Guarding His Heart

by Synithia Williams

  But she didn’t want to be an easy catch. Or the dumb girl who fell for the guy she had no business falling for. If he really wanted her, she’d let him court her. Do a little work, while she shored up her defenses. Playboys like Kevin had a knack for breaking down good intentions to keep the heart out of an affair.

  “Who is Kevin and why are you looking like you’re ready to mail him your panties?” Jada’s voice cut into Jasmine’s thoughts.

  Jasmine spun to her sister and slipped her phone in her back pocket. “No one is mailing anyone their panties.”

  “Well, you look like he’s getting them some way or another.” Jada looked up. “Thank the Lord.” She focused on Jasmine again. “It’s about time you got back out there.”

  “I never stopped being out there.”

  “Julio hurt you. Now you’re extra cautious. I’m glad to see you’re not scared anymore.”

  Jasmine held up a finger. “First of all, I’m completely over Julio. I ignored the signs that he was still in love with his ex. Second, that’s exactly why Kevin isn’t a good idea. That was Kevin Koucky with the Jacksonville Gators.”

  Jada sucked in a breath and put a hand to her chest. “The sexy one with the tats?”

  Jasmine rolled her eyes at her sister’s antics. “The sexy one with an ex-wife, ex-girlfriend and four kids, who is also photographed with a new flavor every few weeks.”

  Jada shrugged. “So? You’re not trying to marry him, are you?”

  Jasmine scoffed and shook her head. “No. I’m trying to focus on my career. This project is what’s most important.”

  “And as a grown-up and mature woman, you can have a little fun with a very sexy man and still stay focused on your career.”

  “I’m also not trying to get caught up in drama. He’s got too much baggage. Combine his baggage with my issues—”

  “You don’t have issues!” Jada said, clenching her hands into fists as if she wanted to hit something. “Julio was a jackass for making you feel bad about being a juvenile diabetic.”

  “Agreed, but that doesn’t change the fact that any guy who gets with me has to be cool with the idea of needles and ‘occasional episodes’—” she made air quotes with her fingers “—when I forget to check my insulin.”

  Julio couldn’t stand dealing with her sickness. He’d walked away whenever she’d pulled out a needle and got angry whenever her blood glucose levels dipped low and she wasn’t as coherent. She’d begun to feel bad for being a burden to him when she snapped to her senses and told him to go screw himself. She couldn’t help being born with the illness and he either dealt or moved on. A month later, he moved on. Or was that backward, since he reunited with his ex-wife?

  Jada waved a finger back and forth. “My point is you don’t have to rummage through his baggage any more than he has to know a lot about your illness. Again, you’re not trying to marry him.”

  “I wasn’t trying to marry Julio either.” The mumbled admission slipped out without a thought.

  They’d started as a flirtation. The flirtation had turned into an affair that had lasted for a year. A year! They’d become exclusive. She’d met his kids and his mother. Before she’d know it, she’d fallen in love. Then, boom, he was telling her their relationship wouldn’t work because he still loved his ex-wife. She’d seen their wedding photos in Us Weekly with the caption “Second Time Is the Best Time.”

  “Then learn from the past,” Jada said easily. “Make Kevin a one-and-done thing. Something to tell your grandkids later.”

  Jasmine laughed. “I doubt I’ll tell my grandkids about my sex life.”

  “Then something to tell me later. Remember, one and done. Don’t let him drag it out into a fake relationship.”

  Jasmine shook her head and pulled the suitcase off the bed. “I have learned from my past, and the lesson is don’t play with fire if you don’t want to get burned. Which means I have to be very careful when it comes to this flirtation with Kevin.”

  Chapter 6

  Kevin kept the top down on his Jaguar F-Type as he drove down Silver Springs’ historic Main Street. The small town was located close enough to the coast to get a flow of traffic from tourists headed to Myrtle Beach but far enough away to not benefit from tourism money. He took in the changes from the last time he’d come downtown and smiled. The small town was a lot different.

  Ten years ago, the shops on Main were closing down, the movie theater was boarded up and there were few restaurants or grocery stores. Seven years ago, he’d invested in a new outlet mall on the outskirts of Silver Springs. The outlet had given tourists a reason to stop on the way to the coast, and the town leaders used that to play up the history of the town and lure people to visit. The plan worked and there were small shops selling local products, quaint bed-and-breakfasts, a new movie theater, the retrofitted center and a brand-new county museum. The town was slowly making its way back up.

  He couldn’t take credit for the rebound of his hometown, but he was proud of the small part he’d played in the resurgence. His family had roots here. His grandmother could trace their history back to the first families that farmed the area. He didn’t want to see those roots completely lost.

  The sun was half hidden behind clouds. Enough to make the early-afternoon heat somewhat bearable. He parked in the drive of the Meadow Springs Bed and Breakfast and got out. A noticeable skip in his step. Anticipation hurried his movements as he walked up the stairs to the front door of the renovated colonial-style home. He ran a hand over his freshly cut hair and checked his breath, which was fine, but he pulled a mint out of his pocket and popped it anyway.

  Opening the door, he strolled in and smiled at the woman flipping through a magazine behind the counter. She looked up, and her hazel eyes widened. Long braids framed her heart-shaped face and an orange sundress complemented her dark brown skin.

  “Kevin! What are you doing here?” Rachel hurried around the counter with her arms held out.

  Kevin picked her up and swung her around with a big hug. “I can’t come around anymore?”

  Rachel slapped his arm and laughed after he put her down. “You’re always welcome. Momma is going to be mad she missed you. She and Dad went to Georgetown today. Oh my God, it’s great to see you!”

  “Likewise.” Rachel had been one of his best friends growing up. They’d run through the woods together, searching for hidden treasure, played basketball and kept each other’s secrets. She’d been the one to encourage him to talk to Sabrina at the end of eighth grade. He hadn’t thought the head cheerleader would be interested in him, and later, Rachel claimed all the credit for their marriage.

  She wrapped her hands around one of his and grinned. “How are the kids?”

  “They’re all great.”

  He took a few minutes to update her on everything. She thankfully didn’t ask about him and Sabrina anymore. Rachel had held out hope they’d one day make their way back to each other. He’d had the same idea when they’d originally divorced. His plan had been to “sow his oats” and settle down later. The settling never happened. Now that he was older, he still cared for Sabrina as the mother of his children and a friend, but knew they wanted different things. She was engaged now, and he was happy for her.

  “So, what brings you into town? I know it wasn’t just to catch up with me,” Rachel said, leaning back against the counter.

  Kevin looked at the stairs leading to the rooms, then back at Rachel. “Actually, I’m here to see one of your guests.”

  Understanding lit his friend’s eyes. She grinned mischievously. “Let me guess. The cute woman with blue streaks in her hair and photography equipment.”

  “She’s here?” Excitement crept into his voice. He cleared his throat and tried to look less like a happy puppy waiting to play with its owner.

  Rachel saw through him and laughed. “She checked in late yesterday, bu
t she went out this morning and hasn’t been back.”

  “Where did she go?”

  “Why are you assuming I keep up with all my guests?” Rachel asked.

  “Because you’re nosy as hell,” he teased.

  Rachel patted his arm. “I know, right?” she said with a laugh. “Your girl asked about coffee.”

  “She’s not my girl.” The response was automatic. Even though saying so didn’t make him feel redeemed or validated. He couldn’t get Jasmine out of his mind, and he couldn’t wait to see her again. That didn’t make her his girl.

  “Whatevs,” Rachel said with a flip of her wrist. “I sent her down the street to Maryanne’s for the best breakfast and coffee in town.”

  Kevin checked his watch. “How long ago was that?”

  “About an hour and a half. She may still be there.”

  Kevin gave Rachel another quick hug, then walked backward toward the door. “Thanks, Rachel.”

  Rachel propped a hand on her hip and raised a brow. “Don’t let pretty women be the only reason you come through. The summer concert series is going on. Come back on Saturday and take your girl to hear some jazz. You’re part of this town. Don’t be a stranger.”

  He didn’t intend on being a stranger. His trips home were just always focused on seeing Grandma C and his mom. Not on dealing with the excess attention he often received. He had missed Rachel, though. She’d been in his wedding way back then. She’d also never blamed him or condemned him for the wild few years after his marriage as many of his and Sabrina’s other friends had. She’d always supported him.

  “I’ll do better. I’m in town for a few days. The concert on Saturday sounds like fun.”

  Rachel clapped and did a hip shimmy. “Good. I’ll tell Tank. We’ll pack a picnic.”

  Tank was Rachel’s husband. That they were still together all these years later was great. “Sounds good. See both of y’all Saturday.”

  He waved at Rachel and hurried out the door. Maryanne’s Diner was only a few blocks away. He opted to walk there instead of driving his car the short distance. Long sleeves hid his tattoos. He slipped on a baseball cap that read Little River Zion Church, courtesy of his grandmother. The outfit wouldn’t make him totally unrecognizable, but would hopefully keep people from immediately stopping him for autographs and pictures.

  He kept his head down as he strolled to the diner. Memories of the old days filled his mind. Hanging out and walking these same streets holding Sabrina’s hand. Rachel and Tank with them. Back then, he’d thought he’d known everything. Thought he’d been in love with the girl he’d love forever. That hadn’t happened. High school sweetheart love stories like the one Rachel and Tank had were few and far between.

  He and Sabrina hadn’t wanted the same things. They’d been caught up in teenage emotions that made everything seem larger than life.

  He still regretted the way his marriage ended and the years after, when he’d been too busy reveling in the indulgences that came with being a young and famous basketball star to think about anything but the next game, party or adventure. He didn’t regret his experiences, but he did regret hurting Sabrina. For being just as selfish as his father had been.

  He didn’t want to be married. He wasn’t made for marriage. His inability to commit to either Sabrina or Hanna proved that, but Jasmine made him feel a little of those feelings he’d thought was love way back when. He knew better now. He’d never get married again. No commitments and no promises guarded everyone from getting hurt.

  When he arrived at Maryanne’s, he was surprised to find his high school basketball photo in one of the windows. The words Hometown Hangout of Basketball Star Kevin Koucky were plastered beneath the picture. He chuckled to himself. Dang, that picture was taken forever ago. He was nothing but long limbs, budding muscles and youthful enthusiasm.

  He hadn’t known anything about disappointments. Hadn’t understood the concept that one day his body would break down and force him out of his dream career. He stretched out his hands automatically. The ache was bearable today.

  He looked through the glass and quickly spotted Jasmine sitting at the counter, talking to Maryanne, the owner of the diner. They both laughed and looked down at a book on the counter. Forgetting his traitorous joints, Kevin opened the door and entered.

  People looked up as they always did when a new person entered but a moment of silence preceded a rush of “Hey, that’s Kevin from the Gators!” and “Oh, man, he does hang out here?”

  The attention came with the job. He smiled, took pictures and signed a few autographs before telling everyone he was just there for a quick visit and they should enjoy the rest of their breakfast.

  When he finally made his way to the counter, Maryanne had a cup of coffee and a stack of pancakes with a side of bacon waiting for him. He’d already eaten at his grandmother’s, but no man could resist Maryanne’s pancakes.

  “You found me,” Jasmine said with a sexy upturn of her lips.

  He slipped into the chair next to her. She smelled delicious again. A light floral scent that made him want to lean in closer. Her brown eyes were light with pleasure. A navy blue tank top dipped low enough to tease him with a glimpse of soft cleavage, and torn jeans provided more hints of silky brown skin.

  “Who said I didn’t come for Maryanne’s pancakes?” he asked.

  “’Cause you haven’t come for my pancakes in a few years,” Maryanne cut in. “You almost made a liar out of my sign on the window.”

  He looked at the woman who’d kept him and his friends full on pancakes, burgers and fries throughout high school. There was more gray in her hair and a few more lines around her eyes and mouth, but Maryanne was still full of life and laughter.

  “That sign is no lie. I ate here after every basketball game,” Kevin replied. “You have just as much responsibility for the state championship as I do.”

  Maryanne chuckled and drummed her hand on the counter. “That’s going up right next to the picture.” She tapped the bar and winked. “Good to see you, Kevin. Come around more often. The town misses you.”

  She strolled away to help another customer. Kevin turned back to Jasmine. “What has she embarrassed me with?”

  Jasmine’s laugh sent a shot of desire straight through him. She pulled over the book she’d been going through with Maryanne and placed it on the counter between them. “She keeps this old yearbook. There are a lot of pictures of you in here. Even a few of you in this diner.”

  He looked at the page. Hometown Hangouts was in bold at the top. Various pictures of his classmates at the local places in town filled two pages, a few of him at Maryanne’s and other places around town with his teammates and friends.

  “Wow, I haven’t seen these in forever.” He pulled the yearbook closer. “Those were good times.” Nostalgia crept into his voice. Memories of those carefree days where life was basketball, high school and having fun.

  Jasmine pointed to one of the pictures. Her nails were painted bright green. “That’s your ex-wife, right?”

  “Yeah, we met in high school. I’ve known her since...third grade, I think.”

  “There are a lot of pictures of you two together. You were voted cutest couple.”

  He’d forgotten about that. He flipped the pages to the one titled Senior Superlatives. “Dang, that was a really ugly shirt. Guess that’s why I didn’t get Most Fashionable.”

  She leaned in to look at the picture. “Yeah, that shirt is pretty bad.”

  Her nearness made the air around him crackle and pop. The dangly star earrings she wore fractured the light, creating rainbows along her neck. He licked his lips, thought about leaning in and kissing her there. His dick tightened. If he didn’t think about something else, he’d end up pulling her into his arms in front of everyone. His control, and skills in seduction, were skewed with her so close.

  He tried
to focus on the picture. The hideous black-and-purple-plaid shirt. “Sabrina used to try to buy me shirts, but I had my own style. I guess I should have listened to her.”

  “You two were a cute couple.” She turned and looked at him.

  Her eyes were so brown. She had the longest lashes and the sweetest-looking mouth. Kevin closed the yearbook with one hand. The other ran up her arm. She sucked in a breath and her brown eyes melted like chocolate. “That was a long time ago. And you were right. I was looking for you.”

  He’d been itching to come find her the second she’d texted she was in town. He hadn’t been this into a woman in years. He liked the feeling. He wasn’t looking for long-term, but he had missed the feelings of expectation and excitement at the thought of seeing someone. He didn’t care what he had to do or how long it took, he was ready to put in the work to get Jasmine in his bed.

  She didn’t pull back. “I’ve been walking around downtown.” Her voice held a breathless quality that slid and wrapped around him. “The people here credit you for turning things around.”

  He shook his head. “I didn’t do anything.”

  “You built the outlets that brought in the tourists.”

  How could she think about the town when all he could focus on was the movement of her lips? The allure of her perfume. How damn happy he was to see her again. “I invested in the place, I didn’t build it. The people who live here did that.” She opened her mouth to reply, but he ran his thumb over the soft skin in the crook of her elbow. “I didn’t come to talk about the town. Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  “Where are we going?”

  He was ready to get away from the eyes of the people in the restaurant before he acted on his instincts and kissed her. He didn’t need that picture all over the place. “To show you what you came here for,” he said.

  “I don’t have my camera.”

  “Then we’ll stop and pick it up before going to the cabin. Let’s go.” He hopped out of the chair and stood.

  Jasmine pointed to the plate Maryanne had put in front of him. “Aren’t you going to eat your pancakes?”