REFLECTIONS FOR KARA AND FARRON
Kara was exhausted. She had spent hours on her feet hobnobbing with guests at a young artist's first show at the art gallery where she worked as a buyer. It was a fun show; the artist was into 'live' sculpture. Basically it was just a reason to have a party and rub elbows with people with deep pockets who appreciate expensive and exclusive pieces of art.
The minute she arrived home, she slipped out of her heels and flopped down onto the comfy brown leather sofa. She leaned back and released a loud sigh. Damn, it's good to be home! If only she had enough energy to haul her butt into the bedroom and change out of her midnight blue cocktail dress and into something more comfortable. No, that would wait. The only thing she felt like doing was looking at the back of her eyelids. Farron wasn't home, or so she thought, so there was no great hurry in moving from this one spot. She closed her eyes and rested her head against the back of the couch. She had nearly dozed off when the bedroom door closed and she could hear the pat pat of bare feet on the hardwood floors. She opened her eyes slowly to find Farron standing over her, an amused look plastered all over his handsome face.
"You look tired, Shel," he commented as he sat next to her. "But most delicious in that get-up."
"I'm beyond tired, baby. I can't even move." She gave him a tiny smile when he stretched out on the sofa, turned onto his side, and laid his head in her lap. "Just what are you doing, Mister Donovan?"
Farron chuckled and grabbed the remote control. "I was just about to get comfortable and watch the game. Since you're rooted to this spot, I might as well make use of you."
"I'm just so much furniture, am I," she asked incredulously. Her hand rested gently atop his head and her fingers threaded absently through his silky mane. She loved touching his hair or any part of him, for that matter. Her hand left his hair for a moment and trailed over the exposed skin of his shoulder. He had donned a tank top and sweats and looked comfortable. Kara envied him that a great deal at the moment.
"Never. It's just an excuse to touch you," he admitted softly, turning his head just a bit to place a kiss on her thigh just above the knee.
She watched him through adoring eyes. He was focused on the baseball game. Her gaze fell on the small scar just above his left eyebrow and she touched a gentle finger to it, tracing it tenderly, before she returned her hand to his hair.
"What's wrong, Shel? Did the showing not go well," he asked considerately as he took her other hand in his and brought it to his lips.
She smiled. "Actually, it went quite well. I just didn't think it would ever end." That wasn't entirely true. She had wound up in a rather heated discussion with her best friend. "It would have been more enjoyable if you could have made it."
"I'm sorry," he replied sincerely. "I had that training session planned two months prior." If it had been the local police department, it would have been easier to reschedule. It was a bit more difficult to reschedule the FBI and DEA.
"I know, I didn't mean it that way. Really." She was very proud of his work. His training of both local and federal law enforcements in the ways of drug trafficking was a valuable asset to the crack down on drugs. It was, in some small way, his chance at absolution for his misdeeds. She would never take that away from him.
"I didn't think you meant it that way," he admonished softly. "Next time...I promise."
"I'll hold you to it."
His attention had drifted back to the game and her mind wandered back to the events of the party. Amongst the guests was her best friend, Antonia Burgess. Kara and 'Tonia had met in college and being from similar backgrounds, had become fast friends. After college, Antonia had opened her own Art Gallery and Kara had unwittingly fell into a position there as buyer. She had a good eye for art and often times purchased pieces and paintings out of pocket and sold them through the gallery on consignment. It was an amiable working atmosphere and Kara came and went as she pleased.
""Tonia, this show is going wonderfully. I think I'll leave you to it," Kara said as she reached for her purse.
"You can't leave me now, Kara Everett! I need you," Antonia whined irritatingly.
Kara fixed a steady gaze on her friend. Her brunette hair was piled high atop her head and 'stray,' loose tendrils surrounded her perfect oval face. Big brown eyes and a spoiled rich girl pout greeted Kara as she tried to gauge her friend's reaction. ""Tonia, I'm tired...I just want to go home and..."
"Yeah, I know what you just want to go home to..." Antonia bit harshly.
Kara blinked. What had she done to deserve that? "Is there a problem?"
"No...why would you think that," Antonia asked sugar sweetly.
"Because I know your fake sweetness when I hear it. You've just never used it on me before." Kara released a tense breath and slung her purse over her shoulder. "Spit it out, 'Tonia."
"Kara...it's just...honey, I just can't believe you moved in with a man and left your mansion to live in squalor. Darlin', he's just not worth you giving up your life."
Kara's face pinched in disgust. She stepped closer to Antonia. "I haven't given up a damn thing. I exchanged a larger home for a smaller one and that is all. What I gained far surpasses what bricks and mortar could give me."
"You make no sense, Kara," Antonia spat insensitively.
"I truly believed you would support me under any circumstances, 'Tonia. You're supposed to be my best friend." Kara shook her head as she turned away. She took a few steps before turning slightly. "And you'll be damned lucky if you ever have what I have. You'll understand then. If you're lucky."
Kara sighed and closed her eyes, her fingers still running through Farron's silky tresses. She was startled slightly when he turned onto his back and gazed up at her. "Is there something wrong," he asked softly.
Unbeknownst to Kara, Farron had overheard her friends talking at the gallery a few weeks after she had moved in with him. He had dropped by one afternoon to take her to lunch and while she had stopped to take a phone call, a few whispers indicated their disapproval of him. He hadn't let it bother him at the time, but when he let his guard down, his doubts and fears would take over.
Kara shook her head and patted his chest lightly. "Not a thing, my darling lump." She laughed freely at the odd expression he developed upon hearing her endearment. "I feel like a long, hot soak in the tub. Lemme up."
Farron sat up quickly and was rewarded with a tender kiss. He grinned devilishly as he watched her while she moved away from him, her hips swaying effortlessly as she walked. He chewed his bottom lip slightly thinking he might just have to join her. Later. After she had a chance to relax.
His thoughts found their way back to a night about three months after he and Kara had started seeing each other. She had come by the apartment that evening as she often did on the days she went in to the gallery. She had stopped by the liquor store on her way and surprised him with a bottle of his favorite Scotch. He had been thinking about her that entire day, finding himself actually looking forward to her arrival. For almost a week, they had both gotten caught up with the events of their every day lives and had been too busy too see each other. He had found it rather bizarre that it was difficult to go more than a day without going into some kind of withdrawal from her presence. He discovered how much he hated that feeling, that feeling of being without her. The elation he felt the first time he had awakened with her in his arms, the same feeling he had each and every time he opened his eyes to see her lying next to him, that was the feeling he wanted, needed. After the initial crushing embrace and breathless kiss after kiss, she had gone into the kitchen to pour him a drink. He had found himself watching her every move and delighting in the fact that she was there with him and that was where he wanted her to always be.
"Move in with me," he suggested as he moved up behind her while she poured his Scotch.
Kara had turned to face him and totally lost the concept of holding onto the glass in her hand. It slipped through her fingers and dropped into the sink, spattering the deep amber liquid and shards of crystal in all directions.
He gazed into her eyes, desperate to know what she was thinking. It was more than apparent by the unexpected Scotch shower that she was shocked at his suggestion.
"God, I'm such a klutz," she stammered shakily and tried to turn away, but he held her firmly. "Let me clean..."
"Kara, it will keep. I know this is a big step...for both of us," he began as he caressed her cheek tenderly. "I just don't want to go another day without waking with you in my arms." He waited as his words sunk in. When she smiled, the softest of smiles, and he felt her arms encircle his neck as her body molded to his, he was finally free to breathe. "I'll take that as a yes." She only nodded and kissed him hungrily. "One thing, though..."
"Anything, Farron..."
He laughed softly. "Don't agree until you hear it, love. I...don't think I can handle moving into your house. For several reasons..." He had been amazed when she didn't even blink at his admission. Instead, she smiled knowingly, pressed a kiss to his chin, and gave him a swat on the ass. "Uh..."
Kara laughed softly as she turned to clean up her mess. "Baby, I don't care where we live. If you prefer your apartment, then it will be your apartment. If you ever change your mind, then we'll move into the house." She squealed happily when he grabbed her and kissed her fiercely. "I will miss the house, but it isn't going anywhere."
"Jesus," he cursed quietly. Somehow he knew, without a doubt, that she understood exactly why he was reluctant to move into her house. He found it odd, though, when she mentioned it she had said "the house" not "my house". Had she already begun to think in terms of ours and not yours and mine? The thought was strangely comforting. Neither of them were ignorant to the fact that some of her friends, as well as a certain little pissant that worked for his brother, believed he was an opportunist and after her money. He would be damned if he would just take advantage of her status and be labeled as a "kept man." That was just not Farron Donovan. Kara understood his reluctance and supported his decision without any fuss. He also understood that if staying in her home were of grave importance to her, he would give over just as easily. "Have I told you how much I love you," he whispered huskily.
"Tell me," she whispered in return. "No, better yet...show me."
The ringing phone interrupted his thoughts and brought him back to the present. "Hello?"
"Farron? It's Loralei. Is Kara home?"
"She is, but she's ah...unavailable." He heard Loralei's giggle, although he imagined he could see her covering the phone. "You're naughty, sister in-law. I'll have her call you back in a few minutes."
"Sure thing, Farron." Another laugh and the line went dead in his ear.
He grinned, lifted himself off the couch, and made a beeline toward the bathroom. He had no intention of disappointing his sister in-laws imagination.
* * *
Kara yawned and stretched her tired body as she awakened. As she stretched, she felt Farron move along side her, snuggling against her intimately. "Good morning, hot stuff."
His soft chuckle filled the quiet room. "It's too early to get up, Shel," he complained and pulled her snug against him. "We could stay in bed all day...making love."
Kara shook her head and wiggled out of his grasp. "Farron Donovan, get your sexy ass out of bed." She almost laughed at the faked wounded expression on his face. "Come on...we're spending the day at your brother's. I, for one, am anxious to see that beautiful little niece of yours."
Farron growled and rolled onto his stomach, burying his face in his pillow. Oh, he was looking forward to the get-together; he just wasn't quite ready to get out of bed yet. He heard the shower start. She really was in a hurry to get to the suburbs and see Rachel. Yes, his niece had stolen his girlfriend's heart.
The night Loralei had called looking for Kara, it was to ask for help in looking after Rachel while she was in Texas doing research for her dissertation. Kara had agreed readily enough. Her schedule at work was extremely flexible. While Frank was working, she took care of Rachel and it hadn't taken more than a heartbeat for Kara to fall under the infant's spell. During the two weeks she babysat, there had been only two nights where Frank had worked late and Farron drove out to the house to stay with them. The last evening, he arrived just after Frank had pulled into the driveway. They entered the quiet house together to find Kara in the nursery. She hadn't heard them come in and didn't notice them standing in the doorway watching her with the baby; singing to her softly as she rocked her to sleep.
Farron had watched her, completely taken with the sight. He imagined her rocking his child, their child. Since he had met her, he ached for things he had never thought he wanted; a loving home and, yes, children.
"Hush little baby now, don't you cry," Kara's hushed tones caressed and soothed a fussy Rachel. She rocked her gently and patted her back softly. "Mama's gonna give you a mountain so high. If that mountain top's too cold, Mama's gonna give you the sun to hold." A movement in the doorway caught her eye and she looked up to see Frank and Farron standing in the doorway. She held a finger to her lips asking them to keep quiet. Rachel was nearly asleep. Farron approached her and knelt beside the rocker. He smoothed Rachel's hair tenderly as he gazed up at Kara. She smiled as she sang, "And if that sun is just a fireball, Mama's gonna give you a waterfall. And if that waterfall can't be found, you'll still be the cutest little baby around."
Frank had moved into the room then, watching his brother with Kara and Rachel. He silently wondered if Farron had any clue as to the wealth of love that emanated from Kara. He could see in Kara the very kind of love that Loralei held for him. He worried that Farron might not be ready for that kind of love and if he let it slip away, he might never be lucky enough to find it again.
Kara stepped from the shower to see Farron had not moved from the bed. Big jerk. She was really looking forward to seeing Frank, Loralei, and Rachel. She bolted into the room and took a flying leap at the bed, laughing the entire way. "Get up, get up, get up!"
"I'm up," he cried out as he grabbed her and hauled her naked body on top of him. "See...feel how I'm up."
Kara rolled her eyes at the obvious double entendre. "Yes, darling...oh baby, oh baby, ohhhh…" What started out as a quip ended in a cry of intense pleasure when Farron lifted his hips slightly and slid into her. "Ah...oh-okay...you...you win," she moaned passionately and met his thrusts eagerly. What was another hour...or two?