Love and the White Wolf - Book 1

7. Highs and Lows and Highs

I'd like to say I used that time well and focussed on work. The truth was that I was obsessed with trying to determine where James was. His comment about the state of world affairs determining his work troubled me. I watched the tv news channels and searched the internet trying to find the hot spot that was keeping my love (yes, he was now my love) away. There were kidnappings, hostage takings, bombings, and acts of piracy all happening at the same time. There was no way to figure out which one he was involved with and I eventually gave up trying.

    Evenings were worse. I missed his smell and the warmth of his body wrapping itself around me. My dreams were filled with images of him fighting and being injured. On the third such night I checked his laundry hamper and found two used T-shirt's. Dressing a couple of pillows I positioned myself between them and was finally able to sleep without dreaming.

    Life dragged on like this for another 5 days. There had been no word from James but I did receive a call from my old friend Alison. We had kept in touch since I had left her family but I had purposely kept my troubles since from her so she wouldn't feel guilty. She was succeeding as an artist and invited me to dinner, then to her art gallery debut. We made plans to meet at a restaurant on the following day.

    I had just finished touching up my makeup for the dinner and walked out into the great room in my dress and high heels. James was standing there and let out a long, low whistle.

    "Now that's what I call a welcome home," he exclaimed laughingly.

    If I had received that whistle from a stranger on the street I would have been offended but I was so excited to see James I ran and jumped into his open arms. He twirled me around and lowered me. He brought his face close to mine then hesitated to give me the opportunity to back off. When I didn't he gave me a long, slow, sweet kiss that I still remember to this day.

    "I'm actually dressed for a date with my friend Alison. If you get changed you can come with. I'd love for you two to meet."

    His face dropped for a fraction of a second then he brightened up.

    "Dinner with two lovely ladies. Alcohol?" I nodded. "I'm in. Give me fifteen minutes."

    He came out in a stunning grey suit wearing an open necked white dress shirt. I thought he was handsome in anything he wore but now he was movie star handsome.

    "Why do you have a couple of my T-shirts on the pillows?" He asked.

    I explained and he laughed. Then he protested that he didn't smell. In fact, he didn't even use aftershave just soap in the shower. Shrugging my shoulders I said he had always smelled great to me almost from the moment we met.

    Walking into the restaurant with James was an eye opener. Heads turned as some people recognized him and whispers spread from table to table. By the time we got to Alison's table there was a noticeable buzz. James leaned to the maître d, whispered into his ear and instantly we were ushered to a private dining room.

    Alison handled it well and seemed genuinely pleased to see me. After brief introductions James, ever the gentleman, was charming, witty, and by the end of the meal had us all laughing. He excused himself briefly and Alison couldn't contain herself any longer.

    "You're dating Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier? How? When? My god, he's gorgeous!"

    "Living with him, actually, but it's a long story."

Alison did the girl friend squeal and we both laughed as James returned. He had already paid the bill and offered us each an arm. The buzz in the restaurant built up again as we walked to the entrance. A taxi was waiting.