Page 85 of You & Me: Part One

“Uh, I do have some wine if you want some.”

I know I am looking at him suspiciously but I really did think he would be leaving now. I can’t believe he’s been here since 10am.

“Let’s do it. Let’s have some wine and maybe watch a movie but without the G rating.”

Shit, what will happen when we’re alone with wine and a movie? Double Shit!

Heading towards the kitchen I cannot believe I say, “Sure, let’s see what we have.”

After we’re settled on the couch—not close enough to touch but not far away from one another either—he’s pick up the remote and we search for a movie we both want to see on Netflix.

“So, how’s the new job going?”

“Not too bad, it’s only part time but I like it. Mick is being really cool about it and won’t let me pay rent. So, with Justine being paid off,” the reference to the fact that I named my car after meeting him earns me a smile, “and no rent or utilities I really just have preschool and my schooling to pay for and most of my check goes to that. I would love more hours but then that would just cost more in day care, so until I finish school and can get a full-time teaching job I’m staying here with Mick. I hate that he’s giving up his privacy for us, but I also know how lucky I am to have him and my mom.”

“How did you do it on your own down in California all these years?”

“Well, I had Cami for a roommate and free day care. I told you about Charlotte and how she watched Ireland every day. For free. Free Jonathan . . . what would I have done if she hadn’t been there and watched my little girl for free? Honestly, you said that Ireland is so great, and she is, but it is just as much because of Cami and Charlotte as it is me. I couldn’t have done it without either of them. So, financially things were a challenge, but because of the amazing support in my life we managed.”

I feel the tears coming so I take a sip of my wine to try and calm the emotions that are hovering on the surface. Jonathan’s face has been serious while he listens to me tell him another piece of my story and it’s making me feel even more on edge.

“It’s called karma, Emily. Just like I told you before. You put out enough good for all of us and that is why the good came back around to you. You deserve every good thing that has come your way. You deserve more if you ask me.”

“You’re exaggerating, but thank you.”

We continue to talk about my job and how much I love the kids I work with and how I can’t wait to do it full time and have my own classes. He talks about his job and how much he loves it but that there are lots of challenges. We talk about the climate around the view of the police in our country. We talk for what feels like forever and then he asks the question I know he has been dying to ask me all day.

“Who do you think is doing this to you? The threats? Who would want to scare you like this?”

I fill him in on the situation with Jesse and that this is the only possible thing that I can think of. He asks if I would mind if he looked into and if I would share the same info I already gave to Mick.

“I already gave it to Mick, but if you really want to dig a little deeper you can.”

I go into the kitchen to get a sticky note and write down Jesse’s name and his father’s information.

“This is all I have, thanks for looking into it.”

As I hand him the sticky note, he takes it but keeps a hold of my hand, moves the sticky note to his other hand and puts it on the table. Before I know what’s happening he pulls me back down to the couch, but this time right next to him so my legs are over his. Still holding my hand that now has its fingers intertwined with his, he leans in a couple of inches from my face and scans every inch of my face with those magnificent eyes of his.

His gaze finally meets mine. “Gracie . . . I’m going to kiss you now.”

I just continue to look at him . . .

“That okay with you?”

I nod and the moment my head starts to move his lips find mine; feather soft at first as he dips his foot in the pool to check the temperature. He takes his time and then gently bites my lower lip. I softly moan as he growls lightly and sends a shiver of lust down my spine.

“I have dreamed about this for years. I can’t believe you’re here, in my arms,” he whispers against my lips.

As if this proclamation was what he needed to say before he could really let loose, he lets go of my hand and cups my face in his hands just like I remember. He kisses me harder and our tongues start their exploration of each other. Before I know it we’ve changed positions and he’s above me with a leg on either side of me. You can hear us both breathing heavily as if we will never get enough of each other. He lowers himself onto me but is sure to keep most of his weight on his arms. He breaks our kiss and trails his glorious mouth down my neck. He has me squirming as I feel his excitement pressed between my legs. He then trails his lips and tongue back up my neck to my ear and whispers. “I missed you, Gracie.”

I glide my fingers up his back wishing I was touching his skin and bring my hands to his head where I guide his lips back to mine. A few moments later he pulls back and sits up. The excitement I was just feeling against my core is now visible and has me yearning for more. I remember what’s under those shorts, but I wouldn’t mind a reminder of what I’ve been missing.

“Emily, I am so sorry. I know you said that you just wanted to be friends and I’m trying. I really am. But you can’t deny that it’s still there. That connection between the two of us . . . it’s still there.”

“It is.”

“I’m sorry if I crossed a line.”

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