21. If Even By Accident
The drive to Randy’s house is torturous. We make out at every stoplight, although there aren’t many because he doesn’t live that far from my parents’ house. We quickly catch up on each other’s lives. Yes, Randy is running on fumes and has hardly slept since being released from the show. He shares how the lack of sleep and the physical demands have taken a toll on him, and he’s surprised he managed to make it through. Then in an unexpected twist, he reveals that he has purchased the Calypso Café.
My mouth falls open in shock, and all I can manage is a bewildered, “What?”
Randy explains that Jeremy used his savvy to navigate the bureaucracy and discovered that Steve, who is currently in rehab, still had the chance to transfer his loan to another borrower. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Steve transferred the mortgage to Randy, who promptly paid off the remaining loan amount.
“So you did win!” I shriek, realization dawning on me.
With a shrewd wink and a grin that lights up his weary face, I know the answer before he even speaks. Raising his eyebrows, he asks, “Can we keep this between us?”
“Yay, you won!” I erupt, clapping in celebration, unable to contain my excitement.
To that, Randy reclaims one of my hands, raises the back of it to his lips, and declares, “I missed you like crazy.” He then plants a sweet kiss on my knuckles before announcing that he is the new Head Chef Total Domination champ.
Unable to stop smiling, I say, “I knew you would be crowned the champion.”
“Thanks, babe.”
Beaming, I ask, “I’m really your babe?”
“Yes. And I’m yours.”
We lock eyes, caught in a moment of deep connection, until Randy has to focus back on the road. It’s still surreal to me that I’m here with Randy Thorn like this. But it’s undeniable—we’re officially a couple.
“How do you feel, you know, being pregnant?” he asks, breaking into my thoughts.
Caught up in the joy of being with him and the electric connection between us, I’d almost forgotten about our impending parenthood. “Fine,” I reply in a high-pitched, optimistic voice.
“It must’ve been hard for you to believe I was with someone else,” he continues.
“Very,” I admit, letting go of the past discomfort that plagued me before Randy’s bold declaration of commitment and love.
He asks how often I see the doctor, and I fill him in about my visits with Dr. Haskell, my yoga routine, and the careful diet I’ve been following lately. He’s pleased to hear I’m taking care of myself and expresses his eagerness to start taking care of me together. That statement makes me want to jump his bones even more.
Thank goodness he turns into the long driveway. The house is striking with its gorgeous brick and barn-red craftsman style, but it also looks like the perfect home to raise a family. Out of patience and eager to get things heated, we head directly into the house. Once inside, I feel like I’m walking on air as Randy takes my hand and ceremoniously leads me to the master bedroom.
This space is so him. The neutral grays and greens create a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. His bed is king-sized, and the frame and backboard are made of light sheet wood. His taste is minimalistic.
So quickly, we strip out of our clothes until we’re standing naked on a plush, off-white, faux fur area rug, facing each other. He’s so hot, and I’m so eager to touch him that I spread my hands against his sculpted chest.
“Hey, you,” Randy whispers throatily.
The anticipation of what’s to come is making me dizzy. My “Hey” comes out throaty too.
Randy moves a wayward lock of hair from my forehead. “There,” he says. “Now I can see you better.”
My body tingles with longing as our front sides finally make skin-on-skin contact. But Randy keeps gazing into my eyes, restraining himself for some reason. He has never made me wait like this before he makes the fiery first move. I want him to take me already. To encourage him, I lift my heels so that I’m standing on my tiptoes. I stop just before our lips touch and wait for him to take the bait.
And he does.
Within a split second, our passions carry forward like a locomotive leaving the station, picking up speed. I grab him by the back of the head and bring his mouth closer to mine. Breathing heavily, Randy pulls back as if unaware he has stopped. Eyes revealing intense lust, he only studies me for a second before pulling my hair downward. His hooded gaze feasts on the skin of my exposed neck. I moan with need before his mouth and tongue devour my throat, tasting me thoroughly. And then we erupt in flames of passion as we tumble onto the bed, kissing, petting, pushing. Finally, I open up, and he enters me. Raising my hips to meet his, we make love like our lives depend on it.
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