Callie bit her lip thinking about how Peter must be feeling being alone at Christmas. When Sam came in first, smiling broadly, Mac, Callie, Danny and Eliza were puzzled. Then Lara came in with Peter right behind her and frowns turned to smiles. Peter was grinning broadly and Lara was shy. He held up her left hand showing off her engagement ring.
“We’re engaged!” he announced, his eyes gleaming.
“It’s about time, shrimp.” Mac clapped Peter on the back. There was lots of kissing under the mistletoe by the adults, with Jason making faces.
“Mac, this is going to be our best Christmas yet.” Callie said before she planted a kiss on his lips.
* * * *
Peter, Lara, and Sam got home after midnight. Sam bade them goodnight and disappeared into his room with a book. When they were alone, Peter closed the door of their room and Lara turned to him.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” she asked him.
“What? Get married? Absolutely. I should’ve proposed to you earlier.” Peter pulled at his necktie.
“Will you be faithful to me?” Lara glanced at him.
“Of course. Why do you ask?” Peter hung up his jacket and necktie in the closet.
“Your family is always teasing you about your conquests and…women flock to you, don’t they?”
“Maybe I flirt a little, but I’ve not been interested in anyone else since…since I saw you dance.”
“Saw me dance?” Lara cocked her head.
“At your place. When I saw you dancing. I knew…it had to be you or no one. I waited for you. I’ve never waited for a woman before. Does that answer your question?” Peter finished unbuttoning his shirt and hung it in the closet.
“Yes.” Lara walked to him and turned her back.
He unzipped her dress and eased it off her shoulders, moving his hands to cover her shoulders, and he bent to kiss the back of her neck. His fingers caressed the soft skin of her shoulders, his mouth moved up to her ear to whisper, “I can’t believe…I’m so lucky…to have you…soon to be mine and only mine…my wife.” He yanked his T-shirt over his head and tossed it on a chair.
Lara leaned her head back against his shoulder while his fingers combed her hair. Turning her head to the left, she nuzzled his neck. Peter slid his hand down her back and snapped open her bra. Lara let it fall to the floor. Still standing behind her, he glided his hands over her shoulders and down her chest, stopping at her breasts. His fingers closed around the warm mounds as his lips feathered kisses down her neck to her shoulder.
Lara caught her breath and closed her eyes, focusing on the feel of Peter’s hands on her. His touch, at once gentle and seductive, started an ache in her loins. She placed her hands on his hips and pulled him to her, feeling his arousal push up against her backside.
Needing more connection, she turned to face him. He placed his hands on her waist and crushed her against him while his mouth came down hard on hers. Her arms twined around his neck and her hips flattened against his. Lara could feel his chest hair tickling her breasts, his tongue stroking, persuading hers. Heat ran through her veins causing her core to become damp.
Peter moved his hands down her back and slipped them under the waistband of her red lace panties to cup her behind and squeeze. Lara fumbled with his belt and finally unzipped his pants. Her fingernails drew lines up his back as his pants fell to the floor. He broke to step out of them and his boxers too.
“I missed you so much,” she breathed. “Only a few days felt like a lifetime.”
She could see his chest rise and fall as his breathing became rapid. She slid her panties off and threw them on the chair.
“I love looking at you.” Peter stood a few feet away while his gaze raked her body.
His eyes became a deep blue, darkened with desire as he looked at her. Lara stepped closer and ran her hands up then down his chest and further down. Wrapping her fingers around him, she stared up into his eyes.
Feeling the new ring on her finger reminded her Peter belonged to her and she to him. Confidence swept into her heart. She kissed his chest and up his neck all the way to his mouth.
“Now you’re mine, mister. Don’t forget that,” she whispered into his mouth.
“Never.” He stepped closer to her.
“You belong to me and only me.” She cupped his cheek with her palm.
“You have my love now and forever.”
Lara took his hand and led him to the bed. He caught her around the waist and tickled her. She screamed with laughter as he pulled her down on the bed, looming over her. They stared into each other’s eyes, silent for a moment.
“Take me. Make love to me…I need you so much.” Lara touched his rough cheek with one hand and his shoulder with the other.
“Your wish is my command.” Peter lowered his mouth to hers in a hungry kiss.
* * * *
That very night the nightmares started. Lara saw a fist coming at her face, she felt the pain as the blow landed, then another and another. She was crying as the pain exploded in her head, radiating down her neck. Screaming, she bolted into an upright position and froze. Peter was awake immediately. Not long after, there was a gentle knock on the door. It was Sam.
“It’s okay, Dad. Lara had a bad dream.”
“Oh. Okay. As long as everyone is all right,” Sam responded through the door.
“What happened?” Peter cradled her in his arms.
“I saw a fist coming at my face. Then it was punching me, in the eye, then in the jaw and it wouldn’t stop and the pain was overwhelming.”
“Did you see who it was?”
“Just a fist, a man’s fist. Dr. Weiss said this might happen. She said my memory might start to come back piece by piece in my dreams first. But she didn’t say the dreams would be nightmares.”
“Maybe you’ll have other dreams about your life that won’t be nightmares.”
“I hope so. I don’t want to wake up screaming again, disturbing you and Sam.”
“Don’t worry about us.” He kissed her hair.
“Let’s get some sleep so we can be up early to celebrate Christmas Day with Jason and Kitty.” Lara wrapped Peter’s arms around her.
The dreams didn’t stop for Lara. Sometimes they were of the attack, never revealing the face of her attacker, sometimes they were dreams of nicer times, days spent with Andres and Keith. One dream was a memory of making love with Andres, another was dancing with Keith. Sometimes she dreamt of parties, of drinking too much and waking up with a hangover.
Other days the dreams were darker, revealing arguments with a faceless man whose anger flared up into violence, a glass vase thrown over her head at a wall or plates smashed.
Every other night there seemed to be a different dream. Sometimes she awoke and sometimes she didn’t. On nights when she did wake up, she touched Peter’s chest and he’d automatically pull her into his arms and they’d drift back to sleep together.
While her memory was coming back during the night, some of the memories continued during the day. She remembered her relationship with Andres. She remembered the long days of rehearsal, the “stage door johnnies”, and the late nights clubbing and drinking. Lara smiled ruefully. Maybe she and Peter had something else in common. She had been a party girl.
Chapter Twenty
Alan had filed his final grades two weeks earlier. He gave Mary Campbell the A he promised her. He was sorry to lose her as he had grown fond of her and wondered if he could date her. He was thirty-seven and she was nineteen, but so what?
He failed Jenna Walker. She deserved it. She’d had her chance and made the wrong choice. Alan put Jenna out of his mind and went skiing over Christmas, leaving Rex alone in the house. When he came back he read about Jenna; her body was found on the frozen ground. She had jumped from the science building roof. Alan grew pale. Do I still have time to change her grade?
He ran to his office and turned on his computer. Maybe no one had looked yet. Maybe there was still time. Franti
cally he logged on and deleted the F and typed in a B.
* * * *
Across town in the administration building, Eliza Maine and Mac Caldwell were meeting with Jenna’s parents. They had given permission to the university and the police to look through Jenna’s things in her dorm room. Eliza had found a copy of Jenna’s transcript for the semester, all As and one F in English. She called Mac over.
“This is odd, Mac. Jenna was an A student.”
“Flunked English. Surprising.”
Mac took the transcript and tucked it into his breast pocket.
* * * *
Rex picked up the paper at noon when he woke up. There was Jenna Walker’s face plastered all over the front page. He recognized her immediately. She was the girl Alan was pressuring for sex in his office, the one who turned him down. Rex had it all on tape. This was the best score ever. Alan might be responsible for this girl’s death.
Rex made it a point to have dinner at home with Alan. They were discussing plans for New Year’s Eve when Rex decided to strike.
“You know the girl who killed herself, Jenna something?”
“She was in my English class.” Alan crossed his legs.
“You propositioned her and she turned you down.”
“What?”
“You wanted to screw her, Alan.”
“You’re crazy,” Alan said and tried to leave the room, but Rex pulled him back.
“Crazy? I don’t think so. I’ve got you tryin’ to force her to have sex with you, threatening to fail her on film, Alan,” Rex said.
“What?”
“That’s right. I planted some cameras in your office and I have it all on tape. Her and the chick you were bangin’. All on tape. What would happen to you if I sent the tape to that Caldwell guy?”
“You wouldn’t, would you, Rex? We’re cousins. Blood.” Beads of sweat formed on Alan’s upper lip. His face grew pale.
“You’d be fired. Run out of town…maybe even arrested for murdering that girl.”
“No, no. I didn’t murder her. It was her choice. I gave her a choice. She didn’t have to fail. It wasn’t my fault.” Alan’s voice shook.
“Too late. Maybe I should put it on Youtube.”
“Oh, God. Don’t…Rex…please…”
“I could forget about this, if the price was right,” Rex said, a slow smile stopping at his lips, his eyes cold.
Then Alan remembered and a tentative smile crept across his lips.
“Rex, I found something in the trash…an opened package with a note attached. It was from Deena, the girl who was murdered. Was she your girlfriend? Sounds like it. Did you kill her, Rex?”
The color drained slowly from Rex’s face. His right hand closed over the watch he was wearing. The watch. The package. Shit!
“Where’s the note, Alan?”
“In a safe place, a very safe place. But it could end up in the police chief’s hands. Might make your life difficult.” Alan sat back in his chair.
“It might,” Rex conceded.
“Did you kill her, Rex?”
“I had no choice…” You’ve just signed your own death warrant, cousin.
“I don’t really care why you killed her, but now you’ve admitted it, I guess your little tape with Jenna and me will disappear.” Alan blew out a breath he was holding.
“Maybe. Maybe we should do a little exchange, Alan.”
“Why? I like having the note. It’s the cheapest insurance in the world.”
“Maybe not. If I send mine to the cops first, you might not have a chance to send yours…see what I mean?” Rex tapped his finger against the face of the watch.
“I’m not worried. If anything happens to me, the note is going straight to Dave Williams, Chief of Police. So forget your little scheme. I’m not paying you anything.”
Alan turned away from Rex. Foolish for you to fuck with me, Alan.
Rex was too hot, being a person of interest in Deena’s murder, to murder Alan. He had to be patient, wait for things to quiet down. A couple of months, then he’d plan an accident for Alan.
Rex had bought a gun, because blackmailers shouldn’t be unarmed. Self-defense might work out nicely.
* * * *
On New Year’s Eve, Mac and Callie had their own party to attend as did Danny and Eliza Maine. Peter, Lara and Sam decided to spend it together. Sam bought filet mignon and champagne, Peter played some old favorite family songs. After dinner, Lara and Peter insisted on doing the dishes before they watched a movie.
“You kids go ahead. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”
“Come on, Sam…watch with us.” Lara twisted her smile into a pleading one and looked at him.
“Dad, have you thought about calling Pat and wishing her Happy New Year?” Peter tossed the suggestion over his shoulder as he headed to the kitchen.
“What if I can’t talk to her?”
“Will you feel worse than you do already?”
“Probably not.”
“Go for it, Dad.”
Sam disappeared into the bedroom. He dialed Patsy’s number and she picked up on the second ring.
“Patsy, it’s me, Sam.” He sat down on the bed.
“Oh, Sam! It’s so good to hear your voice.”
“I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year.”
“That’s so sweet. You too, Sam.”
“Do you think we’ll be able to spend it together?”
“The new year? I hope so. I miss you so much,” Pat said, “I’ve got to go, popcorn is ready. We’re watching Bringing Up Baby.”
“I hope they like it.”
“They damn well better!” The sound of her laughter made Sam smile.
“Well…Happy New Year, Patsy.” Sam pushed to his feet.
“You too, my love.” Her voice softly caressed him.
Sam returned to the living room with a spring in his step and a smile on his face.
“I guess you reached her, eh?” Peter stopped fiddling with the remote control.
“Yeah…enough with the questions, Pete. What are we watching? Have you two seen Holiday? Let’s make popcorn.”
* * * *
After Jack took his family back to California, Sam brought a picnic lunch to Pat’s house. They spread a blanket in front of the fire in the fireplace and talked while they ate. Pat tried to explain how Jack felt.
“Seduced you? Your son said I seduced you?” Sam laughed.
“I don’t think it’s funny. That’s a bad way to feel about your mother’s boyfriend.”
“Do I have to be called your ‘boyfriend’? It seems so ridiculous at this age.”
“What should I call you?”
“How about your lover?” Sam wiggled his eyebrows and kissed her hand.
“Sam, you’re not taking this seriously.” But she couldn’t keep a smile from her lips.
“I’m not. Jack will have to get used to you having a life, a life including sex. There’s nothing he can do about it. I went through this with my boy too.”
“But it’s different with a mother and son.”
“Still, you’re not married anymore, Patsy.”
“I know.” Pat stared at the fire.
“Then why are you behaving like we’re having an illicit affair?”
“I’m not.”
“Not with me, but you are when it comes to Jack.” Sam stood up and stretched.
“Do you think so? I thought I spoke pretty plainly and directly to him. Now I have to wait for him to adjust and accept it.”
“You have to convince Jack you are a single person now, not married, not half of a couple with his other parent. I went through it with Peter…and now Mac is having some trouble adjusting. But he will, because nothing less is acceptable.”
“I know you’re right, but it isn’t easy.” She held out her hand and Sam helped her get up.
“Just for the record, I didn’t seduce you. You came to bed with me of your own free will. You could’ve said no.”
&
nbsp; “I know I did and I’m not sorry.” Pat piled up dishes.
“Is that the best you can do…not be sorry?” Sam carted the dishes into the kitchen with Pat following.
“Why, Sam, I think you’re insulted.”
“You’re damn right I am.” He put the dishes in the sink and filled the coffeemaker.
“I’m sorry…”
“There you go, being sorry again.”
Sam turned on the coffee. Pat felt confused. She hurt Jack, now she was hurting Sam. She came up behind him and put her arms around his waist and hugged him. He smiled and patted her hand.
“Is that the best you can do, pat my hand?” she said with a snicker.
He laughed, turned around and took her in his arms for a passionate kiss.
“Oh no, I can do better…much better…” he said, unzipping her sweater and unhooking her bra. His mouth found hers again and she parted her lips. Sam took possession of her mouth while his hands took possession of her body. She unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders. They stood half-naked in the kitchen, kissing. Pat took Sam’s hand and led him into the bedroom where they made love.
After a short cuddle, Sam rose up and walked to the chair where his clothes lay.
“Are you going home?” Pat sat up.
“I was planning on it, why?”
“Can’t you stay the night?”
“What if Jack calls?” Sam reached for his shirt.
“You won’t answer the phone and I don’t have to tell him you’re here.”
“That’s being Mrs., not Miss. I don’t want to sneak around like I’m some…some…seducer or something. This is an adult relationship, Patsy. I won’t make any excuses or explanations. Are you Mrs. or Miss?”
Now & Forever 3 - Blind love Page 23