Chapter 48
Kristina had finished putting away all of the new clothes Howie had bought for her during their shopping excursion, as well as the lingerie and had just begun to draw a warm bath when he came into the bedroom searching for her.
"I’m sorry, angel. We really don’t have time for a bath. Can you just freshen up before we leave?"
"Are we leaving soon?" she asked, turning the water off and draining the remainder from the garden tub.
"I would like to, if you think you can be ready."
Smiling, she said, "You still haven’t told me where we are going."
Howie suddenly grew very serious, taking her in his arms and kissing her tenderly. His lips on hers were like velvet, soft and lush as his tongue parted her lips patiently and mingled with her tongue, dancing erotically in a moment of pure passion and love. His left hand cupped her face, the tips of his fingers touching the soft hair at the base of her neck while the other hand kept her body pressed tightly against his. The kiss was so erotic and unexpected that every nerve ending in Kristina’s body awoke in vibrant burst of tingles and warmth, a soft moan escaping as the kiss ended sweetly.
She glanced at him, their faces just inches from each other and whispered breathlessly.
"You are the most amazing man I have ever know, Howard Dwaine Dorough. When you kiss me like that, it absolutely sets my body on fire."
He laughed softly, caressing her cheek with his thumb. "It’s because I love you so much, babygirl. You awaken feelings and emotions in me that NO other woman has ever come close to. I want to tell the whole world how much I love you!"
Kristina ran her fingers through his silky hair, gazing into the soft brown eyes that attracted her to him in the first place as he continued to speak.
"I’m taking you to meet my family tonight, Kris. I want them to love you as much as I do."
A moment of uncertainty spread throughout her body. "Are you sure, ‘D’? They are going to want to know about my family and my past. Isn’t that going to sway their judgment of me, knowing that I hurt you and hurt my family?"
"John has already told them what he knows and they were extremely sympathetic and understanding" he said, trying to reassure her. "Trust me, angel. They are going to love you just as I do. Just be yourself!"
Laying her head on his shoulder, her lips brushing his neck just below the stubble of his thin beard, she whispered softly. "I hope you are right, ‘D’. I can’t imagine losing you again."
He rubbed her back tenderly, loving the way her body felt in his arms. It was as if their bodies were made to fit into the groove of the other, like a jigsaw puzzle. "Don’t worry. Nothing and NO ONE is ever going to come between us again."
"Promise me?" she said pulling back from his embrace.
He kissed her forehead, her nose and finally laid a soft tantalizing kiss on her lips. "I promise you that AND I promise you that my family will not only love you but they will welcome you with open arms."
"Have you ever taken any of your girlfriends home to meet them?" Kris asked unexpectedly.
"One or two. Why?" he laughed.
"Just asking!"
Patting her ass, he said, "Get ready baby. We really need to leave in a few minutes."
"What should I wear?" Kristina asked self-consciously.
"Baby" Howie said shaking his head. "You look beautiful. Wear what you have on and QUIT worrying!"
"Okay! Okay! Let me put on a little lip gloss and fluff my hair and I’ll be ready to go."
"Don’t put on too much lip gloss. I plan on stealing plenty of kisses tonight" he winked.
Kristina puckered her lips in response and winked back at him. "Be nice. Your mom is going to be watching."
Groaning, he said, "You are going to tease me all night, aren’t you?"
"Uh huh! It’s gonna be a LONG, HARD night!" she purred seductively.
Howie wrestled her to the bed, covering her with his body and holding her hands above her head. "You keep saying things like that and when I get you home, I’ll show you a LONG, HARD night!"
Kristina laughed out loud, leaning forward in an attempt to kiss him. He pulled away.
"YOU are so easy, Dorough. You are falling right into my evil clutches."
"Get ready, wench. I’m going to warm up the vette!"
"Ooh! The vette! Tonight MUST be special!" Kris said smacking his ass playfully as he walked away.
Howie laughed as he walked out of the room. Under his breath he mumbled, "Yeah, it is special but tomorrow night is going to be even more special."