Now and Forever 5, Love's Journey

by Joachim, Jean C.

  “I’d like to. We could go to the new lakeside restaurant.”

  “A date?”

  “Maybe,” he said, rinsing off another small plate.

  “Friends can go to lunch…” She cast her gaze to the floor while her fingers plucked at the trim on her T-shirt.

  “Of course.”

  Lara smiled and made her way out of the kitchen and across the lawn to her uncle’s house while Peter turned on the shower in the bathroom.

  * * * *

  Peter tried not to be depressed about Lara’s rejection, hoping time would change her mind. He understood why she was afraid, but he became more and more convinced she was the one for him. He needed advice.

  “Want a beer, Dad?”

  “Sure.” Sam stood at the kitchen counter, chopping garlic.

  Peter opened two beers, handed one to Sam and sat down at the kitchen table while Sam turned on the stove.

  “Something on your mind, son?”

  “Lara.”

  “I’m not surprised.” Sam threw the garlic in the pan then opened a package of chopped meat.

  “I want to be her friend, but I want more too.”

  “Be patient. She likes you…a lot. Give her some breathing room.”

  “Patience isn’t my strong suit.” Peter snapped the ends off of green beans.

  “If you love her, you’ll wait until the time is right.”

  “Do you think I have a chance?”

  “Of course, or I’d tell you to give it up. I see the way she is around you.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Seems to be a trust thing. How trustworthy are you? She isn’t going to be another fling for you, is she?”

  “She’s different.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. Spend as much time as you can with her, but don’t rush her into bed.”

  “Easy for you to say.”

  Sam laughed.

  * * * *

  The next morning, Lara was there to fix breakfast as usual.

  “Visitors last night, Peter?” she asked, as he sat down at the table.

  “Not exactly.” Peter crossed and uncrossed his legs

  “I thought I heard feminine laughter from here.” She grabbed the coffee pot.

  “My teaching assistant stopped by. We were going over some slides,” he said, taking a bite of his buttered toast.

  “At night? In your home? Alone?” she asked, a tinge of jealousy in her voice.

  “What do you care what I do? We’re only friends, remember?”

  “You’re sleeping with other women?” She stopped buttering the toast.

  “You didn’t sleep with your teaching assistant, did you?” Sam asked.

  “None of your business, either of you. You only want to be friends, so I can sleep with anyone I want.”

  “Time for me to go,” she said, in a tight voice, moving toward the living room.

  Peter grabbed her arm.

  “Wait. Can we talk?”

  Sam got up and, with a sigh of disgust, went into his room.

  She sat down again, facing away from him.

  “Isn’t there something, some middle ground between only friends and sleeping together? Can’t we maybe date or something?” Peter asked, placing his hands on her shoulders.

  “Maybe. But it has to be exclusive.”

  “I don’t want anyone but you anyway.” He sighed and sank down on the sofa next to her.

  “Is that true?”

  “I wasn’t going to tell you…I didn’t sleep with Amy—I probably could have, but I didn’t…didn’t want to.”

  “Then you’ve got a deal.”

  “There’s a classical music concert on campus tomorrow. Will you go with me?”

  She nodded.

  Lara got up to leave. She hugged Peter at the door, not realizing he was bare-chested. At first she was surprised, then she rested her cheek on his chest, her fingers digging into the muscles of his back. He wrapped his arms around her.

  “Thanks for breakfast,” he muttered.

  She nodded, pulled away and returned home.

  * * * *

  Sam’s humming and whistling after his shower on Saturday morning made Peter wonder.

  “What’s up?” Peter wandered into his father’s room.

  “I’m going out.” Sam slipped on socks then went to the closet.

  “Another date with Pat?” Peter toyed with the comb and brush on Sam’s dresser.

  “If you must know.” Sam selected a shirt, pants and a sports jacket.

  “What’s so special about this date?”

  Sam blushed and shook his head. “Nothing. I like being with her, that’s all,” he said, laying out the pants on the bed while he slipped the shirt over his shoulders.

  “Yeah? You’ve got your best summer shirt on. What are you two doing today?”

  “Going to a crafts fair and making dinner together at her house. Nothing special.”

  “It seems very special to me. Wearing your best clothes to a crafts fair? What else…maybe something Pat doesn’t know about?” Peter teased, his eyes dancing.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Sam said, buttoning his shirt and trying to ignore his son.

  “Come on, Dad. You can’t fool me. You know exactly what I’m talking about. Do I detect seduction in the air?” Peter continued, grinning.

  “Unlike you, I don’t trick women into bed,” Sam said, tucking his shirt into his pants.

  “I don’t trick women into bed…they want to be there with me. What should I do, kick ’em out? What about you?”

  “None of your business, Pete. Why do I have to repeat myself? Now you’re spoiling my good mood. Don’t you have something to do…some maiden to deflower?” his father asked, growing irritable and snatching his comb from Peter.

  “So today’s the big day for you two, eh? Congratulations, Dad, another notch on your belt,” Peter said with a wicked smile, backing toward the door.

  Sam got red in the face.

  “You’re impossible. I’m not going to dignify that with a response,” he shouted.

  “You always say that when I’m right. Have a good time, Dad. I won’t worry if you don’t come home tonight.” Peter snickered and left the room quickly.

  * * * *

  Pat was wearing a pink tank top layered over a coral one, both were low cut, a gauzy white skirt and comfortable slip-on shoes. The crafts fair was located on a grassy field near Linden Lake. All the booths had white canvas tops resembling giant vanilla ice cream cones dotting the green grass. It was a perfect day, the sun was out and the air was dry.

  The smells of cooking sausage and caramel apples filled the air. Attractive displays of landscape paintings, unique earrings and bracelets, hand-made quilts and funky hats drew a growing crowd. As they walked into the crafts fair, Sam felt overwhelmed with all the colors, clothing, pottery and jewelry. Pat took his hand and directed him toward the booths housing her friends’ works.

  “We have to look for Angela’s booth. She makes gorgeous quilts. And there’s Auggie who paints scarves. I always buy one from him. Last time I was here I met Hannah and Mark who create fragrant soaps…I’m sorry, I’m babbling. I have friends who sell here and I like to support them,” she said, her energy and enthusiasm lighting up her face.

  Pat took Sam to every booth where she knew the vendor. He bought something at each one, a new scarf for Pat, a necklace for Callie and fragrant soap in animal shapes for Kitty and Jason. One jewelry booth had a stunning blue topaz pendant on a white gold chain. Pat was dazzled, but it was too expensive.

  “Patsy, let me buy this for you.” Sam reached into his back pocket.

  “It’s a rip-off, Sam. No.” She put her hand on his arm.

  “Maybe a little high-priced, but it looked so beautiful on you.”

  “I’m sure there is something else comparable…let’s keep walking.”

  She took his arm and steered him on giving the vendor a chilly smile.


  Pat showed Sam off, introducing him to all her friends before they took a break for coffee and homemade pastries.

  “You have a lot of friends, Patsy,” Sam said, taking a bite of a chocolate croissant.

  “I admire artistic people. I don’t have any artistic ability,” she said, sipping coffee from a Styrofoam cup.

  Three hours later they returned to Pat’s house. Sam took off his shoes and rested his feet on the ottoman while Pat mixed some drinks and brought out cheese and crackers. She set the casserole she concocted early in the morning on the counter then went to stow her purchases.

  They took their time over dinner.

  “This is delicious, Patsy. What’s in it?”

  “A few secret ingredients.” Her gaze connected with his.

  “Not sharing, huh?” He grinned at her coyness.

  “Then you’ll have to come back here to have it again.” She smiled at him flirtatiously.

  “That’s not my only reason for coming back.”

  “I should hope not!”

  Sam took her hand in his. He lifted it to his lips. “I had a wonderful time today. Loved meeting your friends, Patsy.”

  “They liked you too.”

  “But it’s best to be back here…alone with you.”

  Sam’s gaze rested on Pat’s cleavage. He caressed her palm with his thumb, igniting a small flame of desire in her. They toasted with wine Sam bought from a local vintner at the fair and gazed lovingly at each other over the small table.

  After dinner, Pat retired to the kitchen sink to do the dishes. Sam helped. When she was drying her hands on the dishtowel, he came up behind her and put his arms around her waist. His hands slid up to cradle her breasts, his fingertips brushing the bare skin revealed by her low-cut neckline as he leaned over and kissed her neck. He whispered in her ear, “Give yourself to me, Patsy. I’ll take good care of you,” he said, his lips raining soft kisses down her neck.

  Excitement surged in her body at his touch making her giddy, like a virgin about to have her first sexual experience. She turned around and he folded her into his arms.

  She closed her eyes and melted into his embrace. His mouth came down on hers gently, his lips coaxing. At the touch of his tongue, Pat opened her lips to him. His tongue caressed hers while he massaged her breast. Feelings long dormant in Pat leapt to life. Desire grew where it had been lacking for years.

  Sam’s fingers pulled the strap of her tank top down. His lips kissed a hot trail down her shoulder to her breast as his thumb stroked her peak. Heat spread from her chest to her hips. His lips followed his hand. She gasped as heat became wildfire racing through her veins. She took his hand and led him into the bedroom.

  Sam pulled off his shirt, then eased her tank tops up over her head. She unbuckled his belt and he took off his pants, then slid her skirt down.

  “Wow, Patsy!” Sam said when he saw her in her lacy pink bra and matching panties. His eyes almost burned through the thin fabric.

  Pat smiled and blushed. When he pulled her to him for another passionate kiss, she could feel his arousal. He reached behind her and easily unfastened her bra. It slid to the floor. Then he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of her panties and eased them down. He shoved his boxers to the floor.

  “You are beautiful.” His gaze raked over her body.

  Before shyness overwhelmed her, she stepped into his embrace. She ran her hands up his chest, which was stronger than she expected. His fine salt and pepper chest hair was soft. He closed his eyes and smiled at the touch of her fingertips. His shoulders were broad and his arms were strong. She curled her fingers around his biceps, the thrill of his strength feeding the ache growing inside her. His mouth came down passionately on hers. He put his hands on her waist and pulled her closer to him, crushing her breasts against his chest. His mouth and his growing erection demanded surrender.

  He lowered her down on the bed, lying down next to her. His mouth and hands found her breasts and he slowly fanned the spark of desire into a blazing fire inside her with his lips and tongue.

  “Great breasts,” he whispered, gazing at her.

  He kissed her neck, her shoulders and her stomach. His breath was coming much quicker now. His hand slid down between her legs. She drew in her breath and tensed. He stopped and looked into her eyes.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Fine…it’s…it’s…been a long time,” she said breathlessly.

  She relaxed as his fingers gently searched for her most responsive spot while his lips tantalized her breast. When he touched the right place, Pat squirmed a bit and moaned. Pat moved her hand down his chest to his stomach and below, wrapping her hand around him. She was surprised to find how aroused he was. He groaned.

  “I need you, Patsy,” he muttered into her neck.

  He increased his gentle pressure on her slick, sensitive flesh until she called out for him, the fire inside threatening to consume her. He slipped one finger inside her then another. Her senses were on overload, she couldn’t focus on anything but his hands, lips and tongue. Her excitement spiraled higher and higher as he increased the movement of his fingers. With eyes hot with passion, Sam watched her face beautifully lost in her need for him.

  “Oh my God…Sam,” she breathed, her fingers gripping his shoulders.

  Before they both lost control, Sam positioned himself between her legs, pulled her knees to her chest and entered her slowly. Feeling her tight, moist grip he closed his eyes for a second and muttered her name. Their eyes connected. Then he started moving inside her, slowly increasing his pace until she closed her eyes while her hips followed his, her fingers digging into his back and shoulders, as the intensity skyrocketed through her body, melting into waves of pleasure. She cried out. Through her fingers she felt Sam’s body tense as he drove into her several times then groaned loudly. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as Sam nuzzled her neck.

  Sam kissed her shoulder. Pat hadn’t expected anything so intense and wonderful. Her heart opened. She put her arms around his neck and kissed his rough cheek tenderly. Sam had opened the door to her passionate self, a door that had been closed for a long time.

  “That was amazing…incredible…I never—” Pat whispered.

  Sam’s mouth came down tenderly on hers, stopping conversation. When his head came up he whispered to her, “Patsy, sweetheart, you were worth waiting for.”

  He sat up and ran his hand over her cheek then down over her breast to her waist. She cupped his cheek with one hand. Their eyes connected. Pat saw the intensity in Sam’s eyes soften with desire and satisfaction. She sighed and retreated to the bathroom.

  While Pat was in the bathroom, Sam went to his coat pocket. When she came out, he drew her to him, putting his arm around her.

  “I bought you a little gift to commemorate our first time…together,” Sam said, opening his hand to reveal the blue topaz pendant she admired at the craft fair.

  “Oh, Sam! You’re…you’re too much! How did you know I’d want to make love tonight?”

  “I didn’t know. I was hoping.”

  “You didn’t pay that horrendous price for this?” she asked him, a frown forming on her lips.

  “I managed to get her to take a little off, but only because I knew you wouldn’t want it at the full price. I didn’t care if I paid double. It looked beautiful on you and I wanted you to have it,” he said, opening the clasp.

  “That’s so sweet,” she said and started to cry.

  “Hey…what’s this?” He pulled her into his arms and held her tight, while she struggled to regain her composure.

  “I haven’t had such generosity from a man in a long time,” she said, wiping her eyes.

  “You deserve it…and more, Patsy,” Sam said, stroking her back.

  Pat lay back on the bed, fisted the covers and pulled them up over her. Sam stood up and reached for his pants.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Well, I thought…since it was our first time…”

 
“You’re going to stay the night, aren’t you?” she asked, looking directly at him.

  “If you want me to, no pressure.”

  “I do.” She reached out to him.

  “Wonderful,” he said, his frowning face breaking into a bright smile.

  He slipped back into bed. Pat cuddled into his shoulder and turned out the light. Sam curled his long limbs around her, rested his hand on her breast and they drifted off to a restful night together.

  In the morning, Pat opened her eyes first. It was early and Sam was still asleep. She peeked at him starting with his perfect lips that kissed her so well, moving to his strong arms that embraced her warmly and his hands that brought her such pleasure. She put her hand on his chest. He took her hand and kissed the palm, then opened his eyes and smiled.

  He looked at her tousled hair and her lips. His eyes moved down to her breasts, not covered by the sheet.

  “Encore, sweetheart?” he suggested, his gaze sweeping over her body, passion darkening his eyes.

  “Excellent idea,” she said, moving closer to him, while his arm snaked around her waist and his lips moved toward hers.

  Chapter Eight

  Both Peter and Sam had dates for the classical music concert being held in the university’s amphitheater on Saturday night. They both took their time getting ready, arguing about sharing the bathroom and critiquing each other’s choice of tie.

  Pat picked up Sam at six sharp for dinner first. She looked lovely in a turquoise silk dress and her tallest heels, which still kept her seven inches shorter than Sam. He presented her with a white gardenia corsage and she gave him a quick kiss, with Peter watching.

  “Hey, Dad, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Peter snickered.

  His father growled at him.

  At eight o’clock, Peter strolled over to Lara’s house. When she opened the door he was taken aback. She was a vision in a dark pink scoop-necked lightweight sweater that showed off her cleavage and a snug black pencil skirt. She also had on high heels and an amethyst pendant and matching earrings. Her hair was shiny and worn loose, draping around her shoulders. Peter, who’d never seen her in anything more formal than a leotard or shorts and T-shirt, was impressed.