Ready For Love Pt. 02

"Chris had this done before his second deployment and took a five by seven of it with him. When he died I had it enlarged to this 16 x 20 and hung it above my bed. It's basically all I have left of him except some photos and trinkets in a box."

I was muttering to myself when she asked what I was saying, I muttered more distinctly, "My God you're beautiful. I don't think I could have left you, I know it was his duty, but still."

Making a gesture guiding me toward the door I looked back one more time, how I wish I had done something like that with Karen before she died. In the living room she sat on the loveseat, I was going to sit in a chair opposite her until she patted the cushion next to her.

"Come sit Joel. We need to talk."

My thoughts were, what the hell, let's see where this goes.

"You gave me a lot to think about after last Friday Joel. Our conversations, you telling me you were ready for a second romance. Not in those words, but it was clear to me what you were implying. I find myself in the same place, my marriage was good enough that I want to do it again. I don't believe in love at first sight, but I sense that we somehow connect and I don't want to lose that. You could be my second chance."

I was stunned, I thought it was going to be a "see you later" kind of talk, not one telling me she'd like to know me better.

"That's interesting Eleyna, I've thought about you and Ravi all week. I understand what you're saying, but I wasn't sure and didn't want to muddy the waters. I'm the kind of guy who generally takes charge, but I'll be honest here, I'm willing to let you set the pace and see where this goes between us. You may very well be my second chance as well, and to allay any fears you may have, I would have no problem loving Ravi as my own."

Her expression became very serious, "Okay then, here's what I'm proposing, if this isn't amenable to you we stop all this and go our own ways. If we're going to try and make this work it needs to be exclusive, I don't plan to see anyone else and I don't want you to either, forsaking all others just like a marriage vow. I'm a sexual woman and I'm sure my desires match yours, but I'm not going to jump into bed with you, we'll become intimate over time if this works out, but it won't be right away. As for you taking charge, once we're solidly together I'll expect it. The balls in your court Joel, what are your thoughts?"

"My thoughts, the first thing is I'd like to take you in the bedroom and ravage your body. My second thought is I have no problem with being exclusive, in fact I wouldn't do it any other way if we're going to make this work. Third, when does all this begin?"

"Alright Joel, just so we're clear. No more little honey's staying overnight."

"Like I told you, it was a once in a lifetime deal. If the prospect of winning you is real then I have no issues with what you've proposed."

Moving closer to me she reached for my neck and pulled me to her lips saying, "It begins now. I need to know if we make sparks fly or not. Kiss me."

Her kisses were soft, sensual, and seductive. It was as if our lips melted together, she would break, caress my face with her hand and then resume kissing. We'd been locking lips about five minutes when she pulled back and looked in my eyes.

"You're a good kisser, Karen taught you well. Most guys have no clue how to kiss."

My ego wanted to be bruised but she was right. I was a lousy kisser before Karen got me to slow down and realize there was so much more to kissing than a prelude to getting her panties off. I was pulling her back in but she put her hands on my chest stopping me.

"That's enough for tonight. I have two questions. Do you like to French, and does kissing me make your motor run?"

"Number one, I love to do the tongue tango, number two, my motor is racing out of control. I may need a moment to compose myself."

She smiled, "Good answer, I'm gonna powder my nose, you get things under control while I'm gone."

I was still half hard when she returned but I could at least stand without discomfort or embarrassment. Taking my hand she led me to the door and put her arms around my neck, pushing her body into mine.

I moaned, "No fair, you're cheating."

She smiled, "Just making sure you weren't lying. Now kiss me and go home, will you be in the shop tomorrow or do you work?"

"I work until two, I'll be in the shop after that."

"Okay, I'll walk down with Ravi. Maybe we can move the table from the bedroom over to your place so you can look at it."

A long slow passionate kiss, a gentle squeeze and I was on my way home. We took the table to the shop two days later and had made a new leg by the weekend. The next few weeks ahead were similar, I was spending time at her place or they were at mine our necking became a bit more involved, we were Frenching and she was letting me caress her breasts through her shirt at times. With Valentine Day quickly approaching Ravi ushered me into his room one evening and closed the door.

"I want to make something for mommy for Valentine, can you help me? I don't know what I want but it has to be special. Each year she cries at Valentine, when I ask why she told me because my dead dad would always get her flowers and a card. Can we get her some flowers too?"

"Sounds great Ravi, we'll get her flowers and I'll think of something you can make special for her."

When we walked from his room Eleyna was standing outside the door with a questioning look.

I looked at her, "Don't ask, it's a guy thing." Then I whispered. "I'll tell you later."

After Ravi went to bed we sat in each other's arms, she looked up at me, "So what was the secret meeting about?"

"He wants to make you something for Valentine day and get you some flowers. He said Chris always got you flowers."

Her face saddened, "Red roses, never less than two dozen and some of those cheesy little candy hearts. It always made me laugh when I thought about how expensive the roses were and then the dollar something candy hearts to go with them."

I had a sudden thought, "How about if I come get him Saturday right after lunch, I have a couple ideas in mind, I'll do all the machine work, he can help sand and finish. If you walk down about four we can go for an early supper and then popcorn at your place later."

When I got home I sat down at the table trying to think of something simple and yet special he could make for his mom. I drew a heart and then his name in the middle, I would cut it out with the scroll saw so that his name would be the inner part of the heart. Then we'd attach it to a small base so she could set it on her dresser or a shelf. It was just before four o'clock Saturday afternoon when she arrived. Just ten minutes earlier we had attached the heart to the base with glue and a few pin nails to hold it in place and set it behind the wood burner to hide it and help the glue to set up.

Ravi ran to her, "Mama, you can't look behind the wood furnace because it's a secret."

She watched as we cleaned our mess, I showed him how to vacuum the chips and man glitter (sawdust) and then let him go to it. I was sweeping off assembly tables and the table saw with a foxtail brush and he was cleaning it up. He worked at it vigorously and didn't necessarily want to stop when we were done. He wanted Chuk E Cheez for supper, Eleyna and I looked at each other and put an end to that notion, we settled on pizza and a sundae afterward. At her house he was in bed, we were on the couch lying side by side, my hand was at the base of her shirt as I contemplated sliding it under and up to her breast. My hand was on her bare tummy when she put her hand on mine stopping any movement.

"Just so you know Joel, if I let you touch my bare skin, my breast in this case, I own you. No other woman is ever going to have you as long as I'm alive."

I continued the upper motion of my hand, "I can live with that. You're what I want the rest of my life."

With my hand on her breast over the bra she reached under and lifted her bra, the warm softness of her breast filled my hand, she was no bigger than Karen, but then big tits aren't a turn on for me, smaller breasts suit me just fine. I raised the sweatshirt and placed a nipple between my lips, circling it with my tongue, sucking gently, lightly nibbling on the hard nubbin. Moving to the other one her hands went behind my head and held me tight to her chest. She was making soft moans and cooing noises as I sucked and played, suddenly she held me still and gently pushed me back away from her chest.

"We need to stop, I'm in a dangerous situation. You make me want you so much and I just can't do that yet. Joel you are so sweet to me and Ravi, as I was watching you with him earlier it was overwhelming."

I was confused, "Overwhelming? What was overwhelming about running a shop-vac?"

"No. It wasn't that. Oh, this is embarrassing. Seeing you with him like a daddy, well, it made me wet. I haven't felt that way for years, and here you are doing the same thing with my breasts. We have to stop Joel, don't be upset with me."

I gave each nipple a soft suck and then kissed down to her navel. I wanted to cup her mound but thought better of it, she'd let me know when she was ready for that and then there would be no stopping me. She tugged her bra back in place and lowered her shirt, then snaked her arms around my neck. Settling her face in my neck she said softly.

"I'd forgotten how much I love having my breasts played with, it sends shock waves between my legs. Thank you for stopping when I asked, if you'd have pushed I'd have let you go further, but it would have ruined what we have. I was thinking of getting a sitter for Ravi for Valentine evening. Do you think we could do something together, dinner or something without a little one around?"

Valentine was five days away, I figured I could still get reservations somewhere for dinner and maybe we could spend a little time at my house while Ravi was with the sitter.

"Sure, we'll do that, but one condition. We don't go casual, I'll wear a coat and tie, I'd like you to dress up as well. I'll let you in on a secret, I'm a sucker for legs in stockings, not panty hose, stockings. Karen took it to the extreme sometimes with the older seamed ones. Gosh that sent shivers down my spine knowing what she was wearing underneath."

She giggled as she buried her face deeper into the crook of my neck. "That's good to know, now I'll know what you like. I may have something like that, something to make your heart beat faster. But for now mister Joel, you need to go home before we end up in bed with you on top of me."

As I was opening the door she stopped it with her hand, "Joel, I need to ask you something very serious. Ravi asked if you could be his new daddy. He wants to call you daddy. Is that alright with you?"

I grabbed and held her tight so she wouldn't see my tears of joy, didn't do much good, she could feel the slight sobs ripple through my body. With a hand on the doorknob and one on my chest she opened the door and kissed me one last time.

"You must go now lover. I'm ready to take my clothes off and jump you. Dream of me."

I dreamt of her alright, in numerous positions taking or riding my cock, on hands and knees over me with my cock in her mouth, her long black hair cascading across my legs as her head bobbed, my hands on her hips while I pounded her from behind. If one could imagine it I surely dreamt it. I couldn't get her out of my mind, even after I'd launched a solid stream of semen against the shower wall I was still dreaming of her. I got busy the next day finding a nice restaurant that wasn't completely booked for Valentine night and a florist that could get me two dozen yellow roses in time. Knowing her late husband had always gotten her red roses I didn't want to tread on that memory, it was time to start a new tradition.

We went to brunch after church and as we sat afterward Ravi left his chair and wanted to sit on my lap. Turning sideway and looking up at me his little voice sent shivers down my spine.

"Mama says I can call you daddy now. Will you be my new daddy? My other daddy died in the war. I'll be a good boy I promise, and mama says we'll live together soon. Will we live together?"

I was looking into the eyes of innocence when the answer came rumbling from somewhere deep within.

"If your mommy wants me to live with you then we will, but we have to get married first. Would you like it if mommy and I got married?"

He looked at Eleyna, then at me nodding his head, "Can I be at the wedding? I wanna be at the wedding."

Aleyna was on my right, reaching she took my hand, "Was that a proposal Joel?"

I grinned, "It sort of was, and wasn't, I planned to do it Tuesday night after dinner. This was for him, can I still do it right Tuesday evening? Do you mind?"

Taking my hand in hers she kissed the back of it, "I'll be waiting with bated breath. I already know the answer, but you'll have to wait. I have the sitter until eleven, maybe we can spend some time at your house after dinner."

Monday my brain was scattered from one end of the spectrum to the other, Elsa, the sister half of the ownership had lunch with me in my office, something she rarely did. When we'd finished she gave me a devious grin and asked.

"Okay Joel. What's up? You act like you've got ants in your pants and your mind is anywhere but work."

I settled back with a deep sigh, "I'm gonna ask Eleyna to marry me tomorrow night at dinner. I'm both excited and scared."

She leaned across the desk, "Number one, you're a big boy, what's there to be scared of. It's not like you haven't done this before. Number two, isn't this a bit hasty? Think about it, you've only known her since December."

"All I do is think about it Elsa. There isn't a day goes by we don't talk or text or contact each other in some manner. Her little boy loves me and to be frank, I've come to love that boy like he was my own. "No, this is right Elsa, I know what I want and they're it. Karen would have wanted me to find and marry someone like Eleyna."

She fidgeted a minute before looking up, "Is she divorced? Be careful, you don't know what baggage she's bringing along."

It sort of peeved me but having known Elsa all my life and her being Karen's maid of honor I knew she was sincerely concerned for me.

"She's a widow, lost her husband in Afghanistan when Ravi was two. She doesn't bring anymore baggage than I do as a widower. We'll be okay, we've talked a lot, and before you ask, no we haven't been in each other's bed. Not that I haven't wanted to, but I want to wait, I know it sounds hoky in this day and age, but that's what Karen and I did, so that's what Elayna and I will do. We may test the waters, but we won't go swimming until the ring is on her finger."

Elsa stood, walked around the desk motioning for me to scoot back, being the skinny thing she is I knew she wouldn't weigh anything as she sat on my lap. With her arm across my shoulder she kissed the side of my forehead.

"Karen would be pleased Joel. We've known each other since we were old enough to walk, I would never want to keep you from what you know is right, I'm happy for you, sincerely happy. You know hubby and I are always there if you need us. Make sure you bring her in to formally meet us. Now get your hand off my ass and leave me alone."

She jumped up and was headed toward the door when I shouted, "I didn't have my hand on your ass."

Walking through the door she stopped and winked, "Yeah, but you'd like to."

Our relationship had always been like that, it was one of fun and messing around. We never dated or had a fling, she was happily married with two kids and I had been happily married to Karen. I got along great with her husband so there were never any jealousy issues, he knew Elsa was his and his alone. On the way home I stopped at Ellerbecks Jewelry and talked with Jeffrey, another kid I'd graduated with and was now working with his father. He showed me several settings but having no idea what she might like I asked if we could come in later and have her choose something. He smiled and gave me a thin gold band.

"Here, this will show you're sincere, bring her in to pick out something in a day or so. Don't worry about the band, just bring it back when you come."

I was set. The roses would be delivered to the lab no later than eleven, I had a sneaky hunch she was going to take the afternoon off to get her nails done and girl junk like that. I had a ring to show my sincerity, reservations were confirmed, I had picked up my suit at the dry cleaners earlier in the day and I'd polish my shoes tonight. All I would need to do was get through Tuesday without becoming a physical wreck.

I received a text about eleven fifteen from Eleyna telling me how she loved the roses and how the other women were jealous of her. I was due to pick her up at six, the clock seemed to move in slow motion all day, Terry came to me just after three.

"Go home Joel. Take a shower, scrape the hair off your face, relax and get ready, it's not like we can't run this store without you. Oh, and what was the comment I heard coming from your office the other day, something about your hand on Elsa's ass?"

"That was your sister being the classic smart ass she's always been."

He laughed, "Shoulda known. Have fun tonight and good luck with the proposal. Yes, Elsa told me."

I stopped on the way home and picked up one of those small bouquets from the supermarket for Ravi to give his mother along with the gift he'd made. Eleyna had agreed ahead of time to let him walk to house, with her watching from her deck and me watching from the end of the driveway he would be in sight at all times. We got the heart in a gift bag along with some foo-foo paper and I put the flowers in a plastic bag to keep the cold air off for the few minutes he'd be walking home. I texted Aleyna and let her know he was on his way. The smile on that boy's face was ear to ear.

I rang the door at 5:55, it was open in seconds with Ravi standing there looking at me with a smile, "Mom, daddy's here."

Those words made my heart skip a beat as I walked through the door. He was on my lap in a flash as I sat in the wingback chair.

I saw the heart with his name sitting on the coffee table, "Did she like your gift Ravi? How about the flowers?"

"She liked it a lot. She wouldn't stop kissing my cheeks, it got yucky after a while. I had to tell her to stop. Glenda is coming to be with me in a minute or so, I like her a lot. She's got brown skin and real fuzzy hair, but we get along good and I always make sure to be good or she might not come next time. Oh, there she is."

With that he was off my lap and headed to the door. Glenda was a sweet young lady, articulate in her speech, she seemed a bit on the geeky side with all her books and such in a backpack. A senior in high school taking as many pre-med type classes as possible with the goal of becoming an MD. I thought to myself, "another smart kid like Meredith, you go girl". We need more kids like her.

When Eleyna walked into the living room I thought my heart would stop. She was gorgeous in a soft yellow dress that flared into billowy skirt, a thin black belt to highlight her slender waist, sheer black seamed stockings and 3" black heels. She was wearing the pearl earrings I had given her for Christmas and a pearl necklace I assumed was the one she'd told me about Christmas day. With her coal black hair and black accessories complimenting the soft yellow dress she was the epitome of beauty in my eyes. Helping with her coat she turned and gave me a quick kiss.

"You're looking rather dapper tonight Joel. Glenda, I'll be home before eleven, thanks for watching Ravi."

She replied as we walked out, "Not a problem, have a good evening."