Page 45 of Until Landon
“Why?”
“Your flower bed looks like an animal was trying to hide from the rain, under the bushes. You lost the small one with the red flowers. If you put lights up, it will scare them off.”
“Alright, thanks. I’ll talk to him. He and Bing are going to Memphis next week, but if he doesn’t get to it before, I’ll have him do it when he gets back.”
“Are you still in the bedroom?”
“Yeah.”
“Open your blinds. I’ll show you where it’s at.”
“MaybeI’llshowyouwhere it’s at. What do you think of that?”
I disconnect and get close to the mess. Slowly the blinds lift to reveal naked Kim. She poses like a fifties pinup girl looking innocently sexual with eyes wide and one hand covering parted rosebud lips and one covering her pussy. Her awesome ass is stuck out for my viewing pleasure. What animal, what lights?
The last twenty-four hours have moved like sap. We talked three times before I locked up Momma’s at two in the morning. I was beat. A final call, from our beds, put everything right. She doesn’t care if it’s ten or two. The bullshit of the day evaporated with her hello. She can laugh and I love it. Or talk about Hunter or Dad. Doesn’t matter.
It is all more interesting and easier with her. Neither wanted to say goodnight, but fatigue bit us both. She is so alive. Damn. I don’t think she is intentionally driving me round the bend, but clearly I am becoming someone different.
Now, driving to Kim’s house, I have the time to go over the list for Dad’s place. What needs to get done first? Without aim, my mind returns to her bed for the hundredth time. Fuck the rest of my life. I never saw this part of me coming. That I would be dreaming of just being with her, like a boy discovering his first love does. How does the innocence of that combine with my newborn need for the soul shaking lovemaking? Lovemaking? Oh crap. You’re a goner.
Thankful not to have to dissect my choice of words, I push other thoughts away and pull to the curb. I check the mirror. Hope she likes the suit. What I really care about is that she likes me in it. Before I can exit, she comes out the door and tells me to stay in the car with a raised hand.
I am hit with a new definition of beauty. A wider and higher vision. The woman looks fine. Beautiful in fact. Hair piled high, jeweled heels, the whole fucking picture is perfect. The package needs unwrapping. The passenger door opens and she slides inside. I don’t think I have ever thought about this before with any woman, but her makeup looks great. She did something with the eyes that I like.
“Hi. I got a call from July. Dominique needs all hands on deck. One of the bridesmaids is sick. They have a new order. Anyway, afternoon sexy man. You look fabulous! So kissable.”
She says it with eyes cast down and then lashes up.
“Are those beautiful rosy lips able to be kissed? Or is there an embargo on kissing a lipsticked girl?”
A hand goes around my neck and she leans close. “There will be no embargos. Ever.”
I still hold back a little, giving a soft kiss. She appreciates my common sense and returns the effort in kind.
“It’s a good day for a wedding.”
We pull away and I take her hand as we drive.
“When we get there I will be with the wedding party, you know. Attending to the bride.”
“Yeah. I get it. Are you coming with me to the reception, or will we meet up there?”
“No. You go ahead. I think we are doing photographs after the ceremony. Then there’s the whole entering the reception thing. Maxen and Dominique want things to be more casual after that.”
“Great. Are we sitting together for the dinner?”
“Yes! Definitely. There is no assigned seating. It’s going to be so much fun!”
“It’s all fun with you. I’m looking forward to the slow dancing.”
She squeezes my hand. “Are you? That makes me so happy, because I love to dance.”
“Well, wait a minute. Did you miss the most important word there?”
“Was itslow?”
“Yep. I look like a dork dancing fast. I’m not comfortable.”
