by KB Alan
“Well, never. He left.”
She probably shouldn’t have been as fascinated by the play of emotions across his face as she was. Anger, compassion, anger and something she thought might be exasperation meant just for her. Anger.
“So, he didn’t just leave your mom. He left his family. He was a…”
“Putz is the word we eventually settled on, though that’s likely because I was ten at the time.”
“And that’s when you left Seattle?”
“Right. We decided we wanted a whole new start. Mom totally left the decision up to me, said if I’d rather stay with the school and friends I was comfortable with, she was happy to do that. We came down here for a visit and I decided it was a good place to start over and pretend we’d never been a family of three.”
“Did he ever say why he left?”
She rolled her eyes. “Such a cliché, I’m almost embarrassed to say it, but he left her,” she paused when he squeezed her hand, “us, rather, for his skinny, young secretary.”
“Ah ha.”
She glared. “Don’t you ah ha me like that.”
His look said “give me a break” but he didn’t open his mouth.
Her shoulders, which she hadn’t even realized she’d tightened, dropped. His free hand came up behind her hair to rub gently at her neck and she relaxed even further.
“All right, fine. I’m sure that’s partly where my bias against beautiful skeletons comes from. My mom was never what you would call thin. But damn it, he knew that! She didn’t change on him, she was maybe a little skinnier before she had me, but not much. What the hell is wrong with him?”
Keith scooted his chair in closer and hugged her to him. “I’m sorry. Some men are scum. Hell, some women are scum too. It’s the way of the world, I guess.”
With a sigh, she leaned into him.
“Did you ever try getting in touch with him?”
“No. Not interested.” She took a drink of her coffee.
“Not even curious?” he asked.
“He’s not worthy of my curiosity or interest.”
“You’re right.” He kissed her forehead.
After a minute of quiet he took her chin in his hand and turned her to face him again. “You know, I’ve never once dated someone I met on a shoot.”
Shocked, she sat back. “That’s just so…surreal. I mean, an attractive guy, gorgeous women, it’s hard to believe. But,” she stopped him when he would have spoken, “I do believe you.”
Nodding, he relaxed. “I was also going to say that you’re a gorgeous woman too.”
Unable to help herself, she rolled her eyes. “Passably attractive, I’ll buy. But I’ve got plenty of hang-ups that make up for it, I’m sure.”
“Why do you say that? You’re a great catch. Beautiful,” he said forcibly. “Smart, funny, you have a good job and a nice condo. You don’t rely on men to do everything for you, but you’re not frighteningly independent either.”
“Was that supposed to be a compliment?” she asked.
He laughed. “Yes, sorry. But come on, don’t you think you’re being a bit ridiculous about this looks thing? It’s kind of insulting that you seem to think I’d only date women who make money with their looks.”
Well, when he put it that way. She tried to hang on to the security blanket, but felt him pulling it away despite her efforts. The image made her realize she was acting like a two-year-old. “Okay, fine. I guess when we first met I was very attracted to you.” She glared at his grin. “And I didn’t want to get hurt, so I told myself you’d never date someone like me when you were surrounded by women like that. As long as I believed that, it was fine that you didn’t want me. Good, even, because I wouldn’t want a guy like that anyway. It…sort of became circular, I guess.”
He frowned. “I don’t remember it taking very long for me to express some interest in you.”
She took a drink before answering, trying to figure out the best way to explain. “That just made it more important to really dig in, hold on to the idea so I wouldn’t give in and get hurt. Don’t forget, you admitted yourself that you weren’t exactly thinking relationship back then. Anyway, I used that idea, and the mantra, to keep myself from falling for you so that I could continue to work with you and remain sane.”
“The mantra?”
Oops. She squirmed, then forced her body to be still, waving only her hand as if she was brushing the question away. “Never mind.” He’s just a nice guy who really likes women. All women. That does not mean he loves all women, just that he likes to make them feel special. She repeated the words in her head and realized she had comforted herself with them only at the beginning of their date, had gone the rest of the day without thinking about it. That seemed…important.
“Anyway, it was about saving myself from getting too attached to you. Don’t expect it to make perfect sense. That’s sort of the point. I was just…protecting us both from a…from what I thought was a bad idea.”
“Why do you think you’re not good girlfriend material?”
“What, this conversation isn’t proof enough? It is what it is.”
“Well, whatever it is, I like it. I like you. A lot. And I want to go on another date. Or two, or ten. Will you do that? Will you give me another chance? I promise I’ll try not to screw it up again.”
“Oh, Keith, you didn’t screw it up. It was a wonderful date. The best date I’ve ever been on. Hell, it was two dates, the two best dates I’ve ever been on.”
“Well, I was afraid you wouldn’t put out on the first date.”
She spit her coffee out as she laughed and laughed, not stopping until he scooped her up and took her back into the bedroom.
The slow buildup of the night before, the surprise awakening of the morning, neither left her prepared for the carnal onslaught that began the moment he tossed her onto the bed. Her laughter died and her eyes went wide as he ripped the buttons off the shirt she wore in his haste to get her naked. Her heartbeat doubled at the hunger she saw on his face. Hunger for her. His finger teased her sex for only a few seconds before he pushed it into her. But she already needed more.
“Don’t make me wait,” she gasped.
He added another finger, leaned down to reach her breasts, gave her a tiny nip.
She raked her fingers across his back. “Now, damn it!”
When he pulled away from her she nearly snapped, but he lunged for the drawer he’d pulled a condom from the previous night. She almost snatched it from him, but figured he’d be faster.
“Hurry.” She squeezed her breasts and he froze, his gaze glued to her hands. Not the effect she’d wanted. “Keith!” It sounded uncomfortably like a shriek, but got the job done. In seconds he had the condom on and was over her, sliding into her as their mouths came together. She braced her heels against the mattress, lifted up to meet his thrusts. It took them a few beats to gain their rhythm, but when they did, she tore her mouth free and shouted.
His hands burrowed into her hair and he cursed into her ear as he came, hard, his hips freezing their movement. She grasped tight around him and lost herself in release. Her legs dropped to the bed and Keith managed to shift slightly to the side before collapsing on top of her.
Well, she thought as her sweat-slicked skin began to cool. Maybe she was going to need to consider sticking around a while, after all.
Epilogue
“Happy V-Day, Sweetheart.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“I went to church this morning and lit a candle for you.”
“Great, Mom, thanks.”
“I lit one for Keith too.”
“I’m sure he’ll be thrilled to hear it.”
“Well, let me tell him then.”
Valerie’s eyes blinked open. Yes, her mother knew she was living with Keith, but still.
“Uh.”
“Give him the phone, Val.”
She rolled her head and looked at Keith, sleepily eyeing her distress with amusement.
“She wants to talk to you,” she said and nearly laughed when his amusement turned to fear.
Biting her lip, she handed the phone to him. He glared at her but put it to his ear.
“Hello, Mrs. Patrelli.”
Abandoning her lover to his fate, she got out of bed, slipping on one of his button-down shirts but fastening only the middle button. She walked down the hallway, breathing in the wonderful aroma drifting in from the automatic coffeemaker, the low rumble of his voice behind her sending shivers down her spine.
She flipped the light on as she entered the kitchen, scrunching her eyes up to keep out most of the brightness. Retrieving two mugs from the cupboard, she turned toward the pot. Her hands spasmed around the mugs and she almost dropped them. Sitting on top of the chrome appliance was a small, black, velvet box.
Her heart leapt to her throat, choking her. Her eyes were wide open now, taking in as much light as possible to be sure she was seeing what she thought she was seeing. Her gaze darted to the hallway and there he stood, watching her, the phone down at his side. His smile was the sweet one that she loved best, the one that told her she was beautiful every day.
Stepping forward, he reached down and relieved her of the two mugs. When she still didn’t move, he picked up the small box and held it out to her. Still frozen, afraid that any movement on her part would result in her waking up from this dream, she only stared at him.
Keith tilted the lid back on the box and sank down to one knee. “Valerie, I love you, for all time. Will you marry me?” He reached forward, taking her left hand in his. It broke her from her trance and she fell to her knees in front of him.
“Keith, Keith, Keith.” She was crying, eyes darting between the gorgeous diamond ring and the amazing man who held it.
“That sounds nice, but not as nice as ‘yes’ would.”
“Yes, oh, yes. Yes, yes, yes!” She was shouting by the last yes.
He laughed and took the ring out of the box, fitting it onto her trembling hand. They admired it for a minute before he picked up the discarded mugs and filled them with coffee. When he had hers prepared the way she liked he handed it to her with a smile. But he didn’t let it go when she reached for the mug.
“Drink up, then I want to see how the ring looks on you,” he said, his voice going husky as he released the coffee.
Frowning over the rim as she took a drink, she held her left hand out so they could both see the stunning solitaire.
“No.” He shook his head. “I want to see how it looks when it’s the only thing you’re wearing.”
“That can be arranged.” She took another drink then kissed him. When his hands came up to pull her in closer, she resisted and broke the kiss. “Why don’t you give me a few minutes?” she asked, trailing her hand across his chest as she moved past.
“A few is about all I’ll be able to manage.”
Smiling, she walked down the hall, blowing him a kiss over her shoulder before closing the bedroom door between them. Once the door was closed, she hurried to the bed, taking one last drink before leaving the mug on the bedside table. She pulled the sheets and blankets up and smoothed them into place, then piled all the pillows against the headboard, grabbing the decorative ones that had been banished to the side chair before going to bed the previous night.
She made an attractive mound and plumped them into shape, climbed up onto the bed and reached over to the far side to turn the lamp on low. The shirt came off quickly and she tossed it onto the chair. Okay, she was ready. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them she looked down at her hand. It was only a symbol of course, but it certainly was a beautiful one. Turning carefully so as not to disturb the pillows or muss the bedcovers, she lay back against the soft mound. She bent her knees and set her feet wide apart. Luckily the bedroom door opened up facing the bed, so Keith would have a perfect view as he entered.
One last deep breath and she was ready. The fingers of her right hand moved in to tease one of her nipples as she trailed her left hand down her body, tickling softly until she reached her mound. Her intent had already gotten her excited so her fingers found moisture. A leisurely twirl through her opening was all she needed to bring that cream to her clit. Her whole body melted as she slowly circled the wet finger around and around, teasing the bundle of nerves. Footsteps approaching the door had a fresh wave of cream sliding from her. She moved her fingers back down to cup herself, pressing the heel of her hand hard on her clit, gasping just as the door opened.
Keith heard Val gasp as he opened the door. The vision before him nearly sent him to his knees.
She reclined on the bed, her legs spread wide, her left hand cupping her pussy with the sparkling ring pointed straight at him. It was the only thing she wore, other than a sultry smile that reminded him how lucky he was. Her dense curls framed the face he loved, the face he wanted to wake up to every morning for the rest of his life.
“Stunning. You are absolutely stunning.” He took a step into the room, watching as her fingers dipped inside, her hips rising slightly to meet her hand.
“What do you think? Does the ring look good there?” she asked.
“Oh yeah, it looks fucking phenomenal there.”
She trailed her fingers up to play with her clit, rubbing it gently. His mouth watered for a taste.
“How about here? Still good?”
He had to swallow before he could speak. “Yeah, baby, it looks gorgeous there too.” He took a couple of steps closer to the bed as her hand again moved, leaving a slight trail of moisture as she made her way over her stomach and up to her breasts. Her left hand joined her right, squeezing her breasts then tweaking her nipples.
“Here?”
“Oh yeah.”
“You know what I think?” she asked, releasing her breasts and sitting up straight.
“What, Val?” he asked as he took another step closer, bringing him to the foot of the bed.
Val got onto her hands and knees and crawled toward him, her breasts swaying as she came right up to him and sat back on her heels. Her left hand reached out to grab hold of his throbbing cock.
“Yes, just as I thought. It looks best right here.”
They both looked down to watch her hand wrap around his cock, which jumped beneath her fingers.
“Aaahhh,” was the only response he was capable of making.
She pushed him back slightly and stood, then turned him around, her hand never letting go of her prize.
“Sit.”
He sat.
The goddess before him dropped to her knees and enveloped the head of his cock in one quick move. He held on to the bedspread to keep from grabbing her head and fucking her mouth like a demon. Her tongue explored as if she’d never been there before, seeking out every vein and ridge and giving them all her full attention.
“Please, Val. Ple—ahhh. Oh yeah, so good.” He moaned as she moved slowly downward before taking a long pause to suck in hard enough to hollow her cheeks. Unable to stop himself he bucked, sending more of his length into her eager mouth. She hummed and the vibrations nearly undid him. Damn, he had to hold on, didn’t want this to end. Her hand on his cock, wearing his ring, squeezed in rhythm with her mouth. Her other hand slid down to tease his balls, which drew tight.
“Okay, okay, enough. I want to be inside you, please, Val.”
The wet heat of her mouth, her hands clenching against his thighs, it was too much. Her soft hair brushed against his balls as she moved down his shaft, taking him as far back as she could. The hand cupping his balls tickled then rolled, caressed then released in a dance that matched her mouth and served to drive him over the edge. Her teeth scraped him lightly and he came, her mouth again closing tight around him to catch every drop.
He lay back for a second, eyes closed, brain dead. Her hands rubbed up and down on his thighs, waiting patiently for him to recover. She turned her hand over and scraped him lightly with the diamond. The small scratch served to get his blood pumping
again. Gathering himself, he sat up, reached down and hauled her up onto him. He fell back and rolled over then slid off the bed.
Before Val had a chance to realize what had happened, they’d switched places and his head was between her legs. He picked up her ankles and rested her feet on the edge of the mattress.
His tongue found the juice coating her thighs and he licked his way up one leg and then the other, ending with a nip at the top. He met her eyes as he screwed one finger deep inside her. There was such heat in his eyes that she thought she might burn up from the pleasure of it. Another finger joined the first and he hooked them to that rough spot that catapulted her to the edge. Her muscles clenched around his fingers and he leaned back in to suck her clit into his mouth.
“Keith, I want you inside me.”
He laughed around her clit then pulled back and looked up at her.
“Your fault, you drained me dry. Besides, you taste so good.”
He blew across the wet bundle of nerves then pulled it between his thumb and forefinger just as he worked a third finger inside her. She came with a gasp but it wasn’t enough, instead of a release the sensations were still building. Sitting up, she put her hands into his hair and yanked. His head came up with a yelp and he looked at her in surprise.
“Inside. Now. Please.”
“Fuck, Val.” He stood up and kissed her hard, his fingers still inside her, pumping in time with his tongue. He tasted of her juices and the morning’s coffee. They dueled for a minute before she remembered she’d been after something else. She gave another yank on his hair but he just grunted. One hand let go of his hair and she found his nipple and gave it a sharp tweak.
His mouth came up on a gasp and she used her feet to shove her body back up the bed, leaving his mouth hanging over her pussy, which was still stuffed full of his fingers.
“Thanks,” he said and buried his head back between her legs.
She moaned. That hadn’t worked out quite right, but ohhhh. It was hard to remember what her plan had been. The fingers inside her were working furiously and his lips were clamped firmly around her clit. She bent her knees again, pressing hard into the mattress to lift herself into his touch. His free hand was braced against the bed so she used her own to pull on her neglected nipples.
