Perhaps he was being a little presumptuous to infer that her husband hadn’t loved her. But what was he supposed to believe when the man all but told her their children was a mistake, was a selfish lover, was cheating on the internet and no longer found her desirable?
Karen eyes began to mist at Dom’s pleading words. For years she had suppressed her feelings of wanting to be loved. She had told herself that maybe love wasn’t in the cards for her. She had even come to believe that she didn’t deserve love. And now here this beautiful man holding her had just shattered everything she had felt and believed.
“I believe you,” she whispered squeezing him tight, never wanting to let him go.
Dom kissed her until she was breathless. He wanted her so bad, but knew he couldn’t have her. Not yet.
Taking a step back he said, “I better get going before I take you upstairs and make love to you until the sun comes up.”
Take me…take me...take me! Karen wanted to scream. Every nerve ending on her body was humming with anticipation of what making love with him would be like. If he could bring her to the point of orgasm with her clothes on, what would he do to her with her clothes off? Karen wanted to fan herself; it was getting hot. “I want you to.”
Dom’s lips curled into a sexy grin. “Don’t tempt me. If the kids weren’t upstairs I wouldn't hesitate for one second to throw you over my shoulder caveman style.”
Karen laughed. “And I’d let you.”
“Come on woman and walk me to the door.”
Karen pouted. “I wish you didn’t have to leave.”
“So do I baby, but we both know I can’t stay the night.”
“I know.”
Karen followed Dom to the front door. When he turned to kiss her good night, Karen held on to him just a little longer. Letting him go was becoming more and more difficult.
“Lock up and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See you tomorrow.”
After locking the door, Karen slumped against it. When did Dom wiggle his way into her heart? When had she fallen so helplessly in love with him?
Chapter 17
Two days after Christmas
The city at this time of the year was absolutely gorgeous. Olde City Philadelphia could have easily been a scene out of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. The lightly falling snow glistened against the cobblestone as they rode under the lighting of the old fashioned lamp post. Karen snuggled against Dom as she lay in his arms, listening to the slow rhythmic click-clack of the horseshoes from the horse drawn carriage.
Each day since Christmas Eve leading up to now had been perfect. Christmas morning had started with an early morning call from Janet inviting Karen and the children over for brunch. Zoe had arrived late the night before with her parents and Grandmother Beatrice and had insisted on seeing Ashley and Kyle. Of course Karen hadn’t minded giving up fixing breakfast since she knew Dom would be at his parents’. It was mid-afternoon by the time everyone had eaten and exchanged gifts before they climbed into their vehicles and headed to Summer and Nick’s place in Chestnut Hill for Christmas dinner.
The tension in the air had become thick the second Beatrice Warrington, Ava’s mother-in-law, entered the home. Karen had picked up a hint of it at the Peretti’s during brunch. With the kids riding in the car with his parents, Dom was free to share with her that things were still a little strained between the families over the role Beatrice had played in keeping Ava and Langston apart all those years. Dom confessed to Karen that the woman wasn’t exactly his favorite person especially after learning how she had been so cruel to his niece Zoe. But because Beatrice was making a conscious effort to the right her wrongs, the family agreed to tolerate her. This however, made it no easier for them to forget all the heartache and pain she had caused.
A part of Karen did feel sorry for the older woman. Although everyone was cordial to her, it was apparent she really didn’t fit in with the other mature women. From the moment Joan Stiles, Nick’s stepmother, Nita Jackson, Summer’s mother, Donna Wahl, Karen and Starr’s mother, and Janet Peretti, Dom and Ava’s mother met, the women became a tight bond of sisterhood. Anyone on the outside observing their camaraderie would have sworn the women were old college friends. Karen and the other younger women weren’t so sure if the mothers and Joan were ever going to accept Beatrice into their circle.
The highlight of Christmas dinner was Beatrice’s heartfelt confession after a number of cocktails. Everyone was stunned into silence when a tearful Beatrice approached Ava. They all held a collective breath as the alcohol gave the older woman courage. “Ava, I was so wrong about you. You do love my son.” Every set of eyes darted from person to person as Ava stood ramrod, still staring at her mother-in-law. “I know I was just awful to you and Zoe.” Wiping her eyes, she continued her tearful confession. “For so many years I had resented my son for how his father had treated me. When I came to my senses and wanted to show my son the love and affection a mother should have for her child, you came along. I was jealous of you because you had done what I could never do as Langston’s mother. You made him happy. I felt betrayed again. I saw you as the other woman taking my son away from me, just like before. It didn’t help that you looked so much like Langston Sr.’s mistress. I thought once I got rid of you and Zoe I could have my chance with my son again. But then Langston was adamant about keeping Zoe. And she too gave him a measure of happiness.” Taking in a shaky breath, she reached out with a trembling hand and took hold of Ava’s hand. “But it was you and your love that fully restored his happiness. I didn’t want to believe you loved him. But I can see why you love my son so much. Being around your family and friends has shown me what I’ve been missing out on by being a mean, evil, vindictive woman. You all love each other so much.” When she looked at her son who had come to stand beside his wife, fresh tears began to spill again. “I guess when you’re surrounded by love it’s easy to give love. Thank you for loving my son,” Beatrice murmured as she released Ava’s hand, turning to walk away.