Page 69 of Love's Home Run

Their conversation moved to the sports center and some of the ideas Ross and Mike were working on. It was good to be able to talk about it. One thing was certain: she wasn’t about to bring up a future between them without knowing exactly what Ross had in mind.

Having had the discussion with Crystal, Melissa felt a new sense of peace.

###

When Melissa moved indoors to put together a simple summer salad with tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumbers, and fresh herbs, Ross followed her.

While she was fixing it, Ross’s cell rang.

He took the call, and after ending it, he turned to her. “That was Jenn calling to say all the arrangements for Dad’s memorial service have been made. I’m going to give a short speech along with my three brothers. They decided they all wanted to say a few words about him. I’m relieved because that takes a lot of pressure off me.”

“It’s very sweet of them. You have a wonderful family.”

He came over to her and pulled her into his embrace. “They thinkyou’rewonderful. I do, too.”

Melissa smiled with pleasure but didn’t know how to respond. She finally said, “Do you want me to add sliced chicken to your salad? I can do that and add some other things to make the salad heartier.”

“That would be good,” he said, squeezing her before releasing her. “I’ll open the bottle of wine whenever you’re ready.”

He watched as she prepared the salad with sure, smooth movements.

“It’s fascinating to watch you work,” he said. “You make it look so easy.”

“It’s like anything else, it just takes practice. But I like preparing food. I always have.”

He studied her. “What are we going to do?”

“About what?” she asked.

“About us. Things are chaotic with my dad’s death, but I’d like to keep seeing you, being with you.”

“Me, too,” she said.

“How about my spending the night? Mike might be staying at my house, but he’s on his own. I don’t want anyone to interfere with what we have.”

Melissa was dying to ask him what they had, but she remained quiet.

He came around the island and wrapped his arms around her. “Put down the knife,” he whispered in her ear.

She placed it on the counter and turned to him, her heart pounding.

His lips met hers, and she filled with desire. He’d taught her how to make love with him, how to please him and herself. Now, all she could think of was how she wanted more than his kiss.

When he took her hand and led her away, she followed eagerly. It had been a couple of days since they’d made love, and she was more than ready.

###

Later, they lay together in her bed, sated and happy.

Ross turned to her. “I’m thankful you’re my neighbor. It makes being with you easy.”

Melissa bristled. Did he think she was easy?

Ross seemed to sense her distress and cupped her face with his hands. “I like being able to be with you. That’s what I meant. After all the years of being single and turned off by the idea of someone after my money, you’re worth the wait.”

Satisfied, she raised her face to meet his lips.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

---