Taylor stopped at the kitchen doorway in time to hear Curt say, “Maybe one weekend you can give me a lesson.”
He had his back to her, but she saw the big smile spread across her niece’s face. He might not have spent time around kids Reese’s age, but he was damn good with her. She’d noticed that on both occasions he’d had dinner with them. What she heard now was further proof.
“And if you want, and it’s okay with your grandmother, I’ll give you a lesson or two in lacrosse.”
Reese had bugged them about trying lacrosse this spring. They hadn’t told her no, but rather made her decide between it and soccer because the two conflicted. As expected, Reese stayed with soccer. She’d started playing in preschool and loved it.
Excitement filled her niece’s face. “Please, Mimi? Can he?”
“If Curt wants to give you a few lessons, it’s fine with me. But no bugging him about it. He’ll let you know when he has the time,” Mom answered.
Taylor wouldn’t put it past Reese to ask him about it every time she saw him. “Mimi’s right. You can’t nag him about it.”
Hearing Taylor’s voice, Reese switched her attention from her grandmother to her aunt. “Auntie Taylor, you look so beautiful.”
Beautiful might be stretching it, but she appreciated Reese’s compliment.
Curt stood and turned when Reese spoke. “She’s right.” His voice sent a ripple of sensual excitement up her spine. A sensation she hadn’t experienced in a long time.
“Thank you.” She couldn’t recall the last guy to tell her something like that. Should she return the compliment? It wouldn’t be a lie if she did, although perhaps beautiful was the wrong adjective. Dressed in khaki-colored pants and a crisp white button-down shirt, he personified sexy.
“Auntie Taylor, I’m goin’ to teach Curt how to play soccer, and he’s goin’ to teach me lacrosse,” Reese explained excitedly.
“So I heard. Sounds like a fair trade to me.”
“Auntie Taylor taught me how to play. Maybe she can help me and then you can teach her lacrosse, too.”
Taylor wouldn’t mind getting some one-on-one lessons from Curt, but not in lacrosse.
“If she’s interested, I’ll give her some lessons too.” Curt’s already-sensual voice took on an undertone, one that said his thoughts ran in the same direction as Taylor’s, and she met his gaze. The interest reflected in his incredible blue eyes confirmed her suspicion.
“When can we start?” Reese asked. “Tomorrow?” Reese, like most kids her age, wasn’t one for patience.
“Maybe,” Curt answered before either Taylor or Mom could say a word. “If not tomorrow, soon. Promise.”
No doubt about it, the guy sure knew how to handle her niece. “I’m ready to leave when you are.” She didn’t know where the night would end up, but she was eager to get it started.
“Can I come?” Reese asked.
Taylor didn’t date often, but men had picked her up at home before. Reese had never before asked to come along. It looked like her niece shared her interest in Curt. And interest put it mildly. He’d captured her attention and refused to give it back. Countless times since their last outing, he’d popped into her thoughts, sometimes at the most inconvenient times.
“Not tonight. Besides, you and Mimi have plans, remember? You’re going shopping for Hazel’s birthday present.”
Reese pouted, but didn’t beg to come along. “Will you come check on me when you come home?”
“Always do.”
Outside, Curt opened the passenger door before she could touch the handle. He waited until she sat down before closing the door and walking around the front of SUV. Yup, he’s definitely classy.
He started the vehicle and backed down the long driveway.
“Do you need directions?” she asked. He hadn’t lived in the area long, and he’d admitted he hadn’t explored much since moving.
“No need. I got it.”
Looked like even classy guys didn’t like to get directions when they drove. If he got lost it wouldn’t be her fault.
She’d never visited Italy, so she had no firsthand knowledge to go on, but the inside of Pellegrino made her feel as if she’d stepped inside a Tuscan restaurant. Everything from the wall color to the furniture and fireplace had been well thought out to transport customers away for a short while.
The hostess led them to a table for two. A single candle burned, and a small dish filled with olive oil for dipping bread sat in the center.
Like he had at the Java Bean, Curt pulled the chair out for her. In either a coincidence or because he remembered her preference, he gave her the seat facing the main entrance.
“These are our dinner menus.” The hostess handed them each a large leather menu. “And this is our wine menu.” She placed the third menu near the table’s edge. “Your server will be right over.”
“I’m not sure what I’m in the mood for tonight.” Curt opened the menu, but his attention remained on her. “What about you? Any thoughts?”
Maybe you. Taylor opened her own menu, glad that mind reading was impossible, considering her current thoughts. “Maybe a pasta dish. The last time I ate here, they served beef brasato. It was delicious, but I’d like to try something else.”
They both spent several minutes looking over the menu. Pellegrino offered traditional Italian dishes from each region of the country, so there was no shortage of options. Only after they’d ordered wine, something Curt picked out, and their entrees, did she start a conversation.
“For someone who doesn’t spend time around children, you’re great with them. You made Reese’s day. She’ll probably plan out a whole soccer training program for you tonight when she gets home.”
“She makes it easy.”
“Easy and Reese are not words I always associate with each other,” she said with a smile. “When we told her someone bought the Cranston house, she hoped some children her age would move in. She gets lonely sometimes, and we can’t always drive her over to a friend’s house.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint her.”
“After your promise tonight to let her teach you soccer, I think she’s glad you moved in next door.” Her niece wasn’t the only one pleased he’d moved in, either.
Some emotion passed across his eyes, and he shifted in his seat. “I’ll make sure she gets her first lesson in soon.”
***
No matter how many five-star reviews a restaurant received, there was always a chance the food wouldn’t live up. Tonight, though, the reviews he’d read about Pellegrino proved accurate. The tagliata had been authentic and the service superb. The desserts and after-dinner drinks set in front of them now looked just as fabulous.
He watched Taylor’s lips close around her fork, the sight oddly erotic. He had no plans for them after dinner, but he liked the idea of taking her back to his house. Usually Curt could read the women he took out and know if they expected an invite back to his place. Some even made it easy and did the inviting themselves. Taylor wasn’t as easy to read. Sometimes she looked at him as if she wanted to tear his clothes off and have sex on the table. Other times her expression said she was enjoying herself, but not looking for anything extra tonight.
“Mmm, this is so good. Wait until you try it,” Taylor said, and he forced his eyes away from her mouth.
They’d both ordered tiramisu for dessert, but while he’d gone for an espresso, she’d chosen a latte. “Better than the mixed berry pie last weekend?” He hadn’t touched his yet.
“Not better, just different.”
He picked up his fork and her eyes followed his movements as he took a taste.
“Well?” Taylor asked.
“It’s good, but I think I’ll need to try the pie again before I give you a definitive answer on which is better.”
“How about I bring one over tomorrow after I drop Reese off at her friend’s birthday party?”
They’d spent a fair part of dinner discussing his plans for his k
itchen. She’d shared some personal information about herself, too, but she hadn’t mentioned the how and why of Reese living with her and Priscilla. He’d kept his mouth closed on the matter. The more personal questions he asked, the more likely she’d do the same. Vague answers like he came from a big family and had two siblings would only fly for so long, especially with Taylor. Eventually she’d expect more specifics. If and when he did share his full identity, he didn’t want to do it in a crowded restaurant.
She didn’t give him a chance to answer her question about bringing over pie. “What’s wrong?” Taylor asked, setting down her fork.
He parted his lips, an answer prepared, but she spoke again.
“And please do not say nothing. I read people’s facial expressions all the time, so I’m pretty good at it. If you don’t want me to come by, you can say it. I won’t be offended.”
So much for his intended response. “You can come by anytime. Pie or no pie.” He reached over and entwined his fingers with hers. “When you mentioned Reese, I wondered if asking why she lived with you and not her parents would be appropriate or not.”
She pressed her lips together. “You can ask me anything.” She sounded weary. “And the reason Reese lives with me and Mom is no big secret.”
Chapter Six
“Eliza, my older sister, is Reese’s mom. I think I told you we’ve always been opposites.” Taylor pushed her dessert away, even though much of it remained. Since she’d raved about how tasty it was, Curt took that as a sign this was a difficult topic for her. “I never understood how we could be so different. We have the same parents. And they gave us the same opportunities.”
Considering how different he and his older brother, Brett, were, this was a topic he could understand. “I’ve thought the same thing about me and my older brother. Personalities play a big role in the choices we make.”
“My dad was a cop in town, but that didn’t stop Eliza from getting into the drug scene in high school. At least that’s when she said it started. I know she started drinking alcohol in middle school. She went to UNH for a year, but after freshman year she dropped out. She’d failed every course anyway. She bounced from job to job and guy to guy for a few years. Whenever she needed money, she’d show up at our parents’ house. They always gave it to her.”
Considering the story so far, Curt wondered if her sister had passed away. Drugs claimed a lot of lives, and it would explain why Reese lived with them and not her mother.
“When Eliza got pregnant, we hoped she’d finally get clean. Mom and Dad got her into rehab. When she got out, she moved in with them until Reese was born. We all thought she was finally on the right path. That she’d stay off drugs for her daughter. Get her life together.”
He heard the bitterness in her voice.
“About two months after Reese was born, Eliza moved out. She took Reese with her but she’d drop Reese off with Mom several days a week, and often with me on the weekends. She always claimed she had to work. I didn’t believe her, and deep down I don’t think Mom did either.” Taylor paused and took a sip of her latte. “When Reese was seven months old, Eliza’s boyfriend at the time and one of his friends decided to hold up a convenience store. Eliza didn’t go into the store, but she drove the car. She was arrested and sent to prison, too. Thankfully, no one was hurt. She would’ve gotten a much longer sentence if they’d shot the clerk working that night.”
He wished he’d never asked about Reese’s mother.
“I became Reese’s legal guardian after that. My sister giving me custody might be the only smart thing she ever did. I think deep down she knew she could never give Reese what she needed, regardless of whether she was in prison or not. Because my hours are sometimes crazy, I moved back in with my mom. Dad passed away a few months before Eliza was arrested, so I think it was good for Mom to have us there.”
He couldn’t imagine finding himself in a similar situation. “What about Reese’s father? Didn’t he want custody?”
“Eliza doesn’t know who Reese’s father is. Considering the men my sister spent time with, Mom and I are okay with that.”
Curt usually knew what to say, but not now. How did one respond to a story like hers? The problems he’d faced in life were nothing compared to this. “I’m so sorry, Taylor. I can’t imagine what it’s been like for you and your mom.”
“Mom struggled with it for a long time. She’s doing better, though. I think having Reese helps. It’s hard to be upset with her around. And it sounds crazy, but I’m glad Dad wasn’t alive when it happened. I think it would’ve been even harder for him than it was Mom.”
He thought of the friendly little girl who wanted to teach him soccer. Curt hadn’t known her long, but he agreed with Taylor’s comment. “It must’ve been hard for you, too, when it happened. In essence losing a sister and becoming a parent overnight.”
“Yes and no. I’d really hoped she’d get her life together, but part of me knew it wouldn’t happen. Some people can’t change no matter how much help and support they have. When we found out Eliza had been arrested, it wasn’t a surprise. She’d been arrested once before, just not for something serious enough to send her to prison.”
Curt agreed. He’d seen a few acquaintances spiral out of control with drugs and alcohol, despite good support systems. As far as he knew none had ended up in prison, but having powerful, influential relatives tended to help with matters such as those. “Is Eliza still in prison?”
Taylor shook her head. “She’s out now, but I’m not sure where she is. She called my mom about seven or eight months ago. Said she needed money for food. Mom’s heard that too many times to just hand over cash. Mom told Eliza she’d meet her at the store and they’d go shopping together.”
He knew the answer to his next question before he asked it. “What happened?”
“She told Mom to forget it and hasn’t called since.”
Yeah, the answer he’d expected.
“Eliza didn’t even ask about Reese the day she called.” The bitterness was back in Taylor’s voice.
One word described a woman like Eliza Walker: bitch.
“Reese doesn’t know any of this. We’re waiting until she’s older to tell her everything. For now she just knows her mom couldn’t take care of her so she came to live with me. I’m dreading the conversation, but she deserves to know the truth. Mom and I both hope when she learns about Eliza, it’ll keep her away from drugs.”
“Sounds like the right decision.”
Taylor pulled her hand from his and reached for her dessert again. “Enough with this depressing subject. Time for something more interesting.”
“Name it.”
Genuine curiosity replaced the pain and anger in her eyes. “You.”
He’d opened himself up to this by asking about her sister. “Me?”
She’d shared more with him than any other man in recent memory, partly because he’d asked but also because she wanted to. Although there remained a lot she didn’t know about Curt, she couldn’t ignore the feelings he kicked up inside her. Feelings, both emotional and physical, she wanted to explore. Considering the way he kept looking at her, he wanted to do some exploring, too. At the moment, she wasn’t sure if he wanted to explore more than just her body. But since he showed a true interest in her family, she hoped it ran deeper than some simple physical gratification.
“Yeah, you. You said you come from a big family, but don’t talk much about them. Do they live around here?” Taylor understood not everyone wanted to share information quite as personal as the details she’d just shared with someone they barely knew. That didn’t mean he couldn’t offer a little more about his background.
Curt signaled for their server to come over. When she arrived, he requested another espresso. “Do you want anything else, Taylor?” he asked her.
“Sure, why not? Another latte would be fabulous.”
After the server left, several seconds passed before he spoke. “My parents live in Rhode Islan
d. My sister Leah lives in Connecticut. Brett, my older brother, lives wherever Uncle Sam tells him to.”
Now they were getting somewhere. He’d shared some actual names with her. She’d noticed up until now he never referred to any family members by name.
“Perhaps about half my family is in the New England area, but I have a few cousins in New York and Virginia. I have at least one cousin out in California. Another was talking about moving there, but I’m not sure if he ever did. We’ve never been close, so we don’t stay in touch. And I have an uncle and aunt in the Washington, D.C. area.”
“Sounds like you always have someplace to go on vacation.”
“You could say that.”
A different server appeared again with their drinks. Taylor didn’t miss the once-over the woman gave Curt as she set down his espresso. She couldn’t blame the waitress. Curt was too yummy for his own good. There was something else about him, too. This aura of class and power clung to him. Called attention to him. Whatever existed in his background, it didn’t include ex-convicts like hers did. Curt didn’t seem to mind, though, so she wouldn’t worry about it either.
“I love visiting D.C., especially in the springtime before it gets too hot. I was in Virginia for some training last year and spent a day in D.C. before coming home. When Reese gets a little older, Mom and I plan to take her there. A few agents I graduated the academy with work in D.C. but live in Virginia and drive in every day. Does your uncle live in the city or on the outskirts?”
Curt shifted in his seat and reached for his espresso. “My uncle and aunt live right in D.C. They’ve lived there for several years, but visit New England when they can. They have a beach house in Newport, Rhode Island. And the whole family tries to get together for New Year’s Eve. My uncle throws a party every year. There’s always at least one person who can’t make it. Usually it’s my brother.”
If Brett lived wherever Uncle Sam told him to, it meant he was in the military. “You don’t see your brother much?”
“No. I haven’t seen Brett since my cousin’s engagement party last summer. I was surprised he even made that. He didn’t make Derek’s wedding. But we keep in touch.”
The Billionaire Next Door (The Sherbrookes of Newport Book 10) Page 7