Back To You 07
For what seemed like the millionth time, Marti brushed her fingers through her hair, arranging and rearranging her curls. She had no idea what she was this nervous. It wasn't like this was her first time, it wasn't even her first time with Julian. And yet...
She smacked her lips, bringing out the gloss she had applied before and went through her hair again. Then she went downstairs to where Julian was rummaging about in the kitchen.
"What's smelling so good?" She inhaled deeply, trying to figure out what the scent was.
"Me." Julian flashed her a grin over one shoulder. "And some spaghetti in marinara sauce."
"Wow, I didn't know you cooked, too."
He shrugged, putting two plates on the kitchen counter. "Well, it's not the Four Seasons, but I suppose it qualifies as dinner... as per your request."
She grinned around her blush. "If it tastes half as good as it smells, I think I can accept it." She took the serving spoons from his hand, pulling him close for a kiss.
He held on to her, deepening the kiss, his arms wrapped around her waist.
"I think your sauce is burning," she murmured against his mouth as they pulled apart a little.
As he focused on saving their late dinner, Marti slid on one of the stools. It proved to be a bit difficult, given how short her dress was. If she didn't know any better, she would have assumed him to be an actual cook. He moved around the kitchen as he did at his law firm, with the same kind of professional coolness and passion for what he did.
As he turned around to her again, sauce and pasta in hand, he stopped dead as if he had completely forgotten she was there.
"What?" she asked, suddenly feeling very insecure.
"Nothing, it's just..." He put the food on the counter and sat down, still looking slightly dazed. "You look... you are beautiful."
Heat rose into her cheeks and she averted her gaze, brushing her hair behind her back in a nervous gesture. "Thank you."
They ate in silence for a while before their hands met on the way to the pasta tongs.
"It's kinda Lady and the Tramp-ish," Marti said after he motioned her to go first.
"Am I the lady or the tramp?"
She squinted at him. "Don't get me wrong but... I think, in this case, you're the lady."
"As long as you don't make me stick my head in the bowl and share a string of spaghetti, I'm fine with that." Julian took a sip from his wine, grinning around the rim of his glass.
"And risk spilling sauce in this dress? Are you crazy?"
He shrugged, giving her a leering glance. "At least I'd have a legitimate reason to see you without it."
She all but choked on her drink. "God, you're subtle."
His mood sobered and again, he looked at her with this unfathomable expression.
"Stop... looking at me like that." She dabbed at her mouth with the napkin, anything to hide her face from him.
"I'm in love with you."
Marti stared at him, feeling a million things and nothing at once. "I thought you wouldn't..." she started lamely as soon as the initial surprise had worn off a little.
"So did I but..." He broke the eye-contact for a moment, then looked back up at her again, his hand falling on hers. "I don't want you to think I'm putting you on hold just because I..."
"I told you I understand," she interrupted him.
"And I'm grateful for that." He looked at her for a long moment before he continued. "Marti, for the past couple of years, I didn't think I'd be able to... be close... to anyone again. And then, you come barging into my life."
Marti smiled wryly, not sure what to think about all this. "I've been known to do that."
"I have never met anyone like you."
"I hope that's a compliment," she interjected again.
"It will be one if you let me finish."
She didn't know if she wanted to look away from him or keep on getting lost in that all too adorable expression on his face. "I'm sorry. This just... it makes me nervous."
His hand closed down on hers, holding on to her. "You are incredibly smart and you are incredibly sexy. And sometimes, you are incredibly oblivious about it. Ever since we met you have been nothing but a challenge to me. Being with you... is like a wake-up call. Reminding me of something I had forgotten a long time ago."
"And what is that?" Marti's voice was shaking audibly and she could feel tears burning in her eyes, threatening to ruin her make-up.
He shrugged as if the answer was all that obvious. "What it's like to be happy."
Marti laughed a laugh that was both relieved and sad. "That's what Nikki said your wife told her."
Taken slightly aback, Julian withdrew his hand. "What?"
"That you should be happy." For a moment, she felt guilty for telling him. Nikki had told her and it had been obvious that she had never told her dad. But he had to know.
Julian let out a long breath, emotion making his eyes glitter. "She was a smart woman."
Marti couldn't help but smile. It was her turn to reach out for his hand. "She must have been." She shrugged. "She married you."
This was not what she had expected this evening to be like. She had pictured them having some wine, making out on the couch and eventually they would end up in his bed. She had been looking forward to that.
Instead he had taken her by complete surprise, not only serving her dinner but telling her what she had least expected him to say. When he had told her about his wife and that he would need time to put his feelings for her into words, she had understood that. She wouldn't have pressured him, she wouldn't have asked for more than he was able and willing to give. She knew how he felt about her, and being with him was all that mattered.
Marti had no idea how much time had passed when he spoke again.
"I know it sounds awfully clichéd but... if that last month at the hospital has taught me anything, it's... not to waste time. That's why I'm telling you now. I want you to know."
Without ever breaking eye-contact, she slid off the stool and took the step toward him, planting a long kiss on his mouth.
When they broke apart, she wrapped one arm around his neck, drawing him into a tight hug. With her mouth close to his ear, she whispered, "Let's skip dessert."
Gently, he pushed her at arm's length, one eyebrow quirked in that somewhat blasé expression that attracted and annoyed her at the same time. "God, you're subtle." He kissed her again, deeper this time. His voice was nothing but a low, caramel-coated rumble down her senses: "This is dessert."
