The Prodigal Daughter

The Prodigal Daughter - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Contacting Edward Windham was just as easy as MaryBeth thought it would be. One phone call to his office and she was on the phone with him in less than thirty seconds, “Elizabeth darling. It is so good to hear from you. I was so worried about you when I did not get a chance to see you.”

“Edward, it is so good to talk to you as well. I need your help with something. I was wondering if maybe we could get together to talk.”

“Of course, you tell me when and where.”

“How about the Peabody on International Drive in Orlando. Say Thursday at 4 o’clock in the lounge?”

“Wouldn’t a private room suit us better dear?”

“Not this time, Edward. This is purely business, no pleasure I am afraid.”

“Well, that is not good, but perhaps we can mix some business and pleasure. I will see you Thursday.” And with that, Edward hung up.

Turning to Joey, MaryBeth said, “We are set. Thursday, 4 o’clock at the Peabody.”

“Are you sure about this?” Joey asked.

“Yes. I know I can trust him and I know he will stop Richard.” MaryBeth said with a smile.

“If he lays one hand on you...” Joey said trailing off with a look of anger in his eyes.

“Joey, he will touch me, he is that kind of guy, but I can handle him. And if you can’t handle seeing it, then you should not go with me. I promise, I will be fine.”

“Oh, I will go and I will protect you if the need arises.” Joey said with determination on his face.

“Back off a little Joey, you are starting to scare me,” MaryBeth said with a laugh trying to ease his tensions. “You can’t go jumping any man that touches me. We are friends, only, remember?”

“Oh, I know what we are. But, that doesn’t change the fact that I will be there and if anything happens, take care of it.”

“Just don’t jump the gun. Promise?” MaryBeth said, in her most seductive voice as she leaned close to him and put her hand on his thigh. Suddenly the sofa seemed to shrink and MaryBeth was so close to Joey that his pulse quickened at least ten times faster and was visibly shaken. “Promise me Joey? You wouldn’t want to mess this up would you?” She whispered in his ear sending her warm breath on his neck and chills down his spine. Right now, he would promise her anything for just one kiss.

He leaned over and was not sure what happened to his willpower, but suddenly it was out the window. He took hold of MaryBeth with one hand behind her neck and the other hand behind her back and pulled her the last few inches to his face. The kiss started slowly, tenderly but as the seconds passed to minutes the kiss intensified with each second.

Feeling the tingling electrify her lips when Joey’s lips first grazed hers, the electrical pulse spread all down her body as the kiss intensified and reached her toes. MaryBeth had not felt this way in a long time. Joey leaned into her and she leaned back until she was now laying on the sofa, his lips left her mouth, which MaryBeth did not like, more than anything she wanted to kiss him again and again. His lips traveled to her neck, nuzzling the soft spots between her jaw and her neck. His hand slid under her shirt and rubbed gently on her stomach that was now the baby bump. With Joey laying on top of her, she could tell that he was as excited as she was. His mouth was traveling down her neck to her shoulders, and she was thankful she was wearing a tank top. But, she would not mind shedding it if he was game.

While MaryBeth was contemplating her next move, Joey stood up. “I’m sorry. I can’t do this.”

“I am so sorry,” MaryBeth said straightening up to a sitting position on the sofa. “I understand. I promise I was not thinking about anyone else but you. I wasn’t thinking about that.”

“Well,” Joey said laughing, “I am glad to hear that. But, that is not exactly what I was talking about.”

“You weren’t thinking about me and anyone else?”

Joey looked around, “Well, no, there is no one here but you and me and trust me, that is all that I was thinking about.”

“The thought of me and... you know... other men never came into your mind?”

“NO! But don’t put it there for me please.”

“Then why did you stop? I thought it was because... well, nevermind.”

“Because we said we wouldn’t until we were married.”

“But, I messed that up already.” MaryBeth said sadly. “I am so sorry.”

“Lizzie, I promise you, your past never came into my mind. And I want you. So bad. I know you have said ‘Friends’ and I will give you whatever you want. But, I love you. I always have and I always will. No matter what you do. No matter what you say. I will never... NEVER give up on us. The sooner you realize you still love me, the better things will be and we can move on.”

“But, Joey, I am pregnant with Richard’s child. You don’t want any part of that mess.”

“Honey,” Joey said kneeling on his knees in front of her and putting his hands on her stomach, “I love you and this child is a part of YOU. I will love this child if you will let me.”

“Joey, I have always loved you. I have never loved anyone else but you. But, this is a lot of baggage. Are you sure you can handle it?”

Joey laughed, “Lizzie, handling you sounds like a full time job. But, I would like to try.” He reached up and wiped a tear that was sneaking down MaryBeth’s cheek and then leaned in and kissed her.

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