When It Rains...

by Angie Daniels

  Jay shook his head. “I can’t marry her, Nat.”

  “I’m not asking you to marry her,” she said. “All I’m asking is that you raise the baby yourself.”

  He looked up, confused, and said, “I don’t know,” wishing he were as convinced of his ability to raise a child as Natalia.

  She planted both hands on her trim waist. “Well then, you better figure it out, because that baby is gonna need a father. A mother, too, if you have any possibilities.” Natalia noticed Jay flinch slightly, and was surprised at what she read on his face. Her gaze narrowed. “You mean to tell me there is someone in your unstable life?”

  Jay shrugged, then said, “Yes and no.” He paused then, but Natalia waited. Finally, he added, “Yes, I love someone.No, she won’t have anything to do with my black ass.”

  “Damn!” Natalia wagged her hand as if she’d been burned, then giggled. “Someone has finally sunk her teeth in you. Well, it’s about time.” Moving merrily around her desk, she pulled up a chair so she could sit facing him. “Who is she?”

  Jay chuckled at Natalia’s response despite his anguish,and told her about Honey.

  “She sounds lovely,” she said, and her eyes sparkled with approval. “When do I get to meet her?”

  “Nat, don’t start,” Jay groaned. “Honey isn’t interestedin being anything but a friend.”

  Natalia ignored his look of opposition. “Maybe you haven’t tried hard enough. A good woman is worth fighting for.” She crossed one leg over the other. “Remember,I waited for Terraine to come around for fifteenyears.”

  A grin stole across his face. “Yeah, and look what good it did you.”

  Natalia frowned, and Jay opened his mouth to speak, but she jabbed him in the arm before spitting out a simplewarning: “Don’t even go there.”

  Honey had to pinch her arm just to make certain she wasn’t dreaming. She had arrived at the salon around eight to find Rashad and a crew of five out front waiting in two trucks bearing the company’s logo NOTHING BUT LOVE.

  The rest of the morning breezed by in record time. Rashad instructed his crew, and by eleven o’clock most of the rubbish had been hauled away. Freddy’s was beginning to look less like a diner, and Honey could almost visualize the changes to come.

  While going over the layout of the area with her brother, she heard someone call his name. Rashad looked up first, then her eyes followed to find a fine brotha moving toward them. With eyes glued to the handsome stranger, Honey slid off the stool, brushing the dust from the back of her jeans. Her lips curled when she realized the stranger was Darrius. Gone was his frail, skinny body; in its place was a bomb-ass body. No longer slouching, the man moved with earned dignity.

  “Hey, man, what’s up?” Stepping forward, Rashad greeted him with a firm slap on the back.

  “Just keepin’ it real,” Darrius responded before his eyes traveled over to Honey. He honored her with a charming grin, causing her to blush.

  My, my, Honey thought as she took in his explosive good looks. A gorgeous brotha the color of roasted peanuts, Darrius was a tempting package. He was blessed with good hair that he once wore in a curly ponytail, but now was cut low. The gray two-piece suit added distinction to his features, and complemented his tall, solid frame. The years had definitely been good to him.

  He greeted her with a warm brotherly hug. “You’re still as fine as I remembered,” he said, pleased at what he saw. Pulling away slightly, he kept his arms wrapped loosely around her small waist while his dark eyes feasted on her pretty face.

  Honey smiled up into a pair of magnificent tawny eyes and said, “You didn’t turn out bad yourself.” The scent of his expensive cologne filled her nose. She waited, hoping to feel a warm tingle traveling through her veins or even a couple of drips in her panties. But her jaw sagged with disappointment. Nothing, not even a spark.

  Damn!

  Darrius finally released her and Honey took two steps back, smiling brightly up at him.

  Rashad poked Darrius in the arm. “Didn’t I tell you she was somethin’ else?”

  Still gazing down at her with admiration, Darrius licked his lips before speaking in a low tone. “And for once you didn’t lie.”

  Honey rolled her eyes and grimaced, dying to knock a silly-ass grin off her brother’s face. Standing next to her, Rashad began engaging in a conversation about her love for flannel as if she weren’t there. She couldn’t believe her ears. Matchmaking was bad enough. However,Rashad knew she didn’t share her personal life with anyone. By the time she overheard him revealing she was a lousy cook, Honey decided to nip the conversationin the bud. Enough is enough. Agreeing to go out with one of Rashad’s boys was becoming a grave mistake.

  She propped her hands on her waist and said, “Rashad, don’t you have work to do?”

  The irritation in her voice got his attention. Realizingthat he probably said more than he should have, Rashad smiled and said, “Yeah, I guess I do.” He gazed at her for a second as if to say, “My bad,” before turning to Darrius. “Man, I’ll holla atcha later.” They gave each other dap before he returned to his crew.

  Honey clicked her tongue at her brother’s retreating back and said, “You have to excuse him. Sometimes he doesn’t know when to shut the hell up.”

  Darrius chuckled at her irritated look. “No problem.”Hearing hammering behind him, he allowed his eyes to wander around the room. “Rashad says you’re expanding your salon?” He faced her in time to watch her nod proudly in response. She was excited, and had every right to be. He was always happy to see a sista reach her dreams. Darrius’s heart warmed with affection,and a smile crept to his lips. “Congratulations,” he added. “You’ve come a long way from my boy’s pain-in-the-ass little sister.”

  Honey slugged him playfully in the chest, and Darriusreacted as if she’d knocked the wind from his lungs before he laughed.

  “Watch it, buddy,” she warned. “The way I rememberit, you had a mad crush on me.”

  “True, that.” He allowed his eyes to travel the length of her again, taking a quick appraisal of her curves. “Damn, you look good! How have you been?”

  “I’ve been good. And yourself?”

  “I can’t complain.” He stuck out his chest. “Life has been good to me. I’m a stockbroker.”

  “Ooh! Wall Street,” she said, impressed. She could just see him racing around the stock market trading floor.

  He chuckled. “Yeah, about as close as I’ll ever get.”

  She admired the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he laughed. “Well, you definitely wear it well,” she murmured.

  They grinned stupidly at each other.

  “So, when can I take you out to dinner?” he finally asked.

  She made a face. “I’m not sure if I want to go out with someone who thinks I’m a pain in the ass.”

  Darrius dropped a hand to her shoulder and squeezed, then gave her a devilish grin. “You can pester me anytime.”

  Staring up at him awhile longer, Honey waited for some kind of reaction. She hoped for at least a shiver. However, once again she didn’t feel even an inkling of a response. She sighed. It was fuckin’ hopeless. “I don’t care.” She shrugged, then smiled. “I’m always game for a free meal.”

  He looked surprised, and said jokingly, “You mean I’m paying?”

  With narrowed eyes, she said, “Don’t even play.”

  Darrius laughed openly at her expression until her face softened. “How about tomorrow night?”

  She grinned. “Tomorrow’s good.”

  Straining his ears, Jay heard enough bits of the conversationto confirm that the two were indeed dating. Only seconds ago, he had entered through the salon and stood behind the makeshift door that separated the two suites. He hadn’t intended to eavesdrop. Hearing Honey’s voice, he assumed it was business, and had decided to wait. It only took a matter of seconds for him to realize he’d been wrong. That shit had nothing to do with business.

  Watching them standi
ng so close together was pissinghim the fuck off. A slight frown marred his features as he looked the man up and down through the crack in the door. He didn’t like the way his hand rested on Honey’s shoulder either. Observing them, Jay rememberedhow easy it used to be for him and her to carry on a friendly conversation, and even flirt with one another as she was doing with the stranger. That closeness was lost. Now there was only tension between them. A bolt of jealousy sliced into him.

  Feeling the overwhelming need to storm into the room to stake his claim, Jay shifted to his right leg and resisted the urge. Time was running short, and if he planned to make Honey his, he’d have to act fast. It was time for her to realize there was more going on betweenthem than could be denied.

  Jay cleared his dry throat and the two turned toward him, wearing identical stunned expressions. Honey moved away from the man as if she were caught doing something she shouldn’t have been doing.

  With hands deep in his pockets, Jay moved forward. “I’m sorry, did I interrupt somethin’?” His apology didn’t quite reach his eyes as they slid from the stranger to Honey’s flushed face.

  Even before Honey turned around, she was aware of his presence at the door; the hairs at the nape of her neck had suddenly stood up. She hated her traitorous body when Jay was near. He wasn’t even touching her, but by simply looking at her, his gorgeous eyes kindled a flutter at the pit of her belly. Darrius’s touch did nothing,but when Jay was near, every vein in her body came to life.

  Shaking her head, Honey quickly recovered and threw him a less-than-welcoming look. “Yes ... Yes, you are interrupting us,” she said. “Will you excuse us a moment?”

  “No problemo,” Jay said, flashing a mouthful of perfectlywhite teeth. But instead of leaving them alone he stood nearby, rocking back and forth on his heels, staringat them like he was ready to fuck somebody up.

  Glancing briefly over at Jay, and realizing he had no intention of leaving, Honey turned her gaze to Darrius and raised her brow as if to say I’m sorry.

  Darrius nodded knowingly. “Handle your business. I need to get back to work myself.” He leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. “I’ll give you a call tonight.” After acknowledging Jay with a stiff nod, Darrius strolled to the front of the building. Jay’s muscles tensed as he fought for control when what he wanted to do was grab the cocky son of a bitch around his neck and choke the shit out of him.

  Not wanting to make Jay aware that his rude behaviorhad affected her, Honey stepped past him and walked toward her office. When she heard his footsteps,she paused halfway down the hall to glare at him over her shoulder. “Can I help you with something?”

  “I thought I’d get started tomorrow.”

  “Check with my brother and make sure you won’t be in his way.” Without another word, she turned and walked into her office.

  Following Honey, Jay breathed deeply, taking in the familiar female fragrance. Even dressed in faded blue jeans and a green sweater, she still managed to look damn good. As far as he could tell she wasn’t wearing any makeup ... but with flawless honey-beige skin, why would she? Her hair had been gathered loosely at the back of her head, then twisted and secured with a comb. She was seated at her desk now, head tilted down, and he warmed as he stared at the curls that had escaped and lay against her neck.

  “So, you’re datin’ that cat?”

  Her eyes immediately snapped to him. “Yes ... not that it’s any of your business.”

  His brown-eyed gaze held hers for several seconds while he moved to take a seat on the end of her desk. “He doesn’t seem like your type.”

  Honey thought she saw a sign of jealousy, but his expression changed before she could be sure. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she asked, “And what is my type?”

  “Well, not the stuffed-suit type. He looks like he works at a bank.”

  Honey smirked, amused at his behavior but also relieved.He was jealous. “Your claws are showin’, Jay.”

  “Hey.” He raised his hands and shrugged. “I’m just tryin’ to be a good friend.”

  “How? By being rude?” Arms folded beneath her breasts, she waited for an apology.

  “Okay, please forgive me. But was I right?”

  “About what?”

  “About him being a banker?”

  “No, you’re wrong.” She watched his jaw drop a fraction. “He’s a stockbroker.”

  His triumphant smirk gone now, Jay scratched his bearded face and said, “That’s even worse.”

  Her lips twisted to one side. “I’m not about to have this conversation with you.”

  “Why not?”

  “ ’Cause I’m not,” she answered coolly, annoyed by his questions.

  Jay was pissed, but he hid it well. Getting her to revealher feelings about the stranger was like prying open a lion’s mouth. She left him no other choice but to ruffle her feathers a little bit.

  “Actually,” he said, then hesitated briefly, “you should tell me all about him, just in case I need to rescueyou again.”

  She gaped at him. “Excuse me?”

  He folded his arms across his chest. “Don’t tell me you forgot about the doctor.”

  Oh, how could she have forgotten? She grinned despiteher best effort not to. “I could have handled him myself. I do know Tae Kwon Do.”

  His lips curved into a lopsided grin. “Is that what you were doing?” He paused to give a harsh laugh. “That shit looked more like Tae Bo.”

  She couldn’t resist a chuckle. Last Fourth of July, she’d had a date with a resident physician who simply refused to take no for an answer. By the close of the evening, she’d planted a knee hard between his legs, causing him to buckle only momentarily before he lunged at her. Luckily, Jay had been lurking in the bushes. She pressed her lips together. Those had been the good old days. That is ... before Jay ruined everythingby kissing her.

  Still daydreaming, she didn’t see Jay round her desk. Before she had a chance to object, he dropped both hands to her shoulders and began massaging them.

  “You’re tense.”

  She nodded. She hadn’t realized how tense she was until she felt his warm, gentle caress. Her mind flooded with memories of the two sitting in her living room with Jay commencing an evening massage.

  Jay leaned in close and whispered, “You need to be with a real man, one who’s got his woman’s back. Not those wimps you’ve been dating.” His hot breath against her ear caused goose bumps to rise on her arms.

  Honey tried to fight the need to respond; however, his fingers commenced a slow assault of her senses while his male fragrance wrapped around her like a nylon rope. She felt weak. Helpless. Her eyelids flutteredclosed and she moaned. It felt good to be touched by him again. For the moment, she forgot her vow to keep her guard up, to stay away from him, and allowed herself to enjoy the heat radiating from his hands.

  “What you need is me,” he whispered against her ear.

  His cocky words snapped her back to reality. Swivelingaround in her chair, she disengaged his hands. “What I need is for you to get the fuck out of my office.”

  Jay stepped back and looked at her with an intensity in his gaze that caused the same fluttering feeling insideher. Suddenly, she felt as if the room were closing in on her. She’d always found her office small, but now, with Jay invading her space, the room seemed almost claustrophobic.

  Admonishing herself for the desire stirring at her core, she took a stabilizing breath and regained her senses. She didn’t want Jay to misconstrue her reaction to his touch. As soon as she could trust her voice, she said, “I have work to do.”

  Jay grinned while shaking his head. Honey tried to act tough, but he knew there was a soft and vulnerable side to her. He’d already seen it. Leaning over, he cupped her chin in the palm of his hand. “When are you gonna quit resisting me and give a brotha a chance?”

  The arrogant arch of his forehead as well as the knowing smile on his face told her he was thinking about that night they had almost shared
. Although her coochie throbbed, she rolled her eyes. A burst of fire radiated from his palm; however, she pushed aside all emotion and moved away from his reach. “In your dreams. Now ... would you please leave?”

  She managed to sound as if she wasn’t at all disturbedby his words, when in fact she felt like she was about to lose control. It was a shame she couldn’t lie across her desk, spread her legs, and invite him in. Honey could tell he wasn’t all that upset at her rejection,and it irritated her that she couldn’t shake his confidence.If she was able to deny her feelings, why the fuck couldn’t he do the same? “Is working together gonna be a problem?” she asked.

  He plastered on an unruffled expression to hide his frustration and said, “No problem,” but paused when he met her brief gaze. He watched her lips part with a sigh. The same lips that kept him awake night after night. “No problem at all.” He then stepped out, closingthe door behind him.

  She closed her eyes after Jay left and allowed her head to fall against the back of the chair. She needed to stand strong, but there was nothing she could do about the warm, sensual current running through her veins. The man made her toes curl, but she had to find a way to keep up the pretense that she felt nothing for him except friendship. It wasn’t going to be easy. Why couldn’t any other male have the same effect on her? The more time she spent with Jay, the more she wanted. Why the hell couldn’t she just tell him that she didn’t need his help, that she’d found someone else to do the work? With a sigh, Honey reached over and logged on to her computer.

  She was looking forward to her date with Darrius, even though they would never be anything more than friends.

  But Jay didn’t need to know that.

  Jay was ready to put his fist through a fuckin’ wall. The thought of someone else being with Honey, with his dick buried between her legs, bothered him. It was one thing to be led to believe that she wasn’t interested in a relationship. It was another thing to know that the stupid-ass rule only applied to him.