How wonderful was that?
Afternoon sun streaked through the gaps in the pale curtains, lending an unearthly quality to us and our surroundings. We undressed each other slowly, carefully, taking our sweet time in removing each other's shirts, and then the shorts in my case, and the jeans in his. Soon, we were wearing nothing at all.
Gently, almost reverently, he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight against him. Already, I was slick and ready. And as for his readiness? I felt it pressing hard against my pelvis as we lay there, still and silent, like two lovers about to take a vow.
Hewasmy lover. And he was my friend. And, in the most unexpected way, he'd become the family that I'd been longing for.
Someday, I hoped we'd be adding to that family, filling the house with all the love and laughter that had been missing for far too long.
When he entered me at last, I felt a surge of such love and devotion, I almost wanted to cry. But I didn't. I was way too happy, even for that.
Side-by-side, and wrapped in that blissful embrace, we moved against each other, making his hardness surge and dance inside me, as we ran our hands along each other's backs, through each other's hair, and down each other's sides.
It was the most beautiful thing I'd ever experienced – from the sweet beginning to the wonderful end, when we reached that lofty peak and tumbled over, with words of love and the unspoken promise of forever.
The rest of the afternoon passed in a hazy blur of sweetness and love, and even some unpacking, when we could spare the time. When dawn broke, we were still awake.
It felt like the beginning of a wonderful future. And maybe itwould'vebeen, if only a mistake from the past hadn't come crashing in at the worst possible time.
Chapter 66
Cassie was laughing. "Oh, my God. And youstillshowed up for work?"
While helping her decorate a fresh batch of sugar cookies, I'd told her how Joel and I had stayed up literally until sunrise working on the guest house and studio.
It was still early morning, and I hadn't slept at all. I should've been exhausted, but I'd never felt more alive.
I said, "Oh, please. Like I'd leave you hanging, just because we lost track of the time?"
"Lost track, huh?" She gave me a sly look. "Sothat'swhat they're calling it?"
I felt that telltale heat rising to my face. Obviously, Cassie had figured out that work wasn't the only thing that had kept us from sleep.
I rolled my eyes. "Oh, shush."
I went on to tell her how, after my morning shift, I'd be driving to Chicago to sign the official papers for all of this year's art endowments, including Joel's.
She said, "Why Chicago?"
"Well, that's where Claude is, remember?"
"I know," she said. "But doesn't he normally come here?"
"Sure, normally. But with Joel at the house, I asked Claude if we could do it there instead."
"But why?" Cassie asked. "That's a three-hour drive."
"Yeah, but it'll be so worth it. Tomorrow, Aunt Gina's coming to town, and I have this big surprise thing planned for Joel." I smiled. "It wouldn’t be much of a surprise if he was there when I signed the papers."
Cassie gave me a perplexed look. "But he already knows he's getting it."
"Sure," I said, "but this will make it official. And he'll be meeting Aunt Gina for the first time, so this will give us something fun to celebrate."
Cassie was frowning now.
I asked, "What's wrong?"
"Round trip, you're looking at a six-hour drive. And you haven't slept. Are you sure that's safe? And what about Joel? Isn't he going to wonder where you are?"
