Burning with Desire

by Patricia W. Fischer

  Raising an eyebrow, she popped the cork on the bottle and smiled. “Yeah, baby. Yeah.”

  Her adorable attempt to mimic Austin Powers had him laughing. “Oh be-have.”

  The woman knows movie quotes. Should I get a ring now or tomorrow?

  Within minutes, they’d taken their seats to enjoy his signature meal of lemon chicken, baked potatoes, and broccoli. The conversation flowed easily. They had similar tastes in movies, music, but Kyle’s travel adventures were what appeared to get her attention the most.

  “I’m jealous. Moving here was the first time I’d ever been out of Texas.” She pushed a piece of broccoli around her plate before stabbing it with her fork. “That’s why I took my time driving here. To take in more of the country.”

  “My parents encouraged me to travel as much as I could. Said it gave me a better perspective of the world.” The rich flavor of the wine she’d selected perfectly mingled with the bite of the lemon pepper. “Where else did you stop other than Fort Collins?”

  “Carlsbad Caverns, Roswell. I had to see the aliens museum.” Her playful wink gave him an instant hard-on.

  Standing to relieve pressure on his fly, he grabbed the bottle and topped off their glasses. “It’s a weird place, but if you’re close to it, you gotta see it. You went up 255 to 25, then?”

  Her eyebrows popped up. “You know the roads, too?”

  He chuckled at her surprise. “Done a lot of driving. That must have taken you up through Colorado Springs and Denver.”

  “We stayed in Denver overnight. I’d like to go back. There was plenty to do there. See a Rockies game.” Her index finger slowly traced up the stem of the wineglass as she appeared lost in thought. “It would be fun to go spend a long weekend there.”

  His eyes watched her finger gently move up and down the stem. Instantly, his mouth went dry and he took a long swig of his wine hoping to quench his building thirst.

  “Then we stopped in Fort Collins to visit…family.” Without looking at him, she finished off half of her wine. “It was a nice visit.”

  His eyes darted from her eyes to her glass. “That good huh?”

  At first, he worried he’d crossed the boundaries of first date etiquette, but when she giggled, he released a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding.

  “I don’t know what I expected, but it wasn’t horrible, just not as productive as I’d hoped.” She lifted a shoulder. “It’s what it is, I guess. Can’t get people to change if they don’t want to.”

  Leaning forward, he placed his hand over hers. “You mentioned it was Trinity’s aunt you visited.”

  “Yes.”

  “Trinity said she was your adopted god-daughter?”

  “Yes, my best friend, Laurie, was her mom.”

  “Was?”

  Inhaling a long breath, Gabriella appeared to be mentally collecting the right words. “Laurie was my best friend growing up. She didn’t have the greatest home life. Her parents fought a lot. They were never married so each of them figured they didn’t have to stay if they didn’t want to.”

  “Being married doesn’t mean people stay either,” Kyle answered before thinking.

  Gabriella’s lips thinned as she nodded. “True, but they used it to justify their absences.”

  “I see.”

  “She and her siblings were on their own quite a bit, especially when the parents were off doing their own things.” She made lazy circles on the table with her finger. “Laurie hung out at my house as much as she could. My parents didn’t mind the extra kids. They were all about family.”

  He rested his hand on her arm. “Sounds like your parents are good people.”

  “They are. Mom and Dad never turned any of our friends away.” Tears suddenly began to fall. Gabriella quickly wiped them away. “Sorry, um, Laurie really tried to walk the straight and narrow. She got decent grades, but she wasn’t life-focused at all.”

  “Sounds like my brother, Coleman.” Dammit, quit telling her family members’ names.

  “Coleman. That’s an interesting name. Trinity mentioned you had a sister. Artist, right?”

  “Yes. That seems to be the only thing she can focus on, which is good because she’s about to have a gallery showing.” Dammit. The less they knew about him right now, the better.

  “That’s impressive.”

  “Yes.” If he didn’t get them off this topic soon, he’d have to come clean about who he was and he simply wasn’t ready to go down that road. Especially if he was leaving. “But you were talking about Laurie?”

  “Right. She graduated and enlisted in the Army.”

  Kyle lifted a shoulder. “Sometimes military is a good way for people to get their heads on straight.”

  “She got through basic pretty well. Seemed to have found a groove. Within a year, she called me to tell me she was married and pregnant. He was in the military, too. She seemed to be happy. I was happy for her.”

  “Gabriella, you don’t have to tell me any of this.” He gently squeezed her shoulder.

  She waved him off. “No, no, it’s okay. When Trinity was born, Laurie called me, crying, because the baby didn’t look anything like her husband.”

  “Who did Trinity look like?”

  “According to Laurie, she looked like her husband’s best friend.”

  That hit Kyle straight in the gut. “What did she want you to do?”

  “She asked me to take care of Trinity because she wanted to make things work with her husband. He was fine raising his own child, but not his friend’s.”

  Kyle’s gut uncomfortably churned. “What happened?”

  Holding her wineglass, Gabriella sighed. “She said she had nothing else to keep her on a good path except the military.”

  “Nothing else to keep her on a good path? She had a child.”

  “I know, but Laurie wasn’t great at the reality of life sometimes.”

  “What about her family?”

  Gabriella shrugged. “None of them were capable of caring well for themselves, much less a baby. Besides, they never liked Laurie’s husband anyway. Now that they knew Trinity was biracial, they really didn’t want anything to do with her.”

  Poor kid. “What about the bio father? Where did he fall in this?”

  “She said that he was already in Special Forces training and a baby wasn’t part of the plan.”

  “He dumped his kid for Special Forces? What a jerk.” Kyle took a few gulps of wine to keep himself from talking. He knew all too well what it was like to be dumped by a parent. When their own needs outweighed a child’s.

  Placing her hand on his arm, she shook her head. “Honestly, I can’t trust that she even told him or that she even knew for sure who the bio dad was.”

  “I see.” Shaking his head, he moved a piece of chicken around on his plate. “You took Trinity, then?”

  “Of course. She was a baby. My god-daughter. She didn’t ask for any of this.”

  I knew I liked this woman for a reason. “What did your parents say?”

  “They didn’t hesitate. Family is family. My mom and I drove up and got her. Trinity’s been with us ever since.”

  “She never went back?”

  “No, within a year, Laurie and her husband…died. Car accident. Head-on collision with another car.”

  Kyle’s forehead furrowed. “Her family didn’t step up?”

  “They didn’t fight for custody. In fact, Laurie made me her guardian as soon as Trinity came to live with us because she knew how her family felt about anyone who wasn’t white.”

  “They were okay with you raising her, but not okay with raising her themselves.”

  She held her hand up. “They’re selective bigots. They’re fine if with you if you’re not related to them, which seems ridiculous, I know. When Laurie called me and told me about Trinity, it wasn’t a hard decision to take her in and then adopt. It’s just that sometimes, like now, I begin to second-guess myself.”

  The worry in her voice concerne
d him. “I noticed she doesn’t call you mom.”

  When she sniffed and more tears fell, Kyle mentally slapped himself.

  You idiot! You’re making her cry, again! “Damn, Gabriella, I’m so sorry.”

  She waved him off. “She did until we stopped and visited with her aunt a few days ago. I have no idea what happened and she’s not telling me anything.”

  “I was a jerk to my mom too at that age.” Kyle smirked before he took another sip of wine. “I made her life hell for a few years.”

  “Things better now?”

  “I grew up. Realized you can’t stay mad forever at people for being human. Screwing up.” Although, he knew he’d never completely forgive his mother for the hell she put his dad through before he died. He cupped her face, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “No, it’s okay. I’ve need to blow off some steam. It’s been a stressful week.”

  More tears ran over his hands. Gently, he wiped them away. “You keep blowing off steam like that and I’ll need to get my mop out.”

  “I can think of better ways to decompress.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh, that didn’t come out right. I meant—”

  He’d been a gentleman all evening, but seeing her lay her emotions on the table like that, he couldn’t think of anything else to help her. Tasting her sweet lips was the only thing that came to mind.

  Of course, it had been the only thing on his mind for the past hour. The past twenty-four hours.

  A tender kiss, nothing more.

  Simply something to take the edge off of his libido that had been this side of animalistic, but when he began to pull away, she pulled him flush against her.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When he touched her face, her panties damned near melted off. Then he kissed her and all bets were off.

  Maybe it was the wine or the wide-eyed look of surprise when she let it slip about better ways to de-stress, but she didn’t want to hold back any longer.

  As he pulled away, she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close until her lips brushed his.

  “Kiss me,” she whispered, not even sure if she should say it, but had no way of stopping herself.

  “Yes, ma’am.” His tongue tickled the inside of her lip before sweeping inside her mouth. He tasted of wine and pepper.

  Gabriella greedily grabbed handfuls of his shirt as she soaked him in.

  As he traced a line of kisses to her ear, the images of his calendar pictures raced through her mind. How the light danced across his chiseled body.

  The tight, defined lines of muscles.

  The pregnancy-inducing smirk.

  Her heart beat faster at the realization of Mr. October kissing her right now.

  Any anger about her ex-fiancé’s infidelities melted away.

  He can have his pregnant girlfriend. I’ll take my calendar man.

  “Gabriella,” he whispered. He brushed his hands along the sides of her body, making her nipples peak. She wanted to arch into his palm, feel his skin against her bare breast, feel his mouth on her. All of her.

  Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the card Trinity made to go along with the snacks they’d taken over earlier.

  How sweet, he kept the card.

  The tingle of his thumb grazing over her nipple yanked her sensible.

  What are you doing?

  “Gabriella?” He slowed his pace, gently pulling away, but keeping her close.

  You’ve known him twenty-four hours. You have a daughter at home.

  Still trying to gather her breath, she gave him a stressed smile while her rational brain fought with her irrational libido. “There’s nothing more I’d like to do than take this further.”

  “But?” He moved a lock of hair out of her face. “You don’t want to take things too far, too fast, right?”

  No. I want to jump your bones right now. “Right. Yes.”

  A look of disappointment settled in his eyes, but he agreed. “Probably a good idea. Take it slow.”

  “Right. Yes.” I really hate being a responsible adult.

  He kissed her again, a slow, tender kiss before tilting his forehead to touch hers. “Maybe go out again in a few days?”

  “You’re working, I guess.”

  “Yep, at the station. Tomorrow.” Sitting back, he held her hand. “I’ll try and give you a call if it’s slow, but who knows what it’ll be like with the weather coming in tonight.”

  “I’ll be at the diner if you need any food delivered.” That didn’t sound clingy girlfriend-like at all.

  “I’ll let the guys know, but I’m on kitchen duty. I’ve got it covered.”

  “What are you making?” She picked up her plate, helped him clear the table, and wrapped up the plate for Trinity, all while her body continued to hum.

  “You’re eating it. Lemon Pepper Chicken.” Opening the refrigerator, he presented several bags of chicken.

  A laugh escaped her. “When Flo said you only made lemon chicken, she wasn’t kidding.”

  “Nope.” He waved her off as she began to do the dishes. “Gabby. I can get this. Let me walk you home.”

  The winds whipped around them, knocking them into each other as they listened to the crunchy grass.

  When they made it to her front door, she kissed his cheek. “Thank you for a wonderful evening. I haven’t had a night out in a long time. It was delicious.”

  The corner of his mouth twitched as he chuckled. “Glad to do it. I’ll see you very soon.”

  “Yes you will.” After closing the door and putting the food away, Gabriella approached her daughter’s room. Trinity sat on her bed, staring at her computer, her earbuds in. Curled up next to her, Cookie cat slept while Belle slept in the doorway.

  “Hi. How’s it going?” Gabriella leaned against the doorframe, careful not to step on the dog.

  Without looking at her, the teen held up a thumb. “Have fun at Kyle’s?”

  “He made enough for all three of us. Brought you a plate. It’s in the refrigerator.”

  That pulled her away from her screen. She pulled her earbuds out. “He made me food?”

  “Yes, lemon chicken, baked potato, and broccoli. I think he thought we’d all come over.”

  “That’s really nice of him to include me.”

  “Why wouldn’t he? You’re my family.” Gabriella wondered how long it would take before Trinity called her mom again.

  The teen shrugged. “True, but I see the way he looks at you, and I’m pretty sure he was glad to have you to himself for the evening.”

  Gabriella looked away as her cheeks warmed. His touch still lingered on her skin. “I won’t lie. It’s nice to have someone interested in me.”

  “You deserve someone who’s nice to you. Someone who’s got a good job. Isn’t a jerk.”

  An unease sat in her gut at her daughter’s too-nice responses. “You’re right. I do.” Motioning for Trinity to move over, she sat next to her. “What are you watching?”

  “Friends.”

  “Mind if I join you?”

  As Trinity pulled the earbuds out, the sound of Ross asking what Chandler Bing’s job was filled the room.

  Trinity rested her head on her mother’s shoulder as they settled in for an evening of lighthearted fun and laughter.

  After two episodes, Gabby decided she’d head to bed. As she reached the doorway, Trinity sighed. “Gabby?”

  “Yes, T.”

  “Can I ask you something?”

  “Of course.” She leaned against the doorframe.

  “My aunt said I’m not respecting my mother by calling you mom.” She cringed as she said the last words.

  Biting her lip, Gabriella had to suppress the string of obscenities that could easily flow right now. Not respecting Laurie? Ironic coming from people who wouldn’t take in a child because of her skin color.

  But she wouldn’t dump that on her daughter. “Trinity, I think your aunt still misses her sister. I’m sor
ry you feel like you’ve been put in a difficult place.”

  “I kinda do, but then again, you’re the one who’s been there for me all this time. Not her. Not Laurie.”

  Sitting back on the bed, Gabriella reached out and patted her child’s hand. “Understand—your mom loved you enough to make sure you had a safe and nurturing place to be. She may not have been there for you, but she entrusted me to do that job because she knew I could do it well.”

  “I guess so, but there are times I wish she would have tried to keep me.”

  How she wanted to explain the ugly of it all to her, but what good would it do? “Know that I love you and would do anything for you.”

  “Really?”

  More than you know. “All I want for you is to keep talking to me because I do want the very best for you.”

  “Thanks, Gabby.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  “That’s Judge McCorkle. He tends to hold court here frequently.” As the morning rush began to wane, Flo pointed out regulars to Gabriella.

  The thick smells of bacon, pancakes, and the cinnamon bread she’d introduced to the employees yesterday, drifted through the happy conversations. Pride swelled in her chest. Seeing the happy faces of her customers always blissed her out. She walked the room, topping off coffees, subtly replacing napkins, and removing empty plates.

  Trinity, along with Miss Collier, Frederick, and an additional teen, sat in the corner. All looked like they were having a great conversation.

  Please let them be good to her. Thinking about her daughter suffering the heartbreak of bullying planted a pain deep in Gabriella’s chest.

  Seeing the group talking and laughing gave her comfort that maybe this change might turn out all right.

  When she placed the empty coffee pot back and started a new round, Flo continued, “The big man over there with the little boy, that’s Colt Ewing and his stepson, Parker. They come in a lot and Parker likes chocolate sauce on his pancakes.”

  Another couple of smiling customers patted their bellies as they exited. It had been a chaotically busy morning and Gabriella took that as a good sign. Apparently, the locals weren’t worried about her changing much or they were curious about the new owner.