“You can hate me all you want to. I get it, and I accept it, but you’re going to help me get this grant for these kids, or I’m going to contact your buddies down at the Foundation Center and strongly suggest they reconsider sending you any more referrals because you won’t work for people you don’t like.”
“You’d better not.” She should have never told him her old coworkers sent her referrals.
“Think I won’t?”
Furious, their brown gazes locked, both of them refusing to look away. Perhaps if they had, the frigid tension in the little office wouldn’t have mutated into something familiar. The air became charged, and insidious warmth, slow and sneaky, crept through her limbs.
“For someone who’s over it, you sure are mad at me,” Matthew whispered. “Makes me wonder if there’s something else behind all the anger.”
“There is. Hate.”
“Nah. I don’t think so.”
Without warning, he reached out and removed her glasses. Lorena grabbed at air as he lifted them above her head. “I need those.”
“You only need them for reading. You can see me just fine.” He stepped closer again, and this time she could feel the heat from his taut, hard body.
“Stop. Right now.”
“Don’t look at me like that,” he said.
“Like I hate you?”
He didn’t even flinch. “No. Like you want me.”
“It’s your imagination.”
He lowered his gaze to her lips. “I wasn’t lying when I said I miss you.” His voice had dropped lower, deeper.
He was doing it again. Making her weak. Melting her bones, her muscles, her willpower to resist him. Three months wasn’t enough time to get past her feelings, and they were so easily reignited by him.
I hate him. I hate him.
She internally chanted the words in vain. Because she could smell him now. His drugging masculine scent, overlaid by the subtle tone of sandalwood in his cologne, had her stomach bunched up.
His pupils expanded, and she couldn’t look away. “God, I miss you,” he said, as if to himself.
He lowered his head to hers, and his thick lips came within centimeters of her own. If she raised up a fraction, their mouths would connect.
“Get back.”
“I miss you, baby,” he whispered, his voice rough and dark. His warm breath swept lightly across her lips, and he reached up and gently traced her jawline.
Sparks flared on her skin where he touched, and her heart constricted as she struggled against the awakening of feminine desire. He still had the same effect on her. Slowly but surely, he was hypnotizing her, and if she didn’t do something fast, she’d be lost. He’d gain the upper hand.
How dare he? How dare he do this to her?
With his mouth positioned temptingly above hers, she did the only thing she knew to do. She did something drastic—sure to break the spell and drag her back into sanity.
She brought her leg up and kneed him in the groin.
Chapter Two
Matthew’s mouth fell open in shock. He dropped her glasses and staggered back against the desk, clutching his crotch as he doubled over in agony. “Motherfu—”
Lorena clamped her hand over his mouth to halt the expletive. The gravity of what she’d done hit her. “Ohmigod, I’m so sorry. Are you okay? I-I didn’t mean to hit you so hard.” She picked up her glasses and slipped them back on. “It was supposed to be kinda light.”
“Kinda light?” he repeated in a strained voice, still doubled over with his head almost perpendicular to the floor. “You can’t hit a man lightly in this area right here.” He jabbed his finger in the direction of his groin. Then he moaned. “I think I’m gonna pass out.”
“You’re not gonna pass out.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna pass out.”
“Sit down. Here, let me help you.”
He shook his head and put up a hand to stop her. Lorena looked worriedly at him. He seemed to be in so much pain she felt terrible. “Can I get you anything?”
“How about we have this conversation when I’m fully conscious? I’ll be better able to talk then.”
She ignored his sarcastic comments. “You must need something. How about some water?” She felt like an idiot as soon as she said it, but she didn’t know what else to do.
“How about an ice pack?” Matthew said between clenched teeth.
“Ice? Okay.”
He grabbed her wrist before she could run off. “No. No. I’ll be fine.” He let her go and slowly straightened with a heavy groan. “That was low.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t know what else to do. I wanted you to stop.”
“The word ‘stop’ works really well.” Pain contorted his face, and he closed his eyes and clenched his fist. His cheeks puffed out before he let out a heavy stream of air from his lips. “Give me a minute.”
All of a sudden, the situation seemed very funny. He’d been a star football player at Georgia Tech University, leading the team in tackles and blocks. Yet as big and imposing as he was, she’d leveled him with a well-placed knee, and his reaction was downright comical.
Laughter tickled her throat. Before she could stop herself, it came out.
Matthew’s eyes flew open. “I know you’re not laughing.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it,” she said. “I know it’s not funny, but—”
“I can’t believe you’re laughing. You know I may never have children now thanks to you?”
“How many times do I have to say I’m sorry?” She giggled even harder at his dark look because he’d said similar words a few minutes earlier. She took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m better. Really, I’ll stop now.” She forced down another eruption of giggles.
Matthew cut his eyes at her. Then he paced toward the wall, turned, and headed back toward the opposite one.
“What are you doing?”
“Walking it off.”
She remained quiet for a minute. “I didn’t know it would hurt so much if I hit you in the you-know-what.”
Matthew halted in the middle of the room. “They’re called nuts. Or balls, testicles. At least have the decency to call them by their name instead of ‘you-know-what.’” He looked down at his crotch. “It’s going to be all right, fellas. Everything will be back to normal by tomorrow.”
“It takes that long to recover?”
“Yes,” he bit out. “Sometimes longer.”
Lorena bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing again.
“Are we even now?” he demanded.
“Even?”
“Yes, I hurt you and behaved like a jerk. And you just did the same thing. Are we even now?”
Lorena averted her eyes and refused to answer. If she could knee him in the groin every day for the next few months, maybe then they’d be close to being even.
She sat down and shifted some papers out of the way so she could clasp her hands on the desk. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you. It was a reflex action.”
“Yeah, right.”
“It’s true. It’s your fault this happened.”
“Blame the victim,” he said. “I wanted to kiss you, not rape you.”
“I didn’t want you to kiss me.”
“So you say.”
“I didn’t.” She inhaled deeply. He was impossible. “The fact is, if you want to talk, we can talk, but you need to keep your hands to yourself.” Clearly he thought that in addition to hiring her for her grant-writing services, he’d get additional servicing as well. If that’s what he thought, he had another think coming. He didn’t react, as if she hadn’t spoken. “Matt, did you hear me?”
“I heard you,” he muttered. He started pacing again.
“How long are you going to keep walking back and forth?” she asked.
“Until the pain in my back and gut subsides,” he snapped.
Lorena fell silent. He got what he deserved—something she wished she’d been able to do a long time ago. So why did she fee
l so bad about it?
“Maybe we should start over,” she said. He paused and looked at her. She knew she’d regret having anything to do with him, yet she heard herself saying, “Tell me about the grant.”
“Yeah?”
“I said yes, didn’t I? Hurry up before I change my mind.”
Matthew launched into an explanation of the plans for the Harriet Tubman Community Center, where he volunteered, and she concentrated on treating him like any other client.
He performed various roles at the center all year round, but he spent most of his time coaching in the summer, fall, and spring. In the summer, he coached the boys’ football summer camp, and in the fall, he coached their recreational games. He also worked with the basketball team in the spring. Most of the kids who came to the center were at-risk youths. Without funding, the center could close, leaving those young people with idle time on their hands and therefore increasing their chances of getting into trouble.
The after-school program at the center enabled parents who couldn’t afford day care to have a safe place for their kids to stay until they could pick them up after work. Volunteers helped children with their homework. In addition to the basketball, football, and softball teams, the center had art classes and a very active chess club. He told her which grant they wanted to apply for and gave her a quick rundown of funding needs.
Lorena looked up from her notebook, where she’d been taking notes as he spoke. “It sounds like the center’s really strapped for cash. How can they afford to pay me? I can’t roll my fees into the grant proposal.”
“I figured as much. I’m covering your fees.”
Lorena stared at him. “The full amount? I didn’t know you meant it literally when you said ‘my money.’ I assumed the center would cover my fees. Based on the quick turnaround you need, I really will have to charge you a little bit extra. We’re cutting it close on the deadline.”
“This is really important to me. I’ve grown attached to those kids, and I want to see the center stay open. This is my small way of making sure it does.”
“Matthew, there are no guarantees I can win the grant.”
“I know, but I’m not asking for guarantees. You have an eighty-five percent success rate. I only need you to do your best.”
Lorena tried to wrap her head around the fact that Matthew was willing to front the cost. She wasn’t the most expensive grant writer, but her fees would still be substantial. She shouldn’t be surprised by his actions, though. Despite his playboy ways, he had a big heart. She’d seen him at the center, and the kids loved him as much as he did them.
“Of course I’ll do my best. I’ll need the names of my points of contact to get any information I need to put together the proposal. Every single thing the funder requires has to be provided, or they’ll toss the application.”
“We’re ready.” Matthew confirmed it by nodding his head. “I’ll be your point of contact.”
Lorena’s head jerked up. “What about the director?”
“You can talk to him if you need to, but as you know, I know everything you need to know, and if I don’t, I can find out.”
She admired his dedication to the center. He didn’t only coach; he mentored the young men. His strong desire to help was an admirable trait, and one few people—except those close to him—ever saw.
“Fine,” Lorena said, although she didn’t really feel that way. Too much contact with Matthew could be detrimental to her sanity. “At some point I still need to speak to the director to ask about his vision for the center and some other questions. I could use the information in the proposal. As long as you get me what I need in a timely fashion, we’ll be fine.”
“No problem.” He pulled out a card from his pocket. “Here’s the director’s info. I already told him I’ll get them the best person for the job, so whatever you need.”
“You don’t have to flatter me.”
“It’s not flattery. I know you’re good.”
Lorena hit a key on her keyboard to bring the laptop back to life and plugged Matthew’s and the director’s contact information into her database. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, but the truth was, she’d be foolish to turn away anyone when her business was still so young.
“Okay, we’re all set. Let me finish up what I’m working on now, and I’ll touch base with you in a day or two about what I need.”
“Thanks for doing this,” he said in a low tone.
“You’re welcome.” Lorena lowered her gaze to her notepad and pretended to review what she’d written. “You’re paying me, and like you said, your money spends the same as everyone else’s.”
An awkward silence filled the room. “I guess I better get out of here,” he said. He acted as if he didn’t want to leave.
Lorena glanced at the clock on her desk. “I’d better go, too. I’m having an early dinner.”
“How about I take you to dinner?” he asked.
“Not necessary.”
“Lorena, we used to be friends.”
How could he mention that, when he knew the reason they were no longer friends? Because they’d had a sexual relationship, which had ended badly, and now they couldn’t go back. At least she couldn’t. She couldn’t pretend.
She rose to her feet. “I don’t want to have dinner with you.”
“Was it the almost kiss?” he asked. “I shouldn’t have tried to kiss you. I was wrong. But I really miss our friendship, and I hate you’re avoiding coming to family functions because of me.”
He sounded so sincere she almost believed him.
“I have to go. I’m meeting someone.” She picked up her purse from the credenza behind her desk.
“I’ll walk you out.”
“No!” Her vehement response startled them both. She didn’t want to spend any more time with him than necessary. In fact, she planned to limit their contact as much as possible. “I’m going to stop at the restroom before I head out. I’ll talk to you soon.”
“All right.” He nodded, and she watched him leave.
After he left, Lorena stood uncertainly in her office, gnawing her bottom lip. She hoped she hadn’t made a mistake.
****
The one who almost got away.
That’s what Matthew thought of Lorena Vega. He missed her. Life hadn’t been the same without her in it.
Even though he needed her help, he’d been looking forward to seeing her, too. Seeing her again made him realize what he’d been thinking for the past few months was correct. He’d made a big mistake ending their relationship, but he planned to rectify his bad decision. She’d cared about him once, and he knew it could happen again.
She was still upset with him, and understandably so. He’d have to take it slow and woo her—ease her back into feeling comfortable with him. He needed to show her how special she was to him and how much he regretted what he’d done. He was up for the challenge. Next time he stopped by, he’d bring her some flowers, or maybe a box of those truffles she loved from the chocolate shop nearby. He smiled to himself.
“Good-bye, Mr. Hawthorne.”
At the large U-shaped front desk, Rahab smiled at Matthew. She didn’t act surprised to see him still in the building. Her dark brown eyes traveled over him in open admiration, a nice ego stroke after his encounter with Lorena.
He grinned back. “Bye,” he said with a lift of his hand.
“Hawthorne?”
The questioning mention of his name came from the man who’d entered the lobby and walked by him. Matthew hesitated. The other man’s face looked vaguely familiar. He was dark skinned, almost Matthew’s height, with a wiry build and dressed casually in a polo shirt and slacks. The watch on his wrist probably cost half of Matthew’s annual salary.
“Do I know you?”
“Matthew Hawthorne? You don’t know me, but we know the same people.” The stranger retraced his steps. “I’m Lewis Diaz.”
“Whoa, not the Lewis Diaz, son of Major League Baseball player Ju
an Diaz?”
The corners of Lewis’s mouth creased as he chuckled. “One and the same. I played ball myself, but my career wasn’t as successful as my father’s. An injury forced me to stop playing much sooner than I wanted to.” He extended his hand.
No wonder he’d looked so familiar. Lewis was almost an exact replica of his more famous father. Matthew took his hand and shook it vigorously. “It can be hard to come back from an injury. I suffered a multiple leg fracture in college, which ended any chance I had of playing professional football. Nice to meet you. Where’s your father these days?”
“After he retired, he moved back to the Dominican Republic.”
Matthew nodded, then furrowed his brow. “Wait a minute, how do you know my name? You said we have mutual friends?”
“Well, sort of…” He trailed off, which made Matthew even more curious.
“Which friends do we have in common?”
“For starters, Lorena Vega.”
An uneasy sensation settled over Matthew. “You know Lorena?” He had a feeling Lewis Diaz didn’t need grant-writing assistance.
From the corner of his eye, he caught movement in the entryway. Both men turned at the same time, and Lorena stood there. Right away he noticed she’d removed her glasses.
“Hi, sweetheart,” Lewis said.
Sweetheart?
“Hi.” Lorena’s eyes avoided Matthew, and she moved to stand beside Lewis. Wait a minute; she’d touched up her lipstick. Had she touched up her perfume, too? The subtle fragrance was definitely stronger now. “I thought you wanted to meet at the restaurant.”
Lewis’s voice dipped low. “I wanted to surprise you.”
Matthew still hadn’t moved, watching the exchange, watching Lorena. He struggled to get a grip on what was happening. Lewis placed his hand low on her back. Too low. In fact, he didn’t like Lewis touching her at all in that familiar way, as if he did it often.
Lorena looked uncomfortable. “I see you two have met.”
Here Comes Trouble Page 2