“No,” she said. “I want to get to know sweet Merrick. I think I’ll like him more than snake boy.”
“Do we still have a real date tonight?”
“Yes. It’s our first date,” she said. “Don’t blow it.”
“I want to take you somewhere you really like.”
Willa shook her head and grinned. “Pick your favorite place. I imagine I’ll like just about any place you take me.”
“Reptile house at the zoo?”
“No, Snake Boy,” she shouted.
He smiled at her. “Dress comfortably and wear your running shoes.”
Willa leaned into his embrace, resting her cheek against his tanned bare shoulder.
He kissed her forehead and held her, rocking slightly. “This feels right,” he said.
“Yes it does and that’s what frightens me.” She raised her head. “It almost feels too good.”
“Not to me,” he said. “It feels just right.”
“What’s going on up here?” Max climbed onto the roof. “Wow! What a great view.”
“Yeah,” Merrick whispered, staring into Willa’s eyes.
~*~
Jon knocked at her door. He hadn’t seen the artist’s truck in the parking lot. It was late and he hoped she was alone. He wasn’t sure what he was going to say to her. They hadn’t exactly parted on a good note and she didn’t know he’d seen her with Max.
The door opened and she smiled at him. She glanced away and then met his eyes. “Come in.” She was barefooted and clad in shorts and a tee.
“I hope it’s not too late,” he said.
“I was just relaxing and listening to music.” The lights were off and she had a couple of glass jar candles sitting on the stool beside the futon.
He noticed the canvas drop cloth was missing and in its place a curve of glass block sparkled at the end of the loft.
“What do you think? Is it what you envisioned?” She led him into the arced wall of glass lit by yet another candle beside the bathtub.
He smiled and nodded. “It looks good. Who built it for you?” He asked the question lightly, but his stomach knotted in anticipation of her answer. Although he’d witnessed Max Foster’s proficiency with power tools, Jon had thought Millie would turn to him for the execution of his designs.
“It was a group effort. There’s no door to close off the toilet and no light yet. The wiring’s in place but I need to buy light kits for the loo and for over the tub.”
“You need a chandelier.”
“Oh, no,” she said. “I don’t need anything so grand. I bathed by candlelight tonight. The moon is almost full so there was plenty of light. It was fine.”
“I’m sure it was.” He glanced at her sadly. “And did you take this romantic bath alone?”
She met his gaze. “And who would I be bathing with?”
“You’ve bathed with me,” he said. “Twice.”
Max glanced away, coloring in the dim light. “I’m not in the habit of sharing my bath.”
“But you didn’t hate it.”
A little smile played with her mouth. “No, I didn’t hate it.”
Cupping her face in his hand, he raised her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. “I didn’t either,” he whispered.
This evoked her dimpled grin. She leaned her forehead against his chest.
Jon stroked her hair and gently encircled her with his arms. He could sense her wariness, like a skittish colt. He didn’t want to spook her.
She relaxed, her shoulders releasing some unknown tension. Breathing an audible sigh, she seemed to be searching for the right thing to say.
“It’s alright, Millie,” he said. “I know I’m rushing you and you’re confused. I take full responsibility for everything that’s happened between us.”
He took her face in both hands and kissed her tenderly, hoping that the depth of his feeling could be telegraphed through his lips. Her arms came around his torso and she pressed closer to him. He splayed his fingers out, running them down her back.
Her little laugh against his neck made him grin.
“You have some kind of fascination with my butt?”
“It’s a fascinating little handful,” he said. “I’m sorry, Millie. I can’t seem to keep my hands off when we’re together.”
She turned from him and took a few steps away. “That’s nothing. Whenever we’re alone in the same room, my clothes seem to fall off.”
“Millie, I’m not just out to seduce you. I have real feelings for you.”
“Stop! Stop! Stop!” She shook her head and put her hands over her ears. “I can’t hear this now. I have feelings for you, but I’m not sure what they are.” She turned back to him. “You don’t know much about me, Jon. Some things might come out later that would make you feel differently about me.”
He smiled encouragingly. “I can’t think of anything you could tell me that would make a difference.” He thought she would confess her relationship with Max.
“What if I told you that my father is a drug pusher and he pimps out my mother all the time?”
A wave of pity swept through him. He couldn’t imagine a girl like Millie living through such a wretched childhood. He swallowed hard. “I’m sorry you had such a rough upbringing. It doesn’t make me think less of you. It makes me admire you even more for overcoming something like that.”
She groaned aloud. “No...No you don’t understand. That’s not it. That was only a joke. I’m just not a good person.”
“Yes you are and I’m in love with you. You don’t have to be perfect. Just love me back and we’ll be fine.”
“Love you back? That’s what you want?”
“It’s where we start. We can take it one little step at a time, as long as I’m not in this all by myself.” His dark eyes searched her face, bathed in the glow of the moon and flickering candlelight.
“Can we discuss this after the opening on Saturday? I think we’d both have a clearer idea of our feelings.”
“Saturday? I can wait that long.” He put his hand in the pocket of his jacket and drew something out. “I brought you a present.”
She grinned. He thought she looked pleased. “You don’t need to keep bringing me presents.”
“It’s nothing, really.” He extended his hand to her. He placed the millefiore paperweight in her palm. “You told me you liked it.”
She gasped. “It’s lovely.” She held it in both hands and bit her lower lip. “Thank you.”
“It’s only a trifle, but I’m glad it pleases you.” He watched her dimpled grin flicker on and off. At times she looked like she was going to cry. He brushed her cheek with his fingertips. “I’d better be going now or I’ll be grabbing your butt again.”
She gave him a wry grin and nodded her head.
“The truck will be here around nine to transport the paintings to Gilman Gallery. The men know how to load art so don’t worry about anything. I’ll see you at Gilman’s around noon and we can have lunch, if you’re willing.”
“I’m willing,” she said.
He kissed her lightly. “Until tomorrow, then.”
“Tomorrow.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Merrick’s slow grin spread across his face when Willa opened the door. He took in her appearance. She was wearing crop pants and cross trainers.
“I warn you, Merrick,” she said, “I run faster than I used to.”
He chuckled. “So do I.”
When he escorted her to his truck, Blondie greeted her from the back seat.
Willa wrinkled her small nose. “I hate to be the one to tell you, but your dog smells.”
“She smells like a dog,” Merrick protested.
“She smells like a dog who hasn’t been bathed in a long time. Open a window.”
He drove her to Galveston where his sailboat was berthed and led her onto the pier where she was tied up.
“This
is your boat?” Willa asked. “It’s big.”
“Thirty-six feet isn’t exactly huge.” Merrick handed her on board. Blondie jumped on behind her. “But she’s fast. I’m pretty competitive in this boat.”
“You race?”
“I race.” He held a life jacket for her and zipped it when she’d slipped it on. He set about adjusting Blondie’s jacket and finally, his own.
“You’re into this safety thing, aren’t you?” She watched intently as he cast off and carefully motored out of the slip.
“I’d never take a chance where your safety is concerned.”
“I’ll have you know that I’m an excellent swimmer. My mother has all my medals from camp.”
“Even careful people can have accidents. Besides, I always try to take good care of whatever belongs to me.”
“And I belong to you?” She turned her face up to him.
“Tonight, you do.” He caught the glimmer of a smile before she turned away.
When he was clear of the other boats he raised the main sail and let Willa help him raise the jib. She asked intelligent questions and followed his directions.
The breeze was light but he caught it, the sails billowing white in the bright moonlight. As they sailed further from the lights of Galveston, they could see the white froth kicked up as waves washed in toward shore.
“This is beautiful,” she said. “I’m glad you brought me here.”
“It’s one of my favorite places,” he said. “Right up there with the reptile house.”
The breeze ruffled her hair as she gazed at the starry sky. “The moon is gorgeous.”
“So are you,” he said, a catch in his throat as he gazed at her.
She smiled, her engaging expression capturing him. “I’m glad you think so.”
“Are you getting hungry?”
She stretched her arms overhead and turned around. “I want to drive the boat.”
Merrick laughed, then sobered. “You’re serious?”
“Yes. It looks easy enough.”
“That’s because I make it look easy.” He looked down at her face, eager and interested. “I don’t let just anyone put their hands on my helm. It will cost you a kiss.”
She stepped closer and he tucked her between him and the wheel. Her arms slid around his neck and he was momentarily lost in the pleasure of her kiss.
He turned her around and placed her hands on the wheel, letting her feel the motion of the water and wind.
She was grinning as they sliced through the dark water. Little sounds escaped from her throat like when they had made love.
Merrick kissed the side of her neck and released the wheel. He sank down on the canvas cushion behind her and leaned back, alternately watching her ass and the phosphorous kicking up in the boats wake.
A few minutes later the fullness of the sails slackened and the boat slowed. Merrick showed her how to keep the wind in the sails.
“See those little ribbons on the sails? Those are called tell-tales. If they’re fluttering you’re not using the wind to full advantage. Keep them blowing straight back and we’ll go faster.”
“Is that all?”
“No, this is your first lesson. There are a million things you need to know.” Merrick was surprised at her interest. He’d thought she would either like sailing or hate it. He’d been prepared to hold her while she threw up over the side. He hadn’t been prepared for her all out enthusiasm. “Do you want to learn to sail, Willa?”
“Do you want to teach me?”
“I’ll teach you, but we can’t do it all in one night. We should have dinner now.” He showed her how to bring the boat to a stop, letting the sails go slack.
“Are we supposed to drop anchor, or something?” she asked.
“Not necessary for a short stop. I’ll just drop the sails and we can drift a little. I brought chicken and French bread and other stuff.” He spread the repast on the bench between them and uncorked a bottle of white wine. He faced her, sitting sideways with his leg along the back of the cushion.
“I like this kind of dining,” she said, gesturing with her fork. When they’d eaten, he refilled her wine.
“You realize,” he said, “I’ve known you most of my life.”
She took a sip of wine, watching him over the rim of her plastic glass with an amused expression. “When did you first discover you were in love with me?”
Under her scrutiny, he hesitated. Merrick felt a deep yawning abyss beckoning him. He grinned and reached for her, drawing her into the curve of his body. He kissed her slowly, savoring the taste and feel of her lips.
“I was about fifteen. I noticed you were growing a fine set of boobs.” He kissed her again. “And you had a cute rear that swished back and forth when you walked.” Merrick kissed her, letting his tongue explore her mouth. “Not to mention you had long, perfect legs.”
“Perfect legs?”
“Feet on one end and heaven on the other.”
“Beast!” Willa laughed as he held her, throwing her head back.
Merrick kissed her neck and collarbone, reluctantly releasing her. “I hope you enjoyed your meal. You’ll need to keep up your strength.”
“Am I going to need it?”
“Oh, yeah.”
He wanted to make love to her on deck under the stars. He pulled the bench cushions down for a bed. He waggled his fingers at her, indicating that she was supposed to join him.
She looked doubtful. “Right out here in the open?”
“Just you, me and the occasional helicopter equipped with night vision.” He released her from her life jacket but kept it close by.
She knelt on the improvised bed, an impish grin playing with her sexy mouth. He loved that she had such a sense of play. Somehow, playing with Willa had become his favorite pastime.
How did this happen? He felt the grin rise up from his chest and spread across his face. “Come here, you.”
Willa melted into his arms. Her softness joined with him. Ignited a flame deep in his gut that spiraled into his chest. Exploded when her lips touched his.
He eased her back onto the cushion and relieved her of her clothing before he slid out of his. He grazed his mouth over her skin, taking time with her breasts. Yes, I’m a breast man. . .and a leg man and a butt man. He took time to appreciate every part in turn.
“Merrick?”
“Don’t worry,” he said. “I invested in a whole box of condoms.”
She laughed. “Good to know.” She reached to caress his cheek.
He kissed her palm and then her lips.
Willa drew her legs up around him. “I think you better open that box about now.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He made short work of applying a condom and easing his appropriately clad member into her. This act was precious to him and he hoped she felt the same way.
She grinned up at him, and arched to touch his chest with her breasts. He leaned into a kiss and pressed himself into her. She responded with a sensuous undulation of her hips.
I’m in love with you. The words screamed in his head, but he couldn’t say them aloud. He wanted their love making to be important to her but he sensed that if he said anything it would spoil the moment. He exhaled before applying himself to the delicious task of bringing her to the peak of ecstasy. Her face was bathed in moonlight, washing her usually bright features to a glowing paleness. She cried out, gripping his shoulders as she ground herself against him. C’mon, baby. Ride me down.
Luscious spasms rippled through her. He worked to prolong her pleasure and heighten his. Let’s go for another.
He brushed her lips with a kiss and resumed his rhythm. When they were both spent, he released his passions to meet hers. Her breath rasped close to his ear, providing counterpoint to his thunderous heartbeats. They clung together, drenched and pulsating as their breathing returned to normal.
The light breeze cooled their overheated skin. He heard her breathing slow, felt it soft against his neck. He examined her f
ace in the moonlight. She was lit with a soft glow, her mouth curved up into a satisfied smile.
Merrick regarded her solemnly. He felt the pull of the abyss close at hand. He would fall willingly, sinking to the depths as long as he kept a tight grip on this woman who was shaking up his world.
~*~
Jon’s gone.
Max felt completely and desperately alone. Merrick and Willa were occupied. Sherman was working. She didn’t have a pet. Her studio, normally her haven, screamed her isolation from every hard surface.
Gathering Jon’s drawings, she carried them with her behind her new glass wall. She climbed, fully clothed into her bathtub and leaned back to rest her head against the cool porcelain.
Her lavender scented candle cast thousands of tiny reflections in the wavy pattern of the glass. She compared the reality with Jon’s vision for her environment.
Not bad, Jon. She liked the way he saw her, wrapped in pretty things. He didn’t know her, but it was nice that he thought of her this way.