From my WIP (Work-in-Progress): Then . . . you
Chapter 28
Stone walked back to the kitchen, picking up his laundry basket from his bathroom on the way. He heard the dishwasher in action as Jenna wiped down the island. It looked like she’d finished in the kitchen.
“So how would you feel about joining me in the living room for story time?” he asked with a smirk.
“Are you asking me out on a ‘date’?” she said playfully.
“Hmmm.” He transferred the basket under one arm and smoothed his moustache with his free hand. “Yeah, I kind of am.”
“Well,” she said, purposely drawing out the word. “I accept. What time shall I be ready?”
He looked at his watch. “How about 20?”
“Twenty it is.” With that reply, she tossed the towel in his basket, and walked off to her room.
He followed her down the hall and couldn’t deny how much he enjoyed the view.
Washer going, he considered her playfulness, relieved she could be that comfortable with him, and decided to do something – correction: another thing – way outside his comfort zone. He hustled to the kitchen and looked in the obscure cupboard above the refrigerator, glad to have remembered where he’d stashed them. Then he went to the far bedroom and found two TV trays in the closet and hauled them out to the living room. He restocked the fire, admiring its reflection in the darkness of the room. He pulled out his bed, stacked the pillows, set up the trays, went to the kitchen for two glasses filling them with ice water, found two placemats he’d never used and took them to place under the waters. He lit the two candles he’d found, both in brass holders, and added them to the trays.
“Not bad for an amateur,” he said aloud, hands at his hips. He checked his watch. Five minutes to spare, knowing she’d be punctual. He ran his hand through his hair, contemplating anything else he might add without making it over the top. Satisfied, he stretched out his legs and sat up against the pillows on “his” side.
When he heard her approach, he glanced over to watch her walk in the room. She’d changed into a shimmering green blouse, black slacks, and two-inch black heels. She’d done something to her hair to make it fall in curls down her shoulders, and her makeup set off those incredible eyes plus a shiny lipstick drew his helpless eyes to those luscious lips. It took every bit of his self-control to keep his reaction to a smile. He immediately stood.
“You look stunning,” he managed to say. “I apologize for being under-dressed.”
“You look great to me,” she said quietly. “Where would you like me?”
He noticed the split-second moment when she realized what she’d said and he could almost feel the heat from her reaction from where he stood. Not to mention how his reaction to her question was on tilt as he tried to shut off his thoughts.
“You sit wherever you’d like.”
“I hope you don’t mind this?” She pointed to her attire. “It’s just that I’m so grateful to come home from work and be able to throw on sweats and get comfortable. I guess I just wanted you to know that I can look nice once in a while – since we’re on a date and all.” She gave him an embarrassed smile.
“Mind? You’ve got to be kidding. Like I said, you look stunning. Definitely eye candy, Jenna-Leigh.” He took a moment before he added, “But know this: you’re a beautiful woman and I always think you look good.” He gave her one of his stares that told her he was serious.
“Thank you, Stone. You’ve been too good to me.” She sat down on the other side of the bed and took a sip of the water. “This is so thoughtful. I love it.”
He took his seat next to her and contemplated where to begin. “I guess I need to finish the story I started earlier in the evening.”
Father, apart from you I can do nothing. I'm always desperate for you, and thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.