25. Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Beth
T his wasn’t the first time I kissed Doug, so I knew he was a good kisser. But damn! This was intense. His kisses lit a burning desire in my core. A feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time. Since before Chase was born.
Not that I was a monk, or nun, or whatever, but I was too busy grieving and then raising Chase to think about dating. When I finally did, I didn’t get more than a chaste good night kiss.
With Doug, every touch left a trail of fire on my skin. Every kiss sent shivers down my spine. Every sexy grunt caused me to clench my thighs.
I had a hard time believing someone as hot as Doug, who was almost a decade younger and could probably have his pick of gorgeous, young women, could be attracted to me.
But when he pulled away, the desire in his hooded eyes reassured me he was as turned on as I was. All doubt fled my mind. This might not last forever, but right now I wanted to enjoy the moment and not worry about the future.
“Beth.” He half whispered, half growled my name. God, that’s sexy .
I decided to make the next move. I trailed my hand along his cheek and chin in a soft inviting caress as I stood up.
Doug closed his eyes and grabbed my waist, pulling me between his knees. Not breaking eye contact, I rested my hands on his shoulders as he caressed his way to my hips, sending goose bumps over my skin.
I had to step back and tilt my head up to maintain eye contact as he stood. The moment was surreal; neither of us spoke, but we communicated plenty with our eyes and our hands. Doug slid his hands up my sides, lifting my shirt as he went. Before reaching my bra, he lifted his hands and let the material fall back into place.
Not wanting to break contact, I ran my hands up and down his muscular chest. The rapid beat of his heart below my right palm, made me smile. I might feel self-conscious about my forty-year-old mom body, but there was no ignoring the signs that Doug wanted me as much as I wanted him.
Doug’s eyes flared when I licked my lips.
I didn’t hesitate when he reached for one of my hands and walked backwards, pulling me towards his bedroom.
I want this .
#
It took me a moment to realize where I was when I woke up the next morning. The memories of the night before, the night I’d shared in physical bliss with Doug, flooded my brain and made me blush. I turned over and reached for him.
Empty. I looked at the clock on the bedside table; six-fifty-three.
I smiled, noting my sore abs and inner thighs, as I rolled out of bed—last night had been quite the workout. I grabbed a clean pair of panties and tugged the long pink and yellow striped tee I’d brought with me over my head. I wasn’t confident enough to walk around naked, but I didn’t want to get fully dressed just yet.
The smell of freshly brewed coffee hit me as soon as I opened the bedroom door. It felt luxurious to wake up to someone brewing coffee for me, since I not only had to brew my own, but I was the person brewing coffee for Grannie’s early morning regulars during the week.
Before following the smell of coffee to the kitchen, I stopped by the bathroom to relieve myself and brush my teeth. While I was there, I splashed some water on my face and finger combed my sex-induced rat’s nest of hair.
“Good morning.” I said, as I padded into the kitchen on bare feet.
Doug’s eyes looked down, then up, sending shivers across my skin as I remembered the feeling of his hands, caressing where his eyes were now wandering.
“Morning, Beautiful. Did you sleep well?” Doug asked, a smile on his face and a sparkle in his eyes.
“I did. It felt nice to sleep in a little.” I leaned against the island. “How about you?”
“Like the dead.” He winked. “Coffee will be done in a minute. How do you like your eggs, or would you prefer an omelet?”
“You’re spoiling me.”
“You deserve to be spoiled.” Doug said as he put down the mugs he had grabbed before closing the small distance between us, wrapping me in a hug, and kissing my forehead.
I wrapped my arms around him as I said thank you into his chest. He smells good .
“So, how do you want your eggs?” He whispered into my hair.
“An omelet sounds good. Want any help?”
“Nope, I’m happy to let you sit and enjoy your coffee while I make breakfast.”
I hesitated, debating whether I should take him up on his offer, which I had to admit sounded delightful, or offer to help again. The idea of relaxing while someone else did the work sounded wrong to me. Because you’re not used to someone taking care of you .
I hadn’t decided when the coffee machine beeped letting us know our morning caffeine fix was ready. Doug filled the two mugs and nodded towards the fridge.
“Half and half is on the top shelf. Now go, relax for a few minutes.” Doug reassured me that he brewed Grannie’s coffee—I wasn’t a coffee snob and wouldn’t have said anything but I was glad he brewed it. It was the best around, and I would know; I drank it every day.
I won’t lie or pretend I was upset he made the decision for me. Having a quiet moment to enjoy my coffee while someone else made breakfast felt like a vacation. I thanked him as I poured half and half into my coffee. Then I went and sat on the couch, as instructed.
Instead of relaxing, I pulled out my phone and checked my messages.
The only notifications I had were from Mary and Meg. Mary had sent one text last night: Have fun tonight.
Meg had sent some pictures of Chase during the night. I looked through them quickly, and then downloaded them to my phone. It looked like he had a blast with everyone last night. My favorite was one of him on Jack’s shoulders with a plastic dinosaur in each hand. Chase looked like he was roaring.
Forgetting how early it was, I sent a thank you text to Meg and confirmed I’d be there at ten to pick up Chase. I didn’t expect to get a reply right away, but I did.
Meg: No rush. With a wink emoji.
There wasn’t a rush, per se, but I told Chase I’d take him to the museum this afternoon.
I wondered if Doug has plans this afternoon .
Am I really thinking of inviting him to join us? Yes, the night we’d just shared was special. Not because it ended a five-year dry spell, but because of the connection I’d felt.
We’d felt. I could tell from his touch, and the look in his eyes, Doug felt it too. Was I ready to take the next step in our relationship so soon?
It’s just the museum, not —
“Breakfast is served.” Doug’s announcement interrupted my thoughts. He placed two steaming plates of food on the table then said, “I’ll be right back.”
I sat in the same place I had at dinner and waited for him to come back. When he did, he had the coffee pot, a potholder, and the half and half. “I figure we’ll want refills.”
He wasn’t wrong. You’d think I’d grow to dislike coffee working full time as the manager of a coffee shop, but you’d be wrong.
The ham and cheese omelet was delicious. We talked. I refilled his coffee when I refilled mine.
As we ate, I worked up the nerve to ask him about his day.
“I was, um, wondering, do you have plans this afternoon?” Damn it, I sounded like a nervous teenager.
“Not really,” he smiled as he answered. His smile was charming, like he was teasing me without words.
“I told Chase if he was a good boy for Meg and Jack, I’d take him out to lunch and then to the science museum.” I paused to sip my coffee and build up courage. “If you wanted to, you could come with us, I mean I’d like it if you wanted to. Although I’m sure hanging out with a five-year-old probably doesn’t sound like much-”
Doug cut of my rambling. “I’d love to.”
He laid his hand on the table, palm up and I accepted the invitation. When I laced my fingers with his, he rubbed the back of my hand with his thumb. I felt heat rise in my cheeks at the intimacy of the moment.
We both understood the implications of me inviting him to spend the day with us, so it didn’t need to be said.
Doug lifted my hand and pulled it towards him while he leaned in. Then he placed a soft kiss on the back of it before releasing it so he could collect our empty plates and carry them to the kitchen.
The tenderness of the moment brought tears to my eyes. I could be so sensitive sometimes. I blame my hormones . I’d read that women entering Perimenopause could be extra emotional.
Christ, what was I thinking? Did I make a huge mistake inviting Doug with us today? What if Chase gets attached and then Doug dumps me because I’m too old?
What thirty-year-old wants to be with a woman going through the change ?
“You want to shower while I clean up?” Doug called from the kitchen, putting a stop to my thoughts before they caused me to change my mind.
“Yeah, thanks.”
I grabbed my bag from the bedroom and took a shower, letting the hot water wash away my doubts. I had to trust Doug when he said my age wasn’t a problem. It was time to take the plunge and stop worrying about what would happen if he changed his mind.
Right, that might be possible if it was only me, but I have to think about Chase.