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Chemelyn stirred from her deep sleep, and raised her fist to her eyes, rubbing away the grogginess. She squinted into the sun as it shone through the balcony windows, and gradually became aware of the warm weight she pressed against. Utter contentment flooded through her at the realization she lay in Dwaine’s arms. Partially on her stomach, Chemelyn was stretched out next to him, one hand splayed across his chest. His chin rested on her head, and Chemelyn buried her face in his neck, eliciting a sleepy moan from him. A smile played on Chemelyn’s face as she lifted her head to gaze at Dwaine. He shifted slightly, unconsciously pulling her nearer. Touched, Chemelyn reached out, running her palm gently over his cheek and down his neck. She propped herself up on her elbow then leaned down, pressing a feather light kiss to the corner of his mouth. as she pulled away, Chemelyn found Dwaine awake, starring up at her, not moving a muscle.
“Good Morning,” Chemelyn whispered. Dwaine only laid unmovingly, his eyes narrowed as he appraised her with some disbelief.
“Dear God, this has got to be the most wonderful, torturous dream I’ve ever had.” he murmured. She smiled tenderly and brought her lips to hip once again. When she pulled away this time, Dwaine’s eyes were wide. “Chem!” he breathed.
“Hi.”
“That’s the best way anyone has ever woken me up.”
“I thought it was pretty wonderful, too.”
He grinned, then quickly sobered. “How are you feeling this morning?” he questioned gently. She sighed.
“I’m okay....It helps that you’re here.”
“I’m glad.” he said softly, wrapping his arms around her waist and bringing her back to his chest. Chemelyn quickly got comfortable and Dwaine began to rub her back lightly.
“I’m going to rebuild.” she stated quietly.
“I knew you would.”
“How?” she asked, raising her head to look at him.
“You’re just not one to give up easily.” his tone turned teasing, “I mean, look how doggedly you pursued me!”
“Oh! You’re gonna get it now!” Chemelyn threatened with a smile, not moving. Howie absently began to stroke her forearm with the tips of his fingers.
“Dwaine?”
“Hmm?”
“When do you have to leave?”
“I don’t have anything planned for today, so I can stay as long as you want me to.” Howie shrugged.
“That’s not what I meant.” Chemelyn corrected.
“Oh.”
“You’re here on business, right?”
“Ye-e-es.” he drew the word out hesitantly.
“Well, when do you have to leave and go back to your job?” she prompted. He sighed.
“Six days.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Chemelyn’s fist clenched on his shirt, though no sound came from her lips. He covered her hand with his. “I don’t want to leave you.” he stated softly.
“What’s going to happen after you leave?”
When he didn’t answer, Chemelyn withdrew from his embrace and got out of bed, heading to the kitchen. Howie lay there calling himself every kind of fool. He bolted from the bed, following Chemelyn.
When his feet hit the main floor, Howie strode purposefully into the room. Chemelyn didn’t turn at his approach, but that wasn’t a problem. Howie grabbed her shoulders, whirled her around to face him, and shoved her back against the pantry. He brought his lips down hard on hers, taking Chemelyn by surprise. Her shock didn’t last long before she began to kiss him back. Their mouths joined almost immediately. engaging in a sweet battle. Howie communicated his frustration and Chemelyn left herself open to his emotions. Breathlessly, they were finally forced to break apart.
“I don’t want to leave you.” he stated forcefully. In response, Chemelyn pulled his head back down to hers, allowing her arms to creep up around his neck. Howie sighed against her lips. “we’ll find a way to work this. Chem, I have to tell-”
“Shhh.” she cut him off, placing her palm to his mouth. “Uh uh. We’re not doing this now. I want to enjoy every minute of the next six days. then we can deal with your departure. Her eyes pled with him to agree. Slowly, he nodded and slipped is hands onto her hips, pulling her as close as possible.
*****
“Thank You, Mr. Gray.......Yes......Alright....I’ll be in touch.” Chemelyn returned the phone to it’s cradle, and leaned her forehead against the wall. The muscles in her neck and upper back ached with tension. Sudden;y, a pair of warm hands rested on her shoulders, gently massaging the knots away.
“So?” Howie asked.
“Oh God, Dwaine. This is going to be harder than expected.” she admitted. “Insurance covers the renovation of the building itself and any equipment that needs to be replaced, but I never finished insuring the fixtures of the cafe.”
Howie sighed. “I’m sorry, Chem.”
“It’s my own fault. I should have been on top of things.”
The wheels in Howie’s head began to turn. “Chem, do you mind if I place a long distance phone call?”
“No.”
“Great!” he reached for the phone and patted the stool next to him for Chemelyn to sit down. “Hey, AJ?....Yeah, it’s me........fine, but listen, I have a favor to ask you....” Howie rolled his eyes. “No, i don’t want her number.....I’m sure. Besides, I’ve already found the most beautiful woman in the world.” Howie squeezed Chememlyn’s hand affectionately. She giggled in spite of everything, and kissed her fingertips, pressing them to his lips. “Yeah, I’m still here, AJ......I need the name of our old friend who used to play guitar.....yeah, him. Do you have his shop number?” Howie poised his pen over the pad of notepaper, though he didn’t write anything down. A small smile played around his mouth . “That’s great, man. Now give me the REAL number.” Chemelyn could hear faint laughter coming from the other end of the line. This time, Howie scribbled the digits down, said his goodbyes, and hung up the receiver.
“What number did he try to give you the first time?” Chemelyn asked, curious.
“You don’t want to know. Listen, I’m gonna go ahead and call an old friend. okay? He retired from his other job awhile ago, and went into furniture craft. I’m hoping I can talk him into a good deal on new tables and chairs for the cafe.”
“Oh, Dwaine!” Chemelyn exclaimed, throwing her arms around his neck. “Thank You!”
“Don’t thank me yet, let me call him first!” Howie laughed.
“Okay, okay. Are you hungry?”
“Actually, yes.” he admitted.
“Great! I’ll make breakfast while you call.”
An hour later, Howie stay with Chemelyn, Malone, Derik, and Charity around the kitchen table.
“The furniture will be delivered in four days. That gives us three to clean up the cafe.” Chemelyn informed her friend cheerily.
“The price is a little too good to be true, Chem. how did you manage it?” Malone asked, ever the skeptic.
“I didn’t, Dwaine did.” she replied proudly, placing her hand on his thigh beneath the table. Inquiring gazes turned toward Dwaine.
“I have a friend in the business.” he explained simply.
“So, when do we start?” Charity asked, her red curls bobbing excitedly.
“How about tomorrow?” Malone suggested. Derik grimaced.
“I’m working. I don’t think I can get out of it, either.”
Malone’s face fell a little, but Chemelyn quickly jumped in. “Don’t worry about it, Derik. If you want, you can come by after work.”
“What exactly do we do? Where do we begin?” Charity mused.
“We’ll wash the walls down after we remove the debris. Then, we can rebuild the shelving systems.” Chemelyn explained.
“We could pick up a new window and some paint today. Maybe even get a head start on clearing the wreckage out.” Howie suggested.
“Great! See? It’ll all come together.” Chemelyn’s brow furrowed in determination. She rose to fill everyone’s drinks while they continued planning. Howie stood and followed her to the kitchen.
“Chem?” he asked quietly.
“Tell me everything’s going to work out.”
“It will.” Howie assured her, coming to her, placing his arms comfortably around her waist, letting his chin rest on her shoulder. Chemelyn’s hand covered his.
“Dwaine?”
“Yeah?”
“Thank you.”
*****
“I didn’t know you were so handy.” Chemelyn smiled warmly, inspecting Howie’s handiwork on the window in the store room.
“I’ve got a couple of other secrets too, you know.” he grinned boyishly.
“Like what?” she challenged, stepping closer
“If I told you, they wouldn’t exactly be secrets, would they?” his eyes sparkled with humor as he closed the remaining distance between them.
“Two can play at this game.” Chemelyn whispered, and leaned forward, their noses almost touching. Howie’s eyes closed, ready for the kiss that didn’t come. Instead, he felt Chemelyn’s lips press tenderly at the side of his neck, behind his ear. A soft sigh escaped him as she nibbled his earlobe.
“Hey you two! Get a room!” Malone called loudly. Chemelyn laughed and pulled back. Howie grinned.
“We just might.” he murmured for her ears only. Chemelyn’s face heated in a hot blush, but she didn’t move away.
“Chem? What do you want to do with this?” Charity yelled from the front of the restaurant. Chemelyn touched her finger to Howie’s lips gently, before heading to the other room.
“Dwaine? Can I ask you something?” Malone broke into his thoughts.
“Go ahead.” Howie invited, turning his attention back to applying the sealant around the window pane. Malone cleared his throat.
“You really care about Chemelyn, don’t you?”
“Howie faced the other man. “Yes. Yes, I do.” he affirmed truthfully.
“Good, because you know....I’d really hate to see her get hurt.”
Neither man’s gaze wavered. “I would never hurt her.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Howie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Very.”
“Oh. Because, call me crazy, but I thought you were leaving soon.” he shrugged nonchalantly.
“Malone, are you trying to tell me something? If you are, I suggest you just be straight forward.”
“Fine. If you leave and decide that you don’t care about her after all,she’ll be devastated.
“If I leave and she falls in love with another man, I’d be devastated. She holds my heart, Malone.” Howie countered.
“Does she know that?”
“If she doesn’t, it still doesn’t change the fact.”
Chemelyn’s best friend gazed intently at Howie for a moment. Finally, he nodded and turned back to his work.
*****
“Thanks again for coming, you guys.” Chemelyn smiled tiredly at her friends. It was the end of another day of work, and the cafe’s structural damage was almost repaired. All that remained to be done, was second coat of warm beige paint on the walls.
Malone kissed Chemelyn’s cheek and raised his hand in a goodbye gesture as he, Derik, and Charity headed out the door.
Chemelyn turned to Howie and watched him paint for a moment. He was a very graceful man, making long continuous stroked with the brush, his brow furrowed in concentration.
“You know, you can go home if you’d like. I can finish up here.” she offered. he cast a sideways glance at her with a crooked grin.
“What? And leave you all by yourself? Never!” he scoffed. “Besides, even if it’s just painting, I like being here with you.”
“Then kiss me.” she ordered softly, coming to him. “Someone else has been around all day long, and I miss you.” Howie knew he feeling, and didn’t need to be asked twice.
Lightly, he pressed his lips to hers in a soft, sweet kiss. She responded eagerly, and the clattering of the paintbrush as it fell from Howie’s fingers interrupted them. Chemelyn giggled and picked it up. “Lose something, Mr. Dorough?” she teased. In the blink of an eye, he pulled Chemelyn into his arms and swung her backward into a dip. He held her several feet off the floor for a moment, gently touching his lips to hers, before swinging her upright.
“Thank you.” Straight faced, he took the brush from her and went back to painting as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. Chemelyn shook her head, plucking a brush from the work table and joining him.
An hour and a half passed before Howie and Chemelyn finally finished painting. They stood back to survey their work with a sense of pride.
“We’re done.” Chemelyn breathed. The cafe was almost as good as new. They had scrubbed the walls before painting, and no trace of the offending smoke or fire remained. The lamp shades, plants, furniture, some fixtures, and the wall furnishings still needed to be replaced. Luckily enough, most of the photos which had hung in the cafe were protected by their frames, so they only needed new matting.
Howie stood grinning at Chemelyn. “What?” she asked, puzzled.
“You, Ms. Clavaro, have paint all over you.” he pointed out, his gaze warm.
“I do?” she glanced down at herself.
“You do.” It was true. She had worn an old button down men’s shirt in blue, along with a pair of jeans. Paint splatters made defining marks all down the front of her. Tiny drops of beige had even made it into her hair and eyebrows. Howie, somehow, had once again managed to remain spotless. He moved to stand in font of her.
“You have a little right here.....” he murmured as he raised a hand to her face. So softly, so that Chemelyn wasn’t even sure that he was touching her, Howie reached out to gently remove a speck of paint from her eyelash.
“Thank you.” she whispered. “But, you have a little too.”
“Really? Where?” he asked, surprised.
“Here.” she smiled, and gently ran her brush along his cheek, smearing a streak of paint across his cheek. “Oops.”
Howie’s eyes widened then narrowed mischievously. “Thanks.” he drawled wryly, at the same time swiping the tip of her nose with his brush. She emitted a surprised little gasp. He couldn’t contain the grin of revenge that plastered itself on his face.
“You know? I think I made a mistake. I meant to inform you that you have paint HERE!” She brought the brush in contact with Howie’s chin.
“Oh! That’s it!” he cried, dipping his brush into the can. “You’re going to get it now!” he threatened. Chemelyn yelped and raced to put the work table between them. Howie laughed with mock menace, brandishing his paintbrush.
Chemelyn made a mad dash for the storage room, her weapon clattering to the floor. Howie followed in hot pursuit, dropping his as well. She bolted into the back, but was not quite fast enough. Howie caught her arm, and pulled her back against him as they tumbled into through the doorway. There wasn’t any light on overhead, the only source of illumination coming from the front room. Chemelyn couldn’t stop the giggled that bubbled out of her, but when she saw Howie gazing intently at her, she quieted.
Gently, he reached out, passing his palm over her eyes, prompting her to close them. He gently rubbed his thumb across her eyelid, smoothing away the paint that had splattered there. Not capable of containing himself, Howie lowered his head and lovingly pressed a kiss to her lips. She responded by tenderly cupping his face with her hands. Their kiss deepened with the sweet fire of desire, causing Howie to crush Chemelyn to him. She didn’t care, feeling as though even if she was inside his skin, she could never be close enough.
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