by Aliyah Burke
“Losing your touch?” Kelly teased.
“Man, don’t make me hurt you. That woman right there is the future Mrs. Jamal Graham.”
Kelly leaned his body against his, shoulder to shoulder, and turned his head in the direction Kassidy had gone. “Really? Hmm, well congrats. I think you may want to tell her that, ‘cause the way she left you standing here, I’m thinking she’s not aware of y’all’s marriage.”
Shoving Kelly off him, Justice growled, “Stuff it, Kelly.” His friend just laughed harder.
“How about this. I’ll help you by putting in a good word with her.”
Justice took a swig of beer and frowned. “If?” Kelly was never that nice without a reason.
“Get me a date with your sister.”
“Want me to kill you, Henderson?” he asked in a low, barely controlled tone.
“Come on, man. We may just be soul mates.”
Justice took a deep breath. The hell I’m pimping out my sister. “You and my sister aren’t ever happening, Kelly. Ever.”
“She doesn’t even know me.”
“After seeing you on the pier one night, drunk, she has no wish to. And I won’t let my baby sister become one of your conquests, so back the fuck off!” There was no more humor in his voice.
Kelly held up his hands in surrender. “Okay, I’ll let it go.”
Justice stared at him before walking away. His temper had cooled by the time he’d relocated Kassidy. Before he knew what had happened, he found himself in front of her table. He recognized the woman with her from the museum and of course Ethan, who was curved against Lucy.
He lost his train of thought when Kassidy’s amazing gaze flitted up to his. Her eyes widened slightly before she looked down at her hands.
“Can I have a moment?” he asked, barely taking the time to acknowledge the two others at the table.
Kassidy glanced to Lucy, and Justice was pleased to see the woman give an encouraging nod. He stepped back so Kassidy could stand.
“Sure,” she said. “Be right back, Lucy.”
Justice gestured with his beer then fell into step behind her. Wiping his hand off on his pant leg, he placed it on the small of her back to guide her. The heat from her skin singed his palm and he almost jerked it off. Silken chocolate is what her skin felt like. No words were traded as he led her out the door to the dock and they found space along the rail. Kassidy rested her arms on the flat wood while he faced her, using one arm to brace himself.
“What can I do for you, Justice Graham?” she queried, pulling her gaze from him and staring out over the water.
Justice reached out and used two fingers to bring her face around to his. “Get to know me,” he uttered.
Chapter Two
Kassidy stared into the endless depths of the gaze belonging to the man. A man the likes of which she’d never met before. Her body shuddered from the two fingers he touched her face with. Her belly still flipped from when his hand had rested upon her back. Justice held her gaze without flinching.
Is he for real? With all of these women he could pick from, why me?
It wasn’t a hard stretch for her to superimpose this mouthwatering man into her dream of happily ever after. Her heart encouraged and her brain hesitated.
“Kassidy?” he asked, breaking the silence between them.
“What do I need to know about you, Justice?” Kassidy turned slightly so they were facing one another in the night; the lights from the bar kept the darkness somewhat at bay.
“Everything.”
She smiled. Kassidy faced back out over the water. “How about we start with what you do.” Her breath caught when his broad shoulder brushed hers as he mimicked her stance. Dropping her gaze, Kassidy stared at his hands, strong hands with long fingers. Hands designed to protect and love a woman.
Wonder how’d they feel running along my skin as we made love.
“I’m a lieutenant in the Coast Guard, home ported here in Quiet Harbor.”
I can see him serving. She smiled again and spun the beer bottle in her hand. “Really? Have you gone to check out the Pea Island LSS?”
He chuckled. “Yes. I’ve been to the Pea Island Life Saving Station Memorial many times. My great-grandfather served there. One of the reasons I joined the Coast Guard.”
His great-grandfather. Her mind working overtime, Kassidy streamed through her knowledge. With a gasp she looked at him. “Calvin Running Wolf Graham is your great-grandfather?”
He faced her. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Wow. That’s… I mean… I’m…” she sighed, “…I’m babbling like an idiot again.”
“I think it’s adorable.”
She flushed.
“My turn. What do you do?”
“I work at the library, the main one, and I spend a lot of my days with groups of kids helping them become more comfortable reading.”
“Sounds very fulfilling.”
“I love it. Do you have siblings?”
“I have a sister, we’re twins.”
“Oh, how cool. Is she in the Coast Guard too?”
“No, she’s in the Navy.”
“That’s awesome. You come from a serving family.”
He nodded. “We sure do. My great-great-grandfather was a Buffalo Solider and was assigned to the Seventh Calvary right before Wounded Knee, so he was there.”
“Oh my. That was such a tragedy.”
“Yes,” Justice agreed. “His name was Sergeant Isaiah Graham. Calvin Running Wolf Graham was his son.”
“Did Isaiah marry a Sioux woman?” Her love of history was totally piqued.
“No. He got injured at Wounded Knee, lost an arm, retired and married a Comanche woman, Gentle Wind. They moved back to North Carolina. Once Calvin grew up he married a local woman named Sarah and they had a child. A boy they named Jamal Two Bears, in honor of Calvin’s brother who’d passed.”
Kassidy allowed the rich timbre of his voice to flow over her. She hung on every word. “So, Jamal Two Bears Graham is your grandfather?”
“Yes, and he served in the Navy during WWII. He met grandma, Martha Rose, and married her.” Justice paused for a moment, staring out over the water at something only he could see.
She watched his face and saw the pain. Kassidy reached out her hand and laid it on his forearm. Beneath her touch, his muscle jumped and he looked at her. “You don’t have to say anymore. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s okay.” He dropped his gaze briefly to where her hand lay and a small smile filled his face. “Thank you though.”
Kassidy didn’t ask what he thanked her for. Some things were best left alone.
“Where was I? Oh, right. Grandpa Jamal and Martha Rose. Their eldest was my father, Justice Standing Bear. They had one more but she didn’t survive and neither did Martha Rose. Dad grew up and married mom, her name is Dinah. Grandpa lived with us, now with mom. Dad and mom had my sister, Jasira and I. Like I said before, we’re twins and she’s Navy, I’m the older of us. Dad was in the Army and went to Vietnam when we were little.” Justice drew a deep breath. “He never came home, was KIA.”
Her fingers tightened on his arm in sadness. “I’m so sorry. Thank you for sharing that with me. So you were named for your father?”
“No. My full name is Jamal Isaiah Graham. I took his name as my nickname to honor him, which is why people call me Justice.” He shrugged. “Now I’ve been rambling and have told you more than you could possibly want to know.”
“Not at all. I would love to meet your family,” she said with all honesty.
“Anytime,” he murmured.
They stared at one another for a while until overhead thunder rumbled. Pulling her hand from his arm, Kassidy looked away. “We should get inside.”
“Yes,” he agreed as the first drops of rain fell.
Kassidy glanced at the timepiece on her wrist. Close to ten. She put her empty beer bottle in a glass recycling bin. Man, I was having a great time too.
&nb
sp; “Can I get you another?” he asked leaning in close to be heard over the chaos inside the bar.
“Thank you, but no. I have to get going.”
“It’s Friday night.” He pressed against her and Kassidy fought the urge to sink into him.
“I work tomorrow morning.” Turning so they were facing one another she said, “Thank you for letting me get to know you, Justice.”
Kassidy ducked around him and went to say goodbye to Lucy and Ethan. Walking to the front, she stepped out and jogged down the steps toward her car. Her gaze picked up Justice standing on the top step, framed by raindrops and light as he stared at her. Kassidy shuddered at the intensity in his stare. She waved briefly and drove off thinking of how it would be to kiss him.
* * * *
The sun shone down on him as he bounded up the steps. With a deep breath, Justice strode toward the automatic doors and entered the Quiet Harbor Main Public Library.
Haven’t been in one of these for a while. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he walked past the front desk and looked at the signs trying to figure out where the children’s area was. He moved quietly and heard a young voice reading aloud.
Peeking around the corner, Justice sighed in pleasure as his gaze landed on Kassidy. She sat on the floor with about ten kids in a circle. There was a dog stretched out beside the child reading, its head in the boy’s lap.
Unnoticed, Justice stared at Kassidy. She wore a pair of buttercream capris and a white tank top. Her hair bounced with every movement she made. It was a beautiful blend of black, brown, and honey colored full out natural curl. He longed to sink his hands in it and devour her. Her skin had a radiance to it that even the fluorescent lights above couldn’t ruin.
“Very good, Trey. Thank you for reading the last Chapter,” Kassidy spoke as she rose smoothly to her feet and reached for the book. “I believe y’all’s parents are waiting, so go find them and don’t forget to check out a book to read this week. I’ll see all of y’all next week.”
A small smile curved up his lips as they all stood and said, “Bye, Miss Barrow. Bye, Libby.”
Must be Libby’s the dog.
“You have a way with children,” he commented softly as she began picking up pillows.
Kassidy jumped and looked at him. A huge smile filled her face. “Justice, you scared me. What are you doing here?”
Gathering some of the pillows, he moved to where she piled hers and placed them there as well. “I came to see you.”
“Well, here I am. I’m free for the next thirty minutes. Care to walk with me outside?”
“I’d love to.” Like I’d not want to spend time with you, Kassidy.
“Libs, let’s go,” Kassidy said.
The dog moved to her side from where it had rested on the floor and Kassidy picked up the leash dangling from its collar. Justice followed her into the back where she waved at a few people and opened a door. Kassidy propped it open and released the dog before walking to a picnic table. Justice sat beside her and for a moment they remained silent.
“Tell me something,” he said as Libby ran up with a ball in her mouth.
“What do you wish to know?” She lobbed the ball and the dog took off.
“What got you into this?”
Kassidy sat forward, elbows on knees. “Well, let me see. I wanted to be a teacher, then realized I didn’t have the patience to deal with kids all day. So I began working here to help pay for college and I found I really enjoyed it.” She turned her head and stared at him, her eyes having a bit more green in them today. “When I got Libby, a friend suggested getting her certified as a Therapy Dog. So I did and now she comes with me a few days a week. I get to be around kids, but in short amounts. And they’re quiet when I see them.”
He smiled. “Libby’s a poodle, right?”
“Yes.”
“She looks different from the ones you see on TV.”
“Oh yeah. I don’t have the time to maintain that kind of clip on a dog. So I keep her shaved in a puppy clip, a short one, at that.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“Thank you. And what are you doing this lovely Saturday?”
Justice took the ball and threw it for Libby. “I was hoping to get a date with this woman I met outside the museum.”
A blush tinged her smooth cheeks as her gaze dropped to focus on the ground. He never looked away and soon she glanced up again.
“I don’t know,” she hedged.
Justice had no intention of giving up. He smiled. “Why not? In a relationship?” It was hard to breathe with that thought.
“No,” Kassidy said.
And just like that it was easier to breathe again.
“Okay. Then what do I have to do to get your consent?” He watched Libby.
“I just, I don’t date much,” she blurted out and he knew she was wishing she could take it all back.
Keeping his gaze on the dog, Justice pursed his lips briefly. “How about a day in the park. I’ll bring lunch and you bring Libby.” He cut his gaze to her.
The smile that filled her face told him he’d succeeded.
“That would be wonderful.”
She’s comfortable with her things around her. “Tomorrow work for you?”
“That would be fine, but let me bring something.”
The urge to kiss her lips raced through him and it took a lot to tear his gaze from them. “You are. You’re bringing yourself and Libby. Say, Harbour Park about two?”
“I’ll be there.”
Justice got to his feet and stared down at her. “Wonderful. I’ll see you tomorrow, Kassidy.” He smiled and walked away, hands in his pockets and a jaunty whistle on his lips.
Chapter Three
Sunday afternoon, Kassidy was nervous. Ever since Justice had left her yesterday, she continually ran his final phrase in her mind. What had she done to get his attention? He was a very handsome man. With a deep breath, Kassidy loaded Libby up in the car and headed toward Harbour Park.
She arrived early and sat upon a bench while Libby lay beside her. The minutes ticked by and the two o’clock hour passed. Guess he got a better offer. At two-fifteen, Kassidy got to her feet and turned to head back to her car, heart heavy.
“Like Daddy says, if it’s to work out, it’s gotta be written in the stars. And I guess it’s just not.” She rubbed Libby’s head. “I really liked him too. Come on, girl, let’s go home.”
Kassidy walked to her car and just as she unlocked it, she heard someone yell her name.
“Kassidy. Kassidy!”
Glancing over her shoulder, she was shocked to see Justice running toward her. Kassidy turned and rested against the door. She licked her lips. Justice wore knee-length blue shorts, a red tee shirt, and tennis shoes. On his face were mirrored sunglasses. He waved and jogged up.
“I’m so sorry, Kassidy,” he said. “We had a drill this morning and it went over.”
“I thought you weren’t coming,” she told him, looking anywhere but at him.
“I would have called, but we haven’t exchanged numbers yet. Hey, look at me.” Justice brought her face up to his where she discovered he’d removed his mirrored glasses. “Nothing would keep me from being here.”
The amount of sincerity in his voice threw her. “So what happens now?”
“I just have to grab the cooler and we can eat.”
“You have the food?”
“I told you, I had no intention of missing this date. Whaddya say, give a guy a second chance?”
How can I say no to that? “Okay, let’s eat. Where’s your vehicle? I can help carry.” She took Libby back out.
The smile he bestowed on her made her knees go weak. For a moment, Justice stared at her before reaching out and taking the hand without Libby’s leash in it. His thumb skimmed along the back of her hand and she sighed. How long has it been since I’ve just held hands with a guy?
“I’m this way,” he uttered softly. They walked slowly, hand in hand, until he
halted them by a shiny red Corvette. “Here we go,” Justice said, opening the trunk. “You carry the blanket.”
Kassidy hung it over her arm and watched him effortlessly lift the cooler out. “Nice car,” she said.
“Thank you, this is my baby.”
Men and their cars. She smiled and waited for him to lock it. “Where to?” Kassidy questioned when he again had the cooler in his hands.
“You pick the spot.”
Kassidy chewed on her lower lip and nodded. “Okay.” She decided on a spot and once there, she spread out the blanket. “You said you had a drill, what’s that?”
Justice set the cooler down and knelt beside it. He opened it and began pulling things out. “It was basically a dry run for boarding a ship.” He looked up at her and grinned. “Not half as interesting as spending time with you.”
Her body flushed at his words. “I’m sure it was exciting.”
“Sweetie, no man wants to move through smoke or tear gas with guns versus spending time with a beautiful woman.”
“Uh huh. Is that a line you use often?” If only, Justice. If only.
Justice handed her a plate and watched her sit. His gaze took on an oddly possessive look. “Not a line, Kassidy. Nothing but the God’s honest truth.”
She shivered from the promise in his tone. Kassidy glanced over to where Libby lay in the shade to allow a moment to find her bearings. Justice still stared at her when she looked back at him. His dark gaze burned with fire until he sent her a disarming grin.
“Hope you like chicken salad.”
“I do,” she assured him.
As they ate, he told her about his experience driving to South Dakota with his sister to help her move. Kassidy could easily feel the love he felt for his family in his words.
“So next week I’m going out to visit her,” he said moving the plates and basket out from between them. “I miss her a lot. This is her final year, and I haven’t been out there since the move.”
“What exactly is there for your sister to do in South Dakota? I mean not much oceanfront property up there.”
