The Art of Love

by Celya Bowers

  Peri gazed at the four pools of ocean water looking at her, weakening her resolve. “I want to learn,” Peri whispered. Had she really committed herself to falling on hard concrete? She changed the subject. “How about let’s eat?”

  All three walked to the kitchen in silence. Peri had already set the table; all that was missing was the food. She opened her refrigerator and retrieved lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, onions, and hamburger buns on the table, buffet style. She had previously prepared the meat and now put the platter of patties in the microwave to heat. Instead of French fries, she opened a bag of reduced-fat potato chips in a large bowl while Brendan entertained Chelsey.

  As she took the meat out of the microwave, she directed Brendan and Chelsey to wash their hands. “It’s down the hall. First door on your right.” She hid the empty potato chip bag behind her back.

  Brendan nodded, smiling. “I know what you did.” He and Chelsey quickly exited the room and walked down the hall.

  Peri breathed a sigh of relief and disposed of the bag before they returned.

  She was seated at the table when they entered the kitchen. She handed each of them a paper plate, encouraging Chelsey to go first. “Chelsey since you’re a guest, you get to go first.”

  Chelsey nodded and fixed what Peri considered a large hamburger for a child. Her niece would never eat that much. After they finished their meal and dessert of chocolate cake, they decided to watch one of the movies Peri had for Chelsey.

  Peri had her first lesson in dating men with children. She assumed they would all sit together on the couch, but a funny thing happened while Peri lingered in the kitchen, as she found when she walked in the living room. Brendan was stretched out on her couch asleep, leaving Peri and Chelsey to sit on the loveseat.

  He had begun to snore and the remote had dropped from his hand with a loud thud on the carpeted floor. Peri was amazed that Chelsey was such a chatterbox. She talked non-stop about her mom, Brendan, and some guy named Oliver, for the last hour. Chelsey didn’t seem upset about Peri being her daddy’s friend. Peri took that as a good thing. She needed to do something with Chelsey, since Brendan was going to be asleep for some time. “Do you like chocolate chip cookies?”

  “Yes. They’re my favorite.”

  “Want to make some while your dad is napping?” Peri was glad Kyla recommended the cookies.

  Peri took the excited gleam in her eye as a yes. Hand in hand, they went into the kitchen and started putting dough on the cookie sheet. Chelsey wanted to make one huge cookie, but Peri talked her out of that. They were on their third batch of cookies by the time Brendan entered the kitchen. She met Brendan’s smile with one of her own.

  “Sorry for falling asleep,” he apologized, rubbing the sleep from his face.

  “That’s okay. You were knocked out and started snoring so we came in here,” Peri said teasingly.

  “Yeah, Dad, you were really loud,” Chelsey added. “You sounded like a horn.”

  Brendan defended himself. “I only snore when I am jet-lagged. Okay, Chelsey, get your stuff together. It’s almost time to go.” He watched his daughter run out of the kitchen.

  Brendan took this time to show Peri how much he appreciated her. He walked to her, taking her hand so she would stand up. Instantly, she was in his arms, and he was exploring her mouth with this tongue, making promises for a much later time.

  She let his hands roam her body freely as the kiss deepened. Only when they heard Chelsey’s loud footsteps did they break their embrace. As she entered the kitchen she smiled at her father.

  “That’s all, Dad. Miss Reed, can I take some cookies home with me?”

  “Of course. Take them all.” Peri went to her cabinet to get a bag.

  “Peri, we couldn’t.”

  “Please, I’ll never eat them.” She put them in a plastic bag for Chelsey. After Brendan sneaked a goodbye kiss from Peri, and Peri promised Chelsey that she would learn in-line skating by the next time they saw each other, they left.

  * * *

  Brendan smiled in satisfaction, driving to his former home. Chelsey, as usual, was chattering away. This time she spoke of Peri. Apparently his very choosy daughter didn’t mind that her father was dating.

  “I like Peri. She’s real nice. She never called me a brat.”

  “Who called you a brat?” Brendan knew, but wanted to have another reason to hate Ashley Southerby.

  “Ashley called me a spoiled brat. She said that I was the reason you and Mom are divorced.”

  “Honey, you know that’s not true. Your mother and I just didn’t love each other anymore, but we love you.”

  Chelsey nodded her little head. “I know, Dad. Oliver said she was just picking on me ’cause she wanted you to herself. I’m glad she’s not your girlfriend anymore.”

  He’d almost married her. Boy, did faith really intervene or what? He couldn’t settle for anything but love this time around. He’d cheated himself once and vowed it wouldn’t happen again.

  “Is Miss Reed going to move in with you? You know, like Mom and Oliver.” She smiled at her father.

  “No, honey. We’re just friends. You know, like you have friends at your school. You eat together, play together. We’re friends like that.” He hoped that would satisfy his inquisitive daughter for now.

  “Does that mean you’re gonna have sleepovers, too?”

  CHAPTER 7

  Brendan shook his head as he drove home. Chelsey had thrown him for a loop with that seemingly innocent question. A sleepover. That was almost as bad as the ‘where do babies come from’ question.

  His little girl was growing up fast and right before his very eyes, he thought. Soon she would be six; the next thing she would be graduating from college and getting married and having babies of her own.

  “Whoa, Brendan,” he muttered to himself. “She’s just a little girl.” He shook his head, reaching for his cell phone. He hadn’t checked with the answering service all day. Hopefully, the trip he’d been waiting for all season was miraculously canceled. He punched in the numbers and listened to the five messages. The first two he could get Dante to handle, but the third one he had to handle himself. Damn. Peri. Their relationship was just getting to the point where she was a little less inhibited with him and now he would have to leave town again, this time for two weeks.

  Whatever number her ex did on her was a good one, Brendan thought. She wasn’t very trusting with him. She always looked like she expected each time they were together would be their last. Now he would be out of the country for at least ten days. He listened to the last two messages, confirming his plane tickets and hotel reservations.

  After he ended the call, he turned the Range Rover around and headed for Peri’s house. Tonight was going to be tough, and he knew he had to do it in person. He had two people he had to apologize to—Peri and Chelsey. Chelsey’s birthday just happened to fall within those two weeks and he would miss it. He called Claire and they quickly came to a compromise. She would postpone Chelsey’s party until he returned.

  “Actually, for once, your timing is pretty good. Next weekend is my grandmother’s birthday. I’d forgotten. Mom just called, and we’re going to be leaving Thursday evening.”

  Brendan couldn’t believe it. “You’re taking my daughter to New York in four days and you just now told me about it?”

  Claire huffed. “Look, Brendan, I don’t need your Irish temper right now. I’ve got Oliver and his Latino/Italian thing going on. I just told you I forgot about Nana’s birthday. She’s going to be eighty-five and she wants to have a party and would like her only great-granddaughter to be in attendance. What was I supposed to say? No? She’s dying, I’m not going to begrudge her a few days of Chelsey’s company.”

  Brendan realized that she was right. He was just upset. “Sorry, Claire. You’re right. Tell Catherine happy birthday for me. I want to spend a few days with Chelsey before I leave for New York.”

  “That’s fine. We’re leaving Friday afternoon. How
did Peri take the news? Chelsey really likes her. That’s all I’ve heard about for the last hour. I’m glad to hear she’s finally coming out of her shell.”

  “I haven’t told her yet. I’m on my way now. Any suggestions?”

  “No, just be honest with her. You’ll appreciate it later. Don’t leave it up in the air. Don’t tell her you’ll try to call or something if you have no intention of calling while you’re away.”

  Brendan already knew he’d be calling her every night, but didn’t think Claire would appreciate him being more thoughtful with Peri than he ever was with her. “Got it.” He ended the call.

  The next call would take all his concentration, so he pulled over to the side of the road to make it. Peri answered on the second ring.

  “Are you busy?”

  “No,” she answered.

  “I was thinking about coming over, if you don’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind. I’ll be waiting.” She ended the call.

  Brendan snapped his phone closed, put the truck in gear and headed straight for his destiny.

  * * *

  Exactly twenty minutes later, Peri let Brendan into her condo. A concerned look clouded her beautiful face. She was dressed in lounging clothes, looking incredibly sexy. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes. Maybe just a little down. Claire is taking Chel to New York next weekend to see her grandmother for her birthday.”

  Peri wore a confused look, which was priceless. He realized he was doing it again. Starting in the middle of a conversation and not giving any thought about the beginning of the story. Claire hated when he did that. He took a deep breath and started again.

  “I know I am being silly. She will be eighty-five, and they are having a big party for her. It’s just that after next weekend, I will be gone for two weeks. I just found out tonight, when I checked my messages.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Brussels.” Brendan stared into space, wanting to kiss the confusion out of her mind. But he had to make sure she understood what that would mean.

  “In Belgium? The home of Agatha Christie’s master detective Hercule Poirot and chocolates?”

  “Yes. I will be there a week, and then in Paris.” He pushed the words out of his mouth. He wanted so badly to have a physical connection with her, but since that night in the park the only thing they did was kiss. Passionate, mind-blowing kisses that propelled him in overdrive, but kisses, just the same.

  Peri grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips for a gentle kiss. “Do you go out of the country often?”

  “Yes, at this time of the year there are always auctions, sales, and deals going on all over the world. Someone is always trying to sell a lost family heirloom or something. Unfortunately, I have to go where the art is found.”

  Peri did her best to cheer him up, and failed miserably. “You can see her when you get back. It’ll be fine. You know absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

  Brendan smiled and kissed her hand. “I hope so. Will your heart grow fonder as well?”

  “Of course.”

  Brendan smiled, leaned over, and kissed her. His fingers lightly caressed her lips, her face. Suddenly, he pulled her onto his lap. He kissed her again, this time a little longer and a little softer. It seemed he couldn’t get her close enough to his body. He kissed her neck and rubbed her back. Peri, inexperienced as she was, caressed his hair. Brendan whispered in her ear and she shivered. “Peri, I want you.”

  Peri watched him with those beautiful brown eyes. That look of fear was gone and now replaced with the look of pure desire. “You think I’m ready now?”

  Brendan stopped kissing her for a moment and stared at her. “I think we’re ready. Don’t I feel ready?” He placed her slender hand on his erection.

  She rubbed it gently. The action was so innocent, but he knew that she knew she was driving him out of his mind. He kissed her again savagely, pulling her closer to his body. His hands roamed freely under her shirt.

  Peri stood and looked down at Brendan. The smile tugging at her lips said it all. She took his hand and led him down the hall to her bedroom. Brendan wanted to reassure her, but he’d lost his voice, his capacity for rational thought. All he could focus on was his erection and how to satisfy it.

  As they neared the bed, Peri reached to turn off the bedside lamp. He knew why; she was still uncomfortable baring her body. He noticed it when he attempted to touch her. She was still uncomfortable showing her nude body to him. Brendan halted her movements. “I want to see your body.” Brendan stood in front of her, watching her intensely for any signs of fear.

  “No,” said Peri. She didn’t make eye contact.

  “No. You are beautiful.” Brendan leaned down and kissed her, giving her a needed boost of confidence. He didn’t know why she felt so insecure. He would have to ease her fears. While he kissed her mouth, his hands were busy caressing her flat stomach and toned back. He eased her shirt off and threw it on the floor, dropping kisses all over her shoulders and stomach, leaving a hot trail of desire all over her body. Peri lost all sense of concentration, panting phrases of gibberish.

  “D-Do you have any protection?” Peri stammered.

  Brendan stopped kissing her stomach, letting out an audible sigh of regret. Why didn’t he think to stop at the store? The answer was easy. He didn’t think in his wildest dreams that the evening would have taken this turn. “No. I don’t have anything with me. I didn’t anticipate things going like this.”

  Peri sat on her bed. She took a deep breath and forced herself to relax, staring at anything but him. “Look in the bathroom, in the linen closet on the top shelf. You will find what you need.”

  Brendan looked at Peri. Her head down, staring at the carpeted floor, she was obviously avoiding his eyes. Slowly, he walked into the bathroom. He found what he was looking for, an unopened box of condoms.

  Peri sensed something was wrong. She explained. “I bought them after we went to the play. I hope those are okay.”

  Relief flooded through Brendan’s veins. He looked down at the unopened box in his hand. “These are fine.” He walked back into the bedroom. Peri was still sitting on the bed. Watching her hands as she clasped them in her lap, he sat down beside her and started rubbing her back until she relaxed. “I know it has been a while since Robert, so if you want to wait, I understand,” he said, hoping against hope. There wasn’t enough cold water in Arlington to cure the raging hard-on he was now sporting.

  Peri leaned her head against his shoulder. “I want to.”

  Brendan bent down and kissed her. It was the kiss that would join their souls. He playfully nipped at her bottom lip, teasing her with his tongue. He kissed her on her neck and slowly made his way to her bra-covered breasts. He quickly unhooked her bra and threw it on the floor alongside her shirt. He kissed her breasts one at a time, loving the sounds of pleasure escaping from her mouth. He moved lower still, kissing her ribs, one by one. Peri’s body took control. She wiggled and squirmed under him.

  Brendan chuckled, trying to keep his grip on reality. “Slow down, baby. We got all night.” He continued kissing her stomach and moving lower. He knew she was inexperienced with this kind of intense lovemaking. He tried to be gentle. She rubbed her fingers through his silky hair, and hoped she didn’t explode soon. Brendan had divested her of her clothes and he was getting out of his. He stripped down to his underwear and Peri was quite surprised. His chest was more muscular than she would have thought. He didn’t have much hair on his chest, to Peri’s satisfaction. Brendan joined her under the covers, their hands already busy. Peri, inexperienced as she was, helped him out of his boxers very quickly. As Brendan fumbled with his condom, he noticed the tears escaping from her closed eyelids.

  “Peri, I want you to enjoy this. It is not a chore.” Brendan caressed her face and kissed her. “It’s more fun, if we both enjoy it.”

  “I know.” Peri opened her eyes and focused on him.

  “Relax.” Brendan looked into
her eyes.

  Brendan covered her like the blanket that he was. He was letting her get adjusted to his weight being on top of her. Brendan ran his fingers through her hair and kissed her fears away. His hands gently caressed her stomach and thighs as he readied to enter her.

  “This might hurt a little,” Brendan said as he slowly entered her, watching for any signs of pain. She gasped as he surged deeper inside her body. Instantly, he withdrew, hoping he didn’t hurt her. “What’s wrong, Peri? Does it hurt too much? Do you want me to stop?”

  She shook her head, placing a hand on each side of his face, bringing his face closer for a kiss. That one kiss, ignited passion and there would be no turning back now. He entered her, and as he surged deep inside her body, he felt their kiss deepen. Peri moaned, wrapping her legs around his waist and bringing him deeper inside her. As he kissed the daylights out of her, he realized somehow that she had caught up with him.

  Brendan laughed as he rolled over and she was on top of him. Loving the feel of her breasts pressed up against him, sweat dripping from her forehead, a slow red blush covered her face. She looked gorgeous.

  CHAPTER 8

  “What time is it?” Brendan asked, as he hugged her closer and nibbled her ear, making delicious sounds and heating her up something wonderful.

  It was morning, she knew, but had no idea of what time it was. She squinted at her bedside clock. It was barely six in the morning. Peri told him as she let out a contented sigh. Neither of them moved. She toyed with the idea of taking a vacation day. She needed the time to gather her thoughts about this new and unexpected development in their relationship. Maybe Brendan would leave soon, but she didn’t want to hasten the moment.

  “I was thinking of taking the day off. How about you?” Brendan’s voice was thick with sleep. He eased his body on top of hers, dropping kisses on her cheeks, nose, chin, and, finally, a deep, tongue-mating kiss.

  “Yes, I’m going to take the day off,” Peri said, breathing heavily. How could he have her hormones doing the cha-cha this early in the morning?