What Happened After Vegas? (Unexpected Love #2) by Sharon Cummin Page B

just admiring the view. You look
much better than I ever could in my t-shirt, especially with no
panties. I'm thinking I should have thrown you over my shoulder
without you packing a bag. I'd be able to see you like this all
weekend."
    Cliff
walked up and put his arms around her. Her hands instantly went to
his bare chest, as she traced his muscles with her fingers.
    "You're
not so bad yourself in those sweats with your naked chest. Is it bad
that I've hoped those pants would fall from your hips more than once?
How do you have time to look like this? I don't think staying like
this all weekend sounds bad at all."
    He
leaned in and rested his forehead against hers. She could feel strong
emotions in the air between them.
    "You
okay?" she asked.
    He
nodded but didn't speak.
    "We
should eat," he whispered.
    He
pulled away slowly and moved to pick up the plates. She grabbed
quickly in front of him to get them first. He got them drinks and
followed her into his dining room.
    "I'd
rather eat in the living room," he said. "What do you
think?"
    "That
sounds good. I didn't want to make a mess in there. Everything looks
so nice."
    "I'd
rather we're comfortable. That stuff doesn't matter to me. I'm never
home to make a mess. That's the only reason it looks like that. Come
on."
    They
ate their takeout while they watched a movie. When they were
finished, Rachel took the dishes back to the kitchen. Cliff leaned
back against the couch and held his arms out for her to sit in front
of him. She leaned back against his chest and his arms wrapped around
her. He still hadn't said a word. Rachel leaned her head back and
looked up at him. His eyes were aimed at the television with a
serious look on his face. She turned in his arms.
    "What's
going on?" she asked nervously. "What are you thinking
about?"
    He
shrugged his shoulders without a reply.
    "Are
you okay?" she asked.
    He
nodded not taking his eyes off the screen. Rachel felt her nerves
tense. Was he changing his mind about being with her? Had she done
something wrong? Was he realizing she wasn't worth everything he had
to go through? Thoughts began running wild through her mind. She
should go, she thought.
    Rachel
stood up and turned to walk out of the room when his hand reached out
to stop her. He turned her to face him. She looked down and wondered
what he was thinking. The day had taken its toll on her. All she
needed was to know that he still wanted her. Ever mean thing Jake
said started coming back to her.
    "I
think I should go home," she whispered, as she nervously moved
from foot to foot.
    "No,"
he whispered. "I need you here."
    Cliff
moved forward on the couch and wrapped his arms around her waist with
his forehead against her belly.
    "What
are you doing to me?" she heard him whisper from below.
    Her
hands went to his hair. She ran her fingers slowly through it as she
massaged his scalp. His arms tightened their hold on her, and they
both remained silent for a moment. Cliff moved to look up at her. His
eyes were filled with so much emotion. Rachel needed to know what was
going on. Her insecurities were tearing her up. She went down on her
knees so she could look into his eyes.
    "When
the door opened and he was standing there with lipstick on his mouth,
I felt my heart ripping in two. I couldn't believe you were actually
there with him. A million thoughts ran through my mind. I thought you
were different. In that moment, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
He was confirming my thoughts with his words. I was devastated. I was
ready to walk away and never look back, but then you spoke. I
couldn't see you at first. When you said something, I heard the fear
in your voice. You were afraid of him. I was about to walk away. If
you hadn't spoke, I would've been gone. He could have hurt you. He
would have hurt you. Then I saw you with your hair out of sorts and
the tears running down your face. Every bit of me needed to protect
you. When he ran his mouth like he did, I couldn't take it.