ANDREW wasn’t sure what had gotten into him. He had called the helicopter service without hesitation. He had made it to the private landing strip to fly to San Francisco with no doubts. The purpose of his trip was two-fold—Abby being the main one.

After Abby and her friends were gone and he was home alone again, he had tried to busy himself with work. While he was checking on emails, one came in from Dr. Sansbury. His mentor had messaged him to ask if he could cover a med school lecture—and maybe three over January, if the professor on leave hadn’t returned from sabbatical on time.

It seemed like synchronicity. He was yearning for Abby. She was in San Francisco, and then, the request from Sansbury. It made sense. He wouldn’t have to worry too much about a place to stay. They owned a chain of hotels, and his father kept two suites in almost every city for family and company use.

And Abby wanted him. This would be the perfect opportunity to see more of each other. Time at the cabin had been somewhat accelerated, and now he wanted to show her what she meant to him. He was going to pull out all stops to show her. He couldn’t wait.

Yes, he was concerned about what it all meant, and how she would take it. But this was quite possibly the best decision he had made in a while. His hope was she would be patient with him, and he would take steps to make sure the torment of his past was truly behind him. He desperately wanted to be open with Abby when the time was right.

When he saw the shock on her face as she peeked through her apartment window, the doubts crept up. He wasn’t sure he had made the right decision to surprise her. Was she shocked because it was unexpected, or because she hadn’t really intended on seeing him anymore? Before she opened the door, he hoped, they could pick up right where they left off just hours before.

And when she opened the door and asked him why he was there, he wasn’t sure at all if he should have gone to her. He took some time to look around her apartment while she waited for an answer. It was quaint, but just like he imagined it. Bright, airy and fresh—just like Abby. The thought surfaced that maybe it might have been better to wait; to talk on the phone for a while, keep the connection loosely alive, and stick with the plan of seeing her the next weekend.

He straightened up to answer her finally. “Abby, I had to see you.” He pulled the arm he held hidden behind his back, and produced a bunch of flowers. It was at least two dozen pink roses. “These are for you.”

“Wow! They’re gorgeous. Thank you so much…”

“I’m sorry if I came without asking first.”

“Let me put these in water.” She took the vase from the dining table and filled it with water. Andrew looked at her while she removed the wrapper around the flowers and placed them in the vase. She was beaming.

“So…how did you get here?” she asked when she returned to the living room.

“Private jet.”

She looked at him. Her features softened as he stood in the doorway, so he went with it. “I won’t keep you too long, Abby. Something else came up and I’m going to be staying at one of our hotels in North Beach. I came to tell you in person, and to ask if I could see you while I’m here. Perhaps for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Um, yes. That would be great. Would you like to come in?” She stood aside and left room for him to enter.

“Sure. Thank you.”

She closed the door and looked up at him, but didn’t move in closer. “So what happened? Was this all of a sudden?”

“Yes. I got the email when I made it back home.”

“Is it anything urgent or serious?”

“No nothing like that. Just covering for a prof’s med school lecture. Maybe a few this month.”

“At UCSF?”

“Yes. Not the nursing program, so you won’t have to worry about bumping into me on campus. Unless you want to see me…”
God, why am I so nervous right now.
He took a breath and continued. “After I dropped you all off in Reno, I took Trina and John’s stuff to them right away. When I got home, well, the place was just not the same without you.” He stepped towards her and took her tiny hands in his as she looked up at him. She didn’t move away, so he took it as a good sign. “You mentioned you had a few more days off, so I thought…no, I didn’t think. I just had to see you, Abby. And now I’m here. We could spend time here in San Francisco, or I could take you back to cottage and fly you back on Sunday, if you’re up for it.”

“That’s not a bad idea,” she admitted, pausing as she seemed to weigh the options in her mind. “It was our original plan, and I was looking forward to spending time with you. If I come, this time I’ll have my laptop, and my things. Do you mind if I think about it tonight?”

“Definitely.”

He couldn’t resist his urge anymore. He made one more step toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Her body softened in his arms, and she looked up at him with a tenderness that owned him. She stepped up on her tiptoes and kissed his lips softly. Hallelujah!

After their kiss, he pulled back to pull something from his pocket. “Well, it’s quite late. I’m sure you’ve got an early start tomorrow. This is the number where I’ll be staying for the next few days. And I have my cell phone. So, we’re good for dinner tomorrow? I can pick you up at seven.”

“Yes. That sounds great.”

“Awesome. I’ll take care of the reservation.”

“Andrew?” She called to him and he could kiss her again. The sound of her voice calling his name stirred him deeply.

“Yes?”

“I’m glad you’re here. And that you came by.”

“I’m pleased you think so,” he admitted.

“So how did you find me?”

“I have Rob to thank. I hope that was okay?”

“Oh, of course.”

“Good,” he said, still slightly nervous, which made him ramble on and on. “I’m relieved to hear you say that. I wasn’t sure coming here was the right decision, and it was so late at night. I felt badly about ringing your doorbell so many times.”

“It’s okay.”

“I saw your rental car so I knew you were home.”

“That’s fine.”

He was tired of rambling on. He took a breath. “Abby, I’m sure you have questions, and I don’t know that I have any answers for you about why I came all this way. There is no playbook for this. I was going purely on gut feeling. I don’t know if we should speed things up, or slow things down. I’m not sure whether we’ve done things in the wrong order and ruined our shot at this. All I know is it feels right. I want to be near you all the time. I look forward to holding you, to looking into your eyes, and I know I’m rambling. I think I will let you sleep now. And we can see each other tomorrow.”

She looked up at him. All Andrew saw was patience and tenderness in her eyes. “I think you know I feel the same way about you, Andrew. And yes, I’m a little surprised to see you at my front door right now. But your being here is a good thing, I think. Maybe it’s good you’re staying at the hotel, and I’m here. We can see each other at dinner, and learn about each other. We can go out and enjoy each other’s company. But I don’t have a playbook either. And I don’t think we need one. I don’t judge what happened, and dwell much on whether it too fast or to slow, or in the wrong or right order. I want to be with you. That hasn’t changed from this morning.”

“Thanks Abby.”

“I wasn’t finished.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“I was going to say, I think you should stay for a while, if you have time tonight.”

“Sure. I’d like that.”

“Good. Did you drive here?”

“Yes. No. I didn’t drive myself. I used our limo service. The driver is waiting in the parking lot.”

“Could he come back for you tomorrow morning?”

He liked the sounds of that, but couldn’t stay. “I’m sorry, Abby. I can’t stay tonight. I’ve got an early meeting at the hotel in the morning. And a briefing with Dr. Sansbury for a few hours in the afternoon.”

“Oh okay.”

“We could meet earlier tomorrow, if you’re free?”

“I think so. I want to get on campus tomorrow morning to see what I’ve missed so far. It’s probably not that much. If you’d like to do something before dinner, I should be home by early afternoon.”

“Great. I’ll confirm once I meet Sansbury.” He paused, noticing she was in pajamas and seemed pretty tired. “If you want me to, I can stay for a while.” He looked at his watch. “Maybe a couple of hours?”

“Sure.” She moved back into his arms and hugged around his waist. “So, did you miss me, Andrew?”

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Chapter Two

ABBY was happy to see Andrew. But like him, she wasn’t sure what she needed to do next. The time in Lake Tahoe seemed surreal already. They were locked away from everything, and things had happened so quickly. Now, she was here in the outside world, and she wasn’t so sure about where to take it. Again, the thought of labels and definitions and societal norms crept up. Did the fact that she slept with him mean they were dating? Or not dating?

She had told him she wanted to be his and she meant it. She just couldn’t be sure of a clear path forward. The way romances were depicted on television, in romance novels, and all around her was laid out in a completely different sequence. Go out on a few dates, see if there’s a spark, go out some more, become intimate, decide the other person is for you, and then commit. She and Andrew had felt the spark and went straight to intimacy and commitment all in seventy two hours. So what were they supposed to do next?

The thing she had no doubt about was her attraction to him, his kindness, and his soft heart. She needed to hold on to that. Preserving what they had required some shedding of those expectations drilled into her mind since birth about relationship progression, but so be it.

For now, he had shown up at her door, looking sharp in his white shirt, black slacks and a sleek leather jacket. He looked like a different Andrew altogether. All she had seen him wear at the cottage were jeans, plaid shirts, and sweat suits; and all those plush white robes. Oh, and nothing. He looked amazing then, but now he looked refined, taller, sexier and completely edible.

The door was ajar, and he had stepped in, and emotion clamped around her heart until she could barely breathe. And where had her manners gone? He was still standing in the middle of her living room, and she had not offered him a seat or a drink.

“I’m sorry for being rude, Andrew. Please, have a seat.”

“Thanks,” he answered, sitting in the spot on the sofa closest to the door.

“Can I get you a drink? Water, juice? I can put some coffee on.”

“No. You’ve got to be tired from that drive.”

“Well, maybe a little, but not too tired to be polite.”

“Don’t worry about that, Abby. How about you come over here?” He held his arm out, inviting her to sit beside him.

Abby did one better. She took his hand and settled in his lap. She wanted to feel that smoldering heat his body gave off twenty-four seven. She cuddled into Andrew’s embrace and wasted no time, nipping on his neck from her convenient spot. His strong, muscular arms wrapped around her, one around her waist and one tight under her breasts. A large hand cupped her breast, his thumb playing idly with her nipple through her pajama top.

The tug of desire struck low, and resonated in her womb. He was playing with fire, really. They had already gone a few times that morning, but that felt like ages ago. His crazy idea to show up unannounced couldn’t be a bad thing. Maybe it had been inspired, indeed. Though, the rather unexpected twist was a bit…dream-like. She was sure he had messaged her, but sleep had taken precedent. All that didn’t matter anymore, now that she was in his arms.

She nestled in his neck and closed her eyes as he caressed her. “I may not be able to let you leave if you keep that up.”

“I may not want to leave either,” he confessed.

She sat up and gave him a lopsided smile, still a little sleepy from being jolted awake by his visit. He laughed and lifted her chin, and proceeded to kiss her gently, then much harder. Her desire overtook her again. She was ready for some messy and fun lovemaking—on her turf.

He peeked open an eyelid and groaned.

“I want you, Abby.” His voice was at its sexiest, a deep baritone, husky, raw and very seductive. Abby shivered at just the sound of it.

“Is that why you woke me up?” She moaned into his ravenous mouth.

“Yes,” he said. She noticed the lift of his lips as he said it, and knew there was some levity mixed in with the joking. Sweet Jesus, the man was as frisky as she was. It was a beautiful thing.

“Good. I want you. Right here. Right now,” she said, standing up and pulling him to his feet. “Right here on the couch.”

“Right here?”

“Absolutely.” she grinned at him, sliding her hand down to his member.

Silence answered her suggestion. She wasn’t worried. He was on board. The stripping off of his jacket and shirt, and unbuckling of his belt were dead giveaways. She gave him a moment and then started humming the Jeopardy tune. Ten chords in, and he was ripping at her pajama top, tugging at her panties to get them off. He took her hand, sat in the chair, and pulled her back into his lap.

“I’m in.”

“You’d better believe it. You can’t have come all this way for a kiss. I’d be irate if you had.”

She gripped the backrest behind his shoulder and shifted to straddle him.

“I’ll do my bet to talk you down from irate,” he teased, eyes now fixated on her breasts.

She lowered from her kneeling position, and dipped down so her chest met his face. He cupped his hands under each breasts and licked one after the other. It felt so good. She reached a hand down between her legs and found his cock. She took it in her hand and pumped slowly, eyes down at his lips sucking her nipples. His cock grew under her hand, and she reached the other hand underneath to cup and massage his balls. They were tight and hard.

“I want to ride you, Andrew,” she whispered.

She was dripping wet with need; and so ready for him. She positioned his manhood at her opening and sat on it slowly, letting its thickness penetrate and spread her aching pussy.

“Oh God, Abby,” Andrew groaned, releasing his attack on her nipples.

She dragged her nails across his outer thighs when he pulled her ass forward and down on him. Her pleasure grew as he pulled her in and released, and all she could do was move her hand up his chest, grip his shoulders, arch her back, and ride. He was moving beneath her and soon, a wave of pleasure ripped through her core as she came. She bit her lips and groaned a low humming sound, and before she could descend, another wave hit. He must have been in the perfect position, giving her G-spot a run for the money.

Soon her legs gave way. He was close, but had not come yet. To help him, she stretched her arms down and around his hips to cup his ass. She dug into his skin as he tilted his hips in short, sharp upward bursts. Abby’s channel contracted again, squeezing tight around his cock as he went deeper.

No doubt, he was close. His thrusts grew more erratic by the second. Up and in. Down and not quite out.

“Oh God, Abby… Abby.”

She was getting so turned on again. He jerked when she bit softly on his collarbone and she felt him driving his cock deeper and harder into her for a few more times before he released deep within her core. His muscular thighs shook as the last of his orgasm flowed through him. Breathless, he cupped her face and kissed her.

“Abby…”

She stopped him with a finger across his lips. She didn’t want him to speak. She could guess what was coming. It was the mind-blowing sex talking. She rested her head on his shoulder and let the strength return.

***

“Aren’t you hungry?” Andrew asked when his breathing was back under control.

“Now that you mention it, yes.” She shifted her body and climbed off him. “I can make you something when I clean up a bit.”

She started walking to the bathroom, but turned as she remembered something. “Wait. Sorry, Andrew. My fridge is probably a no-go zone. I was at my dad’s for two weeks before we got stuck in the blizzard. I had cleared it out before I went home. Anything left in there is either old or moldy, or somewhere in between.”

“Want to grab a bite to eat? Or I can order in for us.”

“Sure.”

“Or, if you’re up for it, my hotel has a steakhouse on the main floor. They’re open late. Good food. Excellent steaks and ribs. And room service. So if you’d like to stay with me…”

She thought about it for a while. She had really missed sleeping in her own bed. And she had to be on campus.

“How about this. There’s an all-night diner two blocks up the road. We can go have a bite there now, and stick to our dinner plans for tomorrow.”

“Sounds good. The limo can take us.”

“Let’s walk. I need to move around. It’s just two blocks away.”

“I’m game.”

“Okay. I’ll need a little time to get ready.”

“Me too,” he winked.

“Okay you go ahead while I figure out what to wear.” She kissed him and went back to her room.

Abby hurried in and made a beeline to her closet. Andrew had shown up looking so good. She wanted to dress up a little, even if they were just going to the diner. Before meeting him, she didn’t have the need for loads of dressy attire. Hanging in her closet were two dresses – one very casual summer dress she wore some Saturdays to campus, and one that was too formal. She had worn it when one of her nursing classmates had gotten married. She had no idea what she’d wear to dinner tomorrow night.

She settled for a pair of black skinny jeans, a simple pair of black flats, and a pink button-down shirt. There wasn’t much she could do about her hair either. She had towel dried it, so it fell to her back in waves. Even if she shampooed it again it would need ages to blow dry
Ahhh.
She went to the linen closet for a towel. Andrew was back in the sofa, checking messages on his phone. She hurried to the bathroom, took a shower, and went to her room again to quickly get ready.

When she was dressed, she took out her small makeup bag and put on some lipstick and mascara. She put some anti-frizz product in her hair, and looked again at her face. It would have to do. Her eyes were still a little red from having just woken up, but she looked okay. There was also that look on her face. She was beaming. She was happy. And Andrew was sitting in her living room, looking dapper again, and waiting to take her out on what she could call her their first real mini date.

The thought gave her instant butterflies, and that smile; the smile that would not go away. She put on a subtle trace of eye liner and a mild pink eye shadow. A girl had to look good for her man, but more importantly, she had to feel good. And Abby did. She stepped back and took in as much as she could in the mirror. She checked both off her list. She walked out to the living room to meet that wonderful man waiting for her.

“Ready?”

He stood up and looked at her intently. Taking her gently in his arms, he held her around her waist. “Abby. God. You look so beautiful.”

“Thanks.”

“Yes. I’m ready. I’ll tell the driver to wait here.”

She pulled her spring jacket from the front closet. It was probably chilly outside. He went out to speak to his driver, and Abby she grabbed her phone, purse and keys, and locked up. He came back to the front door, hooked her arm into his, and they left on foot to their date.

She was glad she threw on the jacket. The night air was cool, with a soft breeze blowing. Every so often it would whip up her hair. It sent a shiver through her, but that had more to so with the man beside her. He unhooked his arm and wrapped it tightly around her body as they strolled.

“Are you cold?”

“No, not too much. Just enjoying the fresh air. We had been snowbound for three days, remember? And to be honest, after walking through that blizzard for over an hour, I wasn’t sure I’d like being out in the elements at all anymore.”

“I can imagine. Well don’t worry about tonight, Abby. I’m here to keep you warm.”

“Mmmm.” She snuggled into his chest and leaned her head on his shoulder for a moment. He smelled so damn good.

He was protective of her as they walked. No one was around, and the streets were quiet. He kept her close, and made a point of walking on the side closer to the curb. He was a true gentleman. Like her dad. Spending this time with Andrew, and at his cottage, was beginning to trigger so many memories of her mom and dad. This time, she remembered them walking along a small waterway in Sparks near the state park.

For almost the entire walk, her father had held her hand on one side, and her mom on the other. Whenever they got to a curb or crossed the street, depending on the orientation, he would switch positions with her mom. Abby was always in the middle, but had been confused about why he would keep switching. She had looked up and asked eventually. His answer was, ‘the man is supposed to walk on the outside near the curb, Abby. A good man always does what he can to keep his family safe.’

“So how do you like living here?” Andrew asked, pulling her out of her memories and back to their walk.

“I’ve grown to love. It took a while. During my undergraduate years, I lived closer to downtown. It was way too loud. But out here, it’s close enough for me to run on the boardwalk, see the ocean, and it’s a lot quieter on this side of the campus.”

“Do you enjoy going out on the water?”

“I think so. I mean, I’m sure I would. I haven’t ever been out. Unless dipping my feet in the ocean qualifies.”

“Well, we’ll have to change that.”

“Really?”

“Yes, we will. My dad loves the ocean. He sails a lot on the east coast, but he’s got a speed boat he keeps docked at North Beach. Sometimes it’s a Fisherman’s Wharf. I’d like to take you out on it, one night when you’re free.”

BOOK: Cabin Glow: A New Adult and College Romance (The Billionaire Romance Redemption Series Book 3)

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