Chapter 14
14
Mark kept the radio playing softly as he drove toward Baytown Beach, the gentle hum of the music underscoring the quiet intimacy between them. As soon as he climbed into the driver's seat and backed onto the road, he reached over to squeeze Karen's hand, thrilled when she entwined her fingers with his. The warmth of her touch spread through him, and they sat like that, their hands clasped, resting on the console as the world outside faded into the background.
When they arrived, he parked near the pier. When they stepped out, the cool breeze hit them, carrying the crispness of the sea air. He glanced down at Karen, his brow furrowing with concern. “I guess I didn’t think this through. Are you going to be warm enough?”
Karen looked up at him, a playful glint in her eyes, her smile teasing under the soft glow of the streetlamp. “This coat is thick,” she replied with a slight shrug, “and besides, I have you to keep me warm, right?”
Mark grinned, the flirtatious spark between them drawing him in even deeper. “Absolutely,” he promised, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and pulling her closer. They walked down the pier together, the wooden planks creaking softly beneath their feet until they reached the end. They leaned over the rail, gazing out at the shimmering water, the moonlight casting silver ripples across the bay.
Karen tilted her head, her gaze wandering over the horizon. “You can see the ship lights,” she murmured, her voice soft with nostalgia. “When we first moved here, the girls and I came out at sunset. I remember how the ships would light up as the sun dipped below the horizon. I always thought it must be a breathtaking view for the sailors to watch the sunset from the water.”
He turned to her, the faint light catching in her eyes, illuminating the tenderness in her expression. “Not as beautiful as what I’m looking at right now,” he said, his low voice filled with something deeper.
Her head swiveled slowly, her eyes locking onto his, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Her lips curved into a smile that began small but soon bloomed into a radiant, heart-stopping grin. She lifted her hands, resting them gently on his chest, her touch sending sparks across his skin.
Mark didn’t need any further invitation. He bent down, his breath mingling with hers, and captured her lips in a kiss, soft at first but deepening quickly as the heat between them flared to life. The cool breeze around them faded into the background, and all that mattered was the warmth of her body against his, the way her lips molded perfectly to his, and the intoxicating feeling of being exactly where he wanted to be—lost in this moment with her.
One hand dove into her soft hair as he cupped the back of her head while his other arm banded around her back. He pulled her flush against his front, pressing her sweet curves against his chest. She fit perfectly with him, and it didn’t take much imagination to see how their naked bodies would align.
Her tongue thrust, sweeping over his tongue. When the tip teased the roof of his mouth, his cock responded, swelling and pressing against his zipper. He was glad he’d adjusted himself when he’d gotten out of his SUV. Or he would have been very uncomfortable.
Karen wrapped her arms around his neck, her short fingernails scraping the back of his head. With a little encouraging pressure, she pulled him closer. Mark had not told her about all his dating experiences since becoming a widower. He’d been honest when he said he hadn’t dated for the first several years since he was more concerned with making sure Benji had all his attention. For a long time after becoming a widower, he had no desire to be with another woman and found his hand sufficient to take the edge off. Eventually, he had an occasional hookup, someone who was never going to make it beyond a sexual encounter. But there had only been a couple of those over the years because he found them unfulfilling. Mark had enjoyed an active sex life before he met Sue, but once married, he had never looked at another woman, content with the love he had for her.
But everything in him screamed that Karen was different. Talking to her, getting to know her, and right now, the way her lips moved had short-circuited his brain, making him wish they were somewhere private. Feelings moved through him that he hadn’t had in years. She leaned back, and he immediately felt the cool air where their heated mouths had been sealed.
Looking at him curiously, she held his gaze and said, “I can feel you thinking, and that’s okay. But I don’t want to keep kissing if this doesn’t seem right to you.”
His arms tightened around her, and he slowly shook his head. “I’m not going to pretend that I don’t have a lot of thoughts going through my mind.” He watched her expression shutter and rushed to add, “But not because of what you’re thinking. Not because kissing you isn’t right or uncomfortable. Quite the contrary. I was just thinking how this feels so perfect. Everything about you appeals to me and calls to me, whether we’re talking, sharing a meal, laughing, or kissing.”
Her brows lifted to her forehead, and he grinned. “Oh yeah, Karen. I have a lot of thoughts about you, and they’re all good.”
“Kiss me,” she whispered.
With a smile still on his face, he lowered his head again and sealed his mouth over hers. Just like the first time their lips met, he now knew it wasn’t a fluke. He felt the jolt move through his body, and every fiber of his being called out for him to continue holding this woman in his arms.
Ignoring the chilly breeze that swept around them, they created their own heat. Their heads moved back and forth in a messy tangle of lips, tongue, and teeth. He swallowed every groan she emitted.
He was barely aware of her hands, latched tightly around his neck until she once again dragged her short fingernails over his skin. He felt a shiver run down his spine and knew it had nothing to do with the cool air. Instead, his body responded to every movement.
Finally, he lifted his head, dragging air into his lungs, barely aware she was doing the same. He rested his forehead against hers, and they stood without speaking until both could breathe without panting. He could not remember the last time he’d been so moved by a kiss—certainly not in years.
“Wow,” Karen breathed, and her sweet breath wafted over his cheeks.
Lifting his forehead away from hers, he held her gaze and noticed her swollen lips and warm eyes. It was evident she was as affected by the kiss as he was. Not slowly, his lips curved. “Yeah, wow.”
“It’s been a long time since I’ve had a kiss like that,” she confessed.
“I was just thinking the same thing.”
She shivered in his arms, and he pulled her closer. “I hate like hell for this evening to end, but I know you’re cold and need to get back to the girls.”
A little sigh slipped out. “You’re right, I do. But you’re also right that I really hate for this evening to end. It’s been lovely.”
He lifted a brow and grinned. “Lovely?”
Laughing, she nodded. “Lovely. Enjoyable. Fun. And sexy as hell!”
“I’d say that about covers it.” He kept one arm wrapped around her shoulders as they walked back down the pier. They moved from the deeper shadows to where the illumination of the streetlight cast a warm glow over them. He assisted her into his SUV, jogged around the front, and climbed behind the wheel.
Mimicking their earlier behavior, he reached over and laid his hand, palm up in the middle. Without hesitation, she placed her palm against his, and their fingers entwined.
It didn’t take long for them to get to her house, but he slowed and parked before they got to her driveway. She looked at him with a lowered brow as he turned toward her, showing her confusion.
“I’m going to walk you to the door, and I’m gonna kiss you there. But considering your girls might be peeking out the window, I wanted to make sure all they saw was me being a complete gentleman.”
A chuckle moved through her, and she said, “You are a gentleman.”
“I’m afraid my thoughts right now are not very gentlemanly.”
Her smile beamed as she leaned closer. “I’d love to hear your ungentlemanly thoughts.”
“Now is probably not the right time. But perhaps if you grant me the honor of a second date?”
“Absolutely. In fact, if you didn’t want a second date, I think I’d be devastated.”
He leaned toward her, and their lips sealed again, his tongue moving through her mouth, letting the sensations run along every nerve ending in his body. Finally, with a reluctance that tugged at him, Mark pulled back. Karen’s lips were swollen from their kiss, her breath slightly ragged, and her half-hooded eyes mirrored the same need he felt coursing through his veins. The sight of her, with that soft, dazed expression, sent a thrill through him, igniting a craving to see that look on her face again and again. He knew he’d do anything to make it happen.
With a quiet sigh, he restarted the engine and pulled into her driveway, the soft rumble of the SUV filling the silence between them. As he parked near the front of her house, the warmth of their connection hadn’t faded. Arms wrapped around each other, they walked toward the front door. Their steps were in sync, as though their bodies had already grown accustomed to being this close.
As they stood on the covered stoop, the glow from the porch light cast soft shadows around them, and Mark tugged her into a tight embrace. Her cheek pressed against his chest, her body fitting perfectly against his. The way they molded together so effortlessly filled him with a quiet sense of wonder—a feeling he hadn’t experienced in what felt like ages. It was as if they had always belonged like this, close, connected.
Mark rested his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the soft scent of her hair now with comfortable familiarity. They stood in silence for a moment, the night around them peaceful and still. He wanted to hold on to this moment forever, but all too soon, Karen shifted in his arms, leaning back to look up at him, her eyes glinting with something soft and inviting.
He didn’t hesitate. Lowering his head, he captured her lips in a sweet, lingering good night kiss. It wasn’t rushed or heated, but it held the promise of more—of what could be.
As they slowly parted, Karen pulled her key from her bag and unlocked the door, the soft click of the lock breaking the silence. She turned back to him, her smile warm and teasing, her eyes sparkling in the dim light. “Thank you, Mark. That was the best first date I’ve had since… well, I think you know,” she whispered, her voice low.
He nodded. “The same for me. I’ll call you tomorrow, but are you free next weekend for the official second date?—”
“Yes,” she hurriedly answered.
Still grinning, he said, “Benji has a sleepover for a friend’s birthday on Saturday night. My dad was already planning on visiting some old buddies from his Navy days in Norfolk and was going to spend the night there. I’ll make dinner?”
“Oh, a second date with a man who cooks? I’ve hit the jackpot!”
“Now, I’m the lucky one with a lady who thinks dinner cooked for her is the jackpot. You need to up your expectations,” he joked.
Her eyes still twinkled, but her expression morphed to one more serious. “Nothing is wrong with my expectations. I just know a good thing when I find it.”
She held his gaze with another smile and stepped inside the house. Mark stood there, watching her disappear inside, the soft glow of her smile lingering in his mind long after she’d closed the door. He didn’t want to leave, but as he walked back to his SUV, he knew this wasn’t the end—it was just the beginning.
Once home, he found his dad sitting in the living room recliner with the TV on low. “Hey, Dad. Did Benji do okay?”
Richard nodded. “Yeah, we had pizza, played a couple of games, and watched a movie. He read, and then I checked on him a few minutes ago, and he was already asleep.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.”
“Don’t gotta thank me for spending time with my grandson.”
“I know, but you have my gratitude anyway.” He pulled off his jacket and moved to sit on the sofa.
“How was your date?”
The question was innocently asked, but Mark could hear his dad's interest. Chuckling, he shook his head. “Great. More than great.”
Richard lifted the remote and clicked the TV off, giving his attention to Mark. “Glad to hear it. She must be a nice lady.”
He thought back over the few weeks since he’d met Karen. She smiled often, listened carefully, and, from what he could tell with her girls, loved deeply. “She is, Dad. Karen is smart, a great mom, and was a devoted wife. I was around her girls at the run this morning, and they are funny, caring, and have a great relationship with each other and their mom. I can mention Sue without her getting uptight, just like when she mentions her husband.”
“When did her husband die?”
“Four years ago. Why?”
Richard shook his head and smiled. “No reason. I just… well, I guess I’m glad it’s been a few years.” He lifted his hands quickly and added, “Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think time makes feelings disappear, especially if you’ve had a good marriage. But it’s been enough years for both of you that you know what you had and what you want in the future.”
Mark scrubbed his hand over his face and nodded. “Yeah, you’re right.”
“I don’t think it’s terrible for someone to take the time to grieve properly after the loss of the spouse they loved dearly. I think that gives someone time to recognize what they want and need without the overwhelming grief influencing their choices.”
“I remember a few women seemed to have their eye on you not too long after Mom died.”
Richard chuckled, rolled his eyes, then sighed. “I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready to have a relationship after all those years with your mom. But I sure as hell wasn’t ready early on. I’m glad both you and Karen have had the opportunity to understand who you are now.”
“I really like her. I haven’t felt this way about anyone since Sue. And I could tell she really liked me, too.”
“When’s the next date?”
“This next weekend, when you and Benji are gone, I’ve invited her over, and I’ll make dinner.”
Wiggling his eyebrows, Richard said, “When she finds out what a good cook you are, that just might seal the deal!”
Mark laughed, although the idea of sealing the deal with Karen had definite appeal. “I’m just glad Mom taught me to cook.”
His dad pressed his hands down in the arms of the recliner and heaved himself upward. “Well, Son, I’m heading to bed. I’m glad you had a good evening. No one deserves it more than you.”
With that, he said good night and walked down the hall toward his rooms.
Mark sat in the quiet room for a few more minutes, his mind going back over the date. Pulling out his phone, he sent a text to her.
Just wanted to say again that I had a great evening. Can’t wait to see you again. Sleep well.
A few minutes later, his phone vibrated with an incoming text from her.
I had a wonderful time, too. The girls saw the smile on my face and knew the evening had gone well. Talk to you soon. Looking forward to a second date.
With that, he slipped his phone back into his pocket, checked all the locks, and turned out the lights before going upstairs. Later, as he lay in bed, finding sleep was hard when the memory of how perfectly they fit together filled his thoughts.