Tinjin laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”
Both finished their meal. The conversation was casual as they caught up with each other. Then his grandmother made plans for his time.
“You should change your clothes now so you can come help me out in the gardens. Tomorrow I expect you to come to bible study with me at the church. Congregation ain’t seen you in a good while. Be nice for you to catch up with everyone since you won’t be here for Sunday service.”
“Yes, Mama Dee.”
Tinjin’s cell phone suddenly vibrated. As he read the text message on the screen his smile widened into a full grin. He and Natalie had been communicating back and forth since he’d left Salt Lake City. Her humor was contagious, each of her messages moving him to laughter.
His grandmother eyed him curiously as his thumbs danced over the screen, texting back. The reply made him smile even wider. The back-and-forth went on for a good five minutes before Tinjin realized he’d gotten distracted. “Sorry,” he said, a sheepish expression washing over his face.
Mama Dee shook her head. “Lord, have mercy!” she exclaimed as she moved onto her feet, beginning to clear away the dirty dishes.
“What, Mama Dee?”
“You not only rushed into it, but you so far gone I wouldn’t be surprised if you two already planning the wedding.”
Tinjin’s laugh was gut deep. “No one’s planning any wedding, Mama Dee.”
“Uh-huh!”
“You worry too much.”
His grandmother laughed. “I’m not worried about a thing. But don’t think I don’t know you, Tinjin. I raised you and I can see it all over your face. That girl has your nose wide open! So you better make sure I meet this girl soon.”
Tinjin grinned, his head moving from side to side. “Yes, ma’am!”
* * *
“You’re glowing! You’re not pregnant, are you?”
Natalie laughed as her best friend and partner in crime, Frenchie Adams, eyed her suspiciously. Frenchie had been the first person Natalie had met when she’d first arrived in London. Just a few years older, the expat had been working as a graphic designer for a small clothing firm, creating the designs for the fashion house’s seasonal look books. The two women had bumped into each other as Natalie had stood outside a corner bakery, counting the last of her change in hopes she’d be able to buy herself a croissant. Recognizing the hunger in her eyes, Frenchie had taken Natalie under her wing, giving her a blanket and her living-room couch to rest her head on and enough food to squash the pangs of hunger that rippled through her abdomen. Frenchie had been her first connection to the fashion industry, pointing her in all the right directions. The rest was history and both knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that they would remain friends forever.
“I’m serious. Something’s changed,” Frenchie persisted.
“Well, I’m definitely not pregnant,” Natalie said.
The two women sat in a corner booth at one of their favorite eateries, Seven Park Place at the St. James’s hotel. Frenchie’s dark eyes narrowed with suspicion.
“Then it has to be a man!” she suddenly exclaimed, excitement billowing with her words. “A rich man!”
“Why does he have to be rich?”
Frenchie tossed her a look. “He doesn’t have to be,” she said, her facial expression contradicting her comment. “But it would be nice.”
Natalie laughed, shaking her head.
“I’m just saying,” Frenchie quipped. “You disappear for two weeks for your mama’s funeral and come back like you just won the lottery. Something’s amiss, my friend.”
Natalie’s eyes rolled a second time. She took a deep breath. “My brother Noah says the mourning will probably hit me in a few weeks.” She shrugged. “Right now, though, I just feel...I don’t know...relieved? It’s like going home took a heavy burden off my shoulders.”
“You reconnected with your family. And family that you didn’t even know you had. That was a nice reminder that you’re not alone.”
Natalie nodded.
“But that still doesn’t explain that gleam in your eyes,” Frenchie said.
“I did meet someone and I think he’s a really nice guy,” Natalie said.
Frenchie snapped her fingers. She bounced up and down in her seat. “I knew it! Girl, a good man will do it to you every time!”
“He’s a designer and he currently lives in London, but is moving to Paris.”
“You could live in Paris. I could see that.”
Natalie took a deep breath. “Our two families are actually connected in the United States. His sister is married to my cousin.”
“So he comes with trustworthy references. When do I get to meet him?”
“He’s flying back tonight. Hopefully I’ll be able to see him tomorrow, or maybe the day after. I don’t know when you’ll meet him!”
“Girl, you better meet that man at the airport! We can go together. Welcome him home proper!”
“I can’t just show up at the airport.”
“Why not?”
“I’d look desperate and I don’t want to seem overly eager,” she stated.
Frenchie laughed. “But you are desperate.”
Natalie laughed with her. “Maybe I am but he doesn’t need to know that.”
“What have I told you about playing games with men?”
“I’m not playing games
“Keep telling yourself that.”
“I’m not playing games, but I do intend to keep him on his toes.”
“So what’s his name?”
“Tinjin. Tinjin Braddy.”
Frenchie’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Interesting.”
Natalie smiled. “It’s different.”
“So what about Jean-Paul?” Frenchie suddenly questioned. Curiosity furrowed her brow.
Natalie met her friend’s deep stare. She hadn’t given the notorious Jean-Paul Vivier a single thought in weeks. The billionaire playboy was someone she’d dated briefly, his interest in her far more serious than hers had ever been. He’d wined and dined her, had lavished her with gifts and had been overwhelmingly annoying.
That, and there was something about his lack of personal hygiene that was repulsive. His mouth was a disaster area, teeth twisted, one or two missing, and the coloration, a garish shade of yellow, was off-putting to the point of distraction.
His referring to her as his fiancée at the last social event they’d attended together had been the final straw. Marrying Jean-Paul was not on her personal radar, the man coming nowhere close to being a man she could see herself doing forever with. She’d begun to push him away, refusing to take his calls and ignoring him publicly. Her efforts had only served to further fuel his interest.
She shrugged dismissively. “What about him?”
Her friend’s expression was teasing as she crossed her arms over her chest. “So, it’s like that now?”
“It’s been like that for a while and you know it. I am not interested in Jean-Paul.”
“I don’t think Jean-Paul is ready to be dismissed like that.”
Natalie shrugged again, her eyes rolling. “That’s his problem. Not mine. Besides, I know for a fact he attended the Met Gala in New York with some new hip-hop artist. Jean-Paul has moved on just like he should have.”
“He didn’t go with her. They were just photographed together.”
“Whatever. It’s not my concern.”
Frenchie sat staring at her for a brief moment.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“I didn’t think so,” Natalie quipped and the two women laughed heartily.
They continued to catch up with each other, their conversation peppered with one-liners and laughter. The discourse was comfortable and Natal
ie felt at ease with her best friend. She was excited to catch her up on the details of her meeting Tinjin and as she shared the experience, she found herself grinning from ear to ear, the memories like the sweetest balm across her spirit.
* * *
Hours later Natalie was still riding the clouds of a very happy high. She stole a quick glance toward her clock radio as she slipped between her bedsheets. She reached for her cell phone and dialed Tinjin, his number programmed on her speed dial. The phone rang twice and then a third time before Tinjin answered, breathing heavily into the receiver.
“So what were you doing?” Natalie questioned. She pulled her knees to her chest as she settled her back against the bed pillows.
“I was cutting grass,” Tinjin said. “With a push mower and it is exceptionally hot here in Texas.”
Natalie smiled. “Awww! How sweet you are, helping out your grandmother.”
“I don’t know about all that. I know I wasn’t expecting to work quite this hard on vacation,” he said with a wry laugh.
“Well, I like your grandmother and I enjoyed talking to her on the phone the other day. I can’t wait to meet her.”
“Mama Dee can’t wait to meet you, too. So, what are you doing?”
“Headed to bed. I have a long day tomorrow.”
“That sounds interesting.”
“It really isn’t. I’ll be running errands in the morning and then I have a photo shoot in the afternoon.”
Tinjin nodded. “My plane leaves at seven tonight. Barring any bad weather in New York, my international connection should leave just before midnight and put me in London sometime before nine o’clock in the morning.”
“Well, let’s hope you don’t get snowed in.”
“I’m keeping my fingers crossed,” Tinjin said. There was a moment’s hesitation as he listened to her breathing on the other end. Her breath was a soft inhale and exhalation, her calm energy wafting through the receiver. “So, you’re cooking dinner for me tomorrow night, right?” Tinjin asked.
Natalie laughed, the wealth of it like a sweet jingle against Tinjin’s ear.
He smiled widely. “Why are you laughing? I’m being serious.”
“I told you I was not cooking for you ever. That train has pulled out of the station.”
Tinjin laughed this time. “You never said you were never ever going to cook for me.”
“I know what I said. You just heard what you wanted to hear.”
“Oh, I know what I heard. I heard you promise me a home-cooked meal when we were both back home. Tomorrow we will both be back in London. Besides, you can’t stay mad at me and you know it. I’m too damn cute.”
“You are so full of yourself!”
“I am but I’m not a picky eater so anything you cook should be fine. As long as it’s good and since you were bragging about how good you are I’m sure whatever you fix will be fine.”
“You done?” Natalie asked.
“Don’t forget dessert,” Tinjin added. “I have a weakness for anything sweet and chocolate is, of course, my absolute favorite.”
“You’re unbelievable!” Natalie gushed.
“Not really,” Tinjin said. He could feel her smiling and he imagined the amusement that painted her expression. “What are you wearing?” His voice dropped two octaves as his question rang between them.
Natalie’s eyes widened slightly. “Excuse me?” She stole a quick glance down to the flannel pajamas she wore. “You did not just ask me that!”
Tinjin’s imagination was roused as he pondered the possibility. “So, you’re wearing nothing. Is it nothing like panties-and-a-bra nothing or nothing like naked-as-the-day-you-were-born nothing? Do you go commando when you sleep?”
“Nothing like it’s none of your business nothing,” she responded with a soft giggle.
“So, nothing like you’re only wearing moisturizer and body spray.” Tinjin hummed softly. “Hmmm! That sounds enticing.”
“Goodbye, TJ,” Natalie said, grateful that he couldn’t see the soft blush that had risen to her cheeks. “Have a safe flight.”
“Good night, Gnat. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow.”
There was no hesitation as Natalie responded. “I feel the same way!”
Chapter 9
They were a small crowd standing in a half circle with balloons and signs that bore his name and welcomed him home. Natalie led the group of five women, her sign bigger than the others, her smile the widest. They erupted in a loud cheer as he stepped past the doors of the luggage area at Heathrow airport, looking for a taxi to carry him home.
Tinjin smiled as he looked from one eager face to the next, curious to know who they all were. Slightly embarrassed by all the hoopla, he stole a quick glance over one shoulder and then the other, mindful of all the travelers who were eyeing them curiously. As he approached, Natalie stepped toward him, easing her body against his. She lifted her face upward, her lips pursed and trembling with excitement as they met his. He looped his arms around her waist and pulled her even closer as he kissed her back, his own excitement tightening every muscle in his body.
“Welcome home,” Natalie whispered when they finally broke the connection.
“Yeah, welcome home,” Frenchie said as she pushed her way between them. Her hand was extended in greeting. “Hi, it’s very nice to meet you!”
Tinjin laughed heartily. “It’s nice to meet you, too! Who are you?”
Natalie laughed with him. “Tinjin, this is my best friend, Frenchie. And that’s Catherine, Leslie and Imani.”
The other women all waved, greeting him warmly.
“This is quite a surprise,” Tinjin said as he gave Natalie a quick squeeze.
“I figured I’d bring the whole cheerleading team to welcome you home. Plus, I figured you might need a ride.”
His grin was warm and bright. “I could get used to this,” he said.
Frenchie laughed. “Don’t get too used to it. We need to get to work,” she said as she stole a quick glance down to her wristwatch. “Hopefully we’ll be able to see you again sometime soon, Mr. Braddy!”
“I look forward to it,” he answered. “And please, call me Tinjin!”
“You hear that, right, Natalie? Tinjin looks forward to seeing us again so make sure that happens.”
Tinjin laughed.
Natalie rolled her eyes. She leaned to kiss her friend’s cheek. “Go to work, please!”
The other three women all moved to give her a hug. “We’re doing drinks after work,” Imani said, her Cockney accent thick and heavy. “It’ll be the perfect opportunity for us to get to know you better.” She gave Tinjin a wink as she kissed her friend.
Tinjin tossed Natalie a quick look. She scowled, her eyes rolling skyward. The other women all laughed.
“Don’t get your brassiere twisted,” the woman named Catherine said with a soft giggle. “She was just teasing!”
“No, she wasn’t,” Natalie said, her lip snarling slightly. She fanned her friends away. “Thank you, ladies. Now, goodbye.”
She and Tinjin watched as Frenchie and the rest of her crew disappeared into the parking garage, all of them still laughing heartily.
“So, would you like a ride?” Natalie asked, turning her attention back to Tinjin.
“I would,” he said, but first you need to welcome me home properly,” he said.
“I beg your pardon?”
“You heard me,” Tinjin teased.
She giggled softly as he pulled her back to him and kissed her again. Natalie gasped and as she inhaled the scent of him a wave of heat spiraled deep into her core. His tongue teased her lips, then snaked past the line of her teeth to dance inside the warm lining of her mouth. The moment was intoxicating, leaving them both breathing heavily when he finally pulled
himself from her, loosening the hold he had around her body.
Her eyes were wide and she panted softly. “So how was that for a welcome home?” she finally managed to ask.
Tinjin nodded. “That...” He paused to catch his breath. “That was good!”
* * *
Tinjin’s West End home was quaint and casual, befitting his easygoing demeanor. The decor was purposely sparse against bright white walls and oversize windows. A red-and-gold-striped settee and black leather sectional sat in a far corner with an oversize black lacquer table anchoring them. A rustic dining table surrounded by upholstered leather and tweed fabric chairs took up significant space, the table’s surface stacked with paper and pencil drawings. At a glance nothing went together but somehow Tinjin’s accessorizing had made it work, the elegant styling like a vision out of a magazine.
“Impressive,” Natalie said as she walked the interior, eyeing his personal possessions. She moved to the window to peer out to the landscape.
“It’s comfortable.”
She nodded as she turned to face him. “It does feel homey. I really like it. I might need you to give me a few suggestions. My place is very museumlike.”
“A little cold and stiff?” Tinjin quipped. “Like you?”
Her eyes widened. “I am not cold or stiff, thank you very much!”
Tinjin laughed as he moved to her side, pulling her into his arms. “I know you aren’t. I was just teasing.” He blew a soft sigh as he dropped his face into the length of her hair. He took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of mango and shea butter that nourished her hair. “So, what’s on your agenda today?”
Rising onto her toes Natalie kissed his cheek before pulling herself from his arms. Heat had risen with a vengeance and she needed to put some serious space between them. Tinjin eyed her, a coy smile pulling at his full lips. His muscles had tightened and he understood the sudden need for a cool breeze to blow between them. She moved to the settee and sat down, pulling a pillow to her chest.
“I have a photo shoot in an hour and then I’m headed home to cook dinner. I have company coming. What about you? Anything planned for this afternoon?”
“I have a meeting in a few hours,” he said as he glanced at his watch. “Then I’m coming to your house to get my dinner...and my dessert.” His smile was smug as he met her gaze.
My Stallion Heart (The Stallions Book 7) Page 9