Returning Pride

by Jill Sanders

  “What ever happened to playing basketball by the rules?” she signed after she helped him stand up. “The way you were playing out there, you’re going to kill someone.”

  “Were you there long?” Iian signed to her. He was getting used to her knowing sign language and enjoyed being able to add her to the mix of people he could converse with.

  “Yes,” she said, but then she signed “no”. She had a look in her eyes that matched the pink flush in her cheeks. She was guilty of something.

  He looked down at his sweaty bare chest and teased her. “Oh, I see. You just wanted to see a bunch of grown man with their shirts off?”

  “No.” She blinked a few times, but he noticed her eyes went back to his chest quickly. “I had a meeting with Mr. Andrews, the director of the Boys and Girls Club. Then I heard the game and wandered down this way.” She quickly started walking towards the double doors that led outside.

  Catching up with her he signed, “Hang on a minute, let me grab my bag and shirt,” as he pointed towards the bleachers. “You are going to take me home still?”

  “Oh, yes, of course,” she signed, and waited as he walked across the court and retrieved his things.

  She breathed a sigh of longing as he slipped on his shirt. It was such a shame to cover such a perfect chest and arms. Of the four men who were shirtless on the court, it was his chest that had been the one her eyes zeroed in on. Zeroed and remained on until he had been knocked silly by his brother-in-law.

  Reverting her eyes to his face, she tried to give him a casual smile.

  Had she really agreed to drive him home? What was she thinking? She wasn’t thinking. How could she think when he had looked up at her with those silvery eyes. The rest of his face didn’t help focus her mind either. His nose was straight with a tiny jump at the end. She wanted to run her fingers down the fun slope. His jaw was strong and firm, with the slightest cleft in his chin. She wanted to play her tongue just there. All in all, Iian Jordan was a very nice package. She knew how big of a player he was in the past and had avoided anything more than just a friendship with him. She didn’t even know what he really thought of her. Maybe he saw her as a sister? He’d kissed her a few times and the last few kisses had given her cause to think that he wasn’t thinking of her in the sisterly way. She was still trying to figure him out on the drive to his house.

  Lacey and Todd had always treated her and Abby like their little sisters, especially since Lacey had spent three years babysitting the two of them. She remembers Iian having to tag along several times when his dad and Todd had been overseas on a trip.

  As they drove to his house in a silent car with him sitting next to her, she kept trying to sneak peaks out of the corner of her eyes. He had an even better side profile.

  Iian enjoyed the drive home. Since he wasn’t driving, he spent most of the time looking at Allison. In the gym he saw something in her eyes. He was sure when he’d first looked at her it was concern, but then it had quickly turned to something more. He thought it might have been arousal.

  One of the very first things he noticed about her back in the first grade was her hair. Back then it had been a lot longer. Her mother had always kept Abby’s and Allison’s hair long when they were younger. Somewhere in middle school, the girls had gained some freedom and both had chopped their hair short. Iian remembers feeling depressed the whole month after Ally had cut her’s to just above her shoulders.

  In junior high she had let it grow out again and it reached to the middle of her back. Now it was just below her shoulders and he thought the style suited her best. Most of the time when he saw her, she had it up in a braid or a pony tail. Today she wore it down and a little curly. He liked it best when it had a little curl to it. He thought it would be just as soft as it looked. His hands itched to reach across the seat and touch it, but he kept them tucked by his side instead.

  Finally, they reached his place. The house sat like a beacon in the night. Every light had been left on downstairs.

  “Having a party?” she signed after stopping her car in front of his door and shutting the engine off.

  “No. I guess the carpet guys left all the lights on. They had to finish a few things after installing my new carpet the other day.”

  “Oh, you got new carpet?” She asked.

  “Just upstairs in all the bedrooms. I’ve just remodeled them. Would you like to come in and see?” he asked, hoping she would. Anything to get to stay in her company longer.

  “No, I’d better get back to my mom. I don’t like to leave her for long. Mrs. Evans keeps an eye on her, but I’ve been gone almost three hours.” She chewed her bottom lip.

  “What was the meeting with Bob about?” he asked, deciding to change the subject off her mother and the stress it was obviously causing her.

  “Who?” she asked, trying to take her eyes off his hands as he signed. He had large strong hands.

  “Bob Andrews, the director of the Boys and Girls Club. You did say you had a meeting with him, right?”

  “Oh, yes. Well, I’ve been teaching an art class at school and I was looking into renting one of the class rooms so I could add a summer program there.”

  “You’re going to teach at the Boys and Girls Club?” He sat up a little straighter.

  “I’m thinking about it.” She looked at him and he could tell that he had the funniest look on his face. “Okay, tell me what gives. What’s that face for?”

  How could he tell her he was having one of those fantasies about her in a tight black skirt, a shear white top with the buttons loose, her hair up in a bun and sexy teacher glasses on. Damn! He really needed that cold shower.

  “I. I…” could he really stutter using sign language? “I think it’s great! I think the kids would enjoy having you as a teacher for the summer.”

  “Really? I’ve enjoyed teaching so far. I think a summer class would be fun.”

  “What about your art? Your career?”

  “No matter where I am, what I’m doing, I will always paint and draw. To be honest,” she turned her whole body and faced him, “I’d sort of lost my desire to paint in California. Then just last week, I started to paint again. I took up the brush and wonderful things came to me. I’m glad I’m out of California. Oh, I enjoyed it for a while. But I started missing the relaxation of home. Now that my mom requires so much of my time, I don’t think I could ever leave again.”

  He saw the sadness in her eyes. “You know you have a whole town that’s not only able, but willing, to watch out for your mother.”

  “Oh, I don’t look at her as a burden. It’s just I thought I would have made it to Paris once in my life. Before I left California, I actually put in an application to attend school there.” She was starting to feel down and lost.

  “Paris?” He had never been, but both his brother and sister had been there. Actually, Todd and Megan owned a small chateau just outside of the city. Megan had inherited it after her brother Matt had passed away.

  She smiled over at him and continued. “You must think I’m some silly schoolgirl talking about my dreams.”

  “School girl? I thought I was talking to the new art teacher?” He smiled at her.

  “Yes, yes, you are. Thank you, Iian. Talking to you has helped me.” She leaned over and aimed for placing a casual kiss on his cheek. She had misjudged and the kiss ended up half on his cheek and half on his lips.

  He tensed, then pulled her into his arms and his mouth was on hers.

  Not only was this the longest conversation he’s had with a woman who wasn’t his sister, in ten years, it was a conversation he was whole-heartily involved in. He really cared what she wanted in life. He had gone years without knowing she could paint and draw like she did. He was getting to know more and more about her dreams and wishes and he wanted to keep learning.

  Taking his time with the kiss, he decided it was time he showed her that he was interested in her. And the best way of doing that was pulling her into his lap, right there in her ca
r in front of his house.

  She tasted like strawberries. Okay! He knew how cliche that sounded, but she did. Pulling back, he looked into her unfocused eyes.

  “Strawberries?”

  “Mmm.” She ran her tongue over her lips and shook her head and smiled. “Lip gloss.”

  Pulling his head back to hers, he took the kiss deeper.

  She reached under his shirt and played her fingers over his muscles, running her mouth down his neck.

  He fought to stay in control. Hell! He’d gotten so hard when he’d pulled her onto his lap, his eyes had teared up. As she played her long fingers over his damp skin, he was minutes away from dragging her in the back seat of her car and taking her right there.

  Then she pulled back quickly.

  “I’m sorry,” she said and pulled her phone out of her purse. “My phone.” She held it up so he could see that it was ringing.

  When she answered it, her whole attitude changed.

  He read her lips. “What! She’s at your store naked?”

  Less than ten minutes later, Allison walked her mother into their house wrapped in one of Patty O’Neil’s extra blankets from the store. Her mother had apparently showed up there at half past eight that evening. Her purse in hand, she had grabbed a shopping cart, and proceeded to do her shopping, stark naked.

  Allison thought that if the situation wasn’t so dire, she would have had a good laugh.

  Chapter Seven

  A few days later, it was one of those evenings where she was glad she was home. Teaching younger kids art sure had its ups and downs, but for the most part, she was enjoying her new job.

  Her mom was just finishing the dishes in the kitchen, something she said she didn’t want help with tonight. Allison had taken a glass of wine out to the front porch and was sitting in a small rocker watching the sun start to slide down over the water. It was cool out; she had her light blue jacket on to keep the warmth in. Her feet were tucked up underneath her and she was enjoying the quiet.

  Her mother hadn’t had any more “episodes” since the other evening. How was she supposed to watch her all the time? Mrs. Evans was keeping an eye out and several of the church women stopped by the house regularly during the day. The fact was, no one could watch her every moment of every day.

  Allison had actually completed one of her new pieces for a charity she’d been thinking of donating to. She was excited about the few pieces she was doing for them and felt an inner peace about the project.

  She heard a loud rumble and turned to watch a figure on a motorcycle coming from down the street. She knew it was Iian before he was close enough to see. He was driving slow and she could see he was wearing light-colored jeans with a dark gray zip-up jacket. His sunglasses shaded his eyes from her and she realized he hadn’t seen her at first. He passed her house, but then slowed down and did a big loop in her neighbor’s driveway and returned to stop in front of her yard. He sat there a while, letting the machine run for a minute.

  Smiling to her, he signed, “Want to go for a ride?”

  It was either the smile or the casual way he sat on the large machine that made him look irresistible. Deciding to take a chance, she signed back, “Sure, hang on and let me tell my mom,” which made her feel like a teenager.

  Sitting out front of her place, he was glad he had decided to ride the bike today. Not only did he enjoy riding it, but it gave him a chance to be with her. Smiling as she came bouncing down her walk, he thought of how she would feel behind him, pressed up against his back.

  He watched her stop a foot from his bike and stare at it. It was an old Harley he’d bought on his twenty-first birthday. It had taken him eleven months and almost a year’s salary to get it purring underneath him like it was currently doing. The matte black finish had cost him, but it accented the seat and pipes so well. The seat had been a special present from his sister; the ostrich leather had been exactly what he’d wanted. No doubt his sister had snuck onto his computer and noticed he’d been eying it.

  Now Allison just stood and looked at it and he didn’t think she was taking in the seat or the paint job.

  She was looking as if she was trying to figure out how to get on it.

  Bending down, he flipped the back foot pegs and motioned for her to get on.

  Placing her hand lightly on his shoulder, she tried as smoothly as she could to hoist her leg over the back and sit down. It took some doing, but finally she sat squarely on the seat and had each foot on the pegs.

  “You’ll want to lean forward and hold onto me,” he said over his shoulder. “When I turn, lean with me.”

  When she leaned forward and lightly took hold of his jacket sides, he chuckled to himself. He could fix that.

  Pushing up, he kicked up his kick-stand. He would just have to get her to hold onto him tighter. Smiling to himself, he took off. By the end of the street, she was right where he’d wanted her to be. Her front was tight against his back, her arms had reached around and were holding on tightly around his waist. He could feel her excitement as he hit the outskirts of town.

  She had never ridden on a motorcycle before. It was louder than she imagined and the vibrations under her were soothing. As Iian drove fast, she enjoyed the wind and speed. But what she really enjoyed was holding onto him. His shoulders were wide, protecting her from the strongest winds of the speed. Her arms had skirted around his waist after the first few blocks when she realized she would need a better hold on him if she wanted to stay on the bike. She could feel his muscles in his stomach and wondered how he had gotten such a nice six pack. Then she wondered what the rest of him looked like.

  Resting her head on his shoulder, she enjoyed the beautiful drive. He had taken one of the best scenic routes, one that she knew would end up at an overlook close to the state park. where a lot of teenagers liked to go to make out. She had even gone there a few times in high school. Smiling into his back, she vibrated with anticipation.

  Pulling the bike to a stop in a small but secluded area of the park, he looked out over the water and remembered why he lived in the Northwest. Not only was tonight a great night to be on a ride, but he had timed it just right. The sun was in the process of setting and the whole sky was a rainbow of colors, which reflected off the low layer of clouds that hung just over the water.

  Switching off the bike, he pushed down the kick-stand. Turning to Allison he saw the wonder in her eyes.

  “Did you miss this in the city?” he asked.

  Never taking her eyes off the horizon, she just nodded.

  Taking her hand, he waited until she dismounted from the bike. Then he swung his leg and easily dismounted as well. She had watched him, but when he noticed, she blushed slightly and walked towards the rock fence that lined the edge of the walkway.

  Coming to stand behind her, he pulled her back into him. Holding her tight as the sun slid slowly beyond their sight.

  She let out a sigh and turned to him. “That was the most beautiful sunset I’ve seen in years. Thank you.”

  He smiled and then leaned down to claim her mouth. It seemed like all he had thought about since kissing her last was reclaiming her lips. Her arms reached up and around his shoulders. One of her hands went into his hair, holding him close.

  He enjoyed holding her. She was taller than most women and she seemed to fit his tall frame perfectly. Her head was just half a foot lower, which made it perfect for him to kiss her and run his mouth down that hot neck of hers. Her taste was sweet and hinted at something forbidden. Her hands were holding him to her and he didn’t mind how tight she was gripping onto his hair.

  When he slowly pushed her jacket open, he thought he would burst into flames seeing the tight white tee-shirt that was all but see through. Pulling it up and away, he enjoyed exploring the soft skin that he had exposed. Allison had always been athletic, but seeing the softness of her hip and stomach did something to him. He was sure he was moaning like a teenager when he pulled her top up to expose the simple white lace that held
two of the most perfect mounds he’d ever had the pleasure of seeing.

  Looking up into her face he could see the pleasure there. Her eyes were slits as she watched him through her lashes. A small smile formed on her lips and her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip, swollen from his kisses.

  Bending his head, he ran his lips gently over the lace, wetting it until he felt her nipples peak against his tongue. Then he pushed it aside until he could enjoy the silky pink nub. Her back arched, exposing more of her skin to his torture. His eyes darted to her face again. He could see that her head had fallen back and her hands were gripping the rock wall behind her. He wanted to see her face, he wanted to see her eyes, so he could know what she was feeling, what he was doing to her.