Page 5 of Love in Beauty

“Don’t laugh. I’m still inside you.” He winces as he pulls out of me to discard the condom in the kitchen trash. “I can go get your bags from the Jeep and I can show you my shower. Steph will be here in about an hour.” He seems so businesslike right now. I look for my discarded clothes and fight the tears that want to break loose. “I prefer you naked in my bed, but I don’t want Stephanie to freak out about us.”

“A shower would be nice. Could you show me where I’ll be sleeping as well?” He walks over to me and grabs my waist.

“You’re sleeping with me, remember? I want you in my bed with me this weekend. I know tomorrow night you’ll be doing your girls’ slumber party, but while you’re in Boston, I want you with me all the time. Did I do something wrong?” He searches my eyes.

“You sounded so dismissive a minute ago, and thought you regretted it.” I barely get the words out loud enough for him to hear.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t want you smelling like sex when my sister gets here. I’d rather keep you naked so I can explore this body of yours, but I know there are party favors that need to be put together and she wants to spend time with you. I don’t regret anything, in fact in my head I’m trying to figure out how much time I can take off to go back to Cupid’s Cove with you.” I smile up at him and his brown eyes have a twinkle in them.

“I know it’s so cliché, but Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to come visit. There’s this Secret Valentine they do leading up to the Festival of Love, which is a four-day celebration. It’s the most beautiful and romantic time there. There’s a Founder’s Day Dance on the seventh and then the Sweetheart Dance on the fourteenth when the secret Valentine is revealed.”

“Do you get many secret Valentines?” he asks.

“No, not since Pai died. He would love to surprise me with little gifts and notes about his love for me. No one in my town is interested in me. I used to do it for some of my elderly customers, but they’ve since passed away.” He kisses me and tells me he’ll be there for both dances as long as I’m his date. I tell him yes, of course. He shows me the rest of the apartment before letting me shower. He promises to bring my stuff to his room so I can change and be ready for his sister. The smile on my face doesn’t seem to want to fade even during and after the shower. This feeling of being wanted and desired from a man like Sebastian is like riding on a cloud. It’s so freeing and dare I even say I can understand why my mom is acting like she’s a lovesick teenager.

chaptersix

Sebastian

My sisterand Carmen are in my dining room laughing and squealing over things while I’m in my office working. I’m supposed to be working, but I’m looking up Cupid’s Cove to plan my secret Valentine for the fourteen days. I open a spreadsheet on my laptop and begin typing up everything I plan on doing, along with the numbers of the places in Cupid’s Cove to order everything from. I smile and feel giddy about a woman for the first time in a long time.

“What’s that goofy grin about?” Stephanie’s in the doorway of my office.

“No reason. Getting any work done between the giggles and the gossip?” I tease.

“I love being around Carmen. She has this positive energy about her that I find so contagious. I can’t wait to spend two weeks in Cupid’s Cove for Valentine’s Day with Lucas.”

“Speaking of that, I’m thinking about going too. Would that be okay?” I ask. She’s going to find out about Carmen and me sooner rather than later. I wonder if I should let Carmen know.

“There you are. I was gone for two minutes, and you bail on the work.” Carmen’s now standing in my office. I smile at her.

“My brother was just informing me he’s coming on my honeymoon with me.”

“What?” Carmen’s eyes are wide.

“Not your honeymoon. You see, there’s this girl there who I met and I want to spend more time with her. She was talking about the Festival of Love. Well, it intrigues me as much as the girl does.” Stephanie glances suspiciously between the two of us and smiles.

“You two?” Carmen nods hesitantly. “Oh my God, this is great!” Stephanie hugs Carmen’s neck.

“Wait, you’re not mad?” I question her.

“God no. I wanted to set you up the moment I met her. I knew she would be perfect for you. It just never worked out. This is going to be great!” She hugs me. “But as far as the honeymoon goes, the hotel is all booked up. There’s nowhere for you to stay, and you’re not bunking with my husband and me.”

“He’s staying with me. I promise not to go into details like you do with me.” Carmen teases my sister as Stephanie fake gags. She thanks her. They link arms and leave my office. My sister is more excited now as they finish the work. I get back to my actual work since I’m taking two weeks out of the office, even though I can work remotely. I get through the stack of proposals I brought home and I stretch as my stomach growls. I check the clock on my phone to see it’s three in the morning. It’s quiet in the apartment. I head out to the dining room to find Stephanie and Carmen both asleep. I pick Steph up and take her to the guest room and send a quick text message to Lucas letting him know what is going on. I then cradle Carmen in my arms as I walk to my bedroom. I place her in the middle of the bed and cover her up. She doesn’t stir at all. I undress but leave my boxers on since my sister is here. I pull Carmen into my arms and fall asleep.

This is what heaven feels like.

The weekend flies by and I’m standing at the airport with Carmen. Her lower lip is out. She’s pouting and if it isn’t the cutest thing ever…

“It’s a week and then I’ll be there before you know it,” I remind her. We spent all last night having sex in most of my downstairs before finishing in my bed. I told her this way I have memories of her everywhere. She laughed at me but told me I needed to return the favor in her apartment.

“I know, but I got used to sleeping in your arms. What am I going to do without that?” She whines and I kiss her.

“I gave you three of my shirts that smell like me until I can get there. So you should be okay. I may have stolen some of your panties to keep under my pillow.” She hits me on the arm.

“You did not!” She squeals.

“I did. They smell of the desire you have for me, and I needed them since I can’t be between your legs for a week.” I bop her on the nose. “You’re going to miss your plane. I have a lot of work I need to get done in the office this week before I come to see you. Are you sure you don’t mind me working while I’m there?”

---