by Zuri Day
“Nice,” he whispered, when they finally separated. “Just like I thought it would be.”
“So you’ve been thinking about it, huh?”
“Yes.”
Carol looked at him with a mixture of appreciation and surprise. One of the things she’d always admired about Alex was his forthrightness. When you met him you felt that what you saw was what you got.
“Have you thought about me? Be honest.”
Carol began fixing his plate. “I did at first, when you initially left the tour. But knowing you’d left Gab to work for Marlon . . .”
“Go on.”
“It’s like you’d joined forces with the enemy.”
“You really felt that way?”
“If you’ll remember, at the time, there was no love lost between Gabriella and The Prez. That nasty rumor had been leaked to the tabloids and she believed that Marlon was the culprit behind it. I wondered about a man who could work for someone like that.”
“Marlon swore to me that he didn’t do it.”
“Yes, I know that now.”
“Did she ever find out who did?”
“No, and now it doesn’t matter. These days, scandals are a dime a dozen. They quickly moved from that and were on to the next.”
“Don’t you think it’s time we do the same? Move on to what’s next for us?”
“What do you think that is?”
“I don’t know. But I think we could have a real good time finding out.” Alex bit into a succulent piece of turkey. “Um, your mama sure can cook. If your skills are anything like this . . . I just might have to marry you.”
“Then I guess there’ll be no wedding bells.”
“You can’t cook?”
Carol shook her head. “I can whip up a mean meal from a can, box, or frozen food package. But cooking from scratch like my mom does? No can do.”
“Guess I’ll have to put you in some cooking classes.”
“You talk like we’re going to be together. We’re barely even friends.”
“I’m trying to change that.”
“How? By dogging me out because I can’t cook?”
“No, by allowing me to return this favor you’ve done for me and taking you out to dinner.”
“You probably should focus on getting out of here first, and getting well.”
“I’m being released tomorrow and will recuperate at the home of a friend. They said the wound should be healed in two to three weeks. So why don’t you let me focus on what I want to focus on, which is dinner tomorrow night with you.”
Chapter 6
They met at a popular downtown spot frequented by Detroit natives and visitors alike. Carol got there first, and while waiting sent a quick text to Gabriella, her best friend. Meeting Alex for dinner, she wrote, her thumbs flying over the keys. He got out of the hospital today.
While checking e-mails and Facebook messages, she heard her message indicator ding with Gabriella’s reply. Nice! He’s out already? Keep me posted on this unfolding love affair . . .
Carol laughed out loud as she responded. Unfolding friendship . . . maybe.
Whatever. I just want to be a bridesmaid.
Then you’d better hope that either LaToya or one of the twins gets married. I’m nowhere close to that.
“Hello, sexy.”
Carol’s sharp yet subtle intake of breath was instant, and was only partially due to the fact she hadn’t heard him walk up. Her surprise was from how fine he looked, and how her body continued to react at the mere sight of him. “Hey.”
Anybody looking would have no idea that Alex had taken a bullet not quite forty-eight hours ago. He looked the picture of buffed-up health wearing a covered hoodie beneath a black leather jacket, washed-out jeans, and black leather sneakers. His head was kept from the chill by a knitted cap touting the Philadelphia Eagles logo.
Carol watched as Alex took in his surroundings. “Don’t worry. The food is good. You’ve got to get the wings, though. That’s what Sweetwater’s is known for.”
“Sounds cool,” he said, still checking things out as he removed his cap. Carol fought the urge to run her fingers over his close-cropped curls. “When you invited me to a tavern I thought that either the food was dope or you were trying to get me drunk so you could take advantage; you know, remove my inhibitions so that you can seduce me.”
“Oh, your inhibitions would have to be gone for me to do that?”
“Hell, no, girl. Just say the word and we’d be out of here like lightning!”
“Ha! I thought so.”
They took a moment to place their drink orders and look over the menu. Carol lifted her glass of wine. “To your health.”
Alex nodded, and lifted his cola served straight, no chaser. “No doubt.”
“How are you feeling?” Carol asked, once they’d each taken a sip and Alex had placed down his menu.
“Sore, a bit swollen, but they’ve got me wrapped tight.”
“Anybody looking wouldn’t even know anything was wrong.”
“That’s how I want to keep it.” Alex fixed her with a lopsided smile, the one she remembered had happened often during their single late-night conversation when they were on the road in Oakland, California, working with Gabriella.
“Where’s your brother?”
“Gone back to Philly.”
“Already? He flew down here for only one day; just to see how you were doing?”
“He knows how I am, how I like to handle things on my own. Guess he wasn’t comfortable taking my word that I was all right.”
This was partly true. He and Neil had always been close, and his older brother had always also served as protector. But as important as it had been to check on his health, it had been even more important to secure a safe and aboveboard connection within the Detroit police department. Alex felt good about the officer and detective he’d spoken to earlier that afternoon after Neil had set up their clandestine meeting. He’d given enough information about the shooter he’d seen for them to make a police sketch. The officer believed he knew who it was, a wannabe bad boy with a lightweight rap sheet dating back to his high-school days. The detective had assured both Neil and Alex that the origin of the information would be kept confidential, and that Alex would only be contacted in the event of a trial requiring his testimony. Personally, Alex hoped it wouldn’t come to that. The sooner he healed and left Detroit, and the sooner the holidays were over, the sooner he could get back to doing what he loved: guarding stars and traveling the world.
Carol watched as Alex thought things he obviously didn’t want to share. “Do you think they’ll catch them?”
“Who?”
“Whoever shot you and those other people.”
Alex shrugged. “I don’t know. It’s hard to get witnesses in cases like these; people too afraid to talk.”
“I wish I’d seen what happened. I wouldn’t hesitate to testify. I wanted to look around when I went over there today. But the section where we sat was still cordoned off.”
“You went back to where the shooting occurred, to the club?” The frown on Alex’s face showed his obvious disapproval.
“They finally let us claim our coats, purses, and other items left during the fight.”
“Oh, right. That’s good.”
“Yeah, all of us had checked our coats, and Brandi’s purse and phone were also inside. Not having her iPhone nearly drove her crazy!” Alex nodded, but said nothing more. “Is this your first time in Detroit?”
“I’ve been here a few times; not recently, though. How do you like living back here?”
“It took me a while to adjust to not being on the road. But it felt good to buy a home and get settled; stop living out of a suitcase.”
“You don’t miss the traveling, whirlwind lifestyle?”
“Not really.”
“What are you doing now?”
“I partnered with a former classmate who’s now a businessman, buying and rehabbing old houses. One
of our projects being built is a community center and I’ve become very involved in that.”
“Man, I don’t know if I could do it.”
“What, settle down in one place?”
“Yeah, just live a regular life. I’ve only been doing this for a few years, but it gets in your blood, you know? A couple weeks at home chilling with the boys and the family and I’m ready to go.”
“Is that why you don’t have a special lady in your life? Because you’re so addicted to the road?”
“Who says I don’t have a special lady?”
“Do you?” They paused while the waitress came and took their orders. “Well?”
“Do I what?” Carol gave him a look. “Oh, right. A special lady.” He gazed at her as his finger idly circled the rim of his glass. “I’m having drinks with a pretty special lady right now.”
“Thank you, and since you’re dodging my question I’ll take that as a yes.”
“You’d be wrong. I don’t have a girlfriend. You know how life is out there; too much traveling to develop a personal life.” His eyes narrowed. “Unless you’re Troy and Gabriella.”
It had been slight, but Carol noticed the edge to his last statement. “Their relationship still bothers you?”
“Not anymore.”
“But it did at first. I know why.”
“Why?”
“Because you had your own little crush on Gabriella.”
“What man with a heartbeat doesn’t?”
“At least you’re honest. Thanks for that.”
“Troy had a rule about not fraternizing with clients, something he drilled into us on a regular basis. We were threatened with termination if it happened. Then not even a month into the Stone Cold Sexy tour, he up and breaks his own rule, right in our faces. That wasn’t cool.”
“Is that why you left?” Carol asked with an arched brow. “It hurt you that bad?”
“It was a huge double standard. I was pissed. But at that same time Marlon came to me with an offer to head up security for him. It was a promotion. So I took it.” A rowdy group came into the restaurant. Alex paused and checked them out as they sat down. “So do you now understand why I left the company, why I didn’t have the loyalty that you felt I should?”
“It wasn’t my business what you did.”
“Yeah, but you were mad that I did it. That’s why you threw all kinds of shade in Fiji, at the wedding. I thought I was going to have to kidnap you to get a dance.”
“I’ll admit that I was upset when you left so abruptly. I thought we were developing a connection.”
“We were. That’s why I called you and told you what was up before the move was officially announced.”
“You could have told me in person.”
He looked at her, allowed his lids to droop over his sexy, bedroom eyes, and licked his cushy lips. “I’m sorry. Will you forgive me?”
“I’ll think about it.”
The food arrived, and the clanking of silverware soon replaced conversation. Carol sipped her wine, keenly aware of how attracted she was to the man across the table. It had been almost two years since she’d had sex. Something told her that drought was about to come to an end.
Chapter 7
“You were right.”
It was one o’clock in the morning in the Dirty D, but Carol was glad that Gabriella had returned her call. She put the call on speaker and repeated her statement. “Did you hear me? You were right.”
“About what?” Gabriella asked.
“Me and Alex.”
Gabriella whooped. “Y’all had sex! I knew it would happen.”
“Not yet, but probably soon.”
“Definitely soon is more like it. When he asks, you know you’re going to break down and give him some. I could have told you that was going to happen a long time ago.”
“Girl, please. I’m not all into him like that.”
“Tell that to somebody who wasn’t around the day y’all first met. Troy later said he even felt the vibe going on between you two.”
Carol smiled. “That day at the Ritz when he and Troy came over for the briefing; I’d forgotten all about that.”
“After they left, you and I acted like teenagers, remember? Squealing and whispering about how hot they were, and how excited we were that they got the job. From that moment I knew that Troy and I were going to get together, and I felt that you and Alex would hook up, too.”
“Yes,” Carol said with a sigh, “I guess we were pretty smitten back then.”
“Ha! That’s putting it mildly. Who would have thought when Troy breezed into my world just over a year ago that now I’d be wearing his last name? Like I said, girl. You could be next.”
“I don’t think so. Alex is definitely in the running for Mr. Right Now, but I don’t know if he’s Mr. Right.”
“Why not? He’s an excellent catch from everything I’ve seen.”
“True, but we differ in one major area.”
“What’s that?”
“I’m past the point of wanting tons of travel while he can’t wait to get back on the road.”
“Long-distance relationships happen all the time.”
“Not with this chick. I’ve waited too long for a man in my life to have one that I only see occasionally. So I’m not going to fool myself. I’ll live in the present moment, let Alex’s fine ass scratch my itch, take a couple pics for the memories, and keep it moving when he leaves my life.”
“How long is he in Detroit?”
“Another week or two, I think.”
“What are y’all doing for New Year’s Eve?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“Because Troy and I are having a party at the house; nothing fancy, just our families and a few friends. I’d love for you and Alex to join us and can have my assistant make your plane reservations. You could fly out on the thirty-first, and back to Detroit on the second.”
“That sounds fun, Gab. Because of my work I’d only be able to stay a few days, anyway. I’ll ask Alex.”
“Great! I’ll tell Troy.”
“See you soon!”
Later that morning, Carol called Alex.
“Good morning, Carol. This is a nice surprise.”
“Good morning. How are you?”
“Better now. I have to leave for the hospital in about ten minutes.”
“I’ll make this quick.”
“Oh, no worries.” His voice dropped. “I always have time to talk to you.”
It shouldn’t have affected her the way it did—his voice, dripping with sexy, humming with heat—melting her defenses like a Hershey’s bar in the Mojave sun. But her insides quivered and her muscles clenched as she imagined the mouth she’d watched wrap itself around a spicy chicken wing become intimately acquainted with another certain set of lips. Her nipples hardened; her breathing increased. Girl, you are pitiful, she admonished in an attempt to quell her reaction, and even though she was already reclined, instructed her blatant desire to have several seats.
“What are you doing for New Year’s?” What was meant as a matter-of-fact question came out in a sexy purr.
“Why,” Alex asked, his voice stroking her ear the way she wanted a part of his anatomy to stroke part of hers. “What did you have in mind?”
“Troy and Gabriella are having a small party and have invited us to join them.”
“In LA?”
“Yes, at their house. She said she’d make the ticket arrangements as soon as I gave her our answer. Does that sound like something you want to do?”
“I’d have to check with my doctors; make sure it’s okay to leave for a couple days. Other than that, I guess it would be cool.”
“You sound iffy. Please don’t tell me that you’re still lusting after Gabriella.”
“No, I lost that crush as soon as she became Troy’s woman.”
“Then what is it?”
“How long would we be in LA?”
“Just a couple days.”
/>
“Where would we sleep?”
“Where else? Troy and Gabriella’s of course. Do you have a problem with that?”
“Only if they try to put you and me in separate bedrooms.”
“I’ll see what I can do about making sure that doesn’t happen.”
“See that you do because when the clock strikes midnight, I plan for it to be with you in my arms. And once I get you there, I plan on it being awhile before I let you go. You feel me?”
“I think I have a pretty good idea.”
“Well, so as to avoid confusion, let me spell it out to you. I want to know what you taste like; have been curious about it ever since you opened the door to the Ritz hotel wearing that silky halter and those tight-ass jeans.”
“Wow, you remember what I was wearing?”
“Let me tell you something, Carol. Your girl Gabriella has the flash and everybody’s attention for a moment, even mine. But your quiet efficiency, engaging smile, and sexy body is something I’ve never forgotten.”
She wanted to speak but couldn’t. His words had her weak and vulnerable; in a position where she might say something that she’d later regret. Like ask how fast could he make it over to her house, or how did he like his eggs for breakfast even though she couldn’t cook.
“So, are you going to tell me?”
“Tell you what?” she forced from a mouth gone dry.
“What you taste like. I want to know if the chocolate on your toes is as sweet as the chocolate on your earlobe. I want to experience every part of you, leave no inch of skin untouched.”
She almost moaned out loud.
“Can you promise me that you’ll allow me to have my way with you when we’re in Los Angeles, treat you like the queen and the diamond that you are?”
“Did you get a degree in talking smack? You could teach the subject!”
“It’s only smack when your heart’s not sincere. Baby, as I’ve said before, I mean every word that I’ve said.”
Funny thing is, Carol actually believed that he did.