Taking the Fall

by W. Ferraro

  Physical connection—proof that this all wasn’t a dream.

  “As much as I don’t want this to end, I have to go upstairs.”

  He wanted to beg her not to—to stay with him in their private cocoon of the moment—but he knew he couldn’t ask such a thing of her.

  But that didn’t mean he couldn’t beg for something else.

  “Please let me see you tomorrow.”

  “I’d like that.” She smiled, placing her other hand over his.

  “I’m off for the next thirty-six hours. I don’t care if it is five minutes; whenever you are free, I want to spend whatever amount of time with you, please . . .” He knew he sounded desperate, but he didn’t care. The truth was he was desperate. Desperate for her.

  “Well, I was looking forward to a walk tomorrow morning,” she offered, and he felt his heart grow, “with a friend. I can arrange it so I don’t have to be here until the afternoon. So if you are sure you don’t have any other plans, I see a good solid five hours that I will have available.”

  A sly smile overtook his face, and his thoughts immediately went dark . . . oh, the thing I could do with five hours. But he knew it was too soon. He would at least give her twenty-four hours before he begged her to let him pleasure her in ways he had only ever dreamed about.

  Yes, he cared enough about her to give her twenty-four hours.

  Now, if he could just get through the one day, they would be golden.

  “Then I will see you tomorrow,” he said, lifting both her hands before placing a kiss on each one and then leaning over the counter and placing a few kisses to her lips.

  After many attempts at goodbye, he finally succeeded in walking out on the eighth effort. He watched as she clicked the lock shut and twisted the blinds to the restaurant closed.

  He walked to his Jeep, thinking of all the things he needed to prep before tomorrow morning. She was gracious, and with hope eager enough, to give him such a window, he wouldn’t waste it. He had decades to make up for, and like his mom always used to say, there was no time like the present.

  When Hunter had reached his Jeep, he was eager to get home and start making sure everything would be perfect for Molly tomorrow, but he found himself detouring in another direction than the one that would lead to his home.

  Hunter pulled into the private road, looking at the way the full moon cascaded amazing white light on the large newly finished home. To the left still stood a darkened original cottage common to the area but its only neighbor was anything but original.

  Where a comfortable two-bedroom renovated cottage had sat, now a four-bedroom family home remained. Keeping with the décor of a log cabin, large wood siding covered the outside as well as the four window dormers that could be seen from the front. Large pillars extended upward with knotted wood railings around the large and spacious front porch, which extended around three sides of the home.

  Hunter parked next to the front stairs, thinking of the days he helped Gage lay each one of these treads down as he climbed them. When he reached the mighty mahogany door, he hesitated to ring the bell. Assuredly, his nephew and niece were asleep, so he settled for a light wrap of his knuckles.

  The etched cut of the glass obscured Gage’s form, and Hunter scolded himself for not calling and just showing up. His brother opened the door with his curious wife behind him.

  “Hunt? Everything okay?” Gage asked as he held the door open for his brother to enter.

  With the look of concern on Delaney’s face, Hunter really felt like an asshole for just showing up, but it was as if he subconscious knew he needed to discuss his anger in regards to his newfound knowledge.

  Hunter closed the door behind him, taking his cap off and twirling the rim in his hands.

  “Oh yeah, everything is great. I just needed an ear for a moment.”

  God love Delaney, she never meddled. She walked to where he stood, placed a kiss on Hunter’s cheek, turned to her husband placed a more leisurely kiss there and then excused herself upstairs.

  Gage walked into the living room, shut the television off, and waited for Hunter to follow.

  Hunter sat down on the leather sofa, rid himself of his suit coat, placed his elbows on his knees and dropped his head into his hands.

  “That good, huh?” Gage remarked from where he sat on the other end of the couch.

  “I think I came here for you to confirm the extent of idiocy you already think I am.”

  Gage smiled and sat up straighter. “Oh, I like how this conversation is starting out.”

  Hunter just looked at him with complete annoyance.

  “Okay, I will try not to gloat . . . too much.”

  Unable to sit, Hunter stood and began to pace the living room. With his hands in his pockets, he knew he was going to wear a trail in Delaney’s new carpet if he didn’t stop.

  “So, I just had a Come to Jesus conversation with Molly.”

  Unabashed smugness quickly covered Gage’s shock.

  “Oh, do tell.”

  “It was all a lie,” Hunter muttered, stopping his motion and just hanging his head in shame as he stood in front of his brother.

  Gage thankfully had enough class not to rub salt into Hunter’s already bleeding wound.

  “The whole thing . . . everything Allison told me . . . none of it was true.” Hunter walked back to the couch, sat down, and leaned back, throwing his arm over his eyes. “Twenty years of anger over nothing but complete and utter deceit.”

  Hunter waited for Gage to start his “I told you so” bit or to laugh at his foolishness, but neither came. Instead came wisdom that Hunter realized was the real reason he had come to his older brother.

  “So? You fucked up. Name a man who hasn’t.” Gage hit Hunter in the shoulder with the back of his hand.

  Hunter looked at Gage, who sat there with his brow high as the rhetorical question hung in the air between them.

  “That’s it? That is all you are going to say? Not ‘you are a fucking asshole?’ or ‘you were dumb enough to believe her,’ perhaps? Something? Anything to that effect?” he expressed exasperated.

  Gage smiled at the obvious frustration on his brother’s face and said simply, “Nope. I don’t need to beat you any more than you are already beating yourself.”

  Gage placed a hand on Hunter’s shoulder and shook it slightly, telling him without words that he felt for him.

  “What did Molly say when the truth came to light?”

  Hunter thought back and still couldn’t believe the graciousness she showed. “Nothing, she was more concerned about my feelings than revealing her own.”

  “Sounds like Molly.” Hunter couldn’t help but agree.

  “All that time and she could have been mine,” Hunter mumbled as he stared out into the darkness through the outdoor sliders.

  “Just look at this way. Some things are better aged. I’m not saying you are . . . you are definitely worse as you get older.” Gage winked before adding, “But maybe it was meant to be for you and Molly to be together at this point in your life. Believe me, the second half is much better than the first.”

  Hunter knew immediately what Gage was saying. The man before him and their surroundings was proof positive of that. Delaney brought Gage out of his tailspin and recovered the brother Hunter missed so desperately. She restored him to all levels of existence. And for that, the entire Dennison family would forever be in her debt.

  As Hunter headed out the door, he turned to shake his brother’s hand before Gage brought him in for a brotherly hug. They each slapped the other on the shoulder and when Hunter was on the porch and Gage was about to close the door, he did say solemnly, “You waited twenty years, Hunt. Don’t screw it up because I honestly don’t think if that happens, either of you would survive the next twenty.”

  Molly was getting used to these sleepless nights, but last night was for an entirely different reason. Hunter Dennison still played the leading role, but this time rather than a fantasy, she dreamed of reality
. Moments from the restaurant played over and over in her dreams. Even after he left, she could still feel his body against hers. She dreamily walked up the stairs to her home, all the while touching her lips and knowing she could still feel his warmth.

  They had so much to discuss, yet she didn’t want to tear anything apart. Was it so wrong of her to want to hold onto him selfishly and not care about anything else other than Hunter having obvious feelings for her, deep feelings.

  But she couldn’t help but feel what it said about her as a person, that after all was revealed, she didn’t push him away. Truth was, she wanted to. She wanted to make him hurt as she did. Never had she ever taken such a hit to the gut than when he told her the lies he believed about her character.

  Yet she was willing to sweep it under the rug because it meant she too would be getting to live a dream—the dream where she was loved by Hunter Dennison.

  She wanted nothing more than to show the entire town that they were, in fact, a couple, but she knew there were ramifications for doing so.

  Did anyone else know about the lies that had him falling into Allison’s arms?

  Was she just so completely oblivious that such lies could still be surrounding her today?

  But even now, when alone and she could consider all that had occurred, there still wasn’t anything that could sway her from how it felt to be in his arms and to be kissed by him. She was putty in his hands and what wonderful hands they were.

  So, were they in a relationship? If so, what were the boundaries and could she honestly live with and let go of the hurt she felt.

  Was her silence worth what a relationship with Hunter Dennison would gain her?

  She needed to talk to Hunter and clarify exactly what it was that they were doing.

  Maybe his intentions are different?

  If that were the case . . . if he wanted just a physical relationship, would she comply? Could she keep it strictly sexual?

  These were the thoughts that shuffled through her mind on auto play as she drove through the town trying to square away everything in her mind, but once she justified one thing, ten more would pop up in its place.

  Her emotions were on overdrive, to say the least.

  By the time she pulled into the park’s lot, she couldn’t tell you what she had passed on her way. But one thing was for sure. Suddenly, whatever it was they were doing, whether right or wrong, just washed away.

  Her eyes found him waiting for her and all concept of thought was gone.

  He stood in his black track pants and a deep blue shirt that she was sure would make his gorgeous eyes glow if they didn’t have sunglasses covering them. His towering form looked anything but casual as he leaned against the front wheel well of his Jeep. The smile he wore grew even bigger when he saw her.

  The time it took for her to open her car door and step out was all he needed to crowd her into the space between car and door. It was obvious that he didn’t care who knew about them. Not only proven by his actions but also by the long stem pink rose he held.

  He invaded her space, but rather than feeling distressed, she found herself reveling in it.

  “Beauty for beauty.” He repeated the sentiment from the night before as he handed her the rose.

  Molly accepted his offering and brought the sweet smell to her nose. The soft petals tickled her there as she inhaled in the amazing scent.

  “Thank you,” she whispered as she became aware of just how small an area they shared.

  At that moment, she knew that nothing she worried about last night and this morning mattered. As they stood in his small space, she realized there wasn’t anywhere else that she would rather be. There was always payment required for anything good in life. If she wanted the goodness, she needed to accept the fee as worth it.

  And she knew in her bones that Hunter was worth it.

  Then there is your answer. You need to let the pain go.

  So they didn’t have it all figured out, but the fact remained that he wanted her and she him. That was enough.

  She moved her hand slightly so it rested on his chest, and she didn’t miss the clench of his jaw.

  See, you didn’t imagine it. Your touch does have an effect on him—the man you’ve dreamed about almost half your life.

  He removed his glasses, placing them atop his head. The smile that graced his face threatened to take her breath away.

  “I dreamed of you,” he whispered, bringing his face into the crook of her neck.

  Without thought, she found herself tilting her head to give him even better access.

  He placed soft kisses against her neck and mumbled, “The hell with coffee, you are the key ingredient to awakening.”

  His poetic words had her blushing. Or maybe it was the sensation that was growing inside her.

  She needed to do something or the phrase “public display of affection,” would be given a new definition.

  With the hand that rested on his chest, she pushed.

  Hunter placed one more kiss on her neck and then pulled back enough to look at her face.

  “That is the second time you’ve done that. I have to admit, I’m not a fan.” His smile threatened to cloud her original judgment.

  She lifted on tiptoes kissed his lips chastely, before placing her rose back in her car and closing her door.

  “Thank God,” he said quietly.

  Looking at him confused like, she silently asked him to explain.

  “I was afraid you would feel differently about what happened, and ultimately me, this morning.”

  Comfort overtook her that she wasn’t the only one reeling from the whirlwind of last night, so she grabbed his hand, entwining their fingers and squeezed twice as a way of an answer.

  He must have accepted that as a sufficient response. He led her toward the path, and they began a leisurely stroll hand in hand.

  Both uncaring who saw them or what they thought.

  It was quite freeing.

  She was happy, and she basked in that realization.

  Neither of them was in a rush nor were they aware of anything or anyone; they were just content to be together. They didn’t speak for a bit, but when they reached the curve in the path where two granite benches were with a flowering tree between, Molly voiced something she always wanted to know.

  “So, how come you devote so much time to landscaping the town common and here in the park? Doesn’t being a doctor keep you busy enough?”

  She looked at him and he rewarded her with a beautiful smile, but this one was different from his usual one. This one was told her that he had a secret.

  She was even more intrigued.

  “Of all the questions I figured you would ask, that is what you want to know?”

  She blushed at his comment and feigned outrage, but then she realized that he too was nervous.

  That had her feeling even more confident.

  Hunter pulled her slightly toward the bench. He swung his leg over elegantly so he was straddling the granite. He brought Molly down so she sat close to him between his spread thighs. Her shoulder to his chest, he placed a kiss on her temple before slowly and methodically rubbing her back.

  “My family has a strict motto for community service.”

  She raised a brow at that, knowing his family’s moral stance on the subject, but the way that he is looking at her told her there was more to it.

  “No? Not buying it?” Hunter whispered, using his index finger to brush the wayward lock of hair behind her ear giving him an undisturbed view of her neck.

  This she could do. This, right here, seemed natural to her. Talking and being together, she felt like she was finally finding her groove in his presence.

  Seeing and reveling in the playful side of him, she inquired, “You secretly wanted to be an arborist?”

  Now it was his turn. “Funny!”

  She leaned into his chest, enjoying the feel of him a little too much and being grateful that she had every right to do such. “Well, then I have
no idea. If it isn’t your love for community service, I’m not seeing the connection.”

  Hunter turned her chin the few inches and placed a kiss on her lips. It started out sweet and slow but quickly rose in intensity.

  Would it always be like this? Like two beings reacting to an unseen commanding power which drew them to each other.

  She was helpless to do anything about it, but nor did she want to.

  The feel of his skillful mouth and equally amazing tongue made her grateful to be sitting down. He ended the kiss too quickly for Molly’s liking. The clearing of a throat from a passerby had red returning to her cheeks, and this time, it had nothing to do with Hunter’s vicinity.

  With one last kiss to her temple, he said confidently and clearly, “The reason I do it, the reason I’ve always done it, was for one reason and one reason only. You like it.”

  Molly’s eyes locked onto his, trying to decipher what such an admission could mean.

  He took pity on her and continued, “I remembered when you were younger how you loved the view from Molly’s. How the care for the common and especially the bandstand made you happy. Whether it was twinkling with lights in winter or draped in red, white, and blue in the summer. You always loved to see it in beautiful keep.”

  She couldn’t believe her ears. She gasped aloud raising her hand to her mouth.

  “Even if it was the only way I could do something for you, I did it so you would smile. Knowing that the beauty you saw and the resulting smile was my doing got me through a lot of pain and misery. You always liked to go on walks through this park, so I wanted you to have beautiful things to make your walks that much more special. If a flower pot or some fresh mulch did that, then I was happy to comply.”

  She felt the tears pool in her eyes.

  Taking her hand from where it remained on her lips, he brought it to his mouth, turned it over so it was palm side up and placed a kiss on the soft pad before professing one last confession. “I do it for you. I’ve always done it for you.”

  “Oh Hunter, but why?”

  “Because it was the only way I could be close to you. Even in my anger and my hatred,” making them both blush at the true revelation of how deep his pain really went, “I still wanted to do it for you.”