Chapter 8 #2
Parking beneath the overhanging branches of towering birch, she switched off the engine and just sat there.
It was a lovely spring morning, signs of the season in full bloom.
She could live here, she mused. She, who had been born in a big city, who had always scoffed at the idea of places like this, was coming to realize that this could be her home.
She loved the serenity, the sleepiness that coated everything.
Even the nosiness of the residents. It was a close community and the people were friendly.
Where she came from it was always busy, people were always on the go.
Opening the door, she stepped out and took several deep breaths of the spring air and smiled.
Yes, she could really live here.
*****
"Your playing was lackluster at best." Ryan Silverton remarked as he shucked his sodden tennis whites inside the steaming sauna. They were the only two people inside the room, but it would not have mattered. Kenneth was already naked and soaking up the steam, his body relaxed.
"Your mind wasn't on the game." His friend continued.
Kenneth opened one eye to gaze at the lanky blonde-haired man as he grabbed towels and settled in.
"You won; I would think that would be enough."
"It would have been if I thought you had been in your best form." Tossing the lock of hair off his forehead, he trained light blue eyes on his friend. "I have my pride to think of."
Kenneth slanted him a grin as he stretched his legs out.
"Pride is so overrated."
"Where were you? And don't tell me it has to do with business. Whenever I see a guy's concentration shot to hell, I place the blame squarely at a woman's feet. They have a way of twisting a man up."
"That might be it."
Ryan's blue eyes sharpened with interest. "I know it's not Merva. I saw her at the premiere a week ago and she was with some unknown actor. Guy was buffed and had this vacuous look on his face. She deserves better."
"It's not Merva." Kenneth was reminded that she had called during the week, and he had been busy with meetings and promised to call her back. He never did. It didn't surprise him that he was not interested.
"Clearly not. Could it be that tall and sexy black woman with the blonde hair, I see around town? Rumors have it you've been spending time at her cottage."
"The charms of a small town." He murmured mildly, not even offended. "Rumors are right."
"She's here for a visit, I take it?"
He opened his eyes to look at his friend. "Yeah."
"You're hoping to convince her to stay."
"I might. We'll see."
Ryan leaned back and closed his eyes. "If I did not know better, I would think you're sunk."
"I might be."
His friend's eyes popped open. "Whew! I get to live to see the day. Good hunting my friend."
*****
She ended up with an armful of clothing. She had come into town with the intention of purchasing one outfit and ended up trying on several. The saleswoman was extremely good at her job. She kept telling Aria how wonderful she looked in this and how that dress emphasized the curves of her body.
"I found this little green number that could go with the tan shoes you picked out."
"Carla," she looked at the name tag to make sure she got the name right. "Honey, you should get a raise. Anyone ever told you, you're annoying?"
The girl just grinned, light green eyes glowing.
"I just got one. A raise, that is. Now," stepping back, she gazed at Aria approvingly.
The dress was a cross between purple and rose red and settled snugly on her body.
It also highlighted the blonde curls. "Some earrings.
With your short hair, you need some that are dangling. I know just the ones."
Before Aria could stop her, she was zipping around the back.
Sighing softly, she sat down on the padded seat in the fitting room and stared at the strappy sandals she had tried on. They looked good and it reminded her that she needed to get a pedicure and a facial.
That had been a natural occurrence in her past life and ever since she got here, she had not thought of anything like that, until now.
Carla came back with several earrings including a chunky hammered gold bracelet. Aria took all of them.
*****
Standing in front of the full-length mirror, she stared at herself critically.
It was hard to believe she had not wanted to go in the first place.
After her shopping spree and a trip to the nail place where she had received the entire works and chosen spring blue, she had returned to soak in the tub, did a facial and now she was dressed and ready.
The dress was a stunning turquoise, and it had surprised her to see that much variety in such a small town. The material was cashmere, and it clung to every dip and curve of her body.
The top hugged her bosom, accenting her full breasts and had a dip in the center. She stared at the exposed flesh with a frown and wondered if it was too much. Shrugging it off, she examined her face. She was wearing a light foundation which gave her flawless complexion a smooth finish.
Her eyes looked bigger, and she was certain it was due to the mascara.
Lips were coated in crimson. The usual red and blue stones were at her lobes, but she had added a swirl of dangling gold earrings that almost reached her shoulders.
Her hair was brushed ruthlessly and gelled.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped back to put on shoes and was grabbing a light jacket when she heard the knock.
Sliding on the jacket, she fetched her purse and went to the door to open it.
"Wow!" His amazement had her spirits lifting.
"I know you said not to go to any trouble..."
"Hell, was I wrong about that." He stepped in and handed her the bouquet of gardenias.
"You keep bringing me flowers."
"I love bringing you flowers." He followed her as she went into the kitchen to put them in a vase.
"You smell tasty." Coming up behind her, he wrapped his hands around her waist. "Ravishing actually." He nuzzled the sensitive area at the side of her neck.
"We don't have time..."
"We always have time for this." His hand came around to cup her breast and had her going weak.
"Kenneth."
"Hmm." He was busy destroying her senses with his fingers and mouth. Turning her around he wrapped his hands around her throat. "God, you're so beautiful. I tried to stay away from you, just give you a bit of space and it was the most difficult thing I ever had to do."
Her insides trembled at his admission, and her knees went weak.
"You were giving me space?"
"Yes." With her heels, she was almost as tall as he was and gave him easier access to her very inviting mouth. Unable to resist, he brushed his lips against hers and inhaled her exotic scent. "What are you wearing?"
At first the question did not register. He was clouding her mind and senses and making her yearn.
"Uhm, I think it's called Seduction."
"Appropriate." He nibbled at her bottom lip, until it was parted. Using his tongue, he soothed the sting. "It's doing a very good job of it."
"Aren't we going to be late?"
"I came early." His hands wandered over her shoulders as he eased the dress off. "You have such beautiful skin. Like silk." Bending, he kissed the side of her neck.
"Kenneth..."
"Hmm?" He was drifting back up to her mouth. "I cannot stay away from you. I simply cannot." With that, he seized her mouth in a kiss that had her sagging against him. Her arms came around his neck as desire and passion burned a heat through her body.
She was the one who ended the kiss when it seemed on the verge of getting out of hand. Slapping a hand on his chest, she held him off as she tried to get her breath back. He had a hold on her, and she did not know if she liked it. Or was comfortable with such a thing.
She had always been in control of her life, ever since she had discovered she was not loved by her parents.
"What is it?" He could see the confusion and anger on her lovely face.
"Nothing." Removing her hand, she busied herself by arranging the delicate petals inside the vase. "I would not want to appear at your family's home looking all rumpled."
"All right." He did not dare touch her. He was ruffled, his heart thudding and his body as hard as steel. He wanted to suggest they go back to bed and spend the day there. It was getting harder and harder to pretend he was not all the way gone over her.
He wanted to suggest she move in with him, but there was so much he did not know about her, and he had promised to wait.
"All right." He eased out a breath and then another. She still had her back turned to him and it pleased him to realize that her hands were trembling. Which meant he was not the only one bothered by all of this.
Tamping down the frustration and his impatience, he preceded her to the door and waited while she locked up. He was driving a Porsche this time, black and streamlined.
"How many vehicles do you have?" She asked as he opened the door for her.
Determined to get rid of the tension, he threw her a grin as he rounded the hood. "Enough." Opening the door, he got in and secured the seatbelt. "All three of us are car enthusiasts, which means the garage is overflowing. Seatbelt." He ordered, glancing over.
When she buckled in he executed a turn and drove out of the yard.