Patty smiles brilliantly, even if there’s something sad in her eyes. “You must be ecstatic, Luke. You can finally live your life without having to look over your shoulder all the time.”
I grin.
“Yes, and it’s all thanks to you, sweetheart.” I lean over her, taking in her beautiful features and committing them to memory. Even under the weather, Patty is the most gorgeous creatures that I’ve ever seen, and I’ve never felt more fortunate than I do right now. All I have to do is say that I want to make this official. I want the ring on her finger to be the real thing, and a decoy no longer. I reach forward to clasp her small hand in my own.
“I don’t know how I can ever thank you for what you’ve done for me,” I say softly. “These last few months have been amazing, sweetheart.”
She blushes a little, even if her gaze is still a bit sad.
“You don’t need to thank me,” she says in a quiet voice. “It’s all in a day’s work, after all.”
That makes me hesitate for a moment because those words were so professional. The air chills a bit, and suddenly time rewinds so that we’re two strangers in a bar again. I start to ask what’s wrong, but then Patty leans forward and closes the distance between us. She slips her arms around my shoulders, and presses those sweet lips against mine.
“I love you, Luke,” she whispers as we both sink to the mattress. My heart soars as I roll her onto her back, ready to conquer. But before I can say anything, my mind goes haywire as she hooks her leg over my hip and pulls me close. Then she inches her big sleep t-shirt upwards, revealing that there are no panties beneath the soft cotton. She’s slick and wet already, and I moan before undoing my pants and sinking deep into that glistening pinkness.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” I pant while easing into her, soft and slow. I stare into those big brown eyes as I pump, and Patty looks back at me, also caught in the dream. But before I can turn things utterly carnal, my girl beats me to it. She pushes me out, and then rolls her hips up to show me both of her holes.
“Put it in wherever you want, Luke,” she whispers, flexing both openings at me. “I belong to you, and this is yours to enjoy however you like.”
Why does it sound like she’s saying goodbye? But lust has overcome my brain, and I dive in, so grateful that this woman is mine.
Later, in the throes of satiation, I drift in and out of sleep. A few minutes pass, and I hear a sniffling sound. What is that? Lethargic, I turn to the pretty girl and wrap a strong arm around her waist before pulling her back against my chest.
“Are you okay?” I whisper.
“Yes, don’t worry about me,” she whispers back. “It’s just these drat allergies again.”
I nuzzle the nape of her neck. “Do you want me to get you the Claritin?” I ask. “It’s in the bathroom, right?”
She says nothing, but merely scoots closer to my huge form. I run my fingertips over her stomach as my eyelids grow heavy once more. I’ll be asleep before too long.
“Claritin, hon?” I try again. “It’s no trouble.”
“No,” she says in a soft voice. “I’m okay.”
Hmm, strange. I pull her close once more, my eyes already shut.
“Later this month,” I say groggily, “I want to take you somewhere special.”
“Like where?” she asks in a quiet voice.
I yawn. “Maybe France or the Bahamas. Any place will feel like Paradise if you’re there too, sweetheart. I’m going to take a couple of weeks off work and just enjoy being together.”
Another sniffle comes, but then Patty speaks. “Yes, that sounds good, Luke. I’d like that.”
Then I kiss the back of her neck and hold her close as sleep rushes up to meet me. In the second between wakefulness and dreaming, something pings my conscience, but before I can focus on the unsettling feeling, I’m out like a light.
11
Patty
The last time I saw Luke was exactly one week ago today. It was hard, but I had to do it. He left for work in the morning, as usual, but instead of heading for the breakfast nook, I slipped out of bed and packed my bags. I left behind everything he bought for me—including the engagement ring, which I placed gently on the bedside table.
After all, there was no longer any need to stay. Jocelyn’s been taken care of, and not only that, but it sounds like she’s out of Luke’s hair for good. My job was done, even if my finger still has the pale stripe of his ring on my flesh. It’s sad, really. I find myself looking for the white gold band, or rubbing the missing metal when I’m lost in thought. Every time I catch myself doing something sentimental though, I burst into tears, it’s that bad.