“She had beautiful skin like you. It had been kissed dark by the sun, and her hair was long and thick, hanging to her waist. And she had the most beautiful eyes!” The man gasped at the memory, his own eyes glistening with moisture. He pulled a hand to his chest as if it hurt him to remember. Roshawn’s eyes fell to the spot over his heart where he rubbed. The moment passed as he continued.
“I knew from the moment I first saw her that she would be my wife. She used to tell people that I only knew after she told me that it would be so.” He chuckled lightly. “We were married very young and we were so happy. Few will ever know that kind of happiness.
“We had wanted many children but my wife had much female sickness. We lost three babies from female problems and that broke both of our hearts. But we had much love for each other and we knew that it would be God’s will if we were to be blessed with babies and we would accept whatever he would want for us.”
The man paused as Roshawn reached out to rest a palm against his arm. The gesture was comforting as he continued. “Many years passed and we accepted that it was just not to be. Then one day, my Graciella was pregnant with our Angel. She called him Angel from the moment she knew he was coming and that has been his name ever since.”
Roshawn smiled. A moment of silence wafted over them for a second time. “Angel must have made you both very happy,” she said softly.
He nodded. “We were very excited about his coming. My Graciella wanted so much to be a good mother. But God had other plans for her. She passed away in childbirth. She became very sick and it was too much for her delicate body.”
Roshawn clasped her fingers to her lips, tears rising in her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Israel,” she said softly.
The man shook his head, wiping at the moisture that had filled his eyes. “She was the love of my life and she gave me a beautiful son. And I will be with her again one day when God is finished with me here. But I would very much like to see you and my Angel married before I go, and I would like to hold my grandson at least once.”
Roshawn shook her head as she raised her eyebrows at the man.
He laughed. “You two will make beautiful babies together.”
She flipped her hand at him. “I am too old to even be thinking about a baby. Ming will be eighteen for goodness sake!”
The man waved his head up and down. “You will see,” he said. “A father knows these things.”
“So, tell me,” Roshawn asked, quickly changing the subject. “Why does Angel think all women are evil and out to get him?”
The man shifted forward in his seat and sighed. “My son has not had good experiences with women. Many have tried to take advantage of his kindness. I have taught him that he has to be careful to wait for a woman who will love him because of what is in his heart and not because of what he does, or the money and land he has. He needs a woman who will challenge him and make him be a stronger man. A woman like you.”
Israel could see her mulling over what he had said, the comment churning through her mind. They both drifted comfortably back into the silence, watching as the last ray of sunlight drifted out of view. As if on cue the timer for the outside patio lights initiated and the soft glow of light flicked on, casting an easy glow across the landscape.
“Now, you must tell me something,” Israel said, resuming the conversation.
“What’s that?”
“Where did you learn to speak Spanish?”
Roshawn grinned. “I studied it in school, then I spent a year in Portugal and Spain studying abroad. I had followed Chen there on a student internship the year before we were married. I also speak Chinese and some French.”
The man nodded, clearly impressed. There was definitely more to the woman than what may have met the eye. And what met the eye was clearly imposing.
Roshawn shrugged. “It’s really no big deal. I only learned Chinese so I’d know when Chen and his parents were talking about me and he taught me what little French I know.”
The man gave her a wide grin as he came to his feet, Roshawn joining him. “My son will do well to marry such a beautiful, intelligent woman who can also cook. He will do very, very well.”
* * *
The duo had talked for a long while. The evening ended when Chen had come to retrieve his daughter, offering Israel a ride back to his hotel at the same time. As Roshawn rinsed the last of the dirty dishes, stacking them neatly into the dishwasher, she couldn’t help but think about the old man and the conversation they’d shared over the evening. Inevitably, thinking about Israel meant thinking about Angel. She heaved a deep sigh as she moved from the back door to the front, ensuring each was latched securely for the night.
Roshawn would never admit it out loud, but Angel Rios had constantly been on her mind. She woke up thinking about him, went to bed wondering about him, thoughts of him flooding her senses throughout the day. They had watched the game on television and she’d been excited to see him, observing him in action on the baseball field. And she had suppressed the emotion, denying it to Israel, and Ming, and mostly to herself.
Stripping out of her clothes, she ran a bath, filling the oversize tub with hot water and jasmine-scented bath beads. Strolling naked into the bedroom she switched on the CD player, flooding the room with music. Her LL Cool J CD was in the player and the heavy beat of “Move Somethin’” suddenly rocked the room. She stood listening for a brief moment, her head and body bouncing in time to the beat.
Roshawn adjusted the volume, raising it just a touch before heading back into the bathroom and lowering her body into the tub. The music felt good, almost tactile, as the vibration coursed through her body. In combination with the misty heat that filled the space and the gentle waves of moisture that flowed over her skin, Roshawn found herself breathing heavily, Angel Rios once again dominating her thoughts.
Curiosity was getting the better of her. She was curious to know what moved him, to discover what lay beneath his staunch exterior. Angel Rios was intriguing and Roshawn was challenged to know what it would take to break him down, to get into his head, and maybe even move his heart.
She swiped a damp palm across her brow, brushing at the rise of moisture that beaded over her skin. A faint smile lifted the lines of her mouth as LL teased her with “Apple Cobbler.” The sexual innuendo was anything but subtle as the man likened an intimate oral act to his favorite dessert. Thoughts of Angel surged through her femaleness and made her stomach quiver with excitement. Goose bumps prickled the length of her arms.
The night of his haircut, as her fingers had danced through his hair, her body leaning against his, her nipples had blossomed rock hard against the cotton fabric of her T-shirt. Heat had billowed through her pores and had the opportunity presented itself she would have gladly explored every square inch of Angel Rios. Roshawn’s smile widened at the thought.
A sudden realization consumed her. Sitting upright, she pulled her knees to her chest, wrapping her arms tightly around her legs. One tear trickled the length of her cheek, dancing with the steamy mist in the room. Her emotions were a sudden whirlwind as she reflected on what was happening with her.
John Chen was clearly out of her system. Roshawn had loved him so hard and for so long, that even when she knew it was better for them to not be married, she had been unwilling to completely let him go. John had been the one man she had welcomed into her bed without thought or reservation as he had full occupancy over her heart. And it suddenly dawned on her that she had finally let him go, opening herself to the possibility of letting someone else in. And whether she said it out loud or not, Angel Rios had moved her spirit and was clearly in playing position to tighten a firm grip around her heart.
* * *
Angel dropped to the bed, stretching the length of his body across the mattress. The hotel room was neither extravagant nor elaborate, simply comfortable and accommodating. A king-size bed, two chairs, a desk and the requisite television comprised the bulk of the furniture. As hotel rooms went, it was a v
ery nice one but Angel barely noticed, having grown weary of them all.
The team had played well and his body was now feeling the effects. A massage would have been nice but he had no interest in any of the team’s physical therapists putting their hands on him. After the ride from the home team’s stadium, he had left a few of the players in the hotel bar celebrating their win. And now he was alone, staring up at the ceiling, his thoughts lost on that woman. He pulled his palm across the smooth flesh on his head. He actually liked the look, surprised that a shaved head was flattering on him.
He reflected back on the dialogue he had just had with his father. The man had boasted about his evening, singing Roshawn’s praises. It had become increasingly clear to Angel during the course of their conversation that his father’s obsession with that woman was about him being concerned for his son’s future. The old man whole-heartedly believed that Roshawn Bradsher was the perfect woman for his only child.
After the hair debacle Angel had ventured to call her, dialing both her office and home numbers. Voice mail and an answering machine had picked up the first three calls. He’d hung up on the last one, the only time she’d actually answered. The sound of her voice had left him flustered, his voice catching in his throat and he’d hung up, not having a clue what he wanted to say.
A rush of heat surged through his groin and he cupped his hand over his crotch to stall the sudden rise of wanting. It seemed almost a lifetime ago when he would just have found a willing, pretty face to relieve his tension, sending his playmate on her way when the moment was over. For this trip, he had not even bothered to pack his usual supply of condoms. He had known as he sat in her kitchen watching her that until the two of them tested the waters to see what might happen between them, he had no further interest whatsoever in any other woman. Maybe they could make something work. And maybe they couldn’t, but he had to know and he was more than willing to wait until he could make that happen.
Chapter 12
His door was partially closed and Chen was calling for her attention as she made her way into the outer office. All the telephone lines were ringing at the same time and Roshawn gestured with her index finger for him to give her one quick minute to get a handle on things. After taking one message, transferring a second call, and then answering a question for an assistant coach, Roshawn made her way into Chen’s office.
“Good morning,” she said, greeting him cheerfully as she pushed the office door open wider.
“Good morning,” the man responded. “Roshawn, I believe you know Angel Rios,” he said, gesturing to the occupied seat across from his desk.
Angel came to his feet, his body stiffening as he extended his hand politely. “It’s very nice to see you again, Roshawn,” he said softly, his gaze piercing hers.
Roshawn held the stare, both holding the handshake two seconds longer than necessary. Chen stared from one to the other, his gaze landing back on his ex-wife’s face as he noted the sudden rise of tension between the two. He cleared his throat to regain their attention. As if caught with her fingers in the cookie jar, Roshawn dropped her eyes to the floor, pulling her hand back to her side before looking back up again. “It’s very nice to see you again as well, Angel,” she finally responded.
Angel nodded ever so slightly as he sat back down. Chen gestured for Roshawn to take the empty seat beside the man.
“I need to put you on a special assignment, Roshawn. Angel and his father need to find a permanent home here in the area, but with the season having started he doesn’t have the time to spend with a real estate agent the way he would like. We need you to narrow down a few selections for them to look at.” Chen passed her a folder of documents. “This is a complete listing of everything that’s on the market currently that falls within Angel’s price range. You need to view them, figure out which two or three you think might be best, and then catch up with Angel to arrange time for him and his father to see them.”
Roshawn nodded. “Is there anything special that you’d like me to look for, Angel?” she asked.
“You two might want to sit down together to talk about that,” Chen said, taking a quick glance down at his gold wristwatch. “Please feel free to use my office. Right now, I have a meeting I need to get to so I’m going to leave you two to figure out the details. Roshawn, the name and telephone number for the realty agency is in the folder. The agent’s name is Chelsea and she’s very good.” He turned to Angel. “Angel, you’re in very good hands. If you need anything else you know where to find me.”
Roshawn was still nodding as Chen grabbed his briefcase, his suit jacket and his car keys before he raced out the door. There was an awkward moment of quiet as the two watched him until he rounded the corner and disappeared from sight. Roshawn broke the silence as she turned back toward Angel and eyed him smugly. “I like your haircut,” she said. “Looks like your stylist did you a favor.”
A smirk crossed his face as he moved a hand over his head. He shrugged. “I think you owe me an apology,” he answered, sitting straighter in his seat.
Roshawn scoffed. “Don’t hold your breath.”
“Why are you so difficult?”
“Why are you so annoying?”
Angel sat staring at her, one leg crossed over his knee, his hands clasped prayerlike in front of him. He drew his fingers to his lips, blowing breath into the air. She was stunning, he thought to himself, eyeing her from head to toe. She wore a black, sleeveless, spandex turtleneck that fell just above her navel. A jeweled belly button ring shimmered against her dark skin as the light hit it just so. A linen skirt with an asymmetric hemline stopped at her knees, the low-waisted garment tied neatly on the side. Ballet flats in a black-and-taupe leopard print completed her ensemble. He could not stop staring into her eyes, the dark orbs dancing with laughter. He couldn’t begin to imagine how so much energy could be packed in such a tiny body.
Roshawn leaned back in her seat, eyeing him just as intensely. A wooden toothpick hung from his mouth and he swirled it easily across his lips, manipulating it slowly in and out of his mouth. As she watched him, the motion was so erotic that it took her breath away. It took every ounce of willpower she possessed not to rise from her seat to rub her palms across his bald dome, wanting to feel his flesh against hers.
Nina couldn’t have been more on the mark when she’d said the new style had elevated him to a whole new level of good-looking. The man was intoxicating, and sitting there in his black, Hugo Boss denim jeans, white silk shirt and black leather boots, he was oozing raw, unadulterated sensuality.
The emotions wafting between the two of them were so intense, so profoundly seductive, so hypnotic, that neither of them could think straight. The telephone ringing on Chen’s desk pulled them both back from the moment. Roshawn jumped to her feet to reach for the receiver. “Good morning! John Chen’s office.”
Angel stood up, moving to stand by the window, staring out over the landscape. The palms of his hands were damp with perspiration. Never before had any one woman caused him to feel so much inner conflict. As she hung up the telephone he turned back around to face her. When he spoke, his voice was a throaty whisper, the seductive lull of his Spanish sending a chill straight through her.
“I’d prefer a single-story home, ideally in a gated community. I’m not looking to move again so I need a nice-sized house with space for expansion, if that becomes necessary. Two master suites would be great, but if that’s not available then I need to be able to expand a second bedroom and bath for my father. Three additional bedrooms would be good to have as well. I don’t plan to be single forever. A home I could easily move a wife into and possibly raise a family in would be perfect.” He paused, his gaze penetrating, and then he licked his lips, his tongue swinging that toothpick from one side of his mouth to the other.
Roshawn took a deep breath and held it, intent on maintaining every bit of her composure. She released it slowly before responding. “Since you’re thinking about a family, I’m sure a sizeable
backyard would also be important. I know your father would enjoy an area for a garden as well. And, let’s not forget the kitchen,” she responded. “Israel would want a nice kitchen.”
Angel nodded. “I’m glad that you can be professional about this. I’ve had some concerns since the other night. You seem to lack control. Your behavior has been irrational and…” he started, pausing as he cut his eyes away from the glare she threw him. He didn’t bother to finish his statement.
Roshawn bit her tongue, her next comment coming with more bitterness than she’d intended, but she was suddenly feeling defensive. “Look, you don’t like me and I’m not crazy about you either, but when it comes to this ball club, my day job and Chen’s business, not even you could push me to do anything that might jeopardize that. Now, I’ll find you a home. I may even help you move, but after that I think the less we have to do with each other, the better.”
He stood silent, appraising the sudden rush of anger that had washed over her. “As you wish.” He took three long strides toward the door. “Thank you. I’ll be in town this week and then I’m on the road for two weeks,” he said curtly.
“I know the team’s schedule,” Roshawn answered, crossing her arms over her chest. “I’ll call you when I find something I think you’d be interested in seeing, Mr. Rios.”
Taking one last look at her, Angel spun around on his heels and out the door, closing it firmly behind him. Roshawn tossed the folder she was holding to the desktop. Where did he get off calling her irrational? The man didn’t know a thing about her and there he’d been passing judgment. If only he knew, she thought, thinking back to the night she’d clipped his hair. Angel Rios needed to learn that she never did anything without good reason.
She stormed back to her desk, booting up her computer. She shook her head in annoyance as confusion washed over her spirit. Each time she was in his company all she wanted was to give the arrogant fool a good, swift kick in his very round, very high, exceptionally delectable behind. The man was infuriating. Why did Angel Rios have to be so alluring?
Love in the Lineup Page 12
