The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks [90]
“We’ve also got one more stop to make, okay?”
Kyle simply nodded again, seemingly relieved that he didn’t have to go into the diner. Taylor picked up his cellular phone and made a call, hoping the guy on the other end wouldn’t mind doing him a favor.
At midnight Taylor loaded Kyle into the car, then went to pick up Denise. Kyle woke only briefly when Denise got in, then curled up onto her lap as he usually did. Fifteen minutes later everyone was in bed; Kyle in his room, Denise and Taylor in hers.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said earlier,” Denise said, slipping off the marigold work dress.
Taylor found it difficult to concentrate as it fell to the floor. “What did I say?”
“About you being sad that there will never be a first time again.”
“And?”
In her bra and panties, she moved closer, nuzzling up to him. “Well, I was just thinking that if we make this time even better than last night, your anticipation might come back.”
Taylor felt her body sidle up against his. “How so?”
“If every time is better than the last, you’ll always be looking forward to the next time.”
Taylor put his arms around her back, becoming aroused. “Do you think that’ll work?”
“I have no idea,” she said, beginning to unbutton his shirt, “but I’d sure like to find out.”
Taylor slipped out of her room just before dawn, as he’d done the day before, though this time he stopped at the couch. Not wanting Kyle to see them sleeping together, he dozed on and off for another couple of hours until Denise and Kyle came wandering out of their bedrooms. It was nearly eight o’clock—Kyle hadn’t slept that late in a long time.
Denise scanned the room and immediately understood the reason. From the looks of things, it was obvious that he’d been up late. The TV was at an odd angle, the VCR was on the floor beside it, cables snaking out everywhere. Two half-empty cups sat on the end table with three cans of Sprite alongside them. Pieces of popcorn were scattered on the floor and on the couch; a Skittles wrapper had wedged itself between the pillows on the chair. On top of the television were two movies, The Rescuers and The Lion King, the cases open, videos on top.
Denise put her hands on her hips, taking in the mess.
“I didn’t notice the mess you two made last night when I came in. It looks like you two had yourselves a good old time.”
Taylor sat up from the couch and wiped his eyes. “We had fun.”
“I’ll bet,” she groaned.
“But did you see what else we did?”
“You mean aside from spraying popcorn all over my furniture?”
He laughed. “C’mon. Let me show you. I’ll get this stuff cleaned up in a minute.”
He got up from the couch and stretched his arms over his head. “You too, Kyle. Let’s show your mom what we did last night.”
To Denise’s surprise, Kyle seemed to understand what Taylor had said and obediently followed Taylor to the back door. Taylor led them across the porch to the rear steps, motioning to the garden on either side of the door.
When Denise saw what awaited her, she was speechless.
All along the back of the house were freshly planted Jobellflowers.
“You did this?” she asked.
“Kyle did, too,” he said, a touch of pride in his voice, seeing that she was pleased.
“That feels wonderful,” Denise said softly.
It was past midnight, long after Denise had once again finished with her shift at Eights. During the past week, Denise and Taylor had seen each other virtually every day. On the Fourth of July Taylor had taken them out on his rebuilt ancient motorboat; later they had set off their own fireworks, to Kyle’s delight. They picnicked on the banks of the Chowan River and dug clams at the beach. For Denise, it was the kind of interlude she could never have allowed herself to imagine, sweeter than any dreams.
Tonight, like so many recent nights, she lay on the bed, naked, Taylor beside her. His hands were slick with oil, and the sensation of his hands sliding over her slippery body was unbearably tantalizing.
“You feel like heaven,” Taylor whispered.
“We can’t keep doing this,” she groaned.
He kneaded the muscles in her lower