Another Chance to Love

by Cheris Hodges

  Brian leapt out of his seat and stalked over to Olivia like a tiger that had been released from a cage. “Why are you doing this?” he nearly shouted as they walked out of the courtroom.

  “Get away from my client,” Kittles said.

  “Olivia!” Brian said. “You aren’t taking my son from me.”

  She sneered at him. “Watch me,” she snapped before she and her attorney walked out the door. Gerald grabbed Brian’s arm. “Don’t do that again. You don’t need to say anything to her,” he said. “I’ll contact her lawyer and see if we can work something out.”

  Brian shook his head and dashed out of the courthouse. He sat in his truck and pounded his fist against the steering wheel. He wanted to take his son and disappear. But he wouldn’t because Mickey deserved to have his mother in his life. The old O’Jays song, Hooks in Me, popped into Brian’s mind. He didn’t know what he had ever seen in Olivia, looking at her now. There didn’t seem to be a trace of the woman he’d fallen in love with in this cold Olivia. Maybe her new haircut had cut her heart out too. She used to be a loving and caring woman who he’d shared his dreams with while watching the stars at the lake. But she was different now.

  “Damn you, Olivia! As much as I used to love you, I will fight you for my son!” Brian exclaimed as he started his the engine. He headed to the police department where he had to start his shift.

  Paige hadn’t talked to Brian since her fight with Olivia. Embarrassed and certain that he would never speak to her again, she kept herself busy by redecorating her house. She moved her sofa three times, took the paintings off the walls only to hang them up again in the same spot. But today, Paige couldn’t spend another three seconds in her house. She dashed out of the house, hopped into her car. I should’ve stayed in Nashville, she thought as she headed for the bypass.

  Paige didn’t care that she was doing ten miles over the speed limit. As she shifted gears to pass a slower driver, she didn’t notice the police cruiser planted on the shoulder of the road looking for speeders. The next thing she knew, blue lights were flashing behind her.

  “Damn it,” she muttered as she pulled over. Reaching for her purse, she noticed it wasn’t in the car. Paige looked up and saw the officer was none other than Brian Jackson.

  She rolled her window down.

  “I warned you,” he said.

  “Hello to you too,” she replied.

  “License and registration,” he said in a voice that was all business.

  “I left my purse at home.”

  Brian pulled his aviator sunglasses off and looked at her with a cold stare that chilled her. “I don’t have time to play games with you,” he said.

  “And I’m not playing a game. I ran out of the house to clear my head and I guess I left my purse, which contains my driver’s license.”

  “Wait here,” Brian said. He walked back to his squad car.

  Paige watched him as he walked away. No one wore a police uniform like Brian Jackson. She had to wonder if she’d ruined her chances with him. When he walked back to the car, she was poised to apologize—until she saw the pink slip in his hand.

  “What is this?” she asked when he handed it to her.

  “A written warning. Next time, Paige, you’ll receive a ticket.”

  She raised her eyebrow but kept her attitude in check. “Brian,” she called out as he started to walk away. “Do you think we can talk?”

  “Not right now, I’m working.”

  “What about later? I have a lot to explain,” she admitted.

  “Tonight after work,” he said. “But right now I have to get back to patrol.”

  Paige nodded and drove off, this time following the posted speed limit. She had to make things right with him. She returned to her house and retrieved her purse, then headed for the grocery store.

  At the farmer’s fresh market, Paige picked up food for a sexy midnight snack—red ripe strawberries, a bunch of red cherries, a large can of whipped cream and milk chocolate dipping sauce. I hope he likes things sweet, she thought as she headed to the register. Despite the risk, Paige was ready to seduce Brian. She wanted him and it was time for her to let him know that she was ready to be a good part of his life, not just another problem.

  Paige had never fallen so deeply in love before, not even with her ex- fiancé. She took a twisted pride in the fact that she could run a man away. Just like her mother, she thought her destiny was to be alone. But Brian had gotten to her and made her want to be a part of a couple. She cared about him and his son and she didn’t want to lose him. She wanted to be there for him, support him and his dreams.

  Being with Brian was just as comfortable as slipping into a pair of cotton pajamas and sleeping underneath handmade comforter.

  But Paige was also a realist. Knowing that he had lingering feelings for Olivia wasn’t something she could ignore. But she couldn’t let Olivia know how easy it was to provoke her, either. Fighting like a high school kid wasn’t cool and she knew better. Now she was going to have to convince Brian of that.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Paige set the scene for seduction in her backyard. A crisp white sheet covered a spot underneath a tall pine tree. Fruit and Chardonnay were chilling in a bucket of ice with crystal goblets on either side sat in the middle of the cloth. She was dressed in a sheer black gown that skimmed the tops of her thighs, with a black lace bra and matching panties peeking through the material. Paige hoped none of her neighbors saw her running around the backyard in her man-bait outfit. She walked over to the fence that divided her yard from her next door neighbor’s and snatched a few petals from the rose bush snaking up the privacy fence, and then sprinkled them on the sheet.

  I hope this works, she thought as she ran into the storage room and grabbed a tiki torch. She stuck it in the ground near the sheet then lit it. The orange flame illuminated her watch. It was almost time for Brian to get off from work. Exhaling loudly, she sat down Indian style on the sheet. I hope I’m not making a fool of myself.

  Moments later, she heard Brian’s truck pull into his driveway. Paige stood up and then headed across the street. “Brian.”

  He turned around and looked at her. She could tell from the look in his eyes that he liked the outfit.

  “Wow,” he said. “You look amazing. But, don’t you think you should be inside the house dressed like that?”

  “Come with me.” She reminded herself that arguing with him wasn’t her plan for the night. They crossed the street and she led him into the backyard.

  “Paige, what is this?” He glanced around the scene she’d created.

  “A place for us to talk,” she said, then picked up the bottle of wine and opened it. She poured Brian a glass and handed it to him.

  “I don’t know how much talking you think we’re going to do with you dressed like that,” he said as he took a sip of wine.

  “Then just listen to me,” Paige said. “I’m not crazy. Fighting with Olivia was wrong and that’s not who I am. But I’m scared. I keep thinking that one day you’re going to wake up and go back to your ex-wife.”

  Brian brought his finger to Paige’s lips. “That’s not going to happen.”

  She nodded, wanting to believe him. “I know that you have a lot going on right now. You don’t need me bringing more drama into your life, but I want to be here to support you. I know Mickey is the most important thing in your life and if you still want me to be a part of your life too, I promise not to be a problem for you.” She stroked his cheek gently.

  “You’re not a problem,” he said as he eased down on the sheet. Brian stroked Paige’s leg and coaxed her into his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But you can’t let Olivia get to you and you need to have a little more faith in me.”

  Paige bent her head downward. Brian lifted her chin and looked into her eyes.

  “I know you’re scared,” he said. “But you don’t have to be.”

  He leaned into her lips and captured them. Slowly, he kissed Pa
ige, igniting a fire in the pit of her stomach. She could taste the sweet wine on his lips and tongue as he kissed her deeper, pressing her back on the sheet. Brian removed his gun belt, but his Kevlar vest pressed against her chest. Paige pushed him off her.

  Brian smiled. “I guess that is a lot to drop on you,” he said. “You know, as romantic as this looks back here, we’re going to have to move this party inside.”

  He rose to his feet and then scooped her up into his arms. Carrying her into the house, Brian ran his finger down the length of her leg and she shivered at his touch. He couldn’t get her in the bedroom fast enough. But when he did, Paige could barely contain herself, ripping his shirt open and snatching the Velcro apart on his Kevlar vest. He grabbed her hands. “Wait, darling,” he said. “My gun belt.” He removed the vest and headed outside with his tee shirt and uniform pants on.

  While he was outside, Paige lit the cranberry candle on her nightstand and leaned back in the bed, awaiting his return.

  He walked into the bedroom, now shirtless, carrying the fruit and wine. “Now I couldn’t leave this outside and let it go bad.” He set the fruit next to the candle, then blew it out and climbed on top of her.

  Paige smiled as she looked at his perfect washboard abs and smooth skin. She ran her index finger down the middle of his chest. His skin was like the finest silk. She reached for the button on his pants, but Brian grabbed her hand. “Slow down,” he said, then reached for a ripe strawberry. He rubbed it against her lips, then kissed the traces of the fruit away and slid the berry into her mouth. Paige bit into the succulent fruit, slowly chewing it. Her mouth looked even more delectable.

  “Give me some of that,” he said, seizing her lips and devouring the fruit in her mouth. Paige wrapped her long legs around his waist, pressed her body against his, reveling in the feel of Brian’s thick hardness, which pressed against his zipper, ready to explode. Paige’s body was primed to feel him. Her nerves stood on end and desire pooled between her thighs.

  Brian reached underneath her dress and touched the outside lace of her panties, then slipped his index finger inside, immersed it in her hot river of desire. Her muscles quivered as he made circles inside her, seeming to write his invisible brand on her, marking her as his. Paige’s breasts heaved up and down as Brian replaced his finger with his tongue. She clasped her legs around his neck as he kissed her throbbing bud. With one hand, he gently squeezed her thigh while with the other he pulled a piece of ice out of the bucket. Brian slipped the ice cube between his lips and dove between her thighs — seeking her sweetness and making her call out his name. Paige shivered as the sensations from the cold ice and Brian’s hot tongue ravaged her body, causing her to thrash about like a fish out of water.

  Paige was on fire and she needed him to end this sensual torture by entering her. But Brian had other plans. His tongue crept up her flat stomach, teasing her navel, heading for her taut breasts. Her nipples poked through her thin bra like two dark diamonds. He sucked on her perked nipples as if he were seeking sustenance from her. Grabbing Brian’s shoulders, she groaned lustfully as he turned his kiss to her neck. Unable to control herself, Paige reached down and ripped his zipper down. He kicked out of his pants in one swift motion.

  His hard dick bounced out of his boxers and skimmed Paige’s thighs as he slid between her legs. Paige thrust into him, urging him to give her what she wanted. He grabbed her long legs and wrapped them around his waist. When Brian found his way to the center of her sexual energy, she bucked like a wild pony as sensations of pleasure washed over her. He gripped her hips and rhythmically moved against her, touching every sensitive spot inside her. Paige no longer had control of her body; it was under Brian’s silent command. As his mouth found its way to her breasts again, Paige felt as if she was about to explode and then she did. But Brian wasn’t finished. He was only getting started. He eased out of her and guided her to lie on her stomach. Then he gently massaged her smooth back. “How does that feel, baby?” he whispered.

  Paige’s only response was a moan. Her body was hypersensitive and her brain was consumed by lust. She couldn’t form a single thought. Brian ran his tongue down her neck and over her spine. He clutched her buttocks and kneaded them as if he were preparing dough for a loaf of bread. Paige’s toes curled at his touch. When she flipped over and looked into his eyes, he stroked her cheek and whispered, “See, baby, we couldn’t have had this kind of party outside.”

  She nestled her head against his chest. “Now it’s time for the after party.”

  Brian smiled. “Woman, you are insatiable.”

  The shrill ringing of a phone woke Brian up. He looked down at the floor and saw his cell phone vibrating. Paige was lying on her side, sleeping soundly, a white sheet half covering her body. Brian nearly forgot about the phone as he looked at the contrast of her caramel skin against the sheet. He ran his finger down the length of her leg before reaching over to pick up the phone.

  “Jackson,” he said in a gruff whisper.

  “Brian, it’s Gerald. I got the amended claim from Olivia’s lawyer. We go to court tomorrow morning. The judge moved the court date up because Kittles got the new papers to him fast.”

  Brian mumbled under his breath. “Fine,” he said.

  “Don’t try to contact her,” Gerald warned. “We can win this. She did abandon your family. Your life is a lot more stable than Olivia’s and your son loves you. He’s happy with you and that’s what judges look for in these cases.”

  Brian disconnected and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He could hear Paige moving beside him. “Are you all right?” she asked, her voice thick with sleep.

  “Yes. That was my lawyer. We have a court date tomorrow morning.”

  Paige stood up, still naked. “I’m going with you,” she said as she opened her closet and pulled out an oversized tee shirt. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”

  Brian smiled at her. Paige’s devotion warmed his heart. He couldn’t believe she was willing to stand by his side. Olivia was going to fight dirty and he knew it. Paige didn’t have to put herself in the line of fire. “Paige, this isn’t going to be pretty,” he said.

  “I don’t care. Mickey needs you in his life and I can’t just sit by and watch you go through hell without me in your corner.”

  Brian walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. “You make it seem like you really care about a brother.”

  Paige blushed. “You can’t tell? I must not be trying hard enough.”

  Brian kissed her gently. “Why don’t we get dressed, pick up Mickey and head to Soul to the Bone for breakfast?”

  “As long as you promise not to dump orange juice on me,” she ribbed as she bounced into the bathroom.

  Brian followed her into the bathroom, walking in just as she stepped into the shower. Brian studied Paige through the clear shower curtain. Her body was his wonderland. He loved her curves, the way her legs stretched from here to eternity, the way her breasts sat up, as if they were begging for his kiss. And what a wonderful ass—round and taut. Brian pulled the shower curtain back and stepped inside. He took the bar of soap from her hand and brought his lips to her ear.

  “Let me take care of this for you.” Brian backed Paige underneath the spray and water sluiced through her hair, ran down her face and across her chest. Brian lathered the soap and stroked her breasts, making small circles around her nipples. Moaning, she threw her head back. Brian leaned in and kissed her collarbone as his hands roamed down the sides of her body.

  “If you don’t stop, we’re never going to make it to breakfast.”

  Brian grinned. “I could feast on you and be a happy man.”

  She ran her finger down the center of his chest. “But man can’t live on my body alone,” she said as she reached back and shut the water off. Brian pulled her against him and kissed her with a blinding passion that she was helpless to resist. He cupped her behind and introduced her to the thick hardness between his legs. Moans of pleasure
issued from her throat as he grabbed her leg, clearing a path to her burning mound of desire. When Paige rolled her body across his erection, giving him the green light to come inside, Brian pushed her back against the wall. She gripped his neck for support as they did their sensual dance and buried her face in his shoulder, crying out as he thrust hard, long, and slowly. Brian couldn’t get enough of the hot wetness that surrounded him. He felt as if he were floating in the ocean. They were connected, mind, body and spirit. As he felt his climax coming, Brian brought his lips to Paige’s ear. “I love you.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Paige wasn’t sure she heard Brian correctly as she pushed back from him and looked him in the eye. “What?” she asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

  “I said I love you.”

  “Brian,” she whispered.

  “You don’t have to say it if you don’t feel the same.”

  Paige was conflicted because she wanted to tell Brian that she loved him too, but fear rendered her silent. If she said out loud that she loved him she was going to put her heart on display and open herself to being hurt. At least that what she thought.

  “I don’t know what I feel,” she said as she stepped out of the shower and grabbed a towel.

  Brian touched her shoulder. “I know my life seems like chaos, but you’re in here,” he said, pointing to his chest. “I didn’t want to fall for you. I tried like hell not to, but the first time I looked into your eyes, I knew I was in trouble.”

  The moment she saw Brian, she’d known she wanted him, known he’d be a part of her life. But she hadn’t known she was going to love him. Wait a minute. Was she in love with Brian? Every time she saw him her heart skipped a beat. When he was in pain, she ached for him. And Mickey. That little boy had captured her heart. She’d never thought she would be comfortable dating a man with a child, but precocious little Mickey had burrowed his way into her heart. This had to be love. She was in love with Brian, with his son and with being in love. But she couldn’t tell him that she loved him. She couldn’t say it because she was scared. She wrapped her arms around his waist and Brian stroked her back. Paige pulled back from him and forced a smile. “We’d better get dressed if we’re going to have breakfast.”