Terms of Service (15 page)

She murmured something against his chest.  He could’ve sworn he heard her say, “My heart.”  Something inside him shattered.  Gradually her emotions broke and the tears, which had remained unspent for so long, sought release.  He wiped and kissed them away.

“Let me hold you tonight,” he murmured against her temple.  He could feel her begin to stiffen again.  “We won’t go to bed.  We’ll just build a fire and lay out here under the stars all night long.”  He hadn’t really thought this through.  The old Gavin would’ve checked the weather report to ensure the temperature wouldn’t drop too low, and there was zero chance of rain overnight.  This new Gavin cared only about making Hannah happy at any cost.

There would be blankets and a fire to protect them from the chill.  There was a covered lanai to protect them from the rain.  All that mattered was Hannah felt comforted and loved.  He swallowed hard.

Without waiting for her response, he scooped her into his arms and deposited her in the nearest wicker cushioned lounge chair.  “Don’t move,” he urged.  He retrieved her tea from the railing and gave it to her.  “I’ll be right back.”

Rushing inside, Gavin grabbed the down comforter out of the linen closet, and a flamer to light all the candles.  As an after thought, he picked up a starter log for the outdoor fireplace and made his way back to Hannah.

She had listened to him at least.  She was sitting almost precisely as he had left her.  One leg was curled beneath her as she clutched the mug in both hands, slowly sipping away.  She had a look on her face, a combination of anticipation and trepidation.  At the moment, he wasn’t sure which was winning.

Walking around the patio, he lit one candle and then the next.  Periodically, he would glance at her for a reaction.  She was staring at him wide eyed, but he had the sneaking suspicion a smile was working its way to the surface.  Gavin knelt at the fireplace before her and tried to concentrate on building a fire.  Because Hannah was sitting right there, he suddenly felt self-conscious.  The starter log caught instantly and the rest of the wood followed soon after.  Convinced the blaze would maintain itself long enough for him to relax, Gavin stood and smiled at Hannah.

From the look on her face, he could tell that she was blushing and he hoped it was from excitement and not shame.  He closed the distance to the lounger and sat beside her.  “There’s nothing wrong with needing someone to hold onto once in a while,” he murmured into her hair.

***

For Hannah, the entire experience had a surreal quality to it.  For some reason, her boss, the man she lived with, who was rich, handsome, intelligent, and successful…he wanted to hold her and ease her sorrow.  She wanted to let him.  For the second time that night, Gavin scooped her into his arms.  He lifted her as though she weighed no more than the down comforter he had brought for them.

Easing himself onto the lounger, he carefully positioned them and once satisfied, covered them.  The way he tucked them in moved her more than she could express.  Suddenly, she felt the need to hide her face against his neck and breathe him in.  He smelled like leather and the way he held her felt like security.  She wrapped a hand around his neck and was surprised to hear his heart beat erratically at her touch.  Testing her theory, she tried again, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand.  Laying her hand over his heart, she discovered she had achieved the same results.  Smiling, Hannah nestled in closer.

“What are you smiling about?” he asked mirthfully.

“What makes you think I’m smiling?”  She challenged.

He chuckled.  “I can feel your face move.”  He stroked her cheek.  “Tell me.”

Her newfound knowledge made her feel powerful and bold, so she quickly revealed what had made her react.  “I can make your heart beat faster,” she said as she leaned away from him so she could watch his reaction.

“I’m not surprised,” he commented absently.   At the time, he was tracing her jaw line with his finger.

His touch was breathing life back into her.  She had forgotten what it was like to feel.  Like a drug, his caress was intoxicating.  Her eyelids drooped halfway as she allowed emotion to overrule reason.  What would one night hurt?

Suddenly Gavin spoke.  “I bet I can make your heart beat faster,” he murmured as he stared at her.

“Mmm, how’s that?”  She offered a lazy smile.

His face grew serious as he studied her.  She felt him doing that thing again, measuring the distance.  She knew without him acknowledging it, her heart was racing.  Lucky for him, he hadn’t commented.  It would’ve ruined the moment because right now all she could concentrate on was the need for his lips on hers.

Not one to disappoint, Gavin dropped his head several degrees to connect with her hungry lips.  It was as before, a surge of passion washed over her and nearly knocked the breath from her.  His hand was pulling her closer, but she couldn’t see how it would be possible unless she were to suddenly fuse with him.  When they finally broke free, she touched her lips in surprise at the tingling sensation left there.

***

It was too much.  He finally had a chance to be close to her.  He couldn’t scare her off by coming on too strong.  “I’m just going to hold you for the rest of the night.  You’re safe with me Hannah,” Gavin said softly as he held her face against his shoulder.

Over the next few minutes, Gavin felt her body slowly relax; slowly grow limp, until at last he knew she was asleep.  This was when he felt most comfortable talking to her, telling her what he never would’ve told anyone.  “I think I may be falling in love with you, Hannah.”  He sighed and brushed her hair away from her face.  “Funny thing about love,” he mused.  “You never see it coming.  For me, you snuck in like a thief in the night and stole my heart.”  Then he nestled them deeper under the covers, wrapped his arms more tightly around her, and fell asleep.

Chapter Twelve

Before the sun could wake them Gavin was already staring at Hannah, still asleep in his arms.  Her hands were curled up under her chin, and she had the comforter drawn up to her ears.  He ran his fingers through her silky chestnut locks and watched her slowly stretch in response.  He smiled, eager to bask in the glory of their night together.  It wasn’t the first time a woman had spent a sexless night in his arms, but it was the best.  For some reason, every experience with Hannah seemed sweeter, richer.

Gavin watched in fascination as Hannah snuggled closer to him, nuzzled her face into his neck.  He was ready to lean over and plant a kiss on her forehead, or temple, or nose, or all of the above in no particular order when the phone rang.  He inched closer to the side of the lounger so he could stop the incessant ringing before it disturbed the beauty lying in his arms.  He glanced at the identity of the caller and sighed.

“Yes, mother,” he said bitterly.  His plans for this morning had very little to do with dealing with his mother and everything to do with spending quality time with Hannah.  He had closed the office for Good Friday and wanted his plans for the holiday weekend to be a surprise for her and the girls.

“Don’t take that tone with me, young man,” Mrs. Meyers warned, “I’m still your mother.”

Rolling his eyes, he sighed.  “I’m sorry.  Now, what has caused you to call me so bright and early on a Friday morning?”

“I’m at the airport,” she began.

Startled, he sat up abruptly and had to grab Hannah to keep her from sliding off his chest. His pleasant mood was quickly dissipating.  “Which airport,” he snapped.

“Miami,” Mrs. Meyers answered.  “Now, I’ll need you to come pick me up.”

Interrupting again he said, “In Florida?  They have car services for that, or if none are available, there are these cute yellow vehicles, I believe they’re called taxis, which should suffice.”  His voice was positively dripping in sarcasm.

“No, not in Florida,” his mother said untouched by his foul mood, “I’ll be landing in Charlotte at 10:26 am.”  She paused for dramatic effect.  “I’m coming for Easter.  This rift in the family has gone on long enough.”

Even without Hannah’s help, he knew his heart was pounding in his chest.  “And just where are you planning on staying?” he asked weakly, already anticipating her response.

Her tongue clicked.  “Why, the same place I always stay.  I’ll be with you, of course.”  She chuckled then said seriously, “Now don’t be late.”  She hung up without even saying goodbye or giving Gavin an opportunity to speak.

Gavin dropped his head back against the lounger, realized he had missed the pillow, but thinking a few more blows might help, he began to thrust his head back against the hard wicker surface.  He had managed to nail his head soundly about three more times before Hannah caught his attention.

“Stop,” she mumbled as she grabbed at his shirt and struggled to open her eyes.

“Huh,” he said, “I had you pegged for a morning person.”  He stared down at her seriously.

“Depends on how I wake up,” Hannah responded.  “And I had you pegged for sane.”

Sighing, he explained.  “My mother called.  I have to leave in a few hours to pick her up at the airport.”  Gavin watched Hannah, awaiting her reaction.  Whatever he expected, it wasn’t this.

Hannah burst from the chair, vaulting to a standing position.  “Oh, my God!”  She screamed.  “I’m going to meet your mother!”  She ran her fingers through her hair and began to pace.  “How long is she staying?  Where is she staying?  Doesn’t she know it’s Easter weekend?”  Then she turned on him and planted her hands on her waist in a challenge.  “Did you know about this in advance?”

Slowly moving to stand on the other side of the lounger, Gavin said wryly, “In response to your questions: yes, I don’t know, here, and apparently.”

“What?”  Hannah stood exasperated.

“Yes, you’ll meet her.”  He ticked the questions off on his fingers as he spoke.  “I don’t know how long she’s staying.  She plans to stay here.  And I didn’t know in advance about her arrival.  She does this.  I’m convinced it’s to annoy me.”  He planted his hands on his waist, mirroring Hannah.

Suddenly, she softened.  He hadn’t sprung this on her.  He was as surprised and unnerved as she was.  Slowly she walked toward the end of the lounger.  “Come here,” she sighed.  Hesitantly, he moved to join her.  Once they were toe to toe, she wrapped her arms around him in a warm embrace.  “So, we’re in this together, right?” she asked against his chest.

Instantly he relaxed.  “Yes.”  Liking the sound of it, he repeated, “Together.”

Pulling back, Hannah smiled.  “Okay, I’m instituting a do-over.”

He eyed her curiously, wondering what she meant by that.  Before he had a chance to dwell on it, she was speaking again.

“Good morning, Gavin,” she said shyly.  “Thank you for taking care of me last night.  I know I was a mess.  And I really appreciate you were there for me.”

His chest tightened at her words.  “Morning, Hannah,” he said and planted a kiss on her temple.

Immediately, she withdrew.  “So, now we have to prepare.  I’ll get ready then run to the grocery store.  I guess we’re going to have a big family dinner for Easter?”  Gavin swallowed hard.  “I’ll take that as a ‘yes.’”  She eyed him a moment more.  “A bigger family dinner than even your mother?”  He nodded weakly.  She took a fortifying breath and exhaled slowly.  “Okay then.  I guess I have my work cut out for me.”  She paced back and forth a few times thinking.  “At least the kitchen will be finished today.  So we’ve got that going for us.”  She gave him a half smile.

“Hannah,” he began to protest, “You don’t have to go all out for this.  It’s my family.  I will be more than happy to have it catered.  I don’t want to add to your stress.”  He stared at her sadly.

She shrugged.  “No big deal.  I haven’t cooked in weeks.  It’ll be nice breaking the kitchen in on a holiday.”  Then she turned and flounced back into the house, leaving Gavin to stare at her in wonder.

***

Something had changed between them.  Hannah could feel it…and see it and hear it.  Since leaving the house, Gavin had called no fewer than three times.  He called the first time to make sure she was paying for all of her purchases with the new Black American Express card he had ordered for her on his account.  Then he had called because he wanted to tell her how much he appreciated her for offering to cook on Easter.  Now, as she was carrying groceries into the house, with the girls trailing behind her, her text chime sounded.  

Dropping the bags onto the counter, she paused for a moment to admire the finished cabinetry before checking the message.  It was, no surprise, Gavin announcing their impending arrival.  “Madge,” she called in a panic, only to remember it was a holiday and Madge probably had the day off.  Hannah sighed loudly and wondered aloud, “How in the ham sandwich am I supposed to get everything done in twenty minutes?”

“You called?”  Madge asked, stepping into the kitchen with a box of dishes that had been stored in the dining room.  Without waiting for a response, she began unpacking as quickly and efficiently as she did everything.

Hannah felt her eyes tear up.  “I thought you were off today,” she said weakly.

“I can leave if you want,” Madge said seriously, “but Mr. Meyers offered me double my usual pay to help out all weekend.”

“Gavin?”  Hannah asked confused.

“He called while he was on his way to the airport, told me you might need the help, explained that he was picking up his mother,” she shuddered.  “I said, ‘Say no more.’  And then I dressed and came right over.”

Standing there beaming, Hannah marveled at Gavin’s consideration.  “I can’t believe he did this,” she said quietly.  

“Oh, I can,” Madge said with a knowing look.  Then she turned her attention to readying the kitchen.

***

Just shy of twenty minutes later, Gavin walked through the door calling for Hannah and the girls.  “Come, meet my mother,” he said seriously.  For some reason, he was filled with apprehension at the mere idea of the encounter.  Yet what did he have to worry about?  Why was this so important to him?  He swallowed hard.  He wanted his mother to like Hannah.  He wanted Hannah to like his mother.  The same was true of the girls.  This was rapidly growing far more complicated than he had ever envisioned.  What should have been a simple case of revenge had become a case of unrequited love.  

People streamed into the foyer from everywhere.  Rory and Zoe were carefully making their way down the stairs while Hannah and Madge walked in from the keeping room.  

Madge gave a quick polite nod to the stuffy looking woman standing next to Gavin, “Mrs. Meyers,” she said.  Then she backed away.

Hannah was about to perform the same ritual when Gavin realized what was about to transpire and stared at her stricken.  She paused and waited to take her cue from him.  The girls had reached the foyer and moved to either side of their mother.

“Mother,” Gavin began formally, “this is Hannah, the woman I told you about.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Meyers,” Hannah said with a warm smile.  

“And these little angels,” he added while looking affectionately at the twins, “are her girls, Aurora, Rory for short, and Zoe.”

“I don’t have a nick name,” Zoe mourned.

Her sister scowled at her.  “That’s because your name is already short enough,” Rory said and rolled her eyes impatiently.  Then, like the miniature adult she was, Rory held out her hand.  “It’s nice to meet you,” she said shyly.

Mrs. Meyers, one not easily impressed, was nearly instantly charmed.  She did something Gavin could never remember her doing.  Squatting to the girls’ eye level, she asked, “I don’t suppose you could give me a hug?”

Glancing up at their mother for approval, the girls awaited her response.  Once they had the reassuring nod, they beamed and walked straight into her outstretched arms.  Hannah looked at Gavin for a reaction.  He stood there stunned.

Quickly regaining her composure, Mrs. Meyers straightened and adjusted her dress suit.  “Now if you’ll carry my bags to my room, I’d like to freshen up before lunch.”  With a poke to make sure she had his attention, she walked down the hall to Gavin’s room.

***

Once he had left the foyer to do as his mother requested, Hannah turned to look at Madge with a frown.  “I thought only Gavin’s room was down the hall,” she said.

“It is,” Madge said seriously while tugging at her chin.

“Oh,” Hannah said, still contemplating the situation.  “So where do you suppose Gavin will sleep?”  

Raising her eyebrows until they formed shocked peaks on her forehead, Madge replied, “I guess we’ll see.”  

Hannah tilted her head to study her.  Something in Madge’s tone suggested she already knew the answer to the question, but wasn’t going to reveal it.  “Well,” she said as they headed back to the keeping room.  “She seems nice.”

“Humph,” was the reply.  “Looks can be deceiving.”  Then she grabbed her mug from the coffee table and wandered toward the kitchen.

“Hey,” Hannah said.  “Where are you going?”

Glancing at the clock, she said, “Well, Mrs. Meyers likes to have a light lunch at noon, take a nap from one thirty to three thirty and follow it with high tea once she has freshened up.”  She sighed.  “Dinner will be served precisely at seven.”

Frowning, Hannah remarked, “That will never do.  The girls have to be in the shower at seven.”  She shrugged.  “No worries.  I’ll talk to Gavin.”

In the past, Madge might have argued it would do no good, and the ways of the house were set in stone when Mrs. Meyers was in residence, but now she knew that it was different.  She knew if Hannah pressed Gavin, she would get whatever she wanted.  She knew if she really pressed him, she could have more than she bargained for.  Smiling, she hoped Hannah would simply flatten him.  They needed a change.

***

At first, Mrs. Meyers had been reluctant to see reason, so Hannah had simply suggested she and the girls would eat dinner earlier so she might keep with their routine.  Finally, unwilling to give up the idea of a real family meal, Mrs. Meyers had relented and decided she could shorten her nap, move up high tea, and have dinner at six.  Realizing a huge concession was being made, Hannah showed her gratitude by cooking a phenomenal meal.

When Mrs. Meyers had walked in on her during the process, she had looked stricken.  “What are you doing?”  She wore a horrified look.  Glancing wildly about the room she asked, “And where is Madge?”

“Home for the night,” Hannah announced confidently.  “I’m perfectly capable of cooking, if that’s your concern.”  Then she returned her attention to the romaine lettuce she was washing.

Sniffing about, Mrs. Meyers asked, “What’s on the menu tonight?”  

Smiling Hannah realized she hadn’t even asked for input.  She had simply set about making whatever struck her fancy once Gavin’s mother had retired for her nap.  “While you were sleeping, I made a pan of lasagna with a homemade meat sauce.”  She studied the reaction and was pleased to see the woman hadn’t wrinkled her nose in response.  “We’ll be having a nice sourdough loaf,” she commented, pointing to the bread machine on the counter.  “And obviously, Caesar salad.”