First Class to Portland (11 page)

Matt grabbed her hips and lifted her up to him, ordering her
to wrap her legs around his hips, which she did, her back flat against the
wall. He lifted her up and then she sank down onto him, filling her completely,
satisfying his desire to be inside her. He moved in and out and in no time at
all Matt threw his head back and groaned as his orgasm ripped through him.
Janie clung to his shoulders, feeling him pulsing inside her, her heart overflowing
for love for him.

*****

Janie fell asleep in Matt’s arms and awoke in Matt’s arms.
I
could get very used to this
, she thought. It was still early, not light
yet, and she tried very hard not to wake him as she wriggled carefully from the
bed. Tiptoeing to the bathroom, she silently closed the door and was only in
there for a minute or two before she tiptoed back out. She stood at the
windows, looking at the dawning sky, staring at the Statue of Liberty far out
in the harbor. She wrapped her arms around herself as she recalled the last
time she was here in Matt’s bedroom, wondering how they could ever make this
relationship work with them living three thousand miles apart.
Could it
work?

Her thought was interrupted by warm arms enveloping her and
warm lips nuzzling her neck.

“Morning,” his voice gravelly.

“Hi,” she grinned covering his hands with her own. “I was
just admiring your view.”

“I was admiring my view too,” he chuckled. “Do you mind if I
hit the gym for a bit?”

“Of course not.”

“I have to leave for the morning,” he frowned. “I am hoping
to be done after lunch. What would you like to do today?”

“Do you mind if I just stay here?”

“Sure. Consider this your home. You can do whatever you’d
like.”

Matt let go of her and headed for the bathroom. He didn’t
shut the door and Janie was shocked he was so comfortable around her. He
flushed, rinsed his hands and disappeared into the closet. Janie realized she
was standing at the window start naked and followed him to get her robe. He was
already in some gym shorts and t-shirt.

“Do you want to work out with me?” he asked, slipping on
athletic socks.

Janie all but choked as she roared with laughter. “It is on
my list,” she admitted, “but I am not a real athletic kind of girl.”

“What list?” Matt was curious.

“I made a list before I went home last time of the things I
needed to accomplish to get on with my life, and working out was on it, but I
haven’t really done much with it.”

“What else was on your list?”

“Oh, well, selling the truck, which I did, and purging all
of my stuff, which I did, and selling the house, which it looks like I’ve done
too.”

“It sounds like you’ve been very productive in just a couple
of weeks.”

“Yeah, well I had to keep busy,” she frowned.

Matt tied his shoelace and stood, wrapping his arms around
her and pulling her into his embrace.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered into her hair.

“I know. Me too. But we don’t have to think about that now,
right,” she said full of hope for the future.

“No, we don’t,” he agreed.

*****

Mark was stunned as he looked at the box in Matt’s hand, his
mouth open in obvious shock.

“Wow.”

“Do you think she’ll like it?” Matt asked.

“How did we go from last week to this week, so quickly?”
Mark responded.

“I realized what I want and I’m not going to wait to get
it,” he said.

“Well good for you, I guess.”

Their meeting with the inspector had gone well and all was
on schedule for the Harlem condo project. Matt and Mark had spent several hours
answering a multitude of questions, reviewing blueprints, and accompanied him
on an in-depth tour. Matt was definitely glad he had returned and even happier
that Janie had agreed to come with him. Now all that was left was the big day
he had planned for her tomorrow.

“She doesn’t know that you know it’s her birthday?”

“Nope!” Matt grinned.

“Good luck, bro!”

Saturday came and Janie and Matt spent a leisurely morning
in bed and when they finally got up, Janie made them brunch. After cooking a
few meals in his kitchen, Janie was really enjoying the state of the art
equipment and thinking in her new house she needed to splurge on the
appliances.

As they finished eating and Janie was clearing the dishes,
her cell phone rang. She smiled when she saw it was Tyler and answered quickly.
They chatted for a few moments and then she went back to the dishes. A couple
of minutes later, it rang again, this time Adam. They spoke briefly, as Adam
was working, but didn’t want to forget to call her. Janie returned to rinsing
the dishes and putting them in the dishwasher.

Matt watched her as she spoke with each of her sons. She was
very careful not to give away that today was her birthday. He smiled to himself
hoping he was going to blow her away with his surprise later in the day.

By the time her phone rang for the third time, she looked as
though she was a tad flustered. This time it was Katy, and Janie excused
herself and went and hid in the bedroom for their conversation, so Matt
finished loading the dishwasher and wiped down the breakfast bar.

A couple of hours later, they sat on the couch watching the
Yankees game on the TV. They weren’t playing at home otherwise they could have
gone to the game Matt had explained. Janie was completely content to snuggle up
to him on the sofa and watch it with him. It was so very domestic.

Before the eighth inning had begun, Matt stood and
stretched.

“I was thinking dinner out tonight. How does that sound?”

“Okay,” replied Janie, although she was perfectly happy to
stay in.

“I know this great chef who has offered to make us dinner.”

Janie was intrigued. “Does he have his own restaurant in the
city?”

“He does,” replied Matt. “Shall we get dressed?”

“What about the game?” Janie asked.

“I think this will be more fun,” he winked and pulled her
from the sofa.

*****

Ray pulled into the harbor pier parking lot and Janie was
very confused. She looked out trying to find the restaurant Matt had said they
were going to.

Matt opened the door for her and helped her out of the car.
She was wearing her black jeans and heeled pumps and her blue sequined tank
top, with the Tiffany bracelet dangling on her wrist. She had straightened her
hair again and was feeling pretty good about how she looked as they had left
the apartment, but now she was worried about where they were actually going.

Matt held her hand as he led her through the rows of boats.
Yachts!
she reminded herself and tried to find Ryan and Courtney’s boat, assuming that’s
where they were headed. But it was just starting to get dark and Janie couldn’t
locate it.

Matt finally stopped in front of a beautiful yacht, smaller
than Courtney’s but still very impressive. There were lights shining through
the windows and Matt stepped aboard and helped her on to the deck.

“This isn’t the same boat we went out on,” she looked at
Matt looking for an answer. “And you said we were going to a restaurant.”

 “No, I said a great chef was going to make us dinner,” he
grinned. “And Courtney’s dad has taken the yacht to the Mediterranean for the
summer. So this will have to do.” He winked at her.

They were greeted by the Captain and two crew members and
were escorted inside where drinks and hors d'oeuvres were served. Matt gave the
order to set off and soon they were drinking champagne and slowly leaving the
pier.

“Matt!” a voice said behind them.

“Aaron!” Matt turned and hugged the man in a chef’s jacket
and apron. “So good to see you. Thanks for doing this!”

“Of course! Anything for you!”

Matt introduced Janie to Aaron and then he headed back to
the galley. Dinner would be ready in about fifteen minutes.

“I’ve known Aaron since high school,” Matt began. “He and
Mark were really good friends and I helped him open his first restaurant by
buying the building and giving him a great deal on a lease.”

“Wow! You would do that for a friend? That’s amazing, but
not really that surprising. You are an incredibly generous man, Matt.”

Matt shrugged. “I’ve been very fortunate and if I can help
someone else, someone that I really believe in, then why wouldn’t I? Let’s walk
around the deck before dinner.” Matt took Janie by the elbow and led her out
onto the deck.

They strolled around the boat, admiring the superior
craftsmanship and design of the craft.

They were summoned for dinner and Matt and Janie talked all
through the several courses about everything under the sun. They laughed and
ate and had a thoroughly wonderful time. As the entree plates were cleared,
Janie leaned back in her chair and declared she couldn’t eat another bite, to
which Matt protested.

“I believe Aaron has made something particularly special for
dessert.”

At that moment Aaron appeared with a plate that had
sparklers alit on top. He placed in front of Janie and grinned at Matt as he
headed back to the galley.

Janie’s eyes wide open, she looked at Matt and smiled.
“Wow!” she mouthed.

“Happy Birthday,” he whispered.

Janie’s mouth dropped open and she stared at Matt, not
knowing what to say. “How did you…”

Matt chuckled and admitted that he had stolen a peak at her
driver’s license after a hint when she was on the phone.

Janie groaned, “So you also know how much I weigh?” She was
totally mortified.

Matt roared with laughter and jumped to his feet pulling her
up to him. “I knew that before I ever looked in your wallet,” he said as he
picked her up off the floor and twirled around in a circle. “Come outside with
me.”

Janie followed him through the glass door onto the deck.
There in front of them was the Lady herself, lit up and beautiful.

“Oh,” she whispered as the boat moved closer.

Matt pulled her down in the chair and knelt in front of her,
removing a velvet box from his jacket pocket. Janie’s eyes once again widened
and her mouth dropped open.

“Janie,” he spoke softly. “I was a fool once to let you walk
away from me and I will never let that happen again. Janie,” he kissed her
palm, “Marry me?”

Janie couldn’t speak. Matt opened the velvet box to reveal
the most beautiful ring she had ever seen. It was an emerald cut diamond solitaire
in white gold. It was simple but exquisite. Matt placed the box on the table
next to her and took both her hands in his.

“Janie, I know this may seem fast, but I know what I want. I
have never been so sure of anything. You are my future.” He searched her eyes
looking for her answer.

A tear escaped and fell down her cheek. She stood and walked
to the railing and watched as they moved through the water towards Ellis
Island, the Statue of Liberty now behind them. Matt rubbed his hand across his
forehead, suddenly feeling extremely nervous and unsure. This was not how he
had hoped this would go. This was not what he had planned for. This was
definitely not what he wanted.
What do I do? What do I say?
He followed
her to the railing, willing her to say yes.

“This is all very sudden,” she whispered.

Matt reached for her hand, entwining her fingers with his
but said nothing.

“I, I do love you Matt.” Janie sniffed but said no more.

“But?” Matt asked.

“It’s just a complete surprise. I, I’m really surprised.”

“Do I not measure up?” Matt probed, not really wanting to
know her answer.

“Not measure up? What do you mean?” she said, turning to him.

“I know your marriage to Robert was perfect and that it has
been really hard for you since he died. And I know that I can never replace
him, but…”

“Matt, no! Stop! My marriage to Robert was far from perfect.
But we did love each other and we were committed to each other. It was hard
when he died. Really, really hard. I thought it would be easier if I had just
died too, but I’m glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have met you.” Janie placed her
hand on his cheek. She gazed into his eyes and in that split second recognized
that she could never compare Robert and Matt. It would be like apples and
oranges, oil and vinegar. They were totally different and that was the best
realization. She couldn’t compare them, ever. What she had with Robert
was
good, but it was also gone.

“I will always love Robert,” she began. “We were both so
young when we got married. We didn’t know what we wanted to do with our lives,
we just kind of figured it out along the way and I have no regrets. But I am
older now and hopefully a whole lot wiser. Robert is gone and I have accepted
that and moved on. I never imagined that I would find someone to love again,
someone that made me deliriously happy, someone that accepted me as I am,
someone like you.”

Janie pulled his head down to meet her and she kissed him
and he wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close.

“I don’t want to replace him, Janie; I want us to start a
new life together, you and me, starting right now. I didn’t know what I wanted
till I met you. Actually, that’s not true. I did know what I wanted but I had
buried it so deep and convinced myself that I could live just fine without it.
But you changed that. You’ve changed me.”

“I love you Matt, with all my heart. Ask me again?”

“Janie, will you marry me?”

“Yes!”

Matt kissed her quickly and then ran and grabbed the ring
off the table returning back to her side. He took the ring from the box and
gently placed it on her finger.

“It fits!” Janie was pleased.

“It’s perfect! It’s three carats, but we can go bigger if
you’d like,” Matt smiled like he was the cat who just ate the mouse. He was
incredibly pleased that she had said yes.