The Dating List (14 page)

By nine o'clock, he was wide awake. The sweet scent
of Leah sleeping woke him up. His hand rested on her breast and try
as he might, he couldn't resist moving his fingers to caress her
soft flesh though she was still asleep. She moaned, tossed, rolled
over then laid her hand on top of his.

"Good morning," he whispered into her ear.

"Ummm."

He nuzzled the soft spot under her ear, she giggled,
swatting at him as if he were a fly.

"Come on lazy bones, time to wake up." He planted a
soft kiss on her lips.

She rolled over, facing him. His eyes took in her
lovely body so close to his and so naked. One small handed rested
on his chest, teasing him. The sight of her so close, her scent so
alluring, her body so inviting made him hard.

"How do you feel about making love in the morning,"
he whispered, bending over her chest, letting his lips explore her
silky skin.

"Thought you'd never ask."

****

Bundled up against the cold, Colin and Leah braved
the icy winds whipping up and down the avenues of the West side of
Manhattan to visit the American Museum of Natural History. With her
leather-gloved hand tucked into the crook of his arm, joy took over
his heart. Making love to Leah had exceeded his expectations. He
simply couldn't stop smiling, not able to remember ever being this
happy before.
Must be love, real love.

"After this we could go ice skating then have hot
chocolate in Rockefeller Center…then maybe window shopping on Fifth
Avenue…"

"A man suggesting shopping of any kind…do you feel
okay?" She reached up with her hand to feel his forehead. "No
fever."

He laughed. "Just thinking of things you might want
to do."

"Isn't there a basketball game on this
afternoon?"

"Basketball? You want to watch basketball?"

"I happen to like basketball. Cuddling up with you, a
bowl of chili and the game sounds like fun. I'm not a winter girl.
I prefer…indoor sports…when it's cold outside."

She shot a sly smile at him.

"I hit the jackpot, didn't I? A woman who likes
basketball and…uh…indoor sports."

Though he tried to hide his embarrassment, her
chuckle plus the knowing look in her eye told him he hadn't fooled
her.

"I have all the ingredients for chili. But it will
take a little time to cook."

"What are we waiting for? It's damn cold
outside."

"The museum will be there tomorrow, when it's
supposed to be warmer."

The couple turned around and headed back to the
apartment. After putting their coats in the closet, Leah headed for
the kitchen with Colin close behind.

"Can I help?"

"Ever made chili before?"

He shook his head.

"Always a first time. Apron over there. First we get
out the ingredients…why do I think you'll be a quick study?"

"First I have to learn how to keep my hands off you,"
he said, closing his arms around her.

Leah extricated herself gently. "Later, Romeo. First,
kidney beans and onions."

"Aye, aye." Colin slipped the apron loop over his
head.

Leah came up behind him to tie it but instead she
slipped her arms around him, hugging him to her.

"Last night was the best Valentine's Day I've had
in…years," she whispered.

"Me, too." Colin placed his hands over hers.

"While the chili's cooking, why don't you run up to
Grey's and get your stuff. You can stay the rest of the vacation
here with me."

He turned to look in her eyes.

"Really?" He raised his eyebrows.

She nodded. Colin picked her up, twirled her around
the kitchen then crushed her to him.

"A dream come true. Wait here…"

He whipped the apron over his head.

"Colin, I'm not going…"

"I know. Don't find anybody else…I'll be back as
soon…"

"Hurry, darling." She blew him a kiss.

"What did you call me?" He stopped short, almost
falling over.

Color flooded Leah's face.

"Never mind…hurry…game starts in an hour."

She tried to shove him out the door but wasn't strong
enough to budge him. After a quick kiss, he bolted, laughing all
the way down the hall.

****

Uptown, thick draperies kept the sun from waking
Grey. Carrie bounded out of bed at seven o'clock, like she usually
did. She stood up and stretched her arms as high as they would go.
She felt good, great, better than better. She smiled at her
sleeping fiancé.
Life with Grey…full of surprises and so
much…pleasure.
She bent down to plant a kiss on his lips. He
stirred.

"Not time yet, babe." She ruffled his hair lightly,
donned a long flannel robe and padded downstairs.

He's always starved after a night of great sex.
Hmm. Pancakes or waffles? Bacon?
Carrie pulled out the
ingredients for his favorite apple waffles. The slight brush of the
earrings against her neck was a constant reminder of his gift.
Switching the radio on, one of her favorite songs came up next,
"Just Haven't Met You Yet". She sang along, moving her hips to the
music when he came up behind her, placing his hands on her waist.
Carrie jumped slightly then turned and laughed. He wore nothing but
his blue plaid robe; his hair hung over his forehead. When he
sported that sexy, knowing grin, she wanted to kiss it off his
face.

"Something smells good," he said, folding her into
his embrace.

"Hungry?"

"Starved! You know how I get…."

"One appetite then the other."

He laughed before planting a kiss on her lips. Grey
went to the drawer to take out silverware.

"Working at home today?" She asked, pouring the
batter into the waffle iron.

"Always take off after Valentine's Day. Usually need
it to recover."

She giggled.

"I have some business plans to look over tomorrow,
though."

"Today we can play. Two plates or three…did Colin
come home?" She hesitated before taking down plates from the
cabinet.

"I checked his room on my way down. Bed's not been
slept in," he said, a smug grin spread across his face.

"And you're proud of him, aren't you?" She put her
hands on her hips.

"Damn right I am. Another score for an Andrews man."
He pumped his fist.

"Score? You think Leah's a score?" She raised her
eyebrows as she plucked two plates off the top of the stack.

"Not really…but he wanted her, now he's had her."

She softened at the sheepish look on his face. "He's
in love with her," she said.

"Love? I thought it was simply lust, advanced lust
maybe, but just lust."

Carrie took the steaming waffle out with a fork,
placed it on a plate and handed it to Grey. "Don't think so. Not
this time. He's a goner." She poured a waffle on the iron for
herself then sat down at the table with him.

"But she's going to Paris. Wanna talk geographically
undesirable! My little brother's gonna get his heart stomped." Grey
took a big bite out of his waffle.

"Sometimes you don't have a choice."

"What does he know? He's a baby." Grey stuck a piece
of waffle dipped in syrup in his mouth.

"He's almost thirty. She's only four…maybe five years
older. So what? He loves her, right?"

"These are delicious, babe," Grey finished chewing.
"Colin doesn't know a thing about women."

"Oh? I disagree. He must know something…he's seduced
one of the most glamorous, sought-after women I know. I don't think
Leah's had a dateless weekend in over a year."

"Chip off the old block." He beamed at her.

"The old block better hang up his seducing talents
right now!" Carrie whisked her waffle onto her plate, cut it in
half then pushed half on Grey's plate.

"Sure you don't want that?"

"Half's plenty." She poured a little syrup on it
before cutting it with her fork.

"I've seduced my last woman…saved the best for last,
too." He laced his fingers with hers.

"You seduced me? I thought I seduced you!" She
chuckled while he raised her hand to his lips.

"Just looking at you seduced me."

Carrie slipped into his lap.

He snaked his arm around her waist, pulling her
closer. "Looks like you're doing it again." His lips sought her
neck.

When the phone rang, she made a move to get up.

"Let it ring," Grey said.

"You never know…maybe it's Colin, calling you for
advice." She burst out laughing. "Funnier things have happened, you
know."

He wagged his finger at her, stifling a grin.

Carrie handed the phone to Grey.

"Your mom."

Grey put the phone to his ear. "Mom? What? Oh, that's
too bad. Yes, I'm working this week. What? No, Saturday's fine.
Colin? You want to speak to Colin? Uh…uh…" He looked at Carrie, his
face reddening.

"Remember? I sent him out for the paper," Carrie said
loud enough for Grey's mom to hear.

He gave her a thumbs up. "Okay, Mom. Yeah. Yup. See
you Saturday."

Carrie gave him a questioning look when he hung up
the phone.

"Angus Davenport, our neighbor, died. Family visiting
hours are this coming weekend. Would you want to go up there with
me on Saturday?"

"And meet the gorgeous…the infamous, Giselle
Davenport? You bet I would."

"Honey, she's got nothing on you."

"I'll be the judge of that."

She fell into his arms for a delicious kiss.

"Ohhh, you're sexy when you're jealous," he
chuckled.

Grey had his face buried in her neck when the
doorbell rang.

"Surprise! Did I interrupt anything? Hope so." Colin
wiggled his eyebrows before stepping inside their warm house.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Carrie, Grey."

"Where the hell have you been, little brother?" Grey
closed the door behind Colin.

"I'm staying at Leah's. Just came back to get my
stuff."

"Oh?" Grey arched an eyebrow.

"Yeah. You got a problem with that?"

Grey shook his head. "Guess not."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Mom called and wanted to talk to you. We made up a
story about you being out to get the paper."

"Why hide it? I'm almost thirty. Geez."

"Do I have to be the one to shove it Mom's face her
baby boy is getting laid?"

Grey refilled Carrie's coffee then his own. Colin
grabbed a mug and took the pot from Grey.

"Okay, okay guys. Enough. Here's a stupid question,
Colin…have a good time?" Carrie patted Grey's hand.

"Best Valentine's Day ever."

"I'll bet," Grey snickered.

Colin punched him in the shoulder.

"She gave me Knicks tickets. We're going tomorrow
night. Today we're watching a chick flick. Leah's making chili.
Suppose it would be nice to invite you two, but not gonna. I don't
have much time alone with her and I don't want to share."

"We understand." Carrie smiled at Colin.

"Yeah…I get it…" Grey pumped his fist in the air.

"Hey!"

"Another Andrews man scores." Grey laughed.

"Another Andrews man bites the dust," Carrie said,
under her breath, stifling a smile.

****

"Who are you rooting for tomorrow night, Lance?"
Colin asked when he stopped at the front desk.

"The Knicks, of course. You?"

"Same here. It's too bad you have to miss the
game."

Lance gestured to a tiny TV hidden behind the podium
in the lobby.

"Oh, I see."

The doorman smiled as he pressed the button to the
apartment.

"You can go right up, Mr. Andrews."

"Colin…Colin, Lance."

The doorman nodded.

The aroma of Leah's chili greeted Colin's nose when
the elevator doors opened. It got stronger as he neared the front
door. Leah opened the door and fell into his arms, raising her chin
for a kiss. He lowered his lips to hers, his tongue tasting the
richness of the meat and tomato.
Delicious.
His hands held
her close enough to feel her breasts pressed against his chest.
Desire began to stir in his loins.

Leah stepped back and took his arm. Set up on the
coffee table, facing the huge flat screen TV was a tray with
guacamole, chips and cheese cubes. Two bottles of beer accompanied
the snacks. The drone of announcers' voices assaulted his ears.

Colin shed his shoes at the door then followed Leah.
They curled up together on the sofa as the game began.
Pinch me.
I'm in heaven.
Colin stretched his legs, resting his feet on a
nearby ottoman while Leah cuddled into his shoulder, her hand on
his chest.

Leah paused the movie to bring out more food. Colin
retrieved an envelope from his coat pocket. Leah brought out
brownies and coffee.

"I have the second half of my Valentine's Day present
for you."

She cocked an eyebrow at him when he handed her the
envelope.

"What is this?"

"A round-trip bus ticket to Pine Grove."

She looked up at him.

"I want you to stay with me, next weekend, the
weekend after, as soon as you can."

"You were debating giving this to me?"

"If you didn't want to sleep with me, it would've
been a waste to give you the ticket. I only have one bed. Sooooo,
when I didn't know what was going to happen…"

"You waited. Smart. You're right. If I didn't want to
sleep with you I would've returned this gift. But…since I have…I'm
accepting it. It's a wonderful present." She kissed him.

"I want to show you around my town…take care of
you…at my place."

"I'd love to. Let me check my calendar, we can make a
date now."

The afternoon passed quickly. Colin took her out for
a celebratory dinner as the Giants had won the game. When they
returned, he scooped her into his arms and headed for the bedroom,
kicking the door shut with his foot.