A Sip of You(64)
I reached across the table and took her hand. “Come on, you can handle it, and they’re family to Michael and Brooke. Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles, cousins. It’ll be great.”
“We’ve lost so much. I don’t want to take anything else away from the kids. But it’s so different without Tom, you know? They’re his family. It’s always so awkward.” She sighed. “But enough depressing stuff about me.” She sipped her coffee. “What’s up with you? Are you still seeing that new guy?”
“William, yes.” I’d never mentioned his last name. I didn’t think Allison would know who he was, but I didn’t want to get into his billionaire status and all the complications that went along with it, like last weekend’s Napa excursion.
“And…?” she prodded. “How are things going?”
“Really good. He’s a fabulous cook. He’s charming, smart, and has excellent taste in art. We can talk about it for hours. He’s great.”
“While the kids are still in the other room, tell me the good stuff. How’s the…you know? Still fabulous?”
I felt the blush creeping into my cheeks as I rolled my eyes. “Yes.”
“Hurry!” she whispered. “Details!”
“It’s off the charts, Dana. He’s really good in bed. I’m not even in his league.”
“Look at you glowing,” she said with a smile. “Has he told you he loves you yet? Have you told him?”
“No, but it’s that obvious, huh?” I sipped my coffee to hide my face, which now felt hot and red.
“I just haven’t ever seen you look so happy.”
The kids and Laird picked that moment to tear into the kitchen and beg to give Laird a treat. Allison had some doggy snacks in the pantry, and I said it was okay. I was glad for the interruption. I didn’t want to talk about why I hadn’t told William I loved him yet. Or why he hadn’t told me. Our sex life was amazing, but the rest of our relationship felt so uncertain.
A burst of laughter brought me back to the present, and I watched as the kids placed a doggie treat on Laird’s nose. They’d obviously taught him to wait because he didn’t snatch it up. Instead, he whined and thumped his tail impatiently. “Get it, Laird!” Michael, Allison’s seven-year-old, said. Laird flicked his nose, and the treat soared into the air. He caught it with a woof. Four-year-old Brooke broke into peals of laughter, and the sound of her unadulterated joy made me laugh.
Allison was so fortunate to have these two reminders of what she and Tom had shared. I watched her hug them and saw the way the whole family seemed to love one another so completely. They’d seen hard times, and they’d gotten through them. It was them against the world, and that was what I wanted with William. I just didn’t know if we’d ever make it that far.
***
When William got back on Sunday afternoon, I was dressed in a white blouse under a pretty white sweater with a ruffled neckline and cuffs and a black wool boucle mini with tights and black suede booties. My hair was back in a high ponytail and I was wearing a little dark eyeliner and mascara and a touch of red lip gloss. I kept my jewelry simple and had on just my diamond stud earrings and my Patek Philippe. I hoped I looked chic but not like I was trying too hard to impress his aunt and uncle.
I buzzed William up and when I opened my door, he was just topping the stairs. He was in dark tweed trousers, a button-down shirt, and a grey-blue sweater that matched his eyes and made them look even more gorgeous than usual. He looked good enough to eat, and I almost wished we were staying home.
“You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he said as he pulled me into his arms and kissed me. I melted into his embrace and let the essence of him overtake all of my senses. He was such a big and powerful man and it felt so good to be nestled against his muscled, hard chest as his lips pressed against mine. With my heart racing, I kissed him back, our tongues dancing and dueling as my body roared to life. He pulled away first, leaving me breathless and a little dizzy and glad his strong arms were holding me up.
He reached his hand to gently caress my jaw before he tipped my head back so I was looking up at him. “I missed you and I couldn’t get back here fast enough. Georgia was a bust.” His eyes were a radiant grey and I shivered, knowing we were both reeling in the powerful chemistry between us. “You look beautiful, by the way. I love you in white. It makes your skin glow and your eyes look even greener. Very pretty, my beautiful girl.”
I blushed as he smiled down at me. There was that word again, love, but I’d take it any way he offered it. “Thank you,” I replied. “I wasn’t sure how dressy dinner was going to be, but I’m glad you like it. And I missed you too.” I had and I wanted him to know. I leaned up and lightly pressed my lips to his. He groaned in response and we stood in my doorway for a few more minutes, softly kissing and gently becoming reacquainted with each other. I felt beautiful, desired, and cherished and I tried to make him feel the same way.