Color Me Smart

by Jen Talty

  “Take your hands off the lady,” Alston said with a gruff tone. He leaned forward. “Don’t make me do something we will both regret.”

  “Are you threatening me?” Edwin asked.

  “Oh for the love of God. I’m not going to sit here and listen to the two of you swing dicks.” She stood and tossed her purse over her head. “Edwin, thanks for ruining my night. Don’t contact me again. If you do, be prepared for harassment charges.” She sucked in a deep breath. “Alston, thanks for dinner. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Nope. I’m taking you home.” Alston jumped from the table and looped his arm around her waist. “Let’s go.” He gave her a tiny push.

  She didn’t bother to fight him simply because she didn’t really want to walk home alone knowing Edwin would probably follow her, and that wouldn’t be good. “You don’t have to walk me home.”

  “Walk? You live around here?”

  “Yeah. I live in Glover Heights.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said. “Not only am I doing an Airbnb there, but that’s where I bought my townhouse.”

  “It’s a small world.” She glanced over her shoulder.

  “Is he following us?”

  “He’s standing at the light post by the restaurant. I’m sure he’ll linger behind us. I’m sure I’ll get a ton of texts and maybe a few phone calls.”

  “Will he come banging on your door?”

  “He hasn’t yet, but he’s becoming more aggressive.” She needed to shut the fuck up. Telling Alston about her problems with Edwin wouldn’t be too smart. On the other hand, having him hang out for a short time might be just enough of a deterrent for Edwin.

  “Aggressive how?”

  “I don’t want to bore you with the stupid details.”

  This time he took a peek over his shoulder. “Well, he’s still behind us, so humor me, unless you want to really see my temper in full swing.” He tightened his grip on her waist, heaving her a little closer.

  She should mind that he had her in such an intimate embrace, but she didn’t. She enjoyed it, and not because Edwin was following and it was meant as a deterrent.

  No. She just liked being this close to Alston. The more time she spent with him, the more she respected him, valued him, and liked him.

  “When we first broke up, I didn’t hear from him for a couple of months. Then when his wife—”

  “He was married?”

  “For the record, I had no idea. That’s why I dumped his sorry ass.” She cleared her throat. “Anyway, when she left him because she found out about me, he started calling, telling me he still loved me and wanted me back. Thing is, I know for a fact, he’s doing the same thing with his wife, and neither one of us want him.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.”

  “Now I just need to get him to leave me alone.” She paused in front of her townhouse.

  “Maybe this will help him get the hint.” He tipped her chin and pressed his warm lips over hers, gentle at first, but quickly increasing the pressure.

  She wrapped her arms around his broad shoulders, caving to the passion that built in her gut in seconds. The desire was so intense she wasn’t sure she’d ever be able to control it. It was as if an explosion went off inside her soul. The fire filled her body starting from her toes, crawling up her body, weaving its way through all her organs until it found her mind, taking over her every thought.

  Public displays of affection had never been her thing. They always embarrassed her, but right now, she couldn’t care less. The way she felt in his arms was like the perfect pairing of wine and cheese.

  Decadent and dangerous.

  “I probably shouldn’t have done that,” he said, still cupping her cheeks.

  “Well, it’s not like I didn’t participate.”

  He smiled. “I’m not leaving you while he’s lurking, and he’s currently two blocks down.”

  “I appreciate that. I’ve got a bottle of red ready to be cracked open; would you like a glass?”

  “I’d love one.” He laced his fingers through hers and tugged her toward the front door. “You’re not going to believe this, but I bought the one around the corner.”

  “Really? I was wondering. There are a couple for sale in here and two sold recently. So, if it’s the one I’m thinking of, we share a pass-through to our backyards.” It took all her energy not to turn and give Edwin a big smile and the middle finger.

  But in all seriousness, if he contacted her again, she was going to have to consider taking drastic measures. This no longer bordered on harassment.

  It was harassment.

  “I think you’re right, because I’m just a few doors down the next street over.”

  “We can sit outside on the patio and see if we’re looking into your backyard.”

  “How long have you lived here?” he asked.

  She tossed her purse on the table next to the front door, which is in front of the stairs. The townhouse wasn’t very big. Only a two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath, with a family room, eat-in kitchen, and a single-car garage. But it was the patio with her own private jacuzzi and the location that allowed her to walk just about everywhere, including work.

  “About a year.” She made it through the family room which was still a work in progress. All she had was a nice leather sofa, two end tables, a matching coffee table, a couple of lamps, which she wasn’t sure about, and a picture of the ocean.

  The kitchen, however, was about the way she wanted it. “I’m still working on decorating.”

  He paused between the two rooms. “Wow.”

  “I know.” She snagged a bottle from the wine rack and used the electric corkscrew while he managed to find a couple of stemless glasses resting on the drying rack on the counter.

  “I did this room first. I gutted the whole place, knocked out the half wall, and added the island.”

  “I might have to copy your design,” he said. “And the colors. I love the gray and white with the touch of coral.”

  “You don’t think the coral is over the top?”

  “Not even close,” he said. “And if you make fun of me, I’ll sic my sister on you. It’s all her fault I have an eye for color.”

  The ease at which they worked around each other and carried conversations were as if they’d known each other forever.

  She should be terrified by that level of comfort. That’s how she’d felt with Edwin. She had to admit to herself that she had truly loved him, even though she wished she hadn’t.

  His betrayal had nearly destroyed her. Getting over him had been the hardest thing she’d ever done.

  “Do you have a decorator?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “If I did, this place would be done. But between lack of funds, since I’m still paying off school loans, and time, it’s a going to take a while.”

  “I can understand your lack of time, especially when you’re doing child handoffs on a Saturday.”

  “Truth is I don’t always do that,” she admitted.

  “Why would you do it for me?”

  She tucked the recorked bottle under her arm and guided him out to the patio where she lit the gas fire pit. Quickly, she pulled out her cell. “You’ve got a really good lawyer. I like Carol, and she’s already forwarded me the reports.”

  “That doesn’t answer my question.” He set his glass on the gas fire pit and went about turning on the gas before making himself comfortable in one of the chaise lounge chairs.

  She laughed. Sometimes she liked to take the long way to get to a point. “What I meant by that was because she’s sent me that information, I feel like I can speak a little freer, simply because it didn’t come for you.” She took a slow sip of the full-bodied cab. It tasted like a little piece of heaven. “So, in answer to your question, because I want to be the only go-between you and Kari have until the time comes when drop-off can be done without me present.”

  “You realize you answered the question without giving me the why. May I
ask why?” He stretched his legs out and kicked off his boat shoes, showing off his sexy bare feet.

  She’d never thought a man’s foot could be a turn-on before, but damn, his made her want to get a little naked.

  Odd thought.

  “You can ask, but I’m not going to answer at this time.”

  “That’s an answer all by itself.” He raised his glass and clanked it against hers. “The way Kari is asking, I’m tempted to fight for full custody. Trust me when I say I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my daughter,” he said with a hefty dose of conviction.

  Something she appreciated.

  Since they had crossed a few lines, she wanted to ask him if he had any thoughts on the relationship between Kari and Coralie but decided it would be better to do that level of probing in her office, officially.

  Her stomach soured. She hated where her thoughts were going, especially since she didn’t have all the information, which meant she was taking his side, something she shouldn’t be doing.

  She dropped her head back on the cushion and turned, catching his gaze. “This is highly unprofessional of me.”

  “I won’t say anything.” He reached out and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. “You’re a special woman. I like you. I want to get to know you better.”

  “I shouldn’t have let you kiss me, and you should know part of me let you do it to piss off my ex-boyfriend, who, by the way, is pacing up and down your street.”

  “I noticed,” Alston said. “And perhaps I kissed you in part to make him understand you’ve moved on and to leave you alone.” He reached under her seat and yanked her closer. “But most of me kissed you because I wanted to.”

  Oh boy, she was in big trouble. The kind of trouble that put her heart on the line. Growing up, she’d dreamed of two things. She wanted to become a doctor and help people. And she wanted to be a wife and mother.

  She wanted it all, and she believed she could do it. But at nearly thirty-two years old, the clock was ticking on the motherhood thing, especially since she had no prospects for a long-term relationship.

  Unless she counted Alston, which was a bit presumptuous.

  His lips were warm and soft. His tongue explored the inside of her mouth tenderly, yet passionately. A guttural groan bubbled up from deep in her gut. Before she knew what was happening, he’d pulled her to his lap.

  “Are we putting on a show?” she managed to croak out.

  “No,” he said, nibbling on her ear. “I don’t give a shit about that asshole, but I do want to protect you from him.”

  She jerked her head back. “What does that mean?”

  “I’m starting a bodyguard type protection agency. I don’t have any clients and—”

  “I’m not going to hire you. Not only would that be a conflict of interest, but—”

  He hushed her with his index finger. “I’m not asking you to hire me. I haven’t even gotten my office set up. But while I do that, I want to keep an eye on him for you when I’m not visiting with my daughter. If he’s willing to stalk you like this while we’re making out in your backyard, who knows what he’s willing to do. He just appears a bit unstable. I don’t trust him, and I’m concerned for your safety.”

  Good grief. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared into his soft-blue eyes that screamed kindness with an edge. A bit of danger lurked in his soul, but her instincts told her that it would only be directed at anyone who threatened those he cared for.

  “I can’t ask you to do that,” she whispered.

  “You’re not asking. I’m offering and I’ll probably do it even if you tell me not to.”

  “Why?”

  He brought his lips so close to hers that the heat from his skin ignited hers, sending her to the point of no return.

  “I’d never be able to live with myself if he hurt you and I might have been able to do something about it.” His mouth covered hers in a hard, bruising kiss. His fingers dug into her ass as he shifted in the lounge chair, jumping to his feet.

  “Whoa,” she said, gripping his shoulders and wrapping her legs around his waist. “What are you doing?”

  “Do you want me to stop?” he asked with a heavy breath.

  “No. It was a rhetorical question.” She reached behind her and pulled back the sliding door. “But, we need to be discreet.”

  “That’s my middle name.”

  What the fuck was he thinking?

  That’s just it, he wasn’t. And as he carried her through the kitchen with his tongue shoved in her mouth, tasting every sweet crevice, he didn’t care. He wanted her and he wanted her now.

  And tomorrow.

  And the next day.

  He felt a strong need to have her in his life and not just in his bed. He hadn’t felt this strongly for a woman in a long time.

  If ever.

  He stumbled as he rounded the corner in the family room by the stairs, slamming her back against the wall.

  “Are you okay?” He tilted his head, holding on to her thighs as tight as he could.

  “I’ll be better when you put me down and let me walk up the stairs by myself.”

  He chuckled. “On one condition.”

  “Dare I ask.”

  “You walk up first and start to remove your clothing as you go.” He winked.

  “Deal.”

  “Really?” He set her feet on the floor.

  She laughed as she untucked her shirt, pulling it over her head and tossing it to the railing. “Catch me if you can.” She turned and raced up the stairs, but not before she undid her bra and threw it at his face.

  He snagged it in his hands. “You’re gonna pay for that.”

  “Promises, promises.” She stood at the top of the stairs, her waist-long dark hair cascading over her shoulders and breasts. Tight nipples peeked out through the thick strands.

  He unhooked the button of his jeans, pulled down the zipper, and yanked his jeans to his ankles before kicking them to the side. “My shirt for your pants.”

  “That’s kind of not completely equal and not until you’re up here, in my bedroom.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, flashing her perfectly round, perky breasts before taking off down the hallway.

  He growled, pulling his shirt over his head and racing in her direction, taking the stairs two at a time. His lungs burned by the time he got to her bedroom. He skidded to a stop at the edge of her bed. “You are going to be the death of me,” he managed as he sucked in a deep breath, staring at her gloriously naked body sprawled out on a set of light-blue sheets.

  She’d already tossed the comforter to the floor.

  “You’re not naked,” she said with a seductive drawl and a wicked smile.

  “I think I might need a hand with that.” He planted his hands on his hips, all too well aware that he was bulging out of his underwear. His cheeks flushed. Since when did he have insecurities in bed?

  Since he met the kind of woman that he knew could make his heart bleed out if he wasn’t careful.

  She crawled across the bed, licking her lips.

  Oh, sweet Jesus. Careful just got tossed out the fucking window.

  He swallowed.

  Hard.

  Her hot lips pressed against his stomach. His muscles twitched in response. Smoothing back her hair, he fisted a large section and pooled it on top of her head. His chest rose and fell with each breath as she curled her fingers into the elastic of his undergarment and slowly pulled them over his hips and down to the floor. Her hands were warm against his throbbing flesh. She cradled him tenderly at first, gliding her hands up and down softly, followed by sweet licks as she dared to glance up with laden eyes.

  “Yep, the death of me,” he said with a throaty moan. He gathered as much of her long, thick hair as he could, tangling his fingers as he watched himself disappear into her hot mouth. Her hands gripped his ass cheeks, digging into his flesh.

  He tugged at the strands tangled in his fingers. “That’s enough.”

  “If yo
u say so.” She dotted his stomach with kisses before landing on each nipple, grazing them with her teeth.

  “Be careful, sweetheart. I might not follow orders, but I take that as a suggestive hint.”

  “Good, because that’s what it was meant to be.”

  With a little more force than he intended, he shoved her onto the bed. He took her by the back of her thighs and heaved her toward him before he nestled himself between her legs. He didn’t go slow or even tease her a little. He went right for the golden prize, spreading her open with his tongue.

  She tasted like a summer tropical breeze rolling off the ocean mixed with a good scotch.

  He glided two fingers inside her while his tongue worked circles on her hard nub.

  Her hands clutched his head, pulling and pushing, as if she didn’t know if she wanted more pressure or less.

  So, he did a little bit of both, and by the way she moaned, thrashed her head about, and called out his name, he figured he’d made the right call.

  She raised her hips up and squeezed her legs tight against his cheeks. “Oh, my, God,” she whispered. “Yes.”

  He flattened his hand against her stomach so he could feel the ripples of her orgasm wreak havoc on her sexy body. He gently pressed open her legs, kissing her taut belly until his lips found one of her nipples. “Payback’s a bitch.” He sucked the hard nub into his mouth, twisting and tugging.

  She wrapped one leg around him, slamming her heel into the small of his back. “You are welcome to keep doing that, but I want you inside me now.”

  A guttural groan built deep in his stomach. When it hit the back of his throat, it curled his toes. “I wouldn’t dare deny you what you want, but I want you on top.”

  “That can be arranged.”

  He rolled to his back, holding her body tight. Making love had never been so intoxicating, invigorating, and fun. He’d always enjoyed being playful, but he’d never been with anyone quite like Jackie. She was special. She was sweet and kind, and there wasn’t anything about her he didn’t find attractive.

  Straddling him, she twisted her hair over one shoulder so it cascaded over one of her breasts.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He traced the free nipple with his index finger.