“No! No!” Brielle screamed at the top of her lungs. Reaching for Anika.
“I’ll only be a minute,” Reed said, an apologetic expression on his face. He turned toward the staircase and Brielle screamed and continued to reach for Anika.
He was a quarter of the way up the staircase when Anika called out, “I can hold her.” Why had she said that?
Reed managed a precarious balancing act on the stairs with his wiggling daughter. “What?”
“I—I can hold her. If it’ll help.”
He hesitated, taking stock of Brielle’s mottled, tear-streaked face. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. She’s a handful.”
“I have nieces and nephews,” Anika assured him, feeling more confident.
Clearly still doubtful, Reed slowly descended the stairs and after a few seconds of hesitation, handed over Brielle.
Anika gathered the upset child to her chest. “What’s wrong, sweetie? Hmm?”
She spoke in a quiet, soothing voice and rocked Brielle in her arms until the screams quieted to a low whine. With the combination of soft tones and the swaying motion, Brielle relaxed. She rested her head on Anika’s shoulder and huffed out an exhausted breath.
Reed stared. “How did you do that?”
“Magic,” Anika quipped. She rubbed Brielle’s back and could feel the little girl’s racing heart slowing down to normal.
“Usually I’m more together than this, but man, it’s been a morning.” Reed ran both hands down his face. “Mrs. Miller is running late and should be here any minute. Thank you.”
“No problem.” She’d always had a good rapport with children. Her little cousins adored her, her friends’ kids always looked forward to her visits, and her brother’s little ones showered her with kisses every time they visited. “I think kids like me because I smell like strawberries.” She grinned.
Reed let out a tired laugh, and then the amusement slid from his face. “Yeah, you do,” he said in a low voice.
The air between them sizzled, and Anika quickly averted her eyes, gently patting Brielle on the back. “I can keep an eye on her while you finish getting dressed.” She couldn’t handle watching him walk around half-naked. He should put on a shirt right away.
“I couldn’t ask you to do that.”
“I don’t mind.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Brielle and I are buddies now, and it’ll give me time to hang out with my new friend.” Anika continued to sway. Brielle’s ruddy, tear-stained cheek rested on her shoulder as she breathed evenly through her partially open mouth.
“Well, if you’re sure…”
“I don’t mind at all.”
The front door opened and Mrs. Miller walked in. Her eyes widened as she quickly assessed the situation. “Another tantrum?” Sympathy filled her eyes.
“Yes,” Reed replied.
“She got another phone call?”
Reed swallowed. “Yeah.”
“Phone call?” Anika asked.
“Long story,” Reed replied. “Mrs. Miller can take over now, and you can check on the progress of the work.”
“Oh. Of course.” Reluctantly, Anika gave up Brielle to her nanny. The loss of weight left a void in her arms and chest. She’d become much too comfortable holding the little girl in her arms. She swallowed back a pained whimper that threatened to come out.
“Have you had breakfast?” Mrs. Miller cradled Brielle against her bosom. Her gaze encompassed Reed and Anika.
“I have another appointment after this, so I won’t be able to stay,” Anika replied. “Thank you.”
“I’m fine. I’ll grab an apple,” Reed said.
“All right then.” Mrs. Miller climbed the stairs with Brielle in her arms.
“If you don’t mind, I’ll take you up on that offer to finish getting dressed. Give me five minutes and I’ll be right back.”
“Take your time.” Anika watched him ascend the stairs, eyes lingering on his body. It was difficult not to stare at his firm bottom, lean hips, and broad, tanned back rippling with muscles. She was very familiar with the silky but firm texture of those muscles. She’d caressed them in adoration and gripped them in the throes of ecstasy.
Anika swallowed hard and shook her head before going in search of the workers. They were in the process of covering the floors with a temporary covering and a plastic tarp to protect from debris and dust.
She chatted with the men until Reed returned, much more relaxed with his hair combed and a gray T-shirt with Accountants do it better on the front. She looked away from the words and tried not to think about what they meant.
A frown of worry descended on Reed’s features.
Anika placed her hands on her hips. “You’re not getting cold feet are you?”
“What would happen if I did?” His eyes traveled over the men moving around the room.
“I’m going to tell you what I tell all of our clients,” Edgar said, a tall, lanky Black man with a kind face and a good sense of humor. “Don’t freak out when you see the carnage.”
“There’s going to be carnage?” Now Reed appeared really perturbed.
Anika covered her mouth to keep from busting out laughing. “Believe me, you’re going to be very happy with the final result. As a matter of fact, we want you to get involved in the process.”
“What do you want me to do?” Reed asked, in a slow, suspicious voice.
Edgar held up a pair of safety goggles, gloves, and a sledgehammer. “You’re going to get us started.” He handed Reed the tools.
Reed studied the items for a few seconds. “I’ll do this on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“That Anika does it with me. Do you have another set of goggles and a hammer?”
“Sure do.”
Edgar handed the same items to Anika, and she groaned. “Great.”
Within minutes, she and Reed were wearing the protective gear and she positioned herself with her feet shoulder-width apart in front of the wall.
“For your information, I’ve done this before,” she told Reed.
She’d aided on occasion in the knocking down of a wall, but this process was for the clients, to give them a sense of participation and also a way to expel any pent-up tension they held in about the demolition. The true work would be done by the men with power tools, much faster and with greater efficiency.
“I can’t imagine that you could’ve ever gotten your hands dirty,” Reed said.
Edgar averted his face in a vain attempt to hide his laughter, and stepped out of the way.
Anika shot them both dirty looks. “Ha. Ha. Watch my dust.”
“All right, let’s do this!” Edgar said.
She and Reed swung hard, landing deep gashing holes into the drywall. Over and over, they pummeled the wall with the sledgehammers, breaking off huge chunks that crashed to the floor. After a few minutes they had expended quite a bit of energy, and beads of perspiration dotted Anika’s forehead.
“Damn, this is hard work,” Reed finally said.
Breathing heavily, Anika laughed. “It’s a good way to get your exercise.”
“All right you two, I’ll take those,” Edgar said.
They handed him the tools and removed the gear. Anika wiped her damp forehead with the back of her hand. “I’ll let you guys finish up, but I gave you a good start.”
“What would we do without you?” Edgar blew her a kiss and she blew one back.
She and Reed walked to the front of the house so Edgar and the men could seal off the room and get down to the real work.
They strolled down the walkway to her car. “You running off already?” Reed asked.
Anika nodded. “I’m going to check on another demolition. Edgar’s really good at his job, so I have no concerns.”
Reed nodded his understanding. Compared to only a few minutes ago when he’d attacked the wall with her, his demeanor had become significantly more reserved.
“I
appreciate your help with Brielle.”
Anika stopped at her vehicle and stuffed her hands into the back pocket of her jeans. “What caused such a meltdown?”
“She talked to her grandmother, Nanette, yesterday.” He ran a weary hand through his hair. “She misses her, or Nanette reminds her of missing her mother. Or some combination.” He expelled a heavy breath. “Anyway, when she gets like that, she doesn’t want anything to do with me. I thought only Mrs. Miller could calm her, but maybe she prefers a woman’s touch during those moments.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“I’ll have to find a way to thank you.”
“No need.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“So you’re just going to force something on me?” she laughed nervously.
“I did it before.” The corner of his mouth lifted into a sexy smile, and Anika’s stomach contracted. He was referring to the glass necklace he’d bought for her on Murano. “Do you still have it—the necklace?”
The weight of the moment sat on the air like heavy fog.
“Yes.” She wished she had a different answer, but it sat in her jewelry box, a constant reminder of what could have been. A reminder that she’d belonged to him and she’d never recovered.
“I thought for sure you’d toss it.”
“It’s too pretty to toss.”
“Is that the only reason?”
Anika kicked at a pebble, refusing to answer.
“Thanks.”
She looked up. “For what?” She couldn’t decipher the look in his eyes.
“For giving me hope.”
She stepped back. She didn’t want to offer hope or feel it. Hope meant expectations that could end in painful disappointment. Hope was the enemy.
“I’d better go.”
Anika twisted away with an abrupt turn and didn’t wait for Reed to acknowledge her departure. She hopped in her car, slammed the door, and drove away. In the rearview mirror, Reed stood in the street, thumbs hooked in the loops of his jeans, staring after her.
She blinked back tears and pounded her palm against the steering wheel. “Shit, shit, shit.”
In mere weeks, her life had gone from stable to unstable. Reed awakened a hunger in her that she struggled to contain, knowing full well that if she continued to spend time with him, the hunger would definitely consume her.
Chapter 9
The house was quiet.
Reed turned out the kitchen light but paused for a moment to survey the work that had already been completed. Anika had been right. The new open floor plan was much better than what he had before, and allowed more light into both the kitchen and the den.
The painters had arrived today and the house smelled like…well, it smelled like paint. Brielle complained, but he assured her the odor wouldn’t last.
He climbed the stairs and stopped at his daughter’s bedroom door. Cracking it open, he peeked in. The mermaid light sprayed purple color against the wall and Brielle slept peacefully, tonight holding Teddy in the customary chokehold.
He went down the hall to his office and kept the door open so he could hear if she woke up. Anika had recommended some other colors to lighten up the dark décor of chocolate walls, chocolate built-in shelves, and a chocolate desk—incorporating tan chairs, a new light fixture, and Roman shades. He’d requested she not wait to have the items delivered, and their presence gave the room a lighter feel but maintained the cozy atmosphere he needed to concentrate.
Reed logged into the system at work, but as he did so, a thought came to him. He hadn’t talked to Anika since Friday when she helped him with Brielle. He wanted to hear her voice, but not to discuss furniture patterns or color swatches.
He needed to properly thank her, as promised. Although he admitted to himself that calling to thank Anika was an excuse, he picked up the phone anyway.
He’d been wound up the past couple of days at work and had remained in his office to keep from snapping at staff. Brielle tended to be rather cautious around strangers, but she’d taken to Anika right away, and seeing Anika with his daughter—the way she’d handled her with gentleness and care, and the way Brielle had taken to her—had done something to him. It planted a seed that sprouted a litany of ideas he couldn’t shake.
Anika answered on the first ring. “Hello?”
He held his breath for a second. He couldn’t control the automatic way his body reacted to her every single time. There was a loosening in his chest, as if his heart had unfurled from a tight knot.
“I hope I didn’t call you too late.”
“Not at all. I’m working on an idea for Brielle’s room, and I’ll have something to share with you soon. There’s just one piece of information that I’m waiting on. What can I do for you?”
So polite. So professional. When what he wanted from her was anything but politeness and professionalism.
“Actually, it’s what I can do for you.”
Pause. “Oh?”
He imagined a curious expression on her face. “Don’t sound so worried. I just want to thank you for helping me with Brielle last week. When she throws a tantrum, it can be overwhelming.” He walked over to the window overlooking the front yard. From here he had a good view of the neighborhood. The family across the street had smoke winding up the back of their house. Probably cooking out again. They did that all hours of the day or night.
“I’m fairly certain you’re not the only parent who feels overwhelmed at times. You’re doing the best you can, and you love your daughter. That’s half of what being a good parent is all about.”
“What do you think the other half is?”
“Keeping an eye on them so they don’t burn the house down,” Anika quipped.
He smiled, leaning a shoulder against the window. “Are you talking from experience? Were you that kid?”
“I plead the fifth.” Anika giggled. Man, he loved the sound of her joy. “Was there something else?” He heard her moving around.
“Actually, there is.” He’d gone from wanting to hear her voice to desperately needing to see her. “I’d like to take you to dinner and show you how much I appreciate your help.”
She stopped moving. “Dinner?”
“Yeah, dinner. You know, that meal you eat at the end of the day, often between six and eight.” He kept his voice light even as tension permeated every cell of his body.
“I know what dinner is, smarty pants.” Pause again, this time longer. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I want to, and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
“So if I decline, you’re going to do, what exactly?”
“Drive over to your office and kidnap you.”
She laughed. “Oh really? You really want to show your appreciation, huh?”
“I really do.” His appreciation was sincere, but certainly not his sole motivation to see her. “So what do you say? Can I get a yes? Or do you have plans this weekend?”
He couldn’t hear anything on the opposite end of the line and waited in the tense silence, fully prepared to argue her down or suggest another night if she declined his invitation.
“I don’t have plans this weekend, but you don’t have to take me out. I didn’t mind helping.”
“I want to do it anyway. It’s the least I could do for saving my sanity, and last I checked, calming angry, crying four-year-olds is not in the job description of an interior designer.”
“You have a point.” She heard the smile in his voice. “Okay, you’ve talked me into it.”
He didn’t realize how much nervous tension had taken over his body until she readily agreed. His body sagged, his head bowing in relief. “How about Saturday night?” He had to work late on Friday night but only half day on Saturday.
“Saturday works.”
“Which restaurant?”
“How about Paschal’s Restaurant?”
“Sounds vaguely familiar, but it’s up to you. As long as the food is good, I’m op
en.”
“Believe me, it’s good.”
“It’s a date, then.”
Slight pause. “Yes, it’s a date. I’ll meet you there.”
“See you then.”
After they hung up, Reed remained at the window, staring out at the dark surroundings, one hand stuffed into his pocket. He wondered if he was pushing too hard but couldn’t stop himself. He was more convinced than ever that Anika was the one person missing from his life. Seven years ago he’d fought against such a sobering belief, convinced that such a short period of time was surely not enough to establish a genuine connection.
But that summer, playful banter had turned into light flirtation. Light flirtation had turned into simmering need. Then one night it blossomed into more. Out of control. Plenty of heat. Plenty of passion.
Once should have been enough, but it wasn’t.
He’d spent the night in her bed. In her room. In her.
Chapter 10
Venice
Anika closed her eyes and sighed, her lashes brushing against her cheeks. “I’m having such a good time.”
They were standing in the hallway outside her door after another fun-filled day. She had talked him into visiting Aman Canal Grande Venice Resort, a sixteenth century building where Amal and George Clooney were married. They took a lot of photos. In his opinion, too many, but he went along with whatever she suggested because her excitement was contagious.
He could well imagine his mother enjoying herself just as much. A cluster of regret ballooned in his chest. Once again, he wished she’d had the chance to visit before she died.
After the resort, he and Anika sat at a waterside cafe, listening to the sea slosh against the sides of the boats docked nearby and tossing back bottles of Orangina soda. They’d ended the day with an evening gondola ride. Their gondolier had gone all out, wearing the straw hat with a red ribbon around it and singing at the top of his lungs in a perfect tenor as they coasted down the canals with the setting sun as a backdrop.
They’d shared the boat with another couple, but Reed had only paid attention to Anika. He’d only listened to her voice and watched her reaction to everything they saw. The way she laughed when the gondolier made a joke or paid avid attention to his history lesson about the city and the canals. She took photos of the Rialto bridge, one of four bridges that spanned the Grand Canal and the oldest of the lot, and waved to passengers in other gondolas.
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