Now and Forever 4, The Renovated Heart (11 page)

“But you said I could pick colors.”

“I said you could
help
pick colors.
My house, my decision.”

Kit walked out in a huff.

In the evening, she scrubbed dried paint
from her hands her fingernails, her feet and other parts of her
body. Tunney pulled bits of paint from her hair, she did the same
for him. At the end of the workday, after showering off the paint,
they went to dinner.

Tunney had taken her to many of the local
eateries. Tonight they’d be dining at Dan’s Delicacies. Kit
attacked a huge salad with chicken, cranberries and walnuts while
he demolished a steak sandwich. Over dinner, they shared decorating
ideas, talked about the work they had done plus what projects were
still waiting for their attention.

After dinner, he dropped her at the old
house. She raised her hand in a reluctant good-bye as he drove
away. Running her tongue lightly over her lower lip, she recalled
his powerful kiss, igniting feelings she wished had been left
alone.
You may never get another kiss like that one.
She
entered the house and went straight to bed, her body aching from
the physical labor of the day her mind reliving his remarkable kiss
in her dreams.

* * * *

At number 29 James Street

Sarah’s routine changed when the children
hopped a bus to and from school. Although she still wore a
chauffeur’s cap for Laura’s ballet classes plus Scottie’s swimming
classes, now she’d have time in the morning to write.

Jim had quietly become part of their lives.
Since he lived next door, formalities about spending time together
went out the window. They eased into an everyday relationship over
several weeks. The children became used to finding him nuzzling
Sarah’s neck in the kitchen or their mom with her arms around him
or giving him a peck in their presence. But their relationship had
not yet passed through the bedroom door.

They had been going out on Saturday nights
but she always returned home early. Her desire for Jim grew, yet
what about the children? How would they react if he slept over? So
she resisted her desires, which became increasingly harder with
every date.

They took it for granted Jim would be there,
starting dinner most nights, bringing groceries, taking a place in
their lives every day. But he still went home to his house next
door to sleep alone.

He taught in the morning then handled
administrative duties as department head in the afternoon. Sarah
began to walk in the woods by herself. Those quiet walks allowed
her to channel characters and plots enabling her to begin
writing.

She gave Jim plot outlines and chapters to
read. He read her work, offering suggestions along with
encouragement. The first of October was Founder’s Day at Kensington
State. Classes were cancelled; everyone took the day off. He
noticed Sarah’s car in her driveway just before noon so he dropped
in on her to discuss a few sentences in her latest draft he felt
needed rearranging. As always, any excuse to be with Sarah made him
happy. He walked up to her front door and rang the bell.

Sarah had stepped out of the shower fifteen
minutes earlier. She concentrated on toweling her hair dry before
getting dressed. Then the doorbell rang. Stark naked, she ran into
the bedroom, grabbing the cover-up on the bed. It was her light
turquoise clingy jersey dress usually worn over a bathing suit or
around the house. Being taken off guard, she popped it over her
head then headed to the door, running a brush through her damp,
dark hair. She peeked through the peephole then opened the
door.

“No class today?”

“Founder’s Day…” he said, staring, his mouth
agape.

His eyes skimmed over her form revealed by
the light blue dress. The heat from his eyes almost burned through
the dress. She tugged at the hem, moving the dress a little lower
down on her legs but moving the neckline lower as well.

“Is something wrong? You’re staring at me
like I’m naked.”

“You’re not…you’re not wearing anything…are
you?” he asked, his voice rising an octave. His eyes moved slowly
from the hem of the dress to its neckline.

“Of course I’m wearing something. I’m
wearing this dress. What’s wrong with you?”

“I know, but I mean…underneath, below…the
dress,” he stammered, red creeping up his neck.

“You mean…like underwear?”

“You’re not wearing any…are you?”

“I just got out of the shower when the
doorbell rang…I wasn’t dressed…you can’t see anything…can you?” she
stammered, her cheeks turning pink.

“You look amazing, you should dress like
this more often.” He stepped back a bit while his gaze roamed over
her body.

“You mean come to the door practically
naked?”

“You’re…irresistible...” He fumbled for
words.

“Did you come by for something?” Her hand
fluffed her hair to hasten drying.

“I’m sure I did but I don’t remember
now.”

Sarah chuckled.

“Anything to do with those papers in your
hand?”

“These? Oh, yes. These. Yes, I brought back
some of the chapters you gave me to read with a few comments.”

“Come in.”

She steered Jim over to the computer by the
window. She sensed his stare on her behind, making her
self-conscious. Sitting down at the machine she pulled up the
chapter of her novel he offered.

“I forgot to number the pages. I can’t find
the ones you want me to change.”

Jim placed his hand over hers on the mouse,
guiding the cursor to the right place. Sarah spread her fingers so
his slipped down to rest between hers. She turned to face him, his
breath warm on her cheek, his lips hovering close by. Her blue
eyes, wide and passionate, looked into his. He brought his mouth
down on hers. Sarah turned toward him, opening her lips as he
deepened the kiss.

He slid his hand down under the neckline of
her dress, and closed his fingers around her breast. He groaned as
his body hardened. Sarah gasped at his unexpected move. He pinched
her peak gently, causing heat to rocket to her core.

Jim pulled his head back to whisper to her,
“I want to make love to you.”

When Sarah stood up, he took her in his arms
for another kiss. His tongue caressed hers while his hands roamed
over her voluptuous body, barely covered by the skimpy dress. He
squeezed her backside then returned his attention to her breasts.
She moaned as he massaged her, kissing his way down her neck. She
gripped his shoulders as the heat he created made her knees
weak.

Sarah moved back from him, and led him into
the bedroom. She unbuttoned his shirt, pushed it off his shoulders
then ran her fingertips through his soft brown chest hair, up over
his hard muscles. He pulled her into his arms for a passionate kiss
while he pulled up her dress to caress her firm backside. He eased
the dress up further until she stepped back from him.

“Shy?”

Sarah nodded. She hadn’t been naked in front
of a man other than Bob for over ten years.

“Me first then.”

He took off his jeans and dropped his boxers
to reveal his desire for her. Her eyes got wide, looking over his
body, aroused, taut, naked, unbearably sexy. Her mouth went
dry.

“Now your turn,” he said, stepping closer to
her.

He gently raised the hem of her dress while
Sarah raised her arms. Pulling the garment from her body, he tossed
it on a chair.

“You are so beautiful…amazing…so much better
than…” he stammered, his eyes lingering on her breasts.

“Than what?” she asked, shifting from foot
to foot under his gaze.

“Than in my dreams,” he said, blushing.

Sarah moved toward him. He pulled her in
close.

“You dream about me?”

“Almost every night,” he whispered, kissing
her neck.

“I want you too,” she said, seeking his
mouth, pressing her breasts against his chest.

He kissed her, crushing her against him,
until she felt him harden even more.

Jim stepped back and led her over to the
bed. Sarah stretched out first, then he lay down next to her, his
mouth finding hers.

“Your breasts are perfect,” he breathed, his
hand skimming over her soft skin.

His mouth trailed down her neck, his lips
planting feathery kisses that sent chills down her spine. Her hands
slid over his shoulders, gripping his muscles, caressing his
skin.

He nibbled on her shoulder before lowering
himself to take her peak into his mouth. His tongue and lips
teased, causing her to squirm with mounting desire under his expert
touch. Just when she thought she couldn’t stand the heat anymore,
he switched to the other breast.

Sarah combed her fingers through his light
brown hair, raking it with her fingernails, enjoying his groan in
response to her touch. He moved his hand lower, over her flat
belly, down to her core. She gasped as his fingers explored her
soft flesh.

“Did I hurt you?”

She shook her head. Her gaze met his eyes
glowing gold with passion.

“You feel…your body is…amazing,” he
breathed.

She ran her hand down his side, and wrapped
her fingers around him. Her sharp intake of breath registered her
surprise at how hard he was. Jim smiled, continuing to stroke her.
She grew moist, ready for him…her desire increasing with every
circle of his finger and each moan of pleasure slipping from her
lips.

“I’ve wanted you…for so long,” he
murmured.

He buried two fingers inside her. She sucked
in air then froze unable to do anything but let heat rocket through
her body.

“Don’t stop.”

His lips found hers again crushing them in a
hard kiss, as his tongue demanded her surrender. Sarah felt the
intensity—the excitement escalate—until she thought she’d lose
control completely.

“Jim, Jim,” she whimpered.

He let go of her to grab his pants.
Retrieving his wallet, he whipped out a condom then covered
himself. He nudged her thighs apart with his knee while he hovered
over her. Her eyes got wide, she raised her head.

“It’ been a…uh…while since…”

“Been a long time since you made love? Me
too. I’ll be gentle.”

Sarah let out a deep sigh. He raised her leg
to lie up against her chest. He brushed her hair off her face,
resting his palm on her cheek for a moment.

“I want to see you.” His eyes were inches
from hers, his gaze never left her face.

He touched her, gauging her wetness and knew
she was ready. Even so, he eased himself into her slowly. Once
inside, he felt her stiffen.

“You okay?”

“Think so,” she choked out.

“Let yourself go, sweetheart,” he whispered
as he began to move.

Jim caught his breath. Her hands, resting on
his shoulders felt the muscles work. She buried her face in his
neck. Her body cried out for release but tightened up.

“Give yourself to me,” Jim coaxed in a
whisper, “Sarah, please…I love you, honey…”

Sarah closed her eyes and focused on his
sweet words. Love, music to her ears. She surrendered.
Jim…not
Bob…Jim, who’s loving me…Jim.
A smile teased her lips as he
made love to her. Her mind shut off, her body took over, her senses
screaming at the white hot desire he created inside her. Sarah
moaned with pleasure at his every move. He increased his pace,
thrusting harder and faster, taking her beyond reason. Her muscles
clenched, a huge wave of pure nerve-melting bliss spread throughout
her body. She cried out as her hips moved rhythmically with
his.

Seconds after Sarah’s orgasm, Jim lost
control, groaning loudly as release took over his body. Moisture
broke out on his brow as they lay quietly, trying to catch their
breath. She put her arms around his neck, and they held each other
tightly.

“Sarah, you are…fantastic…I love you so
much.”

She looked deep into his eyes and saw love
shining there. She smiled warmly at him, held his face in her hands
to place a soft kiss on his lips. Sarah wasn’t quite ready to
confess her love. Emotion rose up in her chest as a sob caught in
her throat.

“Hold me, please just hold me,” she
whispered, burying her face in his shoulder, closing her eyes.

Jim uncoupled then rolled to the side,
keeping her in his arms. She rested her head on his chest. He
pulled up the sheet, and kissed the top of her head while his hands
stroked her hair. Sobs burst through, tears cascaded down her
cheeks wetting his chest. Tightly controlled emotions, loneliness,
fear and regret, broke through her defenses. He held her until the
sobs subsided and the tears stopped. She lay quietly in his
arms.

After a little while, Sarah got up to splash
cold water on her face. She walked back to the bed feeling
stronger. Jim leaned back on the pillow, watching her, his fingers
laced behind his head. She stared at his body, a yearning to touch
him growing inside.

“What?”

He leaned over, kissed her passionately
while his hand moved down to her breast.

“Again?” She asked, raising her
eyebrows.

“Again…and again…and…” He bent down to
capture her mouth.

She lifted her tongue to meet his in a
passionate dance. His hands gripped her face tenderly for his kiss
then explored her body. His touch ignited a fire in her core. The
heat climbed, their chemistry bubbling. Hunger took over. Jim took
her again swiftly with passion and need. Sarah cried out his name
soon after they coupled, sending him over the top.

Satisfaction mixing with pure happiness
filled her heart as she put her cheek on his chest to rest. He
combed her hair with his fingers. Then the clock began to strike
three.

“Three o’clock already?” Sarah asked,
sitting up in bed.

“Yes.”

“The children will be home in less than half
an hour!” Jumping up from bed, She tossed her light blue dress back
on.