10

Ray fished a set of keys out of his pocket and pressed the button necessary to disengage the security system, and another to unlock and release the automatic garage door.

Lights came on as it opened. He drove the car inside, parked, and then got out to open Rebecca’s door. Offering his hand, he resisted the urge to pull her in his arms and cover her lips with his.

When he kissed her again, it would be on her terms. Besides, he couldn’t risk another rejection right now. If he kissed her and she bolted as before, he might not survive the betrayal.

As though reading his thoughts, Rebecca smiled and then brushed her lips across his in a gentle caress. “I’m sorry I hurt you yesterday, Ray, I promise to try and not do it again.”

Oh, how he wanted to hold her. Instead, Ray whispered his thanks and gave her hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it. Giving her the keys, he showed her which one opened the door to the house then went to the trunk of the car to retrieve their luggage.

Once inside, he led her to the guest room nearest his bedroom, then back down into the kitchen. “Are you hungry?” he asked, rummaging through the refrigerator.

Rebecca nodded.

Together, they prepared a quick meal of soup and sandwiches, ate in companionable silence, and cleaned the kitchen together.

Ray showed her to her bedroom door, pressed a light kiss to her forehead, and then reluctantly went to his own room. He understood and agreed that they shouldn’t stay in the same room, but the desire to hold Rebecca in his arms threatened to consume his common sense. Something inside him felt that her nearness could ease his bitterness and grief, and he needed that right now. Comfort. Companionship. Hope.

He changed into pajamas and climbed into bed. The cold sheets stole his body heat. Sleep didn’t come at first, but when it finally eased through his mind, his dreams were filled with disquiet, and nothing tangible he could hold on to.

~*~

Rebecca awoke early the next morning, made her way down the stairs and into the kitchen where she found a note from Ray saying that he’d gone to check on funeral arrangements for his parents.

She wondered if he’d thought about food and refreshments to offer the guests who were bound to pour into the house throughout the day. Figuring he hadn’t, she did a thorough search of the refrigerator, freezer and pantry, making a mental list of things she could put together.

The door rattled and she looked up from perusing the contents of the refrigerator.

“What’cha looking for?” Ray asked.

Rebecca smiled. “Good morning. What did you find out?”

“Everything’s all set. There’ll be a memorial service this afternoon. Evidently, my parents discussed everything with their attorney, even the funeral. He made the arrangements yesterday afternoon. So, what are you looking for?

“I’m taking stock of what’s available in terms of providing food for the guests I’m sure you’ll be having.”

“Don’t go to any trouble. I thought I’d call a catering service for that.”

“It’s no trouble. It’s what I do best, remember? Or is holding your hand the only reason you brought me here?”

Ray chuckled, and reached for her hand. “I’m at my best when you’re holding my hand, Becca. And it’s such a lovely hand to hold onto.” He raised her hand and kissed it.

Rebecca’s cheeks warmed. “You are an incurable flirt, Raymond Jacobey.”

“Scott.”

“What?”

“My middle name is Scott. If you’re going to address me by my given name you should know that,” he teased. “You know, when you want to be sure I listen.” He frowned with mock ferocity. “Raymond Scott Jacoby.” He growled his name as if he meant business.

“I’ll remember that from now on,” she assured him and laughed. “How about some breakfast?”

“I thought we’d go out for breakfast.”

Rebecca shook her head. “Go out for breakfast and hire a caterer to provide for your guests? Sounds cold and impersonal to me.”

“Breakfast with you would never be cold or impersonal. As for the other, they’re only people passing through. I don’t know them. They will be my parents’ friends. My parents would think a caterer would be more than adequate in providing them with what they’re accustomed to being served.”

Rebecca flinched inwardly at the coldness of his voice and wondered if he would ever find anything good to remember about his parents. Twenty-two years of marriage had taught her to compromise, maybe too much.

Both Raymond and the counselor had insisted she start thinking and acting for herself, so she ignored the tendency to comply this time.

“Well, I think it’s rude, Mr. Raymond Scott Jacobey. You asked me to come along for support, so allow me to do that in the way I know best. This kitchen is exceptionally stocked and it’s a shame to let it all go to waste. Now, what would you like for breakfast?”

Ray answered her question, accepted the breakfast she laid out before him, and then got out of her way so she could prepare food for the people who would soon be trailing in and out of the house.

By the time they got ready to leave for the memorial service, Rebecca hoped she had prepared enough to feed everyone who showed up.

She surveyed the food spread on the huge table in the formal dining room. There were finger sandwiches made of tuna, chicken and ham salad, fruit with cream cheese dip, vegetables with ranch dip and two trays filled with homemade cookies, brownies and fudge.

A large crystal bowl held punch made of white grape juice and ginger ale. More of the same was chilling in the refrigerator. The coffee pot was ready and set to begin brewing in an hour. Cups, saucers and napkins were laid out, as were silverware and dinner plates.

Ray stepped up beside her and examined the feast. “Everything looks wonderful.” He slipped his arm around her waist.

She smiled up at him. “I think I’ve found my passion. Though I have no idea where it’ll lead me.”

His smile, though strained, was tender. “Sky’s the limit. Are you ready?”

“Yes, are you?”

The nonchalant shrug couldn’t mask the pain in his lovely green eyes. She turned and laid her hand against his cheek. Awareness sizzled between them. His eyes darkened, pupils dilated, and Rebecca instinctively knew he wanted to kiss her. The thought sent shivers of delight down her spine. She couldn’t move and she couldn’t tear her attention from his hypnotic gaze. As of their own accord, her lips lifted to receive his kiss.

Ray hesitated a moment before lowering his mouth to hers. His kiss was tentative, searching. By the tender, yet anxious way he held her—as though he expected her to bolt—their first kiss must have weighed on his mind.

She took his other hand, placed it on her waist, and then trailed her palm up his arm to cup his face gently. A little murmur of encouragement escaped her as his arms slid around her, pulled her closer.. He held her lightly and deepened the kiss briefly before ending it by slow degrees.

“Hold me, Becca,” he whispered, kissing first one palm then the other. Her heart trembled as she leaned closer and slipped her arms around his neck. His lips traveled over her cheek to her ear then paused for an intimate caress of mouth against flesh.

At her soft sigh of pleasure, his lips journeyed down her throat to the pulse beating erratically at its base. He nuzzled there and then moved on to caress the slim column, to bury his face in her hair. Absently, she wondered if he noticed how deeply he affected her.

Rebecca’s hands kneaded his back and shoulders in a restless gesture until, as if doused with cold water, the realization of their actions slammed into her mind. She physically started at the thought, but deliberately calmed the instinct to run. She didn’t want to offend Ray again, not now when he was grieving, not again when she was sure it would rupture their budding relationship. She lingered in his embrace a moment then stepped away.

His arms slowly slid from around her until his hands rested on her waist. She smoothed over the tense muscles in his shoulders, down his arms and then raised his hands to her lips, kissing the back of each.

Tugging free of her grip, Ray cupped her face. A wealth of emotions clouded her mind—excitement, wonder, guilt. She lifted her gaze and peered into his eyes.

“You have a lovely mouth,” he whispered. His gaze dropped to her lips, lingered there.

“So do you,” she admitted, heat scorching her cheeks. “We need to go.”

Ray pressed his lips to her forehead then took her arm and escorted her to the car without another word.