Forgiven (Touched Series #2) (16 page)

I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. “I just want to thank you. I know I have a ways to go to feel completely better about everything that’s happened but I’m determined to do so and with your talking with me today, I know I can.” I stand as she puts her things back into her bag and when she rises, she takes a couple of steps and puts her arms around me. “For some reason you make me comfortable and I think it’s because you remind me of my mother.”

“That’s so sweet and I’m honored.” She moves back but keeps her hands on my shoulders. “I think you’re going to be just fine. But if you’d like to meet again, I would love to talk more. Just give yourself the time you need, don’t rush your healing process and you need to remember to stop and take care of yourself. Any time you need to talk, please call me.” I nod with renewed determination and a small feeling of relief. She bends down and takes her bag, pulling the strap over her shoulder and I walk her out of the office and to the front door. She turns around and smiles. “It’s been a pleasure meeting you, Stormy. I wish nothing but the best for you and Bo.” She starts to turn but stops herself. “Oh! And congratulations on the restaurant. I read in the paper how good the food is. I’m hoping to stop by when it opens.”

I laugh. “Thank you.” I watch as she walks down the front steps and gets in her car. Closing the front door, I lean back against it and smile. I think everything will be all right now. The feelings washing through me make me excited. I need to do something and I think I have just the thing.

Chapter Sixteen

I’m getting tired and look at the clock on my computer to see it’s six. Rubbing my eyes, I turn everything off and start to walk out of my office when I hear a noise coming from our apartment. I turn and see a crowbar leaning against the wall from unpacking the crates with the office things and I lean down, picking it up and grasping it firmly. Flipping off the lights as I leave the room, I walk down the hallway and stop when another noise sounds from inside. My heart begins to speed up as I continue to walk and when I get to the door and try the knob it turns with ease. I raise my arm holding the weapon and walk inside. Not moving I look around in shock. Candles are lit all over the living room, soft music is playing and Stormy is sitting on the floor in front of the burning fireplace in a sexy, silky camisole set and holding two wine glasses, liquid already poured in them.

“You’re not gonna hit me with that, are you?” She says with a slow and sexy voice. I swallow hard and lean down, propping the almost weapon against the wall by the door and turn halfway, close the door, lock it and then turn back to her. “Good boy. Now, come here.” She crooks her finger at me, and I don’t hesitate for a second. Once I’m standing in front of her, I kneel on the floor, and she hands me a glass. I make myself comfortable but before I can take a sip of what smells like wine. Her mouth is on mine. Her wet and delicious tongue is in my mouth. I feel her take the glass out of my hand, and she gently pushes me down until I’m lying on the floor. Her hands are grasping the waistband of my jeans as her fingers undo the button, and I hear the faint sound of the zipper going down, the entire time her mouth is sucking the life out of my tongue.

The moan that escapes me can’t be helped as she takes my hard and stiff cock into her small hand while the other takes my balls and begins fondling them. I have no idea what I did to deserve this but I thank God she’s feeling better enough to want to. My mouth leaves hers as my head tilts back, and my eyes roll into my head. When her hand moves up and down my cock, my balls tighten with my eminent release as she squeezes and rolls them. “Ungh!” I shout as the liquid squirts from the tip and then shoots out, the tingles throughout my body causing me to shudder and shake. When I open my eyes and look down, she’s smiling from ear to ear, licking her lips and cleaning me up with a soft cloth. This must have been her plan all along. She never left me but had a cloth nearby? I smile and grasp her upper arms bringing her up my body and kiss the shit outta her. “Damn, woman! I’m glad you’re feeling better.” My smile turns into a frown quickly. “But I can’t reciprocate and I feel bad.”

She wipes off my sweaty forehead with her hand then kisses me there. “Baby, you just being here and supporting me, knowing that you love me, is all I need right now.” I couldn’t love this woman more.

“You make me so happy. I’m gonna marry you one day.” She giggles and slides off me, sitting down with her legs crossed and gathering up our drinks. I sit up, pulling up my jeans and take mine from her and we both drink. I need to get my plan in action and soon.

After we finished our wine, she takes our glasses into the kitchen and then comes back to me, taking my hand and leads me upstairs. Once we’re in bed, wrapped in each other arms, she tells me about her appointment today and how she feels better, even if she has a road ahead of her to deal with everything. I’m so proud of my Peaches. “She’s been through miscarriages before so she knows how I feel and even though she’s never killed anyone she had so much great things to say to help me deal with that too. I really like her, she kind of reminds me of Mom so it really helped make me feel more comfortable.”

“I’m so glad, Peaches. You deserve nothing but the best and I want you to find some kind of peace and be able to have a happy life. And I can’t wait until we can have sex.” She giggles, her face implanting into my side, and I squeeze her tight. “Well, I am a man and I love you so much. I can’t help it.”

She looks up at me through her long dark lashes and smiles. “Well, I’m a woman and I am getting rather horny myself so just imagine what it’s doing to me,” she smirks.

My head rises as I look down at her and start to get worried. “When can you? Now I feel even worse about enjoying what you just did to me.” She lets out a laugh as her finger rubs away my frown crease on my forehead.

“Oh, baby. I’ll be able to in a couple of weeks or so. I can handle it, I was just messing with ya. And what I did to you? I enjoyed every minute. Don’t you worry.” I kiss her full lips and lay my head back down while she snuggles into me. I can’t believe she’s mine.

The next morning I’m lying in bed holding my girl in my arms and staring up at the ceiling. It felt so great being back in our apartment last night, snuggling in our own bed and talking into the night. Her light breathing indicates she’s still asleep so I decide to crawl out of bed quietly, covering her back up and go into the bathroom for a quick shower, shave and brush my teeth so I can go downstairs and make her a huge breakfast. Since I got the stitches out of my leg while at the hospital, I can now enjoy my showers again and by next week, Stormy will get her cast off and then hopefully as soon as she’s able to we can enjoy them in more ways than one. I know she’s relieved to get it off in time for the restaurant to open in a couple of weeks, and I’m glad she’s going to be ok with the help of her counseling sessions. Maybe things will finally get better for us. I only want her to be happy. I think it might be okay to tell her about her dad’s visit now, but I’m still somewhat hesitant. I just hope she’s receptive to it, and it doesn’t hurt her healing. Should I? Now I’m not sure. Maybe I should feel her out about it first.

I’m just finishing up with the eggs when I smell a heavenly aroma and turn my head just in time before her arms move around my waist and the peach smell invades me totally. “Morning, my love. I think we need to get some peaches from the store. Suddenly I have a craving for some.” She laughs into my back and sighs.

“I need to go get a bunch of stuff from the grocery store. Wanna come with me?” Her head presses against my back and then I feel her mouth kiss the middle. Ugh, she’s gonna be the death of my horniness.

“Peaches, I’ll go anywhere, anytime, with you, but let’s eat a good breakfast first.” I feel the coldness when she leaves me but my eyes follow as she walks to the refrigerator and gets out the orange juice. I return to putting all the food onto our plates and meet her at the table by the time she’s sat down, glasses full of orange juice sitting on the table. I sit next to her, lean over and kiss those luscious lips and dive into my food. “So, here’s another great article I thought you might like to read,” I mumble between bites, sliding the newspaper across the table and try to be inconspicuous as she picks it up. I chew slowly as I watch her eyes move back and forth over the print, a little smile graces her face and my heart is anxious with hope. Finally, she looks up at me and lets out a big breath. “Well? What is that beautiful head of yours thinking?”

She takes a bite of her food and then a drink of her juice and sighs again. “I think that he seems like a very nice man, writing that about the delay in the restaurant’s opening. His discretion on the details makes me feel like he’s not one that divulges things he shouldn’t. What I’m not sure of is why now? Why is he just now wanting to meet me, be in my life? That part I don’t understand. I’m just confused by it but I am curious about him.”

I push my eggs around on my plate and look up at her to see she’s watching me. “What would you say if I told you he stopped by here yesterday?” Her brows raise and I can see her chest moving up and down a little more. “What would you think if we talked about you and that he only found out he had a daughter about a month ago and has been nervous about contacting you?” She sits back in her chair, heavily, and her face turns into one of questioning.

“Did he say why Mom told me he never wanted kids, how he found out about me after so long?” Good. She’s curious enough to want to know.

“He got a letter from your mom, it looks like it was mailed before she died and he told me that when she asked him about kids that he was really young and stupid. He said that as he grew up his feelings changed and that he’s been married. He lost his wife to cancer and that she couldn’t have kids even though they always wanted some.” I lean my arms on the table and can see the wetness in her eyes. “Peaches. He said he really wants to meet you and wants to make up the time lost with you. He seems like a really great guy.”

She looks down and whispers as if talking to herself but I know it’s directed at me. “Do you believe him or trust him?”

I reach over and grasp her chin with my hand, moving her face up so she can see my eyes. “I don’t know him really any more than you do but my gut feeling?” Her eyes widen and a tear falls. “I like him. I think trust comes in time with anyone but you can’t start to get that until you meet and get to know each other.” She sits up straight and picks up her fork.

“You’re right. I’ve turned over a new leaf in my life and I’d like to meet him. By what he says in his article, he’s bound and determined to help our restaurant and us so it would be nice to get that over with before it opens.” She smiles and takes a big bite of her food and I couldn’t be more proud.

Smiling back I take a drink of my juice and then set the empty glass back down. “Good. He gave me his card. Do you want to call him or shall I?” Her fork stops in midair and she swallows hard.

“Um, would you mind calling him and seeing if he can maybe come over for dinner tonight? I’m changing but it’s a slow process.”

I laugh and shrug. “Sure, Peaches. Anything you want. How about after breakfast we head to the grocery store. Any idea what you want to make for dinner?” She swallows the bite of food that finally made it into her mouth and smiles.

“I think a new recipe I just thought of for the restaurant.” With that her appetite seems to increase and I watch as she finishes everything on her plate quickly. I think everything’s going to be fine now. I need to call Dad about my plan and quick.

♥    ♥    ♥    ♥

Pacing the floor and wringing my fingers together, I’m a nervous wreck. After taking my bath and getting all my bathroom needs done, I slipped into a sundress and sandals, my tanned skin standing out in the peach colored material. Bo even had to help me paint my fingernails and toenails and I giggled the entire time. He wasn’t half bad though. My heart stops when a knock comes on the door and I snap my head to Bo, my brows creasing in worry and he simply winks at me, kissing me as he walks passed. I turn around when he opens the door. I’m taken aback by the man I see. His looks so similar to me and I can’t believe he’s standing there, staring at me with what must be the same expression that’s on my face. My hand moves over and grabs my other upper arm and I can’t stay still. I’m so nervous. Bo looks at me and then at him. I startle when he slaps his hands together.

“Well, Stormy this is James Lewis. James, this is Stormy. Come in.” I step back as Bo waves his hand inside and James walks through the doorway. With no hesitation, I turn and walk over and sit down on the couch. My fingers immediately grab my long hair and start twirling a lock. I watch as James takes the chair and Bo sits down beside me, his hand laying on my thigh but I don’t feel any comfort.
Shit! I’m a strong woman. I can handle this. He’s just a man. Just a man who is my father that I’ve never seen before in my life. Shit!
My internal thoughts stop when I hear James say my name and my head snaps to him.

“Um, I’m sorry. What did you say?” I stammer. I feel my hand being pushed out of my hair and look over at Bo, who’s smiling at me and shaking his head slightly so I lay my hands on my lap quickly.

“I was just asking how you are. I know this is all so strange and I have to say I’m a little nervous,” James says with a little laugh and I notice his hands are in his lap, his fingers pulling through each other in his nervousness.
Well, now I know where I get that from.

“Ha.” My hand covers my mouth and he gives me a warm smile. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’m a little nervous too. I’m doing well, thank you. Well, as good as I can be.” My eyes squint at Bo and then back at James. “Just how much do you know about me? I saw your recent article and I know you know about the fire but what else?”

He looks down at his hands and then at Bo, cocking his eyebrow and then smiles again at me. “Well, I don’t know all the details except I know you and Bo were hurt and that you’re recovering. I do hope you’re feeling better. I’m sorry about the restaurant but I understand the renovation is going rather well.”

Bo takes that moment to stand and I grab his hand. “I’m just going to get everyone something to drink. Would you like some wine, Peaches?” I nod sweetly and then he turns his head to James. “Wine, beer, soda or water?”

James shifts in his chair and smiles. “I would love a beer. Thank you.”

Bo leans down and kisses the top of my head, squeezing my hand, and then walks out of the room. I look at James and take a deep breath. “Yes, the cleanup effort of the restaurant is going rather well. If the crews keep up the pace they are doing we may be open by the end of next week. I hope you’ll come?”

He smiles and seems to relax a little. “Oh, I plan on being there. I’m on the list already. I have to tell you, you’re unique recipes are delicious. Where did you come up with them? How did you find a cook that can create such delicacies?”

My body relaxes as the feelings of pride wash through me. “Actually, I created those. I’ve always loved to cook and love to experiment.” I laugh a little and look over at the wall over his head and look at my mother’s face in the framed picture hanging there. “I put Mom through so much growing up. She was always my taste tester. It’s a wonder she lived through some of them.” I notice the moment I look down to see he’s turned around and looking at the picture.

“Ah. Celia.” He turns back around to me, his smile showing me that maybe he did care about Mom, at least a little. “You know, your mother and I dated for about a year. She was seventeen and I was eighteen. If I had been smarter and gotten my act together, I would have married her.” My brows raise and my heart starts beating faster. His warm smile and glimmer in his eyes makes me feel like he’s remembering something. “Stormy, I’m so sorry. She never told me she was pregnant. I’m afraid she was worried that I didn’t want kids. Stupid of me to say that at one time but I wish she would have contacted me.” Wetness develops in my eyes and I swore to myself I would not cry. “I would have loved to have watched you grow up, to know you as a baby, a little girl and helped you and your mother. I hope you believe me.” My hand reaches up as my finger swipes under my nose and I tilt my head back for a moment trying to stop the tears from leaving my eyes.

“I wish she would have told you too. She was always stubborn, trying to do everything herself and hated taking any help from anyone.” I look back up at the picture and a lone tear falls from my eye. “I miss her.”

He leans forward and I watch him rest his arms on his legs, his hands folding and I’m a bit shocked to see the glimmer of wetness in his eyes as well. “I’m sure you do. I’m sorry. You both must have had hard lives and for that I’m truly sorry.”

“Well, here you go,” Bo says walking into the room. He hands James a beer bottle and me a glass of wine then takes the other beer from under his arm and sits down next to me again.

“Thank you, Bo. Stormy and I were having a nice chat.” James smiles and then takes a drink of his beer.

I take a sip of my wine and then stand quickly. “Oh! Dinner should be ready. I’ll just go check. Why don’t you all come into the kitchen?” I walk out of the room, wiping my eyes, and head straight for the oven.

We’re sitting at the table eating and laughing as Bo tells stories about me when we were kids. “And then she fell and started crying but when I tried to help her up she got all stubborn and prideful and smacked my hand away, standing up on her own and limping off towards the back door of the restaurant. I could tell she was sniffing and trying not to cry anymore but I also know her knee was hurt pretty badly. It was bleeding all over the place.”