She stood slowly and rubbed her aching leg. Well, whatever her neighbor wanted, he wouldn’t get it. She would make sure of it.
Chapter 3
The week passed quickly, and May made sure to try and weed as much as she could in the morning while the ground had still been moist. It simply made things easier. She emailed her proposal to Spades Hardware and waited for the owner’s reply. There were at least a dozen more accounts to deal with on her desk.
May reached behind her and opened up the mini refrigerator. She popped the top on another diet soda and looked at her desk. Tomorrow, she would drive to the town’s newest business and meet with all the proprietors of the latest flower nursery. Today’s work almost done.
The ache in her leg had been less fierce today, May was grateful. The day after the storm brought all sorts of pain that only a damn pain pill could alleviate. It rather pissed her off. She spent the entire day practically catatonic in her bed.
May closed her eyes. Almost five. Time to call her professional work day done and go find something to eat. She cracked her eyes open. No news from her neighbor or his escape artist niece. It had been a quiet week.
If it stayed dry, she would work on the furniture this weekend. Maybe price some stone at the local home improvement store. Get a feel for how she wanted to spend the next couple of days.
She transplanted the ivy yesterday, and it now curled and meandered along the backside of her gazebo.
“A good day,” she murmured and stood slowly. May grabbed her diet soda and shuffled to her kitchen. The temperatures were mild still. Not horrid heat to ruin her evening plans of dining on the patio.
“And what do I want?” May frowned and pulled open the cabinets open. She cocked her head to the side. “And why does everything look like too much of a hassle or something I don’t want?”
“Talking to yourself?”
May shrieked and spun around as quickly as she could manage.
Chandler stood there in a light blue T-shirt and blue jeans.
“For the love of God!” May glared at him. “I realize you’ve been here a couple of times, but I would really appreciate a knock or something.”
He nodded. “As would I. And I tried that. Twice. No answer. And here you are, quite obviously at home.” Chandler paused. “By the way, talking to oneself is a sign of intelligence and creativity.”
May scowled and slammed the cabinet doors shut. Her mood went straight south when she realized how much she enjoyed looking at her neighbor. “Thanks for the insight. Is there something you need?”
Chandler grinned and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’ve never seen you out of sorts. You’re usually in control of all situations. This is fascinating.”
May took a deep breath to steady herself. No matter that she could feel Chandler’s lips on hers. Oh, screw this. “Listen, Chandler. Thanks for dropping by. And actually, there is something I’d like to talk to you about.”
“Sure.” He nodded, and his chocolate eyes studied her. “After I make you dinner.”
May blinked. “Pardon me?”
“I,” Chandler thumped his chest once, “will endeavor to make you a meal. I have poison control on speed dial. No worries.”
The laughter at his words bubbled up before she could stop it. “Oh, that’s rich. Thanks. An offer of dinner followed by the assurance of poison control on speed dial. Geez.”
He shrugged easily. “I aim to please.” He walked over to her and tucked her hand in his arm. “I say we go over to Chez Hughes and see what I’ve got cooking.”
Curiosity warred with caution. When was the last time she had a home-cooked meal made by someone else? May blinked. Had she ever?
Chandler took advantage of her momentary lapse to propel her toward her own patio doors. He patted her hand reassuringly. “I’ve been working on this all week. And I think I’ve made sufficient progress.” He glanced at her. “It’s not fine dining, but I thought I could work my way up to that.”
“I’m sure it will be fine.” May let him lead her across her yard and into his own. Chandler let go of her hand momentarily to open his side door. It led directly to his kitchen. May inhaled deeply. Well, whatever it is, it smells delicious.
Earthy tones to match the man filled the space. May looked at all the shiny new appliances and the walnut table and cabinets.
“This is nice.”
“Thanks.” Chandler escorted her to the table and pulled out a chair. “I don’t spend a lot of time in here, but I’ve always been fascinated with throwing a meal together. I figured it couldn’t be any harder than designing a video game.” He grinned and opened the stove. “A pinch of this. A pinch of that. And here you have it.” He put the lovely meatloaf on the counter and winked at her. Then he lifted the lid of one of the pots on the stove and stirred something.
“We are ready.”
May watched with a smile on her face as he put her plate and silverware in front of her and lovely light brown napkins with a gold napkin ring. Then he set down two coasters and put two sparkling glasses on them.
“You set a fine table.”
Chandler chuckled. “Thanks. My mom knew how to pull out all the stops. That’s where I got the napkin rings.” He turned back to his stove and stirred another pot. “Okay. Want me to make your plate?”
“Sure.” May handed the plate over. “But not too much.”
Chandler loaded her plate up and then his own. He carried both back over to the table and sat down.
There was a lovely piece of meatloaf surrounded by creamy mashed potatoes and fresh green beans. Chandler muttered and stood. Then he brought a small wicker basket over and lifted the towel off of it. Light brown buttered rolls steamed in front of her.
“What would you like to drink?”
“Do you have a nice red?”
Chandler brought a bottle over and poured hers and then his own.
May shook her head. “You’re a man of many talents. This is absolutely lovely.” She lightly salted her plate and then dug her fork into the potatoes.
Chandler watched her eagerly.
May smiled and gave him the thumbs-up sign.
His sigh was audible. And then he began to eat.
After a couple bites, May motioned to the plate. “How did you come to be a man who can put something like this together in a week?”
“Cable.”
May threw back her head and laughed. Too delicious. She lowered her head and wiped her eyes. “Cable?”
“Sure.” Chandler took a sip of wine and shrugged easily. “I have a hell of a memory. I turned on one of the food networks and learned a bit about the culinary arts.”
“It’s absolutely delicious.” May took a bite of her roll and shook her head. “I appreciate the repayment, by the way. And if I’d known you were capable of this, I would’ve asked sooner.”
“Open door.” Chandler smiled and took another sip of wine.
The food seemed to thicken in her throat. Now would be a good time to clear the air. May cleared her throat. “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about, Chandler.”
“Sure.” His brown eyes studied hers. “Anything.”
“About the other day.”
His eyes darkened. “Yes?”
“I realize I’m a little out of touch with the younger generation.” Chandler simply stared at her. “But I’m not comfortable with shallow displays of affection.” Chandler arched an eyebrow. May sighed. “I don’t know if it’s acceptable to you to casually kiss someone like that. But a kiss to me means something different.”
“And what does it mean, May?” His voice dangerously soft.
May sighed. “It means affection or attachment.”
“What a coincidence. That’s what it means to me.” Chandler’s eyes darkened to a rich chocolate. “I thought I had been clear in my intentions.” His voice deepened. “Silly me. I’ll do better next time.”
And then he leaned into her. Chandler’s hand captured the b
ack of her neck while his other hand fanned along her jawbone. And when his lips met hers, May knew herself to be in trouble.
This not a “hello” or “good-bye” kiss.
Chandler’s lips pressed against hers while his tongue traced the seam of her lips. May kept her hands in her lap but slightly opened her mouth to allow him access. His tongue danced across hers, and May moaned. And then he began a rhythm with his tongue that made May shiver in her chair.
Sex. Heat. Want.
All that and more.
May could practically feel Chandler’s body cover hers and do to her what his tongue did to her mouth. Her nipples hardened against her shirt, and she tilted her head so he could have better access.
His hands didn’t move from her head, and May’s didn’t move from her lap. But her body softened in need while his mouth assaulted hers. It would be so easy to fall into bed with him. And so very stupid. The thought insinuated itself into her mind and latched on.
May moved back, and her breath whistled in and out of her lungs. Her eyes were wide in her face as she looked over at Chandler.
He struggled to control his own breathing and sat rigid in his chair. Those dark eyes studied her silently. And then he spoke. “I respect your decision to take things slowly. I really do. But right now, I’d like to take you upstairs and show you affection and attachment all over your body.”
May shivered in her chair at his words. “You have a thing for older women?” She tried to inject a light tone in her voice.
“I have a thing for you.”
The words were flat and certain.
Panic tripped through May.
“You don’t know me.”
“I will.” Chandler raked his hand through his hair at May’s look. “Listen. This wasn’t my intent. Invite you over. Woo you with meatloaf and then lay one on you.”
May took a sip of wine. “Okay.”
“I like you, May.”
“Thanks.” What more could she say? Her lips still tingled from his kiss. Her problem was that her sex drive was always on. Over the years, she subdued it by not being near any males at least not for long periods of time so she didn’t have to worry about acting so supremely stupid again. Besides, her scar prevented her from being comfortable with someone. Her eyes fastened on his lips.
“May,” he warned.
“Hmm?” Her eyes fluttered up to meet his. She recognized the desire immediately. Panic warred with desire. She stood awkwardly. “I have to go.”
Chandler stood, also, and grimaced. “Let me make you a plate to take home. Okay?”
“Sure.” May nodded. A plate. To go. Sure.
Chandler moved efficiently around the small space and put a piece of foil over her plate. May watched his body move and his hands mold the foil around the plate. What would they feel like on her? She closed her eyes quickly and focused her breathing. She was being stupid. Extremely stupid. Off-the-chart stupid.
May rubbed her temple and opened her eyes.
Chandler stared at her. “I’d like to kiss you again, but I think that may be a bad idea.”
May fought against the tremble that worked through her. Her voice sounded reed thin. “Yes. Bad idea.”
He nodded and handed her the plate. “I’ll see you back to your house.” Chandler grabbed her arm before she could think to protest and helped her navigate her way back to her own kitchen.
When they arrived, May set the plate down and turned to Chandler. “Thank you for dinner.”
Chandler growled low. “You’re welcome.”
May’s light brown eyes widened. “What’s wrong?” She pressed her hand to her throat.
“Your eyes,” he said. “They say something completely different than your mouth.”
Shit, shit, shit.
May bit her lip. “They don’t have a say.”
Chandler sighed. “I was afraid of that.” He paused for a minute and then turned on his heel.
May didn’t breathe until he disappeared from her sight.
She sank slowly into one of her kitchen chairs and thought of Chandler’s mouth on hers again. They had to stay away from each other. It would be the only way anything would work.
* * * *
Mornings suck. Oh yes, indeed. They damn sure do. May groaned with her eyes still shut. Only a little after five. Her night filled with tossing and turning and too many thoughts crowding her brain. And a doozy of a nightmare that involved Billy, Steve, and Chandler. Damn, her subconscious was a bitch. Seriously.
May didn’t want to get up. The fact that simple. Maybe she would just stay in bed until her one o’clock appointment. She groaned. Who was she kidding? She’d lose her mind if she stayed in bed.
“Damn it,” she muttered and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Her right leg twitched, and she rubbed it absently. Oh crap. Rain.
May groaned. What is up with this spring? She cocked her head to the side and listened. It hadn’t started yet. She rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands and simply sat there. So much for squeezing some gardening in this morning.
She raised her eyes to the ceiling. “A girl has to have a bit of downtime, you know.” Complete silence. “Just a little bit!”
Maybe a nice hot bath would make the day go a little better. Ease some of her tense muscles. Get her mind off her extremely young neighbor with the great mouth.
May cursed under her breath and levered herself from the bed. She hobbled to the bathroom and flicked the light on. Her hair showed proof of her restless night. The short brown hair looked as if she got up close and personal with a tornado.
“Lovely.” She shook her head and stooped to run the bathwater. May lit six of the candles surrounding her tub and flicked the light off. She let her clothes fall to the floor while she stepped carefully into the tub and eased down into the water.
Bliss.
May closed her eyes and let her mind wander.
Chandler.
She groaned and breathed deeply. What was she supposed to do about her young neighbor? She wasn’t Mrs. Robinson. Having an affair with a man almost half her age was the stuff of television sitcoms or movies of the week. Not her life.
May didn’t much give a damn about what others thought. Her parents were long gone. No siblings. The people in her neighborhood always had to have something to gossip about. It didn’t worry her. The bottom line, they had nothing in common.
Chandler designed video games for Pete’s sake. Had she ever played one in all her years? That would be no. And he was an attractive young man. May quite sure there were many beautiful young women out there who would be a better match for him. Women who weren’t scarred like her or with a disability such as she had.
Jesus. And she was forty. Forty. Things that once perked now seemed to be changing their minds. May shook her head. No future for herself and the youngster next door.
The water began to cool, and May stepped out steadily and pulled the towel from the rack. She wrapped it around herself and stooped to throw her clothes into the hamper. She walked over to her closet and peered inside.
It had been a bit humid outside lately. Something light would be best. May flipped through her clothes until she found a silky cream tank top and matching long skirt. Businesslike but definitely cool enough.
She set the outfit on the bed and pulled out matching underwear. Well, she may not have been happy to be up, but it looked to be a constructive day.
May dressed quickly and dried her hair. She put a bit of gel in it to keep it stationary and applied the barest hint of make-up.
Not even seven o’clock yet.
The raindrops started a couple of minutes later.
May inhaled deeply. The air fresh and clean. She loved the smell of rain. A pure scent. Filled with heavenly promise for her plants and the earth. Fanciful. She laughed aloud at herself.
Breakfast would be something light. Maybe a container of yogurt and a piece or two of fruit. May stood in her kitchen and watched the rain dancing out
side her window. It was a gentle rainfall, almost a mist.
May polished off her breakfast and moved into her office. Her leg felt rather well this morning. Other than the slight twinge that told her rain, it only ached a bit. She settled herself into her office chair and shuffled the folders around until she found the one she wanted.
Elysian Fields.
A beautiful name for a nursery. The proprietors wished to meet this afternoon to discuss making her their full-time accountant. It seemed that none of the ladies had a propensity for balancing books or anything of the like.
That would certainly work to her favor. Their business plan simple and effective. And that pleased May immensely. It could be difficult to persuade some that what they wanted wasn’t feasible for their business. Those were highly unpleasant meetings.
May shuffled the nursery folder to the side and looked at the small stack of correspondence on her desk. These had been here nearly a week according to the postmarks. First, she sorted and threw away all the circulars. That thinned it out rather well. Then she grabbed her letter opener and slit the first envelope with a grimace.
The ones with no return address always worried her. There had been a time not too long ago when a fan of her young television series stalked her. Harassed her. Made her life quite unpleasant. The woman had finally been caught as she tried to break into May’s car when parked at the grocery store. Apparently the stalker planned to hide in the back and kidnap May.
The poor woman lost her daughter a month earlier. A daughter who looked uncannily like May when she starred in the television series. Something switched off in the woman’s brain, and she became convinced that she must find her long-lost daughter.
Detective Martin, the man in charge, kept it remarkably quiet. She would always appreciate the way he handled it all.
A small white slip fluttered out of the envelope. It read simply Hello, Katie. The little message had a big effect on her pulse. She hadn’t been Katie in decades. That life long gone for her. That damn television network must be replaying the old episodes.
May rubbed her temple and cursed the networks, her old agent, and anyone else who crossed her mind for the next couple minutes.
Earth Goddess Page 5
