Unforgettable (16 page)

“
I hope that isn’t your dad
back already. You just got here.”

Krista opened the door, expecting to
see Todd, but instead Neil stood there. She was frozen.

“
Is it Dad?” EJ asked from
behind her.

“
No, it’s a
friend.”

“
The one we were going to
see a baseball game with?”

She nodded.

“
Are you going to let him
in?” EJ asked.

Krista pushed the storm door open. “Hi,
Neil. Come on in.”

Neil stepped in and smiled at her, then
turned his attention toward EJ. “Hey, you must be the man of
Krista’s life she is always telling me about.”

EJ laughed.

He looked back at Krista. His hair a
little longer, and he looked so different in a T-shirt and jeans.
“I’m sorry to show up unexpected like I did, but I wanted to see
you.”

Krista’s phone beeped of a new text
message. “EJ, will you get that for me?”

He did and handed her the
phone.

On my way, you have a
surprise coming since I thought EJ was gone. – Jamie

She set the phone down. “Come on in and
have a seat, I guess.”

Neil went over and sat down on the
couch. She followed, but then EJ plopped down next to
Neil.

“
Do you like this show?” EJ
asked.

Neil squinted at the TV, then nodded.
“I do. I watch it on Saturdays.”

“
You think they’ll get the
bad guy?” EJ’s gaze was glued to the screen.

“
I don’t know. They make us
think they will, but I don’t think so quite yet.”

EJ groaned and Krista smiled. They
seemed to get along.

“
Neil, would you like
coffee?” she asked from the kitchen doorway.

“
Yes, please.”

Krista escaped to the kitchen and
poured him a cup. As she went back into the living room, she heard
her front door opening and Jamie bounded through.

“
Aunt Jamie, you’re here
too!” EJ said.

“
It’s a regular party here.”
Krista laughed, wondering what other surprises the morning
held.

She handed Neil the coffee. “Can I get
you a cup as well, Jamie?”

“
No, the adrenaline rush to
get here is enough for me. Besides, the morning’s almost
over.”

For them, but for once, she’d slept in.
“Mine just began and it’s been amusing to say the
least.”

Jamie leaned by Krista’s ear. “Want me
to take EJ out back so you and Neil can talk?”

Krista shook her head. “No, this is
fine.”

Jamie sat down on the loveseat. “How
was your trip?”

Krista sat down next to Jamie. Where
had Neil been?

“
Good. Got a lot taken care
of,” he answered.

“
Where were you?” EJ
asked.

“
Australia.”

Her son’s eyes went wide. “Wow, cool.
Did you see a kangaroo?”

Neil chuckled. “Lots of them. And the
new hotel I’m opening has a kangaroo farm behind it.”

“
Awesome! I want to go
visit.”

Krista began to speak up, but Neil
spoke first. “I’d love to take you and your mother anytime. But
it’s up to her, so don’t pester her too much.”

EJ glanced at Krista. “Can we
go?”

She wasn’t sure what to say.

“
Give her some time to think
about it,” Neil said.

Krista smiled at him, thankful that he
had stepped in for the save. Neil and EJ continued to chat about
the animals and Jamie shared a look with Krista. It was going well.
Krista was shocked to see how well Neil and her son got along; it
was as though they’d always known one another.

Krista was itching to get Neil alone
though and see why he was here. Had he come to talk? God, she hoped
so. She had so much she wanted to say, she was worried she was
going to burst any moment.

A knock sounded on the door. Who the
hell was here now?

Krista got up and went to answer it.
Todd was back.

“
Sorry about that. Halfway
to work they canceled it.” He came in. “You’ve got company.” His
gaze landed on Neil. “I thought that was over.”

“
Not now,” she said
quietly.

“
Dad, you’re back.” EJ stood
and groaned a bit.

“
I am. Ready to
go?”

“
Not really, but I
guess.”

EJ hugged her, told Jamie and Neil bye,
and was on his way. Before Krista had a moment to think, Jamie was
out the door as fast as she’d come in. Krista turned. It was just
her and Neil now, all alone.

Neil stayed seated and gazed across the room at the woman he
loved. He’d missed her, but he hadn’t realized how much until now.
He wanted to kiss her and it pained him knowing that he couldn’t
right this moment. Hopefully before he left here, they’d be back on
track and heading toward the future he wanted more than
anything.

But first he had to convince her
somehow that he loved her. He’d never met a woman more thick headed
when it came to the emotion.

“
Neil,” her voice was soft
as she took a seat near him, “I’m sorry.”

“
You’ve got nothing to be
sorry for.”

“
Yes, I do. I over thought
it and didn’t give you a chance. A real chance. I accused you of
things and assumed the worst when really you hadn’t done anything
wrong. I never gave our relationship a real shot. I just expected
it to fail.”

He smiled. “I’m a lot to take on. I’m
an old man who is set in his ways. I don’t know how I even got you
past a first date.”

“
A magical date.” She tucked
a strand of hair behind her ear. “You changed so much for me.
Boring dates at movie theatres. You’re probably used to Broadway
shows and dinners that cost the same as a car payment.”

“
I’d give it all up for
you.”

“
I don’t want you to change
your life for me though.”

She was still as stubborn as ever and
he loved it. “That isn’t your decision to make. If I want to, then
I will.”

“
But won’t you hold it
against me?”

Hell no! “No. You’re what I want. And
now that I’ve met your awesome kid, I want to know him more too. I
want you both.”

She was quiet and he could see the
wheels turning in her head. He could only imagine what was coursing
through her brain right then.

“
There’s still the issue of
me wanting more kids.” She paused. “I suppose I will be okay with
only having EJ. I just always imagined having another. But with EJ
at his age now and how simple it is, I guess I’m fine not having
another.”

He’d been thinking a lot about babies
as well. A part of him wanted it with her. To experience being a
father. “Krista, I’m not saying no to another child, but let’s get
you and me going first before we worry about adding someone
else.”

She grinned, and for a moment he
thought she was done with the questions. “What about the
club?”

“
What about it?” He raised
an eyebrow.

“
I’m not comfortable being
home while you’re there all the time.”

He chuckled. “If you don’t want me
there all the time, it’s not a big deal. Personally, I’d like to go
every now and then for poker night, but I can do it on weekends
when EJ is at his dad’s and you can come be my personal good-luck
charm. I’ve got no interest in hanging out there. It’s not a hang
out. The purpose of the club is to hook up. I’ve got you. I won’t
be there—unless you’re with me.”

Her face was soft as she gave a
cheerful expression. “You’re okay with that?”

Neil took her hand, hoping it wasn’t
too much too soon. “Have you listened to a word I’ve been saying
all these weeks?”

“
Yes, but men say
things—”

“
I love you.”

Her eyes grew moist and a single tear
dripped down her cheek. “I love you too.”

Reaching out, he wiped it away with his
pinky. “These weeks without you have been hell. All I wanted was
you. I’d rather spend my evenings in sweatpants on the couch
watching TV re-runs than spend another day without you.”

“
You’re sure?”

He groaned. “Lady, I can’t make my
intentions anymore clearer.”

Krista giggled as more tears cascaded
down her cheeks. Before he gave her a chance to talk again, he
pulled her to him and pressed his lips to hers. She opened to him
as she wrapped her hands around his neck, pulling her body into
his.

This could lead somewhere quickly. His
body responded to her as if he were a teenager. She made him feel
young again.

“
We’re going to do this?”
She pulled back and stared into his eyes.

“
Yes. And I’m not giving you
a choice. I’m taking charge.”

“
Oh yeah.” She winked. “I
like a man who takes charge.”

“
Maybe I should be that Dom
you mentioned.”

“
While being tied up sounds
fun, I’m not so sure I want to give up my control in the bedroom.”
She rubbed her hands along his chest. “I like to touch,” her hand
went lower, “and I think you like to be touched.”

“
God, I love you!” He picked
her up. “Which way is your bedroom? I’ve got to get in you and then
we’ll plan out our future.”

She pointed toward the hallway. “We’ll
take this one day at a time, just as long as we’re
together.”

Epilogue

Krista held Neil’s hand as they walked into The Gentlemans’
Club. This was only her second time coming to this place. And once
again, her heart wanted to beat its way right out of her
chest.

The club had been the place she met the
love of her life. She could tell Neil had something planned for the
night, but he wasn’t giving her an inch of what it was.

“
Good evening.” A handsome
man approached them.

“
Ian, this is Krista,” Neil
said.

“
Ah, the famous Krista I’ve
heard all about.”

“
Good, I hope.” She shook
his hand.

Ian and Neil exchanged a smile. “You’ve
captured this man’s heart; of course it’s only been good. Though
some of the women here tonight might have dagger
vision.”

Neil tugged her close, and she said,
“They are welcome to look all they want, but he’s all
mine.”

“
Oh, with the celebration
we’re having tonight, not a soul in here won’t know.” Ian
chuckled.

“
What does he mean?” She
gazed at Neil.

“
You’ll soon find out.” He
pulled her to the bar. “What do you want? A glass of wine
maybe?”

She shook her head. “I think I’ll just
have water for now. My nerves need to settle.”

He ordered himself a brandy. With his
drink in hand, he placed a free hand on her back. “Let’s have a
seat over there. I think I see Jamie.”

Jamie
. Krista wasn’t expecting her to be there. As they made their
way over, Krista took the scenery in. The place wasn’t quite as
packed as it had been the first time. There seemed to be more men
tonight than women, which was odd. She always imagined the place to
be swarming with women flaunting themselves. Then again, if The
Gentlemans’ Club didn’t exist, she wouldn’t have Neil.

“
It’s so good to see you.”
Jamie hugged her.

“
I wasn’t expecting to see
you here.”

Jamie shot a look at Neil, and Krista
wondered if her suspicions were correct that Neil was up to
something. Here she thought she might have the shocking news to
share with Neil, but perhaps he did.

“
Have a seat with your
friend. I need to talk to Ian a moment.” He kissed her
cheek.

Once he was gone, she plopped down on
the couch with Jamie.

“
What’s going on? Something
is going on. Give me the details,” Krista demanded.