“Logan.” She kept her voice subdued. “Stop now before we both say something we’ll regret later.” The sudden rise in tension had the scar on her lip burning. “Please, let’s sit down and talk.” He didn’t budge. Looking at his face she saw frustration, but there was something else there. Not sure what she was seeing, she reached for his face. He stilled her hands in midair.
“You said you would try. That you would give our relationship a chance.”
“I know what I said. It wasn’t a lie. This isn’t how I envisioned my family finding out about us.” Disillusioned. She pulled her hands free of his. She didn’t know how to do this. What did she know about a normal relationship?
“It’s done now. There’s nothing to stress over at this point. Besides, I think they like me.”
“Are you kidding me? News flash, watch your tone with a black woman’s family. My daddy was about to rip you a new one.”
“I know, but he didn’t. They like me. What’s the story with ‘A’ names in your family?”
“My oldest sister Shaylah is the adventurous one in the bunch. I think my parents were too tired to be creative by the time Aron and I were born. You ask a lot of questions. I just realized it applies to more than when we are at work.”
“Caught unaware is more damaging than you can ever image.”
“Why is that?” A dark shadow crossed his face and she thought he wouldn’t respond.
“Asking questions is the quickest way to gather information. In the know is my chosen state of being. For example, Aron’s your younger brother.” She nodded her head in agreement. “How much younger?”
“Eighteen months. Although with his comedy routine you would think he was fifteen. He and Zari laugh about everything since they got married last June.”
“See how that worked. When you ask questions you get answers. I am a researcher at heart. Information addiction is a signature trait and I don’t do well with secrets. Forewarned is forearmed.”
“Thanks for the heads up.” Ava would be sure to monitor her comments. No way, did she want anyone researching her past. She didn’t want anyone to know what happened six years ago.
“Do you think I’m too old for you?” He was too persistent, too irresistible, too sexy, but not too old. Marcus had been a junior at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University when she met him freshman year. Only three years older than her eighteen years, but decades apart in life experience.
“Your seemingly bizarre question about my age kept me puzzled until today. Your mother seemed concerned because of our age difference.” Her mother was thinking about how easily Marcus had led her astray.
“Age is not a factor for me.” Her family acted as a private security force, keeping her from stumbling into the land mines of life. After Marcus, she had needed their protection to function, but somehow it had continued. Now she felt more of a hostage and she didn’t need to be rescued. They saw her as a victim, needing a family of advocates.
“I thought so, after meeting your would be suitor.” He was laughing at her.
“I know I can’t count on you for senior citizen discounts. No more questions doctor.”
“No more questions for tonight, but I want to know everything about you. I can tell you about the Masters family to balance the scorecard.”
“Okay. But talk to me while I clean up from dinner.” He seemed reluctant to release his hold, but he followed her as she moved to the dining table cluttered with dishes. Thank goodness there wasn’t a lot of food left over. The last few slices of Zari’s cake were gone. Deacon Hill had struck again.
“My parents, Robert and Maribelle, are from a small town in South Carolina. They’ve been married for thirty-seven years.”
“How often do you visit them?”
“My parents moved to Shell Cove years ago when my father was still practicing medicine.” They both grabbed an armful of dishes making several trips to the kitchen sink.
“They live at the Reserves on the Cove.” Ava stilled. The Reserves was an exclusive, estate home community complete with a private beach, yacht club and golf course. It was the wealthiest community between Northeast Florida and the southern Georgia border.
“Wow.” Her voice sounded distant. “The Reserves is luxury living. It must be nice to live at the beach.” Damp cloth in hand, head down, she wiped off the now empty dining table. She and Logan were from two different worlds. Literally, there was a toll parkway that separated The Reserves from the city limits of Shell Cove. Logan was in the “rich people” stratosphere.
“I don’t live at the beach. I live in Avondale.” Avondale was a historic district along the banks of the Dasius River. The community brimmed with antique shops, boutiques and gourmet coffee shops. It was home to the next generation of affluent Shell Cove residents that preferred the city life to suburbia. It was the inland rich peoples’ neighborhood.
“Come here, Ava.” He wanted to hold her closer even though it couldn’t be more apparent why they should be apart.
“Why?”
“I want to hold you close to me.” He was at her back now. His all too familiar scent intoxicatingly seductive, he pulled the cloth free of her hand and turned her to face him.
“That’s enough talk. Your Granny Lou has the observation skills of a trained sniper. She wouldn’t let me near you. I’ve been craving a taste of your lips all day. Give your man a proper kiss.”
Obeying his command, she rose up on her toes, hungry for a taste of him. “I didn’t say you’re my man,” she softly grinned. He didn’t. When she would have kissed him he turned away. He sank down on a dining chair and pulled her across his lap. His left hand gently came to rest on her hip. She had disappointed him. Hopeless. Marcus’s words echoed through her mind. The room felt cold now. His head sank along with her heart. She would never make Logan happy. He touched her face, softly stroking her cheek as he raised her chin.
“Look at me Ava.” Not wanting to see his disappointment, she resisted.
“Look at me,” he repeated. She was reluctant but followed his instruction.
“Tell me what I am in your life. I’ve been clear about my feelings for you. I know you are attracted to me. Are we together in building this relationship?”
The heat of her conscience burned like a spotlight. He had to see the pulse thumping at her neck.
The directness she had appreciated in Logan this afternoon with her family had lost its luster now that it was aimed at her. She fidgeted on his lap, afraid to voice her response.
“Don’t toy with me. Give me your answer.”
“We are from two different worlds Logan. You can enter and exit my world without notice. But … but the type of people you have access to probably don’t associate with everyday people.” A small tic formed in his jaw.
“I assume you are referring to yourself. Meaning black people, working people, people with less money than me?” he questioned. Not wanting to make things worse, she nodded her head.
“I save lives for a living. Not one is more valuable than the other. When I studied at Johns Hopkins, Graham and I spent hundreds of hours caring for people from all walks of life.”
“Who’s Graham?”
“A friend, you’ll meet him.” He sounded so sure. Ava remained quiet, letting the silence extend between them.
“My brother Darwin served in the United States Navy. Defending this country for people like you and me. And so did one of my best friends, Gideon Rice.”
“Your brother was in the Navy? I would like to talk with him about his experience and I know Gideon. He’s one of the adult psychiatrists at SCMC.”
“That’s the one. He and Darwin served together.”
“Gideon was in the Navy?” She stared at him in surprise.
“The Marine Corps.”
“That is so awesome that they both served in the military. It’s been a dream of mine to serve in the Navy Nurse Corps. Janna Williamson, my roommate in college, is a Navy lieutenant serving in Okinawa, Japan.” A dream that
she hoped to make a reality.
“So now that I’ve proven myself worthy of your affection, tell me that you want this relationship. Can you tell me that you need me, the way I need you?” He didn’t look playful. Ava noted the tension lines around his mouth. He wanted an admission.
The question hit the intended target with the force of lightning, dividing want and need. Did she want Logan? Without a doubt she desired him. More than any other man she’d met. Did she need Logan? He saw her as a woman. Not a wounded bird, to be nursed back to health. Did she want to be with him? He gave her honesty and she could give no less.
“Yes.” He shook her gently demanding the rest. “I want to be with you Logan.”
“Prove it. You make the first move, come and get me.”
Ava crossed her arms behind his neck and kissed him. The depth of her desire for him flowed freely through her, she didn’t hold back allowing him to share in the experience. His reciprocity stirred her sexual need to a boiling point. She rubbed her body across his chest, delighted when she felt her nipples hardened. A burst of arousal started in her belly then spread with the voracity of a wildfire to her sex. Her nails pressed deep in his skin as throaty sounds spilled from her lips.
He groaned as he broke off the kiss. “Touché, sweetheart.” His eyes had darkened with need to a rich emerald.
“If we don’t stop now neither one of us will be available for work tomorrow. I have an early morning case and a busy clinic schedule. I want us to do something special this week. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”
“Kathryn has me working twelve hour shifts Monday through Thursday. I can cook dinner for us on Friday.”
“Dinner on Friday works if it’s at my place.” She paused, not sure she wanted to cross over into his domain.
“Ava, don’t make this more difficult than it has to be. We are together. Come over to my place on Friday. I’ll help you prepare dinner.”
“I cook alone.”
“Not anymore.” He captured her lips in another heated assault on her senses. He definitely was packing an igniter switch imprinted with her name on it. It was Ava that broke the kiss this time.
“Enough with the hot kisses, back to dinner plans for this week.”
“There’s nothing else to decide. You cook the food and I’ll eat it. Relationships can be easy.” She stood then, backing out of his reach.
“Where are you going? There’s still more kissing to be had, before I leave.”
“It’s after nine o’clock and I have to clean the kitchen, before I starch and iron my scrubs for work in the morning.”
“No wonder you are always wrinkle-free. You are worse than Darwin. Scrubs are supposed be wrinkled. Hence, the name scrubs.” She gestured with her head at the front door.
“Go home, so you can be on time for your morning surgery.”
“May I help you clean the kitchen before I leave?” The sparkle in his eye said his type of help would result in her needing a clean up.
“My grandmother spoke the truth, I don’t need any help in the kitchen. I have a system to righting the house after Sunday dinners. The kitchen will be spotless in under forty minutes.” He stood to his feet, took her in his arms and kissed her breathless. Her knees were trembling when he finished.
“I’ll see you on the unit after my case. Sleep well, sweetheart.”
Since that first night with Logan, she didn’t think she would ever sleep well alone, ever again.
Ava was preparing for bed when she heard the soft beeping of the bedside telephone. She dived for the cordless receiver before the answering machine picked up the call.
“Logan?” She pulled deep, slowing breaths into her lungs.
“Baby girl it’s Dad, and I’m glad to know you are home alone.”
“Hey, Daddy what’s up?” Ava collapsed onto the bed.
“Why are you out of breath?”
“I had to make a mad dash across my bedroom when the phone rang.”
“About Logan.” She sat taller at the mention of Logan.
“What about him, Daddy?” This had never happened before. He didn’t say much, but when he did everyone listened.
“Ava, there are several types of men in the world. The one I met at your house tonight knows what he wants. Do not play with this man. He’s thinking forever. It’s written all over him that he considers you to be his. He’s possessive of you and don’t think I didn’t realize he was not invited to dinner. If you are not sure you want to be with this man, your brother and I will run him off, just say the word. Your momma and I will cancel our vacation if you need us to be here for you.”
Her father had retired after thirty-eight years with the United States Postal Service. Her parents had spent the better part of two years planning for their RV drive to twenty-four states in twenty weeks.
“Daddy, I would never ask you to do that, but more importantly I don’t need you and mom to put your life on hold for me.” Teetering on the precipice, she took the plunge. No taking the words back next week. “I really like him.”
“I know baby girl. He appears to be a fine young man. If he makes you happy and you have chosen him,” he put emphasis on his words, “then your mother and I welcome him with open arms.”
“Thanks daddy, I love you.”
“I love you more, good night baby.”
She’d made a decision. She had chosen Logan. Now she had to keep him from discovering all the ugliness of her past.
Chapter 9
Monday morning came faster than she expected after the high of “Ava has a man and the family knows it” faded. The pediatric unit was bustling with nurses, physicians, and technicians wheeling gurneys for the day’s procedures. The carnival of the morning quickly gave way to organized chaos as the nursing staff assumed their duties and readied each patient for the day ahead. Food tray warmers littered the corridors creating a well-intentioned obstacle course. Her stomach growled in protest reminding her that her energy expenditure far exceeded the veggie omelet she’d consumed for breakfast. On cue, a familiar voice called to her from the supply room.
“Ava, you game for a hot lunch date to celebrate your application submission?” Approaching the supply room, Ava raised one finger to her lips reminding her friend this was their secret.
He mimicked turning a key, throwing it away and burying it with paw movements. Every woman needed a platonic male friend and Spencer fit the bill.
“I don’t have time for a hot date, but if you’re available we can go together.” Ava was comfortable teasing with him. When she started on staff more than a year ago, somehow Spencer ended up on the inside of her perimeter defenses. She was grateful for his friendship.
Registered Nurse, Spencer Hayeswood was fun to be with, always making her laugh with the grandiose version of every aspect of his life. He had an arsenal of “the woman of the month” stories.
“Spencer, Lina probably hasn’t had lunch. Did you tell her to meet us in the cafe?”
“I called, but she’s not working the psychiatric unit today.” He talked as he secured the supply room with his digital key code. Missing supplies were grounds for dismissal. Each nurse was assigned a key code to track those removed and returned supplies. “The charge nurse said she called in sick yesterday and today.” He placed the key card behind his name badge, and headed for the fire safe doors.
Wrinkling her brow, Ava thought back to the last time she’d talked with Lina. It had been more than a week. Her life with Logan overshadowed the fact that Lina had been scarce for days.
They left the unit, walking the three flights of stairs to the lobby cafe. Ava found a table behind a row of planters at the rear of the cafeteria. Spencer would find her after he grabbed food from the hot meal line.
This was the first moment she had been off her feet in six hours. Kathryn Quest, the charge nurse had assumed responsibility for Ava’s team so she decided to make wise use of the time by fueling her body.
She allowed the mental shields
to lower and the stress of the morning to flow out of her like the river to the sea. Visions of her body wrapped around Logan invaded her mind. She recalled the taste of him; the finest white chocolate with a hint of smooth liqueur. He had made a permanent imprint on her taste buds last night. Heat rose to her face causing a smile to grace her lips.
“I hope I put that smile on your face.” Dread churned in her gut as the owner of that voice registered in her mind. The hairs at her nape stood on end, her palms felt cool and damp, looking up Randall Lester stood over her. Dressed in a pinstriped, three-piece dark gray suit he looked harmless until you saw his flared nostrils and squinted glower.
“Finally I get you alone. You’ve been cavorting with a certain surgeon on staff. That’s a poor decision for a nurse in your position. You wouldn’t want to jeopardize his career or research funding.”
Her eyes locked on Randall’s bearded face a second before they widened in fear. He saw it before she could rein it in. The smile on his face brimmed with malice.
“I am not interested in what you’re offering,” she stammered. She quickly rose from her seat, almost colliding with the chairs behind her.
Ava scanned the cafe. Spencer was too far away to help.
“Not so fast, my pet. Your application packet was delivered to me this morning.” He extended his hand to grab her wrist. Preoccupied with getting away from him, she couldn’t respond to the sinking feeling in her gut.
“Don’t touch her.” A huge breath of relief left her lungs as that distinctive baritone sounded in her ear. “Come here, Ava.” Mentally she reached for him before she took the first step.
Ava spun on her heel, Logan stood, rage clear on his face, the muscles in his arms bulging underneath his lab coat. She did as he commanded coming to stand slightly behind him.
“Randall.” A tremor ran through Ava at the steel in Logan’s voice. “Stay away from Ava. Don’t come near her again. Ever.”
Anger rolled off Logan in pulsing waves. With a vicious snarl aimed at the other man, he said, “Leave. Now.”
Chasing Ava: A Bachelor of Shell Cove Novel (The Bachelors of Shell Cove) Page 10