CHANCES (Andrew Lincon Romance)

Chapter 21

Growing up as a child my mom dropped many pearls of wisdom in my ear. Some obvious and others subliminal that I was only picking up on now as an adult. Little life lessons meant to help you grow through adult hood into old age and avoid the mistakes she had made. At the time I always thought she was just babbling or nagging me to death. Now I defiantly wished I had listened a little closer. Been more attuned rather than a know it all kid. I wished she was here now for some advice.

While I watched Andrew and his brother play a game of football with the kids the old adage once a cheater always a cheater kept ringing through my head. This was going to be my new motto for the day. Have a stiff upper lip so to speak. Today was a new day and I was going to stay in control of my shit. Yesterday I was just off kilter when it came to Andrew and I allowed things to get carried away. Nope today my backbone was firmly in place. This is what I kept telling myself all morning. My brain, heart and body were going to be in unison. I stayed true to this value only until just after breakfast.

I was taking my last swallow of coffee when Andrew leaned over. His breath warm as it tickled my ear causing every hair on my neck to stand on end. Electrified goosebumps race back and forth across my skin." I have something I want to show you and the girls. It's about a three hour hike but it's worth it if your interested." Since obviously my brain and body were clearly not on the same page it's little wonder that I swallowed funny and started to cough. Reaching out Andrew began to rub his hand in a circle on my back. "You ok?"

Even after I stopped coughing and nodded I was ok Andrews hand lingered on the small of my back. A familiar warmth began to tingle through my body at his touch. Putting an end to it I grabbed my cup and plate getting up from the table. "Sure a hike sounds like fun. I'll go grab the girls."

We all started hiking from the back corner of his parents property into the dense tree line. It was wildly over grown and amazing in untouched beauty. We had been walking for about an hour when Andrew dropped back and started to walk beside me. "This is amazing but please tell me you know where were going?"

"Why are you worried I'll get you alone and take advantage of you out here?"he laughed as a mischievous smile crossed his lips. Despite all my best intentions I smiled back as my heart skipped a beat. I couldn't explain the draw but Andrew was like a magnet I couldn't resist. "Trust me I know exactly where we are. My brother and I use to run out here all summer long."

The incline was starting to get steep with large boulders we had to climb over. Some of the rock face was to high to climb so Andrew had to hoist you up while you grabbed onto his brothers hands from above. Each time Andrew would pull me a little closer. Allowing his hands lingering on my body just slightly longer than they should. It was such a slight flirtation but caused an over whelming longing in me.

Eventually we reached the top and I couldn't believe what I saw. We were several feet in the air on a giant rock over hang. From this vantage point you could see for miles across the breath taking landscape. Walking to the edge I raised my hands blocking the glare of the sun from my eyes as I watched an eagle swooping for its prey before it arced across the sky. You could see Andrews parents place nestled along the curve of the river bank.

"So was it worth the climb?" Andrew walked up behind me standing so close we were nearly touching.

"It's beyond amazing its so beautiful," I said in awe as I continued to look. "How did you ever find it."

"When I was a kid and I wanted to get away this is where I use to come." his voice was low and husky. "I thought you would like it."

"Thank you," I said as I dropped my hands to my sides.

"Any time," he murmured. The touch was slight and it was brief as Andrew slid his hands over mine. Waiting on my reaction Andrew tentatively began to play with the tips of my fingers. I closed my eyes against the memory of the night at the museum when he did the exact same thing. A shiver raced up and down my spine causing goosebumps to dance all over my skin. "I just want to see you smile."

I had to resist the demanding urge to lean back into him. To feel his body touch mine. Instead I took a deep breath to steady myself and taking a step forward I turned to face him. You know the saying if a man wants to kiss you then you can see it in his eyes. Those words could not have been truer than in this moment. I was held spell bound as Andrews eyes raked my body from top to bottom. He didn't bother to hide the fact he was staring at my breasts and lips before his eyes finally drifted to mine. He slowly parted his lips running his tongue across the bottom making no apologies for his desire. My body ignited with a passion that threatened to over take me.

"Hey you guys want some lunch?" It was only then that the reality of the fact we were with others sank back in. It was the equivalent of having cold ice dropped over your head. Dragging my eyes from Andrew I went to sit on the blanket. While the food Andrews mom had packed was unbelievable I could hardly eat. I was a nervous wreck. It didn't help either that every time I looked in Andrews direction he was watching me and didn't bother to look away.

This time on the way down Andrew climbed down the rock face first and his brother lowered you into his waiting arms. Each time Andrew held me close and allowed me to slide down the length of his body. I don't know which was driving me crazier. The sweet friction of our bodies as they touched or the look of desire in his eyes when we looked at each other. It was a slow sexual tease and I was tripping over myself for more. I tried in vane to remind myself of my motto. Once a cheater always a cheater but at the moment it did little to calm my electrified nerves.

For the rest of the hike Andrew walked by my side. There was always little sideway glances that spoke of longing, desire and loss in unspoken hushed tones. Silent whispers of pleading that tugged at my heart strings. Slight excuses to bump into me or graze his hand along my body. Innocent touches that ignited a fire only Andrew could start. Despite his one night stand I loved him fully and completely. He had over the past year become one of my best friend, my pillar of strength and lover. Andrew had reminded me what it meant to be desired, needed and loved as a woman. I had grown, changed and had broke free from my label as a widow. I had quite simple became me. I wanted what we had.....only I didn't know if I could honestly forgive him and trust again.

When we got a few yards from the house Andrew reached out and took my hand slowing us down from the others. "I know you haven't been to keen on doing things just the two of us," he began hesitantly ringing his hands together. "I don't want to rock the boat especially after we've had such a lovely time today." Looking down at his shoes Andrew paused, "It's just that I had bought us two tickets to a dinner theatre performance in the city. It's suppose to be good as long as you think you could put up with a wanker like me for a few hours I'd love to take you."

When I didn't answer right away Andrew slowly raised his eyes to mine. I could tell he wasn't making any assumptions that I would say yes. Instead he looked unsure, vulnerable and nervous. My heart melted and I knew there was no possible way I could say no. "Are you sure I couldn't go with someone who wasn't such a wanker?" I teased.

A slow shy smile graced his lips and twinkled in his eyes, "Sorry your stuck with this wanker." For the briefest of moments it felt like we had drifted back in time. To when we weren't in strive but surrounded in new love.

Andrews parents offered to keep the kids for the night and bring them into the city tomorrow. With our plans set I went to go get ready. Standing over my travel bag I wished I had packed something a little more...oh I don't know sexy. As it stood the nicest dress I had brought was a simple plan black dress. Slipping it on I twisted my hair up and pinned it with some strands hanging loose. After I spiralled the strands I began to apply my makeup. My nerves were so hyped up I was shaking which was making putting eyeliner on hell. When I was finished I stood and twirled in the mirror. Reasonably pleased with myself I snagged my coat and purse to head downstairs.

Andrew was waiting for me at the base of the stairs. He looked unbelievably handsome dressed in a dark grey suit with a navy blue shirt. When he looked up at me his eyes were so intensely blue they stole my breath away. Grabbing onto the railing for support I prayed I wouldn't fall down. As I looked down at him my heart beat a thousand miles an hour, my stomach summersaulted and my knees became week. For crying out loud even my palms were sweaty I was so nervous. Andrew watched my every step until I reached the bottom where he took my coat from my hands.

Draping it over his arm he took my hand in his, "There is something I want to give you before we go," reaching in his jacket pocket he pulled out a small long box and handed it to me. "I had it made before and I want you to have it."

With shaking fingers I opened the lid of the box. Sucking in a short sharp gasp of air I swiped at the single tear that escaped rolling down my cheek. My voice cracked with emotion, "Andrew......."