Lost in his own thoughts, he hadn’t heard much of what Haven had been saying but caught the last of her comments.
“Speaking of dealing with lemons, what’s up with my car? It’s been at the shop for two weeks. I can’t imagine what it’s going to cost, but it should be fixed by now.”
Her car was a piece of garbage. It wasn’t safe to drive, and now that he understood her situation, Ellis in good conscience couldn’t allow her to drive it. His grandmother wouldn’t want him too and would be furious if he did. At least, that’s what Ellis told himself. Until he could come up with a plausible excuse to convince Haven to accept the BMW as a gift, he would drag out how long his “mechanic” took to fix her car.
“Oh, yeah, Randy called a few days ago. He said your car is so old that he has to hunt around for the part. Once he can locate an alternator for that make and model, it shouldn’t take him too long to fix it.”
Haven sat up on the edge of her chair. Her eyebrows knitted together. “Did he check the junkyard?”
“I’m not in the automotive business. Something breaks down around here; we usually hire someone to fix it or get a new one.” The smirk on his face made Haven want to shake him.
“The lifestyles of the rich and famous, meanwhile the rest of us have to work multiple jobs to make ends meet.”
“Yeah . . . about that. I’ve been intending to talk to you. I was thinking of increasing your salary to cover whatever you’re making at your part-time gig. My grandmother needs you to be alert.”
Haven pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. She was worried. “Did she say something? Is she upset with me? I thought I was handling everything okay.”
“No. She didn’t say anything about being displeased, but she worries. I don’t want her to worry about anything.” Ellis meant that. But, if he were honest, his reasons were twofold. He didn’t want his grandmother worrying, but there was some kind of caveman instincts trying to take over when it came to Haven. Even though, she wasn’t his responsibility.
“I-I can’t . . . I won’t accept charity, Ellis. I don’t want you or Ms. McKenna to think I’m taking advantage of this situation. Remember, you said I was a snake or a vulture. I’m neither.”
He felt the sting of her words in his gut and was a little ashamed of them now that he knew her a little better. “I’ll admit, when we first met, I had my doubts about you. But, hell, I have doubts about everybody.” A flashback of his grandmother giving him the business over it made him laugh. The rumble of his chuckle made his chest shake. “My grandmother set me straight pretty quick too.”
Haven’s vision blurred. Heat crept up the back of her neck and spanned out throughout her entire body. She tried to clear her vision by blinking and taking in deep breaths. Oh shit. What was happening? Was she about to faint?
“Haven?” Ellis’ smile faded. “Are you okay?”
Her eyes lifted to his but she didn’t say anything.
“Are you okay? Should I get Dr. Lawrence?”
She blinked rapidly, trying to recover and fanning her hot face with her hands. “Um . . . I . . . um, I'm all right, I think.”
“Are you sure?”
After a few more deep breaths, her vision slowly started to return, and her temperature cooled. She wouldn’t dare tell Ellis what just happened. Instead, she tried to play it cool as if that little episode hadn’t happened. She responded in a low whisper, “Yes. I just . . . checked out for a second.” Haven exhaled slowly. “I’m fine, I promise.” She desperately wanted to stop him from staring at her like she was a science project. Her voice sounded far away even to her own ears. “Anyway, about the raise. I’m not a charity case.”
Ellis wasn’t so sure Haven was fine but had to take her word for it. He spoke slowly while staring intensely, looking for signs to back up her claim. “I don’t think you are—a charity case.”
“I’m okay, Ellis. Stop looking at me like that.” It was making her even more uncomfortable. “I’m just a little tired. Millions of people have done what I’m doing. Plus, I never want to prove you right.”
He raised a brow in question. “About what?”
“You thought I was an opportunist, remember?”
“Let’s put that to rest. I said it, but I’m happy to proclaim that you are not. What you are is stubborn.”
“No apology then?”
“I was protecting my grandmother. I’ll never apologize for that.”
“And you say I’m stubborn?”
Ellis stood. “Maybe we have that in common. Are you sure you’re alright?”
She used her hands and shooed him away. “I'm all right.”
“If you say so, I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“I’m saying, so.”
Ellis initially debated if he should leave but then remembered, Haven was an adult and not his responsibility.
She was the reason he needed to get out of the house, to begin with. He glanced at his watch. “I don’t have much time, so, here’s the deal. I’ve already instructed accounting to add the increase to this Friday’s paycheck. Give your other job your notice today.”
“What?! You're a little high-handed don’t you think? What if I like my job?”
“You don’t, and even if you did, between being here for most of the day and going to classes, when do you have time to study or anything else for that matter? It just makes sense. But, more importantly, it makes my grandmother happy.”
Haven was about to protest, but the words died on her lips when he mentioned Ms. McKenna.
“You know what I’m proposing is the right thing to do even if you are too stubborn to admit it.”
He was right and that pissed Haven off more than anything. “I’ll mull over your proposition. But, if I accept your offer and quit, I’ll have to give at least two weeks’ notice. I can’t just leave my bosses high and dry.”
“Two weeks? I can accept that.”
Haven could only shake her head. “I’m so glad, the decisions that affect my life meet your approval, King McKenna.”
He flashed her a smile. “Good. Anyway, I’ve got to get going, so I can take care of some things for tonight.”
“What’s tonight?”
“A date.”
“You’ve got a date? What woman is so desperate she’s willing to hang out with you?” The tension in the air cleared a little as they both seemed to be on more comfortable terrain.
“Jealous?” He was kidding, but his ego would have liked for Haven to feel a tinge of something. Hell, he was rich, young, and handsome, yet, she acted as if she hadn’t noticed. Granted, she had just broken up with Dylan, but she didn’t seem to see him as viable—that was probably a good thing.
Haven rolled her eyes. “You’re so vain. Absolutely, not. I don’t want to be bothered with any men for the foreseeable future. Anyway, who’s the unlucky lady?”
“That’s sad. All men? For the foreseeable future? No, I love women entirely too much to ever let one person mess it up for all the other ones.”
“Exactly. That’s why I’m done with all men because you are all the same. I bet you have no idea how to be monogamous.”
“Let me just correct the record; we’re not all the same. I’m one hell of a man. Some men, like me, are always honest and upfront about the nature of the relationship. I don’t lie, for the most part, and I don’t cheat.”
“How can you cheat when you said out of your own mouth that you don’t do the girlfriend thing? It sounds to me like stringing women along knowing they are hoping you’ll commit. That is almost as bad.”
“I don’t string women along either. If you think spending time with someone and enjoying their company when they are aware that you also spend time with other people is just as bad as cheating, you’re crazy.”
“I’m not crazy. It’s just what I think.”
Ellis walked over to Haven and studied her carefully as if searching for something. Surprising not just her, but himself, he raised his hand to caress h
er cheek. His touch was so feather-light that it made Haven shiver. His voice was barely a whisper when he spoke. “Don’t let him make you bitter. All men are not like Dylan.”
He dropped his hand, placing it in his pocket. That signature half-smile had appeared on his face before Ellis sauntered out of the room whistling.
Haven swallowed realizing that she hadn’t taken a breath from the moment Ellis touched her until now. She would be lying to herself if she pretended he didn’t have a certain charm that called to her. But, then again, it seemed she had inherited her mother’s genes. Haven had a knack for being attracted to men who were absolutely no good.
Ellis and Dylan had too many things in common. They both loved women, and both were emotionally unavailable. She was going to follow her instincts.
Men, for now, were the enemy.
Chapter 9
Ellis knocked on the door to his grandmother’s bedroom. Vanessa opened it. The short, cute brunette smiled saucily. Her sweet and demure act always went out the window the moment she thought his grandmother wasn’t paying attention. She had openly flirted with him since the day he’d returned from China—he wasn’t interested—at least not anymore. She was attractive, and there was a time when they had gone on a few dates, but Ellis quickly realized there was something about her that screamed trouble.
Instead of acknowledging the open invitation, Ellis ignored her, smiled and sauntered into the room.
“How’s my favorite, girl?”
Bertha was dressed for the day and sitting by the window looking out at the cold winter morning. “I’m feeling all of my years today.”
“Well, I’m here to change that.” A server wheeled in a cart full of fruits, pastries, egg whites, turkey bacon, and juice. “I thought we’d have a nice breakfast. Later this evening, instead of ordering in like usual, I’ve made a reservation for us to go to your favorite restaurant.” Bertha’s bedroom had been quickly transformed to a little bistro. A table for two had been set up and covered with a white cloth. Fresh roses were placed in the center, and the server poured her a cup of decaf coffee. “This day is all about you to do whatever you want.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “You’ve been spoiling me rotten since you got back. You should be spoiling someone special.”
Ellis walked over to his grandmother and kissed her on the forehead. “There’s only one special lady in my life, and I’m with her right now.” He wheeled Bertha over to the table. “I’ve got a gift for you later.”
“I am a pretty extraordinary woman . . .”
Ellis nodded and took his seat opposite her. “You better know it.”
“But, if you’re spending all of your free time with me, when are you going to find time to date?”
He picked up a scone and put it on a plate before passing it to his grandmother. “It’s warm. You talk as if I’m an old man. I’m only thirty-six. I have plenty of time for that.” Ellis smiled mischievously. “There are twenty-four hours in a day, and I’ve managed to eke out a few for a beautiful woman, or two.”
“I’m talking about dating seriously.” Bertha took a bite. “Oooohhh…this is good. It would be even better with a little butter.” She reached for it, but Ellis smoothly moved it out of her reach.
“You can’t have butter. They must have put this out by mistake.”
Bertha frowned. “Why not? I’m an old lady. I can have whatever I want.”
“Because Dr. Lawrence said so.” Ellis propped both elbows on the table and linked his fingers together. “You know you’ve been on a special diet since your heart attack.” His penetrating stare dared her to lie to him.
She stuttered, “Wh-what are you talking about?”
“I wasn’t going to bring it up, but I suppose now is a good a time as any. Why didn’t you tell me about the heart attack and surgery last year? You kept it a secret from me.”
Bertha started to wring her hands. “I didn’t want you to worry. And, I especially didn’t want you to treat me like a delicate little flower.”
His voice softened. “You’re the only family I have left. I would have been here for you, and I’m pissed at you and me that I wasn’t. It’s a mistake that won’t happen again.”
Bertha looked down at her plate. For the first time, she was able to see if from his perspective. “I’m sorry. I know losing your mom and dad in that plane crash devastated you. It was ten years ago, and it took you how long to get over it? I didn’t want you to relive that range of emotions if things didn’t turn out to be serious.”
“But they were serious. You had a heart attack. It doesn’t get much worse than that.”
“You’re right, and again, I’m truly sorry. Things were so crazy back then that I didn’t use my best judgment.”
Ellis didn’t want his grandmother to feel guilty, but he needed her to make sure she included him in whatever was going on. “Can you promise me one thing?”
“I’ll do my best and I will if I can.”
“If you get a cold, tell me. I want to know.”
She laughed. “The list of ailments for someone my age is pretty long.”
“Then, write them all down, and I’ll do my best to remember ever single one.”
Her eyes misted over. “You’re too good to me.”
Ellis picked up a grape and popped it into his mouth. “I’m supposed to be.”
“Who’s going to be good to you?” Bertha asked the question innocently enough, but there was a deeper meaning behind it.
“I’m actually pretty damn good to myself.”
“Well . . .” She took a sip of her coffee. “This coffee is delicious too. That decaf stuff is usually undrinkable. Back to my point . . . Haven is such a sweet girl don’t cha think?”
“You’re about as subtle as a cyclone. First, I’m not interested in Haven. Second, she’s not interested in me and is still in love with her ex. Third, I’m not interested in Haven.”
“The ex is a joke. He didn’t deserve her. But, I’ve seen the way you look at her when you think no one is paying attention.” Her voice softened. “You can’t run away from love because you think everyone is going to leave you, Ellis. Life is about loving people and enjoying the time you have with them on this earth, even if that time is short. Love makes it all worth it.”
She knew he’d never gotten over the loss of his parents or his grandfather. They were all so very close.
Ellis blew out an exaggerated breath. He did not want to revisit the pain of those losses. “I’m not running away from anything. I’m sure when I meet the one, I’ll know. In the meantime, I’m human. Haven is gorgeous. What warm blooded man wouldn’t take a peek every now and again?” The images his mind conjured up would remain just that. “However, she’s looking for a husband. Someone to settle down with and I want the opposite of that. My needs are a little more basic. All I want is to enjoy the company of a woman. Period. I’m not even thinking of getting married and starting a family anytime soon.”
“Oh.” Her face drooped. “Too bad. It would be really nice to become a great-grandmother finally.” Bertha was laying it on thick. “She’s an amazing girl. I hope she finds someone who is deserving of her.”
Ellis didn’t ever want ever disappoint his grandmother, but in this case, he had no choice. “I’m sure she will.”
The two of them spent the morning laughing and talking about other ordinary things. But, Ellis was careful to keep a watchful eye over his grandmother. He always had, but after Haven had told him about her heart attack, he became even more in tune with his grandmother’s body language and mood changes.
He asked casually, “Where is Haven?” Ellis had become so accustomed to her being around that it felt a little weird when she wasn’t.
“Curious about her, huh?” She pointed her skinny little finger at him. “I think there might be more there than you’re letting on.”
He wiped his mouth with a napkin and laid it on the table. “No. She’s just always around,
and today, she’s not. Seems a little odd.”
“Hmph. Okay. I’ll let you believe that and won’t say another word about it.”
“Yeah, you will.”
“You’re right.” Bertha laughed. “She’s not here because I gave everyone but Vanessa the day off. Unfortunately, I need her care around the clock.” Her eyes widened, and she whispered conspiratorially, “What about Vanessa?” Her nurse had stepped out of the room for a few minutes. “She’s a really lovely lady. I don’t think she’s looking for a husband. I don’t have to worry about her giving you crabs either.”
He almost choked on his juice. “Umm . . . she seems very . . . ah . . . nice.” Ellis wasn’t about to tell his grandmother he knew all about Vanessa. And, when it came to his sexual safety, he never left that up to a woman. Ellis made sure to wear a condom every single time he had sex. “I think my dating instincts have served me well so far. You know the old saying, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I’m a subscriber to that. Now, back to you. I made a reservation for us tonight at Sonny’s. In about an hour, a glam squad is going to come over and get you all dolled up.”
“Oh.” Bertha didn’t seem very excited. “I’ve been getting tired so quickly lately. I’m not really sure if I’m up to going out.” She stifled a yawn. “As a matter fact, I could use a nap right now.”
Ellis was worried. “Should I call Dr. Lawrence?”
“Oh god, no. I’m just full and a little sleepy. Can I take a raincheck on dinner and maybe we can do brunch another day?”
Ellis stood to help his grandmother from the table over to her bed. He lifted her as if she weighed nothing and placed Bertha gently into the center of her downy comforter while calling for Vanessa. She appeared in no time. Ellis pulled a light afghan over his grandmother while Vanessa took her blood pressure.
“Everything looks fine, Ms. McKenna.”
“Thank you, Vicki.” In a matter of minutes, she’d fallen asleep.
A Reservation for One (Untamed Love Series Book 1) Page 6