Chapter 48
48
Michelle had prepared for Keith’s visit, and the day was finally here. Not knowing when to expect him, she rose early to finish her novel. She’d just typed “The End” when the chime of the doorbell rang through the house. She hurried out of her office, and before she crossed the room, she knew it was Keith.
She flung the door open wide. “Well, hello there, handsome.”
He dropped his bag inside the door and cupped her face. “Hello, beautiful.” His lips pressed against hers in a firm kiss. His tongue requested entrance that she permitted. His arms slid down to wrap around her as hers snaked around his waist. He broke the kiss as his lips trailed pecks across her cheek and down her neck. “I’ve missed you.” He nipped her earlobe. “I’m going to have a problem with a long-distance relationship.”
She tilted her head back and looked at him. “I’ve missed you so much.” She squeezed him. “What kind of problem?”
“I’ve been grouchy and craving you... your smell, your touch, your taste.” He rested his forehead on hers. “You’ve had your vanilla tea, haven’t you?”
She smiled. “Yes.” Her cheeks turned pink. “I didn’t know you paid attention to the flavor of tea I enjoy.”
“I pay attention to anything that makes you happy.”
She pulled away from Keith. “I have something for you.” She picked up a keychain off the counter. “I had this made. I thought it would be better in case I’m not here or in the shower or something when you get here.”
Keith’s eyes widened. “You’re serious? You’re ready for this?”
Michelle’s eyes danced with mischief. “I’m ready for a lot of things.”
“Does that mean what I hope it means?”
She lifted her shoulder and gave him a demure smile. “I guess you’ll have to stick around and find out.”
“I plan on sticking around for a long time.”
“I like the sound of that.” She kissed him. “Dinner won’t be long. Do you want a drink or something beforehand?”
“I’d like to take a shower. I came straight from the studio.”
“You know where it is. I’ll finish up dinner while you’re gone.”
“I’d like to help.”
“Oh, don’t worry, I’ll put you to work tomorrow,” she said with a sly smile.
He playfully swatted her behind on his way toward her bedroom. “Be back in a minute.”
Keith wrapped his hand tighter around the keychain. With this gesture from her, he knew he’d go through with his plans for the weekend. He grinned as he stepped into the shower, closing his eyes and letting the water run over his head. All he could see in his mind’s eye was Michelle’s face smiling up at him. She had become his world in a short amount of time. He thought about his life as he washed his hair, and he had more years behind him than in front of him. He wasn’t a young man, and thinking about crossing the country every other week was too much.
He quickly dressed and joined Michelle back in the kitchen. She was reaching for the bowls when he walked in. “I’ll get those,” he said as he stepped behind her.
“By the way, I invited Jackie and her... her fiancé to join us tomorrow.”
“Her fiancé? When did that happen?”
“Last week.”
“That’s wonderful.”
“It is. I never thought she’d find someone, but she proved me wrong.”
Keith opened the wine while Michelle ladled soup into bowls. He continually cut his eyes toward her. “Have you found someone, Michelle?” he asked softly.
The question was casual, which threw her off guard. “Are you fishing?” she asked playfully.
He smiled. “Maybe a little.”
“I thought giving you a key to my home was answer enough for that question. That’s something I’ve never done. But if you need more assurance, I believe I have found my someone.”
Keith slowly closed his eyes and released the breath he’d been holding since she started speaking. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“And what about you, Mr. Mason?”
He handed her a glass of wine. “Well, Ms. Conroy, I met this lady a couple of months ago, and she’s kept me in knots ever since. I don’t know if I’m coming or going. I can’t sleep, and she’s all I think about. I say all that to say this, I’ve found the one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
Michelle’s mouth dropped open. “Keith . . .”
He turned to face her, gazing into her eyes. “I love you, Michelle. I meant to tell you when I walked in the door, but kissing you was all my brain could muster.”
Tears welled in her eyes. “I’m scared to death, but I love you too. I’m sure of it and want to see where these feelings take me.”
He gave her a chaste kiss. “We have a lot to discuss while we eat.” He set the wine bottle on the table and pulled out her chair.
“We do?” she asked, looking over her shoulder.
“We do,” he said with a definitive nod.
“This sounds exciting.”
“First things first, how’s your book coming?”
“I finished it this afternoon. I’ll read through it and make changes after you leave. That’ll give me a few days away from it, so I can find what needs to be changed easier.”
“That’s great. Sounds like we’re still set for you to come out to the ranch next month.”
“If the first week still works for you.”
“That’ll be perfect. Kevin and Sam will be on winter break, so we need to pick a date. I told Chip I’d text him tonight.”
“Chip? Oh my, I forgot all about Chip. Did he come with you?”
“Nope, I rented a car. I loved driving up here.”
“You should have told me. I would’ve picked you up at the airport.”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if you did that, now would it?”
Michelle chuckled. “I guess not.”
“The boys will fly in the day after you. I want you to myself before they arrive. I want to show you around the house. I want you comfortable.”
“I want that too. We can look at the calendar after dinner.”
Keith agreed, then chuckled. “We were barely apart, and I think everyone at the studio was giving me a wide berth. I’ve been hell to be around.” He shook his head. “You’ve gotten under my skin so quickly.”
Michelle placed her hand on his. “As long as you stay true to what you’ve told me, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Honey, I’ve heard the words before, so forgive me if I don’t trust that they’re real.”
“You haven’t heard them from me.”
“No, I haven’t.” He grinned. “And hearing them from you means more.”
When they finished their dinner, they lounged on the sofa in the den. The comfort of being together without feeling the need to talk was something they’d both craved. Comradery, companionship, whatever anyone wanted to call it, the emotion quenched a desire they each had.
Michelle’s hand leisurely stroked Keith’s chest. “Will you be all right here while I get more comfortable?”
He ran his thumb down her spine, eliciting goose bumps over her skin. “I’m perfectly content to sit here and close my eyes until you return.”
“Are you going to sleep?”
“Not on your life. I’ve waited too long to be here with you. I don’t want to miss a minute of it.”
She planted a kiss in the center of his chest. “I’ll be back soon.”
He gave her a lazy smile. “I’ll be right here.”
Michelle rushed to take a quick shower and dry her hair. Her hands trembled as she swiped a bit of clear gloss over her lips. She was mature enough not to worry about getting dolled up for a man, but she wanted Keith to see that she’d put forth some effort. Then she slipped into a sensual negligée she’d purchased earlier in the week. Butterflies seemed to be flying fighter jets in her stomach as she walked down the hallway toward the den. What was she thinking? Was she ready for this? He loved her, and she loved him, so wasn’t this the next logical step? She sure hoped so.
“Sorry it took me so long,” she softly said.
Keith opened his eye a sliver but didn’t say a word. He couldn’t. His blood boiled hot and headed south. His tongue suddenly felt too big for his mouth. And his voice wouldn’t work. He didn’t move for fear he was dreaming, and if he did, she would disappear.
“Keith?”
He would’ve had to be deaf not to hear the uncertainty in her voice. No way in hell was he going to do that to her. He swallowed. “Forgive me, honey. I thought I was dreaming.”
She blushed. “I wanted to surprise you but thought I may have overstepped since we haven’t discussed this part of our relationship since the last time you were here.”
He stood up and tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “You can surprise me like this any time you want. No discussion needed.”
“Do you like it?” She twirled for him.
“I love it. I love that it leaves a little something to my imagination, so undressing you will reveal more surprises.”
She took a steadying breath. “Keith...” He heard the high pitch of her voice. “Please remember that I don’t look like your costars, and I’ve given birth to three children. I’m...”
He placed a finger over her lips. “As long as you remember that I don’t look like the men you write about in your novels, nor am I in as good of shape as the magic of modern filmography lets you believe I’m in.”
Even though her lips trembled, she smiled. “I’ve seen you in your swim trunks. I think you’re in great shape.”
“And I’ve seen you in a bathing suit that made me drool, so Ms. Conroy, you have nothing to be ashamed of.” He kissed her as he backed her down the hallway to her bedroom, never releasing her mouth. When he stopped them beside her bed, he broke the kiss. “Are you sure, Michelle?”
“Very much so.”
He inhaled sharply. “I’ve wanted this connection with you since we first danced. I’ve thought about how I want to make love to you. I’ve thought about the concerns you’ve voiced. I’ve thought about young love and how sex was frantic, rushed, even awkward at times. I don’t want any of that with you. I want us to take our time. You will know that you are treasured.” He kissed her as he guided her to the bed. Her hands ran up his back as his glided down her side.
She trembled, half laughing and half crying. “Love me, Keith.”