Unforgettable (11 page)

“
I
wish I could stay in bed with you all day.” Neil rubbed his fingers
along Krista’s arms.

“
That would be a dream.
Unfortunately, I need to get home soon. It’s already after ten and
EJ will be home by five.” Sure, she had a few hours, but there were
things she wanted to tackle around the house that was easier kid
free.

“
I suppose if the only other
man I’m competing with is your son, I’m okay with that.”

Krista rolled over and stared up into
his eyes. She really wanted this relationship to work between them.
She hated to admit it, but he melted her heart. A future with Neil
would be perfect. Being with him and EJ would make things complete.
She’d always wanted another child, but if it wasn’t in her cards,
she was beginning to think that was okay. After all, EJ was getting
older. Did she really want to deal with diapers and bottles
again?

“
I can see the wheels
turning. What are you thinking about?”

She laid her head on his chest.
“Nothing important.”

His arms wrapped around her, pulling
her tightly against him. He kissed the top of her head. “Don’t fall
asleep.”

“
Easier said than done. I’m
so content.”

“
I’m glad,” he whispered.
“How about I go grab us something to eat before I take you
home?”

“
Don’t you have a bell to
ring or something? I don’t want to get up.”

He chuckled. “I’ll be sure to have that
installed this week and hire a cook.”

“
Looking forward to it.” She
giggled as she sat up, pulling the sheet up around her chest. “I
guess I’ll shower.”

He winked at her. “Too bad we can’t
play together in there.”

“
Why not?” She’d never get
enough love from Neil.

“
Because, I’ll never get you
home otherwise.”

She got up from the bed and Neil
reached out, giving her ass a slight slap. She laughed and dragged
the sheet behind her into the bathroom. As she closed the door she
heard the squeak of the bed as Neil climbed off.

The bathroom was huge, but she didn’t
see the shower. She walked through and finally saw a doorway to a
room that was the size of her kitchen. It was the shower! There
were several shower heads. She pressed a button and watched as the
sprayers turned on. Oh, she could get used to this.

As she stepped into the engulfing warm
water, she was certain she was living out some fairytale fantasy.
Never in her life did she think a man like Neil would be interested
in her. He could give her anything in life. She still wasn’t sure
how she’d caught his eye or how long this was going to last. But
she was already ankle-deep in. Her heart was almost his. At this
point, it was all up to Neil if he wanted it or not.

After she was out of the shower and
dressed, she met Neil back in the bedroom. The bed was made and in
the center sat a tray of food. Neil sat in the bed with a newspaper
as he read.

It was the type of morning she’d always
imagined. All she needed now was EJ to come running in, bounce on
the bed, and spill the coffee all over the white bed
spread.

“
This looks good.” She
stared at the bowl of fruit and French toast. “Did you make
this?”

“
I did.”

She climbed on the bed. “You’re a man
of so many hidden talents. I could get used to this.”

“
Good. I want you to. Now
eat.”

She took a plate and set it in her lap.
“I’m happy we’re doing this.”

“
Eating?” he
joked.

“
No, silly. Trying this
whole relationship thing.” She popped a grape into her
mouth.

He gazed at her. “Ah, so are you
officially my girlfriend?”

“
I guess so. Can’t you ask
me better than that?” She bit into the cantaloupe.

“
Krista, will you be my
steady?”

She tossed her head back and laughed.
“Of course.”

A sexy grin crossed his handsome face.
“Guess I should look into getting you a promise ring.”

She pushed his shoulder gently. “Just
make sure it comes from a gumball machine.”

“
You’re something. I can
tell my life is never going to be boring with you around.” He set
the paper down. “I need one more taste before I take you
home.”

“
I just
showered.”

“
Yeah, you washed me off of
you. I can’t have that.” He tugged her to him and she straddled his
lap.

At this rate, she was never going to
leave his bed. Which really wasn’t such a bad thing, was
it?

* * *

Krista heard the sound of the car door
open and close and then the distinct running footsteps of her son.
The front door opened and EJ bounded through.

“
Hey, Mom.” He ran right
past her, not even stopping for a hug.

“
Where are you going in such
a hurry?” She followed him to his bedroom.

He held up a green case. “Dad just gave
me this cool new video game. He told me to come play it while he
talks to you.”

Oh, she’d forgotten about that. “All
right. I’ll be right back.” She placed a kiss on the top of his
head.

She glanced out front and saw Todd
leaning against his car. Taking a deep breath, she needed to just
get this over with. She met him in the driveway but didn’t say
anything.

“
How was your weekend?” he
asked.

Perfect. “Nice, minus the
accident.”

“
You have a glow to you
today. You look happy.” He studied her and she shifted on her feet,
uncomfortable.

Krista’s cheeks burned. She couldn’t
remember the last time Todd had noticed her. “I’d like to spend
some quality time with EJ, so if you don’t mind, what did you want
to talk about?”

“
Seeing those flowers the
other day,” he rubbed his temple, “got me thinking. I found myself
jealous and didn’t understand why. I know why the marriage ended
and I know it was my decision. But perhaps I finally got my wake-up
call and I can see what I had all this time.”

Wait…is he…

“
I’d like you to think about
me and what you might feel, and if you think there could still be
something between us.”

And he is.
“I don’t know what to say. How can you have not
loved me and now have feelings for me?”

He sighed and rubbed his hands
together. “I know. It’s confusing for me too. I haven’t dated
anyone else, really. I have missed you.”

“
Let me just stop you.” She
put her hand up. “Like you, I’ve had awhile to think about us. And
I’m sorry. I don’t want to go down that road again.” She paused.
“I’m also seeing someone.”

“
You’re what?”

He probably thought she was
mental, since just two days before she’d told him she
wasn’t
seeing anyone.
“I’m dating someone at the moment. It’s not serious,
yet.”

“
This millionaire person?
The person who sent you flowers?” He paced. “I’m confused. You told
me you weren’t seeing him.”

“
I wasn’t, or I tried not to
be. But he just kept up and I couldn’t fight it
anymore.”

“
What do you mean he
wouldn’t give up and you couldn’t fight?” He stopped dead in his
tracks. “Did he hurt you?”

Oh God, no. Never.
She couldn’t imagine Neil ever laying a hand on
her in a mean way. “No, no. He was just persistent about his
feelings and I denied mine until I couldn’t any longer.”

“
Has EJ met him?” He glared
at her.

Krista shook her head.

“
Don’t you dare let them
meet until I meet him. In fact, we need to arrange this soon.” His
tone was full of anger now.

“
Calm down.” This was
escalating quickly.

“
You want me to calm down? I
tell you I want to try again and now I learn the man you told me
you weren’t involved with, you are.” He groaned. “I want to meet
him.”

Krista knew she couldn’t deny Todd the
chance to meet Neil. Things were more complicated when a child was
involved. She could only imagine telling Neil this. He’d probably
see what he’d gotten himself into and get out quickly.

“
I’ll set something up
soon.”

Todd opened his car door. “So you and
I? No chance?”

“
Todd, you don’t want me.
And the only reason you think you do is because I’m suddenly
unavailable. You don’t love me and you never did.”

“
That’s not
true.”

“
You were never in love with
me.”

He was silent. He stared at her a
moment before he climbed into his car, closing the door. A moment
later he started the car and left. Krista sighed, thankful their
talk was over.

Inside, she went into EJ’s room,
plopped down on his bed, and watched as he navigated his way
through his new video game. She thought about talking to him, but
instead sat there silently trying to make sense of what had just
happened.

* * *

“
You just tell me when and
I’ll be there. It’ll be fine, I promise.” Neil leaned back in his
office chair.

“
Are you sure? You’re
probably wondering who the heck you’ve gotten yourself involved
with.” Krista sighed.

He switched his cell phone to the other
ear. “Krista, I don’t know any other way to say it, other than,
it’s fine. I understand why he wants to meet me.”

“
Thank you. I’ve been
dreading this call.”

“
Don’t ever be afraid to ask
me anything. I’ve been on this earth for quite some time and your
ex has the right to meet me before I encounter his son. He wants to
make sure I’m not some weirdo or anything.”

She laughed. “Where did you come from?
I’m still in shock by this whole thing.”

Tana, his secretary, knocked on the
glass by his door. “I’m sorry to cut this short, but I’ve got a
meeting. Don’t stress. It’ll be fine.”

“
Okay. Talk to you
soon.”

“
You bet.” He set his cell
phone on his desk and motioned to Tana he was ready.

A moment later, Ian walked into his
office. Neil stood and put his hand out to shake his friend’s hand.
Ian took a seat in front of the desk and Neil sat in
his.

“
How was the club this
weekend?”

“
Packed. I missed seeing you
there.”

Neil grinned. He’d had a pretty
fantastic weekend away from the club.

“
Something tells me I won’t
be seeing you there too much.” Ian raised an eyebrow. “Has the
sought-out bachelor, Neil Clark, been wrangled?”

Wrangled and branded. “I’m afraid
so.”

Ian laughed. “Oh, man. I never thought
I’d see this day. Is it the woman you told me about the other
day?”

“
It is.”

“
Congrats. I hope it works
out.”

Neil hoped so too. “I hope to still be
by the club for poker nights and such. Just no more setting me up.
Hopefully some nights Krista can get a sitter and come with
me.”

“
She has a kid?”

“
Yup. A son around
seven.”

“
Wow. By any chance did you
hit your head or something? This is a complete one-eighty for
you.”

Neil chuckled. “I know. I still wonder
if this is true. But there is something about this woman that makes
me want to put the ball and chain to my leg.”

“
As long as you don’t expect
me to follow suit, we’ll be okay.”

“
Ah, you never know.” He
reached for the phone to call Tana. “Want coffee or anything before
we get this meeting going?”

“
Coffee would be
good.”

He pressed the intercom button. “Tana,
could you bring in two cups of coffee. Thanks.” He turned his
attention back to Ian. “Let’s talk about my second favorite
subjects: business and money.”

* * *

“
Why do you keep putting it
off?” Jamie sat across the kitchen table from Krista.

“
It gets real then.” Krista
sighed. “Until I really know it’s going to work between Neil and I,
do I want to get this ball rolling? Why go through the hassle of
Todd meeting him, followed by EJ, when this might not work
out?”

“
Stop. I’m sick of hearing
you say this isn’t going to work out. From what I’ve heard from
you, that man is head over heels for you. A bachelor who never
wanted to settle down is doing just that with you.
You!
He accepts your son.
He still wants to be with you after getting to know you. Quit
waiting for the bad and enjoy the present. No, I can’t tell you the
future, but I think it’s going to be good.”

“
It’s hard. You know
me.”

“
Yes, I do, and that’s why
I’m telling you to knock it off. If you keep this up, the man is
going to think you belong in a looney bin.”