“Good morning,” he said, his warm breath blowing against her skin.
“Hey!” Natalie responded, her face flushing with color. “You scared me!”
“I didn’t mean to,” he said with a soft smile.
Natalie smiled back. “So what would you like to do today?”
He shrugged. “Whatever you’d like. I’m riding shotgun.”
She smirked, the pull to her face lifting her eyes brightly. “I hate driving.”
Tinjin shrugged. “Oh, well.”
“I’m better at giving directions,” she persisted.
He laughed. “I’m on vacation and this is your stomping ground,” he countered.
She narrowed her gaze as it swept over his face. Amusement danced with the bright light that flickered in her eyes. Tinjin resisted the urge to fall headfirst and lose himself in the stare she was giving him. He changed the subject.
“I love the outfit. Who’s the designer?”
“Vivian Chan.”
“Beautiful,” he said as he took her hand and gave her a slight spin.
“I’m impressed, as well,” she said as her gaze ran the length of his body. His slacks and blazer were a deep charcoal gray over a dark gray silk T-shirt that he’d partnered with casual black suede loafers. He was polished and well put together. And he had the brightest, most endearing smile.
“We both know how to dress and dress well,” Tinjin said. “That’s a good sign. It shows we’re compatible.”
Natalie laughed. “And vain.”
Tinjin chuckled with her. “Very vain. But it’s a necessary vice in our business.”
Nodding in agreement, Natalie slipped her arm through his. “Come on,” she said. “Let’s go play tourist.”
* * *
Hours later Natalie and Tinjin were laughing heartily as they waited for their first meal of the day to be delivered to their table. Natalie had spent the morning driving them around as she’d reminisced about her days growing up in the city. She’d driven him past her former high school, the church she’d been raised in, the small building that had housed her first job. Then there’d been those places she’d been unable to frequent, the ones that had been too pricey or simply inaccessible to a girl who’d been raised on her side of town. Places she could now buy and sell without blinking an eye. The memories had been bittersweet as she’d pretended to not be fazed, trying to keep the emotion from her eyes. But Tinjin had not missed the lingering looks that had spoken volumes when she’d drifted off into reflection.
She’d eventually chosen the Copper Onion for their midday meal, an upscale eatery that boasted a gourmet menu sourced from local farmers and purveyors. Tinjin had selected the wine, a chenin blanc blend that paired nicely with the steak salad that he’d ordered and the portobello-and-white-mushroom risotto she’d chosen. Natalie savored the first sip as she stared at him.
“Nice selection,” she said as she palmed her glass between her hands. “Very nice.”
“Thank you.” He looked around the room. “So how long has this place been here?”
Natalie shook her head. “I don’t know. This whole area was dirt and dust when I left. I can’t believe all the changes since I’ve been gone.”
Tinjin chuckled as a wave of sadness flushed her cheeks. “Don’t feel bad. It’s just a sign of the times. You could come back in two weeks and something else would be different. Unless you’re standing still there’s no way you can keep up with things changing!”
“I guess you have a point,” Natalie said.
There was a brief lull in the conversation as the waitress came to a stop at the table, hot plates juggled precariously in her arms. When their meals were settled in front of them and the waitress moved on to another table, Tinjin bowed his head in prayer. Natalie watched as he whispered a word of thanks and gratitude. When he lifted his head, his gaze resting on her face, she felt herself blush, heat warming her cheeks.
“You don’t bless your food?” Tinjin questioned as he took his first bite.
She smiled. “I do, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen any man do it. Not a whole lot of black Baptist churches and congregations in London.”
“Baptists aren’t the only ones who pray, Gnat.”
“You know what I mean.”
He smiled back. “I do. It took me a while to get used to the European aesthetic, as well.”
“It’s definitely not Salt Lake City. I like London, though. I like everything about it.”
“I like London, too. But I love Paris.”
“Do you speak French?”
“Je parle français et plusieurs autres langues couramment.”
“And several other languages fluently,” she echoed. “I’m impressed, TJ.”
“You should be.”
“And your several other languages include...?”
“Ich spreche deutsch. Yo hablo español. Parlo italiano.” He shrugged nonchalantly. “And I speak just a smidgen of Japanese,” he said.
“You’re quite the Renaissance man, aren’t you?”
“Girl, I’m the new breed of alpha male. I’m the whole enchilada, the bag of chips and I’m in touch with my sensitive side.” Tinjin dusted off his left shoulder with the backs of his fingers.
Natalie laughed. “You’re full of yourself, too!”
“Much like you, beautiful lady, I have my moments.” He met the look she was giving him, laughter shimmering in his eyes.
Tinjin’s smile was captivating, the depths of it brightening his face. His eyes were dazzling, seeming to illuminate the entire room. Natalie found herself relishing the warmth he exuded, everything about the man feeling like comfort food and home.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur as they hit all the tourist spots, snapping an endless stream of cell phone selfies to commemorate their time together. Tinjin couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so hard or as much. Natalie was great company. She had a quirky, dry sense of humor and her quick wit kept him on his toes. Together they played off each other like two dance partners who’d been performing together for years. It was the most natural give-and-take of any relationship he’d ever had and they were far from being in a relationship. But they were quickly becoming fast friends and Tinjin liked the dynamics growing between them.
“How long are you staying in Salt Lake City?” he asked as he savored the last bite of his late-night dessert, a crème brûlée from a little coffee shop in the downtown area.
“I’ll probably head back to London at the end of the week. My brother has to be in Los Angeles for a game on Sunday so he and Nathaniel both are leaving Friday. And Naomi is heading back to Arizona on Saturday. What about you? Where are you headed next?”
“Dallas. I want to spend time with my grandmother and a few more days with my sister and her family before I go back to London.”
“How long will you be in London before you move to Paris?”
“Just a few weeks. I have some meetings set up about my business and once I’ve finished those I’ll need to get right to work.”
Natalie nodded. “If you can squeeze it into your schedule I would love to cook dinner for you when you get back to London.”
“You can cook?” he questioned, one eyebrow raised.
She stared at him. “I’m a very good cook,” she snapped, her tone curt.
Tinjin laughed. “Why’d you say it like that? I just asked the question!”
“You were trying to be funny, TJ, but you’re not. You’re not funny at all!”
He shrugged. “I wasn’t trying to be funny. I just asked if you could cook because you don’t look like the type of woman who’d know her way around a stove.”
“What kind of woman do I look like?” Natalie said, her body tensing with rising annoyance.
&nb
sp; Tinjin grinned, his smile wide and teasing. He gave her a deep stare but said nothing, ignoring her question. “So what do you cook that’s good?”
“Everything I cook is good. I’ll have you know that I’m a master around the stove,” she answered, her eyes becoming thin slits.
Tinjin nodded. “I believe you.”
There was a moment of pause as Natalie gave him a harsh look, exasperation painting her expression.
“I do,” he repeated. “I really do. I’m sure you’re a superior cook and everything you touch tastes like heaven.”
Natalie pursed her lips tightly, a full pout pulling at her mouth. “Now you have jokes.”
Tinjin laughed. “Don’t get your knickers twisted. I was just teasing,” he said with a soft chuckle.
Natalie rolled her eyes. “I’m leaving. Find your own way home,” she said as she stood up abruptly. She put her cloth napkin on the table and grabbed her purse. “And don’t call me!”
Wide-eyed, Tinjin watched her as she stomped toward the front door. He called after her. “Natalie, wait!” He placed cash onto the table to cover the tab, then rushed behind her, grabbing at her elbow just as she stepped out the door. “Really, I was just kidding!” he said as he spun her toward him.
Natalie laughed, merriment shimmering in her eyes. “So was I,” she said. “But I like how you came after me. I liked that a lot.”
“You play too much!” Tinjin exclaimed. The look across his face wafted between annoyance and amusement.
“Only when I have someone to play with,” she responded nonchalantly.
“Well, I’m not interested in your games.”
Natalie smiled, her gaze teasing. “Yes, you are,” she said as she took a step toward him, brushing her palms across the front of his shirt.
Tinjin grinned back, his own stare sweeping across her face. “Yes, I am.”
The two stood eyeing each other, the heat between them rising with a vengeance. Natalie gasped when Tinjin suddenly reached his arm around her waist and pulled her to him. She settled against the rising hardness of his taut muscles, her soft curves caving nicely against him. Their gazes were still locked one to the other, eyes dancing back and forth. Natalie’s mouth was parted slightly and when she snaked her tongue past her lips, licking them lightly, Tinjin tightened the hold he had around her torso.
He pulled her even closer and with no hesitation dropped his mouth to hers. His lips skated against her lips easily, the plush pillows gliding like silk against silk. They both tasted sweet, like the dessert they’d just consumed, and there was the faintest hint of mocha cappuccino on her breath. He inhaled the scent of her, a deep influx of air that filled his lungs and nourished his spirit. He kissed her and it felt like the first kiss he’d ever had, every nerve ending in his body surging with delight. The pleasure was intoxicating and he suddenly felt addicted, unable to fathom ever having enough of her.
Natalie kissed him back. She kissed him with every fiber of her body, every sinew melting against him. She felt safe and secure in his arms and the delightful sensations sweeping through her were intense. Nothing compared to the brilliance of the moment, everything seeming to fall into place when she’d least expected it. His hands tapped gently down her spine, his fingertips igniting a wave of combustion that emanated from her feminine spirit. She felt as if she’d been dropped straight into heaven and nothing could pull her from the moment.
* * *
Saying goodbye was proving to be more problematic than Tinjin would ever have imagined. Natalie had driven him to the airport and now they stood together in the American Airlines ticket area, wrapped around each other. Their kisses were even sweeter than the night before and Tinjin realized just how much he was going to miss having her around.
“Call me when you land in Dallas,” Natalie said, pressing her cheek to his.
“I will.” Tinjin dropped his eyes down to stare at her. “And you owe me dinner when we get back to London.”
Natalie laughed. “You lost your chance at any free meal I cook,” she said.
He shrugged his shoulders. “Then get someone else to cook it, but it better be as good as you claim your cooking is.” His smile was haughty as he kissed her one last time. He winked, then turned and headed off toward the security line.
Natalie watched him walk away, staring until he waved one last time and disappeared from view. She suddenly felt empty and anxious for time to pass so that she could see him again. The new emotion was awkward and disconcerting, something she’d never felt before. She took a deep breath and then a second, once again fighting back tears.
Her cell phone suddenly rang, a new text message registering on the device. Depressing the buttons, she read the greeting once and then a second time. I miss you already. Her smile was miles wide. Her new friend TJ had just made her entire day.
Chapter 8
Pulling into the driveway of his grandmother’s home lifted Tinjin’s spirits until he felt as though he might actually burst with sheer joy. Coming home always had that effect on him. The small cottage was a welcome sight, with its bright arrangements of flora that decorated the landscape. His grandmother’s gardens were the pride of the neighborhood and the saltbox architecture gleamed with light and warmth.
As Tinjin sat in the driveway, his rental car idling in Park, everything about the homestead reminded him of all that was good about growing up beneath the watchful eye of Deloriann Braddy. He and his sister had both been blessed to have the matriarch to depend on. After both of his parents had disappeared from his life he had never taken his grandmother’s love for granted, and he and Tierra both were mindful to show their appreciation every chance they could.
Mama Dee was standing at the kitchen sink when he entered the home using the key he’d had possession of since he was a young boy. She was a robust woman dressed in her usual inside attire, a cotton housecoat and satin bedroom slippers. From her large eyes and full cheeks down to her thick legs and wide ankles, everything about her was round in a pleasant, soft-dough kind of way.
Her largesse filled the room with personality. The warmth she exuded was almost contrary to the stainless-steel appliances and rich ebony color of the granite countertops. Mama Dee was more like the exterior of her home, with its brightly painted shutters, sweeping porches and massive floral beds, each conflicting with its redecorated interior. As he stood in the entranceway staring, Tinjin almost regretted his and Tierra’s decision to gut the home’s insides to give their grandmother new bathrooms and a chef’s kitchen.
The older woman’s gregarious voice boomed warmly. “How you gone just come into my house and not speak!”
Tinjin grinned. “Hey, Mama Dee! I just got a little sentimental. It feels good to be home.”
Her own bright smile warmed Tinjin’s heart as Mama Dee extended her arms in her grandson’s direction. “Come give me some suga’, boy!”
Stepping into her outstretched arms, Tinjin hugged and kissed the matriarch, reminded of those moments he’d felt safe and secure in her embrace. Wrapped in his grandmother’s love, Tinjin let a tear drip from his eyes, swiping it away before she noticed.
“So how long you plan on being home?” she asked, gesturing for him to take a seat at her kitchen table.
“For a few days if you’ll have me.”
Mama Dee nodded. “Son, you know this will always be your home. You don’t need to ask to stay. I’ll be glad for the company. Was just about to work the gardens and I could use the help. My knees aren’t as good as they use to be.”
Tinjin chuckled. “Why don’t I change my clothes and then we’ll see what I can help you with.”
“I was just about to get my midday coffee and a chicken salad sandwich first. Are you hungry?”
“Is that your famous chicken salad?”
“You know I don’t eat nobody else’
s so I don’t know why you asking that foolishness!”
He nodded. “I would love something to eat. I’ve missed your cooking.”
Mama Dee winked as she moved to the refrigerator, pulling a Tupperware container from inside. Just as Tinjin started to take a seat at the kitchen table his grandmother admonished him to go wash his hands. He felt like he was ten years old again and it made him smile. By the time he returned to the kitchen the table was set with two sandwiches on her favorite porcelain plates, a side salad and two steaming cups of rich, black coffee. When he was settled in his seat, Mama Dee blessed the food, offering up a prayer of thanksgiving.
“How was your flight?” Mama Dee asked as they both took their first bites of the afternoon meal.
Tinjin swiped at the crumbs that dusted his lips with a paper napkin before answering. “It was good. I got stuck in New York coming from London. They had some major snow that slowed us down.”
Mama Dee’s head bobbed against her thick neck. “I spoke to your sister. She tells me you met a woman while you were stuck there at that airport.”
Tinjin laughed. “I’m sure Tierra had a lot to say.”
“She did.”
“Well, it’s nothing for you or Tierra to concern yourselves with. Natalie and I are just friends.”
Tinjin could feel his grandmother’s intense stare boring into him. He focused on his sandwich, refusing to meet the look he knew she was giving him.
“Just friends?”
Tinjin nodded as he drew a forkful of salad into his mouth.
“You don’t need to be rushing into any relationship with that girl, Tinjin. That baby just lost her mother. She needs some time to work through that. She don’t need to be starting no new relationships right now.”
Tinjin gave his grandmother a quick look. “We’re not rushing into anything.”
The old woman’s gaze narrowed.
“Really, Mama Dee! We’re not!”
“Mind what I tell you,” she said. “I’ve lived longer and I know more.”
My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) Page 8