Magic in Our Hearts (18 page)

“Brett, you don’t need to do something like that.” Taylor reached out and clasped Brett’s hand as she sat down.

“It probably won’t carry much weight, but if I can help I will.”

“So you think it’s a good idea?” 

“I think it’s a very good idea.” Brett hugged Taylor. “It keeps you here in Boulder.”

“So, Taylor, it’s up to you.” Jeb grinned at his partner. He was quite sure he knew what her answer would be.

“I say let’s go for it!” Taylor laughed and reached her other hand out to Jeb.

“And let’s have a toast to the success of the new venture!”

“We can talk about the details later. Brett, tell me about the coaching opportunity. It sounds interesting.” Their easy conversation and frequent laughter drifted back to the house. All too soon, it seemed, Helen called them to dinner.

CHAPTER 18

“Helen, dinner was marvelous. Do you think I could convince you to move to Los Angeles and cook for me and Rex?”

“I like it here just fine, thank you,” replied Helen good-naturedly. She was busy clearing their empty dinner plates from the table.

Brett and Taylor both smiled, and Helen’s happy face reflected her apprecia-tion for the compliment. Taylor couldn’t help but tease her long-time friend. “I think Rex might object to the competition.”

“He loves a good meal. Now, how about telling me some of your plans for your ceremony?”

“It’s going to be here a week from Saturday. The ceremony will be in the afternoon out in the backyard, if the weather allows. I’ve reserved you a room at the Radisson downtown for two nights, so you’re expected here on Friday. Brett is in charge of the ceremony.” Taylor’s smile was tender as she looked at her girlfriend.

Brett squeezed her fingers and smiled back. “The ceremony is at four, and we have a local Lutheran minister blessing the vows. Jeb, we’d be honored if you and Rex would be our witnesses.”

“We’d love to. What else can we do?”

“Not a thing, we have it all covered.” Taylor sighed. Everything was coming together so beautifully.

“We’d like to do something for you two. Are you going on a honeymoon?”

“Not right now. We’re going to stay here in town until Brett has to go to New York. Then we’re going to take a couple of days off while we’re there.” Neither Brett nor Taylor wanted to leave Brett’s mother while she was so ill.

“Brett, expand a little bit about this coaching job. They want you to coach the U.S. Ski team?”

“It’s not a for-sure thing yet, but if I can get myself healthier and stronger, the U.S. Ski Association has asked me if I would consider coaching the 2006 U.S. Olympic Ski Team. The Olympic committee has to review their petition for me to coach. If they approve, then an offer can be made.”

“Brett says you’re working yourself like a demon.”

“She’s a tough boss,” Brett laughed.

“I am awfully glad you’re doing so well, Brett.” Brett picked up Taylor’s hand and kissed it tenderly before responding. “I had good reason to get my act together.”

“I’m going to go check on Roselin. I’ll be right back.” Taylor bent and kissed Brett and then stood up and slipped out of the room.

Brett turned and grinned at Jeb. “She wants me to talk to you about being an alcoholic.”

“I figured that,” Jeb chuckled. “How’re you doing?”

“Right now I seem to be doing okay. I don’t miss it most of the time, and then out of the blue I feel like having a drink.”

“What do you do when you feel like that?”

“I usually go work out.”

“Brett, you might want to look into attending AA meetings for a while. They provide a support mechanism to fall back on.”

“I’ve thought about that. Do you still go to meetings?”

“Occasionally, usually when I’m stressed or dealing with something important. And Brett, you can call me anytime, anywhere. I’ll always be there.” He knew what it was like when an alcoholic first gave up her crutch. Everything would be fine until something happened that created a large amount of stress.

That’s when most alcoholics fell off the wagon. He wanted Brett to know that he could be called upon to help.

“Thanks, I appreciate that very much.”

Jeb reached out and placed his hand on Brett’s. “Taylor adores you, and I saw something very special in you years ago. You’re going to be fine.”

“Thanks, I know I’m very, very lucky.”

“Brett, you had to work like hell to get where you are, luck had nothing to do with it. I do need to explain something to you about Taylor. She may not have given you a lot of detail about her life. She knows just how hard it is to recover from life-altering injuries. When she lost her parents and was hospitalized, alone and afraid, it was the kindness of a physical therapist and her husband that helped Taylor survive. All Taylor ever wanted in her life was a family—a lover who would always be there. She needs that most of all.”

“She still doesn’t trust me completely,” Brett whispered softly, her eyes full of hurt.

“She’s trying to overcome years of being afraid of being left alone. Be patient with her.”

“Jeb, I need you to know that I never ever cheated on Taylor when we were dating.”

“Honey, I know you didn’t, but Taylor couldn’t see beyond the rumors and your reputation. You’ll have to deal with all of that some day.”

“She is my life.”

“Brett, you are hers, and she’s still got deep seated fears of losing someone she loves. Losing her parents at such a young age had a profound effect on her. That has nothing to do with you. It’s Taylor’s way of protecting herself.” Brett remained silent absorbing his words. Jeb sat back and waited for Brett to react.

“She told me when we first got together that she wanted to have a couple of children.”

“She still does.”

“I’ve always wanted to be with someone who wanted to raise children.”

“Have you told her?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure she thought I was completely serious.”

“Maybe you should talk more to her about it.”

“I think I will.”

Taylor’s light laughter could be heard from the second floor, and Jeb and Brett smiled at the sound. “She’s happy here with you.” Brett’s eyes filled with tears as she watched Taylor walk down the stairs, a big smile on her face. “Helen made your mother a bowl of popcorn, and she’s watching a video in her room.”

“She’s feeling okay?” Brett asked, as Taylor sat down next to her and slid her hand into Brett’s.

“She’s having a good night. Why don’t you go up and talk to her for a minute?”

“I think I will, and then I’m going to wander off to bed and leave you and Jeb to talk.” Brett leaned into Taylor and brushed her mouth with a kiss, then lifted her fingers to her mouth and kissed the diamond on her hand. She stood up and slowly made her way to the stairs, her gait steady and without her usual limp. 

Taylor’s eyes stayed glued to her figure until she disappeared up the stairs.

Jeb’s eyes studied Taylor’s amazing face. It pleased him no end to see the happiness in her gaze.

Taylor turned back to Jeb and blushed when she realized he had been watching her. “What?”

“You’re toast, girl. And so is Brett.”

Taylor’s laugh was musical as she turned to face Jeb fully. “When do you want me to start looking for a place here in Boulder? Do you have any idea about size and location? How much money do we have for a remodel?”

“As a matter of fact, I have a full file in my briefcase to leave with you now that you’ve agreed to go ahead. I’ve gone over it with our accountant, and he thinks it’s a sound plan, so why don’t you go through everything and then we’ll talk about next steps? I haven’t put any thought into the actual interior work. You did such a great job on our current space I thought you might want to have a free hand with this place.”

Taylor’s watched Jeb carefully as she responded. “Are you sure this is what you want to do, expand in Boulder? Or are you just doing this because of me and Brett?”

“I’m doing this because it’s a sound business decision, and you and I were already talking about expansion. Boulder is a great place for something like this.”

“I don’t want Brett to feel like she has to do anything to help us.” Jeb placed his hand on Taylor’s as he spoke with compassion to his best friend. “Taylor, she wants to help because it’s yours. Let her do what she can to help you. She wants to be your partner in all things. That includes making sure she’s supportive of your business life. You need to let her do that. It’s part of trusting her.”

“She needs to expend all her energy on recovery and dealing with her mother’s illness.”

“She will, honey. She also needs to be a part of your life, business and otherwise.” Jeb hugged Taylor tightly. “I’m going to get the file for you and then get to bed. We can talk some more tomorrow before my flight out, and right now I need my beauty sleep.”

Taylor snorted with laughter. Jeb was gorgeous no matter what he did. “Do you remember where your room is?”

“Yes, Mom.” Jeb flashed a grin, as he rose from the couch and went to where his briefcase sat by the dining room table. He pulled a thick file out and handed it over to Taylor.

“Whoa, you have done a lot of work.” 

“I was bored and needed a challenge.” Jeb turned and started for the stairs.

“Besides, it’s a fantastic idea, even if I thought of it.” Taylor snorted with humor as she responded. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, sweetie.”

Taylor stood up and carried the file with her into Brett’s bedroom. She placed the packet on the desk and then grabbed her nightshirt and headed for the bathroom to get ready for bed. She hummed softly to herself as she washed her face and brushed her teeth, her thoughts focused on what she needed to accomplish the following day. She had no awareness of Brett standing in the doorway watching her with a slight smile on her face.

“Oh, Brett, you startled me, honey.”

“You’re enjoying Jeb’s visit?”

“Very much.” Taylor leaned against the sink, watching her lover.

“Are you really going to open another spa here?”

“Yes, if you think it’s a good idea.”

“I want you to do what makes you happy.”

“I am. I’m marrying you.”

“Taylor, I want to know if you still want to have children?” Taylor’s smile froze on her face, as her heart thumped loudly in her chest. “I’d like to, but if you don’t think it’s a good idea, we don’t have to.” Brett moved slowly into the bathroom, her eyes locked onto Taylor’s face. She stopped just inches away from Taylor. The heat from Taylor’s body made her want to groan as passion flared in her own body. She raised her right hand and placed it gently against Taylor’s face. “I’d like to have two that look just like you.” Taylor couldn’t stop the tears as Brett covered her mouth with a kiss, telling her with her mouth just how much she treasured her. It took them both under.

Murmurs of love and need filled the bathroom. Taylor wrapped her arms around Brett and held her tightly, and Brett’s mouth returned to hers again and again.

“I need to love you, honey,” Taylor spoke against Brett’s neck as her teeth gently bit the side of her neck.

Without a word, Brett turned and pulled Taylor into the bedroom and next to their bed. Wordlessly, she removed Taylor’s nightshirt and then stood gazing at her naked body with hunger so strong she thought it would choke her. For years she had wanted Taylor, needed Taylor, and now possession overwhelmed her.

Taylor felt Brett’s eyes slowly travel over her body like a caress, and it made her tremble. No one had ever looked at her with such yearning. “I love you, Brett.” 

Brett’s smile was full and her eyes lit up as she gently pushed Taylor back-wards onto the bed. She bent over and her mouth unerringly found Taylor’s wet and hard center, tasting the sweet flavor of her lover.

“Brett …”

Brett’s teeth and tongue stroked and teased Taylor until she was close to exploding. Brett knew her lover’s body well and kept her on a razor’s edge until Taylor was frantic for release.

“Now, honey, please …”

Brett’s shoved two fingers deeply into Taylor as she slid her tongue against her clitoris. The orgasm slammed through Taylor’s body, and she cried out with pleasure, her body arching up against Brett’s mouth. Again, Brett filled her and stroked deeply inside her. Another wave surged through Taylor making her shudder. She grew slack on the bed, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath.

Brett moved up Taylor’s body and lay down next to her gathering her against her still fully clothed body. She placed her face against Taylor’s, holding her gently as her body calmed down. It was several minutes before Taylor was able to do anything but gasp. She turned until she was facing Brett and nuzzled her with lips against her cheek.

“You positively drained me.”

Brett chuckled quietly. “I did, didn’t I?” Taylor’s fingers worked their way under Brett’s shirt and tugged it out of her jeans and slid it up off her shoulders and over her head. “You’re way over-dressed.”

“Yeah, how about I take care of that?”

Brett quickly jumped up and shucked off the rest of her clothes, leaving them in a pile on the floor. She lay down on her back on the bed next to Taylor. Taylor slid her thigh over Brett’s hips pulling her close as she ran her hand across her firm stomach and ribs.

“You know I’ve always loved your body. The first time I saw you naked you took my breath away. But now when I look at you with all of the scars from your surgery, I think you are more beautiful than ever. I’m so proud of you.” Taylor’s fingers slid lightly over Brett’s shoulders and arms savoring the firmness that was becoming more pronounced every day. Brett laid quietly watching Taylor’s face as she took her time loving Brett. This was the lovemaking that Brett had locked into her heart after being with Taylor the very first time. She couldn’t forget how Taylor had taken her time as if she was cherishing every moment. Taylor rolled up and bent over Brett’s body, surrounding her nipple with her lips and sucking it into her hot mouth. 

Taylor’s fingertips traced over her breasts, and Brett moaned, her nipples aching to be touched. Her body began to tremble as she restrained herself, letting Taylor set the pace.