Before I know it, the alarm dings. I close my laptop and go into the living room and strip. I do exactly as she says. Thankfully, she has a bouquet of roses on the end table for me to use and after I pick the thorns off, I position myself on her sofa and fix my cock, who is waking up with anticipation of what he’s about to do, cross my feet at my ankles and hold the rose in my hands. I just bring myself to put it in my mouth.
I hear her key slide into to the door.
I smile.
She steps in and looks at me with the biggest smile ever.
“Welcome home, lassie.”
9
Hope
Having Kellan in Arizona with me has been a dream come true. We’ve been doing the long-distance thing for eight weeks now. He visited me two weeks after the wedding, and then I made a quick two-day trip to New York three weeks ago. I would’ve loved to have spent it with just him, but our mothers weren’t having any of it. My parents had invited Kellan’s family over, and we spent the day eating and having a good time. Of course, my mother had to sneak in a few comments about marriage while everyone was there, and Kellan’s mother happily joined in. Kellan and I smiled through it all, but it made me wonder what he really thought. We haven’t talked about marriage yet. We’ve only been together for two months, but in my heart, I know he’s the one. Have I told Kellan that? Definitely not, but I don’t want to bring it up first.
Grabbing our bowls of salad, I carry them outside to the balcony where Kellan waits with our plates of grilled chicken and roasted potatoes. When he visited me weeks ago, he couldn’t believe I didn’t have a grill, so he went out and bought me a small one. I’m not complaining in the least. If he wants to cook dinner while he’s here, then he’s more than welcome. I’m tempted to buy a bunch of meat so he can grill it for me before he leaves.
Kellan stares at me curiously when I set his salad bowl in front of him. “Why are you smiling like that?”
Grinning wider, I sit down across from him. “Oh, just thinking.”
He takes a bite of his salad. “About what?”
Shrugging, I look out at the mountains in the distance. It’s a view I never had in New York, and I love it. My attention turns back to Kellan, who waits for me to respond. I nod down at the grilled chicken and smile. “I was thinking about buying a bunch of meat so you can cook it for me before you leave. I love it.”
Kellan bursts out laughing. “So, you love my cooking, eh?”
The chicken practically melts in my mouth. “You have no idea. Been craving meat for some reason.” And watermelon too, which makes no sense because I never liked it.
Kellan reaches over and grabs my hand. “I’ll be happy to, lassie. Anything to take care of you.”
Just hearing that makes me want to cry. My eyes burn, and I can feel the tears building. Kellan chuckles and cups my cheek. “What’s wrong, baby? Did I make you sad?”
I shake my head. “Not at all. Just a little emotional, I guess. All we have are two days left before you leave.”
Sighing, Kellan sits back in his chair. “I know. Time moves way too fast when we’re together, but when we’re apart, it drags on.”
Taking a deep breath, I control the urge to cry. “Tell me about it,” I say, laughing it off. I go through moments where I just want to cry. I’ve never been like that before. Then again, I’ve never been in love with someone the way I am with him. Having to say goodbye all the time gets harder and harder.
Once we’re done eating and we clean up our plates, we go back out to the balcony and move the table out of the way so we can sit beside each other. The night is cool, and the wind gently blows around us. What I love most is the stars in the sky. There are so many, and it looks as if they’re close enough to touch.
Kellan grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “It’s been a good week, Hope.”
Looking over at him, I can’t contain my smile. “Yes, it has. Although, you’ve yet to surprise me with another homecoming like the time when I came home, and you greeted me with the rose, lying naked on my bed.”
We both laugh, and he squeezes my hand. “Hey, you tell me what you want, and I’ll oblige. I never want to disappoint you.”
“You could never disappoint me, Kellan.”
His eyes grow serious. “I don’t ever want to.” He peers down into the courtyard that’s in the middle of my apartment complex. It’s like a small park with walkways that go in and around the trees that are lit with sparkling lights, which reminds me of Christmas. And in the middle of the courtyard is a huge water fountain that is said to give people good luck if they drop a penny in. I can see part of it from my balcony, and no one is down there. Kellan nods toward it. “Want to take a walk?” he asks.