by Unknown
“Rafael, get to the point.”
He kissed her on the forehead. “We never got to go on a ride together where you’d be scared and close your eyes and cling to me. Nor did we get around to your eating cotton candy, getting sticky, and me kissing it off. Nor did I have a chance to win you a stuffed animal so you’d be proud and happy.”
Her heart sighed. “I’ve seen the Pavilion Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach several times. It gave me the idea for the carnival. When I was a teenager I wanted everything you mentioned, but that was long ago. Besides, they’re closing up and I have to get back to work.”
“You aren’t the only one who can make a deal with the owner.” Grabbing her hand, he started toward the carnival rides.
Surprised and pleased, Nathalyia allowed Rafael to lead her toward the Ferris wheel in the middle of the carnival. From the center of the Ferris wheel, lights exploded in various patterns. After helping her into a seat, Rafael sat beside her and closed the latch. The attendant checked the bar, nodded his approval, and went back to the controls.
Nathalyia clutched Rafael’s arm at the first sudden jerk of the wheel, then she laughed. “I can’t believe I did . . .” Her voice trailed off as they rose higher and she could view the surroundings. “Oh, my. It’s beautiful.”
Rafael curved his arm around her shoulders. “You’re supposed to be scared.”
She heard the teasing laughter in his voice and leaned into him. “Is this better?”
“Much.” He wrapped his other arm around her and held her closer.
They went around three times before Nathalyia was satisfied enough to move to one ride after another. She was spending as much time as possible with Rafael holding her.
Rafael slowly walked Nathalyia to the front door of Fontaine. It was thirty minutes before closing. A steady stream of people passed them. “I’ll wait in the bar until you’re ready to go home.”
“I hate to keep repeating myself, but Jake can take me home.”
“I’m taking you home.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “I’m looking forward to my good-night kiss.” He straightened to open the front door and ushered her inside. “Just let me know when you’re ready.” Not giving her a chance to argue, he went to the bar.
As he expected, the bar was a beehive of activity. There were only a couple of empty seats at the bar and one table open. Not wanting to take up a table in case there were late arrivals—which he hoped there weren’t—he took a seat at the end of the bar where he’d have a clear view of Nathalyia heading to her office.
She stopped, waved, and continued on. He waved back, looking forward to the time when they’d be alone and he’d have her in his arms again.
“What can I get you?”
Rafael’s gaze moved to the bald-headed bartender he knew was Jake, who had the muscular build of a man who took care of his body. Rafael didn’t know what the connection was between the two, but from the hard look in Jake’s blue eyes, he wouldn’t have any problem rearranging Rafael’s face if he stepped out of line with Nathalyia.
“You drinking or not?”
“Iced tea,” Rafael answered.
The bartender’s eyes widened a fraction. The order obviously surprised him, but Rafael could see Jake couldn’t decide if Rafael was trying to be funny. “I seldom drink liquor,” Rafael explained. He and Nathalyia were getting along well. He didn’t need any waves. From the distrustful way Jake stared at him, he could cause a tidal wave of problems.
“Hi, Rafael.” Clarice stopped beside him. “You abandoning me?”
He smiled into her mischievous face. She’d pulled her shoulder-length red hair into a ponytail. “I didn’t want to take up space if there were any latecomers.”
“Considerate, but unnecessary.” Clarice looked at Jake. “He drinks iced tea, Jake.”
“I can handle the bar,” he said, and moved off.
Clarice stuck out her tongue at Jake’s retreating back, then turned to Rafael. “His bark is worse than his bite.” She leaned over. “I’m on your side; he isn’t.”
“I figured as much. Thank you, but do you mind if I ask why?”
“Nathalyia is a fabulous boss and a dynamic businesswoman, but you know what they say about all work and no play,” Clarice told him. “She needs to have a little fun.”
The glass of iced tea hit the bar with a thump. “Table eight is trying to get your attention.”
“I can handle my tables,” she said with the same bite. “He’s had enough. I was on my way to the kitchen to get him a cup of coffee.”
“What’s keeping you?”
“Jake, you try my patience.” She reached over and patted his scarred cheek. The burly man jerked his head back and looked ready to bolt. “It’s a good thing I know why you’re so grouchy.” She looked at Rafael. “Duty calls.”
Rafael stared at her as she continued toward the kitchen. “She’s something.”
“Isn’t one woman enough?” Jake snapped.
Rafael knew a jealous man when he saw one. He casually picked up his tea and sipped. “I can admire a woman without lusting after her.”
“I’m watching you.” With that warning, Jake moved off.
“You’re the cause of that,” Jake muttered as they neared Clarice’s car in the back parking lot. Fontaine had closed for the night.
“That” was Rafael and Nathalyia leaving together. Clarice watched the taillights of the Mustang disappear around the corner of the restaurant. Clarice didn’t care what Jake thought. It did her heart good to know that there were still good, caring men out there. Which meant there might be a man out there for her.
“I know you heard me.”
Continuing to ignore Jake, Clarice kept walking. Although he was peeved with her, he walked her to her car as he did every night she worked.
She hadn’t once thought he wouldn’t. Jake was a man with a strong code of right and wrong, a true Southern gentleman where women were concerned, the kind of man she’d met precious few of.
“Just because he’s a cop doesn’t mean he can be trusted.”
Clarice threw an impatient look at Jake and stopped. He looked angry, but there were lines of worry in his strong face.
Nathalyia was a grown woman, and although he didn’t like her dating Rafael, he was powerless to stop her. Without thinking, Clarice gently touched Jake’s arm. This time he didn’t jerk back.
In her experience, it was rare to find a man who truly cared. Her father had left soon after she was born. Her two brothers didn’t come around unless they needed money. Men wanted to use her, not protect and love her.
“Jake, I agree that my track record is a disaster, but you have to admit, we haven’t seen her this happy in a long time.”
“He could be biding his time.”
“Or he could genuinely care about her. I think he does and wants this to work out for them. I think she does, too,” Clarice told him.
“He just better not hurt her.” Jake’s expression hardened. “I’m watching him.”
Clarice wanted to give Jake a comforting hug. He had his mind made up, and nothing she could say would change it. “Why don’t you trust him?”
“It’s been my experience working the bar that a lot of men who look like him play the field.” Anger flared in his eyes again. “He was looking at you.”
She laughed. “Rafael was just being friendly. He has no interest in me. Look at me. Why should he want me when he has Nathalyia?”
“There’s nothing wrong with the way you look,” Jake snapped.
She frowned. “Rafael really has you steamed. Tell you what. I’ll hold him while you beat him to a pulp if you’re right. If I’m right, you take me for a ride on that snazzy motorcycle of yours.”
She rolled her eyes at the panicked look in his, the same look he’d given her when she’d first brought it up when he’d walked her to her car last month and she’d seen the gleaming red and black motorcycle. “I’ve seen people riding motorcycles that are heavier t
han I am.”
“I told you, it’s not that.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “I just don’t like people riding on my motorcycle.”
“I’m not ‘people,’ ” she told him. At her car, she manually unlocked it and opened the door.
“I thought you were going to have the automatic lock fixed?” Jake said, holding the door as she got inside.
“It was more than replacing the battery in the key like I thought. The apartment deposit took precedence.” She started the motor. “And before you lecture me again, I always have my key out and I look around to check my surroundings when I approach my car and my apartment.”
“It’s better to be safe than sorry. Night.” He closed the door.
Clarice lowered the window. Thank goodness it still worked. The one on the passenger side didn’t. Jake would have a fit if he knew. “Good night, Jake. Nathalyia will be fine, and I want my ride.”
He stepped back. “Drive safely.”
Clarice backed out and drove away. Jake watched until she was on the street, then slowly walked to his Trans Am. It was a good thing she didn’t know he cared or his slip about the cop watching her might have made her suspicious or, worse, uncomfortable.
Although it was rough being around her when he was unable to tell her how he felt, at least he was near her. As for his taking her for a ride on his bike, he’d like nothing better. But that would mean she would have to hold on to him, press her lush body against his. It would be sheer torture, physically and emotionally.
Head down, he walked to his car. Perhaps he should cruise by Nathalyia’s house. He discarded the idea almost before it formed. She wouldn’t appreciate it, and it would solve nothing. All he could do was watch and wait. But if the cop messed up, he’d answer to him.
“I don’t think your bartender likes me,” Rafael said, his arms around Nathalyia’s waist as they stood in the foyer of her house.
“I’m sorry. Jake and Martin were very close friends. I think Martin asked him to look after me.”
Rafael stared down at Nathalyia’s beautiful, trusting face and felt protective, an emotion he’d never experienced before to this degree with a woman he’d dated. He could easily see why her husband wanted to ensure she was taken care of after he was gone. He could even see Jake’s point, and was glad he was there to watch out for her.
“Don’t apologize. He can try to scare me off all he wants.” He gathered her closer. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’m glad.” She lifted her mouth to his, her body curving naturally into his. He felt the warmth, smelled the floral scent mixed with spices she always wore, felt her tremble in his arms.
“I better let you get some sleep.” He eased her away from him. He was more than ready to take her to bed, but she wasn’t there yet. He sincerely hoped it wasn’t too much longer.
“I had a wonderful time on the rides. Thanks for indulging me.”
After the Ferris wheel she had wanted to ride the Tilt-A-Whirl and the carousel. She’d been as gleeful as the children had been earlier. “Since we never made it to the concession stands or the games, how about we go bowling tomorrow night? Before you say no, I can pick you up around seven and have you back by nine.”
“I don’t know how to bowl,” she said with a frown.
“I can teach you,” he told her.
He could see the possibility of his doing just that take root in her mind. She looked up at him through a sweep of her lashes. “You’d have to stand extremely close to show me.”
“Yes, I would.”
She leaned into him. “Then how can I refuse?”
A few minutes after ten the next morning Rafael punched in Nathalyia’s cell phone number and waited for her to pick up. He couldn’t keep the wide grin off his face.
“Hello.”
His smile widened. “Morning, Nathalyia. I was thinking that you never got your corn dog or cotton candy last night.”
“I got my rides,” she said, laughter in her voice.
“Doesn’t count as the true carnival experience,” Rafael said. “Would it be disloyal to Fontaine if you ate food from another restaurant on the premises?”
“You’re at the carnival?”
“The mall,” he answered. He’d been waiting at the door when it opened. He’d come up with the idea while shaving. “Should I bring them to you or can you meet me?”
“I haven’t agreed to anything.”
“Couldn’t slip that one by you, huh?”
“No,” she said, chuckling, “I’m Fontaine’s event coordinator, and I need to return several phone calls this morning.”
“Come on, Nathalyia. You probably didn’t eat breakfast again. I’m already the talk of Corn Dog World. We could sit in the courtyard and enjoy the beginning of a beautiful day.”
“It had better be the best corn dog ever,” she said.
“If not, we’ll find another place and keep trying. See you in fifteen.”
Nathalyia was waiting for Rafael on the covered patio when he pulled up. The man was built and a great kisser to boot. He made life interesting and fun. Slamming out of his car, he waved and hurried to her. She eyed the large drink and paper bag. “Corn dogs for breakfast.”
“It’s a first for me, too.” He nodded to the small white wrought-iron table behind her. On top were plates and flatware. “I see you have things ready.”
“Of course.” Nathalyia took the bag from him and placed one corn dog on her plate and two on his. Beside each plate were small containers of ketchup and mustard.
“I’m saving the cotton candy for another time.” He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “When I can leisurely kiss it from your mouth.”
Heat zipped though her. Her eyes went to his mouth.
“Don’t look at me like that or I’ll get us both in trouble.” He pulled out a chair.
She sat because her legs were trembling. Taking the chair next to hers, he scooted closer and put the corn dogs on one plate. “Mustard or ketchup?”
She had never had one before and didn’t care that much for hot dogs. Rafael, not the food, had caused her to leave the work piled on her desk. “Mustard,” she answered, her voice breathy.
Dunking the corn dog in the mustard, he held it to her mouth. She took a small bite. He watched her the entire time.
“Good?” he questioned.
She nodded. “Good. You’re saved.”
Chuckling, he dabbed the corn dog into the mustard and took a huge bite. He pushed the drink toward her. “Have a sip.”
It finally dawned on her that he planned for them to share. She drank the strawberry lemonade, leaving traces of her lipstick on the rim of the paper cup. He picked up the cup and placed his mouth exactly where hers had been. Her stomach muscles tightened. “I think it’s you who’s going to get me into trouble.”
His eyes heated. “Tonight can’t come fast enough for me.”
“Me, either.” She took the corn dog from him, took a bite, dabbed it in mustard, and offered it to him. “When do you think you might find that cotton candy?”
The bowling alley was like nothing Nathalyia had ever seen. She should have known it was different when Rafael pulled up in front of the valet stand and then, at a door covered with red quilted leather, they were welcomed by a hostess.
Inside, the décor was ultramodern in shades of red, black, and orange. Instead of a concession stand there was a sushi bar and a restaurant. There was the sound of bowling balls hitting and rolling down the lanes, then slamming into the pins, and laughter filled the air.
After they’d put on their bowling shoes and secured their lane, Rafael patiently showed her how to hold the ball and how to follow through on her swing.
“I might regret this,” Rafael said, then shook his head. “A pink bowling ball.”
“I won’t tell anyone if you don’t,” she told him with a grin.
He curved his arms across her waist. “See that you don’t.”
She wanted to stay there i
n his arms, basking in the approval in his beautiful black eyes. She might have been embarrassed if there hadn’t been an announcement at eight P.M. that no one under seventeen would be allowed to remain. There had been shouts of approval. Couples were more affectionate, but no one went overboard. “I promise.”
He tilted his head downward, then stopped inches from her waiting lips and released her. Regret stared back at her. “You make me forget.”
“Is that good or bad?” she asked.
“Let’s say it’s a first,” he said slowly, as if he wasn’t sure how he felt about it.
“It’s a first for me as well.” She tilted her head to one side. “Just like the corn dog breakfast this morning.”
His smile returned. “Like I said, stick with me.”
She had every intention of doing just that. Pushing herself out of his arms, she went to the bowling lane and picked the ball up the way he had shown her earlier. She glanced around at the bowlers on either side of her. Bowling pins went crashing down for a strike. Yells went up. Fists were pumped.
“Everyone has to learn. Come on and show me what you can do with Ms. Pinkie,” Rafael told her and stepped back.
Staring at the pins, she breathed deeply, took four steps, and released the bowling ball, trying to follow through on the swing and keep her arm straight. She grimaced as the hot pink ball bumped before rolling toward the row of pins, then slowly curved to the left.
“No. No,” she said. The ball kept going, clipping a pin just before it plopped into the gutter. Disappointed, she turned to Rafael. “I know, I was horrible.”
“The first time I went bowling it was on a school field trip. It took me three tries before I hit a single pin.” He glanced at her ball as it came back. “You have another try. Put more speed on it and keep your eye on the center pin.”
Nathalyia picked up her ball, went over the steps in her head, and tried again. The ball stayed in the center of the lane this time, maintaining speed instead of slowing down, hitting the center pin, knocking all the pins down.
Nathalyia screamed with glee. Pumping her arms, she ran to Rafael. “I did it! I did it!”