Instant Enticement
Page 22
“Mmmm,” he growled and rolled her onto his chest.
She propped her chin on her folded arms. “Tell me the rest of the story. Something happened to change your life of crime.”
He sighed and stared at the ceiling. “I went to jail, but I’d been in trouble so many times the police knew if they called my dad, I’d end up back on the street.”
“They left you in jail?” Kelly seethed in anger. A young boy, thrown in a cell with bars. He must have been terrified.
“Only for a few hours. The social worker found a woman crazy enough to take me in.”
“I bet she wasn’t crazy at all. She saw the good in you.”
“She saw something.” He talked while caressing her back. “I was a stubborn little shit.”
Kelly giggled. She could imagine Craig at the age of thirteen, a stubborn pout on his face.
“So, you moved into her home? Your father allowed it?”
“He didn’t have much choice.”
“What happened to him?”
“Don’t know. Don’t care. I never went back.”
“You never saw him again?”
“Why should I? He didn’t want me.” She heard the anger in his voice, but she also heard the hurt boy he still tried to hide. “I moved on. Amelia, the lady who took me in, showed me a new life.”
“What about your mother?”
“Amelia is my mother. She turned my life around. Raised me and loved me like I was her own. She showed me what a home should be like.” His tone held so much affection, Kelly wanted to meet the woman who’d raised him from an angry teenager to a confident man.
“You love her.”
“She’s my mom. I’ll always remember where I came from. I’m thankful to her for saving me. I found I loved her more than I knew I was capable. Now, I take care of her.”
His fingers toyed with a strand of Kelly’s hair. She dipped and placed a lingering kiss on his hair matted chest.
Craig clasped his palms on each side of her face, raising her gaze to his. “Please,” he whispered, his eyes full of longing. “Don’t shut me out. I’ll give you your space, whatever you need. I have one request.”
The last thing she wanted was space. She loved him with her whole heart, and it would break if she couldn’t be with him. “What’s that?”
“We speak to each other every day. I’d like to see you every day, but if you feel that’s too much, at least promise to talk to me.”
A tear welled over and slid down her cheek.
“Hey.” He rolled with her to his side and cradled her. She clung to him, her chest shuddering with her sobs. He whispered and crooned until the elephant crushing her soul slowly went away.
What the hell was wrong with her? How could she deny something that felt so right? This man tore her world upside down, but she knew he’d be the one to turn it back where it belonged. Where she belonged.
“Hey,” he murmured. “Don’t cry. Listen to your heart. Accept your feelings. You have to know how I feel about you. Tell me what you want. I’ll do everything in my power to give it to you.”
God, she loved this man.
“I haven’t said much about my family. It’s because my mom and dad left me alone a lot. They were never home. The only family I had were the staff. The ones who took care of me. Then I met Dennis. He became my family. Like Amelia became yours.”
Craig squeezed her tight as if he knew she needed him to understand.
“Tell me,” she hiccupped the words.
“What?”
She sniffed and swiped at her nose. “Tell me.”
“Tell you what, sweetheart?”
She needed to see his face. See the truth as he said the words. She latched onto his gaze, summoning with her eyes what she wanted to hear. “Tell me how you feel.”
“From the moment you jumped out of that shower, I knew my life would change. You captivated me that day, and you’ve had me enthralled every minute since. Kelly, I love you. With everything in me, I love you.”
Tears fell freely. Receiving the words she so desperately wanted to hear, she cried in earnest. Craig loved her. And she loved him. So much.
“Kiss me,” she blubbered.
“Anything you want. Everything.”
Chapter 17
Had she lost her mind?
After only a month, she was seriously considering a life changing decision. If she wanted to be logical about the situation, which she didn’t, she should say goodbye and go back to Virginia, back to her solitary life. She certainly should not be with a man, and not anywhere near another relationship. Robert had been an ass, and she’d been a fool to think she wanted a life with a man she didn’t love. Just thinking about it made her cringe.
When she’d fled her home only a few weeks ago, she had every intention of escaping her horrifying relationship and crying on her best friend’s shoulder. She’d sworn off men. The very next day, she found herself panting after another one.
Craig.
She couldn’t even breathe normally when she thought of him. He’d opened her eyes. Made her see what life could be. Should be. With love. Oh yes, she was definitely planning to move. And if she had lost her mind, she hoped she never found it. She was perfectly happy staying in her current fantasy.
The man made her melt. Made her toes curl when he kissed her, made her body hum in delight when he touched her. He looked at her as though she was his world and nothing else mattered. Falling into his arms had been the most gripping release she’d ever known.
She loved Craig with her whole heart. His every move, every gesture, proved his love for her.
Giddy. She was just giddy.
And she planned to relish every stinking moment.
The coffee cup in her hands warmed her palms. She blew over the top, watching ripples float over the Columbian brew, before she took a sip.
She never wanted to see Robert again. She needed to call her boss. He’d try to talk her out of it, but she had made her decision. Craig was worth taking the risk.
Her neighbor Sandi was keeping tabs on her apartment. She picked up her phone and punched in Sandi’s number.
“Hello.”
“Hi, Sandi.”
“Kelly! Oh my God. Where are you?”
“I’m still in Charlotte. Why? Is something wrong?”
“Other than your ex beating on my door, absolutely nothing.”
Kelly pinched the bridge of her nose, sorry her neighbor had to put up with him. “Robert has been pestering you?” She heard a crunch that sounded suspiciously like the snap of a carrot. The gabble of Sandi’s speech confirmed she was eating something.
“Yeah. According to the super, he’s been by several times. Our wonderful landlord changed the locks after I told him what the cheating bastard did. He gave some excuse about updating the locks on all the apartments. Robert threatened him, but the super told him his name wasn’t on the lease and he wasn’t getting a key. The jackass pounded on my door. I got a kick out of slamming it in his face.”
“You did?” Kelly laughed.
“I enjoyed telling him you weren’t home yet, and I had no idea when you would be. He thinks I know where you are. I like watching his face screw up in frustration.”
“Sandi, I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. He doesn’t bother me. Although, yesterday I thought I might have to call the rescue squad when he turned purple. Like I would bother.”
“You’re so bad.”
“If the guy were gasping for air, I’d shut the door and turn up my stereo so I couldn’t hear him. The weasel.” Another crunch. Sandi loved her carrots. Kelly could image her neighbor waving a carrot in Robert’s face, wielding it like a weapon.
“Honey, if you think he’s dangerous, don’t come back here. I can ship whatever you need. The super will help. I think he secretly likes you.”
“The guy is twice my age.”
“He’s young at heart. Seriously. There’s no reason for you to come back to Virginia. Not till this blows over.”
“I still have a job. Which is my next phone call.”
“Your boss is a doll. You never told me you worked for such a gorgeous hunk.”
“Thanks for taking him my drives. That helped get me my extended vacation.”
“He’s hot in a suit. Dark brooding brows, but a smile that would melt a girl’s panties.”
“Don’t get your hopes up. He’s married to his work.”
“We’ll see. We have a date this weekend.”
“With my boss?”
“Yeah. When I met him in his office, you weren’t the only topic of conversation,” Sandi said with a sensual teasing voice. Maybe she would be the one to smooth those brooding thick brows.
“Have fun.”
“You can count on it. I’d be happy to collect anything you might need from your office and ship it, along with anything you want from your apartment.”
“That’s really generous.”
“Whatever you need, girlfriend. Until you feel comfortable coming home. As for Robs, don’t worry about him.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to put up with him much longer. He’ll get the hint when someone else moves into my apartment.” She heard a clanking sound.
“Shit.”
“What did you do?”
“Hang on.” Kelly heard running water and a moment later Sandi was back on the line.
“I spilled my coffee. Who’s moving in? Are you moving out or bringing a man with you?”
“Leave it to you to assume I’m moving in another man.”
“Is it the hot guy who’s been holding you in Charlotte? Is he coming here? Oh my God. Oh my God. It is, isn’t it? Wait till Robs gets a load of this.”
Robs?
“Slow down, runaway train. I’m not moving anyone in. I’m moving out.”
Silence.
“Did I actually manage to stun you into silence?”
“Good thing my cup was already sitting on the counter. I would have dropped it with this news. Are you serious?”
“Believe me, I didn’t make this decision lightly.”
“This guy must have really taken your fancy. I’ve got to meet him, so I can see for myself if you’re crazy in love or just plain crazy.”
“The first one.”
“Really?” Sandi’s long sigh came through the line. “I’m so jealous. He must really be something.”
“He is. I’ll tell you all about him when I see you.”
“Pictures. I’d prefer to meet him, and I will, but you’ve got to send me a picture. Email it to me.”
Kelly laughed.
“You didn’t answer me. When are you coming back? Packing up your stuff will be a real challenge not knowing when Robs-y will show up.”
“He would hate hearing you call him that.”
“Already did. Hmm. That might have had something to do with his face turning purple.”
Kelly laughed. Her neighbor was a hoot. She could just imagine the rage on Robert’s face, and the mocking glee on Sandi’s.
“I’ll know more after I call my boss, but you’ll see me soon. I’m quitting my job.”
~ ~ ~
Honey, are you sure you’re not on the rebound?”
Kelly counted to ten to keep from snapping at Gail. Did everyone think she didn’t know her own mind? At least Dennis had faith in her.
“I mean,” Gail continued, “this guy, Richard?”
“Robert.”
“This guy Robert, you were ready to marry him. It must have been quite a shock to find out he was already married.”
That was an understatement. Kelly still couldn’t believe how well he’d kept that important fact hidden. One by one, all her friends were questioning her choices. Yes, she’d run. Yes, she’d sworn off men. No, she was not on the rebound. She thought when she called Gail and asked her to meet for lunch at the Bistro, she’d be excited at the news.
“Believe me, it was. But I’m not on the rebound. You know Craig.”
“Okay, I’ll admit he’s seriously hot,” Gail said. “And I’ve seen the way you two act around each other. I saw the electricity that first night at Jake’s. You guys really hit it off. Still. It’s only been a few weeks. Are you really thinking of moving? Giving up your job?”
It was just a job. One she’d worked hard to achieve. Giving up her position was nothing compared to the idea of spending the rest of her life with Craig.
“Yes. I’ve already contacted my boss. He was willing to extend my leave of absence, but I know what I want.”
“Craig is ridiculously hot, hot enough to make any girl relocate.”
For an instant, Kelly felt a twang of jealousy. “Aren’t you hooked on Pete?” Her voice came out a bit more severe than she’d intended.
“Draw in your claws. Yes, Pete’s the man for me.” Gail stabbed a piece of lettuce. From the expression on her face, Kelly wondered if she were thinking of stabbing some one. Maybe Pete?
“How’s that going, anyway?”
“It’s not.” Gail laid her fork beside her plate and rested her elbows on the table’s edge, linking her fingers. “Just when I think he’s totally in to me, he goes out with the guys.”
“Do you think maybe he’s seeing someone else?”
Gail’s eyes grew haunted. “I don’t know for sure. But if he’s with his friends, they’re out carousing.”
“You know how guys are.” Kelly shrugged, and hoped to ease Gail’s suspicions. “Maybe they just drink and watch football.”
“Yeah, and maybe I’m Cinderella.” Gail lifted her glass and sipped her water.
Kelly carefully placed her fork down. “Look. You’re miserable. Why don’t you just waylay him? Ask him outright?”
“God no.” Gail scrunched her face in horror.
“Why not?”
“Take a chance of driving him away?” Gail hissed.
“How will you ever know if you don’t confront him?”
“We don’t have a contract. I don’t have a ring.” Gail picked up her fork and mauled her lettuce.
Maybe Gail didn’t have a ring, but Kelly knew how much she wanted one. “You don’t need a ring to have a boyfriend who doesn’t date anyone else.”
“We’re not exclusive.”
“Maybe you should be,” Kelly bantered back. “You need to meet this head on. How do you know he wouldn’t choose you?”
“Come on, Kelly. If he was interested, he would have said something before now.”
“He’s interested.” Kelly picked up her fork and speared a cherry tomato, noticing the undisguised hope in her friend’s gaze. “He keeps taking you on dates.”
“They’re not really dates. We just hang out together.”
“Hang out and have sex?”
Gail flinched. “Well, yeah.”
“If the sex is so bad, why do you keep seeing him?”
“Who said the sex was bad? He’s fantastic.”
“Then why the gloomy face?”
“I want more, Kelly. We go out, party with friends. He takes me home, we have sex, and he leaves.”
“I thought you had a handle on that.”
“I . . . I . . .”
“I uh, uh, what? Can’t do without it? Can’t do without him?”
Resentment flashed in Gail’s eyes. “Like you’re not having sex with Craig?”
“Are you really going to compare us?”
“No,” Gail said as she dropped her gaze. “I want what you have with Craig. It’s so obvious you two love each other.”
Feeling compassion for her friend, Kelly reached over and covered Gail’s hand. “You can have that, too. You deserve a man who treats you the way you want. Either you stop seeing Pete altogether, or you tell him what you want.”
“Give him an ultimatum?” Gail asked, horrified. “He’ll leave.”
“Don’t give him an ultimatum. Guys hate that. If you make them choose, they’re going to choose whatever saves their pride.”
“Then what do you mean? What am I supposed to do?” Between Gail’s pleading words and her beseeching expression, Kelly wanted to smack Pete upside the head. Maybe he didn’t show Gail the devotion she deserved, but from what Kelly had seen, the guy felt something. Kelly hoped he cared enough, because she didn’t want Gail to be hurt. If Gail followed Kelly’s advice and things didn’t work out . . .
“What happened to being unavailable?” Gail’s expression turned sheepish. Kelly rushed on. “I thought you were letting his calls go to voice mail.”
“I didn’t want to antagonize him.”
“You said things were better.”
“He was spending more time with his friends. His calls less frequent.”
“So you went back to your old pattern?”
“I love him.”
Kelly tightened her fists in annoyance. “Ever hear of tough love? You’ve got to get tough.”
“Right. That’s what you’ve got going with Craig?” Gail rolled her eyes.
“Craig and I had a rough start. He thought I was with Dennis.”
Gail frowned. “You and Dennis are friends.”
“Craig thought we were more.”