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Authors: Madeline Ash
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the curling fist of winter sleet, a father wept with joy.
Chapter Four
‡
“I ’ll have to take my laptop. I’m on a deadline.”
Jed sat on the couch while Dee bustled. It was an artless process—pack whatever occurred to her in the moment. He found simple pleasure in watching. No stress involved. No lists. Just plucking objects from around the apartment, likegood apples off a tree, until she eventually filled the bag.
“Toothbrush,” she said next, and headed for the bathroom. She emerged with a toiletries case, heavy weight jacket, and her passport. “Oh, I should tell Pearl.” With that, she headed out into the hall. Within minutes, she was back, making space for a foldup umbrella. Preparing to travel with him, for him, with less than twelve hours’notice. Regardless of the deadline she had for her next script. Humming under her breath, like it was no big deal.
It was a big deal to him.
Dee was one of a kind. She took life in her stride. Forgave easily, but not foolishly. Chose humor over darkness, but when ill moods struck, she embraced the storm and then let it pass.
She was a strong friend. A best friend.
She’d make an honest lover.Daring. Passionate.
With a swell in his chest, he watched her move to the desk, finger in the air, and pull a small notebook from the drawer. She crisscrossed about until the carry-on luggage was full, zipped, and standing next to his duffel bag by the door. No fuss. She packed like someone who knew true valuables were few and far between and couldn’t be contained in a bag.
She packed like him.
“Okay.” She nudged her glasses up the bridge of her nose and checked the time. “I’ll change clothes and we’ll be good to roll.”
The swell grew bigger, doubling over, as she closed the bedroom door behind her. He stared at the wooden crate shelving, muscles tense. He always strove to be a gentleman. Respectful of pace, holding back until his partner was ready. It was a small struggle, but he’dnever lost.
This morning had been a close call.
She’d come so near. On the tops of her toes and still only as tall as his shoulder. Her breath had nudged his face, unsteady and fresh as mint, as she’d concentrated on his cheek. The lush push of her breasts had raised a fever in his blood. The thick cotton of her dressing gown had folded loosely over her chest, strung together with a single knot.One swipe of his hands could have banished it to the floor. All too readily could he imagine the naked rush, their heated coupling pushing deep into the blankets. The bed had been right beside them. Empty like an upturned palm asking, why not?
Honesty was why not. Dee deserved to know why he’d knocked on her door. She didn’t deserve to be seduced into thinking it was to rekindle their adolescentromance. That had never been a part of the plan. A hope, yes, jammed between his crossed fingers, but not the plan. He’d needed to explain the email first. Ask what she remembered. Any other order and she’d be within her rights to think he’d been happy getting some action on the side.
He’d been honest at breakfast.
Now he was free to act on the tension tugging like a beast inside him.
Dee emergedin red tights, wearing a stretchy, snug black dress. Yesterday’s scarf had made a return, along with the chunky black boots. Several necklaces scattered pendants over her chest. A fedora crowned her dark hair.
“I am le ready,” she announced.
“ Je suis prêt, ” he corrected, standing.
Her head tilted as she picked up her handbag. “You might come in handy.”
He smiled.
“Okay.” Turning on the spot,she pointed a circle around her apartment. “And I think that’s everything.” She passed behind the couch and took the handle of her carry on. “Let’s go meet this dad of yours.”
Her selfless support amazed him. Jed came to stand behind her. “Dee,” he murmured, taking her hand. Warm and soft, her fingers curled through his as she turned to face him, brows
Chapter Four
‡
“I ’ll have to take my laptop. I’m on a deadline.”
Jed sat on the couch while Dee bustled. It was an artless process—pack whatever occurred to her in the moment. He found simple pleasure in watching. No stress involved. No lists. Just plucking objects from around the apartment, likegood apples off a tree, until she eventually filled the bag.
“Toothbrush,” she said next, and headed for the bathroom. She emerged with a toiletries case, heavy weight jacket, and her passport. “Oh, I should tell Pearl.” With that, she headed out into the hall. Within minutes, she was back, making space for a foldup umbrella. Preparing to travel with him, for him, with less than twelve hours’notice. Regardless of the deadline she had for her next script. Humming under her breath, like it was no big deal.
It was a big deal to him.
Dee was one of a kind. She took life in her stride. Forgave easily, but not foolishly. Chose humor over darkness, but when ill moods struck, she embraced the storm and then let it pass.
She was a strong friend. A best friend.
She’d make an honest lover.Daring. Passionate.
With a swell in his chest, he watched her move to the desk, finger in the air, and pull a small notebook from the drawer. She crisscrossed about until the carry-on luggage was full, zipped, and standing next to his duffel bag by the door. No fuss. She packed like someone who knew true valuables were few and far between and couldn’t be contained in a bag.
She packed like him.
“Okay.” She nudged her glasses up the bridge of her nose and checked the time. “I’ll change clothes and we’ll be good to roll.”
The swell grew bigger, doubling over, as she closed the bedroom door behind her. He stared at the wooden crate shelving, muscles tense. He always strove to be a gentleman. Respectful of pace, holding back until his partner was ready. It was a small struggle, but he’dnever lost.
This morning had been a close call.
She’d come so near. On the tops of her toes and still only as tall as his shoulder. Her breath had nudged his face, unsteady and fresh as mint, as she’d concentrated on his cheek. The lush push of her breasts had raised a fever in his blood. The thick cotton of her dressing gown had folded loosely over her chest, strung together with a single knot.One swipe of his hands could have banished it to the floor. All too readily could he imagine the naked rush, their heated coupling pushing deep into the blankets. The bed had been right beside them. Empty like an upturned palm asking, why not?
Honesty was why not. Dee deserved to know why he’d knocked on her door. She didn’t deserve to be seduced into thinking it was to rekindle their adolescentromance. That had never been a part of the plan. A hope, yes, jammed between his crossed fingers, but not the plan. He’d needed to explain the email first. Ask what she remembered. Any other order and she’d be within her rights to think he’d been happy getting some action on the side.
He’d been honest at breakfast.
Now he was free to act on the tension tugging like a beast inside him.
Dee emergedin red tights, wearing a stretchy, snug black dress. Yesterday’s scarf had made a return, along with the chunky black boots. Several necklaces scattered pendants over her chest. A fedora crowned her dark hair.
“I am le ready,” she announced.
“ Je suis prêt, ” he corrected, standing.
Her head tilted as she picked up her handbag. “You might come in handy.”
He smiled.
“Okay.” Turning on the spot,she pointed a circle around her apartment. “And I think that’s everything.” She passed behind the couch and took the handle of her carry on. “Let’s go meet this dad of yours.”
Her selfless support amazed him. Jed came to stand behind her. “Dee,” he murmured, taking her hand. Warm and soft, her fingers curled through his as she turned to face him, brows
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