by Donna Hill
Her gaze slowly rose. Ian was standing above her. Her heart thudded. He reached for the cup and took it out of her hand before gently pulling her to her feet. She held her breath when she witnessed the raw look of desire burning in his eyes.
“When I heard your voice and knew you were out in that storm alone . . . I’ve never been so . . .” He drew in a breath. “I know that in a few weeks you’re going to go back home and so am I. At first I figured—no problem. But now it is a problem, Nina.”
“W-what are you saying?”
“I’m saying that for as long as we have, I want us to spend the time together, really get to know each other . . . in and out of bed.”
Nina looked down at their entwined hands then into his eyes. “I need to know why, Ian. Why does it matter?”
He released her hands and turned away, crossed the room to the sink, and turned on the water to give himself something to do. He wasn’t going to confess. He wasn’t going to break down and tell her that he felt that he could really care for her. That he did care for her. That maybe somehow they could work something out when the summer was over. She wasn’t going to get him to say that. If what he’d told her wasn’t enough . . . well then . . . it just wasn’t.
Nina felt as if an eternity had passed and he wouldn’t tell her what she wanted to hear. Could she deal with that? Did she want to? Could she spend time with him, make love with him, share parts of herself with him, without knowing if there was an end game? What would be the point of that? She wasn’t sure if she could keep her budding feelings from sprouting into full bloom. It was scary. It was risky. It was a chance she was willing to take, and she decided in that instant that if she was going along for the ride, she would give only as much as she got and not an ounce more, and maybe at summer’s end she could return to her life with parts of her soul still intact.
“You know what,” she said, walking over to him at the sink. She reached over and turned off the faucet. “Forget I asked. I want to get to know you too. Whatever will be, will.”
“You sure?”
She hesitated a moment before nodding her head.
He studied her face, looking for any telltale sign of doubt. “Okay, so you want to tell me why you tore out of here this morning when we had a breakfast date?”
“You get right to the point, don’t you?” she said, spinning away and returning to her spot at the table.
“Well . . .”
Nina blew out a long breath then looked him straight in the eyes. “I saw Cara leaving your house this morning.” There, she’d said it.
He frowned for a moment; then sunshine seemed to break through the clouds. His head snapped slightly back. “Cara! Oh bloody hell.” He paced across the room, pulled out a chair, spun it around, and straddled it backward so that he could drape his arms across the top. “She was not invited. She did come by to . . . see if we could resume our relationship. I told her no. I told her not to come back if that was her agenda.” He made a noise in his throat. “She asked me if you were the reason.”
Nina’s nostrils flared as she sucked in air. “What did you tell her?”
The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “What do you think I told her?” he challenged.
“Who’s sitting in my kitchen, naked beneath my robe? You or Cara?”
Nina’s body flushed. Her temples pounded.
“Does that answer your question?”
Nina lifted her chin. “For the time being.”
Ian chuckled and shook his head in bemusement. “Women,” he muttered.
“Men,” she tossed back with a flirty smirk on her face.
Ian’s gaze began to smolder. He pushed back from the chair and stood and walked purposefully toward her. He tugged her to her feet and hard up against his body. “It’s going to be at least another hour before that soup is ready.” He slid his hand under the folds of her robe and cupped her breast, ran his finger over the nipple until she moaned and turned into putty in his hands. “You think you’re up to handling this . . .” He took her hand and placed it on his blooming erection.
Her heart skipped in her chest.
“Until the dinner bell,” he added, dipping his head to taste the lush fruit of her breasts.
Nina moaned, arching her body to give him better access as she held his head in place, letting him feast. “I thought you wanted us to get to know each other,” she whispered breathlessly.
“I did say that, didn’t I?” He pulled the string on his sweatpants and let them pool at his feet. He backed up to a chair and sat down. He tugged on the belt of the robe that Nina wore and it parted. “Humph, umph, umph. Woman . . . you will make a man do some crazy things. Come here.”
She offered him a sultry look, dropped the robe to the floor, leaned down so that the weight of her breasts swung like a tantalizing pendulum before him.
He reached for her and she slipped out of his way and strolled naked as the day she was born into the front room, where she’d dropped her bag when she came in. With any luck, she wouldn’t have lost her emergency condoms along with her car keys.
Knowing that he was watching, she bent over very slowly to reach for her purse and chuckled to herself when she heard him utter something like “sweet heaven.”
One thing was going right so far. She found a lone condom packet in the folds of her wallet. With exaggerated slowness, she returned and held it out to him. “You were saying something about me being able to handle this,” she taunted, clasping his member in her palm and stroking him languorously up and down until he gritted his teeth to keep from shouting.
Nina tore it open with her teeth and put the empty foil pouch in the robe pocket. She’d never put a condom on a man before and she wasn’t sure if she was right or wrong as she unrolled it over his length. There was something uniquely sensual about what she was doing. It thrilled her in a way she didn’t expect. This was a different level of intimacy, and although she would never tell Ian, she was glad that this first experience was with him.
Ian tried to control himself as he watched her sheath him. He gripped the sides of the chair. He knew that if he didn’t think about something other than the way her tender hands caressed him with such care, the almost reverent way she covered him that shook him deep down inside, he would explode in her hand.
Mercifully, she finished and then straddled him like a cowgirl ready to ride a bronco, lowered herself down slow and easy, sucking in air with each inch of him that she took until he filled her completely.
And then the fun began.
“This has got to be the best chicken soup I’ve ever had,” Nina said, mouthing another thick spoonful.
Ian threw a lightweight quilt over her as they lay on the floor in front of the fireplace finishing off the soup. “Glad you like it. My mum would be happy to hear it. It’s the family recipe.”
“I’ve never been to Barbados, or England either, for that matter. What’s it like?” She trailed her finger along his hairline, studied him, committing every feature to memory.
At some point they’d wandered into the living room after ravishing each other and coming to the conclusion that his kitchen chair would never be the same again.
“Hmmm.” He rolled onto his back, thankful for the thick quilt beneath them. “Barbados is like paradise on earth. The weather is beautiful. The beaches are white. Fruit hangs low from the trees. On a clear night, the sky is midnight blue like a velvet box with millions of diamonds inside,” he said, easily slipping into the musical cadence of his home. “Nothing can compare to growing up on an island. Running barefoot, swimming every day.” He laughed lightly at the memories and turned to look at her. “You would love it there.”
Her breath caught for a moment, but she refused to read any more into what he’d said. She’d simply take it at face value that Barbados is a great place to visit. “Sounds wonderful. I can understand why you always go back. When did you go to England?”
“A rite of passage for children of the Caribbea
n. The islands never really shook off the British influences even after independence. I was shipped off after primary school. I finished secondary school in England, then stayed there and got my degree. What about you?”
“Hmmm, quite uneventful. I’m a product of a Catholic school education. First to twelfth grade. Oldest of two girls. My dad passed when I was fifteen. I suppose I grew up before my time since I had to help my mother. It seemed like I was always working, some part-time job or another.” She sputtered a short laugh. “Made it through high school forever traumatized by the nuns and threats of burning in hell.”
Ian chuckled and patted her thigh. “Poor thing.”
They were quiet for a moment, imagining each other as children in a different life, a different world.
“You hear that?” Ian asked, propping up on his elbow.
“Hear what?”
“Silence.” He pushed up from his reclining position and went to the window. “The rain finally stopped.”
She pulled his robe on around her and joined him at the window. “Look!” She pointed toward the horizon. “A rainbow.”
They watched it in awe, fascinated by beauty in the aftermath of nature’s wrath.
“Guess it’s safe for me to head home,” she said quietly and started to move away.
Ian captured her around the waist. “I meant what I said earlier about us spending time together.” He kissed her lightly on the lips. “Why don’t you come to the club? I’ll be doing my thing, but we can have dinner, and the band that’s playing tonight is worth the price of your free admission,” he teased.
She looked up at him and her heart skipped around in her chest. “I’d like that.”
“And then afterward you can spend the night here. I want to wake up with you in the morning. How does that sound?”
“Sounds like a plan that I can live with.”
“I doubt that your clothes are dry. I’ll give you something to put on and walk you over.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
“Do what, give you something to wear or walk you over?”
She playfully swatted his arm. “Walk me to my door.”
He chuckled. “I know I don’t have to; I want to. I had home trainin’,” he added in that sexy British and Caribbean blend.
“Fine. If it will make you happy.” She spun away.
He watched her sway across the room and had the stirring sensation that he could very easily get used to having Nina around.
Chapter 11
With the storm having passed, the Hamptonites were out for a night on the town. Harrison’s was full. The waiters could hardly keep up with the orders. Food was piled high, the wine and spirits flowed, and the music soothed the soul.
Nina was seated near the stage where she had a view of all the comings and goings. Ian had been able to stop by only briefly, but he’d promised as soon as things slowed down he would join her.
The waitress brought her dinner, and as delicious as it looked, she wished she didn’t have to eat alone.
“Nina?”
She glanced up and it was as if her silent wish had been answered. “Lauren. Keith.”
The couple came over. “So good to see you again,” Lauren said. “Are you here alone?”
“Hmmm. Not exactly. I came with Ian, but as you can tell, he’s busy tonight.”
Lauren looked around. “Definitely a full house. We have a table, but you seem to have the best seat in the house. Mind if we join you?”
“I’d love it. Please. Sit.”
“Why don’t you ladies chat? I’m going to hang out at the bar. When you’re ready to order, babe, get my usual.” He kissed his wife’s cheek and wound his way around the tables and people in route to the bar.
“That was easy,” Lauren joked as she sat down opposite Nina. She put her purse on the table. “So how do you like the place?”
“It’s great. Ian gave me the tour the other day when it was empty. I had no idea it could hold this many people.”
Lauren smiled. “Even though Harrison’s is relatively new to the Hamptons, Ian has done a fabulous job building his clientele.”
“So I see.”
“Tell me what you’ve been up to, getting settled?”
“I had a bit of a scare today,” she confessed.
“Really? What happened?”
Nina told her about her trip to the secluded end of the beach and getting caught in the storm with no way of getting back.
“Oh my goodness. You must have been terrified. That storm was vicious. I’m surprised there isn’t more damage.”
“I know. Believe me, I realize how lucky I am.”
“What did you do about your car?”
“Ian called a tow company and it’s at the shop. Fortunately I had a spare key at the house. I’ll pick it up tomorrow.”
Lauren slowly shook her head. “I’m glad that you were able to reach Ian. Even if you had been able to get me on the phone, we were miles away. We drove out last night to visit Keith’s parents in Hempstead.”
The waitress stopped at their table. “What can I get for you, ma’am?”
“A glass of white wine. Can you give me a few minutes to look over the menu?”
“Of course. I’ll be right back with your wine. Is everything all right with your dinner?” she asked Nina.
“Oh, yes. It’s fine. Thanks.”
Lauren turned her attention to Nina. She angled her head to the side. “So . . . how are you and Ian getting along?”
Nina blushed and was thankful for the dim lighting. “Fine. He’s a great guy.” She cut into her salmon. “Do you know Cara, by any chance?” She kept her eyes on her plate.
Lauren made a sucking noise with her teeth. “That hoochie,” she said with disgust. “Trouble. From the day she came into his life.” She shook her head. “I tried to tell him to steer clear of her. But she got her hooks in him good.” She blew out a breath. “I’m glad it’s all behind him now. He finally saw the light.” She leaned toward Nina and lowered her voice. “I hear she’s in town.”
“She is. We’ve met.” Nina gave a quick rundown of their encounters.
“Hmmm.” Lauren was thoughtful for a moment. “I’m assuming that if you asked about her that you have a more than casual interest in Ian.”
Nina had no idea Lauren would be so bold, but then again, Nina opened the door by asking about Cara. She took a breath and put down her fork. “I like Ian. I like him a lot. But we can’t get all wrapped up in each other. We live hundreds of miles apart. It could never work.” Her last words were more of a question than a statement.
“Ridiculous. Let me tell you one thing. Me and Keith . . . I lived in Barbados and he lived in England. For five years.” She held up her hand to emphasize her point then slapped her palm on the table. “But he finally woke up and realized that if he wanted all this”—she ran her hand dramatically down her body—“then he was going to have to make a decision . . . live with me or without me.” She tossed her hand in the air. “Girl, I got tired of flying back and forth and of phone bills that were as large as the national debt.”
They laughed.
The waitress returned with her wine and Lauren put in the dinner order for her and Keith. They both wanted the sea bass. The waitress picked up the menu and asked Nina if she needed anything.
“Not right now. Thanks.”
Lauren lifted her glass toward Nina. “To going after what you want.”
Nina lifted her glass before taking a sip. Keith and Lauren obviously wanted the same thing. She couldn’t say the same for her and Ian. She had no idea what he really wanted. All she could go by was what he told her.
Keith had stopped by the table when the food arrived and just as quickly returned to the bar, where he’d struck up a friendship with two other men. Ian dropped by several times but couldn’t stay long, promising to come back as soon as he could. Lauren and Nina spent the better part of the evening getting better acquainted, sharing stories about
their respective careers, Nina’s love of vintage clothing, and Lauren’s abhorrence of the cold and her overwhelming desire to have a baby.
“We’ve been trying,” she said, looking off into the distance. “I’m scared of the fertility drugs. I mean, look at Octomom.” She gave a little shiver. “And Keith isn’t thrilled about adoption.” She slowly turned her glass around in a circle.
Nina hadn’t thought much about children, at least not in the immediate sense. Her days were filled with them in the classroom, and she didn’t hear her biological clock ticking in the distance.
She caught a glimpse of Ian talking with one of the staff members and she thought that maybe the reason children weren’t on her radar was because she’d never found anyone that she wanted to have children with. One that made her feel so strongly that she wanted to share the joy of creating something with them.
“Everyone says when the time is right,” Lauren said, cutting into Nina’s thoughts.
Nina focused on Lauren and saw the sadness that hung in her eyes. She reached across the table and covered her hand with her own. “I’m sure your friends are right,” she said gently. “You need to believe that too. It’ll happen.”
Lauren looked at Nina with so much hope in her eyes, as if Nina held the secrets of the universe in the palm of her hand and could somehow make dreams come true. And then just as quickly, she was back to her fun-loving, sometimes snarky self as she began a running commentary on the couples in the club, the outfits, how the sax player held his sax, and, of course, the gossip that had Nina in stitches.
Ian did manage to sweep her onto the dance floor during one of the band’s slow numbers and whispered hot and deep in her ear that if she let him, he’d make up his absence to her until the sun came up.
It was well after two in the morning by the time they pulled into Ian’s driveway. Once inside, he poured them a glass of wine and they snuggled together on the couch, talking about the successful opening and some of the upcoming entertainment he’d planned, including his signature Spoken Word evening.
