Ready for Love

by Gwyneth Bolton

  Terrill knew before Jason even got started what he was going to ask. And there was no way he was going to let Penny sit through that dinner alone. Plus, Jason had been such a jerk all throughout Big Mama’s wake and funeral.

  As far as Terrill was concerned, Jason deserved to suffer a little.

  “It’ll be awkward.” Terrill gave a halfway shrug. “But honestly, I don’t know how to just not show up when your mother has made her expectations so very clear.” Terrill shrugged again as if he really couldn’t help it and the circumstances were out of his control.

  Jason glared at him before turning and walking away.

  Terrill did laugh then. This trip back home to Jersey was turning out more interesting than any trip before. The only thing missing that would have made it perfect was if a certain little Afro-Latina had been there with him. He wondered what Maritza was doing and what she would say when he called her today.

  Sunday brunch with her second-oldest brother, Victor, always made Maritza’s weekend when they could squeeze it in. The rest of their family was on the East Coast, so she and Victor were the only two from the clan living in Los Angeles.

  At first she had been slightly irritated when her brother the cop moved to Los Angeles. She thought he was just being his overprotective self, which of course he was. But now she was glad to have some family in the vicinity.

  Victor was tall, with a dark-olive complexion and jet-black wavy hair that curled when he let it grow out. People around Los Angeles often mistook him for former L.A. Laker Rick Fox. She guessed it couldn’t hurt her brother in his job as a detective for the LAPD to have movie star good looks. Even though she knew she shouldn’t have favorites, out of all of her brothers, Victor was her favorite.

  They were at a small diner-style restaurant near her downtown loft. They always had their Sunday brunch there, because it reminded them of the kinds of diners they could go to at home. It was even in one of those retro rehabilitated diner buildings. And it served big portions, one of the main reasons Victor always suggested they go there.

  “So what’s been going on with you, baby sis? How’s business?” Victor took a sip of his coffee and focused in on her.

  “I just signed two new high-profile clients all by myself. With Penny out of town for her grandmother’s funeral and all, we couldn’t use our usual routine of having her sweet-talk folks into signing with us.” Maritza laughed and sipped her green tea. She was still reeling from the fact that she had actually signed those clients and hadn’t had to be fake or hold her tongue too much.

  “High-profile, huh? Who’d you sign?” Victor started to dig into his massive Denver omelet. The onions, peppers, mushrooms, ham and cheese made Maritza wish she had gotten that instead of her usual strawberry crepes.

  “Andrew ‘Speed-Lo’ MacGregor and Lace Monroe,” Maritza proclaimed proudly.

  The frown on her big brother’s face said it all. Maritza shook her head as she wondered how the child of two sixties radicals ended up being so judgmental.

  “It’s times like these when I’m glad I decided to move to Los Angeles.” He shook his head in disgust. “After everything that happened, do you really want to take on these kinds of clients? Surround yourself with those kinds of people?”

  His criticism smarted. Maritza pushed her crepes around on the plate and steamed for about a half a second before deciding to just go off.

  “And it’s times like these when I actually regret you moving here, Victor. You’re overprotective to the point of being overbearing. Even Papi and Mom aren’t as overprotective as you. The past is the past. I have moved on and I won’t let the past dictate the rest of my life. I refuse to allow that. And I don’t want to talk about it. So please don’t bring it up again. Working with Andrew and Lace won’t be a problem for me.” She took a deep breath and wondered for half a minute exactly whom she was trying to convince. “Lace’s story is not mine. And Andrew is not the violent man he portrays in his songs. He really is a nice person.”

  “But his songs are vile and the things he talks about doing to his women, to his wife—”

  “They are songs, Victor!” She had to cut him off. If anyone knew how wrong it was to misjudge people, she did. “I know I don’t have to tell my detective brother that there is a difference between rapping about something and doing something, do I? Andrew MacGregor has never been arrested or convicted of any kind of violence against women.” She took a bite of her crepe, closed her eyes for a second and hummed. They were so good. They were light and fluffy and the strawberries added the right amount of sweetness.

  “I’m just saying be careful, will you? That’s all I’m saying. If someone were to hurt my little sister, I’m telling you I would lose my badge because I will kill them.”

  Maritza took a deep breath. He was digging again. Her brother was always digging, trying to get her to tell him what had happened to her all those years ago before he moved to Los Angeles to protect her. She had never told him or anyone else, and that was the way it was going to stay.

  “Let’s just change the subject. I don’t want to talk about the past when my future is so bright I have to wear shades! I signed two of our biggest clients! I am smoking hot. I’m talking don’t-touch-me-unless-you-want-to-get-burned hot, big brother!”

  “And I see my little sister can still use a little improvement in the modesty department.” Victor laughed and shook his head. “I’m proud of you, girl. But be careful!”

  “I know. I know.” She sighed and drank the rest of her tea. She wished he would just leave it alone already. “I got this. New Images by Keys and Morales works with people in the music industry. That’s a large part of our business. And don’t forget, our silent partner is a record company executive.”

  “Yeah, but Terrill is one of the good guys. In fact, knowing he’s around makes me worry about you less. I know he’ll protect you and Penny with his last breath if need be.” Victor spoke with so much certainty it surprised her.

  “Protect me? Huh? You mean protect Penny. I swear that dude needs a cape the way he swoops in to rescue Penny at the slightest hint that something might be wrong.” She realized there was a tiny bit of resentfulness in her voice and she wondered what that was about.

  She didn’t have a problem with Terrill or anyone helping Penny. Her best friend was an amazing person and Maritza knew that she would do anything in her power to help Penny if she needed her.

  So was she jealous that Terrill helped their friend more? Or was it something else? She had a sneaking suspicion that it was something else. But she wasn’t even going there.

  “And you don’t think he would do the same for you?”

  “I don’t care if he would do the same for me and I’m not interested in him doing the same for me. That’s not the point.”

  Was it?

  “If you say so—” Victor got the know-it-all smirk on his face and she was tempted to flick some of the whipped cream left over from her crepes onto him.

  She knew that if she did, though, she would be wearing some of his Denver omelet. One thing the Morales clan never backed down from was a food fight. And her brothers never played fair.

  “I say so. Finish your food and drop this.”

  “Man, I can’t talk about anything with you today. What has you in such a mood?”

  She couldn’t very well tell Victor that Terrill had kissed her, now could she?

  “Anyway…are you going home for Mother’s Day? I think we should surprise Mom and all show up at home.” She hoped that her less-than-subtle change of subject would fly and they could move away from all discussions of the past and any discussion of Terrill Carter.

  To be honest, she didn’t want to face either one.

  “I own an image consulting business. I’m a stylist and a publicist.” Penny smiled at Lawrence.

  “Image? Mmmp. Stylist? Mmmp.” Sophie twisted up her face like she had sucked on a sour lemon.

  Aww, Sophie is getting started again! Terrill wanted to k
ick himself for not factoring in the Sophie factor. He should have known her hateful behind would be at dinner. And she was the last person Penny needed to be exposed to at this point.

  Terrill watched as Jason frowned at his aunt.

  Mrs. Hightower rolled her eyes at Sophie and then turned a smiling face on Penny. “I’ve seen stories in various magazines mention your business. You have a lot of high-profile clients. That must be so exciting.”

  “Yes, Penny and her partner, Maritza Morales, have really built an amazing company. Top-notch.” Terrill gave Sophie a pointed stare before turning to Joel. “Can you please pass the greens and the macaroni?”

  Joel’s face lit up. “Maritza Morales the former video girl? Wow. She is one beautiful woman.” He passed the bowls and Terrill fought back the urge to tell Joel that Maritza was very much off-limits.

  He fixed his mouth in what he hoped passed for a smile and not a sneer. “Yes. Maritza did some videos in the past. That’s how Penny and she met.”

  Penny nodded. “Yeah. I can’t remember which one though. That was a long time ago. Maritza’s great.”

  “She sure is. Thick in all the right places and fine as she wants to be,” Joel agreed.

  Terrill’s left eye twitched a little and he gritted his teeth.

  “Video hoes. Mmmp.” Aunt Sophie twisted up her lips as the ugly word left her mouth.

  “Sophie!” Celia and James snapped in unison with Jason’s outraged “Aunt Sophie!”

  “What? That’s what they call them, isn’t it?” She gave Penny a pointed look.

  Penny glared at Sophie for a moment before taking a deep breath. She then pursed her lips and turned her attention to the other people at the table.

  Terrill could tell that his friend was trying her best to remain respectful and not curse Sophie out. Even Jason, with all the attitude he had been giving Penny this weekend, seemed to be upset with Sophie.

  “So you two remained close in California. That’s good, you can look out for one another.” Joel addressed his question to Terrill, clearly trying to change the subject.

  Terrill smiled. “You know I had to look out for our girl. Couldn’t just leave her to the wolves in Cali.”

  Terrill noticed that Jason’s anger seemed to shift from Aunt Sophie back to him again.

  This guy! Good grief!

  While Terrill threw his head up in disgust for Jason, Jason’s aunt was narrowing in on Terrill.

  “Your mother told Sister Robinson you and Penny weren’t dating anymore. That you must have broken up with her as soon as y’all got to California, because as far as she knew you two weren’t an item.” Aunt Sophie had her lips twisted to the side. “And I took that to mean you were smarter than you looked. But…I guess if you still messing with her.” She glanced at Penny. “Then you’re not.”

  Terrill counted to ten and took a deep breath. Telling Sophie that he and Penny never dated wasn’t his place. Penny was going to have to reveal that when and if she was ever ready to. Telling his mother to stop telling people his business as soon as he got the chance was another story.

  Patrick cleared his throat and reached for the potato salad. “So Penny, you gonna be in town for long?”

  “With all due respect, Aunt Sophie, I think you owe Penny an apology.” Jason snapped.

  Terrill smiled.

  About damn time!

  Penny looked up and stared at Jason and Terrill knew she was probably shocked that Jason was taking up for her. But Terrill knew his friends and he knew they weren’t anywhere near done. Jason and Penny’s feelings ran deep and feelings that deep didn’t just die, no matter how much time had passed and no matter what wrongs they felt had been committed.

  He hoped to be able to love like that one day. He thought he had the woman he could love like that in Maritza. He only hoped that she would give him a chance.

  “I think you should apologize to all of us for ruining a nice Sunday dinner.” James Hightower gave his older sister a stern stare.

  All right, Mr. Hightower! Terrill knew there was a reason he loved the man that had been the only father figure he’d known growing up.

  Unfortunately, having her baby brother and her nephew both chastise her only served to make Sophie angrier.

  “Me? Apologize to her? Mmmp.” Aunt Sophie let out a bitter laugh and then turned a very hateful look on Penny. “I really hate to be a disruption to Sunday dinner. But someone has to be the voice of reason here. The mere fact that Celia has this little…tramp…at the dinner table and let her come within an inch of the food preparation tells me she isn’t playing with a full deck. But I would have thought you would know better, James.” She tsked. “And after the way she dropped you for your best friend and a trip to Los Angeles, I would hope you would know better, Jason. Please tell me you all know better.”

  Penny pushed back her seat and stood. “Mr. and Mrs. Hightower, it has been lovely and I really appreciate your invitation.” She turned to Celia. “I really enjoyed cooking with you. It was so much fun. I do miss you, but I’m sorry I can’t stay here and be insulted.”

  Turning to Terrill, she said, “I know you don’t want to miss out on this lovely meal, but can you take me home now?”

  Terrill placed his napkin on the table and without a moment’s hesitation he was at her side and they were leaving.

  As they sat in front of Big Mama’s house in his rental car, Terrill tried his best to console Penny. He never could stand to see her cry.

  “Penny, I just want you to stop crying. You know I can’t stand to see you cry. That’s how you managed to talk me into helping you in the first place.” Terrill sighed. “Look, I can reschedule some meetings. I don’t have to go back to Los Angeles yet. I can—”

  “No, I’ll be fine. I’m going to settle Big Mama’s affairs and get out of here as soon as I can. I’ll have to get to know my father some other time. Maybe I can set him and Carla up on alternating visitation schedules.” She cracked as much of a smile as she could and hoped she had convinced Terrill she was okay. “Plus, I need you to go back to Los Angeles and keep an eye on Maritza. She’s probably bossing around some very important clients as we speak.”

  Terrill smiled at the thought of Maritza. He couldn’t wait to get back to Los Angeles so that he could really start wooing her. If watching Jason and Penny over the past couple of days had taught him anything at all, it was that he really needed to go after what he wanted with her. Life was too short to live without love.

  “And I’m supposed to help how? Your little business partner can’t stand me.” Terrill chuckled and rubbed his chin. “Although if she thinks I’m keeping an eye on her, that should make her good and mad. And I love making her good and mad.”

  Penny shoved his shoulder. “Play nice, Terrill. I swear you better not do anything to tick her off or she’ll be blowing up my cell phone.”

  Terrill laughed. If he had his way, Maritza wouldn’t have time to be blowing up anyone’s cell phone.

  Yes, it was time to head back to Los Angeles.

  Chapter 4

  Seeing Terrill Carter’s Maybach waiting for her when she left the office on Monday evening shouldn’t have been as much as a shock as it was. Maybe if she had been a little less shocked she would have done something besides get into the car when the driver opened the back door for her.

  She could have thought of something sensible, like the fact that her own Mercedes coupe was waiting for her in the parking lot, or something else more reasonable. At least she wouldn’t have to admit that she had been thinking about him the entire time he was in New Jersey, that she had been thinking about his kiss and looking forward to his calls.

  As it was she was sitting right next to him in his car and was still pretty much shocked and speechless.

  As soon as she stepped into the car, he leaned over and gave her a kiss. She could tell that he meant it to be a quick peck, but a funny thing happened when their lips met.

  After stunned silence, her mouth could
apparently do something after all. It could kiss Terrill.

  Who knew?

  Her lips opened and her tongue darted and ducked back and forth, pressing against his lips and seeking entry, only to fall back and retreat before seeking again. She could have played that game all night until he gently grabbed her tongue between his teeth and held it there, nipping and nibbling on it slowly and seductively.

  She groaned and pressed her body closer to his.

  He pulled her further into an embrace until she was literally sitting on his lap.

  Their kiss took on super-sultry proportions at that point and it felt as if he was trying to consume her, inhale her whole. She could only recognize it because she was doing the same thing. Terrill had become air to her.

  She let her tongue dance around his mouth as if she had all evening to play there. She swayed from the roof to the tongue and tried to touch each and every one of his teeth. He let her play in her new playground until her tongue started getting in the way of the explorations he wanted to do. Then he took control of the kiss and forced her mouth to follow his lead.

  Typically she would have balked at the thought. But today she followed his path, touching and teasing him along the way.

  When they finally pulled apart they did it together.

  “Damn, I’ve missed you, Maritza.”

  She didn’t know what she expected him to say after kissing her senseless. But she did know that she could have probably come up with a smart comment for just about everything but that.

  She could lie.

  Perhaps say something glib like, Well, I didn’t miss you… Or she could fall into her typical M.O. and catch an attitude full of righteous indignation for his kissing her once again without asking, without even seeing if she wanted to kiss him. But she wasn’t that good of an actress. There was no lying about how much she wanted that kiss and more.

  When she remained silent, he smiled. “Kissing you does shut you up, huh?” He chuckled and the sound of his laughter made her smile.