TIS THE SEASON...FOR ROMANCE (WESTMORELAND/MASTERS/JEFFERIES) (9 page)

Barbara and Rick had spent the rest of the day with the couple playing cards, bingo and Taboo. Sid had set up the grill and put on ribs and steak, and later when the sun had gone down the four of them had gone horseback riding again. Afterwards, they had sat around and chatted like old friends. Sid and Margo had suggested that they get together again in the future and taking Barbara’s hand in his and smiling over at her, Rick had assured them that they would.

“And I had a good time as well, although I figure I’ll be sore in the morning from riding. But it was fun.”

They had reached her door and since she already had the key in her hand she turned to him. “Would you like to come in?” For some reason she felt comfortable in asking him that. The more she was around him the more self-assured she felt.

“Just for a quick moment. It’s late and you’re probably tired. But I’d like to invite you to brunch tomorrow over at my place.”

Barbara swallowed deeply. She hadn’t been to his home and wouldn’t deny she was curious. “I’d love to come.”

“Do you want me to pick you up here?”

She shook her head. “No, you can give me the address and I can find it.” She figured if she had her car she could leave whenever she liked.

“Okay. I’ll call you in the morning with the address.”

“All right. I’m going to early morning service and should be back home around ten.”

“I’ll call you then.”

The last time he had walked her to her door he had kissed her hand, but tonight he’d said he would come inside for a quick moment. That meant he would probably kiss her again. They had kissed several times that day and she enjoyed each and every one of them.

She was ready for another one of his kisses and the moment she opened the door and stepped over the threshold, she turned to him. He closed the door behind him and then reached out and pulled her into his arms. He proceeded to take her lips as greedily as he had all those other times and she responded in kind. She wrapped her arms around his neck while their mouths mated sensuously.

Moments later it was Rick who pulled back from the kiss and not her. He placed his forehead against hers while drawing in a deep breath. “I think I need to leave before I tempt you to do something you might not be ready for.”

At that moment Courtney’s warning came washing down on her and she fully understood what her daughter had meant. Uncontrollable desire was something she hadn’t been familiar with until now. Little did he know that she was very much tempted to tell him she was ready for anything he had in mind; however, something stopped her from saying those words.

Instead she reluctantly took a step back. She had gotten a reprieve today but what about tomorrow. She was finding it easier to give in to whatever he wanted when his kisses were so darn enticing. “Goodnight, Rick.”

A smile touched his lips before he recovered the short distance and pulled her into his arms. It was only after kissing her senseless, to the point where her head was literally spinning did he release her mouth and whispered against her moist lips. “Good night, Barbara.”

And then he turned and left.

“Surprise!”

Courtney nearly staggered backward when she walked into the darkened room and the lights flashed on simultaneously with the screams of a room full of women.

After she reclaimed her racing heart, she glanced around the room recognizing everyone. Some of the women in Lake’s family were in attendance, including nationally known recording artist Alexia Masters who was married to Lake’s brother Quinn. Lake’s mother was there as well.

Tears appeared in Courtney’s eyes. It was hard to believe that this time last year she was wondering if she would ever find a man who could love her as much as she loved him, who would be her all and all like she intended to be his.

Lake had come into her life at a time when she least expected it. She’d given up when the little black book she’d inherited from Sonya had failed to yield any positive results. He had proven that true love and romance was possible for anyone at any age. You just had to be ready for it when it came knocking on your door.

She smiled over at her mother who was now standing beside her. She thought they were just doing lunch. She hadn’t expected this. Barbara Andrews seemed happy these days and Courtney knew she had Detective Blair to thank for that.

A short while later after enduring bridal shower games which she’d gotten eliminated in most of them during the first round, Barbara was making her way around the room, chatting with several of Lake’s relatives who’d flown in for the affair. From their conversations she could tell they were excited that Courtney was joining their huge family and the thought of Lake getting married still had a number of them tickled.

She had ridden in Courtney’s car and Rick had volunteered to come back for her after the shower was over. They had plans for later that included dinner and the skating rink. He was supposed to teach her how to skate. He refused to believe a woman who could ride a horse as well as she, had never learned how to skate.

She glanced around the room. The shower was everything that Courtney’s friends and the ladies in Lake’s family had wanted it to be and she was happy. The proud mother of the bride. But she knew that lately she was happy for another reason.

Rick.

Sunday brunch had been wonderful and she had felt at home in his house. They had prepared the meal together and then spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies he’d rented. It had been nice sitting beside him on the sofa and sharing kisses.

She hadn’t left his house until around seven that night and the goodbye kiss they’d shared had tempted her to ask if she could stay the night. He had invited her to lunch several times this week and she looked forward to each and every moment they spent together.

And she was proud of the fact that she’d finished all of her therapy sessions with Dr. Banks. More than ever she felt she was ready to move on and continue to date Rick with the full knowledge that she deserved some real happiness in her life and didn’t owe Ron a single thing. With that resolution planted firmly in her mind she was ready to move on to the next level with Rick.

“You’re smiling.”

Barbara glanced over at her sister and unashamedly admitted, “Yes, I am.

“And I guess I have the good detective to thank for it,” Peggy said, returning her sister’s smile.

Barbara had given up on correcting Courtney or Peggy whenever they referred to Rick as a detective. Both knew he’d retired but would jokingly say that until they saw him again in another role, they would continue to think of him as the ever efficient and dedicated Detective Rick Blair. She was well aware that was their way of letting her know they were waiting on her to bring him around to meet them on a less formal basis.

“Yes, Rick is the reason I’m smiling like I know Willie is the reason for your smile.”

Peggy laughed. “Touché.” She then glanced around the room. “Courtney is truly happy.”

Barbara glanced over at her daughter who was still opening her gifts. “Yes, she is and I’m happy for her. Ron and I didn’t set a good example.”

“Neither did Joe and I for Sonya. But luckily our girls picked better men for husbands than we did,” Peggy said. “I think they learned from our mistakes.”

Barbara nodded. “I think so, too.”

“Have you given much thought to Thanksgiving?” Peggy then asked her.

Barbara sighed. She couldn’t believe Thanksgiving was next week. “No. I figured it would be the same as last year. It’s time for me to host it at my place this year.”

“Yes, but there is a slight change from last year,” Peggy noted.

At the raising of Barbara’s confused brow, Peggy said. “Ron.”

Barbara left out a deep sigh. She had totally forgotten that this time last year she’d been a married woman. Out of sight and out of mind. She didn’t think of Ron unless it was during Dr. Bank’s sessions. And definitely not when she was spending time with Rick.

“Or are you thinking about inviting Ron?”

Peggy’s question almost made her choke on the sip of punch she’d just taken. “No more than I expect you to invite Joe and his child bride.”

A smirk touched Peggy’s lips. “And let’s not forget the baby nobody believes is his. And to answer your question the answer is no. Nobody from that household is invited. I’m past wanting to get the opportunity to shove my Thanksgiving turkey down Suzette’s throat.”

Barbara couldn’t help but laugh and doing so felt good. Life was good and she couldn’t wait to see Rick again.

“Are you inviting Rick?”

Barbara glanced over at her sister. “Are you inviting Willie?”

“Yes, although he might have made plans to spend Thanksgiving with his daughter, son-in-law and his grandson in Texas. But I plan to ask him anyway.”

Barbara nodded. “Rick has a son who lives in Atlanta. I don’t know how they spend Thanksgiving. I never asked him.”

“But you will invite him to our little get-together right?”

A huge smile touched Barbara’s face. “Yes, I think that I will.”

* * *

Later that night when Rick entered Barbara’s home after returning from the skating rink, he closed the door behind him and then pulled her into his arms and kissed her with a degree of passion that sent heated shivers through both of their bodies. He tried to ignore the pulsing ache behind the zipper of his jeans, but the more he kissed Barbara, the more the urgency took control of his mind.

He pulled his mouth away and took a step back as he drew in a much needed breath. “I think I need to leave now,” he said.

“No. Please stay.”

He met Barbara’s gaze. Held it. “Do you know what you’re asking, Barbara?” Memories of every single time he’d walked out of her door and wanting her with a need that kept him awake many nights washed over him.

“Yes, I know.”

He nodded slowly as he continued to look at her. “Are you sure you’re ready?”

Barbara stared back at him. Yes, she was sure. Each and every time Rick touched her, she felt things she’d never felt before with Ron. And she wanted things she never wanted with Ron. She’d always felt incapable of holding Ron’s complete attention while making love, but she had a feeling that would not be the case with Rick. She had fallen in love with him. She was sure of that as well.

Knowing her next words would seal her fate, she said. “Yes, I’m sure that I’m ready.”

He recovered the distance separating them and drew her into his arms, wanting her to feel how aroused he was for her and was satisfied the moment that she did.

“I might not be any good at this Rick.”

He pulled back slightly and with his arms still wrapped around her waist he studied her face and saw a worried glint in her gaze. “You’ll be better than good at this, Barbara.”

“You sound certain.”

“Because I am.”

“Then prove to me, Rick Blair, that you’re right.”

Rick smiled and in a movement Barbara hadn’t expected, he swept her into his arms.

* * *

Rick placed Barbara on the bed and stepped back to look at her. Over the past weeks he’d imagined her in the middle of her bed or his, looking at him this exact way with those beautiful chocolate brown eyes of hers. She wanted him to prove that he was right; that she would be good at making love. That would be easy because he truly believed she was a very passionate woman. He doubted she was aware of the degree of passion she possessed. Proof of it came through in her kisses. Several times he’d had to hold himself in check to keep from losing control when her passion had stirred up his. They’d been kisses that had gotten as hot as hot could be, and most had him sweating long after they’d parted.

He wanted to undress her but he wanted her to feel comfortable with him doing so. “May I remove your clothes?”

“Only if you let me remove yours?”

Her comeback had him smiling and sensual images of her removing his clothes flashed vividly through his mind. “Lady, you got a deal.”

She eased off the bed. “Ladies first.”

She took the few steps to stand in front of him and reached out and lifted the jersey - that boldly proclaimed he was a Denver Broncos fan - over his head. She tossed it aside.

Barbara paused and marveled at his hairy chest and just how tight his abs were. No flab anywhere. It was nice to see that he kept in good physical shape. She took her hand and traced a path down his chest and smiled when she heard his sharp intake of breath from her touch.

She then reached for his belt and after unbuckling it she pulled it through the loops of his jeans. She then went for his zipper and eased it down. She looked up and met his gaze. “This is where I’ll need help with your shoes and socks.”

He chuckled. “No problem.”

He moved to sit on the edge of the bed to take off his socks and shoes. He then stood back up. Her hands went to the waistband of his jeans and gently eased them down his hips and stooped to assist him in stepping out of them.

She stood up and saw how well endowed he was in his briefs and for the first time since she began undressing him she started getting nervous. Rick could tell. “You’re doing a great job, sweetheart. You only have one piece left.”