Blaine

by Katie Dowe

  She stared at him for a moment, admiring the crease of laughter at the sides of his eyes and his deeply tanned skin. He had a cleft in his strong chin and he appeared to be solid and upfront. “Will there be more of this seafood platter?’

  “As much as you like,” he said with a smile.

  “Then the answer is yes. We're both adults and we have no need to be coy and beat about the bush. I haven't been in a relationship in a very long time and that's been by choice.” She shrugged slightly. “I know that there are good relationships out there but I'm surrounded by very bad ones. As soon as this thing starts to take a turn for the worse we're going to be adult enough to say something and get the hell out.”

  “Deal,” he said with a laugh. He relaxed back against the padded seat and looked at her. “Now that that’s out of the way I want to tell you that you are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere,” she told him, relaxing as well. She really liked how she felt around him and hoped that it would work between them. “So, tell me about this project of yours.”

  He started talking about the apartment building and as he spoke about it she saw the passion on his face. He told her about trying to maintain the original structure of the building and restoring it to its former beauty. Skylar listened with interest and felt herself laughing at something he said. It was the best evening she'd had in a very long time.

  Chapter 4

  “How about I cook something for us tonight?” Skylar suggested as she took his call. They'd been going out together for the past three weeks now and it was going well. The dates had been to different restaurants which he'd suggested and she now felt that she was comfortable enough to invite him over to her place. He'd barely touched her and had pecked her on the cheek when they finished their dates. She always drove herself to whichever restaurant they were going to that night, because she wanted to control the time she left if she wanted to leave early. But she never wanted to leave. She had fun with him and they were able to talk.

  “Are you sure?”

  She laughed at that. “Blaine, are you asking me in a roundabout way if I can actually cook?”

  He laughed along with her. “I suppose I am. Can you?”

  “You'll just have to find that out for yourself. How about eight?”

  “That sounds fine. Should I bring the wine?”

  “I would like you to.”

  “Okay see you later.”

  Skylar hung up the phone with a smile on her lips. She was looking forward to it and even though she wasn't a blushing teenager or a young woman she felt the excitement coursing through her at the thought of spending time with him later in private. She knew just the lingerie she wanted to be wearing and hoped that she had time to go home and get a long hot soak in some bubbles before he came over. They'd been going out for three weeks now and she had a feeling that tonight would be the night. She wanted tonight to be the night!

  She put away the phone and hurried to the customer that had just come through the door. It was almost Christmas and the shop was hopping. She'd had to hire another girl for the season. The place was decorated with tasteful lights and a large Christmas tree held a position of prominence in one corner of the store. She'd had to restock just last week because sales had been so good. She had a surprise for her staff members in the form of hefty bonuses and she had a feeling that they would really appreciate it.

  *****

  Blaine strode through the hallway of the partially completed first floor with a smile on his face. He was looking forward to seeing Skylar tonight. He felt his heart speeding up as he thought about what seeing her at her apartment meant. He'd never suggested taking her to his place because for one his apartment was too plain and not at all homely, and for another he had no idea how to turn the relationship from just having dinner to the next step. He'd told her that he liked her and that he wanted to see her socially but he didn't want to rush things with her. He'd wanted to kiss her ever since he saw her at that bar but had restrained himself. He was going to take it slow and just go with the flow.

  The contractor came forward to meet him. “We have a problem, boss.”

  “What now?” he asked abruptly.

  “The main line leading upstairs was busted and we have water all over the third floor.”

  “I thought the water had been turned off?” Blaine asked as he bounded up the stairs with the man following behind him.

  “It was supposed to have been.”

  Blaine stopped and looked at the soaking stained wood floor with the water still pouring. “Shut it off!” he shouted. “Dammit!” he muttered. He reached for his phone and made a call. “Maggie call the water company,” he instructed his secretary. He looked back at the man standing there. “We have to work to do. Let’s move.”

  *****

  “So how did the talk go?” Skylar tested the temperature of the water before pouring in the apple blossom body wash. She'd decided to leave work early to come home and prepare. She had the chicken baking in the oven and only needed to make a salad when she was through. She'd brought home the scandalous and totally naughty red lingerie that she would be wearing underneath the figure-hugging dress she would be putting on.

  “We talked without it turning into a fight.” Deloris paused. “You didn't tell me you spoke to him, Sky.”

  “I didn't want it to appear as if I was interfering.”

  “You should have told me.”

  “I'm sorry.”

  “We decided to talk to the children when they come home for the holidays and let them know what's going on.”

  “That’s a good plan.” Skylar put the cover of the toilet seat down and sat on it as she talked to her friend. “Is there any chance—”

  “No,” Deloris said swiftly. “At least I don’t think so. I just want us to get through this in one piece.”

  “You will honey, and I'm here for you.”

  “So what are you planning for the date?”

  “Well, I just drew myself a very warm and delicious-smelling bath. I have pineapple chicken in the oven and I brought some totally sexy lingerie from the store.”

  “Oh my God! Girl you are taking it to stage two! Good for you.”

  “I'm hoping it gets to stage two. I'm actually setting the stage. I really like him and we have a lot of things in common. I just hope we don’t mess things up.”

  “You won’t,” Deloris reassured her. “Don’t think about the messy relationships that you see all the time, and don’t use them to color this thing with him. Go into it with an open mind.”

  “You're right,” Skylar said decisively. “We are two mature adults who know exactly what we want so we're set.”

  “That’s the spirit. Okay, don’t let me keep you.”

  *****

  Skylar took a deep breath before opening the door to let him in. She had on flat black ankle-length boots and had to angle her head to look up at him.

  “Come on in,” she said as she stepped aside. He came in and handed her the bottle of wine before taking off his coat and scarf and then his gloves. She took them from him and put them away.

  “Something smells delicious,” he said, sniffing the air.

  “I hope it tastes even better than it smells,” she told him as she led the way into the warm and cozy kitchen to put away the bottle of wine.

  “I doubt that’s possible,” he said as he took a seat on one of the stools. “What can I do?”

  “You can talk to me while I set the table. I thought we could eat in the kitchen instead of the dining room. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “Not at all. This is very nice,” he said, looking around.

  “Thanks. I like the combination of modern and cozy. I bet it is nothing compared to your place.”

  “Ever heard the saying that a tailor never wears a decent suit?” he asked with a laugh.

  “Yes.” She handed him forks as he hopped off the stool to help her. “Does that mean your
apartment is crappy-looking?”

  “I don't spend a lot of time there so I don’t do much about it. Yours is way better.”

  “I suppose I'll see for myself one day.” The remark was said in a causal manner that had him looking at her.

  “Definitely,” he said softly. She looked at him and nodded. They continued setting the table and sat down to eat.

  He told her about the day he'd had with the busted pipe and the time they had taken to get rid of the water. “It’s a setback but not a big one.”

  She passed him the salad. “Are your parents still alive?”

  He handed her back the bowl before he responded. “No. My mother died five years ago and my dad died two years after that.”

  “They were both still living together?”

  He nodded as he busied himself pouring the salad dressing on. “I figured it was my duty to visit them on Sundays but I got tired of it when there would still be non-stop arguments. I figured that they were a lot older now so it would stop, but it never did. When she died he told me that he'd been praying that she kicked the bucket a long time but it never happened. I asked him why he stayed with her and he looked at me in surprise and told me that in spite of all her faults she was a really good cook and kept a decent house. He stayed because she was a good housewife.” There was a tinge of bitterness to his tone.

  “I'm sorry I brought it up.”

  “No, it’s fine. You're the only person I ever spoke about it to.” He smiled at her briefly. “That must mean something.”

  “I'm sure it does.” She lifted the glass in a toast. “To better times.”

  “Much better times,” he agreed as he lifted his glass.

  *****

  “Okay, I'm not much of a dessert person,” she announced as they made their way into the living room. “I thought about ice cream but I figured that it was way too cold out for that and then I remembered that I actually know how to make hot chocolate so I made it. Would you like a cup?”

  “After that absolutely delicious meal that we had I should be saying no, but yes I would love a cup,” he told her.

  “Good. I'll be right back.”

  He settled back against the comfortable sofa with a smile on his lips as he waited for her to come back. He felt relaxed and at peace, something he'd never felt before in his entire life. He hadn't only stopped at the liquor store and bought the expensive red wine but had also visited the pharmacy next door and bought a box of condoms. He had no idea if he had been too presumptuous but he preferred to be at least prepared in case—his thought skittered to a stop as she came back with the tray. He got to his feet and took it from her, placing it on the center table. To his pleasure, she sat next to him and, taking off her shoes, she curled her legs beneath her as she took the cup. “I love Christmas,” she murmured as she blew on the hot chocolate. “It’s my favorite time of the year. I love the lights, the festivities and the mad shopping at the malls and the anticipation. It has always been my favorite time of year. What about you?’

  “Fourth of July,” he said with a laugh. “Mainly because it's the height of summer and I love the heat. The cold makes me start to realize that I'm not so young.”

  “You aren't so old either,” she said softly as she looked at him.

  “Thank you,” he murmured as he stared at her. “What do you do for the holidays?”

  “I spend it with my aunt. I told you about her, right?”

  He nodded. “A little.”

  “She's a terrific woman who never got married and never had children of her own. She thinks of me as her daughter and took the best care of me. She's a retired nurse and she is seventy-one, although if you should see her you wouldn't believe it.”

  “I suppose it runs in the family.” He shook his head. “I still can't believe your age.”

  “Thank you for that.” She eyed him over the cup. “What do you do for Christmas?”

  “I work,” he said with a brief laugh. “And I'm a member of this club so I go there and take advantage of the fabulous spread they prepare.”

  “This Christmas it will be different,” she told him.

  “How so?” he asked with a lifted brow.

  “Because I have a feeling we'll be spending it together.”

  He stared at her. “I thought you were spending it with your aunt.”

  She shrugged as she put the cup away. “I think she'll have room for another person and after we could end up here.”

  “It sounds good.” He had to clear his throat.

  “Look Blaine,” she said, turning to him. “We've been together long enough for us to know where this is going. We're into each other and I like you a lot. I'm wearing this totally sexy underwear that I brought over from the store... I have it on and I prepared myself a really delicious smelling bath in anticipation for what will happen after dinner. Am I being clear?”

  He cleared his throat again. “Perfectly,” he said huskily.

  “Good,” she got to her feet and reached out a hand to him. He took it and got to his feet, his green eyes boring into hers. “Let’s get to the next stage.”

  He allowed himself to be led into her large bedroom with the multicolored quilt on the bed. The door to the large bathroom was open and the light was still on. An open concept closet was to the right of the bedroom and he caught glimpses of shelves piled high with clothes. She let go of his hand and stepped back. “I'm just letting you know that I haven't done this for a very long time.”

  “What do you call long?” he asked her.

  “Two years.” She laughed at the look on his face. “Actually two years and maybe seven months.”

  “That’s not possible,” he said slowly.

  “It is possible. How about you?”

  “Three months,” he said sheepishly.

  “That’s fine,” she said airily. “At least one of us is up to speed. Everything still remains the same, right?”

  He laughed at that. She was the first woman who made him so light and amused at a time like this. “I think so.”

  “Good,” she said with an impish smile. “Do you want the lights on?”

  “Off. I don’t want you to see my wrinkles,” he told her. “Or my deficiencies.”

  “I'm sure there aren't any and if there are I don’t much care.” She stepped back and pulled the dress over her head. The light streaming from the open bathroom landed on the impossibly sexy teddy that cupped her figure as if it had been made especially for her. She was slender without being thin and had gently curving hips. There was a deep plunge in the center of the delicate wisp of material that exposed her small breasts. Her skin tone was even and flawless.

  “You were right,” He said huskily as he tore his eyes away from her flesh and looked at her. “This is quite some underwear.”

  “I thought so myself,” she told him. “I was thinking that I would give you the opportunity to take it off me.”

  “I would like that very much. I think I'm overdressed,” he added.

  “I think so too. So how about getting rid of all those clothes?”

  Without responding he pulled the sweater over his head and then the undershirt, exposing a muscled chest spattered with light-colored hairs. He unbuckled his belt and took off his shoes and then his jeans. Her eyes wandered over his muscled body and lingered on his flat stomach. Her flesh heated up as he slowly took off his underwear. She couldn't stifle the moan as she saw his erection springing free.

  “What do you think?” he whispered.

  “I think maybe you were wrong about the deficiency, unless you were referring to something else.” She lifted her eyes to his. “I don’t see any.”

  “Thank you.” He took her hand and they went to the bed. He helped her up and climbed in next to her. “I'm very big on foreplay,” he warned her.

  “I'm not complaining.” She eased up onto the pillows as he ran his work-roughened hands down her arms.

  “Good.” His green eyes had darkened somewhat as he slipped the
straps down her arms. “You have lovely skin,” he murmured. Skylar tilted her head as his hand came up and tilted her chin up. He ran his thumb against her full bottom lip and sighed as they parted. “Your lips were made for kissing.”

  “What are you waiting for?” she demanded huskily.

  He didn't answer but bent his head and lightly touched his lips with hers. Skylar broke off a sigh as she opened her mouth beneath his. Blaine touched her tongue with his slowly as he angled his head to deepen the kiss. He almost groaned in disbelief as he felt himself hardening even more. He had told her he was big on foreplay, and he was, but now he wasn't sure he could prolong that part of it.

  Her hands came up and her fingers wandered over his muscled shoulders. He lifted his head a bit and stared down at her for a minute before taking off the wisp of material that had caused his blood pressure to spike. She eased up as he peeled it off and watched through half closed eyes as he ran his hands over her body. “So beautiful,” he murmured softly. “Remember I told you I was big on foreplay?”

  “I seem to remember something like that,” she said softly.

  “I'm not so sure I can do that now.”

  “Do whatever you think is best,” she said breathily as he opened her legs slowly and passed his hand over her sex. “You're doing a terrific job. Oh God!” she cried out softly as his fingers found the protruding flesh. His eyes clashed with hers as he slid a finger inside her, working it slowly in, his eyes holding hers. “I'm going to embarrass myself by begging you for more,” she said with a moan.

  “No need to be embarrassed.” The muscles bunched in his arm as he inserted another finger, his eyes still on her face. He pushed up and into her and almost cried out as she arched her body to his, her fingers digging into his wrist as she held on.

  “You don’t play fair,” she gasped.

  “I want to please,” he gritted. “Open wider and give me more.”

  She threw her legs wide open and his thrust became more hurried as he was bent on bringing her to a climax.

  *****

  Skylar arched her body and stiffened as the orgasm came crashing through her very unsuspecting body. She clung to him and babbled something even though she had no idea what it was as she poured herself all over his fingers. He waited until she'd come down from the high before removing his fingers slowly. He stopped along the way as he waited out the tremors. She didn't say anything, she had nothing to say and watched as he climbed off the bed and went to dig something out of the pocket of his jeans. He used his teeth to tear the plastic and she watched as he rolled the rubber onto the length of his penis before coming back onto the bed and over her. He guided the penis inside her slowly, his body coming over hers as he went in deeper.