by Té Russ
By now, tears were flowing down her cheeks. “You have been haunting my dreams for years, calling out to me trying to get me to realize that you were the one for me.”
He took a step towards her and leaned down to kiss her tears away. Then he pulled her close. “I must admit, since I came to the full realization that it was you in the dreams, they've changed quite a bit.”
“How so?” she managed to ask.
“Well in the dreams now, we make love in that field of black orchids.”
Her eyes grew wide and she tried to take a step back, but he gently grabbed her by the waist. “You know you have nothing to worry about, Peaches,” he whispered into her ear. “When we finally do make love for real, it will be momentous.”
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she exhaled, she looked up at him. “I'm so sorry, Johnny,” she said, her voice trembling.
“I shouldn't have given you any reason to doubt me.”
She shook her head. “No, I think I was still kind of scared, maybe even looking for another way out of whatever is happening.”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Let's just forget it ever happened.”
She laid her head on his chest as he gathered her in an embrace. “It's forgotten.”
Suddenly she leaned back and looked up at him. “Wait, you never left my side the night of the ball. How did you buy the painting?”
He gave her a cryptic smile before revealing himself. “Don't you remember Marnee was there?”
Marnee had come to the ball as the date of some lawyer. They'd only spoken briefly.
“While you were dancing with Mr. Too Perfect, I sent Marnee a text telling her to purchase the painting and take it the restaurant until I could pick it up and take it home. There was quite a bidding war. Apparently someone else wanted the picture pretty badly, but not as bad as I did. I told Marnee to keep bidding until I won. Needless to say she got a hefty bonus on her following check.”
For the first time since she'd seen Randi earlier that day, she smiled.
He leaned down and kissed her again, then looked at his watch.
“Well baby, I'd better walk you home so you can start getting ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“Don't think you're about to get out of our date because of some misunderstanding that has since been forgotten.”
She laughed at him. She felt like a complete idiot for assuming the worst of him, when he'd never, in the five years they'd know each other, given her cause to before. “I should have just stayed a minute longer.”
“Hey,” he said giving her a serious look. “It's forgotten remember?”
She nodded, “Right, forgotten.”
“Good, let's get you home.”
Chapter 13
Liz could not keep still. She keep rearranging books, flicking invisible lint. She was nervous. After John returned her to her apartment, earlier he suggested she take a nap. She fell right to sleep after being emotionally spent.
Then she woke up in a panic. What am I going to wear? she thought. She'd hopped up and went through her closet.
Not knowing where they were going or what they were doing, she didn't want to over, or under dress. She'd settled on a black sweater dress with a plunging cowl neckline that stopped right above her knees and paired them with four-inch ankle boots.
Now she was waiting. She sat back down on the couch wringing her hands the way she often did when she was nervous. She didn't date often and even though this was someone she'd known for years, she felt like they'd only met for the first time days ago.
She needed to know what to do.
She picked up her cell phone and dialed her sister's number. “Hey Lizzie!” She could feel her sister's warm smile through the phone.
“I need help.”
“What is it?” Leigh asked, her voice full of concern.
“I have a date.”
“Oh is that all?”
“You know I don't regularly date. I'm in a panic. I don't know what to do or say.”
“Lizzie, you're amazing. Just relax, be yourself and let things flow. Stop pacing.”
Her sister knew her too well. The moment she'd answered the phone, Liz was up moving around. She stopped.
“Now close your eyes.” Liz did what her sister told her.
“And take a deep breath.” Liz inhaled until it felt like all of the air was gone from her lungs.
“Slowly, exhale.” Leigh listened as the phone filled with the sound of Liz's breath through the phone.
“How do you feel now?”
“Better.”
“Good. Now, tell me quickly about the guy before he shows up.”
She hesitated for a moment. That was all the time Leigh needed to zone in.
“What's his name?”
“It's John.”
“Well, it's about time.”
“What do you mean?”
“Come on Lizzie, every one has been waiting for you two to get together. Mama's gonna be thrilled.”
Liz was speechless, how did everyone know that this was inevitable. Everyone, except for her.
“Look Lizzie,” Leigh continued when she said nothing, “This is John we're talking about. He adores you. You two already act like an old married couple. Just do what you've always done, you'll be fine.”
Suddenly, she heard a knock on the door.
“I think that's him, I'll call you later,” she whispered on the phone.
“I want details! Love you!”
“Love you too.”
She stood, smoothed her dress and went to the door. Her breath caught when she opened the door to see the magnificent man standing in front of her. He'd worn dress slacks with a white button down collared shirt.
He was leaning against the door panel, with his hand behind his back and a lazy grin on his face.
“Good evening, Ms. Wheeler.”
She blinked, then smiled. “Mr. Parker.”
He took his time openly admiring her. She was absolutely mouthwatering. After his eyes had gotten their fill, he pushed off the door panel with his shoulder and revealed a bouquet of flowers.
“These are for you.”
She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. He stared back at her. “What?”
She chuckled. “What's with the flowers?”
He looked annoyed at her. “It's a date isn't it? I thought I'd bring you something nice.”
She took the flowers and rose up to kiss him on the cheek. “They're beautiful.” She looked down at them, then back up at him. “Going all out are you?”
“Of course I am woman. I'm trying to properly court you.”
“Court me!” she croaked out. “So we're courting now? John that's so old fashioned.”
“Well, I'm an old fashioned kind of guy. Now hurry up woman before we miss our reservation.”
She headed for the kitchen to grab a vase. “Reservations?”
“Of course. I do eat at other restaurants you know.”
“I know. I just expected, with you going all out and such, that you'd show off and shut your restaurant down or something and cook for me.”
“That's nothing new Peaches, we've been doing that for years.”
“True,” she agreed, putting the flowers in the vase after filling it with water. She put them in the center of the bar and stepped back smiling. She turned to John and walked into his arms. “They really are beautiful flowers.”
He dipped his head to kiss her quickly. “I knew you'd love them.”
He gave her a gentle pat on the bottom, then cupped her elbow. “Come on we've got a date to start.”
The Paradise Lounge was an underground jazz club that paid homage to the clubs of the Harlem Renaissance era. The owners had done an outstanding job recreating the look and feel of the jazz clubs of the past, even down to the alleyway entrance. The neon sign flashed above the stairs that led down to the door that took you back into time.
The crisply pressed linen table clo
thes covered tables, topped with small intimate lamps, surrounded the wooden checkered dance floor, where patrons could groove to the full live band on the massive stage.
John sat back and watched Liz, whose eyes were closed, sway to the music. He was grateful that everything had worked out between the two of them and his plans were back on track.
“Are you guys ready to order?”
Liz stopped swaying and opened her eyes. She smiled up at the waitress. “Can we have another minute?”
The waitress nodded returning the smile. “Take your time.”
Liz picked up her menu and perused the selection. She stopped searching when she glanced over her menu and noticed that John hadn't moved. He just kept staring at her.
“What?” she asked.
He shook his head slowly. “Nothing. You're just stunning.”
Liz looked down at her menu to hide her burning cheeks.
“I'm serious Lizzie.”
She glanced over her menu again and gave him a sensual grin. “You are pretty stunning yourself, Mr. Parker.”
He nodded his head gracefully. “Why thank you Ms. Wheeler.”
She chuckled lightly, looking back down at her menu, as John picked up his own.
She sighed contently. “Everything looks so wonderful.”
“Mmm hmm,” he mumbled in agreeance.
When the waitress returned, they'd decided on what they wanted to eat, given their orders to the waitress and handed her their menus. John turned his full attention back on her. His dimples winked at her as he smiled at her.
“Have you gotten to use any of your new techniques since you got back from Seattle yesterday?” He smiled remembering her surprising greeting when they'd seen each other.
Her eyes grew wide. “I forgot to tell you! I met with Anjelah Martin today! We've scheduled my art show.”
He sat there staring at her for a moment. He would have asked her how could she forget to mention something so amazing to him; then he remembered the events that had occurred earlier in the day. Instead, his smile grew wider as he said, “That's amazing Lizzie! When is it?”
“In about two months.” She gave him the exact date.
“I've got to start thinking of what will be served.”
She looked at him shocked. “Johnny there is no way you're working that night.”
He gave her a serious look for a moment. “There is no way my woman isn't going to have the finest catering at her debut art show. And since I'm the best, that's what you're getting.”
She opened her mouth to speak but he stopped her. “I will make everything ahead of time, and put Marnee in charge.”
Liz closed her mouth and simply nodded.
He leaned towards her, causing her to do the same as if they were magnets. He gave her a tender kiss. “I'm very proud of you Peaches.”
She smiled and sat back, right when the waitress came back with their food.
They sat in a companionable silence as they ate their food. Occasionally they raved about how delicious something on their plate was and insisted the other try it while feeding each other. John thought he would jump out of his skin when he heard Liz moan her appreciation after he fed her, and Liz felt equally aroused when John licked his lips after she'd fed him.
John desperately needed to feel her as much as he needed his next breath to continue living.
He stood up and held out his hand to her. “Dance with me?”
She gave him a dazzling smile as she took his hand. “I would love to.”
He led her to the dance floor, then spun her around and pulled her close to him. She pressed her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his neck as he settled one hand on her lower back and the other on her ample hip.
He inhaled the scent of her hair. “You smell so good.”
She smiled, not looking up. “Black orchids.”
He kissed her hair. “I'm buying you a case of it tomorrow.”
Liz pressed even closer to him. She could feel his arousal for her. “If you keep moving like that against me,” he whispered in her ear, “we might end up in jail tonight for indecent exposure.”
She stopped dancing and looked up into his eyes shocked. He pulled her back flush against his body and continued to dance until the song was over.
Once they got back to the table, he pulled two large bills out of his wallet and laid them down on the table. “Let's get out of here,” he said grabbing her hand.
They got back to Liz's apartment shortly after leaving the restaurant. As soon as the elevator closed, John pulled Liz into his arms, his mouth crashing down on hers. She responded just as eagerly. When she moaned, he dipped his tongue into her mouth, tasting the wine she'd had earlier.
He wrapped an arm around her, crushing her to him while he propped his other arm against the wall. They quickly came out of their haze of passion when the bell of the elevator alerted them that they'd reached her floor. She pulled away and straightened her dress. The doors slowly opened and she began to walk out. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her back in. He pushed the button to close the elevator doors then punched the stop switch, trapping them inside.
He ran his hands through her hair and pulled her mouth up to his again. He couldn't help himself, he felt like she was a habit he couldn't break. He had no intentions of trying either. Realizing the alarm would soon sound, he pressed the button to free them from the elevator.
Once they arrived at her door, she turned and gazed into his eyes. Her already full lips, looked even fuller since she had been thoroughly kissed.
“You certainly know how to woo a girl, Mr. Parker.”
“You make it very easy to woo, Ms. Wheeler.”
She looked down at her shoes. “Do you want to come in?”
He brought her chin up so she would look at him again. “I'd love to, but I know you're going to wake up early and get started on your sculpture. And I've got to help do food prep in the morning for a catering job.”
He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Sleep well baby.”
She went in, locked the door and slumped against the door. She ran her hands through her hair. She couldn't believe that she'd just made out in an elevator! She headed to her bedroom and changed into a silk nightgown then climbed into bed.
Her first date with John had gone exceptionally well. Much better than she thought. She smiled as she fell into a dreamless sleep. The day had gone from good to bad to great. She thought things would only get better from here on out.
Chapter 14
John was in high spirits the next day when he went into Johnny's to help prep for the catering job. He was so on top of his game, they got finished in record time. He sent his crew off pleased with the work they'd done and decided to take the rest of the day off.
He knew Liz would be working on her sculpture so he went straight home. He smiled when he saw that Liz had her window open and was perched on a stool, hair pulled back in a ponytail looking completely focused on the task at hand. He thought she looked incredibly sexy when she was deep in thought.
He shook his head as he wondered how he'd never had these feelings before. He'd seen her make the same faces a million times, but never before had they made him feel the way he felt now.
A few hours passed and he was beginning to miss her. He decided instead of going over to her place to cook for her, he would do what he'd always did when he wanted to get her attention from his place and her window was open. He opened his own window and began to cook. He knew the smells of his cooking would waft through the air and soon she would be sniffing, then calling him.
The first time it happened was a complete accident, but it worked every time he'd done it since.
Not long after he'd started cooking his phone rang. “Hey Peaches.”
“What is that divine food I smell?”
“Why don't you take a break and come over to find out?”
“Are you trying to lure me over there?”
“Maybe.”
“I'll be there in fifteen minutes.”
She came over and they'd enjoyed a good meal together and were now lounging on the couch. John had one leg lying on the couch and the other resting on the ground and Liz was comfortable in between his legs. Their fingers were intertwined as they sat staring at their hands.
Liz finally broke the silence. “I'm going up to see Mom and Neil on Saturday for the weekend. Neil said he could use your handyman skills.”
She felt his chest rise and fall against her back as he chuckled. “I haven't taken a weekend off in a while.”
She turned and looked at him over his shoulder. “You took a weekend off three weeks ago.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I did, didn't I?” He shrugged. “Well, I guess that's the great thing about being the boss.” He kissed the top of her head. “What time do you want to head out?”
“Nine or ten, “she said settle back against his chest, closing her eyes.
He nodded. “That's fine. You can come over and I'll make breakfast. We can take my car.”
She sighed as she began to fall asleep. “That sounds good.”
The forty-five minute drive up north to Elaine and Neil's cottage was a peaceful drive.
After they'd gotten married, Neil had a cottage built for Elaine on a massive amount of land. He had several walking trails made that led into the wooded area behind the cottage. The trails went in various directions all leading to the same place, a clearing through the woods with a small lake in the center. They had a small boat that they occasionally took out on the lake on beautiful days.
As they pulled into the circular drive, the door swung open and Elaine Wheeler came bounding down the stairs. Liz got out of the car and Elaine hugged her daughter tightly. John smiled at the two women as they embraced.
Elaine looked wonderful for fifty years old. She didn't look a day over forty. The woman took the term 'aging gracefully' to a whole new level. John knew what he had to look forward to when Liz got older. If Elaine was twenty-five years younger, she and Liz could pass for twins.
John met Elaine at the front of the car and gave her a bear hug lifting her off her feet. Elaine giggled like a teenage girl. “Put me down you old devil before Neil comes out here.”
