Surrendering To His Mrs. Right (Soul Food Diner)

by A. C. Mason

  “I don’t mean to be a pain.” The change in her manner toward him wasn’t subtle.

  “Yeah, you do, but I don’t mind.” A woman that knew what she wanted was easier in his opinion than one that didn’t. “At least you don’t act pissed when I’m helpful.”

  “Liam doesn’t mean to be like that with you but you are a hard act to follow.”

  “I guess that depends who you’re asking.” If his brother could make her withdraw from him like this, he had some clout. “I’m definitely not in the black books of half the women in Malibu.”

  “True.” She shrugged. “But a lot of people assume you’re gay.”

  “What?” They got in the car.

  Indy laid her head against the window. “You don’t sleep with anything with a pulse like your father and brother so rumor is you’re gay.”

  Great. “I’m not.”

  Her hand came down on his lap. “I know, Tim. But I’m not going to set them straight.” She chuckled.

  When she didn’t pull it back he grew hard.

  Soon she was sleeping. It would appear she hadn’t been resting much the past few days. She and Lisa had been tearing up the town. Men gushing over her, offering to buy her drinks. Saying nonsense to get her to go home with them. He was jealous and hated it.

  Tim pulled into the parking lot of the plaza where the BreadBar was located. The curls around her face had flattened on her skin. Her eyes fluttered open.

  “Are we here?” she asked.

  “We are.” Tim turned off the car. The late December sun shone overhead.

  They walked in sync up to the building. Sparkling light came from the Tiffany display window. An emerald-cut, three-stone diamond in a platinum engagement ring sat alone on blue velvet.

  “That’s the kind of ring a man gives a woman when the only possible answer is yes,” Indy said over her shoulder.

  “I didn’t expect you to say such a thing given your opinion of marriage.”

  “Even I’d wear that.” She winked. “That’s not a regular skating rink. That’s an Olympic-size hockey rink.” That was the Indy he’d come to be so enamored by.

  “Huh.” If any other woman had said it he would have dismissed the statement. Indy wasn’t all about designer labels and status symbols.

  The ring represented something. A leap. Hope. That one day she’d let him slip it on her finger. It was tangible. And it was sappy. Indy was prone to being outrageous and saying stuff she didn’t mean but most of what she’d shared with him was deeply personal, and he was sure the ring was a revelation. It sure as hell was a revelation to him because even if she couldn’t see a future with him, at this moment he could see one with her. Joy welled in his chest at the thought of bending his knee and presenting her with this token of his commitment to her. Shit. Where had that come from? He shook his head to dismiss the thought. But the damage was done. Seared into his mind. She would have that ring.

  “Are you coming?”

  Not yet but possibly soon. He shook his head. There was a line inside the BreadBar. “In a few, I want stretch my legs.”

  “I’ll go get in the lineup so we aren’t late.” She pointed inside.

  He paced. What was the worst thing that could happen if he bought the ring? She and Liam realized they were in love and he handed it over to his brother? Because if that was the ring Indy would wear, the man she loved should give it to her. It made him so old-fashioned but what else could he do? If nothing else, he could return it.

  When she went into the BreadBar she turned away from him, and he slipped into the jewelers.

  “Can I help you, sir?” the stuffy looking man asked.

  “Yes. I’d like to buy the ring in the front display case outside.” Tim pointed over to the area.

  “A man who knows his lady.” The flattery sales pitch. Not working for him.

  No, a man with a lady who knew her own mind. “Something like that.”

  “It’s a wonderful piece. Would you like to see other similar—”

  “This is the ring she wants, so this is the ring she’s going to have.” Tim would have wanted to see each piece compared and analyzed but that wasn’t how Indy did things.

  “Understood, sir.”

  “I’ve got to be at the airport shortly so speed would be much appreciated.” He didn’t want Indy to find him in there. From the door he saw her peering out of the BreadBar window.

  Tim handed the man his credit card. The man fussed behind the counter for a moment before requesting ID then disappearing. It happened less and less but when he’d first got the trust fund it had happened all the time.

  The line in the BreadBar appeared held up by the woman at cash register. On the counter were mountains of boxes.

  Indy looked around outside again.

  The man came returned from the back with a big smile. “Mr. Boyd, let me finish up the purchase for you.”

  The sale went through. A clerk immerged from the rear area of the store with the ring in a fancy box, a card and bag in hand.

  “I won’t be needing the bag.” Tim slid the ring into his coat pocket and the authenticity card into his wallet.

  When Indy reached the counter and had her back to the store window he slipped out and into the BreadBar to join her.

  Greeted with a smile from her, he wanted to kiss her but stood next to her. The woman behind the counter wrapped up her items. Tim handed her his credit card and picked up the bag.

  “Tim, please don’t.”

  “I know how tight money can be when you’re in school so don’t fuss over me covering for some food you want while a guest in my home.”

  “Thank you.” She hugged him and kissed his cheek.

  The comfort level between them had definitely improved since this morning. “My pleasure.”

  The woman handed him his receipt and card, and they headed to the car. Now to watch her reunion with his brother.

  It might kill him.

  Chapter 17

  Indy paced next to Tim in terminal seven at LAX. The drive had been peaceful—with Tim regaling her with stories about the staff at the hospital and some of their strange behaviors—but she was far from it. Three days without seeing him or answering his calls had been difficult. She hadn’t expected how much she’d grown into the headspace he’d provided. The little thoughtful actions. Helping each other. Not trying to outdo the other. Her pacing seemed to concern him but she was trying to make heads or tails of what was going on. Liam would be there soon and all reason would vanish from her brain.

  “Baby girl,” Liam said as he picked her up and hugged her from behind.

  Engulfed by the feel of his arms and his spicy scent, she gasped. “Liam, babes,” she let out with surprise and darted a look at Tim, who’d turned his gaze from her. Did he know how she felt about Liam? What had held her back from fully letting things play out with him?

  The one thing she was sure of was that if she slept with Tim, Liam would never touch her. She would be dead to him. Another man wouldn’t bother him but Tim was the no-fly zone. There was too much competition in Liam’s mind. Though most of it was in his head. Tim saw his brother as he was and still loved him. Why the same couldn’t be true for Liam escaped her.

  “Are you okay?” Liam asked.

  “Yeah.” As good as a woman could be in her predicament. Stupidly wishing Liam would want her while also being interested in exploring things with Tim—a man who seemed to want her back.

  Liam set her down. Though the man before her, resembled the one she'd desired for so long she felt distant from him.

  “Hey, bro.” Liam and Tim exchange a tense one armed hug.

  “Welcome home,” Tim responded.

  “What’s on the agenda for tonight?” she asked, trying to seem attentive to Liam though she sensed Tim’s every movement.

  “I’ve got us tickets to the hottest DJ showdown in LA,” he said.

  “Sounds like fun.” Though the idea of partying with a bunch of strangers didn’t
do it for her, she smiled.

  “I slept through the flight to make sure I was ready to party the night away.” Brenda had probably put him to good use his last night there.

  “I’m going to need a nap when we get in otherwise I won’t make it to midnight.” Lisa had been non-stop the last few days.

  “Then we better get hopping. We’re meeting the gang out front.” Liam wrapped his arm around her. “You and I have solo dinner plans before.”

  Tim stepped toward the exit. “Any other bags?”

  “Just the carryon.” Liam kissed her temple. “These are for you.” In his hand were a bag of Swedish Berries.

  He could be sweet sometimes. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, baby girl.” He darted his gaze over at Tim before settling it on her. “Look at you dressed up fine to come get me.”

  The only problem was when she’d picked out what to wear she was thinking of Tim and not Liam. What did that say about her? She …was …confused.

  “I was sure you liked your women with less clothing on.”

  “Seems she’s got your number.” Tim piped in.

  The two locked stares.

  “Sometimes taking it off can be fun.” Liam grinned broadly as he goaded his brother.

  Shit was Liam ever trying to pick fight with Tim. “You ain't getting my clothes off. For all I know you’ve got the nasties down there.”

  Tim laughed.

  “Um, Indy you just called my cock ‘down there.’ That’s it, you’re never allowed to hang out with Tim again.”

  “Whatev, Mr. Stick-my-dick-wherever-whoever.” There was no way he would tell her who she could be friends with. “I don’t want to be vulgar in public.”

  “That’s my baby girl. Be your dirty little vulgar self.”

  Liam didn’t want her to go there. She liked Tim and wouldn’t stand by while Liam mocked him, no matter how inferior to the man he felt. Tim was a class act and deserved respect. Truth was, Liam’s stabs at his brother only made him look like a fool.

  “You can be such an asshole.” She picked up the pace to the car. “I’m not in the mood for your childish crap.”

  “Now you’ve upset her,” Tim said.

  The smile vanished from Liam’s face. He finally got how little she felt like listening to a Tim bashing session.

  “Stay out of it, bro.” He waved his brother off. “Indy, did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed? I just flew halfway around the country on a redeye to ring in the New Year with my best friend and you’re totally giving me attitude.” Liam stopped next to the car and blocked the door.

  “You didn’t have to, Liam.”

  “Of course I didn’t. I wanted to.”

  “Where’s Brenda?”

  “With her peeps. What’s with the interrogation?”

  “One question doesn’t add up to being grilled.”

  “Are you even happy I came back?”

  “I don’t know yet.” She turned from him.

  Liam put his bag in the trunk and she pulled the seat forward so he could get in the back. Indy sat up front with her arms crossed. Nothing felt right at the moment. Tim felt far away and Liam didn’t belong in this picture. Why had she cowered over at Lisa’s place the last few days rather than spending time with Tim? Fear. But of what exactly? She couldn’t put her finger on it. Long ago, she’d lost Liam. There never really been a chance for her with him. He was the kind of man that had his fun and moved on. She, on the other hand, she wanted kids and a home. The thrill of taming Liam beckoned her as if it were a real possibility. So did the hope of him wanting her too. Though she knew it would never happen. He’d be forty, still drinking and fucking his life away. A brilliant, sought after architect that no one wanted to speak to. A madman possibly. By then she would be settled down and still wondering what it would be like to be fucked senseless by him.

  “Are you going to drive by Mom or Dad’s places to say hi?” Tim asked Liam.

  Those words were sure to set Liam off. If he could manage it, he would never speak to the individuals that had conceived him. He had his father’s guilt Jeep, the bitterness in his heart, and it kept him cold through to the bone.

  “Not today I’m not.” Liam leaned his head back. “I’m not in the mood to deal with Dad and his latest knocked up teenage girlfriend. Nor Mom and her boy toy.”

  She’d been shocked when Liam had said he was glad the last one had lost the baby. Despite the fact that the affair had been the one to break up the family, his words were cruel. He carried such hate for his parents. It wasn’t hard to imagine how he’d treat her if he felt she’d betrayed him.

  Silence filled the space with a suffocating stillness. Tim’s eyes remained focused on the road. Not once since the glance in the airport had he looked at her.

  * * * *

  Indy waited as Liam opened the door to his Jeep for her. It was weird. Liam was behaving strangely, and she wished she could go back to how things had been between them before. Her wanting him and him ignoring her. That sounded utterly awful for her to say.

  Geoffrey’s Malibu was a nice spot with a view of the ocean.

  The maître d’ gestured them in and asked for the reservation name. They had a special New Year’s Menu, decorations and a dance floor. It would seem he’d put some effort into planning this evening.

  Liam smiled and slipped his arm around her waist. For a second she froze.

  He looked perplexed. “Are you sure everything’s all right?”

  All day he’d been asking her that. With a nod, she followed him to the booth the maitre d’ directed them to.

  Liam motioned for her to take a seat. Candles lit the cozy space. She slid in, and he slipped in next to her.

  “Tonight’s menu is preset. Dinner will be served shortly. Your waiter will bring your drinks out momentarily.”

  Liam smelled of his smooth cologne—the one he wore when on the prowl for sex. In the distance the sun was setting in a beautiful array of pinks and blues.

  “You look beautiful tonight.” Liam’s gaze met hers.

  Those weren’t words he used with her. You’re hot. I’d bang you was more what she’d expect him to say. But the truth was, she wasn’t that hot to him, and he wouldn’t bang her. Nor did she want to be banged.

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Tim had barely spoken to her all day after they’d picked up Liam. When she’d come downstairs dressed for dinner he’d complimented her and headed upstairs. She’d dressed up for going out with Liam and even that seemed off somehow.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “Tim.” Shit. She hadn’t meant to say that.

  Liam’s facial expression changed. “I knew this would happen. This entire time I’ve been trying to look out for you. I know how dreamy-eyed you can be.”

  “Not like that.” At least her thoughts hadn’t gone there yet. “It’s New Year’s Eve and he’s home alone.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for Tim, Indy. This isn’t his thing. Socializing. Going out dancing. You thrive on the energy.”

  Tim could dance. Maybe not clubbing but that wasn’t such a bad thing. Campus life wasn’t all glamorous. She had to force herself to go out to the frat parties and mingle but she’d had more than her fill of the same Q and A over and over again. Did Liam know her or did he have some kind of strange perception of her?

  The waiter arrived with glasses filled with red liquid. “The wines have been chosen to accompany the meal.”

  “Thank you.”

  The last time she’d wine she’d gotten out of hand.

  Liam wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “How’s school, my brilliant soon-to-be lawyer friend?”

  “School itself is fine but I still hate Yale and I’m not big on the east coast. I’m west coast to the core. If I do a masters, I’m not sticking around. And you?”

  “The weather’s harsh but Cornell is for me. I’m hoping to go on the abroad summer program or intern. I’m not even thinking past my d
egree yet. Though I should. My professor sent my latest project to a friend of his at one of the big firms in New York.”

  “I’m happy for you.” She hugged him.

  He squeezed her tight. “If it weren’t for you, Indy, I wouldn’t have been ready when football was no longer an option.”

  “I just nudged you. That’s what friends do.” As she pulled back, he tucked her closer.

  “I’ve missed you a lot.” He released her then sipped the wine. “Very nice.”

  It didn’t matter, she wasn’t touching the wine. No more than one drink tonight. She couldn’t risk saying or doing something she’d regret. Not when Liam was acting so strange.

  Chapter 18

  Liam held Indy to his body, bumping and grinding into her taut physique. It was nearing two AM and the trance bass had taken him over, setting the pace of his movements. He wanted to unite with her. Claim her. He thrust his crotch against her bottom, sure she could feel how hard he was. There were the small matters of his girlfriend and Indy’s virginity. The last thing he wanted was her to regret being with him. Maybe first thing in the morning? He could dump Brenda tonight and have Indy by the break of dawn.

  Finding out she’d been hanging around with Tim had unleashed an ugly side of him. Liam had been cruel to his best friend. The anger at the knowledge that she was spending time with his brother erupted. Hands on her hips, he rubbed his cock into her firm ass. She had to feel what touching her did to him. He would make sure she understood.

  A girl clad in leather sauntered over to them. He wasn’t in the mood to deal with an interruption. Thankfully, he didn’t recognize her.

  “I’ve been watching the two of you all night. If you ever want a third in your bed call me.” She licked her lips and handed Indy a card. “You’re a hot couple. I would do you both.”

  That was the thing, they weren’t a couple. “We are beautiful together.” Her warm brown skin against his pale white flesh.

  Indy’s gaze met his in the reflective surface of the walls. Liam slid his hands over hips then slipped them between her breasts. “I love how you feel in my arms.”

  Indy pushed his hands off her and stepped back. “Enough, Liam.”