Page 38 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

“The reservations are for the week of April 1st.” Guy put his arm around her and drew her close. “Did you enjoy this evening?”

“Yes,” said Lori, smiling at him. “I like your partners and their wives. I think you’re going to be happy working with them.”

“Yeah, I made a wise decision in coming here. Thinking back on it, my parents and I left in a hurry.”

“It seemed that way at the time,” Lori said. “And though many people we knew in high school have moved away, some have stayed.”

“Yes, I’ve tried to get in touch with some of my old friends and have met up with a few. I’ve even signed up for paddleball with a couple of them.”

“That sounds like such fun. I don’t know how to play,” said Lori.

“I’ll teach you. It’s an easy way to meet people. Cynthia got me involved on a team.”

Lori took a sip and stared at the flaming logs in the fireplace, unhappy with the idea of competing with Cynthia for Guy’s attention.

Guy took the wineglass from her hand and set his down on the coffee table in front of them. Staring into her eyes for her acceptance, he drew her to him.

Her pulse pounding with excitement, she eagerly went into his arms. She leaned against his chest and inhaled his spicy cologne. It felt satisfying to be in a man’s embrace again. Her last date had been almost a year ago, and it hadn’t worked out for either of them.

Guy lifted her chin and gazed at her. “You’re beautiful. Being with you reminds me of all the hopes and dreams I had back in high school.”

His lips met hers, and they both sighed softly.

Guy’s arms tightened around her, and his kiss deepened.

Lori responded, letting herself fall into the feelings he brought out in her. She’d missed this sexual pleasure.

When they pulled apart, Guy grinned at her. “Better than high school, huh?”

She chuckled. “Much better.”

“We’ve both been through a lot. I’m glad to be back where I should be. I should never have let my parents dictate when we were leaving. I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye. And then communication just evaporated.”

“I thought you didn’t care all that much about me,” said Lori. “But things tend to work out for the best. We both needed to grow up a bit.”

He grinned at her. “You’ve done a beautiful job of that. Come here.”

In his arms, they both acted like the teenagers they once were together.

But when he suggested they go into his bedroom, Lori shook her head. “I’m sorry. I can’t. Not yet.”

Guy was quick to back off and said quietly, “Maybe another time.”

###

Later, as Guy was preparing to take her home, he handed her the packet of information for the winery. “I saw your look of disappointment when you didn’t win. Take this home. You can arrange for us to make the trip. If, for some reason, I can’t do it because of a conflict, the trip won’t be wasted.”

“Are you sure?” Lori asked him, even as she tightened her grip on the envelope.

“Yes,” said Guy. “I have the niggling feeling I have a conflict that week.”

“Okay, but I’ll keep the reservation in your name,” said Lori, thrilled by the idea.

CHAPTER TWENTY

GRIFF

Pretending to date Kayla turned out to be an excellent decision. Griff’s grandfather was satisfied that he was settling down, the single women in the area had backed off, and being with Kayla was actually a lot of fun. Her partner, Rosie, was easygoing and went along with the idea, though she insisted on alone time with Kayla. That, Griff thought, was only fair.