What it Takes (37 page)

“I hope they’re not the only ones.” Patrick took a step closer.

She shook her head. “No, they’re not.” Patrick was staring at her when her eyes met his again and his brow was furrowed. “At least we’ll see each other again, right?” she added, a note of desperation in her voice.

“Right.” He nodded. “I don’t want to go.”

“You’ve said that,” she teased.

He took another step and put his arms around her waist as he slowly lowered his face to hers. She stretched to meet him in a gentle kiss. Like a pot of water just starting to boil, the heat from his mouth quickly warmed her body. The blood rushed from her head and she melted into his embrace. He tilted his head to deepen the kiss and she sighed with pleasure at the added pressure.

He tasted sweet on her lips as she wove her fingers through his hair and pulled him closer. He backed her against the car, pressing his hips against her as one hand held her head still and the other softly caressed her back. She reveled in the hard pressure of his body against hers and knew, without a doubt, that this was right. This was where she belonged, in his arms, and any fear she had was forgotten.

When he pulled back, they stared at each other, panting heavily but not speaking. She was afraid to break the spell they were under with words. Kelsey watched him closely, studying the mask of confusion on Patrick’s face as he let his arms fall and took her hands. He took in a lungful of air and looked deep into her eyes.

“I love you,” he said on the exhale.

Her heart jumped to her throat and her eyes rounded. She opened her mouth to speak but was at a loss for words. When she opened her mouth again, he shook his head.

“Please don’t say anything. I just want you to listen.” She stood frozen to the spot as he began to pace. “I’ve been trying to tell you since I got here. Hell, I tried to tell you before you left Knoxville. Given my past, you probably think I say that to all the women, but I don’t. You may not believe me, but I’ll do whatever I have to do to prove how sincere I am.” He paused in front of her. “I’ll do anything to be worthy of you.”

“Patrick,” she whispered and put her hand on his cheek. He covered it with his and took a step closer. “Patrick, you don’t have to prove anything to me. I’m over your past.” His eyes widened and she grinned as she took his free hand. “I love you,” she said, emphasizing each word.

“Really?” he asked, smiling boyishly as she nodded. “Really? You mean it. You’re not just saying it because I said it?”

She pouted. “Why would you ask that?”

He pulled her to him again, immediately pressing his lips to hers. He nipped her bottom lip lightly and when she gasped in protest, plunged his tongue into her mouth. She savored his exploration and wrapped her arms around him tightly, pressing herself against him. His erection pushed against her lower stomach and she fought not to rub herself against him. His mouth left hers and her head fell to the side as he kissed his way across her cheek to her ear.

“I’m sorry; I hope I didn’t offend you.” His words fluttered her hair.

“With your kiss?” she teased breathlessly and heard him chuckle. He lifted his head to look at her and shook his head. “No, of course not,” she smiled. “I’m not offended.” She kissed his chin.

“I meant what I said.” He ran a finger along her hairline and followed it with his eyes. “I will make myself worthy of you. You deserve that much from me.” Kelsey opened her mouth to argue and his finger found her lips and pressed against them. “I need to do it,” he said softly and she nodded. They stood in each other’s arms, holding on to the little bit of time they had left, saying nothing, just staring into one another’s eyes.

“You probably should go,” Kelsey murmured as she laid her head against his chest.

He laughed lightly and pulled her closer. “It’s a private jet, it can wait.” He rested his cheek on her head and made no effort to move. “I should kidnap you and take you with me.”

She smiled widely and considered letting him.

He blew out a long breath. “When will you be back in LA?”

“Late January.”

“You can’t come any sooner?” he asked and she lifted her head and saw his frown.

“I promised the kids I wouldn’t leave until the end of the month,” she answered and he nodded.

A mischievous twinkle appeared in his eyes just before his lips lowered to her neck. “I can’t give you a reason to come back sooner?” he asked as he lightly caressed the skin below her ear.

She whimpered at the torture. “You’ll be busy filming,” she said as her pulse began to race.

His mouth slid lower, to the base of her neck. “I’ll have free time.”

She melted against him and reluctantly said, “I can’t.”

He laid his forehead on her collarbone. “I know,” he exhaled and lifted his head. “You’ll at least be out for my birthday, right?”

“Definitely.” His birthday was in early February, a week after she was scheduled to return. “The big three-oh, I wouldn’t miss it,” she teased.

“Good,” he said softly as she laid her head against him again. He held her tight for a few fleeting moments. “I’ve gotta go.”

“I know.”

Patrick stepped away and she shivered at the suddenly cold air around her.

“I love you,” he stated again. Her heart leapt as he took her face in his hands and kissed her softly. With a deep sigh, he stepped away and walked to the driver’s side of the car as Kelsey walked toward the porch. “I’ll call you when I get to the airport.”

“Okay.” She turned to watch him. He stood with the door open, one foot in the car, staring at her. “I love you.”

His lips broadened as he got in the car.

Kelsey waved from the top step as he drove away and her chest tightened. She rapidly blinked the tears away. When he was completely out of sight she turned and went into the house. As soon as she opened the door, Janelle grabbed her hand. She hummed the playground tune “K-I-S-S-I-N-G” as she dragged her sister into the kitchen.

Janelle sat on a stool at the island, her glee written all over her face as she stared at Kelsey. “Did he say it?”

Kelsey leaned over the counter. “Say what?” she asked nonchalantly. She was trying her best to keep her expression blank.

“Come on, really,” Janelle said, her enthusiasm slowly fading. “You know exactly what I’m talking about.” Kelsey shook her head and Janelle’s brow furrowed. “He didn’t say it to you?” Janelle almost whined.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Kelsey turned her attention to the marble countertop and studied it for a minute or two. When she looked up at her sister, she slowly smiled. Janelle squealed and clapped her hands and Kelsey laughed as she walked to the sink and looked out the window. “You know, it’s not nice to spy on people.”

“Oh, get over it,” Janelle retorted and came up behind Kelsey. “That kiss looked amazing by the way.”

“It was,” Kelsey murmured.

Janelle wrapped her arms around Kelsey’s shoulders and Kelsey put her hands on her sister’s forearms.

“Did he say it?” Janelle whispered and Kelsey slowly nodded. “Did you?” Kelsey nodded again. “Did you mean it?”

Kelsey laid her head back on her sister’s shoulder. “You know I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t mean it.”

Twenty-Two

“M
erry Christmas,” Patrick said cheerfully when Kelsey answered the phone.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice. “Merry Christmas,” she responded as she focused on the white driveway through her large office window. The snow was a few days old, and footprints and sled tracks had left very little of the white perfection undisturbed.

“Did you open your gifts?” She could hear the excitement in his voice.

“Yes,” she said quietly. The memory of the looks of joy on Zach and Zoe’s faces when they pulled their dolls out of the box made her grin. Janelle had been speechless at the other gift he’d given them. “Janelle and the kids are more than excited about their trip to Disney World.”

“And?” he asked.

Her lips stretched even more as she remembered how her hands had shaken as she’d opened the trademark blue box from Tiffany & Company. “The necklace is beautiful.” She touched the ruby and diamond heart-shaped pendant that now hung around her neck. “I’m a little embarrassed,” she whined.

There was a brief pause and his voice was softer when he asked, “Why?”

“Because you gave me this absolutely gorgeous necklace, which you probably spent too much on, and I gave you books.” She pouted despite the fact he couldn’t see her.

She’d given him four autographed books about the history of the Civil War, a topic that had piqued his interest after he’d portrayed a Confederate soldier. The books had been written by one of her college professors, an expert on the subject, and she’d made a special trip to the campus of her alma mater to have the books personalized for Patrick. She’d also sent him a book about the state of Virginia, and had attached sticky notes throughout on things she’d seen, would like to see, and would like to show him.

“I love the books,” he said earnestly. “You got them autographed. How’d you do that?”

“That’s my little secret,” she teased as she pictured his smiling face. “You really like them? Did you open them in front of everyone?”

“Yes and yes,” he answered with a laugh. “Why?”

“Ugh.” Her cheeks flushed, fearing what his family must think of her.

“They thought it was a great gift.” He must have read her mind. “Adam and my father want to read them too,” he reassured her. “They were quite impressed with your thoughtfulness.”

“Right. Now you’re just placating me,” she teased.

“I would never do that,” he replied. “I
will
never do that.”

Kelsey deeply inhaled his reassurance. “Good to know.” With a content expression, she closed her eyes, wishing he was with her.

“They want to meet you,” Patrick stated. Kelsey’s smile faded as she slowly opened her eyes. “Can you come out for New Year’s Eve?” The silence stretched as she considered her answer. “Kelsey, are you still there?”

“Yeah, I’m here.” He repeated his question and she sighed deeply. “I can’t, I’m sorry.”

“Oh.”

Her heart ached at the disappointment in his simple response. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I have to babysit.” He didn’t say anything so she continued. “Some of Janelle’s girlfriends are in town visiting their families, and they want to get together that night before they all go home again. They’ve been planning this for months.” She spoke so quickly she wondered whether he understood. “Please don’t be upset.”

He laughed lightly. “Kelsey, why would I be upset? I understand completely, and they will too. You’ll just have to meet them on my birthday,” he said. “You’ll be here, right?”

She nodded. “I told you I would be.”

“Good. Just wish I could see you sooner.”

“I know. Me too.” Tears pricked her eyes. “You’ll be so busy it’ll be here before you know it.”

“I hope so,” he replied softly and she closed her eyes again, listening to his steady breathing in the phone. “So, what’re your plans for the rest of the day?”

“I’ve got to help Janelle fix dinner,” Kelsey answered as she looked at her watch. “Our parents will be here soon.”

“They won’t be bringing anyone else, will they?” His voice was low and rough.

“Mom knows Richard’s not allowed, so they’d better not.”

“You’ll have someone there just in case, right?” he asked.

“Nathan will be here, just like every other day,” Kelsey replied.

“Nathan? Really?” he questioned, sounding more relaxed.

“Yes, really,” she answered, then with a laugh added, “He and Janelle are friends.”

“How does your mom like that?” Patrick asked.

“Well, it was either have Nathan here or no visitors at all, so does it matter?” Kelsey asked with sass.

“Good girl.” Patrick laughed. “Glad to hear that.” Kelsey grinned broadly and they talked for a few more minutes. “I love you,” he said softly as they wrapped up their conversation.

“I love you,” she replied as they exchanged good-byes. She hung up and stared through the office window, hand on her chest, missing Patrick more than before their conversation. She wondered how long it would be until she heard his voice again.