Waiting for You (18 page)

Adam couldn’t take much more of her and this was not the way he wanted to take her. He reached for her and she cried her protest.

His kiss was chaste, pouring every ounce of passion into the meeting of their lips. When he pulled away he gently turned her around and encouraged her to bend forward slightly. He reached for the condom he placed on the shower caddy and ripped it open with his teeth before encasing his throbbing dick and positioning it at her slick opening. He stroked his hands up and down her smooth back and then entered her in one smooth movement. Adam was buried in her from tip to base and she was magnificently tight and hot and juicy around him.

Audrey moaned and he pulled almost all the way out before doing it again. Her arousal was wet and thick around his shaft and it thrilled him to know that that was all for him.

She straightened slightly and curled her leg up and over his hip, opening up for him as he thrust into her from behind. Her hands braced the wall before her as her head flopped back against Adam’s shoulder. The weight of her back against his front was titillating and he reached around her to slip his fingers into her lush center, smearing her cream around her tight nub, teasing even more pleasure out of her.

She moaned, guttural and unrepentant. “Don’t stop! Oh, God, I’m almost… Adam! Fuck.”

Her expletive turned him on even more and he thrust harder into her, feeling her muscles clench and constrict around him. She orgasmed hard and fast, a string of curses and moans leaving her mouth. The sensation drained Adam of his own climax and he pounded into her as he rode out his pleasure.

They stayed connected, as Audrey held onto the wall before her, almost as though she would fall if she let go. Their rough breaths mingled with the sound of the shower sprays. Adam leaned forward and kissed a trail all along Audrey’s shoulders before biting the ball at the end.

“Slow down, Sailor,” she began. “I need a moment before I can go again.”

Adam chuckled. “You’re killing me honey. Just killing me.”

Chapter 17

A
udrey walked through Grandpa Joe’s house later that day and felt the emptiness of the home. She was still grieving from her loss, despite the distraction that Adam had provided. She needed to keep busy.

Audrey needed a plan for what she would do for her future. With little money to live off since she had walked away from her marriage penniless (of her own volition), she needed a plan in a way of a career. She needed sustainability and security that she could create by herself for herself.

What could she do?

She didn’t have any business skills. Had never worked a formal job a day in her life. She had decent computer skills but nothing fancy, couldn’t cook or bake anything halfway decent.

Audrey found herself standing in Grandpa Joe’s room, the familiar scent of him still lingering in the air. Her chest squeezed as she realized that that was all she’d have of him now – familiar scents and memories. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, she smiled as the familiar spring and creak as the mattress sounded in the too quiet house. How many mornings had she bounced on this bed between her sleeping grandparents when she had been a child? Even as a teenager she had found a way to creep between them, to feel their closeness, their warmth, their love.

She took in the small room, exactly the way Grandpa Joe had left it. His summer jacket hung from the closet handle, a pair of health shoes were neatly tucked beneath his bedside table. His reading glasses lay atop a thick novel on the table. Audrey smiled to herself, she hadn’t even known the old man read novels; newspapers for sure yet how could she have not known that about the man she had lived with.

Her gaze swept the room, feeling his presence in every last detail yet her reflection in the dresser mirror and stared back at her forlorn, lonely self. Audrey got up off the bed, needing to find something to occupy her time. Something caught her attention out of the corner of her eye as she passed the dresser.

She back tracked and peered closer. It was an envelope-addressed to her, in Grandpa Joe’s scrawl. Her pulse beat faster in her veins as she tenderly retrieved the envelope from the pile of other discarded papers. Her trembling fingers caressed the ink lettering.
What could this be about?
Opening the envelope she pulled out the sheet of paper
My dear Audrey,

I feel so happy that you have returned home. I know that you have come back a different person to whom you left and I know that you have many regrets and painful memories.

I hope that being back home has eased your pain and quieted your mind. Life is a difficult road to travel and we all have to experience the harsher terrain to appreciate when we are back on the smoother paths. I am so very proud of the woman you have become, despite all your circumstances. I know Grandma would feel the same. You are a beautiful, intelligent woman and we could not have asked for a better daughter in you.

Don’t let your talents go to waste. I have seen your photographs in the attic and wow filho, you are an artist. You see the extraordinary and exploit beauty in places where other people see ordinary. It’s a gift, don’t squander it. You have places to go and I have no doubt that you will achieve this.

I am an old man, Amado, I know I don’t have too many years left in me. All I want is to see you happy. Don’t shy away from love because you were hurt in the past. There are good people even right here in Crystal Valley, just open your heart again.

I love you Audrey Kelly.

All my love…. Grandpa

She stared at the now tear soaked letter. Even in his afterlife, Grandpa Joe managed to affect her, guide her and support her. Her heart pinched and expanded. Sad for her physical loss but bursting with happiness from his show of love and dedication
. When had he written the letter? Did he know he was going to die? When did he intend to give her this letter?

Audrey hugged the letter to her chest and bowed her head, as though the words would sink into her chest by osmosis. The questions didn’t matter. It couldn’t be answered anyway. The words were what mattered. The feeling. The intent.

She sat there for a while, losing count of time as she contemplated the letter and lost herself in Grandpa Joe’s memory.

When she eventually got off out the bedroom, she found herself ascending the stairs to the attic. Opening her dark room, she beheld the photographs lining the walls with fresh eyes, a fresh perspective. She tried to see them through Grandpa Joe’s perspective and saw them as he would have.

She’d captured feelings in most of the human element shots. The happiness as a girl threw her head back and laughed, the laugh lines emphasized on her smiling face were evident. She’d captured the mischief on a little boy’s face as he jumped out the corner to scare his little sister and a smile smiled creased her face as she saw the fright aptly captured on the little girls face. Moments frozen in time. Memories.

Audrey sat down at her desk near the window. The blinds were still drawn to keep the room dark so she clicked on the side lamp which illuminated the room in a dull glow.

Her desk was covered with prints that she had taken the time to develop but the laptop hidden beneath the prints had hundreds more digital shots waiting to be perused. She’d sold some photographs before,
could she do it again?
The anxiety started to gnaw at her, allowing her old insecurities to creep in.

No dammit!
She chastised herself. Grandpa Joe had faith in her. She could do this. She was a strong, independent, talented woman.

Yes, she would do this.

****

When Emma came over later that night, bearing burgers and DVDs Audrey was glad for the distraction.

“You look in better spirits,” the blonde commented as they sunk into the sofas and grabbed their grub.

Emma was too smart to be an outright cliché and ask her how she was doing. Instead she was a true friend and inquired in a roundabout way.

“Surprisingly, I feel in better spirits.” She dug into the burger and almost sighed in appreciation. The chargrilled smoky flavor was just what she needed in her empty belly.

“I found a letter that Grandpa wrote to me,” she explained.

Emma’s eyebrows knitted together. “What do you mean? Like he wrote to you intentionally?”

Audrey shrugged. “I’m not really sure what his intention was or if he even knew his time was limited.” Her chest squeezed in the now familiar pang whenever she thought about him. “I think it gave me the closure I needed. He gave me the strength I was searching for to put the pieces of my life back together. I feel like I have a direction now.”

“That’s great honey,” Emma reached across and touched Audrey’s arm. “So what was the epiphany?”

Audrey was hesitant to speak about it. What if it didn’t pan out? No, she needed to stop being so negative. She could do this.

“I’m trying to sell my photographs,” she blurted then held her breath for Emma’s reaction.

Emma’s face split into a grin. “Babe! That’s awesome. You have so much talent. It’s exactly what you were born to do.”

Audrey exhaled the breath she was holding, the relief filling her lungs again. “You think so?”

“Have you even seen your art?”

“You do realize that artists are their own worst critic.”

Emma waved a hand dismissively. “You shouldn’t be so doubtful. Your work speaks for itself. Look at how just a few of the shots you took of my pastries and cakes brought in four times the amount of business for Sweet Temptations. And that’s just food. You could do so many more abstract shots. You could become a wedding photographer. You could do boudoir pictures. You could work for any number of magazines!”

“Ok just hold your horses there Sally. You’re getting waaaay ahead of yourself there. I’ve only started putting a portfolio together. Who knows if I will even get an invitation to display my work at the galleries I’ve placed enquiries with?”

“No seriously, you have that kind of talent. You will be able to do it.”

“Thanks Em, I guess sometimes I just lose the confidence after everything that happened in the past. And I haven’t taken proper professional shots in years.”

“You can’t lose a gift like that Audrey. And if you don’t have the confidence at times then just fake it till you make it. Because I know you will make it.”

She hugged her friend, so grateful that Grandpa Joe’s faith in her was shared. Emma had given her the confidence boost she needed.

“You know,” Emma began hesitantly, a hint of something in her eyes. “You never did tell me what happened in New York.”

Audrey opened her mouth to answer her but Emma rushed ahead, “You don’t have to if you’re not ready but I just want you to know, I’m here to listen.”

She smiled at Emma, this girl with such a huge heart. She knew it was time to let Emma in. she started from the beginning and shared her story with Emma, glad to expel her past and cleanse her soul for this new journey she was ready to embark on. When she was done, Emma sat wide jawed staring at Audrey.

“I can’t believe this,” she finally managed. “That pig. No, a pig is too good a word because bacon tastes good. He’s a fuck-turd.”

Audrey surprised herself with the laugh that escaped her lips. “A what, now?”

“It’s like the worst kind of turd. Nevermind.” She waved her hand in front of her face as though swishing the words away. “After all of that, how can you ever doubt your strength?”

Audrey shrugged.

“You survived him, Aud,” Emma said with vehemence. “You didn’t sit back as a victim. You overcame and you survived. That’s the biggest victory.”

Audrey played her words over in her mind. “You’re right.”

A weight lifted off her shoulders. This day was shaping up to be pretty darn good.

Emma returned her grin. “And to treat you for your strength and courage, I shall reward you with Mr. Gerard Butler tonight.”

“Ooh la lah,” Audrey cheered as Emma popped the DVD into the player. “Which one is this?”

“Olympus Has Fallen.”

“Oh lovely, we get to see him sweaty and dirty. And an action man, definitely gets my blood pressure rising.” She faux fanned her face as though the thought of Gerard had her heating up.

“Hmmm,” Emma contemplated with a sly expression. “Maybe that’s what keeps your drawn to Adam Parker.” Her eyes twinkled mischievously as she glanced at Audrey.

“Hey,” she protested, whacking her friend with a couch cushion.

“That’s just sex. Really amazing, mind blowing sex but just sex nonetheless.”

“Mmmhmm,” Emma responded, as though not quite believing her.

“You said so yourself, I can’t resist them muscled and sweaty and dirty.” Her eyes glazed and she milked the passion for Emma’s benefit.

The blonde laughed at Audrey’s antics. “Well, in that case, I will have to get my fix with old Gerard here. Something about an Irishman that gets my panties twisted.”

****

Adam pounded hard on the beach, feeling the muscles in his legs scream and his lungs bursting with the effort as he sprinted along the shore back to his house.

He’s been granted a small reprieve from the nightmares when Audrey had spent the night in his bed the other night but last night and early this morning, they had plagued him, toiling in his thoughts till he awoke drenched in sweat and panting like he’d swam ten miles. He’d done the only thing he could think of to clear his head. Running.

Now that he was suitably exhausted, he rounded up the shore back to his ocean view home. Walking into the kitchen, he opened up the large refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of water and downed it. His heart was still thumping wildly from the exertion but his mind was still beleaguered. He needed something to do. He had little to no options. Oliver was working as were all his other mates. He didn’t have any projects or missions on the go. He was in fucking limbo.

He needed a ride. Maybe a long road trip on his bike would do the trick. That thought led him to thoughts of Audrey. How she had looked leaning on the doorjamb watching him work out, the adulation in her dark eyes. How she had looked bent over in his shower, her perfect pert ass pressed up against his raging length. The way her hair sat wild about her face as she slept in the crook of his arm. His pulse calmed and his thoughts assuaged.

Before he could overthink anything, he reached for his phone and texted her.

Adam:
What are you doing?

He untied his shoelaces and kicked off his shoes, ready to hop in the shower when he heard the phone buzz.

Audrey:
Same thing I do every day, Pinky. Try to take over the world. (Queue evil laugh here).

Adam smiled at the screen, seeing a lighter side of Audrey.

Adam:
Take a ride with me?

Audrey:
Where too?

Adam:
It’s a surprise. Pick you up in half an hour.

He clicked send and stepped into the shower.

Half an hour later Adam was revving his bike outside Grandpa Joe’s house. He switched off the ignition and jerked out the kick stand to mount the bike before throwing his leg over and climbing off. He walked up to the door and was about to knock when Audrey opened the door, her face flushed. Her cheeks were a light pink and her hair a little tousled.

Instinctively Adam leaned in towards her and captured her mouth with his in a sweet, sensual kiss. Her lips were soft and supple beneath his and Adam had to mentally tell himself to back away or he’d have her right there up against the door for the neighbors to see. He parted from her and noticed the pink was a little darker this time. He reached out and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. Something in her gaze changed but before he could figure it out, it was gone.

“Hi,” he greeted finally.

“Hi,” she parroted, stepping aside so he can come into the house. “I’ll be ready in two minutes. Just need to brush my hair and grab my purse.

He nodded as he stood in the living room, waiting for her.

Five minutes later they were finally out the house and mounted on the bike, heading out of town.