by Jamie Pope
But Asa kept kissing her, his tongue sweeping into her mouth. His hands wandered her body and she forgot every other thought she had. There was no point thinking about the past when her present felt so damn good.
Chapter 15
Carlos arrived at Asa’s rental home at seven thirty the next morning. Hallie had left two hours before. She refused to let him drive her home, for fear of waking up her mother. He had a funny feeling about him and Hallie. He couldn’t describe it, but it was there—a knot in the pit of his stomach.
Uncertainty.
Her family hadn’t known anything about him. They were still too tied to her ex. They wanted her back home for good. He had to believe her when she said she was no longer in love with her ex. He had to trust her. He really wanted to. But she wasn’t over her breakup. She wasn’t willing to trust him not to hurt her, either.
He might lose her to her ex, to the pull of this beautiful island.
It would kill him if he lost her, but how could he compete with so many years of history? With her family? With her home? It seemed like he was on the end of a losing battle.
“Thanks for agreeing to go on a run with me,” Carlos said to him as they left the house and ran down the road toward the beach. “I need someone who’s able to keep up with me. Virginia is up for a lot but she told me the only running she does is after a food truck.”
“That sounds like her,” Asa said, pulling his attention away from his troubling thoughts. “I haven’t gone for a run in months.” Asa really enjoyed his brother-in-law’s company. He had been a little starstruck when Virginia first brought him home for Thanksgiving two years ago. But Carlos had no celebrity ego. He’d helped shovel the driveway. He’d cooked breakfast for them and was fine sleeping on the creaky twin bed in the guest room. Even if he hadn’t been so down-to-earth, Asa probably would have liked him. Every other guy Virginia had brought home was a disaster.
“No? How have you been keeping in shape?”
“I work out with the firefighters, but my job keeps me in shape. It has been back-to-back large-scale disasters these past couple of months.” They fell silent as they headed onto the empty beach. Hideaway Island was something else. He knew there were thousands of people on this little island, but even the more populated side of town felt deserted and peaceful. All he could hear was the sound of their feet hitting the sand and their even breathing. Each time he returned, he fell a little more in love with it.
He had heard Hallie when she’d said that she wanted to raise her children here. He understood why she felt that way. He was sure this was a wonderful place for that, but New York was, too. There was so much culture to expose his children to there, so many different types of people.
“Would you leave your job if you had another one lined up?”
“I haven’t really thought about leaving, but it seems harder and harder for me to pull myself out of the house and go these past few months. I’m only trained in the medical field. I don’t know what else I would do.”
“How about work with athletes?”
“What do you mean?” He slowed down and looked at Carlos.
“I’m starting a foundation. I met this girl last year who is an amazing pitcher. Probably one of the best that I’ve ever seen, male or female. She could give some major-leaguer a run for their money. But she lives here on this island and there’s not a lot of opportunity for her. There’s no team here at her level. She has to play on travel teams off the island and the cost to her parents is a lot. Softball is her only shot at paying for college. I was lucky to grow up in a place where I had access to everything. I want to help out kids who don’t.”
“And what would you like me to do?”
“Run it. You were a scholar athlete. You know how hard it is to keep up your grades while playing competitively. My plan is to run an intensive camp here on the island in the summers where the kids could not only focus on sports, but academics and arts, too. Virginia will be teaching painting classes. You could run the day-to-day stuff and help me identify kids in need. I’ve been thinking about this for a long time and there is no one I trust more than you to help me run this.”
“I’m honored. Man... I don’t know what to say.”
“I know it’s a lot to take in right now. I’m asking you to give up your career and move away from a city you love, but I think you’ll love this place, too, and I think you’ll be great at it.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Take all the time you need.”
He was going to need time because for the first time in his life he had no idea what he was going to do.
* * *
Hallie sighed with pleasure as Asa kissed the inside of her thigh later that afternoon. She didn’t ever think she would get tired of feeling this good.
They were both able to get away from their families for a few hours between activities and sneak away. They had gone to the private beach at the end of his road. It was completely empty, except for the two of them. They had played in the warm water and Hallie had dug her toes in the sand. She cherished the feeling of having her feet not confined in shoes and thick socks. The cool, wet sand was like an aphrodisiac, the familiar but no-longer-often-felt sensation sending tingles up her body. Or maybe it was the fact that Asa had been there with her, looking amazing in his blue bathing suit, with his arms and chest bare. The only time she saw him undress in New York was in bed, but here on Hideaway Island he looked delicious with the water beading on his skin and the sun shining down on him.
Her attraction to him wasn’t fading; if anything it was growing stronger. She had reached for him, wrapping her whole self around him as she kissed him. Things had gone from hot to explosive and they barely made it back to the house. They certainly hadn’t made it to the bedroom. They were on the rug in the living room. His lips getting closer and closer to her core. Little kisses and nibbles that were starting to make her squirm. She was ready for him. She always was. She didn’t need much foreplay with him. But he was always so considerate. He had always taken his time; he always made sure she was shaking with need before he took her.
“Asa... Now. Please.”
He lifted his head and shifted his body so that it hovered over hers. “Why do you always rush me?” he said with a little satisfied smile on his face. He bent and took her nipple in his mouth. “You know,” he said while his mouth was still on her, “I like to take my time with you.” The combination of his warm, wet mouth and his breath on her nipple drove her crazy.
“I’ve wanted you all day. Don’t make me wait any longer.”
He kissed her, taking her lower lip between his teeth. “Fine.” He reached up with one arm to the coffee table, his hand reaching for his wallet. He took a condom out and flung his wallet across the room, which caused her to giggle.
“You think that’s funny?” he asked, kissing her again. “You rush me and then have the nerve to giggle when I rush.”
“I...” I love you, Asa, nearly slipped from her lips. It was true. She loved him. She was in love with him. But she stopped herself from saying it. She didn’t think it was possible to fall out of love with one man and in with another in the span of a year, but she had gone and done it.
“You what?”
“I’m glad you’re here. I’m so glad to be spending Christmas with you.”
* * *
An hour later Hallie was slipping on her dress, preparing to go back to her parents’ house. But she looked back at Asa who was lounging on the sofa, a throw blanket covering his nudity. He looked so gorgeous lying there, the rays of the afternoon sun hitting his face.
“I’ve got to go.” She leaned down to kiss his lips.
“Don’t.” He grabbed her, pulling her down on top of him. She didn’t resist, just went slack, enjoying the feel of his hard body against hers.
“I’ve got to.” She pressed her nose into the seam of his neck. He smelled like ocean air and aftershave and a little bit like her. “I’m supposed to be making Christmas cookies with my family. We bring them to the senior citizen home.”
“Fine. Leave me. Go do nice things for the elderly and leave me to languish here on my own.”
“I thought you were here to see your family.”
“I could see them—” he took his face in his hands and pressed his lips to her “—but I find you much cuter.”
She closed her eyes and savored the feeling of his lips on hers, the closeness they shared. “Come home with me then.”
“Seriously?” His eyes had widened and she knew her invitation was totally unexpected.
“You don’t have to, if you don’t want.” She shook her head and tried to climb off him. She hadn’t meant to ask him to come, but the words had slipped out of her mouth. “I just thought you could meet my mother and Nanny.”
“Why are you getting all squirrely?” He wrapped his arms around her waist and kept her where she was. “Yes, I want to meet your family.”
“You do?”
“Of course I do. Where else am I going to hear all those embarrassing childhood stories?”
She looked at him, studying his face carefully, and she believed him. Relief filled her. “Good. Get dressed quickly. We’ve got to head to the store. You can’t show up without bringing Nanny a gift.”
They stopped and got flowers and her grandmother’s favorite sherry before they arrived at her parents’ house. She had always loved walking up to her childhood home with its white picket fence and beautiful blooming bushes filled with flowers of every color. The house itself was done in pale salmon and soft sand-colored shades. There were ocean-blue accents here and there and intricate hand-carved latticework.
“It looks like a big gingerbread house,” Asa said, sounding awed.
“That’s exactly what my father was going for.” And it was all decorated for Christmas. Last year they hadn’t bothered with the decorations because no one felt much like celebrating, but this year her mother had pulled out all the stops and used all the things her father had made over the years. There was an enormous wreath on the door with golden starfish and seashells. To the side of the house there was a snowman that looked like it had melted into a puddle and all that was left was a head, his gloves, a mitten and a top hat. There were the wooden Christmas trees that her father and Derek had done together years ago. They were made of recycled beach fence wood and painted in various colors.
Looking at them now she recalled that this was how Derek had gotten his start in the furniture business. He’d begun selling these handmade trees to tourists as a teenager. It was how he’d put himself through college. Hal Roberts had been like a father to Derek, who had a strained relationship with his own father The bond between them was strong. She knew Derek took the loss just as hard as she did.
She felt Asa’s hand on her shoulder. “Are you regretting bringing me here?”
“Of course not.” She shook her head, feeling emotional. “No. I was just thinking about my dad.”
“Holidays are hard.” He kissed her forehead.
“This one is better.” She should have realized that things with Brent were going to end last Christmas. She had just lost her father. The grief was nearly choking her and Brent wasn’t there. Not emotionally or physically. He had missed her father’s wake, was late for his funeral because he was away on business. Her family had been there, but she had felt alone. What she had needed was him to support her. What she got were excuses as to why he was too busy to be with her.
Asa kissed her forehead again, a reminder that he was there. Ever since he’d come into her life he seemed to be there exactly when she needed him.
The front door opened and her grandmother stood there with Derek. “I would ask who this is, but I’m pretty sure this is the man you sneaked out of the house to be with.”
“Nanny!”
“Oh, don’t be such a prude. Your mother is in the kitchen and she can’t hear.” Nanny’s eyes took Asa in for a very long moment. Hallie glanced at Derek, seeing that he was trying hard not to laugh but was losing the battle. “Come here, young man.” Nanny crooked her finger.
Hallie held her breath as Asa walked over to her. She didn’t know why but she had been nervous ever since she’d made the suggestion to him.
Brent was a local. Their families had always known each other, but this was the first time Hallie had brought an outsider home.
“Hello, ma’am. My name is Asa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He handed her the bottle of sherry. “Thank you for having me in your home.”
“Polite.” She nodded her head in approval. “Tall, wide shoulders, well-built,” she said as if she were ticking off a checklist. “Handsome as all get-out. Do you have a job?”
“Yes, ma’am. I work for the FDNY.”
She nodded. “Heroic.” She looked at Hallie. “How did you meet him again?”
“He came to my rescue when I hit my head on the ice.”
“Aha. Is he a good kisser?”
“He’s the best, Nanny. Gives me all kinds of butterflies and flutters.”
“Nanny, can we be done with this inquisition?” Derek shook his head, looking uncomfortable. “I’m sure you’re embarrassing the man.”
“I can handle it. Go on, Hallie. Tell her some more good things about me,” Asa said with a grin.
Hallie walked up the steps and stood next to Asa. She slipped her hand into his, locking her fingers with his. “Can I keep him, Nanny?”
“I say yes, but you need to ask your mother first. Go get her and put this bottle of sherry away, too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Now you, Asa...” Nanny looped her arm with his. “You are going to have a nice little visit with me before we get started baking cookies. You do realize you are going to be baking cookies today? You will get your hands dirty. I hope you don’t fuss about getting a little flour on your shirt or getting dough under your manicured fingernails.”
“I came to work.”
“Good. Hallie,” she said without looking at her. “Why are you still standing there?”
“I’m going. I’m going.” Nanny liked him. Hallie was relieved. Derek had liked him, too. She just had to get her mother on board.
Hallie ran into her halfway through the living room. “Oh, you’re home. Is that sherry?”
“It’s for Nanny. I brought a friend over to meet her.” Hallie swallowed hard.
“You did?”
“And for you to meet, too.”
“Oh?”
“It’s a man. A man I’ve been seeing for some time now.”
“You brought a man home for me to meet?” Clara stood there for a moment, clearly blown away by Hallie’s statement. “That must mean it’s quite serious.”
“It is, or at least I think it’s getting to be.”
“Hallie?” Asa stepped inside. “Your grandmother would like the lavender lemonade. Hello, Mrs. Andersen. I’m Asa. It’s very nice to meet you.” He presented the orange lilies he had picked out for her.
“This is him?”
“Yes.”
“This is who you went to have drinks with?”
“Yes.”
“Well, he certainly is beautiful.”
“I think so, too. Remember when you asked me if I had a man in my apartment that time?”
“I do.”
“I did. This is him.”
“You’re the neighbor, aren’t you? The paramedic she’s always talking about.”
“I am.”
“And you’ve been dating my daughter and it’s serious?”
“Yes to both.”
Clara pushed the
flowers at Hallie. “Put these in water for me, sweetheart, and bring the lemonade like your grandmother said.” She was still looking at Asa as if she couldn’t believe he was real.
Hallie looked back as Asa. She almost didn’t want to leave him there alone.
“It’s okay, baby. Go on,” he said, reading her mind. “I’m fine.”
She nodded once before she headed into the kitchen. There was a fresh pitcher of the lavender lemonade her grandmother was so fond of. Her mother always kept chopped vegetables and fruit in the fridge for snack. There was some cheese Hallie had bought still in there, so she decided to make a little tray for them to snack on.
The kitchen door opened and Brent walked inside just like he always had when they’d been dating. But only they weren’t dating now and he was the last person she wanted to see. Especially today when Asa was in the next room. Especially the day after Asa had accused her of still loving him. “What are you doing here, Brent?”
“Your mother invited me over to make cookies.”
“We have plenty of help. You aren’t needed.” She went back to the tray she was putting together. She had hoped to hear the screen door shut behind him but it didn’t and when she looked up again he was standing there staring at her. “You’re not here to help. You’ve never once made cookies with us in the five years we were together. So say what you have to say so we can get this over with.”
“I want you back and I’ll do whatever it takes to get you back. My life has been miserable without you.”
When they’d first broken up, she had longed to hear those words. Hear that he had made a mistake, that he had been stupid, but now that she was hearing them she didn’t want to. She was almost numb to them.
“I’m sorry, but it’s over.” She shook her head. “I’ve moved away. I’ve moved on. There’s no going back for us.”
“None of that is permanent. Half the town is telling me that they saw you kissing some guy in Costa’s yesterday, but I’m not paying any attention to them because I know you and I know you still love me as much as I love you.”
