32. New Opportunities, Old Dreams
32
NEW OPPORTUNITIES, OLD DREAMS
Ford
After I left Hailey’s house on Memorial Day, I headed straight over to Mara’s place. The sun glared off the hot pavement as I pressed her doorbell. When she buzzed me in, I entered the cool, dark staircase, and trotted upstairs to find her waiting for me on the landing. We had a lot to discuss, but before we got into that, I had a surprise for her that I hoped would make her heart skip a beat.
“We need to talk,” I said.
Mara raised an eyebrow. “That sounds ominous.” She scooped up Zephyr, who was bouncing around at her feet.
Her tone made me wince. I shifted the grocery bags and slid my arm around her waist, pulling her in for a kiss while avoiding Zephyr’s overzealous tongue. “Sorry, that came out wrong. It’s nothing bad, I promise.”
Her lips were soft and warm, and she smelled of flowers and new comic books. I’d never be able to walk into a comic shop again without thinking of her.
She set Zephyr down, the dog trotting off. “I’ve never had a conversation that started with ‘we need to talk’ go well.”
I smiled. “How about ‘you make me so happy, I lose my mind around you?’ Better?”
Her eyes lit up, and I knew I’d hit the right note. “Much better.”
I reached into my pocket, but Mara beat me to it. She held out a keychain, her grin wide.
“Before you say anything else, I want to give you this,” she said, holding out the key. “It’s yours, to come and go as you please.”
Happiness surged through me. She was letting me in—literally and figuratively. “Thank you,” I said, my voice thick. “This is a big step, but it’s one I want, too.” I pulled out a key to my house and handed it to her. “Great minds think alike.”
She smiled, taking the key. “I’m glad we’re on the same page.”
In the kitchen, I set my bags on the table, and a clink of glasses rang out. I pulled out a bottle of chilled champagne and two flutes.
She raised her eyebrows. “I’m amazed those didn’t break.”
“I’m resourceful,” I grinned, holding up the empty beer carton they’d been packed in.
“You put them in there? Clever.”
I filled a pot with water and set it to boil, then tore the foil from the champagne bottle. “There’s more in store for you.”
Her excitement grew. “Champagne is a good sign, right? No one celebrates bad news with champagne.”
“Not unless they’re really twisted.”
I popped the cork, sending it ricocheting off the ceiling. She yelped, then laughed. “What are we celebrating?”
“I spoke with McCormick last night,” I said, handing her a glass. Her smile faded slightly, her fingers tightening around the stem.
“I turned him down.”
Mara blinked. “You did?”
“He took better than I’d expected.”
Her grip on the glass tightened. “Where does that leave Ghost ?”
“I tracked down the film rights. Your brother sold them.”
Her face fell and she looked devastated. “Oh, no. That’s terrible.”
“It’s okay. I bought them back.”
Her expression shifted to stunned amazement. “That’s...good?”
“Wait, it gets better,” I said. “Ross Film Productions is going to make Ghost right here in Pittsburgh. My dad’s thrilled. He’s reading your brother’s comics now and wants us over for dinner Friday to talk everything through.”
Her jaw dropped. “Wait, seriously? You’re making the movie? Here?”
“With complete creative control.” I felt lighter. “It’s the best of both worlds. I get to do what I love, right here with the people I care about.”
“Are you sure about this?” she asked, tipping her head back to meet my eyes. “What about your dream of making a blockbuster for a major studio?”
I shrugged. “Big breaks come in many forms. Having the freedom to choose my next project—and film it here, with my family—feels like a big break to me. Plus, I get creative control and more time with you. What’s not to love? I can finally make the kind of film I’ve always wanted to make. It’s the best of both worlds, and I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.”
As I unpacked the second grocery bag, Mara watched me, a soft smile on her face.
“What’s for dinner?” she asked.
“Something special. A new recipe.” I set chicken breasts, tomato sauce, onions, and rice on the counter.
When I pulled a jar of peanut butter from the canvas bag, a huge grin broke over her face. “You’re making Chicken Moambe!”
“Right on the first guess. After I saw how much you liked it at the Phipps Conservatory, I found this recipe. It cooks for a long time, but it’s pretty easy.” I kissed her and then started cutting the chicken breasts into smaller chunks to boil.
“Do I finally get to tell everyone about your plans for Ghost ?” She bounced excitedly on her toes, reminding me of the way Zephyr would jump up and down when he was excited.
“Not yet,” I said, smiling at her antics. “Keep it under wraps until I make a press release. Just a few more days.” I kissed her cheek. She was adorable. “You know, I owe it all to you.” I shook my head in bemusement as I turned to the sink and scrubbed my hands. “What if I hadn’t ducked into your shop during that rainstorm?”
She mock-scowled at me. “Well, for one, you wouldn’t have chased off two regular customers. They still haven’t returned. But seriously,” she added, relenting, “this is a dream come true. I always thought Ghost would be perfect for the screen.”
“With your help, it will be. I’m counting on you to be a script consultant.”
She looked intrigued. “What’s that?”
“You’ll review the script and provide feedback—make sure we stay true to your brother’s vision.”
“Sounds right up my alley.” She held up her champagne flute in a toast, her joy as bright and effervescent as the bubbles rising in her glass. “Here’s to Ghost .”
“To Ghost ,” I said, clinking my glass to hers.
“I don’t want to take away from the moment,” she said, “but I have news to share, too.”
I raised my eyebrows, encouraging her to continue.
She took a breath. “It’s about my former partner, Destiny. We started Stel-Wood after we graduated. She called me last night to tell me she’s starting a new company.” She hesitated.
Intrigued, I waited.
“She was hinting that she wanted us to be partners again.” Her words came out in a rush, but she didn’t look excited about the news.
I frowned, confused. “You don’t look happy. That’s… a good thing, right?” I raised my eyebrows and offered a smile as I lifted my glass to toast her. “Congratulations! You must be thrilled.” Her expression told me otherwise, like she was conflicted about something.
“I am... along with terrified, confused, torn, and overwhelmed. I don’t know what I’ll do if she officially asks.” Glancing away, she swallowed hard. “What about Ghost of a Chance? Shutting it down would feel like giving up on my brother.” Tears pooled along her lower lashes, and I hated that this was causing her pain. “I’d be turning my back on our dream. I don’t think I can do that.”
Even if it meant I might ruin dinner again, I turned away from the stove and folded her into my arms. “How long do you have until you need to make a decision?”
Mara shrugged. “Destiny said a couple of weeks, but she still needs to find investors. Based on how slowly things moved when we tried to get Stel-Wood off the ground, I’m guessing all that will take at least a couple of months or longer.” She took a sip of champagne, so I returned to cooking dinner.
“You have a little breathing room. A lot of things can change in two weeks.” I used the back of the knife to scrape the diced chicken to the pot, and then added some salt and black pepper.
She took a deep breath and let it out. “Good point. I don’t need to decide today.”
I turned on the water and lathered up my hands, carefully cleaning them. “A solution might fall in your lap... or maybe you’ll be able to use that logical brain of yours to come up with something out-of-the-box.”
Her eyes widened, then her nose wrinkled. “Logical? Is that how you see me? As someone cold and rational?”
“Logical is a good thing,” I said. “You’re logical and inventive. You’re the best of both worlds. I love how your mind works. I know that if a solution exists, you’ll find it—and I’m sure there is a solution.” I topped off our champagne glasses. “Use all that logic and creativity, and you’ll find it. Start by exploring your assumptions about your goals, so they’re clear in your mind. You owe it to yourself to find a solution that makes you happy.” The pot was boiling now, so I turned it down to a simmer.
She cocked her head to one side, as though seeing me in a new light. “Thank you. That was some really good advice wrapped up in a pep-talk.”
“I do what I can.” I set the timer so I wouldn’t ruin dinner again. “We need to let this cook for a while.” I stepped closer to her, nuzzling my lips against the spot just below her ear. “We have an hour. What would you like to do while we wait?”
A slow, seductive smile spread across her face, and she grabbed the waist of my jeans, pulling me to her. “I might have an idea or two in my logical, yet inventive mind.” She snagged the champagne bottle and pulled me to her bedroom.
I groaned, enjoying this take-charge attitude. I was all hers, and loving every minute of it.
I took the bottle of champagne from her hand, set it on the nightstand, and stripped her bare.
She sank down onto her bed, eyes dark with passion as she stared up at me, completely naked.
God, but she looked amazing. Good enough to eat.
“Aren’t you a bit overdressed?” she asked in a sultry voice.
“Not for what I have in mind.” I grabbed the champagne bottle and took a swallow, and then handed it to her. “Want some?”
She shot me a quizzical look, but drank before handing it back.
I pressed my palm against her chest to urge her to lie down, then drizzled some champagne onto her belly. She gasped in surprise.
“What are you doing?”
I drank in her body as I leaned over her, bracing my arms on either side of her on the bed, and then dipped my head toward her navel. “I plan to sip champagne off your stomach.” I dipped my tongue into her bellybutton and licked champagne. “Does that meet with your approval?”
She let out a shaky sigh, and the pool of champagne quivered. “It does, Mr. Director.”
As I sucked at her stomach, she shivered from head to toe.
I pressed my lips against the small pool of champagne on her belly and found it warm on her skin. “Delicious.”
I gazed down, drinking in the image of her with her belly glistening with champagne. She looked perfect.
“You like looking at me,” she commented.
I met the dark pools of her eyes. “You look like a siren. A temptress. One I can’t resist.” I grabbed the champagne again and took another swig before setting it aside. Then I dropped down between her thighs and kissed her in that most private spot.
She let out a gasp of delight.
Mara tasted even better than the champagne.
“Your lips are cool,” she said in a breathy voice.
I flicked my tongue against that sensitive bundle of nerves, and she let out a whimper.
“Your tongue is, too.”
“Is that bad?” I asked.
“It’s amazing.”
As my tongue teased her once again, she let out a sigh that ended in a sultry moan of pleasure. “Yes. That. Do that.”
I kept going while gently sliding a finger inside her opening. She squirmed under me as though she couldn’t stay still. Then I added a second finger. I steadily and rhythmically moved them in and out of her, listening to her quickening breath, feeling the slickness of her inner walls against my hand. She tasted deliciously sweet against my tongue.
“Oh, Ford. Ford,” came her urgent cry.
She was close. I could feel the tension and heat building within her.
An instant later she arched her back and shuddered. She seemed to be trying to cry out, but she didn’t make a sound as an orgasm crashed through her.
Knowing I’d done this to her drove me wild with wanting.
As her tremors began to ease, I stripped away my clothes. I wanted to feel her body pressed against mine. Skin-to-skin. Heartbeat-to-heartbeat. I wanted to savor her.
As I moved to join her on the bed, she watched me, her eyes fixed on my erection. Her voracious desire made me grow even harder.
“I need you inside me,” she said as she sat up. She reached over and pulled open her nightstand drawer, revealing a few condoms.
Happy to comply, I grabbed one and sheathed myself.
I stared down at her, trying to draw out this moment of anticipation, but I couldn’t hold back another second. I had to be inside her. Now.
I grabbed her beautiful hips and lifted her to meet me. I slid into her smoothly. She was wet and ready for me, welcoming me inside her with a deep sigh.
I stared into her eyes as we clung together. She revealed everything in her gaze. Her passion. Her joy. Her fascination with me… with the pleasure I gave her… with my desire for her.
This all felt so good. So right.
I loved taking my time with her. Savoring her body and her reactions.
I lifted her ankles to my shoulders and then grabbed hold of her hands. With her legs braced against my chest and her feet tucked slightly behind my neck, she was able to push into me, and we moved in rhythm. The sensations built on one another and finally edged us both toward a crescendo of erotic overload.
I stared down into her spellbound eyes, entranced by her. That blue-tipped hair cascading around her on the coverlet—I slid my fingers closer to the strands, barely able to reach them, the soft blue bits of hair sliding through my fingers.
I repositioned us, lowering her legs and pulling her up against my chest. I glided my hand up her spine, her smooth skin soft to my touch. With her wild hair right in front of me, I grabbed hold of a handful.
She inhaled sharply, and then let out a moan.
“You like that?”
She hummed her agreement.
I needed more of her. More of this. More of every delicious, sweet, sensation. Being careful not to pull too hard, I kept my fist wrapped in her hair—exactly as I’d once imagined—and drove into her. It wasn’t long before her body tightened around my cock.
She felt so good. So amazing.
As my pleasure reached its peak, I gave in and embraced the delirious joy. “Mara,” I cried out, even as she called, “Ford,” in that throaty, sexy voice that made me cum even harder.
A moment later, I collapsed around her.
This was perfect. We stayed that way for a while. Wrapped in each other’s arms.
She closed her eyes and sighed as I pulled out, then she curled on her side. I disposed of the condom and returned to her side as fast as I could. We spooned, Mara snuggling her back against me.
After a few minutes passed, the oven timer went off. Zephyr gave a warning bark from outside the bedroom door to make sure we’d heard it.
“It’s been an hour?” Mara asked, sounding surprised.
Even though I wanted to stay exactly where I was, I forced myself to my feet. “I just need to toss a few more things into the pot. I’ll be back in a minute.”
She looked perfectly relaxed and sated. “I’ll miss you,” she said. “I have to admit though…” She raised herself onto her elbows with a cute grin on her sexy lips. “I’m starving.”
Clasping my hand around one breast, I swirled my tongue around her nipple and sucked until she gasped. “I’ll always be starving for you.”
She groaned with half-pleasure, half-dismay at my wordplay, but it put a smile on her lips, and that’s what mattered. I kissed her hard before I dragged myself away from her. “I’ll be right back, baby.”