Southern Attraction

by Kaylee Ryan

  Her hand still in mine, I pull her into my chest. “Have you ever danced in the rain?” I ask her.

  “We don’t have any music,” she laughs.

  I wrap my arms around her, holding her close, and begin to sway back and forth. “We don’t need it.”

  She rests her head on my chest. The rain’s still pouring but I barely notice it. All I see, all I feel is her. I don’t think about how odd we must look to those driving by, nor do I care. The only thing I care about is her, and this is an experience I’m happy to give her. I don’t know how long we stand there, slightly swaying back and forth. To me, in this moment, time stands still.

  She lifts her head, placing her hands on the back of my neck and pulling my lips to hers. She kisses me, soft and slow, and even with the rain soaking our skin, I can still feel the electric current that flows through me every time we touch. Pulling away, she grabs my hands and tugs me to the front porch. “What should we do? I don’t want to get your floor wet.”

  “Houses are meant to be lived in, babe. We can wipe up the water. Let’s get you inside.” I unlock the door and hold it open for her. We rush inside and through the kitchen to the laundry room and strip down. She’s shivering from being soaking wet and the air-conditioning in the house. Tossing our wet clothes in the washer, I grab her hand and guide her to my bedroom and into the bathroom. I turn on the shower and adjust the temperature, then step in and hold my hand out for her. She doesn’t hesitate to take it and climb in after me. Adjusting the nozzle, I make sure the hot water is hitting her to warm her up. Leaning into me, she rests her forehead against my chest. I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight. That’s how we stand until the water starts to run cold.

  Still not saying a word, I turn off the water and help her out, wrapping her in a towel.

  “You hungry?” I ask once we’re dressed.

  “Not really. Can we maybe just lie in bed and talk? I have something I need to tell you.”

  My heart drops. “Anything you want.” I kiss her cheek and climb into bed, holding the covers for her. She slides in and lies on her side, facing me. I place my hand on her hip and pull her close. She doesn’t fight me.

  “What’s wrong, Jamie?”

  “I got a phone call today.”

  I nod, letting her know I’m listening.

  “Do you remember that I told you Mr. Warren passed all of our cases to another firm?”

  “I do.”

  “Well, the owner, Mr. Farris, he called me today. He was impressed with my work.”

  “Of course he was. You’re brilliant.”

  That causes her to smile weakly.

  “Anyway,” she says, “he offered me a job. He wants me to run his paralegal department. He wants to restructure their documentation style so it’s uniform, and he wants me there to implement it.”

  Fuck! I knew she was going back, but I had hoped she would change her mind. Give us more time together. I don’t say anything, so she keeps going.

  “Good salary, quarterly bonuses, four weeks paid vacation, my own office. It’s the job I’ve always dreamed about.”

  Closing my eyes, I pull her as close as I can get her and bury my face in her neck. I hold her while I try to decide what to say to all this. I’m not mad, but I’m… fuck, I don’t know what I am.

  “Say something,” she whispers.

  Pulling back, I see those gorgeous green eyes of hers are full of tears. “I love you, Jamie. That’s all I know. I don’t know how we make this work. I’m willing to do long distance because I don’t want to lose you, but I just don’t know if it’ll be enough. I need more of you.”

  “I’ve thought about it, and in the beginning, I won’t have the freedom to take long weekends like I used to.”

  “What are you thinking? Where does this leave us?”

  Her tears fall and I know what she’s going to say. I swallow back the emotion clogging my throat. “I-I think it means that when I leave here on Sunday, that w-we have to p-part as f-fr-friends,” she sobs.

  A loud crack of thunder and then a strike of lightning flashes outside the window, in time with my heart breaking. I knew this was an impossible feat, but I let myself fall for her anyway. The attraction was too strong to fight. I didn’t want to fight it.

  “There has to be a way,” I say, my voice not sounding like my own.

  “Tell me how, Mike. I just… I can’t leave my family, my career I worked so hard for. You have the bar, your family, and your friends. We’re at an impasse. We knew this was a possibility.”

  She’s right. We both know it. “I’ll be right back.” I kiss her forehead and climb out of bed, leaving the bedroom in search of my cell phone. I find it lying on the dryer. Luckily neither mine nor hers was ruined from our dance in the rain.

  Unlocking the screen, I pull up Olivia’s contact and hit Call, walking back to the bedroom. She picks up just as I’m climbing back into bed.

  “Hello,” she answers.

  “Hey, Liv.” I lie down in front of Jamie. “I have a favor to ask.”

  “Sure thing, what’s up?”

  “I only have a few days left before Jamie goes back to Chicago. I’m not coming back to the bar until then. Can you handle things? I just… I need this time with her.”

  “Sure. You all right?” she questions.

  “Not at all. Thank you. I hate to drop this all on you—”

  “Michael, it’s fine. You have this place running like a well-oiled machine. Call me if you need anything, okay?”

  “Will do, little sister.”

  “Love you, big brother.”

  “Love you too.” I end the call and toss my phone behind me on the nightstand. “I’m all yours until you leave. I want as much time with you as I can get.”

  “Mike, it’s just going to—”

  “No. I love you, Jamie. Those are not words I say lightly. In fact, I’ve never said them to someone who isn’t family. It’s going to hurt like hell no matter what. I want these last few days to make memories with you. Memories that will be with me in here”—I place my hand over my heart—“forever, just like you will be.”

  “I love you too,” she cries. I hold her close and we cry together.

  She eventually drifts off to sleep but I can’t, my mind racing. How mad would my parents be if I gave up the bar? Can Olivia handle it on her own? I know she’s it for me, and I know she loves me, but it’s a risk. Giving up my legacy for a relationship that may or may not work out in the end.

  Can I handle living in the city?

  Can I give it all up for her?

  This week has been bittersweet. True to his word, we haven’t left the house since we got home from Whit and Aaron’s. We’ve made love, talked, played cards and watched movies, just to name a few. We’ve not left each other’s sides for any length of time.

  I was right in thinking that this was just going to make it harder. I fall more in love with him every single day. But I wouldn’t change it, wouldn’t change this time with him. It’s time I will cherish for the rest of my life.

  “Ready, babe?” he asks.

  “You know I’m the Monopoly champ, right?”

  “So you say. I’ve yet to see these skills you speak of. I’m the champ around these parts, so you’re going to have to fight for it.”

  “Bring it, country.”

  An hour in and I’m losing—bad. He’s got all his property lined with hotels, and my cash flow is dwindling fast. “Why don’t we make this interesting?” I suggest.

  “What do you have in mind?”

  “How about every time I land on one of your properties, instead of paying you, I have to give you kisses?”

  He smirks. “I have a better idea.”

  “Do tell,” I say, rolling the dice.

  He gathers all of his money and throws it on the board. “We call it a tie, and I make love to you. We both win.” He grins.

  “You do drive a hard bargain, Mr. Wallace.”

  He stands from t
he seat across from me and rounds the table. I scoot back in my chair, not sure what he’s going to do next. Bending down, he scoops me up bridal style and carries me to his room. He starts stripping out of his clothes, so I do as well. Mike climbs into bed and holds the cover open for me. I slide in next to him, only I don’t stop there, straddling his hips instead. Like the southern gentleman he is, he pulls the cover around me, around us; he knows I get chilly in this icebox he lives in.

  He cups my cheek with one hand while the other rests on my hip. “I love you, James,” he says reverently.

  “I love you too.” I slide my hand between our bodies and grip him. Raising my hips, I align him with my entrance.

  “Condom, babe,” he softly reminds me.

  I shake my head. “I’m clean. I’m on the pill and I want to feel you. All of you. I don’t want anything between us. I’ve never… I want it to be you.”

  He places his hand over mine and together we guide him as I slowly lower myself onto his length. “Fuck, Jamie.”

  “It’s so different,” I say, moving my hips, causing us both to moan.

  His hand that still rests between us begins to rub against me. “I’m close, Jamie. I’m not going to last. I need you there,” he says, applying pressure with his thumb.

  I grind against him, chasing my release. “Now,” I pant, and even through my orgasm, I feel him release inside of me. It’s the most erotic moment of my life. My hands are gripping his chest, my head is bowed and the tears are falling. It was beautiful and heartbreaking.

  “Shower,” he says softly. I don’t know how he manages, but he slides off the bed, still inside of me, and carries me to the shower. He adjusts the water and steps in, me still in his arms. When he finally pulls out and lowers me to my feet, I can feel the mix of our release on my thighs. “I love you so fucking much. I love you.” He wraps me in his arms, burying his face in my neck.

  “We should clean up.” Reaching for the soap, I pour some in my hands and rub them together before running them all over his body, not missing an inch. “I’m going to miss you so much,” I choke out.

  “My turn.” He switches our positions and runs his soapy, callused hands over every inch of me.

  We stay in the shower until the water runs cold. This time we don’t bother with clothes. After we dry off, we climb right back into bed and I snuggle into him. His arms are locked around me so tight I’m surprised I can breathe, but I love it, the feeling of love and security his hold brings me.

  “I’m going to miss this, miss you,” I whisper.

  “Baby,” he chokes out. “You have no idea.”

  We don’t say anything else; no words are needed. There’s nothing left to say anyway. We’re both breaking our own hearts due to distance. It’s petty, but neither of us knows how to or is willing to sacrifice to keep it from happening.

  It’s Friday night, the wedding rehearsal. It’s the first time we’ve left his house since I accepted the job. It feels good to be out, but I miss our little bubble. The day after tomorrow, I have to walk away from the only man I’ve ever really loved for a job. I have to do it, or I’ll always wonder what would’ve happened. We both understand that, but it doesn’t make it hurt any less.

  The wedding is small with no wedding party. Although, that didn’t stop us from getting matching dresses. It’s just Whit and Aaron standing at the altar—well, with Lexi. Aaron promised her she could stand up with him. She’s having a hard time. Whit told me they hope by letting her be the only one who’s part of the big day with them, she’ll realize she’s gaining, not losing. She loves Whit, but she’s afraid she’s losing her Uncle Aaron. She’s the sweetest ever. McKinley and Evan should be proud of the little girl they’re raising.

  The rehearsal went off without a hitch. I’m still not sure why we had to have one since there’s no wedding party, but in the end, it was good for Lexi to know what she’s going to do tomorrow.

  Mike hasn’t left my side the entire night. The guys are over at the bar having a drink and he’s here with me, glued to my side, his hand on my knee. “Go say hi,” I whisper.

  “No.”

  “Mike, I’ll be right here.”

  “And I’ll be right beside you. I have two fucking days, Jamie. I’m not leaving your side.”

  Leaning into him, I place my lips next to his ear. “I love you, Michael.”

  He turns in his seat and cups my face. His blue eyes are misty with tears. “I love you.” He kisses me softly.

  That’s how we spend the rest of the night, his arm around my shoulders, holding me close. We laugh and talk with our friends, but not once does he let me go. The night ends early as the bride and groom have a big day tomorrow, so we say our goodbyes and head back to his place. He leads me to the bedroom and we don’t make love, just strip down to nothing and cuddle close. We hold each other, not willing to let go. Not willing to say what we’re both thinking.

  Time is moving too fast. It’s too soon. We need more time. His love has changed me, and I’ll never be the same.

  Eventually his breathing evens out and I allow myself to drift off to sleep.

  Today’s the day. Whit and Aaron are getting married in just a few hours. I’m excited for my best friend and this new chapter in her life, but I’m sad for the one closing in mine.

  Mike and I are both quiet this morning as we get ready. He woke me up with kisses to my bare shoulder. I rolled over to say good morning and the haunted look in his eyes almost broke me. We made love without saying a word, as none were needed. We’re both broken. We’re down to mere hours before I have to leave him. This time tomorrow I’ll be on the road, back to Chicago. Back to my life before Mike.

  “Ready, beautiful?” he asks when I enter the living room.

  “Yes.”

  He stands to greet me and pulls me into a hug. “You’re gorgeous, Jamie.”

  “You clean up pretty well yourself,” I try for humor, but neither of us is feeling it.

  He guides me out the door to his truck. He drives us everywhere; my car is still parked in the garage where he put it the day after I arrived.

  When we reach the farm, there are only a few cars, just like Whit wanted. Other than me and my parents, Aaron’s family, and the friends she’s made here are all she has.

  Shit, I forgot my parents are going to be here today. I’ve been so wrapped up in Mike and the thought of leaving him that I didn’t call and tell them about the job. Guilt hits me hard.

  “What’s wrong?” Mike asks.

  He knows me so well. “I forgot that my parents are going to be here today.”

  “O-kay?” he asks.

  “They don’t know about the job. They know my plan was to come home tomorrow, but I’ve not talked to them to tell them about the job.”

  He nods. “So we don’t tell them. We’ll be us today, and we won’t think about tomorrow or the fact that you’re going back to Chicago. Today we’re Mike and Jamie, madly in love and witnessing two of our closest friends commit their lives to each other. Stay there, I’ll help you out.” With that, he climbs out of the truck and walks to my side. I take deep, even breaths to fight back the tears.

  He opens my door and holds out his hand. “Watch your step,” he says. Seeing my heels, he rethinks our situation and places his hands on my hips, lifting me from the seat and setting my feet on the ground with little effort.

  I wrap my arms around him, holding him close. “I love you.” My voice is muffled against his chest, but I know he hears me.

  “You are my heart, Jamie.” He kisses just below my ear and eases his hold on me.

  We make our way to the backyard and I see my parents, taking a seat next to them. We say hello, Mike shaking Dad’s hand and kissing Mom on the cheek. There are less than fifty people who were invited, and it looks like most are here. Mike puts his arm around me and holds my hand that rests on his lap.

  When the music starts, the crowd “awws” at Lex as she prances down the aisle throwing flowers. She�
��s grinning at the attention as she takes her spot up front, standing tall, swinging her empty flower basket back and forth.

  The wedding march starts and Whit appears with Mike’s dad who’s walking her down the aisle. I can’t help but think about how our wedding would be if Mike and I were able to work this out and be together. I’ve never really thought much about my wedding but today, that’s what’s on my mind. Destination, I think, somewhere tropical.

  Shaking out of my thoughts, I focus on my best friend who’s glowing, wearing a smile that lights up the already sunshine-filled day. She’s beautiful, and my heart is so full for her.

  The ceremony is quick. Whit didn’t want anything elaborate, just wanted to marry Aaron. Today she got her wish. The reception is underway, the DJ is playing music and people are dancing. Mike and I are sitting at a table with my parents.

  “So what have you kids been up to?” Mom asks.

  “Spending a lot of time with Whit getting ready for the big day,” I answer.

  “You know, your father and I were talking about that on the drive down. Things always seem to happen for a reason. I think it was meant for you to be here with her during this time.”

  “Your mom’s right, you know. You girls always were inseparable. This is life’s way of working out.” He winks at me.

  I wonder what they would say about life working out if I told them I was seriously thinking about throwing away the job of my dreams to stay here with the love of my life. How would they handle me living so far away?

  “Dance with me?” Mike’s voice is soft and low.

  I nod and stand from my seat, allowing him to lead me out onto the makeshift dance floor. We don’t say a word as he holds me in his arms, mine wrapped around his back as we sway to the music. This is the outcome of the choices we’ve made. Although, I worry if I’m making the right one.

  When we make it back to the table, Mom and Dad announce that they’re heading home. They’re going to drive halfway and stop to see some friends of theirs, where they’ll spend the night before driving the rest of the way tomorrow. Mike and I walk them to their car and say our goodbyes.