“You like living here?”
“Love it. I enjoyed the diversity on a larger scale in the Tri-state but it’s still nice.”
He tasted his tea. “Wow, that’s good. I’m just going to get an IV bag and have it pumped directly into my veins all day long,” he joked setting the glass back down.
“Join the club.” She raised her glass and drank more.
“With them opening the new National Museum of African American History and Culture Smithsonian have you thought about leaving here? I’m sure there will be greater opportunities there.” That had been a fear of his as he’d waited on a response to his resume for the entomology director when he heard about the facility being near completion over a year back and them starting to appoint and hire the various positions.
She was silent for a moment as she slipped her fingers through the moisture on the side of her glass. “Honestly, I thought about it. But, I didn’t put in for it. I know as amazing as all this is the Smithsonian is better. However, I’ve made a name for myself here. I’ve made headway and I’m already a director of my own department. I like my life.”
He wondered if that life included a man. Last night when he located her had she been waiting for someone one else, not just taking a break? He wanted to ask her what the story between her and the Councilman was, except he didn’t have the right. As she’d said, she had a life here, without him in it. That knowledge stung.
“I’m sure you don’t miss the winters either.”
Shaking her head she laughed. “On, no, I don’t. The ones here, even the bad ones are mild in comparison.”
“Do you recall our sophomore year and being snowed in on campus for a week? I thought I was going to lose my mind.”
“The continuous snow fall caused a blackout for two days. I think I understood the term cabin fever real well then.” She shivered as if she felt the intense cold of those weeks.
“When Sigmas’ went out and started a snowball fight right in the middle of the yard. Taunting everyone to come out and join in. And we did.”
Her face light up with joy. “It ended up being so much fun. I think that fight went on for three days.” She sighed. “There are days that I do miss the simplicity of college. It was an easier time, studying and friendship. Only two things that mattered.”
He leaned back in his seat and just stared at her. “We shared our first kiss in the middle of that first fight.”
The radiance in her face became clouded, but her eyes darkened with another emotion as she held his gaze. “A few students caught me in a corner and were pummeling me with snowballs. All of a sudden it all stopped. When I opened my eyes to see what was happening with the attack I discovered you had stepped in front of me with you coat open. You were shielding me, taking hit after hit on your back.”
It was her squeals of laughter that he’d heard. When he saw her, she was pinned in and getting pelted relentlessly. He’d arrived snowballs blazing until he was able to protect his new girlfriend.
“They finally stopped.”
Both her hands were wrapped around her glass as she leaned forward, still looking at him. “Then you kissed me.”
Like he wanted to do now. The intensity between them, was like a magnet, a strong pull he was always powerless to resist when he was close to her. “It was all that snow on you, dusting your lashes, hair, and cheeks and even caught in the corner of your mouth. You looked like a freed snow angel. I wanted a taste of heaven, on earth.”
Moving in, he set one forearm along the edge of his side of the table. “Tell, me, Soni-love, how did my kiss last night compare?”
Her pupils dilated and lips parted as she drew in a soft breath.
Damn, she was sexy. Even with all the chatter around them it didn’t distract his desire for her.
“It—”
“Here we go. One Salmon Benedict,” the server’s cheery voice interrupted the moment as she set a plate before her.
Sonya released her glass and sat back in her chair, lowering her gaze.
The spell was broken. He moved out of the way for his food.
“And one Quarter South.” Lacey lowered his plate before him. “I’ll get you all some refills on your drinks. Anything else besides that I can get you two?”
“No. We’re fine.” Parker offered her a smile, even though he wanted to strangle the waitress for barging in on the moment that was lost now. “Thank you.”
In the few moments the server was gone, Parker placed the napkin in his lap. “Would you like to bless the food?”
Her chin shot up and her eyes stretched wide, showing her surprise.
“Yes. I remember.” He stretched forth an open hand and placed it on the table. “You always liked us to pray together before meals and before we went to sleep.” Religion hadn’t been a part of his upbringing, besides and occasional ‘Oh, Lord.’ Or ‘God bless you’ after someone sneezed.
But, Sonya had always had a little more faith than him, and he’d adopted some of her ways.
“Sure, I can.” She slipped her hand into his awaiting one, then lowered her chin and gave a short prayer. When it ended, she lifted her head and met his gaze with a small smile of thanks.
He gave her hand a light squeeze before he released it. Only in the south, did people prayer publicly and no one gave them strange glances.
Lifting the drumstick from his plate, he bit into it.
“What do you think?” She held her fork poised to dig into her hollandaise covered salmon.
After he swallowed the bite, he nodded. “Very good. I’m considering placing an order for a few to go.”
“You still can’t cook?” She teased, lifting a forkful to her mouth.
“Nope.”
“How have you been surviving all these years?” she questioned. “I can see you haven’t had a lack of food. Or at least protein with all those muscles.”
Pausing before taking his next bite, he was shocked that Sonya would make a personal comment about him that didn’t have to do with school or work. “You’ve been looking at my body?” he teased, winking at her.
There was a red tint the bloomed on her cheeks. Hastily, she picked up her glass, bumping it and almost knocked it over, but she caught it before any sloshed out.
“It was an observation. Like seeing the Thinking Man statue or the sculpture of David.” She lifted it to gulp down a swallow.
“Ah…” he nodded. “Strictly an art lovers opinion.”
Her glass thumped when it returned to the table. “Exactly.”
“You are a curator so it makes sense.” He let her off the hook with a wide grin.
She got his message and rolled her eyes before continuing to eat.
“To answer your question, microwave meals have come a long way. The meals actually taste like food instead of cardboard. When I was in Australia, I eat what the tribesmen ate or stocked items that were travel size non-perishables.”
“You were in Australia?”
“Yes, for two years after I finished my PhD I went to study insects of the Daintree Rainforest.”
“Oh, my. That sounds interesting. Well, except for the insect part.” Her nose wrinkled in disgust.
“The Rainforest is covered with all types of amazing insects, reptiles and animals.” He picked up his fork and ate his mashed potatoes with butter and green beans. “I had a chance to see insects that I would never be able to study anywhere else.”
“I’m sure it was like heaven to you?”
Having you in my life was heaven. He kept that thought to himself. “It was a grand experience.”
“Where did you live? Are there cities there or towns?” Her attention was fixed on him.
“Some on the outskirts. However, with all of the protesting and activist lobbying against killing of the Rainforests, a lot of construction has stopped.” Those were charities he gave substantial amounts to, because it would be devastating on multiple levels if the Rainforests were destroyed more than they had been. “While ther
e, I wanted to be a part of the indigenous environment so I lived in a rattan.”
“A what?” she frowned.
“It is a sort of a cabin-like structure that is made from fallen branches and veins in the forest. It isn’t large at all. More like a one room place with lots of mosquito netting.”
“Mosquitos. I can just imagine the size of them.” She resumed eating. “They carry all kinds of deadly diseases…did you get sick while you were there?”
His gaze rose from his plate and met hers, held it. “Right before I left there. When I got better, I knew it was time to go.”
“I think surviving some deadly illness would have topped it for me too.”
“You would never have gone.” He chuckled.
“You got that right.” She aimed the tines of her fork at him and gave a sharp nod.
“Did you ever take a trip to Africa? You used to talk about going one day all the time.”
“I did. A couple of years ago. I went to Johannesburg for about three weeks. Touring in and around the country.” She was so excited talking about it, her eyes were practically glowing.
“Talk about someone in heaven.”
“It was wonderful, Parker. I mean being able to see the people, learn from them. And walking through places like The Apartheid Museum, Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site and the Nelson Mandela House and so many others. Frequently, I was awed and speechless.”
“I know what you mean. Being immersed into something that your passionate about changes you, gives you drive to show the world.”
She leaned back in her seat as she set her fork down along the side of her plate, meal forgotten. “That’s exactly how I felt. When I got back I started putting in for the grant for the African Arts wing. There’s so many artifacts there that a lot of it just sits in vaults. They could cover Johannesburg with ten more museums and there would still be more pieces.”
“How is the grant process going for you?”
Exhaling, she began, “Not going is what it is doing. Kravers is the hold up. In order to get my grant approved he has to sign off on it. But, for some reason he is dragging his feet.”
“You want me to lean in on him?” He flexed his muscles.
Tipping her head back she laughed. “I appreciate the Don Corleone tactics, but I’ll just wait him out. He has to budge sooner or later.”
“Why did you go from field research to walking around the hollowed walls of museums?”
“When I returned to California I wanted to do some kind of educating on insects. I think people for the most part see a bug and all they think about it smashing it. They don’t understand what the purpose of it is in the environment or the history of its origins. These insects have been around for centuries, surviving and thriving.”
“I will admit I don’t care to know anything about them.” She rubbed and scratched at the side of her neck, her expression more distant then present. “I’ve had enough encounters with them in my life that I can do without anymore.”
“That’s understandable.” He knew the story of her childhood, if anyone had a right to fear bugs, Sonya did. “Maybe one day you will feel safe enough and trust me to tour you through my exhibit.”
“Um, maybe.” The tight expression on her face, declared that wasn’t going to be a possibility anytime soon.
Lacey came with the check and to clear their plates. “You all take your time. If you want to see the desert menu let me know.”
“Thank you.” He pulled his wallet out of his pocket then flipped over the bill. Seeing the amount he place the appropriate total, including tip, on top of it before he pushed it to the center of the table. “Are you still eating?”
She glanced down at the remainder of her tomatoes & cucs and the sweet potato tots. Her salmon was gone. “I couldn’t swallow another thing if I tried.”
“I’m with you. Thanks for the recommendation.” He rose then waited for her to get up from the booth and precede him to the door.
“You’re welcome.” She brushed her fingers down his arm as she passed him.
Just that simple courteous touch caused his heart to thump harder. She was what had been missing in his life.
Chapter Three
“I really enjoyed sharing brunch with you.”
“So, did I. Catching up was nice.” Sonya held her keys to her door in her hand as they stood on her porch.
“I’d like to do it again sometime. Maybe dinner, a movie?”
Parker was standing close to her, not so close that their bodies touched or that she would feel crowded, but near enough that if she took one good step it would place her in heat contact.
She rubbed her thumb along the rough edge of a key. “Um, sure. We’ll see.”
Fear, rose up in her core. She didn’t want to commit to anything with him. Breakfast had been too nice, enjoyable. It felt like old times. That was risky for her.
“I can respect that.” His gaze moved from her eyes to her lips, and it seemed for a moment as if he’d leaned forward all of a sudden he took a step back.
Maybe I had been seeing things. “I really should get inside so I can get going.”
“Of course. Thanks again. I’ll see you around at work, Soni-love.”
Backing up toward the door, she shook her head. “Probably not. We both have so much to do in our departments. It was good seeing you though.” As she faced the door, jammed the key in the lock then opened it.
When she turned to give him one last look, he was standing at the bottom of her steps looking at her. There was a secret smile on his lips, as if he knew his nearness was making her nervous and uncomfortable. Caught.
He gave her a short wave then was off.
Closing the door, she pressed her back to it and groaned. “Parker why did you have to come to Charlotte.”
During lunch she’d felt the first few bricks of the wall she’d built around her heart begin to shift. If she didn’t keep away from her ex and his new found confidence and charm then soon those bricks would start to fall and bring the others down with it. Because he was not the hot, science nerd who fumbled his way around her body the first time they had sex after he proposed on New Year’s Eve. She hadn’t been much better, just as inexperienced. However, it had been a sweet, romantic night. Oh, yes, she’d seen in Parker’s heated gaze today when they spoke about Jill Scott, he recalled everything about that night. The two of them had gotten better in all aspects.
But, there was something greater, something more uninhibited and intense about him. Maybe being among wild animals changed a man.
“I can’t risk my heart to you Parker Hayden, not again.” She pushed away from the door and went toward the end table to drop her purse, phone and keys.
Looking at her remodeled, turn of the century style home, what she’d had designed and built to her specifications and saw her perfect life. The life she had constructed when her husband didn’t love her enough to fight for them. Didn’t love her enough to come to DC for her. By his own information this morning, he’d jump on the first bug expedition that came his way after completing his doctorate. Not to me.
She didn’t begrudge him his thirst for more knowledge and experiences involving his career. It was why she’d always wanted to take a trip to Africa. Parker had settled into a life for two years in Australia. She figured his government funding must have run out and that’s why he’d returned to the states.
His being in Charlotte where she lived was a fluke. She’d have to keep reminding herself of the fact. As soon as something else big fell into his lap, he’d be off and running.
Entering, she went to her dresser for her dance gear. Earlier she had planned to go to the studio out of boredom. Now, she really needed the physical exertion that it would bring since being around Parker. As she began to change, she kept repeating to herself, “Guard your heart, Sonya.”
~ML~
“How is operation Get My Wife Back, going?” Jessie his older sister asked helping him unpack his kitchen.
>
“Stalled.” Parker pulled out a wrapped bundle and set it on the counter to open it and find out what it was. Movers had come in to his and Sonya’s apartment a few months before he had left for Australia and packed up everything except for his small amount of personal items he was taking with him.
“How can that be, you live in the same city and work together. Haven’t you asked her out again?”
“Haven’t had the chance.” He carried the silverware to the drawer next to the stove and started to dump it all from the paper.
“What are you doing?” His sister rushed to him and snatched up the items from his hand and the few out of the drawer.
“I’m putting them away. Isn’t that what unpacking means? Why you harped on me when you got here two hours ago?” He placed his hands on his hips, frustrated as he watched Jessie take everything to a drawer beneath the cabinet where she was stacking dishes and set them down on the counter.
“Well, baby brother, you have been in this apartment for almost five months now. You should have unpacked a long time ago.” Turning she searched one open boxes after another until she pulled some kind of wooden tray out. She went back to her workstation and placed it into an open drawer then loaded the silverware into it. “Also, you have to put things in a reasonable place when it comes to the kitchen.”
“Well, I unpacked what was necessary.”
“That means your office at the museum.” She wagged a finger at him. “Not even your bedroom. Since you put me in the only room in your place for the night I’m here, don’t think I didn’t notice that you’ve only made your bed and hung up your clothes for work.”
“Hey, I put away my jeans and underwear too.” He tossed an oven mitt at her then moved to an open box that had pots and pans figuring he couldn’t go wrong with that.
He was wrong. Apparently, they should go by the stove not beside the dish cabinet.
“You really need a wife,” Jessie teased.
“I’m trying to get my ex back.” He squatted before the space his sister had directed him to put the cookware.
Evidence of Desire: Hero Series 3 Page 5