She bites her lower lip and that sure as hell doesn’t help my body’s reaction. “You always left the room when I arrived.”
“Because I wanted you but pretended I didn’t. I didn’t want you to see my cock bulging.”
“You wanted me? I never noticed because I guess I was too busy dealing with the guy I dated.”
“I didn’t know you dated anyone.” Unease settles in the pit of my stomach.
“It was a blind date set up by my mother. I only went to appease her.”
“Is he out of the picture now?” My jaw tightens.
“Long out.”
My jaw relaxes. “What happened?”
“I went on four dates with him and thought he might be into me, but I overheard him telling a friend that he was only dating me due to my family’s money and because my grandfather is a judge. He was looking for connections. Anyway, he said I was part of a temporary plan and not the kind of woman a man falls for.”
“What an asshole.”
She nods. “I know. I was so unhappy back then, but now it’s water under the bridge.”
“What makes you happy? Besides when you see my devastatingly handsome face?”
She laughs as I intended her to. “I’m happy working in the flower shop. I’m happy working on restoring my car. I love muscle cars and classic cars. Anything to do with them.”
“You do?” I had noticed the car she was driving was being restored but didn’t know she was the one doing it.
“Absolutely. Mine was in bad shape when I bought it. There’s something about repairing an old car that doesn’t look like much and turning it into a bad ass beauty.” She grins.
That smile hits me in the center of the chest.
“My entire family from my folks to my grandparents to my aunts and uncles all hate that I work on cars. That’s for “blue collar” people. They love me and I know that, but to them, I’m a pair of overalls in a family of designer gowns and tuxedos.”
“There’s nothing wrong with overalls. They’re durable and protective and on you, I’m betting they’re sexy as hell. You’re the one who has to live your life. Choose what makes you happy and don’t live by the opinions of others.”
“Are you living the life you want? Are you happy?” she asks quietly.
“I am. Compared to where I’ve been my life is damn near perfect.”
“What do you mean?”
“I spent a good chunk of my childhood in a place called The Gentle Children’s Home. It was hell. To this day I have things I can’t tolerate. Like being in a room without a window.”
“I know that Gavin and Frances adopted you and all your brothers from that home and I’m glad.”
“I was adopted twice before them and brought back both times. The adoptions were never legal from what I understand. I got used to being returned like a gift that didn’t fit right. And it was…” I pause there and realize there are no words to adequately describe what it felt like to be given a brief reprieve from the things that went on at the Home only to be brought back.
She covers my hand with hers and I’m surprised to see her eyes are filling with tears.
“Don’t cry for me, Melody. I have a great life now.”
“I know.” Her lips tremble. “But I have the urge to you.”
She stands and extends her hand to pull me up.
I wrap my arms around her, and she settles her head against my chest, holding on like she never wants to let go.
We stand that way for a while with the moonlight spilling across the yard. I’m surrounded by the sound of crickets and the openness of the land and the scent of the woman in my arms.
