Waylaid (18 page)

“Oh.” I ran my fingers down his chest.

“You are beautiful outside and in. I love everything about you. How you hate shoes. Love cats. Are afraid of cows and can’t catch a Frisbee.”

“Hey.” I giggled.

“I love how you care about me and make me feel wanted and loved. I can’t believe how blessed I am to have met you that night we went to the club. My life hasn’t been the same since.”

“That’s good, I hope?”

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me in my whole life. I don’t want to be without you.”

The sudden reminder of me living here at school and Graham being two hours away hit me hard. Tears, heavy and wet, slid down my cheeks.

Graham’s eyes widened. “Oh, no. Have I scared you?”

“No.” I touched his chin. “No, never. Everything you just said is exactly how I feel about you. That’s why me being here at school is so freakin’ hard.”

“Yeah, it is.”

“I’m wondering if I made a big mistake in coming here.”

Graham leaned up on one elbow and peered down at me. “But it’s what you’ve always wanted. To go to school to be a vet.”

“I know. But now that I’ve met you, I realize you’re more important to me than anything else.”

“I’d never want you to give it up for me.”

“But I would. I will. Just ask.”

“I won’t ask it of you, Addy. I can’t.”

“But—”

He placed his finger over my lips. “No. But I don’t want you to worry about it. We’re… we’ll fix it, okay? Do you trust me?”

“With my life.”

“Then don’t fret. I’ve been thinking about some things and I…”

“What?”

“I can’t tell you yet.”

I grabbed his shoulders. “Graham, you’re
killing
me.”

“Trust me.” He leaned closer and pressed his lips to mine.

Graham

I couldn’t wait
to see Addy. I laid hard on my truck’s gas pedal to get there faster, then telling myself to slow down. With all the plans I was making for Addy and me, I needed all the cash I could get. Being saddled with an expensive speeding ticket wasn’t part of the plan.

The plan… yeah, it was coming together nicely. Once Addy met my parents tonight, I figured it was time to let Addy in on at least part of my plan. Would she be cool with it? Or get scared and run?

The tiny ring box sat in my glove compartment, waiting for the right moment when I could give it to her. I knew it was what I wanted, to marry her, and soon. But what would she say? I knew Addy loved me, had no doubt about that, but what if she wasn’t ready? If she said no…

Don’t even think about that. She loves you. No matter what she says tonight,
you’ll both work it out
. I had to believe that, or I’d go crazy.

I reached the campus and pulled into the lot. After locking the truck, which I didn’t usually worry about, living out in the country as I did, I ambled to the building.

Everything in me wanted to run.

I got some strange looks when I walked to the elevator. Was it because of my size, or the fact that I was so obviously not dressed like all the guys who were students here? What could I say? Country boys were different.

No
.
country boys were
better.

As soon as I reached Addy’s room, the door opened and she flung her arms around me, giving me a good, long kiss. I pulled back and snickered. “Guess you’re ready to go?”

She grabbed her bag and purse and shut the door. “Been ready for an hour!”

I took her bag in one hand and grabbed her hand with the other. “A guy’s gotta work sometime.”

She stopped and stared at me, her eyebrows lowered. “Are you making your uncle mad because you’re spending so much time with me? Time you should be working?”

I tugged her along until we were back outside to my truck. “Addy, my uncle is a very smart man.”

“Okay…”

“He gave me some great advice a while back.” I unlocked the truck and helped her in. When I got in on my side I tossed her bag behind my seat.

Addy tapped her fingers on the armrest. “Are you going to share with me what this great advice might be?”

“In due time.”

“What? Why do you do that? Make me wait for stuff?”

“’Cause if drives you wild.”

“Yeah, it drives me crazy.” She placed her hand on my thigh. “But what really drives me wild is you.”

I gazed at her. “Good to know.”

I turned on the radio as I drove to my folks’ house, loving the feel of Addy’s head on my shoulder. There wasn’t a big need to talk as long as we were together. That’s another thing I loved about her. About us. That we could just be sitting close and that was enough.

Well, sometimes… although other times, she lit a fire inside of me I thought would never cool down. I wanted so bad,
so bad
, to make love to her. To touch her all the places I wanted to touch, but… a part of me wanted to wait. Not long. I didn’t think I could stand to wait very long. But if Addy accepted my proposal and said she’d marry me soon, we wouldn’t have to wait all that long.

I glanced down at her as she ran her fingers over my thigh. Sometimes, though, I was ready to chuck the whole waiting thing and just make love to her right here, right now.

She was worth the wait, though. More than worth it. I loved her so much that I wanted everything to be right. Special. I didn’t want our first time to be on the seat of a truck or on a dorm room bed. I wanted it to be perfect. For both of us.

Since I had never made love to anyone before either.

Her first time would be mine, too.

If we could just wait…

Addy’s hand crept higher up my leg, dangerously close to the part of me that longed for her touch.

Have mercy…

When we reached my parents’ house, I pulled into the long lane and parked by the barn. I helped her down from the truck and took her hand. “You all right with this?”

Addy squeezed my hand. “A little nervous, I guess. What if they don’t like me?”

I kissed her cheek. “Addy, how could they not?”

We walked into the house, the smells from the kitchen tantalizing and wonderful. Mom put down the spoon she held over a pan on the stove and wiped her hands on her apron.

She smiled and stepped over to us. “This must be Addy.”

I laughed and held up my hand that was joined with Addy’s. “It better be, or I’m in trouble, huh?” Addy chuckled too. Good. If I could lessen the tension for her, all the better.

“Addy,” my mom said and held out her arms. “It’s so nice to meet you.”

Without hesitation, Addy stepped into my mother’s embrace. I knew from experience that my mom’s hugs were legendary and made you feel like you were wanted and special. All the things I wanted Addy to feel tonight.

As they ended the hug, my dad came in. “Well hey there.” He smacked me on the shoulder and gave Addy a quick hug.

Addy grinned. “It’s so nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Stewart.”

Mom shook her head. “None of that around here. I’m Cara and this is John.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Addy smiled and glanced away.

Was she embarrassed? I remembered feeling that way when I met her parents. Like I was on display. I didn’t want Addy to feel uncomfortable. I looked at my mom. “Can we help you with dinner?”

She waved a hand. “No. It’s ready. I was just stirring the pudding for dessert. Addy, I hope you like fried chicken.”

“I love it.” Her eyes lit up and she relaxed her tight grip on my hand.

We sat down at the table, already set. I glanced around. “Where’s Aunt Paula?” Sometimes my dad’s sister ended up at our house for supper since she lived alone about three miles up the road.

Mom glanced at Dad and back to me. “We thought maybe for tonight it could be just the four of us.”

Good plan
. I nodded. My aunt could make anyone feel like they were under interrogation. Addy had already gotten a small taste of it on the phone before, and I didn’t want her to go through it tonight.

The dinner and conversation were nice and relaxing. Just like I knew it would be. My parents were so easy to be around. From what I could tell about Addy’s they were nice, but maybe a little more driven. Her dad hadn’t wasted any time reminding Addy right after graduation about sticking to the
plan
. What would they say about us getting married so soon?

My palms started to sweat. I had been so excited to buy the ring, especially knowing my parents were behind me, that I hadn’t given much thought to
her
parents. What if they said—?

“Graham?” Addy waved her hand at me. “I’m going to help your mom with the dishes. Wanna help?”

I stood and started to collect the plates. “Yep.” When the corners of her lips rose in a smile, all negative thoughts flew from my head. I still couldn’t believe she was mine. That she loved me. As soon as the dishes were done and the kitchen put to rights, it would be time to take Addy for a drive and ask her the most important question of our lives.

Please let her say yes.

Addy hugged my parents goodbye and thanked them for dinner. I glanced at my mom on the way out. She gave me a wink. Had she guessed that I already had the ring? That my intention was to ask Addy tonight? I nodded back and led Addy out to the truck.

We left my parents lane and turned left.

Addy squinted into the darkness outside. “I’m so turned around out here. Where are we headed?”

I gave her a sly grin. “Where do you think?”

“Ah… Should have known. You’re so predictable.”

“You think so?”

“Yep.”

Think again, honey…
“We’ll see.”

She grabbed my arm. “What’s that about? ‘We’ll see’?”

“You’ll just have to wait.”

She smacked her fist against my arm.“I hate waiting!”

My laugh came out louder than I’d intended. “Yeah, I think I’m getting that about you.”

She pinched my arm, but not hard. “Hey what was all that stuff you said in my dorm room, about loving everything about me?”

“Oh, I do. Just like to have my fun at your expense by teasing you.”

“So, are you always gonna tease me?”

“Yes ma’am. Count on it.”

She sighed.

“Aww, would that be so bad?”

“No. Nothing with you is bad. It’s
all
good.” Addy wrapped her arm around my middle and laid her head on my chest. Her lavender scent drifted up, beckoning me. I inhaled and kissed the top of her head.

Nerves started to get the better of me. What would she think when I gave her the ring? What if she wasn’t ready? Didn’t love me enough for that?

Stop it. She loves you. You know that.

Addy pulled her head away from my chest. “Graham. Your heart is beating so fast. Is something wrong?”

I shook my head. “Nope. I’m perfect.”

With a shrug, she rubbed her hand over my chest. “I don’t know about
perfect
.”

“Hey!”

She giggled. “I figure if you’re going to tease me for the rest of my life, I’d better get in some good zingers, too.”

For the rest of my life
. That’s what I was counting on. I drove to our spot and parked, turning off the ignition. I undid my seatbelt and then hers.

Addy scooted over to me and kissed my cheek. “Your parents are so nice, Graham. So easy to talk to. Are they as easygoing as they seem?”

“Yep.”

“So that’s where you get it, then. The laidback thing.”

I shrugged. “I guess. Never really thought about it.”

“See, that’s what I mean. You’re so laidback it makes you predictable.”

“Does it?” I had a hard time keeping my humor from showing. “You sure about that?”

“Of course. I bet you couldn’t surprise me if you tried.”

Wanna bet?
I stroked my finger along Addy’s cheek and kissed my way down her neck. I pulled her close and gently grabbed her butt, massaging through thick jeans. She gave a little squeak and then kissed me hard.

“Liked that, did you, Addy?”

“Oh yeah.” She ran her hand lightly over my zipper, barely touching me, but it nearly sent me into orbit. I wished my jeans weren’t in her way, but I didn’t want to rush it too much since I was hoping we could wait. That was… if Addy said yes to my proposal.

Still, even though I really wanted to wait, wanted to make our first time special, she wasn’t making it easy. Heat shot through me, zeroing in right where her hand sat. How was a guy supposed to say no to that?

Addy kissed me again and I kept massaging her backside. If she’d had shorts on, who knew where we’d be? Everything in me wanted so badly to rip off all of my clothes and hers too. No wonder people had no trouble hooking up. Sex was intoxicating when you were with the right person.

I wanted to feel her skin. Had to. So I slipped my fingers up the back of her shirt. “Addy, your skin is so soft…” I nibbled on her ear and she giggled. I almost jumped from my skin when her fingers ran through the back of my hair. I pulled her onto my lap, running my tongue over her neck, her lips, her tongue.

“Addy, I want you so bad.”

She gasped out a breath. “I… I want you too.” She kissed me again.

Something in the back of my mind poked at my brain.
You want to make it special, remember? Not on the seat of your truck!

Somehow gaining control, I still don’t know
how
, I moved her from my lap.

“What’s the matter, Graham? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, honey. You did everything right. It’s just…”

“What?” She blinked and looked at me, her lower lip sticking out just enough so I knew I’d hurt her feelings.

“Addy.” I pulled her into my arms and smoothed the back of her hair with my hand. “I love you so much. I can’t even tell you. And I want you. You have to know that, right?”

She nodded, but didn’t say anything.

“Please,
please
know that you didn’t do anything wrong. I want you so bad. It would be the easiest thing in the world to make love to you right here, right now.”

Moisture sat just on the edge of her lower lids. “But…?”

I stroked my thumb under her eyes, wiping away the start of a tear. “Remember when you teased me before, about not surprising you?”

“Well I have to say that what we just did was a surprise. A nice one. So, I guess you got me there.”

“There’s something else that…”

“What?” She closed her eyes and kissed my lips. A sweet, gentle kiss, pouring all of her love into it so I knew her heart was mine.