by Katie Dowe
It was getting to be too much!
He must have felt the shift in her body and knew what was coming. He timed it perfectly, just as she was about to erupt he pulled the skin into his mouth and sucked her flesh. She came then, emitting a scream that she couldn't control as the orgasm flooded through her and she tumbled against him. He came with her, his body pounding against hers as he joined her in the mad rush that took them over and tumbled them against each other.
Chapter 8
He waited until he was sure she was fast asleep before he eased off the bed slowly. He closed his eyes as he felt the pain in his knee. He knew he was going to have to pay for it as soon as they'd climbed off the high of the incredible lovemaking and he'd been prepared for it. He hobbled into the bathroom and hopped over to the sink to stare at himself in the mirror. His eyes were still bright from the passion they'd shared and his hair, where she'd dug her nails into it, was tousled.
He ran a towel under the tap and hobbled over to sit on the toilet, placing the cold towel over his throbbing knee. It was swollen, that much he could see, and he was praying that it went down before she noticed it. He'd seen the bottles of pills in the cabinet and had ignored them. He hadn't bothered to put on the robe and noticed that his semi limp penis was still wet from their combined explosion. He groaned as he rotated his neck. He wrapped the towel tight around his knee and gritted his teeth at the pain. He had to make a decision. Either he was going to come clean with her or hide it from her until he could really feel comfortable doing so. He closed his eyes wearily. The pain was subsiding and for that he was grateful. They would be leaving tomorrow afternoon after having lunch at a fantastic pancake place he'd discovered on one of his many visits to the city, and he wanted to take her to see some of the sites. She'd told him that she'd been to New York several times before but he wanted to show her his New York. He eased away the towel and got up slowly to test his knee. He put a little pressure on it and sighed in relief as he felt only a minimum amount of pain. He put away the towel and walked slowly back into the bedroom. He climbed back into bed and she automatically moved closer to him. He took her into his arms and closed his eyes as she snuggled against his chest. Within minutes he was fast asleep.
*****
“Knee replacement surgery,” Doctor McPherson said as he finished the examination.
“That’s my only option?” Blaine moved off the bed carefully to avoid jarring the knee. It hadn't been bothering him much since they'd been back from New York.
“Or I could put you on pain killers.”
“That's not an option.” He stretched his knee out. “I've met the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with, Michael, and I want to spend the time with her without anything coming between us. I'm thinking of retiring after this.” He smiled and shook his head. “I want to take her places, cruises and tours. We're not encumbered by children so we're free to do whatever the hell we please. A surgery is going to eat into the time I want to spend with her and I won't have her thinking that I'm not the man she met.”
“You're going to have to tell her.” Michael snapped off his gloves. “I'm sure she'll understand. Are you thinking about marriage?”
Blaine shrugged. “I'm leading up to it but I'm as scared as hell.” He laughed shortly. “My parents pretty much screwed up that part of it for me, but I want her to have my name. If anything happens to me I want to know that she has the security of my name and my money.”
“Then ask her.”
“She was pretty screwed up as well so I'll have to wait and see.”
“Come see me again next week, Blaine. And I'm afraid you're going to have to stay off the foot for a little bit.”
“Yeah. I think it's about time I sit and delegate.”
*****
“A Valentine’s Day party!” The excitement was coming from her in waves as she sliced the vegetables for the salad. It was the beginning of February and it had begun with snow this morning and was still continuing. He'd gotten home before her and had iced his knee. Now he didn't feel the pain as much.
“Where?” He reached over and picked up a carrot to munch on.
“At the store.” She dumped the lettuce into the bowl. “I need a theme.” She thought about it for a moment. “I don’t want it to be the traditional red-and-white party. I'll be featuring the usual colors for the day but I want it to be something else. Kind of like a Parisian theme with the lights and the magic with the music playing in the background and champagne and some finger-food, like some exotic hors d’oeuvres or something like that. What do you think?”
“Will I have to be there?”
“Of course. You're my man and I'm going to need the support.”
“I see.” There was an amused note to his voice as he looked at her.
“What?”
“You never referred to me that way before.”
“Well, you are,” she said as she flashed him a smile. “My man, my best friend and my very sexy lover.” She'd abandoned the vegetables and came around to him. He turned around and she came between his legs.
“I was thinking of making it into something more than that,” he murmured as he grabbed her around the waist.
“Blaine—”
“Just hear me out,” he pleaded. “We fit together and I know that I don’t want anyone else. We've let go of the notion of having children and just want it to be us.” He cupped her face. “I'd like you to be my wife, Skylar. And I've never said that to another woman before.”
“We've seen what marriage does to people.”
“And we know that we won't be those people. I've seen marriage work, Sky. There are men in my club who are making it work. And do you know why?” He didn't wait for her to answer. “They're in love with the women they marry. I want to be with you. I want to spend my life making you happy and waking up in the morning with you next to me.”
“We do that now,” she reminded him.
“I want to make it permanent.”
“Even after what you saw with your parents, you want to take that chance?’ she asked him slowly.
“Especially after seeing my parents. I know without a shadow of a doubt that we could never be like that. They didn't love each other, they should never have been together. But we belong together. I knew it the moment I saw you at that bar. I never had romantic inclinations until I met you, baby, and I just want to be more than the man you turn to at night. I want to be your husband.”
She stared at him and took a shaky breath. “Jesus, Blaine! You really know how to make a girl feel special.”
“Is that a yes?” he asked hopefully.
“It’s a maybe.” She closed her eyes. “You've changed my mind about the institution of marriage. You've weakened my resolve to never get married or have a lasting relationship. It’s just that at our age I'm not so sure it's a good idea.”
“It is,” he insisted. “Just think about it.”
“I will.” She went into his arms.
*****
Later that night after they'd eaten and had taken a shower together and after he'd fallen asleep she was still propped up on the pillows as she watched him sprawled on his back, fast asleep. She smiled as she heard the slight snores coming from him. His ash blonde hair shone from the light streaming from the bathroom. He'd been the last one to use it and had forgotten to turn out the lights again. He always did that and she'd stopped reminding him to do so. She would go and turn it off when they were in bed or just leave it on. He was also messy and would leave his towels on the bathroom floor.
He'd officially moved into the apartment with her and had given up his own. She did their laundry every Saturday morning before she went to the store and found that she enjoyed doing it. He didn't care much about clothes, which was strange for a man with his money, but she understood that he was a simple person who didn't like flare or fuss. He'd raised his brows as she came in with several suits she'd bought for him as well as shoes and ties. She'd asked him about the money she'
d seen in her account and he'd told her that there was nothing wrong with spoiling her.
He owned one watch and wore nothing else in terms of jewelry. He had tons of shirts and mostly jeans but would wear the same set every single day if she let him. She turned to look at him, her eyes going down the tapered back and the taut buttocks. He slept naked and didn't like anything covering him when he slept, no matter how cold it was. He was deeply tanned and had a fit and magnificent physique and he'd asked her to be his wife. She felt her heart quicken at that. She bit her lip as she realized how close to saying yes she'd come! He was right. They belonged together.
*****
“How long did it take for your marriages to start falling apart?” Skylar asked abruptly when there was a lull in the conversation. She was having her usual lunch with her friends at the restaurant they always went to. She was in the middle of getting the store ready for the party on Valentine’s Day. Blaine hadn't said anything to her again about them getting married but she knew he was waiting to hear her answer.
Deloris sprinkled salt over her fries and looked over at her friend. “Why?”
“Blaine asked me to marry him,” she said casually.
“And you're weighing the pros and cons of it instead of saying yes.” Deloris shook her head. “Honey, that man is so in love with you that it's not funny. You should say yes.”
“I want to say yes.” Skylar picked up a fry and nibbled. “I love going home to him and have him sitting in the kitchen keeping me company while I prepare a meal. I love the arguments we have over which basketball team is going to win. I even love the fact that he's totally messy and leaves the towels on the bathroom floor. But what happens when other things come into the relationship?”
“Like what?” Angela asked her.
Skylar shrugged. “I don’t know! That’s why I'm asking you guys. When did it start to fall apart?”
“We took each other for granted,” Deloris said slowly. “We allowed the job and the bills to get in the way. We used to go on vacations and have date nights every Friday no matter what, even when the kids came. We would get a sitter and go out somewhere, whether to a movie, to dinner or to a club or just go for a walk. But then the date nights stopped when we started worrying about making the mortgage or whether we could afford to get Mia braces for her teeth.”
“It wasn't the same after I gave birth,” Angela said slowly. “I spent a lot of time being a mother and forgot to be a wife and it broke down. I admitted that in therapy the other day and it was the first time I did that.” She shrugged. “I was so busy blaming my husband that I never realized that it started with me.”
Deloris leaned forward. “Say yes to that man, honey. Learn from our mistakes and never take him for granted. It will be different for you because you'll never have to worry about bills, but whatever is going on with you just tell him.” She folded her hands together and took a deep breath. “I have a confession to make.” She looked at her two friends. “I've been drinking.” She frowned when they didn't react. “You knew.”
“We did.” Skylar told her. “I've been trying to find a way to talk to you about it.”
“Devon told you?”
“He did, but I knew before.”
“So did I,” Angela admitted.
“I'm going to meetings,” She admitted as she looked down at her hands. “Devon is being very supported and we've been seeing a therapist.”
“Honey, that’s wonderful!” Skylar told her. “Does that mean you'll be coming to the party together?”
“I think so,” Deloris said with a tentative smile. “We're still not there yet but we'll get there.”
“What about you, Angela?” Skylar asked her. “You won't be coming solo?”
“We'll both be coming.”
“Great!” Skylar felt the happiness coursing through her. “I never thought I would feel this way about someone. What Blaine makes me feel is something that I never saw coming. I'm scared out of my mind but I want to be with him and that I'm absolutely sure about.”
*****
“You all right boss?” the man asked him curiously as he ran his hand along the length of his knee.
“Yea,” he said with a small smile. “I'm just a little stiff. Go on without me. I'll come up and check on the progress in a minute.”
The man nodded and left him alone. Dammit! He thought in irritation. The party was tonight and he didn't need the blasted knee acting up on her special night. He'd had flowers and a big box of chocolates delivered to the store for her. He would give her the special gift he had for her in the privacy of their bedroom tonight. He stretched out his leg slowly, trying to ease the stiffness, wincing as he felt the pain. He'd been icing it almost every day but it wasn't helping. He was due to go back and see Michael in the coming week but he was afraid he was going to suggest surgery again. He closed his eyes and waited out the pain. He'd made love to her this morning before they'd left the house and it had been wonderful as usual. He got to his feet slowly, determined to make it through the day and night.
*****
“I won’t have to wear red and white, will I?” He'd teased her when he called her later that day. She'd told him that she would be getting dressed at the store.
“I want to say yes but I won't do that to you,” she'd told him with a laugh. “I already picked out the suit. I'm afraid it's a formal affair babe, so you're required to wear a suit.”
“I suppose I can survive wearing one for a couple hours.”
“Good. We start at eight, babes,” she'd told him.
Now he was at the apartment icing his knee before getting dressed. He'd stood in front of the cabinet and stared at the array of pill bottles she had. He could have his pick. Maybe take a couple to get rid of the pain and get through the night. He'd stood there staring at them for a moment before shaking his head. He'd closed the door and headed out of the bathroom to put some ice on his knee. He looked at the suit she'd set out for him. It was one she'd bought recently, gray with tiny green and red stripes going through the material. She'd also put out a lime green shirt and striped grey tie for him. He smiled as he realized that she'd also put out brown leather dress shoes for him to wear. He had a feeling that she thought he would wear his work boots with the suit and she would probably be right. He got dressed, realizing that he had half hour to get there.
*****
He stopped in the doorway of the crowded shop and searched for her. His breath caught in his throat when she detached herself from a group of people and came towards him. She had on a figure-hugging emerald green dress with a scooped neckline and a straight narrow skirt. Her hair was caught up in some kind of chignon at the top of her head and the diamonds he'd given her dangled at her lobes. She had on more makeup than she usually wore and her fuchsia lips widened into a smile as she came to him.
“You look handsome,” she murmured as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
“This amazing woman I live with picked out the entire package, including the shoes.” His eyes twinkled in amusement. “I have a feeling that she doesn't think much of my fashion sense.”
“Not really,” she said with a smile as she looked into his eyes. “I just know how you hate to pick out a suit and I helped you because you know I have an incredible sense of style.”
“That you do.” He nuzzled her small nose with his. “You look stunning, by the way.”
“Thank you.” She planted a kiss on his lips and turned with her hand linked in his. “I want to introduce you to some people.”
*****
She introduced him to Devon and Angela’s husband Bruce and left him with them as she made her way around the store attending to customers. She found herself glancing over where he was frequently to see if he was okay. And each time, as if he knew she was looking at him, he would raise his glass and salute her. She couldn't help but feel pride that he was by far the most handsome man in the room. “Darling, is that Blaine Mallory?” Mrs. Edgewood, a customer of hers, asked as
she came alongside her with a black cocktail dress in her hands.
“Yes,” she said with a smile as she turned to the woman. “He's my date.”
The woman’s light blue eyes looked at her in surprise. “You're seeing each other?”
“Yes. We practically live together,” she said with a hint of pride.
“My dear! I'm so happy for you. This dress is wonderful and I don't care how much it costs I'm having it.”
“Of course. I'll bag it up for you.” Skylar took it from her.
“He is quite a handsome man,” the woman murmured as she looked over to where Blaine was talking to the some of the men.
“He is,” Skylar murmured.
It was much later before she had a chance to sit next to her friends and taste some of the champagne that was being served.
“Suffice it to say that I cannot afford a single item in your store.” Deloris was wearing a dark blue dress that suited her figure well and she looked a lot more relaxed.
“I tried to see if I could afford one of those lovely blouses in the showcase and I gawked at the price. And I'm a lawyer,” Angela said with a laugh.
“I offer discounts,” Skylar said as she sipped the champagne.
“Even so I can't afford a single thing in here,” Deloris told her. They looked up as Blaine came forward.
“May I borrow Skylar?” he asked as he put out a hand for her to take.
“Of course,” both girls told him.
“I can't believe that I haven't gotten the chance to have you to myself,” he murmured as he pulled her into his arms.
“Just think how much time we'll be spending together later,” she said softly. She saw him wince slightly and frowned. “You okay?”
“Just a little stiff,” he said lightly. “Do you mind if I leave a little early? I think I'm coming down with something.”
She felt his forehead. “You don’t have a fever,” she murmured. “Baby, if you don’t feel well you should go on home. It’s okay.”