by Jacki Kelly
“Yeah, I’ve never seen anyone get under your skin like Asa. You two looked like a married couple going at it.” Brian chuckled.
Simeon winced. He swirled the pale liquid around in his glass without looking at his brother.
“It appears that comment struck a nerve. Anyway, I think you need to know that she’s serving in the dining room tonight.”
Simeon shifted in his seat.
“Have you told her about the project yet?”
“No, I haven’t talked to her since the rally.”
“Why not. Why haven’t you told her you might have an alternative site? I thought that was the whole idea.”
Simeon took a long swallow from his glass. “How is everything here at the shelter?”
Brian walked around his desk and sat in the chair next to Simeon. He leaned forward resting his elbows on his knees. “I don’t have a degree in psychology, but I talk to a lot of people here at the mission. I’m getting pretty good at reading between the lines.”
Simeon took another swallow. “Don’t try to diagnose me. What are you talking about?”
“It’s Asa. I think you care about her.”
“Mind your own business, Brian.”
“You are my business, bro. I know you.”
“Well maybe you’re wrong this time.”
The phone on his desk rang. Brian stared at him a long moment before moving to his desk and reaching for it.
While Brian shuffled through some papers on his desk, Simeon drained his glass. Brian pulled open a file cabinet and searched for something.
Simeon slipped out of the office and closed the door. The clatter of plates and flatware echoed from the dining room. He made his way down the hall. From the dim light of the corridor, he spotted Asa talking with a group of men. Sweltering warmth raced across his body, settling under his collar. He tugged at his tie. One of the patrons unfolded a piece of paper then handed it to her. She pinned her hair behind her ear before taking the note in her delicate hand then reading it aloud. The genuine smile on her face lit up the room. She took a seat in front of the man before whispering something that made him flash a toothless grin. Afterwards she gave his hand a reassuring pat.
An image of Simeon’s mother blurred his view. She had the same easy way with people. Simeon’s chest tightened. The ache blanketing him since storming away from the rally grew heavier, bearing down on him like death. His heart pounded against the confines of his chest. He stepped into the dining room, blocking her way to the kitchen. The need to talk to her outweighed everything.
“Ah!” She yelped.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“I guess I’m not allowed in the mission now, is that it?” She balanced a tray of soiled dishes.
“How have you been, Asa?” He took the tray from her.
Her mouth softened, she licked her lips but didn’t respond.
“I see Brian talked you into helping out here. He can be pretty persuasive. My mother used to volunteer here, too.”
“Brian has been very helpful. It didn’t take much to convince me to come. I’ve gotten more from being here than the people eating the meal.” She turned around and tilted her head toward her sister. “I think Dakota is enjoying herself, too.”
“Yes, it feels good to do something for others. I’m coming back next week,” Dakota said as she caught up to her sister.
Simeon pushed the kitchen door open to allow them to walk ahead of him.
“I think you can call it a night, ladies. Good job.” Miss Kitty wiped down the huge stainless steel stove.
“Can I talk with you, Asa?” Simeon asked.
“I’m riding with Dakota, so I need to be going.”
“Uh, actually if you could get a ride home that would be great. Brian asked me out to dinner tonight and I’d--”
“I knew it,” Asa squealed as she pulled her sister aside.
“Oh calm down. We’re just having dinner, nothing to get excited about.”
“How can you abandon me with the town ogre.”
“You’re a big girl. You can handle him.” Dakota kissed her on the cheek before walking away.
I’m not sure I’m handling him or he’s handling me.
Chapter Nineteen
Simeon adjusted his gait to walk beside Asa on the way to his car. Her arms hung at her sides and she kept her eyes on the sidewalk. He hated to admit being wrong, but maybe his behavior at the rally had been abrasive. Her delicate, ambrosial appearance didn’t require such harsh words. He held the car door open and finally she met his gaze.
“Look, Asa—”
“No, you look, Simeon. You were out of order.” Anger flashed in her eyes.
“Maybe so, but—”
She cut him off again. “I could have told you—”
“Yes you should have.”
“What would you have done?” She placed her hand on the hood of the car.
“I’ve always been honest and up front with you, Asa. Whatever action I would have taken for the rally I would have shared with you.”
She nodded and dropped her eyes. “You’ve made yourself very clear, your business comes before anything else. And now I need to do the same. I’m putting my needs before anything else. And I need to save the house I grew up in.”
“I am what I am, Asa. You should know that by now.”
She stared at him. “That is our problem. I don’t really know you, Simeon. You’re charming and considerate, but you’re not the person I thought I knew.”
“Who’s fault is that? You moved away and married—” He clamped his jaw.
“You didn’t even know I existed,” she shot back. “What should I have done, keep hanging around playgrounds until you noticed me?”
They were silent for a moment. Mission patrons filed passed them as they exited the building. “Are you going to let me drive you home?”
She looked at him, studied his face until her eyes came to rest on his lips.
“I don’t have any other choices.” She took the passenger seat. He walked around the car and slid behind the wheel. The engine purred with a turn of the key.
When he merged onto the highway he put the windows down. Her curls whipped across her face in the cool evening air, hiding her eyes. He couldn’t determine if she still harbored any anger.
She reached for her purse, but placed it back on the floor of the car without looking inside. Something outside held her attention at a stop light, but the minute he took off she started to fidget, again. An aura of tenderness surrounded her. In all the years he’d known her, he never saw her so vulnerable. Instead of the fiery, tenacious woman that dogged his dreams, the woman seated beside him emitted a sensitivity he didn’t know she possessed.
Before making the right turn onto her block, he knew. The certainty that they would be together for the rest of his life was as powerful as his vision for the community center. She slipped away once before. That wouldn’t happen again.
He slowed down and searched both sides of the street for a parking space near her house. After his second trip around the block, he double-parked in front of her house.
“My neighbor across the street is having a going away party tonight. You can let me out here.”
“I’ll let you out here and park down the street. I want to talk with you tonight, so I’ll come back.”
“I don’t think there’s a lot for you to say. You made your position clear at the rally. I get it, Simeon, you’re tough. You play to win.”
“There’s a car behind me, let me park the car.”
“That’s fine.” Asa stepped out.
He pulled into a space near the corner. If she was still angry maybe this should wait. But he couldn’t ignore the gnawing in his stomach. It was time to face his feelings for her.
He hurried toward her house. His long strides covered the distance quickly. Simeon shifted his position, but still collided with a man headed toward him with his head down.
“Excuse me, man,
” the stranger said when he bumped into Simeon.
“Not a problem.” Simeon watched the hooded man hurry around the corner.
Asa opened the door before he rang the bell. She’d changed into a tank top and a pair of shorts, her hair arranged into a knot which exposed her full face.
“I had to park a block away.” He stepped into the hall. Scruffy charged at him. He sniffed his shoes while his tail wagged uncontrollably. “I think he’s happy to see me.”
“What does he know?” Asa lead the way to the living room and plopped down on the sofa. The room was only a little brighter than the last time he was here. “I haven’t told him you’re worse than the dog catcher, yet.”
He removed his tie and shoved it into his breast pocket. She crossed her slender legs, but never looked away as he got comfortable. “Is it always going to be this way between us?”
She parted her lips, but clamped them before responding. Instead, she stared at him while Scruffy sat in her lap.
“I’m sorry for my behavior.” He hoped his sincerity came through in his voice.
“I thought you would try to squelch the rally if you knew what I was planning.”
“Maybe I would have tried to talk you out of doing something so public.”
“And you may have been successful. That’s why I didn’t tell you.”
Scruffy jumped down, his claws tapped the floor as he trotted out of the room. Asa folded her hands in her empty lap. Sadness lurked behind her eyes.
“Can we call a truce? We’ve known each other since grade school; we went to high school together and tormented each other along the way.” He paused then said, “What do you say?”
“I hope that’s not the most compelling argument you can make.” The corners of her mouth stretched into a smile. “But you’re right. Truce.” She held out her hand for him. Instead of shaking it, he pulled her into his arms. His lips covered her soft mouth.
He’d missed touching her, tasting her, being with her. The desire that clutched him was almost crippling. He tightened his hold on her and plunged his tongue deeper into her mouth. She responded with a soft moan.
“Simeon, you’re squeezing me a little too—”
He released her. “I’m sorry.”
“I’ve missed you, Asa.”
She ran her hand along his jaw and brushed her lips against his cheek. She glanced around the room. “Where’s Scruffy?”
“He left the room a moment ago.”
“He must need to go outside. He’s probably scratching at the back door.” She headed toward the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.”
Simeon stood up and stretched his arms above his head. He looked out the window, the street was empty now. Most of the houses were dark. He had Asa all to himself, minus the dog. Inviting her to the beach tomorrow would give him a chance to tell her about the project. Maybe they could concentrate on being nice to each other. Or even better, they could continue what they started at his house. Every night when his head hit the pillow, Asa populated his dreams. One night of her wasn’t enough. He wanted more.
“Stop it!” Asa’s shout rang through the house. There was fear in her voice.
Simeon turned sharply, startled. His spine stiffened. The deep constant growls from Scruffy pierced the air. He tore out of the living room, knocking over the coffee table in his haste. Asa loved that dog. There was no way she’d talked to him in that tone.
His eyes scanned the kitchen, adjusting to the bright light. “What the hell--”
The hooded stranger that he saw earlier gripped Asa by the wrists. Tears rolled down her face. Simeon’s chest heaved for air. He balanced on the balls of his feet. His fists clenched. The tendons of his hands rippled against the skin. The kitchen table, chairs and the dog, all stood between him and Asa.
“What the hell are you doing? Let her go.”
“Look man, this ain’t any of your business. You better step--”
The fear in her eyes jerked him into action. “Let her arm go.” Simeon’s voice boomed in the room as he charged at Asa. He crossed the room so fast his feet barely made contact with the floor. He towered over the lanky stranger by several inches. Without hesitating, he grabbed the stranger’s arm and twisted the twig high behind his back while wrapping his other arm around the thug’s throat. He dragged him across the room away from Asa.
“Are you okay, Asa?” he asked once there was some distance between her and the intruder.
“Look man, this is between husband and wife. You need to leave us alone. Who the hell are you anyway?”
“I’m not your wife!” Asa shouted while rubbing her wrist.
“Do you know this man? Is this true?”
“He’s my ex-husband. Ex-husband, Eric. Get that though your head.” She spat out the words. “You have no business being here. I made that perfectly clear. There is nothing you can say that will change my mind. The divorce has been final for two years. Go back to Atlanta to whoever is keeping your bed warm these days.”
“Asa, I’m different now. Give me another chance. You know you can’t walk away from me like that.”
“I can and I did.”
“Tell me what you want me to do, Asa.” Simeon tightened his hold. He could snap the intruder’s arm with a simple tug. “Do you want me to call the police?”
“I want him out of here. Forever.” Anger flashed in her dark eyes.
“Look, Asa, don’t call the cops. I’ll leave.”
Her eyes darted from Eric to Simeon then came to rest on the dog.
“It’s your call, Asa,” Simeon said.
“No...no police. Just get him out of here.”
“You heard her, man. It’s over. Don’t show up around here again.” Simeon released his neck and opened the kitchen door. He held Eric’s arm until they were on the back porch.
“Get the hell off me, man,” Eric jerked away when Simeon loosened his grip “What are you, her bodyguard?”
“I’m whatever she needs.”
“Well, I ain’t begging her no more.” He ran down the steps.
“You can tell her if she changes her mind, I don’t want her back. I’m done with her.”
Simeon kept his eyes on Eric until he disappeared into the darkness, before going back inside.
Asa stood at the kitchen sink, running water over the dishes. Tears streamed down her face.
“Are you all right?” He placed his hands on her shoulder. She nodded. “He’s gone, Asa. He’s not coming back.”
“Eric is like a bad penny, he keeps showing up.”
“Are you afraid of him?”
She held a plate under the running facet. “Not until tonight. He pushed his way through the door when I opened it for the dog. The way he grabbed my--” She extended her arms. Red marks peppered her wrists. She placed the plate in the dishwasher with a heavy sigh.
Running water was the only sound in the kitchen for several moments. Asa stared into the soapy water as she rinsed another plate.
“Do you think I should have called the police?”
“I don’t know. It looks like he might have gotten the message. I can stay here tonight if you want.”
“I-I can’t ask you to do that. You can’t keep rescuing me. You and I—”
“You didn’t ask me. I offered.”
She turned around, her eyes sparked with more tears. “Would you? Just for the night.”
He pulled her away from the sink, into his arms. She trembled with such force, her earrings clanged. He reassured her. “I’ll be here for as many nights as you need me.”
He continued to hold her, listening to her breathe. Seconds turned into minutes. Gradually the tension left her body and her earrings stopped moving.
“Suppose I need you for a week?” she finally said.
“Then I’ll be here.”
“Suppose I say a month?”
“Don’t you get it, Asa? I’ll be here for as long as you need me.”
She pulled back and looked into his eyes
. “What are you saying, Simeon?”
He reached across her to turn off the water. She continued to look into his eyes, but he couldn’t answer her question. His tongue found her tongue. Nothing else mattered right now.
§ § §
For just a moment, she allowed his words to penetrate her heart. Reading more into his statement would only mean hurt later. She wallowed in the glow of his statement for as long as it took them to walk back to the living room. Then just as quickly, she pushed aside his reassuring words. This wasn’t a fantasy and Simeon wasn’t about to sweep her off her feet and carry her to the castle.
She dropped onto the sofa and continued to rub her wrist. “Will Eric leave me alone?”
“I’ll stick around for a few days to be sure.” He sat beside her.
“Just tonight. After tonight, I’ll be fine.” He ran his hand over his belt buckle; she followed the movement. “I don’t need a protector. I can take care of myself.”
“Nobody knows that better than me.” Scruffy ran into the room and jumped into her lap. They sat in silence while she stroked the dog. She could pretend to be tough as nails for as long as it took to believe it. It was time for her to take care of herself.
“It seems like we keep getting in each other’s way. We keep doing some kind of dance, I’m not sure if it’s a war dance or a love dance.” She searched his face for a response.
He dropped his head. “One of these days we’ll take time to define it.”
“What did you mean? Back there in the kitchen when you said...”
He stretched his legs. “I’m here for you. I want you to know that.”
She wanted to hear more. Scruffy was here for her too, but she wanted more than companionship. She wanted him to touch her, for a lifetime, forever, and even longer than that. She wanted to feel his skin against her skin, his breath against her neck.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward her. She placed her mouth over his, straddled his lap, and tilted her head to deepen the kiss. His tongue nudged hers with such fury she forgot to breathe. The warmth from his body was like a furnace; her body began to tingle. Lust burned in her loins, rose up her back, along her spine, slow and steady. He slipped his hands under her tank top and stroked her breasts, while his tongue continued to devour her. He rolled her nipples between his thumbs and fingers, the sensation filling her beyond constraint. She pulled her top over her head, exposing her breasts to the moonlight that came through the window. The smartest thing to do was to send Simeon away, but she didn’t want to be strong tonight.
