Just Right

by Jessie Gussman

  The music got louder, seeming to build the excitement in the room, just as the feelings built in his chest. The decision he’d been kicking around for a while suddenly seemed crystal clear. Funny how being close to Avery made a lot of the things he’d thought were important seem like they really weren’t important at all.

  By the time the concert was over, and he was outside opening her car door, he’d made a couple of life-changing decisions. But he wasn’t going to rush into anything, and he definitely wasn’t going to push Avery into anything.

  “Would you like to go somewhere and get dessert?” he asked before he shut the door.

  She fingered her earring, her face still flushed and beautiful from the emotions the music had evoked.

  “I would love to,” she answered.

  He grinned and closed the door. Maybe she wasn’t interested in any type of relationship with him. He wasn’t even sure what he wanted, but he enjoyed being with her and didn’t want the night to end. Not ever.

  When she pulled into the all-night diner, he hopped out to get her door. She hadn’t complained. Avery was quite capable of opening her own door, but he loved giving her that respect, showing that deference to her. He wasn’t lying when he said he loved that she made him feel strong and capable. Protective. Manly traits that not all women appreciated anymore, but traits that were an integral part of who he was.

  In Avery, he’d found a woman who wanted him to be a man. And who wanted to act like a woman. He wanted to lap it up. He opened her door instead.

  “Thanks,” she said as she emerged from the car. “It’s gotten much colder since we left your house this evening.”

  “It’s definitely below freezing now. I’m glad the weather held out for the celebration.”

  “Me too. I could have been sitting on the dunking booth facing a block of ice in that tank.”

  He laughed. “Oh, no. They’d put an ice melter in there. The town council has ways of making you suffer. Trust me.” He held the restaurant door open for her.

  “I’ll keep that in mind for next year.” She swept by him and he breathed in her scent.

  “Just keep a hot chocolate handy for whatever new-to-town sucker they rope into doing that booth.”

  The hostess greeted them and led them through the mostly empty restaurant to their seats.

  “I think you just called me a sucker,” Avery said after the hostess left.

  “If the shoe fits,” Gator said from behind his menu.

  “Oh, boy, does it ever fit. Better than it should. It won’t fit next year. That’s for sure.”

  The studied their menus until the waitress came over to get drinks and take their orders.

  “Well, in the town’s defense, they do make a lot of money from that booth,” Gator said when she left.

  “I believe it. There was never a time when there wasn’t a line.” She took a sip of her water and her bracelets jangled. A pretty silver chain with several charms hung around her neck. Her nails were painted and sparkling, and Gator loved how her classy femininity contrasted with his blunt masculinity. The contrasts between them drew him.

  “Funny how humans enjoy making other humans suffer,” he said.

  “I don’t think they really enjoyed my suffering.”

  “I think they enjoyed mine,” he said with a grin.

  “Thank you for that, by the way.”

  “You know, I had a good time then, and I am having a great time tonight. I enjoyed working with you in the barn. Whenever I’m with you, I have a good time.”

  “I do too. But Gator, you know anything between us will never work out.”

  “Really?” He tried to keep his tone light.

  “Really. Also, I’ve steered clear of relationships since my fiancé left me for another woman. It just seems like it’s a given that men leave.”

  “You really believe that?”

  She shrugged and looked away.

  He didn’t think she really thought all men leave. Maybe she’d convinced herself she did.

  The waitress brought their desserts. Avery smiled and thanked her. Gator’s appetite was gone. There wasn’t any way for him to convince Avery that he wasn’t like “most men.” It was something she would have to decide for herself.

  “Jillian said you’re the kind of man to put down roots.”

  “I like Jillian.” Hope stirred in his chest.

  “I think that’s true. But I don’t want to take that chance.”

  He’d hoped to change her mind and tried not to be disappointed that one night of fun together hadn’t moved her on that issue. “Fair enough.” He needed to change the subject before he got too depressed and became a bad date. “How are your party plans coming?”

  Avery’s face lit up. “I’ve been trying to find pictures of the barn from back in the eighties, but haven’t had much luck at the newspaper. Ellie’s former in-laws had a few, but most of theirs were older.”

  “My mom has tons of pictures. Did you already go through all of hers?”

  “Some of them. I’ve hesitated because of her being so tired. I didn’t want to make more work for her since she said they were in the attic and she’d have to hunt for them.”

  “I’ll do it.”

  Avery smiled with surprise and pleasure. “Thanks. I really need to practice tomorrow evening, then I have the audition the next evening in D.C. but Saturday evening would work for me.”

  “Me too. I’ll plan on it. I can have the boxes out and maybe some pictures sorted by then.” He didn’t like the idea of her going to D.C. alone in a snowstorm. Not because she was a woman and he thought she was weak. Not at all. He would question anyone driving that far in the kind of snow they were forecasted to get. The roads to Washington were not known for their safety, either. But he didn’t say anything.

  “Why did you decide not to team up with Kristen’s project?” Avery asked after he’d paid the bill and they’d started for the car.

  He really didn’t want to talk about his ex.

  “I’m not. It took me exactly a half a second to think about that and come to a decision.”

  She laughed, as he’d intended. But turned thoughtful after he’d settled himself in the car across from her. “Why not?”

  “I guess the first reason that comes to mind is that the last time she made promises to me, she didn’t exactly keep them. I can’t see that she’s changed. After all, she married that poor guy, got him to buy her what she wanted, and now they’re divorcing too.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know.”

  “My mom found out somehow.” People might have thought he’d jump at the chance to work with her, knowing that she was single and available. It had only made him run faster. “Until then, I hadn’t known either. Still don’t care.”

  “You hate her?”

  “Nah. Just now I can see where I made a lot of mistakes. Stupid decisions and choices. Not doing it again.”

  “Ah. You’re wiser?”

  “Yeah.”

  They rode in silence the rest of the way to his mother’s house. Avery pulled in and he hopped out, as he had before, to open her door. She rolled the window down.

  “I think I’ll not go in. It’s late.”

  Disappointment rolled through him. He hadn’t realized, but a glance at the clock on the dash said it was after midnight.

  “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to keep you out so long.”

  “I had fun.”

  “Me too. Let me check on my mom, then I’ll follow you home in my truck.” He barely kept from wincing as he said it, knowing that such a suggestion was something that would have garnered him a “women aren’t helpless babies” lecture from most other women he knew.

  “I don’t want to put you out.”

  “It’d be worse to be here wondering and worrying.”

  She shrugged. “If you want.”

  “I want.” He smiled and straightened. “Be right back.”

  He ran in, wiping his boots carefully, but not pulling them
off. In the light coming in from the window from the decorations in the yard, he could see his mother slept soundly on the couch. Grabbing his keys, he ducked back out the door.

  Avery waved as he jogged to his truck. She backed out and he followed her to the farm, where all the lights were off except the pole light by the farm office. Avery parked in front of the house, and he pulled in behind her, shutting his pickup off so it didn’t wake anyone.

  “Thanks,” she said as he walked up. “I’m here safe.”

  He didn’t give her a chance to back away, but strode up to her and put his arms around her. “Thank you. For the best evening I’ve ever had.”

  “That’s big.”

  “I’m serious.” She hadn’t pulled away, so he drew her closer. “Don’t be mad at my mom.”

  “What?”

  “She really was tired.”

  Comprehension dawned in her eyes. “You bribed your mother to let you go!” Her arms, which had started to slide around his waist, stopped, and she gripped his shirt in her hands.

  “No.” He stroked the back of her neck, loving the feel of the soft skin meeting her hairline. “She was going to cancel at noon. I asked her to hold on and not make a decision until I got home. Which was later than I expected. I didn’t cheat my mother out of a nice evening out. I just kept her from having you give her ticket to anyone but me.” His other hand slid down to the small of her back with a little pressure, pushing her body into his.

  “That’s sneaky.”

  “I wanted to spend the evening with you.”

  Her narrowed eyes widened, and her hands loosened and slid the rest of the way around him. Her head started to bend down to rest against his chest, but he didn’t want cuddling. Not tonight. Not now, at least. He was after more.

  “I’m going to kiss you good night.”

  Her head jerked back up. Her eyes searched his out. “No, you’re not.”

  His heart sank.

  “You’ve held my hand, opened my car door, held my chair, followed me home. This move is mine.” She blinked. “But you’re going to have to bend down, because I can’t reach you.”

  He laughed. “How about we fix that problem this way.” He bent his knees and picked her up, pressing her whole body to his. But he didn’t swoop down and take her lips, respecting her request to be the one to do the kissing. Gladly.

  Her hands came up and cupped his cheeks, softly swishing against his stubble. “I love the way this feels.”

  “Makes two of us.”

  “I also like being able to look directly into your eyes.” She leaned a little closer.

  “They’re nothing special. Yours, on the other hand, are amazingly expressive and beautiful.” Her lips were so close his almost brushed them as he spoke. He resisted the urge to close that tiny distance. “You’re soft and sweet and…”

  “How do you know I’m sweet?” she murmured.

  He smiled. “Prove me wrong.”

  Her lips brushed his, lightly. Almost intangibly.

  He groaned.

  She smiled that powerful smile that said she knew the effect she was having on him and was thoroughly enjoying it.

  With her body pressed to his and her weight filling his arms, she could take all night long. Delectable torture.

  More feathery touches that only served to heat his blood and weaken his knees. He turned, leaning against her car hood so that her weight was partially on him, keeping her face level with his.

  Her hands gripped his hair, and he relished the slight pressure. Finally, finally, her lips settled on his. Firmly. And did not skip away. He pressed back with another low groan. Her tongue tiptoed out, and he opened to receive it, pulling her in, hot and welcoming. He caught her gasp, absorbed her sigh, and deepened their connection. The air around them crackled. He couldn’t get deep enough, couldn’t get close enough, couldn’t get enough air.

  He broke away, gasping.

  She twisted, and he allowed her body to slide down his, eliciting another groan from both of them. Keeping her hands on his waist, she stood, panting as hard as he.

  The wind ruffled the bare branches above them with a hollow, wooden sound. Her hair shifted around her flushed face and parted lips. He fisted his hands as she took another step back, but grabbed her waist again as she stumbled.

  Their eyes met.

  “I was right. You are sweet.” She was a million other tastes that he couldn’t explain, but already craved to taste again. And again.

  She stepped back even farther. “Maybe we shouldn’t do that again.”

  “Maybe your music was a little more powerful than I had given it credit for.”

  “It was the music?”

  “I don’t know what the heck else it was.” He’d never felt anything like it.

  She nodded rapidly.

  He prepared to catch her again, hoping his shaking knees would hold them both if she did fall. “You’re definitely right. Let’s blame the music. No more classical music for you, mister. You obviously can’t handle it.”

  “Me? That was your kiss. Last time I’m kissing a tuba player without protection,” he continued, leaning against the car and crossed his arms over his chest. With any luck she wouldn’t notice that his knees were still shaking too badly for him to attempt to stand.

  “Protection?”

  “A fire extinguisher, or something.”

  She let out a little, shaky laugh.

  “Do me a favor, Avery.”

  “Yeah?”

  “Go to the house. Now. You don’t know how bad I want to do that again. And you’re standing there all soft and warm. And sweet.”

  She blinked at him.

  So help him, if she didn’t move, he was going to find out exactly how steady his knees were.

  “Have mercy, lady. Please.”

  Maybe she saw it in his eyes. She turned and ran up the steps, grabbing the door and slipping through, closing it softly behind her.

  Gator leaned against her car a little longer.

  Great. Now he knew exactly how she felt and exactly how she tasted. The only word that described both was perfect. Instinct told him there’d never be another woman who’d light his fire so easily and completely.

  On one hand, he was thrilled. Avery wasn’t just physically attractive to him. She had a beautiful, unselfish heart. She couldn’t be any more perfect.

  On the other hand, he’d been devastated tonight. That kiss had rocked him down to his toes. But the lady had already told him no. Firmly. He’d thought maybe he could convince her to change that no to a yes. But it seemed like he’d scared her off instead. Heck, that kiss had scared him.

  He should have listened to his mother. Years ago, she’s said, “If you can’t have it, don’t try it, because it only takes one to get addicted.” She’d been talking about vices like drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. He’d never tell her, but she should have added kissing Avery to the list.

  No doubt about it. He was addicted.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Avery looked at the dripping roof in dismay. A drop of water hit her in her face, splashing down to Miss Prissypants who jerked and shook her head. Avery stepped back.

  Why had the barn roof decided to pick this month to start leaking? After over a hundred years of standing in one spot, couldn’t it have just waited thirty more days? Or even fifteen would have worked.

  She moved the bucket that she’d brought over from the shed and the water starting pinging into it. Right in the middle of the barn floor too.

  She could see it now at the party. Big orange cones and yellow caution tape right in the middle of the dance floor. Perfect. If she had time, she’d change the color of the decorations so they wouldn’t clash. But that would be defeating the whole purpose of the party—to recreate Mrs. Franks’ engagement party.

  She kicked her foot on the floor, but didn’t shake her fist at the ceiling like she wanted to. Apparently, some snow sliding off the roof had scraped the bit of rust off and had created th
e hole. At least there was only one.

  The solution to her problem hadn’t come to her yet, and she didn’t have time now to think about it. The barn floor was completely cleaned and, thanks to Jillian, the lights were strung. All Avery had to do was decorate the large area. Hopefully, Gator would come up with a few more pictures for her.

  Gator.

  Every time she thought of him her heart started to quiver and her face flushed. Heat pooled in her stomach. How many times yesterday and today had she wanted to call him just to hear his voice? Each time the barn door opened, she couldn’t stop herself from glancing up and checking to see if it were him striding through.

  But it hadn’t been. He’d not called. He’d not texted. And he’d not come.

  She wasn’t sure what to make of that.

  Maybe he hadn’t sent her inside because he just couldn’t resist her any longer. Maybe it had been because she’d been such a huge disappointment to him. She couldn’t trust her judgement, which said that he’d enjoyed that kiss every single bit as much as she did, because she’d barely been able to see straight, or walk, or form a cohesive thought for the next three hours. Three hours that she’d tossed and turned in her bed trying to figure out what in the world had happened out there in the dark with Gator’s lips on hers. Nothing that had ever happened to her in her life before. That was for sure.

  But it had been two days, and she hadn’t heard anything from him.

  The barn door opened and Avery, curse her silly heart, turned eagerly toward it.

  Jillian walked in. “If you’re going to make it to D.C. before the snow, you’d better get moving.”

  “It’s not supposed to start until midnight.”

  “Oh. The storm must have missed that memo. It’s snowing now.”

  “No way.” Avery ran to the door. She couldn’t miss that audition. She had to land that chair.

  A hole in the roof threatened her party. Missing the tuba audition threatened her livelihood. Ellie and Fink wouldn’t have any need for extra help after the holidays. She’d stayed at the farm long enough.