LOVE LIFE and VOWS (2 page)

“Good morning to you too.”

Vicky ran her fingers through his hair as he said good morning to their child. She was about five months pregnant but Jason hadn’t let a day go by where he didn’t touch, kiss, or speak to him or her.

Jason was rewarded with feeling the baby flex an arm or leg underneath his cheek. He jerked his head up with excitement in his eyes.

“Did you feel that?”

Vicky laughed out loud, “Yes. Our baby is telling you he’s hungry and you’re going to let that bacon burn up.”

He’d been so wrapped up in Vicky and the baby he’d completely forgotten the bacon was cooking. Suddenly very serious, Jason held Vicky’s face in his hands and looked deeply into her eyes, “I can never thank you enough for giving me this gift.”

Jason kissed her once more before he went over to take the bacon out of the pan and turned off the stove.

It was hard to swallow back the lump in her throat. She knew how precious love was and she didn’t take it lightly that Jason loved her.

He put a bowl of fresh fruit on the island. Vicky adjusted her robe and popped a grape into her mouth. Still trying to clear her throat “So, who was on the phone?”

“Nobody important.” He turned around to face her, “Do you want juice or milk?”

“Juice.” Vicky didn’t believe him for one second, “
Really
? Well then, what is it that they can do while we’re out?”

“Mrs. Rutherford, you are too nosy for your own good. I thought you were hungry.” Jason made her a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast.

“Eat up.”

“Come on…not even a hint?”

“No. Okay, all I will tell you is…nothing.” He laughed, “Now, hurry up so we can shower.”

Jason gave Vicky a wicked smile, “because that…is going to take a lot of time and we’ve only got an hour and a half before we need to be where we’re going.”

Sandy had been back from Jason and Vicky’s wedding for just a few days. She was so happy for them. They deserved their happily ever after. Lord knows they’d overcome a lot to get it. Angel’s accident and recovery over the last several months was hard on them but it only seemed to bring them closer.

It was actually inspiring; Sandy knew that if Vicky could find happiness in the most unlikely of places, so could she. That immediately made her think of Franklin and the almost ever present smile that had been plastered on her face since they’d gotten together.

They hadn’t put a label on their relationship but she was pretty sure he wasn’t seeing anyone else and neither was she. He was so attentive to her. No other man had made her feel like her feelings really mattered to them like Franklin. Yes, things between them were good; almost too good.

Every now and then, Sandy would have to push back those negative feelings of doubt. Those thoughts of being a rebound relationship would occasionally pop into her head. Especially, since Franklin had only recently broken off his engagement before they’d started seeing each other. But, he’d made her feel special…important even; nothing even remotely resembling a rebound. So, it was easy to tamp down those insecurities. Insecurities that Sandy had built up over years from dating the wrong kinds of men, men like Joshua Jones.

Sandy shook her head and muttered underneath her breath while looking at the in-bound and out-bound call board, “Thank god I dodged that bullet.”

It was hard getting back into the swing of things at CkR International after living it up with Jason, Vicky and Franklin over the last several months. But, Sandy had bills to pay and CkR International was the place that helped her pay them. Jason had been more than generous giving her extended leave time with pay. Even though Sandy spent most of it with Vicky, she and Jason had also become good friends.

Jason knew it was a lot for Vicky to focus on Angel’s recovery, planning their wedding, moving from Minneapolis to Atlanta, and having to deal with all of those pariah’s wanting to know who and how she’d finally landed Jason Rutherford.

He was always willing to move heaven and earth for her so if Sandy being there with her would ease her mind, she knew Jason would figure out a way for it to happen.

Although, Vicky was much stronger than Jason gave her credit. She had a silent strength that Sandy really admired. She had been handling everything while pregnant with such patience and grace.

Sandy chuckled to herself because she knew she would have let out a ‘kiss my ass’ at least once during all that time.

Anyway, it was back to the real world for her and time to make sure everyone was either available to take calls or were on a call. There were two people offline, Marla Johnson and Judith Marshal. Judith was the girl who’d been hired to replace Vicky.

Sandy arched a perfectly sculpted eyebrow…she’d noticed this was Judith’s third bathroom break and it wasn’t even lunch time yet. She would have to keep an eye on her.

There was a knock on her office door, “Um...excuse me, do you think I could talk to you for a minute?”

Sandy’s back was to her door but she knew that voice anywhere. There was a time when she craved the sound. Now…it left her feeling…nothing.

She turned around with a blank expression on her face.

“Sure. What can I help you with Mr. Jones?”

He came inside and closed the door. Why he did that when her office was a glass fishbowl was beyond her.

“Why so formal?”

He was still as handsome as ever, Sandy sighed, “What can I help you with
Joshua
?”

“I just wanted to see you and to tell you that…I miss you…I miss us.”

“What? Are you serious? I haven’t talked to you in months. And, if I remember correctly the last time we spoke you said some really awful things to me. Didn’t I hang up on you?”

He threw up those well-manicured hands, “I know. I know. I was hurt, angry, and jealous! I didn’t know what I was doing or saying at the time. But, I’ve had some time to think about everything. I know I was an asshole to you. You have to understand, I wasn’t ready to settle down…then. But, being without you these past few months have made me realize…how important you are to me. I want you back.”

Sandy’s mouth nearly fell open. How long had she waited for Joshua to utter those exact words. Now he’s ready? Now? Now that she has moved on he’s ready for a real relationship.

“Joshua, not only is this not the place or the time, we shouldn’t even be having this conversation.”

“Fine. Let me come over to your place tonight to talk…”

Sandy gave him an incredulous look that made him re-think those plans, “That’s not a good idea.”

“Okay…okay. How about we go out to dinner then? I’ll take you to your favorite restaurant and we’ll just talk.”

“It’s too late for all of this! Joshua, we dated for years and you probably can’t even tell me what my favorite restaurant is.”

Underneath all of that smooth caramel skin, Sandy could still see him blush. She was right. Her wants and needs were never a priority to him. Unfortunately, it was too late.

“Joshua, there was a time when I would have given anything to be with you. I put up with a lot while we were together.”

Joshua started to advance toward Sandy but she put her hands up to stop him.

“Josh, please let me finish. We spent years trying to figure ‘us’ out. Me hoping that one day you would realize what we could have together. So much has happened in the past few months that have really put things into perspective. I can’t go back with you. I’m finally in a happy place.”

“Franklin might make you happy now Sandy but I know you. I know you deep down to your soul. Has he even committed to you? What if he goes back to his ex?”

Joshua had been looking for just the right button to push and he could see in her eyes that he’d found the right one.

“My relationship with Franklin is none of your concern. And, if you care for me the way you say you do…you’ll let me go. You’ll let me be happy.”

Joshua held Sandy’s gaze not knowing what to say or do. He never thought in a million years that she wouldn’t always be there if he was ever ready to settle down.

He took the extra few steps to close the gap between them and slowly lowered his head to kiss her on the lips. Sandy turned her head in time for him to only connect with her cheek.

He cleared his throat, “I needed to know for sure.” He turned, and walked toward the door but stood there for a moment.

Joshua spoke softly, “If things don’t work out with you and Franklin, don’t forget about me.”

And with those words, Joshua walked out of her office.

A weight that Sandy hadn’t known she’d been carrying was lifted. She knew with 100% certainty that she was over him. She also knew with even more certainty that she was in love with Franklin.

*****

Franklin was sitting at his desk going over the latest sales figures. He’d re-read the same numbers three times. His normal laser focus was on the blitz. And, it had everything to do with a Ms. Sandra Catchings.

He couldn’t seem to get her off of his mind. It was only a few short hours ago that they’d last seen each other. She’d flattened her entire body against his as she hungrily searched his lips for one last good bye kiss before leaving his house.

She had a mind of her own and was not afraid to tell you what was on it. Sandy was a spitfire to say the least and definitely the reason he couldn’t seem to wipe that goofy smile off of his face. She set his whole body aflame just by being in the same room with her; which was surprising considering she couldn’t be further from what he thought was his type.

As incredible as the sex was between them she had a gift of making him feel…honest and whole. Sometimes they’d spend hours just talking about nothing and everything. She and his ex were as different as night and day. He and April would sometimes have very uncomfortable silences. Franklin knew it was mostly his fault for not being able to open up to her. All water under the bridge now.

Sandy didn’t need him but she wanted him and had no problem letting him know it. That was also different for him. April was pretty conservative. She would never show him she wanted to make love. That just wasn’t who she was. He’d always had to make the first move. He understood the things in her past that made her that way. But, it was nice to feel wanted. And, Sandy let him know she wanted him almost every day since the first time they’d made love a few months ago.

His assistant’s voice coming through the intercom broke him out of his thoughts.

“Mr. Roth, Ms. Catchings is here to see you.”

Franklin looked at his watch. Damn…it was lunch time already. He’d spent his whole morning thinking about her.

“Please send her in and feel free to go to lunch. I’ll be leaving myself after my meeting with Ms. Catchings.”

A moment later, Sandy walked into his office and closed the door behind her.

“I was downstairs missing you and thought I’d come up to see if you’d like to grab some lunch.”

Franklin swiveled his chair around as he admired her walking towards him. She was wearing a form fitting knit dress with a low neckline that hugged all of her curves. The dress also showed off her killer legs. It was his favorite color…blue and it brought out the blue in her eyes.

Instead of sitting in one of the chairs in front of his desk, Sandy walked around it. She sat down on his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Is that a yes or a no? If it’s a no…I’ll just have to convince you not to work so hard and to take an hour or so out of your day for lunch.”

“The moment you walked into the room, I was already willing to do anything you asked.”

That brought a dazzling smile to her face. She leaned in to kiss him but stopped before she met his lips.

“Really…Anything?”

“Anything.”

Sandy continued to look deeply into his eyes before finally whispering, “I’m going to hold you to that.”

She completely erased the space between them as she pulled Franklin’s face to hers. She pressed her lips to his kissing him ever so gently…in the beginning. What initially started out as wanting just a kiss quickly turned into wanting to feel not only his lips, his tongue, but his touch. Their tongues began a passionate duel with each other. She was hungry for him, and he seemed to be just as desperate for her.

He broke the kiss and his lips traced the soft curve of her neck. His hot kisses continued lower and lower until he reached the edge of her neckline. He stopped just for a moment as he imagined those creamy breasts beneath the knit dress. Even though it was emblazoned on his memory of how they would pebble for him at the slightest touch, the dress left nothing to the imagination. Franklin continued to dip his head low to draw the tight peaks into his mouth. Franklin soaked the front of her dress.

Her flesh was on fire. She managed to pull the dress over her shoulders down to her waist leaving the object of his attention exposed.

“Kiss me. Please…don’t stop Franklin.”

He spoke in between kissing down the valley of those perfect breasts. “Did you lock the door behind you?”

Her voice was breathy, “Yes. No point to closing the door if I didn’t.”

He bent his head down low to suck on a tightly budded nipple. He used his other hand to knead the other one until he could give it the attention it deserved.

Sandy felt Franklin swell underneath her. She slid her hand inside of his slacks to stroke him and he grew even harder. Franklin closed his eyes and groaned. But, he wasn’t the only one whose body was coming alive. She made his blood race. She writhed against him to try and soothe the building ache between her legs as she continued to stroke him.

The friction between them as Sandy went from writhing to full on grinding caused Franklin’s hands to be all over her. He wanted to be everywhere at once.

However, he still wasn’t where she needed him to be. But, he was about to fix that. His hand urgently traveled underneath her blue dress. Franklin was on a mission to find that place that caused their frenzy to break out in the first place.