Chapter 11

March 22, 1947

Movie night with Richard . . .

Richard arrivedin his father”s car, as promised, calling for me. I was looking forward to seeing the film Blue Skies. Bing Crosby was a favorite of mine. I couldn”t bring myself to tell Richard that I”d already seen the movie with Jayne. At the very least, it was a fun movie to watch, so I didn”t mind seeing it twice.

We took our seats, and Richard was ever the gentleman, despite the fact that I had reminded him it wasn”t a date and we were just friends.

”Rose, are you comfortable?” he asked quietly. The movie theater was packed tonight.

“I’m fine, thank you. Do you like Joan Caulfield? I think she”s fantastic.”

”She”s fine, but I prefer Bing Crosby.I believe he is very good.”

The movie began to play, and the chitchat came to a halt. I was actually relieved. I had no idea what to say to him.

During the break, I went to the restroom and was about to open the door when I was grabbed by two hands. I was dragged into the cloakroom before I could even comprehend what was going on. Jacob.

“What—”

He pressed his lips against mine, thrusting his tongue between my lips. I clung to him, moaning.

“Rose. I can”t get you out of my mind.” As my hands curled around his neck, he kissed me again. His arms wrapped tightly around my waist, keeping me close to his body, and the hardness at his pelvis.

”I just wanted to remind you of who your guy is.”

”Okay,” I agreed, grabbing his hair, and yanking him back down to me, unable to get enough of the man.

When the bell rang to alert everyone that the movie was about to resume, we both exhaled heavily.

”I”ve got to get back to work.One of the guys is pitching in for me.” He stroked my cheek.

”I should return as well. I”m going to miss you terribly.” I had to fight back the tears.

”I”ll miss you too, Rose. I”ll see you later. Now go.”

He pushed me through the curtains after a quick kiss on the lips. I quickly returned to Richard, who looked at me with wide eyes. Oh, heck.

”Do you have a cold or something?You appear to be very flushed.”

”I think I might be, but I”m fine.” I sat down again, trying not to look at him until I felt his hand creep across the back of my chair. ”What exactly are you doing?”

”Um, I”m stretching.” I couldn”t decide whether to believe him or not.

”Well, then, stretch somewhere else.”

He huffed and lowered his arms.

After the intermission with Jacob, the film seemed to drag. The lights eventually came on, and everyone stood up to stretch their legs before leaving.

”Would you like to go have a slice of pie and some chocolate milk?” My stomach grumbled as I was about to refuse. ”I”ll take that as a yes.”

I didn”t have much of a choice, so I let Richard drive me to the diner. He began to lead me to the back when he froze and returned to the booths at the front of the room.

”Richard, who are they?” He appeared to be attempting to avoid the three men seated near one of the windows.

”I honestly don”t know.”

He was grumpy now, and I was hesitant to say he appeared troubled. ”Richard... ”

”Please don”t bother asking again, Rose.”

“Okay.” That was strange.

We ate in silence, but by the time we were done, and he was driving me home, he seemed to have recovered.

“Thank you for this evening, Rose. Maybe we”ll do it again someday?”

I tried to keep my yawn hidden. ”Maybe,” I muttered behind my hand as he led me to the front door. He made me nervous because I assumed he was expecting a goodnight kiss, but JT opened the door and saved the day.

I said goodnight quickly and dragged JT inside, closing the door behind us.

* * *

March 24, 1947

Richard doesn’t have to marry me . . .

It”d beentwo days since I”d seen Jacob. I really missed him. I was sitting on the porch, daydreaming about the beach night, when Richard drove up in his father”s car.

He climbed out and dashed over to me. ”Would you like to go for a drive with me, Rose?”

I was unsure.

”Please?”

Oh well, what the heck. I wasn”t doing anything in particular. ”OK, fine. Let me get my jacket and purse.”

I dashed inside, grabbed what I needed, and dashed back outside. Richard flung open the door for me. While Richard shut the door and ran around to the other side, I climbed into his father”s luxurious car and admired the cream leather interior with a dark mahogany wooden dashboard.

”Richard, what”s going on?” I was both nervous and fascinated.

”My father has agreed that I am not required to marry you. So, I thought we could celebrate with pie and chocolate milk,” he replied, a childlike grin on his face.

I burst out laughing. ”All right, then, let”s celebrate.”

He drove into town and parked in front of a crowded diner. As we entered, I noticed Jayne, who had just finished her meal. I approached her and sat down beside her.

”Are you here alone?” Jayne took a look around.

”Richard wants to celebrate the fact that he is not being forced to marry me.”

I laughed because her eyes nearly popped out of her head.

”Rose, Sandy is on her way over with our favorite pie and milk.” Richard said. ”Hello there, Jayne. Wouldyou like something?”

”No, I”ve had enough... Thank you, however.” She gave a polite smile.

Richard sat across from me and struck up a conversation with Jayne. I wished for a few quiet moments alone with Jayne as they talked. I wanted to tell Jayne about Jacob, but I was afraid she would tell someone else. She was my best friend, but she struggled, a lot, with keeping things to herself.

I had just finished my pie when I noticed JT sitting at the back of the diner with Levi, Walt, and some girls.

Excusing myself, I approached their table. JT turned bright red and stood up when he saw me. He grabbed my arm and pulled me away from his friends, out of their hearing range.

”What exactly are you doing here, sis?”

”I”m in the company of Jayne and Richard. So, how about you? You know you’re not allowed in here.”

“I’m with Walt and Levi.” He cast a glance in their direction.

”I”ve got eyes, JT... I”ll accompany you back, so you don”t get in trouble with Father.”

He burst out laughing. ”Wouldn”t want that, sis.” He returned to his friends, said his goodbyes, and then returned to me.

”Let me tell Jayne and Richard I”m leaving,” I said as I quickly crossed the room to where they were sitting.

”Sorry, but I”m going to walk back to the house with JT before Father gets home.”

”Please don”t leave, Rose.Can”t JT just walk back?” Richard whined, frowning at JT, who had stuck his tongue out at him.

I pushed him away. ”Stop doing that, it”s bad manners.” I returned my attention to Jayne and Richard. ”I really need to make sure he arrives without causing any further problems. I”ll catch up with you both later.” I turned quickly and grabbed JT”s arm, dragging him out of the diner.

* * *

March 26, 1947

The night I became a woman . . .

JT had caughtme sneaking out of the house yet again. I owed him an issue of Our Gang. He was extracting a lot from me.

Jacob awaited me at the bottom of the driveway. I jumped into his arms, and we kissed and kissed as he spun me around. ”I”ve missed you so much.” He stroked my cheek. ”My Rose.”

“Always.”

”Let”s go, before we miss the bus.” As we walked to the bus stop, he took my hand in his. We needed to be more cautious because I didn”t want Father to find out that I was seeing someone other than Richard. But I didn”t mind so much when Jacob was clutching me.

We were going to see Betty Grable in The Shocking Miss Pilgrim. I had seen her previous films and was excited to see this one. Going with Jacob only improved things.

Jacob held my hand the entire way there, and I cuddled into him during the movie, moving in slightly to give him a quick kiss.

We only had time to catch the bus home after the movie, so we jumped off a stop early. We walked along the cliffs toward my house to spend some extra time together. Jacob had his arm around my shoulders, and mine was tightly wrapped around his waist. He felt incredible, and I didn”t want to let go.

Jacob abruptly turned around, cupped my face in his hands, and caressed my cheeks with his thumbs. ”Rose, I love you,” he said quietly.

I extended my hand to him and tangled my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck. He shivered, his own lips covering mine. I searched for his tongue while moaning, and the gentle massage sent currents of desire racing through my body.

I moved closer, breathing heavily, and when he placed his hands on my waist, he guided me snug against him.

I gasped for breath, pulling my willing mouth away from his demanding one, and whispered, ”Make love to me, Jacob.” He appeared startled but quickly recovered.

”Are you sure?” he asked me seductively, moving my hair behind my ears with an unsteady hand.

”More now than ever.” I kissed the back of his hand.

”We”re way too far away from my apartment.” He appeared distressed.

”Then let”s go to thebeach. It”s late, and no one will be around. It”s also dark and secluded.”

He sighed. “Rose.”

I took his hand in mine and began to lead him toward the beach, but after only a few steps, he picked me up and carried me the rest of the way.

We stood facing each other after he”d retrieved the hiddenblanketsand laid them on the sand before he smiled and began removing his clothing. His blazer was first, then his shirt and tie. I unbuttoned the front of my dress and let it fall down my body, kicking it to the side. That was followed by my slip. I stared at the beautiful man as we stood in our underwear. He had broad shoulders, a muscular chest, and a trim waist, with only a smattering of hair on his stomach that slid down into his shorts.

He drew me close by taking my unsteady hand in his. I smoothed my palms over his skin and placed my hand on his naked chest. He was stunning. I looked up, searching for his eyes in the starlight as I dealt with the upheaval in my emotions.

Knowing this was the man I loved gave me the confidence to pursue my desires. Leaning in, I kissed his chest, then his nipples, only to hear him groan, which encouraged me to keep going.

He pushed us both onto the blanket, gently easing me down before crushing me to him and reclaiming my lips with such passion that my entire body began to throb.

As he leaned over me, he unhooked and removed my brassiere, inhaling sharply in delight. He finally moved and kissed my taut nipples, rousing a melting sweetness within me as he placed kisses all around my breasts.

He continued his heated kisses on my skin, taking hold of my panties with his fingers before looking up, as if asking permission.

”Yes... I”m yours, Jacob... So yes.”

He dragged them down my legs and away, followed by his shorts. He stared at me while kneeling between my thighs. ”You”re so beautiful, Rose.” His voice was hoarse.

I couldn”t believe how tingly and overheated I felt. I was still not nervous, only excited. ”Beautiful...and, so big.”

He chuckled, and I realized I”d said something out loud. I blushed but kept my gaze fixed on his tense body.

Jacob groaned as his hands began to explore my thighs, and then his lips teased a tight dusky pink nipple as he moved up. He paused to kiss me, whispering loving words.

Gathered against his warm body as he half lay over me, I felt his arousal nudging my inner thigh—hot and pulsing with his need.

One hand slid down my quivering stomach to the swell of my hips before I gasped as he stroked my curls with his fingers. When he dipped his finger inside of me, his breath became more ragged. ”Rose, I really need you.”

”Love me, Jacob.”

His eyes were red-hot.

He closed his eyes, breathed deeply, and guided his flesh to where we both needed him to be.

My body resisted the intrusion at first, but with some delightful coaxing from Jacob”s mouth and hands, he was all the way inside of me.

When he held still, his face twisted in pain, so I traced his lips with my finger and moved slowly down toward his chest to rub his hardened nipples.

He shivered. ”I need to move.”

”Yes... Move,” I pleaded.

That was all it took for him to makelove with me on our beach, as the night encircled our warm bodies and the waves crashed against the rocks in the distance.

As a moan of ecstasy slipped through my lips, I was held on the periphery, knowing that something exquisite awaited me when I crossed the threshold.

The sensation of him swelling inside me struck a deep chord, and when I gasped for air, Jacob grunted my name and shuddered in my arms. My body yielded to the searing need that had been building, and when I vibrated with liquid fire, Jacob held me until the storm passed.

He took a deep breath and slowly slipped out of my body, making me shiver. When he drew me back into his arms, the cold air kissing my burning skin, I felt so relaxed and satiated.

”Are you all right, Rose?”

”Oh, yes.” I smiled and gently kissed his lips.

Jacob reached for his shorts and wiped himselfbefore turning to face me. ”Let me look after you.”

I did what he asked and watched while he cleaned me up. He tossed his shorts to the side and laid down beside me, but I was feeling brave and wanted to look at him, having never seen a naked man before. I sat down and began to caress him with my eyes. My gaze shifted from his face to his chest to his hips... I flushed and looked up at him quickly. As he watched me, his eyes narrowed, and his breathing became labored.

When I looked at him again, his flesh twitched and swelled before my eyes.

”Rose, please stop staring at me. We won”t be able to do it again tonight. It will be far too painful for you.”

I didn”t listen and reached out to touch him, surprised by how hot and smooth he felt, though I couldn”t stop myself from smiling as he throbbed against my palm.

I rubbed his flared crown, smiling, as he arched his hips up from the sand and a husky plea fell from his lips.

”Jacob, please make love to me once more before I have to go home.”

He groaned and pulled me down under him, sliding inside of me and telling me how much he loved me. He kissed my lips gently and made love to me again, promising to see me again soon.