Goodbye caution, p.5
Goodbye Caution, page 5
“She told you that?” I need to have a very serious discussion with my daughter about offering up personal information. I mean, this is way beyond my favorite color!
“Yes, I have to say ... it was by far the best piece of information I’ve received.” He chuckles.
“Well, I can wear them now.” He doesn’t argue. I think it’s obvious I’m pissed. He helps me into my bottoms and gives my belly one last kiss before pulling down the bed covers for me.
“In you go, sweetheart.” he pats my bum and I climb in. I pull my hair to the side and lay down only to find him pulling off his shirt.
“What are you doing?” I gasp, possibly because he is quite the vision. Broad, muscular shoulders. Perfectly ripped, all the way down.
“I’m going to bed. I have been up for over twenty-four hours now.” He smirks and pulls his jeans off. Boxer briefs are very complementary to his physique.
“Don’t you think you should sleep in your ... wait, what are you doing?” I sit up in bed as he goes to take his boxers off.
“Just kidding, sweetheart.” He laughs at my reaction and jumps into bed next to me. “No, Becca—I want to be here with you to make sure you’re okay.” He pulls me into his arms. His scent is so lovely. I lean up, undo my bra, and slip it off underneath my shirt. He encircles me in his left arm and places his right hand on my bum, hoisting me up closer to him. I place my leg halfway onto his body and allow him to continue caressing my bottom. Of course, the pack of butterflies in my belly goes wild. I can feel him grow beneath my leg.
I don’t know what is coming over me. It must be Sybil the horny teenager. I ignore Cautionary Sybil and climb on top of him, kneeling on either side of his body. He looks bewildered. I bite my lip. I may be getting myself into a situation I won’t be able to get out of. Grayson traces the skin across the top of my PJ pants and licks his lips. He tugs lightly at the hem of my shirt, pulling his bottom lip in with his teeth. He wants me to take it off? Uh ... I can’t do that. Oh God, what am I doing? I’m teasing him. Why did I do this?
I shake my head and grab his hands, placing them on either side of his head. Okay, I like this. I’m in control. I lean down. My teeth have a turn pulling at his bottom lip and a little groan escapes his throat. His pelvis rises up against me. Teenage Sybil does the fist pump as she takes the wheel. I respond by meeting his next thrust and the next.
“Becca, please ... let go of my arms now,” he musters against my lips. I do so and he grasps my hips, helping me push against him as hard as I can. Our mouths are wild as we try to savor each other.
And then it happens.
All of the Sybils gather together in white robes and sing in unison. I bury my face into his neck to muffle the unfamiliar sounds coming from my mouth. I exhale, a blanket of calm enveloping every neuron in my body.
“Becca.” He’s breathless. “Climb off, love.” He pats my bum lightly.
“Oh, okay.” I do so, and he heads to the bathroom. I lay back and throw my arm over my eyes. Wow. That was so intense ... with our clothes on! I may go into cardiac arrest when we actually have sex.
“Hey, where are you, darling?” He moves my arm and smiles down at me. His face is red.
“Sorry.” I half smile and glance toward the bathroom.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. How do you feel?” He runs his finger across my cheek and over my lips. I kiss his finger.
“Like I need to go take my panties off.”
He chuckles and lets me out of bed.
Sans panties, my breath back to normal, I return to the bedroom. Grayson is half asleep but manages to lift his arms a little. I climb in and let them blanket me.
“Becca—psst—Becca.”
I open my eyes to find Hazel standing over us, hands on her hips. Oh, shit! I untangle myself slowly from Grayson and climb out of bed.
“What time is it?” I go for my usual tactic of distracting her with questions. However, there’s a six-foot-four white elephant in the room. Somehow, I don’t think I’ll be able to avoid the lecture.
“It’s almost noon and you are teaching at twelve-thirty. Can you still do it?” She keeps looking from me to him. Luckily, he’s her nephew, so she’s whispering as to not wake him up. If it was someone else, I don’t think she would be this thoughtful.
“Yes. I’ll teach. Let me get dressed and I’ll be right down.” I pick up my clothes and try to head to the bathroom. She grabs my arm. Shit! I take in a deep breath and turn around.
“Why is Grayson in here?” And so it begins.
“He was worried. He didn’t want me to be alone in case I passed out again.” It is true, so I’m not lying. “We didn’t do anything. You can see I’m fully dressed.” Then again, a little white lie never hurt anyone.
“Why is he not dressed¸ or on the couch there?” Her eyebrows go up. She’s waiting to catch me in a lie. I am going to start calling her Nancy Drew—it’s a done deal!
“He wouldn’t fit on the couch. His feet are hanging over the edge of the bed as it is!” Yes, go with the couch question.
“Why is he naked?” Ooh, she’s getting impatient with me. I hold back my nervous giggle.
“He’s not naked, he’s in his underwear. That’s how he sleeps, I guess.” Well done, Becca. Act like it’s not a big deal.
“Why didn’t you tell him to get a pair of pajamas? I know he has some because I unpacked them.” I can see she thinks she’s had her ah-ha! moment. Suddenly, I feel myself grow a pair.
“Hazel, I am thirty-five years old. If you were thirty-five years old and a gorgeous man with an amazing body wanted to sleep next to you in nothing but his underwear, would you argue with him? I mean, Christ, forget that he’s your nephew for one moment and look at him! Would you say no to that?” I point, directing her eyes to the fine specimen of a man sprawled out in my bed. Hazel takes a moment and stares at her nephew. Wow, she’s really thinking about this. Her eyes wrinkle at the corners and she puts her hand over her mouth to stifle a giggle while she shakes her head.
She grabs my face and kisses my left cheek.
“Oh Becca ... I just love you!” She smiles. “Hurry and get dressed, honey. I have lunch made for you.” She kisses me again.
“I love you too, Mom. Thanks for not grounding me,” I tease, and she lets that giggle escape before she leaves.
“Well played, darling.” Grayson smiles, his eyes still closed. “Now, why don’t you give this gorgeous man with an amazing body a kiss before you leave him?” He stretches out his arms.
“You were awake the entire time? You know, I’m beginning to think you’re a real wuss when it comes to your aunt.” I smack his hand playfully, but climb back in and kiss him.
“I wasn’t awake until she started with the ‘psst ... psst.’ Christ, for a moment I thought I was twelve again. That’s how she’s always awoken me. I love her but, it’s the most irritating sound in the world.” He traces my lips and kisses them again.
“I think it’s just the way she does it.” I laugh. “That’s how she wakes me, too, and I feel the same way.”
“But you don’t have the heart to tell her, right?”
“Right,” I agree.
“Becca ... I love this.”
“Love what?”
“That we both know Aunt Hazel so well and that we both love her so much. She’s the only family I have. Your relationship with her takes that pressure off of us as a couple. Do you know what I mean?” There is so much warmth and sincerity in his words, it’s hard to believe I thought him arrogant at all. So ... couple? I stare into his dark-chocolate eyes. Yeah, I’m good with that. Cautionary Sybil shakes her head in disbelief.
“I do, baby.” I sweep his lips again with mine.
“I love hearing you call me that. Which is interesting.”
“Why?” I prop my head up with my elbow.
“I’ve always disliked it. But for some reason, it sounds different coming from you.” He squints, looking puzzled.
“Well this bit of information should intrigue you even more: I have never called another man that, only Morgan.”
“Not a boyfriend in high school? I thought calling your sweetheart ‘baby’ was part of the American high-school curriculum.” He laughs.
“Nope, but I think you’re right—which is why I didn’t do it. My aunt and uncle have always called each other ‘baby.’ They’re the love of each other’s lives so it always seemed sacred to me. That’s probably why I didn’t ever call my boyfriends that. I guess it’s more of a family thing for me,” I ramble.
“What about your husband?”
“No, Grayson, I told you. You’re the only man I’ve ever called ‘baby.’” He needs more sleep.
“But he was family.”
“Yes, but it never felt right. It was too sacred. I guess I didn’t lo ...” I trail off. Becca, really, don’t hold back now! What are you doing?
“You didn’t what, Becca?” He moves his face closer to mine and searches my eyes.
“Um ... understand why I didn’t, I just didn’t. I didn’t think about it.” That’s a half-truth.
“That’s a half-truth, Becca.”
“I just said that in my head!” Really? Mental face-palm—make that two. Think quickly. Think quickly.
“Sweetheart, what is the other half? The half you were going to say before you caught yourself.” He’s smiling, but I can see he’s getting impatient.
“Happy anniversary!” I kiss him.
“What are you talking about?” He shakes his head as I climb out of bed.
“We’ve known each other for a full twenty-four hours!” I emphasize, and head to the bathroom to change.
“This conversation is not over, sweetheart,” he states loudly.
Oh God ... what am I doing? What is wrong with me? This is not me. Not ever—not before George—not ever! I know they say that when you know, you know. But do I know? I need to make a list, to find a quiet place today and write out the pros and cons. I can’t think of anywhere I can go that he won’t want to come with me. Maybe tonight, when he’s in his room. Wait, what am I thinking? He’s not going to sleep in his room. I wouldn’t be surprised to find all of his stuff in my room after I’m done teaching the class. No, no ... he can’t do that. It would completely freak Morgan out because sometimes she wakes up in the middle of the night and climbs into bed with me. Yes—thank you, Morgan! Well, until my list is done and I’ve sorted out my feelings, anyway.
I hear a knock on the door.
“Uh ... sweetheart? I know you’re busy in there coming up with ways to avoid my question, but you’re running out of time to eat lunch before your class.”
“All done.” I open the door and come out. He’s laughing. What’s so funny? I look down. Right! I march back into the bathroom and this time I remember to get out of my PJs and into my clothes. Damn him. I tie my hair up and head out only to walk right into him. I close my eyes and change my theme song to “He Drives me Crazy” (replacing she with he, of course) by the Fine Young Cannibals. Does this man ever not smell incredible? I open my eyes and look up. He’s biting his lip, trying not to laugh.
“I hate you.” I sigh, defeated. I don’t know why.
“That’s a strong, very negative word.” He frowns.
“Sorry ...”
“Well, I opposite-of-the-word-you-said ... you.” The back of his hand caresses my cheek. He kisses my forehead. Cautionary Sybil taps her notepad with her pen and stares down over the brim of her glasses. I lightly push by him and toward the door, but I only make it halfway across the bedroom before I stop. Cautionary Sybil waves her hands and shakes the pad. I turn back to Grayson. He’s leaning against the bathroom door, looking down at his foot as he kicks the frame. I’ve hurt him—I think. I don’t even realize my feet are moving. Cautionary Sybil throws the pad and pen up in the air as she turns around and walks away, shaking her hands at the sky. I reach Grayson and palm his face, startling him.
“I didn’t really love him.” That’s all I can offer at the moment. He lifts me up to hug me and I wrap my legs around his waist. I kiss him with his back up against the doorframe. I kiss him with my back pressed against the bedroom wall. I kiss him with my back flat on the bed.
“Gray. Gray. Grayson ... I ... you ... class ... stop.” I’m trying to gain some control over myself. I do have a class to teach in fifteen minutes. He carries on, ignoring my pleas. Calm down. I’m just going to stop reciprocating. I lay still, eyes closed, waiting for him to comprehend that he needs to stop. Breathe. Breathe ... he’s not George. He’s not going to hurt you. His mouth travels down to my breast. Breathe. Breathe. Sweet Jesus. The most delicious electric current hits my groin when he pulls my nipple between his teeth. I fight the urge to move my hips for encouragement. Here comes Sybil the horny teenager, and she’s shaking her ass like there’s no tomorrow. Huh? Why did she stop? Wait, why did he stop?
“Becca?” He sounds nervous. I open my eyes. “Oh, thank God, sweetheart.” He kisses me. “I thought you’d passed out again. Why were you just lying there?”
“I couldn’t get you to stop so I could go to my class. So I just concentrated on my breathing and waited for you to notice.” I almost hate to tell him this, and that twitch of his jawline is just the reason why. He’s mad at himself. “It’s okay. I’m okay. I just need to get to class, baby.” I brush his lips with mine.
“Is that what happened this morning? Did I give you a flashback or something?”
Oh man, this is so not something I have time to discuss right now.
“Be patient with me, please ... I’m trying,” I almost whisper.
“Bloody hell, Becca! Be patient with you? I’m the one over here behaving like a fucking animal! I should be the one begging for patience!” He stands up and paces, running his hands through his hair. “Shit!” he yells. “Shit! Fuck! Shit! Shit!” He punches an imaginary person.
“Mr. James!” I snap with a slight giggle as I stand up on the bed. “This is a family establishment. Please refrain from using foul language in the earshot of one child and several elderly scrapbooking women who would certainly gasp in shock. Now, come here, give your sweetheart a kiss, and wish her a good class.” I point my finger down in front of me. He gives me a wickedly brilliant smile and obeys my orders. “I’ll see you in a little over an hour.” I break from his lips.
“Don’t forget to put the girls back in, sweetheart.” His eyes drift downward.
Huh? Oh ... oh, right. I smile and fix myself.
I enter the hallway and Hazel’s right there, catching her breath.
“Why was Grayson yelling like that?” The question is out of her mouth before I can even close the door behind me. I hesitate—since we weren’t having sex, I don’t want to lie. Grayson pops his head out.
“Sorry, Auntie. I smacked my foot right into the hope chest at the end of Becca’s bed.”
“Well, try to control yourself. And, Becca, you need to eat your lunch,” she adds as she turns back toward the stairs.
“See, I’m not such a wuss after all. By the way, which class are you teaching today?” He reaches for my hand. I give it to him and he kisses my knuckles as I think about the class.
“It’s three different page layouts I’ve created.” I let out a burst of laughter. He looks at me strangely. “Would you like to know the titles of these layouts? I’m sure you will find them amusing and ironic.”
“What are they?”
I hold my breath, trying to stop laughing, which just makes him laugh at me.
“Okay. Okay ... phew.” I start giggling again. “Okay, the first layout is ‘Watching You Grow,’ the second is ‘Big Boy,’ and for the grand finale ... wait.” I start laughing again. “Okay, ready? Third is ‘Wild About Animals.’” And now we’re both in stitches. “Oh my God. How am I going to do this without laughing?”
“You’ll do fine, sweetheart.” He chuckles and pulls me to the door for a kiss.
“Bye, Gracie!” I wink.
“Bite your tongue, woman!”
“You first.”
“Don’t tempt me.” He smacks me on the ass as I walk away. “Becca?”
“Yes?” I look back.
“Is it all right that I did that just now?” He furrows his brow.
“Yes, baby.” I blow him a kiss and head down the stairs.
This class is pretty easy since I have everything precut and ready to go. It’s mainly about teaching the scrappers how to make my layouts their own. I show them my “Big Boy” page, about Rocco, my horse. I used Morgan for the “Watching You Grow” page, obviously, but Hazel did her garden. “Wild About Animals” could be about pets, zoo animals, or children. I like these types of classes because they get people out of their one-dimensional thinking. You can really get stuck, laying out each page in the same style, especially when you rush through to catch up. Then it doesn’t seem so special anymore. Sometimes just popping the title or the pictures adds so much. Throw some ribbon on there. Take time to remember the time.
“Don’t just slap a few pictures on there with stickers. You’re scrapping these pictures because this moment in time was important. Honor that on your page!” I watch as some of the ladies nod at me while, others seem to get excited over sudden ideas. “I’ll leave you to finish. Hazel has brought some pastries for you to enjoy.” I point to the buffet table against the wall. “There’s fresh coffee and hot water for tea as well. Thank you, ladies, and I hope you’ve enjoyed your weekend. Please feel free to ask for help with anything.” I see Shelley—I think that’s her name—raise her hand. “Yes ... Shelley?” I wince, unsure.
“I’d like to know who the hottie staying here is. I’d lay him out, if you know what I mean.” She pulls her mouth to the side when she says the last part. I giggle. I know exactly what she means.
“That would be Grayson, Hazel’s very handsome nephew.”
“Well, is he taken? ‘Cause I’d like to take him ... if you know what I mean.” Side-mouthed again. God, she’s annoying.
“Well, I was about to say that he’s also my boyfriend.” Wow. Did I just say that?
