by Candace Shaw
He carried the stainless steel carafe of coffee in one hand and creamer in the other. Brooklyn was relieved he wore a Yale Law school sweatshirt, but it did nothing to hide the fact she knew the scrumptious Adonis chest and muscular biceps that laid underneath it.
“Hey, you’re just in time,” she said, placing the biscuits onto a white, oval platter. “Everything is done.” She motioned for him to sit at the kitchen table as he placed his items in the middle and surveyed the table scene.
“This is rather nice for an impromptu invite.” He walked over to her chair and pulled it out for her before sitting down in his. “Is your table always set?”
“Uh … no. It’s usually filled with magazines, photos, and junk mail.” She laughed sarcastically because she’d stuffed all of it into the kitchen junk drawer after she invited him to breakfast. “Well, dig in.” Brooklyn handed him the serving spoon for the grits.
“No, ladies first.” He spooned out some grits onto her plate. The cheddar cheese oozed through. “Mmm …cheese grits. My fav.”
Once their plates were full, they ate in silence for a few moments as he complimented her on everything.
“These biscuits are delicious,” he stated, spreading strawberry marmalade on one of the halves. “I love homemade biscuits. Reminds me of growing up.”
“Thank you. My mother’s recipe. I make them on Sundays like she used to before she got sick.”
He nodded empathetically with wistful eyes as if he knew her mother had lost her battle with breast cancer and her father had died a year later from a heart attack. Brooklyn was a senior in high school upon her father’s death, and Rasheed, who was a starting point guard in the NBA at the time, was appointed her legal guardian until she turned eighteen.
“Are you ready for your first day of classes?” she asked, needing to change the subject before she became teary eyed. It had been years since losing her parents, but a day never went by that she didn’t miss them.
“Yes. I sent out the syllabus and met with a few of the students already.”
“I know this is only temporary, but why did you decide to make this part of your year off? Addi said you were having fun traveling Europe and Africa.”
Taking the last bite of his omelet, he answered when he was finished chewing. “When I was the assistant DA, I taught pre law at University of Memphis a few nights a week. I enjoyed it, but my day job became demanding, and I had to let it go. My law school friend is over the division at UNF. He mentioned he needed an adjunct professor for the semester while one of his professors is out on maternity leave. I volunteered as a joke, and he took me seriously. And well, here I am.” He shrugged with a light laugh. “Professor Arrington.”
“Has a nice ring to it, but you aren’t staying for a second semester? Right?” A tiny jab pierced her heart when she asked the question, as if it had finally occurred to her that his stay in the Georgia/Florida area was temporary.
“No, the other professor will be back. Plus, I made a promise to my mother years ago to take over her family’s law firm when she retired. I worked there for a couple of years after law school before leaving. She was happy for me, but I know deep down she wanted all four of us to run the firm how my cousins are all doctors and own my Uncle Frances and Aunt Darla’s medical practice.” He paused, taking the last swig of his orange juice. “The law firm has been in my mom’s family for three generations. Zoe passed the bar earlier this year and now works there full-time. My twin decided to go in a different direction with Doctors Unlimited, and well … Addison… you know she has no interest much to my mother’s chagrin.”
“No, but who knows, perhaps one day Addi will,” Brooklyn said in a hopeful tone, but she knew that wasn’t going to happen.
“Well, she loved to debate with the family growing up. For the youngest she definitely wanted to prove us all wrong and present enough evidence and exhibits to prove her case. Of course the Judge adores his baby girl so she always won in our father’s eyes. So, yes, one day if she ever decides to go to law school. She passed the LSAT but shocked us all when she decided to move here and work with Precious Moments Events. Of course all she did in college was plan events so I’m not surprised.”
“Well, we’re happy to have Addison here even if it’s only temporary.”
“Addi has always been fly-by-the-seat of her pants. She’s our little Journey. Wherever the wind blows, so does she along with her tiny house and truck. What about you? What made you decide to move to St. Simons?”
“I needed a change. I’d been in Memphis for most of my life except for college, but I moved back home after graduation. I needed a new experience. I’m an accountant as far as my degrees and career, but photography had always been a hobby of mine since middle school. However, when I returned to Memphis something was missing, and it no longer felt like home to me. When the opportunity presented itself, I moved here to assist Reagan with her dream—” She abruptly stopped, deciding not to tell him that deep down she was ready for a change again.
Brooklyn enjoyed her career, but she no longer wanted to deal with bridezillas and their attitudes. She still wanted to be a photographer but not in an event type of setting and had begun to delve more into creative photography. Thoughts of owning a photography studio to teach and mentor budding photographers had also crossed her mind, and she figured she could do both.
“Yes, I remember when you turned your hobby into a side-career. That’s kinda how we met. You were always at events snapping pictures and avoiding me whenever I wanted to chat.”
She stuffed the last of her omelet into her mouth and chewed slowly as he stared at her knowingly.
Dabbing her lips with a napkin, she glanced away and then settled her eyes directly on his. “I wasn’t avoiding you. I was at work. I didn’t have time to make small talk.”
“So I should’ve hired you to get your attention?”
“Or asked me out.” Wait, did I say that? Out loud? Her eyes grew wide as he leaned in with a serious expression as if he was going to do so.
“Does that offer still stand?”
“I was joking, like you were earlier.” Laughing it off, Brooklyn fidgeted with her fingers under the table.
“No, you’re not joking and neither am I.”
“That was eons ago, and we wouldn’t work out now anyway.”
A curious grin slid up his left jaw as he sat back in his chair. “Why do you think that?”
“You’re only here for the semester and then back to our hometown.”
“Scared you’re going to fall in love with me while I’m here?”
She smacked her lips together. “Boy, please.” Standing, she grabbed their empty plates with the silverware and headed to the sink so he wouldn’t notice her flushed face.
Chase collected the mugs and juice glasses. “Boy? I’m a grown man … which you witnessed earlier.” Setting the dishes in the soapy, hot water, he took the dish cloth from her. “You cooked. I’ll wash the dishes.”
Placing her back against the counter next to him, she folded her arms across her chest as the memory of his Godiva-kissed abs and muscular biceps popped in her head once more. “Please, no one was paying attention to you. I’ve seen half naked men before. For example, last week, all the groomsmen in an upcoming wedding were shirtless on the beach for their photo shoot. Trust me, they all had six packs and I wasn’t salivating over any of them.”
“They weren’t me,” he whispered in her ear as an arrogant smirk etched his face. “I’m sure I saw you bite your bottom lip.”
You got that right, she thought.
“Whatever.” She shrugged, taking a plate from him and drying it before placing it in the cabinet.
“I need your expertise on something,” he started.
“Finances or photography?”
“That’s right, you’re a double-threat … or actually triple-threat. You could add Chef Vincent to your resume. Breakfast was delicious. But seriously, I have to turn in a picture to the university
to go along with my bio that’s already on the website. The deadline is in a couple of days. I have some photos in my cellphone that I took.” Chase dried his soapy hands on the dish towel and slid his phone from the case on his slacks. “Can you help me select one?” He pulled the pictures up and handed her the phone.
“Of course.” She scrolled through the headshots he’d obviously taken with a selfie-stick. While he was drop-dead handsome in every single one of them, none of them would work.
“Chase, your pictures are nice, but they’re clearly selfies and the resolution isn’t high enough for a website. You need professional pictures. I can do them for you.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.”
“What are you doing this afternoon?”she asked, setting his phone on the counter.
“I have a law school mixer on campus to attend followed by a dinner party at the president’s home this evening for faculty to toast off the new school year.” He glanced at the clock on the microwave. “In fact, I need to leave soon. What about tomorrow afternoon? I only have two morning classes. I can be back over here by two.”
“Meet me here at three. It shouldn’t take long and you can meet your deadline.”
“Cool.” He glanced at the clock again and a reluctant sigh escaped him. “I hate to eat and run, but I need to change for the mixer.”
“No problem,” she began as she walked him toward the patio door. “You have over an hour drive to Jacksonville. I suggest you leave extra early in the morning. The interstate will be backed up during the morning rush hour. Quite a few people live on the island but work in Brunswick and Jacksonville. I guess you’ll be relieved when your rental home by campus is ready.” The thought of it made her heart contract for some reason, and it must have shown on her face for he tilted his head to the side with a curious scrunch of his nose.
“Yeah, but this gives me a chance to hang with Addi. And …” he paused, stepping into her personal space, “hopefully to learn more about you, as well. Something I’ve wanted to do for a long while.”
His voice lowered at the last part of his comment, and a lump lodged in her throat as his intense stare suggested he could read her thoughts.
“Yes, on a platonic level.” Brooklyn stated it in a teasing way even though deep down she would love to learn more about him.
Chase caught her in his arms as a startled cry erupted from her throat. He lowered his lips to hers but didn’t kiss her even as Brooklyn’s mouth parted, and her eyes were nearly shut with anticipation. She’d imagined them in this situation a thousand times and now it was a reality.
“Don’t worry. I’m not going to kiss you … yet. But I do believe in life happening naturally, and it’s quite obvious there’s something between us.” Letting her go, he pivoted toward the door and opened it. “Can’t wait to see what it is even if it’s platonic, like you say, but I doubt it. We’ve always had an attraction to each other. You can’t deny it, and now since the opportunity has presented itself, I’m going to take advantage of it.” Winking, he left, shutting the door.
After locking the door, Brooklyn rested against it to settle her unraveled breathing. She’d wanted nothing more than for Chase to kiss her into a state of passionate oblivion. She craved his lips on hers for the past eight years, and the thought that the occasion had been a mere half inch away, caused her to curse out loud as she strode back to the kitchen and finished putting away the dishes. His cologne lingered in the atmosphere, and she let out an aggravated moan as she realized it had been imbedded on her skin when he held her to him.
Twenty minutes later, Brooklyn strolled into her in-home photography studio/dark room which was above the three-car garage. She had two wedding albums to finish even though her thoughts continued to roam to Chase and the almost kiss which still sent warm tingles over her body at the mere memory. Heck, he didn’t even kiss her, and she couldn’t control her emotions or the urge to sprint over to the tiny house to put out the fire that burned deep for him.
Settling at her work table that was scattered with 8x10 wedding photos, she tried to shake her head free of Chase so she could concentrate on creating the first album. Music always got her mind off whatever was on it, and she turned on the music app on her cell phone. She settled on the Janet Jackson station and was jamming to her greatest hits until it came to the song “If” which sent Brooklyn right back to the dilemma of her desire to be with Chase. Turning the song off after the chorus which pretty much described what she wanted to do with him, she opted for a station with instrumental music only.
Ten minutes into deciding which cake cutting photo to use, she heard the alarm of Chase’s car from the driveway below, and she skirted to the window to peep through the shut blinds. He was impeccably dressed in gray slacks, a light blue dress shirt, and an argyle blue and gray sweater vest. A gray newsboy cap topped off the assemble, and she could imagine how tantalizing he smelled.
Brooklyn retreated to the task at hand with a slight smile on her face. There had been an instant attraction from the moment they’d laid eyes on each other years ago. However, it sure as hell wasn’t platonic and apparently he felt the same as her. Why on earth was she so scared all of a sudden?
She’d known of him for the last eight years, though she didn’t know him. Sure, she’d heard he was a great guy and whatnot, but that was from family and friends. Of course they’d think that. However, now she was witnessing firsthand the man she’d admired over the years was indeed a great guy. Almost too good to be true, but she couldn’t become attached to him. She had to keep him at bay; however, it didn’t mean she couldn’t have fun with harmless flirting. As long as it didn’t go any further or she’d find herself wanting more and missing Chase when he returned to their hometown.
Moments later the doorbell to the front door whisked her out of her thoughts. Jetting downstairs to answer it, she peeked out the peep hole considering she wasn’t expecting company. Her heart did a triple somersault when she saw Chase on the other side.
Had he been regretting the fact that they hadn’t kissed as well and was here to do so?
Opening it, she stared up at the man who wore the same intense expression when they said their good-byes earlier. Gripping the doorknob to steady her balance, Brooklyn halted the desire to say eff it and kiss him her damn self. However, his penetrating stare seeped into her being and the notion of him coming back to finish what they’d almost started bolted an electrical current to rush so hard through her it nearly knocked her off kilter. Her breathing was beginning to unravel as her mind sent her on a trip to the wicked, wild thoughts as it always did when he was near. The difference from any other time was now she had to restrain herself from actually acting upon it. Motioning for him to come in, she closed the door behind them as their eyes never left each other’s face.
“Um … I-I th-thought you were heading to the um … mixer,” Brooklyn managed to stammer out.
He leaned against the door with a dazed expression as if he was comprehending what she’d said. “Oh … uh … I am, but I …”
Chase’s voice trailed off as his eyes widened when Brooklyn stood on her tippy toes, yanked him by the collar to her, and crushed her lips on his. The urge to kiss him had swept over her the instant he arrived, and she could no longer hold in the burning need to experience his lips ravishing hers. For a quick second, she regretted the hasty, not-like-her forward decision and was aiming to halt their ardent kiss—then she would be bound to be embarrassed to even glance at him for the rest of his stay at Addison’s. However, when he hoisted her up until her legs encircled tight around his waist and turned them so her back was against the door, she no longer regretted her decision. Chase became in control of their kiss as if he’d made the first move. He delved deeper into her mouth, swirling his tongue with hers as relieved sounds escaped them both.
Brooklyn opened her eyes for a second and nearly laughed when she noticed his glasses were fogged up.
“Uh … your glasses.”
“I
hadn’t noticed.” He tossed them on the couch in the sitting room. “That’s never happened. Now, where were we?” he asked, meshing her completely on him.
“You were driving me crazy.”
“Let me continue,” he said with a cocky snicker and imprisoned her lips once more.
All of the pent-up desire to be exactly where she was at the moment was indeed worth the wait. Her silly crush wasn’t in vain after all, as the pleasure of finally experiencing the dreams while asleep and even awake were now a reality and she wasn’t disappointed. His mouth and energy had taken possession. Brooklyn found herself sinking deeper into the whirlwind of passion that he bestowed upon her. No man had ever awakened her senses this much, and the crush she’d sprinted far away from transformed into something else. No, not love—even she knew that was too soon—but it wasn’t lust either. It was more of a newfound awareness of the feelings she’d tried to ignore over the years whenever his name was mentioned.
Chase wove a hand into her tresses while his other one remained tight around waist. His moans turned her on even more, causing her to explore more of him, but she had to show some type of restraints. Removing her lips from his reluctantly, they stared at each other in silence except for the in-sync pounding of their hearts.
“Wow,” he whispered, setting Brooklyn back on her feet but still keeping her in a tight, intimate embrace. “I wasn’t expecting that at all, but I’m glad you’re a woman not scared to make the first move. I was trying my hardest not to kiss you earlier, and the cold shower as soon as I left here did nothing to calm me down.”
“I know,” she whispered, glancing down at his pants with a slight gulp.
“You weren’t supposed to know that,” he stated through a clenched smirk.
“It’s kind of obvious, but I’ll take it as a compliment.”