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He laughed at her attempt at a joke, and then took a swig of his beer.
Elizabeth leaned back against the counter and watched as he folded the laundry. His large masculine hands matched up little pink and purple socks and folded them with gentle ease. She couldn’t remember her dad ever performing a task of this nature.
“How do you keep it all together? Between cooking, cleaning, laundry, the kids, and owning your own business, how do you do it? And do it all so well.”
Joe thought for a moment. “I don’t know, I guess you just get into a routine and keep going.”
“When do you ever have time for yourself?”
“When I need a little R&R, my sister and brother help me out, as well as my dad or Mrs. Marsh.” “What about you and all the hours you put in at work? When do you get time for yourself?”
Elizabeth smiled. “My life isn’t really that complicated. Not like yours. Outside of work, nobody relies on me. When I come home from the office, I can either sit and do nothing or get more work done. If I were to disappear on a Friday night no one would notice until Monday morning when I didn’t show up for work.” Her smile faded and her shoulders slumped at the sound of the truth of her own words. In reality, her life had become that solitary.
––––––––
Joe’s heart sank as the words came out of Elizabeth’s mouth. She really believed she had no one.
He leaned across the table, placing his palms on the surface for support, as he intentionally fixed a serious gaze on her. “Well, sweetheart, there’s where you’re wrong. I, as well as the kids, and Holly and Jody, would surely notice you were missing.”
He could feel her trying to tear her gaze from his but he wouldn’t let her. He knew his words, and his invasion of her personal space made her uncomfortable, but he needed her to understand how serious he was, and how important she was to those around her. The sound of her intensified breathing filled his ear as her quick, warm breaths brushed across his face. He wondered what she was thinking, and even debated kissing her, but was unsure if she wanted to be kissed.
Sensing her discomfort level growing, he stepped back, and freed her gaze. He knew by her behavior she really liked him, and he liked that she did, but he also knew this situation brought her way out of her comfort zone.
“What are your plans for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?” he asked, having a feeling she had none.
“I don’t really have any,” she stammered.
“Would you like to spend Christmas Eve here with me and the kids, and then Christmas Day over at Angelina’s with my family?” He saw the fear in her eyes as she considered his offer. “I know the entire family can be overwhelming as you experienced at Thanksgiving, but they mean well. We’d love to have you.”
Elizabeth smiled softly. “I’d love to spend it with you guys.”
“Great, it’s settled then, you’ll spend the holiday with us.”
She tugged nervously at a string on her sleeve. “Well, it’s getting late, I suppose I better get home. I have a big week ahead of me. I have to cram a lot of client contacts in on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday because I’ll be in New York for the remainder of the week. We’re having some big, company-wide meetings and training sessions on Thursday and Friday, and our Christmas party is also Friday night. I’m due back home late Saturday evening.”
He let out a mental sigh. Great, exactly what I didn’t want; her job taking her back to New York.
“It does sound like a big week. Do you need me to take you to the airport or anything?” He asked in hopes to get a little time with her before she left.
“No, but thank you. The company is sending a limo to pick me up and drop me off.”
She turned and headed into the living room where she paused, and raked her gaze over the length of the Christmas tree. “It smells good.”
“It sure does,” Joe replied as he retrieved her coat from the closet. She slipped on her boots and then slid into her coat as he held it for her. As she spun around, he reached down and began zipping her coat for her as if she was one of the kids. “Sorry, habit,” he said with a smile.
Her bright green-eyed gaze captured his attention; drawing him closer to her, but a tinge of apprehension held him back from kissing her. He thought about how he hadn’t kissed a woman for almost five years. He wondered how her full lips would feel pressed against his, and he wondered how she would taste.
Thoughts of Amanda’s soft lips and sweet taste rushed through his mind. His chest tightened. He wasn’t ready. Part of him wanted to be ready, but he wasn’t.
Within moments, Elizabeth released his gaze, and broke the silence. “I had a good time today. A really good time. Thank you.” She rose onto her tiptoes, gave him a peck on the cheek, and walked out the door.
He closed the door behind her and stood frozen at the window as he watched her walk toward her house. Though her lips only lightly grazed his cheek, a spark of electricity snapped through his body, unleashing a full force of wants and needs he hadn’t had satisfied in quite some time. His heart raced, and he had to remind himself to breathe.
––––––––
Elizabeth leaned back against her closed door for support. She recalled how perplexed Joe looked a moment ago, and she couldn’t help but wonder what was going through his mind. She thought maybe he wanted to kiss her, and on one hand, she longed for him to do so, but on the other hand, he wasn’t part of ‘The Plan,’ the very plan that didn’t allow for men right now.
She raised her fingers to her lips. They felt hot. What would it have been like to kiss his mouth rather than his cheek? No need to speculate; it would be heavenly. Her heartbeat went into overdrive, causing her limbs to go numb. What were supposed to be deep calming breaths were useless.
