'All ready, Bree. Time to go to grandma's!'
'Yay!' Bree jumped enthusiastically on the couch.
Come on, , get your teddy bear and let's get out of here because traffic is madness today.' Except that there was no traffic at the time of the day, Katie thought.
Kane was smiling mischievously now. He was definitely aware of her intentions.
'Come here, baby.' Katie giving Bree a big hug. 'I'll miss you.'
'I'll miss you too, mommy. But I won't miss you when I'm up in the tree house because it will be fun.'
Kimberly gasped and laughed. Kane watched them, delighted.
'Well, thanks for being so honest with me, honey!'
Phyllis gave Kane a big hug and said she was counting on him to make Katie relax a little bit more.
Kane was comfortably splashed on her couch, smiling at her. she didn't hide her embarrassment.
'I apologize.'
'For what? It was amazing seeing your mom. And your little princess.'
'My mom is trying hard to find me a date. She just won't give up and leave me alone.'
'Trying hard? How could it be hard to find a date for you?' He asked with curious and mischievous eyes again. Was he flirting with her?
'Because I don't usually date.'
'Why not? Because of what happened?' His face turned more serious now, as he thought he might have been a little indiscreet.
Katie sat down by his side.
'Partially. It's complicated.'
'I think your mom just wants you to be happy.'
'I know. She's the best mother I could ever ask for. It's just… I have a daughter and most guys don't respect that.' She took a deep breath. 'They just want sex. So I avoid them.'
Kane eyed her intently. He was so proud that she was such a caring mother that would put her daughter above everything.
'I understand,And you're doing the right thing. Just don't let real opportunities pass.'
He gave her the look again. What the hell is going here? She wondered. What did he mean by that?
Katie smiled and stood up.
'Let me get us something to eat before we leave'.
'Sounds great.'
If felt really good to be out that day, The weather was unexpectedly nice. Her sweater was handy in case it could get any colder later, but so far she was feeling incredibly warm. Also because Kane was by her side. He was still the same contagious and fun to be with guy she had known. It was interesting to see how much more mature he was though. He talked a lot about business and family, a sense of responsibility washed him over. She couldn't stop watching him, as they walked together downtown and took pictures of important buildings.
As they walked towards the lake, he asked her.
'Katie, have you talked to the gang lately?'
'Yes, mostly Mark and Stephen.'
'Did you hear about Drew and Sarah?'
'No, what?'
'Apparently now there's something going on between them.'
'Are you serious?' She asked, her face very surprised.
'Couldn't be more serious than that.' He grinned.
'I talked to her last year and she didn't tell me anything about it.'
'Well, according to Drew he invited her out to dinner last month when they were both in NY. They just wanted to catch up but … it happened.'
Katie gasped and smiled happily.
'Is it serious?'
'Too soon to know. Guess I'll call him up and find out what's going on.'
Katie's eyes stared fixedly at the huge lake. Wow, that was some news. She always thought They could make a good couple, but they had taken different paths, just like she and Kane. She was very happy but slightly jealous. For one second she wished she and Kane could have the same luck… Well, they were there now. Who knows? Can't believe you're having these thoughts again.
The warm wind blew her hair softly on her face. Kane felt as if he was on auto pilot and brushed her hair out of her pretty face, his touch making her gasp inaudibly.
'It seems you've been doing this a lot around me.'
'Guess it's contagious and I got it from you.' She said with a beautiful smile.
His hand dropped and she felt the warmth of its touch fade on her face .His eyes glued on hers as she waited for the right moment to say what was in her heart.
' I know you said it's okay now, but I'd like to say I'm sorry again… for what I did to you in the past. I don't know what happened to me.'
'Katie…' He said, shaking his head.
'Please. Just say you forgive me for that.'
'You did nothing wrong.'
'Stop saying that, You just make me feel worse. You're just…' She paused, his eyes still stuck on hers. 'Perfect. You're selfless and you're very forgiving. But I shouldn't have done that to you so soon.'
She looked down to her fingers that played restlessly on her lap.
'Katie…' He paused and waited till she looked into his eyes again. 'I was sad for a while. But I don't have any hurt feelings for what you did. I was more upset with the fact that you didn't want to be part of my life again as a friend. What happened?'
'It would hurt to see you and not have you.' She let it out, shocked that she actually had the guts to say that out loud. For years she had kept her feelings hidden even from herself.
Kane didn't say a thing. The look on his eyes was indescribable. For a moment she feared he could be upset, but she went on.
'I learned that I had more feelings for you after I left. And I did start dating someone else to replace that feeling.' She felt relief while she let it all out. 'Like I said, it was an awful thing I did. I was selfish and immature and I'd never do it again.'
Her eyes browsed the lake again, looking for nothing. She had no clue how he would react to that. He was still silent and he also stared at the lake. She went on:
'I hoped everyday that you'd write me back and say that you still wanted me and that you were going to fight for us. But you just wrote me back to say it was alright and we should move on with other lives and that hurt me even more. It wasn't your fault, though, it was all mine. I was pathetic.'
'I didn't know your feelings were so strong.'
'How come you never knew, Kane? Remember the night we spent together when my parents were away?'
He looked down and dived into sweet memories. How could he ever forget that? They had made love that night for the first time. Their kisses were intense and searching, their hands hungry for touch. Afterwards Kane held her close in his arms the entire night and they decided to fall asleep together. He could still recall what she smelled like that night and her eyes were shining and mellow.
'I think I love you, Kane' She had whispered on his right ear.
His heart raced at the sound of her beautiful voice saying those words.
'And I love you, Katie.' He said looking fiercely into her eyes, utterly certain of his feelings. She gave him the most beautiful smile he had ever seen, but it slowly faded.
'What's wrong?'
'Nothing...'she lied.
She couldn't be any happier after she found out about his feelings. But her plans had been made by her family. When should she tell him that she might be moving away?
She rested her head on his naked chest and slept peacefully in his arms, longing that this moment should never end. He brushed her hair while she slept gently in his arms and he also fell into a magical sleep...
'Kane?' Katie called again, her eyes begging for an answer.
'Yeah...' He said, coming back to reality. 'Of course I remember that night.' He looked into her eyes. 'The night I wished it had never ended.'
she gulped, moved by his words.
'Really?' She asked sheepishly.
'Really.' He confirmed. 'But... there was something about you that night that wasn't clear to me. I told you I loved you and you looked so happy to hear that. Then you seemed worried.'
'My family had told me the day before that they wanted to move and that the other school would be a better choice for me.'
'Why did you not tell me?'
'I didn't want to ruin the moment, Kane. It was... magical.' She said in a sad tone while she stared back at the lake.
he sighed heavily.
'Well, I guess it was great talking about all that and learn more about you.'
'Now will you forgive me?'
He approached her and kissed her forehead again.
'Only if you stop asking for forgiveness.' he smiled.
Kane helped her to get off the platform and held her hand as she went down. He ached for her touch and he wasn't so sure why. He couldn't be falling for her again. That was in the past. He hadn't got over his ex-wife yet, he still had feelings for her even though he couldn't stand her bossy and demanding attitudes.
Katie was totally opposite to his ex-wife. She was sensitive, caring, and fragile sometimes, but you could never underestimate her. But what he admired most about Katie was her ability of adaptation. She would fall and stand up right away, finding a new path and a solution.
He also loved her sense of humor. She would always smile at his silly jokes and act goofy even when she was sad. But he noticed that she was smiling much less now and he was sure that it was because of all that had happened to her. He wanted to see her happy again, to bring back the joy and light she had in her eyes. Damn, I don't think I totally got over her, he admitted to himself.
He watched as her long silky hair danced on the wind and she frowned because of the sun. She would laugh while telling funny stories of when she first moved back to Knoxville and he would grin, amazed by her. She was divine perfection. I'm screwed.
They watched the sun go down at the harbor and Kane showed her where they would have dinner, pointing out at a blue boat.
Katie gasped with excitement.
His eyes sank into hers again. The mysterious look she had seen in his eyes was clear to her now. He was still attracted to her. She remembered the look in his eyes on that night when he had made her his. It was the same look. She had to be honest with herself again. She wanted him. She wanted him to touch her again and kiss her forehead and her lips. She shivered at the thought.
'Are you cold?' He asked her.
'Not yet.' She said, trying to avoid the embarrassment in her words. 'But I brought a sweater just in case.'
'You won't need it.' He grinned.
There he goes again. She thought. Kane gave her the same suggestive look. This was going to be an interesting night.
They enjoyed their meal as Kane told her about his life since he had last seen her. She simply wished he would never finish telling her stories. For years she had imagined what was going on with his life and now she had to chance to know all about him.
She had to control herself not to stare at his beautiful lips as he talked. She decided to stop drinking wine after the second glass because she was aware of the effects it would cause later. She was a light drinker and she didn't want to sound tipsy or even say something inappropriate.
He extended his hand to her.
'Will you dance with me?'
She gave her hand to him with no hesitation.
'Why not? At least now you didn't forget to ask me.'
Kane laughed.
'You'll never going to forgive me for that, right?'
There were a couple of people dancing on the deck of the boat. Kane and Katie felt like they were totally alone. Her hands rested on his shoulders and he lightly held her waist. His eyes tried to tell her things he wasn't capable of saying yet and they sank into hers. She tried to avoid them at first but now she was totally taking them into hers, trying to read them. She could hear when he sighed and pulled her close to him. She rested her cheek on his chest as he embraced her. Damn, this is good. S
He rested his chin on her head and wished time could stop right there. He knew it. He was still into her…
She looked up to him again, unsure of what to say. He touched her face and said what was on his mind.
'So pretty… You're even prettier now.'
This time she didn't blush. She needed to hear more.
'Seriously? I gave birth.'
'It doesn't look like. Your body is still a killer.' And I want to kiss every part of it.
'Wow. I really don't remember you being that flirtatious.'
He grinned lazily, still staring in her eyes.
'Guess I've changed a little.'
'A little, okay.' She smiled. 'I'm afraid you might have changed a lot.'
'Maybe, but I don't think it was for worse.'
'It was an amazing day, Katie.' he said by her door as he dropped her off.
'Yes, it was, Thank you for everything.'
Her heart tightened a little, as she was unsure if they would meet again.
Kane brought her hand to his lips and gave it a light kiss.
'Katie…' He paused, as if searching for words.
'Yes?' She asked, curiosity killing her.
'Do you feel like seeing me again?' He asked that with a concerned look on his face and she thought it was cute.
'Always, Kane. I'll always want to see you again.' She responded, fearlessly.
That was his chance and he wouldn't blow it up. He cupped her face with his hands and brought it closer to his. Her eyes fluttered as she watched his. Her lips parted slowly and he took that as an invitation to kiss them.
His lips felt warm and inviting on hers and she found it hard to breathe for a second.
His arms pulled her into a warm embrace and she felt the world spin.
She felt his tongue brush her lips lightly and chills ran over her body. He was still the same good kisser, tender and sexy at the same time.
They kissed for some time and once their lips parted, Katie could hear his breath in anticipation. He opened his eyes and smiled at her, glueing his forehead to hers.
'Sorry if I got carried away.'
'No…' She muttered as she rested her hands on his chest. 'You never get carried away, Kane.'
He sighed deeply, involving her in his arms.
'I guess we'll need time now to process what just happened.'
She looked up at him.
'Yes…'
'Have a good night.' He whispered, kissing her cheek lightly.
He opened the door and looked back at her, fighting his strongest impulse not to go back and kiss her again. He knew she needed time, so did he.
She watched him go as he closed the door behind her and left, leaving the room a lot colder.
'Good night, Kane.'
