Christmas with the Best Man

“Okay, but I won’t be much fun.”

“You don’t have to be. I’m tired too. We’ll watch a little TV and call it a night.” He was feeling a little better about the situation. If he got her to his place, once she was warm and rested maybe she would tell him what was bothering her. He didn’t understand his need to console her but he felt deep down it was important that he did.

They only spoke when necessary on their walk to his place. He would give her space for the time being. Even in the elevator he didn’t attempt to touch her. At his place, he allowed her to go in ahead of him. “Why don’t you have a seat or you’re welcome to the bath.”

She went to his sofa and sat. Leaning into the corner cushions, she closed her eyes. Minutes later her soft, even breathing indicated she was asleep.

Elijah covered her with a blanket. He would let her sleep until dinner arrived. She must be exhausted. Maybe after some rest she would be feeling better, perhaps enough to talk to him. He called his favorite pizza place and ordered dinner. After making sure Helena was asleep, he took a quick shower. He had just pulled on his workout pants and a T-shirt when there was a call from the doorman, letting him know his order was coming up. He met the delivery man in the hall so Helena wouldn’t be disturbed.

With the food on the kitchen bar, he went to stand over Helena, wondering if he should wake her. She was sleeping so peacefully. But if he let her remain there her neck would hurt in the morning. Deciding she needed sleep more than food, he lifted her and carried her to his bedroom. He laid her on the bed, pulling a corner of the spread over her.

* * *

Two hours later Elijah was in his dim living room, half watching an old movie, when the sound of the shower running reached his ears. Helena was up. He didn’t move, continuing to leave his feet propped up on a stool in front of his chair. Helena would come to find him when she was ready.

His body was aware of her the moment she entered the room. Elijah looked at her. She wore one of his T-shirts. It covered her to mid-thigh, and she looked sexier than he’d ever seen her. Her hair was still damp. Though he wanted to, now wasn’t the time to scoop her up and take her to bed.

“Hey,” she said softly. “Sorry I went to sleep on you.” She continued toward him.

“No problem. Feel better?” He turned the TV down.

“Yeah.” She took a seat on the sofa and curled her legs under her. “I hope you don’t mind that I borrowed one of your T-shirts.”

He smiled. “Not at all. It looks far better on you than it does me. I had food delivered while you were asleep, if you’re hungry.”

“I hope you haven’t waited on me to eat.” She sounded disturbed.

Elijah chuckled. Putting his feet down, he picked up his empty plate from the floor, showing it to her. “I’m not that nice a guy.” He put the plate down on the footstool.

She gave him a weak smile. “Yeah, you are.”

“I’m glad you think so after I forced you to come home with me.”

She pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “I’m glad you did.”

He had questions, but stopped himself from asking them. She seemed at ease. He wanted her to remain that way.

Glancing at the TV, she asked, “So what’re you watching?”

“The Bogie and Hepburn movie, The African Queen.”

“I love that movie.” Suddenly she looked like the Helena he knew. Upbeat and positive.

Elijah used the TV remote to turn up the sound. They watched the movie in silence. Never had he merely watched a movie with a woman he was having an affair with. With Helena the firsts were piling up. To his amazement that epiphany made him feel better about his life.

During a commercial, he went to the kitchen and warmed a few pieces of pizza. Putting them on the coffee table in front of Helena, he settled on the sofa, careful not to crowd her. “You have to be hungry.”

“I’m getting that way.” She took one of the slices and nibbled at the end.

Elijah picked up a piece as well as they continued to watch. Helena finished hers then crossed her arms over her chest.

“Cold?” he asked.

“A little.”

He moved closer, putting his arm around her shoulders then tugging the blanket over her legs. “Better?”

She snuggled against him, laying her head on his shoulder. “Much.”

They stayed like that until the end of the movie.

“Would you like to watch something else?” Elijah asked.

“No, I think I’d like to go to bed.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Thanks.”

“For what?”

She shrugged. “Just being you.”

Just being you. When was the last time he’d felt good about himself? Before he’d become his father’s co-conspirator. He gave her a gentle kiss. “Not a problem. Come on. I’m tired too.”

Elijah followed her down the hall and into his room. He watched the gentle sway of her hips. When she turned to face him, he looked deep into her eyes. “I want to be near you but I know something’s bothering you. If you’d rather I sleep in the other room, I’ll understand.”

She cupped his cheek. “I want your touch. To be held by you.” A gentle come-hither kiss followed.

That was all the invitation he required. Seconds later her T-shirt lay on the floor. As she climbed into bed, he let his clothing drop free, then joined her. His tender kiss came from an unfamiliar emotion that made him feel insecure.

Elijah wanted to take her pain and make it his own. Her hands slipped around him and were massaging his back. She whimpered her pleasure as his fingertips lightly trailed over her side, up her hip and along her thigh. Planting kisses on her forehead, her eyes, the tip of her nose, he found her lips again. Each caress came from compassion deep within him. He’d never felt it so strongly or been willing to share it with another woman. It was important that Helena trusted him.

After a stimulating spell of touches and whispers that left Elijah straining to remain rational and Helena desperately begging for more, he rested her against the pillows. Pulling back, he gazed at her face.

He waited for her to open her eyes. A flame of desire burned brightly but there was also uncertainty. “I want you to know it’s me giving you pleasure.” Why that mattered he didn’t know. It hadn’t before. Elijah watched and memorized every nuance and reaction that flickered in her eyes as he slowly entered her. With a sigh, he filled her.

In that moment, something within him broke, changed. It wasn’t about him for once, it was all about Helena. What she needed. What he could give her. What they were together.

Some time later he lay holding her close. Their physical involvement had reached a level he wasn’t sure he could put words to. It was in a league of its own. The emotional attachment was beyond his comfort zone or understanding. There was something almost healing about it.

Helena shifted beside him. Her head was on his shoulder and her arm circled his waist.

He brushed her hair back from her face. “I know it’s none of my business.”

Her body tensed.

She didn’t say anything and he continued, “I wish you’d tell me what you were so upset about today. I’ve been racking my brain for an answer. Was it me? Did something happen with the case I didn’t see? Did someone say something? I’d like to help.”