Page 42 of Handling Skylar
Framed in the faint illumination from the moon, she stared at me, her expression stricken. It was also the first time she’d ever let me see her insecurity, and the knot in my gut eased a little more. She was opening up to me, and I couldn’t ask for more. Not wanting to leave her hanging, I closed the distance, giving her a reassuring smile as I framed her face with my hands. “I want something real with you, too. No, fuck that, we have something real.”
I heard her breath catch and she gripped my wrists. “I think so too. If this is a dream, I don’t want to wake up.”
“It’s not a dream, babe.” Tightening my hold, I moved my mouth ever so softly against hers, the clean scent of her filling my senses. Releasing an unsteady sigh, I gathered her up in a secure embrace, tucking her head against the curve of my neck. I didn’t say anything, I just closed my eyes and drew her deeper into my embrace, my chest tightening. Baby steps would eventually lead to the correct destination.
She relaxed against me and the feeling was indescribable. Hooking my arm around her neck, I drew her against me and turned toward the bedroom. Pausing by the bed, I lifted her head and gave her another quick kiss, then reached down and undid the belt of her robe.
I stripped off my shorts, then slid into bed beside her, gathering her up in another snug embrace. Sky started to stroke me, but I caught her hand and lifted it to my mouth, then held it immobile against my chest. I waited until she relaxed in my arms, then I adjusted my hold. For some reason, it was suddenly important to just hold her.
Resting my jaw against her head, we drifted into sleep.
Later, in the still dark of the night, we woke and the memory of holding her turned my pulse thick and heavy. I closed my eyes and trailed my mouth across her ear and down her neck, my breathing suddenly erratic. Sky whispered my name and moved into my arms, and on a slow, deep kiss, our bodies merged, the darkness like velvet closed around us.
This was the realest moment of my life when I knew this woman meant a great deal to me. Honesty flowed between us, our true hearts laid bare as we joined to each other. Substantial and solid.
Undeniable.
I knew I would never be the same.
Chapter 12
SKY
I couldn’t seem to get the smile off my face all the next day and even into Tuesday. When I walked in, Jordan took one look at me and gave me a knowing smile to match the one on my face. I had wanted to make Jake happy. But he’d returned the favor ten-fold. The way he’d held me, the way we had made love was all so wonderful.
As the morning progressed, busy as all get-out, I spied Adam crossing the street and I grimaced. We’d had dinner at Outlaws and he’d been over enthusiastic about us. It had been a bit unnerving to hear him talk about our relationship in high school as if we’d been closer. I barely remembered him. I was dating Seth Matthews, a drop-dead boy with a shock of dark hair and killer blue eyes. We’d been going out for two years and he lived with his grandpa. He was planning on getting a job as a ranch hand when he graduated from high school.
Seth hadn’t been happy that my parents were pushing me so hard to go to school far away from him. I had fought against it, but then Seth had up and disappeared shortly after his grandpa had passed away in his sleep. The only communication I’d had with him was a text message telling me it wasn’t going to work out and it was best to make a clean break. I’d answered, heartbroken, but I’d never heard from him again.
Adam came in the front door, and Jordan, who could read me like a book, intercepted him. I was with a client, but Adam just went around her and came over to me.
“Hi, Sky. I was wondering if you’d like to get some lunch.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t. I’ve got people booked almost all day.”
He didn’t look happy. “Can’t someone cover for you. Just this once. I’m only in town for a short period of time,” he snapped. Then his face smoothed out when I just stared at him. He softened his voice. “Please, it would make my day.”
“I really can’t. But, it was great seeing you again. Have a great day.”
He stood there for a moment, something flashed in his eyes, and I tensed. But he smiled and nodded. “Okay. You take care,” he said affably, turned and left.
Jordan breathed a sigh of relief and rolled her eyes. I got totally distracted as Amy Sutton, Jake’s momma walked into the shop.
“Jordan’s going to finish up your blow dry, Mrs. Patterson. Don’t forget your hand salve. I have it at the counter for you.”
“Thank you, dear.”
“Mrs. Sutton,” I said as I approached her. Even at her age, she looked stunning, cool and elegant with alabaster skin, and the trademark silver blue eyes so like Jake’s. Only a hint of lines beside her eyes, none near the soft mouth that was painted a rich coral. Her body was slender and toned, draped to perfection in a becoming silky brown chiffon top, cream pants tucked into a pair of knee-high brown boots, a light brown scarf curled around her neck.
“Skylar, I know this is such short notice, but could I get a cut?”
“Of course,” I said, not about to turn Jake’s momma away. I led her over to the shampoo area and started washing her hair.
“How is Jake?” she asked. Caught off-guard, I stopped washing for a moment, then started up again. “He told us he was staying with you. I have to admit, I’m so glad he came to his senses about that odious and mannerless girl.”
“He’s doing well. Struggling a bit, but making changes is difficult.”
I snapped off the damp cape for a dry one and drew her over to my chair. She settled in as Jordan gave me a holy cow look.
