Jacob massaged her hips, trying to show his honesty. “I know, I couldn’t back then because I didn’t want to let myself say the words and be hurt by anyone. I didn’t want to be vulnerable with you just to be hurt again. But now I am saying it to you and will tell you for the rest of our lives.”
He swept up her left hand and kissed each of her fingers, then the ring he’d placed on the third. “I want to love and cherish you, sweetheart.” He looked up at her, his heart in her hands for her to accept or crush.
An immediate reply was not given as she continued to search his eyes. But after a pause of silence, her face lit up withjoy. “I love you too.” She whispered. Tears of joy pooling in her eyes.
He reared up and pulled her into his arms, his lips meeting hers and they felt like home to him now. She opened up to him on a sigh and he cupped the back of her head, deepening the kiss. She sank further against him, then reached behind to take hold of his hair, pulling on it just the way he liked. He groaned and was going to walk her back to the couch when they sprang suddenly apart. Two curious brown eyes were staring up at them from the doorway
“What are you doing and why is Daddy licking and eating your mouth like it is ice cream?”
Chapter 29
Sierra glanced around the room and lit the last candle, setting up the romantic scene. She blew out the match, the burnt smell of the smoke filling her nose.
Tonight was the night. They had worked past the near disaster caused by his father, and she had been delighted and proud when Jacob had kept his word and attended an open AA meeting with her. He had sat and listened as she spoke about her addiction and what it had done to her. His eyes were shining with encouragement and love.
Mik had been in attendance and was now speaking at the podium. When she sat back down next to him, he leaned in and whispered to her. “I thought Mik was a guy, and that voice of hers.”
She turned slightly to face him and whispered back. “Sexy as hell, right… And she is beautiful too.”
He took her hand, engulfing it with his warmth. “Yes, she is, but you are beautiful too and the only woman I have eyes for.”
She squeezed his hand in thanks and smiled. He didn’t have to mention the last part because she was now secure in his love for her. But she didn’t mind hearing all the time now how he felt about her. She felt loved and treasured.
Mik had come over to stand beside them when they were hanging around after the meeting chatting with the other attendees. She then clasped Sierra's hand and pulled her to the side while Jacob drank the coffee that had been provided on the table.
“Everything all right now?” Mik regarded her with a serious expression. Her dark brown skin was smooth without a blemish to mark it, not even a wrinkle despite her age of fifty. Her hair was in tight, long twists that she pulled back into a long ponytail. She was a full-bodied woman wearing dark blue jeans and a peach-colored sweater. Her feet were encased in sneakers.
She glanced at Jacob and saw that he was watching them, a curious look in his eyes, but she gave him a wink and a smile before turning back to face her sponsor and friend.
She reached out to touch her arm. “Yes, everything is going okay. Will you be coming to my wedding and bringing your son?”
The worried expression disappeared from Mik’s face, and she smiled. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world, but Rudy can’t make it, as he will be away mentoring at a young kids’ sports camp.”
Sierra pursed her lips in disappointment and then nodded in understanding before asking, “Anyone else special you want to bring to my wedding?” Sierra had probed because the last she heard, Mik had met someone, and she hoped to meet him.
Mik scowled. “No, not anymore.” She sighed, pulling at the tip of her hair in the ponytail. “I am going to swear off men for a little while. I can’t take the drama. But I do have some good news to share.”
Mik smiled happily. “I will be substituting at a college in Boston for a professor who had to go on medical leave.”
“Oh, that is amazing! Which college?” Her attention shifted to Jacob for a second, and she could see that he'd finished his coffee and was inspecting the sugar.
“Oh, it’s—”
“Mik, sorry to interrupt you both, but I have a question for you, and would like to talk to you in private.” They both turned to see an older man standing beside them now.
“Umm, okay, sorry Sierra. We can chat back in a minute.” It was Mik’s turn to touch her arm, pressing against it before she lifted her hand away.
“It’s okay; Jacob and I should be heading out. Soon it will be time for Kaitlyn to go to bed, and we want to say good night.” She glanced back at Jacob to see him watching and jerked her head in the direction of the door, indicating it was time to go.
As Mik began to move away with the man, she looked over her shoulder. “Okay, I will call you later.”
But after getting home, she was preoccupied with Kaitlyn and then spent the rest of the night with Jacob watching a movie. The next week flew by as she became focused on getting everything ready for their up-and-coming nuptials.
Both Jacob and Sierra had been busy with their wedding planning, house hunting, her writing, and his work that had left little time for anything else until tonight.
She felt his eyes on her before she heard. “What is all this?”
Before she could turn and face him, she felt his arms wrap around her waist and pull her body into the heat of his.
