“By the sound of your voice, I take it you’re okay with the way things are.”
“We actually decided to do something a little different. Instead of a friends-with-benefits type of relationship, it’ll be a real one and we’ll see where it leads.” The part of her whose feelings were steadily growing was ecstatic about it, but her warier side still had some reservations.
“So he’s officially your boyfriend now. I love it! Wait till Mom finds out.”
“Speaking of Mom, I have a bone to pick with you.” She went back to her room to fold the first load of clothes and put them away.
Iyana giggled. “My bad. But it’s all good now since you two are really seeing each other.”
“I have no idea how long this is going to last. We just made the decision. For all I know it could fall apart tomorrow, so I’d rather wait a few weeks before telling Mom and Dad. As it is, Dad started grilling me and asking me if he needed to come up and talk to Cedric.”
She could imagine how that conversation would go. She had introduced only one man to her parents, and her father sat and glared the entire time. The words he’d spoken to her later came back: I just don’t get a good feeling about that man. Something’s not right. In hindsight, she should have paid attention because a month later, her ex decided he wasn’t interested in a woman with such a dangerous job. However, Randi didn’t think Cedric would have a problem winning her father over. His upbringing almost guaranteed he’d impress.
“I invited them to the screening of the latest movie I worked on and they said they’d come. It’s two weeks from now. I hope you can come, too. And you might as well bring Cedric and get all the introductions out of the way.”
Randi paused in folding the shirt in her hands. “No way, sis. I don’t think so. We aren’t at the meet-your-parents stage yet. I think I’m on call that weekend, but I’ll come if nothing jumps off.”
“Great. We need to go shopping. I need an outfit and I know you do.”
“What are you talking about? I have nice clothes.” She much preferred pants but had a few dresses stashed in the closet. It reminded her that she should start deciding which one to wear on her date with Cedric, because it would probably take the whole week for her to choose. She made a mental note to schedule an appointment at the hair salon, too.
Iyana snorted. “What passes for nice in your book looks closer to business casual. I’m talking red-carpet nice, you know, something with a little bling. Besides, now that you and Cedric are seriously dating, you’re going to need some sexy dresses.”
Randi sighed. The last time, Iyana had dragged her to malls from Sacramento to San Francisco and everywhere in between. They stayed out so long, Randi seriously considered spending the night in a hotel rather than driving the two hours back home. “Who says I don’t have a sexy dress to wear?”
“Girl, I’ve seen your wardrobe. When is your next date with Cedric?”
“Friday,” she mumbled.
“Oh, shoot. Let me get my calendar up. We’re going to have to go sometime before then.” There was a pause on the line. “Okay. I should be able to leave a little earlier on Tuesday and Wednesday. I’m probably going to have to start looking at some stuff online so I have an idea of what we’re looking for ahead of time. We’ll be power shopping. Which one works better for you?”
Randi sincerely wanted to say neither, but she’d tried that once and Iyana had showed up with an outfit that had alternating four-inch solid and see-through bands and was so short it barely covered Randi’s backside. She had adamantly refused to wear it. As much as she would rather skip the whole ordeal, going would definitely be a better choice. “Wednesday, and I’m driving.”
Iyana laughed. “That’s fine. We’ll only have two or three hours before the mall closes anyway, so you won’t have to endure one of my shopping extravaganzas, dear sister. But, be warned, if you don’t find anything, I will go back the next day without you and get something.”
Randi groaned. “You are such a pain in the butt.”
“But you love me,” Iyana said in singsong.
“Yeah, yeah.” Her cell beeped another call and she pulled the phone away from her ear to check the display. Please don’t let it be another one. “I have to go. Work is calling.”
“Okay. I hope it’s not another fire.”
“Me, too. Talk to you later.” She clicked over to the other line and her heart sank as she listened. “I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Another construction site.
Thirty minutes later, Randi stood off to the side as firefighters battled the fully engulfed, nearly completed office building. By the size of the blaze, she didn’t expect much of the complex to survive. She spotted Brian a short distance away and started in his direction. He glanced up and met her halfway.
“Hey, Randi.”
“Hey. What do you have?”
Brian ran a hand over his blond hair. “So far, it’s the same as the others—fire set at three different points, heavy scent of gasoline.”
“We’ve got a serial arsonist, then.”
“Yeah, and the mayor and the media are going to have a field day.”
“Anybody hurt?”
“No. The building was empty.”
“That’s one good thing.” She pulled out her pencil and sketch pad. “Let me get started. I’ll catch up with you later.”
He nodded and went back the way he’d come.
She began sketching. With the building being located on a main street, someone had to have noticed something. There was a fair number of cars on the road and it was only four o’clock—still enough daylight to see clearly. When she finished, she met up with the detective, and the two interviewed the people who had gathered. As with all the other fires, no one had seen anything or anyone suspicious. They stepped away to speak with the fire captain for a moment and he confirmed the similarities with the other fires.
“This guy must be Houdini,” Brian said in frustration. “How is it that no one saw him coming or going in broad daylight?”
“I wondered the same thing. What about someone driving by? Even if they can’t identify the person, we might be able to find out if we’re dealing with one person or more.”
“I’m planning to talk to the chief about possibly putting out a call through the media for witnesses.” He turned at the sound of one of the officers calling his name. “Be right there.”
“I’ll let you know if I find something.”
“Thanks.” He hurried off.
Several minutes later, her phone buzzed. Randi pulled it out and saw a message from Cedric: The fire’s on the news and I know you’re there. Be careful and text me to let me know you made it home safely. She sent a quick reply, noting that she would. She put the phone back into her pocket. Those spaces in her heart that had been closed opened further.
* * *
“Did you get Randi flowers?”
Cedric glanced down at the phone sitting on the bathroom sink as he tied his tie. He had the speakerphone activated. He’d made the mistake of telling Jeremy about the date with Randi and the new direction of their relationship. “Of course.” Or at least he would once he stopped at the store on the way to her house.
“What kind did you get?”
He paused, then said the first thing that came to his mind. “Roses.”
Jeremy whistled. “That means it’s getting pretty serious. I hope you didn’t get red ones.”
“Why?”
“Red roses mean deep love and desire. Unless that’s the message you’re trying to send...”
Deep love and desire? That was definitely not the message he wanted to send. He liked Randi, a lot, but he wasn’t in love with her. He wanted to ask what color he should get, but he’d just lied about having the roses.
“Your silence says that’s not what you want to say. If I were you, I’d go with pi
nk—something that speaks to grace, elegance and admiration. Not love, but sweet. Now, if you’re still trying to keep this casual, yellow will be your best bet. Those just say friendship or a ‘hey, thinking about you’ kind of thing.”
Cedric had to admit he was impressed with his brainiac brother. Carrying the phone with him, he grabbed a pair of black loafers off the shelf in his closet and sat on the side of the bed to put them on. “Exactly why do you know all of this? Have you been buying flowers for women?” He’d bought flowers for his mother on her birthday and on Mother’s Day, and his female cousins when they gave birth, but no other women. He didn’t count that corsage from prom as flowers.
Jeremy laughed. “I’ve bought flowers for a few women, but I’m waiting on that special one to give those red roses. If you read anything other than books about construction engineering, you’d know this. And Google is your friend. Just look it up.”
“Ha-ha, whatever. Get off my phone before you make me late.”
“Have a good time. Oh, and can you drag this relationship out to at least October or November? I’m trying to keep from paying Zo that two hundred dollars.”
The line went dead before Cedric could tell Jeremy what he could do with that damn bet. He picked up the phone and googled florists and saw that there was one still open a couple of miles from his house. He slipped into his suit jacket, picked up his keys and phone, then left. He did as his brother suggested and chose a bouquet of pink roses arranged in a crystal vase.
By the time he made it to Randi’s house, his heart had started that familiar pounding. And when she opened the door to him, it nearly stopped. All he could do was stare. Her hair flowed around her shoulders and the light makeup she had on made her green eyes even more alluring. She wore a red off-the-shoulder long-sleeved dress that molded to every curve and stopped a good five inches above her knees. His gaze traveled slowly down her body to her bare legs and farther down to the sexy black sandals with one thin strap across the toe and one around the ankle. His arousal was immediate.
“Cat got your tongue?” Randi said with amusement.
Cedric finally found his voice. “Baby, you are stunning!” He handed her the flowers and brushed his lips across hers. “These are for you.”
“Thank you, they’re gorgeous. Come on in.” She left him to follow. “I must say you clean up well, Mr. Hunter.”
So did she. So well, in fact, that they were in danger of missing those reservations. He would never live it down if that happened. “Thanks.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her shapely bottom in that dress. “I sure hope I don’t have to punch somebody out tonight.”
She placed the flowers on the end table, then picked up her wrap and purse. “Why would you do that?”
“If a man so much as glances your way, there’s going to be trouble.”
She came and wrapped her arms around him. In her heels, she stood eye level with him. “That is the nicest thing a man has ever said to me.” She gave him that smile he’d come to look for and placed a sweet kiss on his lips. “And so you know, the same goes for you. In this gray suit, you look like you just stepped off the cover of GQ. I’d hate to have to act up tonight if some woman starts smiling at you.”
He chuckled. Her body pressed against his made it hard to think rationally. “Sweetheart, we need to leave this minute or we’re going to miss dinner.”
Randi hooked her arm in his and led him out the door. “Oh, no, we’re not. I had to endure three hours of shopping with my sister for this date. We are going.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “If it makes you feel better, I think it was totally worth it.”
“Only slightly.”
He shook his head and got them under way. When they arrived downtown, Cedric didn’t even bother with looking for parking on the street and drove straight to the valet. He’d made reservations at Morton’s The Steakhouse. It didn’t take long for them to be seated and their drink order taken.
“You’re still staring, Cedric,” she said with a smile.
“I know. I can’t take my eyes off you in that dress.” He’d never seen her in anything aside from her jeans or casual clothes. He found that no matter what she wore, she exuded a strength, beauty and confidence he hadn’t often seen. The server returned with their drinks and Cedric lifted his glass. “To one day at a time.”
She touched her glass to his and sipped.
“I’m not asking for details about any of the cases, but how are you doing with all the fires? I know it has to be eating at you.”
She set her glass down. “You have no idea how much.”
“Don’t beat yourself up. I believe you and the police are doing everything you can. I heard on the news they’re saying it’s a serial arsonist.”
“Yes, and hopefully, someone who’s seen something will come forward soon.”
He could see the lines of frustration etched in her face and, not wanting to dampen the mood, turned the conversation elsewhere. “You mentioned having to endure shopping with your sister. You don’t like shopping?”
Her smile returned. “I’m okay with shopping when I know what I want. I go in, get it and leave. Iyana, on the other hand, acts like shopping is a weekend excursion. Once, she had me all over the Bay Area—San Francisco, Oakland, Fairfield. We left at eight in the morning and didn’t get home until almost midnight. When I shop with her now, I drive.”
“Most women would think a day of shopping was heaven.”
“I’m not most women.”
“No, you’re not.” She had turned out to be very different from the women he’d dated, and in a good way. Cedric loved her directness and the way they bantered. He would never forget that semi phone sex. It had been all he could do not to leave the site that moment and drive over to her office. Their food arrived and over dinner, they continued to talk about everything and nothing. When it came time for dessert, he declined. “I owe you dessert, remember?”
Randi clasped her hands on the table and leaned forward. “Ooh, I can’t wait. You didn’t forget the brownies, did you?”
“I didn’t forget anything.” The things he planned to do with her and that chocolate syrup.
* * *
Randi placed her purse on the breakfast bar in Cedric’s kitchen and slid onto a bar stool. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d enjoyed a dinner date so much. She smiled, recalling his reaction when she opened her door. She’d have to concede Iyana this round. Her sister had told her Cedric wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off her and Iyana had been correct. But then, Randi hadn’t been able to stop looking at him in that charcoal-gray suit, either. When they’d walked into the restaurant, the heads of every woman turned. She couldn’t blame them, and she’d had the supreme satisfaction of knowing he was hers. She observed him now as he removed his jacket and tie and draped them over a chair. He went about gathering the fixings for their sundaes.
Cedric placed a plate with brownies and chocolate chip cookies in front of her. “You can have one or both.”
“Are these homemade?”
“Of course. You still doubting my cooking skills?”
“No,” she said, laughing. “I figured you’d pick some up from the store. I didn’t expect you to make them.” Unable to resist, she removed the plastic wrap, broke off a piece of the brownie and popped it into her mouth. It had chocolate chips in it, just the way she liked. She tasted a cookie and found it to be as delicious as the brownie. “I’m having both.” Randi reached for the bowl he put on the bar and added them.
“Do you want to warm them up a little?”
“Yes, please.”
He put the bowl in the microwave for a few seconds, then brought it back. He pushed the ice cream toward her. “Vanilla, cookies and cream or chocolate.”
Her eyes lit up. She added a little of the vanilla and cookies and cream and topped it off with chocola
te syrup, whipped cream and four cherries. She found him watching her with quiet amusement. “What? I like the cherries.”
“I didn’t say anything.” Cedric made himself one and sat next to her. “How is it?”
“It’s so good, but I’m trying to be quiet so I can finish it.” She saw the moment he understood the reference.
He chuckled. “Yeah, you’re right. Keep the vocalizations down, baby.”
“But when I’m done...”
“You can be as loud as you want.”
A low pulsing started between her thighs and she squeezed them together. Randi focused on eating her food, but the heat rising between them threatened to melt the ice cream and her. It didn’t help, watching the way Cedric slid the spoon in and out of his mouth and the way his tongue swirled around the ice cream. She could barely finish hers. A few minutes later, she pushed the empty bowl aside and turned on the stool to face him. “You said I could have anything with my sundae. Well, what I want is you.”
Cedric didn’t hesitate. He hopped down and lifted her into his arms. “Grab that bottle of chocolate syrup. I hope you’re ready.”
“With pleasure.” And yes, she was more than ready.
Chapter 13
Wednesday, Cedric finished the section of flooring he’d been working on in the gym and stood. Instead of installing the thinner rubber flooring like at Khalil’s LA gym, he’d opted for the heavy-duty model that measured almost a half inch thick to provide extra cushioning and better durability.
Lorenzo came to where Cedric stood. “This is going to be nice when it’s done.” He took a few steps on the newly laid area. “Far sturdier. It’ll stand up well to the weight of all the equipment. Did Khalil ask for it?”
“That’s why I chose it, and no. It’s a little upgrade I threw in.” Cedric always went above and beyond for their clients, and even more so for family. He and Lorenzo started working on the next section. “Is everything just about cleaned up at the strip mall site?”
“Yeah. I called Preston before I left and he agreed to meet us out there tomorrow.”
Spark of Desire ; All for You Page 14