Epilogue
“James, you’re messing up my kitchen. What the hell are you doing?”Noelle exclaimed after seeing the various dishes and ingredients laying everywhere.
He grinned when he looked up from what he was doing. "I’m making dinner for, my lady."
Noelle shook her head as she walked into room and gave him a quick peck on the lips. “You’re going to make me regret giving you the keys to my house. I’m grateful for you taking the initiative to paint and work on all the little projects that need to be done around the place, but I draw the line at you messing up my kitchen. You know how anal I am about it.”
“Well, I was hoping I’d have the meal ready and the kitchen cleaned before you got home. Speaking of which, what are you doing home so early? I thought it was your turn to close the bakery today.”
“Paul’s taking care of it. I wanted to come home and take a long soak. I’ve been in the bakery since five this morning.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and take that bath and by the time you’re finished, everything will be ready.”
“I’m kind of scared to see what you’ve whipped up considering your culinary experience is limited to grilled cheese sandwiches, frozen dinners and peanut butter and jelly.”
He flinched in mock pain. “I’m hurt you have little faith in me but I forgive you. Go ahead and have your bath.”
Noelle was reluctant to leave him alone in the kitchen to wreak more havoc, but a warm bubble bath was calling her. She gave him one more quick peck on the cheek before heading upstairs to her room. Noelle drew a bath for herself and poured in a capful of scented bubble mix.
She let out a long sigh as she sunk into the bubbles in her bathtub. In her bathroom. In her house. She’d bought her three-bedroom colonial for a steal. It needed some work but she was looking forward to fixing it up. She was a homeowner and every time she walked through the door, she felt a sense of pride. This past year had bought many changes. The bakery was doing so well, Noelle and Paul decided to hire a few more people to do the bulk of the baking and handling non-specialty cake orders, while Noelle focused on what they labeled the designer cakes. She was in charge of training and teaching new techniques. She still helped out where it was needed and came up with new recipes to introduce. Noelle and Paul were thinking of expanding their operation to open a second location and decided to take a cautious approach. Instead of opening a new store, they decided to find a bigger space and make one side a bakery and the other side a café. If business continued to do well in a couple years they intended to open that second bakery.
Paul was so much more than a business partner to her but a close friend and confidant. Though it was clear to her he still had a crush on Simone he had recently started dating. Noelle was sure if her cousin gave him even the slightest indication she was interested in him, he’d drop anyone he was dating for her. As for Simone, Noelle worried about her cousin. Her boutique was doing well but it had become her life. Noelle could see the signs that something was going on with her cousin, but Simone would shut down whenever Noelle inquired if anything was the matter. Noelle hoped in time Simone would open up to her.
After admitting they still loved each other Noelle and James decided they needed to start over again and get to know each other as friends while they both sought the professional help they needed to better fight their demons. In the beginning, they hung out platonically, deciding to leave the sex out of the relationship as they got to know each other. It was an unofficial trial to see how compatible they actually were. Their time together changed how Noelle felt about James. Her love grew deeper. It was no longer a love she felt for a man she believed him to be but a love for the man he actually was. James was considerate, made time for her, complimented her frequently, listened when she had a tough day at the bakery and found ways to make her smile. He let his guard down, was open and had no problem telling her how he felt. Finally after a few months, they decided to make things official, although they decided to go slow.
The year had been amazing. Therapy had taught her how to love herself, her business was successful and she was especially proud to be a first time homeowner. She and James did discuss her moving in with him but she liked the idea of living on her own for a while. It filled her with a sense of accomplishment. James spent most nights at her place anyway. She’d even made room in her closet for his things. She was truly grateful to have James, not because he completed her life but because he enhanced it.
Noelle didn’t realize she’d dozed off in the tub until James entered the bathroom with a glass of wine in hand.
“Sweetheart, you have to be careful not to fall asleep in the tub.”
Noelle sat up and took the glass of wine he handed to her. “I didn’t realize I was so tired.” She took a sip. “Mmm, you spoil me.”
“You deserve to be pampered. You’re a queen.”
“Aww, you’re so sweet, James.”
“No, you are.” He leaned over and brushed his lips against hers. Her nipples puckered and her pussy tingled. The man drove her wild.
“Hmm, anymore of that and I think I might join you in the tub. Besides, dinner will get cold.”
She raised a brow. “Since when did you care about the temperature of dinner? As a matter of fact the last time I cooked for you, we never got around to eating.”
“Oh I ate plenty.”
She giggled. “I’m not talking about my pussy you perv.”
“I didn’t hear you complain. Okay, enough chit chat, let me help you out of the tub.” He took her glass of wine and set it aside before lifting her out of the tub. When he placed her gently on her feet, James grabbed a towel, took a seat on the toilet and pulled her between his legs. Slowly he began to towel her dry, letting his fingers slip over her bare skin as he went about his task. His thumb grazed each nipple and he gently cupped her buttocks and gave it a gentle squeeze. By the time he finished, her body was dry but her pussy was completely wet. Her body practically vibrated with need.
James then grabbed a bottle of her scented lotion on the sink and slowly rubbed it into her body. He took his time massaging the liquid into her skin. “James, you’re doing this on purpose,” she groaned.
“I’m just taking care of you, baby.”
“If you really wanted to take care of me you wouldn’t tease me this way.”
Her knees were weak and she didn’t think she’d be able to stand any longer. As though sensing her need, James stood up and lifted her on to the sink and then sank down in front of her until he was eye level to her pussy. He spread her knees apart. He grinned. “I guess I can make room for an appetizer.” He pushed his middle finger between her slick folds and slid it into her hot core.
Noelle threw her head back and moaned in ecstasy. Every time the man touched her, her body went up in flames. No matter how many times they made love, touched or kissed, it was magic. She spread herself wider, silently signaling him to taste her. James needed no further encouragement. He leaned forward and flicked her clit with the tip of his tongue. He added another finger into her pussy as he latched on to her sensitive bud and sucked in earnest.
She dug her fingers through his hair and held his head close, mashing her pussy against his face. “Oh James, that feels so good.”
James gently bit her clit sending her over the edge to her climax, but even as she convulsed and shook from her orgasm, he continued to lick the juices from her pussy and inner thighs. More than anything, Noelle wanted his cock.
“Make love to me, James.”
He gave her pussy one last lick before pulling away from her. That’s dessert. Remember, dinner’s waiting.”
“You can’t be serious. You can’t leave me here like this. I need you, baby.” She reached out for him but he backed away from her.
“Later sweetheart. Get dressed and I’ll meet you downstairs in ten minutes.”She wanted to protest but he was already on his feet and heading out the bathroom.
Noelle was still pouting by the time she joined him. “That was so mean James,” she took a seat across the table from him.
“I promise I’ll make it up to you sweetheart. Why don’t you eat dinner? If it’s not as warm as you like I can heat it up for you.”
Noelle noticed for the first time that James had set the table with her nice table setting she reserved for when she had company. He also used her good china. On her plate was a large juicy-looking steak, roasted potatoes and string beans. “Wow, James. This all looks great. This is the nicest meal you’ve ever cooked for me. What’s the occasion?”
He smiled. “Does there have to be an occasion? Sometimes we should do things just because.”
“Well this is very nice. And I appreciate you cooking dinner for me, but I’m still mad at you for teasing me like that.”
“Hopefully by the end of the night you’ll forgive me.”
“I’ll think about,” she grumbled as she cut into her steak.
The conversation remained light as they finished their meals. They each shared how their day went and told each other funny anecdotes. Once she was finished dinner, Noelle, pushed her plate away. “That was delicious. Thank you for dinner, honey.”
“How about dessert now?”
“I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“How about another glass of wine?”
Noelle giggled. “You don’t have to get me drunk. I’m an easy date.”
“I insist.”
There was something in his tone that made her hesitate for a second. “Uh, okay.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She wondered why he was being so secretive all of a sudden but didn’t have time to dwell on it long because he was quick to return but instead of two glasses of wine, he had champagne in hand.
“Wow, you’re being really fancy tonight. What are we celebrating?”
He handed her a glass. “Us.” He took a seat and held out his glass for a toast. “You’ve made me very happy, Noelle and I just wanted to let you know how much I love you.”
Her heart swelled with love for him. “I love you too, James.”
“To us.”
“To us.” They clinked their glasses together and she brought the glass to her lips. She took a generous gulp until she felt something hard against her lips. She looked into the glass and gasped. She looked at him for confirmation. “James?”
He made his way to her side and dropped to one knee as he took the glass from her hand. He slipped his fingers into her glass and retrieved a diamond engagement ring. “I know we said we’d wait a while before we took this step, but I don’t want to go another day without making a pledge to love and cherish you for the rest of your life. I vow to do everything in my power to make you happy.”
Tears welled in her eyes. She nodded eagerly, accepting his proposal. When she thought of all they’d been through; the pain, the tears, the heartache, and finally the healing, the love and the laughter, Noelle knew there was no one she rather spend the rest of her life with than James.
They would have the rest of their lives together, loving and giving each other whatever they wanted.