Page 30 of Shadowed Rubies
It was absolutely heartwarming to see the deserving man so gloriously happy.
Several times throughout the meal, I caught Dani’s gaze from across the table and we shared a moment. Her face was positively radiant, glowing with what I could only hope was pure happiness.
As dessert was served, Dani’s mother cleared her voice, we all silenced––even Jaxson. I could tell by the emotion in her tone that whatever she had to say was difficult, but she forged on. “Today could have been dreadful because we miss Benjamin so much. He was the backbone of this family.”
The woman made eye-contact with her son and daughter. Tears were pooling in her eyes, but none fell. Taking a deep breath, she went on. “I’m so proud of you both, and I know your father is, too.”
It was an emotion-filled moment. I knew she was right about Mr. Waters. If he was looking down on us, he had to be beaming with pride that his son had achieved his dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher. By all accounts, he was doing an amazing job molding young minds at the elementary school. Dean was also an undeniably great father and was soon going to become a husband. I had no doubt that he would make a phenomenal life partner for Josie.
And how could anyone not be proud of Dani? She’d gone after her dream of becoming a doctor and she had achieved it. She was next-level smart, kindhearted, generous, funny, and she was sexy beyond comparison. I smiled to myself as I realized that her father wouldn’t think that last bit. That was all me.
Smiling at the woman I was falling in love with, I savored the warm return gaze she graced me with. I could only hope she was falling for me, too.
I tuned back into Dr. Waters’ speech just in time to see her turn to Jaxson and say with pride bubbling in her voice, “And this little guy…”
Seeming to sense his cue, the baby started yelling, “Da-da-da!”
We all laughed at his impeccable timing. Dani winked at me from across the table, and I couldn’t help but think that I wanted this for myself… a happy, growing family with this woman. Now, I just needed to convince her that it was what she wanted, too.
33
Dani
Thanksgiving couldn’t have gone any better. We’d all been somewhat worried about tensions flaring between Molly, Dean, and Josie, but Molly immediately eased the inevitable awkwardness and really worked to be friendly with everyone. She proved herself to be a true trooper. I owed her a big one.
Max surprised us all by insisting that he and Dean clean up the mess, since Mom and I had made the meal. Dean whined, but complied. My guess was that Max was just trying to impress my mother. From the knowing gaze she gave me as she sat down to relax with her cup of coffee, I’d say his plan worked perfectly.
When the group began to disperse, our parents made promises to get together again soon. I squeezed into the Malones’ car to ride with them to their house to get Max’s truck. He had asked me in a deep, rumbly voice near my ear to come over to his place tonight to watch a movie, and there was no way I was going to say no to that.
We both inherently knew that a movie was not truly what was on the agenda. Our relationship was ready to go to the next level, physically, and tonight was the night. We didn’t have to say it out loud for both of us to feel the tension and anticipation crackling between us. The air practically sizzled.
When we arrived at his place, my nerves began to kick into overdrive. It was high-time for this to happen, but it felt too important to take lightly. I didn’t want to do anything that might mess things up between us, but there were some things that needed to be addressed.
“Do you want me to find a movie for us to watch?” Max asked gallantly as we sat down on his sofa.
Going the direct, honest route, I said, “No, I don’t want to watch a movie.”
“Me neither,” he admitted, smiling and looking almost shy as he peered over at me.
Clearing my throat, I said, “I bought some condoms and brought them with me.”
“I got some, too,” Max grinned and pressed his forehead to mine.
“I guess we’ll be extra-protected then,” I quipped, feeling incredibly awkward, until Max tilted his head and pressed his lips to mine. When he kissed me, all of my concerns fell away––except for one.
Forcing myself to pull back, I worried my lower lip between my teeth.
“What is it?” Max asked, sounding like he truly cared.
Silently praying that this wouldn’t be a deal breaker for him, I whispered, “I need to leave my shirt on.”
Max nodded his understanding before saying, “I know. It’s okay.”
With that wonderful, nonjudgmental acceptance of my limitation, he lifted me into his arms as if I was light as a feather––even though I wasn’t even close to that––and carried me to his bedroom.
Max loved me as I’d never been loved before. His five o’clock shadow tickled me as he lightly nuzzled along my jawline, behind my ear, and down my neck. He caressed and massaged my arms and legs before sliding my leggings and panties down and tossing them aside. When he kissed his way from my ankle to my thigh and put his mouth on me, all coherent thought left as I writhed underneath him.
I moaned and fisted his shiny, black hair as I pumped up into his mouth. A million starbursts exploded behind my eyelids as the tiny vibrations of ecstasy pulsed through me.
