Page 22 of Christmas Eve Do-Over
"We just couldn't handle the disappointment. We tried for years to get pregnant. Spent a lot of money on IVF, tests, procedures, doctor appointments. Nothing worked. When we finally gave up trying, she also gave up trying to save our marriage. It was like without a child, our marriage didn't matter anymore. I don't know. Maybe we just looked at each other and saw heartache instead of the person, you know?"
She nodded, her own eyes clouded over with something I couldn't decipher. I had to ask my questions carefully, not press her too hard. "Not having kids is one of my biggest life regrets. Maybe that's why I devote so much time to organizations that help troubled youth. Did you decide not to have kids?"
I saw her chest rise on a deep breath. When she didn't answer right away, I regretted asking. A bubble of disappointment filtered through even as I steeled my spine. I was in this for the long haul, I reminded myself. I would be patient.
Her voice floated across the couch, so soft I almost missed it. "Life decided for me."
I rubbed my hands along her calves, offering silent support, wondering what she meant but knowing I wouldn't press for more. Not yet.
"Wanna play a game of cards with me?"
Her startled gaze hit before her laugh. "Ah, Reynolds, you always knew the way to a girl's heart."
I laughed with her, remembering how I'd invited her to play a card game with me the first time we went out after prom. She'd laughed then, thinking I was crazy. But we'd played for hours, shutting down the diner and realizing we were good together. Crazy good.
Reluctantly, I placed her feet on the ground and reached into the drawer of the end table, pulling out a deck of cards and a challenge.
"Go Fish, take a card and take off an article of clothing. In or out, woman?"
She rubbed her hands together, moving to sit on the edge of the couch. "Oh, I'm all in. I'm gonna win and then have my way with your naked body."
Damn, I liked her aggressiveness.
"Got any sixes?" She lifted a brow and peeked at me over her cards fanned out in her hand.
"Nope." My grin nearly reached my ears anticipating what article of clothing was to go first. If this didn't remind her of how good we were together, I wasn't sure what would.
She placed her cards on the table with a disgruntled look. After lifting a foot and peeling her sock off, she dangled it for a second, then tossed it to the ground, a little too happy with herself for my liking.
"You forget how much I like your feet and your pretty pink toenails."
She stuck her tongue out at me.
"Kings?" I had to speed this game up.
She placed two kings on the coffee table with a small noise in the back of her throat.
"How about tens?"
"Go fish!" She practically jumped up off the couch, thrilled to make me strip something.
I didn't have socks on, so I decided to be bold. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Hooking my thumbs in my waistband, I slid my slacks down my legs and stepped out, showing off my tight, black underwear.
Figured I still had it after all these years when she let out a cheer.
"Got any ones?"
I shook my head, my grin growing with each rotation.
She paused a moment, then pulled her t-shirt up over her head and threw it to the ground. I choked when I saw the lacy pink bra she was wearing, her breasts almost spilling over the top. She'd had curves when we were nineteen, but she'd grown into them, making them into a masterpiece. And I was the lucky asshole who got to see them.
I traced a finger along the strap, from her shoulder to the lace, over the edge of the cup, reaching the center of her chest, my finger almost disappearing between her breasts. She shivered and my gaze flew to her face.
Her cheeks flushed pinker than her lacy bra and her eyes looked dazed. I leaned a little closer and traced my way over the other side of her bra, enjoying the way her breaths came in quick puffs from my touch.
"Got any eights?" I whispered, my mouth just an inch from hers.
"I don't seem to give a shit about any eights right now, Duke," she whispered back. "Got a bedroom instead?"
"Bingo!"
"Wrong game, honey..." Then she kissed me, her arms snaking around my neck and I forgot about card games, secrets told and untold, or presents waiting under the tree.
My second chance was here, in my arms, wanting to show me how much she loved me. I wouldn't have another coherent thought for a very long time.
