Unexpected Arrivals(80)
“No, I think we have to consider both sides, make the best decision we can, and hope we don’t screw him up in the process.” It wasn’t any more of an answer than he’d had before he asked the question.
James pulled on his hair in frustration, and his blue eyes looked weary. I’d never seen him this way; decisions had always come easily for my husband. As long as I’d been by his side, he never hesitated.
Susan chimed in softly, “Where do you think Legend needs to be, James?”
I already knew this answer, but my husband had to come to it on his own. Working out the logistics afterward was just a matter of phone calls and paperwork. James’s hesitation didn’t come from what he believed was best for Legend—he worried about me.
“Geneva Key.” His eyes cast down to the counter, and when he blinked, a tear slid down his cheek. He was afraid I’d leave him if he chose to stay.
I looked at Susan and Brock. “Can you guys give us a few minutes?”
I waited for them to leave before lifting his chin. “Why are you crying?”
“I know you hate it here. I just don’t think we can move him…not right now.”
My thumb stroked his cheek, and I got lost in my love for the man he’d grown in to. We’d come so far since we lived in this town, and nothing would ever hold us back. James was my world, and it wouldn’t be long before Legend sat in the number one seat. I’d do whatever I had to in order to keep them both happy. And if that meant Geneva Key, then we were moving to Florida for the foreseeable future. I wasn’t keen on selling our house in New York and had no clue what James would do about the business, but if we wanted it to, it would work itself out.
“If this is where we need to be, then this is where we stay.” The words came out with more conviction than I felt, yet they were still true.
“God, I love you. I’m so sorry you’re going through all this. It must be like reliving your own personal hell.” His lips pressed against mine in an intimate apology that wasn’t necessary, although, it felt good just the same.
“I love you, too. Maybe this is how my own demons will be laid to rest. You never know what’s in store for us or what we might learn by putting someone else first. We both have to be open to whatever life throws our way in the next few months.”
“You going to extend that same attitude toward Dottie?”
“Don’t get crazy.” I giggled and hugged his neck.
“Maybe you should hear her out. I get the impression by the blisters on your heels that you didn’t spend much time talking to her this morning. It looks like you spent more of it pounding your aggression out on the pavement. How many miles did you run?”
“No running, just a lot of walking. And I will, in my time. I’m just not ready, yet.”
“Don’t wait too long, Cora.”
“When did you go all carpe diem on me?”
“The day I gained a son and realized what all I stood to lose.”
I couldn’t handle much more of this; I needed levity but couldn’t find one smartass thing to say or one snarky comment to make.
We sat in silence for several minutes before I finally asked, “Do you think your parents will let us stay here while we figure things out?”
“The better question is, do you want to stay here while we figure things out. It feels weird sleeping in the same bed with you under their roof, and I’m not sure how long I can go without having sex.”
“Why can’t we have sex?”
“What if they hear you? You’re not exactly quiet when you scream my name.”
“Last I recall, it was you begging me to bring you release, not the other way around.”
“Just because you get off easier than I do doesn’t mean you’re not loud. My mother will get scared when she hears you wailing like a banshee. Even worse, what if she calls the cops because she thinks I’m hurting you?”
“You’re far too full of your sexual abilities, Mr. Carpenter. I think I’ll take my chances staying here. If you get the heebie-jeebies frolicking in your parents’ house, then I guess we’ll just have to get creative.” I moved to stand between his legs and pulled him close.
He was so easy to arouse and fun to play with. There was no doubt in my mind that if I tried to get him to play right here and now, James Carpenter wouldn’t turn me down. Testing the theory, I cupped his balls in my hand and made love to his lips. And just as I thought, being in his parents’ home, in their kitchen with them only feet away, had done nothing to his drive—he’d hardened in my hand and been as responsive as he always was.
I pulled away, breathless, only to find he had pitched a tent for all the world to see. Through my giggles I told him, “Put that thing away. You don’t want your parents to see it.”
“I’m pretty sure they assume I’m attracted to my wife. I’d be willing to guess they even think we have sex.”
“No need for them to see the evidence.” I winked and went to find his parents.
They hadn’t gone far—just around the corner. There was little doubt remaining that they’d heard everything we said. Brock couldn’t stifle his laughter, and Susan was seven shades of pink—all of which looked good on her.
***
It had taken a few days to iron out details with Neil about the business. Most of what he did was by phone and computer anyhow, so the clients weren’t aware of the difference. The one who picked up the slack was Neil, although he hadn’t hesitated to do what was needed. There were only a few weeks left before Legend started school, which also meant, we only had about a month to decide whether we were staying in Geneva Key or going back to New York. Neil couldn’t manage the business this way forever.