Never Look Back (Coming Home Book 2) (24 page)

“Jenny, I think this must be for Todd. He must be planning a trip or something. Can you pass me the tape over there? I need to get this taped back up since I mistakenly opened it.”

Jenny ignores me.

“Jenny, did you hear me?” I ask her again.

Jenny’s face can’t hide the secret anymore. At the same time, Todd walks into the work area and I stand there, holding the envelope, like I’ve done something terribly wrong. I scramble with the papers and card to get them back inside the envelope.

“Are you okay?” He asks me as though unaware of what’s going on.

“Apparently, Jenny here, set me up. I accidently opened this envelope because she thought it was for me. I read your name on one of the pages inside and I apologize. I wasn’t trying to be nosy.” I hand over the envelope to him but he immediately stops me by pushing my hand away. I can’t help but be confused by his reaction.

“No, she’s just not very good at surprises.” He says.

“What do you mean? Surprises? I don’t understand.” I’m sure my face shows my confusion.

“Jennifer.” Todd takes both of my hands in his before he continues. “Will you take a trip with me? You already know the location since you snooped inside the envelope.” He teases me.

“No, I didn’t snoop.” I correct him and swat at his hands with the envelope, not sure if I like this little surprise of his. “Somebody set me up. And what are you talking about? What trip?”

“My dad has been so pleased with how smoothly everything here has been since he’s started being away more so he wants to do a little something for me. And that something includes you. Right now, you know he pops in and out and opens on Saturday mornings. Now, he wants me to primarily be in charge of everything unless I need a day off to take care of something and can’t find a fill-in. He’s got his friend who’s also available to help when we need him, but he’s ready to start spending even more time at home with mom.” He hesitates before saying this last bit. “And with Chloe. She’s got that man wrapped around his little finger.”

I blush, not sure what to say about the last statement of his.

“So, I guess what I’m asking, is will you accompany me on a little vacation getaway? As you already know, your parents are coming back in to town and, well, this was sort of something my dad wanted to do for both of us.”

“Todd, I don’t know about being away from Chloe for so long.”

“You know she will be just fine. Between my parents and yours, she’s going to be well taken care of. She’s older now and she’ll be fine.”

“You love putting me on the spot don’t you?” I ask.

“Well.” Todd sort of squints his eyes and looks away before answering. “I sort of need to know be tomorrow because our flight leaves out late tomorrow night. We’ll stay for four days then be back home this weekend.”

My jaw drops. “Tomorrow night? I don’t know about this. It’s all so sudden.” I can’t believe he and his family would plan something like this without talking it over with me first. And apparently, my parents are in on it too if they are going to be helping take care of Chloe. Part of me wants to jump up and down and scream because I would love to take a trip like this, but the other part of me doesn’t want to be away from my baby for this length of time. I realize she’s older, but I’ve never been apart from her for more than a day.

Todd looks at me with pleading eyes. “Please. Please say you’ll go. If you won’t go with me, then I won’t go at all.”

“That’s not fair.” I quickly tell him. “You know this is exactly what I need don’t you?”

He reaches up and brushes a strand of hair away from my face. “Then does that mean you’ll go?”

“You don’t really leave me much choice do you?”

Todd pulls me in for a big hug. “Thank you. I promise, you will have a wonderful time. I’ve never been, but my parents say it’s going to be the trip of a lifetime.”

I stand before him, not knowing what to say. I’ve just let him talk me into taking a trip with him and all I can worry about is leaving Chloe behind for a few days. He reaches down and uses his finger to lift my chin up.

“Please don’t worry.” He says. “You know she’ll be in the best care. Besides, now you’ve got me second guessing myself. Maybe you’re uncertain about being alone with me.”

I would die if he knew how much I have thought about being alone with him. It’s so obvious we’re crazy about each other, and the thought of being alone with him in a hotel room sends all kinds of sensations throughout my body. It doesn’t take long before I start to feel dampness between my legs. It’s not the first time he’s had this effect on me and I have to wonder if taking this trip with him will lead to something else. Are we going to take this relationship to the next level?

Later that night, I walk around my bedroom pulling out different clothes that I’m considering taking to Vegas. I’m really excited but nervous at the same time. I’ve never been on a plane before and I’m going to be spending several nights, alone, with Todd. This relationship between us has definitely been left up to me to control the pace and I respect him so much for that. He’s been over pretty late into the night before but never stayed the entire night. We’ve had some pretty intense make out sessions that have left me breathless, yearning for more, but he’s left me to control just how far we take things. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be spending time with. Todd is everything a woman could ever ask for in a relationship but how much longer can we continue this way before one of us needs more.

I’m caught up in my own thoughts, running around the bedroom, clothes scattered everywhere, all while Chloe is content in her swing in front of the television. I know she’s not really into television shows just yet but in her own little world, I guess she feels the TV is speaking directly to her. As long as whatever is on plays music and her swing is in motion, she’s content.

My phone rings and I look over to see who is calling. I talked with Todd earlier tonight when he was on his way home from work so I’m pretty sure he’s not calling again since he knows I’m busy packing. I figure it probably one of my parents double checking with me about my plans.

I can’t help but grin when I see it is Todd calling after all. I reach for the phone eager to hear his voice.

“Hello.”

“I know you are probably busy getting everything packed, but do you think I could come over for a little bit?” I can tell he’s not finished with what he’s about to say before I interrupt.

“Um, sure. Is everything okay?” I quickly ask, hoping nothing about our plans has changed. It was hard enough to convince me to go in the first place so I would hate knowing something has come up last minute. “Everything’s fine. I just needed to see you.”

The sound of these words causes my body to instantly react. I glance down at the t-shirt and pajama shorts I have on and wonder if this is appropriate to be wearing. I also make a quick run to the bathroom to look in the mirror and I’m thankful my hair and makeup still look decent.

A soft knock sounds on the door and I glance over at Chloe before answering the door. She’s drifted off to sleep and I hope she’s not too uncomfortable in this position in her swing. As soon as Todd leaves I’ll move her over to her crib.

I answer the door and hope my face doesn’t reveal too much enthusiasm from the site of seeing him again. I remember these emotions when Brian and I first starting seeing each other. Being in love is such a glorious feeling, but I shake the thought from my mind quickly reminding myself of the pure hell I had to endure just to get away.

I notice the butterflies have returned when I see him standing in front of me.

“Please don’t get mad at me.” He says in a weird sort of way.

“What do you ……?” I’m not able to finish asking what he’s talking about before Todd wraps his arms around me and walks me backwards into the living room. He presses his lips firmly to mine. I feel so much passion between the two of us just from this kiss. We continue reaching and grabbing for each other as though we’ve been apart from each other for a long time. When we pull apart for air, I’m completely breathless and don’t know how to react to this.

I only allow a few moments to catch my breath before I’m reaching for him again. Todd’s moistened lips move from my mouth down to the bottom of my neck. A rush of excitement runs through my body.

Todd uses his foot to close the front door behind him. Then, while locked in our embrace, he turns me around and leans me against the door. His hands begin to explore my body starting with my shoulders then working his way further down.

“Are you okay with this?” He whispers between breaths.

All I can do is nod my head. I’ve wanted this moment for so long yet I’ve been scared to allow anything sexual to come between us.

Todd brings his hands close to my breasts and I can feel him harden almost instantly. This only turns me on even more. I want him to discover more of my body. I place my hands underneath the bottom of his t-shirt and slowly work my way up his back. I feel beads of sweat forming already making it easier for my hands to glide over his body. Todd steps back a moment and lifts his shirt over his head. Although this isn’t the first time we’ve gotten caught up in a heated moment of passion, I feel like this is the first time I’m seeing his body in this new way.

I bring my hands around to his chest and his body is on fire. I want nothing more than to kiss him all over.

Todd grabs ahold of my hands and guides me over to the couch. I fall back on one of the throw pillows while he brings his body on top of mine. We continue kissing this way for several minutes before I start to feel him pushing harder and harder against my body. I can’t lie, I’m craving him too.

Todd places his lips close to my ear then whispers words to me that I’m not expecting to hear. “Baby, I love you. I have loved you for so long and didn’t know how to tell you. Please tell me you feel the same way.”

“Todd, I love you too. I’ve known in my heart there was more between us than either of us were admitting.”

I stare into his eyes, needing him to not only hear my words, but to feel them coming from my heart as well. I notice his eyes are moist and I quickly try to sit up, afraid I’ve said the wrong thing.

“Todd, are you okay? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, no you’ve done nothing wrong, baby. I’m just so relieved to know you feel the same way. You’ve been through so much and I know your heart is fragile. I promise, if you’ll let me, I’ll be very gentle with it.”

This is such an emotional moment for the two of us. I don’t know who’s happier, me or Todd.

“I know this is coming at an awkward time since we’re planning to leave out tomorrow, but would you be willing to go to the next level with me?” To hear him ask me this only assures me how respectful he is of me.

“Are you asking me to make love to you?”

Todd stands and begins to unbutton his jeans. Although I’ve never admitted it, but the way his jeans hug his ass drives me crazy. He kicks his shoes off and the jeans fall to the floor. My eyes drop down to the tight fitting boxer briefs he is wearing and the rock hard bulge that is obviously strained. Butterflies return to my stomach as I imagine what he must feel like as he is entering me. It’s been so long since I’ve been with a man and now that I’ve had Chloe, I hope everything still works the same down there. I’ve heard some couples comment how much tighter a woman is after she’s properly healed after giving birth and I wonder if there’s any truth to it.

I stand up in front of him and allow him to lift my t-shirt up and over my arms. He instantly begins to kiss my neck and slowly moves down towards my cleavage. I feel my nipples harden and I lift my chest towards him in such a way to let him know I need him to explore more. Slowly, he begins to massage my breasts and I’m about go crazy with all of these sensations. He reaches behind me and unfastens my bra. My breasts spring forward begging for his touch.

I place my hands on the back of his head and guide him towards my breasts, needing him to touch them, to squeeze them, to lick them. Using both hands, he lifts each breast and kisses them one at a time. My head falls back and I arch my back giving him full access to my body. He moves his kisses to my right nipple and gently tugs it with his teeth. I let out a slight moan, enjoying the pleasure he’s giving me. Not wanting the other nipple to feel left out, he nibbles it too, teasing it in such a way. I look down long enough to see his tongue lap at my nipple and I have to look away, embarrassed that I’m so turned on by this.

Todd lifts his head again to kiss me while his hands drop down to my panties. Thank goodness I’ve got on a pair of sexy, pink lacy ones that matched my bra. I would be so embarrassed if they had been a pair of my comfortable cotton ones. I have to admit I’ve just started back wearing the pretty ones and it’s a good thing I did tonight. This moment has surely taken me by surprise.

Once my panties have slid down my legs, I lift my right leg and allow them to drop to the floor. Now, I’m left with the decision to remove his boxers or see where this takes us. He brings his hands towards my back and uses both hands to grip my ass. After a few squeezes, I’m ready to discover what’s hidden inside those boxers of his. I simply can’t resist him any longer.