Risking It All

by Melissa Stevens

  She couldn’t help looking directly at him and frowning. “I thought you were bringing pizza.”

  “I did. For the kids. I thought you might like something a little better. Something you don’t get as often since the kids won’t eat it.” He picked up one container and opened it. “Here, this one’s yours. You can put it on a plate or eat from the container. I’m not picky.” He pulled a paper package from the pocket of his shirt and held it out. “I got these in case you like them but I’d prefer a fork.” It was the chopsticks that made Nancy realize she still stood there, staring at him, her mouth hanging open as she tried to think of something to say.

  “Thank you.” She pulled out a couple forks, gave him one and took the square take out container he held out to her. “Do you want a plate?”

  “I’m good unless eating out of the container offends you.”

  “Not at all. Can I get you something to drink?”

  “Water’s fine.”

  Nancy set her dinner at the table and motioned for him to have a seat before she made him a glass of water and grabbed her own from the counter.

  She opened the container and realized he’d been paying more attention to their conversation yesterday than she’d realized. Not only had he gotten Chinese, which she’d missed over the last several months, as she couldn’t justify getting it just for her, and the kids refused to even try it, but he’d gotten her favorite dish too. It wasn’t something she’d ever found anywhere but at Asian House here in Blackjack. If you got it in the restaurant it was served on a sizzling hot platter but that wasn’t something you could take out. Still, she loved the beef, scallops and shrimp, stir fried and tossed with vegetables, then tossed in an amazing garlic sauce that pulled all the flavors together and made her tongue sing with delight.

  She took a bite and couldn’t help the groan of delight as the flavors burst in her mouth. Thorne lifted one brow as he watched her, but didn’t say anything. Her face heated and she lowered her gaze to her food.

  “What movies did you bring?”

  “The new Dumbo. I haven’t seen it yet but it looked good. I thought the kids might enjoy it.”

  “I haven’t seen that either. I’ve wanted to see it though. I think we’ll all enjoy that. What else?”

  He shot her a secretive smile. “I think I’ll save that for a surprise later.”

  That made her wonder. He’d already surprised her, twice, in ways she’d enjoyed. Recently, surprises hadn’t been nearly as pleasant as Thorne’s and she’d come to dread them but so far, his were good.

  By the time the final credits rolled up the screen on Dumbo, Jasmine lay sprawled on the sofa next to Nancy, her head resting on Nancy’s leg while she snored almost as loud as the television.

  Nancy looked around at the rest of her children, Tommy sat in the video game rocker in front of the tv while Mia and Mason curled next to each other in a matching set of beanbag chairs. From the look of it, Mia was half asleep, but Mason was as out of it as Jasmine. Nancy couldn’t help but smile as she took in the way her children were comfortable and at ease.

  “I thought they’d like it more.” Thorne sounded apologetic.

  “I’m sure they did. This is normally what happens. Mason’s usually out first, then Jasmine. It’s not that they didn’t like it, more than they’re entirely comfortable with you around.” She laid one hand on his leg for just long enough to get him to turn to her. “This is a good thing. Now if you’ll give me a minute, I’ll get them in bed then you can tell me what that other movie is.”

  “I can help if you’d like.”

  “I’ve got it tonight. Maybe I’ll let you help next time.” She eased out from under Jasmine, stood and picked the baby up in her arms. “Come on guys, bedtime.”

  Mia got up and put her bean bag away before taking off for the stairs. Mason stirred, but didn’t get up right away. Tommy nudged him.

  “Come on, Mase, bedtime.”

  Nancy watched as her youngest stirred, blinked then got up and staggered toward the stairs and up to bed. Tommy put away his chair and headed up after his brother.

  “I’ll just be a few minutes.”

  “Take your time.” Thorne waved one hand. “The restroom?” She gave him directions and took Jasmine up to bed.

  When she came back a few minutes later, he was back on the couch where he’d been before.

  “No problems?” he asked.

  “None. They were all half asleep, well, all but Tommy and he’s used to quiet reading time in bed when the others go to sleep. If there’s a problem, I’ll hear it.” She showed him the baby monitor she’d brought down with her. “So what’s the other movie?” She’d kept thinking about it while they’d watched Dumbo, hoping it was something she’d enjoy.

  “Well, you said you like action flicks, and you’re okay with monsters, so I took a risk. I already put it in, we can start it whenever you’re ready. But I thought you might like some of that other thing I brought first.”

  “The ice cream?” She had to admit, it did sound good. In her curiosity over the second movie she’d forgotten the treat, and that he’d gotten her favorite flavor the one with chocolate shapes filled with caramel. “You’re right. We need some of that first. I take it you want some?” She glanced back over her shoulder as she went to the freezer and pulled it out.

  “Sure.”

  “You want anything on it?”

  “I’m good with just the ice cream. Want some help?”

  “I got it. Go ahead and start the disk, you can get through the previews while I serve.” She pulled out a bowl and a small glass, and filled each with the ice cream, then put the frozen treat back where it went, pulled out the milk and added a little to the glass. Once the milk was put away she pulled out a couple spoons, stuck them in the dishes and carried them both in the living room. “This is going to show you how boring my life’s been lately, but this makes me feel so daring. Not only are we sneaking ice cream without the kids. Which is bad enough, but we’re eating it in the living room. Which is totally against the rules.” Nancy laughed as she handed him his bowl then sat beside him. Not quite close enough their thighs touched, but close enough she could feel the heat emanating from his body.

  “You make the rules, you get to break them.” He took the bowl but looked at the glass in her hand with a slight frown. “Is that a milkshake? I didn’t hear a blender.”

  “It’s a milk float. Kind of a cross between a milk shake and a root beer float.” She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not big on soda in my ice cream.”

  He leaned over and looked in the glass for a second. “Just milk?”

  “Yeah.” She poked at the mixture in the glass with her spoon, breaking it up a little. “It’s odd, I know, but I grew up eating it like this.”

  “It’s just different.” He picked up the remote she’d given him after he’d put in the first movie, and started the disk. She hadn’t noticed it, but he’d managed to pause it on a black screen so she wouldn’t figure out what it was before he was ready.

  The image on the screen started, a blue planet turning away from the camera, lights all over the planet came on and the name of the production company rolled out. It was a big company, it’s not a big clue. Next was another company logo. This one was more recognizable. A silhouette in front of the moon. It might mean something if she kept track of what companies made what movies but she had too much happening for any of that to matter to her.

  The next scene though, an odd off-white texture, she wasn’t sure if it was supposed to be a beach up close or maybe a wall then a crack spread across the screen. The camera panned out and she realized it was an egg. A moment later a reptilian claw reached out through the crack.

  “Oh!” Nancy realized what it was just as the title splashed across the screen. She sat up a little straighter and shifted to get a little more comfortable. She loved the Jurassic movies and this one was no exception.

  “I take it from that reaction, you approve?”

&nbs
p; “I do. I love this movie.”

  “Good. I was worried it would be a little too close to a war movie for you.”

  “Not at all. It’s different fighting monsters than fighting people.”

  “I also considered one of the Thor movies, but thought it might be too much.”

  “I used to love those.” She sighed, a weight seeming to settle in her chest. “But I can’t watch them anymore, I’m not sure if I ever will.”

  “Then I’m glad I picked this one instead.” The family was at the airport the kids getting ready to leave as Thorne aimed toward the screen.

  “It is.” They fell quiet as they ate and watched the movie. When her ice cream was gone, Nancy set her glass on the table in front of the couch and leaned back, her eyes glued to the TV.

  As she got into the film, Nancy leaned a little closer to Thorne. She laid one hand on top of his, clutching it in tense moments and relaxing into him when they calmed down. She knew what was going to happen. She’d seen the movie several times before. That didn’t keep her from feeling every moment of tension as they ran from the dinosaurs and tried to find the kids. Knowing the people who mattered would survive, made the movie more enjoyable. She didn’t have to worry about if they’d get out of it or not, she could just enjoy the rest of the adventure.

  Chapter 20

  Thorne watched Nancy almost as much as he watched the screen. Every time she touched him, she reached for his hand or leaned toward him, his heart thundered in his chest, hoping she’d do it again. By the time the movie ended and the credits rolled, she was leaning against his side, as if she’d been sitting there all night long.

  Warmth spilled through him, as he hated to move. The last thing he wanted to do was break the spell and have her move away, but it was getting late and they had to get up for work the next day. After a moment she sighed and sat up, almost as if she hated leaving his side as much as he hated having her leave.

  He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

  “I guess I should go.” He scooted forward till he sat on the edge of his seat.

  “Let me get your ice cream.” Nancy stood.

  “Keep it.” He followed suit and they stood there staring at each other a moment. “I’d like to do this again. Soon.”

  “Me too. I’ll cook too. You don’t have to bring food for us.”

  “We’ll see.” He stared down at her for a moment then picked up his keys and phone from the table next to him before taking his bowl and her glass off the coffee table and carrying them into the kitchen.

  After putting the dishes in the sink he turned back to find her in the doorway watching him.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Tomorrow.”

  He gathered the movies he brought and took him with him before going to the door, his every sense telling him she was right behind him. Stopping before he opened it, he turned back. “Thanks for having me.”

  “Thanks for dinner.”

  They stood for a moment as if neither knew quite what to say, but Thorne had to say it, he had to ask, even though he feared it was too soon.

  “I’d like to kiss you.” His voice was barely more than a whisper, as he pictured her refusing to let him come back, or even to speak to him again.

  “I think I’d like that.”

  “Think?” He almost stopped then and there. If she wasn’t ready, did he want to push her?

  His stomach knotted but before he could make a decision, Nancy grabbed a fist full of his shirt and tugged him down. She stretched up to meet him as their lips met, the soft whisper of her breath feathered against his skin.

  Warmth flooded Thorne, his heart thundered in his ears as Nancy moved closer and he couldn’t help but notice the press of her breasts against his chest. He wanted to pull her against him, to wrap his arms around her and protect her from anything that came her way. He wrapped one arm around her but gave her room to escape should she feel the need.

  She didn’t need him to protect her, but something made him want to keep anything from harming her.

  After a moment she pulled away, then stood there in the circle of his arm staring up at him a moment.

  “That was nice.”

  “It was. I’d like to try it again, maybe soon.” He gave her his best smile.

  “Me too. But I need to get some sleep tonight. The alarm goes off early.”

  “It does. I’ll see you in the morning.” Thorne let himself out and stood next to the door until he heard the lock click then went to his car and headed home.

  The next morning, Thorne dragged his ass out the door and headed to work. He made an extra stop on the way, one he only rarely made, and then went on in to work. After stopping by his classroom and dropping off his bag, he was glad to see Nancy already in her room. He took the extra cup of coffee he’d gotten and took it over.

  It was his excuse to see her again, and she’d probably see through it but at the moment, he didn’t care. He just wanted to see how she was doing.

  He knocked on the open door and couldn’t help the smile that spread across his face as she looked up.

  “I’ve got something for you.” He lifted the cup.

  “You didn’t have to do that. Thank you but you didn’t have to.”

  “I wanted to. I needed an extra cup this morning and thought you might too.”

  She tilted her head and stared at him a moment before taking a sip from the cup he’d brought.

  “This is just how I drink it, how did you know?”

  “We’ve been friends for months now. I’ve seen you fix a cup of coffee more times than I can count.” He shrugged.

  A lot of people might not notice but most people didn’t watch her like he did. He’d been paying attention how she took her coffee so when the opportunity arose, he’d be able to get it right.

  She took another sip.

  “You look like you didn’t get much sleep.”

  “I didn’t. I hope you slept better than I did.”

  “I slept pretty well, what little sleep I got. Jasmine woke up screaming at three. It took me almost an hour to get her calmed down and back to bed. By then it was almost time to get up.”

  “Is she sick?”

  “No, night terrors, it’s something they go through at this age. The only one who never had them is Mia.”

  “That’s got to be rough.” He nodded toward the coffee. “I hope that helps.”

  “It will.” She took another sip then lifted one brow in his direct. “That’s my excuse, but why do you look like you got even less sleep than I did?”

  “Just restless. I tossed and turned for hours, but I just couldn’t sleep.”

  Nancy narrowed her eyes at him, but didn’t say anything. Did she suspect he’d been unable to sleep because he couldn’t get her off his mind? How would she react if she knew? He watched her, his gaze dropping to her full mouth. He couldn’t help but wish he could kiss her again. One brief kiss wasn’t enough. He wanted more. A lot more.

  The first couple students came in, dropping their bags on their desks with echoing thuds, jarring Thorne back to reality. He blinked and shook his head as he tried to remember what he’d planned to say if there was a student around.

  “If you need any more help with the program, just ask. I’m happy to help out.”

  “Will do.” Nancy’s back was to the classroom, and the students. She smiled at him before turning to greet her student. Thorne went back to his classroom to see if he could keep her off his mind long enough to teach.

  A few weeks later, Thorne made his way through traffic toward Nancy’s house. It had started with a couple nights a week, now he spent most evenings there, even when she had her brother and his fiancé over. They didn’t always watch movies, but they found other things to do and over time the kids stopped expecting something special when he was there. Sometimes he took them out into the backyard to play, so Nancy could have a little quiet time to herself.

  Then, at the end of each evening, he�
��d kiss her good night and go home to his own, cold, lonely bed. Yes, he wanted more but Nancy wasn’t ready and Thorne wasn’t about to ask for more before she was. She had made huge strides in what she was comfortable with over the last several months and he didn’t feel pushing her faster was fair, not to her or the relationship he wanted to have with her. So he waited, as patiently as he could, and learned how to sleep, at least some, with thoughts of her racing through his mind.

  It wasn’t great sleep but it got him through.

  Nancy had said something about big plans for tonight but wouldn’t tell him what. Thorne couldn’t help but wonder what she had in mind. Jasmine was too little to do much in the way of video games, especially the puzzle ones Tommy preferred. The age difference sometimes made finding activities everyone could participate in and enjoy a little difficult but so far, they’d managed, with only a few flubs and foibles along the way. Had she found something new? Anticipation bubbled through him, and he had to resist the urge to step on the gas, to get there just a little faster. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to get there and see what she had planned.

  Thorne knocked on the door before opening it and letting himself inside. He was here so often, Nancy had told him to stop knocking and just come inside. He wasn’t quite there yet but he compromised for both of them by knocking to announce he was there then letting himself in. She was satisfied she wasn’t having to stop what she was doing to let him in, and he didn’t feel like he was intruding without announcing himself.

  “Oh good,” Nancy met him a few steps in the door, “Your timing’s perfect.”

  Thorne stopped cold and looked her up and down. He’d thought she looked nice at school today, and he’d said so when they had a moment alone, but now? Wow. She’d changed into a dress that outlined her figure to the waist then flared over her hips and fell in what looked like soft, floating ripples to just above her knees. He couldn’t help but stop and admire her for a moment.

  “What’s the plan?” He knew she had to have something in mind, this wasn’t the type of thing she normally wore around the house.