“A law firm, one I was happy to leave.”
“Okay, before that? Ben mentioned something about job jumping before you settled here.”
He nodded. “I did. More jobs than I can count or care to revisit. What about you? Did you always want to sing?”
She laughed and relaxed back. “No, when I was ten years old, I wanted to be a superhero. But my parents were quick to dash those hopes. Then I wanted to be a scientist.”
“What happened to that dream?”
She shrugged. “I flunked out of biology class.”
He chuckled. “So, you turned to music?”
She nodded. “I was good at it and I’d been in choir most of my life.” She frowned slightly. “It was funny, my parents were completely fine with me signing, until I told them I wanted to do it for a living.”
He reached over and took her hand in his. “Some parents will never be satisfied, no matter what their children do.”
“What about your parents?” She watched his eyes and noticed the sadness behind them.
“They have their reasons to be unsatisfied with me. None of them have anything to do with my job.” He glanced around the restaurant, avoiding her eyes.
“I won’t press you, but if you want to tell me, I’d love to hear more.” She took a sip of her wine.
He waited for a moment and she could tell that he was thinking about opening up to her. “For as long as I can remember, every choice I’ve made seemed to go against their direct wishes.” He took a drink of his beer. “After school, things just got worse. That’s when I decided to stop trying to please them.”
“Where do they live?” she asked.
“New York. Another reason they’re upset at me.” His voice changed. “Calvin, everyone knows there are more opportunities in one block of the city than there are in the entire state of Maine.”
“Your mother?” she guessed.
He nodded. “Dad agrees with everything she says. Always.” He rolled his eyes. “Honestly, I don’t think my father has a spine of his own, except when it comes to telling his son how disappointed he is in him.”
“It can’t be all that bad. Even though our parents have voiced their agitation at my career choice, underneath they’re proud. Ben caught them bragging about me at the last holiday party he attended of theirs.” She smiled remembering her brother’s call when he’d told her what her parents had told their closest friends.
“My parents are nothing like yours. I’ve met your folks and they seem like saints compared to Tammy and Adam Winters.”
She frowned down into her wine. “You have a brother?”
He nodded slowly. “James. He’s closer to your age…” Her eyebrows shot up as she dared him to mention the handful of years between them. Wisely, he didn’t mention it. “He’s attending the college my parents told him to, heading towards a career they wanted for him.”
“So, he’s the perfect child?” She leaned on the table. “You know, growing up, my parents constantly compared me to Ben. Even though they complained about everything to his face, behind his back they used him as a mold for me to fit in. I was constantly asked why I couldn’t be more like Ben.”
He nodded. “Seeing as I’m the oldest… that wasn’t really an issue until…” He stopped and glanced off, then shook his head and took another drink of his beer. So much pain filled his eyes, and she almost reached for his hand. But just then, their pizza arrived, breaking into their conversation.
Taking the first bite into the pizza was like returning to a place she loved. She couldn’t help the low moan as her eyes slid closed with pleasure. When her eyes opened again, she realized Calvin was watching her and laughed. “Sorry, it’s just… orgasmic.”
He smiled. “Yes, it is.”
The tone in his voice hinted that he wasn’t talking about the pizza, since he’d yet to take a bite. When he leaned closer, he lowered his voice.
“Tell me you’re okay with staying with me tonight.” His eyes searched hers.
She swallowed and nodded. “I’d planned to.”
His smile was instant, and he reached for his slice. “How quickly can we eat?”
She laughed. “Don’t rush me.” She waved her pizza. “I’m enjoying myself. You can’t rush pleasure.”
“Oh god.” He groaned quietly then took a bite of the pizza.
Chapter Fourteen
He didn’t think he could make the short trip to his house from Ed’s. His eyes had been glued to Bella the entire time at the restaurant. He watched as her tongue slid across her bottom lip, licking up the red sauce that had dripped there, and imagined it running across his skin.
The soft moans that emanated from her reminded him of the sounds she’d made the night before when he’d been above her, pleasing her. He wanted his hands on her again. He wanted to taste her skin, to lap her sweet taste up.
It had been too long since he’d been with someone and now that he’d opened the floodgates, it would be hard to close them again. And because it was Bella, his desire was doubled.
He remembered the first time he’d felt lust towards her. It was a photo of Ben’s at school. She must have been in her early teens, after the summer in Mexico.
She was wearing light pink leotards on point as she held an almost impossible position in front of a mirror. Her long hair was tied in a tight bun at the nape of her neck as she focused on a point off-screen.
He’d never imagined he’d be so turned on by ballet but seeing her each day as he shared a dorm room with Ben had been like a drug. Over the years the pictures changed as Bella grew. So had his desire for her.
Until he’d seen her walking up the dock, he’d figured he had it under control. Then she’d kissed him, and his world had turned upside down.
They walked huddled together under his umbrella. The three blocks to his house had never seemed as long as they did now.
He finally unlocked his back door and helped her remove her jacket as they stepped into his mudroom. His hands shook as he removed his own.
When he turned to her, she was watching him, and he knew that he couldn’t wait another moment.
Pulling her into his arms, his mouth found hers and he felt her tremble in his hold. Or maybe that was him shaking?
The kiss deepened as he pushed her up against the hallway wall. Her hands worked the buttons on his shirt. When she pushed it off his shoulders, she raked her fingernails lightly over his exposed skin, sending waves of goosebumps to raise everywhere on him.
Then it was his turn as he pulled the sweater over her head and smiled down at the pink silk bra she wore underneath. He bent and ran his mouth over it as he lifted her into his arms. Her legs wrapped around his hips.
He walked them quickly into his living room and made it only as far as the sofa before she reached for his belt. Laughing, he turned a little and sat down while she settled on his lap, still trying to remove his belt.
“Easy,” he warned as she nipped at his neck.
“No, I can’t wait. Let’s go fast.” She looked into his eyes. “I want this.”
He swallowed and felt his desire bubble as she removed his belt and reached for the button of his slacks.