Baby Girl: Dare to Love (17 page)

TWENTY ONE

Jemma looked at herself in the mirror.  Her curly hair hung free about her shoulders, her dress was an off-the-shoulder number and complemented her honey-brown skin.  She rarely wore make-up, but tonight she decided to go with some mascara and lipstick.

Kassie had left with grandparents a few hours ago.  The house seemed way too quiet.  Since her talking had returned, she was a chatterbox.  As if she was trying to catch up on six months of not talking.

Jemma checked her appearance again in the mirror. The doorbell rang. She grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs and opened the door to the sexiest cowboy she’d ever seen.  

He was dressed in a dark suit.  It did wonders for his athletic frame.  “You look very handsome, Kyle.”  She stepped back to let him inside her house. 

“You are gorgeous,” he said, kissing her on the cheek.  Then he kissed her on the mouth.  “Are you ready for a night you won’t forget?”

“So ready.” 

Kyle was correct.  So the night was off the charts.  They started out at a Brazilian restaurant.  Jemma was amazed at the amount of food they ate.  She’d never been to a restaurant like this in her life. 

Waiters, equipped with a sword-like knife walked around with high end cuts of grilled meat on long metal skewers.  “Just pulled the flag when you want more,” Kyle said.  He made quick work of the meat already on his plate.  It was his second serving.

“I was working all day at the ranch,” he explained as he finished off a bottle of beer.  “Had to get the horses in their stalls.”

“Oh, have you named them yet?  Kassie is making a list of names since you told her she could name one.”

“Really?  What names has she came up with so far?”

Jemma cut a piece of steak.  No baked chicken tonight, she thought.  Healthy eating be damned!  “Since she wasn’t sure if it was a boy or girl, she picked one of each.  I think Alistair or Millicent.

Kyle gasped.  “Wow!  Where on earth did she get those names?  I hadn’t heard those names in years.”

“Millicent is my middle name.  Alistair is my father’s middle name,” Jemma said. “I rather like my middle name.”

“You sounded very British then,” he commented.  “Sexy, I like it.” 

She giggled.  “I think I could start gangsta rapping right now and you’d say it was sexy.”

He thought about her theory.  “You’re probably right.  I’m as ready as a teenager on prom night.” He leaned toward her.  “I even bought a box of condoms.” He winked at her, sending a shiver all the way down to ground zero.

“Great minds think alike,” she whispered. 

They had dessert at The Sweet Tooth, a French style patisserie in downtown Arlington.  The small restaurant had been all the talk of the town.  Jemma had been wanting to try the place out, but didn’t think Kassie’s eight-year-old palate would appreciate the rich desserts.

Kyle held her hand as they were led to a table.  The dim atmosphere was perfect for both their moods.  The sexual tension between them escalated with each passing moment. Jemma thought she was going to explode he didn’t stop staring at her. 

“What is it, Kyle?”  She reached for her purse.  Maybe something was on her face. 

“Nothing.”  He reached for her hand and caressed it.  “You look beautiful tonight.  I love drinking in your beauty.”

“Oh, Kyle.  You’re turning my head,” Jemma breathed.  “You’re almost better than dessert.”

He smiled at her.  “I like a woman with a good appetite.” 

She knew it was supposed to be a complement.  So she decided to take in the spirit it was given.  “I love a hungry man.”

“You’re going to get your wish as soon as we get back to your place,” he said.

Jemma opened her mouth to respond, but the young waitress made her appearance.  “Hello, I’m Amy.  Today’s special is Better Than Sex cake.  It’s a six layer chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and pecans. With or without whipped cream.”  She grinned at them.  “It’s enough for two people.”

“Then we’ll have that,” Kyle said.  “With two coffees.”

“Yes, sir.”  The young woman left without another word. 

“You always get your way?”  Jemma stared at him.

“You’re about to find out.”  He kissed her hand.

Later that evening, Jemma let Kyle into her house.  His prediction was absolutely correct. Tonight had been the best evening she’d been on in a long time.  This date was in no comparison to their other dates.  This one was in a class all by itself.

“Why don’t we sit on the couch?” Kyle said, locking the door.  “I don’t want you to feel rushed.”

“Okay,” she said, placing her purse on the counter and leading him into the living room. She knew it was useless to argue with him, and she was so ready to get the show on the road. 

  They sat side-by-side on the couch.  Jemma kicked off her shoes and snuggled closer to him.  Kyle took a deep breath and leaned against her.  “For a lot of reasons, tonight was very special to me.  It was very much a family affair.  Once my siblings found out we had a date, they offered their suggestions.  Justin recommend the Brazilian restaurant and Krista told me about the dessert place.  How those two know more about going out than I do, I’ll never know.  Not only is this our first date since announcing our love, but this is probably our last time to be alone before our little family vacay.”

She was impressed that his family had helped him so much.  “I really like your family.  Your mother has been very nice to me since day one, and I appreciate that.”

“I just hope you’re ready for a week with the Cosgroves.  On water, no less.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m so glad Mom arranged this little outing.  We’ve never done this as a family before.  I think Krista and her family have been to Walt Disney World, and Justin might have went somewhere, but all of us on a cruise at the same time.  Never been done.”

“How do you feel about it?”

He nodded.  “I was on board the minute Mom brought it up.  To be honest, you and Kassie were the first people who popped into my head.  I know this is going to be great for her.  She will have happy memories to replace the sad ones of her father being gone.  This will be our first trip together.”

She wrapped him in a tight hug.  “You sound like you have many other trips planned for us.” 

“Since you said it, okay I’ll bite.  Yes, I was thinking about Christmas.  For five years, I’ve been in this holding pattern.  Not really doing anything at the holidays.”

“There’s not a Christmas party at the ranch?”

“Sure, Mom plans the party and since this is their last before retiring, Mom wants to do it up big time.  Plus, New Years’ Eve is their wedding anniversary as well.  So needless to say, there’ll be a two big parties this year.  I’m responsible for the anniversary party.”

“Have you started planning it?”

“I wanted to do something different than just a party.”

“I understand what you mean, but the ranch is so much a part of who you are. Who your parents are.”

“I think I’ll be able to please everyone. Mom really wants something here.  So far things are shaping up nicely. I’ve already hired the bartender and the wait staff.”

“Why didn’t you hire an event planner?  They would do all this stuff for you.  All you have to do is pay them.”

“I like planning things myself.  I’ve arranged for the caterer.  Dad loves BBQ.”

“Who did you get?”

“Chi-town.  I don’t know how many food trucks I visited before I found the right taste I was looking for.”

Jemma rose from her seat and reached out her hand.  Kyle looked at her in confusion.  “What?”

“We’re going upstairs.”

“Baby, I told you, there’s no rush.”  He took her hand and rose as well.  Once he was upright, she noticed his erection.  He was just as anxious as she was. 

“Well you shouldn’t have told me how you were planning your parents’ anniversary party and how you love your parents so much that you’re planning this by yourself right down to the last detail.  Including the right taste of food for your father.”  She led him upstairs. 

Kyle shook his head.  “Is this in the category of me wearing my hat?”

“Yes, you got a problem with it.”  They stopped in front of her closed bedroom door.   She stood in front of him, daring him to refuse. 

“No, I do not.”  He opened the door and pulled her inside.

Kyle had been in overdrive since the restaurant.   It took every ounce of strength he had not to pounce on her the minute they walked inside Jemma’s house. 

Now the game was on, he decided.  He led Jemma to the bed and sat her down.  He kneeled down in front of her.  “Last call,” he said against her lips. 

Jemma helped him out of his jacket, and started unbuttoned his shirt.  His tie had been discarded after the Brazilian restaurant.  “That answer your question?” 

That was all the incentive Kyle needed.  He was on his knees between her legs, and kissing her like the ship was going down.  His fingers roamed her body, searching for the illusive zipper.  He was about to give up when he located on the side.  Tricky, he thought.

Jemma moaned as he slid the dress from her body, but she didn’t stop kissing him.  He unfastened her bra with a skill set he was proud of. Before long she lay before him, stripped naked and panting like a marathon running.  Kyle knew she was ready, but he had more in store for her. 

“When are your clothes coming off?”  She asked between kisses. 

Kyle lips touched hers.  “We got all night,” he told her. His tongue slipped inside her mouth, and they began a duel that neither could win.   His kisses moved south, savoring her neck, suckling her nipples until Jemma screamed in release.  He continued his onslaught of her body, kissing her belly, dipping his tongue into her navel, until he reached the prize he’d been waiting on all night.  He glanced up to gauging her reaction, and getting a green light, he moved on.  He gently probed her with a finger.  She moaned.  He added a second finger, moving back and forth, Jemma was in the deep into the throes of passion.

She clutched the sheets on the bed.  “Oh, Kyle,” she panted.  “Don’t stop.”

Taking her direction, Kyle held her hips in place as he kissed her moist folds.  Jemma screamed at the invasion of his tongue.  “My God, Kyle!”

She tried to scamper away from his hot tongue, but he held her in place and increase the pleasure.  Before long Jemma screamed his name again, before she climaxed.

“Kyle,” she panted, sounded like she’d just ran ten miles in ten seconds. “Amazing.”  She fell back against the pillows, exhausted.  “I can’t move.”

“You won’t have to.”  Kyle slid off the bed and shucked out of his clothes in record speed.  He hadn’t plan on getting ahead of the game, but now that he was in it, he was ready to win it.

She pointed to her nightstand.  “They’re in there,” she said quietly.  “I hope they’re your brand.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” he said, opening the drawer.  He pulled out the red box of condoms.  He took one out and placed the box on the nightstand and sat on the bed. He hurriedly slipped on the condom, knowing in all likelihood he wouldn’t last long once he was inside her. 

He kissed her as he lowered his body on top of her.  Jemma’s body welcomed him immediately.  He moved against her and moaned in concert.  Jemma’s hands moved up and down his back as her hot body wiggled under his, waking every nerve he had.  

Not being able to wait, Kyle entered her body in one smooth stroke.  He didn’t stop until hit home and Jemma gasped.  “Sorry,” he whispered against her lips. 

“I’m not.”  She moved her legs further apart, giving him more room.  Kyle knew his time was limited, but he wanted to give her the best lovemaking he was capable of.  His tongued played with hers as he moved in and out of her body.  

Jemma grunted and pulled him closer to her, which brought him deeper inside her.  Her walls had him in a vise and wouldn’t let him go.  Kyle thought he was going to lose his mind, as his orgasm barreled through his body. “Sorry,” he said into the column of her neck.  “I guess I was more ready than I thought.”

“It’s okay.”  She caressed his back as his breathing returned to normal.  “I’m still way ahead of you.” 

He laughed.  “Just give me a little bit, and I’ll rock your world.”

“I’m counting on it.”

TWENTY-TWO

Sunday morning, Jemma felt something different in her bed.  She felt Kyle move against her in his sleep.  She turned toward him.  Her entire body complained at the movement.   He had really had put it on her last night and this morning. 

They’d made love so much during the night that she’d lost count of how many times they reached for each other during the night.  He even looked sexy sound asleep with a morning beard.  Jemma shook her head at the images quickly forming in her lusty brain.  Too late, she mused as she turned away from him.  She glanced at the bedside clock and the almost full box of condoms!

She reached for the box and cursed.  What was wrong with her?  Was she trying to get pregnant?  She sat up, bringing the sheet with her. “Kyle, get up!”

He sprung up instantly. “What is it?”

She shook the red box at him. “They only work if you use them.  I can’t afford an accident right now.”

“Oh, that.” He pulled the sheet down, revealing her nudity.  “I didn’t like them, so once you were sleep, I went to my car and got the ones I bought.” He nodded to the other nightstand behind him.  There sat a blue box.  “I tried to use one each time, but sometimes you were too fast for me.”

Jemma instantly felt like an evil woman.  She was ready to make all this his fault, when it was both of them. “I’m sorry, Kyle.  I was ready to blame you, but you had it under control.”  She would have to give the Pill some serious thought or an accident would be bound to happen.

“It’s okay, Jemma.  I know you’re under a lot of pressure, especially with Kassie.  An accident isn’t on my agenda either.  We might need to think about something more reliable.”

Jemma nodded.  It made sense.  And they were two sensible adults.  Why did she feel like crawling on top of him and ….  Girl, stop it, she chastised herself.  You were just accusing him of not using a condom and now you’re trying to play cowgirl with his body. 

She had to get out the room and she’d definitely forget all the serious talk about birth control.  “Why don’t I fix breakfast?”

***

Jemma stood in the middle of her stateroom on the cruise ship.  She couldn’t believe they were actually there on their way to the Bahamas.  She and Kassie were sharing a room and had a connecting suite with her parents.  Kyle was also next door and his parents were next to him.  Justin and his family were in the next suite, followed by Krista and her family. 

Kassie’s excitement finally got the best of her.  She’d fallen asleep just after the ship left the dock. Jemma decided to unpack their clothes while her daughter slept.  A timid knock interrupted her.  She assumed it was one of the housekeeping staff, but she was wrong.  Kyle stood in her doorway.  She couldn’t get used to relax Kyle. He had on shorts and a polo shirt, no hint of the ranch manager at all.  He was even wearing flip flops. 

“Hey, I wanted to see how you liked your room.”  He stepped inside and looked around.  “I thought she was too energetic on the plane.” 

“This is all she’s talked about the last week.  I think everyone at her school knew she was going on a Disney cruise for Thanksgiving.  Her teacher asked her to report on her trip when she comes back to school,” Jemma couldn’t keep the pride out of her voice.

He smiled at her.  “You’re proud and you have every right to be,” he whispered. “Want to walk around the deck.  It’s really beautiful seeing all that water.”

“I can’t.  Mom and Dad went to the bar.  I’d like someone to be here when she wakes up.” 

He nodded.  “Yeah, it’s a strange place.  If she wakes up like my nieces and nephew do, definitely a good idea.”  He walked to the suitcases she was unpacking.  “Can I help?”

Jemma nodded.  “Sure.”  She pointed to Kassie’s clothes that needed to be on hangars.  “Those need to go in the closet.” 

She had thought he’d object, but he hadn’t.  He completed his task quickly.  “I know Kassie is going to enjoy the cruise, how about you?”

She sat on the spare bed.  “Yes, I’m going to enjoy it.  I already love it.  You should have seen her little face when she saw the ships, it was priceless.  I wish I had recorded it.” 

“It’s still new to you, isn’t it?”  He sat next to her on the bed. 

She nodded.  He understood.  He could actually understand what she was feeling. “Yes, I keep thinking in the back of my mind, it could go away, just like last time. I treasure each word that she says. Every laugh, every sound, because I don’t want that silence ever again.”

He pulled her into his arms.  “I know how you feel.  I like hearing her voice too.” 

***

Jemma awoke the happy squeals of her daughter.  Kassie sounded excited and blissfully content.  Jemma couldn’t believe that was her daughter making all that noise.  Then she heard other voices.  Other children voices.  What the what?  She immediately opened her eyes. 

Kassie wasn’t in their room, but the connecting door to Jemma’s parents’ room was wide open.  She threw back to comforter and headed into the room with the noise. 

Kassie was playing with Ryder, Cara, and Sylvia. “Mom, what’s going on here?”  Her mother was sitting at the small round table in the corner of the room. Jemma joined her mother.  Her father was entertaining all the kids. 

“Hello to you too,” her mother said.  “When we came back from the bar, you were knocked out, but Kassie was up.  So we decided to be good grandparents and take her to the pool while you slept.”

“Okay,” Jemma said.  She knew her mother was going to drag this story out as long as possible.  It was what she did.

“We ran into Justin and his family.  Ryder kicked up such a fuss to follow Kassie.  So I told them we’d be glad to watch him for a while.  Then we ran into Krista….”

“I understand why you have them, but I don’t want you guys not enjoying yourself.” 

“Don’t you worry.  Justin called and they’re on their way and will also get Krista’s kids.  Why don’t you go enjoy some adult time?”

“Mom,” she started.

“Don’t you Mom me,” she said.  “Everyone needs down time.  So go.”

It was a losing battle to argue with her mother, so Jemma agreed.  “I’ll be back in a few hours.”

“Meet us in the dining hall.”  Her mother turned her attention back to the cruised schedule.  “Dinner sounds delicious tonight.  Or maybe you want to have dinner in the restaurant?”

“Not on the first night,” Jemma said, walking toward the door.  “I want us to eat as a family.  I’ll see you guys at seven.  That’s our dinner time.”

“Okay, baby,” her mother said. 

Jemma, feeling dismissed, returned to her room, grabbed her wallet key card and left the room.  She stopped at Kyle’s door, knocked, but didn’t get an answer.  He probably out enjoying the view, she told herself. 

She headed for the pool area and ran directly into Kyle.  He was carrying two bags.  “Shopping already?”

He smiled at her.  “Yeah, I promised the ranch hands I’d get them something.  I wanted to do it before I forget.”  He leaned forward and kissed her.  “Did you have a good nap?”

“Yes, I did.  How did you know?”

“You fell asleep while we were putting away your clothes.  I pulled the comforter over you and left quietly.”

The memories all came crashing back.  “I seem to keep falling asleep on you, don’t I?”

He grinned.  “I can recall a few times that I had your complete attention.  Where’s Kassie?”

“She’s with Mom.  I was told to go have some adult fun,” she said. 

A wide grin split Kyle’s face.  “I knew I liked your mother.”  He kissed her again.  “I’ll put these away and we can walk around the ship.  It’s awesome.  I don’t know why we hadn’t done this before.”

  “You look very relaxed,” Jemma told him.  “I know you’ve been under a great deal of pressure this last month, with the horse sale, Ava, and everything else.  It’s nice to see you just smiling for the hell of it.”

“Wow! I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse. I like it.”  He grabbed her hand and they walked the few yards to his stateroom.  They stashed his bags in the closet and went back outside, hand in hand.  

Jemma got her first good look at the Atlantic Ocean.  “That’s awesome.  So beautiful and so calming,” Jemma said.  They stopped at bow of the ship.  Kyle stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her.  “You’re beautiful, Jemma and you excite me like no other woman has.” 

She leaned against him.  “You always know the exact thing to say.”  She placed her hands on top of his.  “Nothing can top this moment.”

He moved closer to her.  “Oh, I can think of one thing,” Kyle said, his hands caressing her stomach.  “We have just enough time before dinner.”

“You should be a salesman,” she said, stepping out of their embrace and leading him back to his stateroom. 

Kyle didn’t think the cruise could get any better than this moment with Jemma.  They entered his room and headed straight for the bed. It had been two weeks since they’d been together, and it had been the longest two weeks in his life. 

Of course, they had solved their birth control dilemma the easy way.  Jemma went on birth control pills and he still used condoms.  

Their clothes seem to fall from their bodies.  Jemma laid on the bed, naked and waiting for him.  Kyle quickly slipped on the condom and joined her in bed. 

The lovemaking was orchestrated as if they’d been doing this for years.  He knew Jemma’s weak spot was behind her ears.  He kissed her lips, lightly biting them.  “Oh baby, I’ve been dying for two weeks.”  He entered her body and gave up trying to multitask.  He let his body do his talking for him. He moved in and out of her body to the rhythm of their kisses. Jemma kept up with him stroke for stroke, driving him completely out of his mind.

He pulled Jemma closer and kissed her as he felt her orgasm approaching. He swallowed her moans of pleasure as he coaxed her through the climax that shook both of them to their core. 

“Oh, Jemma,” he whispered, panting.  “You’re gorgeous, baby.  I could stay like this forever.” His hands glided over her sweaty body. 

She smiled up at him.  “You’re wonderful too, Kyle.” She yawned.  “In just a little bit, you’ll see how much.”  Her eyes fluttered closed. 

Kyle smoothed back her curly hair and pulled her into his embrace and soon he was asleep too.

                            ***

“Kyle, I need my clothes,” Jemma said as they stepped out of the shower a few hours later.  “You’ll have to get them.”  She sat wrapped in a towel on his bed.   Kyle was also in a towel, but his hung low on his narrow hips, looking incredibly sexy. 

“Okay, I’ll get dressed.”  He was picking out clothes from his closet, when someone knocked on the door.

When neither moved toward the door, the knock sounded again. “I know you guys are in there.  I heard you earlier,” his mother said.  “We’re going to dinner with Jemma’s parents, so join us there.”

“Oh, no,” Jemma said, hitting her head with her palm.  “Just great, your mother heard us having sex.”  She watched Kyle slipped on a pair of boxers, then a pair of shorts, and finally a polo shirt. 

“Honey, it’s not that serious.  We’re two mature adults.  Why do you think your mother sent you out?”

“You mean that woman set this up?” 

“Not really.  I did see her when I went to the gift shop and we had a conversation.  The rest was all us, baby.”

She laughed at herself.  “I get it, quit grasping at straws.  This was what happens in relationships.” She took a deep breath.  “Bet you everyone is going to know by the time we get to the dining hall.”

“That I have no doubt.”   He reached for her room card.  “I’ll check to see if the coast is clear.  I’d feel funny going through your things without you there.” He walked out the door. 

Soon he’d returned with a smiled.  “Yeah, they’re all gone.”  He handed her the room card. 

She gathered up her clothes and headed next door to change.  “I’ll be right back.”  She hurried inside the cabin and changed into some walking shorts, and a silk top. 

“That was fast,” Kyle said as he met her in the hallway.  “Ready?”  He grabbed her hand. 

“Yes.”  She kissed him.  “That was for this afternoon and making this a cruise to remember.”

He nodded.  “We’d better get going or Mom will send security for us.”

“And we don’t want that,” Jemma said.

***

  On the return home, Jemma wondered how different her and Kassie’s life would become.  Kyle and his entire family had been great during the entire cruise, always arranging for Kassie to stay busy and have lots of fun. She and Kyle also spent a lot of time together.

Jemma had plenty of time to think about what the future would hold for them.  Kyle had arranged for a car service to take her, her parents, and Kassie home. They’d returned mid-day Saturday.

“We had a wonderful time, Jemma,” her mother said.  “I think we’re going to need a vacation from our vacation.  There was just so much to do,” she said.

Jemma nodded.  “I’m glad you guys got to come.” She glanced at Kassie’s sleeping form.  “I think she’s going to sleep all day Sunday.”  Jemma yawned.  “I think I just might join her.  I didn’t think four days was going to be that tiring, but that cruise was awesome.”