Chapter 16: Chapter 16

She was propped up in bed that night, engrossed in a stack of home decor magazines. After selecting the perfect drapes, comforter, and carpet, she nudged him to share her finds.

He closed his laptop, turned toward her, and flashed a warm smile. “Yes?”

“Do you like these?” she asked, pointing at the magazine. “What do you think?”

He took a moment to look at her choices. “I like it. I’m glad it’s not too feminine. We’ll get someone to start on it right away.”

Her face lit up with a smile that reached her eyes. “It’s going to look amazing,” she said.

“I’ll book us a hotel room while the work is being done. I also want to renovate the bathroom. It needs a new shower, and the sink and countertop could use an upgrade. Might as well get everything done at once.”

That night, she fell asleep nestled in his arms, a content smile on her face. She had never felt this level of happiness before.

***

The next day found them in their temporary hotel suite. He managed to kickstart the renovation work that very day, but was informed it would take at least a week to complete.

“A week for just drapes and carpet?” she asked, puzzled.

“Don’t forget the bathroom remodel. Plus, I gave them another task.”

“Another task? What is it?”

“That’s a surprise. You’ll have to wait and see. I need to head to the office for the rest of the day. Will you be okay here alone?”

“Absolutely. I brought some work with me. With you out of my hair, I’ll be able to get it done.”

***

A couple of hours later, a knock at the door interrupted her. After her encounter with Tony, she was hesitant to answer.

Another knock. “Who is it?” she called out.

“It’s me, Clara.”

Relieved, she opened the door to let her sister-in-law in. “I heard you were staying here and knew Xander was working, so I thought I’d come keep you company.”

“Would you like something to drink?”

“Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to join me for lunch in the dining room?”

“You want to have lunch with me, alone?”

“Kat, I know we haven’t been close, and that’s my fault. I’d like to change that. I want us to be closer.”

She was skeptical of Clara’s sudden change of heart, but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.

***

In the dining room, they placed their orders. Kat, driven by curiosity, decided to ask. “Why have you been so distant with me? Did I do something to upset you?”

“No, it wasn’t you, it was me. I didn’t understand what you and Kurt went through. He never liked talking about it. I was jealous of you and Kurt.”

“Jealous? Why?”

“Because of all the time he spent with you, caring for you. I felt left out. I now realize how foolish I was and I want to make amends. Can you forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. I’d love to have a closer relationship with you.”

Clara reached over and placed her hand over Kat’s. “Thank you. And I want to say I’m happy for you. Kurt tells me Xander is deeply in love with you and that he makes you happy. If you ever need anything or someone to talk to, please call me.”

“I will.”

After lunch, they returned to the suite and spent the next couple of hours chatting. When Clara left, Kat felt a sense of peace. It was nice to clear the air, and she felt they would be much closer moving forward.

***

Over the next few days, he took her out to dinner and to see some plays when he wasn’t working. He was glad to see her and Clara getting closer, especially since she didn’t have many female friends.

On their last night in the hotel suite, they ordered room service. She was tired of dining out and was eager to return home and cook her own meals.

“Xander, did you invite Clara to visit me when we first got here?”

He didn’t want to keep secrets from her, so he admitted, “Yes, I suggested she come keep you company while I was out. But her wanting to be closer to you was all her.”

“I’m glad you did. Kurt finally told her about our past, and now she understands me better. I think we’ll be good friends from now on.”

***

The next day, once they were back home, she grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to their bedroom. She was excited to see the results of the renovation.

“I love it. Don’t you?” she asked when he remained silent.

“Yes, it’s beautiful. Now close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”

She closed her eyes and let him guide her. “You can open them now.”

She opened her eyes to find a door where there hadn’t been one before. “What’s this?”

“Open it and see.”

She turned the knob and gasped at the sight before her. A large walk-in closet, complete with a carousel for dresses, skirts, and tops, a sliding door for shoes and boots, drawers for scarves and other small items, a full-length mirror, and a few other surprises.

“Xander, what have you done? I don’t have that many clothes. This is too much.”

He turned her to face him, his hands on her arms. “You may not have enough to fill this room now, but you will. Your things are crammed in with mine, so you need your own space. Don’t you like it?”

“I love it. It’s like something out of a magazine. But how did they manage to create a room out of a wall so quickly?”

“I had people working on it around the clock. Now, let’s get naked and try out our new shower.”

He scooped her up and carried her to the bathroom. Her heart pounded in her chest. She had never imagined she could be this happy and loved. His actions showed her he was serious about spending a lifetime with her.

Her love for him deepened, and knowing he truly loved her, she decided to do something he had always wanted. So, as the water cascaded over them, she knelt down and took him in her mouth.

It felt a bit strange at first, but his moans of pleasure reassured her she was doing it right. Thank goodness for the internet, where she had learned how to do it.

She began to touch him, and he tried to stop her, knowing it wasn’t something she’d be comfortable with. But she brushed his hand away and continued, and soon he was lost in the pleasure of her touch. The sensation of her mouth on him was like a slice of heaven.

After she finished, he pulled her up and kissed her deeply.

“You were incredible. Now it’s your turn.”

***

The next morning, she woke up to his kiss and saw him already dressed in his suit.

“Are you leaving already?”

“Yes, I have some work to attend to.”

He then handed her one of his credit cards.

“Why are you giving me this?”

“I want you to go shopping. Fill up your closet. Maybe Clara can accompany you.”

She sat up, shaking her head, and tried to give the card back.

“No, you’ve done enough.”

“This is just the start. You deserve nice things, and I want to give them to you. It’ll make me happy.”

“You’re going to spoil me.”

“That’s the plan. I have to leave now, and I won’t be back until late tonight, so you and Clara can go out and have dinner on me.”

“She might not want to.”

“I’m sure she will since Kurt will be with me and she’ll have nothing else to do. Now, kiss me before I go.”

He was right. Clara was more than happy to go and even bought a few things for herself.

“Kat, you should get some of these,” she said, holding up some sexy lingerie.

Kat blushed as she looked at the see-through nightie. She couldn’t possibly wear that. The nipples would show, and the panties were nothing but a thin strip of fabric.

“I couldn’t wear that.”

“Kat, you have a great figure, and I bet Xander would love it.”

“Do men really like this kind of thing?”

“Oh, they absolutely do. It turns them on, gets them all hot and bothered, but there could be one problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Well, sometimes they get so worked up that they tend to rip it off to get to the person wearing it. Go on, get some. I promise it will lead to some of the best sex you’ll ever have.”

Kat thought their sex life was already pretty amazing. But she decided to buy some just for him if he would like it.

After they finished shopping, they went to a French restaurant for dinner. Kat noticed a change in Clara. She seemed to glow.

“You seem so happy. Not that you weren’t before; it’s just that you seem even happier now.”

“I am, and there’s a reason for that. Kurt and I were going to wait to tell you, but I can’t wait. I’m pregnant, three weeks.”

“Clara, I’m…I’m so happy for you two. I was wondering why you weren’t drinking. I know that you and Kurt will be amazing parents.”

“Being pregnant has changed my perspective on life. I have a little human being growing inside me. Material things don’t matter anymore. What’s important is that this baby is loved and protected.”

When Clara laughed, Kat was surprised and had to ask.

“What’s so funny?”

“Your brother.”

“Why?”

“He’s not only thrilled about the baby, but also the fact that I no longer want to move into a huge mansion. He said if he knew it was that easy, he would have gotten me pregnant a long time ago.”

Kat found the humor in it and started laughing. It felt good to laugh, especially with Clara, who had become like a sister to her.

The only thing that marred their time together was when they left the restaurant and ran into Tony. He looked at her for a moment, and without a word, he walked past her and into the building.

“That was strange,” Clara remarked. “He didn’t say anything to either of us. Which is fine with me, I never realized what a jerk he is. Are you okay, Kat?”

“Yes, it was just a shock seeing him. I should let you go home now.”

“Come, I’ll drive you home.”

“It’s okay, I’ll take a cab. I’m sure Kurt will be home and waiting for you.”

After Clara drove away, she waited for her cab to arrive. Something made her look back toward the restaurant, and she saw Tony standing there, watching her. But as soon as she saw him, he quickly disappeared inside, but not before she saw the strange look he was giving her. It gave her a weird feeling and a cold shiver ran up her spine.