Love Resolution - By Michelle Mankin Page 0,3

their bodies together.

Over the past week she’d sensed his lovemaking taking on an even higher level of intensity than usual as if he was savoring each moment. Now he made love to her so tenderly and so patiently that it took only moments before he’d coaxed from her the ultimate crescendo. And as it always was between them, after she cried out his name, he soon followed, dampening her vocal release with his mouth over hers, as if he were drinking in her essence.

In the morning she woke and stretched out her arm to find his spot on the bed empty and cold. Wrapping the sheet around her naked body, she padded down the hall following the harmonious sound of the acoustic guitar into the studio. Shirtless, jeans half buttoned, he sat with his bare feet on the top rung of the wooden stool. His head bowed, she watched his arm muscles flex as his fingers picked out a complicated melody. His long dark brown hair shielded his strong jaw from view. Without speaking, he stopped playing, looked at her, and reached out his arm.

She moved forward, the sheet falling abandoned to the floor. His gaze raked appreciatively over her form and her body immediately responded. Blue eyes dark and smoldering with intent, he slid off the stool, twisting at the waist to carefully set down the guitar on a nearby stand. He deftly undid the buttons to his jeans, sliding them down. Fully nude, he stepped forward, pressing his warm hard body against hers. He cradled her face in his hands. For a moment, she saw worry flicker in his blue eyes that she didn’t understand. She covered his hands with her own, a frisson of unease sliding down her spine. He scooted back on the stool, drawing her to him, lifting her body so that it straddled his. With his hands cupping her bottom, he began moving her in a practiced rhythm that made her entire body burn from the inside out. Lingering concern slipped away as the combustible heat between them fanned quickly into a roaring flame.

When Avery stepped out of the shower, towel tucked between her breasts, Marcus was already gone. She found a mug of tea cooling on the nightstand next to a note: Sorry not sorry you didn’t get to drink your tea earlier. Coleman torture/workout. See you later. Love you, Marcus.

She smiled to herself as she took a sip. Though he wasn’t the best at verbalizing the way he felt, Marcus showed her over and over again with the things he did how much he cared. A quick glance at the clock brought her lazy musings to an end.

Justin.

Her twin brother’s plane was due to land in forty-five minutes. Hastily, she rummaged through the dresser drawer, pulling out the first lacy black bra and matching pair of panties she found. After her brief stint disguised as a man, at the first chance she had gone out and purchased the most feminine undergarments she could find, many more sets than she actually needed. Never again would she take wearing lingerie for granted. Being a guy had been a lot harder than she had ever imagined.

Finger combing her shoulder length copper tresses smooth, Avery slipped on a green t-shirt and jeans, and stepped into her worn Converse sneakers with the mismatched laces. Her new friend and admitted fashionista, Samantha Daniels, would not have approved. On the way to the elevator she grabbed a hat and sunglasses from the chrome bowl on the glass topped trestle table, unfortunate necessities now that she was as easily recognizable out in public as Marcus.

Once she exited the elevator into the underground parking garage, she saw Ray. Uncrossing his thickly muscled ebony arms, he pushed away from the side of the familiar grey Mercedes where he’d been leaning. “Don’t look so worried,” he greeted, opening the back door. “I’ll get you there with plenty of time to spare.”

Weaving in and out of the early morning traffic, Ray soon left the congested city streets behind. Impatiently, Avery squirmed around on the leather cushion in the back seat, watching the scenery change from sidewalks overflowing with scurrying pedestrians to serene tree filled lanes with large houses and beautifully landscaped yards. She glanced down at her watch and sighed with relief when they crossed the bridge into Vancouver International with fifteen minutes to spare.

“Thanks, Ray,” she said with a broad smile as she hopped out onto the curb.

He rolled down the passenger window.