"Sooo sexy," he murmured.
"Oui, Monsieur."
He laughed then pulled her down for an ardent kiss. When his hands covered her breasts, she moaned into his mouth. Colin moved his hands down her smooth skin until they cupped her rear end. He squeezed it, then inched his fingers underneath until they touched her center. She squirmed.
"Oh, my God," she muttered.
He saw her eyes close, she stopped moving as he caressed her, stroking her favorite spot over and over. His touch turns me to mush. I'm his, stop fighting it. Leah arched her back, thrusting her breasts close to his mouth. He simply opened and closed on her peak making her cry out.
Suddenly, she changed position, dismounting slightly, closing her fingers around his erection. She mounted him again, guiding him toward her. He penetrated her but she stopped.
His hands tugged on her hips but she wagged her finger in his face.
"Uh, uh, uh! This is my dance. Sit back and enjoy the ride, sweetheart."
Straightening her beret, she moved down until he filled her completely, groaning along with him. Leah pulled up and down, her gaze glued to his. Colin squeezed her breasts gently as she moved ever so slowly.
"Can we speed this up?" He choked out.
She shook her head.
"Torture?"
She shot him a wicked smile.
Colin transferred his hands to her hips, closing his fingers on her waist, attempting to speed her up.
"God, Leah, please!"
Her eyes closed as she rode him, bracing herself with her hands on his chest.
"More," he squeaked out.
She bent down to take his mouth. Her hands moved to the bed on either side of his head and she picked up the pace. Faster and faster she moved on him.
He groaned as his hands rode up and down with her hips. His gaze focused on her breasts bouncing with her rhythm. Suddenly she cried out his name and threw her head back. Her nipples tightened, her face flushed and the beret went flying. Colin slid his hands up her chest then lost control. He pulled her down on him hard, twice, his eyes closed, sweat beaded on his forehead. Leah collapsed on his chest, breathing hard.
He secured her in his arms and flipped them sideways so they were face to face. His gaze studied her then his lips brushed hers.
"You're mine, honey," he whispered.
And you're mine.
Easing out of her, he pulled up the covers, tucked her into his shoulder and closed his eyes. The lovers dozed for two hours, wrapped in each other's arms.
****
By three o'clock, the next day, Colin and Leah were stretched out on the sofa in the living room, exhausted.
"French food for lunch, French chocolates even French toast for breakfast…"
"Everything French today," Leah said.
"Only one more thing left…"
"What?"
"This," he said, leaning into a passionate kiss.
When they broke, she chuckled. "Of course! The French kiss!"
Colin stood up and stretched. "Do we need to change for dinner at Grey's?"
"I think it's pretty casual. This will be some bizarre dinner."
"Why?"
"Carrie's parents and Aunt Delia will be coming face-to-face for the first time in years. The fur is sure to fly."
Colin's brow furrowed. "I have something to discuss with my brother, too."
Leah cocked an eyebrow at him.
"Probably nothing." He shrugged.
"I get first dibs on the shower."
"Want company?" He shot her a wicked grin.
****
Uptown Saturday, late afternoon, Carrie chewed a fingernail as she perused her list.
"Groceries bought, check. Bathroom cleaned, check. Living room vacuumed, check. Linens ironed…nope!"
Stuffing the list in her apron pocket, she pulled out the iron and plugged it in. Grey appeared wearing a running suit and a headband to keep the hair out of his eyes.
"Doing my two miles, honey. Anything you need?"
"Yeah, to have my head examined. Why…why did I think bringing Delia and my parents together over dinner tonight would be a good idea?"
"Because you have the best of intentions and want everyone to be friends. Unfortunately, they don't agree." He brushed his lips over hers.
"Yeah, I'm such a damned optimist!"
Grey was out the door before the iron got hot. Carrie consulted her list again, put on another pot of coffee and set up the ironing board.
By six thirty, everything was set. Her silk screened table cloth with matching napkins hung perfectly. Sterling silver flatware gleamed in the soft glow of many candles. The crystal twinkled. The stage was set. Carrie flounced down the stairs wearing chocolate brown silk hostess pants and a beige short-sleeved cashmere sweater. The scent of the pot roast simmering in the oven mixed with the spicy aroma of gingerbread she'd made earlier in the day, creating a tantalizing mixture.
Grey came down the stairs donning his navy blue wool sport jacket and sniffing the air.
"Yum, something smells fantastic!"
Carrie joined him, lacing her hand with his.
"Mom's pot roast recipe…Aunt Delia's gingerbread cake recipe."
"Very politic of you, mixing recipes from both ladies. I'm marrying the smartest woman in New York."
He leaned down for a quick kiss.
"Hmm, you smell good, too."
"Lady Jeanne's new fragrance, Rendezvous."
"Honey, I'm ready to rendezvous with you, anytime any place."
Carrie fell into his embrace. He closed his arms around her, holding her tight.
"Don't worry. Everything will be all right," he whispered.
"You don't know these women. They don't back down."
"But you hold the trump hand, honey. It's your wedding."
"Las Vegas is beginning to look better and better to me every day."
He chuckled. "Just say the word, babe."
"I'm not ready for a white flag, yet. I want to have a nice, simple wedding with only the people we love."
"Then that's what you're going to have." He stroked her hair, preparing to plant another kiss when the doorbell rang.
"And so it begins…" Carrie muttered as she disengaged from his arms.
She opened the door and greeted Delia Tucker. After a kiss on the cheek, she took Delia's coat and handed it to Grey.
"I swear, Grey Andrews, you're still the handsomest man in the City."
He blushed. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Delia."
"I keep looking when I'm walking about this town but I haven't found one better looking than you."
"When you do, please don't tell Carrie."
Delia laughed. He hung her fur coat up, closed the closet door and joined the women.
"She wouldn't care. She's so stuck on you, Adonis could walk through this room and she'd see only you."
Grey smiled at her.
"What do you want to drink?"
"Got any of that marvelous Cabernet left?"
"Grey buys it by the case now."
"I'd love a glass. Got the fire going…perfect day for it. April, huh? Feels more like January."
The air had chilled with the setting of the sun. A stiff wind had driven the wind chill factor down to make it feel like twenty-five degrees outside. Delia stood by the fire and warmed her hands.
"So you really did it, huh?"
She looked directly at Carrie.
"What?"
"Invited your parents here tonight, too?"
"Plus Colin and Leah."
"Should be quite a show. I haven't seen Janice and Harv since Jack's funeral."
"Jack?" Grey asked, handing her a glass of red wine.
"Jackson Tucker, my late husband. He was Harv's brother."
Grey handed Carrie the other glass of Cab he was holding then retrieved one for himself.
"Let's toast to a peaceful evening," Grey said, raising his glass.
Carrie chewed on her lip but
raised her glass, clinking it with the others.
"Have you always been an optimist?" Delia asked Grey.
The doorbell relieved him from answering the question. When Carrie opened the door she was relieved to see Colin and Leah. But it wasn't five minutes later that Janice and Harvey were at the door. Grey ran back and forth, taking coats and hanging them up. Everyone clustered around the fireplace while Grey took down more wine glasses and opened another bottle of Cabernet.
****
"Can I help?" Colin said, standing close to his brother.
"Sure. Hold the glasses."
While Grey poured the wine, Colin spoke to him in a low voice.
"What are you doing?"
"What? Pouring wine, what does it look like?"
"No, in Pine Grove…visiting Giselle Davenport?"
Grey's hand jerked, spilling wine on the counter. He swore then wiped it up with a paper towel.
"I repeat, what are you doing? You have the best lady on Earth."
"I can't explain now. You have to trust me."
"Trust you? I know you, Grey. Don't forget that."
"Then have faith."
"Faith in infidelity?"
"Shut up, here comes Janice."
"What are you two buzzing about over here?" Her sharp blue eyes examined the men before she reached for a glass of wine.
"Guy talk…basketball scores…baseball picks. You'd be bored, Janice."
"I doubt that," she said, her eyes boring into Grey's.
"Have you met my brother, Colin? This is Janice, Carrie's mother."
Grey left Janice grilling Colin while he carried two wine glasses to the guests waiting by the fire. His palms were sweating and his stomach began to churn. Keep your mouth shut, Colin. Crap. How am I going to get through tonight?
Colin and Janice joined the rest. Grey stuffed a piece of cheese in his mouth. Gotta eat something. If I get drunk…oh God, there'll be no holding me back. He picked up a stuffed mushroom and wolfed it down. Leah and Colin were making polite conversation with Janice and Delia. Harv stood by himself, sampling the hors d'oeuvres. Carrie sidled up to Grey.
"No blood has been drawn yet," she whispered.
He slipped an arm around her waist. They stood apart watching the polite cocktail party conversation. Carrie left him to make the last minute preparations for dinner. Grey took a gulp of his wine and moseyed over to Delia.
"Who you bringing to the wedding, Delia?"
"Don't know. Haven't met him yet."
Grey burst out laughing. He kissed her on the cheek and she shot him a mischievous grin. "You're one of a kind, lady."
Janice cast a jaundiced eye at the pair. She looked about to speak when Carrie clapped her hands.
"Dinner is served!"
The hungry crowd milled around until Carrie made another announcement.
"There are place cards. Find where you're sitting."
Grey chuckled to himself. Good girl. Don't let them choose their seats or you'll have a cat fight on your hands. Carrie, always thinking.
Delia had Leah and Harvey between her and Janice. On the other side, Colin sat next to Janice then Carrie then Grey. He helped Carrie place the food on the table. Harvey was the first to dig in and everyone followed suit.
"Delicious, my recipe, right?" Janice said, taking a bite of the meat.
"Right, mom."
"You're a great cook, Janice. Of course you don't know crap about fabrics or colors…but you're an expert with food."
"Don't kid yourself, Delia. I know plenty about fabric and colors. Enough to know that the supporting cast at the wedding should wear yellow. Make Carrie look good."
"In case you haven't noticed, Carrie doesn't need any help looking good. She's gorgeous. She could wear a burlap sack and still be the prettiest one in the room. And I'm not wearing yellow," Delia chimed in.
"You don't have to be in the wedding, either, Delia. I mean if the bride chooses yellow…I mean, it's her choice…"
"Right mom. And I'm not choosing yellow. Not fond of yellow. It's a hard color to wear. And I wouldn't do anything to keep Delia out of the wedding party."
Janice made a face but kept eating. "The carrots are overcooked."
Carrie sighed.
"What color did you have in mind for the bridesmaids?" Leah asked, cutting a piece of potato with her fork.
"Raspberry or turquoise. Those are universal colors. They look good on everybody, right, kid?" Delia piped up.
Carrie nodded, chewing her meat slowly.
"You should let her decide, Delia. After all, it is her wedding. You've had one and from what I've heard…have a number of men lined up for number two."
Delia dropped her fork and knife with a clatter. Grey winced at the loud noise.
"I don't know what people have been telling you, but I'm not about to get married. No man can equal Jackson Tucker – present company excluded, of course."
"My brother was an amazing man," Harv put in.
"Not that I couldn't have my choice of a second husband. Believe me, there are plenty of men interested…"
"I'm sure they've been busy sampling the goods first," Janice said.
"Can I help it if I'm a desirable woman? You make that sound like a bad thing, Janice. How's your sex life, anyway? Probably a bit dried up, I'd imagine."
Several people at the table gasped. Colin put his head down, focusing on his food. Leah blushed while Carrie paled.
"Mom, Delia, please."
"Tell us all about it, Delia. Any pointers? I'm sure the younger people at the table would benefit from your…your…expertise."
"Are you asking, Janice? Because if you are, I'd be happy to give you some advice, privately. I know how to please a man. Do you?"
"Delia!" Carrie gasped.
"And so do you, Carrie. Obviously or you wouldn't be about to marry this fabulous sexy man sitting here," Delia added.
Grey could feel the color start up his neck. Delia, are you drunk?
"How about those Knicks?" Colin asked.
"My husband is perfectly satisfied, aren't you, Harv?" Janice stuck her chin out.
Harvey turned bright red but kept eating.
"I prefer the Nets actually, Colin," Harvey said, training his gaze on his food.
"Maybe Harv would rather not talk…maybe he's getting his satisfaction…elsewhere," Delia commented.
"Delia!" Carrie stood up.
"Down girl, I'm just teasing my brother-in-law. No harm, no foul, right, Harv?"
Delia waved her hand at Carrie.
Can't tell if she's gonna faint or slug Delia.
Janice turned pale, she blinked back tears. Everyone at the table silently finished their food. Carrie put her arm around her mother's shoulders.
"Dessert…"
"I think I've had enough. I'm full," Janice said, rising.
"But Janice, gingerbread cake…"
"I'm sure Carrie will wrap a piece to go, won't you, dear?"
Carrie nodded. Harvey took his plate to the kitchen where Carrie was wrapping his cake.
"And one for mom, too. I'm so sorry, Dad."
He patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Bunny. Your mom started it. She should know by now that Delia always wins. Sorry we ruined your party."
Grey took their coats out of the coat closet and met them at the door. They left quietly. No one at the table spoke. Grey offered more wine and everyone had a refill. After a generous sip, Delia spoke up.
"I'm sorry Carrie…everyone. I went too far. I didn't mean to disrupt the party, but Janice gets under my skin. I hope I didn't embarrass anyone too badly. Oh, Grey! I'm so very sorry. You turned a brilliant shade of raspberry."
That made everyone laugh.
"Grey's reputation precedes him," Colin said.
Grey shot his brother a look. Shut up or you'll be eating baby food for a month.
"It's over. I hope you'll all enjoy the gingerbread cake. It's Delia's recipe," Carrie said.
Delia took a h
ard look at Colin, then at Leah.
"Haven't seen her so happy in ages. Hmm, I think maybe Colin has some of the same…uh…talents his brother has."
Colin blushed while everyone cracked up.
"More wine?" Grey asked, brandishing a large bottle of Cabernet.
Chapter Fourteen
Saturday night, last night of Spring Break, New York City
Colin toweled his hair, standing naked in the bathroom of the luxury apartment owned by Leah's friend. The bathroom was toasty, the mirrors well fogged by the long shower shared by the lovers. Leah sat on the edge of the tub, wringing her hair out.
He rubbed a bit of the mirror and examined his face in the small spot. "Do I need a shave?"
"This cocktail party is important. Perhaps you should. I like you scruffy but maybe the folks at Kensington State won't."
She ambled over and ran her hand along his cheek. "Hmm."
"You liked it a few minutes ago…when it was rubbing up against you."
Leah blushed.
She's even prettier when she blushes.
"Yeah. But this is your life, your career, your dream."
"Some dream. Turned down flat."
"What exactly did the dean say?"
"He said they offered the job to someone else."
"Maybe that person won't be any good and they'll hire you next semester when they throw this guy out for…for," she stopped to think, tapping her chin, "for sleeping with students."
He laughed. "I'd never do that!"
"Especially not the wrestling team!" Leah wound a towel around her chest.
"Hey, you're spoiling the view." He tugged on the towel.
"We have to get ready." Leah scooted out of his reach.
"Why are we going to this thing anyway?" He called out.
Leah returned wearing matching white lace panties and bra. "Because it's important for your career. Don't burn any bridges, Colin. You never know."
"Oh yeah? I know one thing. I didn't get the job."
"And that means you can come with me to Paris! Not a bad trade-off."
He grabbed her middle, pulling her in for a hug.
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