Kitchen Matches

by Marianne Arkins

  The miniature rosebush was the first thing she saw each morning, and the last when she closed her eyes to sleep.

  He was all wrong for her. So why did her heart refuse to cooperate?

  If she kept busy enough, she forgot what a fool she was, forgot about Micah and his laugh, his face, his touch. It was the down time she dreaded. The times when she was on that border between sleep and awake, when her mind was allowed to drift.

  Everything came back to her then and in great detail. There wasn’t a thing she forgot about the time they’d spent together—from the goofy smile he’d given when she’d told him he’d have a black eye to the gentle touch of a finger drifting down her arm. But it was his eyes she remembered most. His warm, whiskey eyes that hid nothing. She remembered the look in them before he kissed her and the misery in them the moment he’d walked away.

  She’d known he would walk away. Was glad their break-up had happened when it did, before she could really fall for the man. She hated that she was right about him. But, had he called? Tried to reach her? Had he made any real effort to win her back?

  Have you made an effort? whispered a tiny voice in her mind. She shushed the blasted thing. That wasn’t the point. He supposedly wanted her, so why didn’t he fight for her? Just showed she was right. And, she thought with a laugh, being right was a great comfort to her every day she spent alone and every night she dreamed about him.

  And time crept by. She skipped cooking class that week, despite badgering from her mom. She just wasn’t up to seeing him again, especially not in that setting with so many onlookers. Instead, she spent the evening at the shop playing dispatcher for Zach, and missing Micah even more.

  Chapter Five

  Micah grinned as the massive mob of Weathers brothers approached where he stood outside their house. They were loud and obnoxious, as usual, and dressed from top to bottom in Oakland Raiders gear.

  “Great idea, this ride,” Zach said, and punched him on the shoulder before climbing into the limo they’d hired for the trip to and from the game.

  Micah gave himself kudos for only flinching a little. He was learning that he’d always end up a little black and blue if he hung out with these guys. They were a blast, but more physical than he was used to.

  He let Zach, Dave, Nick and Eric enter the vehicle first, hoping and watching the house for a sign of Cori. She’d been invited, but he hadn’t really held out hope she’d attend. After one last glance over his shoulder—did the curtain in that far room move?—he joined his friends in the limo for the two-hour ride to watch the Raiders beat up on the Broncos.

  —

  Cori let the curtain drop and climbed off her bed with a sigh. Must be nice to have a friend with season tickets to the Raiders. Nice to be able to afford to rent a limo for the trip. And that fact just went to illustrate, again, how different he was from her. Her brothers really liked him, much to her surprise. He wasn’t much of a manly man, yet they were all full of “Micah, this” and “Micah, that”. She was glad they enjoyed his company, but it dumped salt on her wound.

  She missed his voice. Once, he’d phoned the house and left a message for Nick. She’d played the thing over and over until she realized how ridiculous she was being. She refused to be a lovesick little lamb. And, after the rose plant, he’d never even given anyone a message for her. Seemed he liked their company, but not hers. Of course, he had included her in the invitation—passed on to her through her brothers. He couldn’t be bothered to invite her personally, so why would she bother to go?

  Instead, she and her pride sat alone all Saturday night, eating popcorn and watching Turner Classic Movies.

  Early on Wednesday morning she lay wide awake and staring at the ceiling. Ten days since the last time she’d seen Micah, and she’d been unable to sleep as usual. Giving up trying, she got out of bed and tiptoed to the door to get the paper. When she opened it, a box sat just outside, tied in a huge red bow. What on earth? She leaned down to look more closely, and saw her name on the tag. When she lifted the gift, it cried and she nearly dropped the thing.

  She brought the package inside and set it down, prodding it with her toe. Finally, she popped the top open and peeked inside. She smiled and pulled out the gift. A kitten. A tiny, fluffy, smoke gray kitten with bright blue eyes. She cuddled it to her chest with a sigh.

  She flipped over the tag on the box to see who it was from, though she was dead certain Micah had done the deed. Who else would have thought she needed a kitten? Or the flowers he’d given her a week ago? Everyone she knew would have given her a wrench or seat covers. Instead of Micah’s name though, she saw the words, “My name is Rose.”

  Roses again. Did he know how the single rose he’d given her had made her feel? Did he realize she’d begun her fall for him in the span of time it’d taken her to smell that rose and look him in the eye?

  She stood slowly, still snuggling the kitten to her heart, and made a decision. She needed to tell him “thank you” and there was no time like the present. She dashed to her room and pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt. Keeping the kitten with her, she scribbled a note to her mom and hopped into the family car. In no time at all, she was parked in front of Micah’s house.

  The moment she set the parking brake, her nerves set in. This was stupid. Crazy. It was early in the morning. She wasn’t even positive it was from him. She was being foolish. An idiot. Ridiculous.

  “Gah, Rose,” she said and pressed her face into the kitten’s soft fur. “What do I do now?”

  In an instant, the choice was taken from her. The door to Micah’s house opened, and he stood silhouetted in the entryway. Just one glance at him and he took her breath away. He lifted a hand to shield his eyes and turned in her direction. She’d been noticed and could hardly speed away now. So, with a deep breath, she tucked the kitten more firmly against her chest and stepped out of the car.

  “Cori?” He took a few steps toward her, but stopped before he came too close.

  Obviously it was up to her to close the distance. So she did. She moved until she stood only a few feet from him and smiled, the corners of her mouth quivering a bit from nervousness. “Hi, Micah.”

  “Why are you here?” he asked.

  She tried to analyze the tone of his voice. Was that a happy “why” or an angry one? She held the kitten out like a shield. “Thanks for Rose.”

  “Oh.” He reached out and ran his fingertips down the kitten’s fur. She hated herself for being jealous of Rose’s good fortune. “You’re welcome.”

  He wasn’t going to make this easy. Cori nearly turned and stormed away. But seeing him again, being close to him…it made her heart feel whole. She couldn’t let pride get in her way again.

  “I missed you.”

  “You skipped class last week.”

  “I wasn’t up to it.” She hadn’t been able to deal with the idea of seeing him again, not after the way she’d messed everything up.

  “Oh.” He bent and scooped up his paper, using it to gesture behind him. “I have coffee brewing.”

  Was that an invitation or was he trying to find an excuse to go in without her? And, did she want to go in?

  “Hmm…”

  Micah sighed. “Would you like a cup?”

  Cori chewed on the inside of her cheek, knowing this was a big decision. An important step. Coffee and roses. Who would have known one of the biggest moments in her life would all come down to that?

  “Yes.” A weight lifted off her shoulders at the decision. “I would.”

  They walked to the door together, and he waved for her to precede him through. She went in, took a couple more steps and then stopped, hearing the door close behind them. Where should she go?

  He moved closer until he was so near she could feel the heat from his body. From behind her, he reached around and stroked the kitten again. She shivered, just a bit, and wished that hand was on her. Without meaning to, she leaned into him and closed her eyes at the feel of his body against hers.

/>   “Cori?” His voice was hoarse.

  She turned without losing contact with him, and he took Rose from her grasp. Gaze locked with hers, he squatted and set the kitten on the tile floor, then put his hands on her legs and ran them up her body as he stood.

  Her mouth so dry she couldn’t speak, Cori just stared and trembled. How was it possible to feel so much? She didn’t know if her legs would hold her much longer.

  Micah slipped his hand around her back, pressing her to him, and leaned down as if to kiss her. Her lips parted, her eyes closed, her head dropped back bonelessly but nothing happened. She opened her eyes and found his mouth only an inch from hers, his gaze on her face.

  “Micah?”

  “Your choice, Cori. I’m not doing this without you making the choice this time.”

  She lifted one hand to his face—his precious, handsome face—and cupped his cheek, stubble rough against her palm. Lips quirking in a fast smile, she lifted her mouth to his and kissed him.

  Her warm touch was all the encouragement he needed. He scooped her into his arms, lifting her until they were eye to eye, and the intensity of emotion in his nearly tore her heart in two. Slowly, so slowly it seemed he wasn’t even moving, Micah lowered his head and took her lips in a deep and gentle kiss. With a sigh, she opened to him and let him in, body, heart and soul.

  She slipped both hands under his tee shirt and up his back, fingertips caressing each vertebra on their way up to cup his shoulder blades. Her short nails dug into his skin when his tongue touched hers. He backed her up against the wall with a thump. She stood sandwiched tightly between him and the wall with his arousal pressed against her.

  He pulled back for a moment, and they stared at one another. Cori’s breath came in short, noisy gasps.

  “What? What’s wrong?” she asked, reaching out and pressing a hand to his cheek. She felt the movement against her palm when he smiled.

  “Nothing.” The heated gaze he gave her was as much a caress as a touch would have been. “Absolutely nothing. Everything is perfect.”

  He gave the hem of her shirt a tug, slowly slipping it up. She knew he was giving her time to say no and she replied by grabbing the shirt and pulling it over her head. Suddenly shy, she chewed on her cheek, all the while wishing fervently for her white cotton bra to magically change into black lace, but Micah didn’t seem to mind it. His eyes darkened and he inhaled sharply, reaching out to her.

  “You’re beautiful. Amazing.” He cupped her breasts in his hands and rubbed the nipples through the cotton with gentle thumbs.

  Even through the material she felt the heat from his skin and her knees buckled. With a laugh, he lifted her in his arms just like they did in all the best movies.

  She responded by raining kisses over every part of his body she could reach. She tugged at his shirt, wanting the offending bit of clothing off but unable to get it past the arms that held her safe.

  A sharp knock sounded at the door and it swung open. The cool draft from the early morning air sent goose bumps chasing each other across Cori’s naked skin.

  “Micah.” His mother’s voice sounded across the tile entryway. “How many times have I said… Oh, my God!”

  Cori squirmed to get down out of Micah’s arms, but he wouldn’t let her go.

  “Good morning, Mother.” Micah spoke over Cori’s head which was buried in his chest. “How many times have I told you to wait until I answer the door before you come in?”

  “Let me down,” Cori murmured against his shirt.

  “No.”

  Cori swiveled her head around and pasted on a smile. “Good morning, Mrs. DePalma.”

  “Micah? Is that the tow truck driver?” His mother took three steps inside and stared at Cori. “Or is she that girl from your cooking class who can’t do anything right? The one you told me about who set herself on fire?”

  “What? What did you say about me?” Cori shoved at Micah and all but tumbled to the floor. She landed with part of one foot on the kitten, who squawked and ran outside. “Rose!” She grabbed her shirt off the floor and tugged it over her head on her way out the door.

  She ran, zigzagging across the lawn in pursuit of the kitten until the little gray puffball took refuge under her car. In no time the critter had squirmed her way into the engine.

  “Damn!” Cori crawled underneath and reached up, between the radiator and grill. “Ouch!” She yanked her hand back out of the tight space. How the devil could a kitten fit where her skinny hand couldn’t?

  “Cori?” Micah’s face appeared upside down in the front of the car. “Did you get her?”

  “No. Thanks to your mother. And you.” She slithered back out and hopped to her feet. “Did you really tell your mother I couldn’t do anything right? Is that what you think about me?”

  She tried desperately to keep the hurt out of her voice, but only partially succeeded.

  “No.” He reached out to her.

  She stepped away. “Answer me better before you touch me.”

  He took a breath. “I may have said that, Cori, but only about cooking class.”

  Her heart cracked just a bit. “I see.”

  “We all have our strong points.” He huffed a sigh and flexed his hands over and over. “You’re the most competent person I know when it comes to cars. You play football like Jerry Rice. Your family is amazing. You’re amazing.”

  “I’m incompetent.” She just couldn’t get past that. “I can’t do anything.”

  “Cori—”

  She slapped at the hand he extended. “Just leave me alone. Please.”

  She walked well around him to the driver side door and yanked it open, then popped the hood and circled back. “Rose, you little scamp, get your fuzzy butt over here.”

  She dug around in all the little nooks and crannies of the engine compartment until she felt fur. She scruffed the critter and yanked her free, yowls and all. With the kitten tucked into her shirt, she got into the car.

  “Hey.” Micah stopped the door before it could close completely. “Don’t go. Not again.”

  She only stared at him, keeping her face purposefully blank until he let go of the door. She slammed it shut and sped away home, tail between her legs, feeling more useless now than she could ever remember feeling before.

  In no time at all, Thursday night loomed. All day long she desperately tried to slow the minutes down, but before she could say “Bob’s your uncle” it was time for her cooking class. She didn’t want to go. She’d tried to get one of the guys to swap shifts with her today so she’d have a legitimate excuse to miss and not tick off Mom again, but not one of the jerks would cooperate. She was surprised, since they typically went out of their way to chase off each and every potential boyfriend. Guess they didn’t see Micah as a threat.

  So she was stuck. Her mother threatened her with sewing class if she missed again. Not to mention there were no cowards in the Weathers family. Darn if she’d be the first.

  Cori pulled the tow truck into the school parking lot a full ten minutes early. She couldn’t help but look around for Micah’s van since the thing stood out like a sore thumb. She didn’t see it anywhere nearby, but sometimes he parked around back if he had a lot to lug in. If he was loaded down, it didn’t bode well for an easy class, and her brain was not with the program tonight. Hopefully she wouldn’t burn the place down.

  She dropped her head onto the steering wheel. Who was she fooling? She couldn’t go in there and act like nothing had happened yesterday. She couldn’t look at Micah and not think of the feel of his mouth on hers, of his hands cuddling her against him, cupping her breasts. Her nipples tightened as she remembered the gentle caress.

  But worse, she wouldn’t be able to hear him speak without remembering the words that had broken her heart. Maybe she was a coward after all, but the facts were indisputable. She’d rather face her mother’s rage than Micah’s rejection. She was leaving.

  Cori stuck the key back into the ignition and turned the engine
over. Just as she’d popped the transmission into reverse, a tapping came at her window. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound.

  Dear heavens. Micah stood just outside her truck. She couldn’t think what to do. Run? Stay? Talk? Her first instinct was to stomp on the accelerator and get the heck out of Dodge, but she knew she’d run too many times already.

  Time to stand her ground.

  She turned off the engine and rolled down her window, opting for flippant instead of serious. “Van broken down again?”

  He gave a small laugh and shook his head. “I’m not driving it tonight. I borrowed my mother’s car.”

  Witty repartee escaped her and she shrugged. “Oh.”

  “I’ve resigned my position as teacher here.” He didn’t move his gaze from her face, and his look was as intimate as a touch.

  “Why?”

  “So you can continue the class, regardless of how you feel about me. I’m going to pursue a career as a chef elsewhere. I don’t think I’m cut out to teach.”

  He was leaving? Leaving here? Leaving her? Panic clawed at her throat, trying to escape as a scream. She held the cry at bay and only whispered, “Where?”

  He didn’t answer. Instead, he climbed up onto the running board and folded his arms on the window, leaning in just enough to make her uncomfortable. And hot. “How are you?”

  “Fine. And you?”

  “Liar.” He reached out his hand and feathered fingertips across her cheekbones. “You’ve bags under your eyes packed for a week-long vacation.”

  “I’ve been busy.” She’d die a thousand painful deaths before she admitted she’d been pining after him. She might be a coward, but she still had her pride.

  “I’ve missed you.”

  “It’s only been a day.” Tears sprang to her eyes and she slapped them away. She never cried. But he just slipped right through her defenses with those three little words. Not exactly the three words she wanted to hear, but still a good choice on his part. She kept her gaze forward, knowing that if she so much as looked at his face she’d be lost. “Don’t, Micah.”