Stone in Love (11 page)

“Please don’t stop. I have to feel you—need you to love me.”

Charlie raised his head and looked down at her with his piercing, dark eyes. His lips turned up into the slightest smile. He kissed her forehead, made his way down to the tip of her nose, kissed her mouth, and slipped, so gently, back inside.

Lindsay thought she was so smart; thought she knew all there was to know about the art of lovemaking. Boy, was she wrong. Charlie was a visionary in the mind–body connection she thought only existed in movies. It was … in one word … euphoria. The only downside: she was starving.

“Is there a Waffle House nearby?” she asked, resting her chin on Charlie’s chest.

Charlie looked at the clock on the nightstand. “At this hour?”

“Yeah, I’m weak. Need to get my strength back. Waffle Houses stay open twenty–four hours a day, don’t they?”

“Probably. There’s one at the foot of the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. bridge. We can see.”

Lindsay sat on the edge of his bed while Charlie got dressed. She glanced over as he slid into his jeans. He left the button and fly undone, his belt dangling, while he searched through the closet for a shirt.

The moonlight shining through the window reflected off of his perfectly formed six pack. It was a heavenly sight, and she still wasn’t convinced she was a worthy recipient of that body.

It had been her privilege to receive the affections of such a hard–bodied man on the outside, who was cottony–soft on the inside.

* * *

“It’s officially Sunday,” Lindsay said, looking at the Waffle House clock over the top of her coffee cup.

“Yep, three a.m.,” Charlie said, his arm draped over the back of the booth. Never mind the seat on the other side of the table—Charlie preferred to sit on the same side with his lady. “I have to admit, I’m going to be disappointed when the sun comes up. I wish this night could last forever.”

“Me too,” Lindsay said, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For making tonight so special. I’ll never forget it.”

“I wish I could say I had to work hard at it, but with you everything is so natural. I feel like we’ve done that before—like I’ve known you before. It’s hard to explain.”

Lindsay didn’t say anything, but she had been thinking the same thing. Even though it wasn’t that long ago they met, she couldn’t imagine him not being a part of her life. She was a sucker for him, no doubt about it. A parasite to the hard body of Charlie, the pilot.

Oh, how her mother was going to love this. Better yet, maybe she should keep it to herself. If her mother wasn’t content with Lindsay’s lifestyle before Charlie, she wouldn’t be a part of it, now that it included him.

“We better make the most of today, since I have to go back to work tomorrow. I’m on again for four days straight,” Charlie said. “Is there something in particular, you’d enjoy doing?”

“You’re a naughty boy, Charlie Mundy,” Lindsay said.

“I know how that sounded. I didn’t intend to come across that way.”

“I know what you meant. To be honest, I’d love nothing more than to lie in the bed with you all day long. Would that be all right?”

Charlie smiled and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’re speaking my language, doll. It would be my
pleasure
to retreat to my bedroom with you for the entire day.”

An older waitress, whose name tag said Vera, stopped as she was passing their table. “You two must be the newlyweds,” she said, pointing to the car in the lot that had
Just Married
written in white on the windows.

“No, we’re not married,” Lindsay replied.

Charlie looked around. There was no one else in the restaurant except an old, white–haired couple in the next booth. “It has to be them,” he said under his breath to Vera.

“Excuse me, Ma’am, Sir,” Vera said to the older couple. “Are you the newlyweds?”

“Oh yes,” the man said, chuckling. “We just married yesterday. My grandkids decorated the car. We look like old fools driving that thing around.”

“No, sir,” Vera said. “It’s sweet. Congratulations.”

“Looks like those two will be next,” the older gentleman said, gesturing in Charlie and Lindsay’s direction.

“I thought it
was
them,” Vera said. “I’ve never seen two people more in love. Look at their body language.”

All Charlie and Lindsay could do was grin, being the center of such of debate.

“You’re lucky to have found each other so early in life,” the old man said. “I wish I’d known Nancy fifty years ago.”

His blushing bride nodded her head in agreement.

“Make the most of the time you’re given.” The man spoke directly to Charlie and Lindsay. “Don’t waste a single day. And most importantly, make each other your top priority.”

For the first time ever, Lindsay thought herself capable of giving the kind of selfless love the man spoke of. What she’d needed was for someone to first show her she was worthy of loving.

Charlie had accomplished that, without having to say the word … not that he hadn’t tried. The time had come to return his love with her whole heart.

* * *

From the minute they got home, they did exactly what they’d planned. Outside it rained while they snuggled, made love, and slept in each other’s arms. It was a perfect day, and Lindsay didn’t want it to end. The evening came too soon, and she dressed to go home.

“I just remembered something,” Lindsay said, putting on her shoes.

Charlie pushed his wallet into his back pocket and grabbed his keys from the dresser. “Oh?”

“I thought you were going to show me where you’d hang a picture of me?”

“Ah, yes.” He opened his arms wide walking toward his bed. “I’d love to have a huge photo of you hanging right here above my headboard, so it’d be the last thing I see every morning and every night.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” Lindsay said. She already had ideas and had every intention of seeing it through. Though her gift wouldn’t be as extravagant as Charlie’s Camry, she was confident he would like it almost as much.

Charlie drove Lindsay to her apartment and walked her to the door. “I’m going to miss you like crazy these next few days. Good thing the plane flies on auto–pilot, because I’ll have trouble thinking of anything but you.”

“Me too,” Lindsay said. “But I’ve got something up my sleeve that will occupy my free time.”

“I can’t talk you into telling me what it is?”

“Nope, it’s top secret, but it’s for you. I think you’ll like it.” She was downplaying it. She knew he’d like—no love—it.

Chapter Thirteen

Lindsay gave her boss her two–week’s notice on Monday. It didn’t come as a huge surprise, since Lindsay had been upfront about her career path from the beginning. Her boss expressed gratitude for Lindsay’s hard work and wished her well.

Lindsay had texted Ireland earlier in the day and told her she needed to speak with her when she got home. She was pleased to see Ireland’s Volkswagen in its normal parking spot at the apartment that evening.

“Hey,” Lindsay said cheerfully, when she walked in.

Ireland was sitting on the couch, elbow propped on the armrest. She rested her head against her knuckles.

“What’s wrong?” Lindsay asked, joining Ireland. “You feeling okay?”

“Yeah,” Ireland said with a deep sigh. “I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

“You must, sitting here in the dark. What’s going on?”

“It’s my dad,” Ireland said. “We’ve spent a lot of time together over the last couple of days, and we’ve really reconnected. We had a long talk about my childhood, and he apologized for not being there for me … and leaving me with my mom.”

“So, that’s a good thing, right? I’d think that would put a smile on your face.”

“It is good, but he’s offered me something that I can’t refuse. Something that, if I accept, I’ll have to move away.”

“Oh?” Uh–oh, was more like it. Ireland couldn’t move. How on earth would Lindsay afford the rent all alone?

“Basically, he took Jeffrey aside and asked him how he could let me be a dancer if he loved me. He really got in his face about it. Jeffrey told him he can’t afford to support me on his construction income. It’s not steady, he feels, with weather conditions playing a huge part in his work load. Anyway, Dad offered Jeffrey a job as an apprentice at his firm in New York and wants us both to move there. That way, Jeffrey could support me while I go back to school.”

“Wow. That’s great. I’m really happy for you.” It was a horrible blow to Lindsay. The money in her savings would only take a month or two to go through.

“I feel terrible about this. I’ve had butterflies all day waiting for you to come home. Do you hate me?”

“Of course not. I want what’s best for you. Go ahead and tell your dad yes. Don’t worry about me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. Besides, I got that job at North Charleston Emergency Care.”

“Shut up!” Ireland screeched. “Finally, your search is over. Congrats!”

“Thank you. I’ll being making more money, so if I really pinch pennies, I can make the rent.”

“I’m going to miss you, but this doesn’t have to mean goodbye,” Ireland said.

“It better not. If you don’t keep in touch, I’ll hunt you down.”

Ireland laughed and wiped her eyes. “So, tell me all about your night with Charlie. Was it everything you expected?”

“It was incredible. It wasn’t at all what I expected though, because I’d never experienced love like that before. I love him—I admit it.”

“I know you do,” Ireland said. “You deserve this more than anybody I know. I’m glad you finally took my advice and opened your heart.”

“I know, I’m stubborn. Now that he has me wrapped, he better walk the line—or else. If he breaks my heart—”

“Oh, you don’t have to worry, honey,” Ireland said, wielding a fist. “If he hurts you, I’ll do the honors.”

“Thanks,” Lindsay said, “but I think everything will be fine. When are you leaving?”

Ireland shrugged her shoulders. “Not sure, but probably within a couple of weeks. I’m leaving when Dad does. He decided to stay in town for a while to spend some time with Asher.”

“Before you go, I need a favor,” Lindsay said.

“Anything. What can I do for ya, toots?”

“You remember those boudoir photos you made one time for one of your boyfriends?”

“Yeah. Why, are you going to have some made for Charlie?”

“I was thinking about surprising him, yes. The problem is, I can’t afford to have them done professionally. I was hoping you’d help me.”

Ireland’s eyes lit up like the Fourth of July. “Are you kidding? Hell, yeah, I’ll help you. I’ll make you queen for a day. This is going to be so much fun. Let’s get started.” Ireland sprung off the couch with Lindsay’s hand in tow.

“Whoa! Not tonight. I need a good night’s sleep first. I’m still trying to recuperate from my rendezvous with Charlie.”

“Okay, I get it, kitty,” Ireland said. “Get your energy back. How about tomorrow night then?”

“That’s perfect.”

“I’ll make a beautiful backdrop for the photos and have everything ready by the time you get home.”

Lindsay walked to the hallway and turned around. “Thank you. We’re going to have a blast.”

Ireland grinned. “Oh, girl, you just don’t know. Sweet dreams.”

Charlie called when Lindsay was getting ready for bed. She broke the news about Ireland moving.

“That comes as a surprise,” he said.

“I know. It happened so fast.”

“Are you worried about paying the rent?”

“Very. But I’ll just have to make due the best I can.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this but, if you need help I’m—”

“I know,” Lindsay said. “And I appreciate it, but I’m sure I’ll be fine. I’m really going to miss Ireland, though. At first I didn’t think we had much in common, but she’s been there for me at times when I really needed someone.”

“I have an idea.”

“What?”

“Why don’t we have a going away party for her? I’d like to help you celebrate your new job too. Why don’t we combine the two and have a celebration for the both of you?”

“Really?” Lindsay said, in a chipper tone.

“Absolutely. We can have it at my place. We can invite both of your families and friends. Just get me a head count, and I’ll arrange for everything.”

“Wow. I’m excited already, just thinking about it. You better have it soon, though. Ireland said she’s leaving within a week or two.”

“How about Saturday night? I’m off on Friday, and I can have everything prepared then.”

“That should work. I’ll have to double check with Ireland.”

“I’ll plan for Saturday then, and if anything changes you can let me know.”

Lindsay paused. “The only thing is: What if someone shows up that we don’t care for?”

“Like Asher?”

“Exactly.”

“No biggie. It’s to be expected since Ireland is his sister. Don’t worry, we’ll just lock him in a closet if he acts up,” Charlie joked.

“That sounds good. I don’t think we’ll end up with too many people. I don’t plan on inviting anyone. I just want to spend the time with you.”

“But what about your parents? I would love to meet them.”

“You know what I told you. We don’t see eye–to–eye about anything. They don’t support me, so there’s no need for them to be there.”

“I wish you’d give them a chance.”

“No,” Lindsay insisted. “I’m tired of giving in to them. They need to miss me for a while.”

“Okay. It’s your party so I’m not going to pressure you into changing your mind. I’m glad you’re letting me do this for you. I like putting a smile on your face.”

“Just the sound of your voice does that to me,” Lindsay said, her smile apparent in her voice.

“Thank you, doll. Same here.” Charlie yawned. “Excuse me. I didn’t realize how tired I was. I’ll try to call you tomorrow, but I have a long flight scheduled, so I might get in too late. If not, you’ll definitely hear from me Wednesday.”

“Okay, talk to you then. Night.”

The next day when Lindsay came in from work, she headed straight for the shower. Ireland had the photo lab (aka her bedroom) all decked out with red satin sheets draped over the wall.

“You ready to do this, girlie?” Ireland asked, as Lindsay strode into her room.