She put her hand between them and stepped away. She took a deep breath and tried to quell her traitorous body. She gazed into his emerald eyes and wanted to languish in the pool of green.
She wanted to tell him to stop, but instead all she could do was return his smile.
“I thought I’d kiss you before you put lipstick on.”
“Oh and what about after I put lipstick on?”
“Don’t tempt me or we won’t get any cooking done.”
She laughed. “You know this could become awkward,” she said, trying to warn him off.
“I know. I thought about that. I’ve never kissed one of my tenants before. Of course, you’re the first one that wasn’t twenty years old. It’ll be okay,” he reassured her. “We’ll deal with it. I have to get back to my turkey. See you in a few minutes?”
“I’ll be there,” Marianne promised, suddenly excited about spending the day with Luke and his friends.
She went inside and changed her clothes, freshened her make-up, put some lipstick on, and hurried down the stairs eager to see Luke again.
She knocked on his back door.
“It’s open! Come on in.”
She walked through a utility room that led directly into his kitchen. Her first time in his house and she took in the homey look and feel.
A fire roared in the fireplace, knocking the chill from the air. A big, flat screen television hung over the fireplace. A stereo system and books filled shelves on either side of the fireplace, along with pictures and knick-knacks. A huge, soft pit sofa filled the room and separated the living area and the kitchen.
Luke stood in the kitchen, crumbling cornbread into a large bowl. Double ovens filled one corner of the wall. A tile and brick backsplash reminded Marianne of the home she once owned in Texas.
“You’ve never been inside my home before have you?”
“No,” she responded, thinking she liked his taste. But then, she seemed to like so many things about her handsome landlord.
He smiled. “As you can see, it’s an old house and I’ve lived here a long time.”
“You’re a great decorator. It has a nice, homey feel.”
“Thanks.”
“In fact, the kitchen reminds me of the home I use to own in Texas. It looks very similar,” Marianne said, feeling nostalgic, missing the house, but not the life that went with it.
“When I was looking for ideas on how to upgrade the kitchen, I saw a magazine with a similar kitchen in it,” Luke said, “I took the picture to the remodeler and said this is what I want.”
She started to laugh. “Was it Better Homes and Gardens?”
He reflected for a moment. “Yes, I think it was. It’s been years ago.”
“I saw the same kitchen and had ours remodeled after it!”
“Seems like we share the same tastes.”
“Yeah, it does.”
“Speaking of taste, I have to make the dressing. Want to help me?” he invited.
“What do you need me to do?” she asked.
He grinned at her. “Sorry, my mind went in directions that are better left alone.”
“Luke!”
“Hey, I’m a man,” he said with a shrug. “I have all of the spices lined up. How about you start adding them in the dressing and I’ll start pouring the broth?”
Marianne picked up the sage and poultry seasoning. She measured it out in her hand and sprinkled it in. Then she took the chopped onions and celery he had set aside and mixed it into the cornbread.
Luke came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her, trapping her next to the cabinets, the bowl of dressing in front of them. His body pressed against hers and she leaned into him. He slanted his head next to hers and poured the chicken broth into the cornbread mixture.
“I’ve never cooked like this before,” Marianne said, her voice sounding breathless even to herself as her heartbeat raced.
“It makes the food taste even better, and the cooks, well, they have a great time too.”
She took a big spoon and mixed the broth into the cornbread. Taking another spoon, she held it to his lips. He opened his mouth and tasted the mixture.
“More spice?”
“Always,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
A shiver went through her as she tried to concentrate on adding more sage to the dressing.
She took a spoonful and held it to his lips. “How about now? Enough?”
“Delicious. Now, I need a taste of Marianne to go with it.”
His mouth found hers and he kissed her playfully on the lips.
She giggled and turned in his arms. “I think we’re ready for the pan to put the dressing in.”
He kissed her cheeks, her nose, her lips, and his mouth trailed down her neck.
Marianne’s breathing quickened, and the urge to open her blouse and give him more access as his mouth found her shoulder almost overcame her.
The sound of the doorbell had him lifting his lips from her and gazing into her eyes. “Damn. Don’t they know we’re busy cooking?”
“The kitchen is getting a little hot. It may be a good thing that they’re here.” She smiled at him and patted him on the cheek. “I think you better answer the door.”
“Okay, but save the rest of that recipe for after the game.”
Marianne glanced around the table at Luke’s friends. Two married couples he’d known for years. When they opened the door, his friends had stood there, staring in surprise. She couldn’t imagine what she looked like with her lips swollen from his kisses, her cheeks flushed with desire.
Yet they had welcomed her into their group and the morning had been spent happily preparing the meal. Now they gathered at the table to sample the feast.
Luke stood up and tapped his wine glass. “As you know, my family had a tradition of going around the table at Thanksgiving and everyone saying what they’re thankful for. So I’ll start by saying I’m thankful that each of you are here sharing this day with me and with my new friend, Marianne.”
He turned to his friend Jim, who stood. “I’m thankful that the Bronco’s aren’t playing this afternoon.”Everyone laughed. “And for everyone’s good health.”
He sat down and the next person, his wife, shook her head at her husband. “I’m thankful that we’re still here in Fort Collins and haven’t been transferred.”
Marianne had been given the place of honor at the end of the table, opposite from Luke. She stood nervous and yet wanting to make Luke glad he’d invited her. “I’m thankful that the journey of life has brought me here and I’m spending this Thanksgiving with all of you.”
The next woman, Jill, stood. “I’m so grateful that Luke continues to cook every year and I don’t have to.”
The last man stood. A large man who reminded her of a big teddy bear. “I’m thankful the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock and started this tradition of a day of gorging on turkey and pie. And I’m grateful for such good friends.”
They all laughed and held up their wine glasses. “Happy Thanksgiving,” Luke said, and everyone clinked their glasses together.
They passed the plates of food, everyone talking at once, happily sharing stories of previous Thanksgivings.
“How long have you known Luke?” Marianne asked Jill, the lady sitting next to her.
“We all went through grad school together, got married, moved away, and came back together. Through it all we’ve remained close.”
How neat to have friends you’d known for years. People who no matter where you lived, they sought you out to spend quality time together.
“Wow. That’s a long time.”
“Yes, in college we were known as troublemakers,” she laughed. “It’s a wonder we didn’t get kicked out. But somehow we’ve all survived.”
“Luke was a troublemaker?”
“Hell, yes. The administration was reluctant to hire him, but then again, it was one way of keeping him under control.”
She gazed with surprise at the mild-mann
ered man who she couldn’t imagine causing a problem of any kind. He radiated intelligence and strength of character. It was what attracted her to him.
“Back then we were going to change the world. Everything we did seemed so important, but now, looking back, it was nothing. I ran the school newspaper, Jim was a reporter, and Luke was the organizer of the Fort Collins Independent Political party, which no longer exists.”
“Wow, I knew he was into politics, but I guess I didn’t realize how much.”
What she was learning not only surprised her, but kind of shocked her about this man. But it also let her know that when he believed in you, he stood behind you, and that trait she adored.
“Oh yeah, he once ran for city council and lost because he was the chairman of the Independent Party.”
“Jill, quit telling her stories about me that aren’t true.”
“Luke, I don’t have to make up stories about you. There are plenty to tell that are true.”
Everyone was finished eating, but continued to sit at the table talking leisurely.
“Hey, the Cowboy game starts in thirty minutes,” Jim stated. “Let’s get the food put away, so we can watch them lose.”
“Jim, can you go one Thanksgiving without watching the game?” his wife asked.
“No,” all the men said in unison.
She shook her head. “Okay, I’m outvoted.”
Marianne watched the couples, intrigued by their closeness and their ability to banter and tease one another.
“How long have you guys been dating?” Jill asked.
“Oh, I don’t know if we’re really dating,” Marianne said. “We went motorcycle riding and he’s helped me with my car.”
The woman tilted her head down, her brows raised. “Honey, if you went riding on Luke’s bike, you’re dating. He doesn’t casually date. Even in college, he would pursue one woman, and until they broke up, there was no one else. He’s a great guy, he’s just been unlucky in love.”
“Unlucky in love? What makes you say that?”
Jill leaned in close. “He’s never found a woman who deserved him. We were all shocked to see you here today. He must be pretty serious to invite you to dinner.”
“Oh no, I think he just felt bad that I had nowhere to go.”
“Maybe, but from the way you two looked when you opened the door, that’s the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time.”
Marianne’s cheeks bloomed with color, but she couldn’t help but smile. She enjoyed being with Luke, and she liked his friends. Hopefully, they thought they were good together.
The group started cleaning up the table, and Marianne began stacking the dishes to carry to the kitchen.
Jim and Todd were in the living area getting the big screen TV all set for the game, while the women and Luke put everything away.
Luke came up behind Marianne and put his hand on her waist. “Don’t let anything Jill tells you scare you away. She’s a fiction writer and likes to create stories.”
Jill popped him with the hand towel. “We’ve been talking girl talk and it’s nothing you need to concern yourself about. Now, go play with the boys.”
Luke wrapped his arm around Marianne. “Okay, but I’m taking Marianne with me.”
They walked from the kitchen arm in arm and he leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head.
Marianne smiled up at him, surprised at how comfortable she felt around him and his friends.
Chapter 13
Brenda gazed around the living area of her motor home at the empty table, the dirty dishes stacked by the sink. She’d invited three other campers over for lunch, and afterwards, they had sat and watched the Cowboy game together. Now, in the quiet camper, loneliness had set-in.
It was Thanksgiving. Earlier in the day, she had spoken to Marianne, Katie, and even Paul had called to wish her Happy Thanksgiving and tell her he’d been delayed until Sunday. He promised to tell her the reason when he returned.
He’d sounded stressed and distant. Whenever he came back from these trips with his family, he seemed detached. It took him a day or two to warm up and resume their friendship.
Something about his trips to Dallas made Paul different and she didn’t know if it had something to do with his children or if going back still reminded him of his wife, reopening the pain of her death.
Brenda had no doubts that he’d loved his wife. And she was glad. It made her respect him as a man. Made her think he’d been a good husband. Made her think Paul would be a good companion.
Without a doubt, she was ready to take their friendship to the next level. But was Paul ready? He teased her, he flirted with her, he kissed her, but he wasn’t physically pursuing her like most men.
She didn’t doubt that he was attracted to her. She could see the desire in his eyes, but what kept him from trying to get her in the sack? Why was he holding back?
Did he have some religious stipulation that required him to wait until he was married before having sex again?
For the first time since she’d lost George, she was ready to experience love and even longed for sex with Paul. But marriage? No, she wasn’t ready to say I do, just yes to a little pleasure.
This time when he returned, he would find a sixty-year old sex kitten waiting to seduce him. Maybe kitten wasn’t the appropriate word and cat didn’t seem right, but a fire stilled burned in the oven and she intended to see if she could still stoke the flames of lust in a man once again.
She kind of felt sorry for Paul. He had no idea what was waiting for him when he returned. She intended to literally knock the socks off him when he walked in the door. She was going to have her way with him and could hardly wait for his return.
Needing to touch him, Katie leaned into Jake, and patiently knocked on her mother’s door. Texas had been a huge mistake and she’d longed for Jake so bad, she’d finally told her Dad she had to get back to write a paper. She’d changed her flight to Friday and came home.
Now Saturday morning she stood with Jake in hand, waiting to introduce him to her mother. Since they both came from divorced families, it was the first of the meetings of the parents.
Marianne opened the door and she threw her arms around Katie. “I’m so glad you called and said you were coming today. It’s been ages since I’ve seen you.”
Katie hugged her Mom back. Her Mom’s unconditional love was always there. Her dad loved her, but her mother showed her the depth of her commitment to her, in so many ways. Time spent with her Dad always proved her mother’s devotion and helped Katie see the error of her ways. She owed her mother an apology and she hoped her visit today would lead them back to the mother-daughter link they once had.
“Mom, there’s someone I want you to meet.”
Her mother slowly released her and faced Jake. “Hello, I’m Marianne Larson.”
“Jake Ballard,” he said, ill at ease as he yanked his hand from his pocket.
“We’ve been hanging out together for a while now,” Katie said happily as her mother studied Jake.
“How nice,” her mother said. “Come on in you two. I fixed lunch and it should be ready in about an hour. In the meantime, we can get caught up.”
Though Katie had told Jake her mother’s apartment was really small, he seemed to fill the entire room. He wasn’t an extremely large guy, but his presence overwhelmed the small room.
They sat down on the sofa and her mother took the chair.
“Jake, tell me about yourself. How long have you been in college?” her mother asked.
Katie smiled at him, so proud that she had managed to snag the best catch on campus. She hoped her mother would see that Jake had a great future ahead of him, especially with Katie urging him.
“This is my third year, but I’ve had to drop some classes, so I’m still a freshman.”
“Oh,” Marianne said, and Katie could see her mother’s radar zoom in on Jake’s lack of enthusiasm for college.
“He’s studying to be a game programmer. You kn
ow, design video games,” Katie said, laying her hand on his leg possessively. He was all hers and she couldn’t wait for them to marry.
“That sounds exciting,” Marianne said. “Are the classes difficult for your major?”
“Yes, you could say that, especially when I spend so much time trying to figure out how to make it to the next level on a really cool game. Plus I play in tournaments a lot.”
“What kind of tournaments?” Marianne asked.
“Video game tournaments. I’m the auto champ on campus. I made it further than anyone in the tournament,” Jake proudly proclaimed.
“Playing in these tournaments do you receive any credit towards your degree?”
Jake and Katie glanced at each other and burst out laughing. “No, mom, this isn’t school sponsored.”
“Oh, I see. So, how will this help you with your education?” Marianne said.
Katie could see her mother’s body tensing. Her mother always focused on the end result, and sometimes it drove Katie nuts.
“It makes me very game-savvy and I’m hoping that someday I can create my own video games that I can sell,” Jake responded.
“Aren’t there classes that help with game design?”
“Yeah, but I’m not ready to take those yet.”
Katie smiled over at Jake, while her insides cringed. So Jake wasn't a good prospect on paper, but with her help, he would be very successful. If only her mother could see what she saw in him, then she would accept Jake and hopefully, eventually, give her approval.
Marianne nodded and smiled politely at him. “What kind of classes do you have to take to get your degree?”
“Lots of computer programming. So far, though, I haven’t made it far enough to take the classes I need.”
Katie winced. That was not approval shining in her mother’s gaze.
“Jake’s the head of the Nintendo Nerds.”
“Nintendo Nerds?”
“Yes, it’s a group of us at school who are into games,” Jake said, wrapping his arm around Katie.
Her mother cleared her throat and glanced at Katie, abruptly changing the topic. Another bad sign. Like she just wanted to forget that Jake was here.
Secrets, Lies, and Online Dating: Three Generations Learn to Love Again (Women's Fiction) Page 19
