Center Stage
Page 28

“Your choice, Forrester. I can keep this little thing on, or you can take it off.”
“You’re going to make me think about something right now? You’re torturing me.”
A sexy, evil grin crossed her lips. “Good. Now let’s see what else I can do to you.”
Arianna figured she’d taken him by surprise in more ways than one. Except for gasps and moans, John Forrester hadn’t said a word in nearly two hours. Now propped up on pillows eating cold Chinese food from cartons with the evening news playing on the television in the corner, she watched as he nourished himself. His chest still heaved as though he couldn’t get enough breath in his lungs.
Yep, she’d worn the man out.
That had been the plan. She’d acted like a child when he said he couldn’t take her on a trip. She didn’t like it, but she’d accept it for now.
It was given to her, under good authority, that he was a lover of a great fishing trip. So she’d taken it upon herself to book a guided trip, not too far from home.
They had rushed into everything else, even though they’d met four years ago. So she had to learn that commitment, living together, and promising each other the rest of their lives were big decisions that they’d forced upon each other in less than a month. There were still things to learn about each other. But one thing she had learned about John Forrester was that he was quiet, passive, and easy to please. Something she knew about herself—she was bossy. Arianna Keller got what she wanted when she wanted it, so John would have to adapt.
Chapter Fifteen
It had been a rush job, but John stood where the front row of seats would be bolted down and admired the stage.
Zach and Regan stood to his side, both quietly in awe as well.
“I can’t believe it’s the same place.” Regan kept Spencer close to her chest with a small blanket over his head to keep him safe from the dust.
Zach held tight to Tyler’s hand. The little boy watched the workers fixing the sconces on the walls. His little hard hat shielded his eyes.
Zach put a supportive hand on John’s shoulder. “I know you’re a wizard at coming in under budget and on time, but this is crazy. You’ll have this place up and ready far before July.”
“I hope so, but I’m not moving my schedule and I’m sure not telling Arianna that.” He shook his head. “She’ll have a production planned.”
Regan smiled up at him. “Clara can’t stop talking about it.”
“Neither can her aunt. She’s proud of what she’s already put together. I haven’t seen it yet, but it’s going to be one hell of a production.”
“She wouldn’t have it any other way.”
John removed his hard hat and ran his hand over his head. “I guess the stage is done and they’ll rehang the curtain tomorrow, so you can now commence with your party plans.”
“She’s going to be so surprised.”
“If I may ask you,” he said as he turned to her, “please hurry. That ring is making me antsy just having it around, and I don’t like keeping secrets from her.”
“You’re a true gentleman, John Forrester.”
“I don’t feel like one. So hurry.”
By the time John pulled up to the house, Regan had called him six times with details to the party. He guessed he was supposed to be grateful for all the information, but, in reality, all he wanted was to show up. So far he knew the invitations were being printed, Audrey was working with a caterer, the first party rental place fell through so Regan had contacted another, and he’d need to have the lighting ready in two weeks. That part he’d heard and was very efficient on.
When John opened the door to the house, he was a bit surprised to hear laugher coming from the kitchen. He approached slowly. A woman with a friend, whose car he hadn’t seen, was a dangerous thing.
“Oh, John, I didn’t hear you.” Arianna stood up and gave him a loud, wet kiss right on the lips. Then she turned to the other woman seated at the table. “John, this is April. We worked together in New York. She’s a choreographer.”
The woman stood up and held her hand out for him. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you, John. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
John shook the woman’s hand, and the shake wasn’t dainty. “Nice to meet you.”
“April surprised me by stopping by this afternoon. I was telling her about the theater.”
“I can’t wait to see it.” April’s eyes lit up as brightly as Arianna’s when she mentioned it.
Arianna gently touched his arm. “Are you up for going out to dinner with two beautiful women?”
He’d been hoping to tangle one of them in the sheets, but that didn’t seem to be in the cards. “You bet. Let me get a shower.”
Arianna watched John take the steps. He was tired. This was one of those true tests in a relationship, and so far he was passing.
April sat back down at the table. “He’s as handsome as you said he was.”
“Isn’t he?” Arianna took her seat, picked up her glass of wine and finished it off.
“The age difference between you doesn’t bother you?”
“Not in the least. Why should it?”
April shrugged. “Because in thirteen years you’ll be his age and he’ll be almost seventy.”
Arianna had to admit that forty and fifty-three hadn’t even caused a bit of concern, but when April put it that way, it did seem extreme.
“I love him. I don’t see that changing when he’s ninety and I’m seventy-seven.” Although, when she said it aloud, fear crept through her veins. He was a bit older than her. She’d better be very sure that she wanted a lifetime commitment and not a marriage license. Likewise, and more importantly, she’d better make sure she really didn’t want the children that she’d said she didn’t want. Quality time with them would be slipping away. John was already the age most men became grandfathers, and here he was without children. But, on the other hand, since he didn’t waste his energy on carpooling and running after kids, his energy was high and, on a younger woman, that hadn’t gone unnoticed. Nothing had been lost with his age.
Arianna looked into the bottom of her empty glass. “Would you like more wine?”
“I’ve never been one to turn down more wine. Especially if a nice looking man is going to drive us to dinner.”