Mother's Day Babies (Holiday Babies Series) (12 page)

Silence stretched between them.
Still reeling from their passionate episode, she slowly licked her lips, and
remembered the taste of his mouth. They’d shared only a few kisses. Oh but what
kisses! She could use a few more.

“You’re too quiet. What’s on your
mind?” His voice startled her and she jolted forward.

On her mind?
Her leg
jerked and her shoe kicked him in the knee. “Oh sorry.”

“Ouch.”

Unease slithered along her spine,
but she tried an apologetic smile. “I...I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay.” He bent and rubbed
his knee under the table. “You were so far away.”

“Hmm... No.” Reaching for her
glass of wine, she drank a big gulp and counted on the fruity taste of Merlot
to wet her throat and clear her mind. Her focus flickered from her glass to his
curious gaze. He was waiting for an explanation. She jumped at the first idea
that hit her. “I’m glad you didn’t insist on the adoption issue.”

Lou shrugged. “How could I
separate her from her children when she seemed so attached to them already? God
only knows how much I suffered from being separated from my only daughter. It’s
not like I couldn’t support them financially. I just want her to understand her
responsibilities. Now that you’re getting involved, I’m sure things will work out.”
He brought her fingers to his lips and then kept them enfolded in his large
palm.

Warmth engulfed her and her pulse
raced at double speed. Her previous thoughts teased her all over again. Would
he kiss her now?

The waiter rolled the dessert
cart next to their table. She freed her hand and waved it. “I’d rather pass.”

Lou asked for a chocolate mousse.
“Scrumptious. You must taste.” He fed her a bite. She closed her eyes to savor.
It was delicious, even more so because of his fingers roving close to her mouth.
“Another one?” She didn’t have time to protest and enjoyed a second dose of the
mousse and his subtle caress.

“No more, please.” Or she’d be
the one kissing him and tasting the chocolate mousse with an Amaretto flavor on
his lips.

He finished his dessert, paid the
bill, and stood. “How about an after-dinner drink at the bar next door? They
have music.”

She collected her raincoat and
purse, and let him usher her out. They strolled hand in hand, and entered the
dimly lit bar where a dj played eighties music. Lou chose a table away from the
small dance floor where a few couples swung. “What would you have?”

“Bailey Irish Cream.”

He ordered a Manhattan for
himself. They watched the dancers until their drinks came.

Lou raised his glass and clicked
it against hers. “To us.”

She stared at the ice cubes
floating in her drink. Would there be an
us
after his two-week vacation,
when he got back to work and his routine? What kind of
us
?

“Barbara? You’re far away again?”
He sighed and shook his head. “You’re not enjoying yourself.”

“I am, honestly, Lou, I’m having
a great time with you.” She smiled and stroked his arm, and gulped half of her
drink, hoping the alcohol would numb her worries.

He grabbed her hand. “Come, let’s
dance.” He led her to the dance floor and gathered her in his arms, a hand
pressing on the small of her back and another holding her hand against his
shoulder. She’d rarely danced during her married life. David preferred cozy
dinners or shows for entertainment. Barbara wondered if Lou usually dragged his
dates to dancing bars.

“Do you often dance?”

He laughed. “Never. My life is
easy to follow. I work, whether in Atlanta or out-of-town. When I go out for
dinner, it’s usually a business meeting. I don’t recall dancing since my
brother’s wedding.” He captured her gaze. “I just want you in my arms.” He
tightened his hold. More tingles sprouted all over her body, in places too warm
at the moment, and her arms crept around his neck.

They swayed to the soft music,
hardly moving from place. Lulled by his words and the tune of the love song,
Barbara inched her cheek to Lou’s. His stubble gently tickled her and surges of
heat billowed into her belly.

Heaven couldn’t be more pleasant.
She closed her eyes and savored her piece of heaven.

When the music stopped, Lou
didn’t let her go. “We’ll wait for the next, and the next...” he whispered.
With the music still chiming in her ears and Lou’s heartbeat thrumming in tune,
Barbara continued her swaying.

They danced until the dj
announced a half hour break and then returned to their places.

Barbara’s heart floated on cloud
nine. Was it possible to fall in love at fifty-five? After sharing a happy thirty
years with a very dear husband? How should she label the meltdown that had her
hanging on Lou’s neck for dear life?

Still she couldn’t stop a nagging
doubt from overwhelming her. After more than ten days of almost constant
companionship and highly emotional moments in Monica’s hospital room, all Lou
seemed interested in was kissing and flirting with her.

Not that she’d tried to rebuke
him. Heck, she was as eager to kiss him as he was her, but before falling into
his arms and losing her head, she needed some answers, some reassurance that
they’d be heading toward a long-term relationship.

Long-term
, as she understood
it. With a firm commitment on his part.

Barbara sipped on her drink and
mused the meaning of the little word that confused her before they danced.

Lou emptied the rest of his
glass. “Earth to Barbara.”

“Lou, you toasted to
us
.
What do you mean by
us
?”

Had Lou ever considered
commitment?

Chapter Ten

What did he mean by us
?
Lou focused a stunned look at Barbara. How like her to shoot what was on her
mind without hesitation. But the question came at the right time when he was
considering how to broach the subject dear to his heart. Now that she’d
cornered him he hoped he could phrase it right. Or better use an appropriate
introduction, to bring the conclusion smoothly, naturally...

He scowled at his empty glass.
“Waiter, a refill, please,” he ordered with his most grouchy tone and crumpled
his paper napkin. “And one for the lady too.” He wanted her in a mellow mood, a
receptive frame of mind.

Barbara arched her eyebrows. “Is
it so difficult to explain?”

Yes, damn it.
“Not at all.”
Smile you idiot. You’re going to scare the hell out of her with your scowl.
“It’s just that I’ve never made such a declaration to any woman before.”

“Oh Lou, I understand and I’m
really touched.” She clasped his hand. Her lovely smile melted his insides.

“You know everything about me.
I’ve never been a saint, more like a big sinner, but I’ll spare you the
details. If I’d met you at twenty instead of that Jennifer who screwed up my
youth I’d have grabbed you right away. Like David did.”

“It’s never too late to be
happy.” She tilted her head and waited.

Hmm, she probably expected the
rest of his declaration. Why was his throat so dry? He brought her fingers to
his lips and trailed hot kisses over her palm and the inside of her wrist. Then
he gulped his drink aware the moment had come to pop his question.

“Darling, you’re so dear to me, I
can’t imagine myself living one day without you.”

Her beautiful eyes glittered, so
turquoise and luminescent. He wished they were in a more private place where he
can hold her in his arms and let her hear the beating of his heart.

“I love you too, Lou. I never
thought it would be possible at our age to fall in love again, especially after
spending my whole life with one man. But it happened,” she added with a
sheepish smile.

“My darling Barbara.” Lou brought
his chair close to hers and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. His lips
captured hers in the tenderest kiss he’d ever given to a woman. He knew they’d
be happy together.

Keeping his arm around her, he
focused on her beautiful smile. “You know I always lived on my own. My place is
small compared to your big house. But my two-bedroom condo is comfortable, even
luxurious, with an exceptional view from the office, and the bedroom is quite
spacious.” He noticed her smile was dwindling and hastened to reassure her.
“Regardless, I don’t mind you fixing it any way you want. Or we can even move
to a bigger place.”

“And?” She’d stopped smiling. “What
are you getting at Lou?”

“Uh...I’m trying to tell you,
you’re very special to me, darling. I can’t live without you. I know you
promised Monica you’d stay with her for a few days, but right after, I hope
you’ll come with me to Atlanta. I have to go back to work. I want you with me,
my darling.”

Her gaze frosted and her lips
pinched. Had he said something wrong? “I know I suck at declarations and
proposals.”

“Yes, you suck big time.”

“I’m glad you understand me so
well.” He chuckled, hoping to melt the ice in her eyes. Her back stiffened and
his followed suit. He dropped his arm from around her. “Something is wrong.
Help me out, sweetheart.”

  “Let me make sure I understand
your proposal.” It was his turn to frown. Why did she sound so sarcastic?

“Yes, go ahead.” Unease crept through
him.

“You’re asking me to leave my
house, and move in with you, and live with you in your condo in Atlanta. Do I
have this right?”

He nodded. She understood him all
right. So what was the problem and why did she look so upset? “Don’t worry. We’ll
go to your house for the holidays. I’d love to share the family atmosphere with
you. We can even invite Monica, since you two are getting along so well.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you to
let me organize my holidays in Kentucky.”

She still had that frown. If
anything, it deepened. “Maybe I forgot something?”

“You sure did.” She raised her left
palm and rubbed her ring finger with the index finger of her right hand.

“Oh I see.” He chuckled. “A woman
always likes a ring. Don’t worry, my darling. You’ll choose a ring yourself and
the matching necklace, earrings and bracelets.”

“Lou!” Her high-pitched tone
froze the words in his throat. “I don’t need jewelry. I have more than enough.
We need wedding bands, and a priest to bless them in a church during a wedding
ceremony. I can’t believe, I had to spell it out for you.”

His jaw sagged and he remained
speechless for a moment. Silence hovered over them as they squinted at each
other, their breathing heavy.

“Barbara, we’re not twenty
anymore. You already had your big church wedding with the beautiful long white
dress. We don’t need that at fifty. We can trust each other.”

“It doesn’t work this way for me,
Lou. I have my personal moral values and I’ll hold on to them.”

She wanted a marriage. He would
have agreed, but he didn’t believe in marriage anymore. “My two brothers
married in a church and my mother was thrilled. Larry divorced after two years,
remarried, and divorced again. Lamar stayed married five years, divorced, and
never married again. The wedding bands, church and legal papers didn’t keep
them with their spouses.”

“They didn’t love their spouses
the right way, without selfishness. Or maybe they...I don’t know, Lou. Your
brothers are not my concern. All I know is that I believe in long-term
relationship. But you seem afraid of commitment.” Barbara sighed and averted
her eyes.

 Was he going to lose her? She
admitted she loved him. Maybe he loved her too and didn’t know how to recognize
that scary feeling. Larry and Lamar had claimed to love their wives, yet they
fought and almost killed each other. Monte Damon was head over heel in love
with his wife but cheated on her. In his jet-set world, long successful
marriages were rare. That’s why Barbara’s loyalty had impressed him so much.
And he didn’t want her to slip out of his arms.

“Sweetheart, maybe with time, we
can legalize our situation, if it’s that important to you.”

“So what you suggest is a trial
period in your bed to check if I meet your expectations?” She pushed her chair
and stood. “Please, take me back to the hotel, Lou. I’ve had it with this
conversation.”

“Barbara, no please. Don’t take
it that way. I never meant to offend you.”

“I know Lou, but we belong to two
different worlds. I was ready to leave Kentucky for you. I can adjust and have
fun at your parties. But I can’t accept cheaters and I can’t compromise my
values because you don’t believe in them.” Her eyes shining with tears, she
spun and marched to the door.

He felt like a jerk. And yet he’d
been honest with her.

Riled by the turmoil in his life,
he threw a fifty dollar bill on the table and ran after her. She’d already
waved to a taxi. Lou grabbed her arm, tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow,
and walked her back to the bar where he asked the valet for his car.

They didn’t say a world during
the drive back to the hotel or in the elevator. He followed her to her room.
She paused at the door and faced him. “Tomorrow, we bring Monica and the babies
to her apartment. And then you can do what you want.”

“So I’m dismissed, just like
that. And I lost my best friend.”

“Lou, I won’t lie to you. I’m
hurting too much at the moment to talk to you. Give me time to calm down and
smother my feelings, and I’ll be back to normal.” She opened her door, stepped
into her room, and held it ajar.

“I can’t go back to normal,
Barbara. I need you.”

She looked him in the eyes.
“Tough.” And she banged the door in his face.

Women!
Would he ever
understand them? He thought this one was different, serene and sweet. She was.
Until the word marriage came between them.

Desperate to see her radiant
smile and talk to her, he rapped on the door and then knocked harder. No
answer.