Sandy - Vested Interest

I leaned across the table and kissed her. “Ready to go have another amazing day?”

She smiled against my mouth. “Yes.”

“Okay.”The day passed in a long string of smiles. The harbor cruise was a hit with both of us. We stood out on the deck, enjoying the sun and breeze. The boat wasn’t crowded, and we enjoyed the tour and the vistas. Sandy stood in front of me, and I wrapped my arms around her. She took some pictures. We saw forts, shipwrecks, lighthouses—all of which delighted her. She glanced up at me.

“This is so amazing!”

Unable to resist, I kissed her. She caught my head in her hand, curling her fingers into my hair as our mouths moved together. When I pulled away, her cheeks were flushed, and she touched her lips. I wonder if she knew she did that after we kissed.

As I had discovered, much to my delight, Sandy liked to be kissed. She also loved being held and staying close when we strolled. Our hands were entwined most of the time, and if she would drift away to look at an item, as soon as she returned, she held her hand out for mine. She was such a strong force at the office, having her share this private, personal side of herself with me was humbling. It proved to me she trusted me.

She rested against me, laying her hand over my arms. “Thank you, Jordan, for bringing me here.”

I kissed her head. No words were necessary.

We strolled around in Boston Common. Toured Samuel Adams brewery and tasted many samples, discovered a small market, and did some shopping. We had dinner at Turner’s, enjoying the bustling atmosphere of the restaurant.

“Oh my god,” Sandy moaned. “You have to taste this.”

I opened my mouth and let her slide in a piece of swordfish, chewing it slowly.

“That is delicious.”

I slid my plate in her direction. “You have to try the lobster pie.”

She speared a forkful and lifted it to her mouth. She closed her eyes in appreciation. “Wow.”

I nodded. “I know. Good thing we’re walking so much. Otherwise, I’d gain twenty pounds this weekend. Between the chowders, the crab cakes, beer, and the snacks we keep having…” I trailed off.

Sandy winked, trying her best to look lewd. “I’m sure later we can think of another way to burn off some more calories,” she whispered in a breathless voice, then quirked her eyebrows.

I began to laugh. All day, she had delighted me with her sense of humor. I knew she was intelligent and well-read. I expected to enjoy her company, but her surprisingly ribald jokes, her amusing imitations of a Boston accent, and cheeky remarks had me in stitches several times. I couldn’t recall laughing this much for a long time.

“I might take you up on that.”

“I guess I had better get dessert then, just to keep up my strength.”

“Good idea.”

I glanced at my phone. “The latest weather update says it’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow. Maybe you’d like to go back to the MFA.”

“I’d love that.” She ate in silence for a few moments, then spoke. “Um, how bad is the rain supposed to be?”

I rechecked my phone. “Storms overnight and then rain most of the day.”

“Oh.”

Something in her tone made me tense. That one word indicated anxiety. I reached across the table and took her hand.

“What is it, my darling?”

She shrugged, looking self-conscious. “It’s silly.”

“I doubt that. Now, tell me.”

“I hate storms. They frighten me.”

“A lot of people share that fear. It’s not silly.”

“I hate the turbulence they cause. The noise and the wind. All of it.”

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to hold you extra tight. You can use me as a shield. And we don’t have to leave the hotel tomorrow at all.”

“Just rain doesn’t bother me. In fact, I find the sound of rain quite soothing.”

“All right, we’ll play it by ear and see what the weather does.”

She met my eyes, gratitude swimming in her gaze. “Thank you.”

“All you have to do is tell me, Sandy. Whatever you need, however you’re feeling, I’m here.”

She squeezed my hand. “I’m so glad you are.”

“Good.”At the hotel, I could feel her tension. I had a massage booked for us in the morning, but I had the feeling another one wouldn’t be objected to at the moment. I gathered some lotion and towels in the bathroom and instructed her to don one of the fluffy white robes the hotel provided and asked her to put up her hair. I sat in the large armchair and tossed a cushion on the floor.

“Sit.” I pointed to the pillow.

She did as I asked, then laughed quietly as I bent over her, tugging on the sash of the robe. “I need access,” I teased, dropping a kiss to her neck.

She loosened the robe, and I pushed it off her shoulders, running my hands along her soft skin, feeling the tension under the skin.