Second Chance at Forever

by Mary Wasowski

  I send Jackson back inside, and once again try to get myself in check. The last thing I want to do is lose it in front of my son, but this was all too surreal for me. I never thought I would be face to face with my past tonight. I had to admit, she’d been on my mind quite a bit lately, but to see her now was unbelievable. She was still so breathtakingly beautiful. With one last breath, I made my way inside. My son quickly rose to introduce me to Riley’s mother.

  “Dad, I would like you to meet Riley’s mother, Reese. Mrs. Briggs, this is my father, Walker Reed.”

  Our eyes locked on to one another, and neither one of us said a word. Our kids were looking at us as if we had lost our minds. Reese was silent with glazed over eyes. Yes, my love, it’s me in the flesh. The man who vowed to love you forever, and you tore his heart out by leaving him without ever saying a word.

  I was the first to break our connection and extended my hand out to hers. I slowly pulled her hand to my lips, but made sure I placed an ever so gentle kiss to the inside of Reese’s wrist. Always an erogenous zone she could never resist. Bang!! I felt her tremble as if her body recognized my touch.

  Seeing her again catapulted me back to the last night I spent with my love. I hadn’t looked into her gorgeous brown eyes since that last night together. I had to blink a few times to believe what I was actually seeing was real. I wanted to do something, I don’t know? Take her in my arms? Kiss her madly? I didn’t have a clue, but all I heard in that moment of having my past walk back into my life was the sound of my pounding heart.

  “Dad, what’s with you tonight? Are you okay?” He asked again.

  I tried my best to play it off for Jackson’s benefit, and knocked myself back into the present. Riley looked confused, and Reese stood there in silence. I never discussed my private life with Jackson, at least not about Reese. I wasn’t sure if this was the right time to reveal it to him. Watching Reese’s reaction to me, she wasn’t ready either.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Reese. Please forgive me for my absence when you first arrived. I shall shut my phone off for the rest of our evening, and we can get to know one another better.” I wink at her, causing Reese to visibly show me a physical reaction to my suggestion.

  Oh hell yes, baby. If I didn’t have an audience right now, I’d have you spread out under me, and demanding to know why you left me. Still holding my hand, Reese continued to tremble beneath my touch. She simply said hello, and we took our seats. In under an hour, my life had shifted into another realm. How was this happening? We had been apart from each other for nearly eighteen years and now she’s sitting calmly across the table from me. It took every bit of self-control I had in my body not to just take her right here and now. When I kissed her wrist, I could feel her body respond as if it was returning home to me.

  I needed a drink—a strong one—to calm my nerves. I signaled over to the waiter and ordered drinks for myself and Reese. She only wanted sparkling water. I ordered a double scotch on the rocks, earning a raised eyebrow look from Reese. What the hell? It was bad enough she pretended not to know me, but to judge me as well on my drink choice? Our eyes were locked on one another, and she dropped her eyes down to the menu. The kids were engaged in their own conversation while Reese and I continued to stare at each other until the drinks arrived.

  I cleared my throat and finally was able to speak after draining my glass. I quickly ordered another one.

  “May I call you Reese?

  “Yes, of course.” She politely replied.

  Incredibly beautiful, as if time stood still, she was beyond calm. After all of these years, her voice was still the sweetest sound I have ever heard. Her accent alone makes me hard, it always did. I loved her voice, especially when we made love and she was screaming my name. Oh my god, I have to get some control, or I’m going to lose it. She made me feel like a teenage boy. I took a breath to calm myself, and I turned to my beautiful angel sitting across from me. Yes I said it…my angel. I never stopped loving her, and I can’t even begin to process how she is even here after all of this time. But just you try walking away this time…Hell No!

  “Before you arrived, I was having a very enlightening conversation with your daughter.” I was about to have some fun with Reese, and I wanted to see how I could make her squirm with my questions. “Did you know that it was my company that was responsible for your husband’s new research wing at Johns Hopkins? Isn’t it amazing how life works? Strangers from all over the country can know each other without realizing they are connected by something or someone else?”

  I watched Reese shift a bit in her seat. You could tell she was trying to not to be affected by me, but her body told me different, it always did. We never needed words between us. Our bodies spoke for us, and hers was telling me a lot right now.

  “Anyway, I only had the opportunity once to travel to Maryland, pity I didn’t make more trips. You look so familiar to me; haven’t we met before? I don’t believe I would have forgotten you if we had.” Mission accomplished… Reese had turned three shades of red and clearly was uncomfortable, but she held her own.

  “Well, Walker, you didn’t forget a missed encounter, because we haven’t met until tonight. I’m not involved with the hospital in that manner,” Reese responded.

  “What do you involve yourself in? Do you work? Oh, let me guess, you must have been a model in your younger days. You’re quite beautiful, if you don’t mind me saying so,” I smirked at Reese without ever breaking eye contact with her.

  “I actually do mind, Mr. Reed, and I believe my husband would as well.”

  That went to Reese, and right through my fucking heart. I guess I deserved that hit. My son kicked me under the table. I ignored him and his way of getting my attention. I didn’t care about anything else at the moment but Reese.

  “As a matter of fact, I did some modeling while I was in college. It helped pay for my tuition, and it was something I enjoyed doing.”

  “Did you ever just wake up one day with the realization that you wanted to drop everything and pursue it full-time?”

  “Modeling was never my first choice as a career, but it was a way for me to see the world.”

  See the world…my ass! You left me to see the world? Didn’t you know you were my world? I never stopped telling you that.

  “So how long did this modeling career last for you? Where would I have seen your work?”

  “I was primarily a runway model for designers. I did some magazine layouts, but I stopped after I met my husband.”

  Now that hit me hard, as if she just punched me in my stomach. Husband? Dammit Reese, I should have been your husband. None of this is making any sense.

  “What about college? Where did you attend school?” I asked.

  “For my first three years I attended Georgia State University. I transferred to NYU for my senior year.”

  “I attended NYU, but I don’t seem to remember you,” I snidely remarked.

  “I left school before I was to graduate. I received my degree several months later.”

  “Forgive me for asking, but why would you leave school if you only had a few months left? Was there a reason why you had to do that?” I was trying my hardest to break her down, but she remained calm and steady. She took my questions as bullets that bounced off her bulletproof vest. I was the one who was exhausted after questioning her, but I wanted answers, dammit.

  Before Reese could answer me, Jackson interrupted her. “Dad, how about we change the subject? Riley and I are getting a serious case of whiplash with the back and forth match you two have going on. Mrs. Briggs, I apologize for my dad’s behavior.”

  I couldn’t believe what I just heard: my son apologizing for me? This was a first.

  “Jackson, do I need to remind you who the adult is at this table?”

  “No, sir, but I think you’re making Mrs. Briggs and Riley uncomfortable with all your questions. I’m sorry, dad, if I overstepped.”

  I was angry at my son for calling me out in fro
nt of Reese, if he only knew what she had put me through. I was at a loss for words now, and Reese was just sitting there not saying a word while I took the fall.

  Now looking back to Reese and Riley, I say, “You have to excuse me, I was simply wanting to know you better. Sorry if my questions were a bit much.”

  Riley was the first to speak up. “Mr. Reed, I actually enjoyed it. My parents hardly talk to one another, so this was fun to watch.”

  My ears pricked up a bit as I raised an eyebrow. Very interesting to hear that…

  Reese finally spoke again. “Riley, that’s not true, and please don’t speak of your father in that way.”

  “I’m sorry, mom, but it’s the truth.”

  Hearing Riley say that about her parents spoke volumes on what kind of marriage Reese was involved in. Clearly by looking at her, she wasn’t happy with the mention of her husband. After things calmed, we managed to get through dinner with minimal conversation. The kids were once again in their own private bubble chatting away, while Reese and I were just numb. She hardly looked up at me, and when she did, her eyes were glazed over.

  I couldn’t bear to see her cry, but dammit, she owed me an explanation on why she left. Come hell or high water, she will talk to me.

  Jackson asked Reese a question. “Mrs. Briggs, if it’s alright with you, would you mind if I take Riley out and show her around the city tonight? I have our driver to accompany us. Richard will make sure to get her back to your hotel.”

  “Please, mom, can I go?”

  “Yes, you may go, Riley. Please keep your phone on, and don’t be too late.”

  Riley jumped up and down and hugged her mother. Jackson gave me a look telling me that we would talk later. I didn’t doubt that we would. Jackson couldn’t possibly understand why I behaved the way I did tonight. I lost my mind at the sight of Reese. She was still so beautiful, and I couldn’t help but want her.

  After dinner, we walked our children out and watched as they drove away. Reese turned away from me and attempted to hail a cab. What the hell was she doing? I would be damned if I was going to let her leave me now, especially without answering any of my questions as to why she left me so many years ago.

  “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

  “I would think that would be obvious, Walker. I’m going back to my hotel.”

  “The hell you are, woman. Our evening is just getting started, and you’re not going anywhere. You left me once, and I will be damned if I will let you go again without the long overdue explanation you owe me.”

  Reese was seething with anger, I couldn’t tell if she wanted to slap me or scream. She turned away from me again and began sprinting in her stiletto heels. I reached her within seconds, and now I was done playing this cat and mouse game. I hoisted her body up over my shoulders and signaled to Stephen to pull over.

  “Put me down, Walker! You can’t just manhandle me in the middle of the street.”

  “I can, and I will, Reese. If you remember anything about me at all, you should know I never walk away from a challenge, unlike someone I know.”

  I slid Reese down my body and placed her into the back of the limo. She felt so good. Her smell was so intoxicating. My erection was already rising under my pants. She was so close to my proximity, my body craved her.

  She was ignoring me, and her silence was pissing me off. I tried to calm myself and regain my control, but seeing her sitting before me was everything I had wanted since the last night we spent together. How she is here with me now is nothing more than fate returning her back to her rightful place.

  I shifted in my seat, while Reese continued to look out the window, ignoring me. Now that I had her here, I needed to get her to communicate with me, but how? She looked angry, but yet she was the one who left me.

  “Reese, will you look at me please?”

  I tried to soften my voice. She refused; no one ignores me. I took a deep breath and placed my hands on her shoulders to turn her to face me. She had her head down, and then I cupped her beautiful face into my hands. I stared into her eyes of caramel brown; any man could get lost in them for days. I wondered if her husband knew how lucky he was to have her. Without thinking another thought, I stroked my thumb over her bottom lip, and her body easily responded to my touch. We felt each other’s trembles, as we reconnected.

  I was back to the last night we spent together. I saw the fire in Reese’s eyes, the carnal hunger we both had felt with each other. All I had to do now was kiss her. She was now biting her bottom lip: Green light…go! I pulled her into me and slammed my lips onto hers, never giving her a chance to pull away. She would decimate me if she did. I hung on for as long as I could until our connection finally broke.

  Her lips were now puffy and swollen, a beautiful sight. I wanted to take Reese right there in the limo. My hands were traveling up her thigh and under her revealing skirt. Reese let out sexy moans of pleasure, as I continued to touch her and got reacquainted with her body. Her hand finally found mine and stopped me. “Walker, please stop. I can’t do this.” She straightened herself up and turned away from me again.

  “I’m sorry, Reese. I shouldn’t have done that to you. All logic and reason gets lost when I’m around you; how is that even possible after all these years apart? Can we go somewhere to talk? I need answers, Reese, and you’re the only one that can give them to me.”

  “I’m not the only one, Walker,” Reese replied, still breathing heavily.

  “What is that supposed to mean? What are you not telling me?”

  “Walker, you can ask your father why I left you. After all, he was the sole reason behind it.”

  My head began to spin with this revelation. What did my father do to her? I always felt he could be the reason, but I never had enough to implicate him in anything. I needed to know now more than ever; she was not leaving this car until I knew.

  “What about my father, Reese? What does Phillip have to do with you leaving me all those years ago?”

  “You need to ask him, Walker. I can’t tell you.”

  “Reese, my father can’t tell me either because the arrogant bastard died a month ago. Whatever he did to you, I must know…now!”

  “Gee, I’m sorry for your loss, Walker. I won’t sit here and pretend that I will mourn his death. He ruined my life and our life together.”

  “Reese, what did he do?” I was so angry that it felt like I clenched my jaw with every word I mouthed to Reese. “I will not ask you again. Please talk to me and tell me what he did.”

  Reese was fighting her resolve to talk to me. She looked like she wanted to scream it and tell me the truth, but something was holding her back. What did my father have on her? He loved his blackmail and threats. He was a man of his word. If Phillip Reed wanted to hurt you, he could easily do so. He had resources at his disposal with just one phone call. He must have had something on Reese and forced her to leave me. It was the only logical answer. She was crying now, and her lips were trembling. I wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her.

  I could never bear to see her in pain. No man who loves his woman ever wants to see her cry. I felt as if a knife was being plunged into my chest. I couldn’t take it anymore, and I wrapped my arms around her body. Reese continued to cry into my chest, as I gently stroked her back up and down. If she didn’t start communicating with me, my body was going to do all the talking.

  WHAT AM I supposed to say to Walker? Sorry about your father dying, but he was a selfish bastard who destroyed me by forcing me out of your life. My cheek was still pressed into Walker’s chest. He was waiting for me to explain, but giving me the time I needed. This was the man I had always loved. As angry as Walker could get, he would never hurt me, and he would always show how much he loved me. In my wildest dreams, I never could have imagined that my entire world would shift tonight when I walked into that restaurant.

  I was the coward who ran from him, like an escaping fugitive. I never considered what my leaving really did to him. H
e must have been out of his mind when he came back to his apartment to find me gone. I had one hour to get out of town, according to Phillip’s instructions. He was cold, determined to erase me from Walker’s life.

  I looked up and took in Walker’s chiseled features. Time had been kind, and Walker was still devilishly handsome. I cleared my throat and tried to erase the dirty thoughts I was now having as I continued to look at him. My life with Samuel was not even a thought in my head at the moment. I wanted to rip off Walker’s shirt and trail my tongue up and down his chest. Walker was giving me all the signs that I could take back what was mine…he wouldn’t stop me.

  If a bucket of cold water were present, I would douse myself and cool off. No matter what signals my traitorous body was showing him, I was still a married woman. I couldn’t betray my marriage. Finally coming to my senses, I removed myself from his arms. And already felt the loss of our connection.

  “Walker, I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I shouldn’t have kissed you or even let you touch me the way you did. I crossed a line here tonight.”

  “I don’t see it that way at all, Reese. Turning around to see you standing in front of me after all our years apart only proved one thing.”

  “Which was what, Walker?”

  “My feelings for you have not changed, Reese. I almost passed out when I met Riley. She’s you, eighteen years ago. Jackson had to elbow me in my ribs to snap me out of my gazing at your daughter. She must think I’m completely nuts.”

  “I wouldn’t worry about Riley. She only has eyes for your son, and she probably didn’t even notice.”

  “Well, Jackson did, and I’m sure he will let me know how he felt about it when I see him again. What are the chances that our children will be attending the same school we attended, and have now fallen in love?”

  “That thought has been crossing my mind as well. Let’s just hope the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. Hopefully he’s nothing like his grandfather.”

  Now Walker’s calm demeanor changed. I had insulted him just now, what the hell was I doing? It was his father who I was angry with, not him.