Love Thy Neighbor's Nephew

by Stephanie Williams

  Time had stood still for her in the looks department. She’d remained just as breathtaking as the day he left for college. Maybe even more so.

  Curiosity ate at him. Her social life was of particular interest to him. Did she have a man? She seemed happy.

  Well, he was back home. He would soon have the answers to his questions.

  Chapter Two

  The doorbell rang, and Yolanda left the breakfast nook where she worked on her computer to answer it. “Wow, that’s a serious toolbox,” she said as she let Lawrence inside.

  “It’s Uncle Hank’s. He doesn’t seem to get much use of it.” He turned and winked at her.

  “Yeah, Liz and I noticed.”

  He followed her to the kitchen, set the toolbox on the table, and picked up the fallen cabinet. “It’s chipped here on the corner, too. I noticed it earlier, when I saw it lying on the floor.”

  “Probably when it fell.” Yolanda returned to her laptop to finish a client’s web page. “Let me know if you need any help.”

  “Nah, I got everything under control. I brought something to fix it good as new. You might want to put some cotton in your ears though. I have to use the power saw to cut through the wall.”

  “Goodness. Are you sure you can handle this? Maybe we should get a professional.”

  “Hey, are you doubting my handyman prowess?” he asked, quirking his brow

  “Sorry.” The last comment made her think about his other skills. Good Lord, she needed to stop thinking of him in a sexual way. Okay, he was too young for her and he was also her best friend’s nephew. Those facts alone should do it.

  He laughed. “I told you, I got it all under control.”

  “Huh? Oh, great.” She gathered up her laptop and moved to the kitchen’s center island. She sat on the stool, getting a good view of Lawrence and making sure nothing unexpected happened, like the ceiling caving in.

  He put on his safety glasses, plugged in the power saw, and turned it on. She covered her ears. It was loud. He cut into the wall, and dust and debris flew all over the place.

  “Oh hell!” he yelled, and turned off the machine.

  Yolanda leapt from the stool. “What’s wrong?”

  “Oh, nothing about the walls. But I’m wearing my favorite shirt, and I’m getting stuff all over it.” He set down the power tool, stripped off his shirt, and folded it neatly, placing it on the table.

  She stared, memorized. His body was just short of mythical. When did he have time to develop muscles like those? Does he work out for hours, or is it genetics? And why am I drooling?

  She ogled him, her gaze roaming over his body, not missing a single ripple of muscle from his pecs to his abs. His tanned olive skin accentuated every muscle. Giving herself a firm mental shake, she headed back to her laptop, but something on his right arm caught her eye. Slowly, she walked over to him. Lawrence glanced up and smiled.

  “Sorry, I hope you don’t mind me basically getting undressed in your kitchen.” He straightened his pants and belt buckle.

  Her gaze strayed downward. My, those jeans fit him all too well. But at the moment, she wanted to see his arm—a much safer body part to focus on. “I, uh…no. Um, what’s that on your upper arm?”

  “Oh! A tat. I got it after coming back from South America. It’s an Aztec symbol and the sun rising over it.” He moved closer and showed her his bicep, almost flexing for her.

  She smoothed her hands over the image, the black ink an attractive complement to his tanned skin. She couldn’t get over how hard his muscles were. Like steel. While rubbing her palms up and down his arm, she sensed his gaze burning through her. Glancing up, she caught him staring at her and immediately stopped touching him. She stuffed her hands in her pockets. “It’s very elaborate. Did it hurt?”

  “No, it didn’t hurt. But it did take a while to get it all done. About three trips, a few hours each time.”

  “So, what Aztec symbol is that?”

  “Just your ordinary Aztec tribal tattoo.”

  An uncomfortable silence entered the room. Ordinary? Please! She dropped her papers when he flexed his arm. “Oh shoot.” As she bent down to pick them up off the floor, nerves fluttered low in her belly again. She felt like a schoolgirl.

  “Have you ever wanted a tat?” Lawrence asked.

  “Maybe when I was younger. They’re beautiful. But I’m too old to get one now.” Her face flushed as he moved closer to her.

  “There isn’t anything old about you. You haven’t changed since the day I left.”

  Yolanda blinked rapidly, and rushed back to the island. “I really need to get this done. The client is driving me crazy with all these changes.”

  Seconds later, the buzz of the saw rattled her ears.

  ***

  Lawrence smirked as he cut into Yolanda’s wall. Removing his shirt hadn’t been planned. In fact, he hadn’t realized he’d put on that particular shirt. Taking it off had been spontaneous.

  So had Yolanda’s reaction.

  He’d noticed how her eyes had dilated, and she’d actually bitten her bottom lip. So damn hot. But then, everything about her was sexy.

  When he’d first got home, seeing her again, her beautiful milk chocolate skin had called to him. He literally saw himself taking a bite. Her curvy, inviting figure, red full lips, wet and kissable, had made his jeans a little tighter.

  And her eyes! A man could get lost in those huge, dark brown pools, surrounded with thick lashes that went on forever. She could make a man forget himself.

  To be honest, he almost had. His body had wanted to answer a call he hadn’t heeded in a while. He’d barely contained himself physically in her living room. Hell, his aunt had been right there, so he’d played it cool before he’d slipped and said or done something foolish.

  Yolanda?

  Could he even entertain the thought? Should he?

  “I’m afraid I’m getting plaster all over your floor. I forgot to put paper down,” he screamed over the power tool. Concentrate on work.

  “I’ll get some.” Yolanda left the room.

  Good. He needed to think with a clear head—her perfume attacked his primal senses. He’d always had a crush on her. He carried her picture because he liked taking it out and just gazing at it. But damn. Could a man be faulted for appreciating beauty?

  When she returned, he turned off the saw.

  “Here you go,” she said.

  “Thanks.” He stared at her while she swept up the debris and spread the newspaper across the floor. What a nice firm ass. Okay, he needed to stop.

  He grabbed the power tool again and resumed working. Once he got the wall cut, he checked to see whether there was space to put some wood blocking to attach the cabinet to. “Whoever put up your cupboards just drilled the screws into the sheetrock and hoped for the best.”

  “Oh brother. Can it be fixed?” Yolanda asked.

  “Oh sure.”

  “Thanks, Lawrence, that’s sweet of you.”

  “Like old times.” He winked. “In fact, while I’m here, let me check to see if anything else needs fixing.”

  “Man. This house wasn’t a fixer-upper when Dale and I moved here.”

  “But houses wear out, just like clothes. And since I’m home, it’ll give me something to do outside the university.”

  “Well, thank you so much, I really do appreciate it.”

  “No problem.” He kissed her cheek, allowing his lips to linger on her warm, smooth skin longer than he’d planned. Inhaling her intoxicating scent, he found it difficult to back away. “I-is there anything else I can do for you?” He grabbed his shirt and put it back on.

  She looked at him with wild eyes and returned to her laptop. “Uh…no, that’s it.”

  He hadn’t imagined it. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She was definitely attracted to him. He wondered if he asked her to…. No. He wouldn’t push his luck. He would live in the moment and enjoy the spontaneity of her stares. “Okay. I’ll find some wood to br
ace the cabinet. I know this is an eyesore.”

  “Okay, sure.”

  “Just give me a holler. Pipes, broken lamp…”

  Yolanda giggled, but not once did she glance up from her computer. He hoped she wasn’t embarrassed because he certainly didn’t mind her gazing admiringly at him.

  A knock sounded on her front door.

  “I’ll go see who it is. You’ve been interrupted enough.” He opened the door. “Hey, Lizzy.”

  “Hey, hon, is Yolanda here?”

  “Yep, in the kitchen. I just made a bigger hole in her wall.”

  “Wow, major surgery, huh? Actually, I came here for you. Hank wants you to go with him to the hardware store. Why, I don’t know.” She chuckled, and Lawrence had to laugh himself.

  Grinning, Yolanda entered the room. “He tries, Liz.”

  “Yes, he does.”

  “Okay, I have my stuff packed.” Turning, he gestured to the bucket and power saw. “But if you don’t mind, I’ll leave that here.”

  “No problem,” Yolanda said.

  He gathered his things to leave. He knew the two ladies wanted to catch up on the evening gossip. Yep, just like old times.

  The only thing he wanted to know was Yolanda’s feelings about him.

  Chapter Three

  “Whoa, that is a big hole.” Liz said, standing on her tiptoes, her petite frame stretching to get a better look. She shook her head and went to sit down.

  “Sure is.” Yolanda joined her friend in the nook. “He told me it’s an easy fix. Something about the blocking.”

  “Cool.” She poured herself come coffee then added half the sugar bowl and creamer to her cup. “Anyway, I came over here to let you know we’re having Lawrence’s welcome-home party next weekend.”

  “Want me to help get everything together?”

  “Don’t be silly. You’re like family. Just bring yourself.”

  “Hmm, I have to think of a gift. What do you get a man who has a PhD in mathematics?” Yolanda asked.

  “An abacus.”

  She laughed.

  “Um…since we’re inviting the whole neighborhood basically, I wondered if….”

  Yolanda set down her cup. Liz was never at a loss for words, so whatever she needed to say must be serious. “What’s the matter?”

  “Well, there’s going to be nothing but couples. I mean, I’m sure Lawrence must have a girl. You’ll be the only one there dateless.”

  Here we go. Her best friend still tried to match her up with anybody who wore pants and could parallel park. “Liz, I won’t feel out of place because I don’t have a man on my arm.”

  “It’s not just that. I hate to see a gorgeous, smart woman like you, shrivel up—”

  “Well thanks a lot.” Yolanda rolled her eyes.

  Liz patted her arm. “You know what I mean. I’m very aware of your dating habits.”

  “Not tough, since you’re just as nosy as I am,” Yolanda quipped.

  Liz chuckled. “Well, smarty, I realize a man hasn’t been sniffing around here for a good while. What, eleven months?”

  “Ten, but who’s counting?” Yolanda took a healthy gulp of her coffee.

  “Mm-hmm. I know one thing. People can only entertain themselves so much. If you know what I mean.” She gave one of those old lady “aha” nods.

  Yolanda agreed. But she wasn’t ready to dive into anything. “Liz, I just don’t have the time. I do have a career, and I’ve been busy.”

  “Hmm. I usually don’t do this, make suggestions—”

  “Since when?” Yolanda squeaked.

  Liz rolled her eyes. “Anyway, did you ever think about a quick, fun fling?”

  “Liz! Really.” Her thoughts zipped straight to Lawrence and trailing her fingertips over his bronze abs.

  “Well.”

  “I’m not that hard up.” Oh God. The image of him shirtless with his sexy-as-hell tat would forever stay in her head. No matter how much she tried to talk herself out of thinking about the young man; the kid that use to play with her step-children, all she could see was him—naked. It’s not right. It’s…kinky. “Can we change the subject?” Please.

  “Humph.”

  “You want more coffee?” She got up and grabbed Liz’s cup.

  “Okay, I can take a hint. Hey, got any of those doughnuts. Remember my rain check?”

  “Oh, sure. Let me set it up. I could do with a couple myself.”

  ***

  Lawrence paused at the door, remembering he’d left his keys on Yolanda’s counter. But as he approached the kitchen, he caught some interesting conversation between her and his aunt.

  So she hasn’t been with a man for nearly a year. Not good, not good at all.

  His aunt made an excellent point. A beautiful, intelligent woman like Yolanda should not be alone. One thing for sure, he didn’t like the suggestion Lizzy had given her. It would have been fine for Yolanda to find someone else when Dale had first left. In fact, when Lawrence had come for his sister’s wedding, Yolanda had been involved with someone. She’d been happy, and the guy had seemed okay.

  But that was then.

  Okay, why am I acting like some jealous lover? He mentally straightened himself out and entered the kitchen. “Sorry, you two. I left my keys.” He snatched them off the counter.

  “Hey, we were just talking about your welcome home party,” Lizzy said.

  “Oh?”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask, do you prefer formal or casual? Bet I can guess,” his aunt said with a knowing grin.

  “Betcha can’t. Formal.” He gave them a sly glance. The vision of Yolanda walking into the room in a slinky evening gown immediately popped into his head.

  “Formal?” they both exclaimed.

  “Are you sure?” asked Lizzy.

  “Yep. Being on campus and traveling places where a hot bath and modern conveniences were at a minimum, it kinda made me appreciate the finer things in life. It would be nice to dress up.”

  “I see.” Lizzy shrugged. “Okay, tie and tails it will be.”

  He headed for the door again. “See you back at the house.”

  After returning home, he thought back on Yolanda’s shocked face. He’d almost cracked up. The decision to have a formal party had just come to him. The image of Yolanda in a backless, slinky evening gown had popped into his mind, and he hadn’t been able to contain himself. Yeah, still that impulsive kid at times.

  Mmm. Her rich looking skin wrapped in a caramel-colored silk gown.

  He slapped his forehead. “Man you got it bad.”

  However, Lizzy had given him an idea. He didn’t have a girlfriend, as she’d assumed. He would need a date. Yolanda would be perfect for him. The idea of her on his arm made him beam. He could see himself with her. So she was older. Younger men dated older women all the time.

  But they didn’t date their aunt’s best friend.

  What a mess.

  Chapter Four

  “Your head has been stuck in those books for the past three days,” Lizzy said, as she placed a plate of spaghetti in front of him.

  Lawrence grabbed a fork and dug in, not once lifting his head. “I have to figure out something here. There’s a theory I’ve had a problem with since leaving my teaching assignment at Yale. I’m meeting with a colleague to go over it. She’s fantastic. If anyone can help me figure it out, she can.”

  “Way over my head,” Lizzy said. “But you have to eat something, and you need to get out. When are you meeting this other math whiz?”

  “Later tonight.” He checked his watch. “Oh shoot. I need to go over to Yolanda’s. I bought a two-by-four to cut for blocking so I can mount her cabinet to the wall.” He stood up and stretched. While looking out Lizzy’s kitchen window, a car pulled up in front of Yolanda’s house. A man got out and walked straight to her door. What the…?

  He was seething. His body was literally shaking. He kept balling up his fist, almost wanting to punch someone. Not good. “I just remembered I
have to go to the bookstore first.”

  “Okay. While you’re out, bring back some milk. You drank the last of it.”

  “Yeah, well. I’ll buy two gallons. Bye.” He couldn’t run out of the house fast enough.

  He stood on the porch and checked out the car in front of Yolanda’s. His face heated all the way to his scalp. He crossed the street and marched toward the offending vehicle. A Benz. Figures. Probably some playboy.

  Instead of knocking on her door, he snuck around to the back of the house. Once there, he pulled up a bench. Spying through the kitchen window might not have been his best grown up moment, but he damn well intended to find out who the guy was inside.

  He spied the man talking with Yolanda in the kitchen. He stood too close to her for his taste. Yeah, he wanted punch someone. Him.

  He couldn’t hear them, but they were having a very animated conversation. She laughed at whatever he said. Ain’t that a bitch?

  The guy looked his direction, and Lawrence ducked his head. He slightly rose up and peeked in again. The man wrote something on a card and handed it to her.

  His number?

  She waved for him to go into another room. They passed through the dining room and turned right—toward the stairs leading to her bedroom.

  Oh hell nah!

  Lizzy and Yolanda’s conversation replayed in his mind as he jumped off the bench and ran around to the front. Yolanda wouldn’t consider taking a man just for fun. Not her style.

  He rang the doorbell. If the guy was trying to come on to her, he hoped he interrupted him. A second later, the door opened.

  “Hello, Lawrence, come in,,” Yolanda said cheerfully.

  I certainly will. He strode past her but stopped in full stride, turning back toward her.

  What was she wearing? On closer inspection, he noticed a thick sweater hugged her body, her cleavage showing nicely, but not gaudy. She slinked into the living room, and her too tight jeans showed off those scrumptious thighs and nice round ass. She could put any twenty year old to shame.