Chapter 21

When Patrick arrived at Sydney's, the last person he expected to see was Michaela. When Sydney called to invite him over for a drink, he was happy for the opportunity to see his friend, and for the change of pace from working and then filling his nights with activities to keep him from thinking of Michaela. He'd gotten to the point where he was actually getting over her. Or so he thought. The minute he saw her sitting on Sydney's couch, those bright blue eyes, ruby red lips, he knew he'd only been fooling himself. His heart cracked open again with longing and despair. Part of him wanted to turn and run, to avoid the inevitable heartache, but another part yearned to reach out and pull her into his arms.

Michaela popped up from the couch and scurried out of the living room to Sydney's kitchen. That told him she hadn't expected this reunion either.

Feeling Betrayed by Sydney, Patrick"s annoyance bubbled to the surface. "What are you playing at?"

Sydney had the decency to look sheepish. "I just thought you might want to see her again."

"Why?" Didn't she know how much it gutted him to think about Michaela? Seeing her wasn't going to fix that.

Sydney reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "I just want you to be happy, Patrick. And I think she makes you happy, even if you won"t admit it."

His jaw tightened. "What would it solve if I did admit it?"

"Patrick—"

"No, Syd." Frustration built, feeling unbearable. "This isn't your business."

Her eyes narrowed. "Fine. Leave." She opened the door.

He hesitated, thinking of the woman he knew he's never get over hiding in the kitchen.

"Or, you can go talk to her."

Dammit. He cast Sydney an annoyed glare and then moved across the living area, ignoring her friends, as he made his way to the kitchen. When he stepped into the room, his gaze immediately zeroed in on Michaela. She stood with her back to him, shoulders tense, and he could see the faint tremble in her hands as she sipped a glass of water.

"Michaela."

She turned to face him, her blue eyes wide and uncertain. "I swear, Patrick, I had no idea Sydney was going to do this. I would never?—"

He raised a hand, silencing her. "I believe you."

"You do?"

He nodded. "I didn't know what she was doing either."

She watched him and he didn't like how vulnerable she appeared still. Then again, he'd basically ghosted her. No wonder she seemed uncertain and uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry I stopped texting. I just—" He didn't know how to explain without revealing more than he wanted.

"It's okay. I know you're busy. I've been busy too. I have a corporate booking for next summer."

His heart lit up with happiness that she was on the path to achieving her goals. "That's wonderful." All of a sudden, the need to be with her overwhelmed him. "Will you go do dinner with me?"

Michaela blinked, her mouth falling open in a silent O. "Dinner?"

Heat crept up the back of his neck, and he cleared his throat, suddenly self-conscious. "Yes, dinner. Just the two of us."

Michaela stared at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Patrick was certain he"d made a mistake, that she would refuse his invitation and he would be left standing there, his heart in his throat.

But then, a slow smile spread across her face, and she nodded. "Yes, I'd like that."

The tension in the air dissipated. Relief washed over Patrick. He mirrored her smile. "Wonderful. Shall we?" He gestured to the door.

He ignored Sydney and her friends as he escorted Michael out and to the busy streets of New York. Knowing her open and adventurous spirit, he found himself wanting to show her the sights of the city. As his driver took them to a tucked-away restaurant, Patrick pointed out landmarks and locations with interesting anecdotes. "Did you know that in the 19th century, New Yorkers ate so many oysters they were able to pave a street with the shells? They also used them for the masonry of Trinity Church."

She scrutinized him. "Is that true?"

He held up his hand. "Honest truth."

Michaela listened to his stories intently, her gaze bouncing from the towering skyscrapers to the hurried pedestrians, a sense of wonder etched on her face. Experiencing the city he grew up in through her brought him a sense of joy he hadn't felt in…well…since he'd seen her last.

His driver let them off outside the restaurant. Instinctively, he took her hand and was pleased when she didn't pull away.

"It"s so different from the lake," she mused, as they walked side by side toward the restaurant. "I can see why coming to the country was such a jarring change for you."

He laughed as he opened the door for her. "It was, at first. Thankfully, you were there to show me the ropes. My time at Kincaid Lake was a breath of fresh air. Literally and figuratively."

"I"m glad you found some peace there," she said softly. "Even if it was only for a little while."

The bittersweetness of their situation settled deep into his chest. Followed by the frustrating yearning for something he couldn't have.

As they settled into a cozy, dimly lit restaurant, the conversation flowed easily between them. It was like they'd never been apart. Patrick asked about her visit to the city, and Michaela"s eyes lit up as she described the show and then filled with humor as she talked about her friends' expensive purchases.

"So, you like it here?"

"It"s amazing. But I have to admit, I"m not sure I could keep up with the pace. I can see myself visiting, but I'm a country girl at heart."

The hope he hadn't realized he was feeling vanished. "I understand." He'd already been imagining her here with him. Hoping she might be tempted by the allure of the city. But it was a foolish thought.

Michaela reached across the table, her fingers brushing against his. "But I"m so glad to see you. I want to thank you for the ideas you gave me for the resort. I"ve been working on implementing them, and I'm starting to see results."

Pride in her filled his chest. "That"s wonderful to hear."

As the evening wore on, their conversation deepened. The world beyond their table faded away. He couldn't stop the image of a future where he and Michaela could build something lasting from appearing again. He should take her back to Sydney's and let her go. But as the evening drew to a close, Patrick found himself reluctant to part ways with her. The easy camaraderie they had rediscovered, the warmth of her touch, the way her eyes sparkled with genuine interest – it all combined to create a pull he couldn"t ignore. He didn't want to ignore it.

He paid the bill and they returned to his car. As the driver pulled away from the curb, he took a breath to shore up his courage. "I'd like to invite you back to my place. We can have a drink. Talk." Of course, he'd like more, but he wouldn't presume Michaela felt the same.

Her smile was radiant. "I'd like that."

After a short ride to his building, he guided her up to his apartment. As they stepped through the door, Patrick felt a surge of uncertainty. Maybe this wasn't a good idea. Yes, being with her filled him with joy, but when she returned home, he'd be left with a heart in tatters again.

If she noticed, she didn't acknowledge it. She entered his place and immediately was drawn to the terrace. She stepped outside, her gaze scanning the view.

"There's one thing missing," he said moving to stand next to her.

"What's that?"

He tilted his head up. She followed the direction of his gaze, looking up into the sky.

"No stars." He turned his attention to her, taking in the graceful line of her neck, remembering the times he'd trailed kisses along it.

She looked at him, her expression bittersweet. He pressed his palm to her cheek, needing to touch her. Slowly, reverently, he leaned in, his lips finding hers. The moment her taste hit his tongue; he was overcome with need. The kiss cranked up in heat and fervor. She melted into him, thank God.

He was on the verge of picking her up and taking her to his bed, but again, didn't want to presume. "Stay with me," he whispered against her lips. He lifted his head to look into her dazzling blue eyes. "Give me tonight."

Her fingers clutched at his shirt as she nodded. "Tonight."

He closed his eyes. The one word was loaded with emotion. He'd have a night with this amazing woman, and then it would be over.

He took her hand, leading her back into his apartment and to his bedroom. His fingers brushed her dark hair from her face. "You're not wearing your bandana."

Her cheeks flushed. "I didn't want to look like a hick."

"You're always beautiful." He leaned in, trailing kisses along her mouth, her jaw, her neck. His fingers slid under her blouse, itching to feel her soft skin. She let out a long sigh as her own hands explored under his shirt. He wanted to take his time, to go slow. But need gnawed at him. He rushed, tugging at her clothes, his clothes, until there was nothing between them.

He rolled her under him on the bed, looking down into her eyes, cloudy with desire. Only then was he able to pull the reins and slow things down. This was it. One more night. He needed to savor it. Draw it out.

Her fingers traced his face, and he wondered what she saw when she looked at him. He gazed down on her, the words I love you sitting on the tip of his tongue again. But he kept them to himself. He'd use his body to express how much he loved her. Would she feel the depth of his feelings for her?

He cleared his mind of everything but her. Of touching her, committing each caress, each kiss to memory.

"Patrick." His name said on a breath made his soar. He pushed back on his knees, pulling her up with him. He sat back on his heels, moving her to straddle his thighs.

Her hands held his shoulders. Her gaze caught his, filled with knowing and…could it be love? She settled over him, taking him inside her. Emotion threatened to consume him. Love. Grief. Not wanting her to see the latter, he put his hand on the back of her head and pulled her into a searing kiss.

Her body rocked and it was like heaven. He gripped her hips, helping her move. For a moment, he watched her. Her eyes were closed, head back as she gave in to the moment. She was so beautiful.

"Oh!" She gasped, and her body rocked faster, as she pursued her pleasure.

He gritted his teeth, fighting to maintain control so he could fully experience this moment with her. Wanting to watch when she finally went over the edge into bliss.

"Patrick…yes…" Her body arched and a long moan escaped her lips. Around him, she tightened until he saw stars. And yet he still held off. Fighting this own release so he could be fully present in hers.

It came to him that she was like the stars he'd been missing since his return to New York. Beautiful. Sparkling. Out of reach.