“No, but keep in mind, I don’t attend a lot of them either. Some of the guys met Collin when I took him to Supreme one day after his doctor’s appointment. Otherwise, they probably wouldn’t know he existed either.”
“Laz would’ve found out.”
Myles laughed. “You’re right.”
Laz was relentless when digging for information. Actually, a few of the guys, like Angelo and Kenton, would’ve somehow found out, too. Their undercover and investigative backgrounds meant they dug deep into a person. Myles had never given either of them reasons to snoop into his life, but if they had reason to, they would have.
“I’m the only one who didn’t know,” she said as if talking to herself.
“I assumed Journey would’ve mentioned it.”
“She never said a word.”
Myles wiped his mouth and hands with a napkin, then draped his arm on the back of her chair. “Listen, I wasn’t trying to keep him from you, but you and I were…well, we were just hanging out. Remember? No commitment.”
Geneva nodded as she picked at the remaining pancake scraps still on her plate. “Right. I know. We were supposed to have a one-and-done type of set up.” She turned her head slightly and smiled at him. The mischief he’d seen in her eyes earlier was back. “Well, at least I have an idea of why you pushed me away. At least you tried to.”
Myles couldn’t hold back the grin that spread across his face. “You’re not the easiest person to walk away from.”
“So I’ve been told,” she deadpanned, then laughed. “What can I say? To know me is to love me.”
She might’ve been joking, but there was definitely something about Geneva’s infectious personality that had snagged his attention. Myles couldn’t quite put his finger on it, but he was hooked. She fascinated him like no woman ever had, and that also scared him to death. To make himself vulnerable to another human being wasn’t easy. Yet, he had just opened himself up to her, sharing something so personal that some parts of his story only his immediate family knew.
“I hope it goes without saying that this conversation stays between us,” he said.
“My lips are sealed.”
“Also, I need you to know that I’m treading through new territory here. I’ve never brought a woman around Collin before. I’m not sure how a relationship between you and me would work now that I have him full-time. But right now, I need to figure out how to tell a three-year-old that his mommy is never coming back.”
“Oh, Myles.”
Geneva cupped his cheek, her thumb brushing over his stubble. He shamelessly loved when she touched any part of his body. It surprised him that he was hoping his new situation didn’t send her running for the hills. But if she wanted to walk away, he’d let her.
At least he would try.
“I can’t imagine how you must feel losing not only your friend but the mother of your child. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know. I’m even a good babysitter now that I have a niece.”
“I appreciate that. Right now, I’m not sure what my next steps will be, but I might take you up on the babysitting offer.”
He’d seen Geneva with Arielle, as well as Hamilton and Dakota’s one-year-old son. She was a natural with kids, and Collin would be lucky to have her in his life. But was that a good idea? His and Geneva’s relationship was a bit complicated at best.
“Earlier, when we were in bed, you started to tell me something. Something about what you said a couple of weeks ago. What were you going to say?”
Of course, she would ask now when he didn’t know what the day or even the next few weeks would bring. Myles rubbed his forehead, the pressure of what Whitney’s death meant weighing heavy on him.
“I was going to tell you that I was wrong about pushing you away. That I want us to keep seeing each other and maybe play this…whatever this is between us…by ear.”
“So, what you’re saying is that you want to date me.”
Myles sputtered a laugh and stood with their plates. Date seemed like such an intimidating word, but…
“Yeah, I guess I do.”
Chapter Nine
Dating. I’m actually dating someone, Geneva thought as Myles exited I-75 on route to Mason and London’s home in Kennesaw. Sure, they’d only been an official couple for a week, but still, it was going to take some getting used to.
She glanced over at his handsome profile. Her mother would be thrilled and probably a little shocked that Geneva was finally in a relationship. She was always telling her she needed to settle down with a nice man.
What would her parents think of Myles?
That thought brought a smile to her face. Her mom would love him, but her dad would probably be suspicious, especially since Myles didn’t talk much. As a former cop, though, her father was suspicious of everyone. But if she and Myles got married…
Whoa. Slow your roll, girl, she told herself and shifted in her seat. This was too new for her thoughts to head in that direction. Besides, it was only a matter of time before she screwed it up. That was her M.O., according to Journey. Always finding a reason to move on from a guy.
Geneva pushed all of that from her mind. She had a hot date, and she planned to enjoy every moment with Myles…and Collin. She had to remember—he had Collin now.
She glanced in the back seat at the little guy. He was asleep and had a death grip on his stuffed dinosaur that looked as if it had seen better days. Coco was lying next to him, as close as the booster seat would allow. The two had quickly become best of friends, and it seemed she’d have to start sharing her dog. Considering the little boy had just lost his mother, that was the least Geneva could do.
She returned her attention to Myles. After a few seconds, he glanced at her, and the corners of his lips lifted slightly.
He turned the music down. “What?”
“Nothing. I was just admiring your handsomeness.”
“Is that right?” He grinned.
“Yeah.” He really was good-looking. She’d always been attracted to dark chocolate brothers, and Myles fit the bill to a tee. “You look a little tired, though,” she said.
“I am. It’s been…it’s been a tough few days. Actually, it’s been a tough week.”
Myles wasn’t a sharer, at least not with his feelings or emotions. For him to say that much let her know that he was probably having a rougher time than he was letting on. He’d been quieter than usual as he drove, and Geneva’s heart went out to him. Last week, after he told her about Collin, she made it clear that she would be there for both of them in any way she could. But Geneva wasn’t sure how to comfort him.
Whitney’s body had arrived in Atlanta days ago, and Myles had gone to view it.
It had to have been hard seeing his friend…his child’s mother…dead…in a morgue. Myles’s plan had been to view the body, then start making arrangements to have her cremated. That was delayed since the medical examiner was waiting for additional documents from authorities in Macon before she could sign the death certificate. The day before, he’d finally been given the green light.
It was good that Myles and Whitney had created wills before Collin was born, and they were each other’s executors. It was interesting that neither of them wanted a funeral when they died.
That surprised Geneva. She had never heard of people not wanting a funeral. According to her sister, though, that wasn’t as unusual as Geneva thought. At least Myles and Whitney had made plans, which was more than she could say for herself. She hadn’t thought that far ahead. Maybe if she had children, it would be different.
Myles’s arm rested on the center console, and she covered his hand with hers. He surprised her when he turned his hand over and intertwined their fingers. It seemed he was full of surprises lately. First, the whole dating thing, now the hand-holding thing. She liked it.
“I know I said it would probably be good for you and Collin to be around friends today, but maybe it’s too soon.” They were about twenty minutes out, and
Geneva was starting to have second thoughts about them attending London’s birthday party. “I won’t be mad if you want to change your mind.”
He didn’t speak right away but then said, “I finally told Collin about Whitney.”
Geneva’s heart broke a little more for him. That had to be an awful conversation for both of them. “How’d it go?”
“About as well as you would expect with a three-year-old. He doesn’t understand. He wanted us to go to heaven and get Whitney, then bring her home. It’s safe to say I botched the conversation.”
“Oh, Myles. I’m so sorry. I’m sure it’s going to take time. Maybe later we can do some research and find ideas for the best way to explain death to him.”
He nodded. “That sounds like a good idea, and as for the party, I think you were right about us attending. I want Collin to be around kids his own age, and Mason and London have a ton of them.”
Geneva laughed. They had five children under the age of seven, with a couple of them being twins. Collin would probably have a ball with them running around that huge house.
“But what about you?” Geneva asked. “You gon’ be okay with everyone expressing their condolences?”
Myles sighed. “I’ll be fine. It’s just…weird.”
He was such a private guy. At first, he didn’t want to tell any of their friends about what happened to Whitney. Geneva had offered to do it, and surprisingly, he’d been okay with that. She only called those he was closest to and knew they’d get the word out to the others.
“How about tonight you come over and I’ll…” Geneva’s words trailed off when she realized what she was about to say.
What was she thinking? Gone were the days of Myles spending the night on a whim. He had a child to consider in every decision he made going forward. That probably had always been the case, but even more so now that Whitney was gone.
“Never mind,” Geneva mumbled.
Myles squeezed her hand. “I would love to come over, but I’m not sure if…or how… Heck, I’m not sure about much of anything right now; you and I will figure us out, all right?”
Geneva nodded and smile. “This is new territory for both of us, but I’m glad we’re giving it a shot.”
“Yeah, me too.”
A few minutes later, driving through Mason and London’s quiet neighborhood, Geneva admired the large homes. The couple had purchased land a few years ago and built what could best be described as a mansion. They had spared no expense and had recently added a guest house on the land.
Myles turned onto the property and stopped at the guardhouse. The first time Geneva visited, she’d thought it a little much to have security at the entrance. But then her sister had mentioned that it was the only way that London would agree to move out of the city. Growing up, her parents had been killed during a home invasion, and she refused to live in a stand-alone house, only preferring secure apartments and condos.
“What’s up, Micah?” Myles greeted his brother-in-law, the buffed man stationed at the front gate.
Micah, a former police officer, joined Supreme Security shortly after marrying Myles’s sister Soul, a world-renowned ballet dancer. She and Micah had been college sweethearts before their individual dreams sent them in different directions. Years later, they found their way back to each other and were proof that some did get second chances at love.
“What’s up, bruh? I was wondering if I was going to see you today. Soul told me what happened. I’m sorry, man,” he said, stepping out of the guardhouse and shaking Myles’s hand. “If you need anything…”
“Yeah, I know. Thanks. So, you drew the short straw and ended up on guard duty, huh?” Myles joked.
Micah released a loud, hearty laugh that made his entire body shake. “Man, you already know the perks I get for being out here. I’d take this assignment any day, and it makes your sister happy.”
As a personal security specialist, Myles and the others who worked for Supreme put their lives on the line every day. Geneva wasn’t much of a worrier, but she wondered if that would change now that she and Myles were seeing each other.
“Yeah, I guess you gotta keep my sister happy,” Myles said. “Is she here?”
“Nah, she and my mother took Mikera to visit my aunt in Savannah,” he said of Myles’s little niece. “Hey, Geneva.”
She smiled and waved.
“Hi, Uncle Micah,” Collin called out from the back seat, and Myles let the rear window down. Geneva hadn’t realized that he woke up.
“Hey, little man.” He gave his nephew a fist bump, which made Collin giggle. “How you doin’?”
Geneva smiled at how animated Collin suddenly became while introducing his uncle to Coco as if the dog were his. She was going to do whatever she could to keep that smile on his face.
It worked out tonight that London had asked her to bring Coco to the party. The kids were crazy about the dog, and Coco ate up the attention.
“All right, I’ll let you guys get going. Have a good time.” The barrier arm of the security gate went up before the eight-foot rod iron gate swung open. “Oh, and tell Aunt Carolyn to save me some food,” he said, referring to Mason’s live-in aunt. Aunt Carolyn might’ve been blood-related to Mason, but the rest of them had claimed her as their aunt, too.
“Will do.”
Myles pulled onto the property and started the long drive up the winding tree-lined driveway. The picturesque landscaping with a manicured lawn, colorful flower beds, and a large, two-tiered water fountain had a park-like vibe and looked like something right out of a Home and Garden magazine.
The stunning French country-style home finally came into view, and the outside was just as breathtaking as the inside. The exterior, made up of brick and stone, had a rustic elegance with tall sloping roofs, huge windows, and double front doors.
Geneva couldn’t see herself living in something so big. Then again, if she had five kids running around, she’d want plenty of space, too.
“Daddy, where we going?” Collin asked.
“This is my friend’s house,” Myles said, pulling in behind Kenton and Egypt’s black SUV.
“Looks like most of the gang is already here,” Geneva said, wondering what their friends would think seeing her with Myles. This would be the first time that they showed up together for one of the gatherings.
Geneva reached down and grabbed the gift bag that held London’s present and started to open the car door.
“Sit tight. I’ll come around and get the door for you.” Myles was out of the car before she could respond.
Geneva’s heart fluttered as she watched him help Collin and Coco out of the back seat. When he moved around the front of the vehicle, she took in his appearance. He was tall, dark, and powerfully built in a brown turtleneck beneath a camel-colored jacket with brown pants. It was as if they had intentionally coordinated their outfits.
The man was downright fine and really should’ve considered a career in modeling. The camera would love his deep espresso eyes, chiseled jaw, and juicy lips that were made for kissing.
He opened her door and extended his hand to help her out. As usual, the air crackled between them. This evening, everything about him seemed to be more potent, and Geneva’s body tingled with awareness as their gazes clashed.
Myles slid his arm around her waist and pulled her to his side. “In case I didn’t mention it, you look amazing.”
Instead of the black leather pants and crop top she had initially considered wearing, Geneva settled on a dress. The short tan sweaterdress was one of her favorites, and she loved the way it hugged her curves and showed off her assets. She’d paired it with a pair of tall brown thigh-high boots.
“Thank you.”
He placed a sensual kiss on that spot just below her ear, sending desire pulsing through her body. This was definitely not the time to get her all hot and bothered, especially when they couldn’t do anything to cool her off.
As if he could read her thoughts, Myles flashed her a wic
ked grin. “I love it when you blush.”
Geneva laughed. “I do not blush. Besides, my skin is too dark for you to even see me blush.”
He smiled, and it was as if birds took flight inside of her, making her feel even giddier than she felt moments ago.
“I can tell,” he said.
“Daddy, pick me up.”
They both gazed down at Collin, who was holding Coco by her leash.
“You’re a big boy. Why can’t you walk?” Myles asked.
“I’m…I’m scared,” Collin said in a tiny voice, his long lashes fanning his cheeks as he stared down at the white Converse Chucks on his feet. He looked so cute in the denim jacket, white turtleneck, and blue jeans. The baseball cap that he’d been wearing was now in his hands instead of on his head.
“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Myles said.
Collin batted those sad eyes at his father, and Geneva almost laughed. The kid was too adorable to say no to.
She grabbed Coco’s leash, and Myles lifted Collin up into his arms. With his other hand at the small of Geneva’s back, he guided them to the front door.
The whole scene was odd on so many levels. As a serial dater, Geneva could count on one hand her relationships that had lasted longer than a month. And she never dated men with children. Myles having a kid should be a deal-breaker. Even so, the urge to bolt hadn’t hit her yet.
If anything, watching Myles with Collin had Geneva thinking about things she shouldn’t be thinking. Such as…what it would be like to spend every day with them? What would it be like if she and Myles had a child together?
Thankfully, moments after Myles rang the doorbell, the front door swung open. That halted those thoughts before they could get too far out of control.
Chapter Ten
“Hey, you guys. Come on in,” Mason Bennett said.
Well over six feet tall with intense eyes, a bald head, and skin the color of mocha, he was a big man with broad shoulders usually found on a linebacker. His size might’ve been intimidating, but Mason was one of the kindest men Geneva had ever met.
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