by Sam Crescent
His words made her yearn for so much more.
You’re just friends.
For the first time since they’d become friends Lana regretted her decision. Kent was such a nice man, and she was attracted to him.
Shaking her head, she moved away out of his arms. “It was a long time ago. I appreciate your threat, and if it ever happens again I’ll let you know.”
Kent continued to stare at her. “Are you sure?”
“Yeah, I’m much better.”
He put the car back in gear and eased back onto the road.
“Frank has been out of the scene for some time. There are no other men in my life.”
“You work and bake. That’s all.”
“There’s nothing wrong with doing nothing else but work and bake,” she said.
“You’ve got me now, and I’ll make your life much better.”
She laughed. “You’re conceited.”
“I’m telling the truth. I know what I’m doing.”
Lana shook her head. “Get me to this exhibition. I think looking at art will be easier to deal with than listening to you.”
After a few minutes passed, Kent started talking about his family.
“I’ve got two brothers and two sisters. All four of them are settled down with families.”
“You’re the only one single?”
“Yes, see why I need you tomorrow? My parents are going to be talking non-stop about settling down.”
“I’m a perfect distraction.”
“Exactly,” he said.
“Where do you come in? Are you the oldest or youngest?” she asked, intrigued.
“Seth’s the oldest. Then I was born, followed by Eric. Dawn and Sophie come next in the line. My parents were childhood sweethearts. They fell in love during high-school, and my mom was pregnant with Seth at seventeen.”
“Wow, you’re a big family.”
“Seth’s two years older than I am.”
“Your parents sound amazing,” she said, wishing she had some great family story to tell him. She didn’t even know who her father was. Her mother slept around to earn extra money to drink her way to the bottom. There were times she’d seen some of the guys from school leaving her mother’s bedroom. That was the most embarrassing of all. They bullied Lana during school, and yet they were sleeping with her mother when they got the chance.
“They really are. However, being forty-five without children is horrid for them. They want me to have the same as what they had. It drives me crazy.”
“They want what’s best for you.”
He nodded.
Kent fell silent. She didn’t push him even though she was desperate to know what he was thinking.
“During high-school and college I was in love with my best friend, Tonya. She was amazing. I loved her, and we were a couple. I talked with her about everything. There were no secrets between us.”
He pulled up outside the art exhibition.
“She’s married to Seth.”
Lana gasped. “Is that one of the reasons you’ve never settled down?”
“My family thinks so, and so does Seth. I thought it was a reason, but I don’t think it is. I haven’t found the right woman to spend the rest of my life with. Tonya can’t change who she fell in love with. I wasn’t the guy for her.”
He turned the engine off. There were no tears in his eyes, but there was a frown on his face.
****
Why did he share that with her? Kent didn’t like people knowing he was vulnerable. Tonya had broken his heart, and he’d seen the guilt in her eyes during the numerous visits he’d made to his family home.
“I’m so sorry,” Lana said.
“Don’t worry about it. It was a long time ago. We’re here.” He took the keys out of the ignition then made his way around to her side of the car. Lana was already out, waiting for him.
“Thank you for telling me.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and held him close. Her soft breasts pressed to the front of his shirt. Tugging her in tight, he ran his arms over her back. It wasn’t enough, not nearly enough for what he wanted to do with her.
He held her, relishing the closeness.
She smiled up at him. Her face was flushed. “Are you taking me inside?”
“Yeah.” He took her hand and led her inside.
“I’m so happy to be with you,” she said.
“I’m happy to be with you, too.” Kent had to admit he enjoyed their time together even without the sex.
Together they walked into the small art exhibit. He spotted several of his friends including John.
“There are a lot of people here.” She moved closer to his side. Placing an arm at her waist Kent escorted her through to the bar.
“Do you want anything to drink?” he asked.
“No, tea or water will be fine,” she said. His friends hadn’t spotted him yet. He didn’t want them to see her. Once they saw her, they’d try to stick their noses into his business. He liked to keep his personal business private. Also, he liked keeping Lana to himself.
The barman served them both some iced water.
“I need to go to the ladies’ room.” Lana handed him her drink. He showed her to the bathroom before making his way over to his friends.
John stood with his wife, Samantha. Blake and Arnold were alone.
“I didn’t see you come inside,” John said.
He shook his friends’ hands then gave Samantha a kiss on the cheek. “I’m here with someone,” Kent said.
“I hope it’s not that awful Cherrie. Have you seen her exposé in the papers?” Blake asked.
“I’ve seen it, and it made me feel sick to read. There is only so much of my friend’s sex life I need to hear,” John said.
“It’s nice to know you’re not all show and tell kind of guys,” Samantha said.
“No, I’m here with someone else. She’s a friend.” Kent chanced a look behind him. Lana hadn’t come out of the bathroom.
“You’ve got a female friend, or is that code for fuck buddy?” Arnold asked.
“She’s my cleaner. We’re friends. That’s all.”
His friends paused, and their smiles fell. “Seriously?” John asked.
“She’s different. I don’t want you guys to ruin this for me. Lana doesn’t want anything from me but friendship. She’s amazing, and I love being with her. There’s nothing else going on, so don’t try to make something out of it that’s not there,” he said. Looking behind him Kent spotted Lana coming out of the bathroom.
“I’ve got to go.”
He moved to her side. Her glass of water was still in his hands.
“Where’s yours?” she asked, pointing at her water.
“I drank it.”
Lana looked behind him. “Those men are glaring at you,” she said.
He looked to where his friends were glaring at him. “They’re my friends.”
She raised her brow.
“It’s rude not introducing you, I know.”
“Then why aren’t you?” Her smile was still wide even as she looked at him.
“Because I want you to like me afterwards,” he said, teasing her.
Laughing, Lana slapped him on the arm. “I like you, Kent. Your friends won’t make a difference.”
“You haven’t met them.”
“Then introduce me, or are you embarrassed by me?” she asked.
Cupping her cheeks in his palm, Kent forced her to look at him. “Never think that. I’m not embarrassed by you at all.” Taking her hand in his Kent took her over to where his friends stood. Their eyes were wide as they stared at her.
Lana didn’t look anything like his other women. For one, she was a cleaner. Most of the women he dated were models, actresses, or heiresses of some kind. Next, he dated slender women. Lana wasn’t slender. Lana was all woman with curves, breasts, and hips. They all gazed down the length of her body. The skirt and jumper she wore only highlighted her plentiful curves.
Kent introduced her to his friends. For several seconds none of them spoke until Kent cleared his throat.
They all stumbled over themselves, smiling and laughing. Samantha pulled her in tight. Lana looked a little freaked at first before she wrapped her arms around each of them.
“I’m going to take her to have a look at some of the art work,” Kent said.
They said their goodbyes and then moved toward the first landscape.
“How was that?” Kent asked, suddenly nervous about what she thought of his friends.
“Your friends are very affectionate people,” she said.
He’d sensed her nerves around them. “They’re great. I love them.” He’d never admitted his affectionate feelings toward his friends before.
Taking her hand, they walked around the exhibition together. There was nothing outstanding about any of the artwork. Kent held zero interest in the art. He preferred the beautiful fresh-faced woman in front of him. Kent tugged her in front of him. Resting his hands on her hips and his head on top of hers he looked at the art work. She was tense to start but slowly relaxed against him.
No other woman left him feeling so calm and relaxed. Part of him wanted to fuck her while another never wanted to spoil their moments together.
Chapter Eight
The day at the art exhibition was fantastic. Lana couldn’t imagine a better way of spending her time than with Kent. He was sweet, and his friends were great. She saw how relaxed he was around his them. Lana wished she had her own set of friends she was as comfortable around as Kent was with his friends. Afterward at the Italian restaurant she’d sensed a lot of people paying attention to them. The restaurant made her nervous. Everything about Kent’s richer way of life made her nervous. She didn’t like feeling less than he was. When he started with his money and being able to pay for certain things she could never afford, it put her on edge.
His money meant nothing to her, but the way his friends stared at her made her think they were assuming the worst. She’d never be a gold-digger. The concept of using a man for money disgusted her. Lana was more than happy making her own living. She earned enough to keep her going. The bills she kept in the safe would be paid without concern. The two jobs paid for everything she needed.
When he’d paid the waiter she’d nibbled her lip with unease. Kent simply placed a credit card on the tray and that was all. There was no money, and she hadn’t been given a menu with the prices. The place must have been expensive, and there was no way to find out how much dinner actually cost.
Twirling the spoon in her cup of coffee, Lana sat down at the kitchen table. Her hair was bunched up on top of her head. She’d been awake for twenty minutes before rising, simply lying in bed waiting for the time to go by.
Sipping the hot liquid, Lana took her time thinking over the last day with Kent. After the meal he’d brought her home and sat with her watching a movie and eating popcorn.
Blowing out a breath, she stared at the clock. He’d be knocking on her door soon. Should she cancel? She didn’t have his phone number to cancel. As she was about to get changed a knock sounded at her door.
She opened the door wide enough to see Kent stood waiting. “How do you get inside my apartment building? You never beep for permission,” she said
He lifted up a spare key. “I asked the manager to give me a key.”
“That’s not fair. He shouldn’t have given you one.”
“I’ve found money can be a great incentive, along with telling him I was your boyfriend.”
Lana glared at him. “That’s not fair.”
“Are you going to let me in?”
She sighed then unlatched the lock. Opening the door, she stepped back then wrapped the robe around her. “I was going to get dressed.”
“I see your indecision, Lana. What’s wrong?” he asked, stroking her cheek.
“I don’t think I should be the one to go with you to your parents’ house for dinner.”
“Where is this coming from?” Kent asked.
Lana moved away from him. “I’m nowhere in your league. We’re friends, and your family might think I’m something I’m not. I don’t know if I can live with that.”
Her excuses were ridiculous. There was nothing she’d like more than being with him.
“My family will know you’re my friend. Nothing is going to happen, Lana.” He stroked her arms before leaning down to kiss her lips. She kissed him back, and they both froze. Their breaths mingled. She stared up into his eyes. He was so close. This shouldn’t be happening. Her heart pounded as he brushed her lips once again.
“Lana?”
She licked her lips tasting him on her tongue. The tension in the room terrified her. What was happening? There was an underlying attraction between them. She’d sensed their attraction, and she’d be stupid not to have recognised it.
“I’ll go and get dressed.”
Kent pulled away. “I’ll be waiting here for you. Just be yourself. My family are not expecting anything else from you. Please be yourself.”
“I can’t be anything else but myself.” She smiled at him and then closed her bedroom door behind her. Lana rested against the door.
What the hell just happened?
She couldn’t even comprehend what happened. One moment they’d been talking about his family, and then he was brushing his lips against hers. Neither of them had crossed that line before. Biting her lip she moved to her wardrobe. Most of her clothes were jeans and shirts with a few skirts mixed in. The two summer dresses she owned were stored away to preserve them.
Pulling out her favourite pair of blue jeans she settled on a red blouse. Her underwear was plain and black. She’d never win awards for fashion, but she looked reasonable. Leaving her hair down she left the makeup and settled on her glasses rather than the contacts she preferred to wear.
Opening the bedroom door, she spotted Kent looking through one of her cookery books. She cleared her throat gaining his attention. He looked up and froze.
“You wear glasses?” he asked.
“Yes. I tend to wear contacts though, but today I think glasses would work.” She needed the added layer to keep him away. Lana didn’t know if she’d be able to resist him.
It’s all in your head. There’s no way Kent wants you.
He’s got supermodels and beautiful women hiding in his bed. You’re nothing compared to them.
I’m real.
Men don’t want real women.
“Are you ready?” he asked. She sensed his disappointment.
“I’m ready to leave when you are.”
They were silent on the way down to the car. Kent put the radio on shutting out any conversation. She stared out of the window wondering if she’d made a mistake. In the last week and a half she’d come to value his friendship. Kissing, sex, and everything else would take him away. Kent would never commit, and she wasn’t the kind of woman to let herself become a one night stand.
You’re fucked.
****
Kent was angry. She’d worn the glasses to try to keep him at bay. He knew enough about Lana to know what she was trying to do. They’d kissed. Their lips had brushed against each other, but they didn’t deepen the kiss. He wanted to do far more than kiss, and then she’d pulled away from him.
What did he have to do to convince her he wasn’t going to hurt her? She continued to stare out of the window and didn’t even look in his direction. Kent ground his teeth together to stop himself from looking like a total ass.
You’re forty-five years old. Stop acting like a jerk.
Pulling into the first available spot Kent cut the engine of his car.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He turned to her. “We kissed, Lana. I’m not scared of the kiss, but I think you are.” Kent cupped her cheek forcing her to look at him. “Nothing is going to come of it. Stop acting like I’m going to attack you and demand something from you.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make y
ou feel that way,” she said.
“Then calm down. We kissed, and I enjoyed it, but nothing is going to happen. We’re good.”
She smiled at him. Lana took his hand and kissed his knuckles. “Thank you for understanding.”
An image of himself bashing his head against the steering wheel entered his head. Instead, he smiled and turned the engine over. He pulled away from the kerb and started in the direction of his parents’ home.
That didn’t go well.
You were hoping she’d want you back.
You’re a fucking idiot.
Over and over he berated himself inside his mind. They’d been friends for two weeks, and already he was fucking it up with his own desires and needs. He took her hand half-way through the journey. She squeezed his hand back.
There was so much more between them, and he didn’t want to fuck it up. Lana was clearly hurt by Frank. He saw the pain in her eyes when she’d talked about him.
“Who will be cooking today?” Lana asked.
“My mom. She doesn’t allow anyone else in her kitchen. Any woman who is not invited should watch their back. My mom can be a wicked woman.”
“She sounds … pleasant,” Lana said.
Kent chuckled. “She’s more than pleasant. Since I can remember she’s loved her kitchen. No one is going to take that pleasure away even with her in her sixties.”
“I can tell you love them.”
“Don’t you have parents you love?” he asked.
She grew silent. He saw her fidgeting and rubbing her hands along her thighs. Kent decided to let it go. Lana would tell him about her family when she was ready to let that part of herself go.
He pulled down the street where he grew up. His parents came from money, and his grandparents had been happy when they discovered his mom was pregnant.
“Wow, this is where you grew up?” Lana asked.
“Yeah. I went to school down the road. It was a private school.”
“This place is amazing.”
I could give you this if only you let me.
Kent shook the thought off. He didn’t do commitment.
You could if you let her in.