London shook her head. “Lock the door when you leave, please,” she said, throwing them both a look. “I’ll call you both when I get home.”
Her friends grinned. “Just have a good time,” they both echoed simultaneously.
* * *
The drive to the restaurant was fraught with energy London hadn’t expected to feel. Despite her efforts to show indifference about meeting up with Collin, she was actually very excited. And anxious. Nervous tension cramped her stomach and had her perspiring like she’d just run a marathon. For the life of her she couldn’t begin to explain it if she tried.
London was no stranger to dating. She did it regularly, with a fair degree of success. She enjoyed the repartee, the subtle teasing and flirtation, and on occasion, mind-blowing sex without commitment. After the experience of one serious relationship having gone very badly, she had no interest whatsoever in a long-term relationship and quickly dismissed any man who wasn’t willing to play by the rules she established. And London had a long list of rules.
The men she dated had to be adequately employed, motivated to be successful, politically savvy, philanthropically invested in others, considerate of her grassroots mind-set, respectful of their elders and women, and not overtly religious since it had been some time since she’d last seen the inside of anyone’s church. There was no kissing on the first date. There had to be a minimum of five dates before she even contemplated being intimate with a man. She didn’t do last-minute invitations and expected outings to be planned well in advance. She was not a fan of spontaneity and she hated surprises. She never invited a man to her home, never had sex with him in her bed and never spent the night in his bed unless it was a planned getaway in a luxury hotel.
She could be fastidious, obsessive, slightly anal and not always as accommodating as she expected her male counterparts to be. She was a handful for most men and unapologetic about it. Maintaining control ensured her heart didn’t get broken, she didn’t get hurt and the relationships that didn’t work could end as amicably as she needed them to.
Now she was headed to dinner with a man who had no idea about her rule book, and she hadn’t had an opportunity to ensure he was willing to play by her rules. But it wasn’t a date, she thought, fighting the urge to turn her car around and go back home. It was dinner and one meal couldn’t possibly hurt either of them.
* * *
Collin stood outside of Truluck’s, pacing anxiously back and forth as he waited for London to arrive. He hadn’t returned to the office after leaving the law library and he hadn’t called her, not wanting to give her the opportunity to change her mind. He had learned enough about London Jacobs to theorize she would have called by now if she intended to cancel. He could only begin to imagine how she was rationalizing their sharing a meal. Apparently, she was particular about who she dated, and he imagined that despite the friendship blooming between them, he hadn’t yet made it to her short list. But he had high hopes.
From the first moment he’d laid eyes on her he’d been smitten. Everything about London warmed his spirit and when he was in her presence he’d found himself feeling like a puppy desperate for attention. He would have been happy with a slight scratch behind his ears and if he were lucky, a gentle tummy rub. But London wasn’t partial to giving anything or anyone attention that didn’t have something to do with a legal brief. He couldn’t help wondering if she even liked dogs and he didn’t imagine her to be particularly fond of cats. He laughed at the absurdity of his own analogy.
Despite his optimism he sensed that she might not be so interested in him. If there was someone else in her life whom she was dating, she kept it a closely guarded secret. Not even her two best friends in the office could be coaxed to spill that bit of tea. If he had competition, he didn’t know it. He had no clue whom he might be up against if he had to battle for her time and attention. But he wasn’t deterred by the unknown.
Collin hadn’t given any thought to asking her out but when the opportunity had presented itself, he’d jumped in with both feet. He still wasn’t sure how he was going to land. She’d been resistant, and he sensed her conflict had more to do with their work relationship than anything else. At least that was what he hoped. Although there were no hard and fast rules about employees fraternizing, he could argue that point if he needed. They were both dedicated to their professions and neither would do anything to jeopardize their careers. Business would come first and everything else would fall into place as necessary.
Thinking about London fueled his excitement even more. He really wanted to know her better. He imagined they had much in common, despite her previous assumption that he was spoiled and pampered. He had no doubts that she also fathomed he was a bit of a playboy, but he intended to squash that notion the first chance he could. Despite what many thought of him, Collin’s experience with women was nominal in comparison to other young men his age. He wasn’t a virgin, but he’d been finicky about the women he’d shared time and space with. In college, his mother’s admonishments to be cautious and his father’s warnings about everything that could go awry with the wrong partner had often rung loudly in his thoughts. To avoid the risks, he’d spent his energy on his studies, leaving the girls to everyone else.
But London Jacobs had him reevaluating all those life lessons. He was reassessing his priorities and playing daily games of what-if. He had often imagined what it must have been like when his mother had fallen in love. He’d been curious about his father’s mind-set when Matthew Stallion had realized that she was his heart. Collin now found himself pondering if he, too, could ever have what they shared. For the first time, he was excited about the possibilities and didn’t have a clue if the possibility existed with his new friend. But a Stallion could dream, he thought.
London suddenly calling his name broke through his thoughts. When he looked up she was moving toward him, an urgency in her step as she crossed the parking lot. She was stunningly beautiful, seeming like a category-five hurricane in a petite size-six frame. She moved swiftly on four-inch heels and everything about her was captivating. He felt his mouth pull into a wide grin as he lifted his hand and waved.
* * *
London felt like a high school cheerleader with a crush on the popular football player. She was practically giddy with excitement at the sight of Collin Stallion, and for the life of her she couldn’t begin to fathom from where the flood of emotion had risen. She clenched her fists to stall the rise of anxiety and to resist the urge to throw herself at him so unabashedly. Because seeing him made her want to fling her body against his and hold on for dear life.
Collin Stallion was sheer perfection, she thought as she stared in his direction. He’d changed into a casual suit of polished sateen. It was expertly tailored with clean, modern lines and fitted him exceptionally well. The color was a rich deep burgundy and he wore a bright white T-shirt beneath it. He’d changed his shoes as well, a pair of pricey white Air Jordan sneakers now adorning his feet. He’d released his dreadlocks and the sun-kissed strands hung down his back past his broad shoulders. The thick tresses gave him a lionlike mane and he had the look of a regal emperor. He was too damn pretty and attracting a wealth of attention.
As their gazes locked and held, London felt her cheeks heat with color. Something she didn’t recognize pulsed deep in her feminine core and the look he was giving her seemed to tease every ounce of her sensibilities. His eyes were intoxicating, their color a rich amber with flecks of gold that shimmered beneath the setting sun. There was something behind his stare that was heated, igniting a wealth of ardor in the pit of her stomach.
“Collin, hey!” she exclaimed as she reached his side. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to be late. I hope you haven’t been waiting here long.”
He shook his head. “You’re fine. You’re right on time. I was actually early.”
London nodded, suddenly feeling completely out of sorts. She was beyond nervous,
her knees beginning to quiver ever so slightly. She felt him sense the rise of discomfort, his own anxiousness dancing sweetly with hers.
He took a deep breath. “Why don’t we go inside? I’m sure our table is ready for us,” he said as he pressed a gentle hand against the small of her back.
A jolt of electricity shot through London’s body at his touch, the intensity of it feeling like she’d combusted from the inside out. It took everything in her not to trip across the threshold of the restaurant’s front door.
* * *
London couldn’t stop laughing, tears rolling over her cheeks. She leaned back in her chair as she pressed both hands to her abdomen. Her face glowed, the light and laughter gushing like a beacon from her eyes. “And that’s how you took a walk on the wild side? You crashed your father’s car?”
Collin was laughing as intensely. “I was fifteen! What did I know? And he wasn’t my father then. But stealing his car was the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
“Are you honestly trying to tell me that there was a benefit to your criminal enterprise? What would have happened if he and your mother hadn’t liked each other?”
“I think when you meet him you’ll see that he still would have supported me. Dad’s that kind of guy.”
London smiled, settling back in the level of comfort they’d found with each other. She took a sip of her beverage. Everything about their evening filled her with joy. Conversation had been easy and entertaining. He loved to talk, and she was completely engaged in the stories he told about himself and his family. They’d debated politics, religion, books and the philosophy of education in America. He was slightly nerdy, liking Japanese anime and manga and the augmented reality game Pokémon Go. He was also a die-hard Star Wars fan, which gave him two thumbs-up on her checklist.
She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had so much fun. The food had been on point, with Collin recommending his favorites. She’d taken his lead and had started with the tuna tartare and lobster bisque. For the entrée, she’d selected the prime rib eye topped with blue crab, shrimp and the most delectable béarnaise sauce. Now she was stuffed, and he was trying to ply her with dessert.
“I love their carrot cake. It’s dense and topped with this caramel-and-nut topping. It’s divine!” he exclaimed as he pursed his lips and blew a kiss into the air with the tips of his fingers. “However, I also know the chocolate mousse in the chocolate candy shell topped with the fresh whipped cream, strawberries and mint is pretty darn good, too!”
“I could not eat another bite,” she said, shaking her head emphatically. “You’re going to have to roll me out of here as it is!”
Collin persisted. “How about we get it to go? You can enjoy it later when you’re still thinking about me.”
London laughed, “That’s a bit presumptuous! What makes you think I’m going to give you a second thought later?”
He shifted forward in his seat, leaning in her direction. The gesture felt conspiratorial and London found herself leaning toward him. “You’re already giving me a second thought. Later, you’ll be on thoughts five, six and seven. I have that effect on people.”
“On people, or on women?”
Something mischievous twinkled in the stare he gave her. His eyes narrowed slightly, the intensity of his gaze sweeping a flood of heat through her. She reached for her wineglass and took a large gulp to cool the rise in her temperature. Collin didn’t bother to respond, gesturing for their waiter instead. After ordering two slices of carrot cake to go, he focused his attention back on her.
“Thank you.”
Her brow rose questioningly.
“For not canceling. I know you thought about not coming. But I’m glad you did. I’ve had a really good time.”
London took a breath and held it for a split second. “I did think about canceling. I wasn’t sure this was a good idea.”
“And now?”
“I’m still not sure. You’re quite interesting, Collin Stallion.”
“Interesting is a good thing.”
“It can be.”
“Can I be honest with you?”
She nodded. “I hope you wouldn’t ever lie to me!”
“I find you intoxicating,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “You intrigue me, London, and I hope this won’t be our last date. I would really like for us to get to know each other better.”
There was a moment of pause as she pondered his statement. A slow smile pulled at her lips. “Who said this was a date?”
Collin laughed, “Did I forget to tell you that? My bad!”
The amusement in her eyes vanished, her laugh lines suddenly turning serious. “This has been great, but I don’t want to give you the wrong impression,” she started.
Collin interrupted her, holding up a hand to stall whatever else was on the tip of her tongue.
“London, I would never do anything to compromise our work relationship. I understand how important this job and your career are to you. As it is to me, and as my superior and mentor, I have great respect for you. I would just like us to continue to enjoy each other’s company as we get to know each other. I have no expectations and you have been completely up-front with me, so there is nothing for me to misinterpret about our relationship. I just hope you’ll take the opportunity to know me better. I believe you and I could be great friends.”
London paused, completely smitten by the sweetness of his words. The man is good, she thought to herself. Aloud, she said, “I think we’re already good friends, Collin. I just don’t want you expecting more from me that I don’t have to give. I’m very happy with my life the way it is. I’m not looking for a romantic relationship right now.”
“That’s good to know,” he said, that look of mischief returning to his eyes. “I’m not looking for a romantic relationship either.”
They sat and talked for another thirty minutes, chatting about everything and nothing. When the bill was paid, and their desserts boxed and bagged, Collin walked her back to her car. The late-night air had changed, a slight chill teasing a rainstorm.
“Thank you again,” Collin said as he opened the car door and helped her into the driver’s seat.
“Thank you, Collin. I had a wonderful time. I’ll see you in the office tomorrow.”
“Good night!”
As London closed the car door, Collin gave her a wave of his hand and took a step back. He stood watching as she turned the key to start the car. But nothing happened. Despite her persistent efforts, the engine would not crank. He met her gaze as she shot him a quick look out the driver’s-side window, frustration beginning to furrow her brow.
He shook his head and reopened her door. “That doesn’t sound good. Has it happened before?” he asked as he reached in and popped the lever for the hood.
London nodded, hating to admit that it had happened a few times and she’d been neglectful about taking the vehicle to be serviced. Usually, it only took a few tries, turning the key just so, before it started.
“Might be a bad battery,” Collin said, his head lost beneath the hood as he shook wires and checked the connections at the battery terminals.
London peered at where he pointed. “It’s not. The battery is brand-new and I’ve had it tested.”
“Then it’s something else electric. The starter may be damaged or a solenoid.”
London wrapped her arms tightly around her torso. “This cannot be happening,” she muttered under her breath.
“Don’t stress,” Collin said as he pushed a call button on his smartphone and pulled the device to his ear. He waited for it to be answered on the other end.
“Who are you calling...” she started.
Collin held up an index finger as he began to speak. “Hey, Aunt Mitch! I need your help,” he said, pausing for a split second as the aunt he�
�d just called spoke. “My friend’s car won’t start. She doesn’t think it’s the battery. It’s brand-new, but the engine won’t turn over at all.”
The aunt seemed to be asking questions.
Collin answered. “Just a repetitive clicking sound.” He paused. “That’s what I thought, too. Unfortunately, I don’t have any tools here with me to be sure, though. Is it possible to get it towed to your garage, please? It’s put her down here outside of Truluck’s on McKinney Avenue.” He paused again. “Thank you, Aunt Mitch. I really appreciate it. I’ll drop by tomorrow and square up with you.” There was another brief exchange between them before Collin disconnected the call and placed his cell phone back into his pocket.
“I could have called triple A.”
“My uncle Mark’s wife, Michelle, is one of the best auto mechanics in the business. She won’t steer you wrong and I trust her implicitly.”
“Well, thank you. I appreciate the referral. I think.”
He smiled. “Why don’t we gather up your personal belongings and move them to my car? My aunt says she’ll look at the engine first thing in the morning and then call you about the repairs, so you’ll know what you’re looking at. As soon as the tow truck gets here I can give you a ride home.”
London blew out a heavy sigh. “That’s not necessary. I just need to arrange for a rental.” She stole a quick glance toward her wristwatch, surprise painting her expression as she realized the late-night hour. She cussed. “I guess I’ll have to call in the morning.”
Amusement danced across his face. “Like I said, I’ll give you a ride.”
* * *
Minutes later, London was directing him to her Turtle Creek Boulevard home. He maneuvered his car left onto Olive Street, then merged onto the Dallas North Tollway. Exiting at Lover’s Lane, he made the right turn onto Baltimore Drive and then another right toward their destination.
The midrise luxury condo was in the heart of Preston Hollow, with excellent views of downtown Dallas. She lived in the penthouse, the upscale residence offering two bedrooms and two and a half baths. It was an open floor plan that was great for entertaining. As Collin took in the high-end finishes, the granite countertops in the chef’s kitchen, the designer appliances, custom cabinetry and marble floors, he was duly impressed. He was also still feeling the surprise of her inviting him up for a cocktail.
A Stallion Dream Page 5
