by Naima Simone
All of his focus needed to be on the next couple of hours. Not the woman whose scent still lingered in the hallway.
Whose almost-kiss he could still taste.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“THE MINUTES HAVE been distributed to all of you,” Cole said from his seat in the middle of the table. The five members of the town council sat on either side of him. “Are there any corrections that need to be made?”
Four no’s immediately met his question, but one lone person remained silent. Cole smothered an irritated sigh. He refused to let Jasper Landon see that he could get to Cole. The former mayor would jump on that and run with it.
As Jasper took his time and read through the minutes that had been emailed to each council member almost a week ago, Cole leaned back in his chair and reminded himself that his mother and father sat in the hall where the meeting was being held, so he couldn’t swear. He scanned the room, locating his parents, Leo and Wolf. While his brother and sisters took turns attending the bimonthly meetings, Moe and Ian had attended each one since he’d been elected to show their unconditional support. He suspected his father came to make sure Moe didn’t snatch up Jasper Landon and shake him like a rag doll.
Cole shifted his attention away from her and on to Sydney, who sat next to Leo. An electrical pulse popped and sizzled down his spine.
It’d been a shock to see her walk in with his family. Even more disconcerting had been the strand of satisfaction that threaded under the surprise, the sense that she belonged with them.
She did. Sydney had been an honorary member of his family since Leo had first brought her home.
Yeah, that’s what he was telling himself.
“Oh, stop it, Jasper,” Eva Wright snapped, releasing the sigh Cole had restrained. “You’ve had the minutes for a week, just as long as we have. And I know damn well you’ve ripped it apart since then, looking for something to complain about. Since you haven’t voiced your opinion yet, then there isn’t anything to change. Just vote already.”
Jasper’s head jerked up and he slid a narrowed look at Eva. He rolled his thin lips inward, but he didn’t reply. Even Jasper, who considered himself better than everyone, respected Eva Wright. Or maybe he was just afraid of her. With her cap of gray curls and whipcord frame, the older Black woman was at least in her midseventies. But her smooth, nearly unlined face and firecracker personality made the longtime Rose Bend resident and day care owner seem much younger. She’d been a council member for years, and she had no problem shutting Jasper down and putting him in his place.
“I see no corrections,” Jasper finally said.
“Thank you.” Cole nodded at the secretary, who noted the time and approval. “If there are no corrections, then the minutes are approved as distributed. The meeting is now open for new business.”
For the next half hour, Mr. Thompson, who had also never missed a meeting as long as Cole could remember, stood and complained about garbage not being picked up as frequently on his street as the one over, and his street hadn’t been paved when the one over had been. Another resident suggested nominating St. John’s Catholic Church as a state historical landmark.
When no one else stepped up to the mic, Cole propped his clasped hands on the table and leaned forward. “As indicated on the agenda, I’ve decided on my appointment for police chief.” Appointment of certain positions such as police and fire chief as well as several department heads fell under Cole’s list of mayoral powers. “I’m appointing Clarissa Ruiz as the chief of the Rose Bend Police Department.”
The room erupted in spontaneous applause, and the middle-aged woman dressed in a dark green dress and black blazer rose from her seat near the back of the room. Smiling, she nodded, and her smile widened when Cole’s father added a loud dog whistle to the thunderous praise.
When the clapping died down, Jasper cleared his throat, and Cole braced himself, a weight the size of a boulder settling in his stomach. He’d expected this. Was prepared for it. But damn, anger still smoldered behind his sternum.
“If I may,” Jasper began, wearing what Cole labeled his “you poor, ignorant schmuck” expression—a cross between a smile and a smirk. “While I respect your choice, and no offense to Ms. Ruiz, but I must respectfully disagree with your appointment.” Jasper twisted slightly in his chair, looking out across the room as if surveying his kingdom and its citizens. “I realize it’s most likely due to your...limited experience as mayor, but appointment of important positions such as police chief cannot be taken lightly. Yes, Ms. Ruiz is a wonderful policewoman, but is she the strongest candidate? It might be politically correct to place a woman and,” he coughed into his fist, “a minority into this office, but is it best for Rose Bend? I mean, diversity for diversity’s sake doesn’t really benefit anyone, does it?”
“Says the white, straight, wealthy, Christian male,” Eva grumbled.
Rage so hot, so bright it could’ve been its own star, flared inside of Cole. For a moment, it incinerated his voice and consumed his vision, hell, his brain. Inside his head, a deafening drum pounded, and he almost lost his composure.
But as Jasper turned back around and smugly stared into Cole’s eyes, clarity rained a fine mist over his fury, watering down the crimson veil to a faded pink. His fury. That’s what the asshole wanted. More accurately, Jasper wanted Cole to lash out and become the Angry Latino Man so Jasper could go, “Look, I told you he didn’t have the temperament, the character, the control to be mayor.”
While Daryl Barnes, owner of The Ride, the motorcycle apparel shop, or Henry Kingston, council member and bank president, could get away with losing their tempers, Cole couldn’t. Angry men of color were to be feared; they were out of control...animals. They lost their intellect and didn’t belong in positions of power. The fact was, if Cole allowed Jasper to goad him into reacting, he not only hurt his own reputation as the first nonwhite mayor, but would harm the chances of other men and women of color who came behind him. Sometimes Cole feared buckling under the weight of the expectation, of being the vanguard...of failing.
But tonight, he wouldn’t buckle.
“I have to agree with Jasper,” Henry chimed in, leaning back in his chair and folding his hands over his ample stomach. Of course Henry agreed with the former mayor. That was his role on this council. Cosigning whatever check Jasper issued. “No disrespect to Ms. Ruiz—”
“But you are disrespecting Captain Ruiz,” Cole interrupted, stressing the title she had earned. “I hear your concerns, but no offense,” and he gave the two men the same insincere smile they’d offered him, “they’re not valid. Captain Ruiz has been a member of the police department for nineteen years. She’s most likely served or assisted every person in this room and at this table in some capacity over that time. Patrol for seven years. Detective for twelve. Sergeant. Lieutenant. Captain. And in the last two years before Chief Leonard retired, his right hand. There isn’t anyone more qualified for this position.”
He refused to even lower himself to address that “diversity for diversity’s sake” bullshit.
“Not that Cole needs our approval, since appointing a police chief is one of his responsibilities as mayor,” Daryl drawled in his deep, rumbling voice. “But I support Captain Ruiz’s promotion. She’s a fine officer and even better leader. Congrats, Captain. I hate that we’re having this conversation like you’re not here.”
Captain Ruiz nodded, her expression composed, but her dark gaze flicked to Cole, and she offered him a subtle lift of her chin.
“Next for new business, I’d like to discuss the construction of an elder and children’s care center,” Cole continued. “Right now, we don’t have a community center. And with many of our residents being working parents, caretakers of elderly relatives or older citizens who would benefit from programs geared toward their health and welfare, the town needs this kind of facility.”
“What location are you sugg
esting?” Caroline asked from the other side of Daryl.
“Out on Langford Road. The lot there has been available for a couple of years.”
“Most of the day cares here have limited space, and not much in the way of after-school care. A center would be ideal for those children as well as provide summer programs for children whose parents work,” Eva added.
“I know for a fact my mom and her circle of friends would love a place to meet up, and some short day trips. Sometimes our older generation is forgotten when it comes to care,” Daryl said.
“I hate to be a dissenting voice,” Jasper interjected with a condescending chuckle.
“Do you really?” Daryl cocked a bushy salt-and-pepper eyebrow.
Jasper didn’t acknowledge the other man’s question but continued, “I realize this little project was one of your campaign promises, but the budget for the year doesn’t allow for construction of this magnitude. Not to mention money to staff a center.”
“Oh, Jasper,” Eva muttered. “You must be so tired.”
He frowned. “Tired of what?”
“Of being a pompous ass.”
A few snickers erupted from the people gathered in the room, and Cole slowly counted back from ten, biting the inside of his cheek to contain his own laughter.
Jasper glared at the older woman. “That was uncalled for, Mrs. Wright,” he snapped.
“Then stop begging for it,” she shot back.
“Okay, order,” Cole intervened, although he would’ve really loved to watch Eva tear Jasper apart.
“Sorry, Cole,” Eva said.
She didn’t apologize to Jasper. God, he loved this woman.
“As I was saying,” Jasper ground out. “It’s a nice idea, but not fiscally possible.”
“We have the culture and recreation fund just for projects like this. The proposal I emailed to every member clearly outlines an estimate of—”
“Yes, I read your proposal,” Jasper interrupted. “And as...informative as it was, the culture and recreation fund is specifically set aside for parks, libraries and our annual festivals. To pilfer that account would be reckless.”
Pilfer. The asshole just basically called him a thief.
“Jasper—” Cole growled.
“Um, excuse me.”
At the sound of that voice, Cole glanced away from Jasper and settled his gaze on Sydney, who stood at the front of the room behind the floor mic.
“Young lady, you’re out of order,” Jasper objected sharply.
“Jasper, as mayor, I’m running this meeting,” Cole said, voice flat. It was one thing to disrespect him, but he’d be damned if he allowed this jerk to disrespect Sydney. “And every citizen of this town who needs to speak has the right to do so. Sydney, please.” He waved, indicating for her to continue.
“This young lady thanks you,” Sydney said, and when she deliberately turned toward the rest of the council, basically giving Jasper her back, she somehow became even sexier to him. “If I may offer a compromise to the funding issue. I am a contractor with Grant Resources, a nationally recognized organization. I’ve successfully written grants for corporations and nonprofits and am willing to write one for the proposed community center. And you don’t have to worry about paying me out of the budget. My fee will come from the grant. If it’s not awarded, then I won’t charge one.”
“Are you sure, Sydney?” Caroline asked. “That’s a lot of work with the chance of not being compensated.”
Sydney held up a hand. “I have a seventy percent success rate. And I’m also free for the next few weeks. Use me.”
“This is highly irregular,” Jasper protested loudly, jabbing the table for emphasis. “And besides the breach in protocol, what do we know about her qualifications other than what she’s told us? Are we really placing the plans and funds for a town facility in the hands of a—”
“Watch yourself, Jasper,” Cole warned the other man, voice calm. Ominous.
The other man’s mouth parted, reminding Cole of a gasping fish, before his lips snapped closed, deep brackets appearing on either side of them.
The man could fume all he wanted, just like the overgrown toddler he was. But if he tried to turn that scalpel-like tongue on Sydney again, Cole had no problem putting him in time-out.
“Jasper has a point,” Henry began, stammering as he glanced between his friend and Cole. “With a potential project this size, shouldn’t we—”
“That’s what a résumé is for, right?” Daryl asked, his tone so dry it fairly crackled. “And references?”
“I have no problem providing both,” Sydney said.
Cole nodded. “Do we have a motion for Sydney Collins to write a grant for a community center?”
“Yes, I move,” Eva said.
“I second it,” Caroline affirmed.
“It has been moved and seconded that Sydney Collins will provide a résumé and references to the town council and then work on a grant for a proposed community center for elders and children on Langford Road. Is there any further discussion?” Cole asked.
“Yes, further discussion is needed,” Jasper blustered, a red flush staining his face. “I can’t—”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Jasper.” Eva slapped her palms down on the table and leaned forward, peering around Cole to pin the other man with a scowl that would’ve given Attila the Hun pause. “Is there any more valid discussion other than the petty objections you’ve raised that have more to do with Cole being mayor than an unprejudiced, reasonable position?”
Daryl’s soft bark of laughter echoed like a foghorn in the suddenly silent room. At the end of the table, crimson suffused Jasper’s face. Damn, the man was apoplectic.
But he remained quiet.
Such was the power of Eva Wright.
“Since there’s no further discussion,” Cole continued, impressed that none of the laughter that crowded into his throat shook his voice. “We’ll now vote on the motion. All in favor say, ‘aye.’”
Three “ayes” emerged from Eva, Daryl and Caroline.
“All opposed say, ‘nay.’”
Jasper’s clipped “nay” preceded Henry’s mumbled response.
“With a vote of three to two, the motion is passed,” Cole concluded. “Do we have any more new business?”
The meeting progressed, but before Sydney turned and reclaimed her seat, their gazes caught. Satisfaction, relief, admiration, gratitude, pride—they all barreled through him in a turbulent jumble. And just underneath...simmered that ever-present, reckless need. It lingered, like coals that refused to be banked.
Because God knows, he’d tried.
She could so easily destroy him. Steal what little peace he’d managed to amass in the last two years. Plummet him into an abyss of fear and pain.
The terrifying part? He would be a willing sacrifice in his own emotional demise.
And yet, acknowledging that very real and alarming possibility, a part of him still whispered, take the risk. Take her.
Use me.
Those had been her words. And just thinking about them caused his cock to thump against his zipper, interpreting those two words in a completely different way from how they were meant. And apparently, his mind was on board because images—images of sweat-dampened sheets, tangled limbs, throaty moans and straining bodies—bombarded him.
Use her.
That’s what he would be doing, too. Using her to purge this inconvenient but relentless, grinding lust. Using her to escape himself for a little while. Using her to feel again.
She deserved better than to be his receptacle, his drug.
But God help him, he didn’t know if he was good enough not to ask her to give him that release. That forgetfulness.
No.
He deliberately turned away from the sight of her. Forced his focus back to the rezo
ning discussion.
Undoubtedly, he could find sweet oblivion in Sydney’s body. He could satisfy the lust that had roared awake inside him since first gazing down at her beautiful face—his sin made even more sacrilegious considering they’d been yards from his wife’s and son’s graves.
But were those hours of forgetfulness worth the harm, the pain, the possible loss that could bury him?
Hell no. Been there. Done that.
Not looking for a repeat.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
“OH MY GOD, I can’t believe this day is finally here. I’m so excited!”
Sydney grinned at Cecille’s happy squeal that was accompanied by a fist pump and a dance that was somewhere between the twist and a twerk. On the other side of Sydney, Leo snickered.
“She’s just excited to be free of her kids for the day,” her friend drawled, a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth.
“Yes, dammit,” Cecille crowed. “I have zero shame in admitting it. No kids, no men and a motorcycle rally. How does this day get any better?”
A throat cleared, and the three of them turned to find Wolf, who aimed a mock scowl in their direction. “Excuse me. I am standing right here. Very much a man.”
“Oh yes, you are, sweetie. And with a beard and manly muscles to prove it,” Cecille cooed, reaching back to pat his cheek. “Now, go get Mama a beer so she can get this day started off right. Oh, jewelry!” With another squeal, she darted off in the direction of the vendor booths.
“Wow.” Wolf stared after the jubilant woman, eyes wide and lips parted in awe. “I’m gonna go get that beer. I want one, too, but mainly because I’m too scared not to.”
Leo cackled, and Sydney choked back a laugh at the sight of this big, bearded lumberjack of a man cringing in trepidation at one petite woman who ran an ice cream shop.
As Wolf strode off across The Glen’s freshly mowed grass, Sydney snatched a moment to survey the changes that had occurred since Cole had brought her here just a short week ago.
