Once in their room with the door closed, Grey took her in his arms. Carrie rested her head on his shoulder.
"Could we have a cuddle night tonight?"
"Not up for hot sex?" He teased.
"I have a lot on my mind."
Grey sat down on the bed, pulling her into his lap. He kissed her hair and stroked her back. "Want to talk about it?"
"It's nothing…yet. Just a feeling I have…"
"What kind of feeling?"
"That things are going to be…difficult, unpleasant."
"How so?"
"My parents. They always make things hard for me. My mother doesn't get along with Delia…and the wedding plans have started…already she's objected to me…"
"Wait!" He put his hand up.
Carrie sat up.
"Nothing would make me happier than to watch you stroll down the aisle in a gorgeous white dress, but if this wedding business is going to make you unhappy, we can elope to Las Vegas."
"But this is your first…"
"All I care about is marrying you. The rest is icing on the cake. I can easily do without it. As long as we're hitched, I'm happy. Don't make yourself crazy. Say the word and we're on a plane."
Carrie smiled at him. "You're the best. I love you so much."
He grinned. "Love you, too, honey."
Carrie stood up to stretch. Feeling Grey's eyes on her body, she slowly eased her sweater up over her rib cage, humming the beginning of the song "The Stripper". Glancing at him over her shoulder, she noticed his eyes grow wide.
"If only this house had a carriage house…some place we could be really alone."
"So when I make you scream with passion, no one hears us?" He snickered.
"Right."
"We've only mastered quiet loving once, right?"
"Let's practice now," she said, unfastening her bra, letting it fall to the floor.
Chapter Ten
The weak February sun melted the thin coating of ice on the trees on the Palisades Parkway as Grey's Jaguar cut through the smattering of cars returning to New York City. Carrie held the cell phone to her ear, making faces as she spoke with her mother.
"We're on the way, Mom. What? As fast as we can." She turned her wrist to glance at her watch.
"How about coming to dinner tonight? Good. You have the address? See you at six."
"Dinner with Janice and Harvey Tucker, eh? What do you plan to make, arsenic stew?"
"Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. Oh…don't forget our guest room is still under construction."
"You finished that weeks ago."
"I know."
"Colin has been staying there."
"I know. But if I told my mother it was ready, they'd be camping out there for the next three months."
"Oh, my God. No way."
"Yes, way. They would."
"I need my privacy with you."
"Okay…how about a rule on how long guests can stay?"
"How does fifteen minutes sound?" He grinned at her.
She laughed.
"Seriously. How about five days?"
"Too long."
"Three days?"
"Still too long."
"Grey!"
"Okay, okay. Five days and not one minute, not one second more. Can I help it if I want to be able to chase you around the house naked?"
"Who's naked, me?"
"Sure…and me. More fun that way."
"Get this out of your system now because when my parents arrive…"
"I'll be as straight laced as a banker with no balls."
Carrie burst out laughing. He grinned as he maneuvered the car deftly around the curves.
****
Beef stew was simmering on the stove when Grey popped the cork in a large bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon. Wearing a frown with her long teal velour dress, Carrie ran down the stairs, while inserting an earring in her ear lobe.
"You look gorgeous," he said, bending down to kiss her. "Smell great, too."
Before she could reply, the doorbell rang.
Carrie gave herself a shake before answering the door, after a deep breath, she turned the knob.
A slim, woman in navy wool pants and a fur jacket stepped into the house, immediately grabbing Carrie for a huge hug. Janice's Tucker's silvery blonde hair was cut fashionably short, and her makeup was perfect. She was followed by a tall, stouter man wearing gray slacks, a sheepskin coat and a big grin.
Carrie introduced Grey. He kissed Janice's hand and shook Harvey's. Carrie seated them by the blazing fire while Grey poured the wine.
"Nice place here. This all yours?" Harvey asked.
"I bought it a while ago. Carrie's been fixing it up."
Catching the panicked look in her eyes, he caught himself then continued.
"It's slow going…hard to find a reliable contractor. She's finished the first floor but upstairs is still under construction."
"Must cost you a pretty penny to run this place," Harvey continued.
"I can afford it." Grey wandered over to the back window, accompanied by Harvey.
Janice wasn't shy about looking Grey up and down, then casting her gaze around. She smiled at her daughter.
"It's beautiful…very tasteful, Carrie. Good job, dear…and he's a hunk."
"Mom!" Carrie could feel the blood rush to her cheeks.
Fortunately Grey hadn't heard because he was engrossed in conversation with Harvey.
When Janice stopped speaking, the men's voices carried to the fireplace where the women were seated.
"Nonprofit, eh? How can you make money if it's a 'nonprofit' – pun intended!"
Grey chuckled but shot a look at Carrie. She shrugged.
"We manage. I have good investments, and I own several townhouses like this one that I rent out. You don't have to worry, Harvey. Carrie will be well provided for, always. She'll never want for anything."
"Glad to hear that. Good to know my little girl's gonna have it easy. She's worked pretty hard in her life." Harvey rejoined the women by the fire and took a sip of his wine.
"We're no strangers to hard work, Grey," Janice put in. "Harvey and I worked seven days a week and always on holidays when Carrie was growing up. I know it was hard on her. But the money we made went to pay for her college education and a comfortable apartment here."
"She's often spoken with pride about how hard you worked. Think she's modeled herself after you," Grey said. "She works hard now. Harder than I do."
Carrie could tell by the expression on her mother's face, she was looking for something to criticize Grey about but he was being his most charming self. Janice was left without ammunition. Carrie blew out a breath as a smile crept across her face. He's an amazing man.
When the stew was served, made with her parent's recipe, they showed proper appreciation.
"How are the plans for the wedding coming?" Janice asked.
"Fine. We're having it at Delia's house. She's taking care of most of the planning. I'm on deadline with a new book…so I've left things to her."
"You can't do that! Delia's not even a real Tucker now that she's a widow. Besides, she'll have pigs in blankets and other low class food if you don't take control. Good thing I'm here."
"Janice was the creative one…the foodie. I handled the business aspects of our catering company. I always left food decisions up to her, she's uncanny!" Harvey said, stabbing a carrot with his fork.
"What about a dress?" Janice asked before putting a piece of beef in her mouth.
"Delia and I found one At Bonnie's Bridal—"
"That awful place! Only second rate stuff there. You need to go to Luigi's Bridal shop. He has the best gowns, hand-beaded in Italy—"
"I don't want a beaded gown, Mom. We talked about it."
"You talked about it with Delia, but I'm your mother. I should be having a hand in this."
A blanket of silence fell on the four at the table. The only sound was the clinking and scraping of knives and forks.
"At least could you come to Luigi's with me and look. Dad and I will pay for it."
"It's not a question of money…"
"Humor your mother, Carrie. This is the only wedding she'll get to plan. After your elopement to that loser."
Carrie threw down her napkin and pushed away from the table. Tears clouded her eyes, her mouth set in a grim line as she stood up, marched upstairs and slammed the bedroom door.
Her parents sat with their mouths open.
"What did we say?" Janice asked.
Grey flashed his palm and followed his fiancée upstairs. He knocked softly on the door.
"Go away," came the tearful reply.
"It's me, honey," Grey said, turning the knob slowly.
He walked in to find her sitting on the bed, crying. He took her in his arms and let her sob against his chest. Within a few seconds she pushed away to reach for a tissue.
"They always do this. Dad has never let me forget about my first marriage and Mom wants to voice her opinion even when I don't want it. And she's never here when I might need her to help…nothing I do is good enough…"
Grey stroked her back then her hair. She nestled her head into his shoulder.
"You need to tell them, not me, honey. In a nice way…"
She nodded, wiping her face and blowing her nose. He took her hand and led her downstairs.
"I'm sorry if I upset you, Carrie," Janice said, squeezing her daughter's hand.
"Me, too. I'm always putting my foot in it. That's what your mother says, anyway."
"Can we not talk about wedding plans now? It's our first night together in a long time."
"Did you buy the dress already?"
Carrie nodded casting her gaze down to her plate.
"Well then that's settled. Score one for Delia, zero for Janice."
Carrie snapped her head up. "It's not a competition, Mom. Delia is here. You're not. It's that simple."
"Couldn't you have waited for me?"
"Not and get it altered and ready in time. We bought it three weeks ago."
"Oh. What about the food. You know I'm an expert."
"Can we talk about this after dinner? Like, maybe tomorrow?"
"Sure, sure, baby." Janice patted Carrie's hand.
"This one looks like a winner to me," Harvey said, beaming at Grey.
The blood rushed out of Carrie's face.
"Dad…"
Grey laughed. "Thanks, Harvey. Nice to have your blessing."
"Call me Harv. All my friends do." Harvey slapped Grey on the back.
Carrie covered her face with her hands for a moment, hoping this was a bad dream.
"Okay, Harv. Since we're friends now, do me a favor…"
"Sure…anything, Grey. Name it."
"Please stop bringing up my fiancée's past marriage, including the man she was married to."
"Oh." Harvey's face turned red. "Sure, sure, sorry about that, Bunny. Won't do it again."
"Bunny?" Grey's eyes got wide.
"That's my little nickname for her. Cute as a bunny she was when she was little."
Grey couldn't hold in a guffaw, though he did cover his mouth. Carrie glared at him.
"Don't egg him on, Grey. He doesn't need any encouragement."
"I don't see anything wrong with that nickname," Harvey sat up straighter.
"We're taking a cruise in March," Janice said, putting down her fork.
"What?"
"You're mother's convinced me to go through Italy by boat…then Spain and Greece. We'll be gone a month."
"A month? And you want to help with the wedding?"
"We have two weeks until we leave. Then we're back in May. Plenty of time to help you make the important decisions."
"You think so?"
"I do. What color are the bridesmaid's wearing?" Janice picked up her plate plus Harvey's and carried them to the kitchen.
"You servin' dessert, Bunny?"
"Dad, I think you'd better stop calling me that."
Carrie eyed Grey, who smirked behind his hand, unable to contain his laughter.
"I've been callin' you that all your life. Not stopping now," Harvey said, getting out of his chair.
"Oohh, look at what I found! Apple cake. Is this my recipe?" Janice turned to look at Carrie.
"Sure is." Carrie joined her mother.
"Why don't we sit by the fire, Harv? Would you like a brandy?"
"Why not? What have you got?" Harvey joined Grey at the bar.
"How about some Courvoisier? I've got the VSOP."
"Brandy sounds good."
Grey placed the bottle plus four glasses on a tray then carried them to the fireplace.
While Grey poured the brandy, Carrie and Janice cut up the cake and put it on plates.
"I know I wasn't around much when you were growing up. Delia took you under her wing when you were twelve. But I'm still your mother and I love you. I only want the best for you, Carrie. The best wedding…the finest food…"
"I know, Mom. It's a bit of an…adjustment, having you around to help with decisions. But I already have the best…the finest man, so the rest doesn't matter that much."
"He does seem to be a fine man, but what do you really know about him?"
"Plenty. He's amazing and he loves me. You have no idea how happy he makes me."
"We'll see. On the surface he looks pretty good, but time will tell."
Carrie turned her mother to face her and dropped her sweet façade.
"If you screw this up, Mom, I'll never forgive you."
"Those are harsh words for someone who only has your best interest at heart, Carrie."
"Grey has my best interests at heart, Mom. I meant what I said. Stay out of my relationship and away from Grey."
"I wouldn't dream of interfering. Simply looking out for my daughter."
Janice patted her daughter on the shoulder, picked up two plates with cake and walked over to join the men. With narrowed eyes, Carrie watched her mother walk away. This can't be good. She sighed, picked up the remaining two plates and joined the others at the fire.
****
Saturday Night, February, Pine Grove
"You expected something wild on a Saturday night in Pine Grove?" Colin chuckled as he toweled himself off.
Leah had to roll up the sleeves on his bathrobe before she rubbed her thick hair dry.
"I didn't expect to be meeting your parents. Geez. This sounds serious."
"Naw. A casual dinner at their house…no big deal."
"Seems like a big deal to me. I don't know what to wear."
"You'll look great in anything…or nothing." He snickered, snaking an arm around her waist.
"Can't believe you're still horny after last night, then this morning." Leah pulled out two tops and held them up to the mirror.
"Can I help it if I can't get enough of you?" Colin watched her while he slipped on his boxers.
"This one is too low cut," she said, putting it back in her suitcase.
"Damn! I was hoping for that one. Love to look at these across the table."
He cupped her breasts from behind. Leah eased her head back, baring her throat to him. Her skin tingled as his lips kissed up and down her neck. His fresh scent intoxicated her. She drew a deep breath. I love the way he smells.
"Before you…we get carried away. Let's get dressed and get this dinner over with."
"Over with? It'll be fine. You'll like my parents, you'll see."
But will they like me?
He let her go while he retrieved his clothes and flipped on the radio. "Bad Romance" came on. Leah danced as she dressed. Colin watched her in the mirror. Feeling his stare, she became self-conscious and stopped.
"Why'd you stop?"
"Because you're staring at me."
"I like to watch you dress, watch you move." He stepped closer to her, bending his head to capture her lips with his in a sensuous kiss.
Pleasure brought color to her cheeks. She smiled shyly at him. Col
in buttoned up his brown and gold plaid flannel shirt then stepped into his pants.
"Casual?"
He nodded. Leah pulled out a pair of dark blue narrow-wale corduroy pants and a white cashmere sweater, simple and elegant. When they were both dressed, she finished drying her hair with the hair dryer. Colin held her fur coat for her then threw on a down jacket before they headed for the car.
He pulled his four-wheel-drive SUV into the driveway of the big Victorian house which started a cacophony of barking from inside. By the time they started up the walk, they were assaulted by the two Andrews' family pugs, jumping up to plant wet kisses on unsuspecting faces. Leah laughed as the male leapt up to lick her face. Colin tried to pull him down but the persistent pug made another attempt and connected.
"I'm sorry. I forgot to warn you about the dogs. That's Buster and this one is Daisy."
"They're adorable!" Leah laughed as she wiped her cheek with her hand. The dogs ran to the front door then back to Colin and Leah. When front door opened, Leah caught her first glimpse of Colin's parents. Mary, an attractive brunette, wearing an apron had her arms wrapped around her torso. John, tall with thick silver hair, wore a dark plaid flannel shirt held an unlit pipe in one hand and the doorknob in the other.
Mary engulfed her son in a quick hug while her husband motioned them inside. Colin took Leah's hand and led her into the warm entryway. After introductions were made, John took coats then ushered the lovers to the blazing fire.
"What's your poison?" John asked. "I've got the hard stuff, red wine, white wine…"
"A glass of red wine would be great."
Mary took off her apron, folded it then laid it on the arm of the sofa while she sat down. She picked up her glass of white wine and took a sip as her eyes examined Leah. John handed out drinks then sat down.
"So tell me, Leah, what do you do?" John asked, sitting back against the sofa.
"I'm a clothing designer."
"Who do you work for?"
"I'm going to be working for Lady Jeanne."
"Never heard of her. You, Mary?"
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