Page 15

Rebecca

M itch broke away from their kiss long enough to ask, “Have I told you lately that I’m an idiot? That I’ve been an idiot? That everything you said was right?”

“No. But then I was an idiot, too. I’ve never felt the way I feel about you, about anyone else. I’m in love with you,” she said, and he kissed her.

“I’m in love with you too, and I’m scared to death,” he said.

“Take me inside. We will talk it out until we are no longer scared.”

He carried her over the threshold of her door and set her down. He grabbed his slight luggage, tossed it to the side, and shut her door, then he paused to grab the chain and lock the door.

“Welcome to my home,” she said, and he lifted her into his arms and kissed her again.

“It is gorgeous,” he said, his eyes never leaving her face.

“Victoria Stark went a little crazy.”

“Vic loves her daughter.”

“I think she likes you a little bit too. She thinks you like me. And she knows you were my first.”

“So much for all of our carefulness, our stupid cloak and dagger,”

“She had a spy at the Marriott. She told me when I moved into this apartment.”

He walked with her in his arms until her legs hit the edge of her mattress.

They fell onto her bed, the red comforter whooshing as they sunk into it. Her hands disappeared into his hair, and he held her by her hips.

“She’s very perceptive and if it had really bothered her, she would have mentioned it at the time or told your dad. Geez, he doesn’t know, does he?” Mitch asked.

“No, he only suspects. But in light of the fact we are on my bed, and you came to see me, he is going to figure out that something went on or is going on.”

“Something is going on. I hope you don’t mind that I decided to come for a visit on short notice,” Mitch said. “I’ll look better after a shower and shave.”

“I think you look pretty good now,” she said with a smile.

“Would it be too forward of me to ask if you would like to shower with me?” he asked.

“No, but I’ll decline. I spent an hour on my hair and makeup, so you’d think I looked good, so I’ll have to pass. However, there is always tomorrow morning.”

“I’m going to hold you to that. You always look good to me. Always.”

“Can I ask you something?” she asked as they faced each other on the duvet, their faces less than an inch apart.

“Before you do, I should explain that Lily and I are done. I wasn’t being fair to her, to you, to myself. I told her I was in love with someone else,” he said and then showed her the bruise on his forehead. “This is where her engagement ring hit me.”

“I’m very sorry,” she said. “For Lily. You got off lucky. I’d have hurt you much worse.”

“I hope you’d fight such a declaration like an incensed lioness. She’s not you. I think she knew something was wrong with us. She deserves to be loved by a man the way I love you.”

“No argument there,” Rebecca said.

“My hope is that she has that kind of love someday.”

“So that little boo-boo on your forehead looks pretty fresh. What? You broke up with her yesterday and flew to see me today?”

He nodded, kissed her, and said, “I’m a decisive man.

I haven’t been in the past, or I’ve ignored what I should have done, and it hasn’t served me well.

Besides, we have a lot to discuss. I was on my way to work this morning when the need to be with you, to see you, to hold you in my arms like this overwhelmed me.

I couldn’t spend one more day without seeing you, without being honest about my feelings.

And I had my passport with me, which I took as a sign.

Seriously, is it okay that I’m here? I could check into your hotel. ”

“Your reservation has been canceled. You are not going anywhere. Yes, I’m glad you came. Hell, I’m glad you came here to my apartment. And by coming to see me, you had the added benefit of not having to face Lily’s father at the office.”

“He found out last night. He suspected something after your interview in London. He could see it. He wanted me to deal with it. Deal with you. Well, I did. Now, I might be unemployed, but damn it, another chance with you is priceless.”

“Sounds like I might be unemployed too,” she surmised. “I’m not sure that I care either. So many certifications. Such crap.”

Mitch nodded and said, “I’m sorry for the certifications, the job, everything.”

“I don’t think I am. I’ve shed a lot of tears over not being with you, Mitch. Don’t go away again. I don’t think I could survive it.”

“You could because you are strong like all the Starks, but don’t worry, I’m not going anywhere. To be honest, I don’t think I can ever live without you. I need you. I’ve lived a half-life without you. I’m done.”

“Just because we met early doesn’t mean it was wrong.”

“I remember seeing you that first time, and do you know what I said to Alex?”

“What did you say?” she asked with a small smile.

“You were in a green V-neck sweater and a long navy pleated skirt down in the front garden, picking the last of the fall roses. You’d pick one and then sniff it before putting it in a basket at your feet. I was speechless, then I found my voice and asked Alex, ‘Who is that?’”

“I remember that very clearly. I was picking roses for the dining room table because Alex was bringing a friend home from school, and Mom wanted pretty flowers for the table.”

“Alex punched me in the shoulder, hard. Then he said, ‘That is my sister, you asshole.’ All I could think is that when you grew up, you were going to be gorgeous, and you are.”

“Thank you,” she said and kissed him.

“Does Alex know about our phone calls?”

“No one knows about them.”

“Good. I mean, you could tell people, but I like that you kept them to yourself.”

“They were special to me,” she said, and he kissed her.

Finally, he said, “Isn’t my razor burn bothering you?”

“Not at all. I like having you kiss me.”

“Your cheeks are red,” he said.

“I’m blushing. I do that a lot around you, in case you hadn’t noticed,” she said, but then he reached out a finger and touched her lip. “Maybe a little bit is razor burn.”

“Let me shower and shave. I’ll feel better being in your presence then.”

“Can I watch?” Rebecca asked.

He narrowed his eyes and smiled as he said, “You want to watch me shave and shower?”

“Yes,” she said with a smile. “I don’t want you out of my sight.”

They left the bathroom door open as Mitch slowly took off his clothing.

First off was his suit jacket, then his shoes.

He turned on the shower as he unbuttoned his white shirt.

Rebecca sat on a dining room chair she’d moved into the bath for the occasion and took each item of clothing as he disrobed.

When he got down to his silk boxers, he looked over his shoulder at Rebecca.

“You are enjoying this a little too much,” he said.

“I’ve seen you naked before,” she said as she held up her hands. “And I have a very good memory, but you look a little different.”

“I have more chest hair now,” he said.

“I noticed,” she said. “And more defined muscles on your chest and arms. The taekwondo.”

He turned around and kissed her. “And I work out three times a week. Are you sure you wouldn’t like to join me? I bet you have some new muscles I’d like to see and feel.”

“No,” she said. “We have things to talk about. And I can’t talk if I’m naked. I’d just want to rub against you or have you touch me.”

He shucked out of his boxers and stepped into the shower as he said, “You’re killing me. And for the record, I will be touching you when I get out of here and have shaved.”

“I’m counting on it,” she said, taking in each inch of his flesh.

She wanted to feel him rub against her. She remembered how it felt when he was inside of her—the feeling that Mitch, her Mitch, was part of her.

She had to try to hold it together. The idea to join him, to rub against him, was overwhelming, but it had been six years.

She needed this to be slow and unfold as it was supposed to.

“I want to touch you too. I’ve missed you. ”

“Then it sounds like we are going to have a very good night,” he said.

“I think we are, and I cannot wait.”

She watched as the water sluiced over his skin. Aside from the chest hair, little had changed except the muscles on his chest. He had a lot of lean muscle on his legs that she knew he got from jogging. He had an impressive body, then and now.

“Where do you run in London?” she asked, trying to maintain her breathing. She was so glad she had bought the lingerie that she was wearing under her skirt and blouse. She hoped he liked it.

He stuck his face out from behind the confetti curtain of her shower. “You remembered.”

“Of course, I remembered,” she said.

“Green or Hyde Park, sometimes Kensington Gardens, but it is a little touristy at this time of the year. I don’t like to jog along the street.

The cobblestones and the pavement are uneven, then there are the taxis to compete with.

You know, this is a big shower. Why don’t you strip down and join me?

I’ll scrub your back or front, whatever you prefer. ”

She wanted to, but it would be too fast, too quick, and if there was one thing she had promised herself was that if she ever had the opportunity with Mitch again, they would take it slow and savor each moment.

“I have a very plush towel waiting for you after you finish…your shower.”

Within two minutes, he turned off the water and stuck his hand out for the towel in her lap. She considered not letting him have it but drying him herself, but that would definitely get her wet and in need of a shower herself.

She handed him the ruby-colored towel and waited as he buffed every part of his body while she watched. When he emerged from the shower, the towel was tied low on his hips. It disappointed her. She hadn’t quite had enough time to examine every inch of him, but she would…later.