AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m not living in the shadows anymore. I want to walk in the sun. But I can’t do that without you.”
She put her arms around his shoulders and buried her face in his neck. “Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
“Enough to start talking about station wagons and a two-career marriage?”
“And kids,” she said without hesitation. “I want babies. Lots and lots of babies.”
He grinned the crooked-tooth grin that drove her crazy and slid his hand up under her nightgown. “Want to start now?” He didn’t wait for an answer but settled his mouth over hers. After a few moments, he drew back. “Flower?”
“Uh-huh?”
“I’m not enjoying this kiss.”
“S-sorry.” She tried to force her teeth to stop chattering, but it was no use. “I’m just s-so cold. I can see my breath in the air!”
He groaned and pulled back the covers. “Come on. You’ll have to hold the flashlight for me.”
With his parka draped over her satin gown and her feet encased in wool sweat socks, she followed him to the basement. While he knelt on the concrete to light the pilot, she stuck her free hand under his shirt. “Jake?”
“Yeah?”
“After the house heats up—”
“Hold that flashlight steady, will you? I almost have it.”
“After the house heats up, what would you think about—I mean, would you think it was silly if—”
“There, that’s got it.” He shook out the match and straightened up. “What were you saying?”
“What?”
“You were saying something. Would I mind if—”
She swallowed. “Nothing. I forget.”
“Liar.” He slipped his hands inside the parka and around her waist so he could draw her against him. “Don’t you know there’s nothing I’d rather do?” His lips caught her earlobe, then traveled across her cheek until he could whisper against her mouth. “You’ll have to put your hair back up again with those pins. That was my favorite part.”
As it turned out, Jake found other parts he liked even better…
When it was over, the room was warm, and they were sated. They kicked away all the covers and dozed. Fleur finally stirred from the cozy comfort of his chest. “Next time I get to hold the gun,” she said as she eased back into her pillow.
He nipped her bare shoulder. “Nobody holds a gun on Bird Dog.”
“Is that so?” She cocked her finger and pointed it as his chest.
“Wow. That’s a fast draw you have there.”
“Fastest draw in the Big Apple.” She blew on her finger. “Seems like Bird Dog’s going to have to adjust his thinking.”
Jake rubbed his thumb against the corner of her mouth. “Seems like Bird Dog already has.”
He smiled, and she smiled back. Snow tapped at the w
indowpane. The furnace hissed. They gazed at each other with perfect trust.
Epilogue
The young man’s body formed a perfect arc as he dived into the turquoise water of the pool behind Belinda’s Bel Air home. His name was Darian Boothe—the final “e” had been her idea—and when he came to the surface, she blew him a kiss. “Wonderful, darling. I love watching you.”
