In the Market for Love

by Joy Avery

  Even with her hair pulled into a simple ponytail, she was gorgeous. Her skin was as smooth as silk. He noted the absence of makeup. She was a natural beauty.

  Vivian’s eyes rose to his. “How does it feel?”

  “Better.” The pain had actually dissolved. But he wasn’t convinced it was the cool water that had alleviated his discomfort; he was sure it’d been Vivian’s gentle touch.

  “Looks like just a first-degree burn. It’s minor. You wouldn’t happen to have any aloe vera gel, would you?”

  “Sorry. Fresh out.”

  Vivian retrieved the first aid kit. After washing his index finger in soap and water, she wrapped it in sterile gauze. “You’re really good at taking care of people.” When she smiled up at him, he experienced a tightening in the pit of his stomach. Yeah, he had it bad for her.

  “Thank you. You should be more careful when handling hot objects. You could have severely injured yourself.”

  Vivian ambled back to her seat. He was tempted to ask for instructions on how to handle her, because she was as hot as they came. By the cautious expression on her face, he was sure she had some idea of what was running through his mind.

  Focus, Wright. Don’t blow this. Alonso maneuvered with his good hand. “Well, after all of that, I hope you’re still hungry.”

  “I’m not much of a breakfast eater, but it smells so good I don’t know if I can resist you.” Wide-eyed, she blurted, “It. I’m not sure I can resist it.” Her eyes darted away from him to the glass dish. “Wh...” She cleared her throat. “What is it?”

  He had a feeling she’d said exactly what she’d meant. She couldn’t resist him. And that was exactly what he wanted. “An oven-baked spinach, cheese and sausage omelet. It also has tomatoes, garlic and onions in it.”

  “Yum. I’m in.”

  After a breakfast packed with laughter and endless chatter Alonso and Vivian dressed and headed out. It was amazing the difference thirty miles could make when dealing with a hurricane. Infinity Island had sustained a few displaced shutters and a downed tree limb here and there, but what Alonso was witnessing a bit farther up the coast was crazy.

  Houses had been rocked off their foundations. Retreating waters had left roads littered with sand. High winds had claimed anything not nailed down. What appeared to have once been a deck was strewn in a water-logged yard. He adjusted his thoughts. The winds had apparently even claimed things that had been nailed down.

  “This is crazy,” he said absently.

  “Yes, it is.”

  Alonso spotted a woman being consoled by someone he assumed to be her spouse. Judging by the carnage in the yard where they stood, they’d lost everything. His heart sank. He took a moment to count his blessings.

  “These poor people,” Vivian said, her tone shaky.

  He imagined what this must have been doing to her. As hard-nosed as she pretended to be, he’d gotten a glimpse at a more fragile side of Vivian Moore. She cared. Dare he say, possibly cared too much? Carrying the weight of others’ misery had to be exhausting.

  “That’s why we’re here. To help them,” he said.

  She nodded, her eyes glassy. He willed her not to cry. If she did, he’d have no other choice but to veer to the side of the road and pull her into his arms. And if he pulled her into his arms, that would surely set off a chain reaction of reckless longing inside him.

  Luckily, his fervent praying worked. Not a single tear slid down her cheek. A short time later, they pulled into a sand-spackled parking lot. DISASTER RELIEF was printed in large red letters on a sign attached to a brick building, visibly untouched by the hurricane.

  Scoring one of the last available spaces, he killed the engine. The number of individuals filing into the volunteer check-in center surprised him. A boost to humanity. Humanity could definitely use all of the boosting it could get.

  When Vivian reached for the handle, he stopped her. “I’ll come around and help you out.”

  Protest danced in her eyes. If he had to guess, she’d been on the verge of telling him she was more than capable of exiting the vehicle without his assistance. But much to his surprise, the fight that had glowed on her face fizzled.

  Apparently, she’d realized there were far more important things to focus her energy on. He hoped one of those things was him. Oh, the idea made him all warm and fuzzy inside.

  Warm and fuzzy inside? He scolded himself. Don’t you ever say some shit like that again. You don’t do warm and fuzzy. You do frigid and hard. You’re a bull shark, not a damn guppy. Yeah. The pep talk restored some of his manhood.

  Moving to the passenger’s side, Alonso opened the door, then offered his hand for Vivian to take. She didn’t level any disapproving glances at him this time, which stunned him again. The second her hand was in his, a jolt of energy shot up his arm. What in the hell was this woman doing to his system?

  “Watch your step. It’s a bit slick in spots,” he said.

  Inside the building—a long abandoned veterans’ hospital—an individual in a fluorescent green shirt marked STAFF directed them to where they needed to be. Since so many health professionals had answered the call for assistance, Vivian wasn’t needed in a medical capacity. Instead, she’d been placed on debris retrieval, while he was on structural repair detail. It all sounded so official.

  After sitting through a brief orientation, they were off.

  Perched on a ladder, Alonso tried to focus on the gutter he’d been replacing. Unfortunately, his attention kept sliding to Vivian below. Every time she bent at the waist, his eyes did a happy dance. Damn, she wore those jeans well. Focus, Wright. That line was becoming his mantra.

  He glanced at his wrapped finger. The last time he’d been caught up in Vivian’s allure he’d damn near burned his whole finger off. Tumbling to his death would not be a good look. Refocusing on the gutter, he ignored the pull of the woman who was making him lose his damn mind.

  * * *

  The first thing Vivian did when they returned from their day of volunteer work was shower. Afterward, she’d joined Alonso on the deck, where he was grilling steaks and burgers they’d purchased on their way home.

  Home? On the way to Alonso’s home, she corrected.

  And steaks he’d purchased. He hadn’t allowed her to spend a dime. What was with him not wanting her to pay for anything? Then it hit her. She’d told him the story of her trifling ex running off with her money.

  Maybe he was trying to show her he was not a deadbeat. No need. He’d long proved he was a far better man than her ex could ever hope to be. Alonso was thoughtful, compassionate, patient. Tyler was... Well, he was no Alonso, that was for sure.

  Her eyes roved over his ass in the plaid shorts he wore, then burned a trail along his muscular legs and down to his big feet. She’d always heard big feet equal big meat. Nearly gnawing her lip off, she scolded herself for the roguish thoughts swimming through her head.

  The polo shirt he wore accented his solid frame. Yellow was a good color on him. The only thing she disapproved of was the “Big Daddy on the Grill” apron he wore. Only because it covered a part of him she shamefully wanted a glimpse of. Stop it, Vivian. Just stop it.

  Vivian hadn’t realized how spent she was until her attempt to push herself from the red Adirondack chair she’d been lounging in. “Yow.” She slinked back down.

  Alonso eyed her over his shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  She rolled her head on stiff shoulders. “I think I need a deep tissue massage. All of the bending, twisting, kneeling and lifting has taken its toll.”

  Alonso placed the tongs down, wiped his hand on a towel and moved behind her chair.

  Alarm set in when he hovered above her. “What are you doing?”

  “Just sit back and enjoy the experience.”

  Before she could mount an effec
tive protest, Alonso’s big strong hands clamped down over her shoulders. Pr-protest needed. Instead, her body relaxed under his skillful kneading. Okay. Another minute, then I’ll protest. I’ll definitely protest. She closed her eyes and took pleasure in the attention Alonso was giving her. “Mmm. Harder.” The yearning in her tone should have mortified her, but it’d been warranted. The man was good with his hands. Real good.

  Alonso’s tone was heavy and seductive when he said, “Your wish is my command.”

  He dug his fingers deeper into her weary muscles. Hadn’t she just thought something about protesting? Was there truly a need to protest something as trivial as a shoulder massage?

  Alonso’s slow, thorough touch turned her skin into lava. Something urged her to glance up at him, and when she did, his intense stare took her breath away. Under the fire-packed scrutiny, she nearly burst into flames. How did he keep doing that to her? Why did she keep allowing it?

  As if she had any other option.

  Vivian wrinkled her nose, the smell of something pungent filling her nostrils. She snapped her head forward. Smoke billowed from the closed grill lid. “Fire!”

  Alonso, clearly oblivious to the flames, continued to knead. “What?”

  “F-fire!” This gave her the motivation she needed to get to her feet.

  “Shit.” Alonso darted across the deck and lifted the lid. Grabbing the long spatula, he shifted the charred meat out of contact with the flames. A couple minutes later, he had the fire extinguished.

  He turned to her with a perplexed expression on his face. “Sooo, I was thinking... We should go out.”

  Not a bad idea. The less time they spent alone, the better.

  Chapter 11

  The mere sight of Vivian was becoming far more than Alonso could handle. And when she wore clothing like she had on now—a white fitted tank top and white-and-yellow skirt highlighting her gorgeous curves—it made being around her that much harder. In every sense of the word.

  A warm breeze blew in off the water and her scent wafted toward him. Cotton candy. Whatever fragrance she wore made her smell like a carnival treat. Damn, he loved eating cotton candy. Maybe there’d be some in his near future. One could only hope.

  But for now, he’d settle for having a low-key meal with her, since he’d turned their intended dinner into ash. Now that he thought about it, it wasn’t solely his fault he’d nearly burned down his house. Vivian had to share some of the blame. If it wasn’t for her sensual movement and her urging him to “do it harder,” he would have never lost focus.

  Actually, by his conclusion, she was more at fault than he was. Probably best to keep that to himself, though.

  Alonso requested a table on the deck overlooking the water, at his favorite—and the only—restaurant on the island: Mama Tu’s Seafood House.

  “My boy,” came from behind them.

  Alonso would know that country drawl anywhere. Mama Tu.

  Mama Tu moved toward him like an adoring fan to a celebrity. Once in reach, she swaddled him in her large arms. The embrace was affectionate, similar to a mother hugging her son. Or how a mother should hug her son. He really wouldn’t know. He mimicked her enthusiasm, planting a kiss on the top of her salt-and-pepper hair, cornrowed in two thick braids.

  Mama Tu cradled his face between her hands. “Oh, I’m so glad to see you. Now, let me look at you.” She beamed as she scrutinized every inch of his face. “You’re emitting some good energy. And you have a glow about you. Could this pretty thang have something to do with it?”

  When Mama Tu set her attention on Vivian, Vivian’s cheeks turned a rosy red. If there were really a glow on his face, Vivian had everything to do with it. He could sense Vivian’s unease.

  Alonso made the introductions. “Mama Tu, Vivian. Vivian, Mama Tu.”

  “Nice to meet you, Ms...Tu.”

  Alonso and Mama Tu both laughed.

  “Everyone on this island calls me Mama Tu, and so will you. Now, come on over here and give Mama Tu a big ole hug.”

  When Mama Tu took Vivian into her arms, Alonso chuckled. Vivian seemed unprepared for the magnitude of the embrace. He understood. Mama Tu had a way of holding your soul captive—in a positive way. Vivian’s eyes slowly closed and a look of calm appeared to wash over her. Yeah, she was experiencing it. The phenomenon widely known on the island as the Mama Tu Effect.

  Suddenly, Vivian’s eyes popped open and she jerked away. “I’m sorry. I—”

  Mama Tu sounded a hearty laugh. “Honey, folks have fallen asleep in my arms. My mother used to say I had the touch. That it guided people into the past, anchored them to the present and ushered them toward the future.”

  Mama Tu took Vivian’s hand and led her across the wooden deck. Vivian tossed a glance over her shoulder, presumably to see if he was following. He wasn’t letting her too far out of his sight. That she could count on.

  “Best seat in the house,” Mama Tu said.

  Alonso had to agree. Though, in his opinion, there wasn’t a bad spot located on the deck. Every table—whether the two-tops or the four-tops—had an excellent view of the ocean. The place was even more beautiful at night when the votive candles on the tables and tiki torches attached to the perimeter were lit. It was all so romantic.

  Mama Tu wrapped an arm around Alonso’s waist. “I’ll leave you two alone. Remember, your money is no good here.”

  Alonso eyed the portly woman. “Do we have to have this argument every time?”

  Mama Tu reached up and patted his cheek. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Mama Tu strolled away before he could respond. He pulled out Vivian’s chair, and she eased down. Below, an older couple walking hand in hand, smiling and laughing, caught his eye. That’s what he wanted. A love that grew stronger with time.

  “They’re cute, huh?” Vivian said, following his stare.

  He took a seat across from her. “Yes. The Jenkinses. They’ve been married since they were seventeen.”

  Vivian’s brows arched. “Seventeen?”

  He nodded. “They always say they’re on a forty-plus-year honeymoon. You’ll get to meet them at Music on the Green. Their energy is infectious.”

  “So would you say they emit good energy?” She smirked.

  Had she just used Mama Tu’s words against him? Good one. But he was sure he could do better. “Well, I would say it’s a powerful energy. One that gets so deep inside of you that you feel it throughout your entire body. It starts off nice and slow, then morphs into something that takes complete control. You never want the sensational feeling to end. The more you want, the more it gives.”

  The amusement slid from Vivian’s face and she swallowed hard. Yeah, he’d got her.

  “That...um...sounds fascinating.” She took an anxious sip from her water glass.

  Alonso’s eyes slid briefly to her lips. “It’s a mind-blowing experience. You’ll enjoy it. You have my word.”

  Vivian tangled her fingers together into a crazy web. If she continued, she would surely snap one. When she noticed his scrutiny, she slid her hands into her lap.

  “Something to look forward to, I guess,” she said.

  Oh, he had a few things she could look forward to. When her tongue peeked out to wet her lips, he inwardly groaned. Damn, he wanted to taste her mouth again. Preferably while making sweet love to her.

  Why had he promised himself he’d be nothing but a complete gentleman? Being gentlemanly was the last thing on his mind when he looked at Vivian. He’d also promised himself no business talk about her house. That promise he was sure he could keep, the former... Well, he’d just have to play it by ear.

  Their waitress arrived at the most opportune time. Her intrusion allowed Alonso to clear his thoughts of tasting every inch of Vivian’s magnificent body. He longed to hear his na
me roll off her tongue. If he got his way, he would...over and over again.

  After giving their orders, they eyed each other again.

  “Are you and Mama Tu related?”

  “You could say that. She was one of the first people I met when I bought the house here. From day one, she has treated me like family.”

  “She reminds me so much of my grandmother.”

  Now he understood Vivian’s reaction when Mama Tu had pulled her into her arms. Vivian’s gaze drifted away, and she looked as if she was reliving a memory.

  “I love this island,” she said, snapping back to their conversation.

  “I knew you would.”

  Because of the flood of volunteers, Alonso and Vivian had been told it wouldn’t be necessary to report tomorrow, turning what had started as a humanitarian trip into a weekend getaway.

  Might as well take full advantage. “So, I was thinking... Since we don’t have to report for duty tomorrow, we should head into Carolina Beach for a little retail therapy. There are a ton of shops on the boardwalk you might like. What do you think?”

  “Um...sounds good.”

  Yes, it did, because it meant spending more time with her.

  The waitress returned a short time later with their orders. Four clusters of crab legs, steamed shrimp, french fries and hush puppies for him; a seafood bake of shrimp, crabmeat, sausage, potatoes and cheese for her.

  Alonso mulled over her plate. “Are you going to share your seafood bake? It’s one of my favorites.”

  “No, my brother, you have to get your own.”

  He tossed his head back in laughter. “That’s cold. I’d share with you.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  When she brought the glass to her lips, he envied it. Was it possible to want anything more than he wanted Vivian? Something he wanted more than he wanted her... He couldn’t think of one single thing.

  * * *

  Vivian watched Alonso check his caller ID again. The second time since they’d arrived at Mama Tu’s. Apparently, someone wanted him. That seemed to be a theme, people wanting him. She refused to name herself as one of those people, even though she was.