Uninhibited (Unlikely Lovers) (42 page)

Alan opened his mouth to speak, but Chuck put up a hand. “Hear me out. I’m not say
ing I approve of your lifestyle or of what happened between you and my wife. But whether I like it or not—whether I want to
admit
it or not—you saved my marriage.”

Figuring it was best not to say anything, Alan let him talk.

“I’d already been through my mid-life crisis—was a pain in the ass to everyone, moping around, feeling worthless—the whole nine yards. Vivian stuck by me when she could’ve easily dumped me for someone a little less morose. Afterward, when I was more or less back to normal, I didn’t realize how much I’d neglected her, took her for granted—probably even ignored her sometimes—all those clichés that are clichés for good reason. Menopause was hitting her hard, and she needed to know I still loved her—that she was still as beautiful to me as she was on the day we met.

“I felt it, of course, but I never told her anything of the kind. I carried on with my work—got a promotion and better money by doing some traveling. Todd was in
college and had pretty much left home so I put the extra money toward our retirement. I thought everything was fine until one day I came home and found her sitting in the kitchen, sipping a cup of coffee. She seemed quieter than usual, and when she finally spoke, she told me what she’d done—with you.”

Chuck’s expression was so bleak, Alan was surprised there weren’t tears to go with it. “I was angry, of course
. What husband wouldn’t be? But something in her manner made me sit up and listen. She hadn’t told me right away, she said. She’d taken the time to think about it, until she understood her own position better. And then she told me why she’d done it, and it wasn’t only because she felt sorry for you. She wanted to feel young and attractive again, and you helped her do that. A much younger man—one she considered attractive—had made love to her. Made her feel desirable.” He quirked a brow. “Do you know what her only regret was?”

“No, but I’m guessing it wasn’t that she’d been unfaithful.”

“And you’d be right. She wished you hadn’t felt so guilty about it. You’d done her a favor, and yet you saw it as taking advantage of her kindness. Vivian is a very kind person, but she isn’t
that
kind. No, she was sorry because she’d taken advantage of
you
.”

Chuck smiled as his gaze drifted toward the doorway where Vivian now stood.

“I
did
take advantage of you,” she said. “And I am so very, very sorry.”

Alan cleared his throat. “You did me a favor too, Vivian. I was a wreck, but what I really needed was for someone to slap some sense into me. I couldn’t keep on the way I was. Believe it or not, the guilt helped me do that.”

“I can’t say I didn’t want to come after you and break your neck,” Chuck said. “Because I did. She wouldn’t tell me who you were, which was undoubtedly for the best—especially now that you and Emily are together. And you know what? I think you’ll be very happy.”

“I know you will.
” Vivian smiled through her tears. “Emily is a very lucky girl.” 

“I’
ll do my best,” Alan promised. “She makes it easy.”

“Don’t forget that when you’re older,” Chuck said. There were tears in his eyes now.  “Tell her every goddamned day that you love her with all your heart and that she’s the best thing that ever happened to you.
Don’t just tell her, either—
show
her. And if you’re ever feeling worthless, remember that you’re important to
her
, and that’s all that really matters.” He held out his arms, and Vivian rushed into them.

“I think you need to tell Ned that,” Vivian said.

“He already did,” Ned said from the doorway. “Just now.”

Janice came up behind him. “What’s going on in here?”

Ned turned and yanked his wife into his arms for a kiss that probably melted the polish on her toenails. “All I ever wanted was you, babe. You’re beautiful and talented and I love you.”

Janice looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “I love you too. Promise me you won’t
talk to hookers anymore.”

“I wasn’t looking for one, but I have to admit, I consider
ed her offer.” Cupping her cheeks in his hands, he kissed her again. “She looked like you, Janice. Didn’t you realize that?”

“I might have—if I hadn’t been so
hurt.”

“I won’t hurt you ever again, Janice. And if I ever do, feel free to kick my ass all over town.”

She arched a brow. “I’d much rather spank it.”

“Ooh,
baby
.”

Chuck cleared his throat. “Do we need to leave?”

Alan glanced up as Todd came in from the dining room with Emily close behind him.

This kitchen clearly has too many entrances.

“Okay,” Todd began. “Will someone please tell me what this is all about?”

Chuck
took a long look at his son and obviously decided he was man enough to take it. “Your mother took pity on him and slept with Alan once—which, of course she wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t been ignoring her. And Ned, well, he seemed to think he needed to pay someone to get laid.”

Todd’s eyes nearly popped out of his head. “Gee, thanks, Dad. That was
way
too much information.”

“Learn from it, son,” Chuck advised. “And learn it well.”

Fortunately, Alan had the wherewithal to dry his hands as Emily approached. Wrapping his arms around her, he hugged her like he never wanted to let go.

And I never will.

Chapte
r 30

Emily pressed her fingers to her lips and her eyes filled with tears when she unwrapped Alan’s gift. “I can’t believe you remembered that.”

“I don’t miss much,” Alan said. “
And as soon as you get good at it, which I’m sure won’t take long, I’ll sell your soap at the store.”

“That’s awfully
sweet of you, Alan,” Vivian said. She glanced at the tree. “There aren’t any presents left. Emily, didn’t you get anything for Alan?”

“I already gave it to him. It was kind of NSFF.”

Alan chuckled. “And what does
that
mean?”

“Not safe for family,” Jeremy
replied.

“Thanks, kid,” Emily said. “Knew I could count on you to know that one.” She
aimed a nod at Alan. “He’s kinda technologically challenged. Probably should’ve gotten him a tablet of some kind.”

“No need,” Alan said. “I’d never use it. I’ll get a lot more use out of what you already gave me.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure,” Jeremy said. “Those things are easy to get hooked on.”

Alan burst out laughing. “I’m already hooked on your aunt. Don’t need to get hooked on anything else.”

Emily leaned over to give Alan a hug and a kiss. “You’re such a sweetie. How have I ever lived without you?”

She wasn’t kidding about that. Right now, she couldn’t imagine life without him. Alan might’ve
been addicted to her. She doubted she could even
breathe
without him.

Scary thought. 

But on the other hand, it was an absolutely fabulous feeling. She only wished everyone had someone they loved as much. She smiled to herself as she realized that at least part her Christmas wish had come true. The painter had found love—and a job. How were the others spending their Christmas? Had Stephen found someone? Did Mitch like the cologne she’d given him? Was Peter home with his family instead of guarding the building?

She’d have to wait until Monday to find out, and even then, she probably wouldn’t see Mitch. She’d
never
seen Mitch…

As the evening wound down, Emily reflected that she hadn’t felt as comfortable with her family in a very long time. There was a lot to be said for a peaceful gathering—even if it hadn’t started off that way.

Todd was the first to leave, giving Emily and her parents their cue to start thinking about going home. For once, Emily wasn’t anxious to get on the road, even knowing there was more to look forward to at her house. She was content to simply sit next to Alan and enjoy her family. Then it occurred to her that he hadn’t had sex since that morning.

Wow. That has to be a record.

Her first thought was that she’d finally cured him.

Maybe that was a good thing. She wasn’t sure she could keep up the pace forever—although she was certainly willing to try. She gave him a nudge. “You ready to head home?”

“Whenever you are, babe.”

Yet another difference between Alan and all the other men she’d tried to love. Always anxious. Never relaxed. Seldom as easy to be around as he was. “Let’s go, then. I feel like I could curl up with you and sleep for a week.”

Alan chuckled. “Must be the eggnog.”

“Yeah. I’ll probably be sorry in the morning, but that stuff was damn good.”

“Good thing you had a designated driver this year.”

“I’ll be the driver next year. We can alternate.”

“Unless we have Christmas at your house.”

“That’s a thought. If you’re going to fix dinner, maybe we should.” She smiled. “I’d like that. We could take turns
hosting the party. Take some of the worry off Mom.” She nodded toward her sister, who was dozing in her recliner. “Not sure Janice could do it again next year anyway. This one knocked the stuffing out of her.”

“I think she’s pretending to be tired so we’ll go home.”

“You might be right. She and Ned have some catching up to do.”

Alan stood up
and held out his hand. “So do we.”

Ned brought their coats and
Emily watched Alan hug her mother without feeling a trace of jealousy or a single pang of regret.

“I’m so happy for both of you,” she said. “You have no idea how much.”

“We might,” Alan said.

Nodding, she smiled up at him, not bothering to wipe away her tears.

Emily hugged her mother with a little more force than usual. “Thanks, Mom. He’s the best Christmas present
ever
.”

Despite the forecast
to the contrary, it was snowing. Puffy clouds scudded across the sky sending flurries drifting through the crisp night air.

Carrying a bit less than they’d brought in
, they headed out to the car. “The tofu salad is all gone. Just like you said it would be.”

“Not gone—but almost
. Your mother kept the leftovers.”

“That’s not too surprising.”
Emily yawned, the frosty air filling her lungs. “Glad you’re driving and not me.” Looping an arm around his waist, she rested her head against his side as Alan dropped an arm around her shoulders. “Did you have a good time?”

“Yeah.
It improved as the evening went on.”

“No kidding.”

Alan opened the passenger door and helped her into the Jeep, then
he tossed the presents in the back seat. He stood there for a long moment while snowflakes swirled around him, lightly dusting his hair. He was wearing that same leather jacket he’d had on the night she met him. “You know what we were saying about being together next Christmas?”

“Sounds great, doesn’t it?”

“I can think of something that would make it even better.”

“Like what?”

“Like if we were married.”

She smiled. “Oh, y
eah. That would make it absolutely perfect.”

“So, what do you say, Em? Will
you marry me?” He paused, his tongue tracing the edge of his lower lip. “Please?”

Something in t
he way he said it made her think he didn’t expect her to say yes and was bracing himself for a letdown.

“Do you always ask women to marry you after only knowing them for a few weeks?”

“No,” he replied. “Never done it before.” A tiny grin lifted the corner of his mouth. “But you know how it is. I have to act fast before the woman in question decides she doesn’t like me.”

“If that’s the case, you could wait forever.” S
miling, she touched his cheek with a fingertip. “But I’m so very glad you didn’t.”

He gazed at her with eyes that matched the winter sky.
“When your parents walked in this evening, I knew it was over. I thought I was dying, Em—really, truly dying. But I didn’t die. I spoke to your mother and even shook hands with your father. Do you know why I was able to do that?”

She shook her head. “
Why?”

“Because
you
were there beside me. I held onto you and felt strong for the first time in years. I knew what I had to do. I had to tell you the truth before the secrets killed everything.” He raked a hand through his hair, leaving tracks through the snowflakes.

That’s what he
’ll look like when his hair turns gray
. Someday she would know whether she was right or not. All it took was for her to say yes.