Unlikely Lovers (19 page)

“When is your mom getting in?” Jessica looked at Missy.

“Andy
’s picking her up at the airport in the morning. His folks are driving and won’t be here until Friday.”

“And what about Cody?” she asked calmly as if it didn’t matter.

“Sometime tomorrow, I think. I’m not sure what time.”

“Well, what needs to be done next? By the time I get married, I’ll have all this down pat.”

“You thinking about getting married sometime soon, Jess?” Andy asked worriedly.

“You never know,
” she answered secretively.

Missy and Andy exchanged a look that said, “Oh no.”

“Do you want to try your dress on again?” she asked Jessica, who was sipping a cup of coffee. She was watching the Weather Channel to catch Saturday’s forecast.

“Yes, maybe I’d better then if it needs anything we can take it in for last minute alterations tomorrow.”

Jessica went into the guest room to try on her maid of honor gown. She had come up one weekend to be fitted for it and so she was hoping it would still be perfect. And it was. She looked beautiful in the stylish mauve gown. It hugged her figure in all the right places. It had a cowl neck and was straight in design, made of a clingy fabric that had just a hint of silvery sparkle. Missy had given her a pendant and earrings to go with it and they’d decided that Jessica’s own silver sandals would match perfectly. They were just dressy enough to pull it off.

“Wow,
you’re going to upstage the bride,” Missy said as Jessica walked out to show her the dress.

“No, I won’t do that, but I might make someone wish
he’d hung on to me when he had the chance.”

“Cody?”

Nodding, she said, “I’m going to change and head over to the hotel.  I’m glad your mom agreed to stay here with you. Maybe she can calm you down.” Laughing, she went into the bedroom to change.

When she returned, she had her dress slung over her arm. “I’ll take it with me and get it out of your way.  See you in the morning. Love you both.” She hugged her friends and went to check in at the Holiday Inn. She wanted to get some sleep before Cody arrived.

Jessica checked into her room, hung her dress so it wouldn’t wrinkle and unpacked her bags. She glanced around the room. It would do for a seduction. It was decorated in a contemporary style, with lots of chrome, glass and leather, and the king sized bed with the thick, white comforter would serve her purpose very well.

Well, Cody, just a few more days, and we’ll see how faithful you are to your new girlfriend. You told me once when we were together that it was all for me, there was none left for anyone else. Is that how you feel about her? You told me so many things and I long to hear those sweet words again. I wonder if you say them to her.

****

Cody returned from his meeting feeling renewed and ready for the challenge ahead
and he went to bed. He lay there wondering just how serious Jessie was about her new officer boyfriend.

I told her that she was mine forever and I meant it.

He was up before dawn. Stopping for gasoline and coffee at the Love’s station just outside of Lawton, he strolled happily into the bright yellow building with the familiar red lettering. After paying for his Krispy Kreme donut and his large cup of black coffee, he was on his way before the morning traffic began. Stopping only once for a quick fast food lunch and more gasoline, he was back on the road and arrived at Andy and Missy’s in the early afternoon. Jessie was already there, happy and cheerful, helping Missy.
I haven’t seen her looking this cheerful for a long time. This might
be harder than I thought
. He said hello to everyone and asked Andy what he could do to help.

“We
need to go pick up our tuxes,” Andy told him.

That was good.
He could get some info from Andy while they were out.

****

“So that’s your dreamboat, Jessica? No wonder you want him back.” Mrs. Roberts smiled at Jessica. She was a kind woman, with a wonderful sense of humor.

“Mom, who ever said she wanted him back?” Missy asked.

“A mother can tell.” She smiled a knowing smile at Jessica. “Whether the poor girl knows it or not, she loves that man.”

Jessica was flustered.
Does it show that much? I thought I’d been doing a good job of hiding my feelings.

“We have too much to do to talk about those two, Mom. If we did,
we’d never get ready by Saturday for the wedding.”

The three women worked all afternoon finishing up the final wedding details and had sat down with glasses of iced tea when the men returned.

“Get lost?” Missy asked as they came in.

Jessica got up and went to the kitchen. She returned with a glass of iced tea for both men.

“Why thank you, Jessie. I was just telling Missy that I had to do my best man duty and give the groom a pep talk.” Cody smiled as he took the glass from her hand.

“No wonder you were gone so long. You’ve probably be
en trying to talk him out of it,” Jessica replied.

“Quite the contrary,” Andy said with a grin. “He couldn’t have,
anyway, even if he’d tried.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I
’d hate to think I’ve been going crazy for the last week for no reason.” Missy laughed.

“You have nothing to worry about, baby. I will be at that church on Saturday with bells on.”
Andy looked at his fiancée and winked.

“Well, a mother always likes to hear her future son in law say that
,” Missy’s mother joined the conversation. “What about you, Cody? Any plans to tie the knot?

“Mother!” Missy looked at her mother in shock.

“Just asking.” She shrugged and looked at Cody.

“Well, you never know. I might surprise everyone and do that one of these days.”

Jessica very nearly choked on her tea.
Is he that serious about the bimbo? If so, I’m going to have to work fast.

Since most of the work was done, they decided to go out for dinner. Missy chose
The Olive Garden, of course, and they spent a pleasant and relaxing evening together, enjoying good food and good company. The tension was mounting between Cody and Jessica, but no one else seemed to notice.

When it was time to leave, Cody offered to drive Jessica to the hotel. “You can
get your car tomorrow. There’s no reason for you to go all the way back to Missy’s tonight when I have my truck and we’re going to the same place.”

“I’ll see all of you tomorrow,”
she said as she let Cody escort her out of the restaurant.

The ride to the hotel was pleasant enough. She could see he was in better shape than he
’d been the last time they were together. Whoever this woman was, she’d gotten him on track. When they arrived, he walked her to her room, saw that she was safely inside and turned to go.

“Would you like to come in?”
Jessica asked politely.

“I need to make a phone call then get to bed. There’s a lot to do tomorrow. I’ll meet you for breakfast and take you over to Missy’s.”

She was so jealous she could have kicked something, but she had to remain calm. “Well, if you’re sure.”

“I guess I could come in for a few minutes. It’s been a long time since we’ve talked.”

Or anything else, she thought. She led him into her room and sat in one of the black leather chairs next to the bed.

“Andy’s
happy. I’m glad it’s worked out,” he began, as he took the other chair.

“I am
glad it’s worked out for them too,” she replied, looking closely at the man seated next to her.

“Have you gotten your orders yet?”
he asked, appearing only vaguely interested.

“I
don’t expect to be going anywhere for a while yet. The project that I stayed at Fort Sill for won’t be finished anytime soon,” she replied, searching his face for a reaction and getting none.

“How have you been? Is your new friend keeping you happy?”

“My new friend?” she asked, puzzled. What was he talking about?

“The guy I’ve seen you with. At the restaurant then at the bowling alley the night Andy was in town.”

“Who…oh Bruce… he’s a lot of fun,” she replied, wondering why he was asking about him.
Surely he doesn’t think Bruce and I are an item. Or does he?

“A lot of fun, huh?” He grunted as he thought of the two of them together.

“And how about you, Cody, you seem to have recovered from all your problems.”

“I’m better than I’ve been in a long time, Jessie,” he assured her.

Because of her, she thought. What does she have that I don’t? I would’ve done anything for you.

“Cody, I’m happy for you,” she said, trying to hide her true feelings.

“You look good…I’ve missed you, Jessie.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Well, I really need to make that phone call. I’ll meet you at eight in the dining room tomorrow morning.”

“Do you have to go?” she asked seductively.

He kissed her gently on the forehead, told her goodnight and started out the door.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay?”
she asked again, pouting.

“
Jessie, I don’t think that’s a good idea. We’re liable to get into a heap of trouble if I do.”

So he
is tempted!

“What happens in Kansas stays in
Kansas,” she teased.

“You know what you’re asking for if I don’t leave right now, don’t you?”

“And are you willing to give it to me?” She looked into the chocolate candy eyes she loved so much.

“Are you willing to give it to me,
Jessie?”

“
I seem to recall you telling me something about being available for stud service if I should feel the need? Are you still available, Cody?”

“For you, I’m available.”

So he will cheat to be with me!

“Stay. What happens in Kansas stays in Kansas
, like I said,” she told him seductively.

He walked away from the door, grabbed her and crushed her to his chest. His lips found hers and he kissed her so hard her knees buckled and she had to lean into him for support. When she did, she felt the proof of his desire.
I still get to him!

“The phone call can wait,” he whispered hoarsely as they came up for air.
“My God, Jessie, do you know what you’re doing?”

“I do.”

He picked her up and carried her to the bed, kissing her while he carried her. He laid her on the king-sized bed with the thick white comforter and soon joined her. He kissed her again and began trailing butterfly kisses all over her body.

He’s
mine again! I’ll make him forget her, if it’s the last thing I do
. She rolled him over and began a trail of her own kisses.

“Jess
ie…wait…come here.”

She gasped at his touch and gave h
erself to him, unable to wait another second. I wish we’d make a baby tonight, she thought with a devious smile as she unleashed the incredible passion she’d been reserving for only him.

“
Jessie!”

Then she began to cry as she realized he had called out her name
. Not someone else’s. He knew where he belonged.

“Jess
ie, did I hurt you? Why are you crying?”

“No, I’m just overwhelmed. I haven’t been with a…
with you for a while.” She’d almost said she hadn’t been with anyone…but she didn’t want him to know that.

“I’d better go. It’s late and I have to make that call.”

“You’re not staying?”

“Do you want me to? Don’t you have things to take care of?”

“I’d rather be with you.”

“Okay. I’ll stay.”

He kissed her again. They lay quietly savoring the aftermath of their lovemaking.

Silently, they slept with arms and legs tangled together the rest of the night.

The next morning she went to the shower. She’d been in there but a few seconds when he joined her. Stepping in with her, he took the soap from her hands and began seductively lathering her body…it wasn’t long before she was giving in to the sensations wracking her body once again. She pulled at his wavy brown hair as he released his seed into her warm body once again.
He’s mine.

“I hope there’s no
body in the shower next door,” she giggled, slightly embarrassed at the thought.

“What if there is? They probably got off listening.
We need to get dressed, babe.”

By the time he’d shaved and she’d put her makeup on, it was late. They hurried down to breakfast
before driving back to help their friends prepare for their big day.