As she walked through her bedroom to the bathroom, her eye caught the envelope. She hated that envelope, but kept it close, just in case she needed it for…whatever. So far, she’d only kept it to remind herself of what she’d gone through. A reminder of what could happen to her if she lowered her guard.
Like last night.
Smiling at the memory of how wonderful Derick had been, Carrie shook off the concerns that she might have made a mistake. It was one night. One night only. One blissful, wonderful night.
She showered and pulled on a clean pair of jeans and tee shirt, wishing now that she had something that fit her properly. She’d lost a lot of weight. Boy, John would be thrilled with her figure! He’d called her fat so many times…! She stopped the memory from fully forming in her mind. That was in the past, she thought, turning away from the mirror. Looks weren’t important. They were…superficial.
She almost danced down the stairs, but faltered slightly when she came to the bottom step and looked out the window. Derick was standing on her front porch, staring out into the woods
Opening the door, she stepped out beside him. “Is something wrong?”
His hands were fisted on his hips and he looked pretty hot in his Army uniform. Broad shoulders strained the olive colored tee shirt.
“You left me this morning,” he replied.
Of all the things he might have said, that was the last thing she would have expected. “Um... yes but…”
“I feel cheap.”
Cheap? Her hand flew to her mouth in order to stop her burst of laughter. “I’m sorry,” she finally said, struggling to appear serious. “I didn’t mean to cheapen what we shared. Is there some way I could make it up to you?”
He stepped closer, nodding. “Yeah. You can kiss me.”
Carrie’s breath caught in her throat. She inched closer, but hesitated as she reached out to touch him. “Um…well, it’s broad daylight.”
A dark eyebrow lifted at her objection. “So?”
“Wouldn’t a kiss be…awkward?”
He moved even closer, pulling her flush against him. “I don’t know. Let’s find out.”
And then he kissed her. His mouth, his hands, his tongue, his body…all were involved in the kiss. It was erotic and sensual and every part of her came alive, wanting last night to happen all over again.
Unfortunately, he pulled back before she’d had enough. She could see the triumph in his eyes as he stepped back.
“Have dinner with me tonight?”
She nodded automatically before she could think twice about the implications of her agreement.
“Good.” And then he was gone. His long legs carried him back across their yards and he swung easily into his truck.
Carrie’s fingers rested over her tingling lips as she watched him drive away. With a smile, she walked back into the house. For some reason, the work was much easier today.
Chapter 9
For two weeks now, Carrie lived a fantasy life. She’d spent every night in Derick’s bed. Sometimes he’d cook dinner when he got home and sometimes, she’d have dinner prepared. They never really talked about their meals, but they sort of evolved into a rhythm. And it was nice. Really nice!
After dinner, they cleaned up his kitchen, talking about whatever came to mind. Then, he would take her hand and lead her out onto the back porch and they’d talk more. Sometimes about politics and Carrie was surprised to find their views were so closely aligned since she was a liberal democrat and she assumed he was more conservative. But she found that she was more fiscally republican and socially democratic. As was Derick. So their conversations were spirited and enlightening.
Carrie smiled as she walked through the newly painted living room, wondering where her “one night” discipline had gone.
But she didn’t care! Not one little bit!
As she poured coffee, Carrie stared out the window and saw Derick come out of his house in just a pair of jeans, holding a cup of coffee. He turned to glance towards her house and Carrie smiled as warmth rushed over her. He used to step out of his house and look towards his garden. Now he looked towards her. She knew there could be no future for them. She’d have to move on, and that day kept creeping closer. But for now, she was absorbing every wonderful, tender moment with Derick. Carrie promised to savor every one of his tender, gentle caresses that never failed to make her crazy in bed and warm her heart all the other times.
Instead of standing there sipping coffee and watching him, Carrie slipped her feet into her work boots and, with her own coffee in hand, walked across the grass to meet him.
“Good morning,” she whispered softly, wanting to preserve the serenity of the sun coming up, the mist that had settled over the earth. She loved this moment when the air was damp with humidity and everything seemed to pause, as if the birds and the crickets and the blades of grass were just waiting for that sunshine to inch higher in the sky and warm everything up.
“Good morning,” he replied with his gravelly, sexy, morning voice as his arm moved around her waist, pulling her close for a morning kiss. He tasted like coffee and happiness, she thought dreamily as she lifted up onto her toes to kiss him back.
Derick loved her. He’d realized that fact a while ago, but it hadn’t really crystalized in his head until he’d woken up this morning and, as usual, she wasn’t there. But as soon as he’d stepped out of the house, he’d turned and saw her coming towards him. That’s when it hit him. He wanted her forever. As he’d watched her, that sexy, glorious smile blooming on her lips and in her eyes, he knew that he wanted her in his life always.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t gotten her to trust him completely. She was still hiding something. And whatever her secrets were, they were important to her, but also to him, because it meant she still didn’t completely trust him. She gave her body to him every night with complete abandon. She slept in his arms until the early morning. Then she took herself away from him. That’s where the strange mystery that surrounded her life broke down the bliss that he wanted with her.
“What are your plans today?” he asked, keeping his arm around her waist.
She shrugged. “I finished the living room yesterday and started on the kitchen cabinets. But if you need help in your garden, that would be much more interesting.”
He smiled, his arm tightening in a hug. “There are about forty tomatoes that need picking.”
She leaned in and kissed his chest. It was just an affectionate gesture, but it made him want to scoop her up and carry her into the house for another round of lovemaking. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t get enough of her. Every moment with her was a gift, he thought. Every new touch or caress, every relaxed glance in his direction was special, because he knew that she didn’t give her affection easily.
“Hey,” he grabbed her hand, squeezing slightly as they rounded the corner, heading towards the garden. She paused and looked up at him, and his gut tightened as he warned her, “I might have to leave.”
“Leave?”
He felt her tense, and let his hand drift over her cheek. “Yes. Just for a few days. A week at the most. But I’ll be back.”
“Where do you…?” she trailed off, seeing the closed look in his eyes, and sighed. “You can’t tell me.”