Mrs. Tuttle ignored her. After looking up the number in the directory, she called the Casper airport. “What flights do you have for Chicago this evening?” There was a moment’s pause, then she said briskly, “Please check the six-forty-five and see if you have a reservation for Melissa Bright. My husband said he’d made me a reservation, but he forgot to tell me the flight number.”
Melissa stared wide-eyed. She’d never seen Mrs. Tuttle take charge like this.
Natalie spoke softly. “Aunt Cathy believes you and Russ are perfect for each other. She could scarcely talk of anything else.”
“But—we’re not—”
Mrs. Tuttle hung up the phone. “You’re on the six-forty-five flight. We’ll leave for the airport at five, so be packed and ready.”
Melissa stared at the other two women, her blood already racing at the thought of seeing Russ again.
“I shouldn’t leave my baby,” she began, but Mrs. Tuttle would have none of that.
“Pooh! Every couple needs time alone. We’re going to take good care of your baby.”
“But we’re not really a couple, Mrs. Tuttle,” Melissa protested, even as her heart urged her to go.
“Not yet, but you will be. How else are you going to make those babies?”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
MRS. TUTTLE AND NATALIE took her to the airport that afternoon. She’d told them not to get out, as Russ had done, and had gone to the airport counter alone.
“I have a reservation on the six-forty-five flight to Chicago,” she told the ground attendant, laying a credit card down to pay for the ticket.
“Your name?”
After giving her name, she waited, tense, as the woman checked her flight list. “Oh, yes, Ms. Bright. You’re in first class, seat four.”
“First class? There must be a mistake. I want tourist class.”
“Well, if you insist, but we’ll have to give you a refund, and it will all be rather complicated.”
“But I haven’t paid for it yet.”
“Your ticket was paid in Chicago. By a Mr. Hall.”
Melissa chewed on her bottom lip. Finally, she nodded. “Okay.”
“So you want to move to tourist class?”
“No. I’ll take first class.”
The lady smiled at her. “Good.” She printed up the ticket and handed it to her. “Have a nice flight.”
Melissa entered the gate area, wondering if she’d made a mistake. She wanted to see Russ so badly. Mandy would be safe. She could enjoy her weekend. But was she setting herself up for more heartache?
All the way to Chicago, she questioned her decision. Several times she thought she should get back on a return flight as soon as this one landed.
The argument raged on and on, giving her a headache. It was the strength of her desire to see him that bothered her the most. It was stronger than a dying man’s thirst for water. Two weeks without him and she was falling apart.
The debate ended as soon as she emerged from the tunnel and saw him standing head and shoulders above the crowd. Then need took over and she flew into his waiting arms.
He kissed her with an intensity that left both of them breathless. Then he kissed her with a gentleness that filled her heart.
With one arm wrapped around her, he took her carry-on bag in his other and started toward the baggage claim.
“I don’t have any other luggage,” she said.
“All the better,” he muttered, pulling her tighter against his big frame.
Melissa scarcely had eyes for the crowds at the airport, the bustling streets and soaring skyscrapers. All she could do was stare at Russ.
He held her hand the entire drive. When they stopped at red lights, he kissed her long after the lights changed, until cars honked in protest. But they didn’t speak.
After leaving his car in a nearby parking garage, he led her to the lobby of his apartment building. Alone in the elevator, he pulled her into his embrace and kissed her until the door slid open ten floors up.
Then, with the turn of a key, they were in his apartment, alone, separated from the world.
“Are you hungry? Do you need food?” Russ asked. “I made you a reservation at the hotel across the street.”
She was astounded. It hadn’t occurred to her that she wouldn’t be staying with him, probably because he’d stayed with her. Of course, a hotel room. That was the sensible thing.
She shook her head no.
“No food?” he repeated, his gaze never leaving hers.
She shook her head again.
Without a word, they moved toward each other at the same time. Once again in his arms, Melissa found it impossible to think about anything else but Russ.
He finally pulled back, staring at her. “Melissa, we have to stop now—or I won’t be able to. I want you too badly,” he whispered.
Melissa’s initial response was to beg him not to stop. She wanted him. The intensity of her desire stunned her.
She’d thought she would always be true to Greg. But with a flash of comprehension, she realized she was a different woman now. Older, more mature, more experienced. Her capacity for love was greater now. She would always cherish Greg’s memory. After all, he’d given her Mandy.
But she could still love. And the recipient of that love, Russ, was standing right before her.
“I want you, too,” she murmured, drawing his mouth down to hers.
He didn’t wait for a second request. Sweeping her into his arms, he hurried through his apartment to his bedroom.
Melissa didn’t notice the decor. Her world began and ended in Russ’s embrace. He placed her on the bed and lay down beside her, kissing and stroking her until she couldn’t think. She could only respond.
They undressed each other quickly, eager to have no barriers between them.
“Melissa, I’ve dreamed of holding you like this,” Russ whispered, running his hands over her soft skin, leaving a trail of heat.
“I did, too,” she murmured, unable to describe the agony of longing she’d felt since he’d left Casper. Each night she’d grown more and more feverish as she’d imagined them together, naked, reveling in each other’s touch. The reality transcended her most erotic dreams.
His large hands cradled her breasts, drawing a heated response. She moaned and pressed closer as his mouth replaced his hands. As she felt his arousal against her leg, an ache welled up deep within her, a need that could only be fulfilled by Russ.
“Now, Russ. Now,” she pleaded.
“In a minute, Melissa,” he whispered, before his mouth took hers again.
The sweet ache only grew, drawing Melissa deeper and deeper in the vortex of desire. It was impossible to discover where she ended and Russ began. Whether she gave pleasure or received it. Who led or who followed.
When he pulled away, she panicked, thinking he’d changed his mind. But he’d withdrawn to get protection, putting on a condom before reaching for her again.
When he entered her, Melissa’s mind was wiped as blank as a slate. Sensation took over and the need within her reached such an intensity she thought she couldn’t bear any more. With a rising surge of pleasure, she climaxed, her response rippling through her body in shuddering waves of release.
Russ collapsed against her, the strong muscles of his back rising and falling beneath her hands. Her hold on him tightened, keeping him close. She needed to feel him against her. Needed to know he had shared in the overwhelming intensity of their lovemaking.
Russ didn’t resist. Instead, he wrapped his arms around her, sliding to her side and pulling her with him. His lips traced warm kisses over her face.
A tear slid from Melissa’s eyes and tracked down her cheek to land on Russ’s shoulder. Not a tear of regret, but a tear of ecstasy. A tear of completion, a tear of oneness.
* * *
GUILT SLAMMED INTO RUSS as he felt that tear. He’d rushed her. Their time together had been short. She thought she still loved Mandy’s father. Had Russ forced her into intimacy before she was ready?
Had he hurt her?
He tightened his hold, fearful she’d pull away. “Melissa, don’t cry. I didn’t intend—I didn’t mean to pressure you. I lost control. But I’ll do better, I promise. Everything will be all right. We won’t—because we slept together once doesn’t mean—”
She gave no response, other than to continue lying in his arms. He ran a hand through her soft, dark hair, soothing and caressing, hoping to lull her into a feeling of safety, of happiness, banishing any regrets. He held his breath, fearing she would break away. Finally forced to draw in air, he pulled back briefly to note her closed eyes. He stretched one long arm to pull a sheet over their cooling bodies, then resumed their embrace.
He closed his own eyes, living his dream of holding Melissa close to him all through the night.
When he awoke, she was still pressed against him, her body warm and pliant. His immediate physical response was overwhelming, but he carefully edged away from her, denying his need. He couldn’t take her again before he talked to her, apologized for rushing her, let her know his feelings.
He now knew his plan of returning to Wyoming and courting Melissa for a number of months, of giving himself time to adjust to the idea of marriage, was a lot of bull.
His need was immediate, and it was not the need of a man for sex. That need could be satisfied by other women. What he felt for Melissa was love. He needed to love her, to share her life, to love her child.
Forever.
And heaven help him if she didn’t feel the same way.
He tucked the cover around her, hoping she’d sleep late and enjoy a rare lazy morning. He’d like that morning to include him. But not today. There would be other mornings he’d share with Melissa. He had to believe that.
Leaving a note beside the coffeepot, he departed an hour later for the office to put in the overtime to which he’d committed himself yesterday. The sooner he got his work done, the sooner he’d return to Melissa.
* * *
MELISSA SLOWLY CAME AWAKE, a feeling of deep-seated satisfaction filling her. Why was this morning special? she asked herself before she even opened her eyes. Almost before she processed the question, the answer was there as Russ’s scent wafted over her.
But she was alone.
She opened her eyes and sat up, clutching the cover to her naked body. They’d made love. This time, it wasn’t a dream, but a stunning reality.
Like a patient testing the soreness of a wound, Melissa again thought of Greg and the love they’d shared. It was still there, would always be there because of Mandy.
But the oneness she’d shared with Russ was more. More passionate, more exciting, overwhelming. She was a fortunate woman to have found and loved two men in her life.
A vague recollection of Russ’s response after their lovemaking brought a frown to her lips. She’d been almost asleep, wrapped in his arms, reveling in the warm glow of their lovemaking, when he’d spoken. Her eyelids had been too heavy to open.
At the time, she’d let the caressing tones of his voice wash over her, not really paying attention to what he said. But now his words were coming back.
I didn’t intend—I didn’t mean to—I lost control.
Uncertain about the meaning of his words, she felt reluctant to stay in the bed where they’d made love. Instinctively, she padded to the kitchen.
And found his note.
Melissa,
Have to go to the office and work. Should be home by noon. We can have lunch, then check you into the hotel. I have lots to tell you.
Russ
She checked her watch, a sense of panic filling her. It was after nine. He was coming at noon to take her to a hotel. As if they hadn’t shared any intimacy the night before.
Again his words after they’d made love came back to her. They seemed more sinister this time, since he was moving her out of his apartment. He hadn’t intended for them to make love.
Obviously when she’d shown herself to be so willing, he’d given in to temptation. And regretted it.
She chewed on her bottom lip as she thought about last night. More than his words, she remembered his tone of voice. It had been loving, comforting, as in her dreams. So why was he offering to take her to a hotel?
Could he possibly think she didn’t want him? “I must be more out of practice than I thought,” she said to herself with a rueful chuckle. When he got back at noon, they would talk. As they should’ve done last night. She wasn’t moving to a hotel. If he didn’t want her, she’d go home. But she hoped her instincts were right and she’d feel those warm arms around her again.
After a shower in his ultramodern bathroom, Melissa got dressed. Then she wandered into the kitchen, wondering if she should prepare lunch. She opened the refrigerator door and laughed. Typical bachelor fare—a couple of eggs, some cheese dip, three Cokes and a bottle of ketchup. Experienced cook that she was, even she couldn’t concoct a meal out of those ingredients.
While she was thinking about finding a neighborhood grocery, if such a thing existed in downtown Chicago, the phone rang. Her first thought was of Russ and she hurried to pick it up. Then she saw the answering machine sitting beside it on the breakfast bar. She decided to let the machine take the call in case it wasn’t him.
“Russ, darling,” a throaty, feminine voice sounded, causing Melissa’s heart to contract. “Thursday evening was one of the most wonderful in my life. You made me so happy. I love you. Please call.”
Melissa felt as if she’d turned to stone.
Russ was involved with another woman.
He’d made love to her last night...had sex with her last night, she amended...but he’d been with another woman on Thursday. The pain that pierced her heart was unbearable.
That he could betray her in such a way proved how little she knew him. How wrong she’d been about him.
Even worse, the love, the hunger in the other woman’s voice matched her own. More than the words in the message, it was the depth of emotion in the voice that told Melissa the woman cared about Russ more than he deserved.
She understood just how she felt.
She didn’t know how long she stood there, feeling more and more bereft. Finally, she trudged to the bedroom. First she straightened the bed, hoping that its sterile neatness would erase her memories of the previous night.
After repacking her bag, she, too, wrote a note.
Russ,
Thanks for the offer of a weekend, but I think I’ll go home. I don’t belong in a big city like this. Besides, I miss Mandy. Thanks again.
Melissa
She carefully replaced his note with hers, then folded the one he’d written and tucked it in her purse. She called the airline and changed her reservation before heading for the elevator with her bag.
* * *
MELISSA DIDN’T BOTHER to call Mrs. Tuttle to let her know she’d be home early. For one thing, she didn’t think she could
discuss her change of plans without crying.
She’d been able to hold in the hurt and heartache because she hadn’t had to say anything other than tell the clerk what flight she’d switched to. Otherwise, she followed directions and nodded when necessary. If anyone asked what was wrong, she was afraid her misery would come spewing out like Old Faithful, the famous geyser in Yellowstone.
She closed her eyes on the plane, her face turned toward the window so no one would attempt to chat with her. She suspected her ghostly paleness, something she’d noted in the mirror in Russ’s elegant bathroom, had as much to do with holding people at bay as her silence did.
By the time the plane landed, a leaden sadness had filled her, settling her jittery nerves but leaving her with no less an ache inside. But she felt more in control.
She exited the airport and waved for the first taxi. Her home wasn’t too far from the airport, and she viewed the house with desperate eyes. Could she forget what had happened, what she’d done, now that she was back in her own comfortable world?
Or would she be forever haunted by the love she’d lost?
After paying the taxi driver, she unlocked her house and entered the familiar surroundings. The familiar silent surroundings. Mandy was with Mrs. Tuttle and Natalie, of course.
The silence, however, seemed symbolic of her life. She collapsed on her sofa, the tears she’d held back no longer denied. Burying her face in her arms, she sobbed her heart out for all she’d lost.
Finally, she sat up and wiped her face. She hadn’t gotten through those difficult times after Greg’s death by crying, she reminded herself. She could survive this blow also.
And she’d think twice before risking her heart again.
She and Mandy would have a good life. Her company was going to do well, thanks in part to Russ. Her life would be full, she assured herself.
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