Love In Strange Places (9 page)

She gazed into his eyes. “You’re right.”

The pastor ended with a prayer and everyone got up and mingled, sharing small talk. Nodding their greetings, Andrew and Sherry exited the church.

“
Sherry,” her mom called out.

“May we have a word with you?” her dad asked.

Sherry released Andrew’s hand and walked toward her parents.

“What’s the meaning of this?” Her father pointed at Andrew.

“Are you seeing him?” In contrast to her father’s brusque attitude, her mom posed the question with a soft and gentle voice.

“What is wrong with you girls? I raised you both better than this.” Her dad spoke tensely, trying not to raise his voice.

Shannon came over, smiling. “Did you tell them the good news?”

Sherry
’s eyes got big, but it was too late. Shannon covered her mouth with her hands. “Whoops.”

“What news?” their mom asked.

“Sorry, Sherry.” Shannon stared at her sister. “I thought you told them.”

“It’s okay, Shannon. Can you excuse us?”

Shannon kissed her parents and sister. “I’ll call you later.”

“What news?” This time, it was her dad asking.

Sherry couldn’t find the words. She could see the shame and disappointment in her father’s eyes.

Andrew walked up behind
Sherry and kissing her cheek, circled his arms about her waist. Her parents just watched them. He whispered in her ear. “Let me do the honors. It will be short.”

“Okay.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Jones, it’s great seeing you again.”

“It’s nice to see you again, Andrew, but what is the meaning of this?” her mother asked, as her father gave him a dirty look. “You’re all over our daughter.”

“Sorry about that, but I can’t seem to keep my hands off my wife.” Andrew smiled.

Her father looked like he was having a heart attack, and her mother covered her mouth with her hands. “What did you just say?”

“We’re married.” Sherry muttered.

Her father shook his head and stormed off to his car.

“Sherry, weren’t you dating Dean?” her mother asked. “You know what? Don’t even answer. You’re a grown woman, and whatever you do is your business. I love you no matter what. Are you pregnant?”

“No mom, I’m not pregnant.”

“I’m just making sure. Don’t want any more surprises.” Her mother sighed. “You and your sister robbed me of the chance of seeing you get married. At least I got to see your brother’s.” Her eyes shined with tears, she was emotional.

“I’m sorry, Mom.”

Her mother hugged and kissed her, then turned and touched Andrew’s face. “If you hurt her, you’ll deal with me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Mom, thank you for not judging me.” Sherry hugged her mom tight.

“Baby, I’m not one to judge. I guess the Johnston boys make my girls happy.” She kissed her. “I’ll talk to your father, but you know it won’t be easy.”

“Thank you, Mom.” Her mom walked away to the car, where her dad angrily awaited.

Andrew made himself sit perfectly still while he waited for Leann to arrive. The smells of Thai food filled the air. He stood as she approached the table. He pulled out her seat, waited until she sat.

“I’m glad you could make it. How are you and the kids?”

“They’re great. I’ve been sick, but nothing I can’t handle.” She said, looking over the menu. “You’ve been avoiding me.”

“I’m not avoiding you.”

The waiter came by and took their drink order, and left.

“Like I was saying, I’m not avoiding you. A lot has happened since we last saw each other.”

“Andrew, stop beating around the bush and tell me.”

“We can’t see each other any more.”

“I thought we had an understanding, I like being around you.” She put down her menu. “You make me feel wanted, something my ex could never do. What did I do? I gave you space.”

He took her hand. “Leann, you’re a special woman. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise, but we can’t see each other anymore because I got married.”

“What?”

“I got married.”

“When?”

“Three weeks ago.”

All of a sudden her eyes got shiny with tears. “I didn’t know you were seeing some one else?”

Her response confused him. She’d been the one who’d approached him with the idea their relationsh
ip would just be a physical one.

“Leann, you knew we weren’t serious. I gave you what you wanted.”

“But….”

“I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, but we don’t want the same things in life. You don’t want to get married again or have more kids and I want that.”

“So, it’s over between us?” she asked with tears in her eyes.

“Yes.”

“She doesn’t have to know.”

“But I’ll know. Remember how you felt when you caught your husband cheating on you? I would never want my wife to feel that way.”

“Andrew, you’re a very special man.” A tear dropped from her eye and she got up. “She’s a very lucky woman.” She turned and left the restaurant.

Andrew pulled out his cell. “Hey.”

“Hey, yourself,” Sherry answered.

“Are you working late today?”

“Why?”

“I wanted to know if you would join me for dinner?”

“When?”

“Now.”

“Where are you?”

“
Thai House.”

“I’m on my way.”

“Thank you for joining me.” Andrew gazed at
Sherry.

“I was starving,” she said, looking over the menu.

The waiter came over to their table and took her order.

She stared at him. “What’s really up?”

“What you mean?”

“You just happen to be at a restaurant alone and you thought of me.” She observed him over the rim of the glass as she took a sip of water.

“I was supposed to have dinner with Leann, but when I told her it was over, she got up and left.”

She
rapidly placed the glass down. “Did she drink from this glass?”

“No, she barely even sat.”

“I thought you said it was only physical.” She glared at him.

“Are you jealous?” He chuckled. “I’m flattered.”

“What? No.” She cleared her throat. “I just know sometimes it’s hard to separate the two.”

He placed his hand on hers. “Was it hard for you?”

“What?”

“Dean.”

“Andrew, I wasn’t in love with Dean.” She gently pulled her hand from under his. “I don’t think I know what love really feels like,” she whispered.

“I guess we’re more alike than we think, because I have never let myself be that vulnerable, to fall in love.” He gazed at her. “But I’ve been told when you feel it, you’ll know.” He thought for a moment. “You’ve never come close?”

She took a deep breath. “Once, but he chose his career over our relationship, but I don’t blame him. I would’ve done the same thing.”

He grabbed her hand. “I’m thankful he chose his career, because I wouldn’t be sitting here with you.” He kissed her hand.

Her chocolate skin turned a blush of red and he smiled. The waiter came back with their orders. They started eating in silence.

“Did you tell him yet?”

She swallowed her food. “Tell who what?”

He placed his fork down. “Dean. Did you tell him you’re married?”

“No.” She began eating again.

His raised his voice. “Why?”

She arched her eyebrow. “Calm down, it’s not what you think. We only called each other when we needed some special attention. I won’t be calling him anymore, and if he calls me, I’ll let him know. I don’t sleep with more than one man.”

“Good to know, because I won’t share.” He stared at her.

She smiled. “Me either.”

Sherry watched Andrew from the kitchen doorframe as he cooked breakfast. She’d heard him in the shower, and now he was taking her breath away, standing there in only his boxers. Damn, he even had muscles in his back—and those legs. She took his whole body in. Her husband was a fine specimen.

“Good morning,” she said, walking in.

“Good morning, beautiful.” He turned to face her.

Her breath got stuck in her throat. She stared at his washboard abs, his chest and biceps.

He gave her his million-dollar smile. “You like what you see?”

She felt her face beginning to burn, making her blush. “Don’t be silly.” She walked to the refrigerator and he strolled behind her. She grabbed a bottle of water and when she backed up from closing the door, she stumbled. Like it was the most natural thing in the world, he wrapped his arms around her waist, making sure she didn’t fall.

He leaned down to her ear, and whispered, “I like what I see.”

She could feel his erection against her ass. She got goose bumps.

He kissed her neck and hurriedly backed away. “I’ll be back.” He turned and left the kitchen.

“Now who’s running from who?” she asked herself.

Andrew had to calm himself down. When he’d rubbed against her ass, he’d almost lost control. All he wanted to do was bend her over and make her his again. She’d been living with him for over four weeks, and he hadn’t touched her sexually. He needed her to know that what they had was more than just sex. Sighing, he began to get dressed.

“You started
eating without me.” He said, returning to the kitchen.

“No.” She looked up at him. “I’ve been waiting for you, but if I knew you were getting dressed for work, I would’ve gotten dressed too.”

“Sorry about that, but it was getting a little chilly.” He picked up the plate and warmed it in the microwave for a minute, then sat down and picked up his fork. “I wanted to take care of you today.”

She stared at him. “You are…this smells good.” She took a bite and moaned. “Mmm, this is delicious.”

“How’s the bedroom?”

“Your bedroom is great, but I told you I could stay in the guest room.”

He put his hand over hers and a tiny shock of electricity was exchanged. They gazed at each other. “I’m fine. I want nothing but the best for my wife.”

She licked her bottom lip, and a tiny moaned escaped his mouth remembering what she’d done with those luscious lips. She picked up the fork, and sensually slipped it in and out her mouth.

They ate breakfast together. Sherry stood, and he stared at her ass. “I hope you have a great day.” She

He stood and her eyes glued to his erection, but she didn’t mention it, all she did was give him a mischievous smile, and then
kissed him on the cheek. “See you tonight.”

“See you tonight, baby.”

Sherry
pulled up to his house. Our house, she thought, smiling. It had been a long day at work. Everything that could have gone wrong, had. Thank God it was Friday. The lights were dim. She got out of her car and opened the front door. She was caught by surprise at what she saw. A small note lay on the floor alongside a trail of red roses. She hurriedly placed her briefcase and purse on the side table by the door, and picked up the paper.

I see you had a long day.

Follow the trail

AJ

She couldn’t help but smile, and put the note up to her nose, it smelled like him. She never knew Andrew could be so romantic, all these years he seemed so hard and ruthless. She took off her pumps and followed the red rose pedals to his bedroom, and stopped. She’d been living in his house for four weeks and not once had they slept together, for some odd reason he slept in the guest room. She guessed he was giving her space, but she didn’t want it. Her body yearned for the passion he gave her, she wanted to explore ever inch of his body. She opened the door.

“Oh my…” She admired the room, covering her mouth in surprise. He’d placed candles everywhere around his room. She gazed down and there was a big red blanket on the floor with finger foods,
grapes, cherries, watermelon, strawberries with whip cream and chocolate, crackers, cheese, and tiny sandwiches. Her heart was beating a mile a minute. No other man had ever done anything remotely close to this, not for her.

She felt someone close the door behind her. Andrew
circled his hands around her waist then leaned down and kissed her neck, down to her collarbone. She was so turn on, it was getting hard for her to breathe, and he hadn’t touched her yet.