. Not that Jarred cared. “You want me to leave?”
Jessica pressed her lips together, a stressful moment for her. Why did Jarred like to complicate things for her? He seemed to enjoy making her uncomfortable. Sighing hard, she threw up her hand. “Can we call a truce here?”
Ignoring the question, Weston got up from the sofa and went directly upstairs.
“So much for a truce.” She looked exasperated. “This is impossible.”
“You’re impossible,” Jarred shot back. “You can’t have your cake and eat it, too.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Figure it out. You’re a big girl.”
As Jessica thought about Jarred’s comment, his arrogant tone bothered her. Then a light suddenly came on in her eyes. “For your information, I can have my cake and eat it, too. Weston is my cake, the only sweet I desire. We’ve settled this. No revisiting.”
“Yeah, unless sweetie pie breaks your fragile little heart again. You women never learn. I’m out of here. Eat all the cake you want. Don’t be surprised if you choke on it. Or worse, end up eating humble pie.”
Jessica struck her forehead with an open palm. Biting down on her tongue, she watched him storm through the house to get to the front door. Once the door slammed shut, she rushed up the stairs to have it out with Weston.
“Don’t give me that look, Jess. He’s your friend. Not mine.”
“You could’ve been civil.”
“Civil!” He stretched out on the mattress and propped his head up with a pillow. “Do you know how many phone calls he intercepted, telling me you were busy taking care of him? And you want me to be civil.” Weston snorted.
“He did what?”
“Don’t act so shocked. You know exactly what your best friend’s capable of.”
Jessica sighed in a conciliatory manner. “You said you came here to fight for me, not with me. Is that still true?”
Weston licked his lips. Attempting to temper his anger, he took in a couple of deep breaths. “Already told you why I was here. It still holds true.”
“That’s a relief.” She walked over to the bed and pushed her fingers through his hair. “I love you. But that shouldn’t mean I give up my friends for you.”
“It doesn’t. But neither does it mean I have to be friends with someone just because he’s your friend. Does it?”
“Damn it, Wes. I’m not asking you to be buddy-buddy with Jarred. Just cordial.”
“Are you asking him to mind the manners he doesn’t seem to have?”
“You are the bigger person.”
“Thanks a lot. I think.”
Jessica kissed him full on the mouth. “I love you. Don’t want to fight.”
“Then we won’t.” He kissed her back. “Please don’t try to sell me on your best friend. I’m not buying his act. I don’t like him, period. The reasons are obvious.”
“The feeling is mutual. He doesn’t like you, either. But I wish it was different.”
“It’s not, nor will it ever be. Stop trying to push the envelope. If he and I never see each other again it will be too soon.”
This issue was definitely a lost cause, with no chance of them becoming friends, Jessica conceded, glad the guys hadn’t come to blows. Keeping the two men apart wouldn’t be a difficult task. Although she felt saddened by what had transpired, the clock was ticking away. She had new memories to make with Weston, wonderful memories.
Climbing onto the bed with him, Jessica stretched out and nestled into his arms.
Determined not to let Jarred come between them again, Weston kissed Jessica long and hard. He wasn’t normally this adamant or stubborn about things, but Jarred wasn’t as good a friend as she thought. He was capable of even more mischief. They hadn’t seen or heard the last of him.
Loving the perfumed scent of her skin, Weston held on tightly to her. Her hair was squeaky clean and coconut fresh. He took pride in how he’d taken such good care of her hair. Just the sound of her voice made his day. A smile from her lifted his spirits. She was a stylish woman, choosing just the right clothing combinations. Everything suited her so well. How had he existed without her all this time? He hoped they’d never let anything or anyone get in between them ever again.
Weston lowered his head and kissed Jessica. “You make my heart beat with such hope. Don’t know how I’ve lived my life without you.”
“You haven’t, not if I’m the woman of your dreams. I’ve always been there. You just didn’t know it.”
“Have you always loved me?”
Jessica cocked an eyebrow. “Why do you ask?”
“Because I think you have.”
“Then I have. Have you loved me?”
“Yes, the very idea of you. You’re the woman who has thus far escaped my grasp. That’s why I’m holding on to you so tight.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t go. I belong here. I believe that.”
“Me, too.” He kissed each of her eyelids. “I love watching you sleep. Did you know that?”
“Not really, but I’ve awakened to you looking down on me. I get a warm rush when that happens.”
“That’s ’cause you’re feeling the sunshine streaming from my heart.”
“What a nice thought, warm and tenderly spoken.” She laughed softly. “You’re right. I do feel the sunshine.”
Jessica loved her space, yet she didn’t feel the least bit crowded with Weston there. It was as though he had always slept right next to her, as if he belonged there. She imagined the sun streaming through the shutters to capture the warm golden highlights in his hair. His skin was smooth, looking as though it had never been introduced to a razor. She hadn’t seen a five o’clock shadow on him in Aspen.
The music in Weston’s head was soft and seductive. He recalled dancing with her to the tune his brain hummed in the private dining room in Aspen, “Tonight” by Kem. A couple of hot dance spots in New York came to his mind. She would love their coziness. As he was, Jessica was a romantic at heart.
Rolling up on his side, he touched two fingers to her lips. “We’re powerful together. Do you feel what I do? An amazing sense of fulfillment?”
She nodded. “Utterly. The right words are hard to find. I love feeling loved.”
“You are loved. Lots. Me—never been in love before now. What about you?”
“A few serious infatuations, back when I couldn’t define love as anything but a warm, fuzzy feeling. It’s more than that, you know. Way more—a state of being, wanting and needing, sharing, giving and taking, sacrificing, compromising, surrendering.”
“Every bit of what you’ve put so nicely.”
“It is what it is. You say you love me, but do you believe in the four-letter word?”
“Wholeheartedly. Just as important, I believe in us, in you and me.”
“I feel so good about us, Wes.”
“You’re not alone. We’re good together.”
“Is there such a thing as a happy ending?”
“I hope we’ll find out.”
Chapter 13
As Sahara talked about the baby shower she was to attend next weekend, she had a look of empathy on her face. One of her closest friends, Carol Baxter, was in her late forties and pregnant, a totally unexpected, late-in-life first-time pregnancy.
Roman sighed. “Glad it’s not us. I can’t imagine having kids at our age. Can hardly wait for grandkids, but I don’t want more children.”
“Oh, I think it’d be fun,” Sahara said calmly. “We should try for another one.”
“No, we shouldn’t.” Uncomfortable with her remark, Roman looked petrified.
Weston and Jessica laughed at the look on Roman’s face.
“Let’s order,” Roman said, clearly unnerved.
Roman gestured for the waitress, who hurried right over to their window booth inside IHOP. The couples had decided on breakfast so Jessica could take Weston on his sightseeing tour without the worry of ge
tting back in time for lunch.
Roman looked up at the attractive waitress and smiled. “First off, young lady, I’d like to order a change in topics for my appetizer.”
“Beg your pardon?” The waitress looked totally perplexed.
The others laughed at Roman’s comical remarks.
“Don’t mind him,” Sahara instructed the young woman, waving off her husband’s comments. “He’s just being facetious. Kids, go ahead and order. I need another minute.”
Their minds already made up, Weston and Jessica gave the orders to the waitress: a short stack of pancakes for each, scrambled eggs and turkey sausage. Sahara had settled on oatmeal, over-medium eggs, bran muffin and turkey sausage. Super-hungry Roman requested a combination meal of steak, pancakes, eggs and hash browns.
Orange juice and coffee were ordered all around.
Jessica looked across the booth at her mother. “Were you serious earlier?”
Sahara laughed gently. “Hardly! I love ruffling my dear hubby’s feathers.” She playfully nudged Roman with her shoulder. “You and Jen were a handful. I don’t wish a second of your childhood away, but no more babies for me. Grandkids, I’m ready for.”
Jessica also felt a little uncomfortable with the topic, but she didn’t think her parents were hinting for her to hurry up and have children. Marriage normally came first, at least it used to. Jessica hadn’t given the idea of children a lot of thought. She liked babies and older kids, loved to play with them, but she wasn’t sure about motherhood as a full-time gig. There was a lot of life to live yet. So many things she still wanted to do. World travel was at the top of her list. Kids too soon would hinder that.
In tune with Jessica’s nervous vibes, Weston covered her hand with his. He figured the topic had probably jangled her nerves a bit. “I’m loving L.A. so far and eager to see more. As you know, the rain kept us inside last night.”
That wasn’t all that kept us indoors, Jessica thought warmly, remembering how sensually romantic their entire evening had been. Love and food and sex by candlelight. Laughing inwardly, she hoped her parents didn’t ask what they’d done for fun.
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