Wine and Roses

by Ursula Sinclair

  “It’s okay. If you don’t want to tell me anything personal.”

  Damn, he must have been silent for too long. But Eboni perceived more than most women. Just one of the many things about her he found attractive, but at the same time it warned him he needed to stay clear of her. Yet, he found it difficult to stay away from her soulful eyes, or those curves coupled with a softness brushing up perfectly against his longer harder lines. He shifted to ease his rising erection. Down boy, she was still recovering.

  “It’s not that,” he finally said. “Perfectly normal question but I’m anything but.”

  “Okay. None of my business anyway.”

  “Why don’t you go on into the bedroom and lie down,” he said.

  She ran her hand through her micro-braids. “I should probably call Shanna first and let her know I’m home.”

  “No need, I already texted Ross so I’m sure she knows. Call her after you get up. Meanwhile, let me take a look at what you’ve got in the fridge for me to work with.”

  “All right.” She frowned. “But I’m not sure what’s good in there, probably some eggs, cheese maybe some bacon. And you can check the cabinets. There’s pasta there, too.”

  “Okay.” Simon came over to her and held out his hand. When she placed her soft hand in his, he squeezed it and pulled her up. They stood toe-to-toe, and he didn’t know how it happened, he hadn’t planned it. On second thought, hell yes, he had, just not so soon. His head lowered to meet her mouth already rising to join with his. A kiss like all the others they’d shared in their all too brief time together. And still it shook his world. His heart pounded against his chest beating a rhythm in his head. He moaned and took her deeper into his mouth, pushing his tongue into her mouth but she wrapped her own around his and sucked on it. He moved forward and ground his erection against her. The ringing of a cell phone the only thing stopping him from doing more.

  “Damn,” he growled, pulling apart. But what the hell was he thinking? She’s just recovering.

  “That’s…that’s mine.” She stepped out of his embrace. “I…I think I should get it.”

  He watched her move over to her purse and take out her phone. His body remained hard, and his nerve endings tingled protesting her absence.

  “Hello. Hi, Shanna.” She moved the phone away from her face and said to him, “I’ll take this in the bedroom then take a nap.”

  “Fine.” He grunted out. “I’ll call you when dinner is ready.”

  She walked past him to get to her bedroom, and he damn near reached out to grab her arm and pull her back against him. What the hell was wrong with him? He was on a job for crying out loud. Didn’t matter, he wanted to sink himself into her warmth like he wanted to see the next sunrise. “Crap,” he said to the empty room then headed over to the kitchen area to see what he could find.

  ***

  The man slumped down behind the steering wheel in the parked car and watched the police cruiser drive through the neighborhood. An unmarked police car already drove through about an hour ago. The tags on the vehicle, as it went past, easily identifying it as government issue. Idiots. Like they could stop him, arrangements had already been made, police protection or not. He sat in a parking spot with a clear view of her corner condo unit. He could see part of the front of her building and probably the side of maybe her bedroom window. The same side from where she’d seen what she should not have. The window overlooked a path between buildings. Tall trees blocked most of the view where he’d waited, but the woman’s window looked directly down on the path. Frigging ill luck that night.

  A feeling of being watched had him lifting his head. Damn. He didn’t get away with a clean kill. His employers only cared about the target, and did he accomplish the objective. He’d done both and sent the information on, but he would have to clean up this complication himself. He found out who the woman was who’d witnessed the hit. Eboni Stiles. Easy enough to get her name from a neighbor. He’s been patient long enough for her to return home from the hospital, to feel comfortable in familiar surroundings. No sense in putting it off any longer. Besides, today they wouldn’t be quite as vigilant as tomorrow or the next day. They’d become more wary. And the clock ticked for him. Sooner or later his image would be paired with his identity, and he’d have to leave. So he had to try for her tonight.

  He settled down in his car for a nap and waited for them to settle down for the night. They weren’t going anywhere. Oh yeah, he’d seen the cop and another guy go upstairs with her. He expected it. Big guy and kinda familiar looking, probably the boyfriend. No matter. He’d take care of him, too. The assassin knew the police department’s routine better than they knew it themselves. He had friends who kept him informed. When his cell rang, he checked the number before answering it. He got the information he needed and decided he had plenty of time to go grab dinner. A big bowl of pasta tonight with a nice marinara sauce would be perfect. His favorite. Turning his car on, he glanced up at the corner unit and gave it a salute as he pulled out of the parking spot. Ms. Eboni Stiles would be able to enjoy a few more hours of life.

  Chapter Five

  Eboni turned over and opened her eyes. Her curtains were slightly parted, and she could see a sliver of stars against the black night. The sky no longer lit like when she’d first closed her eyes. She hoped Shanna took her advice and went ahead and caught her cruise. A ship left later that night, or perhaps it already had. She assured her sister she was fine and in good hands.

  Her phone lay on the side table where she’d left it. Picking it up, she checked the time. Wow, later than she thought. The cold medicine she’d taken knocked her out, but her body must have needed the rest. Sitting up, she caught the scent of bacon and her stomach responded with a growl. She’d take it as a good sign and when she stood up, she felt fine, no dizziness just well-rested and ready to tackle the problem Simon represented to her mental and physical health. That kiss. There could be no more of that. If Shanna hadn’t called, she’d be getting up in his arms.

  She’d fallen asleep in the jeans and sweater she wore home from the hospital. After taking a quick shower, Eboni changed into her favorite baggy sweatshirt and yoga pants. Slipping on plastic flip-flops, she walked out of her bedroom only to find Simon in the hallway. The first time she’d seen his gun holstered at his side like it was now freaked her out a little. It bothered her that one man with a gun killed another, and she needed yet another man with a gun to keep her safe. While she still didn’t think she should spend any length of time around Simon, she knew he would keep her safe.

  “Hey.” His hands rested on her arms stopping her from running right into him. “I was just coming to check on you. Dinner is ready, you hungry?”

  She looked up into the depths of his steel gray eyes. Most of the lights in the condo were turned off, only a nightlight in the hallway remained on, and a soft light over the stove. One lamp in the corner of the living room remained on low lighting. The place looked set for seduction. The only thing lacking seemed to be soft music. But she understood, Simon didn’t dim the lights to seduce her, he did it so he could rest his eyes. After a moment, Eboni whispered, “Yes.” His head lowered toward her because she was a good five inches shorter than he. She lifted up on her toes for his kiss, but the banging on her front door froze her. It didn’t stop Simon, and he kissed her quickly.

  “Damn, I better get that.” Holding onto her hand, he walked her over to the kitchen counter and sat her on the stool. Releasing her hand before turning away to answer the door.

  Sounded as if Simon spoke to someone in the hallway, but she couldn’t hear the specifics of the exchange. Simon stepped back into the condo and a uniformed female officer moved past him. He shut the door behind the cop.

  “Hello,” the woman said to her. “I’m Officer Ryan. Just wanted to introduce myself to you both. I’ll be here until morning. You will have a round the clock watch until we catch the suspect.”

  “Thank you,” Eboni said. Her stomach suddenly d
idn’t feel so hungry any more, the reality of the last few days crashing around her. She’d truly hoped by now the police would have been able to catch the man she’d seen kill another.

  “I’ll be right outside should you need anything, and there are extra patrol cars driving past this complex. Are you in for the evening?”

  Simon spoke before she could. “Yes, we’re just about to have a late dinner, but we’ll not be going anywhere for the rest of the night.”

  “Good, have a pleasant evening. If you need anything, I’ll be right outside. Otherwise, I’ll knock on the door in the morning when my shift ends and introduce you to the officer replacing me.”

  “I guess that means you all still haven’t caught the suspect,” Eboni clarified.

  “We will.”

  “Thank you. Good night, officer.”

  “Night.”

  Simon opened the door and let Officer Ryan out before returning to the kitchen. He picked up the mitt on the counter, opened up the oven, and took out what looked like a quiche.

  “Oh my, you really can cook.” She grinned. “What all is in there?”

  Placing the pie on the countertop, he pulled down two plates from her cabinet as he answered. “Eggs, bacon, and brie was the only cheese you had in there. And I didn’t want to run to the store. Tomorrow, we’ll make a grocery run.”

  It wasn’t lost on her not only could he cook but knew his way around her kitchen. “I see you’ve familiarized yourself with the place.” He grinned unrepentant. She usually did the cooking. It felt kinda nice to have a man cook for her for a change. And one who wore a holster at that. “Do you always wear a gun while you cook?”

  “No. Does it bother you?”

  “A few days ago I watched firsthand what one of those things is capable of.” She sighed. “But I do understand the necessity. So does the gun bother me? No, use of it does.”

  He cut the quiche and put it on the plates then set it before her on the counter. “I only use it in defense of others.”

  “I know that, otherwise you would not be here with me now.”

  “I can’t take it off, babe, not if your life is in danger.”

  She smiled. “I understand and it’s fine.”

  “Okay.” He ran his finger down the bridge of her nose. “So, we’re cool?”

  “Yes. And this smells delicious. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  Turning around, he got out two mugs and placed a tea bag of lemon and honey tea in it. Only when he reached for the teakettle on the stove did she notice the steam coming out of it. “You have been busy.”

  “Yeah. I like to stay busy.” He poured the water in both mugs and brought them over to the counter and sat down across from her.

  She raised her mug toward him. “I appreciate everything you’ve done and cheers.”

  “Cheers.” He grinned and clinked his cup against hers.

  She picked up her fork, she took a bite. “Oh my god! Mmmm, this is divine.”

  He smiled. “I’m glad you like it.” Then he grabbed his own fork and ate. “I see you have an appetite; that’s good.”

  “Yes, I am feeling better, thank you. Just a few aches left.” She might as well get the rest of it out. A drop dead gorgeous Simon was hard enough to handle, one who could cook too and wanted to take care of her. She shook her head at the thought. Too much. This man would break her heart without even trying. “Simon I appreciate everything you’ve done, but….”

  “No buts.” He shook his head. “And I’m not leaving your side until Bennis is caught. I promised Shanna and Ross. It’s the only reason Shanna was willing to continue their honeymoon, and I don’t break my promises.”

  “Oh, I see.” And she did. How stupid could she be? She thought he stayed because he wanted to for her. But of course: Shanna and Ross, his best friend. He’d do anything for Ross and to please Ross’s new wife. Including babysitting his best friend’s sister-in-law so they could go on their honeymoon. Yeah, she could see him doing it. A fool, she felt like a fool.

  She already finished her quiche, and good thing, cause she lost her appetite entirely. She stood up to put her plate in the dishwasher, but Simon grabbed it. “No, I got this.”

  “But you cooked, only fair for me to clean.”

  “Yes, very true but until you’re fully recovered you get a pass. So why don’t you go on into the living room, let me clean the kitchen up, and I’ll be right there.”

  She felt her eyebrows rising to her forehead. “Bossy aren’t you and in my house.”

  “You can come and boss me in mine anytime, now go relax.”

  Not having the strength to argue with him she got up and went to the living room. Eboni turned on the television hanging on the wall. The local news should be on but a commercial flashed across the screen as she sat down. She didn’t bother to change it. Just lost herself in the memory of seeing a man killed, not something she’d get over anytime soon, and to know whoever did it might well search for her. Sounded like a movie. And she hoped, unlike a movie, the killer was long gone. She could not go on much longer. This better end soon.

  She glanced up when Simon sat down and handed her a mug with a fresh batch of tea. “Thank you,” she said and took it from him. His body angled toward her so she shifted to him. They were an arms’ length apart, and she wanted to keep it that way. “Do you think they will catch this guy?” She asked him the question most in her thoughts, the other one she dared not ask. Why aren’t you the staying kind?

  “Probably not. No one’s been able to catch him or make anything stick.”

  “Well, that’s reassuring, not.”

  “Don’t worry. Odds are high he’s gone, left the area at least if not the country. That’s what he’s done in the past.”

  She sipped her tea. “And what if this time he didn’t.”

  “You don’t need to worry about anything. Because to get to you he’s got to go through me, and it ain’t gonna happen.”

  She didn’t know how to respond to him. But her worries eased knowing Simon more than capable of protecting her. The news changed to the weather segment. She’d been out of it for days and wouldn’t you know it, the next few days the weather in LA sucked. She placed her cup on the coffee table and leaned back against the couch. Soon her eyes drifted shut.

  Her body floated through the air, yet bands of steel wrapped around her. Warm steel. Shouldn’t steel be cold? Then her body no longer floated but descended onto a softness. But she did not want to let the steel go. She wrapped her arms tighter around it, and it molded itself to her until she brought all that delicious warmth and hardness down over her. It covered her, and heat rushed through every part of her body. She opened her mouth to gasp at the sensation and it filled with even more heat. “Simon.” His name echoed in her mind both benediction and plea. If only this were a not dream. It seemed so real the touch of his hands against her skin. Her sweatshirt rode up exposing her bare breasts to the night air and his tongue. Oh, the feel of wetness as he sucked on her. She raised her hands to hold him to her. When she made contact with the silkiness of Simon’s long mane she knew this was no dream, and then, she sneezed.

  Chapter Six

  “Sorry,” Eboni said laughing as her hand fell away from his hair. She lay on her bed, and he rested above her.

  Simon raised his head and looked at her, smiling down at this woman who he’d thought about way too much. Unsure exactly what about her drew him so, only that she did. “You’re still a little sick.” It took everything in him to pull her sweatshirt down and cover those luscious orbs from his sight. “And the AC might be a little too low cause it’s cold in here.”

  “Oh, I don’t think I noticed.”

  But then she sneezed again, and he laughed. “I think my point’s been made. Why don’t you get some rest? Your body still needs it, and I’ll turn the air up a little more.” He didn’t add and he needed her body. Simon would wait until she healed completely.

  “Yes, you
’re right.”

  “I usually am. Do you want to take any cold medicine?”

  “No, I think I’ve taken enough. Let me try to sleep on my own.”

  “Okay.” He stood up and helped pull the blanket out from under her holding it up while she scooted underneath. He found the scene funny, except he wasn’t laughing; he’d never put a woman in a bed and not join her there. However Eboni needed rest, and they had time. He bent down to kiss her forehead and as he straightened up, she grabbed his arm.

  “Will you stay with me until I fall asleep?”

  “Yes, of course.” He sat down on the side of her bed and watched her close her eyes. In moments, her breathing became a little uneven but she wasn’t warm when he touched her, so she didn’t have a temperature.

  He brushed some of her tiny micro braids off her face and kissed her cheek before getting up and going over to her window. Pushing the curtain aside, he looked down unto the path and in his mind, watched the scene Eboni witnessed unfold. And she was right. Not only did she have an excellent view of the crime scene, she would have also been able to see the killer’s face, however, the killer could probably see her as well. At the very least knew where she lived. He would have to think about moving her tomorrow. He left her room but kept her door open so he could hear her if she got up in the middle of the night needing anything—like him.