Our First Kiss

by Judy Lynn Hubbard

  “I look forward to it, Mr. James.” She was proud her voice didn’t shake.

  “Alex,” he contradicted after a brief pause.

  “Alex,” she happily repeated and was somewhat sad when he rang off without any further comment.

  “Nicole, are you going to finish your lunch?” Her mother’s voice rang out.

  “Yes, Momma, I’m coming.” She set the phone down and rejoined her family.

  “Who was that?” Lincoln asked.

  “Alexander James.” Nicole grinned happily.

  “The man you’ll be working for in Paris?” her mother asked.

  “Yes, he called to congratulate me and let me know he was sending me some information,” she said and took a necessary sip of her water.

  “That was nice of him.” Marcy smiled. “I’m sure you can’t wait to get there,”

  “No, I can’t,” she agreed. This was the opportunity of a lifetime, and she couldn’t wait to make her mark upon the fashion world.

  “All of my children are deserting me.” Linda sadly shook her head.

  “Oh, Momma.” Nicole and Nathan sighed together.

  “It’s all right. It is a mother’s lot in life,” she bemoaned.

  “It’s a fabulous opportunity for Nicole,” Marcy gently stated, and Nicole shot her a grateful smile.

  “I know. I won’t stand in her way,” Linda promised.

  “You’ve been very supportive, and I appreciate it.” Nicole blew her a kiss.

  “Because I’m so proud of you.” Linda beamed. “To think my little girl will soon be a famous fashion designer.”

  “She’s already promised me a suit,” Marcy chimed in.

  “And I’ll deliver,” Nicole promised.

  “Like you need any more clothes,” Nathan teased.

  “Son,” Lincoln said and chuckled, “don’t you know that a woman can never have enough clothes?”

  “I have taught him well.” Linda glanced lovingly at Lincoln. “I wished I could say the same for my son.” she turned her pointed gaze toward Nathan.

  “What do you mean, Mom?” Nathan sighed.

  “Well, for one thing, it’s a disgrace you living in a hotel when we have all this room.” Linda waved her hand and shook her head in admonishment.

  “I explained that to you. Even though I am on vacation, there are still things I have to do for work.” Nathan reiterated his trumped-up reason for not staying with his family.

  “I know, I know, but still—” Linda began.

  “Mrs. Carter...” Marcy received a stern look. “I’m sorry, Linda,” Marcy corrected. “I would love your recipe for this roast.”

  “I’ll give it to you before you leave. After all, you’re almost family.” She glanced suggestively at Nathan, who shook his head helplessly while everyone else laughed.

  * * *

  “Don’t be too hard on your mother, son. She only wants to see you happy.” Lincoln patted his son on the back as they walked outside after lunch.

  “I know.” Nathan sighed.

  “What’s wrong?” Lincoln asked as they stopped. He could feel the frustration and unhappiness oozing from him.

  “It’s nothing.” Nathan shook his head and then at his father’s concerned face. “Dad, I’m just...things are just...very complicated right now.”

  “You mean with Marcy?” His father leaned against the wooden fence.

  “Yes, she’s...” Nathan paused at a loss for words.

  “What? Beautiful, intelligent, sexy?”

  “She’s all those things. She’s also stubborn and infuriating.” Nathan smiled because in Marcy those characteristics were attributes not flaws.

  “What woman isn’t?” Lincoln chuckled. “She cares about you, son.”

  “I know.” His smile faded. “I wish she didn’t.”

  Lincoln frowned. “Why?”

  “It’s...” He faltered again.

  “Complicated,” Lincoln supplied the word.

  “Yes,” he said and sighed heavily. “I know I’m not making any sense.”

  “Son, when a woman is involved, a man never makes any sense,” his father advised. “Marcy is a good woman.”

  “I know she is,” Nathan readily agreed, stuffing his hands into his jacket pockets.

  “You were jealous when she brought that other man to dinner,” Lincoln reminded.

  “I was. Yes,” Nathan agreed, his lips thinning at the memory of her with Herbert.

  “You like her.”

  “Very much.” Nathan didn’t bother to deny it.

  “Do you want to see her with someone else?” Nathan’s stomach lurched at his father’s question.

  “No,” he answered quickly. “No, I don’t.”

  “Then what’s holding you back?”

  Nathan glanced at his father; it was clear he didn’t understand his dilemma. How could he? No one knew he’d soon be on the other side of the world battling against insurgents as he tried to rescue the U.S. envoy and his aides and ensure that they all made it back home safely.

  “Obligations and duty,” he said, and sighed after a long pause.

  “Those are important to a man, but there’s one thing that’s even more important,” his father advised.

  “What’s that?”

  “Love.” Lincoln placed an arm around his son’s shoulders. “Love for a good woman and love of a good woman—nothing else compares to that.”

  Nathan shrugged. “Maybe one day...”

  “One day soon if your mother and Marcy’s mother have anything to say about it.” His father smiled.

  “They are adamant about us getting together, aren’t they?” Nathan’s brow furrowed.

  “Yes, but only because they know it’s what you both want.” Lincoln’s smile widened as his son’s frown increased.

  “Who says I want Marcy?”

  “One very important person whose opinion you can’t run away from no matter how hard you try.”

  Nathan sighed. “Mom?”

  “No, son—you,” his father gently corrected, walking off and leaving him alone to contemplate his wise words.

  * * *

  “So, Nicole, tell me more about that phone call from Alexander James,” Marcy said as they sat in the living room.

  “There’s not much to tell.” Nicole shrugged.

  “You seem—” she paused, searching for the correct words “—intrigued by him.”

  “By his business acumen,” Nicole corrected. “He runs one of the biggest, most successful fashion houses in Paris. Naturally, I can’t wait to learn from him.”

  “Paris is the city of love,” Marcy reminded with a wide smile.

  “I’m going there for my career, Marcy,” Nicole firmly countered. “Besides, I’m sure Alex will work me so hard that I won’t have time to think about anything else.”

  “Alex, huh?”

  “Alexander,” Nicole amended.

  “Are you as nonchalant as you appear?”

  “Of course I am.” At Marcy’s raised eyebrow, she continued, “He seemed really nice on the phone, but I’m definitely not thinking about romance—especially not with my boss.”

  “Well, I’ve learned to expect the unexpected.” Marcy chuckled. “The last thing I expected was to open my front door and find your brother standing there, or that he would knock me for a 360 degree loop without even trying.”

  Nicole shook her head at her friend but remained silent. She was focused on her career, not on romance with anyone, especially not Alexander James. She was going to Paris to learn from a great designer, work her fingers to the bones and spread her wings. The very idea of engaging in an office romance was out of the question—especially with the owner of the company.


  “Marcy, I don’t want you to think I’m a prying mother.” Linda entered the living room from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron.

  “Heaven forbid,” Nicole teased.

  “You be quiet.” Linda waved a warning finger at her youngest as she sat beside Marcy on the sofa.

  “I don’t think you’re interfering,” Marcy assured. “I think you love your children very much and just want to see them happy.”

  “Finally, a sensible perspective.” Linda beamed at her, taking her hands in hers. “I know in my heart you can make my son happy.”

  “Thank you. I think so, too,” Marcy agreed.

  “What’s the problem, then?”

  “Nathan just needs a little time to get used to the idea of having someone special in his life,” Marcy predicted.

  “Time? That boy doesn’t need any time. He needs to open his eyes and smell the coffee,” Linda emphasized.

  Marcy leaned closer and conspiratorially whispered, “Well, you know that and I know that, but how are we going to convince him of that?”

  “You did well the other night by bringing a date to dinner,” Nicole praised.

  “Nathan was livid.” Linda chuckled at the memory.

  “I know.” Marcy’s chuckle quickly turned into a full-blown laugh.

  “Now he realizes he could easily have competition,” Nicole chimed in.

  “He knows he doesn’t have any competition from Henry or any other man,” Marcy confessed.

  “Well—” Nicole shrugged “—it doesn’t hurt him to think that he might.”

  “I think I tortured him enough with Henry,” Marcy decided. “Why are men so stubborn?”

  “They are all the same—clinging to their bachelorhood like a badge of honor, forcing us to drag them kicking and screaming into love,” Linda wisely stated, and they all shook their heads in agreement.

  * * *

  About thirty minutes later, Nathan returned from a long walk to find the women sitting on the sofa talking and laughing like lifelong cohorts. One look at Marcy and Nathan didn’t have to ask what they had been conspiring about.

  “Lunch was great Mom, but Marcy and I have to be leaving.” Nathan held out a hand to Marcy, who stood and walked toward him.

  “Leaving? You just got here!” Linda complained.

  “I’m sorry. I promised to take Marcy to a game.” Any objection Linda was about to make died on her lips at her son’s words.

  “That’s wonderful.” She had no interest in basketball, but at least they were going together. “You two go and enjoy each other.”

  Nathan sighed heavily before kissing her cheek. “I’ll see you all later.”

  “Thanks for having me.” Marcy waved as they left.

  “Come back soon, Marcy.”

  “I will,” Marcy agreed over her shoulder.

  “They are a lovely couple, aren’t they?” Linda smiled as she watched the two of them leave.

  “Yes, they are,” Nicole agreed and received a smile.

  “Linda...” Lincoln’s eyebrow rose in warning.

  “I’m just saying.” Linda held up her hands in mock surrender. “I have to go and call Margaret.” She quickly walked off, ignoring the shaking heads of her husband and daughter.

  She could already picture the vision Marcy would make as she walked down the aisle toward her eldest child.

  Chapter 10

  “Let me drive,” Marcy suggested once they made it outside. “You look like you could use the time to think.”

  “Thanks.” He handed her the keys with gratitude, slumping in the passenger seat with a thoughtful frown on his face.

  “Your mother meant well, Nathan,” she softly interrupted his thoughts as they drove off.

  “I know.” He sighed, glancing at her, absently touching her hair.

  His thoughts replayed the conversation with his father. How true his observations had been; he did want Marcy very much. He wanted to lose himself in her—to leave all his troubles behind until he could think of nothing but her. He wanted to merge his body with hers so completely that he never found his way out again. Everything the world had to offer was reflected in her eyes when she looked at him as if he was the most important person in her life. How had he existed thirty-one years without her? How could he possibly go on another second if she wasn’t with him completely?

  Marcy fought for concentration as his fingers trailed from her brow to the end of her hair. “I—um...” She paused to swallow the lump in her throat. “Do you really want to go to the game?”

  “No, not really.”

  “Then where?”

  “You’re not upset?” She felt him staring at her and glanced at him briefly before returning her attention to the road.

  “No.” She negatively shook her head, causing strands of her hair to brush over his fingers. “I don’t care where we go, Nathan. I just want to be with you.”

  “You’re very special,” he spoke softly to himself and reached out and lightly fingered a ringlet of hair at her cheek.

  “Thank you.” She trembled at his touch. “Where to?”

  He considered her question carefully. He knew what he wanted and that she wanted the same thing. He had fought the attraction between them because he didn’t want to hurt her; he still didn’t. There was, however, one way they could be together and that was if... He paused and contemplated long and hard before completing his thought, If he left the unit. Was he ready to do that? Did he have any other choice if he wanted a life with the incomparable woman sitting next to him?

  “Nathan?” She glanced at him briefly before returning her attention to the road.

  “Let’s go to my place,” he finally answered, trailing a finger down her smooth cheek and smiling at her gasp of surprise.

  “Your place?” She turned to stare at him again to make sure she had heard him correctly.

  “Isn’t that what you want?” His finger moved to circle her earlobe.

  “Yes.” She sighed. “Very much.”

  “So do I.” His voice held resignation and barely repressed longing. “I’m tired of fighting it...you...us.”

  “Your place it is, then,” she breathlessly agreed. Her heartbeat accelerated at the thought of finally making love to him. “Can I ask you one thing?”

  “What?” His fingers fisted in her hair, and she let out her breath on a sigh.

  “Please stop touching me—for now,” she pleaded.

  “For now,” he agreed, smiling slightly before removing his hand and sitting back in his seat. “But when we get to my place, I’m going to touch and taste every inch of you,” he seductively promised.

  She gasped in anticipation but remained silent, though her foot depressed the accelerator causing the car to speed up considerably.

  * * *

  A short while later when they entered his suite, he paused long enough to place a do not disturb sign on the door before closing it firmly. He glanced at her, and she quickly looked away and walked farther into the room.

  “You’re nervous,” he noted as he took her coat and laid it over a chair with his own before turning her to face him.

  “Yes, I’m sorry,” she admitted, twisting her hands before realizing what she was doing and stopping.

  “Don’t be. It’s exciting.” He touched her cheek lightly before turning to pick up the phone. “I’ll order some champagne.”

  “No, I don’t want any champagne.” Her hand on his arm halted him.

  “No?” And at her negative nod, his fingers deftly unbuttoned and then removed her suit jacket, revealing only a black lace chemise underneath. “What do you want?”

  “I want you, Nathan,” she informed him, shivering as his hands slid down her bare arms.


  “I want you, too,” he admitted on a growl. Damn his good intentions. He had tried to stay away from her—he really had, but she was right; this was inevitable.

  “Show me how much,” she whispered against his mouth and smiled as he effortlessly picked her up, carried her to the bedroom and gently laid her on the bed.

  “I won’t hurt you,” he promised as he slid her pants and shoes off. He prayed he was telling her the truth. He wouldn’t think about having to leave her soon; he’d work it out—somehow.

  “I know,” she whispered as he lay down beside her.

  His mouth toyed with hers as his hands pulled the thin straps of her camisole down until it hung limply on her arms. His lips and teeth trailed over her exposed flesh until she was breathing heavily. His hands moved down to still her hips as they moved restlessly against his, and then his rapacious mouth captured hers again.

  Unsteady hands unbuttoned his shirt and spread it open across his muscled chest. She had to touch him; she needed to touch him. She felt his quick intake of breath as her hands tentatively explored his hard naked flesh. His mouth grew more insistent on hers. He released her lips to bury his face in her hair as he fought for some semblance of control. He had to make this special for her, not take her like a wild stallion as his body longed for him to do.

  Her hands moved to his back as his mouth slid down her neck. His hands slowly, purposefully pulled the camisole down, exposing her firm and swollen breasts. His lips lightly tasted the flesh his hands had uncovered, tongue flicking lightly over one distended nub and then the other. He felt and heard her gasp as he gently took a nipple between his teeth, teasing until it was button hard before sucking her breast into his hot mouth and feasting as if he were a starving man.

  Her eyes closed, and she moaned a maddening sound and her hands moved behind his head, pressing him closer as he touched her at will, devastating her. He slowly teased her skin with wet openmouthed kisses down her body, lingering at her flat stomach while his fingers gently slid to the inside of a silky thigh before moving to touch her intimately. She convulsed as searing heat and pleasure such as she had never known before engulfed her. Her hands grasped the bedspread, her head lolled from side to side and she shattered into a million pieces.