by Celya Bowers
“Yes, I did. How did you know?”
“You fell asleep while we were putting away your clothes. I pulled the comforter over you and left quietly.”
The memories all came crashing back. “I seem to keep falling asleep on you, don’t I?”
He grinned. “I can recall a few times that I had your complete attention. Where’s Kassie?”
“She’s with Mom. I was told to go have some adult fun,” she said.
A wide grin split Kyle’s face. “I knew I liked your mother.” He kissed her again. “I’ll put these away and we can walk around the ship. It’s awesome. I don’t know why we hadn’t done this before.”
“You look very relaxed,” Jemma told him. “I know you’ve been under a great deal of pressure this last month, with the horse sale, Ava, and everything else. It’s nice to see you just smiling for the hell of it.”
“Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse. I like it.” He grabbed her hand and they walked the few yards to his stateroom. They stashed his bags in the closet and went back outside, hand in hand.
Jemma got her first good look at the Atlantic Ocean. “That’s awesome. So beautiful and so calming,” Jemma said. They stopped at bow of the ship. Kyle stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “You’re beautiful, Jemma and you excite me like no other woman has.”
She leaned against him. “You always know the exact thing to say.” She placed her hands on top of his. “Nothing can top this moment.”
He moved closer to her. “Oh, I can think of one thing,” Kyle said, his hands caressing her stomach. “We have just enough time before dinner.”
“You should be a salesman,” she said, stepping out of their embrace and leading him back to his stateroom.
Kyle didn’t think the cruise could get any better than this moment with Jemma. They entered his room and headed straight for the bed. It had been two weeks since they’d been together, and it had been the longest two weeks in his life.
Of course, they had solved their birth control dilemma the easy way. Jemma went on birth control pills and he still used condoms.
Their clothes seem to fall from their bodies. Jemma laid on the bed, naked and waiting for him. Kyle quickly slipped on the condom and joined her in bed.
The lovemaking was orchestrated as if they’d been doing this for years. He knew Jemma’s weak spot was behind her ears. He kissed her lips, lightly biting them. “Oh baby, I’ve been dying for two weeks.” He entered her body and gave up trying to multitask. He let his body do his talking for him. He moved in and out of her body to the rhythm of their kisses. Jemma kept up with him stroke for stroke, driving him completely out of his mind.
He pulled Jemma closer and kissed her as he felt her orgasm approaching. He swallowed her moans of pleasure as he coaxed her through the climax that shook both of them to their core.
“Oh, Jemma,” he whispered, panting. “You’re gorgeous, baby. I could stay like this forever.” His hands glided over her sweaty body.
She smiled up at him. “You’re wonderful too, Kyle.” She yawned. “In just a little bit, you’ll see how much.” Her eyes fluttered closed.
Kyle smoothed back her curly hair and pulled her into his embrace and soon he was asleep too.
***
“Kyle, I need my clothes,” Jemma said as they stepped out of the shower a few hours later. “You’ll have to get them.” She sat wrapped in a towel on his bed. Kyle was also in a towel, but his hung low on his narrow hips, looking incredibly sexy.
“Okay, I’ll get dressed.” He was picking out clothes from his closet, when someone knocked on the door.
When neither moved toward the door, the knock sounded again. “I know you guys are in there. I heard you earlier,” his mother said. “We’re going to dinner with Jemma’s parents, so join us there.”
“Oh, no,” Jemma said, hitting her head with her palm. “Just great, your mother heard us having sex.” She watched Kyle slipped on a pair of boxers, then a pair of shorts, and finally a polo shirt.
“Honey, it’s not that serious. We’re two mature adults. Why do you think your mother sent you out?”
“You mean that woman set this up?”
“Not really. I did see her when I went to the gift shop and we had a conversation. The rest was all us, baby.”
She laughed at herself. “I get it, quit grasping at straws. This was what happens in relationships.” She took a deep breath. “Bet you everyone is going to know by the time we get to the dining hall.”
“That I have no doubt.” He reached for her room card. “I’ll check to see if the coast is clear. I’d feel funny going through your things without you there.” He walked out the door.
Soon he’d returned with a smiled. “Yeah, they’re all gone.” He handed her the room card.
She gathered up her clothes and headed next door to change. “I’ll be right back.” She hurried inside the cabin and changed into some walking shorts, and a silk top.
“That was fast,” Kyle said as he met her in the hallway. “Ready?” He grabbed her hand.
“Yes.” She kissed him. “That was for this afternoon and making this a cruise to remember.”
He nodded. “We’d better get going or Mom will send security for us.”
“And we don’t want that,” Jemma said.
***
On the return home, Jemma wondered how different her and Kassie’s life would become. Kyle and his entire family had been great during the entire cruise, always arranging for Kassie to stay busy and have lots of fun. She and Kyle also spent a lot of time together.
Jemma had plenty of time to think about what the future would hold for them. Kyle had arranged for a car service to take her, her parents, and Kassie home. They’d returned mid-day Saturday.
“We had a wonderful time, Jemma,” her mother said. “I think we’re going to need a vacation from our vacation. There was just so much to do,” she said.
Jemma nodded. “I’m glad you guys got to come.” She glanced at Kassie’s sleeping form. “I think she’s going to sleep all day Sunday.” Jemma yawned. “I think I just might join her. I didn’t think four days was going to be that tiring, but that cruise was awesome.”
“I’m sure you and Kyle got closer,” her mother whispered. “I could tell he really wanted to ride with us, but he went with his parents. He told us about the anniversary party.”
Jemma nodded. “New Years’ Eve. He planned the entire thing himself. It’s being held at the ranch. Why don’t you come and spend the night? That way I don’t have to worry about Dad trying to drive under the influence.”
Her mother laughed. “You know your father.” She nodded at the sleeping man sitting next to her. “I think we might have to make that cruise an annual thing.”
“I was just thinking the same thing,” Jemma said. “I’m so glad that you could come with us. It helped me a lot. Not just with Kassie, but nerves on the whole.”
“I know honey. The first time I met Brandt’s mother I was a nervous wreck. But Tesla likes you. Apparently, she has no problem with color.”
Jemma nodded. “Kyle says he’s worked with just about every nationality. His father always told them to treat everybody the same.”
“That’s a good rule for life.”
Jemma cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey baby,” Kyle said. “I just wanted to make sure you got home okay.”
“Hi, Kyle. We’re not home yet, probably another five minutes.”
“Okay, call me when you get settled. I miss you already.”
She couldn’t keep the silly in love smile off her face. “I miss you too. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye, sweetie.” He ended the call.
Jemma took a deep breath. Pet names. She wasn’t used to that. Jared didn’t use them. He never called her anything but her name. Why was it so different with Kyle?
“What’s wrong, baby?”
“Nothing, just love.”
TWENTY-
THREE
It was hard getting back into a routine, Jemma realized. Getting Kassie up for school had been the work of the devil the first few days, but today she had a horse riding lesson, so she was up before the alarm went off.
Jemma walked inside her daughter’s room, glad to see that she was already in her bathroom brushing her teeth. “Good morning, honey. How are you doing this morning?”
Kassie smiled, but her mouth was full of toothpaste. She had a habit of squeezing out twice the amount her small mouth needed. Jemma waited patiently until Kassie washed her mouth out. “Good, Mommy. Today I get see Nutmeg. It’s been a long time. She might not remember me.”
“I’m sure she will, baby.” Jemma watched her daughter as she continued her morning routine. It seemed like Kassie has grown at least an inch in the last six months. “How about McDonald’s for breakfast?”
Kassie stared at her. “I thought I couldn’t have fast food for breakfast?”
“Normally, yes. But Mommy is still tired from the trip and there’s not enough time to cook anything. So today, we’ll have McDonald’s.”
“Okay,” Kassie said.
“Come downstairs when you’re finished dressing and we’ll get out of here.”
“Okay, Mommy.” Kassie went to her closet and picked out a school uniform to wear. “Are my riding clothes clean?”
“Yes, they are.” Jemma glanced at Kassie’s bedside clock. “See you downstairs.” She went back to her bedroom and quickly dressed for the day. As she brushed her teeth, she thought about all the things that needed to be done today: grocery shopping, going to the dry cleaners, mailing her first six chapters to her editor. No time for a nap, she reasoned.
She pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt, and headed downstairs. Soon Kassie came downstairs with her backpack. Her hair was pulled back in a really sloppy ponytail. Jemma knew she had to fix that before they left.
She went to her office and retrieved the hair kit. She returned to her daughter, repaired the damage Kassie did, and then they were off.
Once inside the SUV, they headed to McDonald’s. Her cell phone rang as she turned into the drive through. “Hello?”
“Hey, Jemma,” Kyle said. “I just wanted to say good morning to you guys as you start your day.”
“Hi, Mr. Kyle,” Kassie called from her position in the backseat.
“Hey, Kassie. I’ll see you this afternoon,” he said. “Have a good day at school.”
“Okay.”
“What are you doing today, Jemma?"
“Grocery shopping, and running errands.” Jemma wished she had some free time today, but she was booked solid.
He sighed. “Me too. Still playing catch up from being off last week. Got a huge hay delivery today. Guess I’ll see you guys this afternoon. Have a good day, sweetie.”
“You too.” Jemma’s heart swelled every time he used an endearment toward her. Why couldn’t she reciprocate?
“I will.” He ended the call.
Jemma pulled up to the microphone and announced her order. After she made sure that it was correct, she drove to the next window. She got their order and they were off to Kassie’s school.
“Mommy, come eat with me.”
“Are you sure, baby?”
“Yes, come have breakfast with me.” Kassie opened the door and got out of the SUV. She walked around to the driver’s side and waited for her mother to get out.
Jemma shook her head. Thank goodness, she’d dressed for the grocery store. It had been ages since she had breakfast with Kassie at school. Since returning from the cruise, Kassie had been more outgoing concerning school. Maybe she was ready for advance placement.
They went inside to the eating area, mother and daughter ate breakfast. Kassie glanced around the room and waved at her friends. Months ago, Kassie would have just set there in her little shell, not speaking just watching the world passed her by.
Jemma noticed Kassie’s teacher approaching their table. “Here comes, Mrs. Johnson,” Jemma told her daughter.
Kassie waved at her. “She’s always here in the morning.” She continued eating her egg biscuit. “Sometimes, she sits with the students.”
Jemma nodded as she drank her coffee. “Does she sit with you?”
“Sometimes. She hadn’t in a while. I sit with my friends, Ashley and Monica. We been friends since I came here.” She pointed across the room.
“Oh,” Jemma said. She’d worried about her baby for nothing. Kassie had made friends on her own terms and now that she was talking again, things couldn’t be better.
“Hello, Mrs. Patterson,” Mrs. Johnson said. “It’s so nice to see you eating breakfast with Kassie. The cruise sounded like fun,” she said.
“Oh yes, it was,” Jemma said. “The kids had way more energy than the adults.”
The teacher nodded. “I can imagine.” Mrs. Johnson rose from her seat. “It’s almost time to line up, Kassie.”
She nodded, finished her breakfast and kissed her mother. “Bye, Mommy.”
“Bye, Kassie,” she said. Jemma watched in awe. A few months ago, none of this would have been possible. Now her baby girl was spreading her wings. She had Kyle to thank for everything. She hated to think where her daughter would be if she hadn’t taken her sister’s advice about moving and the horse riding lessons.
Later, Jemma drove to the ranch for Kassie’s lesson. Even with all the detours she’d had that day, she was able to complete all her errands.
She turned into the ranch and parked. Kassie got out of the SUV, grabbed her bucket, and waited for her mother. “Mommy, come on. Nutmeg might not remember me.” She pulled Jemma in the direction of the stables.
“Okay, Kassie, calm down.” Jemma placed her hands on her daughter’s thin shoulders. “Honey, I know you’re excited to see Nutmeg, but you’ve got to calm down. Remember what Kyle said. She’ll be able to sense your moods, and it might make her jumpy.”
Kassie nodded and took a deep breath. “I’m calm.” She continued slowly breathed in and out until the overactive energy left her body.
“How did you learn that?” Jemma grabbed her hand and headed toward the stables.
“I went to yoga with Granny.” She ran ahead of Jemma to the stalls.
By the time Jemma made it inside the stalls, Kassie was petting Nutmeg on her head. “She needs water.” She unlocked the gate and led the horse to the water barrel.
“Looks like she started without me,” Kyle said, standing beside Jemma.
“Yes,” she said. “She’s been bouncing off the wall since she got home from school.”
He laughed, wrapping his arms around Jemma and kissing her on the cheek. “I thought she might be. Especially since we had started having lessons on Sundays as well.”
“I was hoping she’d still be tired from the trip, but she’s not. She’s raring to go on to the next thing.”
“They never stop,” he said. He grabbed her hand and led her down to the water barrel. Kassie ran to Kyle and hugged him. “Hi, Mr. Kyle. I think Nutmeg missed me. She looked happy to see me.”
He hugged her back. “I bet she was happy to see you, baby. Are you ready to start?”
“Yes, Mr. Kyle. Can Mommy come too?”
Kyle looked at her. “I hope she does.” He winked at her. Then he whispered in her ear, “Many, many times.”
Kyle shook his head. What was he thinking? Flirting with Jemma right in front of her daughter. But Jemma didn’t seemed bothered. In fact, she laughed. “I hope so,” she whispered back.
Kassie was oblivious to the word play of the adults. She led Nutmeg to the arena and walked ahead of Kyle and Jemma. “Kassie is so smart,” Kyle said.
Jemma smiled at him. “I know that. Why do you know that?”
He nodded in the child’s direction. “She’s walking ahead of us. Giving us our space.” He moved closer to Jemma. “Are you as exhausted as I am?”
She nodded. “Yes, my list of things to do just got a lot longer. I didn’t realize it was
so close to Christmas. Now I have to start shopping.”
“I know. Luckily, I do all my shopping online.” Kyle hated the thought of entering any shopping mall at this time of year. Talk about feeling boxed in.
“Speaking of shopping, I was wondering about Kassie’s competition clothes. What will she need?”
He wanted to tell her that he’d already taken care of it, but didn’t want to spoil the surprise. “Why don’t you wait till closer to the time? In my experience, kids change their minds about what they want to wear.”
She nodded. “You’re right. She’s been known to change her mind at the last minute. Any other suggestions?”
He had plenty, but none about what to get her daughter for Christmas. He kept his eye on Kassie as she entered the arena. “What did you get her last year?”
A tear escaped her eyes. “Last year is not a good example, she explained. Jared had been gone about six months. I think we all over compensated for the fact that she was suffering. Dolls, computer games, roller blades, anything a child could want, we paraded before her, but nothing would work. I want to make up for that. I want to give her something that she’d really really wants. This year, she’d come so far emotionally and mentally in the last few months. I want to reward her for that.”
He had to think fast. He wanted to ease Jemma’s pain, and had no idea how. Then he had it. “Why not get her a saddle? I know a horse is a big investment, but a saddle she could transfer to any horse. A saddle in her favorite color.”
“And where would I get such a thing?”
“I know a place,” he said, kissing her. “I have a friend who’s a saddle maker. He makes all the saddles for the ranch.”
“Would he make just one?”
“Sure, he would. As a favor to me,” he said. He was going to have to call in a marker. “I can give you his card.”
“Thank you, Kyle. Trust you to know a guy.” She wrapped an arm around him. “You’re my knight in shining armor.” They continued walking inside the arena.
Time for him to get to work. He walked to Kassie and Nutmeg. Kassie was attempting to put her foot in the stirrup, but she didn’t have a good grasp.
