All's Fair in Love and Blood: A Romantic Comedy Novel

by Jennifer Peel

  There was the like word again. Not that I expected him to profess his love for me, but it would have been nice. It made me question if I was really in love. Yet, deep inside, if I was honest with myself, I knew the truth. I was falling in love with Kane. And I hoped that he would one day love me, too.

  “I like you, too. A lot,” I responded, thankful my heart didn’t come falling out of my mouth for once.

  “That is excellent news.” He skimmed my lips once, twice, three times before pressing his own against mine. His hand tangled in the back of my hair, drawing me closer to him before he parted my lips. My eyes drifted shut so that all my senses could focus on the way he tasted like grape-flavored shaved ice, and how urgent his tongue felt as it prodded deeper as if he couldn’t get close enough to me. The same urgency lived inside of me. My hands gripped his T-shirt and twisted it, begging him not to let me go.

  When he was done ravaging my mouth, his hand pulled my head back to expose my neck. His warm lips made their slow descent down the curve of my neck to my collarbone. Each hot, wet touch made my stomach do entire gymnastic routines and my body tremble from the sheer pleasure of it all. Just when I thought he was done, his tongue lightly glided against the sensitive skin of my neck as if his tongue were a brush and I were his canvas. My gasps only emboldened him to continue his work of art.

  “Mmm,” he groaned as if he were tasting a masterpiece.

  “Kane.” I shuddered against him.

  “Scarlett,” he whispered before capturing my mouth again. This time his kiss was slower and gentler, yet just as intense. So intense, I could see how easy it would be to play chess with him, and how vulnerable the queen was. The thought frightened and excited me. But I knew I wasn’t ready for checkmate. I was barely getting to know myself. And if I didn’t know all of me, how could I share myself with someone else? Not only that, but it became clear to me that when the time came, love needed to come first. My soul screamed out that I must be loved. That sex didn’t make love. If it did, my father wouldn’t have been married so many times.

  I took one more moment to get lost in his touch before my hands released his shirt and I gently pulled away from him.

  We needed a moment to breathe as we peered into each other’s enlivened eyes. Both our cheeks were flushed.

  “I’m sorry for getting so carried away, Scarlett.”

  I placed my fingers on his swollen lips. “I’m not. I hope we get carried away a lot.”

  He kissed my fingers before taking my hand in his. “You overestimate my self-control.”

  “I don’t think so. I trust you, Kane.”

  A sheeny mist of moisture covered his eyes. “I will continue to be worthy of your trust.”

  I believed him. I snuggled back against him, and he held me tight. All felt right in the world.

  “Who’s the singer?” I pointed at the sound system near his giant flat screen. His place had minimal furniture, but what he did have was expensive. It told me he valued quality over quantity, and just like the Porsche he was saving up for, he was willing to work for what he wanted.

  “Don’t make fun of me; it’s Christopher Cross.”

  “Why would I make fun of you? I listen to Celtic music.” And I didn’t know who Christopher Cross was.

  “That’s true,” he teased.

  “Hey, now.”

  He chuckled. “We can debate the merits of Enya later. Christopher Cross is a singer from the seventies and eighties. My dad told me if I wanted to impress a girl to put on Christopher Cross and it was a done deal.”

  I sat up and leaned against his chest. “Are you trying to impress me?”

  He brushed my hair back. “I’m trying my hardest. How am I doing?” His tone was genuine.

  I didn’t even have to think about my answer. “You have my vote.” And my heart.

  He was about to lean in for a kiss when we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

  “That will be the food.” He kissed my nose before I slid off his lap.

  While I watched him walk toward the door, I listened to the lyrics of the song playing: something about never being the same after being touched by that person, the person. Truer words had never been sung. I would never be the same. Kane had changed my life.

  Kane walked back with two decent-sized paper bags. His condo immediately smelled like garlic, pepper, and sesame oil. “Let’s eat out on the terrace; I want to show you the view.”

  “Okay.” I jumped up to join him.

  “There’s a bottle of wine in the refrigerator and wineglasses on the counter, if you wouldn’t mind grabbing them.”

  “Not at all.” I headed over to his small, open kitchen with its dark granite counters and stainless steel appliances. I smiled when I noticed the row of cookbooks neatly stacked near his coffeepot. He even had a grocery list hanging on his refrigerator. Not surprised at all. He loved lists. I was touched when I glanced at his grocery list and saw that he’d written semisweet chocolate chips and then in parentheses added Scarlett’s favorite.

  It made my heart flutter.

  I grabbed the wine and glasses and met him outside. Wow, was all I could think. His view was incredible. A pristine golf course filled my gaze. It was even more beautiful, as the sun was just starting to go down casting a glow on the trees below.

  Kane was setting out white cartons and chopsticks on a round wooden table. He’d lit a citronella candle to ward off the mosquitoes that loved this time of year. Planter boxes full of what looked like herbs lined the black wrought iron railing. Some neighbors below were barbecuing, and the smell of grilled steak wafted our way.

  “This is beautiful.”

  “I thought you would like it.” He held out a chair for me.

  I set the glasses and wine on the table before taking my seat.

  After he helped push in my chair, he kissed my cheek before taking a seat next to me.

  “I feel like I’ve learned a lot about you tonight.”

  “And what have you learned?” He opened the carton of sesame chicken and began dishing me some.

  “Well, you must like to golf.”

  “I have to; that’s where the deals are made.”

  “That’s what Auggie says too.”

  Kane cleared his throat as if to say, “Let’s not talk about your father.”

  I moved on quickly. However, I had some guilt about the strain that existed between Auggie and Kane. I tried not to let it interfere with our perfect evening. “I’m also guessing you love to cook.”

  “Right again. Next time you come over, I’ll cook for you.”

  “I’d love that.” Especially because it meant he was planning on having me over again.

  “Me too.” He handed me a pair of chopsticks.

  I stared blankly at the wooden utensils. “I’ll take a fork, please.”

  Kane shook his sexy head no. “The only way to eat Chinese food is with chopsticks.”

  “I beg to differ. I’ve used a fork several times.”

  “That was before you met me.”

  “Fine.” I grimaced. I was about as dexterous as a tyrannosaurus.

  “You got this. Just do what I do.” With ease, he stabilized the bottom stick using his thumb and ring finger, and then he did some hocus-pocus with the top one and easily picked up a piece of sesame chicken.

  I tried, fumbling the sticks and dropping the chicken, and that was after several attempts. I finally gave up and stabbed one chopstick into a piece of chicken and shoved it in my mouth.

  Kane laughed loudly at me. “That’s one way of doing it. I think I better give you a fork before you hurt yourself, or me,” he teased before reaching into the bag for a plastic fork.

  “Thank you.” I happily took it.

  We ate and talked, and in between sipped wine, and shared kisses in the sultry night air. Best. Night. Ever. It only got better after dinner when Kane stood and held out his hand to me. “Dance with me.”

  I stared at him. “I’ve never danced with an
yone,” I whispered, embarrassed.

  Kane took my hand. “You don’t know how happy I am to hear that.” He always knew the right thing to say.

  I took his hand, and with all that I was, I knew I belonged with him. I didn’t care if I was too young or if it was too fast. None of that mattered.

  Kane helped me to my feet before taking me in his arms. The dulcet tones of Christopher Cross drifted out of the screened door.

  “Just follow my lead,” Kane whispered in my ear before taking my right hand in his left and then wrapping his right arm around me. He drew me close to him, our clasped hands between us.

  I peered up at his adoring gaze as we began to sway gently. Our eyes stayed locked. He didn’t even wince when I stepped on his bare feet a time or two.

  After several minutes of silently dancing, Kane spoke in hushed tones. “Promise me something.”

  “Anything,” I said without even thinking.

  Kane flashed me an amused smile. “Promise me you will make your dreams come true. That you’ll make the secrets in your eyes a reality.”

  Did he see all my secrets? Did he see the ones I kept about him? “It’s complicated,” I whispered.

  “Life is complicated, Scarlett. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue your dreams. If you don’t, it will only make your life more complicated.”

  I had to stop for a moment. That truth bomb blew my mind. I blinked several times, letting what he’d said sink in. He was right. But how did I tell my father? I leaned my head on Kane’s shoulder. “I’m going to become a forensic pathologist,” I manifested out loud.

  Kane rubbed my back and kissed my head. “That’s my girl.”

  I leaned away. If he wanted me to pursue all my dreams, he was part of them. “Kane, will I still be yours when I go back to school next month?” my voice trembled.

  He tilted his head while caressing my cheek. “Is that what you want?” he asked nervously.

  “Yes,” I said with every ounce of hope in me.

  “We’ll make it work somehow, then.”

  I let out a sigh of relief.

  He cupped my face with his hands and pressed his lips to mine, as if to seal the deal. Before he parted my lips, he whispered against them, “Scarlett, you are a dream.”

  If that was true, I hoped we never woke up.

  He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not?

  “Where did you go to school?” Naomi was playing Momma Bear and grilling Kane, though her tone had no bite to it at all.

  I was happy to finally introduce Kane to Naomi over lunch at a little bistro near Naomi’s office. Between Kane’s travel schedule and Naomi’s huge case, it hadn’t worked out until today.

  Kane set down his glass of ice water with a smile full of charm. “Undergrad was Georgia State. I received my MBA at Emory.”

  Naomi’s left brow raised. “Impressive. Though the important question is if you like Celtic music?” She smiled.

  My unusual taste in music came straight from Naomi. We’d been to see Celtic Woman in concert many times, even flying across the country to catch one of their shows.

  Kane chuckled deeply. “I’m acquiring a taste for it.” That was his way of saying he tolerated it.

  Naomi threw her napkin onto the table. “Well, you have my seal of approval.” She winked at me.

  Kane honestly looked relieved. I’d told him Naomi was going to love him. But, he worried because Auggie didn’t appreciate our relationship. Auggie had gone as far as having Eva remind Kane that I was young, and an unexpected pregnancy right now would derail my life. Kane hadn’t taken too kindly to it and had told Eva if I did have his child, he’d count himself a lucky man. While that was sweet and it gave me hope that Kane was falling in love with me, it only fanned the flames. Though I couldn’t blame Kane for not dispelling the truth about our nonexistent sex life. That was between us. Kane hadn’t spoken to his mother since.

  It hurt that Auggie didn’t know me well enough to know that I knew I wasn’t ready to become a mother or a wife, and that he didn’t think I was capable enough to keep from screwing up my future. Truthfully, I’d never thought those options would be available to me until this summer. And while I found myself excited about those prospects, I wanted to go to med school and pursue my dreams. Dreams I hadn’t shared with Auggie yet. I’d been waiting for the right time. I just didn’t know when that would be. Though today I had other things to worry about. Kane was meeting with my father after our lunch. He said it was nothing to worry about, just business, but I was concerned. Kane didn’t directly report to my father. So, the one-on-one meeting seemed suspect. I was praying it truly was nothing. Kane was not only good at his job—he loved it. He’d just closed the most lucrative deal in Armstrong Labs’ history with that pharmaceutical company back East he’d been working with all summer. The office was all abuzz about it. Surely Auggie wouldn’t fire him after that. Right? Maybe he wanted to congratulate him personally. Sure.

  Kane was intrigued with Naomi’s job and peppered her with questions. Naomi was used to it but loved it all the same. And I never tired of hearing her talk about the intricacies of forensics. It only fueled the fire in me to follow in her footsteps. Especially when she spoke of being able to give families peace and offering them real answers about the death of their loved one. Unless they were my father. In that case, the truth only haunted him. I wondered if he would ever come to terms with Momma’s death.

  “Do you go to a lot of crime scenes?” Kane asked.

  “More than I would like to.”

  Kane gave me a thoughtful look. “You ready for that?”

  “Are you worried about me?”

  “Not at all.” He kissed me.

  I could feel Naomi’s smile.

  Kane looked at his watch. “I hate to run, but I don’t want to be late.”

  I could hear the nerves in the pitch of his tone. I squeezed his hand. “I’m anxious to hear how it goes.”

  “I’ll stop by your office later.” He stood and reached out his hand to Naomi. “It was so nice to meet you.”

  Naomi waved his hand away, stood, and came around the table to give him a hug.

  From the expression on his face, it was obvious Kane was touched.

  “You couldn’t have picked a better girl.” Naomi patted his back.

  “Believe me, I know.” Kane smiled at me, warming my heart.

  Naomi leaned away from him but still kept him in her grasp. “I’m going to offer you a bit of insight into Augustus. He loves to grandstand, but he appreciates talent and results. And he has a soft spot for all his stepchildren.”

  Kane rubbed the back of his neck, proving he was as worried as I was. “Well, none of them have ever dated his daughter.”

  “This is true.” Naomi grinned. “But he loves profits almost as much as he loves Scarlett, so I think you’re safe.”

  “I hope you’re right. Let’s do this again soon. Next time it’s my treat.”

  Naomi had insisted on paying and couldn’t be talked out of it.

  “I look forward to it.” Naomi stepped back.

  Kane leaned down to kiss me goodbye. “I’ll see you soon.”

  We’d driven separately because I wanted to talk to Naomi alone.

  “Bye.” I kissed him an extra time for luck.

  Naomi and I watched him walk out of the crowded bistro before she took a seat next to me. She gave me a thorough once-over. “I’ve never seen you so happy.”

  “I’ve never felt like this before.”

  “I like him. He’s a good match.”

  “I think so too.”

  She tapped my nose. “So, what did you want to talk about?”

  I grabbed my drink and took a sip of my lemonade before I laid it all out for her. I’d been practicing what I would say. It was one thing for me to admit my feelings to myself; it was another thing to let someone in on my secrets. I decided to start with a question. “When did you know you were in love with my father?”

  Naomi gra
bbed her heart with wide eyes.

  “I’m sorry. Is that too painful of a question?”

  She placed her delicate hand on mine. “Not at all. You surprised me is all. Are you asking because you think you’re falling in love?”

  I bit my lip and nodded. I should have known she would know.

  “Ah, I see. Well, my love, falling for your father had a lot to do with you.”

  “Me?” I smiled.

  “Yes, you.” She sat back and sighed fondly. “I remember the first time I met your father. Outwardly he was stoic, though it was apparent he wasn’t in a good place, as most of our clients aren’t. He manifested his trauma in other ways. He took you everywhere with him those first few months. Even to the office. It was how there came to be a company day care center. Though you were mostly an angel child, you were still a toddler, and he found out quickly he couldn’t watch you and do his job, even though the company was much smaller back then.”

  I shook my head, amazed. “I had no idea.”

  “Oh yes, Augustus was so afraid he would lose you, too. He probably fired ten day care directors that first year. None of them were good enough for you.”

  That brought a tear to my eye.

  “Just like no man will ever be good enough for you. It’s why your father has been acting like a fool all summer. He’s not ready to let go. He never has been.”

  “So why did you fall in love with him?”

  “The first time I met you, you curled up in my lap, and I knew I was meant to love you. The devotion your father had for you touched me. His sheer capacity to love overwhelmed me. And, for a while, he was able to express those feelings. But,” her voice cracked, “they eventually became too much for him to bear. His fear got the better of him. And I needed more from him.” She grabbed a napkin and wiped her cheeks where some tears had trickled down.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. I’m not. I got you out of the deal, and for that I will be forever grateful.”

  I embraced her. So grateful that once upon a time Auggie had good taste in women. “Naomi,” I whispered. “How do you know you love someone?”

  She leaned away and placed her hand on my heart. “When you feel at home here, that’s when you know.”