Page 37 of Scooter's Endgame
I’m guessing he sees a similar thing in my own gaze, because he leans in slowly – to give me time to pull away, I assume – wraps a hand around my nape, and pulls me into him. His lips stop a hair’s breadth from mine, his eyes bore into mine for long seconds.
Before I can reply, he mutters, “Fuck it. Never mind.”
Then he lowers his lips the rest of the way and proceeds to, yet again, rock my world with nothing more than what should be a simple kiss. It’s not. It’s so much more. When he takes my hand and leads me toward the hallway that goes to the bedrooms, I know my world is about to change. Forever.
If this is headed the way I think it is, nothing will ever be the same for me again. There will be no going back, no undo. The fall will be swift and brutal, with no hope of recovery. My heart will forever and always become the property of one Mr. Beckett Archer.
18
SCOOTER
Kathleen’s hand firmly in mine, I walk toward the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. I can feel the slight tremor of her hand, but no resistance. Is it possible she feels even the tiniest bit of what I do?
Somehow, it feels as if there should be more ceremony to celebrate what is, at least for me, a huge moment. The culmination of years of patience, wishing and waiting for an opportunity. But all that there is to mark this occasion is the quiet ticking of my grandmother’s old Grandfather clock in the hallway by the door, and our nearly silent footsteps as we make our way to my bedroom.
Stopping at the doorway, I turn to give Kathleen one last chance to say no, this isn’t what she wants. “Sweet pea …” Suddenly nervous, I can’t seem to string two words together. I can face a band of insurgents and not flinch. Sex for the first time with the woman I’ve desired for years and I’m a wreck.
“Yeah, me too.” The softly spoken words settle me somehow. Knowing I’m not the only one feeling this way makes me less anxious. “But I want this – more than I can accurately express.”
Simply nodding, I turn back to the opening and step into the room beyond. I come to a stop at the foot of the bed and cup her sweet face in my hands. I take in every detail, committing each one to memory – the texture of her skin, the laugh lines at the corner of her eyes, the earnest expression in the endless pools.
My gaze roams over her face, down her neck, and lower to the modest amount of cleavage peeking out of her T-shirt. And back, snagging on the rapidly beating pulse at the base of her throat. The tiny telltale sign that affirms her nervousness she admitted to moments ago.
“I’m not generally the kind of guy that talks about his feelings. Making myself vulnerable to others is difficult for me. But I’m willing to do that with you. Standing here, with you, my heart is pounding with nerves and excitement.” I study her face, smoothing a finger over the silky skin of her cheek. “I’ve waited so long for this moment. I can’t believe it’s happening.”
“Me too. Since that first time we met at the family beach day all those years ago, something in you has called to me. I see how respectfully you treat your colleagues’ significant others; how gentle you are with the kids. And I longed for the same.
“Jeff and me …” She shrugs. “He’s never treated me with the same courtesy and respect you treat others. In the beginning he was kind enough I guess, but over the years he’s changed. And now, here I am, with you, and my knees are shaking so hard I’m surprised they aren’t knocking together.”
“One day I hope you’ll tell me your story, but for now I’m hoping you’ll let me love on you some instead.”
Kathleen frowns at me, and my heart sinks. “I …” She stops, clears her throat. “I want that too. But I need to ask – God, this is embarrassing,” she says as she covers her face.
“There’s nothing you can’t say to me. I want you to know that.”
Dropping her hands, she takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders. “Jeff – um, he’s the – you know …”
“I don’t follow, sweet pea.”
“He’s the only …” She clears her throat, and in one quick sentence, she blurts, “He’s the only one I’ve ever been with.” Kathleen’s eyes are fixed on a point behind me, avoiding mine. “So, I need to ask you to have patience with me. Please?”
Her cheeks a bright red, she continues to look everywhere but at me, and my heart aches for her in that moment. I can see how hard it’s been for her to make her admission. “Sweet pea, look at me.” It takes long moments, but I wait until she does, because this is important, and I need her to know my words are sincere.
When her gaze finally meets mine, I continue. “Whatever you need – anything – all you have to do is ask. Yeah?”
Kathleen searches my gaze, as if looking for reassurance. I’m guessing she finds it when she nods slowly. “Yeah,” she answers softly.
“That’s what I want to hear.” Smiling, I cup my hand around her nape and pull her closer for a quick kiss. Releasing her, I step back. “Undress for me, sweet pea. I want to see all the gorgeousness that hides beneath your clothes.”
“You might be disappointed at what you find. I’m not a young woman anymore. My body’s got some wear and tear, I’m afraid.”
“I’m not looking for a young woman. I want a woman who’s mature, doesn’t play games, knows what she wants. More than that though, I wantyou.”
It’s clear that Kathleen’s nervous. And if I’m being honest, so am I. I don’t want to fuck this moment with her up, mainly because I don’t want to ruin any chance I may have of developing a relationship with her. I’ve waited so long for this; it would be devastating to fall at the finish line.
I watch as Kathleen reaches for the hem of her T-shirt with shaking fingers. She hesitates briefly then, ever so slowly, she lifts the material up and over her head. The sight of her in her tightfitting leggings and lace bra makes my blood run hot, and my hands itch to touch all that creamy skin.
But it’s when the leggings come off and she’s left in nothing more than scraps of lace and satin that I’m robbed of breath. Kathleen may be concerned about no longer being a young woman, but the years have certainly been kind to her. Sure, there’s telltale signs that her body has grown another life within, but those womanly curves simply make her even hotter in my opinion.
