Chapter 44
44
Michelle was in the kitchen when she heard the SUV drive up. With dinner ready, she was setting the table just as the back door opened.
“Will there be two, three, or four?”
“Two. I’ve missed you today and don’t want to share you,” Keith said as he closed the door behind himself. He walked straight to her and wrapped her in his arms. “You’re gorgeous.” He gently kissed her.
She grinned and gave him a playful look. “Did you have a drink before leaving work?”
“No.” He tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”
Her cheeks heated. “Me too. You’re getting harder and harder to resist.”
“So why try?” He grinned.
“I keep asking myself the same thing.”
“What are you saying, Michelle?”
She placed her hands on his hips and gazed into his eyes. “I want to make love with you...”
Keith smiled brightly. “But . . .”
She canted her head. “How did you know?”
“Because you’re too good to be true, so there has to be a but.”
“But... I’m not sure I want our first time together to be here.”
Keith furrowed his brow, thinking about what she was saying. She’d been cautious from the beginning, and she wasn’t going to change. His eyes widened as realization dawned on him. “Because this was the last place you had sex with your husband.” He wasn’t asking, he knew.
She nodded. “I want our first time to be about us, no ghosts.”
“Do you want to go to a hotel tonight?” He rested his forehead against hers. “Tell me what you want.”
She grazed her bottom lip between her teeth. “This is our last night together here, right?”
“You almost sound happy about it.”
“Not at all. But I was thinking that I’d like you to make love to me in your bed in Montana.”
“Hmm, and I wanted to be the first man you invited into yours.”
Her eyes grew as big as saucers. Her heart raced, and she began to perspire. She thought she was being so brave, but now she felt as though she’d lost her footing. Maybe she should have talked with Jackie before having this conversation with Keith. Was she missing something important? “Why?” she asked in a quiet voice.
“Let’s sit down. Can you leave that on the stove for a minute?”
“Yes.”
He led her into the den and pulled her onto his lap. “You’re trembling.”
“I’m nervous.”
“Why?”
“I thought I had a great plan. One where I had time to work up to being with another man. One where I thought I was calling the shots, then you... you threw me a curve ball.”
He chuckled. “Oh, honey, don’t you see?”
“See what?”
“Men invite women into their beds all the time, but for a woman like you to invite a man into her bed, it means he’s special. He’s worthy. That’s what I want to be to you.”
Michelle gasped as tears stung her eyes. “Is that how you see it?”
“Yes.”
“Have you invited women into your bed?”
He gave her a look that said he didn’t want to answer that question. She didn’t back down, so he cleared his throat and held her gaze. “There have been women in my bed, Michelle. You know this, but there has never been one as nice and sweet and lovely as you.” He cupped her face. “You’re my unicorn, honey. I hope you know that.”
Tears rolled down her face. “I pray that I don’t disappoint you. You’ve set high standards for me.”
He kissed her tears away. “Never. Besides, I didn’t set them, you did.”
She hugged him. “Oh, Keith. How did I find you?”
He chuckled. “It was me that bumped into you, remember?”
“I do.”
He nuzzled her neck just under her ear. “Those words,” he whispered.
“What about them?”
“Too soon.” He kissed her neck, redirecting his thoughts. “Do you think I ruined dinner?”
“Nah.” She stood and pulled him up with her. “Let’s eat. I imagine you’re starving.”
“Lunch was catered, but we do need to discuss tomorrow.”
She looked over her shoulder. “Tomorrow?”
“The festival scene. You’ve already said that you’d go.”
She sighed. “I’ll go and blend in with the crowd.”
“You need to meet Cassidy at the church on Main Street.”
“At what time?”
“We need to leave here at seven.”
“We aren’t going together, are we?” Even she heard the panic in her voice.
“We’re leaving together... in separate cars. Chip is picking me up.”
“All right. I can do that.”
“Cassidy will give you specific instructions. All I’m asking is that you do exactly what she tells you to do.”
Michelle narrowed her eyes. “What are you up to, Keith Mason?”
“Nothing. I just want you there tomorrow.”
“I don’t believe you, but I’m going to let it drop, mainly because I’m hungry.”
“I will not stand between a woman and her food. There are some things I don’t know, but that’s not one of them.” He laughed and waved her in front of him. “I know you usually like everyone to serve themselves before you do, but not tonight.”
Dinner involved discussions of their days. As soon as they’d finished, she hurriedly cleaned the kitchen. Fear had crept in that he’d want them to have sex. Even though her body wanted to, she still needed to get her mind on board with the idea.
As she was putting the leftovers away, his strong arms wrapped around her middle. “Although I want to make love to you, it won’t be tonight. Relax, honey.” He kissed the side of her head. “But soon,” he said, then turned and walked away. “I’m going to take a shower.”
She exhaled the breath she’d been holding since he touched her. Soon. The word hung in her mind. When was soon? How long was it before soon arrived? She took a cleansing breath. Soon. She grinned to herself, realizing she could live with soon.