Invitation to Love

by Lee, Groovy

  “David wants more than mere friendship from you. It’s in his eyes whenever you’re near him. You’ve got the poor sap in some sort of magical spell.”

  “Now, you’re exaggerating,” she dismissed him. “You’re also making something out of nothing. If you’re done, I need to go see about the girls.” She stepped forward, but he sidestepped and blocked her way.

  “Actually, I’m not done. David wants you. And, if you keep feeding his attraction, you’ll find yourself in a compromising position having to reject his advances. Is that what you want?” He thought for a second then his eyes narrowed as he checked her over. “Then again, maybe I’m wrong.”

  “I would appreciate it if you would stop questioning my morals, or lack thereof. David is a friend—that’s it. And, I believe it’s possible for two people of the opposite sex to maintain a platonic relationship. Now, can we go inside?”

  He raked his hand through his hair. “Taryn,” he warned.

  “Michael.”

  They stood challenging one another for a good minute before he exhaled a sharp sigh, stepped aside and waved her on. Chris and the girls were coming from the kitchen as they came through the door.

  “Momma,” Remi ran to her, her face still beaming with joy from the activities of the day. “Do you want to hear what we did at the fair?”

  “Sure, I do. You can tell me all about it in a minute.”

  “Chris, I think we should go to the office and finish those contracts there,” Michael said.

  “Sure,” he shot a cautious eye between him and Taryn. “I’ll get the files from the library.”

  “Michael, do you have to go to work now?”

  He cradled Remi’s glum, upturned face. “I’m afraid I do.”

  “How long will you be gone?”

  “For the rest of the day. Now, don’t look like that,” he gathered her to him. “We had fun today, didn’t we?”

  “But, I don’t want you to go.”

  He knelt down to her eye level. “Neither, do I. But if I don’t, I’ll get in trouble. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

  “No,” she shook her head from side to side.

  “Thank you. Now, come on, give me a hug before I go. You, too, Rachel.”

  The sight of him and the girls in a huddled embrace warmed her heart, melting away every bit of frustration. There’s no denying how wonderful he is with them—if only the two of them could connect as well. Her smile quickly vanished when he stood.

  “Don’t hold dinner for me,” he strolled to the door. “I’ll be late getting back tonight.”

  “What time will you be home?”

  “Ten—ten-thirty, the latest. I’ll wait for Chris in the car.” After one last good-bye to the girls, he walked out.

  As Taryn stood there watching him walk away like that, she knew she had to do something more to break that stone he’s made of. The biking shorts fiasco barely moved him, now it’s time to really get his attention.

  Later that night, when all was settled and the house quiet, she took out her next weapon of choice: The sheer number that was too pretty to just pass by and not purchase. The lavender, chiffon night-gown spiraled in fluid grace around her legs as she came down the stairs. When she reached that last step, she halted for a nervous moment. Her scheme now bordered on absurd, and she was tempted to race back upstairs, switch into her oversized night shirt, and climb into bed. She turned to do just that, but, stopped abruptly. No, she has to see this through, her pride is at stake. If she means to drive Michael wild with her feminine temptations in the guise of sweet revenge, then she’d better swallow her cowardice and get on with it. It’s almost ten-thirty, he’ll be home soon.

  With renewed vigor, she made haste for the kitchen. She took a glass from the cabinet and filled it with some water from the refrigerator door, then just held onto it while she stood eyeing the clock on the stove. She debated on how long she would be willing to stand there before her courage fled; He could be another hour for all she knew. If he’s not here by the time that minute hand hits thirty-one, she’s going to kill this silly idea, and head back to upstairs.

  The faint thud of the front door closing made her jolt. All of a sudden, the glass was slippery—it took two hands to hold it. The quiet was nerve wrecking as she listened for his footsteps to see whether he would go to his library, or straight upstairs to his room. More of her hoped he would head upstairs, but too late, he was coming down the hall, she could hear him. With each step that came closer, her breathing became more and more restricted until—

  “Taryn,” Michael did a double-take and diverted his steps from the library into the kitchen. “I wondered why the lights were still on.”

  “Michael, I didn’t hear you come in. Is it ten o’clock already?” she expressed a pretense of astonishment when she viewed the time on the stove.

  “Actually, it’s ten-thirty,” he laid his briefcase on the table.

  “I was just about to turn in. I wanted a drink of water first,” she sat the untouched glass in the sink.

  “I see.”

  The material of her gown was a faint shadow enabling him to see clear through it and soak up every fraction of her body in the lavender bikini top and panties underneath. She swallowed hard when his eyes finally lifted up to hers. It took everything she had not to wrap her arms around her and bolt out of the room.

  “Wo—would you like for me to heat up dinner? It won’t take long.”

  “No. But, thank you,” he did a once over of her curves again before continuing. “Chris and I ate at the office.”

  “O.k.,” The rest of her sentence was almost forgotten by him standing there looking irresistible as usual in one of his suits, quiet, a measure of warmth in those eyes. “Well, good-night.”

  “Before you do, I want to know if you’ve thought about registering the girls for school, yet?”

  “School?” she was somewhat disappointed that was the only thing on his mind at the moment. His eyes were certainly focusing on the right thing.

  “Yes. It starts in six weeks.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it. With all the moving and everything, it totally slipped my mind.”

  “I guessed as much. It’s still not too late to register them. They could go to a private one if you prefer.”

  “No, public is fine.”

  “How about tomorrow, then? Around lunch time?”

  “The girls will love it. So—good-night,” she couldn’t say those last two words fast enough as she rushed across the floor pass him.

  “Oh, Taryn.” The deliberate soft play of her name halted her steps.

  In the middle of the hallway late at night she stood, her body hot from the feel of him obviously studying her from behind. She braced herself in anticipation of him wheeling her around, holding her tight in his arms, begging her to completely fulfill her part of the bargain and make love to him.

  “Yes?” she slowly turned.

  “The toy company called. The swing-set will be here by the end of the week.”

  (Swing-set! Is he kidding?)

  “Uh—thanks. Good-night.”

  “Good-night,” she heard him say as she hurried for her room. Once inside her safe haven, she leaned against the closed door and exhaled with great relief. After the strength returned to her legs, she gathered up the soft material and went to sit at the edge of the bed. That’s one for him for that cool composure he maintained. But, that’s also one for her, because not once could he take his eyes from the length of her body. He obviously felt something; And, that fact had her smiling for the longest.

  vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

  It was the usual hot, July day. An excited Remi and Rachel were eager to see what their new school looked like. Mrs. Rague, the principal of the charter school Hill Elementary was more than happy to welcome the two new students, and give them a tour of the facilities. Afterwards, they ate lunch at the Spaghetti Factory where the girls flooded them with questions as to when
school would start? Can they ride the bus? And when is Taryn going to get the supplies they needed? She promised them that if they quieted down and ate, she would take them to the mall and buy them new school clothes. Much to her relief, it worked.

  “Will you be home for dinner, Michael?” Remi asked as the limousine steered through the city traffic to drop him off at the office.

  “Sure will.”

  “Good. I like it when we eat like a family.”

  He looked over to Taryn and smiled. “So do I, pumpkin.”

  The driver pulled in front of the building’s entrance and stopped.

  “Behave, girls. Bye, Taryn.”

  “Michael, aren’t you going to kiss Momma good-bye? You haven’t been doing that, lately.”

  Taryn’s mouth almost dropped open as she glanced at her loquacious child.

  “Thank you for reminding me, Remi,” he slid back into his seat, leaned over, and planted a short kiss on her mouth. “See you tonight.”

  She ignored the girls’ snickering as he left out.

  “Mummie, are you going to buy me new shoes for school?”

  “New shoes, new socks, new…, oh, goodness,” she rummaged through her purse. “Michael forgot to give me the other card I need. Driver, would you please wait? I have to run inside for a moment.”

  “Very well, ma’am,” he touched his cap to her.

  Gracey wasn’t at her desk when Taryn passed it for his office. It was empty inside, so she stood and waited.

  “Taryn,” Chris strolled in and dropped a folder on the desk. “You waiting for Michael?”

  “Yeah. I’m taking the girls shopping. I forgot to ask him for the card.”

  “He’s right behind me.” Just then, a wide grin lit across his face. “Women and credit cards. What a dangerous combination. I hope Michael has a massive limit on his.”

  “Tease.” She tilted her head to one side and eyed him closely as the gears in her inquiring mind began turning. “Mind if I ask you a question?”

  “Ask away.”

  “Why aren’t you married? Or are you one of those single-to-the-end types?”

  One eyebrow lifted as he regarded her. “No, I wouldn’t say that. Just haven’t met the right woman, that’s all.”

  “Are you sure you’re looking hard enough?”

  “Not so much of not looking hard enough, as I’m taking my time. You have to sift through a lot of princesses to find your queen.”

  “Oh, my goodness,” she couldn’t help laughing at that.

  “No, seriously, being single has its advantages. Marriage and children don’t enter my thoughts much these days. When it does, maybe I should head for Nashville the way Michael did. He’s done extraordinarily well for himself.”

  She blushed under his handsome grin. “Do you have a date tonight?”

  “No. Why?”

  “Would you like to have dinner with us?”

  “Sounds great, I’d love to.” His eyes then narrowed. “You’re not planning on surprising me with a blind date, are you?”

  “I don’t even know anyone, yet. How could I?”

  “You’ve got a point there. Then I shall be there promptly,” he bowed playfully.

  “Taryn,” Michael walked in. “Are you looking for me?”

  “You forgot to give me the household card.”

  He reached into his coat pocket and drew out his wallet.

  “Better give her the Black one, Michael,” Chris added with a teasing glint. “Just to be on the safe side.”

  While she waited for the elevator to take her to the lobby floor, she found a place in her wallet for the card then placed it back in her purse.

  “David,” she was caught by surprise when the doors slid open to him standing on the other side.

  “I was hoping you were in this one,” he smiled. “I saw you in Michael’s office, so I came down to the lobby to wait for you.”

  “Oh? Did you want to speak to me about something?”

  “Not really, just wanted to say hello. I’ll walk you to the car if you don’t mind. Where are you off to?” he asked as they strolled across the high-glossed floor for the glass doors.

  “Michael and I registered the girls in school this morning. I’m taking them to the mall to buy clothes.”

  “If I weren’t so busy right now, I’d join you.”

  “You can’t really enjoy shopping,” she shot him a look of astonishment.

  “I know most men find it tedious. But, I don’t mind—as long as the company’s right.”

  She looked away from the intimacy playing in his eyes. Now, she’s really beginning to feel uneasy about his many compliments; And, he does seem to make a special effort to seek her out. Maybe, Michael’s right. Maybe, she should distance herself before it gets out of hand.

  The chauffeur opened the door for her when they reached the car.

  “Hello, girls,” David said to them when they peeked from the dark interior. “See you later, Taryn,” he touched her arm.

  “Momma, do you like him?” Remi asked as the car rolled away.

  “Who, David? Yeah.”

  “I don’t,” she turned up her small nose then scooted to her side of the car to inspect the outside world.

  “Me, neither,” Rachel agreed.

  Taryn gave considerable thought to their words. Children are so perceptive; They have the ability to detect something in one’s character that’s lost on most adults. If she wasn’t convinced about keeping David at a distance before, she is now.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Three adventurous hours later, Taryn shouldered the front door open, arms filled with bags of all sizes and colors. Just as she entered the house, the phone in the living room rang.

  “I’ll get it,” Remi pushed passed her, almost knocking everything to the floor.

  “Rachel, would you take a few of these, please?”

  “Momma, it’s Aunt Nora.”

  She allowed the rest of the sacks to slide to the floor, and went to the phone. “Nora?”

  “Hi, Taryn. I know it’s not our regular day to talk. I tried your cell phone but it kept going to voice-mail.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine. My card club is still fizzing with excitement about your debut on television, and the pictures in those tabloids. The girls can’t get enough of it; You’re a star. Speaking of which, how’s that extremely good-looking husband of yours?”

  “He’s fine.”

  “We all think so. Anyway, the reason I called is to ask when school starts there.”

  “The first week of August. Why?”

  “I was wondering if you would let Remi and Rachel come out to spend a week with us before then. Bobby misses them terribly; He’s so lonely. I thought it would cheer him up to be with his cousins.”

  “Poor Bobby. Why didn’t I think of that? Remi and Rachel misses him, too. Sounds like a good idea.”

  “Great. And just think, you and Michael will be able to spend some quality time together. You didn’t have much of honeymoon, you know.”

  “You’re right; We do need this.” Taryn’s eyes closed briefly from the grip of that lie. What a relief it’ll be to finally tell her everything.

  “Say next week then? I can send Jerry by plane to get them, or I can come myself.”

  “There’s no need for that, Nora. They’re big enough to get on a plane by themselves.”

  “Don’t worry, we’ll be right there waiting when they land.”

  After an hour of chatting, Taryn finally said good-bye. Although the news of spending a week with their cousin thrilled Remi and Rachel, the thought evoked fear from her. The girls are her safety barrier. With them around, the flashing, pink elephant—the strain on her and Michael’s relationship—is easily ignored. Most of the attention is on them. Without them, her needs will become useless: The need to hide behind hectic, uncontrollable days; The need to have them interact with Michael when she’s too afraid; The need to use them as an excu
se not to be alone with him for more than ten minutes.

  “Momma, is this how you fold a napkin?”

  It was later that evening. Taryn was standing at the stove preparing dinner. She turned to view her handiwork. The fold wasn’t exactly right, but creative.

  “That’s good, Remi. Now, fold all of them that way.”

  “Mummie, see how clean this glass is?” Rachel held the crystal goblet up for her to see.

  “Very good, Rachel. Make sure all of them look like that.”

  “Taryn,” Michael came sauntering into the kitchen. “I can’t seem to get this top button to fasten. Would you mind?”

  “Sure,” she wiped her hands dry. Her fingers brushed against his smooth neck as she tried to get the button through the small hole of his black Nehru shirt. She scolded herself, and pleaded silently for them to cooperate to get the darn thing fastened. But, her eyes couldn’t stop their tracing along his fresh shaven face, and the captivating form of his mouth. That flash of pleasure jolting through her wasn’t helping, either. (He smells so good)

  “There,” she touched at it.

  “Thanks,” he half smiled.

  “Michael, did I tell you we’re going to visit Aunt Nora?”

  He strolled over to watch as she worked on the last napkin. “Yes, you did. Three times, now.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  “That much I’m aware of,” he tugged at her ponytail.

  “Will you promise to do something while I’m gone?” she stopped folding to look up at him.

  “What?”

  “Would you protect Momma, and keep that man away from her?”

  His brows crimped. “What man?”

  Taryn turned all the way around to hear the answer herself. “Who are you talking about, Remi?”

  “The one that walked you to your car today. David. I don’t like him.”

  Suddenly, the air in the room swelled and crackled with tension as Michael’s entire frame stiffened. Taryn held her breath, having forgotten all about that. (Great)

  “Remi, Rachel, would you take the glasses and napkins into the dining room and finish them there? I want to talk to your mother. O.k?”