A flat-screened television was mounted above the fireplace. Book shelves flanked each side. The one on the right was filled with an eclectic collection of everything from Shakespeare and Charles Dickens, to Stephen King and John Grisham. A stereo system and DVD player with rows of movies filled the other. Windows lined the entire front room letting in an abundance of natural light. She followed him into the open kitchen and sighed. Again, it was simple but lovely. There was plenty of space on the black granite counter tops, and the center island had comfortable looking bar stools lining one side. From the front door you could see the entire room all the way to the patio doors. The wood flooring made it easy for her to maneuver around in her chair and the fact that there was no clutter helped. The berth around the center island was wide enough for her to get around and the double oven was low so she could even reach the bottom one on her own. The wood cabinets didn’t have doors on them; they were open front and had an antique style light stain. All the appliances were stainless steel and well cared for. It was obvious he took pride in his home and didn’t let being a bachelor be an excuse to not be clean.
“It’s really beautiful, Dakota. Did you design it all yourself?”
“Thank you. I did most of it with pointers from my mom and sister. I pretty much knew what I wanted though.”
“Well, I’m impressed. It’s simple and warm, a very comforting place.” She took one of the sacks he carried in and started taking vegetables out, laying them on the counter.
He reached for her and slid his fingers through her hair at the nape of her neck, pressing his forehead to hers. “I want you to feel comfortable here. I want that more than anything.” His voice was deep and soft. She took a deep breath of him and closed her eyes. His lips, so warm and tender, took hers in a slow and steady kiss. Letting it build up until they both were breathing heavy as he planted one last kiss on her forehead.
Back to emptying the sacks, Angel took a shaky breath and cleared her throat. “So what can I do to help?”
“I’m going to fire up the grill, and then we can wash the veggies to cut up for a salad. In fact, how about I scoot that barstool to the side so you can reach the sink and the counter that way you can make the salad.”
“That sounds good, big guy. Set me up.” She smiled at him and felt her heart full nearly bursting with love and respect for him. He was going out of his way to make her feel comfortable, instead of feeling awkward for being in a wheelchair. It was working too.
By the time he had the lemon pepper chicken on the grill, Angel had the salad chopped and tossed. He taught her how to make his favorite dressing which turned out to be a delicious balsamic vinaigrette that was both sweet and savory. She slathered butter and garlic over a baguette GiGi gave them while watching with surprise when Dakota hooked up an ice cream maker and whipped up a batch of peach ice cream to start freezing for dessert.
“You’re going to make me never want to leave if you can make good ice cream.”
“Aha! My plan is working,” He shouted, taking her by her waist and lifting her in his arms and spinning them around. Her laughter was that of pure, unadulterated joy. He made her feel utterly alive.
He carried her to the back patio and gently sat her down, scooting her chair up before going back inside. He came out with a tray filled with bowls of salad and the steaming, crusty garlic bread that made her mouth water. When he returned on his second trip, he had a bottle of red wine, glasses, and a bowl of marinated olives that he said he remembered had been one of her favorites from their first date. That seemed like forever ago. He pulled the chicken off the grill putting it on plates for them, while she poured glasses of wine and tore off chunks of bread to put on their plates. Once he sat down across from her, he gave her a smile that melted her heart. It nearly brought tears to her eyes to see him so happy after all the heartache she had caused him. And if she were honest with herself, she would admit that the only reason she had ever pushed him away was because she didn’t feel like she deserved him in the state her body was in now. But the thing she finally realized now was he didn’t see her as broken or faulty, nor did he think of her as a burden. He simply loved her as she was, just as she loved him.
***
Dakota wondered how he got so lucky as to have her here, sitting across the table from him with such a stunning smile on her face. He felt fortunate to have this feeling of peace and ease between them after so many struggles. The simple things like cooking together or going to visit his family were part of the everyday life he wanted with her. As it was now, the conversation flowed easily and he felt more relaxed and completely happy than he had in a while. It had something to do with the way her body language spoke to him. No longer was she tense or in a defensive stance. The smiles weren’t forced and the worry lines in her forehead were gone.
At the homes of his family members, she had been both polite and outgoing, easily drawing his grandparents into conversation. While they were visiting his dad, Angel had talked to him about his recovery and physical therapy, listening intently and voicing her thoughts on his hard work and dedication. It seemed like their conversation gave her more hope and certainly added to her determination to work hard. She’d started questioning him on what they would start on first for her therapy, which they were going to begin tomorrow. He loved seeing this side of her. Her competitive, no nonsense attitude was starting to come out again and it made him proud of her.
As they finished lunch, Angel cast a longing glance at the swimming pool. “What do you think about taking a few laps around the pool? I didn’t bring a swimsuit but I’m not opposed to swimming in my bra and panties…if you’re sure no one is going to sneak up on us.”
It took everything in him to keep from groaning at the thought of her nearly naked and wet. He gestured to the six foot privacy fence that surrounded his backyard and nodded. “I promise no one will sneak up on us. In fact, I’ll go lock the front door and grab some towels after I carry our plates in. You relax and enjoy your wine. I’ll be right back.”
She laughed, probably because of his eagerness but he didn’t care. He would lock this place down like a fortress to get her clothes off and that was a fact. It didn’t take long before he joined her outside again. He nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw her lounging in her chair in a pale pink bra and bikini underwear, her head resting back and her eyes closed. Her body was trim but curved in all the right places. As he walked towards her she opened her eyes and smiled. He felt like he had a knot in his throat so large he couldn’t swallow.
Taking hold of the hem of his tank top he pulled it over his head, giving his chest a little flex. What was it about her that made him want to pound his chest and show his prowess like a beast? He kicked off his shoes while she watched every move he made. Socks off next, followed by him tugging down his basketball shorts and leaving him in black boxer briefs. He laughed when she gave a low whistle.
“Yeah, that was how I felt when I walked out and saw you there like that, so sexy.” When he spoke it came out in broken syllables. Again, he was probably sounding like a dolt but what was a guy to do when his brain stopped functioning for all intents and purposes in the presence of such a gorgeous woman?
“Trying to make me feel at home by swimming in your underwear too?”
“I’m that kind of guy, willing to sacrifice anything and everything for my lady.”
“Oh yeah? So I’m your lady now?”
“Yeah, you are. That okay with you?”
“More than okay, actually. I’d be pissed if you didn’t feel that way.” She held her arms open to him.
He dropped the towels on the ground next to the stairs and went to her, picking her up and sealing his mouth over hers. It was a wonder they made into the pool without falling in head first. He was too busy tasting the sweetness of her mouth to pay much attention to anything else. Even when they were chest deep he didn’t show any signs of letting go of her, nor did she of he. Instead, he pressed her back to the wall of the pool and
filled his hands with the softness of her bottom and pulled her flush against him, grinding their hips together in slow circles. Her nails scored down his back and her teeth turned sharp bites into the sweetest bit of painful pleasure that he returned with just as much passion.
All too soon she slipped from his grasp going underwater, and like a sea nymph, she swam away from him but not before sending a wave of water splashing over him. The burst of laughter as she flitted to the other end of the pool had him wiping water from his eyes and delving under water after her with a chuckle. After that, the competitiveness was on. They swam back and forth until they were both weary and out of breath. Quite some time later, when she showed him her wrinkled hands, he gave her one more soul shattering kiss then carried her from the water, wrapping her in a towel warmed from sitting in the sun. He poured the last of the wine and laid out on a lawn chair next to her, reaching out to hold her hand while the sun dried their skin.
Chapter 17
Lilah snatched the keys from her mom and gave her a peck on the cheek.
“I’ll drive, Momma. It’s a beautiful day to have the windows down don’t you think?” She gave her mom a bright smile.
“Sounds good to me. Your brother is already outside waiting on us. You look really pretty by the way.”
“Thank you,” she replied in a chipper voice.
The low-riding hip hugging, boot cut jeans clung to her curves in a complimentary way. That was exactly why she wore them. Not that she was trying to attract attention or anything. She simply wanted to embrace the cowgirl look since they were going to a farm today. At least that’s what she admitted to herself when she put on the form-fitting button up pale pink shirt and matching pink boots. It wasn’t as if she wanted to impress anyone. She liked to look cute no matter where she went. Her mass of tight cinnamon curls had been tamed into a braid tied with a pink ribbon, completing her southern look.
“Bout damn time you finished getting ready, twin. I was about to give up on you and go by myself.” Dominic was leaning against the van with his cell phone in hand, probably texting one of him many active flirts.
“Twinnie, you wouldn’t know the first thing as to what to do when scoping out a charity organization. If they needed a bandage or stitches you would be amazing, other than that you would be at a loss.” Lilah hopped in the driver’s seat of the van and started it up, pushing the button on the door to roll all the windows down.
“Oh dear God…why are you letting her drive, Mom? You do realize if she gets one more speeding ticket her driver’s license is going to spontaneously combust. I refuse to get stuck with being her chauffeur.” Dominic laughed and pulled his sister’s hair from the backseat just to prove no matter how old they were he was still her pesky brother.
Their mom laughed and shook her head. “You have a point, Dom. But I’m trusting she gets us there and back alive. That is, if you quit bugging her.”
“It’s okay, Momma. He’ll shut up soon enough.” Lilah had a mischievous grin on her face as she pulled the van out of the driveway and headed towards town instead of in the direction of Kringle Farms.
“See what I mean? She doesn’t even know what direction to go! How can I shut up now? Thoughts of meeting some slicked up cowboy got her stupid already.”
“Be nice to your sister, Dom.” She shook her head while laughing. “Where are we headed, Lilah?”
“I have to pick up Chelsea. She’s feeling better this morning and I asked her to go with us since it will be her and I that work with the Kringle’s the most.” Lilah looked in the rear-view mirror and got her reward for putting up with her over-protective twin and his snarky but loving ways. The look on his face was priceless. He had yet to utter a single word but suddenly looked fidgety and she knew he wished he’d never agreed to come with them.
Ever since junior high when her and Chelsea became inseparable, there had been a thing between Chelsea and Dom. They never dated, sometimes flirted, and always asked after one another when alone with Lilah. At least Chelsea had finally admitted years ago to having feelings for Dom. Although her twin had been an avid dater once he broke up with his high-school sweetheart Jade, he never approached Chelsea that way for some reason. Lilah knew her twin as well as she knew herself and he definitely had feelings for her best friend. Why he never pursued them still annoyed her, but she had made it a mission to throw the two together as often as possible forcing them to spend time together. It was perverse of her to enjoy watching them both squirm a bit each time, but she was determined to get them to admit there was something there.
Her mom turned back to look at him and winked. “I guess your sister was right. She did know how to get you to shush.” Her eyes twinkled with delight, obviously enjoying the playful teasing.
Dom’s only reply was to roll his eyes and look out the window, ignoring them both.
Lilah looked in her rear-view mirror when she pulled in Chelsea’s driveway and tooted the horn. Her handsome twin was smiling from ear to ear when her friend came out the door and waved, locking the house, then walking to the van. Dom leaned over and opened the side door to the van for her. It made Lilah feel like cheering out loud but instead, she gave her mom a knowing wink.
“I’m so glad you’re feeling better so you could come with us, Chels.” Lilah backed out of the drive-way and headed back towards the farm making small talk while she observed the two in the backseat that hadn’t stopped grinning at each other.
***
Normally, Dom was smooth around the ladies. But when it came to Chelsea, most of the time he felt tongue-tied and like all his game went out the window. His pain-in-the-ass twin knew it too, which is why she got such a kick out of seeing his discomfort. His pulse kicked up a notch when the blond haired beauty walked toward the vehicle with a graceful stride. He was disappointed she had sunglasses concealing the view of her emerald green doe eyes, although it was probably best since she had on faded blue jeans that looked like she had been poured into. She was wearing a mint green shirt that hung off one shoulder, revealing a dose of creamy ivory skin that, upon closer inspection as she sat down next to him, had the sexiest dotting of freckles he’d ever had the pleasure of viewing. He heard his sister and then his mom greet Chelsea, but he felt like he had a brick lodged in his throat as he was enveloped in her signature scent of strawberries. She smiled when she said “hi” to him and he was greeted with the sweet cinnamon scent of her breath. He managed a simple “hello”, before she leaned up front and gave his mom and sister a hug. As stupid as it was, he was jealous he didn’t get one.
He shouldn’t have let his mom bait him into coming. It was going to be torturous hell being closed up in a car this close to her, smelling her, and trying to maintain control of the reactions she instigated in his body. Forcing his head to turn to look out the window, Dom listened to the conversation and replied only when he was asked a direct question. It was better that way, keeping his distance just like he had been for the past eight years that she had been his twin’s best friend. Dom realized a long time ago he wasn’t the right kind of guy for Chelsea. She was too good for him. Her sweet, loving nature and big heart was beautiful and pure which was exactly why he would flirt now and then, but wouldn’t allow it to go any further. Dom respected her too much. His track record with women was reckless. Lilah often accused him of being a heart-breaker. Not that he necessarily was careless with women’s affections as much as he just wasn’t ready to settle down and was enjoying having fun. With the stress of being in his second year of med school, the last thing he needed was to be tied down in a demanding relationship which he had very little time for.
Still, ever the gentleman, Dom hopped out of the van quick as lightening and darted around the van to open Chelsea’s door, then his mom’s.
“Well I guess I know where I rank.” Lilah said as she opened her own door and smirked at her twin.
Chelsea’s fair skin had tinges of pink staining her cheeks, and the smile she directed at Dom was as bright as
a sunshiny day. If it weren’t for his sister’s sharp gasp and funny remark he might have done something ridiculous like, kiss Chelsea or toss her over his shoulder and find a quiet place to peel her poured on jeans, off.
“Holy hotness! Cowboy red alert. I think I just burst into flames!” Lilah was grinning as she watched the man in the cowboy hat come out of the barn that looked worse for wear.
“Oh my God, Lilah you weren’t kidding when you said you heard he was incredibly hot!” Chelsea agreed. The girls giggled like teenagers, heads leaning together as they all walked towards the man that had the cutest little towheaded girl with pigtails and big blue eyes following him.
Dom bristled and took an immediate disliking to the man that caught Chelsea’s attention. Not that it was his fault since he was concentrating on his cute little girl who was ambling towards them, more than he was looking at his sister or her best friend. But why couldn’t the guy have bucked teeth, a crooked nose and a horse face? Instead, even Dom had to admit the guy was the epitome of a blue eyed, blond haired cowboy cover model. The way the women—his mom included, were looking at him he might as well have been riding in on a purebred mustang with his shirt open and flapping in the wind like some old-fashioned cowboy movie. With disgust Dom hooked his thumbs in his front pockets, deciding there was no way was this guy was getting his vote. No way. Hell no.
Chelsea held her hand out and shook the cowboy’s hand, holding it way too long for Dom’s taste and giggled at something he said. Dom saw red and pulled his hands from his pockets and cracked his knuckles.
“Jake, this is my son Dominic. Dom this is Jake and his sweet little girl, Roxy.” His mom gave him the ‘look’ when he left the guy with his hand hanging mid-air for an uncomfortable amount of time, until Dom relinquished and gave him a good, hard, squeezing shake.
Reflecting On Wishes (The Wishes Series) Page 15