Still the Best Woman for the Job

by Sharon C. Cooper

  Those eyes. Eyes so beautifully intense reached down to the depths of her soul, and all the love she once felt for him came rushing back. Double damn him.

  “Toni.” He swept a lock of her hair off her face and the back of his hand slid down her cheek. She leaned into his touch and her eyes fluttered closed. “I love you,” he said. “I know you don’t want to hear that, but I do. That means I care about your safety and baby I know guys like Ronald. They’re bad news.” Toni heard concern in his voice, but his words of love caressed her like a gentle summer breeze against her heated skin.

  She risked a glance at him and the heart-rending tenderness of his gaze touched her from the top of her head to the soles of her feet. “I know.” She didn’t bother clarifying which statement she was agreeing to because both statements were true – Craig loved her and Ronald was bad news.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.”

  He strolled around to the passenger side of the car and opened her door, extending his hand to help her out of the vehicle. As they approached the house, his large hand settled comfortably around her smaller one while they walked around to the back entrance.

  Toni nodded to a few people leaving out of the front entrance, not recognizing any of them. But the bass of the music bumped loud enough to be heard outside and it was safe to say the party was still going strong. When they neared the door, Craig squeezed her hand and stopped short.

  “I think I’ll say goodnight here.”

  Toni glanced down at their joined hands. How could something that felt so right be so wrong? She’d be the first to admit that they were perfect together, in every way, except they wanted two different things. He wanted to have a family, and she couldn’t give him that.

  She eased her hand from his grip. “Craig, thanks for everything tonight. I know you didn’t have to help me with Ronald, but I appreciate that you did.”

  He shrugged. “I would say, no problem call me anytime you need help with one of your boyfriends, but I wouldn’t mean it. Actually, if I ever come face to face with another one of your dates, I’ll probably smash his face in.” His cocky tone sent a dizzying current racing through her. Or maybe it was the way his tempting mouth spat out the fighting words that made her pulse thump loudly in her ears.

  “You know since you’re here,” Toni glanced up at the house and then back at him, “maybe you should um, come in. Have something to eat and get something to drink … if you want.”

  Without warning, he stepped forward and crushed his mouth over hers, a sexual stirring Toni hadn’t felt in months shot through her body like a tactical missile hurling toward its target. It was as if her arms had a mind of their own when they wrapped around his neck. Craig was never one for holding back on what he wanted, making it clear where he stood on a subject or a situation, and the passion behind this kiss left no doubt to what he wanted. And damn if she didn’t want it too.

  The fierce pounding of her heart grew louder when he slipped his arm around her waist, drawing her closer, his tongue tangling with hers. She couldn’t pull away even if she wanted to. Their tongues danced to a familiar beat and a throaty moan slipped through her lips. God she had missed him. His spicy citrus scent and the gentleness of his kiss lured her in like a butterfly to a Marigold plant, reminding her of what she’d been missing. The voice of reason urged her to stop and get as far away from him as possible, but his kiss touched a longing inside her that brought back memories of their passionate lovemaking sessions. Sessions that lasted hours upon hours and left her exhausted, yet satisfied. No man had ever made her feel as desired and cherished as Craig and she doubted anyone ever would.

  His hand traveled up her spine and stopped at the base of her neck where he gently pulled her even closer, his fingers lost in the thickness of her hair. This is what she needed, what she craved. Craig’s husky groan filled the air when he backed her up against the brick of the house. As his tongue continued to explore the inner recesses of her mouth, his erection pressed against her stomach.

  “Do you feel the effect you still have on me?” The roughness of his tone a sure sign he was reaching the point of no return.

  “Mmm hmm. It’s the same effect you’re having on me,” she said breathlessly, her own control teetering on the edge.

  He released her lips and her body protested until he lowered his head to her neck. The scorching kisses stoked the flame he had already started within her, and she gripped his shoulders unable to keep her lower body from grinding against him. Her mind screamed stop, but the moisture pooling between her thighs made her yearn for more. She grabbed a fist full of his shirt and pulled him back to her lips, missing the sweetness of his mouth against hers. The physical attraction was staggering; he still had the power to make her body come alive with just a kiss.

  “Really, TJ? Out here?”

  As if a tub of ice water were dumped on top of her head, an involuntary shiver gripped Toni’s body and her eyes flew open. Oh crap. She pushed against Craig’s hard chest and slipped from his grasp. Her breath came in short spurts as she yanked down the hem of her dress that had mysteriously risen to just below her butt during their tongue aerobics. Though they were at least a foot apart, she felt as if Craig’s hands still caressed her body. Her cheeks heated at the thought of how far they almost went. How could she have gotten so caught up? All she needed was for one of her grandparents to catch her making out against their house while they entertained some of the state’s most important dignitaries.

  She stole a glance at her cousin Kevin, Jada’s brother, who had interrupted them and was confused by the huge grin that broke out on his face.

  “Ah man, Craig? Dude, I didn’t know that was you.” Kevin gave him a one-arm hug, slapping him on the back. “Man, where in the heck have you been? I thought you were one of TJ’s … uh … I mean … uh … are you two back together?”

  “No,” Toni responded quickly, her hand against her chest still unable to bring her racing heart under control. “Craig helped me take care of something.”

  “Yeah, just helped her dump some trash.” Craig’s sex charged voice and the raw desire she saw in his eyes reignited the flames in her body. She clearly had a problem when the man could just look at her and make her panties wetter. She shifted uncomfortably under the intensity of his stare and glanced away.

  “Kevin?” A woman’s strained voice called from in front of the house.

  “I’ll be right there,” her cousin yelled. “All right, Craig, it was good seeing you man. We’ll have to hook up and shoot some pool when you’re free.”

  “You know how to reach me.”

  They did the whole brother-man hug thing and Toni wondered just how many members of her family Craig maintained contact with after they broke up.

  “Oh, and Toni, uncle Joe and your mom said they want to see you before you leave tonight and Grampa’s looking for you,” Kevin said over his shoulder. “Something about you explaining to him what happen to Gram’s plant.” He laughed as he walked away. Toni didn’t know which conversation would be worse, the one with her parents or the one with her grandfather.

  “Now where were we?” Craig’s arms snaked around her waist and he would have planted a kiss on her lips had she not punched him in the shoulder.

  “What?” He jerked back. His hand instinctively went to the offended appendage, though he probably barely felt the punch.

  “You know what!” She said through gritted teeth. “What the heck was that all about?”

  Craig threw up his hands and shrug. “What? Kevin and I shoot pool sometime and—”

  “Not that. I’m talking about that kiss.”

  A slow grin slid across his lips. “That was about me tasting you again. And I must say, you taste even sweeter than I remember.”

  He stepped toward her and she took a giant step back, her palms held out in front of her.

  “Craig, listen. I appreciate your help this evening, but I hope you don’t think that kiss meant anything. I’ll go to dinner
with you Friday, but that’s all. You and I are friends. We can never be more than that.”

  “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that, but that kiss says we are a lot more than just friends.” He moved forward and cupped her chin, his lips only inches from hers. “I let you go once and it was the biggest mistake I ever made. Now that I’ve tasted you, I am going to work like hell to make you mine again.” He lowered his head and his mouth came down over hers. The sweet caress of his soft lips against hers pulled her into submission. She could feel the protective shield she’d carefully erected over her heart melt away. “And that’s a promise,” he said when he lifted his head. “Come on, let’s go inside. I’m suddenly a little hungry.”

  ***

  The sexy sway of Toni’s hips as she made her way toward the bathroom lured Craig’s attention away from the toast given on behalf of Steven Jenkins. Craig couldn’t get enough of Toni. He knew the moment he kissed her lips that he’d want more, but so far he hadn’t had another opportunity, which was probably a good thing. She was the most stubborn woman he knew and she was holding on tight to the idea that they were just friends. Or at least that’s what she’d been telling the family members who were bold enough to ask if they had gotten back together. She quickly told them no, but little did she know he had other plans.

  A huge round of applause drew Craig’s attention back to the front of the ballroom, where the family had set up a Plexiglas podium for those who wanted to say something about the patriarch of the Jenkins family.

  “Finally, I get to speak.” Steven Jenkins laughed when he strolled to the front of the room, the base of his voice as robust as the man himself. At over six-feet tall, with mostly gray hair, skin the color of sandalwood and a football linebackers build, Steven Jenkins didn’t look a day over fifty. It was clear by the admiration on the faces of the invited guest that he was well respected.

  Craig spotted Toni the moment she re-entered the room and headed his way. Everything about her screamed sexy from her long flowing hair to her sensual strut. She might’ve been petite, but her aura shouted Amazon goddess.

  “What did I miss?” she asked out of breath and accepted the glass of white wine from Craig.

  “Not much, your grandfather just started his speech.” Craig whispered close to her ear fighting his sudden arousal brought on by the delicate scent of her perfume and her nearness.

  “Oh good. I tried to hurry. I knew the moment I stepped out of the room he would go to the podium.”

  “As most of you know, family is everything to me,” Steven Jenkins said, leaning slightly against the podium, cool and confident. “I’m the proud father of seven children and fifteen wonderful grandchildren. But I can’t believe I’m seventy-five. I don’t feel a day over seventy-four.” Everyone laughed with him. “Seriously, though, I am so blessed to stand before you this evening. I know you came here to celebrate my birthday with me, but there are five young women here tonight whom I want to raise my glass to.”

  Craig heard Toni groan next to him. “You okay?” he asked, his hand against her back. Touching her reminded him of how good she felt in his arms earlier. Kissing and holding her again was like coming home.

  “I’m fine. He’s known for long-winded speeches and he’s good at embarrassing us. I’m hoping that he doesn’t do either tonight.”

  Since Toni didn’t step away, Craig kept his arm around her and enjoyed the feel of her body close to his.

  “Will you all lift your glasses with me? Though I love all of my grandchildren the same, I’d like to make a special toast to my five beautiful granddaughters who made this celebration possible. Peyton, Martina, Toni, Christina and Jada, I don’t see all of you right now,” he scanned the crowd, “but I’m sure you’re all here.”

  “We’re here, Grampa,” Jada yelled from the other side of the room.

  “Good, because I want you all to know that I am so proud of you ladies. Not only do you all do a fine job of overseeing the family business, but thank you for this wonderful birthday celebration.” He glanced around the room at his party guests. “I know my family, especially my grandchildren, get sick of my speeches about integrity, character, and family first, but it does me proud when they take heed of what I’ve said and have all grown up to be upstanding citizens.” He paused when everyone clapped.

  “Tonight someone asked me what I was most proud of. I’d have to say I’m most proud of my family. The Jenkins Clan, as many have referred to us over the years, is also my biggest accomplishment.”

  “Hey!” Toni’s grandmother, Katherine Jenkins piped in. “You didn’t raise them by yourself.” Laughter flowed throughout the room and even more so when Steven Jenkins reached for his wife and she swatted playfully at his hand before joining him at the podium.

  Craig had always admired the Jenkins family. The love they had for one another was evident whenever he was around them. And Steven Jenkins took his role as patriarch very seriously, making sure to always be there whenever his family needed him.

  “They’re something aren’t they?” Toni leaned into him, tears of joy in her eyes.

  “Yeah, they are.” He rubbed his hand up and down her arm and kissed the top of her hair. “And so are you.” She stiffened in his arm and glanced up at him.

  “Craig.” Her tone held a warning, but he ignored it. No matter what she said or thought, they were getting back together.

  “Craig nothing, I’m just stating a fact.” He held her gaze.

  “Listen, I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about you and me this evening.” She pulled out of his grasp and he dropped his arm to his side. “I appreciate everything you did for me tonight and I’m really glad you came to the party, but this doesn’t change a thing.”

  “Okay,” is all he said. He returned his attention to the front of the room and sipped from his glass of scotch, undeterred by her words. Surely, she knew that when his lips touched hers earlier, she became his again. A gust of determination flowed through him and he was more intent than ever to put an end to their separation. He didn’t know what it would take, but Toni would be his wife before the end of the year.

  “Please raise your glasses with me again,” Steven Jenkins said and wrapped his free arm around his wife’s shoulder and placed a kiss against her temple. He returned his attention to his guests. “On my birthday, I celebrate family. Here’s to family loyalty and love that grows deeper with every breath we take.”

  I’ll drink to that. Craig sipped from his glass and noticed Toni had taken a timid sip from hers. Exhilaration pumped through his veins at the thought of them reuniting. She didn’t know it yet, but the two of them together again … was only a matter of time.

  Chapter Four

  “Now you know you can’t come in here unless you have my nephew with you,” Craig said when he opened his front door.

  “Don’t you see my hands are full?” His brother, Derek, countered. “So open the damn door and quit playin’.”

  Craig laughed and stepped back to let his brother into the house, grabbing one of the suitcases that dangled from his hand. “Seriously though, where’s li’l man? And why does it look like you’re moving in for weeks instead of just a few days?”

  “Jason’s at daycare.” Derek headed for the stairs, already knowing which room he would claim during his stay. “And I have all of this junk because your nephew insisted on bringing tons of movies for you and him to watch, as well as every toy he owns.” Once he stepped into the bedroom he dropped the bags onto the bench at the foot of the bed. “Oh, and I almost strangled that kid this morning.” He turned to Craig and accepted the suitcase that he’d carried. “He pitched a fit when I took him to daycare, thanks to you.”

  “What? What did I do?”

  “He claimed he couldn’t go to daycare today because you were waiting for him. I literally had to carry that boy into the center, kicking and screaming.”

  Craig threw his head back and laughed. He always enjoyed his brother’s stories about Jason, who
was smarter than most three-year-olds. As a single parent, Derek had proved without a doubt that fathers could raise kids on their own, providing their child with a nurturing and loving environment despite it not being a two-parent home. After one year of marriage, Derek divorced his wife, fought for custody of their only son and won. Craig couldn’t see the outcome going any other way and nor could the judge once he considered Derek’s ex-wife had abandoned him, and their son when Jason was six months old. She claimed that marriage and raising kids were too much work.

  Craig didn’t care how much work marriage and parenting took, he wanted a family and he wanted that family with Toni. He had always pictured himself married with kids by the time he was thirty. He missed that goal by a year, but this year that marriage goal would be a reality.

  “Hey, holler if you need anything,” Craig said from the bedroom doorway. “I’ll be downstairs making breakfast.”

  “I’m right behind you.”

  “So how’s business?” Craig pulled eggs, onions, mushrooms and tomatoes from the refrigerator and placed them on the center island.

  “Not bad. I just signed a nice contract with Lexington Technology. I’m drawing up the plans for a remodel of the second and third floors of their downtown location.”

  “Ah, man, that’s cool.” They shared a fist bump and Craig pulled a pack of bacon out of the refrigerator. “I guess becoming a freelance architect is paying off. That’s your third big project this year.”

  “Yeah, I know. It’s working out a lot better than I expected.” He grabbed a couple of mugs from the cabinet near the sink and poured a cup of coffee for him and Craig. “But enough about me how was Steven Jenkins’ birthday party Saturday? Did you see Toni?”

  “I did.” He told his brother about Ronald, and how he found him held up in the bathroom with Toni and Jada looming over him. Craig had to laugh himself when he recalled the look on Toni’s face when he showed up.

  Derek shook his head. “Toni never ceases to amaze me with the crazy stuff she gets caught up in and to have both her and Jada dragging this guy around the house. I would have paid money to see that.” He sipped his black coffee. “Both of them together probably don’t weigh as much as that guy, yet they were able to get him to the bathroom.”