by Terri Osburn
The hand off happened every time. “Yes, please.”
“All right.” His voice became muffled as he yelled for his wife, and seconds later the phone changed hands.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Mama.”
“Oh,” she said in the same tone her husband had. “Vince, you could have told me who it was.” Incoherent grumbling followed, and Jesse rolled her eyes. “Well? Are you all moved in?”
“I am. Did you not tell Daddy that Ryan and I broke up?”
“I’m sure I did, but you know your father. He never listens to a word I say.” Jesse didn’t blame him. “We had some rain today. Did your things get wet?”
Unwilling to explain to her mother how weather worked, she got to the point of her call. “Mama, I want to talk to you about Tommy’s service this year.”
“Of course, honey,” Enid said with heightened interest. “We were thinking instead of you singing to that old recording that we’d get Lydia Sue Grenville to play the organ.”
“That’s fine, Mama. But I wanted to let you know that I’ll be bringing someone with me this time.”
“I’m not surprised you have another beau already. You rarely set one aside without having another already in the web.”
She made it sound as if Jesse’s love life worked like an assembly line with another coming down the belt right behind the last. If Jesse was being honest, that wasn’t far off, but those days were behind her.
“This time it’s someone you know.”
Instantly suspicious, Enid said, “Who?”
Closing her eyes, Jesse answered, “Ash Shepherd.”
The line went silent except for the sounds of Jeopardy playing loudly in the background.
“Mama?”
“No.”
“Mama, you—”
“Jessica Marie Rheingold, you will not bring that boy anywhere near this family. Do you hear me?”
“Do you hear yourself?” she exclaimed. “Tommy loved Ash like a brother, and he’d be furious to know how you cut him out of our lives. He was hurting, too, and you turned him away. How could you have done that?”
Voice tight, she growled, “That boy killed my son.”
“No, Mama. Tommy’s death was an accident. We’ve been over this many times. There was a deer—”
“I said he isn’t welcome, and that’s the end of it.”
Searching for a way to reach her, Jesse said, “What if it had been me? What if I’d been driving that night, Mama? Would you have tossed me away like you did Ash? Would you have refused to speak to me ever again?”
“It wasn’t you.”
“But it could have been. Or it could have been Tommy driving and Ash who’d died. Would you have called your son a killer because of an accident?” When no answer came, she said, “He loved him as much as we did, Mama. And he still hasn’t forgiven himself. That’s only going to happen if you forgive him first.”
Still no response and the muted sounds from the television were the only way Jesse knew her mother hadn’t hung up. Finally, Enid said, “I don’t think I can do that.”
“Try,” Jesse pleaded. “Do it for Tommy. You know it’s what he’d want.”
After a brief hesitation, she said, “I need to go. The burgers are on the stove, and you know your father likes his rare.”
Knowing she’d done all she could, Jesse sighed. “I’ll text my new address to your cell phone.”
“That’s fine,” came back in clipped tones before the call went dead.
Jesse shoved three boxes out of the way to reach the sofa, and then collapsed onto the faded blue cushions. She hadn’t tried to reason with her mother in years. Not since the week after her college graduation when she’d insisted on moving to Nashville. That battle had been won only because Jesse had given them no choice. She was going with or without their support, and in the end, they’d conceded. Not enough to help her move or to visit more than once a year, but enough to send a small monthly stipend until she’d found her footing.
Where she’d gotten the idea that they might have mellowed on this particular subject, Jesse didn’t know. Clearly, she’d suffered some delusional optimism brought on by temporary insanity. That was the only explanation.
Ash stepped out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a towel, expecting to find Jesse still unpacking, but the kitchen was empty. A few boxes had been moved, but there was no other sign of activity.
“Jesse?” he called.
“I’m in here,” came a voice from the bedroom.
Stepping back into the bathroom, he crossed to the opposite door, which led into a large closet and eventually into the bedroom. It was an odd setup, but convenient for both Jesse and her guests.
He found her wrestling with the heavy box spring. “What are you doing?”
“What does it look like I’m doing?” she said with a grunt. “I’m trying to put the bed together.”
Rushing into action, Ash caught the box spring seconds before it landed on top of her. “You should have waited for me.”
“I’m not helpless,” Jesse argued, pushing on the contraption with her shoulder and getting nowhere.
Ash grasped one end and said, “Grab that side and we’ll lower it straight down onto the rails.”
Rails she’d managed to assemble single-handedly while he showered, proving her previous statement. Once the box spring was in place, he reached for the mattress, but she held up a hand. “I need to put the bed skirt on first.”
Waiting patiently, Ash watched her unzip clear plastic packaging and dump the contents onto the floor. Tossing stray pieces of cardboard aside, she came up with the dark purple skirt and tossed it over the flat surface of the box spring.
“Fix that corner, please.”
He did as asked.
“Okay,” she said. “Now the mattress.”
They worked together to lower the bulky piece into place, and then Jesse went to work applying the sheets.
“Don’t you need to wash those first?”
She froze. “I should, shouldn’t I?”
When Jesse was thirteen, she’d slept with a brand-new, unwashed blanket and wound up with hives from her shoulders to her ankles. He’d never forget how miserable she was that day, and Ash had other activities in mind for this evening that did not include an emergency dose of Benadryl.
Remembering the box Dana had carried in before she left, Ash said, “Hold on.”
A quick dash to the living room and he was back with the box. “How long did you say these have been in storage?”
“Those are fresh from Ingrid. She has so many blankets that she insisted I take some.”
Then they were all set. Ash pulled a beige number off the top and tossed it over the bed before reaching in for the next one down, a comforter covered in penguins wearing raincoats.
“Why would penguins need raincoats?” he asked as he threw it over the other.
“I have no idea and don’t care so long as they keep me warm.” She rubbed her hands together. “The heater doesn’t seem to be doing much.”
Ash took that as his cue and closed the distance between them. “Guess we’ll have to rely on body heat.”
As if just noticing his limited attire, Jesse said, “You aren’t wearing any clothes, Mr. Shepherd.”
Sliding his hands over her hips, he muttered, “And you’re wearing too many, Ms. Rheingold.” Like a switch, her expression changed. “What’s the matter?”
Jesse shook her head. “That name throws me off, that’s all.”
She may have taken on a stage name, but that didn’t change the fact that she’d grown up as a Rheingold.
“I’m sorry, hon, but you’re always going to be Jesse Rheingold to me.” Ash brushed a loose lock off her forehead. “She’s the girl I fell for.”
“I know, but that name reminds me of my parents.”
Not where he wanted her mind to go right now. “Point taken.”
With a huff, she plopped onto her back on the bed
and threw an arm over her eyes. “I called them.”
Uncertain where this detour was leading, Ash sat down beside her. “Okay.”
“I told them that I was bringing you to Tommy’s memorial service next month.”
And the fog cleared. “I doubt that went over well, but first, what memorial service?”
Jesse sat up. “Every year on the anniversary of the accident, Mama organizes this depressing service to remember him.” Eyes on her hands, she added, “It’s like attending the funeral all over again. I hate it, but I can’t not go.”
Ash cringed, certain that Tommy would despise such a ceremony. But if her parents needed an annual service to honor their lost son, then he didn’t begrudge them the tradition.
“Just because I’m back in your life doesn’t mean they’re going to suddenly want me back in theirs.”
“But they need to let this go,” Jesse said. “What if we get married? Are they going to refuse to come?”
Ash would be happy to take that walk down the aisle with Jesse and doubted anything would change his mind—since nothing had in the last ten years—but they had a ways to go before she needed to start stressing about that particular issue.
“They might, but how about we focus on us right now?” Tugging on her shirt, he murmured, “I’m trying to warm you up, remember?”
Eyes dropping to his mouth, she whispered, “I don’t want anything to mess this up.”
Pressing a kiss to her forehead, Ash reached around and pulled her ponytail free. “I told you. I’m never leaving you again.” He held her gaze, willing her to hear him. “I love you, Jesse.”
Sliding her arms around his neck, she said, “I love you, too.”
Twenty-Seven
Jesse would curse the powers that had kept them apart for so long, but not tonight. Tonight she wanted to get lost in the man who’d never given up on her.
The moment their lips met, nothing else mattered. Dragging him down to the bed, she moaned as his thigh pressed between her own, and she couldn’t resist exploring every bare inch of skin that she could reach.
“Hmmm . . .” she mumbled when his warm mouth trailed kisses along her jaw and down to the spot below her ear that drove her crazy. “Oh, yes.”
Strong hands eased beneath her shirt, and Jesse arched as the pressure low in her core intensified. At the rate this was going, she would be begging in no time.
Desperate to feel his skin on hers, Jesse pushed on his shoulder until he backed away enough for her to sit up. In a rush, she yanked the shirt over her head and tossed it away, leaving nothing but black satin between them.
Before she could reach behind to unclasp the hooks, Ash leaned forward to lavish wet kisses along the swell of her breasts, dipping his tongue behind the thin material to tease her nipple. Her hands shot into his hair as a purr escaped her lips.
A subtle shift of his weight and Jesse found her back on the mattress with Ash working his way down her torso. With every brush of his lips, her heart rate doubled. She filled her hands with the colorful comforter as he tasted the skin just above her waistband.
“Time for these to come off.” He freed the button and lowered the zipper slowly enough to drive her mad.
Impatient, she shoved them over her hips and let him drag them off the rest of the way. But instead of returning to her, Ash stood at the edge of the bed. Eyes dark. Hair damp and disheveled. Staring as if viewing a great wonder of the world.
“You’re more beautiful than I remember.”
A voice in Jesse’s mind said she was rounder and less-toned, but that reality couldn’t compete with the reverence in his eyes.
Jesse sat up and slowly reached for the swath of terry cloth hanging off his hips. Ash didn’t flinch as the material fell away, and his arousal stood proud and ready to perform. Without a word, she kissed the tip, enjoying the power of nearly bringing this big, beautiful man to his knees.
“Baby,” he moaned, jamming his hands into her hair.
Sliding him halfway in, she sucked and felt him jerk with pleasure. His grip tightened on the back of her head, and she took him to the hilt, the taste sweet and salty at the same time. Finding her rhythm, she cupped his back side, the muscles tight and firm beneath her touch, and with every suck and slide, Ash cried out a little louder.
His body was shaking, on the verge of release, when she pulled away and dragged him down to join her, cradling him between her legs.
“Condom,” he growled through clenched teeth. “We need a condom.”
Though she’d made a special trip to buy a box the night before, Jesse was annoyed with herself for not thinking to put them beside the bed while he showered.
Pointing toward the closet, she said, “They’re in my bag. The red one.”
Ash kissed her hard on the lips before leaving her with a whoosh of cold air across her bare skin. Jesse wiggled out of her underwear and was dragging her bra down her arms by the time he returned.
“I wanted to do that,” he said before ripping the small square package open with his teeth.
“Next time,” she promised, snagging the open foil from his fingers. With quick movements, she sheathed the condom into place and returned to her previous position.
Brow arched, he said, “We aren’t kids anymore, you know. There’s no need to rush before someone catches us.”
Jesse leaned up on her elbows. “I’ve waited a decade for this.”
“Good point.” Ash crawled back into position, pausing long enough to kiss the inside of each thigh. Heat shot through her core, and she dug her heels into the bed. “The second time we’ll go slow,” he promised, hovering above her and taking her mouth with his at the same moment he drove one finger inside.
Something bordering on gibberish rolled off her tongue as her hips shot up to increase the contact. Another finger slid in with the first and curled just enough to send her teetering to the edge. He withdrew, leaving her slick and wet, and before she had time to recover, he rose with an arm on each side of her and caught her gaze.
Eyes locked, he thrust all the way in, and Jesse dug her nails into his biceps. Ash rocked his hips, and her breathing devolved into tiny pants and a series of mindless whimpers. Meeting every thrust with one of her own, she spiraled higher and higher, the pressure doubling when he nipped her taut nipple with his teeth.
“I can’t… Oh, God… Oh, Ash…”
“Come for me, baby. I’ve got you.”
Ash suckled her breast while his hips worked her hard and as the tremors lit through her, Jesse wrapped her arms around his neck, desperate to hold on lest she break apart. She was still quivering when he buried himself deeper still and with a growl, the orgasm ripped through him, turning every muscle to steel before he dropped down beside her.
Both panting and satisfied, they lingered there, catching their breath and holding on to each other as if they never wanted to let go. Ash placed a kiss on her breast before straightening and tucking her head beneath his chin.
“I love you, Jesse.”
More content than she’d ever been, she rolled onto her side, clutching his arms around her and pressing her back to his chest. “I love you, too.”
Ash never wanted to leave this bed. Or this woman. A decade was a long time to go without the one he knew was meant to be his. He believed that now more than ever. They’d parted long enough to find the pillows, and then came back together beneath the childish comforter.
“I’ll never look at penguins the same way again,” he muttered against her temple.
Jesse laughed. “Penguins in raincoats. Don’t forget the raincoats.”
He squeezed her tight. “Who could forget them? They’re so practical.”
She looked up and touched a finger to the tip of his nose. “I’m glad I remembered to buy the other kind of raincoat.”
“When did you get those?”
“Last night.”
Ironically, he’d also restocked and made sure to slide a couple into his wallet this m
orning, but that had been more a matter of wishful thinking on his part. Ash had begun this day with no expectations, happy to wait as long as she needed to reach this point again.
“So you already knew you were going to ravish me?” he asked, eager to hear her laugh again.
Sliding her leg between his, she rubbed his length. “You didn’t seem to mind.”
Ash lifted her onto his chest. “I didn’t mind one bit. But I remember discussion of a second time.”
Her knees dropped so she straddled his hips. “I was just waiting until you were up for it.” When he flexed, her eyes went wide. “Impressive recovery.”
He grinned. “At your service.”
Jesse twitched her hips as her lips took his, her tongue sliding in invitation. Ash filled his hands with her bottom and kissed her back as his arousal grew more insistent.
“Where did you put the condoms?” she asked, as impatient as before.
Reaching up and around the pillow, he found the box where he’d tucked it for safe—and closer—keeping. “Right here.”
“You’re a smart man,” Jesse said before sitting up and taking the box with her.
As if putting on a show, she slowly removed one package and tucked the box back under the pillow. Holding his gaze, she tore the foil and removed the condom, and then slowly eased down his legs. Before sliding it into place, she explored his length with curious fingers, sending bolts of electricity coursing through him.
Hands tight on her thighs, he said, “You’re killing me.”
“We said the second time would be slow, remember?”
Damn it, he did say that. “Slow is overrated.”
With a sexy purr, she said, “I agree.”
The condom was rolled into place, and Jesse lifted to position herself in just the right spot. Ash lifted his hands, and she placed hers in them seconds before her head dropped back and she took him full in.
He tried to say her name but only managed a guttural moan. Hands still in his, she began to move, making small circles first, then lifting and falling. He pulled her down for a kiss, his hips instinctually following her every move, and their tongues mimicked the action of their bodies. When Ash felt her getting close, he found her clit with his thumb and drove her over the edge.
