Guarding His Heart

by Synithia Williams

  “Can you get me a juice from the cooler over there?” She used her chin to indicate a cooler next to the bed.

  He was instantly up on his feet and across the room. Jasmine injected the insulin while he was distracted. When he came back, she was pulling her shirt down over her side and sitting up straight.

  “Capri Sun?” he asked with a raised brow.

  “Hey, it works,” she replied and reached for the juice.

  He inserted the straw into the foil packet before handing it to her, then knelt on the floor next to her again. “What happened?”

  She sipped the sweet juice before putting the needle away in her case and closing it. She’d safely dispose of it later. “I didn’t plan to be out for so long. It was hot and I did a lot of moving around. Usually I keep my case with me or at least some snacks so my levels don’t tank.”

  Kevin ran a hand over his face. His expression grim. “Shit, this is my fault. I shouldn’t have kept you out so long.”

  “No, I’ve been diabetic all my life. I know better. I was having fun and got caught up in the work. It’s happened before. It’s not your fault.”

  “I still feel terrible.”

  She wrapped her hand around his on the arm of the chair. “Don’t. You gave me a lot to work with. And even though I’m embarrassed, thanks for being my shoulder to lean on.”

  He studied her with worried eyes. “Don’t be embarrassed. When you stumbled. I haven’t been that worried in a long time.”

  “It looks scarier than it is,” she said to try to make him feel better. “I’ll do better tomorrow. It’s just that my brain and body don’t always sync up. I think I can push forever, and my body reminds me it’s not invincible.”

  His face said he could relate. “That is a hard pill to swallow. Your body not doing what your brain still thinks it can do.”

  “You have no idea.”

  His sigh was full of defeat. “You’d be surprised.” Before she could ask what that was about, he leaned up and kissed her on the forehead. His lips were dry and warm against her still clammy skin. He didn’t pull back quickly, instead keeping his lips against her for a few seconds and taking a deep breath as if breathing her in. “Get some rest, Jasmine.” When he pulled back, his eyes were tender. “I’ll check on you later.”

  “I’ll be fine.”

  “That doesn’t mean I won’t check on you.” Then his cocky smile came out and made her world tilt again for other reasons. “I’m trying to seduce you and it’s not fair to do so when you’re swooning for other reasons.”

  She rolled her eyes and laughed. Fatigue slowly seeping in to replace the woozy feeling. “You are crazy.”

  “Yeah, crazy about a photographer with hidden tattoos and blue streaks in her hair.” He stood, then leaned over to press another kiss to her ear. “I can’t wait to find out if you have other tattoos.”

  Her pulse jumped. She clenched her thighs together as delicious tingles traveled over her sex. “I’ve got a few and hidden piercings, too.” And there went her low blood sugar loss of a filter. Jada often said Jasmine needed to watch what she said when her blood glucose levels tanked.

  Kevin groaned and nipped her ear. “No fair to say that when you’re sick.” He straightened.

  A noticeable bulge was in the front of his pants. Jasmine’s breathing hitched and she bit her lower lip. “I’m not sick.” That point was arguable, but right now her tired brain couldn’t focus on anything except how absolutely delicious his lips looked.

  “Don’t tempt me, Jasmine.” He backed toward the door. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  The door closed firmly behind him. Jasmine watched it and held her breath. Hoping for him to come back and knowing she really needed to get rest. When she finally had to breathe, she let it out in a rush. She appreciated him being noble and taking the higher ground. She had nearly fallen up the stairs. As only she could do in epic fashion. Of course he wouldn’t stay and throw her in bed the way she wanted him to.

  She moved to get up and crawl into bed. The door opened again suddenly. Kevin strode to her with quick steps. He lowered to his knees in front of her, took her face in his hands and kissed her. Slowly, deeply and oh so thoroughly. Her breasts ached, and the tightness between her thighs grew to a fever pitch.

  When he pulled back, his breathing was ragged. “Sorry, but the thoughts of hidden tattoos is going to keep me up all night. I’m an asshole, because I want you up all night, too.” He stood and went to the door. He turned the knob. “Until tomorrow, Jasmine.” He left.

  “Asshole,” she said with a smile on her face. She’d be up all night now, too.

  Chapter 8

  Every day, Kevin looked forward to seeing Jasmine and taking her around town. By the end of the week, he was downright giddy. A new experience for him. He hadn’t been giddy to meet up with a woman since he was fourteen.

  They’d spent the week going around talking to some of the family members connected to the locations she’d photographed. He didn’t have to go with her. Word of her presence had spread with the lightning-fast speed of all news in a small town. But he’d enjoyed catching up with people he hadn’t seen in years and hearing the stories he’d grown up with, all while Jasmine smiled enthusiastically.

  Kevin hurried getting dressed and into the kitchen for juice to wash down the prescriptions his doctor had given him for the joint pain. The meeting with his agent was coming up in a few weeks. He had to make a decision about the next season. He wasn’t looking forward to it.

  Grandma C was in the kitchen already. She had a cup of coffee and a cinnamon roll in front of her while she read the morning paper, a daily ritual she refused to give up. Kevin had gotten her and his mom a computer and a laptop, but his grandma insisted on reading her news the old way.

  “Morning, Grandma C.” He strolled over and kissed her forehead.

  “I see you’re up and eager to go meet that girl again,” she said with a sparkle in her eye.

  “I’m just helping her out with a project. That’s all.” He went to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice.

  “Mmm-hmm, then why haven’t you brought her over here for me to talk to yet? I know she’s been talking to some of the other families in the area after taking pictures of their old land.”

  Kevin had been sincere when he’d made the offer for Jasmine to talk to his grandmother about their family property. Her meeting his grandmother in that sense wasn’t a big deal, but somehow it also felt like the biggest of deals.

  He hadn’t brought any woman around to meet his family since Hanna, and that was because she’d gotten pregnant. Hanna lived in California, and their relationship, though long-term, had been a long-distance one with no expectations of it becoming serious enough for her to meet his family. He and Jasmine weren’t together, but they were getting close.

  He hadn’t pushed her toward taking their situation past the few quick and hot kisses they’d shared. He liked her, got the sense she liked him, and she definitely liked his kisses if her soft moans were any indication. But she hadn’t invited him back into her room, he couldn’t bring her back here, and he didn’t want to be crass enough to book a hotel room in town. So he waited.

  “I’ll bring her over this weekend,” he answered after swallowing his medicine.

  “Your mom is coming back this weekend. She may bring the twins with her,” Charlotte said, flipping a page of the paper.

  “Yeah, I talked to her and the twins last night. They like coming to visit.”

  “I like having them here,” she said with a smile. “Does this mean you’re going to introduce your girl to the twins?”

  Kevin laughed at his grandmother’s insistence on making this thing with Jasmine into something bigger. If his laugh sounded a little tight and anxious, he ignored it. He wasn’t starting something serious with Jasmine. They were getti
ng to know each other. Having fun. Hopefully sleeping together soon.

  “Mom said they’ll be in late Sunday evening. I’ll bring Jasmine by earlier in the day.”

  “Why not bring her Saturday?”

  “The summer concert is Saturday. I’m taking her there.”

  Charlotte’s eyes widened. “A date?”

  “To hang with Rachel and Tank and get more of an idea of the flavor of the town.”

  “You’ve got a lot of excuses.”

  “And you’re trying really hard to turn nothing into something. We’re cool, Grandma. I like Jasmine, and yes, she’s attractive, but nothing serious is coming out of this. I’m done with serious relationships.” He put the orange juice away and checked his watch.

  “I can still pray that you’ll find peace.” She sipped her coffee and looked at the paper.

  “I’ve found peace. My kids are doing well. I’ve got good relationships with their mothers, and you and Mom are comfortable.”

  “Then why are you afraid of love?”

  “I’m not afraid,” he said quickly. He just didn’t believe it was in him to really love deeply. Maybe his dad had left him something after all.

  “See, not peaceful. And,” she continued when he was about to cut in, “you’d still rather take pain medicine than face what’s going on with your body. Not peaceful. You need to accept what’s happening instead of fighting everything that goes against what you planned.”

  Kevin gritted his teeth. His grandmother’s frank words cut deeper than he wanted to face. Deeper than he wanted to feel. Instead of arguing with her, something he wouldn’t win anyway, he walked over and kissed her forehead again.

  “I’ll be back in a few hours. Call me if you need anything.”

  She patted his back and shook her head. “I’m going to meet Cindy at that new bakery around lunchtime. She said their red velvet cake is almost as good as mine,” Charlotte grunted. “As if that would ever happen.”

  Kevin released a breath and a prayer of thanks. She wasn’t going to insist on digging deeper than he wanted to this early in the morning. This early in his life. “She had to have hit her head. No one makes red velvet as good as you.” He picked up his keys and went to the back door.

  “Have fun with your girl, Kevin. Can’t wait to meet her.”

  Kevin smiled grimly and left the house. One week, and then he’d be out of town. He’d meet with his agent and give him the bad news. At the ripe old age of thirty-six, Kevin Koucky was retiring due to a rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis. He was done, useless, and had no clue what to do next. Who would he be without suiting up in his jersey at the start of the season?

  Kevin pushed aside the unsettling thoughts of the coming week and instead focused on what was coming. He was meeting up with Jasmine. This was his last week with her and then he wouldn’t see her again.

  The uneasy feeling in his gut intensified. He wasn’t ready for their time to end, and not because he hadn’t slept with her yet.

  Short-term was better anyway, he thought as he slipped behind the wheel of his car. He didn’t want to see the look of disappointment in her eyes when she realized his body was breaking down. When she realized he was useless.

  Chapter 9

  Jasmine was just slipping on her earrings when there was a knock on her door. She did one last check on herself in the mirror and was pleased with the results. Packing the colorful skirt had been smart. She hadn’t made it to a cookout, but Kevin asking her to go with him to the summer concert series was just as good a reason in her book. She’d paired the skirt with a fitted white tank and dressed the outfit up a little with large white earrings and a matching shell necklace.

  She hurried to the door, nerves and eagerness speeding her steps. Stopping short of reaching for the knob, she took a deep breath and centered herself.

  Tonight was the night. No more fighting herself and playing cat and mouse with Kevin. He was only in town for another week. After that, she’d never see him again. She was going to invite him up.

  Swinging the door open, Jasmine’s breath stuck in her throat. Kevin was on the other side, as expected, but what wasn’t expected was the huge bouquet of brightly colored flowers in his hand. He’d dressed casually in white linen pants and a light blue button-up that fitted his muscled body just enough to make her mouth water.

  “Those are beautiful,” she said, eyeing the flowers but really thinking about the width of his shoulders and taut flatness of his abdomen.

  He held the bouquet out to her. “I may not live here permanently, but I’m still a Southern gentleman. My grandmother would skin me if I didn’t bring flowers to my date.”

  Jasmine chuckled and took the flowers from him, her heart skipping a little at the mention of this being a date. The sweet fragrance wrapped around her the way she wanted Kevin’s arms to embrace her. “Is your grandmother the only reason I got flowers?” she teased.

  She turned and took the flowers over to the dresser. There wasn’t a vase in the room, but there was a vanity pitcher and bowl on the dresser. She grabbed the pitcher and put the flowers inside, setting it next to her bed.

  “That, and when I saw them, I thought of you. Bright, colorful, happy.” He watched her from the door, one shoulder leaned against the jamb. Since that day she’d gotten sick and he’d helped her, he hadn’t crossed the threshold. She appreciated him respecting her space but really wished he’d cross into it and kiss her again.

  She grabbed her clutch purse and strolled back over to him. “You should have led with that.”

  He straightened and slipped a hand over her waist. “How about I lead with this instead?” He lowered his lips over hers.

  The kiss was quick and hot and her body burned with need instantly. She placed her hands on the solid firmness of his chest. Eased up on her toes to get closer. Kevin deepened the kiss. His hand on her waist tightened and he pulled her closer. The rise of his desire between them made her knees melt like butter. Oh yes, she couldn’t hold out anymore. She was just about to pull back and suggest they skip the concert when Kevin broke the kiss and eased away.

  His nostrils flared with his heavy breaths. He licked his lower lip and took a step back. “We better get moving before Rachel and Tank come looking for us.”

  Yes. Rachel and her husband. They were meeting them. The fun times could come later. “Yes, let’s do that.”

  She locked her room. Kevin offered her his arm and led her downstairs.

  The summer concert was being held in the town square. Since the area wasn’t far, she and Kevin chose to walk the short distance. The night was warm, the slightly humid air broken by a soft breeze that made the weather pleasant. On the way there, Kevin pointed out places around town where he’d played with friends, fallen on his bicycle and scraped his knees or just hung out, the stories weaving a tale of a happy kid who loved roaming and exploring his small town.

  “This place was all I knew,” he said as they entered the square. “Imagine the culture shock when I was drafted. Suddenly, my world went from this town and everyone knowing my family to the bright lights and whirlwind of being a celebrity.”

  “That had to have been overwhelming.”

  “I wish there were a word bigger than that. I wasn’t ready for being famous. I thought I was, but I don’t think anyone is really ready. Suddenly everyone knew my name, people I’d never met were excited to talk to me and anything I could think to ask for I was able to get. That was a heady experience. I loved it.”

  “You don’t anymore?”

  People waved and greeted them as they walked through the square. A good many had come out. The sounds of contemporary jazz drifted in the air from the small stage. A few couples danced along to the music.

  Kevin spotted Rachel and Tank. He waved, then headed in their direction. “No, I don’t,” he answered as they walked to his friends. “I love
basketball. I love the friends I made. I love being surrounded by guys who love the game as much as me, but I’m no longer blinded by the people wanting a piece of me. I learned my lesson.”

  She didn’t get to ask how he’d learned the lesson because they were joining Rachel and Tank. She’d save that for later. If there was a later. She only had one more week with Kevin. If she was really going to keep this casual, then deep questions about what emotional scars he carried didn’t belong in the conversation.

  “You got here just in time,” Rachel said. “Tank’s nephew is playing. He’s got the keyboard solo in the next song.”

  Tank pointed to two extra folding chairs they’d brought, and Jasmine and Kevin settled in. The conversation flowed again around old times and the musicians. When Rachel and Tank got up to dance, Kevin took Jasmine’s hand and pulled her to join the rest of the couples in front of the stage. They danced and laughed when Kevin stepped on her toes.

  “I never claimed to be a good dancer.”

  “I’ll remember that before ever dancing with you again,” she joked.

  He twirled her and she laughed. They switched off and Rachel danced with Kevin while Jasmine danced with Tank. The night was fun, the music great and even though it was obvious the people in town were excited that Kevin was there, he wasn’t swarmed by those in attendance, though they were interrupted a few times for selfie and autograph requests.

  “Let me show you something,” Kevin said after signing an autograph for one of his fans.

  “What?”

  He took her hand. “Rachel, Tank, we’re going to head out.”

  Rachel threw him a curious look. Tank grinned and shook Kevin’s hand. “It was fun hanging out.”