Just go on and say what's on your mind."
"Well, Mom said I shouldn't think of a woman just as a body but I should also admire her mind and brain and stuff, you know, what makes her that person. That I should respect women and never do anything exploit … explo—"
"Exploitative?"
"Yeah, that. I know what it means, I just couldn't get it out."
"Your mother is right, David."
David fixed him with a stare identical to his own. "You didn't. Not with my mother."
Law was the first to look away from their long stare. Ordinarily he resented correction and would have reacted to it angrily. He was his own worst critic and rarely the recipient of criticism from someone else. It was even rarer that he had a guilty conscience. But beneath his son's scrutiny, he felt uneasy and guilty as hell.
"No, I didn't, David. I'm hoping that you'll behave more responsibly in your relationships than I did with Sharon."
"You're not mad at me for saying that, are you?"
"No. On the contrary. I respect you for pinning my ears to the wall about it. Your mother wasn't honest with me, but I should have taken it upon myself to insure she didn't get pregnant."
"I don't even remember her, so I guess that's why I'm not really mad at you about it. If you had hurt my mom, Marnie I mean, that'd be a different story." He flashed a fleeting grin. "Besides, if you'd used a condom, I wouldn't even be here."
"For that reason, and only that reason, I'm glad I didn't."
David ducked his head and muttered shyly. "Well, good night again."
"We'll have to leave early to get you to school on time."
"I'll be up. Mom packed my alarm clock."
He lingered beside the door, tracing the grain in the wood with his fingertip.
"Is there something else, David?" Law asked, noticing his reluctance to leave. "Another rule of the house is that whoever has something on his mind speaks up."
"I was just wondering why you've been hanging around my mom lately. Was it because of me?"
"We've spent a lot of time talking about you," Law answered evasively.
"Oh," he said, looking crestfallen. "I thought it might have been because you think she's pretty."
"I do."
"You do?" David's face lit up.
"Very pretty."
"Ah, well, that's good, that's real good. I gotta go to bed now. Good night. It's great being here, Dad."
"Great having you."
For several minutes after David left the room, Law continued to smile. Each time he recalled a particular snatch of their conversation, he would smile again. He was surprised at himself for deriving so much satisfaction from their heart-to-heart discussion.
He turned out the light in the den and went into his own bedroom, undressed, and got into bed. Stacking his hands beneath his head, he stared at the ceiling fan that was slowly rotating overhead and thought about how unsatisfying other aspects of his life had been lately namely his sex life.
Come to think of it, he hadn't had a sex life since meeting Marnie Hibbs again.
What had it been, one week, two? Law Kincaid going two weeks without getting laid?
Outrageous! Unheard of! If word of it got around the office, he'd never hear the end of it.
Funny though, he didn't feel inclined to do anything about it. He'd rather wait. He'd rather wait for her. His desire was so strong as to be painful at times, but at other times so sweet as to be a pleasure in and of itself.
The circling blades of the fan cast swirling shadows on the walls. The shadows were the exact gray color of Marnie's eyes. From her eyes, his thoughts wandered to her mouth, it's seductive shape, its sweet taste, its involuntary, and even unwilling passionate response to his kisses.
He thought about her breasts, small, but super-sensitive to his touch. And the taste of her skin. And how adorable her belly button was. And the sexy, catchy little sound she had made in her throat when his lips…
As he drifted off to sleep, his fantasies followed him into his dreams.
Chapter 14
M
arnie was so nervous she nearly created a blob of the dot above the
i
in David's name.
But she caught the drop of cake frosting just in time and ended up dotting the
i
perfectly.
She wanted everything to be absolutely perfect for his birthday dinner.
"We can have the celebration at my house," Law had suggested several days earlier.
"No, I want him to be at home that night." Then, realizing Law's house was becoming more home to David than her address, she said, "I'd like to have his birthday dinner here."
"Fine." He had agreed with a smile. He went out of his way to be civil these days.
"Anything I can do to help?"
"No, thank you," she had said, being equally civil. "It won't be a lavish party by any means. Only the three of us. But I want to cook his favorite foods and make it a super-special occasion. He's looked forward to it for so long."
Just then David had come bounding down the stairs, carting a box of belongings on his shoulder. His room in Marnie's house was gradually emptying while the one at Law's house continued to fill up. Marnie tried not to let that transference of his possessions panic her and kept reminding herself that teenagers liked to be surrounded by their own things. It made them feel independent.
"Ready Dad?"
"If you are."
"We're going miniature golfing tonight," David had informed her.
"Have fun."
"Want to come?" Law had offered.
"Yeah, Mom, want to come? But I'd better warn you, Dad, she pouts if she doesn't win."
"I do no such thing!" She had swatted David playfully. "I'd like to come, but no thanks.
I've got a piece that needs my attention tonight."
"Okay 'bye. See you tomorrow. Can I drive, Dad?"
"Sure," Law had said, pitching him the keys.
"Is he careful in that thing?" Marnie asked, glancing worriedly at the Porsche.
"Very. He's getting in a lot of driving practice. He'll pass that part of his test with flying colors."
"Only five more days. I'm not sure I'm ready to turn him loose on the roads."
"He's a very responsible driver, Marnie."
"I know. It's the other crazies I'm worried about."
That had been five days ago. Today was the big day. She was getting the cake-baking out of the way early so she would have the afternoon free to accompany David to the Department of Public Safety after school for his driving test.
David had been anticipating this day for as long as he'd been a teenager. She was apprehensive about his driving alone but looked forward to sharing that rite of passage into adulthood with him.
The last two weeks had been the most difficult of her life, except for a few anxious ones seventeen years earlier, when she had been afraid that Sharon might abort Law's child despite her father's edict.
Since David had left, the old house was silent during the daytime and spooky at night.
She woke up each time the wood settled and creaked.
She missed him terribly. His absence was as persistent and painful as a toothache. It was made even worse by not knowing when it would end. So far David hadn't mentioned coming home. The fear that he might never was about to kill her.
But she had made a decision the night he discovered that Law was his father. David would resent her for the rest of his life if she kept him separated from Law one day more.
She'd nearly gone mad after watching him drive away with Law, leaving her alone. But deep down she knew she'd done the right thing.
They'd arranged it so that Law drove him to school every morning, which was far out of the way of the Johnson Space Center. He hadn't complained of the inconvenience. In the afternoons she picked David up from school. They spent an hour or so together before Law retrieved him on his way home.
She coveted those hours with David and hadn't let anything interfere with them, not her trips to the rest home to visit her mother, not her work. Losing the commission on the telephone directory had been a financial and professional setback. She'd been doubly disappointed because she wouldn't be able to carry out the surprise she had planned for David's birthday.
However, a few days after rejecting her for that job, Mr. Howard's agency had contacted her for another project. She had been flattered and thrilled. The work was progressing very well and the client was already discussing future commissions with her.
She tingled at the thought of David's surprise, which, thanks to the work she'd gotten, had been affordable after all. He was going to "have a cow" as he would say. It was gratifying to know she could do something special for him.
Competing with Law wasn't easy. He'd taken David flying with him several times, and David had loved it. David had even gone with him to Annapolis, where he'd delivered the commencement speech to the graduating cadets.
David, naturally, had stars in his eyes and was always brimming with enthusiasm for all the wonderful things his father had done for him. Marnie was delighted for him but couldn't help feeling jealous. Tonight she was going to put the stars in David's eyes.
By mid-afternoon she'd cleaned the house, decorated the dining room, and prepared dinner so that it was ready to go into the oven. She showered and dressed and, congratulating herself on her perfect planning, was on her way downstairs when the telephone rang.
"Hi, Mom."
"Hi. I'm on my way. Will you be out front or at the gym door?"
"I'm glad I caught you. Dad's already here. He's going to take me. We'll be over as soon as I'm finished."
Marnie's disappointment was so crushing, she couldn't speak.
"Mom? Are you there?"
"Cer-certainly I'm just—"
"Busy I know. Dad said you'd be tearing around trying to get things ready for tonight. If he takes me to get my license, that'll be a big help, right?"
"Right," she said dismally.
"Don't go to any special pains for dinner. It's only my birthday."
"I'll go to special pains if I want to, thank you very much." She wasn't going to let him know how disappointed she was. That would only spoil his day. "Be careful, David. Good luck. Do well. And I'll be standing by with a congratulatory soda when you get here."
"Okay 'bye."
She hung up, feeling depression settling down on her like a suffocating blanket. She submitted to it only for a second, then by an act of will threw it off.
This was David's sixteenth birthday. Neither he nor Law could have known how much she'd looked forward to going with him to take his driver's test. They hadn't deliberately excluded her. It had been a thoughtful gesture, not a malicious one, for Law to volunteer to take him.
She still had last-minute things to do before they arrived. This disappointment wasn't going to keep her from giving David a beautiful birthday one he would never forget.
* * *
"No wonder you're in such terrific shape," Law said to David as he pushed away his plate.
"You've had meals like that all your life."
"I told you she was a good cook." David beamed a smile on Marnie before popping the last homemade roll into his mouth. "But you outdid yourself on the pot roast this time, Mom."
She basked in his praise. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I only hope you left room for dessert."
"This corner right here." He pointed to a space between two ribs. It was a childhood game they used to play.
"Then I won't keep you waiting any longer. It'll be served as soon as I clear this away."
She stood up and began stacking dishes onto a tray.
"I'll help." Law scooted his chair back.
"You don't have to."
"I know that."
"Well, it's my birthday so I'm just going to sit here and see how loud I can belch."
"David Hibbs, you—"
"Only kidding, Mom."
She made a face at him and carted the tray into the kitchen.
"Where do these go?" Law asked, holding up a pair of crystal salt and peppershakers.
"Last cabinet on the right. Second shelf."
"Great looking table. Great dinner."
"Thank you."
"There's nothing so sensually stimulating as a good dinner complete with flowers, candlelight and…" He moved up behind her and slid one hand around her. He cupped her breast and gave the delicate center an airy caress with his thumb. "A beautiful woman."
She sucked in a quick breath and turned in his arms. "Law! What are you doing?"
"Having more fun than I've had all day," he whispered around a wicked grin before settling his mouth warmly and possessively over hers. His hands slid over her derriere and pulled her against the front of his body.
"I've been nice. I've given you space. I've given you time. I haven't pushed. But, dammit, I've waited long enough. I want you, Marnie." He tilted his hips forward and watched her pupils dilate. "You want me too," he said roughly before giving her a long, languorous, delicious, eating kiss.
"Law?" Several long, breathless minutes passed before she was able even to gasp his name.
"Hmm? God, you're gorgeous." His eyes scoured her face.
"Law?"
She was barely given an opportunity to weakly whimper his name before he treated them to another kiss, where each fervently but tenderly devoured the other's mouth.
At last he raised his head. "Our son is waiting," he said hoarsely. "We'll get back to this later." He gave her breast another little glancing blow with his thumb and felt the hard projection of her nipple. "The sooner the better. In the meantime, what can I help you with?"
He could start by supporting her, because she wasn't sure she could continue standing on her own. She managed, however, and soon the candles on the cake were lit and she was bearing it into the dining room, where David was waiting.
"You're not going to do anything corny like sing 'Happy Birthday', are you?"
Marnie glanced up at Law and gave him an impish smile. Then the two of them broke into loud song. David sank low in his chair and poked his fingers in his ears. All three were laughing before the grand finale.
"Make a wish."
"Mom." David groaned, rolling his eyes. He complied, however, and blew out all the candles on one breath. Marnie sliced the three-layer chocolate cake she had worked so hard on and served them both monstrous pieces, which they lasciviously eliminated in record time.
"Now it's time for presents." She left the room and returned with a gift-wrapped box.
"Open this one first."
"First? You mean there's more than one?"
She gave him a mysterious smile and said in a singsong voice, "I'll never tell. You know how I feel about birthday surprises."
Barely able to contain her excitement, she stood behind David's chair as he unwrapped a new set of clothes.
"Cool, Mom!" he exclaimed, holding the pants and shirt up to him. "These are so cool."
"You like them?"
"Yeah, they're great."
They were so involved with their discussion of the clothes, which bore the latest status label, that they didn't notice when Law moved to the window and glanced out.
When he turned back into the room, he tipped his head toward the front yard. "You'll have to go outside to open my present," he told David.
"Outside?"
"Go on. You too, Marnie."
Law ushered them through the front door. David had taken only a few steps when he spied the shiny new sports car parked in the driveway. He came to an abrupt standstill.
Blue eyes bugging, mouth agape, he spun around. "Where'd it come from?"
"It was delivered. Right on time, thank goodness.
"You mean that's … that's … that's my present? An Iroc? An
Iroc
?"
"Happy birthday." Law dangled a set of car keys in front of David's nose.
David stared at the keys, at Law, at Marnie. Then he executed a back flip in the grass, grabbed the keys from Law, and raced toward the new car.
"Wait," Law said, laughing as he ran after him, "there are a few things I need to show you before you take off in it."
Law and David got into the car. Marnie slipped back into the house unnoticed. She was afraid that at any second she might start screaming, so she crammed a fist against her mouth to hold it in.
The gaiety of the birthday party table seemed to mock her. Quickly, angrily she blew out the candles in the centerpiece. The new set of clothes she'd given David were lying forgotten among the tissue paper she had lovingly wrapped them in. They too, seemed to be laughing at her. With a wide, angry swipe of her hand, she swept them off the table and onto the floor.
She took another gift-wrapped box out of her skirt pocket and tried to destroy it, raking at the paper and ribbon with her nails.
"He said to tell you he's gone to show his car to Jack but won't be long," Law said, breezing into the house. "You didn't say much—" He pulled up short when she whirled around, confronting him with the disposition of a cobra about to strike.
"What should I have said, Law? What? That no, he couldn't accept the car? That it's too expensive and flashy a car for a high school boy who got his license only today? That you should have consulted me first? That it wasn't your place to give him something on that grand a scale? Which of these things should I have said to burst David's bubble?"
He said nothing for several moments. Then, "It never occurred to me to consult you."
"Well, it should have. I'm his mother."
"And I'm his father."
"You're Santa Claus!" she shouted.
Tears were streaming down her flushed cheeks, but she didn't even notice. Nor did she realize that she was holding her arms straight down at her sides, her small body rigid with fury.
"You came into David's life bearing gifts. You're larger than life, magnificent, like some god. Parenting is easy when you're not the one who changes diapers or stays up all night with a kid's earaches. You never had to discipline him while your heart was breaking for having to. No, you missed all that, didn't you?"