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“So tell me what I can do to help with the work on the grant.” Cynthia pushed her half-eaten pie away.
“See, there you go wanting to help me.”
Cynthia gave him a sideways glance. “You do still need it, don’t you?”
“Yeah. I made a list of things I need to finish. There are a couple on there that I could use your help with.”
“Email me the list and I’ll get right on them first thing in the morning.” Cynthia seemed truly excited to assist him. More than that she was being supportive of him. Something that he’d known little of when he was a kid. “It’s nice to be needed.”
“You’re needed all right.” He scooted out of the booth, took her hand, pulling her up to stand beside him. “I think I should take you somewhere private to thank you properly.” He paid the bill and escorted her to the car.
Minutes later he parked next to her vehicle in the empty lot of the community center.
He took her in his arms and nuzzled her neck. Slowly his lips traveled across her cheek until his mouth found hers. Her hand came up to rest on his neck. He loved the feel of her fingers in his hair. The kiss was deep, hot and carnal. He wanted her to the point of pain.
Cynthia yelped when her elbow hit the gear shift. He pulled back, uttering a descriptive word under his breath. Giving her a wry grin, he said, “I’m far too old and too big to make out in a car.”
She giggled. “But I was enjoying it.”
“I was too. Too much.”
“I need to go anyway. My brothers will be wondering where I am.”
Would they really? He would guess not. They seemed to have moved on with their lives while Cynthia continued to live as if her parents were alive. It had to have been tough to virtually become a parent of two teenagers when she was barely out of her teens herself but it was time to let go. Time for her to live some. “What would it take for me to have you all to myself?”
“You will day after tomorrow.” She moved back to the passenger seat.
“That’s not enough.” He sounded as if he were begging, as he had when he’d wanted his parents’ attention. “But I guess I’ll settle for what I can get.”
She kissed him behind his ear. “I’ll...” then she kissed his temple “...make...” then the arch of his brow “...it...” the end of his nose “...worth...” the corner of his mouth “...your...” she nipped at his bottom lip “...while.” The tip of her tongue traced the line of his mouth. “Promise.”
His straining, painful arousal made a cold shower a sure thing tonight.
“You’re a tease. I’m going to hold you to that. I expect you to keep that promise.”
Cynthia kissed him. “Count on it. I’d better go.” She pulled her pocketbook strap over her shoulder and stepped out of the car.
Sean joined her. She reached her arms around his waist, pulled him to her and kissed him. Sean brought her against him and lifted her off her feet. Long, delightful minutes later he reluctantly let her slowly slide down him. “Good night, Cynthia.”
* * *
That night in Cynthia’s bed had been lonely and cold, and incredibly long without Sean. There was an email waiting on her the next morning.
Cyn,
Quick note: crazy day ahead.
I had planned to make Rick’s game but have to speak to a patient about an issue involving the grant app. Tonight is the only time he can do it.
Sorry.
I’ll be home by six thirty tomorrow. See you then.
Miss you.
Sean
P.S. List attached
Cynthia couldn’t deny she was disappointed. She had held out hope he would surprise her as he had the night before and make the game. She so wanted to see him. But he was doing something important.
She emailed back.
Hey,
Hope your day smooths out. I miss you too. Already looking forward to tomorrow. I’ll bring dinner!
Cyn
That night Rick’s basketball game didn’t hold much interest for her. Every minute that ticked by on the clock was a minute she was closer to seeing Sean again. The hours dragged by the next day despite her efforts to keep busy. Finally, she was almost to Sean’s house. The traffic wasn’t heavy so she made good time. Excitement bubbled in her. The last two days had been the longest she’d lived through since her parents had died.
She had it bad for Sean Donavon and she didn’t see any way back. The question was did Sean feel the same way? Or was he having that fun she’d encouraged him to have at her expense?
The minute she pulled into his driveway the front door opened and Sean stepped out. A large smile was on his face. He was obviously glad to see her. Still wearing his usual workday attire, he had pulled his shirttail out of his pants. The slightly rumpled look on him was appealing. He appeared relaxed, as if he was a little more at ease with life. Did he realize this?
It was nice to have someone excited to see her. It had been a long time since something in her life had revolved around her. So much of her time had been about her brothers or them as a family. Rarely had it been about her. Had she kept it that way for them or for her?
Sean met her as she stepped out of the car.
“Hey there,” she breathed.
He grabbed her and lifted her tightly against him as if he’d found a precious belonging that had gone missing. Her arms went around his neck. His mouth found hers. The kiss made it clear on many levels he was glad to see her. When he pulled back he said, staring into her eyes, “I’ve missed you.”
Cynthia kept her arms wrapped around his neck and beamed at him. “I wish you’d taken the time to show me.”
“Funny girl. That’s what I like about you—you always have jokes.” He let her go to stand on her feet.
She turned serious. “I like a lot of things about you too.”
“You keep looking at me like that and the neighbors are going to see exactly how well I like you.”
Cynthia glanced around to see if anyone was watching. “Didn’t you just show them that?”
His voice went into a low growl. “The real show would be much grander.”
She murmured, “We might need to move that one inside. Dinner’s in the bag on the backseat. Would you get it?”
“Sure. But food isn’t what I’m thinking about right now.” Sean winked at her and took the sack out of the car.
They walked toward the front door.
“So what do you have in mind for tonight? Working on your grant? Watching another Western?” she teased.
Sean opened the door, stood back allowing her to enter ahead of him.
Cynthia laid her purse on the table next to his keys. There was something intimate about their belongings sharing the same space. “Let me have that bag. The coleslaw needs to go in the refrigerator unless you’re ready to eat now.”
“I’ll see to it.” He
walked to the kitchen with more purpose than required for food care.
“So how did the meeting go last night?” Cynthia asked as she joined him.
“Very well. I marked one thing off the list.” He sat the bag on the counter and inspected its contents.
“Did you have a chance to do any more on it?” Cynthia watched him. She’d missed him last night with every fiber of her being.
He located the plastic bowl, pulled it out and opened the refrigerator door. “Not much.”
“Then you’ll be pleased to know that I accomplished three.”
Sean looked at her and smiled. “Whatever did I do without you?”
She hoped he never had to find out. “When is it due?”
“Next Monday.” Coleslaw on the shelf, he pushed the refrigerator door shut with more force than necessary. He stalked toward her. Taking her hand, he tugged her through the living room and down the hall. “I’m not really interested in talking about that. I have other things on my mind I’d rather be doing.”
“Such as?” she asked sweetly as she made a half-effort to drag her feet.
He stopped and she just managed not to stumble. Sean had a determined glint in his eye. “Like examining you without clothes.”
Cynthia looked at him as innocently as she could manage. “So, what you’re saying is that you’re only interested in my body.”
He growled low in his throat. “You know good and well I have the highest esteem for your mind but right now I’d like to enjoy your body.”
Cynthia stopped resisting and they entered his room. “Don’t you think we should sit down and talk some?” she said amiably. “After all, we haven’t seen each other in a couple of days.” She was unable to keep the grin from her face as he had her sit on the bed.
“You’re welcome to talk all you want while I’m doing this.” He nuzzled behind her ear.
Cynthia shivered and a soft mmm escaped her. She tilted her head, giving him better access to her neck.
Sean lifted his head and looked at her with a twinkle in his eye. “What? No chatter? I thought you were going to talk.”
“You keep that up and we won’t need any words.” She lay back on the bed, pulling him to her. Her hands went under his shirt tail and found warm skin.
