“No need to apologize, it’s all forgotten. You and Mikey have been through a lot, but I will say, Luca is a great guy… and genuine.”
“I can see that about him,” I said, reaching for the blow dryer.
“Before you turn that thing on, let me say something else.” She waited for me to meet her gaze in the mirror. “Sabrina, you’ve done an amazing job with Mikey. I told you this on several occasions. He is well adjusted, bright, funny, and a normal happy-go-lucky kid. You deserve to be happy as well. Just trust your heart, and let things happen as they should.”
I nodded with a small smile. “Thank you for telling me all of that.”
“It’s true.” She waved her hand and added, “Okay, proceed.” As I dried her hair, I wondered what Luca shared with Cassie regarding our relationship. I would never ask her, nor do I think she would tell me what he had. But I was pretty sure they must have discussed it.
After a few minutes, I switched off the dryer and finished brushing Cassie’s silky locks. The salon was winding down making ringing phones and chatter less prominent than it had been an hour prior.
Twisting her head from right to left, she admired the cut and smiled. “Just the way I like it… exactly the same. Thank you for keeping it that way.”
“Well, you have great hair, so it doesn’t take much effort on my part.” I removed the black nylon cape around Cassie’s neck. “You’re all done, my friend.”
Based on the amount of hair I cut whenever Cassie came in, and the fact she became a great friend to me, I hadn’t charged her the last couple of times. It always resulted in an argument, right before she thrusted an insanely large tip at me.
“You know this defeats the purpose,” I quipped, holding up the fifty dollar bill.
“Where can I get a haircut in the city for fifty bucks? Especially one that won’t have me crying because some over-ambitious stylist thinks it’s her beautifying duty to rock my world with the newest trendy cut that cost me a fortune to boot.” She referred to the last person who left her with choppy layers and no trust in beauticians. That incident was what had Cassie begging me to take her on as a client. With her bag in her hand, she patted my cheek affectionately. “Have fun with Luca tonight. He told me you had plans.”
“Oh, he did, did he?” I teased. “What else did Mr. Benedetto tell you?”
“Not much. He barely answers my direct questions.”
“He should be here any minute if you want to hang around.”
“I think I will.” She plopped back into the chair as I cleaned up my station. While gathering my custom scissors and cash tips, she then said, “Speak of the devil.”
Luca
“Hi, ladies.” I stopped beside Sabrina and bent to place a soft kiss on her lips. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she repeated with a smile.
Focusing my attention to Cassie, who sat beaming in the chair, I narrowed my eyes. “I thought you were getting your hair cut?”
She flipped her long locks over her shoulder. “I did.”
“It hasn’t changed.”
“I know.”
“Um… okay.” Cassie and Sabrina both smiled. “Well then, it looks great.”
“Thank you.” She stood and gave me a kiss on the cheek. “I should get going. You’re not the only one with a hot date. Have fun tonight, you two.”
“What?” I snatched the crook of her elbow stopping Cassie in her tracks.
Sabrina beamed and clapped her hands. “You were sitting in my chair for an hour and this is the first I’m hearing about a date? You do know you’re supposed to tell your hairstylist all the gossip, right? Is it anyone I know?”
For the first time since I’ve known her, I saw Cassie’s cheeks turn pink. “As a matter of fact, you might. It’s Mr. Carson.”
“No way!” Sabrina squealed and I was suddenly the odd man out. “Oh my, God! Now I’m really mad you didn’t tell me. When did this start?”
“Wait… who’s Mr. Carson?” I interrupted.
Sabrina released a dreamy sigh, which wasn’t something I wanted to hear after mentioning another man’s name. “He’s the hot first grade teacher that every mom who has a kid in Kindergarten is sucking up to in order for their kid to be in his class. Of course, all the dads prefer Mr. Carrington.”
Every mom, I wondered, scanning her face as I did.
Cassie laughed. “Mr. Carrington is a great teacher and very nice in a grandfatherly way.” She also sighed. Why was everyone sighing today? “Anyway, I need to get moving. See you two later. Have fun!”
Before I could tell her to text me when she got home, Cassie was already out the door. When I turned, Sabrina was putting her jacket on. She still had a goofy smile on her face.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, let’s go.”
With my hand on the small of her back, once outside the salon I clicked the fob for the SUV parked in front and opened the door for Sabrina. “I’m right here. I got lucky.”
She slid in and asked, “You still have this car?”
“Yes. A friend of mine owns the dealership. It’s growing on me, so I leased it for a month to see if it’s something I’d like to own. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not getting rid of my Jag because I love it.”
She let out a laugh right before I closed her door, jogged around the front, and hopped in. “I’ve heard that men have flashy sport cars to… you know… compensate.”
Did she just imply what I think she did? “You’re awfully feisty today. I can assure you, there is no need for me to compensate for anything. One day, I’ll prove that to you.” Sabrina squirmed a little and if I didn’t change the subject, I was going to have a big problem. “So, where are we picking Mikey up?”
“You can just go to my place. I’ll text Becky now to have her meet us there. She took the boys to the park this afternoon.”
“Are they still at the park?”
“I haven’t heard. Let me check.” I watched her thumbs flying across the screen of her phone. After a chime sounded, she said, “Yes, they’re still there. The same one where they play soccer.”
“Okay, tell her we’ll come get him there.” Again her thumbs moved, and then she tucked her phone into her bag.
“Done.” Before I shifted the car and pulled out into the road, I twisted to face her. Her eyes met mine and held. She tilted her head with a smile. “What?”
“You’re beautiful.” A pink hue tinged her perfect complexion.
“Thank you, but I feel gross. I slept late this morning and had to rush to work. I barely combed my hair. Which doesn’t bode well for a hairstylist. It’s a good thing I took a minute to fix it before my first client.”
This woman had no clue how her natural beauty was such a rare thing. Rather than tell her she had lost her mind, I buried my fingers into her hair pulling her head closer. Just before connecting our lips, I rubbed my nose along hers and repeated, “Beautiful.”
When I closed the distance, she had parted her lips on a small sigh. Our open-mouthed kiss went from slow to smoldering within seconds. I missed those lips, and spent a few minutes devouring them while enjoying every noise that escaped her mouth.
Her eyes were still closed as I pulled away. “I’ve been wanting to do that since I stepped foot into the salon.”
A sexy smirk spread before she said, “I’ve been wanting you to do that since you stepped into the salon.”
“There’s one problem with having done that now.” She watched as I adjusted myself, and fuck if that tiny shift of those hazel eyes didn’t make me hard as stone. “Well, yeah there’s that… but also I want more of you.” I skimmed my thumb along her bottom lip and then her top. “Tasting these lips reminds me of what the rest of you tasted like.”
“That’s not fair.” Before I could respond that I agreed, she surprised me by adding, “Because I’ve been dying to know what you taste like.”
“Fuck, Sabrina,” I grumbled, shifting the gear into Drive while trying to imagine my par
ents doing it to deflate my cock.
Chapter 15
Sabrina
Luca had mentioned to me at dinner that he had a gift for Mikey. I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t swell in my chest. Even more so when he told me what it was. Having had the sense to ask me first, spoke volumes.
“Go brush your teeth and put your PJ’s on.”
“Aww, Mom. We just got home, can’t I stay up later tonight? Puh-leeeze?” He smashed his hands together, fingers pointing toward the ceiling in his typical way.
“You know the rules. Now, please go get ready for bed.” His shoulders slumped in defeat. “Thank you. When you’re done we’ll finish the book we started last night.” Without another word, he pivoted on his sock-covered feet and stomped away. When I turned, Luca had a bright smile gracing his handsome face. “What are you smiling at?”
“You’re a wonderful mother. You remind me of my own, although her voice would’ve been a tad louder.” I let out a laugh and shrugged.
Mikey came sliding into the room, Risky Business style. “My teeth are brushed.” He grinned wide.
I cupped his chin with my fingers. “Good job. Hey, guess what? Luca has a surprise for you.” His beautiful brown eyes sparkled.
Luca walked to the door, grabbed it from his pocket and wrapped his arm around his back shielding the surprise. “This is for you, but it comes with rules, okay?” Mikey nodded enthusiastically. “You can use this when your mom says so. If she tells you to put it away, you listen to her. Don’t bring it to school unless it’s show and tell and you have permission.” Another nod.
He pulled out a hacky sack ball from behind his back. Mikey’s small eyebrows lowered as he studied the small blue beanbag held in front of him. “What is it?”
A deep laugh came from Luca. “It’s a hacky sack. It will teach you eye/foot coordination, plus balance.” Mikey didn’t appear as enthusiastic as I hoped he would. Luca continued, “Soccer players use it. Watch me.”
Luca took a step back, dropped the ball and started bouncing it with his feet without it ever touching the ground. It was almost like a dance, from one foot to the other, behind him, in front of him, and even off of his knee once or twice. Mikey and I stared at him in awe. He gave the ball one more flick with this foot and it landed in his hand.
“That is so cool!” Rather than take the hacky sack that Luca held out for him, he launched himself into his arms. “This is the best thing ever.” That balloon that had inflated in my chest earlier just doubled in size.
Mikey tried to mimic what Luca had done, but of course, couldn’t. “I’ll show you how to use it the next time I see you. But, if you just keep practicing starting with one foot, not letting it drop, you’ll get it, I know you will.”
“Okay, sweetie, it’s bedtime.” Without argument, he hugged and thanked Luca for the gift. “Say goodnight, and I’ll be right in.”
“Mommy?” His little fists rubbed his eyes. “Can Luca read to me tonight?”
My eyes went from my son’s to Luca’s. “Sure, if he wants to.”
“Do you? I mean, will you? Please? It’s not a dumb fairy tale or anything. It’s a book about a dinosaur.”
“I’d love to. How about your mom joins us and reads the girl parts?”
“Okay, there is one girl dinosaur, she can read that one. Even though it’s old and ready to die.”
“Hey,” I objected.
“You’re not as old as the dinosaur.” Mikey grabbed Luca’s hand tugging him toward his room. We smiled and allowed him to run the show.
“Would you like some coffee?”
Luca took my hand in his. “No, thank you.” He guided me toward my sofa and pulled me down on his lap. “I’d prefer you.”
He released my hand, and cupped my cheek. The warmth of his palm on my skin could be felt down to my toes. With a gentle pull, he brought my face to his and firm lips met mine. At first, the kisses were soft, patient.
His eyes danced over my face. “So, pretty.” He traced my face with his index finger, from my temple to my chin, until his hand rested on the back of my neck. “I want to get to know you, Sabrina. Not just what has happened the past few years of your life, but all of you. What were you like as a little girl?”
I stared into his chocolate eyes. “I loved frilly things. I suppose you could say I was infatuated with pink and playing dress up. For my tenth birthday, my mom gave me a boutique princess birthday party.”
He tilted his head and admitted, “I have no idea what that is.”
“It was every little girl’s fantasy. A limo came to pick me and nine of my friends up. We went to a salon where we had our hair, nails and makeup done by a professional stylist. Then there was a little runway, and we modeled pretty dresses. I remember studying the way the woman did my hair. It was almost down to my waist, straight, and boring, but she styled it in a way that made me feel like a princess.”
“That sounds like fun.” He kept his voice steady, but I was sure it sounded awful to him.
“It was the best. That was the day I knew I wanted to be a hair stylist.”
“When is your birthday?”
“January ninth. When’s yours?”
“September twelfth. What about Mikey?”
“July twentieth. God only knows what type of party he’ll want this year. Last year was the first birthday since his father passed away. It was very strange and difficult.”
“That had to be tough.” Luca’s thumb caressed my neck. “Tell me about him.”
“What do you want to know?”
“How did you meet… get together?”
I couldn’t help but smile at the memory because it was a happy time. “We met at a mutual friend’s. His buddy, Hank, was having a party for some reason or another. My college roommate, Anita, liked Hank and begged me to go with her.” I closed my eyes recalling that evening. “When I saw Dillon, something clicked. He was very handsome, and suave. The man had a line for everything. According to Anita, he was very popular amongst the ladies. I suppose in hindsight that should have been a warning. Instead, I considered myself the luckiest woman since he chose me.
“It wasn’t love at first sight or anything, but we started dating and when he got his first assignment after graduation, we decided to get married so we could live on base together. Shortly after, he was deployed overseas. Being married to a man in the Armed Forces wasn’t easy. Every day I’d say a prayer that he was safe. About a year after we were married, on one of his leaves, I got pregnant.”
“How old were you?”
I narrowed my eyes, “Is that your way of finding out my age?” We both laughed and Luca shook his head. “I’m just kidding. I was twenty-one when we married. I’ll be twenty-eight in January. Anyway, we moved upstate, and you basically know the rest.”
His thumb still traced circles on my skin. “I do. Thank you for telling me all of that. I’m sorry it ended the way it did.”
“Me too. I thought he was a good man. My heart shattered when the police came to my home and told me he passed away. For days, I mourned and tried explaining why daddy wasn’t coming home. Then his mistress carrying his child showed up and my tears no longer fell.”
“You’re a very strong woman. I know I’ve told you that before, but it’s true. Not to sound condescending, but I’m proud of you. So many women wouldn’t have handled all you’ve been through with the grace you have.”
“Thank you, that means a lot.” Maybe it was a way for me to change the topic, but without thought, I raked my hand through his dark wavy hair. The soft silky strands flowed through my fingers. That’s when I noticed how lush his eyelashes were. “You’re beautiful,” flew from my lips.
A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. “I need to kiss you some more, Sabrina.” When he shifted his body, my shoulders no longer rested on his arm but that of my couch.
I stretched my neck, to give him closer access to me. Our lips met once again, savoring each other’s tastes like starved l
overs. We swallowed each other’s moans as if we needed them for fuel. He brought his hand from the back of my neck, around my collarbone, and down the center of my chest. His thumb ever so gently brushing the side of my breast.
My back arched into his touch, wanting and needing more of it. Memories of how he touched and tasted me made my insides coil like a jack-in-the-box. His strokes were as if he were turning that handle, just a few more and the little door would fly open. If it wasn’t for my labored breath, I could probably hear the circus music if I concentrated enough.
It wasn’t just the way his body felt against mine or how soft and gentle his lips were, it was the way my entire body felt alive when we were together. The range of emotions he provoked, that I thought I might never feel again, brewed inside of me. One of the best things I felt with him was safe. There was something about being wrapped in his arms that was reminiscent of a child’s security blanket.
Plus, he made me feel like a woman again… a desirable woman, which I hadn’t felt like in a very long time. It wasn’t that I didn’t get approached by a man on the rare occasion I went out with friends, but this was different. He wasn’t shallow or superficial. Luca cared about getting to know me below the surface, and for a widow with a child, that was a rare find. Hell, that was a rare find if I was your average single woman. Couple that with our physical chemistry, and we were both ready to combust.
“I want you so badly,” Luca said as he licked and nipped the soft spot behind my earlobe. My hands trailed up his torso landing on his strong muscles. The pulse of his heart played a melody on my palms. His growing erection could be felt on my hip. This wasn’t fair to him. Every ounce of me wanted to pull him into my bedroom, but I couldn’t. Not with my son in the next room. We were like two teenagers, horny and lusting for each other. When I flexed my hips, he ground down on me. God, he felt good.
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