“You are one tough woman to get in touch with.”
I felt every drop of blood drain from my face. My hands and feet turned ice cold, and my heart came to a halt, then pounded like a jackhammer.
“Megan, are you there?”
“I’m here.” My voice was a mere whisper.
“It’s Chip.”
“I know.”
“I called your cell phone, but got cut off.”
“Your number didn’t show on caller ID, so I didn’t answer.”
“Would you have answered if you knew it was me?”
That last sentence sounded much less confident than the first.
“I’m not sure,” I said, then cleared my throat. “Why are you calling?”
“Because I wanted to talk to you.”
Silence.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call sooner, but—”
“Chip, you don’t owe me an explanation. We had a vacation fl—”
“Don’t say it!” he warned. “Don’t you dare reduce what we had to a vacation fling.”
His frustration radiated through the phone line.
“I’m sorry, but when I didn’t hear from you, I didn’t know what else to think.”
“I’m the one who’s sorry, Megan.”
He sighed, and I pictured him running a hand through his blond hair in frustration. “You caught me off guard. I went to the shore looking to get away. I never expected to find…you.”
Well, that took some of the wind out of my sails. How could I possibly stay mad at a guy who says something like that?
“I know what you mean.”
He chuckled. “So the reason I didn’t call right away is because I was trying to sort it all out. You know, get it straight in my head first.”
“And?”
“Now it’s all sorted,” he said. “And, if you’re free, I’d like you to come stay with me this weekend.”
What could I say to that? The man sweeps me off my feet, then disappears after promising to call. If I wanted a man who only called when I was starting to forget him, I’d stick with Kyle. Better the devil you know, after all.
“Chip, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” I said.
“I’m not going to ask why, because I think I already know.” He chuckled. “I’d have been surprised if you said yes.”
I didn’t know what to say to that, so I didn’t speak. Silence zipped across the phone lines until I actually shifted in my seat. Before things got too awkward, Chip spoke. “What do I need to do to prove that I’m worth taking a chance on?”
“I don’t know,” I said, honestly.
“Will you give me a chance to try and figure it out?”
His voice had dropped to a sexy pitch, reminding me of our one amazing night together. I had tried to keep my distance from Chip, but I’d been drawn to him the moment we met. Instead of simply scratching an itch, our night only made the attraction stronger.
Even after his disappearing act, I still felt drawn to him. I thought about his question. If he wanted to try and prove something, what did I have to lose? Maybe I’d even end up winning.
“Sure.”
****
One little word from me started a series of events I never could have predicted. True to his word, Chip launched a campaign to “prove his worthiness.” He called every night. Our conversations lasted for hours. We discussed everything from our childhoods to plans for the future.
He even braved the grueling New York traffic to pick me up and take me to dinner one Saturday night. After dinner, he drove me home and kissed me at my door before climbing back into his car and heading home. I tossed and turned that night, wishing I’d asked him to stay, wondering if he would have. Then again, jumping into bed with Chip wouldn’t have convinced me he was worth taking a chance on. I knew we were physically compatible and he was definitely capable of making me happy in that area. It was everything outside of the bedroom that was in question.
Besides Chip’s phone calls every night, I’d been hearing from Rebecca on a regular basis. She kept telling me her cousin was perfect for me and that I should put both of us out of our misery and give him a chance. And I had to listen to Laura echoing Rebecca’s words at the office every day.
A few weeks into Chip’s campaign to win me over, the fortress around my heart started to crack. Once that happened, all his words, gestures, and actions were able to actually reach my poor battered organ. Over the weeks that followed that major breakthrough, instead of doubting Chip would call I anticipated hearing from him. I took his words to heart and actually believed them to be true.
One Wednesday afternoon at work, I found myself staring at the flowers he’d sent me on Monday. The brightly colored bouquet of orange Gerbera daisies, yellow poms, hot pink mini carnations, and green button poms cheered up my office and drew my attention off my work and onto Chip more often than I cared to admit. I was staring at the bouquet, wondering what Chip was doing at that exact moment, when my cell phone rang. I picked up the phone and spotted Chip’s name in bold letters on the screen.
“Hey, I was just thinking about you,” I said as a way of greeting. Definitely not something I would have admitted a month earlier.
“You were?” His sexy voice sent chills through my entire body. “What were you thinking?”
“I was looking at the beautiful flowers sitting on my desk and couldn’t help but wonder what you’re doing.”
“Really?” The pleasure in his voice made me happy I’d told him. He sounded genuinely happy.
“Really.”
“Well, if you really want to know, right now I’m in-between surgeries. It’s Wednesday, after all.”
I nodded, acknowledging his words, even though I know he can’t see me. During one of our many conversations, he’d told me he spends his Wednesday mornings spaying and neutering dogs and cats for various animal agencies. Wednesday afternoons are for surgeries for his patients.
“That’s right,” I said, feeling the sappy smile spread across my face and not caring one bit.
Chip was silent for a moment, then he cleared his throat. “Uh, Megan, I don’t have a lot of time to talk right now—they’re actually prepping my next surgery—but I wanted to ask you something.”
“Oh?”
“I know I’ve asked you this before and you said no, but I’m hoping we’ve made some headway in our relationship since then. I know I’m supposed to come take you out to dinner Friday night, but I was wondering if you’d be willing to come to my house for the weekend.”
What could I say? I thought about his offer and couldn’t think of one reason to turn him down, and my pounding heart proved that I didn’t want to.
“Please?”
I pictured him in my mind and smiled. “What time?”
“Whenever you want. My last appointment is at four on Friday, and I’ve already cleared Saturday’s schedule.”
“I can probably be there around seven-thirty.”
“I can come get you.”
“Thanks, but that’s okay. I’ll find my way.”
Besides if I drive myself, I’ll feel more in control of the situation. Hopefully.
Chapter Ten
I drove past Chip’s house for a third time. He’d told me to pull into the driveway, so it wasn’t that I couldn’t find a parking spot. I was just too nervous.
Besides I’d told him not to expect me until seven-thirty, and it was only seven-fifteen. Traffic had been light, and the trip from Brooklyn to Long Island was incredibly short. Or maybe it just seemed that way.
Though tempted to cruise by a fourth time, I turned into his driveway and parked in front of the garage. Stepping out of the car, I looked up at the charming two-story colonial Chip called home.
The white clapboard structure gleamed in the fading sunlight, and at this close distance I could see signs of renovation. Around the windows, the paint seemed newer, brighter, indicating shutters had been in place at one time.
“Hey,
you made it,” Chip called from somewhere out back. Rounding the corner, he looked like a wet dream in a white T-shirt and faded Levis.
I popped the trunk to retrieve my bag.
“I got it.” He hefted the bag from the trunk and closed the lid.
Following him into the house, I had to hold back sounds of awe. The space was amazing. The kitchen gleamed with stainless appliances and hardwood flooring. A gray marble counter topped off oak raised-panel cabinets. “This is wonderful.”
His self-deprecating grin made him look even more adorable than usual. “I brought you in this way because it’s the only downstairs room that’s totally finished.”
“You’re remodeling?”
He nodded. “My grandparents left me this house, and the whole thing needed a facelift. I’ve been doing a little at a time.”
Funny, that was something he hadn’t mentioned during our marathon phone calls.
“That’s quite a task to take on by yourself.”
“Sometimes a few of my friends come over and we have a construction party, but mostly it’s just me.” He shrugged and tucked his hands into his back pockets. “I enjoy it.”
“I’m impressed.”
“Come on.” He held his hand out to me. “I’ll give you the grand tour.” We walked through the kitchen and down a hallway past a half bath. “These will eventually be the dining room and parlor.” Aside from rolling pins and paint cans in the corner, the rooms were empty.
“I love the high ceilings and hardwood floors.”
On the other side of the hallway he pointed out the den. The room boasted a stone fireplace and a dark, cozy décor.
“Great fireplace.”
“My grandfather built it.” The pride in his voice made me smile.
The oak staircase that curved up to the second floor looked brand new. “The bedrooms are up here,” Chip said, as he climbed the stairs with me in tow.
“How many do you have?”
“Four. There used to be five, but I combined two to make a master suite.”
I glanced into the rooms we passed. They looked livable but old fashioned. Chip stopped outside a furnished room.
“Besides mine, this is the only room with a bed.” His gaze met mine and held. “You can sleep in here if you’d prefer.”
If I’d prefer? Hell, no.
“I’ve come too far to back down now.”
He set my bag in his room, giving me only a cursory tour. If we lingered too long, we both knew we’d spend the entire weekend in bed. Then again, that might not be a bad thing.
On our way back down the hallway, he stopped at one of the rooms and opened the door.
“This is my home office.”
I poked my head inside. An enormous mahogany desk commanded attention. “This desk is amazing.” I stepped closer and ran my fingers over the smooth wood.
“It was my grandfather’s. I sanded the wood and refinished it.”
“I love it.”
I turned around to smile and nearly lost my breath. His eyes had darkened and were filled with a combination of lust and emotions I was afraid to name.
“Megan.” My name was a mere exhalation of breath.
Next thing I knew I was in his arms, with his mouth crushing mine. I fell into the kiss and rubbed against him, wanting more, needing more.
He groaned and opened his mouth wider, tangling our tongues in an erotic rhythm. The man tasted so delicious, I couldn’t get enough. Placing his hands on either side of my waist, he walked me backward until I leaned against the massive desk.
I spread my legs and put my hands on his tight ass, urging him forward. Through the rough denim of his jeans, his erection begged for attention. Not wanting to disappoint, I slipped my hand between our bodies and rubbed up and down over his distended fly.
His murmur of approval vibrated through my chest.
I pulled my mouth from his and rained kisses across his jaw to his ear. After tugging at its lobe, I swirled my tongue across the whorl. Chip shivered and I smiled, kissing a path down his neck, nipping and laving.
At the base of his throat, his pulse beat a fast tempo, urging me on. His T-shirt got in the way of my exploration, and I reached down, lifting the soft cotton up and over his head.
I ran my hands over his chest, enjoying the texture of crisp hair over smooth skin. Placing my mouth on the center of his chest, I licked my way over to his nipple and sucked. Chip’s hands plunged through my hair. I took that as a sign of approval, so I moved to the other nipple, giving it the same attention.
“Megan.” He sounded breathless, aroused.
I ran my hands down his bare torso, loving the feel of him. When we made love, I hadn’t had a chance to explore like I’d wanted to. Obviously he was giving me a chance now. I didn’t hesitate to take it.
Needing some leverage, I placed my hands on Chip’s waist and turned so he was the one leaning against the desk. I kissed my way down the center of his chest, stopped, and dipped my tongue in his navel. Kneeling in front of him, I licked along the waistband of his jeans.
I pulled the button of his jeans through its hole and slowly lowered the zipper over a very impressive bulge. He closed his eyes and let out a low groan, anticipating my next move.
Not wanting to disappoint, I pulled his jeans and boxers down and leaned forward. Moving closer still, I ran the tip of my tongue along the length of his erection before taking just the tip into my mouth. I held still for three heartbeats then sucked, rolling my tongue over his penis like it was a lollypop.
“Meg,” he moaned. “That feels…” He seemed to lose whatever he meant to say when I lowered my mouth, taking in as much of him as I could. While I had done this particular action before, I’d never enjoyed it so much. I was just getting into a good rhythm when Chip’s fingers tangled through my hair, stopping my movements.
“Stop,” he gasped. “Please stop.”
I looked up and saw his face twisted with what looked like anguish. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was in pain. Chip breathed in and out slowly, eyes closed tight. After a few seconds he opened them and smiled.
“Come here.” He pulled me up the length of his body. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” He chuckled. “It was almost over for a second there.”
He slid my pants down and reversed our positions so I once again sat on the desk. He slipped on a condom and stepped between my legs, moving forward until the tip of his penis nudged against my swollen folds.
I scooted forward, needing more contact. Instead of giving me what I wanted, he moved his hips slightly, barely rubbing against me. I reached around and squeezed his ass, urging him forward, but it still wasn’t enough. I hung on the edge, literally and figuratively. My bottom barely rested on the desk. Chip was the only thing keeping me from falling to the floor. I wiggled, hoping to urge his little friend to slip further inside, but it didn’t work.
He looked me in the eye. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” I said. “I want you.”
That seemed to do it. He pushed forward and into me. I gasped at the same time he groaned. He stood still for a minute, his breath rough against my ear.
Pulling back, he slowly started to pump. In and out. In and out. In and out. Each time he withdrew, he pulled out farther, increasing the sensation that much more when he pushed back in. My inner walls squeezed tighter with each stroke, and I nearly drowned in the feeling. Chip’s hands moved over my body, stroking and loving. Everywhere he touched seemed to burn.
He picked up the pace, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, wanting more. I leaned forward and brushed my mouth against his, once, twice, before moving in for a full-blown, tongue-tangling kiss. My breasts flattened against his chest and I moved, grazing my erect nipples back and forth, trying to ease the ache. He shifted closer, sinking even deeper, rubbing against every nerve ending inside of me.
Grabbing onto his shoulders, I raised my hips and met his every thrust.
That did
it.
Letting out a long, low groan, I came with an intensity like never before. His hands on my hips, Chip slammed into me twice more before letting out a growl that seemed to come from his toes.
****
“You’re amazing,” he said and kissed me lightly. “But you can’t be comfortable.”
He lifted me as though it weren’t an effort and settled us into the worn leather sofa just below the window. I rested my head against his chest and listened to the steady beat of his heart.
We sat in contented silence for a long time before he spoke. “Move in with me.”
His voice was so low I thought I didn’t hear him correctly.
I pulled back and looked him in the eye. “What?”
He smiled. “I know we haven’t known each other a long time, but I feel like I’ve known you forever.” His fingers skimmed my jaw and tucked a stray hair behind my ear.
I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. I didn’t know what to say.
“My grandparents got engaged a week after they met, and they married the next month. They celebrated their sixtieth anniversary a month before my grandfather died.”
Chip cupped my jaw in his hands and stroked my cheeks as he spoke.
“My grandmother always said that when the right woman came along, I’d know.” He kissed my forehead. “I knew the minute I laid eyes on you.” He smiled. “So will you?”
My eyes filled with tears. The fact that this man allowed me to set the pace of our relationship and took the time to woo me and court me and all the other old-fashioned things men used to do to make women fall in love with them made me, well…love him.
“How can I say no?”
He shouted with joy and kissed me senseless. When we finally came up for air, I settled into his embrace and looked around the room. My eyes lit upon the certificates hanging on the wall. One was for a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and the other for a Doctorate in Veterinary Science. Both were registered to William James Nealon.
“Was your grandfather a veterinarian, too?”
“No, he was a mason. Why?”
“Then who do those belong to?” I pointed to the degrees in question.
Fortunes Page 4
