Late Bloomer

by Barbara Lohr

  A giggle bubbled from her throat. “Nothing. You’re just so cute when you do that.”

  “Cute?” His horrified expression made her laugh more.

  “The breathing. Hey, you’re helping me. I appreciate that.” He’d probably be great at Lamaze. Where had that come from?

  “What’s up? You stopped breathing.” He was so darn watchful.

  “Nothing.” She went back to breathing. Lamaze? Really?

  The sign for Ten Thousand Waves came up and they took the turn. She felt a little nervous about his reaction. What if he didn’t like it? They pulled into a parking place, and Brody leapt from the SUV. Watching the pines quiver in the mountain breeze, she wondered if this was a terrible idea. Was she pushing things?

  When Brody opened the door and extended a hand, she took it and stepped out in her super cool boots.

  Bending, he peered into her eyes. “Hey, what’s up?” The man was too damned observant.

  “What if you don’t like this place?”

  “Don’t be silly. If you planned it, I’ll like it.” Folding his strong arms around her, Brody held her tight. She felt the beat of his heart. When he tilted her chin up, she smiled.

  “Come on now, Teach. We’ll have a good time.”

  “You can give them a grade for massage.”

  “Done. And you can grade me on what happens after the massage. I’m counting on this to be a major turnon.” His kiss soothed her.

  Brody Wolf felt like her life’s destination. She felt that soul-deep. Sliding her arms around his waist, she exhaled. Didn’t get much better. Everything felt so right. But she wanted him to feel that too.

  All the time she’d been teaching in Gull Harbor, had her former student grown into her soulmate? The one man who could make her feel alive? He might be a late bloomer, but he had matured. No more girls hanging around his locker. At least, she sure hoped so.

  Hand in hand, they took the stone path and registered. Up here, the air smelled so clean, so fresh with the tang of pine. Then they followed the walkway to their room, and Brody carried their overnight bags inside. Their massage appointment was at one thirty so they skipped lunch for now. Instead of eating, they decided to try out the two soaking tubs that faced the hillside, so private and perfect.

  “Kind of like the old outdoor hot tubs,” he said with a lazy smile.

  “But there aren’t any spouts or jets. Just deep water. They’re soaking tubs. Even my grandmother likes these.”

  “Well, Mama V is a happening chick. More older women should be like her.” Hands on hips, he studied the two tubs. “Wouldn’t one have been enough?”

  “You don’t like them?”

  “Sure. They fascinate me.”

  “Liar.” Although she was trying to connect with her inner vixen, Carolyn was having a hard time. Coming here with her grandmother was one thing. Bringing Brody was something else entirely.

  “Why don’t you use the bathroom to change, and I’ll just slip into the pool?” His blue eyes circled from the tubs to her and back again. Like he was measuring the distance. Where had the raucous troublemaker from high school learned this sensitivity? Vixen or not, she wasn’t comfortable parading out here in the nude or only in a towel. And he got that.

  “Thanks. I like that idea.”

  After they’d stowed their few things in the drawers, she slipped into the bathroom to change. No bathing suits today. Now a fluffy white robe teased her skin. Every pore of her body felt super sensitive. Checking herself in the mirror, she pinned her hair on top of her head. “Show time, Miss Knight.” And she smiled with appreciation at the woman she’d become this past week.

  When she stepped out onto the tile floor, she cinched the robe tighter. Brody was already lounging in his tub, his muscled back to her, arms resting on the porcelain edge.

  She tiptoed across the stone patio. “Don’t turn around.”

  “I’ll count to ten. One, two...”

  Tossing her robe on the bench, she plopped into the tub so fast, the water lapped over. When he rocked his head back, his lazy smile promised mischief. “Pretty great, right?”

  “More than great. And we get to soak for an hour before our massage.”

  “Right. Okay.” Twisting, he crossed his arms on the lip of the tub, resting his chin on them like a little boy. But the glint in his eyes was anything but boyish. “Unless we can find something else to do. These two tubs are ridiculous.”

  While she laughed, Brody climbed from the tub in a heartbeat. Dear lord. He was an eyeful. Head lowered like he was up to no good, he came closer. Droplets dotted the floor. Her breath caught in her throat.

  When he slid in behind her, water sloshed everywhere. His arms came around her. How she loved the slide of his skin on hers, the prickle of chest hair against her back. But when he began playing with her hair, she shook a warning finger. “Watch it. I don’t want to have to dry it before our massage.”

  “Okay, Teach.” He captured her finger and then claimed her lips. Clamped her closer until she could feel his need. Insane urges took control of her body and she went with the flow. Diana would approve. But this felt like so much more than the fling her friend had urged her to take.

  “What?” He gently pushed her hair from her eyes. “Something wrong, babe?”

  She shook her head, slowly tracing a wet heart on his chest. Probably annoying. Carolyn dropped her hand.

  But Brody shifted restlessly. “Don’t stop, Teach,” he groaned.

  This man could always make her smile. “You know how I feel about doodling.”

  “Right, but this isn’t class, and I’m not school property. You’re excused.”

  Yes, that was the Brody she knew…and loved.

  “Just wondering. Maybe we’re wasting time out here,” she whispered as the hearts got bigger. He flinched when she nicked him with a fingernail. “After all, we have tonight for the tub.”

  “I like the way you think.”

  When she turned to face him, his eyes narrowed. “Maybe just a...”

  “...quickie,” she supplied.

  “Yep, my thought exactly.” After helping her out of the tub, he grabbed a towel from the bench.

  “Let me dry you off.” That spark in his eyes? Who needed a towel? He could burn the whole place down with one look.

  “Your attention to detail is noteworthy,” she whispered while he worked his way down her body, blotting and buffing

  “Going to put that on my report card? ‘Has skill with hands. Recommend shop class.’ Maybe woodworking?” How he kept a straight face, she’d never know.

  “Those comments are so grade school, Brody. High school teachers have conversations face-to-face on Parent-Teacher Night.”

  “Yeah, I remember. I was grounded for a month. Thanks.”

  By that time, he was working on her legs. “Sorry.” Smiling, she tousled his hair.

  “No, you’re not.”

  Then she squeezed her eyes tight and grabbed his shoulders as he exhibited, well, even greater attention to detail.

  “Okay, if there were comments on my report card, what would you have written? ‘Brody needs to focus more?’ ”

  “I think you’ve got that covered, mister.”

  Moments later, he proved it.

  ~.~

  By the time the knock on the door came, they were both dried and wrapped in their robes. This Ten Thousand Waves idea had been great. Carolyn wasn’t a woman who waited for the man to make all the suggestions. Brody appreciated that.

  Hell, he appreciated everything about her. But there was an invisible shield around her. Oh, she’d deny it. But Brody felt it. The distance she sometimes put between them made him crazy.

  “Good afternoon, I’m Marcus, and this is Layla,” the man said. Marcus had serious muscles. “We are here for your stone massages.”

  “And I will take Layla,” Carolyn quickly said. Brody almost laughed. She wasn’t comfortable with a man massaging her body. Well, he didn’t like that th
ought either. She would always have that prim and proper side. But in private, he knew firsthand it was a completely different story.

  When the tables were set up, Brody and Carolyn stretched out on their stomachs, a towel covering their private parts. The tables were about a foot apart, wide enough so that Marcus and Layla could work and close enough that Brody could watch Carolyn. She shot him a shy smile. When he winked back, he enjoyed the telltale flush rolling over her features. When Layla began to lay the smooth back stones along her spine, Carolyn closed her eyes. Brody enjoyed watching her give herself up to the treatment.

  Meanwhile, Marcus got busy. To his surprise, Brody found the hot rocks strangely erotic. The warmth eased into his core. This was pretty great and he needed it. Although he’d told Carolyn work was fine, the past week hadn’t been easy, juggling his schedule.

  But the time with her had been totally worth it.

  This was it for him. Carolyn. Now and always. She was The One.

  He’d never felt this certainty before. Brody sure as hell hoped she felt it too.

  Thoroughly relaxed, they strolled into the restaurant later that evening. His legs felt like noodles. Once seated, he watched her study the menu. She had the habit of running one finger down the list, afraid she’d miss something. “What looks good to you?” she asked, looking so serious.

  Resting his chin on one hand, he smiled. “You. You look good to me.” She was a delight to watch.

  Her eyelashes fluttered. How he’d loved getting her all flustered in high school. “How about you, Brody? What are you going to order?”

  He dragged his eyes back to the Japanese listings. Raw fish was definitely not for him. “What is edamame?”

  “Beans. Think big peas.”

  Ugh. “Do you have an answer for everything?”

  She lifted those bluish green eyes. “Nope, I don’t.”

  Sometimes he could almost feel their thought transfer. Like now. They weren’t talking about food anymore. “That’s okay, Carolyn. We don’t have to have the answer to everything. Not right now.” That was all he could handle. Thinking of her leaving Sunday gave him heartburn.

  After she’d asked the waiter a million questions, they ordered. Then they talked about everything and nothing. That’s just how they rolled. Being with her was so easy.

  “How’s the steak?” she asked, after their meals arrived.

  “Don’t know yet. How do you work these chopsticks?”

  “Practice. Like everything else.” And she showed him. But his hands were too big and before long he traded the chopsticks for a fork. To his surprise, the meat was pretty tasty. “The steak’s great. Can’t pronounce it but I like it.”

  “Wagyu steak. It’s tricky.” Her nose wrinkled. She was wearing a greenish gauze blouse with holes in the shoulders showing just enough skin to pique his interest. And his interest didn’t want to be sitting in a chair right now.

  “How are your brussel sprouts?”

  “Oh, yum.” She speared one. What followed was the most sensual eating display he’d ever encountered. He nearly choked on his steak.

  After her second attempt to lick a chopstick, he’d had it. “Please stop. You’re making a scene.”

  “I’m just trying to be sexy.” How could she say that and look so innocent?

  “Okay. You’ve succeeded.” Running a hand over his face, he groaned. “You’re hopeless.”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Yeah. Right. He stared her down. “Yes, you do. Behave yourself.”

  Her face brightened. “Then my inner vixen’s working?”

  “Overtime. If you don’t stop, we’ll have to leave.”

  Ten minutes later, the waitress cleared the table and they ordered a different sake. He wasn’t that interested in the plum wine but he needed time to set things straight.

  “Carolyn, I don’t think you’re taking me seriously.” There, it was on the table.

  Her face drained of color. The muscle working in her delicate throat made him feel bad. But hell, he wanted this cleared up. “Look, here’s the thing. We laugh and joke and.”–– he glanced around–– “other things. But I love you, Carolyn.”

  Huge eyes stared at him from a face gone pale. “I love you too, Brody.” Thank God their table was secluded.

  The waitress approached with the sake. Sitting back, he waited until she left. The words still hung between them.

  Brody pressed on. “So what? What’s wrong between us? Sometimes I feel like you’re just not here. Like I’m in this alone.”

  “That’s my fault. It’s just that...” She was choking on tears. So, he did really matter to her. But something was definitely not right.

  “What? It’s just what?”

  A thin V appeared on her forehead. “For me this isn’t a sake tasting, Brody.” She waved a hand at the cups.

  What the hell was she talking about? “I don’t get it. Help me understand.” Sometimes he thought they spoke different languages. “Is this another damn metaphor?”

  When she nodded slowly, a single tear overflowed. “I guess.” Damn. The tear ran slowly down her cheek. She made no move to blot it with her napkin. He was too dumbstruck to do anything.

  “I’m not willing to be just another girl for two weeks.” She was pressing her hands into her chest as if her heart might jump out at any time. He could feel an indentation in his own muscles.

  “I’m not asking you to be just another girl, whatever that means. I’m asking you to give us a chance.”

  “Okay. All right.” Then her face opened like one of the lilies that bobbed from pots in this place. “Because I do love you, Brody. I love you so bad.”

  When she closed her eyes tight, another tear squeezed out.

  “Aw, Teach. You’re killing me.” He wanted to hold her. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Chapter 19

  Why did happy times fly by so fast? The rest of that week passed too quickly. Carolyn wanted to videotape it. Every second. Every kiss. Every word. When snow hit Michigan and the ice floes built up along the shore, she would have this week to remember. Where they were. What they did. Especially the times Brody told her that he loved her.

  The L word traveled back and forth like the continuous loop of a love song. But they didn’t talk about plans for the future. As much as she tried to just let things unfold between them, Carolyn was a planner.

  Brody even came for dinner one night. Mama V cooked her famous pot roast with carrots in her slow cooker. With visible adoration, she watched Brody inhale the food. When he offered to help clean up, her grandmother threw her one of those isn’t he adorable looks.

  While the days counted down, Carolyn filled every moment with memories. But as she sat at the bar in El Farol with Brody that final Saturday night, it still wasn’t enough. Musicians were setting up in the corner. Conversation flowed around her as she sipped a margarita. The two of them only paid attention to each other. God, how she loved him.

  “Penny for your thoughts.” He brushed her cheek with a finger.

  “Nothing.” She wouldn’t whine, wouldn’t beg.

  So she waited.

  Waited for “I’ll come to visit you every month.”

  Or “I’m going to call you every night to say goodnight.”

  Facing quiet nights in Gull Harbor with crickets for company, she felt herself falling into a black abyss. Oh, she’d jumped off the pier all right, but right now she was floundering in the black waters below. Carolyn grabbed the edge of the bar and hung on.

  “Sure you don’t want anything to eat?”

  She shook her head. “That would be a waste.”

  The band began a song that was bone-melting romantic. Leading her to the small dance floor, Brody took her in his arms as if he felt that way too. The lyrics sang about wanting someone’s touch and finally finding it. Never wanting to let it go. She knew just how that felt. But until now, she hadn’t known his name.

  “I love you, Brody,” she whi
spered, pressing her lips to his ear. “Love you so much it hurts.”

  “Oh, babe.” His arms tightened around her. She felt his lips in her hair. Then he placed her right hand over his heart. “Feel that?”

  She nodded. His heart throbbed under her fingers.

  “Only beats for you.”

  Was this bliss or what? Carolyn wouldn’t tell him the words were a cliché. For them, it was fresh and new. She tucked her head under his chin. How could she doubt his devotion? They’d work it out. This was real. She knew that in her bones.

  The song ended. Reluctantly, they pulled apart. Brody threw some bills on the bar. “Let’s get out of here.”

  But they never made it.

  As they wound through the Saturday night crush, a girl separated herself from the crowd. Maybe she’d been there all along, watching them. Later, Carolyn wondered.

  “Brody?” Gorgeous, she had long dark hair and a figure that turned every man’s head. But her eyes sparkled only when they hit Brody.

  “Hey, Justine.” Turning, he smiled. “You look nice tonight.”

  Taking in the two of them, Carolyn just knew. Scenes from her childhood flashed through her mind. Her father had done it again. Hurt her mother with a careless fling. The walls closed in on her.

  Familiarity thickened in the air. Gorgeous Girl stepped closer in her black stiletto boots. She ran red-tipped fingers up Brody’s chest and slid an arm around his neck. “How’ve you been? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”

  A fireball of horror exploded inside Carolyn. Brody’s expression shifted. His mouth opened and closed. Nothing.

  Turning toward Carolyn, the stranger laughed, her voice flowing like dark molasses. “Hi, I’m Justine. Brody’s last conquest. And you’re...?”

  “C-Carolyn.” Her name was a whisper.

  “My replacement, huh?” Pushing back her hair, she chuckled. “Woman of the week? Trust me, there’s always next week.”

  “Stop it right there, Justine.” Brody pushed away. Carolyn took off.

  Veering around the two of them, she stumbled toward the door. Tears blinding her, she crashed into a man. He grabbed her elbows. “Hey, little girl. Slow down.” Eyes bleary, he was having trouble standing. She slapped his hands away.