by Lisa Scott
"Brad, nice to see you," Jeff said, shaking his hand.
"I'm glad you brought your friend," he said. "She's agreed to join me for the art gallery benefit next weekend."
Jeff forced a smile. He had been planning to ask Georgia to that. "Great. You two should have a wonderful time together."
Georgia and Brad spent the rest of the night chatting, until Jeff came over around ten to take her home.
"Ready to head home?" Jeff asked her.
"Brad offered to drive me. He just went to get us both a coffee before we leave."
"Do you want to leave with him?" Jeff asked, not liking the way his jaw was tightening.
"He seems very nice. But don't invite him in yet, right?" she asked.
"Right. Just say goodnight at the door. No need for a kiss, you know, not at this stage." Lord, he was pathetic.
She squeezed his hand. "Thanks, Jeff. You've been so great about helping me."
Later, watching her leave the party with Brad, he swore under his breath. Despite his best efforts, his heart was in this.
* * *
Georgia followed Jeff's advice and simply squeezed Brad's hand at the door when he dropped her off. "I look forward to next week," she told him.
He hesitated, then kissed her on the cheek and went back to his car.
When she went inside, she sank onto the couch and kicked off her shoes. Now she was going to have to shop for another fancy dress. And wear heels again. And shapewear. At least the girls would be proud of her. They were very disappointed she and Jeff had decided to park things in the friend zone.
* * *
"This is like helping Cinderella get ready for the ball. Brad Ayken! Which one of us is going to be your maid of honor?" Kyra asked, holding up a slinky green dress.
"Stop it. This is no big deal." Georgia wished she were as excited as they were. But the truth was, she was thinking about Jeff. "Do you think Jeff will be there?"
"Doesn't matter, because you're going with Brad," Kyra told her.
"Brad is like a multi-millionaire and he's hot," Marly said.
"I know. I just really like Jeff," Georgia said.
"And Brad likes you," Kyra pointed out. "Are you sure you're not pining over Jeff because you know you can't have him, and that makes him less of a threat?"
She sighed. "I like Jeff because he's sweet and he's been kind to me. He's handsome. Successful."
"And he's made it clear he's not interested. Focus on Brad," Marly said. "Trust me on this. If you're going to fall in love again, fall in love with a rich guy."
* * *
"You look amazing," Brad told her when he picked her up for the charity ball.
"Thanks." At first she'd thought the champagne-colored gown was too much, the way the back dipped nearly to her rear. But she liked the way she felt in it. And who knew how many more events like this she'd get to attend?
Brad spent much of the ride talking about his summer travel plans. He was going so many places she couldn't keep track. "Sounds exciting!" Actually, it sounded like more of a hassle than anything, all that packing and unpacking.
When they arrived at the ritziest hotel in town, she scanned the ballroom for Jeff.
A parade of people stopped Brad to talk to him - lots of flirty women, too, like Georgia wasn't even there. She spent much of the night politely smiling and nodding during conversations that bored her. She wondered if it was always like this for his dates. At one point, she stifled a yawn.
Then she spotted Jeff. "Could you excuse me for a moment?" she asked Brad.
"Of course," he said, turning back to his conversation.
She hurried across the room and tapped Jeff's shoulder from behind.
A huge smile split his face. "Hi."
"I was wondering if you'd be here."
"Are you having fun?"
She lifted a shoulder. "He's a popular guy." They hadn't had the kind of interesting conversations she'd had with Jeff. And he certainly didn't give her his full attention like Jeff did. Brad always seemed to be surveying the room while they chatted. "Did you come with anyone?" Her stomach churned at the thought of it.
He shook his head. "So how was your week?"
"Great. I started making jewelry again. I've been helping my daughter decorate the nursery for her baby. For the first time in a while, I feel like I've got a lot to look forward to." Her heart had felt so much lighter these past few weeks. Ever since she'd met Jeff, she realized.
"You do have a lot to look forward to, Georgia. You have a whole new life ahead of you. I know it's not what you planned, but I'm glad to see you making the most of it."
He looked so earnest and concerned as he said it, she wanted to hug him. He truly was a wonderful friend. And her heart hurt a bit realizing they weren't destined for more.
As they were chatting, Brad came over. "There you are." He linked his arm through hers. "I've got some people I'd like you to meet."
Georgia and Jeff locked eyes for a moment. "We should get together soon," she said, disappointment hitting her in the gut as she realized she had no idea when she'd see Jeff again.
He nodded. "We should. Have a good night, Georgia."
* * *
Jeff left the event early. He grabbed a beer from his fridge and sat on his deck, wishing Georgia were there with him. He dropped his head back and looked at the stars. If he could make a wish, that's what it would be - to be with Georgia.
But he didn't have to make a wish. He just had to suck it up and give it a shot. Maybe it was too late, now that she'd met Brad. But sitting there doing nothing about it wasn't an option.
* * *
The next day, he bought flowers and drove to her house. He'd been unable to sleep the night before and was all wound up.
Georgia seemed surprised when she answered the door. "Jeff, it's great to see you," she said with a smile.
He held out the flowers.
She took them and brought the bouquet of pink and white roses to her nose. "What's this for?"
"Turns out my dating lessons for you aren't over. This is what a guy does when he realizes he's been a fool, afraid to take a chance."
Her eyebrows rose.
"I don't know if it's too late, if something's going on with you and Brad, but I thought you were special the moment I met you."
Her beautiful blue eyes widened. "So, why did you tell me you weren't looking for a relationship?"
"Can I come in and explain?"
"Sure." She stepped back and he went inside, sitting down on her couch. She sat next to him, and he took her hand. "Remember I told you about my friend Anne who was a widow, too?"
She nodded.
"She turned to me soon after my friend died. She was looking for comfort, for help starting over."
"I see," Georgia replied softly.
"I fell in love with her, and I thought she loved me, too. I proposed to her. But she didn't want to settle down so quickly, and we broke up. Shortly after, she got married to someone else."
"I'm so sorry." She squeezed his hand.
He nodded, still feeling a bit of the pain. "I had this life planned out for us, and when it didn't happen, I knew I didn't want to be in that position again. And then along comes you, another beautiful, heartbroken woman, and I didn't think I could handle it. But seeing you with Brad is making miserable."
Her soft hand slid up his arm and squeezed his shoulder. "I don't have feelings for Brad ... I have feelings for you."
"Seriously?"
Smiling, she nodded. "I never thought I could want a relationship with someone again. Just a few weeks ago I was scared to even kiss a man. Now here I am dreaming about more - with you."
Jeff pulled her into his arms. "Your dating lessons are officially over."
She laughed. "I still have plenty to learn about starting over." Her eyes darted across the room. "Shall we start in the bedroom?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
She leaned into him, nudging his nose with her
s. "The two of us have wasted enough time not going after what we wanted. And right now, that's what I want. You. All of you." The intensity of her kiss left no question as to how she was feeling.
He pulled back so he could look into her eyes. "This is hardly taking it slow," Jeff pointed out.
"I don't want to bother with that. I want to jump right in - with you."
"I'll make sure you don't fall." He kissed her, threading his fingers through her gorgeous, sunset hair.
She grabbed his other hand. With their fingers linked, she led him to her bedroom. "I'm sure there's some joke I could make about the football player scoring. Kickers score, right?"
He laughed. "The lucky ones do." He followed her, realizing all the sadness from the past was gone as she pulled him onto her bed and further into his heart.
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Jeff took Georgia by the hand and led her outside. She wrapped her fingers around his like she was afraid he might run off - or she would. Now that she'd met someone she was attracted to, she was determined to confront her fears and go through with it.
While Jeff talked with the valet, Georgia texted her friends.
Heading home now, talk to you tomorrow
She tucked her phone in her pocket, decided she was tipsy but not too drunk to be making this decision, and reached for Jeff's hand again when he came back. "I live fifteen minutes away in Eagleton."
"I'm not far from there," he said.
When his car arrived - a Mercedes convertible - he held open the door for her and she slid into the front seat. Her mind spun as she considered how this all would go down. Should she invite him to her bedroom? Just do it right there on the couch?
Jeff sped down the empty highway, following her directions. He seemed as eager as she was.
He parked in her driveway and opened the car door for her. She led him to her front door, and as she reached to unlock it, he covered her hand with his.
"Are you sure about this? By your own admission, you've never done this before. You just met me. Don't you want to dip your toe in the dating pool first instead of a running-start cannonball?" He grinned.
Her heart felt like it was in her throat, and her eyes were heavy with lust as she stared at him. "I am absolutely sure I want to do this." She opened the door, grabbed him by the lapel, and pulled him inside.
Standing in the middle of her living room, she snaked her hands up his chest and around his neck, and he bent to kiss her. Then his hands were around her waist, pulling her closer. He rubbed his thumb across the spot where her hip met her belly.
She shivered and her fingers shook as she unbuttoned his shirt. She pushed it off his shoulders and ran her hands over his chest. He was different from Matt, leaner, with golden hair curling across his chest. She threaded her fingers through it. "You are incredible."
He nibbled her ear. "And you're beautiful." He twirled a strand of her hair around his finger and tugged.
Georgia walked backward toward her bedroom, snaking a finger around one of his belt loops, pulling him along.
Jeff unzipped her dress as they stood in front of her bed. Her heart pounded, realizing he was about to be the only other man to ever see her naked. Without all the alcohol coursing through her, she wouldn't have been able to do this. She took a deep breath and started to undress.
She slid her arms out of the sleeves and let it fall to the ground. Oh, lord. He could see her shapewear. "This was really hard to get on," she said, tugging at the straps of the bodysuit. "I think it's going to be harder to get off." Her cheeks were hot while she wiggled her hips, peeling it off.
He crossed his arms, smirking. "It's fun to watch, I can tell you that."
When she finally got it off, she tossed it across the room. "I'll never wear that again, I promise you that." She swallowed hard, realizing she was standing there in her skimpy pink panties. Her nipples were hard and she resisted the urge to cross her arms. "Now you take off your pants - slowly. It's only fair."
He smirked and took his time unbuckling his belt. Then he undid the zipper. She groaned. Maybe slowly wasn't a good idea.
He turned around as he slid off his pants, teasing her. They dropped to the floor and he walked toward her, his erection tenting his boxers.
She pulled him toward her, pressing his hardness against her. Her insides churned, and a soft groan slipped from her lips. She shut off the thoughts telling her she shouldn't be doing this. He kissed her, running his hands down her back, slipping his fingers into her panties.
He yanked them down suddenly and pulled her onto the bed. He tugged off his boxers and then cupped his hands over her breasts. She dropped her head back. "I can't believe I'm doing this."
He nibbled her neck and she ran her hand over his back, impressed with the taut muscles. He whispered a few naughty things in her ear and she guided his hand to the place between her thighs that was throbbing for him.
He stroked her gently, then rubbed one finger over her most sensitive spot. He kissed her as he touched her, then stopped. "I have to get a condom."
She swallowed hard and nodded. This was happening.
He found his pants, and pulled a square foil out of his wallet. She'd been on the pill for so many years with Matt, she wasn't used to using a condom. She pressed her eyes closed. I can't think of Matt.
Luckily, Jeff and his warm, smooth skin were pressed against her again, so she didn't have time to think. "Ready?" he asked in low, sexy voice.
She nodded, biting her bottom lip.
With a knee, he spread her legs wider and filled her with his hardness.
She sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, giving herself over to the joy of the shared sensation. .
* * *
When Jeff woke, Georgia was still sleeping in his arms. A smile curled her lips in her sleep. She was beautiful, with her hair tousled and long eyelashes brushing her cheeks.
Her eyes fluttered open, then they widened. "You're still here."
"Did you think I was going to sneak out in the middle of the night?"
"Yes. No." She groaned. "I don't know how these things work," she said, sitting up and pulling the sheet around her.
"Some guys might've left, but I didn't want to. I like being with you, Georgia." He hoped there'd be many more nights like the one they'd just shared.
"I liked it, too. But if you'll pardon me, I'm going to go get dressed."
He held back a grin as she scampered to the bathroom still holding her sheet around her, not realizing her beautiful backside was totally exposed.
He climbed out of bed and retrieved his clothes too, not wanting her to feel uncomfortable. He was still a stranger to her, and she was no longer drunk. He hoped she didn't regret their evening together. He'd been uncertain whether or not he should take her up on the enticing invitation; he hadn't known how much of her desire had been fueled by alcohol and desperation.
But once she'd started kissing him and he saw how much she wanted him, well, he was just a man, after all. And she was incredible, eager yet shy, gentle but demanding. He couldn't wait to do it again. But he wanted more that that, too. Then images of Anne flooded his
brain and he remembered the heartbreak that had taken so long to get over. We'll take things slow, he thought. Then he laughed to himself. Nothing about this had been slow.
When Georgia came back in the room in her robe, he stood up. "I'd love to take you to breakfast."
She crossed her arms. "Jeff, you're a great guy."
Shit. There was a big but headed his way. He was usually the one delivering a line like that.
"But I'm not ready for a relationship. Last night was a huge step for me, and I thank you. But my heart is nowhere near ready for anything else."
"Not even an omelet?"
She smiled. "Maybe someday. I'll give you a call if things change."
He fished a business card out of his wallet and handed it to her. "Please do. I think you're something special, Georgia."
She set his card on her dresser. "Thanks, Jeff. For listening to my sob story, for getting me home, for letting me believe I might still be desirable."
He set his hand on her shoulder. "You're incredibly desirable. You will have no trouble finding another man if that's what you want." The disappointment was like a blow on the football field.
Georgia looked down, fiddling with the tie of her robe. "You're very kind."
"I'm being honest."
She stepped back and crossed her arms. "I'll never forget you."
And that was his cue to leave, no matter how much he wanted to take her in his arms. Instead, he smiled and nodded and walked out her front door. And here he'd been worried that another widow would string him along and leave him.
* * *
Georgia stepped into the shower and let the hot water beat down on her head. She closed her eyes and squealed, a mixture of embarrassment and delight. What had she just done? She couldn't believe she'd had the guts to go through with it. She'd hooked up with a stranger. A really hot stranger who made her feel things she hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe everything was going to be okay. If she could do that, she could probably also go on a real date one of these days. Start a new relationship.
