I watched his eyes close and his head bow. When he looked across the table at me, there was a genuine pain reflected in his green gaze.
“That explains a lot. Jason bonds with parental figures even while he is probably afraid that they will leave him. In Ms. Lowen’s case, she did in a way.”
One tear rolled over a lid and slid down my cheek. I swiped at it and sniffed. “What am I supposed to do? Put him in therapy? People go and come all the time in our lives. I can’t afford to leave my job and home school him to protect him from anyone else leaving.”
“That wouldn’t be healthy either.”
I threw my hands up at my side. “Then what?”
His mouth twisted for a moment as he seemed to think. “I’m one of the mentors in a Boys on the Move group. It is offered at the community center and the goal is to bring young boys together from all over the area and help them build lasting friendships with other kids and teach them life skills.”
“Like Boy Scouts?”
“Yes, in a way. However, one of the mentors is a child counselor so a lot of our team building and activities are designed for emotional growth. Once a week there’s a crafting/skill building meet and every other Saturday is an outdoor activity.”
“Do you think it would help Jason?”
“In and outside of school. So, that way it’s not just you and his teachers he is connecting too.”
“And his uncle.”
He frowned.
“My older brother lives here. That’s why we moved from Maryland after everything happened. He has Jason tonight.”
“Ah. Well, think about it.” Picking up a sticky pad, he wrote a name, address and other information down on it. Tearing the top sheet off, he passed it to me. “If you decide to try it, here’s the information for you all to at least come by and check it out.”
I noticed right off that he had nice penmanship as I reviewed the information. There was a website address as well. I planned to look it up when I got home. “Is this the number to the facility?”
“No. Mine.”
When I looked up, his gaze was on me.
“In case you have more questions or you get lost if you decide to come.”
I smiled back. “I have a pretty dependable GPS.”
He gave a sharp nod and smiled. “Figures.”
Was my son’s teacher coming on to me? The thought gave my heart a little flutter.
He returned the papers to the folder. “Don’t worry about the assessment. Now that I understand what Jason has been through a little more, I can work better with him. In a few weeks, I’ll do another assessment and see if his results have risen again and send the report home to you.”
“Thanks.” I stood and held my hand out.
Getting up, he towered over me again and took my hand. “So, where were you all from in Maryland?”
“Fredrick County.”
“That’s where I lived before my father relocated our family to Charlotte.”
Pulling my hand away before my body started to go crazy again, I said, “It’s a big county. I don’t miss the winters. Thanks again.” I headed toward the door.
“Gabby Reston!”
Two steps away from the door, I turned to him. How did he know my name? “Do I know you?”
Coming around the desk, his smile wide, he walked to me. “Yes. Well, in a way. I kept trying to figure out what about you seemed familiar. Your hair is a lot shorter now and you’ve matured in a…” He allowed his gaze to travel my body again. “Beautifully.”
“You still have me at a loss.” I shook my head slowly, trying to understand where he was coming from. I did cut my hair six months before Jason and I moved because I wanted a fresh new start on life.
“You probably don’t remember me, it’s been so long. But, we went to Madison Middle and Madison High School together. Well up until my sophomore year when we moved away. We had Health and PE together. I was on the football team.”
“Well, that explains why I don’t remember you. I hated anything that had to do with physical education back then. I was a little overweight.”
“That’s not how I remember you.” His voice took on a low timbre.
“How’s that? Dorky, I bet.” Gracious, now I’m fishing for compliments with this man. Yup, I’m desperate. I didn’t retract my question, it had been almost three years now since my husband passed away, and longer if I included his illness and me caring for him, since a man spoke to me like I was a woman.
I watched as one corner of his lips went up in a slow sexy half smile, just enough to tilt his mouth and made it appear more kissable. I exhaled.
“No, smart. You wore these pretty brown framed glasses that just made your dark brown eyes look like brown silk. Your hair was thick, so black it looked like the drapes at a concert. It hid your face a lot of times and I just wanted to pull it back to see more of you.” He slipped his hands into his pockets. “I like that you cut it.”
The tension between us grew and I had to take several more breaths to get myself under control. I stepped back. “I didn’t think anyone really remembered me. Well, outside of being Aaren’s little sister. Most people still didn’t put those two links together.”
He shrugged. “Because he’s white and you’re black. Trust me, I got it. Loud and clear.”
I frowned, there sounded like a story in his statement.
Lifting a hand, he ran it over coal black hair and then gripped the back of his neck as he glanced down at the thin carpeted floor. “We were having a sports meeting one day. Even though I played football and your brother played basketball, all the teams were there in the gym.” He lifted his gaze to mine. “You came in and walked over to the opposite bleacher, to wait for your brother most likely.” He cleared his throat. “I made a comment about how nice your ass…sets were to one of my friends.”
I became flushed all over, to know this tall, gorgeous hunk had even known I was alive back then.
“I didn’t realize Aaren was behind me.”
“Oh, no.” I placed a hand over my mouth. I knew how protective my big brother was of me. An upperclassman had knocked my books out of my hand the first week of my freshman year. When Aaren heard about it, he beat the guy up and got himself suspended for three days.
Holding both palms out toward me, he said, “He didn’t hit me or anything, which is a blessing since I didn’t peak in size and height until the summer we moved away. But, he leaned down to my ear and gave me some words and a very clear warning if I even considered approaching any of your assets. Message was received.”
Lowering my hand, I shook my head. “I don’t think I want to know what he said.”
“I wouldn’t share it with you if you did. It wasn’t fit for the gentle ears of a lady.”
I laughed. “I’m sure. Aaren is like a mastiff when it comes to people that he loves. He’ll be married soon so all his energy I hope will be directed toward Kalan and any kids they produce.”
“Well, give him my congratulations when you see him.”
Moving backwards toward the door, I said, “I’ll do that.” Pausing, I looked at him one last time. “It is a small world.”
“I’ve never been so glad.”
With a parting smile, I left before I got myself in any trouble. This man, an old school mate, was too tempting.
I moved along the sterile corridors and through the school until I pushed out the front glass doors. The musical must have already begun because Lonnet was no longer standing at the entrance, which I was grateful for.
Walking into the fresh air I took a few deep breaths and tried not to smile as I thought about Mr. Sloane Cale.
“Ms. Reston-Strayer!”
Halfway across the parking lot to my car, I turned and saw Mr. Cale holding his briefcase and jogging. Well, with his long legs, it was more like making wide strides toward me.
“Did I forget something?” I checked for my purse and the sticky he gave me, found I had them both.
�
�No. Nothing like that.” He wasn’t even winded.
I waited.
“I know I probably shouldn’t, but…” He glanced around the packed parking lot then returned his sea green gaze to me. “How about dinner tonight? Or even a coffee to catch up on old times. If you’re free.”
Talking about shouldn’t. I shouldn’t be overjoyed that he had followed me out. I surely shouldn’t feel my nipples tightening against the cups of my bra. And I wasn’t even going to allow my clit's response to his velvet voice to find a space in my awareness.
Licking my lips, I thought for a moment. I had wanted a good meal and a hot, relaxing bath all day. I could imagine having a good meal with this man and a bath later. Or with him.
I swallowed and parted my lips just enough to let out a silent sigh. “I really didn’t want to go out, but if you don’t mind having that meal at my house…”
His handsome face broke into a large smile. “I have a better idea.”
“That is?”
“If you have a grill, I’ll make you one of my famous tender steaks.”
“Famous?” I gave him a side look. “Says who?”
“Everyone that has ever put my meat into their mouth.”
I choked on my own saliva like an idiot. Probably because my silly imagination was still trying to conjure up visions of all the things I’d love to do with him in a bathtub.
He stepped forward and rubbed my back. “Wow, that didn’t come out as I intended.”
The heat of his hand was causing desire to zig and zag through my body, just adding to my arousal level.
Inhaling and exhaling, I stepped away from his touch. Clearing my throat, I said, “It was fine. I just…” Damn, I couldn’t think of any excuse. Not one that wouldn't sound like I was have erotic fantasies of him. Which I was, so I just let the words drop.
“You want to follow me?” I tossed out.
“You can give me your address and I’ll meet you there shortly. I need to go by the grocery store to get the steaks. What kind of grill do you own?”
I searched in my purse for a scrap of paper. “Charcoal.” I located a pen but nothing else. “Just your classic black dome one, too. I haven’t moved into the propane era yet.”
“I like cooking my steaks on charcoal so you are in luck.” He smiled. “Here.”
When I glanced at him, I saw he had his hand out.
My brows pulled tight as I stared at him.
“Write it on my hand. I’ll program it into my navigation when I get in my car.” He waved his hand in front of me. “Save a tree.”
Grinning, I stepped to him and cupped his big hand in one of mine. The desire to stroke his long, wide fingers had my sex throbbing. Keeping my focus, I decorated his pale palm with my information. I even added my number on the bottom. Looking up, I said, “In case you get lost.” Then I did something I’d never done to another man before. I winked, a definite flirt, at Mr. Cale before turning and strutting away.
His laughter followed me.
Knowing that he thought my ass was sexy in high school when I was more round than curvy, I could not help but add a little switch to my walk because I hoped that he was watching.
Finally getting to my car, I slipped behind the wheel and shut the door. When I reached out to place the key in the ignition, I realized my hands were shaking. Not in fear, but excitement. The quiver matched the tremors that were in my core. I’d never invited a man to my place. Even on a platonic basis.
When Michael and I started dating, we had both been living in the dorms on campus and opposite sexes were not allowed in each other’s rooms. When we got out of college, we got an apartment together knowing we were making plans to get married. After his death, there had been no one.
Even though this technically wasn’t a romantic hookup, it was just two old friends reconnecting. People did this all the time on social media. But, my body still buzzed with excitement.
If he was still hanging around, I didn’t want him to think something was wrong with my car and come over, so I started it up and pulled out. When I checked my rearview, he wasn’t in the lane any longer where I left him. Shifting the car into drive, I headed home to get there before he did.
Forty-five minutes later, I was coming downstairs just having changed out of my work clothes when my doorbell sounded. I could not fight back the smile on my face when I pulled open the door. Even as I kept telling myself, this is just a meeting of two old acquaintances. Nothing more.
There he stood, still dressed in his work clothes minus the tie. All six foot plus of ‘Oh, My Gracious’, he was strikingly handsome. Those amazing green eyes stared down at me and the ever ready smile on his lips made my heart flutter.
“Hello there, Mr. Cale.”
“I think if we’re having steak and wine,” he held up a butcher paper-wrapped package in one hand and a bottle in the other, “We should revert to first names. Is that cool, Gabrielle?”
Hearing my name roll off his tongue made my mouth parched, for him. “That’s fine. Come on in, Sloane.” I stepped back and allowed him to enter my townhouse.
“You look comfortable and nice. I feel as if I should have gone home and changed.” His gaze took in my jean skirt and tank top.
“No need for all that.” At that moment I would have enjoyed seeing what he looked like in jeans and a chest hugging t-shirt, but I kept that to myself.
“This is a very nice area.”
Shutting the door, I said, “I like it. Even though it is closer to NCU than I want to be, it works. The price was right for me to save for a house in the next couple years for my son and me. Let me show you to the grilling station.”
“I’m right behind you.”
I gave him a brief tour of the house on our way to the back where the kitchen was located. There was only the living room, a family room, a small dining room off the kitchen and a half bathroom on this floor.
“The patio is a great size for a summer barbeque.” Sloane stepped out onto the veranda after me. The night had become a little dark and cool in the time I had gotten home. It was still a beautiful spring night, but it was easy to tell summer weather hadn’t made an appearance yet. Thank God, winter had finally left a month ago.
Staring around the large enclosed yard, I said, “It is a big part of the reason I like the townhouse so much. It allows Jason the space to run wild.”
“You always have to plan for the kids.”
I faced him. “Do you have any?” I wasn’t sure if that was kosher to ask a friend you hadn’t seen in a while, but I figure he already knew so much about me, I wanted to get to know him better. A lot better than I had in high school. I was still shocked he’d checked me out back then.
He shook his head. “Nope. I want about three one day.”
Folding my arms under my breasts, I asked, “How does a hot guy—”
Giving me a crooked smile, he asked, “You think I’m hot?”
Rolling my eyes, I sighed loud. Dropping the conversation for now, I pointed to the black grill in the corner of the cement patio. “There’s the grill. The charcoal is in the plastic tub beside it and the lighter fluid is in the kitchen.”
“I’ll get the coals started and then come in and prep the meat.” He passed the two items in his hand to me.
“Great. I can get the sides going and put the wine in the freezer for a quick chill.” Going back into the house, I took care of the bottle and set the meat on the counter. I laughed to myself at the paper wrapped meat. Only a man would go to the grocery store and not get a bag for his purchases. Even with one thing, that wasn’t a pack of gum or a drink, it went into a plastic bag for most people.
“Lighter fluid.” Sloane angled his head around the side of the sliding door.
“One sec.” I went to the pantry and pulled the fluid down from the top shelf and took it to him. “Now, if your skills are good, I may hire you for my first summer cook out.”
“Prepare to be impressed.” He winked then was gone.
As I rinsed and cut the fresh broccoli, I could hear him outside. Even though I had my mind set on an evening alone, I had to admit it was nice having company over. I knew I could have invited Marisa for a girls' night, but having a man in my space was more comforting.
I reminded myself not to get too used to it, because this was a one night thing. Maybe months down the road, we’d grab a coffee together but probably nothing more. Once old associates caught up on the years in between, what was left to say?
“The fire is going. Now, time to marinate.” He called out a list of things he would need and I was happy I had them on hand.
Placing the veggies on the stove, I watched him work. Michael wasn’t a cooker at all. Generally, he stayed far away from the kitchen until food was ready and on the table. I enjoyed standing side by side with a man who wasn’t too macho to know his way around the kitchen.
“You’re not trying to steal my secret recipe, are you?” He eased the lime and zester along his far side as if to hide it.
“Worcestershire, olive oil, black pepper, coarse sea salt, paprika and the zest of one whole lime.” I continued peeling the sweet potatoes I was going to make home fries with.
“You sneak. Now I’m going to have to think of a way to keep those pretty lips sealed so you won’t go giving the information away.” He hip checked me lightly.
My mind had gone to mush. I just kept thinking of him sealing my lips with his. I had never wanted to know what it was like to kiss a man so bad until Sloane Cale stood in my kitchen flirting with me.
Seeing my gaze on his mouth, his eyes darkened to an intense green; the color of fresh summer grass.
I thought the tone was perfect since I could so easily find myself lost for hours in his gaze. Taking a breath, I stepped back, too far because I bumped into the counter behind us.
He reached out to help me. “Whoa, be careful. You all right?”
I dodged his hand and stooped down to get a frying pan in a lower cabinet. “Yup, great. Just a little clumsiness.” I stayed down there a lot longer than necessary. The item I needed was directly in front of me but I wanted a moment to get myself together.
“You need help?”
Finally, I rose and exhaled. “Found it.” Waving the pot and its accompanying lid I placed it on the stove.
Secret Delights (Lingerie Series) Page 2
