“Uh-uh. No distracting me.” She pulled away and kissed his nose, then licked above the bridge to between his eyes. She pressed a kiss on each lid, closing his eyes. “Feel.”
“Reggie,” he whispered.
The low tone of his voice made her shiver. His voice did all sorts of things to her. Regina patted by his side and felt the candy in the wrapper. She rubbed it then felt the sticky treat on her fingers. She placed her fingers against his lips, and Spencer sucked in the candy. He made a humming sound then rolled it in his mouth. Regina closed her lips over his and pushed her tongue in between his lips. They dueled for the treat, playfully twisting their tongues together as they ate the candy. She continued to move, their bodies mimicking the motions of their kiss. The tension inside her built—she was wet and so ready. The coil of need in her belly got tighter then it broke. Regina wrenched her mouth from his, pushing down and clenching as she came. She groaned, rocking and moving.
“Reggie.” Spencer grunted, coming, and tightened his hands on her ass.
“Spence.” She dropped against him, breathing harshly, trying to catch herself. Sparks of release lingered as he stroked, fanning the need inside her. She turned her head and kissed him. Spencer met her, returning her kiss with lazy forays of his tongue. They slowed and stopped then she pulled her head back slightly and met his gaze.
“You held out longer than I thought you would.”
“I didn’t even last a month.” He grinned, not looking too disturbed by it.
“Still, two and a half weeks longer than I expected you to.”
“Wow. What a lack of faith you have in me.”
“Nah. I have more faith in my feminine wiles.” Regina laughed. “But you did resist, so I’ll give you props for that.”
“Thank you, oh so misbehaving one.” Spencer rubbed his hand along her back.
“We did it out of order.” Regina arched into his touch.
“Shower later.” Spencer yawned.
“Don’t think I won’t get you for starting to eat the candy without me.” Regina blinked, fighting sleep.
“I know, but who can resist Sinner’s Delight?” Spencer kissed her cheek. “It’s your fault for leaving them on the counter.”
“Hmmmm…” She pressed against him more firmly.
“What was the name of the song playing when I came in?”
She wondered what he was referring to, then remembered. “Mirrors by Justin Timberlake.” She thought of the meaning behind the song…the finding of the other half and the trials and tribulations you go through for love. “I’ll show you the video of it sometime.”
“Sounds good.” He sighed, then said, his voice rough with sleep, “A little rest, then shower. Then we talk, Reggie.”
Regina stiffened, and Spencer continued to stroke her back. “Can—”
“No, we can’t wait. Time to stop avoiding things.” Spencer sounded firm.
Regina didn’t reply. She listened to his breathing deepen as he fell asleep. His hold on her was tight, and Regina loved it. But inside, she was holding on by a thread not to jump up and run from his arms.
How am I going to get out of this talk with him?
Chapter Five
“Reggie.” Spencer calling her softly woke her.
Regina rubbed her eyes, not aware of when she’d fallen asleep. She looked at him, seeing he was squatting by the bed and was fully dressed. She felt the soft pillows under her cheek and figured sometime while she’d been sleeping, he’d brought them to the bed.
“What? Did you get called in again?”
“Yeah. I went in earlier to cover for a doctor that called out. Now I’m going again for another. The flu bug is hitting the staff hard.”
“Make sure you double up on your vitamins. Drink lots of orange juice.” She touched his cheek. “Be safe.”
“I will. And always.” He kissed her gently. “We’ll talk when I get back.”
She stared at him, glad he was going in. It postponed ‘the talk’ and she’d have time to figure out how to get out of it. Immediately, she felt guilty for thinking that when someone was sick.
“Later.” Spencer rose and left.
Regina sat up and listened as he went down the hall, then the stairs. Moments later, in the distance, she heard the beep of the alarm as he set it. She couldn’t hear his vehicle from where she was, but could imagine him as he got in and turned on his CD player before he pulled out. She scooted back, resting against the headboard, then drew her knees up before resting the side of her face on them.
“How am I going to admit the truth?” Her voice echoed as she closed her eyes.
Talking wasn’t something she was looking forward to, and getting Spencer to give up doing so seemed to be a lost cause.
* * * *
Regina stared out of the window to the grounds of Moments. It was a beautiful day, but she didn’t really see it. For the last six days, she’d been lucky enough to escape ‘the talk’. The flu had hit Spencer’s team hard, and he’d been covering for others. He’d barely been home. Spencer’s rarely getting sick had been a benefit to the hospital, but in Regina’s opinion, a detriment to him. When she did see him, she could see how tired he was. She hated seeing him so drawn and had fussed over him. She could tell he enjoyed her making a fuss, but he wouldn’t slow down. He’d teased her about her concern then made love to her. No matter what time he came home, as long as she was there, he’d made love to her. Regina’s body tingled as she thought of him and how each time being in his arms was so much more intense than the last. She wanted him to take it easy, but knew if he did, it would mean he’d want to talk. That was a dangerous thing.
The phone rang, capturing her attention. She picked it up. “Moments, this is Regina.”
“Regina, it’s been a long time,” someone with a familiar southern voice said.
It took her a moment to place who it was. “Charlotte. How are you?” Fondness filled her as she remembered the nervous bride Charlotte, who’d been one of the first clients of Moments.
“I’m wonderful. Calvin said to give you his regards.”
Regina remembered the giant of a man who was so gentle and quiet. “Please pass on my hellos to him.” She relaxed back in her chair and brought up a file. “I was surprised when I heard from Chloe late last year. I can’t believe that your fifteen-year-old daughter who was one of your bridesmaids is getting married.”
They’d planned Charlotte’s wedding to her second husband. Her first husband, her kids’ father, had died then Charlotte had fallen in love again. She’d come to them to plan her wedding. Regina still remembered the shy, fifteen-year-old Chloe, and when she’d seen her again last year, she’d been surprised at how she’d changed. She looked like her mother.
“Yes. Where did my baby go?” Charlotte chuckled. “She always telling me she’s no longer a baby, but she’ll always be that to me.”
Regina felt a pang at her words and touched her stomach. She snatched her hand away as she realised what she was doing. “Chloe’s wedding plans are on track,” she said, figuring that was why Charlotte was calling. She’d taken longer than Regina thought she would to call. They had been planning Chloe’s wedding for almost nine months—her wedding was in December. Chloe’s wedding would be their last event before they took their winter break—from Christmas Eve until the fourth week in January, they only handled smaller events on a limited basis.
“I know. She keeps me advised.” Charlotte paused. “It’s been hard to keep out of things. But I promised to let her plan her wedding as she sees fit. I called because I asked Chloe about your choreographing her first dance with her groom, and also you and the others performing a dance at her reception. But she said you didn’t do that any longer. I was hoping you would make an exception. The dance you did for us at our wedding and the one you danced was so beautiful. It’s a memory that we treasure.”
Regina tightened her hold on the phone, striving for calm. “I’m sorry. We don’t do that anymore.”
The words sounded strangled to Regina, but she hoped it didn’t come through on the phone. She shivered as goosebumps broke out on her arms. Regina wiped the sweat from her brow, lowering her shaking hand. She clenched her fist, placing it on the desk.
When was the last time you danced, Reggie? Spencer’s words echoed in her head, buzzing repeatedly.
“Regina.” Charlotte’s sharp call on the phone caught her attention.
“Sorry. Ummm…I… We don’t do that.”
“I heard you.” Charlotte spoke softly. “Are you okay, Regina? You sound off somehow.”
“I’m fine.” Regina cleared her throat. “Just working hard, as usual.”
“I know the feeling.”
They chatted a bit about their respective businesses, then Regina smiled. “Great talking with you, Charlotte.”
“You too. Say hi to your hubby from me. Bye.”
“I will. Bye.” She hung up.
Regina turned her chair and stared at the landscape outside the window. Restless, she stood then went out of the door, passing the office of her assistant on her way to the elevator. She pressed the button, tapping her foot as she waited. When it came, she got in, chose the floor she wanted then Regina hugged herself, drumming her fingers on her side. She exited the elevator and strode down the hall. She glanced into the office of the newly hired assistant, and nodded to her, waved and kept going. She opened the door to the workroom and immediately the music pounded out—all the workrooms and offices were sound proofed. She went around the long worktable, admiring the elaborate floral creations and smiling to herself as she recognised who they were for. She stopped behind the man working on the large arrangements. He was singing and dancing in front of the table as he worked.
“Are you going to just stand there and stare at me?” Dakota asked without turning around.
Regina leaned on the table next to him. She saw the massive television surveillance system set up on the left side on one entire wall, showing various rooms around Moments in full colour on the screen. They each had them in their office and the work areas to help them keep an eye on things. She focused on the one outside, saw his assistant exit her office, and go to the elevator. She glanced at Dakota, still working while humming and dancing.
“Is there a reason you came to see me, or did you just come to stare at my handsome face?” He stopped and faced her. “Wait. Let me give you a full view.” He grinned, then sobered and pulled off his work gloves. “What’s wrong, Reggie?”
“Nothing…” She bit her lip. “Charlotte called.”
“Really? How is she?”
“Good.”
“What did she say that upset you?”
“I’m not upset.” Regina wiped her hand over her face.
“Liar, liar, pants on fire,” Dakota mocked.
“Boo…on you. I’m in a skirt.” Regina looked down at her clothing, then at him and grinned. “You’re the one in pants, so maybe you’re on fire.”
“Smart ass.” Dakota chuckled.
He turned and went to his fridge, then opened it and pulled out two bottles of water. He came back to her side and gestured for her to sit. Regina sat on the high-backed stool by the table. Dakota took the other and placed the water before her. Regina held it, playing with it between her hands. Dakota didn’t say anything, just drank his water.
“She asked about doing a dance for Chloe’s wedding.”
“We don’t do that anymore,” Dakota said.
Regina glanced at him sharply. “You don’t sound surprised.”
“She called me too.” Dakota shrugged. “Seems like she thought I was the one who wasn’t willing to do it.”
Although there was no accusation in his tone, Regina flinched. They were the ones who used to work on the dances with the couple. Then, for some couples on a basis of if they wanted to do it, either she or he would choreograph a dance they did with a troupe they had for the couple’s reception. There were many events whose clients requested them to create something, but they were selective with whom they choreographed for. She’d been dancing with Dakota from the time she could walk—he’d been her best friend from the time they were in diapers. Their parents had fostered their dancing, and it had been natural for them to become dance partners. Then she’d met Julianne, her other best friend. Thankfully, she and Dakota hadn’t had any animosity to each other. She should have expected there wouldn’t be any. Rarely did anything shake Dakota out of his calm and fun-loving exterior and people underestimated him because of it. Dakota was intense in a way that you didn’t see coming, and that helped him with demanding clients.
When Dakota and she were teenagers, just before she’d met Spencer, they had both decided to be professional dancers. For quite a few years when she’d first started dating Spencer, Dakota and she had won several awards and titles, then by mutual agreement, they’d decided to walk away. She stared at her friend who was always in her corner—and she in his. She was so grateful he was in her life. She’d opened Moments with Julianne, and Dakota his floral shop. He had a way with flowers and enjoyed creating elaborate pieces that won awards. They had maintained their friendship, and she’d eventually convinced him to join him and Julianne in Moments as a full partner. He’d brought in his brother. Then she and Julianne had also recruited some of their other friends to come into business with them. The eight of them had become a well-oiled team and left each person to their speciality in the business. They had complete control over what they did, without interference from the others. It worked for them, and they were all close. Not just friends, but family. Regina stared at Dakota, and his face was unfathomable.
“I hate when you do that.”
“What? Wait you out to see what you have to say?” Dakota shook his head. “It’s better than me hitting my head on a wall and pushing you to get you to talk.”
Talk. Always about talking. If only Spencer would wait for me to want to.
Like you would ever want to. He knows better than to wait. You can be stubborn.
She pushed away the thought and spoke to Dakota. “Why have you never asked me why I stopped doing the dancing?”
“You were so lost, Reggie, for a long time. So I let it go.” Dakota shrugged. “Besides, before you can tell me why, you need to tell Spencer.”
She flinched again, then cursed herself as she saw him smile sadly as he noticed it.
“You are always so stubborn.” Dakota sighed. “You don’t need to take everything on yourself. Just talk to Spencer.”
“Mind your own business, Dakkie,” she said firmly.
His eyes narrowed and he growled. “Call me that again, and I’ll turn you over my knee.”
“You can try, Dakkie,” she taunted, tensing to run.
Dakota flew off the stool, and Regina squeaked then quickly turned and ran down the aisle between the tables. Dakota caught her and lifted her from behind.
“Okay. I give,” Regina said, putting her hands up.
“Humph. After you’ve been caught. But it will do.” Dakota put her down and turned her to face him, studying her. “You changed, Regina. Cut off things that are as natural as breathing to you. This is why you and Spencer split.”
She stiffened and went to pull away, but Dakota held her firmly. “No, you need to hear this. I’ve known you since we slept in the same crib. Hell, we used to poop in our diapers next to each other.”
“You didn’t need to bring up the poop.” Regina chuckled.
“Pooping together bonds us as friends for life.” Dakota grinned briefly. “Don’t let him go this time.”
“I didn’t last time,” she protested.
“I know you, Reggie. You let him walk away without a fight. That’s not the Reggie I know.” Dakota shook his head. “The stubborn woman who knew Spencer was hers and went after him and to hell with everyone else. Use that and keep him this time.”
“I don’t plan to let him go,” Regina stated.
“Good.” He hugged her and kissed
her forehead. “What time should I be at your house in the morning? Is Spencer coming to the neighbourhood party?”
Dakota lived two streets away from them on the block just past Driscoll’s house.
“Five. I need your help with the cornbread. I don’t know if Spencer will be there. He’s been working hard at the hospital.” She sighed. “Haven’t spent much time together.”
“It’ll slow down.” Dakota frowned. “Help with the cornbread, my butt. You want me to lift those heavy assed pans of yours.”
“But you have such big muscles.” Regina squeezed his arms. They went through the same teasing each year. She usually made cornbread, along with something else.
“Compliments will get you nowhere. You better feed me breakfast.”
“Feed you? Since you’re using my kitchen to make the pies, you can help me, and be the one to make breakfast.”
“Fine, but get the ingredients for French toast, bacon and omelettes. And get some good filling for the omelettes, or no food for you,” Dakota warned.
“So demanding.” Regina rolled her eyes. “Fine. Better make a lot, because once it gets out your making French toast, we’ll have neighbours showing up for food.”
“Then buy a lot of ingredients.” Dakota grinned and laughed. “I’m the French toast king. That’s why they flock to me when the neighbour party happens.”
Dakota made French toast for anyone who wanted to come by on the day of the neighbourhood party. He was known for it and each year, the amount of people coming grew.
“In your own world,” she teased, then pecked him on the cheek.
Dakota pushed her gently towards the door. “Now, I have to get back to work, unlike some slackers I know.”
“Hey, I worked today. But I’m on my way home. See ya.” Regina winked.
“See? Slacker. See you in the morning.” He waved and went back to his worktable.
Regina retraced her steps to her office, quickly grabbed her bag, then left.
Two hours later, she opened the kitchen doorway and disarmed the alarm, then pulled the bags in. She made a few trips back and forth to her vehicle. Finally, when everything was inside, she registered the low sound coming from the living room. She went to see what it was and as she got closer, she realised it was the TV playing on low. In the doorway, she leaned against the side and studied the sleeping man. Spencer’s hand was thrown up above his head as he lay on the couch. A soft snore came from him—he only snored when he was extremely tired. The lines on his face also portrayed it. Regina was so glad he was home and wanted to wake him, but didn’t since he needed his sleep.
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