Guilt swamped her. Nine years ago, Jack had been adamant that he hadn’t gotten Stephanie pregnant, and Kelley had been too hurt to listen. That child was the proof. How he must have resented her for not believing him, for holding him to a high standard, for insisting he marry the girl. He’d hate her that much more if he knew everything she kept from him. She’d thought he’d betrayed her, and only tonight had she come to realize that she’d betrayed him.
Kelley awoke as dawn’s fingers barely eased through the window. Madison lay still beside her, lost in sleep.
Kelley eased out of bed, padded to the window, and looked out on the bay. She saw a silhouette standing where the land jutted into the water. As quietly as she could, not wanting to disturb Madison, she gathered up her clothes and trotted to the bathroom. Quickly, she changed into jeans and a sweatshirt.
Her shoes barely made a sound as she crept down the two flights of stairs and outside. The morning was cool, a stronger breeze blowing off the water than had been blowing the day before. The sky was only just beginning to lighten as she made her way across the wide expanse from the house to the shore, to the man standing at its edge.
He didn’t move as she came to stand beside him but continued staring outward.
“I love standing here, watching the day begin,” he said quietly.
“It’s peaceful.”
“The sounds are all hushed, still there, but muted.” He slid his gaze over to her. “Doesn’t this feel right to you?”
And she knew he wasn’t talking about the dolphins playing in the bay or the water lapping at the shore. He was talking about them, standing there together.
“I’m still scared, Jack, but not as much.”
“So there’s hope for us?”
Smiling, she nodded. “Yes, there’s hope.”
He drew her into his arms and kissed her, with dawn bursting over the horizon.
Chapter 18
It was to be their first official date. Kelley could hardly believe it.
Jack had called earlier in the week to let her know that Serena was taking the boys to her parents’ for the weekend. Although he’d be on call, he’d be free Saturday night. What was she doing?
What she decided to do was send Madison to Dallas to spend the weekend with Ronda.
“I’ll pick you up at seven,” Jack told her. “Wear something nice.”
Something nice. She’d liked the sound of that. So far, everything they’d done together had been casual. She was looking forward to dressing up.
She’d spent the afternoon making herself ready. She put on a red, satiny dress with a flowing skirt that danced around her calves. It was long-sleeved to accommodate the cooler weather, but the neckline dipped down to reveal the barest hint of cleavage. She thought it would drive Jack wild.
And just to be sure he noticed the cleavage, she selected a pearl teardrop necklace that hung down low enough to end where her cleavage began. She dotted perfume on erogenous zones. And applied more makeup than she’d ever worn before.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d spent this much time getting ready for anything.
When the doorbell rang and she opened the door, she felt underdressed.
“Oh, wow.” She’d never seen Jack in a sport coat.
“I’ve waited years to take you out on a real date,” Jack said. “Did you think I was going to wear jeans?”
She nodded. “Jeans and a nice shirt.”
“This is a nice shirt.”
“So is the jacket.” She lifted her gaze to his. “When you say dressed up, you mean dressed up.” She took a step back. “Come on in.”
He lifted his wrist to glance at his watch. “We don’t really have time. Our reservations are for eight.”
“There’s someplace in Hopeful that takes reservations?”
“We’re going to Houston. Thought we’d take your car. It’s a little more romantic than my truck.”
“Let me get my purse.”
She hurried inside and snatched her purse and keys off the couch. She walked outside, closed the door, and locked it. Then she handed him the keys.
Leaning down, he kissed her.
“I was afraid if I did that before you locked the door, I’d cancel our reservations.”
“You can still unlock the door.”
He shook his head. “We’ve waited too long for this.”
Threading his fingers through hers, he walked her to her car and opened the passenger-side door for her. After settling in, she watched him walk around to the driver’s side and slide behind the wheel.
“Ready.”
Smiling, she nodded.
He slipped the key into the ignition, turned it on, shifted into reverse, and looked over his shoulder. It was then, with his hand on the steering wheel, that she noticed he was wearing the ring she’d given him.
Reaching out, she touched his finger. He applied the brakes before looking back at her.
“You still have it.”
He smiled warmly. “I haven’t worn it in a long time. I was surprised it still fit.”
“I was afraid maybe you’d hocked it somewhere.”
“Why would I do that?”
“I don’t know. A way to get rid of it and make some money at the same time.”
“I don’t think you realize how much you mean to me, Kelley. Tonight I intend to show you.”
He backed out of the driveway while she settled back against the seat. “Isn’t it risky for you to head to Houston when you’re on call?”
“We’ll be a little over an hour away, and they’ll only call me if it’s something they can’t handle. We’re usually a pretty quiet place, as I’m sure you know.”
“But if you get called—”
“Then we’ll cut the evening short.”
He drove toward Main Street and then on toward Houston.
“So, where are we going?”
“A nice little restaurant someone recommended to me. I’ve never been there before, but if the prices are any indication, the food ought to be good.”
“Jack, you don’t have to take me someplace expensive.”
“I’m not taking you there because it’s expensive. I’m taking you there because it’s nice. You deserve nice, Kelley.”
She wasn’t so sure. She wished the gearshift wasn’t between the seats so she could snuggle up against him. She contented herself with reaching across and laying her hand on his thigh.
“When does Madison get back?” he asked.
“Tomorrow afternoon. What about Jason?”
“Same. Guess that means we can sleep in late.”
She offered him a suspicious smile. “And where are you planning to do this sleeping in late?”
“Thought I’d leave that decision up to you. Your bed or mine?”
She realized there was no point in pretending that tonight wasn’t going to end with them going to bed together. She wouldn’t have minded if he’d canceled dinner and simply taken her to bed. But she was also enjoying the thought of being wooed. “Mine.”
Reaching into his jacket pocket, he brought out a CD. “Why don’t you put this on?”
She wasn’t surprised to see that it was Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” The song they’d danced to in the stairwell.
“I’m surprised you could find it,” she said as she opened the case, took out the CD, and popped it into the player.
“I’ve had it for a while.”
“What’s a while?” she asked.
“Oh, about nine years.”
His admission made her feel warm, special, cared for. “I’m beginning to believe that you’re a sentimentalist at heart.”
“Only where you’re concerned. Play it.”
She punched the CD player’s on button, and the song filled the car. She wondered what other surprises he had in mind for the evening.
Jack didn’t think he’d ever walked into a place with a woman as beautiful or graceful as Kelley on his arm. He w
anted the night to be special for her, for them.
The restaurant was everything that Mrs. Lambert had promised him it would be. He and Kelley sat at a white-cloth-covered table in a darkened corner. A candle surrounded by flowers flickered in its center. The atmosphere was refined, quiet. Romantic.
He’d ordered the wine that Mrs. Lambert had suggested, and, to his surprise, he even liked the way it tasted.
“This is nice, Jack,” Kelley said.
Taking her hand, he pressed a kiss to her palm. “I’m glad you like it.”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“That’s the plan.”
He’d never been much for fancy restaurants where the prices weren’t included on the menu, but he’d wanted something they’d never had together. A night to remember. Hopefully the first of many.
When the dessert dishes were cleared away and he’d taken care of the bill, he led her upstairs, where a live band was playing the slow kind of music that older people danced to. They found another corner table, ordered drinks, and simply sat for a while, holding hands, watching others dance.
“How did you discover this place?” she asked.
“Mrs. Lambert. She’s a virtual fountain of information.”
“I’ve never been anywhere this nice,” she said. “I feel as though I should have worn an evening gown.”
“You’re beautiful just the way you are.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere, Jack.”
He kissed each of her fingers. “It’s not just flattery, Kelley. I mean everything I say.”
She squeezed his hand. “I know you do.”
“So, you know I mean it when I say I want to dance.”
She smiled. “I thought you were never going to ask.”
He led her onto the dance floor, smoothly taking her into his arms and holding her close.
The dance was different from their dance at the Broken Wagon. Here they weren’t surrounded by her students. They weren’t dealing with Madison.
It was only the two of them, moving slowly to the rhythm of a song that seemed to weave its way around them. She placed her head in the nook of his shoulder. She’d had too much wine, too many drinks, while he’d been conservative. She was certain because he intended to drive them home. One glass of wine. One whiskey sour.
She was sure Jack Morgan wasn’t perfect. But whatever his flaws, they were minuscule, not readily apparent. He was an exemplary father. A good man.
He offered her guidance in her dealings with Madison, and while they might not always agree, she had to admit that she respected his opinion, was even on occasion willing to concede that he was right. She liked the way he handled Madison, with just enough firmness. She’d give anything to be able to imitate his style.
But her relationship with Madison was vastly different from his—just as he’d pointed out. And even then, there were facets to it that he didn’t know about.
Madison was so very important to her, but she was beginning to see that perhaps she was putting Madison first a little too often. Sometimes Kelley needed to reach for the things that she wanted.
And she wanted Jack.
The music ended, and Jack whispered, “Another dance or home?”
“Home.”
Home where her bed waited. Home where she could have what she wanted.
Kelley thought the ride home would never end. She wanted Jack, wanted him now, wanted him as if she’d never wanted him before.
It was more than the wine and the music, the dancing and the dinner.
It was the way he looked at her. As though she were precious. As though she’d never made mistakes, as though her past didn’t exist.
It was the way he continually touched her as though he couldn’t get enough of her. A kiss on her palm, her fingers. A combing back of her hair. A touch of his finger along her cheek. A brush of his lips over hers.
Tonight he was restrained, passion leashed, and it was driving her crazy.
She was used to the sensual looks, but she was accustomed to a hot kiss following them. All his innuendos and hints of longing were absent.
It was as though he wanted to provide the setting and leave the passion up to her.
She wanted to drive him wild, make him hot with desire, force him to be all she needed.
He’d barely closed and locked the door to her house before she was in his arms, running her hands through his hair, pressing her mouth to his. His low growl, his hands urging her closer, alerted her to the fact that she’d either misjudged his complacency or unleashed his desires.
His mouth was as eager as hers. His hands as demanding. She shoved his jacket off his shoulders. It dropped to the floor.
She took two steps back. He followed and unzipped her dress. It pooled at her feet.
Another two steps back as she unbuttoned his shirt. It hit the floor.
She kicked off her shoes. He did the same.
Then he had her against the wall, their breathing harsh, their goals the same: removing clothes as quickly as possible.
He trailed his mouth along her throat. “Damn, I thought tonight was never going to end,” he rasped.
“I thought you wanted it to be special,” she said, nipping at his shoulder.
“I did. But I can only be civilized for so long.”
She laughed, the sound echoing between them.
He dragged her to the bedroom. By the time they tumbled onto her bed, neither wore a stitch of clothing. Their bodies were hot and ready. Their hands caressing, stroking, igniting.
“Damn.” He bolted upright.
“What?” she demanded.
“I need my wallet. Condom.”
“Drawer in the nightstand.”
He jerked it open too hard, and it fell to the floor. “Sorry.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
She pressed her breasts to his back as he sorted through everything that had tumbled out.
“Got it,” he finally said.
When he turned, rolling them both back onto the bed, he had protection in place, and his mouth was once again devouring hers. Hot, steady, insistent. Pulling her to the brink. Pushing her back from the edge.
She was writhing beneath him, wanting what he could give her.
She felt as though her nerve endings were on fire, sensitive beyond anything she’d ever experienced before. Her body was coiling, seeking release, threatening to ignite.
He entered her with one sure thrust that had her calling out his name. They moved in rhythm, his body pumping into hers. The pleasure built, then spiraled out of control, sending her over the edge. Her body tightened around his.
Her orgasm ripped through her, leaving her barely aware that his powerful body was trembling with the force of his release. Their harsh breathing echoed around them.
He lowered his glistening body to her. “Damn, I’m going to take you out to a fancy restaurant more often.”
He rolled off her and tucked her up against his side.
“Did I empty your gas tank?” she asked.
“I think so. Yeah. Definitely.”
She lay there, her heart slowing as his hand lethargically stroked her back. She had a feeling that tonight neither had held anything back—not physically, not emotionally.
There had been no guilt, no doubts, no reservations.
She knew that tomorrow they would return. But as she drifted off to sleep, she was content to remain within the shelter of his arms.
Kelley awoke lethargically, completely relaxed, the sun shining in her face and a familiar finger drawing circles on her stomach, figure eights around her navel. With a slow, happy smile of contentment, she opened her eyes. Jack was resting up on an elbow, his dark head bent. She could see sworls in his hair from where he’d lain on it. She stroked the back of her hand along the side of his bristly cheek. She loved the rasp of rough stubble. His hand stilled as he turned his head toward her, his blue eyes intense and penetrating.
“Morning,” she whispered in a low, su
ltry voice.
Ignoring her greeting, he said, “Do you know that I’ve never seen you naked in the light?”
She widened her eyes as realization dawned more brightly than the sun outside her window. Jerking upright, she searched for the sheet, but he’d moved it off to the side, beyond reach. He splayed his large hand and strong fingers over her stomach.
“Too late,” he said in a silky voice. “I saw the scar, Kelley.”
She sank back. It was just as well. This wasn’t a secret she wanted to keep from him anymore. Let him pass judgment.
“Stephanie had a scar like yours,” he said quietly. “Hers was a result of the C-section she had when she gave birth to Jason.”
She tried to swallow but discovered her mouth had gone incredibly dry. She simply nodded.
“Was it my baby?”
“Oh, God, no.” Reaching out, she cradled his face. “It was long before I met you. I was fifteen.”
“You had a baby when you were fifteen?”
She nodded. “A result of that one night I told you about.”
A shadowy expression that she couldn’t read crossed over his face. “What happened to the baby, Kelley?”
Tears burned her eyes, scalded her throat. Sitting up, she scooted back against the headboard and wrapped her arms around her drawn-up knees. “Jack—”
“Tell me about your baby,” he demanded.
Your baby. No one had ever called her that before. No one had ever let her be Kelley’s baby.
“I gave her up,” she confessed. The tears she’d been fighting to keep in check flowed over onto her cheeks. “I put her up for adoption.”
Even though she was certain he’d expected her to reveal exactly what she had, he lay there stone still, as though he couldn’t quite determine what to do with the words she uttered.
“You put her up for adoption?” he finally muttered as though he were waking up from a long sleep.
Pressing her lips together to stifle her cry, she nodded.
“You put your baby up for adoption but insisted that I marry Stephanie and do right by mine— who, by the way, turned out not to be mine?”
Oh, God, this was hard, almost unbearable. She’d insisted because she knew how difficult, how heart-wrenching, it was to give her child up. She hadn’t wanted Stephanie to have to suffer through that torment, hadn’t wanted Jack to look back in later years and wonder where his child was or how it was doing. She nodded jerkily. “I was trying to spare you both the anguish of giving up a child.”
Hard loving man Page 19
