Blanketed deep in thought, she considered the wall she always had up when it came to former relationships and surprised at how Jack was able to break through that so easily. She recalled her paranoia in Hawaii and chalked it up to her experiences in the past and her feelings of betrayal. The time on her flight was not passing quickly enough. She worked on a few things on her laptop, attempting to distract herself, so she would stop looking at her watch every couple of minutes.
Berkleigh’s flight finally landed at Dulles International, which is closest to McLean, Virginia near Jack’s home. She made her way through the terminal toward baggage claim trying to appear calm while her insides screamed with excitement.
Standing and waiting patiently right outside of security was the most handsome man Berkleigh had ever laid eyes on and he was holding a huge three dozen bouquet of red roses. I forgot just how sexy he truly is and he’s mine!
“Hello handsome,” she smiled and embraced his neck with her arms. She reached up and gave him a kiss that communicated how much she missed him. God, he smells so good.
“Hey beautiful,” his sexy voice replied with a smile. He leaned down and gave her another peck on the lips and wrapped the arm that was not holding the roses around her shoulder and he stated, “God, I have missed you.” Just like that she was putty in his arms…again. Jack handed Berkleigh the large bouquet full of beautiful roses and baby’s breath and said, “These are for you.”
“They are amazing,” she beamed as she smelled them, “thank you so much!” She gave him one more kiss then she whispered in his ear, “Shall we go find my bag, so we can head to your place and I can do all those things to you that I promised?”
“I don’t know if I can wait that long,” he flirted with a voice heavy and lustful holding hands, they proceeded to baggage claim.
◆◆◆
Jack maneuvered his black SUV quickly through traffic toward his house. Berkleigh laughed and teased, “Slow down, speed racer. I will be here all weekend we have lots of time.”
Jack winked at her and said, “It’s taking all of the self-restraint I’ve got to not pull over and have my way with you on the side of the road.”
They arrived at his house and pulled into a long driveway lined with one-hundred-year-old oak trees. She would describe Jack’s home as a nicely maintained two story Colonial-style home with a lot of windows lined with plantation shutters that contrast but compliment the red brick. The white columns enhance the appeal of the front porch that had a swing, two chairs and potted flowers that added beautiful color. Above the main level porch was an upper porch that has French doors leading into the master bedroom. The house sat on a very large lot that was beautifully landscaped with native flowers, a well-manicured lawn and mature trees.
“Your home is beautiful,” she exclaimed, “it’s very different than California-style homes. I love it!”
“Hopefully, you will be spending a lot of time here,” he stated sincerely while thinking to himself, I cannot wait to wrap up this job, so I can focus completely on Berkleigh without feeling like there is a conflict of interest. If I can help it, she will never have to know.
He pulled into his garage that is located on the left side of his house and he grabbed her bag out of the back of his vehicle. He gestured with his hand for her to head into his house, “After you.”
The inside of his home was updated with beautiful hickory hardwood floors throughout. The main floor was covered with expensive oriental rugs in the different rooms. The large kitchen had cabinets that matched the floor and was complete with stainless steel appliances and dark granite countertops that had light speckles in the granite.
Jack grabbed a Waterford crystal vase, filled it with water and placed the beautiful rose bouquet present in it. In addition to a breakfast nook with a bay window, the main floor had a formal dining room and living room. The family room adjacent to the breakfast nook highlighted a wood burning fireplace, a large flat screen TV on the wall and inviting couches. The room also had French doors that opened to a screened-in porch that led out back.
“Mi casa es su casa for the weekend; make yourself at home, Berk.” Jack said to her as he gave her the tour upstairs.
“Thank you. Your home is lovely.”
Jack showed her the two extra bedrooms, one that served as his home office and the other as a guest bedroom, which was decorated tastefully in earth tones complimented with a splash of color on the bedspread, pillows, and wall decor.
As they crossed the threshold of the master bedroom, Berkleigh felt excitement ignite inside of her. She had imagined over the last two weeks how Jack’s bed would look and feel and all the things they would do in it and now here she was. Jack set her luggage in a corner and showed her which drawers she could use for the weekend. He also made room in the closet where she could hang her clothes.
Jack wrapped his arms around her and pulled her onto his bed on top of him, immediately she could feel how turned on he was. She kissed him, the warmth of his mouth awakened every sensation inside of her.
He rolled her to the side so Berkleigh’s back was on the bed and he started to kiss her neck. The 3-day growth tickled her causing goose bumps to surface all over her tight, tanned body. Removing their clothes in a hurried manner, their intimate reunion exploded like fireworks like the blazing sex they had experienced back in Hawaii.
Berkleigh lay on her stomach and Jack fell next to her on his back breathing heavily. He held her hip with his hand and leaned over and kissed her shoulder.
As she recovered, and her breathing slowed, Berkleigh turned to her side and looked at him adoringly.
“Wow, I love making love to you,” Jack was the first to speak, still breathing hard.
Berkleigh smiled, “I love you making love to me.”
Jack got dressed in a t-shirt and basketball shorts. He told Berkleigh to meet him downstairs after she unpacked and changed into something comfortable to lounge in for the afternoon.
She went downstairs and found their late lunch being prepared. Turkey sandwiches on wheat bread, with mayo, mustard, lettuce, provolone cheese and sliced pepperoncinis. He had prepared homemade potato salad as a side and poured iced tea for them. Berkleigh joined him on the back porch, wired speakers on the ceiling outside played the same country songs as the ones they listened to on the beach.
Berkleigh smiled at the memory and looked across at the handsome man that she had been so fortunate to meet on the elevator that first day in Maui. Forget not falling hard for him, it’s already happened and there is no turning back.
They engaged in small talk throughout lunch. She felt curious to know if a woman had lived here with him who happened to know how to decorate. Even though she hasn’t known him long, that thought made her a little envious, so she figured she would put her curiosity to rest.
“Your house is beautiful. Don’t take this the wrong way but I’m surprised to see a bachelor have their home decorated so tastefully.”
Apparent sadness swept across Jack’s face, Berkleigh suddenly regretted opening that can of worms. “A woman I loved dearly was my interior decorator. She decorated my entire house. In fact, I’m reluctant to change anything she did,” he replied.
“Jack, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up something painful or drudge up a memory of a woman you were in a relationship with in the past,” she bit her lip.
He broke out of his moment of sadness, “Oh, no. Don’t worry, the woman I speak so fondly of is my mother. She decorated my home for me. She passed shortly thereafter when the cancer overcame her. My house was the last house she decorated. That’s why I can’t change anything.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her close to sit on his lap. He brushed her hair to the side and massaged her neck and stated matter-of-factly, “You know, I’ve lived here for almost three years. You’re the first ‘girlfriend’ I have had in this house.”
Forehead wrinkled with disbelief, “Really? As handsome as you are, I’m having problems believing that.”
Jack raised his hands and exclaimed, “Honest to God! My mom was sick, so I helped my dad take care of her as often as I could. Then I took on this consulting job about a year ago and my work keeps me busy. Plus, I haven’t met anyone I wanted to invite into my ‘man cave’,” he paused, “until now.” He pulled her face to his and offered her a sweet, gentle kiss.
She laughed, “Your man cave? Well, I’m honored to be deemed worthy enough.” She said it teasingly enough but truly meant it, feeling relieved to hear he is not a man-whore who picks woman up at conferences.
He got serious one more time while he played with her hair, “Seriously, I know I haven’t known you long, but I sure wish I could’ve introduced you to my mother. She would’ve loved you! And you would’ve loved her.”
Berkleigh’s heart filled with emotion after hearing such an intimate admission from Jack. Overwhelmed with her own feelings for this amazing man whose lap she was sitting on, they kissed again as the song You and Only You by John Berry came on the speakers overhead. Berkleigh laid her head on his shoulder as they listened to the lyrics about a man who simply needed one more chance to prove his love.
After a while of sitting in silence embracing one another, Berkleigh asked if she could get herself some more iced tea. Jack responded kindly with, “Berk, you don’t have to ask. Anything in my house is yours; feel free to get whatever you want.”
She looked him up and down and smiled flirtatiously. “Anything?”
His eyes gleamed with desire, “Anything.”
She took his glass and refilled their glasses of iced tea.
After handing him his drink, she stated, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to check my work email really quick. They know I’m traveling but I still have to ensure there is nothing pressing that might require a response from me.”
“Go right ahead, let me know once you are logged into your computer and I’ll give you my password,” he stated.
Berkleigh logged on and accessed the internet through Jack’s Wi-Fi. Finding nothing urgent waiting for her, she shut back down and closed the lid to her laptop.
As the early evening approached and the sun was beginning to set, the air was getting chilly as it’s still cool in March in Virginia at night. Jack noticed Berkleigh was hugging her body and appeared cold, so he got one of his oversized University of Texas sweatshirts for her.
“Oh, thank you,” she exclaimed at his thoughtfulness, “I brought warm clothes, though.”
“You wearing my clothes is probably one of the sexiest things I can think of,” he replied. “How about I start a fire and open a bottle of wine?” he inquired.
“I’d like that, how can I help?” she asked.
“Would you like to put some cheese on a plate and we can enjoy some with our wine near the fire?”
“Sure thing!” she stated excited to contribute and headed to the kitchen while he got the fire in the family room going. Once the fire was well lit, Jack grabbed a bottle of wine from his dining room and met Berkleigh in the kitchen.
She had prepared a nice plate of a variety of cheese and found crackers that pair well with red wine. As Jack entered, he displayed the bottle with a 2012 Caymus Cabernet label so that Berkleigh could see what they would be enjoying. She grabbed the plate of cheese and crackers and headed back into the family room, Jack followed with the wine he had poured into a decanter along with two wine glasses.
Jack had laid out a bear skin rug right in front of the fire. Berkleigh sat down on the rug and placed the plate on the hearth. He poured them both a glass of wine and toasted, “I’m happy you’re here.”
Berkleigh felt speechless due to her emotions for this kind and gentle, yet incredibly sexy man that she fallen for. He’s the perfect package. She smiled her 1000-watt smile and toasted her glass to his.
They spent a little bit of time talking and getting to know one another even better and before they knew it, they had polished off the bottle of Caymus and both were feeling warm and fuzzy. When seven o’clock approached, Jack decided to put the lasagna he had prepared the night before in the oven. He put the garlic bread in the oven to bake while Berkleigh put together an Italian salad.
17
An hour later, they settled into their chairs in the formal dining room to enjoy dinner with the glow of candlelight and soft music playing overhead enhancing their already heightened romantic mood.
Jack had opened another bottle of wine for them and over casual conversation, Berkleigh complimented him several times about his cooking skills. They even talked briefly about past relationships which Berkleigh appreciated as it helped her understand why he chose to be single.
With every minute that passed, she felt like they were opening on deeper levels than before. It was out of character for both to feel so comfortable around a person they had only met just a couple of weeks ago.
Jack was thoroughly enjoying their time together and almost forgot about the job lingering over his head that had to be completed; he was not going to truly be able to give her everything she deserves until that is done.
He concluded he was going to attempt to gather the information he needed ASAP, so he can remove that nagging distraction from his mind.
As they finished dinner, Berkleigh started to clear the table and move everything into the kitchen near the sink. She saw Jack discreetly grab several roses discreetly and he said, “I will be back to help in a few.”
“Okay, handsome,” she said with a smile beneath her long eyelashes. Berkleigh rinsed the dishes and hummed a song out loud as she loaded them into the dishwasher.
Meanwhile, Jack went upstairs with the opened bottle of wine, two glasses and rose petals. He turned down the covers on the bed and sprinkled soft rose petals over the sheets.
He lit candles in the bedroom and turned on smooth jazz and drew a bubble bath in his oversized Jacuzzi tub and illuminated candles creating the perfect ambiance.
Jack stopped by his office on his way back downstairs and grabbed a USB memory stick. Berkleigh was just about finished with the dishes as he entered the kitchen. He casually slid the memory stick into a kitchen drawer, she didn’t notice.
Wrapping his arms around her slender waist and kissing the side of her neck, he saw goose bumps form on her arms and silently reveled in the fact he had that ongoing effect on her.
He whispered in her ear, “Leave the dishes that need hand washing, I will do those in the morning. I have a surprise for you upstairs.”
Berkleigh’s heart beat excitedly for what the rest of the evening had in store. Jack took her hand and led her upstairs. She let out a small gasp as she entered the master bedroom and saw his romantic gesture.
“Are you always this romantic?”
“I can’t say that I have always been, but I learned a lot from my dad about how to treat a woman. You make it easy to be romantic with, though. There is not enough I can do in this world for you to show you how much I have fallen for you,” he replied softly.
She embraced his face with her hands and offered him a kiss that communicated how grateful she was for all he was doing for her. He then lifted his Texas sweatshirt and her t-shirt off her and slowly removed her yoga pants and panties.
She responded in kind and undressed him very slowly and seductively running her fingers along his muscular body.
He took her hand and said, “Follow me.” He led her into the bathroom and helped her into the Jacuzzi tub; the jets were softly blowing bubbles. Jack got in behind her and Berkleigh rested on his chest.
Jack gathered bubbles in his hand and gently lathered her arms and chest. She closed her eyes and moaned enjoying his hands once again exploring her body.
The bath was quite sensual and romantic.
Drying off, Berkleigh said, “That was so relaxing, want to watch a movie?”
“Sure. Do you want to watch it up here or down by the fire?”
“Up here would be perfect if that’s okay with you.”
Jack grabbed the remote o
ff the nightstand closest to him, turned on his 55” flat screen TV hanging on the wall and searched through the cable on-demand movies that were available.
“What kind of movie are you in the mood for?” he asked.
“I’m always up for a comedy… or a romance, of course,” she smiled shyly, “although, I’m quite certain that there is not a romantic comedy that can match what we have going.”
“I agree, Berk, although based on our intimate encounters, I think we could easily top the charts for triple X-rated movies, too!” he laughed.
She couldn’t help but observe that he was most handsome when he smiled because his eyes smiled, too.
She hit him playfully, “You are bad, Jack.”
“I’m going to grab some water from downstairs, would you care for a bottle?”
“Yes, please,” she responded.
Jack went down to the kitchen wearing only boxers and grabbed two bottles of water. He checked the drawer for the USB memory disk, he wasn’t sure why, but he felt the need to double check. Of course, it was exactly where he left it.
Making his way back upstairs, he stopped in his office, checked his cell phone and had three missed calls from his boss. Rolling his eyes, he set his phone down and decided that a return call to John could wait until the morning.
When he returned to his room he was taken aback at how beautiful Berkleigh looked with her blonde hair sprawled out on one of his pillows. The sheet covered her sexy body just above her breasts. He handed her a bottle of water and climbed in next to her. He’s never had a woman in his bed at this house yet having Berkleigh there felt natural and perfect.
Together they decided to watch a comedy but instead of a movie, they found that a Modern Family marathon was on. Having learned in Hawaii that they shared that show in common as their favorite sitcom, they looked forward to watching it together.
You and Only You Page 11
