Walk a Straight Line

by Michelle Lindo-Rice

  And, she had been hard on Terence. She had pushed him. She’d disciplined him hard because she wanted him to be something. Francine wanted to prove to everybody who had cursed her and called her a slut that she was worth something, no matter how she had started out. And, she had. Terence had turned into a fine, young man. He’d never ever gone against her . . . until Colleen.

  Francine heaved a huge sigh and pulled a tissue out of the box nearby. She wiped her face and swallowed. She replaced the picture of the happily married couple and turned. Wiping her hands on her skirt, Francine vowed she would fix that. Colleen wasn’t going to take her son away from her.

  Determinedly, Francine picked up the phone to make a call to the one woman who could.

  Chapter Twenty

  “A motorbike? I don’t know. I’ve never ridden on one before.” She eyed the helmet he held. He didn’t miss her dubious expression.

  Keith grinned. “I had a feeling. Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. Hop on.”

  “I’m not exactly dressed for . . .” She put the helmet on and hoisted onto his luxury bike. Her small arms encircled his waist. Aah.

  “Hold on tight.”

  “Something tells me that’s why you suggested it.”

  Keith felt her mold her body against his.

  “When I came out of the building, you were the last person I expected to see. How did you know I was still here?”

  Keith shrugged. Not for one minute would he admit to Gina that he’d waited outside her job for two hours. She’d think he was a stalker. He revved the bike to life. Before he pulled off, Gina screamed in his ear.

  “Gina, relax. You’ll be fine. I promise.”

  When she loosened her grip, he took off. Keith had bought the bike on impulse. He rode with skill and precision. He felt Gina rest her head against his. He should keep going. He had money in the bank. He should ride her out of town and never look back.

  Keith pulled over, stopping in front of the park. He assisted Gina off the bike and unlocked the small compartment in the back of his bike. He retrieved papers for his court case. He wanted to go over the contents with Gina for the final time. They found a spot to work.

  Along with the papers, he had brought them subs to eat while they worked. Keith interrogated her at length. He went over every single detail with a fine-tooth comb until he was satisfied. It was almost dark before he packed up the papers. “I’ve got everything I need. I don’t think you’ll have to take the stand, Gina.”

  Just then they both reached for the same sub. Their hands touched. Fire ignited.

  Keith grabbed her hand and tugged, enjoying the feel as her body slammed against his. His breathing deepened. “Can I kiss you?”

  She licked her lips. “I . . . We shouldn’t . . .”

  “Can I kiss you?” Keith bent his head. His body followed as he scooped her into his arms. Her feet dangled. Her face was mere inches from his. He repeated the question. “Can I kiss you?”

  Gina shook her head. Her eyes pleaded for his understanding. “I want to, but I can’t. We can’t. Michael’s your brother, Keith. Your brother.”

  Keith put her down. He raked his hands through her soft hair. “Don’t you think I know that? You think this is easy for me?” Ugh. He buried his head into her hair and kissed it, luxuriating in the smell of vanilla. His hands took on a life of their own. He heard her groan and lifted her chin. He had to taste her.

  He was too weak to resist.

  But she was stronger. “No, Keith. I can’t let you do this. We can’t. I want to—believe me. But we can’t.”

  Keith closed his eyes, and his ardor cooled. Then he pierced Gina with a torturous look. “You’ve bewitched me. What have you done to me? I sleep—I think of you. I eat—I think of you. At work—in the shower—everywhere I am—I.think.of.you.”

  Gina’s breath caught, and her breathing became labored. She gripped his arm; then she spoke through clenched teeth. “I haven’t bewitched you. It’s you who has interfered with my good sense. With you, I want to just—” She backed away from him.

  Oh no, he wasn’t having that. “Just what?” Keith demanded. His arms stilled her. “Just want to what?”

  “Open up . . . Give you all of me.” She fiddled with her shirt.

  Keith slumped. How he wanted that! He looked up to the heaven. Lord, why can’t I have her?

  God remained silent, but Gina voiced, “But, your brother is good to me. He doesn’t deserve this from either of us.” Defeated, Gina made her way onto the seat of his bike. “Take me back to my car. I’ve got to go home.”

  Keith complied. Gina was right. What had he been thinking trying to maul his brother’s woman? “Gina, I hate making promises I won’t keep. But I will do my best to stay away from you.”

  His promise didn’t last twenty-four hours.

  The next day, Keith walked out of the courtroom with a huge weight lifted off his shoulders. Payton Marshall was right behind him. Forcefully, she grabbed him and engulfed him in a huge bear hug. Tears streamed down her face as her body rocked with so much emotion she could barely contain it.

  “Thank you so much,” Payton said, unabashedly wiping her face.

  Ever the gentleman, Keith reached into his pocket to retrieve his handkerchief, and judiciously handed it to her. She could keep it because he had several in his briefcase. Working these cases had taught him to be prepared for moments like these. He held Payton a little longer until she composed herself.

  “You can keep it,” he said gently when she attempted to returned the soiled linen.

  “Thank you, again,” Payton reiterated before finally going on her way. “I’m free!”

  Keith listened to her yelling that to anyone who would listen. As he walked away, he let his smile loose. He felt like celebrating. He had done it. He had won the case.

  Keith stopped. Who could he call?

  He knew who he wanted to call.

  He shouldn’t.

  He made a promise—sort of. One he needed to keep—kind of.

  He couldn’t.

  A few minutes later, Keith pulled into Gina’s driveway, anxious to see her. She came out of her house and closed the door. With her frilly yellow polka-dot dress, and a light coat tucked under her arm, she looked like a schoolgirl.

  Keith greeted her with a broad smile and a kiss on the cheek. Gina returned his smile with a thousand-watt grin. They were glad to see each other again, although it had only been yesterday since they’d had their rendezvous at the park.

  He waited until Gina fastened her seat belt and smiled when she rocked her legs in anticipation. She teased. “So I thought you were going to stay away. How long has it been—one whole day?”

  “I have a good reason,” Keith grinned.

  “What’s the occasion? I could feel your excitement on the phone.”

  Keith nodded. “I am excited. No, I take that back. I feel ecstatic!”

  Gina’s eyebrow arched. “Wow, you’re in such a euphoric mood. Please explain.”

  “I won the Marshall case.” Keith pumped both arms in the air, reveling in his triumph.

  Gina let out an excited whoop. “I wish I’d been there.”

  “I did think I would have to call you in to take the stand,” Keith said. “But that could’ve been hours, or days away, which is why I advised you to wait for my call.”

  “Yeah! Keith, you’re a hero.” She undid her seat belt, twisted her body, then reached over to give him a tight squeeze. His body tensed under her arms, but Keith decided that he was not going to move but welcomed her hold. He relaxed and returned the hug.

  Gina soothed, “That’s better.” Pulling away, she faced him and said, “Keith, we’re doing nothing wrong. It’s okay for us to share an honest emotion.”

  Then how come Michael doesn’t know that I’m with his girl tonight, and last night? Keith frowned at that silent question, but he refused to allow his conscience to bother him about this. He had just shared a meal with Gina. He didn’t have an
ything to feel guilty about. “I agree with you, Gina, so don’t you harbor any guilt either. After all, you’re not cheating on Michael. We’re just enjoying each other’s company as friends. And, what almost happened yesterday is in the past. So, let’s leave it there.”

  Keith released his grasp and started the vehicle. It purred to life. He knew he wasn’t being 100-percent honest. From his peripheral vision, he could see Gina fidgeting—a sign she didn’t buy his whole friends’ spiel.

  Keith drummed his fingers on the wheel. Why was she the first person I called? He’d had this compelling urge to share his news with Gina first—before Michael or Eve. They’d share his enthusiasm, but he just wanted to share this moment with Gina. No one else.

  He glanced over at Gina, whose eyes were closed as she hummed along to the radio. Kashief Lindo’s “Love Is Overdue” was playing on the air. Keith didn’t know him, but Gina bobbed her head to the catchy reggae beat.

  He was dying to ask if she’d tell Michael about their dates—er—meetings. Yet, he didn’t. Her answer might lead to a conversation they didn’t need to have.

  Keith drove to his destination, content to listen to her sweet voice. He realized that she hadn’t even asked where they were going. He knew that Gina mirrored his sentiments, and that it did not matter where they were, just as long they were together.

  Still, he racked his brain to think of something to say, but he was all mush. It was probably better to remain silent than to say what he really wanted to say and do. Imagine her reaction if he pulled her into his arms and drew her closer to him for a kiss.

  Whew. He needed a distraction. Another song was on. He knew this one. Keith turned up the volume on the radio and added his baritone with Gina’s voice at certain parts.

  “I’m surprised to hear that you have such a good singing voice,” Gina complimented.

  “Well, I often sing to the women in my bed. That’s how I reel them in,” he tossed out. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  Gina laughed at that. “Keith, you are fine, and you know it. So you don’t even have to utter a word to get with any woman.”

  Keith accepted her compliment, but deflected from providing a response. As he drove, he felt Gina’s eyes on him. Was she checking him out?

  From his peripheral view, he saw that she was. Keith gulped.

  He strove to act normal, but it was extremely difficult not to let on that he felt Gina staring him up and down. He was also trying hard to control his very masculine response. She had no idea what she was doing to him. Her eyes felt like razors piercing his body and Keith was doing everything in his power not to pull over and crush her lips to his, to see if they were as sweet as they looked.

  Unable to stand it anymore, Keith decided to relieve his tension by turning to look at her. A light blush grazed her cheeks when she realized she’d been caught. She quickly turned her head away to look out of the car window. Keith’s humor kicked in and he said, “Like what you saw?”

  She didn’t even hesitate. “Yes.”

  “What are you thinking about?” He had stopped at the light and noticed that Gina was shaking her head like she had something on her mind.

  She studied him. “I was trying to figure out exactly what it is about you that makes me think and feel things I have no business thinking or feeling.”

  Keith raised his eyebrows at Gina’s blunt answer. He wasn’t ready for her truth. His heart rate increased, and his insides warmed. An insistent car horn beeped, pulling Keith’s attention back to the road. “How am I supposed to respond to that?” Keith demanded. He couldn’t cross the line—break the unspoken man code. His hands were tied, and he couldn’t say what was in his mind and heart. She had to know that, but she shrugged at his question, not even bothering to reply.

  So, she was enjoying this. Her small smile made the little rascal inside him respond. “I mean, am I supposed to tell you now, that the very sight of you makes it difficult for me to breathe?”

  Her intake of breath filled the car. She had no comeback.

  Keith laughed. “I didn’t think so. So I won’t say it.”

  “You’re having fun at my expense,” Gina accused.

  “No, I’m simply rising to the challenge. I never back down,” Keith warned. “So, be careful what you say and be prepared to take it if you are dishing it.”

  “Okay,” Gina surrendered, and waved an invisible flag. “Let’s change the topic.” Then he heard her say in a low voice, “I was just having a little fun.”

  “I know. But any sort of flirting between us is not an option. It’s dangerous.”

  “Yeah, you’re right,” she agreed with a sullen tone.

  “Stop pouting,” Keith ordered.

  “I’m not pouting,” Gina defended with a huff. “I’m a grown woman and pouting is for children.” She slapped his arm.

  He laughed at her spunk. It was ridiculous how much he loved—er—liked this woman. He just wished there were something he could do about it. “Gina Price, I like you.” I love you, he corrected to himself.

  “I like you too, Keith Ward,” Gina countered as she lowered her lashes.

  Keith pulled up to Trattoria L’Incontro, an Italian restaurant in Astoria. Taking her hand, Keith led Gina into the beautiful establishment. Gina admired the open brick oven in the dining area. Neither of them noticed the stares and glances that they were getting from the other patrons as they were being seated. They only had eyes for each other.

  Chapter Twenty-one

  “You did what?” Colleen asked her friend, clearly appalled at Gina’s news.

  The two women were nestled under huge blankets in Colleen’s living room. Even though it was only fall, it was cool enough that night to light the fireplace. So, Colleen and Gina decided to sip champagne and roast marshmallows.

  Colleen added honey-roasted peanuts and chocolate-covered strawberries to their impromptu feast. Combine that with a movie from Blockbuster and they were set for the night.

  They had just begun roasting the marshmallows in the fireplace when Gina told Colleen about Keith and her going on a celebration date.

  Colleen continued. “You went out with Keith? Why? Why would you, when you’re going out with Michael? What’s going on with you? This is nothing like the Gina I know from way back.”

  “I know.” Gina bit her lips. Colleen didn’t miss the fact that Gina couldn’t even look her in the eyes—a true sign of her wrongdoing. “But it’s not like what you think. Keith and I are just—friends.”

  Who does she think she’s fooling? “It’s exactly what I think,” Colleen went ballistic. She was now a married, saved woman so she was coming from a different perspective. “I can’t believe that you would be two-timing a man with his own brother. Where is my sensible friend, the one that always walked a straight line? Can you find her and please bring her back?”

  Gina lifted one hand with a warning. “Hold up. Ease up on your righteous tirade. You’re right; I’ve never done anything remotely close to this before. I don’t know what it is about that man . . .” Gina trailed off, not knowing what else to say.

  Colleen, however, did. She had plenty of words for her friend. “Well, you’d better fix it,” she commanded. “The man is about to become a father, and you’re messing around with him. For obvious reasons, I have a problem with that! God said, the marriage bed should remain undefiled, Gina. But you would know that if you’d come to one of the Bible studies I keep inviting you to.”

  “Okay. Back it up. I told you that I feel badly already, but I have to talk about it. And who else do I have but you?”

  Colleen softened at her friend’s tortured look and released a breath to regain control. She was all Gina had, and she couldn’t come off too strong or Gina would retaliate. “Listen, I’m not trying to come off as a self-righteous Christian who never did any wrong. You know I’ve made my share of mistakes with men. But I love you, and I just don’t want to see anybody get hurt, Gigi—especially you. And that’s precisely
what’s going to happen if you don’t wise up to what you are doing. You’re playing with fire, girl. Just be careful, that’s all I’m saying.” Colleen eyed the Bible. She wondered if she should ditch the movies and grab the olive oil instead. Her friend needed prayers.

  To everything there is a time . . . Colleen gave an imperceptible nod at that verse. This was not the time for study. She had to be there for her friend, and she couldn’t be judgmental about it. She gathered her thoughts as Gina snuggled under her blanket and popped another marshmallow in her mouth.

  “You’re right, girl. I don’t know what is going on with me, either. I didn’t tell Michael I went out with Keith, and that’s why I think I feel so bad. I don’t know why I’m hiding, when technically, Keith and I did nothing wrong.”

  “So, nothing happened,” Colleen said, even though she was really asking a question.

  “Nothing,” Gina said. “We talked, we ate; and then he took me home.”

  “Well, okay,” Colleen said, though she still felt a little unsure. “I guess.”

  But, for reasons unknown to her, Gina felt compelled to voice her feelings aloud. “But I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I like him. I like Keith a lot.”

  Colleen kept any further comments to herself. She was definitely surprised at her friend’s actions. She would never expect Gina to be mixed up in any form of a love triangle, especially one involving brothers. She had always been too straitlaced for that. But then again, she never would’ve thought she’d still be with someone who’d abused her. So, who was she to talk? Colleen supposed the saying was true. Never say never.

  “How’s everything with Terence?” Gina asked.

  Colleen recognized that Gina was trying to change the subject from herself. Her mentioning Terence was meant to distract her. It worked. She felt her face transform into a sappy smile. She just couldn’t help it. “Everything’s fine. Things were a little rocky for a minute there, but now, honestly, I never imagined that they could be this good. We spoke on the phone last night for hours. I miss him. I had no idea that I would miss him this much.”