Page 57 of Miracles and Marriage
“He wanted me to do what made me happy.”
“Is that how you feel about our child, he or she can do whatever as long as they’re happy?”
“Within reason. No bank robbery no matter how happy that makes him.”
Zoe was surprised at his teasing note. She associated Cal with being serious, focused, aware of everything going on around him.
It reiterated her point that she didn’t know him all that well.
“So tell me about your best friend in school,” she said.
“Jason is still probably my closest friend. He and I have gone through a lot together.”
Cal began to tell her stories of two young boys growing up. Much of what he related sounded like her own brothers and their friends. She laughed from time to time. She suspected Cal was embellishing things.
This side of him intrigued her. Was he actually flirting with her? In a low-keyed, Cal sort of way?
The mealtime passed swiftly. She was sorry when it was time to leave.
“Come in for some coffee or hot chocolate,” she invited when they reached the door to her apartment a short time later.
“I have to be in the office early tomorrow for a call from London, so I’ll take a rain check,” Cal said.
He cupped her face in his palms and kissed her.
Zoe returned the kiss, open to his gentle pressure. She knew he was trying to make things easier between them and she needed to get over being shy, but all rational thought fled with the touch of his lips to hers.
He moved his hands to pull her into a hug all the while kissing her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and returned his kiss with full measure.
A few moments later both were breathing hard and she forgot about coffee and wanted a bed where they could continue what they started. Forget about making a baby. She wanted Cal and she didn’t much care if he knew that at the moment.
When he pulled back, she took a deep breath.
“Come in and stay the night,” she said.
He considered for a moment.
“I have an early call from London.”
“So leave early, really, really early.”
She turned and fumbled for the door. He reached around her, took the keys and opened it.
Entering the dark apartment, he stopped her from turning on a light. Slipping her coat from her shoulders, he shut the door behind them and brought her back into his arms.
Cal kissed her again, enjoying her passionate response. He’d sensed the reserve in her before and had to find some way around it. Her response was all he could hope for.
Slowly he savored every taste, every move she made. He liked the small sounds she gave, almost like humming, or purring. She didn’t pretend, but let him know exactly what she found delightful and what pleased her.
He hadn’t planned for this, but since she seemed to be as involved as he was, he wasn’t stopping. The apartment was faintly illuminated from the outside, buildings in Washington still lighted even though it was after ten. There was enough to enable him to move them toward the hallway without running into furniture.
Zoe kissed him back, running her hands over his shoulders, around his neck, her fingers combing through his hair. She was a bundle of soft curves, fitting into his embrace perfectly. Sweet and soft and feminine, not exhibiting any inhibitions.
Kisses were no longer enough. He wanted all of her.
When they reached the bedroom, he stopped for a moment, tilting up her face to see her in the dim light.
“Are you sure?” he said hoarsely.
