“Since the day you tried to kill me with salt.” He let his hands slide down her body to grip her bottom. “Who wouldn’t want you?”
“Pretty much everyone.”
His hands moved up to capture her cheeks. “Isn’t it time someone became everything you didn’t know you were looking for?”
Chapter Eighteen
He couldn’t decide on the flowers, so he bought them all. The front seat of his SUV had everything from roses to hydrangeas. On the floorboard were two boxes of chocolates.
“It’s just a date,” he told himself. He parked and sat for a moment. He hadn’t dated in a decade. He’d had plenty of sex. Hookups required nothing but his presence. Somehow, this was different. Maybe because he’d gotten to know Natalie, and he really liked her.
He gathered the flowers and made his way to the door. She opened it before he got there. Standing before him was a beautiful woman dressed in a bold emerald-green dress and nude heels. Her hair hung in soft waves over her shoulders.
“Did someone die?” She stood back and gave him room to enter.
“I did, just now, when you opened the door. You’re stunning.” He looked at the dozens of flowers in his hands. “These are dull compared to you.”
“Seriously, did you rob a funeral home? I’ve never seen so many flowers.” She led him into the kitchen, where he emptied his hands of the blooms.
“I couldn’t decide. The roses reminded me of your lips. The sunflowers of how you stand tall despite adversity. The hydrangeas are soft and delicate but can withstand harsher elements. The daisies are bright and happy, like your smile. The stargazer lilies smell almost as sweet as you do. You needed them all, so I got them all.”
“Where am I supposed to put them? I don’t own a vase. No one has ever bought me flowers.”
He held a finger in the air and walked out the kitchen door to the back patio where the mop bucket sat. “Will this do for now?”
“It’s perfect.”
He filled the bucket with water and helped her arrange the flowers inside the gray plastic container.
“Did Louise pick up Will?”
“Yes, and he was so excited, but he reminded me that his room was off-limits.”
“He knows way too much for being so young.” He set his hands on her shoulders. “We don’t need his room. We’ve got yours.”
“Do you think buying out the flower store is a sure way to get into my pants?”
He slid his hands down her arms and moved to rest them on the curve of her hips. “You’re not wearing pants. And if I get my way tonight, you won’t be wearing this despite how beautiful you look in it.” He gave her a quick peck on the lips and walked her to the door.
When he helped her into the SUV, she saw the boxes of candy on the floorboard. “Are these to sweeten me up in case the flowers didn’t work?”
“No, I didn’t have enough hands to grab everything. Those are because you deserve sweetness in your life.”
“You sure pull out all the stops for a girl.”
“I’ve got candles, too, just in case.”
“A planner. That sounds about right. A man like you doesn’t get where he wants to be without preparation.”
“Don’t forget the kidney disease.”
She buckled in while he rounded the car to get into the driver’s seat.
He started the engine and headed toward Copper Creek.
“That really bothers me that Jenny left you. You were in love with her, and she abandoned you when you needed her the most.”
“I understand why. Hell, I would have abandoned me too. It wasn’t pretty. She thought I’d die.”
“We all die. It takes one step in front of a moving car, a fall, or a moment of despair. All we have is this minute. This second is the only future we’re guaranteed.”
“That’s poetic coming from someone who doesn’t believe in love.”
“All I’m saying is you can’t get caught up in the future. Carpe Diem.”
“That’s right, seize the day.”
Thirty minutes later, they pulled into Trevi’s Steakhouse. “I’ve never been here.” She moved her thumb to her teeth. “I would have been good with pizza and burgers too.”
“Stop chewing your nails. This is a celebration. You changed a kid’s life in a month. That deserves something nice.”
“I had a lot of help. I don’t want to owe—”
He leaned over and covered her mouth with his. When he was certain he’d kissed the words from her lips, he moved back. “Stop thinking you owe anyone. I’m not taking you to a nice place because I expect a payback.” The valet stood at his door, but Jake raised a hand, signaling he needed one more minute. “I hope that when we get back to your place, I can seduce you, but that has nothing to do with money or gifts or gratitude. My desire comes from being a man who sees what he likes—who likes what he sees—a man who’d love to see a lot more.” He turned to the window and nodded, and the valet opened the door then rushed around to open Natalie’s.
“Thank you for everything.”
“You’re welcome.” He led her into the restaurant where a table was waiting. The view was spectacular with the sun setting behind the mountain, and the sky was a blend of purple and orange.
The waitress arrived. She barely registered that he was there with Natalie. Her flirting was over the top.
“You look like a scotch man. How about a two-finger plunge?” Her voice was husky and wanton. He considered her offer both inappropriate and rude.
He reached for Natalie’s hand and held it. “My wife and I would like a bottle of Penfold’s and a new server, please.”
It was as if she’d just noticed Natalie. In his mind, Natalie was someone a person couldn’t miss.
The waitress left in a huff.
“Your wife?” She didn’t let go of his hand. In fact, her fingers threaded through them as if she was also claiming him.
“It stops that rude behavior right away.”
“Do you experience that a lot? Where a woman only sees you in a room?”
“No, but I only see you.”
The manager came over, and after Jake explained the total disregard and lack of respect for his “wife,” the manager offered the pricy bottle of wine as an apology.
They spent the next hours sipping a fabulous cabernet and eating. Natalie had the filet while he opted for the salmon. He loved listening to her talk, especially if he could get her to talk about herself. She’d been through a lot in her life, from the abandonment of one parent to the death of another, and yet she pushed on. She wasn’t a Pollyanna, but she wasn’t bitter either. To her, life was a crapshoot, and she dealt with the blows it gave her.
On the ride back home, she asked, “When will you be leaving?”
It had been over a week since his last conversation with Matt Steinman. At any other time, he would have been unhappy with the developments. Not that the delay pleased him, but it gave him more time to get to know Will and Natalie—more time to make sure the bookstore would be in good hands.
“I don’t know. I haven’t heard from the owner of Vision Quest. Are you trying to get rid of me?”
She lowered her head. “No, I’m wondering if tonight will be a one-time event or …” He couldn’t see the color of her cheeks in the darkness, but he was certain they’d be pink.
“Let’s see how it goes. I could be awful in bed.”
She laughed. “If you”—she cleared her throat—“have sex like you kiss, then I’m sure you’ll ruin me for all other men.”
“Now, you’re stroking my ego.”
She leaned over and whispered. “If you’re lucky, maybe something else.”
He hit the gas and got home in twenty-five minutes versus the thirty it would normally take. While he was happy to push the speed limit a little, there was no sense in being careless.
He opened her door. She hugged the boxes of candy all the way inside. “I’ll check on Will to make sure he’s good.”
> He kissed her. “I’ll do my thing then.”
“What is your thing?”
“Today, it’s pleasing you.” While Natalie called about Will, he picked a few roses from the bucket in the kitchen and took a detour to the back of the SUV for the candles.
He went to work plucking petals from the red roses and laying them in a heart pattern on the bed. He lit the candle and walked into the living room where she sat on the sofa, chewing her nail.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m nervous. It’s been a long time, and maybe you won’t like me after.” The words spilled out quickly. “I value your friendship and might ruin it if I’m bad in bed.”
He held out his hand. “Come here. There’s no way you’re bad in bed. And you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. I’ll still be your friend if you say no.”
“But I want to. I desperately want to.”
He tugged her to his chest. “Would it help if I told you I was nervous too?”
“No, one of us has to know what they’re doing.”
He chuckled. “Then, I won’t tell you. Let’s go.” He led her to the bedroom where the candle flickered, casting dancing shadows on the newly painted walls.
“You made a heart of petals.”
“Do you like it?”
She turned around, and he saw the firelight glint off her tears. “Yep, I’m ruined. Tonight will go down in history as the most romantic night of my life.”
He hated that she hadn’t been treated well before, but he vowed to treat her right while he was there.
“You can still say no.”
“Yes.” She reached behind her to unzip her dress.
“Nope. I’ve been dreaming about taking this dress off you all night.” He turned her around and pressed kisses along her neck until goose bumps rose from her skin. Slowly, one tooth at a time, he unzipped the emerald dress. It slipped from her shoulders and fell to the floor in a puddle at her feet.
She hid her curves under ill-fitting jeans and loose T-shirts, but Natalie was a goddess with ample breasts and a narrow waist that curved out at her hips. Hips that could hold a man and rock him for hours.
“Beautiful.”
She wasn’t wearing lace undergarments. Hers were sturdy cotton, but they looked as sexy as any satin or lace getup he’d ever seen. She turned around and started on the buttons of his shirt, kissing his chest with each one she got loose. When the last one was freed, he shrugged his shirt off and let it fall to the floor beside her dress.
Her fingertips danced over his skin, stopping at the scar on his side. It was a massive line that curved into what looked like a C. It had mostly faded to silvery-white, but there were a few pink spots. She dropped to her knees and pressed her mouth to those places that hadn’t healed well.
“This is beautiful.” Her tongue ran along the raised scar until she was back on her feet before him. “This scar is the reason you’re standing before me now.”
He couldn’t believe this woman thought his disfigurement was a beautiful affirmation of life. He’d always thought so too, but many women pretended it didn’t exist.
“I’m tired of standing.” He walked her back until the back of her knees hit the mattress, and she fell into the petals in slow motion. Her shoes hit the floor at the same time he kicked off his. “Are you sure, Natalie? This takes our friendship to a whole new level.”
She lifted and tugged at the button of his pants. In a matter of seconds, they were gone, along with his boxer briefs. He was naked, and she was still wearing white cotton underwear.
Sliding onto the bed, he pulled her next to him. “You make me feel things I haven’t felt in forever.” With her hand in his, he moved her fingers to his lips.
She thrust her hips forward until his length pressed to her stomach. “I feel it too.” She giggled.
Her breath went from calm to panting with every kiss and languid stroke. He peeled the straps of her bra down and suckled her rose-colored buds until she squirmed beside him.
“More,” she breathed into a kiss. “I need more.”
This wasn’t a woman who forgot how to make love. Natalie was filled with passion and need. He removed the rest of her clothing and explored her body with his tongue. Each time he felt her tense and moan, he pulled back.
“You’re torturing me.”
“No.” He shook his head. “I’m worshipping you.” A rose petal stuck to her hip. He picked it up and skimmed it over her sensitive flesh.
When all he heard was a litany of please, please, please, he reached for the condom he’d put on the nightstand and rolled it on his length. Braced on his hands above her, he stared into her eyes. Eyes filled with so many questions he couldn’t answer. What was this thing between them? Where would it take them? Was it wise?
With a single steady press, he buried himself inside her.
“Are you with me?” he asked.
“I feel so close that I am you.”
He thrust and retreated at a steady pace. Her hands roamed his body while he took in the soft sensation of being inside her. The heat moved through him until it settled inside his heart. Full to bursting with emotion, he blurted, “I could love you.”
She gripped his hips and pulled him in as deep as he could go. “Then love me while you’re here.”
Her words ignited a fire in him. Natalie was open to his love—at least temporarily.
“I’ll love you forever.” Words said in the throes of passion were easy to ignore after the fact, but he knew his were true. He would love Natalie on some level for the rest of his life. “Look at me.” He picked up his pace and increased his depth until they were shaking from the need to release. Her body tensed, and her core fluttered, but it was his name leaving her lips in a moan that had him following her into bliss. And when the final shudder left him, and he rolled to his side, pulling her with him, he knew everything had changed.
Chapter Nineteen
She rolled over and pressed her nose to his chest. She used to think pheromones were fiction, but Jake had a scent that spoke to her soul.
“Did last night really happen?” Every muscle in her body ached with delicious memories of their lovemaking. At least that’s what she’d call it in her head. It felt exactly what she imagined love would be like if love were possible for her.
Having sex with a one-night stand didn’t require emotions, but she’d run the gamut of them with Jake. Everything from elation to fear.
“If it didn’t, I hope I fall back to sleep and dream it again.” He rubbed his hand along her back in a lazy, comfortable fashion—like he’d been doing it for years. “Do you want coffee?”
“I can get it.” She attempted to roll away, but he held her in place.
“Let me get it. You stay in bed. Isn’t it time someone waited on you?”
She giggled. “I like the sound of that.”
He rolled from the bed. Seeing the firm globes of his backside was a morning bonus of getting up after him. He tugged on his pants and found his shirt in the pile of clothes hastily discarded last night.
“I’ll be back.”
She rolled to her back and smiled. Was it possible to be this happy? She knew it wasn’t a forever thing. Life was fluid, and the best way to survive it was to ride the ebb and flow.
Weeks ago, if anyone said she’d be living in a house, working in a job that paid regularly, and spending the night with a man who could be considered a god of passion, she wouldn’t have believed it. Add in Will, who was unexpected but not unwanted, and her life was nearly perfect. Nearly; because this wasn’t real. The house was on loan, Jake was temporary, and Will was still in the honeymoon phase. She had to get through his teens, which were tough on everyone. Those were worries for another day. Today she’d bask in the glory of a perfect night with a perfect man.
The smell of coffee drifted through the air. As she closed her eyes and inhaled, a loud banging came from the front room.
She bolted from the mattress a
nd pulled on the robe she had hanging from a hook behind the door.
“Let me in,” Will screamed from the other side.
She tied the waist while rushing to answer. With his shirt unbuttoned and his hair just out of bed messy, Jake met her there. There wasn’t time to hide the fact that they’d just gotten out of bed. Instead, she pulled it open to reveal her little brother, who had tears running down his face.
He rushed past her and into his room, slamming the door.
Louise stood on the porch wearing a frown. “I’m so sorry.” She glanced at Jake and then her. “Looks like I might have ruined the moment.”
Natalie knew what it looked like. It appeared exactly as it was. She and Jake had been in bed.
“What happened?” Her heart thumped inside her chest. A hundred garbled thoughts went through her head. “Did he do something wrong?”
Louise shrugged. “No, it was a kid fight. They were playing with action figures, and one went missing. Brian accused Will of taking it, and he took it to heart.”
She and Jake said, “Oh,” at the same time.
“Do you think he took it?” Jake asked.
“No, but it is missing, and until it shows up, Brian will be convinced he did.”
“Do you want to come in?” Natalie felt bad that she hadn’t offered before. She wasn’t particularly social and hadn’t considered what might be appropriate.
“No, I’ve got to run.” She reached out a hand and laid it on Natalie’s arm. “Will is a good kid. I loved having him and want to have him over again. Hopefully, this blows over quickly with the boys.” She glanced at Jake, who was buttoning up his shirt. “Glad you guys had a good time.”
The heat of a blush crept up her cheeks. “We did, and thank you.” She felt like she owed Louise an answer to Will’s behavior, but saying he used to be a thief would only make him look guilty. “Will is adjusting to a lot. His reputation as a new kid in town is important. If the toy doesn’t show up, let us know.”
Louise laughed. “Oh, honey, with eight kids around, Will stealing it is the last consideration. Most likely, Jill flushed it down the toilet, but I’ll let you know. Tell Will I’m sorry on behalf of Brian.”
One Hundred Decisions: An Aspen Cove Romance Page 15