From Now Until Infinity (2) (14 page)

He laughs and tosses me my yoga pants. I also will make sure that I scrub my kitchen island when I clean up from dinner. As I sit down at the table, he hands me a glass of wine and my plate of dinner. “Eat my beautiful girl,” he commands. “I need you to keep your strength up for later. I’ve got something that I need help with.” Then without missing a beat he winks at me. “It’ll take about ten minutes.”

I must give him a look of horror because he laughs. “I need help getting something out of my car.”

Dinner is good, but Colin’s company is the best. I tell him about my day and talk about my patients in general. I’m so used to eating dinner alone, that I‘ve forgotten how nice it is to share your life with someone else. Colin asks questions and laughs when he should. He tells me that he bought a desk today for his new office/my old guest bedroom. It will be delivered tomorrow. He says that I’ll like it. I don’t doubt that I will.

As we’re cleaning up from dinner he asks, “What do you think about buying a larger bed?”

I pause washing the curry chicken off of the plate and think about it for a moment. How do I feel? I never considered buying a king sized bed when I moved into my town home. It’s just me. I didn’t need a huge bed. Colin’s a tall man. He would probably be more comfortable with a larger bed. “Why do we need a larger bed? You seem to sleep right on top of me, anyway,” I tease.

“It’s just a thought. You can keep your bed if you want to,” he replies, but I can tell that he’s a little upset. I’m not sure why. A bed’s a bed, right?

“My bed is only a couple of years old; I guess I just think that it’s wasteful. However, if you want a larger bed, it’s fine.” I guess we’re starting the normal part of a relationship where you have to discuss things like bed sizes and bills. I know that it can’t always be fairytales, roses, and Thai takeout, but I’m not sure I am ready to ditch my bed yet either.

Colin immediately drops the discussion about my mattress when I tell him that the bed’s relatively new. I know that he’s not dropping the discussion because he agrees that it’s wasteful. Colin brought up the whole buying a new mattress because he was afraid that I’d slept with other men on it.

It turns out that the help that Colin needed was maneuvering his office chair out of his car. It wasn’t heavy, but it was too bulky for one person to manage. The leather chair was also my surprise. He was very proud that the chair that he chose matches my house décor.

I’m not really sure what we did the rest of the evening, but I fell asleep the happiest and most content that I’ve been in years. My 6’5” statement molded himself to me so who needs a big bed anyways?

Chapter Seven

AT 6:15, my alarm begins to yell at me. I struggle to get out of Colin’s tight embrace to turn the damn thing off. He doesn’t let me get far before he pulls me back to his chest and holds me tighter.

“Are we running this morning, beautiful?” he mumbles.

I want nothing more than to stay snuggled with my face buried in his soft chest hair, but we both need the exercise after our trip to New Orleans. “Yes,” I reply halfheartedly.

Before I can change my mind, he releases me and springs out of bed. I laugh at how animated he is in the mornings. Colin begins to do a goofy little dance for me and starts singing some ridiculous song about kicking my ass. His beautiful naked body walks into my bathroom and begins getting dressed while he brushes his teeth.

I laugh at how cute he is and drag my sorry behind out of bed. I throw on my running gear, and as I brush my teeth, I’m silently so thankful that I am not sneaking out this morning. I’m glad to have my running buddy back.

He heads downstairs before me giving me a few minutes of privacy in the bathroom which I’m very grateful for. So far we’ve manage to find a good balance between spending time together and privacy. He’s also been putting the toilet seat down and rinsing his toothpaste out of the sink. I’m pleased.

He’s already stretching when I make my way to him. The sight of him takes my breath away. His hair is getting longer and his waves are truly back. I love them. I silently think how unfair it is that anyone can look that good in the morning before a shower. The man has model genes. I do not.

I sit down and stretch quickly. I’m anxious to run with Colin again. The last time we ran together was the confession run in Los Angles when he told me he loved me. I also lost our bet when I stopped running first. Today, I’ve got Colin in my neighborhood. This is my home team advantage. I plan on smoking him.

“Let’s do this, Doctor Collins,” he states as he struts towards my front door. Dear Lord, I could watch this man all day and not be bored. I literally think that I can see his ass cheeks bounce as he walks.

Six miles later, I’m rather pleased with myself. Colin and I decided that it was a draw. I kept a good pace with the professional athlete, and he said that he enjoyed hanging back a few feet so he could unabashedly stare at my behind for an hour. Apparently, we have a mutual appreciation for each other’s back sides.

He heads upstairs to the shower first. Colin has a meeting today with the underwear company that he represents. They want to discuss this year’s campaign and they said for some reason they couldn’t do it over Skype or the phone. Colin’s meeting them at a local hotel to discuss the project. I secretly think that all four women want to spend a couple of hours ogling him which I completely understand.

After I’ve had my cup of coffee and stretched, I head upstairs to start getting dressed for the day. When I’m about half way up the stairs, I pause to listen to Colin singing. He must be out of the shower because the water is no longer running, and he’s singing my ringtone George Strait’s
I Just Want to Dance With You.
I’ve forgotten what a nice voice he has. He’s really good enough that if the whole professional quarterback gig hadn’t of worked out, he could have been a singer.

I wish that I could stand here and listen to him all day, but I’ve got to get to the office. With much regret, I continue my way upstairs. As soon as I hit the landing, Colin stops singing. Could my boy be shy? That would be a first.

As I walk into my bathroom, I ask in my most charming voice, “Will you sing for me while I get dressed?”

He swats my behind and whispers in my ear, “No. No private concerts for my girl.”

“Why don’t you ever sing for anyone? You have a great voice,” I whine as I start the shower water.

He walks into my closet (but I guess it’s our closet now) to grab some shoes. I think that he thinks that this is the end of the subject, but it’s not. I’m not anyone, and I want to hear him sing. I could probably stomp my foot if I wanted to work up to a temper tantrum.

I climb in the shower while he’s still rummaging in the closet. When he walks out, I wipe the condensation off the glass so I can get a good look at him. Colin’s dressed in a royal blue, short sleeve Polo knit shirt which is tucked into a pair of flat front khakis. For someone who doesn’t give much thought to his appearance, he looks gorgeous. He does it effortlessly.

“Hey Colin!” I call as I rinse the conditioner out of my hair.

“What baby?”

“You look hot.” He does the cutest little behind shake that I’ve ever seen. I stick my head out of the shower and give him a goodbye kiss. I know that I’m going to be late today, but it just can’t be helped.

As he walks out of the bathroom, I yell, “You’re singing for me tonight.”

He stops walking and turns around sauntering back into the bathroom. “Is that right, Doctor Collins?” He smirks.

“Yup!” I reply as I begin to massage my breasts. “If you want to play with these, I get a concert first.”

He throws his head back laughing, and then flashes me his half smile. “You drive a tough bargain. We’ll see about that tonight.”

He calls out an “I love you” over his shoulder as he heads downstairs.

On my way to the office, I come up with a brilliant idea. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (RodeoHouston is its official name, but I think only reporters actually call it that) is going on. It’s a month long event that consumes the city, and it’s one of the largest not-for-profit fundraisers in the country. For four weeks, Houston becomes obsessed with all things cowboy. There’s a parade, bar-be-que cook off, trail rides, a huge fair with rides, cowboys come from all over to compete nightly in rodeo events, and entertainers perform. Last year over 2.5 million people attended the rodeo. It’s one of my favorite things about living in Houston, and I remembered that I never got the opportunity to bring Colin when we dated the first time.

I’m so excited to get to my office, that I forgo the third cup of coffee in the break room and head straight for Brad. He just about breaks his neck doing a double take that I don’t have a cup in my hand.

He follows me into my office and asks, “You’re pregnant aren’t you?”

I give him a highly disgusted look and shake my head no. “Sit down,” I instruct. “I’ve got a project for you.”

I tell him my idea. I know that George Strait is performing at the rodeo tomorrow night, and I want tickets for Colin and me. This night at the rodeo has been sold out forever, but with as many charity events that I attend there has to be someone that has some pull and owes me a favor.

“Why don’t you give me something simple to do like stop Internet porn?” Brad complains.

“Just make some phone calls for me. I want the special floor seats. The cost doesn’t matter. I have faith in you Brad because you’re the best in the world.” I butter him up.

He loves when I say stuff like this so he heads out of my office with a spring in his step.

Today is a patient day. I review the files on my desk and head into exam room one to see my first patient of the day.

I bounce between my four exam rooms without even a bathroom break until lunch time. When my last patient before lunch leaves, I’m very anxious to hear what Brad has found out for me. As I walk toward my office, I hear Brad hanging up with Jenny, Colin’s assistant. I’m a bit ticked. This is supposed to be a surprise for Colin. Why would Brad call Jenny?

I walk up to his desk doing my best “I’m not mad” impression. “Any news for me?” I ask.

“Let’s go into your office,” Brad replies.

We walk in and shut the door. He starts talking before I get a chance to ask why he tipped off Jenny. “Here’s the deal, Caroline. I can get you tickets on the floor to the show. It’s the security that’s the issue.”

I must give him a perplexed look. I have no idea what security has to do with going to see George Strait sing at the rodeo.

He continues. “You saw how Colin was treated at lunch. I know you think that he’s just some guy who throws a football, but Caroline, he’s a celebrity. Like a really big celebrity. Like he can cause a mob scene big celebrity. He can’t just go walk around the fair and then hang out at the rodeo. It’s not safe for you or him.”

I’m shocked. I thought getting a pair of tickets was a big deal. I know that Colin has a fan following, but does he really need security? Maybe Brad’s just overreacting.

“Anyway,” Brad keeps talking and ignores the surprised expression on my face. “I called Jenny. By the way, she promised to not tell Colin about your surprise. She said that Colin usually hires security for events like this. Although she said that this is sort of uncharted waters for her because Colin usually wouldn’t attend an event like this with such huge crowds.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me. This cannot be this difficult. Colin has to go out in public sometimes,” I say making air quotes around the word “public.” This’s just another reminder of how little I know about Colin. I had no idea that he would need security or that he didn’t attend public events like this. I slump in my chair feeling very defeated. “So does this mean that we can’t go to the rodeo?”

Brad breaks out into a huge smile. “Who’s got the best assistant in the whole wide world?”

“I do,” I reply smiling very big and sitting up straighter in my office chair.

“I made some phone calls to the rodeo. They will be more than happy to accommodate a team of security for you and Colin. Jenny’s finding out what security firm that we should use locally, and I’ll get it arranged for you,” Brad’s beaming. He’s ridiculously proud of himself.

I’m not overly thrilled about the idea of security trailing us, but I, after years of therapy, choose to focus on the positives.

1. I will get to introduce Colin to the rodeo, which I adore.

2. We get to see George Strait together who has been a constant favorite of both of ours.

3. Riding rides is the best, and Colin will get to watch me make an idiot of myself.

4. The food rocks! He might not eat fried Twinkies or Oreos but this girl does.

“Brad, you’re a genius!” I stroke his ego. “Shall I buy you a lovely deli lunch?”

* * *

By the end of the day, Brad and Jenny had found a security firm that came highly recommended. They had a team put together to escort us to the rodeo tomorrow. They will pick us up at five o’clock, and stay with us until we’re ready to return home.

On the way home from work, I remind myself of the positives: a new experience, George Strait, rides and fried snack foods. If I’m going to have a meaningful life with Colin McKinney, this is my new reality. I’m trading the ability to decide to go to a public event on a whim for one of the finest on the outside and inside men that I’ve ever known. I think that it’s a very fair trade off.

I can’t wait to get home and see my man. I’ve thought about him all day. I park in the garage and enter my house through the garage entrance. Colin is sitting in his newly converted office behind a lovely wooden desk that looks like I’m the one who picked it out. I almost have to pinch myself. This man is really mine.

I hang my purse and keys on the hook by the door and walk into Colin’s office. He leans back in his new office chair that I helped carry in last night. “Welcome home Doctor Collins. I wasn’t expecting you so soon.”