“Hello, Tyson.”
Tyson Small. But there was nothing small about him. At least six feet five and well-endowed…which was an understatement.
Kendrick appeared startled, his brow furrowing. “Wait, the two of you know each other?”
“It’s been a while,” Tyson said, boldly looking her over from top to bottom. He hadn’t changed a bit. He looked at her the way he did all women—as if she’d been placed on the earth for him alone to sample. “At least ten years, I would say.”
Kendrick’s frown deepened. “Oh, wow. Small world. How do you know each other?”
“We’re business associates from when I went to Atlanta for work ten years ago,” Jackie answered hastily. “I met your father at a bridal trade show.”
“That’s when I was trying to make a go of my retail business, one of the many businesses that I started but failed,” Tyson said ruefully.
“Oh. Well, this is my date, Jaclyn.”
Tyson stiffened, and it was his turn to look startled. His gaze swung from his son to Jackie and back again. “Th-this is Jaclyn? The woman you wanted me to meet?”
“Yeah. She owns this store, and like I told you, she has a great selection here. She could probably help you find something for your girlfriend…what’s her name? Carrie?”
“Er…” Tyson seemed to lose his train of thought as his eyes locked with Jackie’s. “She’s just a friend, actually.”
Jackie’s lips flattened. Yep, he probably hadn’t changed a bit. Same old Tyson, sleeping around with multiple “friends.”
“Whatever you need, Jaclyn can help you. She has three stores.” Kendrick placed his arm around her shoulders and pulled her closer. “You guys ready to head out? He’s craving a steak. He’s been limiting his consumption of red meat, so today is sort of a cheat day for him.”
Jackie put on her brightest smile. “Steak sounds like a great idea to me.”
She avoided Tyson’s probing gaze, suddenly feeling like a dirty old woman. Now she wasn’t so sure she should sleep with Kendrick. Actually, it was completely off the table. Though overdue for a night of wild sex, after finding out his father was Tyson—a former lover—the thought of sleeping with his son made her feel icky. At least for now. She had some serious soul-searching to do.
“Ready?” Tyson asked.
“Ready.” Kendrick took her hand—something she hadn’t minded in the past, but now seemed extremely awkward in light of Tyson standing right in front of them.
They all exited the store together, and she locked up on the way out. In the parking lot, Tyson got into his own car, a flashy gold two-seater, and she climbed into Kendrick’s gray Toyota Highlander.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Jackie knew at some point she’d have to tell Kendrick the extent of her relationship with his father. Tyson had been more than a business associate. She adjusted the vents so that the air blew full force onto her face.
Much more than a business associate.
Glancing out the window at the passing scenery, she recalled being consumed by him, high on his lovemaking and the excitement of being the center of his attention. He’d done an excellent job of making her feel unique, special. So good, in fact, that she’d been foolish enough to think she’d fallen in love with him.
2
His son had great taste.
Kendrick and Jackie sat next to each other across the table from Tyson. The three of them were halfway through the meal at a steak restaurant overlooking the bay. The meal was delicious, the ambiance right, and the conversation flowed easily between them. Yet the entire time Tyson had difficulty keeping his eyes off her.
He was surprised his son was dating an older woman, but he understood the attraction to Jackie. Her skin was a pretty russet-brown and she had eyes that were a darker shade of brown. They sparkled when she laughed and kept him ensnared when she looked his way. Her lips were a thing of beauty and popped with a bold purple color that matched the purple shade in her purple and gold dress.
Courtesy of a dark wig, wavy hair cascaded down the middle of her back. From that week in Atlanta, he knew she liked to switch up her look with different wigs. One night she’d been a blonde with a French bob. Another night a cherry-red wig fell in straight lines to her ass. Still another night, she amped up the sexy and mystery in a black wig with bold eye makeup and sultry red lips. He never knew what to expect when he arrived at her door, and that had been part of the thrill.
Jackie was a tall woman—taller than anyone he had ever dated before, but he loved her body. Large breasts, hips for days, and thick thighs he could lose himself between.
Yes, his son had great taste, and with a guilty conscience, Tyson acknowledged being jealous of him.
“You haven’t told me how the two of you met.” Tyson lifted a piece of rib eye to his mouth.
They both looked at each other and laughed, and another bout of jealousy tightened his chest at their inside joke.
“Do you want to tell him or should I?” Kendrick asked.
“It’s a bit of a funny story. So good, too good,” Jackie said.
Damn, her voice. He’d forgotten how sexy it was, especially when it trembled as she whimpered his name because he was so good, too good. He’d all but forgotten the days and nights they’d spent together, but seeing her again brought back snippets of memory—little details that made him hunger for a taste of her again.
“I’d love to hear the story,” Tyson said.
“You want to tell it?” Kendrick asked Jackie.
“No, you go ahead.” She sipped her wine, eyes locked on Kendrick. She’d barely looked at Tyson all night and that irritated the hell out of him.
His son set down his fork. “Okay, so, I went for a walk in the park—needed to think about a few things and make some decisions, and I thought a walk would do me good. There I was, minding my own business, when all of a sudden I hear, ‘Get out the way! Get out the way!’ I turn, and this woman comes barreling toward me on a bicycle.”
Jackie covered her face in embarrassment. “I hadn’t ridden since I was a kid. Everyone says this or that is like riding a bike. It’s easy and you’ll remember. Well, not so much.”
“Why were you on a bike if you couldn’t ride?” Tyson asked.
She finally looked at him, and he was mesmerized, sucked into the dark depths of her eyes.
“I often go walking in the park to get a little exercise, but I thought riding a bicycle was a way to switch up my routine. I rented a bike and was doing fine, until the incline.”
Kendrick laughed and took over the story again. “So there I was, walking down the incline, and I turn and see her. She’s screeching at the top of her lungs, eyes wide. People are darting out of the way. I was so deep in thought I didn’t hear her until the last minute. She panicked and didn’t know how to brake and ran right into me.” He slapped his hands together.
“Knocked him clean off his feet,” Jackie said, giggling.
“We tumbled into the grass, arms and legs locked together. After I got over my shock, I made sure she was okay. A few people checked on us but I waved them off.”
“He had such a good attitude about it.” Jackie rubbed Kendrick’s arm and Tyson gritted his teeth. Goddamn, the universe really had it in for him. No grace for being a shitty parent.
He caught the waiter’s eye and held up his empty glass. “Another old-fashioned.” He should have ordered two because he intended to down the next one with a quickness.
“You were apologetic, but I wasn’t hurt.” Kendrick shrugged.
“That didn’t change how awful I felt. I’d knocked over a complete stranger. Haven’t been on a bike since.” Jackie shook her head, as if she couldn’t believe she’d done something so wacky.
“We ended up walking to the deli, and she bought me lunch to make up for the accident. And that’s how we met.”
Kendrick smiled at her, and Tyson’s stomach turned. Where the hell was that drink? Watching them together, laughing a
nd talking, taking turns as they told the story, made the ugly green monster in the pit of his stomach snarl and rear its ugly head higher.
“That’s interesting,” he muttered.
“That’s how we met, but getting her to go out with me wasn’t easy. She thought I was too young, but I managed to convince her otherwise.” His son draped an arm across the back of Jackie’s chair.
“That’s nice,” Tyson said, relieved when he saw the waiter approaching. No sooner had the young man set down the glass, he picked it up and swallowed a mouthful. “So it’s serious then?”
Jackie’s gaze met his. “We’re getting to know each other. It’s early yet.”
Early yet. What did that mean? Had they slept together? Had she rocked Kendrick’s world the way she’d rocked his?
Tyson shoved down the disturbing thought of her entwined in bed with his son. Smoothing a hand down his beard, he cleared his throat. “How long have you been together?”
“Officially a month, and this is our third date.” Tyson resumed eating his grilled fish.
“Well, I’m glad my son met a nice woman. I was worried about him, but I see now I don’t have to worry. So, are you planning to have a long-distance relationship?”
“Long-distance relationship? Why would we?” Jackie’s brow furrowed.
“Your relationship will be long-distance when he moves to New York.”
Jackie’s frown deepened and his son shifted away from her and focused on his meal. Too late, Tyson realized he’d said too much.
“We haven’t had a chance to talk about that yet,” Kendrick said, speaking to the plate.
“You’re moving to New York?” Jackie asked.
“It’s something that I’ve been thinking about.” Kendrick shrugged.
“I thought you had given up any thoughts of becoming a model.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Not completely, but this isn’t about modeling. I might have a shot at acting. I wanted to share my good news with you a little later.” He glared at Tyson. “I shared my decision with my father, but since he brought it up, I’ll share it with you, too. I landed a small role in an indie movie and have been thinking about moving to New York permanently.”
Jackie set down her fork. “This is quite a surprise. I had no idea.”
“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal. We can make it work. I was going to tell you.”
“I heard you,” Jackie said tightly. She sipped her wine.
Tyson interjected into the tense back and forth. “Listen, I’m sorry I said anything. I assumed that you’d shared the news with her, but I’m sure this won’t change your relationship.”
“We’ll see,” he thought he heard Jackie say.
Initially, Tyson had regretted mentioning Kendrick’s move, but now he couldn’t help feeling a little pleased that he’d prematurely relayed information his son hadn’t shared. That probably made him a piece of shit, but he couldn’t help himself.
He’d met Jackie during a period in his life when he was still enjoying his freedom and sowing his wild oats. Married young, he and his ex realized they weren’t right for each other early in the marriage. When they divorced, she remarried, and he spent a lot of time partying, getting laid, and figuring out what he wanted to do with his life.
He hadn’t been much of a father then. Basically, he’d sent money and visited his kids—three girls and Tyson—on occasion. Despite not being around much, his daughters loved him and he had a good relationship with them. Tyson, however, had grown into a sullen, resentful young man. The two only recently repaired their relationship.
So this situation with Jackie put him into a little bit of a dilemma. Jackie had left a deep impression on him, and seeing her again awakened ideas of what could have been. If she hadn’t left Atlanta after a week. If she didn’t live on the west coast. If he had been willing to pursue a meaningful relationship with her instead of chasing ass and dreams throughout the southeast. So many ifs.
He still ached for her. Still recalled in vivid detail the silky texture of her sex on his tongue. The only problem, the competition.
His son.
3
“Bye, have a good night.” Jackie waved at her employees leaving for the night. The Fourth of July sale had been a smash hit. The store was closing early and she had plans to spend the rest of the day over at Adelaide’s house.
As she turned the lock in the door, a familiar face approached and stopped on the other side. Her heart leaped in her chest and she froze.
She hadn’t seen Tyson or Kendrick since the three of them had dinner four days ago. An inexplicable tugging sensation in her chest left her with an uncomfortable feeling. And when he flashed his brilliant smile, that tugging manifested between her legs. She was intensely attracted to Tyson and had to tread carefully.
He was once again dressed in a three-piece pinstriped suit, this time black, one hand casually placed in his pants pocket. The other hand hung by his side and he wore a gold pinky ring. From the other night, she recalled he wore his nails cut short and manicured. A neat freak, his Atlanta apartment had been spotless, and he took care of his body the way he did his possessions. Good grooming and dressing well were all important to him.
“Can I come in?”
She stared at him through the glass, happy for the barrier between them. “Why?”
“I’d like to talk to you for a few minutes.”
Letting him in was a bad idea, but she felt foolish for forcing him to have a conversation with her through a glass wall. Jackie opened the door, and Tyson strolled in. She relatched the door before turning to face him.
“What are you doing here, Tyson?”
“I came to buy a piece of lingerie. This is a lingerie store, isn’t it?”
“We’re closed.”
“But you let me in, so…” He shrugged.
She rolled her eyes, knowing his explanation was simply an excuse to talk to her. One trait she remembered from back in Atlanta—Tyson was persistent.
“Yes, this is a lingerie and sleepwear store.”
“Good, let’s see, the woman I’m shopping for likes bold colors. Red, purple, even orange…”
He rubbed his hands together and walked over to one of the racks. He flipped through the hangers, stopping every few seconds to examine one of the lacy garments more closely. Jackie stood nearby, arms crossed over her chest.
“What size is your friend?”
He turned to look at her, and his gaze devoured her in an indecently slow slide down her body. Her skin awoke with a blistering heat. She couldn’t believe the effect this man still had on her. A crazy week in Atlanta should not be enough to make her weak-kneed ten years later.
“About your size. Your shape. Maybe you could try on one of these so I could get a better idea.”
She glared at him.
“What?” he asked innocently.
“Why are you really here? I’m dating your son.”
He flinched, as if the words wounded him. “Were dating my son.”
“Let me guess, you think because you’re back in my life, I should drop everything and everyone to be with you. Do I have that correct?”
“You did that before.”
Her cheeks burned with the truth of his words. She had cleared her schedule to spend every free moment with him. “Your arrogance is unbelievable.”
“That week we spent together was unbelievable.”
“For who?”
“Both of us. I’m speaking facts and you know it.”
“On the contrary, I came back to San Diego and continued with my life. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time, but it was one week, and quite frankly, I barely remember it.” She lifted her right shoulder in a careless shrug.
“Huh. That’s strange, because as soon as I saw you, those days and nights we spent together all came rushing back. I remembered that little black number you wore—the sheer one that showed off your breasts.”
He groaned and held up his h
ands as if holding her breasts, reliving the experience and forcing her to relive it, too. Her nipples tightened, and she grabbed onto one of the sales racks instead of giving in to her body’s unauthorized sway toward him.
“My favorite outfit of the weekend, as you can tell. I’m not too proud to admit you turned me out, and I regret not following up with you afterward.”
“You had my name, you had my number,” Jackie said in the same frigid voice.
“And you had mine.”
She sent a tight smile in his direction. “You said you were sowing your wild oats, remember? Oats that you hadn’t had the opportunity to sow because you married young and had kids. If anyone should have called, it should have been you.”
“True. And again, I regret that I didn’t.”
Jackie examined her fingernails. “It’s too late now. I’m seeing someone.” She brought her gaze back to his and looked him steadily in the eyes.
“Yeah, about that. I’m gonna have to pull rank.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m going to have a talk with Kendrick, and I figure in a few days he’ll call and let you know the relationship is over.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“You and I both know your relationship won’t work long-distance anyway.”
“If both people want—”
“Both people don’t want it. He’ll be busy with his modeling and acting career, and you’ll be busy with me.”
“There’s that arrogance again,” Jackie said, wagging her finger.
“You damn right.” Tyson flashed a grin, one that made her heart accelerate and reminded her of his prowess in bed. She truly hated he could still have such an effect on her.
His face suddenly became serious. “Let me lay my cards on the table. I want you, Jackie. I’ve made a ton of mistakes in my life, but over the past few years, I’ve been working hard to rectify them. One of those mistakes was not being a better father. I’ve healed the relationship with my daughters, but the relationship with my son is still a work in progress.”
“I don’t think hitting on his girlfriend is going to help the situation,” she said dryly.
Seasoned Page 20