“Since I was a teenager. I used to cut through here on my way home from school or on my way to the flower shop.” She smiles a far off look in her eye, “More often than not, I’d be late getting there because I found this place to be so captivating. So whenever I needed to go somewhere to think, this is where I’d come.”
“It must have been hard on you, not having your mom around.”
I shrug, “At times. I never doubted I was loved though, my grandmother made sure of that.” I shake my head, “Enough about me, tell me the favorite place you’ve travelled to.”
He takes a drink of his water before answering, “Hmm, that would be Austin. Although, Charleston is shaping up to take over the top spot.”
I look down as I feel my cheeks heat, when I look back up Alek is watching me intently. His hand reaches out and cups my cheek as he leans in and lightly brushes his lips across mine. “I’ve wanted to do that since I picked you up today.”
“Me too,” I admit shyly.
Alek stands, gathers our trash and finds the nearest trash can. When he returns, he offers me his hand, “Let’s take a walk.” I place my hand in his and he helps me to my feet before he entwines our fingers together.
I look down at our joined hands and smile, “I’d love to.”
We walk along the path near the water, the sun dancing off the wave turning the blue water a reflective silver against the shoreline.
We stop walking to take in the mesmerizing view when I feel Alek’s gaze on me. I turn and smile shyly, not used to the attention I’ve recently acquired.
“Tell me Rose, how is it that such a beautiful woman has remained single?”
My spine stiffens at his question, unsure if I’m ready to share my past with him, but also knowing that I should. I take a deep breath and release it slowly as I form my answer.
“I haven’t always been,” I reply cautiously. “I was married.” Alek stops walking, catching my attention, “My divorce has been finalized for almost a year.”
“Rose, I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”
I shake my head, “It’s okay. I know you didn’t”
We walk over to a bench near the water, Alek waiting until I sit before he follows. Taking my hand in his, he says, “Rose, we don’t have to talk about this.”
I smile at his consideration of my feelings. That’s something that Todd never did. “No, I want to tell you.” I look down at our joined hands, his thumb caressing my skin. “I met Todd when I was working in the flower shop. It was late spring and he came in to order flowers for his Mom’s birthday.” I shrug nonchalantly, “By the time he left, he had my phone number. We dated for almost a year, when he proposed. The first part of our marriage was great. He was loving, thoughtful, and attentive. When my grandmother fell ill, he was supportive of me spending time with her. It wasn’t until she passed that things took a turn. Once I took over the business and started working long hours, he became jealous and possessive, accusing me of affairs I wasn’t having, only to find out he was the one cheating on me.”
I blow out a cleansing breath, relieved that it is all out in the open. “It was all too much, so I filed for divorce, moved into my grandparent’s house, the house I grew up in, and here I am.”
Alek scoots closer to me, capturing my hands in both of his, “Rose, I am so sorry you had to go through that.”
I give a soft smile and shrug, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right.”
Alek tilts my chin up so that I’m looking into his eyes, “If that’s true, then you Rose McDaniels, are the strongest person I know.”
My heart skips a beat as I watch Alek close the distance between us, my eyes flutter closed as our mouths connect in the softest, most sensual kiss I’ve ever experienced. Alek’s hand cradles my face as he deepens the kiss. When the moment ends, Alek rests his forehead against mine. “Thank you for sharing this place with me,” he whispers. “And for trusting me with your story.”
I pull my lower lip between my teeth, “There’s one more place I want to share with you, if you’re up for it tomorrow.”
A smile pulls at the corners of his mouth, “I don’t know, spending time with a beautiful woman is such a hardship.”
I laugh at his sarcastic response, and quip back, “Music man’s got jokes.”
This time he laughs, and happiness fills me. “You bring out a different side of me. And I would be honored to spend more time with you.”
By the time we get back to my car, the flower shop is closed and the sun has finished setting.
Holding my hand, Alek walks me to my car. The whole gesture makes me smile and I’m reminded of awkward teenage days when a boy would walk me to my door, not quite sure what to do next. But Alek isn’t a boy, he’s a full grown, sexy as hell man, and I know exactly what I want him to do as we stand beside my car.
His eyes skim my body as each of his hands entwine with mine, leaving us palm to palm.
His thumb caresses the sensitive skin inside of my wrist, the intimate touch makes my heart beat faster. “I had a great time today.”
I look up at him and smile, “So did I.”
Alek’s hands release mine, his arms winding around my waist as he draws me closer to his body. “I guess I should let you go.”
A smile teases my lips as I wrap my arms around his neck, “Yeah, you probably should.”
He raises a curious brow at me, “Does that mean I get to kiss you goodnight?”
“Oh, I certainly hope so,” I reply breathlessly seconds before his mouth descends on mine.
One of Alek’s hands moves into my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss, while the other moves down along my body leaving a trail of fire in its wake. The kiss we shared earlier was slow and sexy, teasing and tasting. This kiss is full of heat and need and desire.
Alek’s heated fingers brush against the exposed skin of my thigh causing a shiver to ripple through my body and wetness to pool between my legs. Alek’s mouth abandons mine as he trails kisses from the corner of my mouth to my ear then down my neck. His hand kneads my thigh as it moves upward under the hem of my dress until it reaches the curve of my ass.
“Alek,” I pant breathlessly as my hand stops him from making any further progress, because as much as I want him, I’d rather not be laid out on top of my car, outside my business. His eyes search mine as my hand cups his bearded cheek. My lips tingle from the kisses we shared, “Well, that was…”
Alek grins and raises an inquisitive brow, “Unexpected?”
I smile as my thumb traces his bottom lip, “Maybe, but definitely not unwelcome.”
His grin widens as he leans in to kiss me again, “Good to know.”
When the kiss ends, Alek rests his forehead against mine, and I whisper, “I really should go.”
He nods and steps back, “Can I see you tomorrow?”
“I think that can be arranged. Pick me up at five?”
He opens my car door and I raise up on my toes, dropping a soft kiss on his lips, which he eagerly returns.
“Good night Alek.”
“Good night Rose.”
Closing the car door, I start the engine and drive away, watching in the rearview mirror as Alek gets in his car and turns toward his hotel.
Chapter 8
Alek
The time I spent with Rose yesterday walking through the park, and telling each other stories of our childhood was something I’ll never forget. When the sun began to lower toward the horizon, we found a bench and watched in silence as it sank out of sight. Majestic colors painted the sky as Rose curled into my side, her head resting on my shoulder creating a moment I’ll relive in my mind every day while I’m on tour. I’ve only known her a few days and the thought of being away from her is weighing heavily on me.
When the sun disappeared from view, we walked hand in hand back to my car and I drove her back to the flower shop. That good night kiss we shared made it damn near impossible to let her leave. Thank God one of us came to our s
enses, otherwise I may have taken her right there against her car.
I take my violin from its case, place it against my shoulder and begin to play. I close my eyes and scores of notes drift in front of me. The composition is something I’ve never played before and I scramble to write it down before I forget. I play the piece repeatedly and tweak it until it’s perfect.
Once I have each note perfectly placed, I close my eyes and play through it. Visions of Rose fill my mind as I play. When I finish, a feeling of peace fills me, one I’ve not felt in quite a while. One that was inspired by a beautiful brunette, with eyes the color of melted chocolate.
I arrive at the flower shop a few minutes before five and make my way inside to wait for Rose. As the bell above the door sounds, Janet looks up and smiles from where she stands behind the counter.
“Alek, nice to see you again.”
I tip my head in her direction and smile, “Good afternoon, Janet. Nice to see you too.”
“Rose is just finishing up in the back; she’ll be out in just a minute.”
“Thank you,” I reply as I move over to the cooler and take in the arrangements Rose has created.
I only wait a few minutes before Rose appears from the back room. “Hey, you,” she says as she makes her way over to me. “See something you like?”
I grin as I wrap my arm around her waist, “I have my eye on something.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Umhmm, something very beautiful in fact.” Rose’s cheeks turn a lovely shade of pink, as I lean in and kiss her cheek. “Ready to go?”
She pulls away from my side and grabs her purse off the counter, “Whenever you are.”
I place my hand at the small of her back and we walk toward the door, “Good night Janet,” she calls as I open the door.
“Have fun you two,” Janet calls as we step outside onto the sidewalk.
We walk to my car and as I open the door for Rose. A black pickup truck slows to a near stop as the driver watches us. I nod my head in his direction and he hurries past. Shaking off the encounter, I close the passenger door and round the vehicle to climb behind the wheel.
“Now that I have you all to myself, where shall we go?”
Rose buckles her seat belt and turns toward me, excitement dancing in her eyes. “I have one more place to show you, so, straight ahead and make a right at the light.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Without telling me where exactly we’re going, Rose gives me directions as I drive through the beautiful city of Charleston. Making one last right, I pull into a driveway flanked by hedges. At the end of the drive sits a light blue bungalow style house. There’s a large front porch where two rocking chairs sit in front of a large window. The rose bushes blooming on each side of the steps tip me off as to who owns this house.
Rose watches me as I take in the house and I know by the smile on her face that this is her house.
“You brought me to your house?”
“You said you wanted to see all my favorite places. Welcome to my home.”
Her smile is infectious and before I get a chance to open her door she is out of the car. I meet her in front of the car and take her hand in mine as we climb the steps together. Rose takes out her keys, unlocks the front door and waits for me to enter.
The inside of the house reflects as much of her personality as the exterior. Pale pink walls with white trim adorn the walls of the great room that contains the living room and dining room. A light gray sofa with pink floral pillows faces a television atop an antique credenza. A large burgundy armchair sits in the corner next to a side table with a lamp and a paperback romance novel. A small round oak table with matching chairs sits in the dining room in front of a bar that separates the kitchen from the dining room.
Rose takes a nervous step toward me, “Well, what do you think?”
I reach out and gently grasp her fingers taking a few steps to close the distance between us. “I think it’s a perfect reflection of you and almost as beautiful.” I wrap my arm around her waist as she places her hand on my chest as if to steady herself.
Her eyes flit to my lips before capturing my gaze again, “That was a very sweet thing to say.”
My hand cups her face and my thumb caresses her cheek, as I whisper against her mouth, “It’s the truth.”
A slight whimper escapes her as my mouth captures hers. With the slightest touch of my tongue, she opens for me, her body melting against mine. My hand cradles the back of her head as I deepen the kiss, tasting every inch of her warm, lush mouth. My hands begin to roam over her body, moving first down to caress the curve of her ass, then back up to her breast. My thumb brushes over one erect nipple causing her to moan, her breath shuddering, before she ends the kiss. She rests her forehead against mine as we try to regulate our breathing.
An apology falls from my lips, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t…,”
Rose shakes her head as she lays a finger on my lips, effectively silencing me. “Please don’t apologize,” she whispers. “It’s just that, it’s been a while since I’ve been kissed, let alone touched.”
Her hand rests on my chest and my hand covers it, keeping it in place. “That’s a shame, because you should be kissed often.”
A smile touches her mouth as she drapes her arms around my neck, “Why Alek Berringer, are you volunteering for the job?”
Her teasing tone makes me smile, something I find myself doing more of, especially when I’m around her. “I’m kind of hoping I’m the only applicant.”
“I’d say the odds are definitely in your favor,” she leans in and gives me a quick kiss. “Now come on, you can help me with dinner.”
I follow her to the kitchen, “I should warn you, I’m not much of a cook.”
She pulls some items from the refrigerator, looks my way and smiles. “I promise to take it easy on you.” She places a bell pepper and a knife on a cutting board in front of me. “Cut it in half, remove the seeds and then cut it into strips.”
“I can handle that,” I confirm as she places a cast iron skillet on the burner.
Taking a small onion, I watch in awe as she peels off the skin and slices before I’m finished with the pepper.
“How did you do that so quickly?”
She smiles and shrugs, “I’ve had lots of practice. Plus, this is one of my favorite meals so I have it pretty often.” Turning on the stove, she puts the onion and pepper in the skillet. She hands me a wooden spoon, “Can you keep an eye on these for me while I cut up the steak?”
“Sure.” I move the vegetables around with the spoon, “Mind if I ask what we’re making?”
“Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. They’re kind of my comfort food, and since I’ve been sharing my favorite things with you today, this seemed like the natural choice.”
I grin as I watch her, loving the fact that she put so much thought into our dinner tonight. Once she’s finished cutting the steak, she comes over to check on the onion and peppers. She bumps me with her shoulder, “And you said you weren’t a cook.”
I laugh, “I’m not sure this really qualifies, but I do follow instructions well.”
She laughs at my answer, “Yes you do.”
Removing the onions and peppers from the skillet, she adds the steak, which immediately begins to sizzle against the hot iron pan. When the steak is nearly done, she adds the vegetables back in to warm them up before adding the cheese. She slices the sub rolls and warms them over the mixture. When she’s satisfied with the bread’s softness, she builds a sandwich for each of us.
Rose hands me the plates, and I take them to the table as she asks, “What would you like to drink? I have water, diet soda, and iced tea.”
“Iced tea, please.”
She pours us each a glass, and carries them to the table, before taking a seat. I sit beside her and take a bite of the amazing sandwich she created.
“Mmm,” is all I can manage, before washing it down with a sip of my iced tea.
“Good
?”
“No, delicious, and I’ve had these in Philadelphia.”
“Wow, that’s quite the compliment,” she says as she raises her sandwich to take another bite.
“It’s true, but if you think the onions are going to keep me from kissing you later, you’re mistaken.”
Rose coughs and sputters as she swallows her sip of iced tea, nearly spitting it out at my comment. “The thought never crossed my mind.”
Once we finish dinner, I help Rose clean up the kitchen. She looks so relaxed and carefree with her brown hair tucked behind her ears, her cheeks and nose pink from spending time outdoors with me yesterday. She dries her hands on a nearby towel and tosses it on the counter. I slowly take a few steps toward her. Her breath hitches as I catch her around the waist and back her up against the counter.
“Do you know how incredibly sexy you look all relaxed and sun-kissed?”
She reaches up, her fingers caressing the stubble covering my face, “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she whispers, her voice breathless.
I capture her hand, place a kiss on her palm, and shake my head. “I haven’t said that to anyone in a long time.”
Her eyes search mine, “Maybe one day you’ll tell me about her.”
“Maybe, but not today.”
“Fair enough.” She wiggles out of my embrace, takes both my hands in hers and begins walking backwards. “Now I have one more thing to show you.”
“Oh yeah?”
Her smile is hypnotizing, and I realize then, that I’d follow her anywhere “Yep, come with me.”
She leads us out onto the back porch and over to a porch swing. We both take a seat and begin to slowly sway back and forth in silence. The darkness surrounds us and the only sounds that we hear are those of the insects and the rhythmic creak of the swing.
“I’ve been coming out here since I was a little girl. Some days I would bring a book and get lost in the story and others I’d just lose myself in the stars.”
“Have you ever tried to count the stars?”
A Arrangement for Rose Page 4
