Chapter 47
May 19, 2007 - Midnight
Carlos swiped the key card in the lock and pushed the door open. Kevin stepped past him carrying Jemma, and headed for the bedroom. Rachel followed with a sleeping Aaron in her arms. "Thank you, Carlos," she whispered. "Good night."
"Good night, Rachel." He smiled as he dropped the key card on the desk and stepped out into the hallway closing the door behind him.
When she walked into the bedroom, Kevin was removing Jemma's shoes and pulling the covers over her. Rachel walked to the far side of the bed and put Aaron down, preparing to tuck him in with his sister.
"Put him in over there," Kevin whispered, pointing to the second bed in the room.
Rachel looked up at Kevin and smiled. "Oh-so I have to share a bed?"
Kevin grinned. "Uh-huh."
Rachel continued to put Aaron in with Jemma. "Whatever we're doing tonight, I don't think they need to know about it just yet," she said softly. She finished tucking Aaron in and turned to pull down the covers of the second bed. Kevin stepped behind her and pulled her into his arms.
"Okay," he murmured. "Just so long as there's something for them not to know about." He nuzzled her neck. "Come on-let's get to bed."
Rachel kissed him on the cheek. "You go on. I'll be there in a few minutes." He frowned. "Please, Kevin?" she said softly. "I hadn't planned on this trip turning out this way. I need a few minutes." She smiled up at him. "Please?"
"Okay," he said, taking a deep breath. "But you stop looking at me like that or I'm gonna carry you over there." He leaned down and kissed her gently. "Hurry," he whispered.
When the door closed behind him, Rachel pulled a suitcase out and set it on the vacant bed. She dug to the bottom and found what she was looking for. She reached into the closet for a hanger. Seconds later the bathroom was filling with steam from the shower.
* * *
Kevin undressed and slipped into a robe. He lit the candles he had set out earlier and cued up the CDs he had chosen. As the music began to play softly he paced the room and then tried to relax by lying down on the bed. He was on a post-concert high, and on top of that he was on fire to be with Rachel again. It was not a soothing combination. Where the hell was she? What was taking so long?
At the soft click signaling the handle turning, Kevin's eyes flew to the doorway. His patience was nearly gone and he was about to grumble, only half in jest, about how long it had taken her, when the words died on his lips. His breath trailed out on a long sigh.
"I thought you said you hadn't planned on this trip turning out this way?" he whispered.
The silvery gray satin nightgown was trimmed with black lace and fell from thin shoulder straps to her ankles, following every curve of her body. She had brushed out her hair and the auburn cascade contrasted sharply with the gown. Kevin stared at her for a moment and then got off the bed and took her in his arms. He ran his finger lightly just under the edge of the lace outlining the top of the gown.
"Planning and hoping are two different things," she smiled. "Was it worth the wait?"
"What?" he said absently, still tracing the edge of the lace. "Was it worth the...?" His fingers twined into her hair and he leaned down to inhale its fragrance. As he looked down, his eyes locked with hers. "Definitely," he murmured as his lips brushed against her cheek. "Dance with me."
"What?" she breathed, closing her eyes.
"Dance with me," he repeated. "We haven't danced together since New Year's Eve." Once the words were out, he froze.
Rachel looked up at him. "New Year's Eve was a lifetime ago," she said gently. "There's no reason to remember anything about New Year's Eve but the good things."
He searched her eyes for a long moment. "You knew all along-didn't you?" he asked quietly.
Instead of answering his question, she smiled up at him. "I'd love to dance with you, Kevin," she whispered. "Tonight and always." She tiptoed up and kissed him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He returned the kiss as they started to move together to the music.
Rachel closed her eyes and smiled as Kevin's hands started roaming over her back and down her sides. She pressed closer to him, and could feel his arousal. But he made no move to end the dance. She let her fingers creep inside the collar of his robe to play with the hair at the nape of his neck. He tilted his head forward to give her more access and breathed into her ear. "Mmmm...that's feels so good. You feel so good."
The song came to an end and their eyes locked together again. As the next track began, Rachel kissed him again softly. It was an old CD...one of her favorites. Lonestar's Lonely Grill. And Kevin had cued up "Amazed". "Make love to me Kevin," she whispered. "Show me you haven't forgotten how good we were together in March."
His breathing deepened as he slowly slipped the straps of her gown off her shoulders. Again his fingers crept under the edge of the lace at her breasts and after a brief moment the gown slipped down her body to pool around her feet. His eyes followed the gown to the floor. "My G-d, you're beautiful Rachel," he said softly.
Rachel pulled his robe open and pushed it off his shoulders. There was no question that he was ready. She stepped into his embrace, and he let go of the last of his fears. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the bed.
He lay down beside her and his hands and his mouth reclaimed her. She reached for him and her touch bound him to her even as it released him. He sought the familiar taste and scent and found new sensations as well. And as they moved closer to the heights of their passion, Kevin found himself waiting for that moment of surrender. He looked down at her face as the rhythm of their bodies intensified. Her eyes were closed as she concentrated on the sensations he was creating for her and her breathing was becoming more shallow and uneven. He loved looking at her, especially now-while they made love. He bent his head down and brushed his lips against her hers. "Rachel..." he whispered. "Open your eyes. Look at me, baby." She opened her eyes and looked up into his face. Desire...love...hunger...trust...it was all there in her eyes. He smiled as he thrust deeper into her, and she whimpered in response. "I love you, Rachel," he breathed. She suddenly arched against him and her nails dug into his shoulders.
"Oh, Kevin!" she groaned. "Kevin! I...love you...too..." she gasped. And as their bodies reached for the fulfillment their hearts demanded and he watched her hurtling over the edge, he found the moment. She was totally his. Only he could protect her. Only he could give her what she needed. "Kevin...please baby...now!" she moaned, her eyes begging him for more.
"Oh G-d, Rachel! Yes!" he growled as he lost control and thrust into her again and again.
* * *
As the morning sun crept across the bedroom floor, Rachel slipped quietly out of the bed. She picked up her nightgown from a pool of sunlight and slid it on. She walked back to the bed and smiled as she looked down at him. I probably shouldn't, she thought as she leaned over to brush his hair off his forehead. He stirred and opened his eyes. He grinned up at her sleepily. "What a beautiful sight to wake up to," he said softly. Then it registered that she was dressed again. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the other room," she said gently, sitting on the edge of the bed. "We both need some more sleep, and the kids will be awake soon. They don't need to find me in here."
"Okay," he agreed quietly. "For now." He pulled her down to kiss her and then released her. As she stood up, he held onto her hand. "I love you, Rachel," he whispered.
"I love you too, Kevin," she said with a smile. "Now get some sleep. I'll see you later for breakfast."
"In bed?" He grinned up at her.
She shook her head and grinned back at him. "No!"
"We could send the kids to play with Hal and Ashley," he teased.
"I don't think so." She chuckled. "They're here to see you. I don't think that would go over very well." She walked to the door. "Go back to sleep. You'll be more rational once you've had some rest," she said with a grin. She ducked out the door as a bed pillow sailed in her direction.
He waited until he was sure that she wasn't coming back before he reached for the phone.
"Hello. This is Mr. Richardson. Yes. The item you showed me yesterday-I'll take it. Can you have it messengered to me today? The Brown Palace Hotel. Yes-thank you." He hung up with a grin on his face and rolled over to try to get some more sleep.
Chapter 48
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