Holding On (25 page)

“Drew’s sleeping. I think mommy’s in the bathroom.”

No sooner did Ella speak than Daniel heard a door open, and Marienne stepped out into the upstairs hallway. Ella squirmed down from his arms as Marienne headed down the stairs. He couldn’t take his eyes off her.

“I heard the doorbell,” she said. “I was hoping it was you.” She flung her arms around him and he no longer cared that he was at Bob’s house or that he was still freezing, because for a moment everything felt right. He held her close, breathing in her sweet vanilla scent, letting her body warm him. He pulled away just enough to kiss her. Her mouth fit perfectly with his. Heat surged through him.

Bob cleared his throat. Daniel was tempted to ignore him and keep kissing Marienne.

“Sorry,” Marienne said, flushing.

Daniel kept his arm around her waist, and she leaned into him.

“No need to apologize.” Bob smiled. “Daniel. You want a cup of coffee?”

“Actually, I still have a taxi outside, I wasn’t sure what the plan was for tonight.”

Bob spoke before Marienne could get a word in. “You might as well stay here. Though someone should go to your house and get a fire going for a few hours so your pipes don’t freeze. I haven’t been able to run the generator since noon because there wasn’t any gas left. I’ll get more tomorrow.”

Daniel looked at Marienne. “I guess I’ll have the driver bring me back to our house then, and I’ll start up the fireplace.” His hand curled around Marienne’s hip. He didn’t want to let go of her.

“No need for a driver. You can borrow my truck. You won’t want to spend the night there in the dark anyway. Run the fireplace a while then come back here. There’s plenty of room.”

“Thanks,” Daniel said, wishing he could feel more grateful for Bob’s hospitality. “I’ll go pay the driver.” He kissed the side of Marienne’s head before he headed back into the cold night air.

Daniel carried his suitcase into the house. Bob was waiting in the kitchen, two flashlights and a set of car keys in his hand.
Freaking Boy Scout.
Daniel reached out and took them. “Thanks. I guess I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“I’ll go with you,” Marienne said.

The idea thrilled him, but he didn’t want to make her go back to the cold, dark house. It was his turn to sit there in the darkness and tend to things. “No. Stay here where it’s warm.”

“I’ll be fine.” She grabbed her coat and put it on. “Besides, you don’t know where I left the candles and the matches.” Her hand slid up his back, and he quickly rethought his answer.

“Okay. If you insist.”

Marienne turned to Bob. “You don’t mind watching the kids for a few hours, do you? Drew should stay asleep and Ella and Katie will probably nod off watching their movie….”

“Don’t mind at all.”

“You’re the best,” she said. Daniel bristled then remembered her arm was around him, not Bob.

“Let me pour you guys some coffee to take with you. You’ll freeze to death waiting for the fire to start up.”

“Thanks.” Marienne smiled.

Pleasant and practical. I hate him.

Daniel watched with annoyance while Bob got out two travel mugs and filled them with coffee. Marienne poured in cream and stirred in sugar. She looked disturbingly comfortable in his kitchen. Daniel fidgeted, running his hand through his hair. He wanted to get out of there.

Marienne peeked into the living room. “The girls are already fast asleep,” she whispered.

“Good. I’ll just let them sleep down here. Use the garage door opener to come in when you get back. Marienne can show you where everything is.”

Daniel smiled though his nostrils flared.
Let’s go.

Bob’s Ford Expedition felt enormous compared to Daniel’s Jeep Cherokee. He backed out onto the icy driveway hoping he wouldn’t hit anything. He heard Marienne’s teeth chatter.

“You sure you want to come?” Daniel asked, hoping like mad she’d say yes.

“Absolutely.” She put her hand on his leg and squeezed his thigh.

He almost backed into the mailbox.

What should have been a five-minute ride took almost fifteen, but they arrived safe and sound. Daniel held Marienne’s hand to keep her from slipping as they navigated the icy walkway. The house was still freezing, but being there with Marienne made it feel warmer. He carried in wood from the garage while she scrunched up newspaper in the fireplace. In no time they had a roaring fire going.

Daniel placed the sofa cushions on the ground in front of the fire while Marienne grabbed blankets from the chair. He pulled her onto his lap. “That’s better.”

“Mmmmmm.” She snuggled closer then shifted her weight. “Uh, I thought the cold was supposed to cause shrinkage.” She rubbed her butt against the hard ridge in his pants.

“In most men, yes.” He held her tighter.

“Well you’re definitely not like most men.” She trailed her icy nose along his cheek.

Daniel closed his eyes as his mouth found hers. It could have been twenty below in the house, the walls could have fallen down around them, he wouldn’t have cared—all he could think about was Marienne.

****

For the first time in days, Marienne felt warm. She was so focused on kissing Daniel she had to remind herself to breathe.
I could stay like this forever.

One strong hand massaged the back of her neck while the other went to work on her clothes, untangling her scarf, unzipping her coat. He ran his fingers over her breast as he kissed his way down her neck, his breath hot against her skin.

“I know it’s freezing,” he said, between kisses. “But you’re wearing entirely too much clothing. This sweater is enormous.”

“It ought to be—it’s yours.”

“Mmmmmmmm.” He moaned, running his lips over her ear. “I love it when you wear my clothes.” He worked his way through the layers of material until he reached her bare belly. His fingertips slipped beneath the edge of her waistband as he started to undo her jeans. She shivered, more from anticipation than from the temperature. His hand dipped down inside her panties.

“I missed you.” She kissed him as she stroked the bulge in his pants.

He twitched beneath her palm. “I missed you too.” His fingers thrummed against her.

She could scarcely breathe. “I can’t wait anymore.”

Daniel wasted no time removing his pants. “Ughhh.” He trembled. “It’s freezing.” He pulled a blanket up around them as Marienne snuggled closer, their bare legs intertwined. “That’s better.” He nestled into place. With a shift of her hips, he was inside her.

“Oh God.” She closed her eyes, thoughts jumbled in her brain. His lips brushed her eyelids, then her nose, before coming to rest on her mouth. He kissed her hungrily. Her fingers sank into his hair.

I missed you so much. Don’t ever go away again.

She wrapped her legs around him as he moved faster.

Oh God. So good
.

She shook from head to toe. The flames from the fireplace flickered behind her eyelids matching the heat Daniel created inside her. She felt her body tighten from deep within, contracting around him as the orgasm tumbled through her. “Daniel.” She breathed his name into his mouth.

He answered with a resounding groan, still moving inside her. She locked her ankles, drawing him closer then felt his body release. He shuddered, pulsating within her. She pressed her hand against the warmth of his back, kissing his chest through his shirt.

A loud beep and flash of light startled her. The power was back on.

Daniel opened his eyes and laughed. “I knew we were good, but I didn’t realize we were that good.”

Marienne giggled and he kissed her. “I’m so glad you’re home.”

****

They snuggled together in front of the fire, recuperating and waiting for the house to heat up now that the furnace was running. Daniel ran his hand up and down Marienne’s bare thigh, unable to keep from touching her. She rubbed her knuckles along his jaw.

“You look good—all stubbly.” She gazed up at him, her eyes sleepy but twinkling.

“You look good in my sweater.” He pressed against her.

“I’m glad to hear that, I’ve been wearing it most of the week.”

He pulled back to look at her.

She shrugged. “It’s silly but it made me feel like a part of you was with me.”

His heart beat unevenly. “That’s not silly at all. If I’d have had some of your clothes with me I’m sure I’d have worn them too.”

Her laughter vibrated against him.

He curled his body around hers and nuzzled her neck.

“Do you think the hot water heater has had time to work yet?”

“Yes.” He slipped his hand under the sweater and ran his finger beneath the edge of her bra. “It should be full of hot water already. It runs on propane. It’s the well pump that can’t run without power.”

“What do you say we take a nice hot shower?”

“Can I be in charge of the soap?”

She sighed and twisted her mouth around. “Well….”

He tickled her side.

“Yes.” She grabbed his hand. “Yes. The soap is yours.” She stood up. The sweater came to mid-thigh against her bare legs.

Daniel reached up and pulled the edge away, peering up at her. She swatted his hand and jumped back.

“You’re no fun.” He pouted.

“That’s not what you said a minute ago.”

He stood up and wrapped the blanket around his waist. Marienne laughed.

“What?”

“Are we going to shower or just play tent here in the family room?” Her eyes drifted down.

“I’m up for either.”
God I missed you.

Daniel walked up the stairs behind Marienne, blanket trailing on the floor behind him, still trying to peek up her sweater.

“Will you stop,” she said, pretending to be annoyed.

“Sure. Take the sweater off, and I’ll stop.”

“I thought you loved me in your clothes.”

“Yes, but I love you out of clothes as well.”

****

Marienne headed into the bathroom, and Daniel followed close behind. She turned the shower on full blast and he wrapped his arms around her, spinning her toward him. Her lips were full and puffy from all the kissing they’d already done but he couldn’t keep his mouth off hers.

The tile floor was achingly cold even through his socks. He dropped his blanket. Marienne worked her hands beneath his shirt, lifting it as she went. She kissed her way up his chest. He tugged his shirt the rest of the way off then went to work on his sweater. He inched it up her back, slowly caressing her bare skin as the room steamed up around them.

She reached her hand into the shower. “Mmm. Hot.”

“Yes.” He eased the sweater over her head then unhooked her bra with a flick of his wrist.

He bent his head to kiss her breast but she backed away, stepping into the shower. He stepped in alongside her, drawing the curtain closed. She leaned her head back under the spray, slicking her hair off her face, her breasts rising as she lifted her arms. He wasted no time grabbing the soap and lathering his hands. His slippery fingers circled her breasts, and she moaned leaning into him, making him soapy too. He ran his hand down her waist then slipped it between her thighs. He rubbed his thumb against her gently until he heard her give a sharp intake of breath.
There we go.
He continued to rub, slowly, watching the look on her face as the water rushed over her.

“Oh God,” she whispered, her eyes tightly closed.

“You’re so beautiful.”

She whimpered beneath his touch. He braced his arm around her back to hold her up as she pressed harder against his hand. Her breath puffed faster. He bit his lip, trying to keep his rhythm steady, torn between wanting to kiss her and wanting to watch her come.
So close.
He could see it in her face. Her mouth dropped open, her head back, her breasts still sliding against his chest. With a low moan she let go, quivering around his fingers.

“Kiss me.” She rasped.

His mouth was on hers before she finished asking. She turned them in a slow circle so he was directly beneath the water’s spray. He heard her hand slapping against the shower wall in search of the soap dish. He was about to remind her that he was in charge of the soap, but her creamy hand slipped around his balls before he had a chance. “Jesus.” He groaned.

She slithered her fingers down the length of him, stroking until the slickness washed away as she kissed her way down his chest. He was about to ask if she wanted to make love when she lowered her head and took him into her mouth.

Her hands and mouth wrapped around him. He pressed his back against the still cool tile wall, bracing his hand on the corner of the shower.
So good.
Everything was slippery. Her lips, her fingers, the wall, his thoughts. She sucked harder, spiraling her tongue as she stroked. He wanted it to go on forever but he couldn’t wait. His fingers grasped at the tile as the pleasure rocketed through him. Marienne swallowed, slowing her hand. She kissed her way back up his body as she stood. His eyes were still closed, his breathing ragged. He thought he might pass out. She kissed him, his briny taste on her lips.