Chapter Sixteen
Lee
I can’t control myself when I’m around her and the garage incident is proof of that. The moment she wrapped those legs around me is when I knew I was a goner. All reason went out the window.
I just wish I would have remembered to lock the door. Not only to give me a chance to see where things would have gone with Ellie, but to save her from the embarrassment as well.
I tried to explain that it wasn’t a big deal, but with our hands up each other’s shirts, it was hard to get her to see it any other way.
“Do you think she thinks I’m a slut?” Ellie blurts out as she sets the table, not even bothering to look up.
“Is that your first question?” I joke.
“I’m serious, Lee.” She stops, hands on hips.
I stop plating our food and wonder what is going through her mind. Yeah, it was embarrassing for the both of us but, as awkward as it was, Grans’ reaction should have given her some sense of comfort. Hell, if we would have let Grans stay, I’m pretty sure she would have cheered us on from the sidelines.
“I’m pretty sure she loves you.”
“How can you tell?”
I pick up the plates and take them over the table. I’m stalling so I can come up with a logical answer, one that will put her at ease, but I’m failing miserably.
“Well, she gave me a thumbs-up.” I smile at the memory.
“What?”
“Before she walked out, she gave me a thumbs-up,” I mutter, turning around to grab our drinks. I take a sip of mine before placing it on the table. “Ready to eat?”
“What?”
“You ready to eat?” I walk around to her chair, pulling it out.
“No, rewind.” Ellie twirls her finger in the air. “What’s this about a thumbs-up?” she asks as she sits down.
“Like this.” I throw my thumbs up in the air giving her my best Grans impersonation as I walk around to take a seat across from her.
“Why?”
“You are well beyond your three questions, but since we are making it up as we go, I’ll give you a pass.” I wink. “But just this once.”
“Lee!” She laughs. “Just spit it out.”
“Fine.” I lay my napkin out on my lap, still continuing to take my time, before I lean in and say, “My Grans thought I was a miserable, lonely shell of a man. Overworked and tired. No time for myself.”
“And?” She motions for me to hurry.
“The point is, she saw me happy.” I flash her a wicked grin, one I know will drive her crazy. “Apparently being worked over isn’t the same as being overworked.” I wink again.
She gasps.
I laugh.
“Not funny.”
“You’re not a slut.”
In a war of smiles, we begin a stare down. Not sure what game we are playing, but it’s fun.
“You’re not cute.” She picks up her fork and begins to eat the casserole, then moans with pleasure.
“You sure about that?”
“Yes, but oh em gee can you cook.” She quickly takes another bite.
“Thanks. My Grans taught me.” I finally begin to dig in.
“Speaking of which,” she says, pointing her fork toward the kitchen. “Why so much food?”
Taking another bite, I scoot my chair back and cross my legs. Picking my glass up, I take a sip before I begin. “My Grans has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.”
“Oh no.” Ellie holds her hand to her chest for a moment before getting up and dragging her chair in front of me. “How bad?” she asks, leaning over, taking my hands in hers.
“Apparently, we ignored the symptoms. By the time we found out, she was in the moderate, middle stage. But lately she has shown signs of it progressing.”
“I’m so sorry, Lee.”
“Me too.” I give her hands a squeeze. “A couple weeks ago, she was trying to boil a chicken, but forgot to add water, then went to lie down. A small fire started.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Nope.” I shake my head. “But it scared me enough to take my time in getting the kitchen put back together. So, it’s only been microwavable foods and cold cuts for her.”
“Oh! I take it that didn’t sit well?”
“She’s getting tired of it. So, until I can figure everything out, I thought I would improvise. Make a few freezer meals. Divide them up in individual proportions.”
Giving my hands another squeeze, she pulls me closer. “So thoughtful,” she says, leaning in and placing a soft kiss on my lips. “What are you going to do?” she asks.
“You,” I reach over and tap her nose, “are at your limit.” I stand and reach across the table, grabbing her plate and setting it down beside mine. “Now, eat.”
“I’ll remember that.” Ellie sticks her tongue out while scooting her chair in.
“My turn,” I say as I pull my chair in.
“I’m not sure if this is friendly dinner conversation or an interrogation,” she laughs between bites.
“We can skip the dinner conversation and go straight to the friendly.” I nod toward the couch.
Raising her eyebrows, she says, “I’m game.”
“Let me get my round in over dinner, get this mess cleaned up and then the couch and I are all yours.”
“Deal.”
“So, why do you always taste like vanilla?”
She takes a drink then licks her bottom lip. “Oh, my ChapStick.
I’m obsessed.”
“Why vanilla?”
“I never used to care what flavor, but my first night in Nashville, I had this gig and I always apply ChapStick before I go on. That night I had vanilla. I’m a tad superstitious, so it’s now my favorite.”
“Mine too,” I confess, leaning in to steal a quick one. “Middle name?”
“Jane.” She makes a face. “At boarding school my nickname was Plain Jane.”
“You are anything but,” I reply.
A little while later, I nod at her empty plate. “More?”
“Oh no, I’m so stuffed. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” I collect our plates, stacking them in the sink. “Would you like to take some home with you?”
“Maybe just a little.” She holds her fingers a tiny bit apart in a pinching-type gesture. “If you have enough.”
“I think I went a little overboard.” I purse my lips together, glancing at the mess I created.
“Possibly,” she laughs, coming to stand beside me. “Where are the containers? I’ll start filling them up.”
“I got this. You just sit over there and relax.” I nod toward the couch again.
“Tempting, but I have ulterior motives. The quicker we get this cleaned up, the sooner we will be on the couch together.” She flashes me a sexy smile.
“How can I argue with that?”
“You can’t.” She holds her hands in the air. “So, I win! Yay!”
I think I already have.
Ellie
After the past couple days, there is one thing I know for sure. Lee loves his Grans. He would do anything for his grandmother even if it means sacrificing his own happiness.
How can you not fall for someone who loves that deeply? It’s what I have always wanted. That kind of love is unconditional.
“Hey, what’s going through that pretty little head of yours?” Lee says, bringing both hands up to cradle my face.
After dinner, Lee collapsed on the couch, pulling me with him, and I didn’t object. But lying here, I can’t help but think about my own family. Will we ever reconcile? What happens if one of them falls ill, will they even tell me? Do they even care?
I care.
“Nothing, really.”
“It doesn’t seem like nothing.” He begins to rub slow circles on my lower back. My eyes flutter shut.
“Hey, Lee?” There is a small rap at the door before it swings open. “Mother said—”
“Dammit.” He sits up, taking me with him. “Give me a minute to take care of this.” Lee gives me a weak smile as he tucks my hair behind my ear.
“You were bringing dinner down, but if you are busy I’ll just order a pizza,” the woman continues.
“Mom, wait.” He jumps over the coffee table and heads into the kitchen. He brings back a box of food.
Mom?
“I completely forgot. You got this?” He hands the food over to her.
“I can manage.” She begins to turn and when she does, she does a double take.
“Oh my lord!” She sets the box down and walks over to me.
I’m a little confused. The last I knew, Lee wasn’t on good terms with his mom.
“Are you any relation to Anna Clark?” She takes a couple steps forward, making me a little nervous.
“Yeah. That’s my mom.” I stand. “Well, now it’s Anna Hawthorne.”
“So she’s still married to that bastard? Hmph,” she mumbles, shaking her head.
“Mom!” Lee scolds. “I think it’s time for you to go.” He opens the door.
“Pardon me. I’m just so shocked, that’s all.” She looks between me and Lee. “It’s just a small world.”
“Mom. The food.” He bends to pick it up. “You don’t want to keep Grans waiting.” He takes one step outside, I’m sure to get his mom to follow.
“You look just like her.” She turns, shaking her head again, as she follows Lee out.
“Nice to meet you,” I call after her, but Lee shuts the door, leaving me inside while they talk.
Not sure what to do, I take a seat. Waiting. A minute becomes five and five becomes ten. Laying back, I take Lee’s place and settle in.
“I’m so sorry,” Lee says as he opens the door.
“Really, it’s okay.” I begin to sit up.
“No, stay just like that.” He walks around the coffee table and climbs up toward me. “Am I too heavy?”
“Not at all. I like it,” I admit.
“Good. Me too.” He lays his head down.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I run my fingers through his hair.
“My mom came back last night.” He turns his head, resting his chin on my chest as he looks at me. His eyes are sad and for the first time, I can see the little boy behind the laugh lines and five o’clock shadow.
“And I take it you’re not happy about it?”
“I don’t know how to feel. She says she’s back for me and to help Grans, but I can’t help but wonder if there is something else.” He begins to close his eyes. “That feels so good.”
“Maybe I should stop?” I keep going.
“Nah. I’ll be fine.” Lee lays his head over my heart.
“Maybe you can just take one day at a time. Don’t expect anything.” I kiss the top of his head. “No expectations means no disappointments.”
His chin is back on my chest and he searches my eyes. “How did you get so smart?” His lips turn up.
“Years of disappointment, I guess.”
“I won’t disappoint you.” Lee makes a promise I’m not sure he can keep. “You know what else?” he asks, as he begins to nuzzle my neck. “This spot right here,” he whispers against my skin, “was made for my kisses.”
“Then by all means, kiss away.” I turn my head, inviting him in to take what he wants.
And he does. Slow kisses—tender, yet demanding—as he works the spot he calls his.
Nipping.
Licking.
Sucking.
His lips follow the curve of my neck as he teases his way down to my chest. Sliding away enough material to expose the top of my breast, he places a soft kiss before he lays his head down right above my heart. “I love the way you feel against me.”
“Lee—”
“Just.” He inhales. “Like this.” He quickly breathes out.
“Lee? You falling asleep?”
“No. Just resting my eyes.” He moves a little, maybe nodding. I can’t tell. “You just feel so good.”
“Lee. Maybe I should—”
“Don’t leave me, not ever,” he pleads.
“I won’t,” I agree.
“Stay.”
“I will.”
“You promise?”
“I do.”
I guess Lee isn’t the only one making a promise he can’t keep.
The question is, who will break theirs first?