Chapter 14

The door bell rang just as Addison stepped out of the shower. Molly had run a fever all day long so Addison had given her Tylenol and put her to bed early. She was afraid the sound of the doorbell would wake her so she threw on a robe and didn't even bother to see who it was before she pulled it open.

"Hey," Pete's eyes widened apologetically, "Were you about to go to bed? I'm sorry…"

Addison shook her head and opened the door wider, "No I was just getting out of the shower. Molly's asleep; that's why I rushed to the door in my robe instead of just ignoring the doorbell." She laughed nervously, "Come on in. I'll go get dressed."

She hadn't noticed that he was carrying two bags until he was already inside. She pointed, "What's that?"

"Well I remember when I lost my wife one of the most comforting things people would do for me was when they would over home cooked meals." He started pulling casserole dishes from the bags just as the appetizing aroma started to drift across the room. "I wasn't doing anything tonight so I figured I'd bring over a nice hot home cooked meal for you and Molly."

Addison stood there staring at him. She honestly didn't know what to say. It was one of the most thoughtful things anyone had ever done for her. "It smells delicious. What is it?" Forgetting that she was still in her robe and her hair was dripping everywhere she wandered into the kitchen to examine the feast he had prepared.

"Well, there's a grilled chicken, roasted vegetable, dinner rolls and homemade ice cream especially made for Molly. It was my mom's recipe and always managed to cheer me up a little when I was a kid." He reached into the second bag and pulled out a large container, "Do you mind if I put this in the freezer before it melts?"

Addison shook her head and followed him to the kitchen to grab some plates.

"Well, I'll let you get back to your shower. Tell Molly I came by to see her and I'll try and stop by again tomorrow." He turned and started to head out the front door.

"You're leaving?" She didn't even attempt to conceal the disappointment in her voice.

"Well now that I know Molly's down for the night, I figured you'd want to sit in a bubble bath and read a book or something. Isn't that what you women do when you have a night to yourselves?"

Addison laughed, "I've had plenty of nights to myself lately and I could really use the company." She stopped short when she realized how he could have interpreted what she was saying, "Um I mean, I would like it if you would stay…. To eat…." She rolled her eyes in frustration with herself, "Get your butt back here and help me set the table for dinner."

He chuckled and followed her to the dining room. His eyebrows went up teasingly, "Should I go home and get my robe too?"

She looked down and realized she hadn't changed yet, "I'll get dressed. You set the table." She walked down the hallway and opened Molly's door. She was sleeping soundly, holding Moaning Myrtle close. Addison reached down and felt her forehead, relieved that the fever was gone.

By the time she was done changing and drying her hair, Pete had set the table and heated up the bread. "So did you really cook this or did you replace takeout in your own casserole dishes?"

"Nope, I made this all myself." He winked at her, "It's one of my many talents."

She rolled her eyes and poured them each a glass of wine. They ate in silence for a few minutes, lost in their own thought. Addison was impressed at how delicious the food tasted.

"So how are you and Molly doing?"

"Molly and I are taking things one day at a time." She paused for a moment, "We found a note from Abigail with the DVD you helped her make."

He winced, "She made me promise not to tell you…"

She stopped him, "Its okay. I appreciate you being such a good friend to her."

"Have you watched it yet?"

Addison shook her head, "No. I told Molly that when she was ready to let me know and we would watch it together."

He reached out and took her hand in his, "I know I've already told you this but if you need someone to listen, I'm here for you."

His eyes held such a deep sincerity in them and she felt her heart start to melt a little more. He was such a good friend to her and this platonic relationship with a man she was already attracted to was refreshing yet frustrating at the same time.

They finished their meals and cleaned up together, chatting about work and their friends. By the time they were done it was close to midnight.

Pete looked at his watch, "I'd better be going. Molly may wake up early beings she went to bed so early tonight. You probably want to get some rest before then. Don't forget to tell her about the ice cream I made for her."

Addison followed him as he headed toward the front door. "Wait." There was an awkward pause, "Thank you for dinner, for making Molly homemade ice cream, for everything." She reached up and kissed his cheek, closing her eyes and momentarily getting lost in the seductive scent of his cologne.

He looked down at her, brushing the hair out of her face, "You don't have to thank me. I want to be here for the both of you."

Their eyes locked just as their lips came together softly. She felt his hands cupping her face as she pulled him closer. She felt his hands move down her body, and lock at the small of her back as the kiss deepened. She sighed into his embrace as the erotic heat started to take over her body. She felt him harden against her as she tugged at his shirt and reached down for the zipper on his jeans. She felt the cool air rush against her skin as he pulled the shirt over her head and started to nibble at her neck. She moaned and bit her lip as he made his way down her shoulder to her breast. She pulled him with her to the couch, never breaking the embrace. The blissful jolts of electric heat rush down her spine as he reached for the clasp on her bra and undid it with one swift move. His mouth sucked at her nipple and his hands seductively trailed up her skirt between her legs. She threw her head back and closed her eyes allowing her body to react to his touch. Suddenly she felt him pull away. She looked up at him, confused, "What's wrong?"

His face registered guilt, "As much as I would like to finish this, I don't think you are anywhere near ready Addison. If it were anyone else, I would have just given in and taken advantage but you're not just anyone to me."

He stood up and started to tuck his shirt back in, "I'm sorry, I have to leave now."

She jumped off of the couch and started to follow him, pulling her shirt back over her head, "Pete, I don't want you to leave. You're not taking advantage of me; I want you just as bad as you want me. I wouldn't have reacted that way if…"

He put his finger on her lip, hushing her. "It is taking everything in me not to carry you to your bedroom right now." He glanced longingly at her lips, and shook the lustful thoughts trying to make their way back to the surface, "I don't want you to do something you'll end up regretting. Losing a loved one can do strange things to a person. Having sex is only a temporary distraction from the hurt but it won't make the pain go away. This I know from experience." He gently touched her cheek, "You are so beautiful; do you know that? Not just on the outside either."

She reached up and touched his hand that was on her face, "I don't want to be alone tonight Pete. Can you at least just stay and hold me?"

He closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. It was going to take every ounce of willpower he had not to do more than just hold her but he couldn't deny her request. He smiled weakly and took a deep breath, "I'll stay but I may need to take a cold shower or two or three or four."

She laughed, "Well it just so happens I have one of those in my bathroom conveniently located right next to my bedroom."

He cautiously nodded, knowing full well he would be too distracted to get any sleep, "Well then I guess it's a deal." He squeezed her hand, "Oh and just so you know, if I have to keep getting up to shower during the night, just take that as a huge compliment okay?"

She grinned and led him toward the bedroom. The heat between the two of them still lingered but it was also accompanied by an underlying need for understanding arms to hold onto through the mutual understanding of devastating loss.