“I’ll see you tomorrow then.” I nod and start toward my car. When I am halfway, I stop and turn. She’s still standing in the doorway watching me walk to my car. I walk back toward her quickly.
“I’m sorry but I have to do this.” I bring my hands up and cup her face. I bring my face down and place my lips over hers. She is the sweetest thing I have ever tasted. I don’t deepen the kiss but my lips travel over hers. I taste her lips and make sure that she knows how I feel through my kiss.
I pull away slowly and say breathlessly, “Good night.”
“Good night.” She whispers, still with her eyes closed.
Chapter 8
Family Feelings
Amber
I open my eyes and watch as he gets into his beautiful car. I see him wave and I wave back. He backs out and drives away. I go back in the house. I lock the door, turn off all the lights and head to bed. I stop at the bathroom and quickly brush my teeth. A few minutes later, I’m lying in bed looking at the ceiling. Holy crap! Not only is he so damn hot but that was the most passionate kiss I have ever received! I still can’t believe I told him all of that. He must think I’m pathetic but would he have kissed me like that? I can see myself falling in love with him and it scares me. It scares me because of Evan and Mia. They come with me. Who in the world would take this on? My life is nothing but debt, work and teenagers. I don’t have any spare time for dating or having fun. If he still wants to come around after all that, then he truly is an amazing man. Every part of him, inside and out, is beautiful and sexy. I’m in so much trouble. This is exactly what I didn’t want to happen! My lips are still tingling from his kiss. He will definitely invade my dreams tonight.
****
The alarm goes off and I jump up. I look over at the clock and see that it’s six thirty in the morning. I groan and lay back down. It was almost two thirty when I finally fell asleep. I couldn’t get my brain to shut off.
There is a knock at my door and Evan pops his head in. “Hey…why is your alarm going off so early? Mia and I aren’t going to school. Why don’t you sleep in for a couple of more hours? There is no reason for you to be up so early.”
I smile at him and nod. “Good idea. Thanks.”
He smiles at me and closes the door behind him. I reset the alarm and go back to sleep.
****
Two hours later, the alarm went off again. It was easier to wake up this time around. I quickly get myself ready for the day and head into the kitchen. Mia and Evan are sitting at the table eating cereal. Good mornings go around. I start the coffee maker, make myself a bowl of cereal and join them.
“I really like Dylan.” Mia says matter of factly.
“I’m glad.” I say and smile at her. She smiles back at me. “I invited him to dinner again tonight.”
Evan nods in agreement. “Cool. He’s a good guy.”
I was already in a good mood but this just made my day. Knowing that they like him sets my mind as ease. I finish my breakfast and Mia does the breakfast dishes.
“What time is Mrs. Jenkins picking you up?” I ask Mia. She is spending the day with a friend and classmate. They have a school project to work on.
“In ten minutes. She’ll be dropping me back off at five.”
“Great. Best behavior.”
“I know.”
“I’ll be back by the time Mrs. Jenkins drops her off.” Evan says. He picked up a shift today at the car wash. “I get off at four.”
He walks over to me and kisses my cheek. “I’m out of here. Have a good day. See you later.”
“Thanks. You too. Be careful please and don’t forget to text me.” I make them text me when they get to and from places. I always know when they reach and when they get home.
He nods and heads out the door. Mia walks to her room to finish getting ready. I make my travel mug of coffee and pull my lunch from the fridge. I walk over to my grab my purse and cell phone when I notice my notification light flashing. I check my phone and see that it’s a text message.
Dylan: Good morning beautiful. Have a great day.
Me: Good morning. You too.
I can’t help the smile on my face. Today is going to be a good day and I can’t wait until I see him tonight. A honk blares and I jump. Mia runs out of her room, gives me a quick hug and runs out the door with my reminder to text. I wave to Mrs. Jenkins and they are gone. I grab my things and head off to work.
****
Today was a good day but it dragged. I couldn’t wait to get home because I am dying to see Dylan. His presence calms me and I feel like everything is going to be okay but I am still so scared that he will leave just as quickly as he came. I decided that I am going to enjoy his presence and see where it goes but I will keep my guard up. When he gets tired of my life’s dynamic, I’ll be ready for him to leave. I have to be that way. I need to think of Evan and Mia first.
I am halfway through making dinner when the doorbell rings. Evan stands to answer the door. I continue making the salad when Dylan saunters into the kitchen. He’s carrying a white box and places it on the counter. He walks to me and places a kiss to my cheek. I immediately feel the heat in my cheeks. Then I feel his breath at my ear. “I think it’s so sexy when you blush.” Now I’m struggling to breathe. I keep my eyes down and try to take in air. “I hope you didn’t make dessert because I brought some.”
My eyes make their way to his and I smile. “I didn’t. Thank you.”
“You are very welcome. What smells so good?”
“Pork chops and rice. I hope you like that.”
“Oh I do. There is very little I don’t like.” He says and winks at me. I smile and he turns to sit at the table with Evan. “Listen, I want to ask you guys something.”
“Sure thing. Shoot.” Evan says as Mia comes into the kitchen.
“Hi Dylan.” She says with a little wave.
“Hey Mia. How are you?”
“I’m good. Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Continue please.”
He turns to look at me. “Every New Year’s Eve, my family goes to the park to ring in the New Year. I would like the three of you to come.” He watches my face and I’m perplexed.
“But it’s freezing out and will quite possibly snow.”
“We always rent a cabana and we have outdoor heaters. We also have four fire pits going. If you bundle up properly, you’ll be fine. What do you say?”
All three of them are staring at me. I wipe my hands and look at Dylan again. “Why the park? Your parents have an amazing backyard and warm house.”
He starts to laugh. “True but the park has an incredible fireworks display at the stroke of midnight. You can’t see it from my parents’ yard. Plus, this has been a tradition in our family since Miranda and I were kids. We don’t spend New Year’s Eve any other way.”
“That sounds like so much fun.” Evan says and Mia nods in agreement.
“Would you like to go?” I ask them both.
“Yes please!” They say in unison. Dylan and I laugh.
“Looks like we’re your guests. Thanks for the invite. Are you parents okay with that?” Dylan stands and walks over to me. He places a hand on my shoulder.
“I ran it past them before I asked you and they loved the idea.”
“Okay good. Dinner is ready.”
Chapter 9
New Year’s Eve
Dylan
It’s New Year’s Eve and I’m helping my parents set up at the park and everyone should be here soon. The weather is perfect. It’s not snowing and no wind. It’s cold but bearable with the right amount of clothes. The weather calls for snow tonight but hopefully we will all be home by then. I’m excited about tonight because I am missing Amber. I haven’t seen her since dinner a few nights ago. She has been working late all these nights. I didn’t get to kiss her again the other night either because Evan and Mia were around when I left. I miss her something fierce. I’m also dying to taste her sweetness again. I better stop thinking like this or my
thoughts will be very noticeable. I really hope she has fun tonight. She works so hard and never takes any time for herself. I wonder if we’ll ever have any time alone. I know it’s selfish of me but I want to spend some alone time with her. I’ve come to adore Evan and Mia. They are good kids and Amber has done a wonderful job raising them but Amber hasn’t lived herself and that’s not fair. She’s a phenomenal woman and I would be very proud to call her mine if she’ll have me. I plan on asking her tonight and I hope to get my midnight kiss. I want tonight to be magical for her.
I hear some commotion behind me and turn around. There’s my girl hugging my mom and she looks sexy as hell. She’s wearing black skinny jeans, a maroon turtle neck sweater with a black leather jacket, black gloves, a black scarf and black boots. Her hair is completely down and flowing down her back. Evan and Mia are standing behind her with huge smiles on their faces. My heart thumps harder in my chest as I watch the scene unfold. I watch as she introduces her siblings and my mom hugs them as if she’s known them forever. I love my mom. She has an incredible way of making everyone feel so comfortable. Bless her heart. I watch as my dad and Miranda head over toward them. Tonight though, Amber extends her hand to my dad and he waves it away and wraps her into a hug. She sees me then and smiles at me. I smile back and wink at her. I can see the blush from here and immediately my pants feel tighter. I make my way over to her.
“Hey there.” I say as I reach them.
“Hi.” Amber says. I lean down and kiss her cheek. She smells great, as usual. She always smells minty and it turns me on. Let’s face it, everything about her turns me on.
I extend my hand to Evan and give Mia a quick hug. I show the three of them around and then lead them to one of the fire pits. The fire pit is in the center and there are eight chairs all around. The chairs are in groups of two. Evan and Mia sit in a set and Amber and I grab the next set.
“Did you have any trouble finding us?” I as.
“Not at all. You gave me perfect directions.” Amber says as she wraps the jacket around her tighter.
I reach under my chair and pull out the blanket. I open it up and place it over her. “There is a blanket for each set of chairs. You won’t need once the music starts though.” Mia reaches under her chair and pulls it out. She opens it and places it over her and Evan.
“Music?” Amber questions.
“Yes. My cousin DJ’s.” I say. “There will be about forty people here tonight. Mostly family.” She seems nervous about this but I tap her hand to reassure her. Miranda comes over and we talk for a while. Soon, the food is served.
****
An hour later, we are making s’mores at the fire pit and the music has started. Miranda comes over and gets Evan and Mia. They head over to the makeshift dance floor and start to dance. Amber watches them with a smile on her face. The two of us are alone now. She has been really shy with me since she got here.
“I’ve missed you.” I tell her as I continue to watch the dancing. I can see her turn to look at me from my peripheral vision.
“You have?” She asks. It bothers me that she sounds shocked that I would miss her. I look back at her and her eyes are wide and teary. She blinks it away.
“Yes. Why are you so shocked by that?”
“No one has ever said that they missed me before.”
“I missed you a lot. I am very happy you’re here with me tonight.”
“I’m happy to be here. I’m having a great time and so are Evan and Mia. Thank you for inviting us.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way.” She looks back at the dancing and I figure it’s because she is trying to hide those rosy cheeks. “Do you want to dance?”
“Oh no. I don’t dance.” She looks down at her hands.
“Why not?”
“I have two left feet. I’ll only embarrass you.”
“I doubt that.” She looks at me. “One slow dance is all I ask for. I want to hold you in my arms.”
“I have nothing to offer you. Why do you want me around?” Her voice cracks at her question and she looks at the fire. I place my hand under her chin and push her face toward mine.
“You are an incredible human being. Anyone would be honored to have you standing right next to them. Not only are you gorgeous and sexy, you have an enormous heart and a whole lot of love to give. You are kind, humble and extremely smart. I want you. All of you. I’ve only been around you three times but those three times have been the best nights of my life.”
“But I have so much baggage and a huge responsibility to Evan and Mia.”
“I know that and I respect you for it. I know Evan and Mia come with you and I’m good with that. They are great.” She tries to look away but I don’t let her. “I want you and I’m not giving up.”
****
My cousins gathered around our fire pit with Evan, Mia and Miranda. Jokes were being told and everyone is having a good time. Amber and I have been sharing the blanket but have kept my hands to myself. My hand has been itching to grab hers but I hold off. It’s a few minutes before midnight and the song ‘God Gave Me You’ by Blake Shelton starts to play. I stand up and hold out my hand to her. She looks up at me.
“May I have this dance?”
She contemplates this. I guess she realizes that I will not let this go and places her hand in mine. With her other hand, she removes the blanket and stands. I lead her to the dance floor. I turn to her and place my hands on her waist. Her hands come up around my neck and I pull her close to me. She feels so good. I just want to wrap her up but I don’t. The last thing I want to do is scare her. I start to move and she follows the rhythm perfectly.
“Who says you can’t dance?” I hear her giggle and I smile. Best sound ever.
“You are a good leader.”
We dance for a little longer and I rest my head to hers. I make sure that my mouth is close to her ear. “Be my girlfriend.”
She pulls back and looks up and into my in the eyes. “Yes.”
I kiss her forehead and pull her close. She lays her head on my chest. I lean my head down and rest my chin on the top of her head. The song ends and she pulls away from me slowly. I check my watch. One minute until midnight.
“Come with me.” She nods and I lead her away from everyone to a secluded little area behind some trees. We have a perfect view of the sky but no one can see us. The countdown starts and we can hear everyone. We aren’t saying anything. We are facing each other. I get closer to her and as the countdown gets closer to one. The crowd reaches one, screams “Happy New Year!” and I grab my girl into a kiss.
Chapter 10
Fireworks
Amber
I hear pounding but I can’t tell whether it’s my heart or the fireworks. All I know right now is that I don’t want him to stop kissing me. I never want this man to stop kissing me. The kiss starts off passionate but just lips. His tongue brushes my lips and I open up for him. I taste him completely for the first time and I’m all his. He tastes like perfection and I can’t get enough. One of my hands rests on his shoulder and the other grips him at the back of his neck. I can feel his arm tighten around my waist and bring me closer. His other hand finds its way into my hair and grips my head. The kiss is hot and passionate yet sensual. We are savoring each other. I have never felt anything like this before.
When we break apart, we stare at each other a moment. Our chests are heaving and I can feel that my lips are swollen. I see his eyes move to my mouth again and then back up.
“Happy New Year.” He says. His voice is husky.
“Happy New Year.” I whisper.
“I apologize if that was inappropriate or if I scared you. I couldn’t help myself.”
“It’s okay. I wanted it too.”
He lifts my chin with his finger and I look into those beautiful gray eyes. “It’s a new year and new possibilities. I started this year off right and I plan on keeping it that way.” He sweetly and softly kisses my lips. “Thank you for giving us a chance. I pro
mise you won’t regret it. You aren’t alone anymore. Lean on me.”
I nod my head. I don’t have words. I am so afraid tears are going to fall and I look away.
“Look up gorgeous.” He says and I do. The fireworks are so bright and colorful in the night sky. I turn and look at him. He’s so handsome and kind. I can’t help but wonder when all of this is going to blow up in my face.
****
An hour later, almost everyone had gone. The few people that are left are helping to clean up. Evan is helping Dylan put out all the fire pits and I am helping Claire and Miranda pack up the food. Mia is helping Andrew fold and pack away all the decorations.
Believe In Love Page 4