Here With Me (12 page)

“I don’t know what it is about you, Mallory,” he said, cupping her face in his hands. “But, let’s just enjoy this while we can.  We don’t need to worry about the future right now.  We just need each other and whatever is meant to happen will happen.”

She smiled and nodded as she looked into his eyes.  Ryan was right.  She always spent too much time worrying about things she couldn’t control.  She always wanted everything in order.  Everything had its time and its place, but this relationship didn’t and for the first time in her life, she was okay with that. 

Chapter Fifteen

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Ryan began as they sat across from each other at the Maine Diner.  She’d brought him by for lunch to hopefully endear him to her mother, but she’d hardly said two words to them since they sat down.  The diner was packed, as usual, and Mallory tried telling herself that was the reason her mother was ignoring them, when, in fact, it was her mother’s stubbornness that was keeping her away.  Mallory tried pushing it to the back of her mind as she enjoyed her seafood chowder and lobster pie instead.

“What have you been thinking about?”

“Well, you said you have the next two days off, right?”

“Yeah,” she nodded, blowing on her soup before taking a sip.

“Seeing as how I return to full duty on Monday, I was thinking we should go away.”  His smile was wide and she rested her spoon in her soup bowl.  She couldn’t help but smile back.

“You want to go away together?” she asked, thinking some time alone with him away from Kennebunkport would be great, especially since their time together in the future would be limited once he went back to work.

“I do and if you’re willing, I’ve already made plans.”

“You have?” she asked in surprise.

“Yes, I have.  I hope that’s not too presumptuous.” He reached across the table and placed his hand over hers. “What do you say?”

She cocked her head to the side and grinned at him, not even thinking about her answer. 

“I say that would be great.”

He squeezed her hand and she squeezed back.

“When can you be ready to go?”

“You mean we’re leaving today?”

“Yeah.  You’ve only got two days after all.  Gotta make the best of it.”

“Seriously?” she laughed.

“Yes.”

“You’re actually serious about this, aren’t you?”

“Yes!” he exclaimed. “Why can’t you get that through your thick skull?”

“Hey!  I’m not going out with someone who insults me.”

Ryan just laughed and leaned across the table giving her a quick kiss, before resting against the back of the booth again.

“I’m sorry, Miss Leyton.  The last thing I’d want to do is insult you.  Now, would you please accompany me on a weekend getaway and if so, when is the earliest time you might be ready to depart?”

“Well, when you say it like that, how could I refuse?  I can be ready in an hour.”

****

“Newport?” Mallory asked as Ryan maneuvered the Jeep around a curve and the unmistakable Jamestown and Newport bridges came into view. 

“Yeah.
  I hope that’s okay.”

“It’s great.  I haven’t been here in forever.  Have you ever been?” she asked and he shook his head. “What made you think of it?”

“Actually, Mrs. Bush suggested it.” She looked over and saw he had a sly grin on his face.

“You’re not serious?” Mallory asked skeptically.

“Ya know, you’ve said those words to me about 100 times in the last 24 hours.  I’m not a liar.”

“Sorry,” she said, reaching over and taking his hand. “I just didn’t know you and Barbara had heart to hearts.”

“We don’t.  She just happened to mention it when she overheard Nate and I talking.”

“Well, who would know better than the former first lady?”

“We’ll see if you agree with me at the end of the weekend.”

It was evening when he parked near the visitor’s center.  The sun was setting and they took a trolley towards the mansions. When they got out, he slid his arm around her and she leaned in close to him as they walked. 

“It’s gorgeous out here tonight,” she said as they passed the Rosewood mansion. 

“Not as gorgeous as you,” he said, squeezing her tight
ly and she was glad he couldn’t see her blush.

“Stop that,” she laughed.

“I’m serious,” he said, stopping and turning her to face him. “You look beautiful tonight.” He reached up and gently stroked her hair before leaning in slowly to kiss her.  She felt her heartbeat quicken and when his lips brushed hers she thought it might burst from her chest.  He pulled back a moment later and smiled sweetly before putting his arm around her again as they kept walking. 

“So, when were you here last?” Ryan asked as they approached the Breakers, the largest and grandest of all the mansions in Newport.

“I must’ve been twelve or something.  I came with my Girl Scout troop.”

“Girl Scouts?
  I didn’t know you were a Girl Scout,” he said with a laugh.

“Yeah, I was.  Why do you find that so amusing?”

“I don’t know.  You just don’t seem the Girl Scout type. I guess I’ve got a lot to learn about you,” he said and it was her turn to laugh now.

“There is so much you don’t know about me, Ryan Scott,” she grinned and then he pulled her closer.

“Well, I look forward to finding it all out.”

They walked silently, just enjoying the atmosphere.  The mansions were stunning and it felt as if they had been transported back to another time.  She loved being next to him and was grateful he’d convinced her to take off with him on a spontaneous getaway.  It was so out of character for her, to just drop everything and go, but for once it felt good to be careless, especially if she was with Ryan.  As they walked, her mind sifted through the
memories she’d made with him, never guessing the chance encounter on the beach would’ve turned into what it had.  She loved Ryan and he loved her.  Even though it didn’t make any sense, everything seemed right with him.

“So why’d you want to do this?  Really?” she asked when they approached the Cliff Walk.

“I wanted to do something special for you, Mallory.  You work so hard for everyone else, but you rarely do anything for yourself.  I wanted to give you a chance to relax and try and forget about real life for a little while.  I wanted to make a memory that belongs to only us,” he said softly and she felt a tear streak down her cheek.  She wiped it away and leaned into him. “I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“I’m crying because I’m happy.  I just…I’m just so…this is so…” she stuttered, not knowing what to say. “Thank you for this, Ryan,” she finally said and she stopped and turned to look at
him.  Reaching up, she rested her hand on his cheek and stared into his eyes, pulling him slowly towards her before kissing him deeply and with her whole heart while he eagerly returned. 

****

“Dinner was great,” Mallory said as they sat on the trolley heading back to the Jeep.  They’d gone to the Brick Alley Pub where they’d shared a plate of little necks before splitting a pizza.  The conversation was easy and light and she knew they probably looked like one of those smitten couples who annoyed onlookers with their constant gazes and hand holding across the table.  She didn’t care though. 

“Yes, it was,” he said, putting his arm around her.  She rested her head on his shoulder the rest of the way until the trolley eased to stop.  He pulled her to her feet and led her down the stairs and they walked the short distance to the Jeep.  A while later Ryan was pulling it into the driveway of a sprawling cream and burgundy Victorian house.  As they got closer to it she could see an ornate sign that read
The Cliffside Inn
. 

“What’s this?” she asked.

“This is where we’re staying tonight,” he said, turning off the ignition.

“This is definitely not what I expected.  It’s so posh.”

“What’d you expect?  A tent and a campfire?” he laughed.

“No!” she said, reaching over and kissing him on the cheek. “It’s wonderful.”

“Then you’ll stay?”

“I’d love to.”

****

The room was beautiful.  It was called the Tower Suite and it was located in the turret of the inn.  The first floor had the fanciest bathroom Mallory had ever seen with travertine marble and hardwood floors.  She couldn’t help but n
otice the large whirlpool tub before Ryan led her up a curved staircase. Once inside the octagon shaped room, she was taken aback by its simple elegance.  The antique mahogany bed was covered in cream linens with accents of red and sage stripes.  There was a raised fireplace and a cozy window seat that looked out to the perennial gardens, which were dimly lit by an outdoor fireplace.  Beyond that, she could see the blackness of the ocean in the distance. 

A tightness
formed in her chest and a lump developed in her throat as she continued to stare out the window.  It was such a gorgeous room and she was overwhelmed by Ryan’s gesture.  She’d never experienced anything so romantic, and she’d never expected it from Ryan.  It looked like a place Cole would’ve taken her, had they’d stayed together.

“Is the room okay?” Ryan asked and when she looked up, she could see his reflection in the window.  She swallowed hard and caught her breath before turning to face him.

“It’s unbelievable,” she replied as she sat down in the window seat.  He took a hesitant step towards her before sitting down beside her. “I’ve never stayed anywhere so elegant.  It’s almost magical,” she said, looking around, still trying to take it all in. 

“I’m glad you like it.”  He turned to her nervously before continuing. “I want you to know I don’t have any ulterior motives or anything.”

“I know you didn’t bring me here for that,” she smiled quietly and he nodded.

“I just wanted to give us something memorable.”

“Well, you’ve succeeded,” she said as she began exploring the room more.  She walked back to the first level and scoped out the bathroom again. “Did you see this bathroom?” she called up to him, her voice echoing off the marble. 

“Yeah, it’s pretty sweet,” he said, climbing down the
stairs and joining her over by the tub where she was checking out the spread of bath oils and lotions. 

“I see a bubble bath in my future,” she said as she held a pearly lavender bottle.

“Do you wanna take one now?” he asked and then began stuttering. “I mean…not together…by yourself…you know what I mean.”

Grinning at his red face she walked over and kissed him gently.

“It’s nice to see you flustered, Ryan Scott.”

“I’m often flustered around you, Mallory Leyton,” he said kissing her again, causing her to blush this time. “Enjoy your bath.”

“Thanks,” she said softly as she watched him until he disappeared up the stairs. 

Now that she was alone, she turned the faucet on in the tub until steam filled the room.  As the water ran, she poured the lavender bubble bath in and soon wispy white bubbles filled the bathtub.  She undressed and pulled up her hair before sliding into the hot water.  It instantly soothed her and she made herself comfortable, gently batting the foamy bubbles as her body adjusted to the h
ot water.  Resting her head on the base of the tub, she closed her eyes, nearly falling asleep.             

When the water started to cool, she pulled the plug on the tub and stood up, wiping the suds from her body before wrapping herself in a plush white robe hanging by the bathtub.  She brushed her teeth with the toothbrush and toothpaste the inn had provided in the medicine cabinet and then looked in the mirror.  Her heart was pounding.  He’d said he didn’t have any
ulterior motives for bringing her to such a romantic place, but knowing he was upstairs and they were all alone made her think she might be ready to take the next step.  She was severely lacking in the experience department, but she knew it would be safe and comfortable with Ryan.  Still, that didn’t help calm the nerves that taken over her body.  Finally mustering the courage, she took a deep breath, hugging the robe tightly as she slowly climbed the stairs. 

As she ascended, she noticed the room was darker.  Ryan h
ad started a fire and it, along with the TV, were casting a soft glow around the room.  He was lying on the bed and had the TV on the Red Sox game with the volume low as if he weren’t really paying attention. 

“Hi,” she said softly once she’d reached the top.

“Hey.”  He smiled and sat up, flicking off the TV, so just the glow of the fire lit the room. “How was your bath?”

“Really nice,” she said, walking towards the bed and sitting down so one leg was tucked under her and the other hung off the side.

“Good,” he said and she noticed his eyes traveling up her body. “I’m glad you were able to relax.”

She couldn’t stop staring at him and the way the shadows danced on his face.  Her heart continued to pound and she was overly aware that the only thing separating them was her soft, cotton robe.  She inched
herself fully onto the bed.  Without saying anything, she sat next to him, resting herself against the plush pillows.  He leaned back and put his arm around her.  As she rested her head on his chest, she listened to his heartbeat through his shirt.  His fingers lightly stroked her shoulder, but his touch was muffled by the robe.  She wanted to feel his skin on hers, not just the phantom of his touch through the thick material. 

Ryan didn’t say anything, but he held her closer and she draped her arm across his chest, gently running her fingers over the cotton of his shirt.  His fingers combed through her hair and she shivered.