“I don’t know how you drew that conclusion when you saw him all of five minutes before we left. Wait, is that why you pretended to teach him how to fight?”
He chuckled, and his humor returned. “If I taught him to fight, what happened in the hall would have gotten a lot rougher. No, I can assess a man pretty easily. Ed is not the fighting type.”
She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I don’t want to spend the night talking about my ex-husband.”
He reached across the seat and took her hand in his, lacing his fingers with hers. Takiyah’s heart fluttered when he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Good. Because all I’m interested in is more of you.”
Chapter Nine
Takiyah sat down in the chair Duke held for her, and he leaned over her shoulder to place a soft kiss on her bare skin. She shivered and turned her head so he couldn’t see the reaction he had on her. The waiter handed her a menu, and she fiddled with it, pretending to focus on the words. Her scattered mind wouldn’t settle enough to take in what she saw, so she concentrated on keeping her breathing even.
Duke took his seat across from her and raised his own menu. She dared to peek at him only to catch his amused expression. Exasperation rolled through her. One minute he did something gentle and loving, the next he was like this, amusing himself at her expense. Either way, he managed to snap her out of the nervousness, and she could be more herself.
“I haven’t been here before,” she said as she considered whether she wanted the duck milanese or the char-grilled ribeye. Both sounded delicious, and she was hungry because she hadn’t eaten much all day. “I’m a little surprised you didn’t take me to Marquette’s.”
“I wanted you all to myself, and well, the ladies there seem to think we belong to them. You and I wouldn’t have been able to talk freely.”
“I’m sure you had nothing to do with their obsession.”
“Me? Never.” He winked.
They placed their orders, and Duke asked for red wine. When the waiter left them alone, he took her hand in his. So, when I move into my house, will you come help me break it in?”
“Is it a horse?”
“A house.”
They both laughed. She studied his handsome face. “You’re always in trouble with your cousin, and I heard you were kicked out of the army. Tell me the real story about you.”
He affected a cringe of hurt. “You cut to the chase. I like that. It matches me. You match me well.”
“Are you avoiding the question?”
“I’ll tell you whatever you’d like to know, beautiful.”
She waited, and he chuckled.
“Okay, yes, it’s true, I was kicked out of the army. It was either that or face a court martial. I chose dishonorable discharge over being thrown into the stockade.”
Takiyah shook her head in disbelief. “So you were starting trouble even in the army?”
He leaned over the table, assessing her. “I’m trying to decide if you are the type of woman to get hot over my bad boy status or to get indignant and say that I’m irresponsible.”
“Oh you’re definitely irresponsible. I’m not denying you’re sexy, but you were serving your country, and you spit on it.”
All of sudden, he grew serious. “Serving my country?”
She stiffened, thinking they were about to get into a political debate. That was one subject she refused to get into with anyone and for any reason.
“Shall I tell you what really happened?”
“I’m not sure I want to know.”
The wine arrived, and Duke poured for the two of them. She took her glass and swallowed a sip, trying to settle her nerves.
“My C.O. gave me an order I refused to follow.”
She waited for him to continue, not wanting to jump to conclusions again. He knocked back all the contents of his glass and set it on the table. From the tightness around his mouth, she guessed he recalled the day in vivid detail.
“He made a dick decision and thought I would blindly follow, leading my men into a situation that would get them killed.”
She gasped. “But, isn’t that what y’all do? Risk your lives?”
“We take calculated risks, and we make damn sure the territory we’re moving into is as secure as possible. None of that happened before he gave the order. He wanted to use the situation to advance his own career. He didn’t think twice about the safety of my men.”
“That’s awful. So you went to talk to him about it?”
Duke laughed. “I kind of broke his jaw.”
Her stomach dropped. “Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” he teased.
“Well, I’m not sure how to react. I think he was wrong, but to hit him without discussing it…”
He shrugged. “A man who had been in service for half his life gave an order he knew could send a bunch of kids to the grave. Breaking his jaw was not even close to enough of what he deserved.”
“So what happened?”
“I was kicked out with a dishonorable discharge, and he was promoted.”
“It couldn’t have been a direct result. Please tell me the army is more fair than that.”
He waved his hand. “I was removed. Another took my place. He headed up other campaigns. Eventually, he got the recognition he sought. Et cetera.”
“I’m sorry. It sounds like you didn’t deserve that.”
He took her hand and tried to kiss the palm, but she pulled away. His touch did too many wonderful things to her body, and she had already told herself she wasn’t giving in to it tonight. The less skin to skin contact, the easier it would be to keep her resolve.
Their food arrived, and Takiyah tucked into hers. She moaned in delight at the incredible flavor of the succotash with cherry tomatoes and the juiciness of the duck. After a single bite from his meal, Duke paused to watch her eat. When she noticed, she set her fork down, embarrassed, and wiped her mouth on the cloth napkin.
“Will you stop?” She lowered her gaze. “I’m just surprised it tastes so good. I never imagined any restaurant could taste as good as the food at Marquette’s. I mean logically I knew but…”
She snapped her teeth together, realizing she rambled. His arrested gaze, never wavering from her face, unsettled her. Duke didn’t have to say a word to make a woman melt for him and it wasn’t all about his looks or his name either. He was rough around the edges but so compelling, she didn’t know what to do with herself. One would think she was a young inexperienced girl.
“I can’t help enjoying the view before me,” he said in a smooth tone. “I refuse to help it. Regarding the food, of course it’s good. Rene is the former chef at Marquette’s. He wouldn’t have been there if my cousins didn’t think he’s the best.”
“Wait, Rene? I’ve heard that name around Marquette’s. Every time he’s mentioned with Shada around, she seems to get an attitude as if he’s named just to insult her.”
Duke grinned. “She respected him, but as long as he was at Marquette’s she couldn’t be head chef. They say he left voluntarily, but… Well, you know my cousin Creed and what he’ll do for his beloved.”
“You guys are an obsessive group.”
He winked. “Shall I become obsessed over you?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t have time for you, Duke, and I have a feeling you would want me to dance to your tune all the time.”
“Ah, so you’re afraid I’ll break your heart?”
She rolled her eyes. “I’d have to love you first.”
“I can arrange for that.”
She picked up her fork again and stabbed at her food to stuff a big bite into her mouth. Now she didn’t feel embarrassed with him watching. No man knew how to whip her emotions back and forth like him. Yet, all the while he acted like she entertained him with her anger.
“Tell me about you,” he said. “What other than your son makes you tick?”
“Hard work.”
He raised an eyebrow, and she s
ighed.
“My dad got sick and passed, and then my mom did right after. For a while, I thought she was going to follow him.” A thick lump formed in Takiyah’s throat, and she paused to swallow it before continuing. “She’s doing a lot better now, but it was touch and go. I try to do all I can so she can have a peaceful life. We’re okay.”
“You were married to Ed.”
“Is that a statement? Yes.”
“He was a fool to leave you.”
She snorted. “You assume he left me? I left, and we were divorced two years ago. Sometimes things get sticky, but Keen, Mama, and I are doing fine. Plus, Ed’s a good man. He’s always been there for Keen. He’s never once missed spending time with him.”
She was surprised to see Duke squirm a little. Did he not like kids? Oddly, he had spoken easily enough with Keen, which made her think he didn’t have a problem. She wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Not that it mattered one way or another. Not like she planned to have a relationship with him. Yet, even as she denied wanting it or planning it, something stirred in her belly, a longing she hated to acknowledge. Why in the world should she focus on this man? A person could see a mile off that Duke wasn’t the kind of guy a woman should fall in love with.
Takiyah had no intention of mentioning the fact that while Ed was good about spending time with Keen, he sucked royally at paying child support. After his big stand against his dad, Ed couldn’t pay child support regularly. He could hardly keep a job with is chronic clumsiness. If he weren’t so damn stubborn—no, she wouldn’t spend her evening thinking about his silly behind. At least he hadn’t lost his house with all the trouble.
Duke’s intense gaze met hers, and he seemed to prevent her from looking away. “You still love him?”
“I—” Her phone rang, and she checked the display. “Excuse me. It’s my mother calling. Hey, Ma. Everything okay?”
“Mrs. Jones stopped by and convinced me to go to bingo. They’re having a special down at the church. It’s tonight and tomorrow night, and you get two cards free for every ten you buy.”
Takiyah had little idea what that meant. When she was a kid, she once went with her mother to bingo. She almost died of boredom and never made the mistake again. “You two have been friends for something like forty years, and y’all still call each other Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Silver.”
“Force of habit. Anyway, we’re leaving so don’t expect me in until late. Do you have your key?”
Takiyah chuckled. “Yes, Ma. Have fun, and take it easy. Don’t get too excited over those games.”
Her mother harrumphed and mumbled something about being sixty-something and able to handle herself. Takiyah shook her head and ended the call. The house would be empty tonight. If they wanted, she and Duke could go back to her place. Thinking about it, she sat straighter and glared at him. His expression said he knew exactly what was on her mind. She pursed her lips. Stay strong, Takiyah.
“Sorry about that,” she said. “You were saying?”
“I wasn’t confessing,” he said with a smirk. “You were.”
“Confessing?” For a moment she couldn’t remember what the heck he was talking about, and then it all came back to her. Duke thought she still loved Ed. Preposterous. She considered whether she wanted to set the record straight or let him believe a lie to protect herself. Then it pissed her off that she thought she even needed protection from him. She should be strong enough to tell him no and make him back off if she wanted it. The problem was, she didn’t want him to back off. “I don’t love Ed. What we had is in the past, and I’m leaving it there whether he hopes for more or not. What about you? Have you ever been married?”
He cringed. “Never.”
“No plans on it, huh?”
“Aren’t you breaking some type of dating rule, talking about marriage on the first date?”
“This isn’t a date. You’re thanking me.”
He laughed. “Ah, yes. I forgot. To answer your question, no woman has ever moved me enough to abandon my single life. Not even close.” He leaned nearer and lowered his voice to a panty-wetting tone. “Does that entice you to try to tempt me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself, pal.”
He threw his head back and laughed so heartily, she was struck dumb. Watching him express his emotions with so much abandon blew her mind. Duke seemed to be happy beyond anyone she had ever known. Deep inside, her belly stirred with anxiety pretty often. If she wasn’t worried about Keen, she was worried about her mother. If they weren’t the focus, then it was finances. She had never let go and just lived, not for as long as she could remember. Just looking at Duke, a man who didn’t care one bit about what others thought and assumed about him, it was kind of gratifying and relaxing. She could never have explained it to anyone.
“Your son is staying with his dad this weekend?” Duke asked.
“Yeah, until Sunday night.”
Duke rubbed his jaw, and his eyes glazed over as if he considered something. “Have you ever been on a motorcycle?”
A sense of panic washed over her. “Um, no.”
“I have a motorcycle that I thought I’d get rid of. Turns out I can keep it. I don’t ride it often because it’s a classic, but I thought it would be fun to take you for a ride on it tomorrow. What do you say? Should we make a day of it?”
“I have to work tomorrow afternoon.”
“Late afternoon. We can go in the morning and be back in time.”
She chewed her bottom lip, thinking about it. Duke stroked the skin between her thumb and forefinger.
“I see the panic on your face, Kiyah. Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of you, and I promise I’ll drive everywhere safely. Take a chance.”
A chance he said, when she had so much riding on her not breaking her damn neck on his motorcycle. “What the hell, yes! I’ll go. It should be fun.”
“That’s my girl. Now about tonight—”
“Tonight, sir, you are taking me home. Then you’re going to yours, or wherever you stay. You’re not getting that lucky.”
He groaned as if she’d stabbed him, grasping his chest. She slapped his hand and laughed. They spent the rest of the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. When Duke took her home, she paused on the doorstep to tell him good night. He drew her into his arms and crushed her to his chest. His hands slid along her back, sending chills of delight racing up and down her body. She curved into his touch, pressing her body close to his. The hardness of his muscles, the contours, the unyielding strength turned her on. She wanted so much more, but she had already made up her mind.
“Kiss me,” he ordered and tipped his head lower, waiting for her to obey.
Her heart thundered, and she stretched up to her toes to give him what he wanted. Duke claimed her mouth with such force, her breath caught in her chest. He thrust her lips apart and invaded her mouth with a sweep of his tongue. A moan erupted from her, and he cupped the back of her head. He demanded all, and while she tried to reserve something of her emotions, he overpowered her to the point that she melted.
Duke broke the kiss after a few moments and nipped along her throat. He breathed deep, and it was as if he inhaled her essence, weakening her all the more. This man was so absolutely male it terrified and excited her at the same time. She raised her hands to his shoulders to push him away but instead grabbed on. He made her feel like she was falling hard and fast. She was scared and confused and hot as hell.
He rested his mouth at the base of her throat. “I want to eat you up. Do you understand that, Kiyah?”
She shivered. “I…” Denying that she got what he was saying was silly. Admitting his lust scared the crap out of her wasn’t happening. “L-let me go,” she whispered.
He released her so fast, she stumbled. His hand shot out to right her. When he stepped back, even in the dim lighting from the street lamps, she spotted the tent in his pants. Her pussy clenched with longing. She recalled the way it felt to have him inside her body, and she could almost
drop to her knees and beg for it now.
A few moments longer, they stood there, neither speaking nor stirring. A gentle breeze, which smelled of jasmine, cooled her heated face. With the much-needed air came the sound of one of the neighbors’ TVs. A commercial jingle played, one that sounded familiar, a ditty with a jazzy beat to it.
“Eight?” he said.
Takiyah glanced at her cell phone. The night had waned later than she thought, being after eleven. “Nine.”
He agreed, and he waited until she unlocked the door and walked inside. Peeking out the window, she watched him walk along her drive climb into his car. Not until he passed from her sight, did she let the curtain drop and turned away. If the opportunity presented itself tomorrow, she would most definitely have sex with him again. No regrets and only pleasure.
Chapter Ten
Duke grabbed the two hot dogs with the works on them and turned from the vendor’s window. He paused a minute to examine both. The most important part of the experience he wanted to give Takiyah was the flavors when they burst in her mouth from the first bite. That meant the hot dogs had to be red bean chilidogs, topped with fried chicken and ketchup. The combo was a New Orleans thing, but sometimes he liked to add on some stuff like onions and sauerkraut and jalapenos just because he was crazy. She had to see why he was so nuts about this particular food truck.
He affirmed the food was perfect and headed back toward her. She still sat on his bike, looking sexy as hell with her top clinging to her curves and showing him what he had enjoyed before and what he wanted really badly now. Her jeans shaped her thick thighs, making him hard. As he approached her, he didn’t even try to hide it. In fact, it amused him the way she looked down, saw the tent, and her gaze flew back to his face.
Duke winked at her. “Trust me. You’ll love this big dog.”
She rolled her eyes at him and pursed her lips. “Boy, please. Don’t try to embarrass me with your sexual innuendos. Besides, I’ve had your ‘dog,’ and it’s all right.”
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