Second Chances

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  “Sure,” he said, without even thinking. Yet the moment those words escaped his lips, he felt a huge sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. “Let’s spend a few days here and then rush back to the beach,” he said. “Where should we go first?”

  They found Boston to be more humid than they were used to, which made the city even easier to leave after some exploration. They visited some of the outskirts, saw The House of Seven Gables, Sarah’s dream; visited the harbor and toured Old Ironsides, Brian’s wish; and ended with a lengthy tour of the Museum of Science, where Chloe was in her glory. For obvious reasons they decided to pass on any of the museums or venues that would detail the history of the Salem Witch Trials.

  And at last they were back in the air, flying to Myrtle Beach. “Is there anything special you want to do here?” Brian asked as they held hands.

  “I just want to relax, swim, and work on my tan,” Sarah said honestly. “I have been really tense lately.”

  “I know,” Brian admitted. “I could tell, and so could my father. We spoke about it.” Sarah’s brow furrowed. “We care about you. We want you to be safe.”

  I know, Sarah thought. “I’ll be better now,” she said quietly.

  Brian sighed. “It has nothing to do with that.” He gave her a grim look. “You are always good.” He sighed angrily. “Sometimes I could throttle Josh,” he grumbled.

  Sarah’s eyes grew wide. “What does Josh have to do with any of this?”

  “He is the reason you can’t trust in my feelings. He’s the reason you don’t believe that you can rely on me. And when your defenses do come down and you do begin to believe, you feel guilty about it.” He stared at her with a scowl on his face, awaiting her reaction.

  She opened her mouth to object. She was going to refute everything he had said, but she knew she couldn’t. Brian could see inside her soul. He knew her in a way no one else had. And he only spoke the truth. “I never thought of it that way before,” she said quietly. “I’m sure that I have made it very difficult for you to love me sometimes.”

  Brian lifted her sinking chin, forcing her to face him. “Not at all,” he murmured. “It is in those times that I love you even more, if that’s humanly possible.” He held her fiercely to him. And they remained like that until the plane landed.

  Sarah got her wish. They spent the next few days frolicking on the beach. Much to everyone’s relief, she was a changed woman. Gone was the edge in her voice, a product of her perpetual fear. Gone was her quivering soul that jumped at every unfamiliar sound or unexpected touch. All of her negative qualities evaporated upon her return to what she jokingly referred to as the Waite Compound. Now everyone was able to bask in the warmth of her true self.

  Mr. Waite pulled his son aside on their second evening back. “So, she seems much better.” He waited for Brian to elaborate.

  He nodded fervently. Brian wanted to say more, but he was spent. It was exhausting worrying and watching over her, yet it was also a burden he wouldn’t forgo for anything.

  He opened his mouth to speak, but fearing his emotions would get the better of him, he snapped his jaw shut.

  Marveling at his son, he said with awe, “You really love her, don’t you?”

  At that, Brian gulped. “Yeah.” He looked at the ground and kicked a stone with the toe of his shoe. Having pulled himself together he faced his father once more. “Yeah. I really do. I was drawn to her from the moment we met, but I just thought it was your basic attraction. Now that you’ve had the chance to get to know her, you must understand why.”

  Smiling, he responded, “I knew what an incredible person she was from the first day she arrived while you mother was…ill.” Thinking back he added, “She pulled us together and helped us create something special at a horrible time. I will always love her for that. She’s already family as far as I’m concerned.” He stared at his son, waiting for him to realize the magnitude of his father’s words.

  “I’d mate for life with her, if that’s what you want to know.” He had a sheepish grin on his face.

  “I thought so,” Mr. Waite responded. He threw an arm around his son’s shoulder as they walked back up to the house.

  Sarah was lying on the flagstone patio surrounding the pool, close enough for one leg and arm to dangle lazily in the water, a picture of perfect relaxation and bliss. Brian wanted nothing more than to capture that moment. He stared at her lovingly with just a hint of lust. She wore a brown two piece with bikini bottoms that hugged her hips and a matching halter top that accentuated her lush bosom. God, I want you, he thought carelessly.

  Sarah opened one eye and stared directly at him. His face flushed. Then you shall have me, she countered. And the blood drained from his face and traveled south of his waist band.

  They tucked Chloe into the room she shared with all of Brian’s nieces and nephews. It was a slumber party for her every night and she loved showing off. While each of the children had his or her own gifts, Chloe’s outstripped them all. Behave, Sarah warned as she closed the door behind her.

  She turned and let Brian envelope her. Sarah loved to bury her head in his chest and breathe him in. Now what? She asked, hoping that he might suggest they turn in early.

  “Not yet,” he whispered in her hair.

  Sarah groaned.

  He led her down the steps to the beach. “Everyone else is still up.”

  She understood the logic of his remark. “Yeah and it isn’t terribly classy of me to be so eager for our first time that we have it with your entire family around.”

  “No one would question your ‘class.’” He argued. “You are beyond reproach. And the location has nothing to do with it.” He lifted her chin, forcing her to face him as he spoke his final words. “I just want us to take our time. I want to create memories with you,

  Sarah, memories that will last us forever.”

  At the word, chills ran up and down her spine. “I love you,” she whispered into his chest.

  “Say it like you mean it,” he urged.

  Taking a deep breath, as though working up the courage, she placed her hands on either side of his face and looking him in the eye she said emphatically, “I love you.” Then Sarah tilted her head and smiled softly as his lips descended on hers. The kiss was tender at first, yet certain, certain of the promise of a future, certain of a dream about to be realized, and certain of a longing about to be fulfilled.

  Gently he laid her on the cool, wet sand. His mind raced with the possibility. He wanted her. His whole being cried out with the need to show her how he felt about her. At the same time, he knew that it had been a long time since anyone had made love to her, and that was what she deserved. He needed to be with her. And more than that, he needed to share with her the ultimate expression of his love.

  She had never said so explicitly, but he sensed that her experiences in bed had been lacking. He sensed it when he touched her sometimes in the night while she slept and she cringed and curled into herself, an act of self-preservation. He would murmur in her hair then. “It’s me, Sarah. It’s Brian. I love you.” Only then would she relax and melt into him.

  He knew what he had to do. He knew how he had to be. He was going to move agonizingly slow. He was going to shower her with love and affection. After tonight there would be no doubt of the sincerity of his feelings or of his intentions. He was going to share his heart and soul with her. It was the least he could give her for allowing him the privilege of sharing her body.

  Brian held her head in his hand, trying to keep it from lying entirely in the sand, still her long raven tresses spilled out onto the beach and rippled with every rogue wave. He lay propped up on his side and let his free hand roam down her side. Sarah couldn’t help but shiver, the look in his eyes so intense, each time his hand made contact with her skin flames ignited in her body until she felt completely engulfed in flames. She swore steam must have been created as the waves lapped at her body. Thinking of that, she smiled and bit her lip. It was a habit she
had begun long ago, holding in her emotions. She wanted to moan, wanted to let him know how incredible it was having him so near. At the same time, she refrained, embarrassed and feeling vulnerable.

  Something about the look on her face excited him, and he pressed his steely groin against her, wanting to show her how his body was responding to hers. She gasped and her lips parted, her face tilted toward his, eager to accept his mouth on hers. Kiss me, her voice pleaded inside his head. She sounded…desperate. He could never deny her anything. Without hesitation, he deepened the kiss, wanting to devour her, struggling to contain himself. He was rubbing his hand all over her body at an achingly slow pace as though he hadn’t touched her in years and wanted to savor every second of it.

  Minutes later, using only a single hand and with only the slightest indication of fumbling, her bikini top was completely removed, exposing her ample breasts. Instantly, in response to the cool breeze, or maybe his smoldering gaze, her nipples hardened to rose colored pebbles. Involuntarily, his already throbbing member jerked wildly. Even though he had seen them and grazed them numerous times, this time, in the moonlight, on that cool wet beach, Brian gasped.

  It was so different now, different because he was truly going to be able to enjoy her without restriction. This time he wouldn’t have to stop with an agonizing pulsating bulge in his boxer briefs that could press against her but never broach the unspoken boundary between her bronze thighs. He buried his face in her chest, holding and manipulating one nipple with his nimble thumb and forefinger, the other he tickled and taunted with his tongue until Sarah had no choice but to arch her back and inhale sharply.

  His heart pounding wildly, Brian wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as he moved one muscular thigh between hers. He had been hard for quite some time and as his excitement level rose, he could feel that familiar stickiness gathering at the end of his cock. To distract him from what was taking place in his swim trunks, his attention moved up to her ear, where he breathed lightly as he murmured words of love that sent Sarah reeling from the passion and flames raging in her lower abdomen. Subconsciously, her thighs parted and Brian slipped a finger under the edge of her bikini bottoms. She was hot and wet, pulsating with longing. He wouldn’t have had to be a witch to understand that at the moment her desires matched his own.

  But what he did next stopped Sarah’s heart all together. He stopped fondling her, stopped kissing her, stopped everything just long enough for her to open her eyes and stare into his serious face. At first she thought she had upset him somehow and she opened her mouth as she tried to figure out what to say to get him to finish what he had so adeptly started.

  He kissed her once on the lips, lightly, then he asked, “May I, Sarah?” It wasn’t just his spoken words that made her heart fill with love for him. His incredible sea blue eyes stared at her, brimming with emotion, hiding nothing, revealing everything. She was completely overwhelmed.

  Never before had a man asked at this stage of passion, always it was assumed, even when she didn’t really want to. Tears sprang to her eyes, and Brian tenderly wiped them and kissed them away. “Yes,” she whispered. More tears replaced the spent ones. “Please do.”

  Glancing around to make sure they didn’t have an audience, Brian slowly removed her bikini bottom, and in what seemed to take an agonizingly long period of time, he pulled down his swim trunks. Sarah glanced down at him and her eyes widened. She had never seen him like that before. She knew without a doubt that he was significantly larger than she was used to, invoking some mixed emotions. Sarah had always thought that her first time with Brian would be an infinitely enjoyable experience. She had imagined holding each other while their bodies were rocked by waves of pleasure until their orgasms, preferably multiple, had subsided. Her past experiences with Josh had left her wanting…mostly orgasms. On other occasions, the sex had been too painful to enjoy.

  Her body would grow rigid as he slammed into her. She would brace herself and concentrate on not crying until the experience was over. Sarah shuddered involuntarily as she remembered.

  Having read her mind, he held her close, kissed her tenderly, and whispered in her ear. “I’ll never hurt you, Sarah. Just trust me and don’t be ashamed to let me know what you like.” He studied her face, full of love and concern. She bit her lip and nodded. He kissed her a few more times while he his finger slowly entered her. He felt her body tighten around him and his heart leapt. Gingerly, he added another finger and stroked her slowly, rhythmically. He felt her relax. Carefully, he positioned himself at her moist entrance. She inhaled sharply in anticipation.

  And in another breath, he had entered her like warm steel.

  Suddenly, Sarah forgot to be scared. Now she knew what she had been missing all her life, the strange combination of love and passion, the hard and the tender. Rhythm was all around them, the waves slapping against their legs, the wind whispering through the grasses, and Brian rocking her inside and out. Sarah could feel the pressure and heat building until at last she clung to him. Her mouth opened and a moan rose in her throat as Brian silenced her with a kiss. Feeling her excitement sent him over the edge and he gripped her tightly as he exploded within her, finally shuddering and melting against her.

  Instantly, he regretted what he had just done. They had never discussed protection, but not only had he not used any, he hadn’t taken even the most latent precaution. Being in her had felt so right, but she might not welcome an unplanned pregnancy at this stage in her life. Concerned at what her reaction might be, he apologized. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think. I didn’t ask.” He stumbled to find the right words.

  Sarah stared at him lazily, puzzled by his reaction to their lovemaking. She had been so consumed with memorizing every aspect of their first time that she hadn’t paid any attention to how he was feeling at the moment. Once she studied his face, however, she understood. “Protection?” She asked.

  Looking down at her flat, perfect stomach, he nodded. He rubbed one hand along her lower abdomen, was suddenly struck with the urge to kiss it, and gave in to impulse. “Sorry.”

  “Would that be so terrible?” Sarah asked quietly as she stroked his hair and face.

  “Not with you,” he admitted, the wheels suddenly turning. He hadn’t ever considered the prospect that he might have children one day. He had enough difficulty imagining he might find the right woman to spend the rest of his life with. Yet now, mind ripe with possibility, he gazed at her with wonder. Imagine Sarah might actually want to have children with him. His heart swelled as he pictured what it might be like to share that experience with her.

  “Okay then,” she began. “We’ll just be more careful next time, and every time, until we’re ready.”

  Brian met her gaze with a wicked look in his eyes as they started to rise up from the sand. “You mean, like in twenty minutes?”

  Smirking, Sarah responded. “How about fifteen?”

  The next two weeks flew by so quickly. Every day they spent together, they grew closer. And the closeness wasn’t just between Sarah and Brian. Chloe grew equally attached to this man who was now a staple in her life, more interested in spending time with her than her own father was. Then, of course, there was Brian’s family. Sarah was a shock to them the first time she had visited. Brian had never thought enough of a female to introduce her to his family before. Already they were envisioning Sarah as ‘the one.’ Sarah knew, could feel it, and found it both terrifying and exciting.

  With all the fun in the sun, the relaxation that they so desperately needed, the fear that they had felt for Sarah’s welfare for so long was quickly fading. It was as though they believed danger had been averted and they could carry on with their lives. This was just what Evan had hoped.

  Upon their return to Vermont, Brian and Sarah popped by the college to pick up their class rosters and any mail that might require their immediate response. And there it was. Disguised in a rather innocent looking manila envelope was the conference information James
had promised her. Evan had brainstormed the perfect scenario for days with James playing Devil’s advocate. In truth, James was desperate to talk his employer out of this dangerous endeavor. He had tried to remind Evan of all the willing women who vied for his time and attention. James reminded him of how badly it had turned out the last time. When even that had no impact, he had changed his tactics. His focus had turned to pointing out all the flaws in Evan’s plan. So, what he had hoped would dissuade him from another attempt on Dr. White, had become instead the creation of the perfect crime. And as much as Evan could see no potential for disaster in it, James hoped against all hope that somehow it would fail. All too soon they would have an answer.

  The new conference was set to take place a week before classes resumed. According to the new itinerary, her duties would include a literary lunch the first day where she would participate in a question and answer session. Following the luncheon, she was asked to run one of the workshops. It was recommended that she prepare handouts for as many as fifty people. Sarah would have a few hours to enjoy one of the tours offered at no charge for the speakers. Finally, she would enjoy an invitation only dinner (please select the chicken or beef entrée and list any known allergies). The chairman of the committee organizing the conference promised she would be finished no later than 8:30pm. It would be a full day, but one that also offered numerous perks and a modicum of prestige. And, most importantly, Sarah would only be required there for a day trip. She could hop a commuter flight from Burlington to Boston in the morning and return late in the evening. There would be no hotel reservations, no need to pack, and most significantly, no need to haul the family along with her. So she didn’t.