Leaning over her, he placed a kiss on her lips and whispered, “And I have fallen hopelessly in love with you, too.”
CHAPTER 27
Skylar and Haven
Haven opened her apartment door and stepped aside, allowing Skylar to enter, pulling her luggage behind him. He glanced around, liking the colorful furnishings. She’d told him she’d chosen her modest two-bedroom, one bathroom apartment because it fitted her needs. She said it was cozy and charming. And it definitely was that.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I like it. It’s very inviting. Where did all these plants come from?” he asked. They were large, green, and looked healthy, and seemed to take up one section of the living room.
“Those are my babies. I got them at my grandmother’s funeral and had them transported here. My cousin’s wife took care of them for me while I was away.”
He nodded and studied the huge, framed photo over her fireplace. It was a picture of Haven and her grandmother. He’d noticed that a smaller version of that same picture hadbeen in one of the bedrooms at her grandmother’s house. She said the picture had been taken when she’d received her bachelor’s degree from Yale. Her grandmother had died a few months before she got her master’s.
He had enjoyed his visit to Tifton. When some of the neighbors heard she was back in town, they dropped by. Overall, he’d thought they were a nice group of people, although one or two were a little nosier than he would have liked. He took their inquiries in stride and figured they were just wanting to make sure Haven had not hooked up with someone who meant her no good, as one of the older men had explained.
Then there were his cooking lessons. Before they’d even gotten into the kitchen, she had spent half a day going over spices and the reasons why her grandmother had grown most of her own. By the time the two-day cooking class was over, he was thankful he had Chef Franko making decisions about his meals. Where Haven totally enjoyed cooking, he just preferred eating.
He watched her move around the room, whispering to her plants, and thought the gesture was kind of cute. “Am I being dismissed?” he asked.
She turned toward him and laughed. “No. But I was gone for a long time, and I didn’t want them to feel neglected.”
“I see.”
She began walking toward him in what he considered a sexy stroll. “Don’t worry. I would never neglect you, Skylar.”
You couldn’t convince a certain part of him of that. He had told her it was up to her when they had sex, but after five weeks, he was suffering miserably. There were only so many cold showers a man could take, and the last three weeks, he had taken so many of them; it was a wonder he hadn’t caught pneumonia. He doubted Haven had any idea of the effect she had on him. But he refused to rush her.
Coming to a stop in front of him, she said, “I know it’s late and you probably want to get settled at the hotel, butwould you like to share a glass of wine with me. I’m feeling a little uptight.”
Due to bad weather, they hadn’t flown out of Tifton as early as he’d planned, so it was close to midnight. “Could that uptight feeling have anything to do with the fact that I beat you at tennis?” he asked, grinning.
“A true gentleman wouldn’t bring that up, Skylar.”
He had discovered thathisHaven, a worthy opponent, had a competitive spirit on the court. He couldn’t wait to see that same kind of assertiveness and drive in the bedroom. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I do consider myself a true gentleman.”
Damn, he loved her, and he loved the time he spent with her. Every hour, minute, and second. When they were together, he didn’t have to think of what to do about the woman who had given birth to him, or the issue of his siblings. He’d honestly liked Logan. Dante had, too.
“I’m just going to grab a bottle of wine. Be right back, Skylar.”
“Alright.” He watched her walk away, admiring the dress she wore. It seemed to flow around her body as she moved. She said it felt comfortable. He thought it looked sexy.
Moments later, he heard the sound of music and figured Haven had turned on a speaker somewhere in her apartment. The soft, jazzy sound was the kind of music that would help you unwind. So, he did, removing his jacket, then placed it across the chair before he sat back down on the sofa.
Haven returned carrying two wine glasses and placed both on the table in front of him. “That time I told you how much I enjoyed dancing, and you said that one day you hoped I woulddance for you.”
“Yes, I remember,” he said, smiling.
“Well, tonight is your night,” she said, stepping out of her shoes. Picking up a remote off the table, she dimmed the lights to a soft glow. Then she moved to a section of the living room where the plants were located. All that greenery seemed to serve as a huge tropical backdrop.
Then she began moving her body sensuously to the jazzy beat. It seemed the music flowed within her, around her, through every part of her. She was in tune with every beat, strain, and chord. Her rhythm was perfect, flawless. It was as if there was a message behind each and every movement she made. Part sensual, part serene, but mostly erotic.
Everything about the dance was getting to him. Dancing in front of him was a woman of proud heritage and fierce independence. Raised by a grandmother who had taught her how to be confident in her own skin, she was a woman who was capable of anything. And at that moment, he felt so grateful that she had miraculously come into his life.
Suddenly, she danced closer, flashing at him a seductive grin that he perceived as an invitation to join her. Standing, he slowly moved toward her and took the hand she had extended. Then they began dancing together. Over the past five weeks, they had danced many times, but never like this. Never had he felt so at ease, yet certain parts of his body were filled with intense need. Everything he ever desired was here, in her, his Haven.
“Skylar?”
