We Will Always Have the Closet (24 page)

“So, are you going to tell me what we’re doing tonight?” she asked, her curiosity growing by the minute.

“Other than making love all night?” he said with a wicked smile. She playfully slapped him again.

“You know what I mean,” she said, rubbing the spot on his thigh she had just slapped.

Sliding off the high stool, he stepped closer to her so her legs were straddling him at his waist. “First, I am going to do this,” he said, moving his lips softly to her ear and causing her shivers. “Then, I am going to do this.” His mouth moved to her neck and chin. “I may end it like this.” His lips moved on to nibble hers teasingly. In spite of herself, her body immediately responded to his touch and she moaned.

For the next hour they were lost in each other’s arms until Sam told her they needed to get ready to go. She almost regretted having to do it. It felt so good in his welcoming arms. She was very reluctant to be anywhere but in his warm, loving embrace, no matter how promising it may be. But Sam was insistent, so she dragged herself up, got dressed—casual clothes, he had instructed—sprayed herself with some diluted essential oils, and she was ready. “Where are we going?” she asked, getting into the car. Sam didn’t answer, just smiled.

The drive into Seattle was a quiet one. Sam refused to talk much for fear of revealing the big secret, and Petra was too engrossed in her own thoughts, imagining what the surprise could possibly be. When the car was parked in the city, she noticed with dismay that they were very close to Jonas’ beautiful home. This could not be the surprise. “Are we going to Jonas’ house?” she exclaimed.

“Calm down,” Sam soothed her, crossing an arm over her shoulders protectively. “Jonas is in Port Townsend, remember? This house has been put up for sale again. There is something I want to show you.” Gently urging her forward, Sam walked toward the house, removed the keys from his pocket, and went in the front door. At her questioning look, he said, “Liam gave me the keys.”

Once inside the house, he turned on the lights. Nothing had changed much since the last time she had been there. The artwork was still displayed around the house, on walls and pieces of furniture. The soft furnishings were still ethereal and art in themselves…she hated that Jonas had such amazing taste for elegant items. It was probably his only saving grace at this point. It wouldn’t do him any good for the next few years while he was a prisoner. She almost felt sorry for him, but then she shook herself off and focused on Sam instead. Sam obviously knew where he was going. He crossed the front hallway into the living room, past the so-called office/library and headed toward the main bedroom. There he stood facing her with an enigmatic look in his eyes. “What?” she asked, a little lost.

“Remember this room?” he said, pulling her a little closer to the wall.

Of course, she remembered. She had lived there for a couple of years. She had seen it being built and decorated. She had shamefully salivated over the art bought to adorn the space. Sure, she remembered, but it wasn’t exactly a good memory. Suddenly, Sam pulled a little harder and before she could react, they were both inside a small utility closet, hidden in a corner of the room. “Oh my God,” she exclaimed, her hands open wide against his chest. “Is this…our closet?”

Sam laughed. “It’s almost midnight,” he said in a whisper. “I wanted to be where we first met when the New Year arrived.”

That was so romantic; she felt herself melt against him. This time, she was not trying to keep some distance between their bodies. This time, she more than welcomed their tight proximity, so much so she moved even closer. Now, their bodies were glued together with only their clothes between them. She could feel the heat of his hands on her back, the beating of his heart against her face, his warm breath on the top of her head.

There was no need to talk or move. Standing there, in each other’s arms, relishing in each other’s warmth was all they needed. It was heaven. But Sam was not finished. He threw a glance at his watch and announced that in less than one minute, they would be crossing over to a brand new year. He dug in his pocket and took out a small box. “Hold this. I want you to open this at midnight.”

Petra held the box in wonder and waited for him to tell her when. Curiosity was killing her and her fingers were itching to reveal what was inside, but she waited. Finally, he gave her the signal and she opened it with trembling hands. What she saw inside brought tears of joy to her eyes. It was a gold ring encrusted with tiny diamonds.

“It’s an infinity ring,” she whispered, choking on tears.

Sam took the ring out of the box, grabbed her hand, and slid the ring onto her finger. “Just like your mom’s ring,” he said. “A symbol of my love for you, something to remind you always that I am here, and that I will love you forever.”

Their lips met in an emotional kiss. Petra trembled and tears rolled down from her eyes. Sam tipped her chin up with a finger. “And if you ever lose it…” She was about to shake her head, but he interrupted her, looking her straight in the eye with that wicked look of his. “If you ever lose it, just remember, we will always have the closet.”

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Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my wonderful writing group, The Sippy Cups. Without them I would have never found the courage to write again and realize my lifelong dream of being published.

My husband and sons who had to put up with my writing through sleep deprivation, lack of regular meals, and unwashed loads of laundry; thank you for not complaining…too much.

My aunt (and namesake) Natalina who always nurtured the love for the written word and the value of good spelling and grammar; you sure had an effect on me!

Thank you, sis, for being my best friend even when an ocean separates us. I am inspired by your ability to love fully and deeply.

For my mom and my dad who always encouraged me to read and write and be all I could be, thank you forever. I owe you everything.

A great big thank you to my two editors, J.K. and Toni. You are awesome!

For all the amazing writers who have entertained me and taken me to places I never thought I would be, thank you, thank, thank you.

And thank you, readers, for picking my “baby.” I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

About the Author

Natalina wrote her first romance in collaboration with her best friend at the age of 13. Since then she has ventured into other genres, but romance is first and foremost in almost everything she writes.

After earning a degree in tourism and foreign languages, she worked as a tourist guide in her native Portugal for a short time before moving to the United States. She lived in three continents and a few islands, and her knack for languages and linguistics led her to a master’s degree in education. She lives in Virginia where she has taught English as a Second Language to elementary school children for more years than she cares to admit.

Natalina doesn’t believe you can have too many books or too much coffee. Art and dance make her happy and she is pretty sure she could survive on lobster and bananas alone. When she is not writing or stressing over lesson plans, she shares her life with her husband and two adult sons.

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