Shawn propped a hip against the edge of her desk and folded his arms. “I was, until I heard all the commotion coming from your office earlier. I wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Just someone not wanting to be here. You know the drill.”
“Unfortunately, I do.” He glanced down at his loafers, then back up at her. “What are you doing this evening?”
“Grocery shopping, then relaxing.” The conversation with Braxton, followed by the Stephens had opened up old wounds and she needed some down time.
Edging closer, his voice dropped to a lower register. “How about dinner? Just the two of us.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Again, she had no intention of letting him believe there could be anything between them except friendship.
“Your answer wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Braxton Harper, would it?”
“No, and why would you think that? I’ve told you more than once that we would only be friends.”
“And if we didn’t work together?”
Londyn scanned Shawn’s handsome face and found herself comparing him to Braxton. While her colleague was outspoken and a little arrogant and didn’t elicit anything other than a fondness reserved for a friend, the man she planned to share an afternoon with could make her pulse skip with merely a smile. Braxton exuded a quiet strength that drew her in ways she couldn’t explain. Realizing Shawn was still waiting for an answer, she said, “My answer would be the same.”
“I saw you two holding hands this afternoon coming from the deli.”
She cut him a look. “What? Were you spying on me or something?”
Shawn let out a long breath. “No, Londyn. I just happened to be leaving the office. I have to say I’m a little disappointed because I think that we’d make a perfect couple. He works pretty fast. I’ve been asking you out for months and he waltzes in here once and you go out with him just like that.” He snapped his fingers.
Londyn laughed. “Not that it’s any of your business, but I met Braxton before he waltzed in here.” She held a hand up when he opened his mouth to speak. “This conversation is over. Get out of my business, Shawn. I don’t ask you about the women you date, and I expect the same courtesy.”
He grinned sheepishly. “Point taken. Be careful, Londyn. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
She didn’t either, which is why she planned to take things slow with Braxton. Their earlier conversation came back to her. Neither do I. At least not yet. Without saying so directly, he let her know that he felt the chemistry between them as strongly as she did. His words teased her and tempted her to not only touch, but to also taste, feel…
“Londyn.”
Shawn’s voice snatched her out of her lustful thoughts and heat filled her face. “Sorry. Just thinking about how much more I need to do here before leaving,” she lied.
He straightened. “I won’t hold you. Have a good weekend.”
“You, too.”
Hands in his pockets, he left with a wistful smile, closing the door softly behind him.
Londyn finished charting, locked the files in her desk and headed out. She shopped in record time and made it home by seven. After consuming the grilled chicken Caesar salad she’d picked up at the grocery store, she cued up her favorite playlist and started the prep work for tomorrow’s desserts. She planned to make the dough needed for a peach cobbler tonight, refrigerate it overnight and assemble everything once she got to Braxton’s place. She had a couple of other surprises, too.
She danced and hummed under her breath as Jilly from Philly—the nickname bestowed upon powerhouse singer Jill Scott—belted out “Shame.” Londyn mixed the ingredients in between shaking her hips. She and Jill were jamming so tough it took Londyn a moment to hear the ringing on her iPad indicating a FaceTime call. She paused the music and smiled when she saw her mother’s name.
“Hey, Mom. How are you and Dad enjoying the Bahamas?” They were ten days in to a month-long stay in the country.
“Hello, my darling daughter. Oh, my goodness, we’re having a fabulous time. If I had known how nice it would be to sleep in, then get up just to lounge on the beach and eat copious amounts of food, I would’ve retired years ago.”
She laughed. “Well, you look great.” Last summer, Drs. Dwight and Paulette Grant had sold the general practice they’d established twenty-five years ago to enjoy the fruits of their labor while they were still in reasonably good health.
“Hey, baby girl.” Her dad poked his head in the screen.
“Hi, Dad.”
“You doing okay?”
“I’m fine. Just jealous I can’t be there enjoying all that warm weather,” Londyn said with a mock pout.
“Keep living,” her mother said. “You’ll get there. Have we missed anything?”
She hesitated for about two seconds before blurting, “I met someone.” She hadn’t planned to say anything yet. For all she knew, whatever they had going could be over long before her parents returned and she didn’t want to have to explain another failed relationship.
Paulette’s gaze softened. “Oh, sweetheart. That’s good news…isn’t it?” She searched Londyn’s face looking for whatever mothers did when concerned about her child. Though Londyn never fully disclosed what happened with her ex, her mother knew that Londyn had been hurt badly enough to call off the wedding three months before she and Antoine were scheduled to exchange vows. Fortunately, the invitations hadn’t gone out and saved her from further embarrassment.
“Yes. His name is Braxton Harper and, so far, he seems very nice. I met him at the wedding.”
“When I asked you about the wedding, you never mentioned meeting someone.”
She kneaded the dough as she talked. “That’s because we only shared a couple of dances and didn’t exchange phone numbers. We met again when the company he works for was hired to design a computer network for the office.”
“It’s about time,” she muttered. “I don’t know why Harold continued to operate that office the same way we did three decades ago. I’m sorry baby. Go ahead and tell me about this young man.”
Londyn chuckled. She flattened the dough and wrapped it in plastic wrap. “We’ve only gone out twice, so we’re still getting to know each other.”
“Is that dough I see?”
“Braxton and I are having dinner tomorrow. He’s going to prepare the meal and I’m making a peach cobbler for dessert.”
“Hmm, I see. Where is this dinner taking place and how old is Braxton?”
“His place, and he said almost forty, so either he’s thirty-nine or close to it. What did you mean by ‘I see’?” Her mother had a strange expression on her face.
“I’m looking forward to meeting him when we come home.”
“That’s almost a month away. I don’t even know if we’ll still be seeing each other by then.”
“You will,” she said emphatically. “And, as I said, your father and I will be looking forward to meeting him. I have to run, sweetheart. Your father and I are going downstairs to the lobby to have drinks and listen to music. The resort has a band playing tonight.”
Londyn shook her head. “When I grow up, I want to be like you and Dad. Love you guys.”
“Love you more. Talk to you soon.”
Before the connection ended, she heard her father say something. Whatever it was had her mother giggling like a schoolgirl. After more than four decades of marriage, her parents still sometimes acted like newlyweds. A pang of sadness hit her. She wanted that same kind of love.
Braxton woke up Saturday morning with more energy than he’d had in months. Instead of going over to his sister and brother-in-law’s house, he had told Jared he’d be there to help finish the deck tomorrow, leaving him free to make sure everything was perfect for his date with Londyn. The person who cleaned his home twice a month had come and gone, saving him from having to do the task himself. After she left, he’d jumped into his car and didn’t stop to analyze why he was dr
iving twenty miles to a meat market for prime grade ribeye steaks because Londyn had mentioned not being able to cook them well. He seasoned the meat and placed the plate in the refrigerator next to the ones holding the cracked lobster and vegetable kabobs. The temperatures were slated to reach the sixties, so he’d planned to prepare the entire meal on the grill. He would’ve preferred to eat on the patio, as well, but it would be too cool by evening.
He still hadn’t been able to convince her to tell him what she intended to make for dessert and his mouth watered, hoping it would be more of those delectable brownies. Even if she’d made something else, he didn’t doubt it would be just as good. Braxton cleaned up the kitchen and drove to the gym where he, Cole and Axel met to shoot around on the basketball court.
Both his friends were already on the court when Braxton arrived. After a round of greetings, the three men practiced shooting free throws, and three-pointers.
“How are things going with…what’s her name again?” Cole asked as he sank a corner shot.
Braxton retrieved the ball and hit a shot from the opposite corner. “Her name is Londyn and they’re going well. We’re having dinner at my place tonight.”
Axel snatched the ball down from the rim after Cole’s missed shot. “First, I thought you said last night that you were picking her up at three. Isn’t that a little early for dinner? And second, you’re taking a woman to your house. Are you good with that?”
“We’re cooking first, and, yes.”
“Bro, you remember what happened the last time you took a woman to your house,” Cole said, shaking his head.
He remembered with exceptional clarity. He and Taryn had been dating for close to three months when he made the mistake of inviting her over for dinner and a movie. He should have known the woman was all about his material wealth and how she could tap into it by all the questions she kept asking about where he lived. The moment she stepped across the threshold, she started talking about parties, engagements, and babies. She’d told him he had the perfect place for a family and that, with her being thirty-two, she wanted to have at least two children, so they needed to get started. The only thing he started was the engine in his car when he took her home. That had happened three years ago and, since then, other than family, no other woman had entered his private space. “Londyn is nothing like Taryn.”
Axel shot him a look of disbelief. “How do you know? You just met the woman.”
“I just know. Is that the approach you’re taking with Naphressa?”
“Our situation is different.” He tossed the ball to Braxton.
“All I know is she makes me feel something more than I ever have and I like being with her. Cole, what about you and Malaya?”
“I’d love to invite her over, but…” Cole let the sentence hang. Both Braxton and Axel knew how Cole felt about Malaya. “It’s pretty interesting that we’re all starting new relationships.”
“And when Dani finds out, she’s going to take credit,” Braxton cracked.
“No doubt.”
The three men laughed, finished the game and parted ways in the parking lot.
Braxton went home, showered, then left to pick up Londyn. This time, he went up to her unit.
“Hi. Come on in,” Londyn said after opening the door. “You have to be the most punctual person I’ve ever met. Are you ever late to anything?”
He brushed a kiss over her lips and smiled. “I try not to be late, if I can help it.”
“I need help carrying everything.”
He stopped short upon seeing two large totes and a cooler filled with ice. “Exactly what are you making that requires all of this? You didn’t need to go through all this trouble for a dessert. More of those brownies would’ve been enough.”
“You’ll see. Let’s go. I’m anxious to get this party started.”
Her comment caused Braxton, for a brief moment, to wonder whether it might indeed be too soon for an invite, but he dismissed the notion as quickly as it entered his mind. He helped her into her jacket, then picked up the cooler and one of the totes.
“I’ve been waiting all week to find out what we’re having for dinner.” She grabbed the remaining tote and slung her purse over her shoulder. Facing him, she said, “I just want you to know how much I like spending time with you.”
She came up on tiptoe and kissed him and he lost a piece of his heart.
Chapter 6
“When you said you had a couple more bedrooms than mine, I was expecting a…a bachelor pad of some sorts, not all this.” Londyn waved her hand around as they stood in the hallway on the second floor. His two-story townhouse had been elegantly decorated in varying shades of gray with black accents. Even though it had a masculine look, it still had a warm, homey feel. The four-bedroom, four-bath home had spacious living and family rooms, master bedroom with sitting area, home gym and a mudroom entrance with plenty of shelving and shoe cubbies. Each of the secondary bedrooms had en-suite bathrooms. “It’s beautiful and amazing.” She had wondered how, at almost forty, had he kept in such good shape. The fully equipped home gym had answered her question.
“Thanks.”
Braxton took her hand and led her back downstairs to the state-of-the-art kitchen. She wandered over to the window. The back deck and private yard would be the perfect place to unwind when the weather warmed. She could fit three of her thousand square-foot condos in the house and still have square footage left over. It seemed too big for one person. “Have you ever been married?”
Braxton glanced around the open refrigerator. “No.”
“Kids?”
“No,” he said with a laugh. “If I had any children, I would’ve told you about them upfront.” He placed several plates on one of three long counters. “What makes you think I’ve been married or have kids?”
“This place has enough space for a family of six without being crowded.”
“My niece and nephew spend some weekends here, which is why two of the bedrooms are decorated.”
She thought back to him dancing with the teen. “Was your niece the one you were dancing with at the wedding?”
“Yes. Tonya is fifteen going on twenty-five. My nephew, Jared is twelve. I try to give my sister and brother-in-law a break so they can have some time away occasionally.”
“That’s sweet. Do you have any other siblings?” Londyn moved over to the other counter when he’d placed her bags and started unloading.
“Just Debra. She’s three years older and, when she’s not acting as if she’s my second mother, she’s pretty cool.”
Propping her hip against the counter, she smiled. “At least you had a companion. Try being the only child of two doctors.”
“Now I don’t have to wonder where you get your brilliance.” Braxton leaned over and peered inside the cooler she had just unzipped.
“They are definitely brilliant. They sold their practice last year and are currently spending a month in the Bahamas. What do your parents do?”
“Both are retired—dad from engineering and mom, education. So are you going to finally tell me what we’re having?”
Grinning up at him, she said, “I guess I can tell you what I’m making.” She pointed to each one as she spoke. “There’s dough for both a peach cobbler and a loaf of French bread, sweetened peaches and the mixture for homemade vanilla ice cream.”
His eyes lit up. “Homemade ice cream? I don’t have an ice cream machine.”
Londyn winked at him and held it up. “Not to worry. I brought my own.” She placed it on the counter and lowered the cylinder containing the mix inside. She gently squeezed his biceps. “Yep, good muscles. You’re going to need them to crank the machine.”
Throwing back his head, Braxton roared with laughter. “You are something else.”
The sound of his deep laughter made her belly quiver. “And so are you.” Slowly, his laughter faded. He stared down at her, not bothering to hide the passion in his eyes. She tilted her chin and wasn’t disappointed
when he covered her mouth in a sweet, gentle kiss that stirred not only her body, but her heart. She wound her arms around his neck as he pulled her closer. His hand caressed her spine, moved down to her hips, then found its way around front to her center. The thin cotton crop pants she wore were no match for his skillful fingers as they slid back and forth over her core, creating a pulsing that increased by the second. Londyn moaned and widened her stance as liquid fire spread through her. He deepened the kiss as his fingers sped up their movements. An orgasm hit her without warning and her knees buckled. She cried out as spasms shot through her body. Only his tightened grip kept her from sliding to the floor. At length, he lifted his head, but didn’t release her. Londyn’s body continued to tremble and her breathing came in short gasps. Incredible! If he could make her come just from touching her on the outside of her clothes, she didn’t want to think about what would happen if they were both naked.
“Now, that’s my kind of cooking,” Braxton murmured. “But I think we’d better focus on the real cooking before we get into any more trouble.”
She opened her mouth to tell him if he could promise more of this kind of trouble, she was all for it, but he placed a finger on her lips.
“It’s not time yet, baby. I don’t want either of us to have any regrets,” he said, cradling her face in his palms.
“I won’t regret being with you, Braxton.” She wouldn’t she realized, but she continued to harbor lingering fears and she didn’t want them to interfere with their developing relationship.
He ran his thumb over her bottom lip. “Can you tell me with certainty that you’re ready for us to take this to the next level?”
Londyn sighed. As much as she wanted to say yes—because it had been a long two years since she’d shared her body with any man—she knew in her heart she wasn’t quite ready. “No.”
Do Me (Irresistible Husband) Page 6