59

Sunlight beamed through the window. Calliope's body had muscles that ached in places she hadn't felt in years, if not ever before. Chris had been her only until Michael, and the sweet aches made her wish for more of Michael she’d already had as she sat up in bed. The imprint in the bed where Michael had slept felt cold as she traced his spot, but the blue ocean outside his window was clear and bright. She sighed as she hugged the sheets closer to her face.

Then the door opened and she turned her attention toward it and waited for Michael. He widened the opening and she saw how he leaned against the frame in white soft cotton night pants. A yearning for more grew again as he simply said, "Did you sleep well?"

A little talk might be good though part of her screamed to help him remove his clothes and have another go. Right now she wanted more from him and so she pretended to yawn. "What time is it?"

"Eleven o'clock."

She tugged the sheet tighter as her eyes widened. "No wonder it's so bright. I never sleep this late."

He came to the bed and sat on the edge. Then he winked. "I had you up late last night."

"True." Her entire body still felt like she was in the clouds, but then the air around her grew with a familiar scent that wasn't pine trees and home. She sniffed to be sure as she asked, "Is that coffee?"

He nodded like he’d earned a Christmas present as he held out his hand. "Yes, I bought it from the shop where I used to see you a lot in high school, but you only get it if you go to the kitchen table."

“My brother or Chris always ended up dragging me out of that place, where we used to talk.” She took his hand to help her stand. The moment she was naked, his gaze traveled over her chest and he nodded with appreciation. "Give me a minute."

Then he walked away and opened his walk in closet.

"My t-shirts are in the top drawer." He pointed to a dresser in the closet he opened. "Gym clothes are on the top shelf here."

She trailed behind him and the moment she was set to pass him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in for another kiss. Her pores felt like she melted from his touch. It felt like she was made for him. Then he let her go and all she longed for was to stay in his embrace. As he walked away, he said, "Hurry."

She grabbed his college University of Florida jersey and threw it over head. Then she went into his bathroom and saw a new toothbrush still in the pack on the vanity. She unwrapped it as she cleaned herself up. The sooner she finished, the sooner she saw him again.

As she walked out in his jersey, she was drawn into the kitchen as the smell of coffee pulled her closer. He sat at a table that overlooked the Atlantic ocean and took a sip of the delicious coffee in a white porcelain cup. The logo on the coffee container brought back memories of how she spent hours everyday laughing with Michael. Her crush on him should have been obvious to her, even then. No wonder Chris always complained. Her own blindness to what she wanted seemed so silly now.

Ocean waves rolled in the distance and brought her back to the here and now. The white and granite table and white dishes let the natural beauty of the ocean shine unencumbered. As Michael joined her from the kitchen, she tilted her head. "Michael, you cooked?"

A laugh escaped his lips. "Yeah, no. I ordered brunch and had it delivered from the coffee shop.”

Not any shop, the coffee shop where they first became close. She licked her lips and helped herself to a piece of toast that she began to butter. "So I had heard a ringing."

"Guilty." His face wasn't even remotely red.

Then she peered closer at him until he returned her gaze. Good. She put her food down and adjusted her seat. "So about last night..."

He put his food down and took her hand in his. "Yeah?"

She let his hand go and ran her fingers up his chest and then turned his face to get a better look. No bruise was there. "I just wanted to know how your face was. I meant to check, but then we... umm... made love."

"Sex, sweetheart. It was good sex."

No. She dropped her hands and her shoulders slumped. "Michael, if we love each other then it was more than sex."

He sat backwards in his chair. "I shouldn't have said that to you."

Last night he’d seemed so genuine. She swallowed. "So you don't love me?"

He lowered his head and reached for her hands as he choked on his words at first. "I do. I love you and I want you. But I don't want you to ever regret, and I took advantage when you were vulnerable."

She looked up and tried to understand him. She squeezed his hand and waited for him to meet her gaze. "What?"

"You were engaged."

She scooted closer. Michael had to understand. She swallowed and then said, "To the wrong man. Michael, I knew I should have said no to Chris. I hesitated and wished that I hadn't said yes. I was so afraid of being alone that I almost let you go because I was still afraid and not trusting myself."

His eyes widened, but she continued. He had to know everything. "But to be happy, I have to try to be different and put myself out there. Being with you showed me what going past my fears could be and I’m so upset I settled. It was the stupidest thing I ever did. When I said, I love you, it wasn't empty words. I was admitting something I absolutely feel and wanted to say out loud. I trust you with my heart and soul."

He kissed her forehead. His tender lips made her heart beat in a steady and sure manner. All he had to do was trust. She waited.

Then he let go of her hand, his entire attention focused on her as she traced her face and brushed her hair out of her eyes. "With you, I get everything I ever wanted, but I'm more scared to disappoint you than anything else in my entire life."

All she could understand was his gaze and his muscular hand that soothed her. She parted her lips. "Why would you disappoint me?"

"I've disappointed everyone in my life."

This wasn't about her. She'd almost chosen the wrong guy, but he’d never had a choice when it came to his father. She had to choose her words carefully, so she thought about her tactic and lowered her lashes. "How about your sister, Sandy? She clearly loves you and is not disappointed in you."

"I've been trying to protect her from my worst side."

Good. He had no story there. She dared to look at him again. "What worst side? You don't have one."

"That's not true."

Now she had to ask. She pressed her lips together for a moment and stared into his blue eyes. "You don't believe in yourself. Did you father call you a disappointment?"

"Every day."

Jerk. She kept that opinion to herself as she squeezed his hand. "Your father stole from people. He left you with a tarnished last name and he did that all to himself. Did you ever help him?"

"Absolutely not."

Good. Then he had a chance if he’d let himself be happy. She squinted to block the sun as she asked, "Why not? I mean, he was your father."

"Because I hated him, especially how he treated my mother."

Finally he understood. She nodded. "So don't let him haunt you."

His face went white, like he saw a ghost. Then he stood suddenly and his chair scraped against the floor. "Calliope, I have to go to a meeting. I'll take you home, but I'd like to have dinner with you."

Time to let what she said sink in. She had to trust him. He loved her and she loved him. She stood but took her toast with her as she said, "Sounds great, but I'll get myself home on one condition."

He froze like he was about to be in a lineup. "What?"

She quickly swallowed her toast and then licked her lips. Once she was sure no crumbs were on her face, she said, "That you kiss me, a lot of times before we go and when you come and get me."

"Deal." He kissed her.

Tonight, when he accepted the truth, then they had a shot at happily-ever-after. She could wait that long. Maybe.