Unexpected Encounter (Singleton)

by Taige Crenshaw

  Lila relaxed, listening to his voice. She was here now, but she promised herself it would be her last time coming to see him.

  * * * *

  Driscoll glanced up at the trilling of notes from his alarm. He noticed the time and grinned. He stood from behind the console where he had been working on new lyrics. Making his way across the spacious room that housed his studio, he strolled down the hall toward the front entrance. He came into the large foyer and headed to the closed door, glancing around briefly to make sure his pets were not close by so they wouldn’t escape outside. Vere—the kitty—he didn’t plan to let go outside at all since it was a house cat but he was still working on getting Reggie, his puppy, familiar with the concept of going outside then coming back inside. Until then he was keeping a close eye on them both to make sure they didn’t get out, thus get hurt because of it. He made a mental note to try to convince Lila to come with him after dinner for a walk with Reggie. That would be a change in her coming to eat then leaving so they didn’t get closer than dinner together would allow. Driscoll was looking forward to getting much closer to her.

  Eagerness filled him as he waited for Lila. For the last week, she’d come by to see him daily. Usually after work on weekdays and on the weekend, she dropped by an hour or two before dinner time. The timing was ideal since he, Bella and their individual bands were in the last stages of practice before the benefit concert next week. The practices were not as long as they had been a few weeks ago.

  When Lila came by, they chatted as he cooked for them, laughing as they ate and talked about all sorts of things. Each time she claimed it was to check on him then that it would be her last time and he just let her, not disputing her words although he knew it wasn’t the case. He looked at the security panel and saw her pull up. He pressed the code to give her admittance to the property. Lila rolled her eyes at the camera then drove in.

  He chuckled, imagining her muttering that he should not just trust or let her in without knowing her better since she was still almost a stranger who he met less than a week earlier. Lila was worried about his safety and he thought it was cute. She had no idea he could take her out with one blow—the head of his security team had made sure he knew how to protect himself. Besides, he’d trusted her from the time he’d met her. He’d gone with his gut on that and nothing so far had changed his mind. He partially opened the door then went to stand in the kitchen entrance. Lila pushed open the door then closed it behind her.

  “Today is my last day coming here to check on you and Vere.”

  Driscoll frowned at her starting with those words since it was a change from her usual habit of saying that as she left. The adamant way she stated it made him believe this time she meant it. She was wearing another beautiful hair comb. He scowled—if her words were true, he wouldn’t get a chance to remove the hair ornament and loosen her hair.

  “Now, feed me, Dris.”

  He narrowed his eyes. That was the first time she’d called him by the shortened version of his name. Uneasy, he turned and went to the stove. Lila took her usual seat at the kitchen island and started to chat. Driscoll answered absently as he prepared steak, mushrooms and sautéed onions. He put on the pot to boil the rice. Although they talked as he cooked, he didn’t really register what they were discussing. Even through dinner as Lila kept the conversation going, he wasn’t paying attention. Finally, when they were done with dessert and she’d said as she usually did—again stating it was the last time but this time he knew she meant it, from what she’d told him when she’d arrived. Driscoll couldn’t believe this was the final time she would be coming here.

  “Well, you have a great night,” Lila said.

  He followed her as she went to the front door. Lila opened it and Driscoll stepped forward.

  “You’re just going to leave like that?”

  “Like what?” Lila turned with a small smile on her face.

  “Like you haven’t been coming here for a week and claiming it was to check on me and Vere.” Driscoll waved his hand at the kitten, which was curled up by the stairs with Reggie. “You’re walking away and not coming here again. I can—”

  “I didn’t say I wouldn’t be coming here again.”

  “You did.” He scrunched his brow.

  “Nope. I said I wasn’t coming to check on you and Vere.” Lila strolled toward him.

  Driscoll was captivated as he usually was by her sensuality. He studied her rich honey-skinned face and his heart raced at the twinkle in her hazel eyes. Her reddish brown hair was back in the usual bun while a few strands of her kinky curls framed her face. He wanted to loosen her hair to see it wild around her. Lila stopped before him.

  “I didn’t say that I wasn’t coming here.” She stood a little on her toes to reach his ear then whispered, “This is me letting you know things changed.” She cupped his face and kissed him deeply.

  Driscoll locked his knees as they went weak. Lila’s kiss was gentle but rocked him to the core. He opened his mouth and she slid her tongue into it, sparking pleasure. His body tingled and his skin was sensitized. Lila pulled away slowly then studied him with a hooded gaze.

  “We’re going out tomorrow. My turn to treat you to dinner.” Lila paused then said, “It’s Saturday and I don’t need to work. Are you free?”

  “Yes.” Driscoll stroked his finger along her cheek. “When things change with you, you sure do it with a bang.”

  “You ain’t seen anything yet. Be ready at three o’clock.” She pivoted and walked back to the door.

  “That’s not dinner time.” He followed.

  “Have plans for before dinner that will work up an appetite. Dress casual.” Lila opened the door and stepped outside before facing him again. “See you tomorrow.”

  The words were a promise wrapped in a seductive warning. She turned and walked away. Driscoll gripped the doorjamb staring after her. The sexy sway of her hips made him ache. Lila Jarvis was turning out to be a sassy woman who unsettled him. Driscoll didn’t know yet whether he liked it or not. Only time would tell. He was looking forward to seeing what she had planned for tomorrow.

  Chapter Two

  The doorbell rang and Driscoll wiped his palm on the side of his jeans before he opened it. He stifled a groan as he saw Lila standing there looking so delectable. The burnt orange T-shirt with a stylized pattern on it hugged her full breasts while her black capri length jeans also emphasized her body. The sandals she wore were the same color as her shirt and left her toes exposed, showing off pale peach polish with a design on each of her big toes.

  “From how you’re studying me, I wonder if I need to be in a line-up.” Lila chuckled. “Your scrutiny is so intense it’s like I’m a criminal that you need to point out who did something to you.”

  “You did do something to me.” Driscoll lifted his head then touched the comb in her hair, fingering the flowers that were a similar color to her clothing. “Kissed me. Leaving me with a hard-on and wondering if you were toying with me. I’m fragile, so be gentle.” He batted his eyelashes exaggeratedly.

  “Fragile like a sledgehammer.” Lila tilted her head to the side, smiling. “From the brief time I’ve gotten to know you, I get the impression when you want something it’s all steam ahead. You knock down walls to get what you want.”

  “Sledgehammers get such a bad rap. They can be fragile as well as gentle too. It’s all according to who is swinging it and the occasion they are using it for. Like when they want to get in somewhere with a soft touch. You swing it like so—” Driscoll demonstrated, acting like he had one. “Then for those times when more force is needed, you do so.” He pulled back his hand and swung hard then grinned. “So don’t blame the sledgehammer for the faults of the wielder.”

  “Wow, you just defended a sledgehammer. No wonder people have what you say put on a T-shirt for you. You really say some weird yet correct things in an interesting manner.” Lila blinked. “Dris, you are one strange man.”

  “Eccentric. I am eccentric.
” Driscoll smirked. “If you want to have my sledgehammer thing put on a T-shirt, I will put you in touch with Dakota. As I mentioned, he usually designs something to go along with it.”

  “I might just take you up on that.” Lila looked at his chest. “I was looking forward to seeing what you had on your T-shirt today. I’m surprised you’re not wearing one.”

  “You said casual, but I wasn’t sure if a T-shirt would be appropriate.” Driscoll looked at the button down, short-sleeved shirt he wore. “What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”

  “Nothing.” Lila gestured. “We have some time. So are you going to give me a tour of your house and grounds?”

  “You want me to show you around?” Driscoll was surprised.

  “Yep.”

  “But every time I asked when you came by before, you refused my offer.”

  “As I said yesterday, things changed. I’m now here as your date.” Lila eyed him. “Or do you need me to demonstrate again to refresh your memory?”

  Driscoll went hard thinking of their kiss. “Yes.”

  “Get that lusty look off your face.” Lila patted him on the chest. “You’ll get a kiss after our date.”

  “Maybe I can convince you for one during our date.” He lifted her hand off his chest, kissing her fingertips.

  “Maybe.” Lila smirked. “But it’s going to take some great convincing.”

  “I’m up to the task.” He slid his hand around her waist and led her inside. “First let me show you around inside then we can explore outside.”

  “Sounds good.” She placed her hand on his waist.

  He led her throughout his house, showing off his home. It was his oasis and he’d designed it with every comfort he needed in mind.

  “This is impressive,” she said when she viewed his studio.

  He noticed she didn’t attempt to touch any of the buttons on the console or anything else in the room. “You can touch things if you want to.”

  “Oh…okay.” Lila tentatively pushed a button on the table. “I didn’t want to mess with anything. I hate when people touch my things when they come to my lab in the ME’s office.”

  “Me too, but since I gave you permission, I don’t mind.” Driscoll enjoyed watching her as she explored. “Maybe you can give me a tour of where you work sometime?”

  “Really?” Lila stared at him, surprise on her face. “You want to see where I work?”

  “Why not? It could give me some insight into you.” Driscoll smiled. “Have you ever watched Bones?”

  “The TV show? Yeah, I enjoy it.” Lila paused then chuckled. “Let me guess, you have a crush on the character who is the pathologist and used to be a coroner. Is that why you’re attracted to me?”

  Since she seemed more amused than upset by it, Driscoll figured she had a good sense of humor. “Nah. I was attracted from the time you bellowed at me with pipes as loud as any diva I’ve worked with when I’m singing. Are you sure you don’t sing?”

  “I sing when I’m working but I don’t know I’m singing when I’m doing it. Not until someone points it out. I also sing at random times too.” She shrugged. “Have no idea if that constitutes singing.”

  “Hmmm… I’d like to hear you sometime. With the alto in your tone, I think you can sing.”

  “I love being an ME so no singing career for me.” Lila’s smile showed she was teasing. “I’ll leave the singing for you, Driscoll.”

  The timbre of her tone made him pause then ask, “You’ve heard my music?”

  “Yes. I’m a huge fan. Even have tickets to the benefit concert you have next Saturday.”

  “Really?” Driscoll moved closer. “How would you like to watch from backstage? We have a place set up for some family and friends to watch.”

  “Are you trying to bribe me for that kiss we talked about?” she retorted.

  “Nope. When I try to bribe you it’ll be much better than that.”

  “I’d love to, but I have some friends coming with me. We bought tickets together.”

  “Bring them.”

  “Bring them?”

  “Yes.” Driscoll hugged her around the waist, pulling her close. “The more the merrier.

  “You don’t even know how many of us there are. There are four of us in total. Aja you already met.”

  “Then it is decided that you all will come and see from backstage. I remember Aja, she’s the psychologist who you had come to check to see if I was crazy.” Driscoll held back a laugh.

  “I’ll talk it over with my friends and let you know. I don’t think they will say no, but I need to check. Yes, that’s Aja. I don’t know what you did to her, but she’s been singing your praises since you met. My friends and I all enjoy your music but now to Aja, you’re a real person instead of the superstar we see on TV or in concerts we’ve been to. And hell, she likes you.” Lila frowned.

  “And you like me too.”

  “Who said I did?”

  “If you didn’t then we wouldn’t be going on a date.”

  “True.” Lila pursed her lips. “I have no idea why I do. I guess I just want to experience some fun times with you.”

  “Hold that thought. I’ll be back in a second.” Driscoll let her go then left the room. He hurried down the hall then up the steps to his bedroom. He opened his closet, searching through his T-shirts. After finding the one he wanted, he removed his shirt and put it on.

  He returned downstairs and she was sitting on the step waiting for him. She rose to face him then she laughed.

  Lila shook her head as she read his T-shirt. “‘Experiences are like itches you have to get satisfied or it’ll keep bugging you.’ Do you have a T-shirt to fit everything people say?”

  “Not yet. But I’m working on it. Oh… I didn’t show you the upstairs. Come on.”

  “Your bedroom is upstairs, correct?”

  “Yes.” He frowned, confused at her question.

  “Then I’ll wait.” Lila moved close to him. “I don’t know if I can control myself if we get near your bedroom.”

  “That’s fine with me.” He slid his hand around her then cupped her ass. “Control is overrated.”

  “Says the man who likes to control shit.” Lila patted his cheek. “Not going upstairs. Let’s go outside then we can head out for our date.”

  “Fine but again you get me worked up to dash my hopes. My poor fragile sledgehammer can’t take it.”

  “Come on, Mr. Fragile Sledgehammer.” She put her hand in the crook of his elbow.

  Driscoll led her across the hall then through the kitchen before they went out the back door.

  “You have stables?”

  “Yes. Horses too. Do you ride?”

  “Haven’t in a long time.” Lila’s eyes went soft. “My parents used to take us kids riding.”

  “How many siblings do you have? Where are your parents? What about other family?”

  “There are five of us. I’m in the middle.” Lila paused as they went down the steps. “I was born here in Singleton just like my parents. They live here in Singleton and always say there is no place else they would ever live. I feel the same way. Beside myself, there are two more of my siblings who decided to make Singleton their home. The other two are in different parts of the country and either they come here to visit or we go see them. As for more family, I have cousins scattered throughout Singleton as well as throughout the US and overseas.”

  “So maybe I can meet your family that is here sometime.” Driscoll guided her to the stables.

  “You do believe in going full steam ahead.” Lila squeezed his hand. “One step at a time.”

  “Okay.” Driscoll wasn’t sure why meeting her parents and family would be a big deal.

  In the next moment, it dawned on him what she thought he’d meant. Meeting the parents was for when you were serious about someone. He opened his mouth to correct her assumption that he’d meant it as anything but getting to know people in her life. He stopped, deciding to leave it for now.
/>   “What’s that huge building over there?”

  “My basketball court and football field.”

  “Your what?” Lila stopped before the stable doors.

  “Basketball court and football field.”

  “This I have got to see.” Lila took off toward the building.

  Driscoll followed at a more leisurely pace. When he got there, he punched in the code to let them in. He opened the door and gestured for Lila to enter. As she did, the lights came on.

  “I’ll be damned, it is for basketball and football.” Lila stopped in the door and whistled.

  She was looking at the TV screen that displayed the two parts of the building. She went past them and glanced up.

  “You even have seats for folks.”

  “Yeah, since the games are more fun with spectators. Doesn’t everyone have a basketball court and football field in their backyard?” Driscoll teased.

  “I hear your amusement.” Lila turned to him. “Nope, they don’t.”

  “People do create places for their fun activities. They have places they play games or even family rooms. This isn’t so different. Stuart has an ice rink in his backyard. The Lockes have places they play games at various places on their property. Ja—”

  “Okay. Some people do have places in their home or backyard they do play games and so on but not on this scale. I do get your point that if you enjoy it you find space for it. Not everyone can indulge with it like this.” She waved at the area. “But they find ways to enjoy the activities they like. Now show me your stables.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  They exited the building and went toward the stables.

  “I keep forgetting to ask. That day of the accident, why were you wearing war paint and feathers?”

  “I had forgotten I was until the nurse mentioned it.” Driscoll laughed. “I was helping Rissa—Julianne’s daughter—with a class project. She asked a few of us to recreate the working of a tribe. She videotaped it and documented it for class.”

  “Wow.”

  “Rissa is a very smart child and when you think she can’t come up with something else to shock you she does. She wants to be an anthropologist when she grows up. She likes Bones too.”