Amani made a little noise and jutted her hips, letting him know that he could continue. This was crazy, she knew, but Aaron Hayes had always turned her on in a way she didn't understand. Right now, she didn't want to stop and think about what they were doing. She wanted to keep going, knowing that she would never regret what would happen between them, even if they shared only one night of intimacy.
But Aaron growled in frustration, lifted her to an upright position, and then released her.
Feeling suddenly cold where she had once been warm, Amani simply stared at him.
"I'm sorry,” he said.
He had damn near kissed her into a coma. No way in hell was she going to accept an apology from him.
"No, don't say that. Don't say you're sorry.”
Aaron dragged a hand over his face. “I don't know what came over me.”
"Oh, God. You're going to tell me that this never should have happened.”
Amani turned away. But she instantly felt Aaron's presence behind her. Felt it before he placed his hands on her arms.
He leaned his head forward, resting his nose against her hair. The air left his lungs, tickling the back of her head. She wanted to turn around and lose herself in another one of his mind-numbing kisses.
"I should say that,” he whispered. “But it would be a lie. I wanted this to happen.”
Amani slowly turned in his arms. Every part of her was alive with lustful sensations.
"I suppose I've always found you attractive. Before, you were much too young. Off-limits. But now . . .”
"Now?”
"Please, don't look at me like that. I don't think I'll be able to control myself.”
A bolt of electricity zapped her vagina. He really did want her.
Speak now or forever hold your peace. “What if I said I didn't want you to control yourself?”
He swallowed.
"We're both adults now. Both unattached.”
"I don't know. I need time to think.”
"Think about whether or not you want to take me to bed?”
Aaron put a finger across Amani's lips. “Don't. . . don't make this harder on me than it needs to be.”
"I want that, too,” she told him.
"But I'm your teacher.”
"I don't care about that.”
"I want you in this class. I don't want anything to prevent that.”
She slipped her arms around his waist. “Nothing will.”
Aaron cradled her in his arms, and for the first time in a very long time, Amani felt safe. Cared for. She wanted more of this incredible man.
But then he untangled himself from her and stepped backward. “No.”
A pain shot through her heart. “No?”
"Amani, you should be angry with me. I just attacked you like some untamed animal. I showed absolutely no restraint, not to mention no discretion.”
"Will you kiss me again?”
Aaron's eyes registered shock. “I don't think you're hearing what I'm saying.”
"Just one kiss, then I'll leave.” She made the sign of a cross over her heart. “I promise.”
Aaron's shoulders drooped as he chuckled softly. “You're too much.”
"Thank you.”
"I don't know how I got myself into this.” His face lit up like a Christmas tree with his smile. Then he moved toward her. He lowered his head as she raised hers.
Their lips met, and Amani swore she saw fireworks. She ended the kiss after only a few seconds, leaving him wanting more. “Call me before the end of the week. I'll tell you when to get ready for the wedding.”
She bent to retrieve her items, and Aaron met her on the floor. He collected the strewn papers and handed them to her.
He rose to his feet in sync with her, his eyes never leaving hers. She read what he was feeling: wariness, shock, exhilaration. She was feeling those emotions, too.
Amani tipped on her toes and gave him another quick kiss. “Call me,” she told him. Then she turned and walked out of the classroom, resisting the temptation to look back.
6
.
Suzette nearly cackled the deliveryman when he entered the cafe
with a bouquet of a dozen roses. Squealing with delight, she pried them from the stunned man's hands.
"Are you Amani Milford?” he asked.
"Amani?” Suzette sounded truly baffled.
"These flowers are for a Miss Amani Milford.”
Amani placed the tray she was holding on a table and started walking toward the deliveryman. As she did, warmth was filling her heart. This stunning bouquet was for her?
"These are for me?” she asked.
"If you're Amani Milford.”
The guy may as well have been Ed McMahon for how excited she was. “I am.”
The deliveryman produced a clipboard. “Sign here, please.”
As Amani signed, Suzette sniffed the roses, all the while eyeing her as if she'd just stolen her candy.
"Enjoy,” the man said as he handed Amani the bouquet. Then he was off.
As soon as he was out the door, Suzette said, “Who on earth is sending you roses?”
"Don't hate, Suzette. Mitch sends you tons of goodies.” And he did. He was always sending her flowers or chocolates, doing his best to keep the romance alive in their marriage.
"I'm about to die of curiosity. Open that card!”
Securing the flowers in one arm, Amani reached for the card with her free hand. Her insides melted when she read it.
Suzette plucked the card from her fingers. “I want to start over and woo you right.” Her eyes bulged as she stared at Amani. “Amani! What haven't you told me?”
Amani wanted to lose herself in a dream world, one where Suzette would not intrude. But that would only happen if she'd received this delivery when she'd been home alone.
Besides, seeing this bouquet made it official. What had happened between her and Aaron last night was not a one-time thing. He was attracted to her.
Suzette snapped her fingers in front of Amani's face. “Hello? Anybody home?”
"These are from Aaron,” Amani said calmly.
"Aaron as in Mr. Hayes?”
"Uh huh.”
"Oh my God.” Suzette framed her face with both hands. “Well, I'd say it's obvious he's interested in more than your writing skills.”
Amani leaned forward and whispered, “He kissed me last night.”
"What?” Suzette screamed. Loud enough that everyone in the cafe turned and looked at the two of them.
Amani giggled. “I was going to tell you, but. . .”
"But what?” Suzette queried in a lower tone. “You forgot?
"I didn't want to jump the gun. Tell you about it and be all excited if he wasn't interested.”
Suzette glanced at the card once again, then the roses. “The man is definitely interested. Woo you?” She bit down hard on her bottom lip. “Girl, that is too sweet.”
Amani snatched the card from her friend and held it close to her chest. “You should have seen him. He gave my story a D, then when we were discussing it, he laid on one me.”
"A Z)?” Suzette waved a hand. “Forget that. He just kissed you out of the blue?”
"I'll tell you about the story I wrote later. But the short version of what happened between me and Aaron is that I was going to quit the class. Next thing I know, he's kissing me senseless.”
"Wow.”
"I know.”
"How did this happen? I mean, I know how so don't give me some smart response. But I mean, why? What am I missing?” Her eyes narrowed on Amani. “Amani, what aren't you telling me?”
Amani's lips curled in a guilty grin. “Well, there is something.”
"Something like what?” Suzette asked frantically. When Amani didn't answer, Suzette gripped Amani's hands, squeezing hard. “Oh, my goodness. You and Aaron—you two have a history?”
"You could say that.”
Suzette gasped. “I thought you were my best friend. How co
uld you not tell me this?”
"Let's talk behind the counter,” Amani told her. At least there they'd have more privacy.
Suzette dragged her all the way there. Amani giggled.
"All right,” Suzette said. “Out with it. Tell me how you kept an affair with Aaron secret from me, but more importantly, tell me when it happened.”
"Girl, don't jump to conclusions. Aaron and I were never intimate. But I did do something really stupid where he's concerned. Nine years ago. Maybe that's why things escalated yesterday. I don't know.”
"Keep talking.”
"I don't know what I was thinking. The school year was winding to a close. I was feeling very brave—or stupid, however you want to look at it. I've forgiven myself, considering I was only eighteen.”
Suzette squeezed her hands harder. “What did you do?”
"I poured my heart out in a story about a girl who falls for her teacher and has a wicked affair with him. I was hoping he'd get that I was writing about him and me, and that maybe we could have some type of affair.”
"But he was married!”
"Oh, I had that angle covered in the story. The girl in the story knows he's married and has one night of passion with him.”
Suzette's eyes widened. “You wrote that?”
"I was young. Very stupid. And ultimately embarrassed beyond anything I could imagine when he sat me down and told me that our being together was out of the question.”
"Ouch.”
"Ouch is right. That's why I never had a story in the senior class anthology.”
"You told me it was because you'd had writer's block.”
"I know what I told you. I didn't want to admit the truth.”
Suzette smiled. “Surprise, surprise. But, it looks like you're finally gonna get your man.”
"Oh, Suzette. Don't say that. That's way too premature.”
"Hey, I say go for it.”
Last night, that idea had sounded wonderful. Today, Amani had questions. “We barely know each other,” she pointed out, her gaze wandering to the brilliant rose bouquet, still standing on a table. “In the way we should, I mean. As friends as opposed to as teacher-student. And you know me and my track record with men.”
"Get that crap Carl told you out of your head.”
"So far, he's been right.”
"Carl is a loser and anyone who doesn't know that can kiss my ass.”
Amani hugged Suzette. “You're sweet.”
"I just love you. And I want to see you happy. I think Aaron will make you happy.” Suzette broke the hug and eyed Amani with a questioning gaze. “Hey, you didn't go home with him . . . did you?”
"No!” When Amani's outburst got curious looks, she smiled sheepishly, then continued in a hushed voice. “No, of course not. He's too much of a gentleman for that. Not that I wasn't tempted.”
"Hmm. So next week's wedding night should be extra special—and not just for the bride and groom.”
Amani winked. “That's what I'm hoping.”
It was just after three-thirty when Amani answered the cafe's ringing phone. “Coffee, Tea & Mail,” she said.
"Amani, hi.”
All the air trickled out of her lungs. Aaron.
She was nervous beyond reason, but someone kept her voice cool, calm, and collected. “Hey, you.”
"I've been thinking of you practically nonstop since last night.”
"Have you, now?”
"Mmm hmm. I couldn't wait until my last class of the day walked through the door so I could give you a call.”
Amani's insides turned to mush. The man was too sweet. “I got the roses. Thank you so much.”
"You're welcome.” He paused. “I meant what I said. I want to woo you properly.”
Amani's hands were jittery with excitement. “Always a gentleman,” she said, for lack of anything more intelligent to say.
"What are you doing tonight?”
"Tonight?”
"Yeah. I was wondering if we could get together.”
"Um . . . I'm supposed to close this place tonight. Suzette's leaving early to spend some time with her husband before he leaves town." Just my luck!
"Oh.” Aaron sounded disappointed.
"You could always come by and visit me.”
"If I come by, I'll want to leave with you.”
Just like that, Amani was wet. Lord how she wanted this man.
"I should be out of here by eleven,” she told him, a hopeful note in her voice.
"Then you'd keep me up all night, and I do have to teach in the morning.”
The very thought of spending a very hot night with him had her body tingling with anticipation. “So you just called to tease me, is that it?”
He chuckled. Amani liked the sound of his laugh. It was warm, sensuous.
"I'll try to come by, even if it's just for a few minutes. But I can't make any promises.”
"Oh.” Amani frowned.
"I know. But I do miss you. And I wanted to give you a call so you'd know I was thinking about you.”
She would be relentless with him when she finally got her hands on him. “I'll talk to you later?”
"You bet.”
"Wait,” Aaron suddenly said. “Don't hang up. Will you be at the cafe alone tonight?”
"No. A girl named Jennifer will be closing with me.”
"Oh, that's good. That makes me feel better.”
Amani secured the phone between her ear and shoulder so that she could pinch herself. No, she wasn't dreaming.
"I have a meeting in five minutes with the other English teachers.”
"And I need to get back to work. We'll talk later.”
"Of course.”
Amani replaced the phone's receiver, feeling as if she had died and gone to heaven.
7
.
Jennifer, why don't you head on home?” Amani suggested. It was
close to nine-thirty, and the place was dead.
Jennifer stopped sweeping and looked at Amani. “Are you sure?
Amani approached her and took the broom from her hands. “Yes, I'm sure. I doubt any more customers will be coming in now. You've done such a great job helping me clean up that I'm sure as soon as ten o'clock rolls around, I'll be able to lock up and get out of here.”
The young girl was already untying her apron. “Thanks a lot.”
Amani watched Jennifer hustle behind the counter. Seconds later, she had her arms through her backpack. “See you Monday,” the girl said.
"Take care. Oh, and Jennifer?”
Jennifer halted on her way to the front door. “Yeah?”
"Good luck on your exam tomorrow.”
Jennifer smiled widely. “Thanks.”
Moments later, the door chimes sounded, and Amani continued sweeping the floor where Jennifer had stopped.
She had been hoping to see Aaron today, but he hadn't shown up after all. Amani would be lying if she said she wasn't disappointed, even though he'd told her he wasn't sure if he could make it. Deep in her heart, she had hoped that he would surprise her.
Maybe tomorrow, she thought, continuing to sweep.
No sooner than the thought came to her mind than the door chimes sounded. Feeling a rush of excitement, Amani looked toward the door. She fully expected to see Aaron, devastatingly sexy, entering the shop.
But her stomach dropped when she saw Earl standing there, not Aaron.
"Earl.” Amani gripped the broom tightly.
"Hey, Amani.”
He started toward her, and panic spread throughout her body. What was he doing here, just moments after Jennifer had left? Had he been watching her?
Amani swallowed. “What are you doing here?”
"I was just passing by. Saw you in here.”
Was he telling the truth, or had he turned into a stalker? “I'm . . . about to close up.”
"Did you give any more thought to tomorrow night?”
As Earl approached, Amani took steps backward. But he approached
faster than she retreated, and now only a table stood between them. Amani had the feeling it wasn't enough. “Tomorrow night?”
"The dinner and show.”
"Oh. I thought I told you I couldn't make it.”
"I've been thinking a lot about what you said. About how you're not sure you're ready for a relationship. And 1 really think this has to do with your ex.”
Was this why he had come here? Warning signs went off in her head. Maybe Earl was harmless, or maybe he was a raving lunatic.
"Why are you looking at mc like that?” he asked.
"Looking at you like what?”
"Like you're scared.”
"I'm not looking at you like that,” Amani replied in a rush. But her voice sounded high-strung even to her own ears, and she wasn't sure Earl believed her.
The phone rang, and Amani nearly jumped out of her skin. Then felt like a fool. “Um,” she began, flustered. “Give me a second.”
She all but ran behind the counter and grabbed the phone. “Hello?”
"Is this Coffee, Tea—“
"Oh.” She blew out a relieved breath. “Hey, you.”
"Are you all right?” Aaron asked.
"We're still open, but not for much longer. Can you make it here in twenty minutes?”
"Something's wrong,” Aaron said, sounding on edge, “Do you need me?”
"Five minutes? Oh, that's perfect.”
"I'm on my way.”
Aaron disconnected, but Amani continued speaking for Earl's benefit. “Oh, I know how lost you can feel when your computer crashes.” She forced a laugh. “Mmm hmm. I can definitely help you with that. Great. I'll be here.”
Slowly, she replaced the receiver. Earl's gaze was like a laser, boring into her. “You're sticking around?”
"Yeah. That was a student who comes here a lot. He recently purchased a used laptop, but apparently it crashed, and he needs to print out a paper.” “Oh.”
"He should be here in five minutes or so. But it will probably take a while to help him get everything straightened out.” Amani planted her hands on her hips. “I'd be happy to get you a coffee or tea, if you want to stick around.”
An All Night Man Page 18