Part 11
Howie lay on the couch staring at the ceiling. 'She's in there...on my bed...wearing one of my shirts...she wanted me...damn, what am I doing out here on the couch?' He could hear her tossing and turning but it wasn't unusual for her to do that. She wasn't a restful sleeper but at least the dream was coming less frequently.
Sarah tossed and turned in Howie's room. 'I know he wanted me. I could feel him. Why did he stop?'
Howie heard her get up, the soft tread of her feet across the room to the door to the balcony. He rolled so he could see through the fire place and he saw her standing in the open door, the breeze blowing her hair. He thought, "God...she's so beautiful. I don't know if I can wait until her divorce is final.'
Sarah looked out at the moon shimmering on the ocean as she thought about Howie. He made her feel so safe and so loved. She wanted to keep this feeling forever. She turned to go back to the bed when she saw him standing in the doorway.
Softly, he asked, "Can't sleep?"
"No," she said as she reached for him.
Howie closed the door behind him and went to her gathering her in his arms. He held her close and nuzzled her neck placing feathery kisses from her ear to her collarbone. He whispered against her skin, "You need your rest, Angel."
"I know. Please, stay with me."
"Are you sure?"
Sarah nodded her head 'yes' and then pulled away. She held on to his hands leading him to the bed where the two lay together. She whispered, "I feel so safe in your arms."
"I want you to always feel that way, Sarah," he said as he traced the line of her jaw down to her chin.
She looked into his eyes as she ran her hands over his chest. "Why did you stop earlier?"
Howie smiled, "I promised myself I'd wait until your divorce was final. I know how you feel about being faithful and even though you're legally separated, I want you to feel right about it."
Sarah was crying now and Howie wiped the tears away. She whispered, "Every time I think I can't love you any more, you do something like this and I find out that I can love you even more."
Howie kissed the tears, "Sarah, you're everything to me and I will do whatever it takes to make you happy. If it means waiting to make love to you, then I'll wait. It may mean quite a few cold showers, but I'll wait. Now, you need your rest. I'll hold you if that's what you want."
Sarah snuggled next to him with her head on his shoulder and her hand on his chest. She listened to his heart beating slowly. Like a lullaby, it soothed her to sleep in not time at all.
**************************
Sarah and Howie spent the day with his family and Sarah fell in love with him all over again. They took her in without question and made her a part of the family. Howie was very attentive to her and stayed by her side the whole time too.
On their way home, Sarah asked about Caroline and Howie told her the story. He also told her about the foundation he had set up in her name along with all the different events he had planned to raise money. Sarah was extremely interested and offered to help in any way possible.
***************************
Nick invited everyone to his place in Tampa for a cook out in the middle of August. It was here that Sarah found out about Howie's birthday. She and Kevin had gone to get drinks when he asked, "What are you and 'D' doing for his birthday?"
"I don't know. When is it?"
"Next week. I was thinking about having a party for him at my place but I don't want to step on your toes or mess up your plans."
"He didn't tell me when his birthday was but how about you and I plan to have a party for him at my place?"
"I can do that."
****************************
On the way back home, Sarah asked, "'D', what are we doing next Thursday?"
"Nothing special. Why?"
"Kevin was planning to have a get-together at his place but we haven't had everyone over."
"You want to have a party?"
"I think it would be nice. But the question is, do we have it at my place or yours?"
Howie grinned, "How about OUR place? Sarah, we waste a lot of time between your place and mine. I want you to move in with me."
"Are you sure? I mean, the divorce isn't final and ....."
"How much longer?"
"The lawyer says any day now."
"Okay. We'll wait until it's final but the day it is..."
"I'll pack my stuff."