by Reese Ryan
“Not really.” She shook her head, and some of the sadness had returned. “I’m still trying to process the fact that I’m going to be a grandparent. That my baby girl is going to be a mother. It still seems so surreal to me.”
“Me too,” he admitted. “My son is a good, responsible kid, but a father?” Trey whistled. Then held up a hand. “Don’t get me wrong. I believe with my entire heart and soul that Jamil is going to be one hell of a dad. He comes from a long line of strong, Black fathers who were actively involved in raising their kids. So he’s had plenty of good examples to draw from. Still, it’s crazy to think my son is responsible for making and caring for a tiny human being.”
“I know exactly what you mean.” Lita’s voice was faint. “I feel the same about Meeka. Then again, neither of us was prepared to become a parent either. Our parents probably felt the same about us, but we’ve managed just fine. At least, that’s what I keep trying to convince myself.” She laughed softly.
“And it’s true. Honestly, Jamil is smarter and more mature at this age than I was. They’re going to be fine, Lita. We all are.” He opened the box, and the scent of berries wafted out.
“Hmm…that pie smells so good. I definitely need to save some room for that.” Lita ate the final bite of her three-bean salad, then stood to collect their plates.
“What are you doing, woman?” he asked.
She laughed. “Gathering the plates, of course.”
“You’re a guest. You don’t need to clean the table. I’ve got it.”
“I’m staying the rest of the summer. In my house, I don’t play that. If you’re staying more than three days, you’re part of the family, and you need to start cleaning up after yourself.”
Trey laughed. He could certainly see Ms. Lita putting her foot down with any family members who thought they were going to hang out at her house for a week while she cleaned up after them.
“Okay, you make a good point.” He picked up the knife and sliced into the pie. “But how about you wait until after dessert? Then we can clean up this mess together.”
Lita set the dishes aside and sat down again. “Now that seems fair.”
Trey cut a slice for each of them, and Lita handed him a fork. Then they both dug in.
“No wonder my daughter couldn’t wait to return here for the summer. Did you feed her like this when she visited last year?” Lita shoveled another bite of the pie into her mouth.
“It’s the only way we know how to eat around here.” Trey grinned. “Life is too short to eat bad food or to spend it in bad company.”
“Amen to that.” Lita stood. “Water?”
“Please.” He fought the urge to tell her to sit down and he’d get it for her. Lita was going to be here for eight weeks. He wanted her to feel like she was at home. “The glasses are in that cabinet, and there’s a water dispenser in the refrigerator door.”
Lita got each of them a glass of water and returned to the table. She stared out the window at the evening sky. “The moon is so beautiful tonight, and it’s cooled down quite a bit. I’ll bet this is a beautiful time of night to go for a walk on the beach.”
“It is,” he agreed. “In fact, Neeko and I usually go for a walk around sunset each night. That’s where we were coming from when you arrived.” He thought about it for a minute. “Would you like to go for a walk when we’re done? Maybe walk off some of this pie?”
“It’s late, and I know you’ve got a busy day tomorrow.”
“Lita, I’d love to go for a walk on the beach with you tonight,” Trey said. “It relaxes me and helps me sleep better. So if you’d like to go for a walk—”
“I do,” she said quickly. “If it’s not too much trouble.”
“Then that’s what we’ll do.”
They chatted about the real estate market in Pleasure Cove and some of the highlights of the town as they ate their pie and then put everything away and washed the dishes. Then he grabbed Neeko’s leash. They locked up the house and went for a stroll on the moonlit beach.
Chapter 9
Lita stood at the edge of the Atlantic Ocean in her bare feet as the tide washed up on the shore and wet her feet and legs. She was definitely going to need another shower to get all the sand from between her toes and off her legs, but it would be worth it.
The moon was gorgeous. The gentle breeze was lovely. And the cool water splashing on her legs and feet was so refreshing.
“I can see why you moved here twenty years ago.” Lita looked out into the darkness over the water. “I’d be in heaven if this was the view across the street from my house and I could come out here and go for a walk whenever I felt like it. I’d probably never leave home.”
She walked back to where Trey had sat down on a dry area of the beach. Neeko sat beside him, watching the waves as they licked the shore.
Lita plopped down in the sand on the other side of Neeko and stroked the dog’s ears.
“It is beautiful,” Trey agreed. “The value has gone up quite a bit, and I’ve gotten several offers on the place. But I haven’t been able to bring myself to sell it. The location is amazing, and there are just so many memories.” He stared out at the water, his folded arms balanced on his knees. “But as beautiful as it is, sometimes it’s nice to get a different perspective. So I’ve started doing some of the traveling I didn’t get to do when I was younger.”
“Where have you traveled so far?”
“Brazil—”
“Of course.” Every middle-aged man she knew wanted to go to the tits-and-ass fest there.
“I know what you’re thinking.” He chuckled. “But I went there to see the Amazon, not for the women.”
“You’ve been to the Amazon Rainforest?” Lita glided her hand down Neeko’s warm back, and he laid his head on her lap. “I’ve always wanted to visit.”
“You should,” he said. “It was a remarkable experience. I’m glad I went when I did. Before the fire ravaged so much of it.”
Lita’s heart broke when she thought of all of the people and animals that had been destroyed and displaced. “What other places have you visited?” She rubbed Neeko’s head.
“Maccu Picchu, Alaska, and I’ve been considering doing a tour of Europe next fall. I’m apparently a man of limited interests.” He chuckled. “So when I’m not buying and selling buildings, I’m fascinated by exploring great old buildings. I’d like to visit the Vatican and some of the historic sites in Europe.”
Lita’s eyes widened. “I’ve always wanted to do that too,” she said excitedly. “I haven’t done it yet because I didn’t want to go alone. Meeka’s been busy—more than I knew, apparently.” They both laughed. “And my friends are more into visiting the beach or going to carnivals and music festivals. So none of them are interested in touring Europe.”
She stared at him for a moment, then turned to look at the water, not saying aloud the thing she was thinking.
Maybe we could visit Europe together.
No, no, and no. Being here with Trey now was a risky enough move. But traveling Europe with him? That was a truly disastrous idea.
Since Trey didn’t suggest it either, he obviously realized what a bad idea it was too. Or maybe the reason he preferred to travel alone was so he’d be free to engage in casual hookups in the places he visited. Either way…it was an idea she shouldn’t entertain. Not even for a moment.
“I should get you back to the house.” Trey sprung to his feet suddenly. He extended a hand to her, pulling her up from the sand.
But with Neeko underfoot, Lita got tangled in the dog’s leash and stumbled into Trey, crashing against his hard body.
He grabbed her to keep her from faceplanting into the sand. She was glad she wasn’t wearing makeup. If she had been, it would be smeared all over his white shirt.
“I’m so sorry.” Lita extracted herself from his arms. “I can walk on five-inch heels, no problem. But apparently I can’t handle walking barefoot on the beach.”
“That’s right�
�your shoes.” Trey stooped down to pick them up. Still squatting, he held one shoe out.
“That’s sweet of you, Trey. But I can put my own shoes on.”
“I know.” The man clearly wasn’t budging.
Lita placed a hand on his shoulder and slipped one foot into the shoe and then the other. “Thank you.”
He stood to his full height again and shortened Neeko’s leash. “My pleasure. Now, let’s get you home to bed. I mean…your bed…of course.”
They both laughed. It was a nervous laugh that let her know he was as weirded out by the entire situation as she was. Still, she was glad she’d accepted Trey’s invitation for the summer.
They walked back to the house in no hurry, despite the late hour. She enjoyed Trey’s company. More than she’d enjoyed the company of any man she’d seen in a very long time.
Everything she’d gotten to know about him indicated that Trey was a genuinely good guy, a great father, and a reputable businessman. That he was an invaluable part of the Pleasure Cove community. And that he shared many of her interests and cared about many of the causes that were important to her. Her friends were right, Trey Hampton checked off several of the boxes on her wish list.
Too bad he was off limits.
“So, what’s your game plan for tomorrow?” Trey asked as they waited to cross the street to his house.
Ahh…reality.
Floating inside of this happy bubble had made her forget momentarily why she was really here. She needed to both get her daughter to communicate with her again and try to talk her out of getting married at the end of the summer. Then there was that part about becoming a grandmother.
“Lita.” Trey took her by the hand, and they hustled across the street before another car came. “You okay?” he asked, still holding her hand. “I didn’t mean to stress you out by asking about Meeka.”
“No, it’s fine.” She waved him off with her free hand. “I just… It was nice to spend a couple of hours not obsessing about the fact that I’ve apparently failed my daughter.”
She’d been fooling herself all this time, thinking she was a great mother. Because when her daughter had faced the biggest dilemma of her life she felt she couldn’t talk to her. That reality hit Lita hard. Her eyes burned with tears suddenly. She hurried toward the house, pulling away from him.
“Hey.” Trey tightened his grip on her hand, tugging her closer to him. “You haven’t failed Meeka.”
“You’re just saying that because you don’t want some woman being hyperemotional and crying on your doorstep.” She laughed bitterly, sniffling and wiping away the wetness in the corners of her eyes.
Trey cupped her cheek, his dark eyes staring into hers. “I’m saying it because I mean it. I know you haven’t had the chance to get to know my son. But I have had the chance to get to know your daughter. She’s a gem. Marriage and fatherhood isn’t what I’d imagined for Jamil at this stage of the game, either. But if he had to do this, I can’t imagine him being with anyone who’s sweeter and more wonderful than Meeka. And for the record, I don’t say things I don’t mean. Ever.”
Lita stared up at his dark eyes and leaned into the comfort of his touch. She blinked, knowing she should just thank him and walk away. But she couldn’t separate herself from his warmth. And she couldn’t stop wanting another taste of the firm lips she’d been dreaming about since their kiss one week ago. Lita clutched his white T-shirt and lifted onto her toes, pressing her mouth to his.
Trey leaned into the kiss, sliding his firm lips over hers. His large hand lightly gripped the back of her neck. When she parted her lips, his tongue sought hers, and an inadvertent murmur escaped her mouth. The hand that held the leash wrapped around her waist, bringing their lower bodies flush.
Lita gasped slightly at the sensation of his steely length pressed against her belly through his board shorts. She leaned into it shamelessly. Loved knowing that she had this much power over him. That he wanted her as much as she wanted him.
Her skin was hot and tingled wherever his skin touched hers. The heat and wetness between her thighs increased as their kiss became more intense.
Suddenly Neeko barked, and it broke the spell the two of them had fallen under.
“Good evening, Trey.” A man and woman who were walking their dog passed by. The man flashed Trey a knowing smile.
She thought he would jump away from her. He didn’t. He kept his arm wrapped around her waist and tipped his chin in their direction.
“Good evening, Rick and Dawn.” He waved. “This is my…friend, Lita Woods. She’ll be staying with us this summer.”
“Nice to meet you, Lita,” they both said as they continued toward the beach.
“Nice to meet you too.” Lita waved politely, then covered her face once they’d walked away. “You told them my name?”
“Why wouldn’t I?” Trey shrugged, still holding on to her waist. “We’re grown, Lita. We can do whatever the hell we want. Besides, I’m not ashamed of kissing a beautiful woman I’m absolutely into.” He grazed her cheek with this thumb.
Lita’s heart hammered in her chest, her breath hitching as she stared into his dark eyes, his body heat warming her against the cool, gentle breeze.
She wanted to kiss him again. To ask him to invite her to his room. To do all the things she’d been imagining since the last time they’d kissed. But the circumstances hadn’t changed. And the two of them hooking up wasn’t a good look. So she needed to keep her libido and wild fantasies about this man’s lips at bay.
Lita shook her head and stepped backward, out of his embrace. She swallowed hard, her pulse racing and her hands trembling. “We can’t do this.”
What was it about this man that left her feeling like a giddy teen every damn time? She was Lita Freaking Woods. The woman who breezed into bars and politely shot down the men who approached. Sent the busters who wouldn’t take no for an answer down in flames.
She did not get giddy and shook. She’d spent the past five years regaining her confidence after a marriage that had stripped her of every ounce of it. So she didn’t like feeling unsure and indecisive. That wasn’t who she was anymore.
She was a businesswoman and a mother. And she’d soon be a grandmother. She did not have time for whatever this was. And yet she’d initiated it by kissing him.
Lita ran her fingers through her hair and sighed. “I think you’re right. I’m tired and I should get to bed. Before I do something we’ll both regret.”
One corner of his mouth turned up in a sad smile. His voice was a sultry whisper. “For the record, I wouldn’t regret it. If our kids are grown and can do as they please, the same should apply to us. I think we’ve both earned a little happiness, don’t you?”
Yes.
Lita swallowed hard, unable to utter the word out loud, regardless of how much her heart and body wanted her to. “Good night, Trey.” She reached down to pet Neeko, who waited patiently by his master’s side. Lita patted the dog’s sleek side. “Good night, boy.”
Trey heaved a quiet sigh. Then he punched some numbers in the keypad—showing her what they were so she could access the garage during her stay.
When the garage door slowly rose, she cast another good night over her shoulder as she hurried inside and back up to her room.
Lita hopped into the shower to wash the sand and seawater from her skin and tried not to think about the fact that Trey Hampton made her feel things she hadn’t in such a long time.
She was here for her daughter and for her future grandbaby. Not for a summer hookup—no matter how fine he might be. And certainly not for a relationship with a man who lived several hours away.
She just needed to stay focused for a few weeks. Until she could convince Meeka that marriage could wait. She should return home with her for now, so they could figure this all out.
But when her head finally hit the pillow, she tossed and turned. Their kiss replayed in her head over and over again.
Chapter 10
Trey awoke well before the sun rose. He put on one of the countless NCCU T-shirts he’d purchased in the three years his son had been attending the HBCU, his running shorts, and a pair of running shoes. Then he roused his faithful canine companion, who was none too happy about their new late-night, early-morning routine.
He quietly padded to the kitchen, where he made himself a protein drink. Then he and Neeko headed to the beach. A few people were already out jogging or going for a quiet stroll.
Trey hadn’t run a lot the past few years. He’d been content to go for a brisk daily walk or two with Neeko. But today he felt the need to run as hard and fast as he could.
He wasn’t sure if the need was fueled by the knowledge that he’d soon be a grandfather, which made him feel…old. Or because he was trying to outrun his growing feelings for his son’s future mother-in-law.
Lita Woods was fine. She could hold her own against women of any age. But the fact that she was a sophisticated, grown-ass businesswoman with whom he shared similar interests…Lita was his unicorn—the woman he didn’t believe existed. The woman who could tempt him into considering a long-term commitment again.
Trey ran harder and faster. The shifting sand tired his muscles, which hadn’t been pushed this hard in a long time. Neeko picked up the pace, running beside him as the waters licked the shore.
Out of all the women in the world, this had to be the woman he wanted.
When Lita had excitedly expressed a desire to explore Europe, he’d practically had to bite his tongue to keep from suggesting they explore Europe together. Ignoring the serendipity of them both wanting to take the trip, but lacking a travel companion, seemed foolish. Still, given everything that had—and hadn’t—happened between them thus far, it had apparently been a good move.
After all, she could’ve suggested it. But she hadn’t. Lita had, however, looked to him expectantly. As if she’d wanted him to invite her to travel with him. But given her reaction after their second kiss, it was a good call. So they’d make their dream trip solo, or not at all.
