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Anticipation
Talia Carmichael
Anticipation
By: Talia Carmichael
When life brings you someone who’s supposed to be yours you’ll need to decide if you’ll give into the anticipation…
Dixon Avery’s only focus is his center and he doesn’t have time for anything else. Especially with the upcoming event to raise funds he has to keep on track without distractions. Except he can’t get the sexy bookstore owner he’s just met out of his mind. Since the man dismissed him then it won’t be a problem to forget about him since he won’t see him again. Maybe…possibly. Yet when the man shows up to his center Dixon knows there’s no way he could have ever forgotten about him. Now he has to decide what to do about the man who has captured his attention.
Reginald Williams doesn’t like anything that upsets his orderly world. Especially when it’s the man he’s been seeing pass his bookstore for years on the way to the center he owns. The man who he’s thought about all too often, admiring him from afar not just for his work at the center but also as a man who he’s attracted too. Now he has an opportunity to meet him when he comes into his bookstore looking for Reginald to volunteer. He never reacts well when being caught off guard. He’s mad at himself for the lost opportunity. Now he’s going to have to step out of his comfort zone and take a chance on not only doing a good thing to help out at the center but maybe have a chance with a man who makes him want to step out of his orderly world.
Two men not looking for things to change but life has a way of doing things that will fulfill what they never knew was their anticipation….
Dedication
To my family, who have believed in me from the very beginning. Thanks for your support.
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Also by Talia Carmichael
Additional Books by Talia Carmichael
About the Author
Chapter One
Dixon Avery thought of his to do list and smiled just imagining what was to come. He loved working at his center and with the upcoming event; that would hopefully raise a lot of funds, he could finally get that computer program he wanted. And maybe be able to do some other things he wanted. He smiled wide as he headed toward the center. It was his life and he had put everything he had emotional and physically into it. Financially with his previous career as a doctor, he’d had money he could invest into starting it. Since then he’d used the contacts he had to continue to fund the center and build. When he’d left his career of being a doctor at a prestigious hospital to open the center many of his old colleagues, friends and family had thought he was nuts. But he knew that he needed something to fill his soul and not his wallet.
Here he was now years later and he hadn’t regretted it at all. He was living the New York dream; of well pursuing your dream, and making it in this city. He was glad to be able to get up each morning and get to do what he loved. Dixon slowed and glanced at Up On Your Toes— the dance studio—that was run by his friend Tyler Reiss. He’d become friends with the man when he opened the place. Tyler had made it a point to meet all the other business owners in the area. Dixon had clicked with him, which was surprising, since Dixon didn’t usually meet new people and be so instantly drawn to them. At least not to become such a close friend. Then again it could be Tyler’s personality—the man was open, honest and relentless once he decided he wanted something. In this case it seems like he wanted Dixon as a friend. Dixon was glad he was in his life. The studio was dark since it was only a little after six in the morning. Knowing Tyler he would stop by before he opened to check in with him. He continued on his way and many of the other businesses in the area was closed as they hadn’t started there day yet. Although the center didn’t open for a few hours; he liked getting there to do some things and have a walk-though while the place was empty. But first he needed some tea and breakfast. The coffee shop on the way to his center had some great ones of both and was his usual morning stop before going to work.
As he approached the bookstore; that had been there when he opened years ago, he made a mental note as he did often to stop in. He loved to read and although he did mostly e-books these days he still loved the feel of a book in his hands. He ordered paperbacks online but he missed the feel of a bookstore. That he had an independent bookstore this close to his home, as well as the center and didn’t take advantage was a shame.
Yes I need to stop in. He’d seen the owner from time to time at the other businesses in the area. He knew who the owners of the businesses due to the community events they sometimes attended together but didn’t talk or socialize with everyone. He’d even run into the bookstore owner at the coffee shop and the restaurants in the area. Although he’d never spoken to him. At the store he paused seeing the lights were on. It was unusual for this time of day, so he went to the door and found it locked. He looked in and didn’t see anything in the semi-dark store. Dixon frowned not sure if the store was being robbed or the owner was inside. Deciding to err on the side of caution he took out his cell to dial the police.
“Can I help you?” A disembodied voice asked.
Dixon glanced around and didn’t see where the voice was coming from.
“Look up.” The voice came again.
He did and spotted the camera. He chuckled at himself. Dixon figured that if someone was robbing the place; they wouldn’t be speaking to him via the security system. He’d recently had something similar set up at the center; where he could see through cameras, what was happening around the building and inside and speak so someone could hear him if needed. Usually it would be too much for him to afford but it was a donation from a friend of his he’d meet through Tyler and although he protested he’d somehow found himself with it anyway. Arguing with Tyler was…well…you ended up wondering how you’d been convinced.
“I’m Dixon from the center down the street. I was on the way when I noticed the lights and was concerned sine I don’t usually see them on this time of day.”
“I know who you are.” The man said.
Dixon lifted an eyebrow at the sharp tone. Maybe it was just how it sounded through the system. He shrugged.
“Now that I know all is well, I’ll be on my way.” He went to step back.
“How’d you know it is?” The voice was again sharp. “For all you know I could be a crook who is holding the owner hostage.”
Dixon frowned. “Ok. But why would you tell me this if you are?”
“Ahh…playing devil’s advocate.” The man sounded amused over the intercom system. “But how about maybe I am telling you to throw you off?”
Dixon smiled now amused to be having a conversation with the unseen man. “Sure you could be but I recognize your voice.”
“You recognize my voice.” Again the man spoke sharply. “We’ve never spoken to each other.”
“Yes not directly. But I have heard you speak at community events we have been at. Also at the coffee shop and some of the food place around here. I know that you drink tea like I do. We both enjoy the vanilla caramel tea that the coffee shop has. I also like the bla
ck vanilla as well as Sultry Strawberry one. Not sure if you drink any of the others only seen you order the vanilla caramel.”
“It’s my favorite.” The man sounded contemplative. “You noticed.”
He shrugged. “What can I say I’m an observant guy. Anyway unless you are being held hostage, I think it’s safe to say you’re you and I’m headed to the center.”
“Ok.” The man said then. “Have a nice day.”
“Thanks you too.” Dixon turned to leave then thought of something he had planned. “Actually can I talk to you face to face for a moment?”
The silence was so long that he thought he wouldn’t reply. “I’ll be right there.”
Dixon shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans as he waited. He watched inside the glass front door. Then shifted his attention to the windows on either side. They had a stylized design with the name of the bookstore and a logo. Through them the display that was in the windows would entice people to go inside. He focused back to the front door and saw someone coming toward him. The dim lighting made it hard for him to make out the man but the languid grace intrigued him. In the next moment he was able to see the man’s features and his breath stalled. In all the times he’d seen him in passing he’d never registered how handsome he was.
Black hair fell in careless waves around his features of high cheekbones, broad forehead and rounded chin with a slight dent in middle coming together giving him a sensual look. When he was at the door, the man lifted his head and Dixon was caught by those violet eyes surrounded by gold wire framed glasses. In those eyes he saw intelligence and a mischievousness; Dixon would bet he didn’t let anyone see. He opened the door and stepped back. Dixon took the unspoken invitation and he went in. The man closed the door but didn’t lock it. He watched Dixon silently. Under the scrutiny Dixon found himself unexpectedly tongue-tied. He got hard as his body reminded him he was a man and hadn’t been with anyone for a long time.
So much for me being observant. I never noticed this man and I have seen him so many times but never actually saw him.
“What do you want?” The man’s tone was abrasive.
“Mister…I don’t know your name.” Dixon smiled.
“You’ve seen me but don’t know my name.” The man smiled widely.
It made him even more appealing.
“Reginald Williams.” The man paused. “I know your first name as Dixon.”
“It’s Dixon Avery.” He chuckled sheepishly. “I can’t believe we’ve been passing each other for years and didn’t know each other’s names.”
The man expression shuttered and then. “I have things to do Mister Avery—“
“Dixon.” He interrupted then. “I only need a few moments of your time Mister Williams.”
“Reginald.” He glanced at his watch.
Dixon took that as his signal to get on with it. The man was handsome but prickly.
“As you know I run the center and I’m planning; if I get enough funds raised with the event coming up, to expand our literacy program to include…” He discussed his plans; as he got excited he shared with him things he hadn’t with anyone else. The long term plans for the program. He slowed then, “Sorry I got carried away. Anyway I wanted to know if you would donate your time and or some books for the program.”
Reginald stared at him then frowned. “Just because I own a bookstore doesn’t mean I know how to teach others to read or help with a literacy program.”
“I’ve heard good things from the patrons who come to the center, the staff and the volunteers about the reading time you have here for the kids and adults.” Dixon shrugged. “Been meaning to come and find out if you would do that at the center. I know you are busy…”
“Yes I am busy.” He looked away then. “Lock up behind you.”
Reginald walked away without another word.
“Reggie I…”
“It’s Reginald.” His voice was cold. “See yourself out.”
Dixon closed his mouth and watched him go across the room; then through the doors, disappearing into the back. He stood there stunned. The man was hot and cold. One moment he seems human then he became this cold thing. He shook his head and went to the door. He turned the lock before he left and went outside. As it closed he paused outside the door and sighed. He didn’t know what he did and that fleeting attraction…well he’d write that off since he wasn’t going see the man again. He wouldn’t be seeking him out and if he came to his bookstore; he’d make sure it was when one of Reginald’s employees was there and not the man himself.
With that in mind he went on his way. As he walked he thought of the man and what had happened. He still didn’t know what his problem was. He went over it a few times and still had no answers. Dixon stopped realizing he was in front of the door to the center; which meant he had passed the coffee shop he frequented, and hadn’t gotten his tea and something for breakfast. He sighed. He wasn’t going to retrace his steps. Unlocking the door he stepped in and entered the security code. He walked across the foyer entry and toward the offices. He’d make his walk-through in a little while. In the hall he passed the other offices and noted the lights on in one of them that was closer to his own.
“Did you sleep here?” Dixon leaned his shoulder against the doorjamb.
“I usually ask you that since you get here before I do. You’re late this morning.” Mario Crane—one of his best friends and second at the center—said and looked up.
He thought of the stop he made. Dixon quickly filled him in on the run in with the bookstore owner. He finished with. “I don’t know what his issue with me was.”
Mario stared at him then chuckled. “Mister Charming couldn’t get a man who interested him to go with what he wanted. We better tell folks to get ready for a snowstorm in the middle of summer.”
“Fuck you.” Dixon said without any heat.
“You wish.” Mario smiled making his blue eyes twinkle. “Come on you know it’s funny. You can convince almost anyone of anything. It’s why the center is thriving and we have the people we do helping us with the event coming up. You’re charismatic and that makes people want to volunteer time and those who can money. I expect we will pull in lots of funds from the event. More than we need so we can do many of those dream things to expand the center as we want too.” Mario leaned forward and his blonde hair with a streak of green sheltered his face. “Yet this Reggie didn’t come around when you turned on the charm.”
“Reginald.” He corrected. “He didn’t like being called that.” He frowned. “I don’t know if I actually tried to be charming. He had me—“
“He lets me call him Reggie and I have since I visit his bookstore often. Lets see he had you befuddled? Bedazzled? Weak with lust?” Mario grinned. “Ready to strip down and ravish him?”
“You really need to stop reading so many romance books.” Dixon glared at him. “It’s making you believe in things that’s not real.”
“Romance books are good. And they are real since there are those with happy ever after, happy for now or those bittersweet romance. It’s a matter of which romance a person wants or ends up with. Basically you meet someone, find you like them or lust after them, figure out how to get them, then you get them, are happy for a while then rip each other’s heart out then according to how things go; you can come back for happy ever after or for now or part never to come back together again. So yep romances are good.”
Dixon stared at him. “You just summarized what happens in romance in a few words but there is so much more to it.”
“I know but I was making a point.” Mario smirked. “You need a little romance in your life, Dix. Something besides this center to fill your soul.” He sobered. “I see you give everything for this place and that is great but balance is a good thing to have.”
“You should talk. You do the same.” Dixon shrugged. “I don’t have time for romance. Besides the one man; I was interested in for a long time, well he dismissed me.”
“But if
this was a romance he’d come looking for you with some token of an apology.”
“But it’s not a romance. This is real life.” Dixon straightened. “I live in reality. Now I am off to get some stuff done before doing my walk-through. Let me know when you are ready for it.”
He nodded and went the rest of the way down the hall to his office. Whenever either of them was working; they did a morning walk-through. Either together if they were in at the same time or separately if they had a day off.
“Dix, forgot to let you know, Tyler is in the studio practicing for the event. That man has some stamina. Working all day at his studio and coming in early to practice for our event. He’s been doing that the last few days.” Mario said.
Dixon hadn’t been here. He’d taken a few days off before things got busy with the event. Dixon looked toward him then changed direction. “Really? Why doesn’t that surprise me that Tyler would do that?”
He passed Mario and went back the way he had come. The studio was an addition that he added after he did his last fundraiser. He’d admit it was due to Tyler and his love of dance and sharing it with others. The program Tyler had helped him create and he’d vetted the instructors for him too was popular. He strolled across the foyer then through the other set of halls then stopped in front of the open doors of the studio. Tyler was so focused he didn’t hear him. Dixon watched him move and was blown away as usual by his grace and talent. The slow melody increased and so did Tyler; going into some intricate movements, then it slowed again and he finished. Dixon clapped.
Tyler glanced at him and smiled. “Hey, you’re back. How were your days off?”
“Good. Got some stuff done around the house. Golden was confused the first day or so. She was by the door waiting for me to wake up and come here.”
Tyler laughed. “I love your dog. Where is she? She’s usually by your side.” Tyler picked up a towel off the bar by the glass then wiped his face.
Memories with The Breakfast Club: Anticipation Page 1