Past Heaven (38 page)

I knocked on the door of her house with my baseball cap pulled low, right after I saw the bus chugging down the road. She answered the door in her running gear, her face the picture of shock. Before she could say a word, I pulled her into a hug and shut the door behind me.

“Reyn. Oh, how in the world?” I interrupted her question with a kiss.

“No running today, okay?” I tangled my hands in her hair and tilted her head up to me. “Happy birthday.” Running my nose up her neck, I inhaled deeply. My body throbbed from Liz’s natural scent. “I got a twenty-four hour pass and with flying, I have until three o’clock.” I nipped at her lips and she moaned, pressing against me. “Plus,” I kissed her eyelids, the tip of her nose, and her chin, “I need to be out of here before the boys see me.” I crushed my lips against hers, and her mouth opened in response. I drank in the taste of her before I pulled away. “This is a secret trip, just for you.” Lifting her off her feet, I cradled her in my arms as I carried her into the kitchen.

“I can’t believe you did this. You didn’t need to come just for my birthday, but I’m so very glad you did.” She kissed me tenderly, stroking my cheek.

“Oh look, present number one is here. Right on time.” A white van pulled into the driveway.

Liz looked out the window at the van and noticed my rental car. “Reynolds Carter, what are you driving? Is that a green Ford Focus?” She had her hand pressed to her mouth as I laughed.

“This should prove my love to you. I had to use my Mike Stevens alias to get that car. My manager set it up for me. No one can know I’m here, right? So no Range Rovers on this trip.”

“Who’s in the van?” She asked with excitement. Liz and I walked to the door, and I opened it to show her two massage therapists with portable tables in their hands.

“Hi ladies, you can take those up to the master bedroom at the end of the hall.” Liz looked at me with wide eyes. “Present number one is a couple’s massage,” I told her.

“But I thought you said no one could know you’re here.” She sounded concerned as she studied my face.

“Don’t worry. These massage therapists signed confidentiality agreements. They know celebrity drama all too well and how to deal with it. They also come highly recommended. I flew them here from one of the best spas in L.A.”

I interlaced my fingers with Liz’s. She raised our entwined hands and kissed the back of mine as we headed to her bedroom. We each slipped into the white robes brought by the massage therapists and settled onto the tables.

“Reyn, this is heavenly. Thank you so much.”

“I had to see you on your birthday. Next year, I’m taking you away.”

Liz smiled and closed her eyes at the thought. “How’s the movie coming along?”

“We should finish shooting any day. They have us scheduled to start the publicity tour in July. The goal is for the movie to premiere in late August.”

“It’s all happening so fast,” Liz said, shaking her head. “I used some of the advance money to book a big beach house for the month of July. I know the press tour will be in full swing, and I want us out of here and away from the craziness. Plus you’ll be away, and it’ll give me something to take my mind off missing you.”

“That was smart. Things are going to ramp up. I want you to take Tim with you. I’ll feel better if he’s there watching out for you and the boys.”

Liz nodded with her eyes closed, and I enjoyed watching her unwind during her massage. She looked downright inviting lying on the table like that. I sent up a silent prayer that I wouldn’t pitch a tent in front of the massage therapist.

After our massages, I opened a bottle of champagne and gave Liz her next present. She opened the baby blue box with white ribbon and took out a tennis bracelet.

“No. This is too much. Oh dear Lord.” Liz looked at me with both horror and glee as I laughed and attached the clasp. The bracelet was covered with diamonds. It sparkled on her wrist as she turned it around, admiring the way the light reflected off the stones.

“Nothing is too much for you. Get used to it. I want to spoil you and shower you with presents of all kinds.”

Liz walked over to me and unwrapped her robe. “Reyn, thank you, but, this is not what I need for my birthday. I’m
interested
in something else.” A smart ass comment about her use of our word,
interested
, was on the tip of my tongue, but then she unwrapped my robe and pressed her breasts against my chest.

Words failed me.

I inhaled, and her eyes sparkled. She was innocent and provocative all at the same time. “What
do
you need for your birthday?” I teased her.

She stroked my face and kissed my chest, right over my rapidly beating heart. “I need you. I need you so much. I never wanted to let myself need another man after I lost Jack, but I do. I need to feel your touch so much right now. I need to be with you.”

She rubbed herself against me, and I groaned with pleasure. I bent down and kissed each corner of her mouth. She pressed her lips against mine, and my mouth opened for her. She slipped her tongue in, sliding it against mine. I could have kissed her for hours. I loved her sweet taste and the warmth of her mouth. Then she dropped to her knees and took me inside that luscious mouth.

“
Holy shit
.”

She was going to make me lose my mind. Looking down and seeing her—my Liz—on her knees, pleasuring me was too much. As fucking phenomenal as she made me feel, our time was limited today. I needed to be inside of her. I lifted her up and carried her to the bed.

“Reyn, please, please.”

“I’ve got you, Elizabeth.” I buried myself in her with a shout and we lost ourselves in both love and lust.

AFTER ANOTHER INTENSE orgasm and the euphoria that came from feeling him completely, I reluctantly put on my robe and followed Reynolds out of bed and to the kitchen. I stopped in my tracks when I saw two Asian men in my kitchen, hand rolling sushi.

“What did you do, Reynolds Carter?” I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

“Well, I might have flown in the sushi masters from your favorite place in L.A. to make us lunch. They also signed confidentiality agreements, of course.”

I sighed and wrapped my arms around his naked back. He was wearing only his jeans and looked ravishing. I rubbed at his chest and kissed each nipple. “You are the most romantic man in the world. I’ll have to think of some way to properly thank you.”

Reynolds laughed and kissed me. “You thank me for nothing. I haven’t been this happy since our time in L.A. Now it’s time for me to feed you. Come.”

Reynolds held me on his lap as we ate. Having sushi hand rolled in my own kitchen and eating it partially clothed with my guy was pretty special. I was sated with food, sex, and love.

“How are the boys? Is Grayson still starting as goalie in lacrosse? I wish they’d listen to him and let him play more offense.” Reynolds played with my fingers as he spoke.

“Still goalie. I’m going to request a different coach next year. Mark only cares about winning.”

“And Griff? Are any of his friends going to Loyola now?” Reynolds asked with concern.

“Yes, Henry’s going. Griff feels much better knowing that. Oh. And Morgan Krebs is going to the sister school for girls. Griff is thrilled. He’s had a crush on her since preschool.” I kissed his hand, twining our fingers together. “Before you even ask, Colt has been nicer to Hayden. So stop worrying.” I kissed his pursed lips and thought my heart might burst. He loved my boys. I couldn’t ask for more.

Reynolds glanced at the clock, and my heart sank. My complete joy turned to melancholy when I realized it was time for him to go again.

I tried to hold the tears back as he slipped on his shirt, hat, and shoes. We stood at the door, holding each other and rocking back and forth. Neither of us would be the first to let go or say goodbye.

“Reyn, thank you so much for loving me.” I kept my eyes closed, and my face pressed to his chest.

“Happy Birthday. I hope to spend your birthday with you for the next fifty years.” He pulled my face up and kissed me hungrily. “If I get a break on the press tour, can I visit you at the beach?” His handsome face was now vulnerable, and my heart hurt.

Wrapping my arms around his neck, he lifted me so we were eye to eye. I kissed him with quick little pecks all over his face. “Nothing would make me happier.”

Reynolds set me down and opened the door. “I won’t say goodbye. Okay? Just, see you soon. I love you, Liz.”

I nodded, wiping away my tears. “See you soon, Reyn.” We shared one last kiss and he walked outside. I couldn’t help but giggle as I watched him drive away in the little green car. He looked like a giant inside it. The man was unbelievable.

The phone rang, and I was brought back to reality. “Liz, Diane Welsh here. How are you?” Diane had replaced Jack as the Executive Director of the Warren agency. She was a dynamo and very excited about the upcoming movie.

“Diane, I’m great. How are you?” I walked into the kitchen to find that the sushi chefs had left the place spotless. What an over-the-top birthday. I was completely spoiled.

“Well, I’m flying pretty high today, Liz. Tell me, is it your birthday or something?”

“Um, yes, actually it is, why do you ask?” I was puzzled why Diane was calling me about my birthday.

“We just received an anonymous donation of one million dollars to the Warren agency in your name. I figured it must be a special day for you.”

“What in the world? Oh my goodness.” I closed my eyes and smiled, knowing Reynolds had left one more gift for me.

“Liz, I know you’ve met lots of Hollywood people on the movie set. Any idea who could have done this?” I’m sure Diane had her suspicions and with good reason, but I had to downplay this one.

“You know, I’ve met so many actors and actresses, as well as directors and producers, who have fallen in love with the agency and its mission. It could be anyone. Not that it matters, right? That is an incredible gift. Just spend it well and help the people we love.”

As I ended the call, I texted him.

Me:
Your last gift melted my heart. You will change the lives of all you help. You amaze me.

Reynolds:
I learned from the best. Happy Birthday to the one who taught me what matters.

After a day like today, I really thought I could make it through the next few months. Putting our relationship on hold was hard, but for Reynolds I’d wait forever.

I DROVE AS far as I could on the two-lane highway before I took my Jeep off road and into the sand. Liz’s vacation home was about five miles down the stretch of white sand beach. Liz and the boys had been hunkered down in a big clapboard beach house, on the northern most strip of Corolla, North Carolina, for almost three weeks. From our conversations and emails from the boys, I knew they were spending their days swimming, surfing, fishing, and enjoying the escape. Next summer I would be here with them. Hell, if they loved it here that much I would buy them the place.

The memories of being together on her birthday were all I could think about. She had driven me absolutely crazy. In many ways, she was a walking contradiction. A conservative stay-at-home-mom was the image most people saw. But in the bedroom?
Damn
. She was wild, free, and completely unrestrained. I shifted in my seat. As hot as she was, we would not be having sex this weekend.