What a Woman Wants (8 page)

“
Nice place.”

Lyle glanced up from scrambling eggs and slanted a smile over at Monique, who’d been taking her own tour of his living quarters. “Yes, I think so. It’s nice to take a break from the hospital in Texas every once in a while to go somewhere and teach. Traveling is nice.”

She nodded. “That’s something I plan to do a lot of one of these days. I already have a list of places I want to go.”

Lyle reached across the range to the counter and picked up his glass to take a deep swallow of orange juice. He wished he could get ahold of that list. He would make it his business to make sure she got a chance to visit each and every place she named .. . with him, of course.

For the past couple of weeks he’d been trying to get her used to his presence with them jogging together every day, reestablishing their friendship. Now it was time to move things in another direction but still at a slow pace, and inviting her to breakfast was a start.

After placing the scrambled eggs into a serving bowl he checked on the biscuits he had in the oven. They were almost ready. He flicked another glance over at Monique. Her back was to him as she stood at the window looking out while sipping a cup of coffee. The view of the Atlantic Ocean was gorgeous from here, but nothing, he thought, was more gorgeous than her. She was simply beautiful. Always had been and in his opinion, always would be.

After their jog, they had gone their separate ways to shower and change. Less than thirty minutes later, she had arrived and he had opened his door to find her standing there, looking refreshed and wearing a pair of capri pants and a tank top with a pair of cute leather sandals on her feet. She had offered to help him in the kitchen, but he wanted her to relax and make herself at home. Besides, from where he was positioned in the kitchen he could see her and he couldn’t think of anything more enticing that he wanted to rest his gaze upon.

“So, how are things going with three women sharing the same quarters?” he decided to ask, just to give her a reason to turn around. He wanted to look into her face again.

She turned and smiled. “It’s been almost a month, and things have been great so far, but then me, Faith, and Shannon have always gotten along. And now there’s Anna, our next-door neighbor, who works as a trauma doctor at the hospital. She’s been spending time with us as well. She’s nice, and I like her.”

Monique was silent for a moment and then said. “Faith, Shannon, and I have a special bond. They are the sisters I never had and even over the years, although we lived in separate parts of the country, we still managed to maintain a close relationship.”

He nodded as he took the biscuits out the oven. “Wasn’t there another one of you guys?”

He saw sadness cloud her eyes. “You have a good memory, and yes, there was Cely. She died earlier this year.”

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. What did she die of?”

Monique’s eyes got bleaker. “A drug overdose. She committed suicide.”

Her response hadn’t been what he’d been expecting to hear, and he could tell from the look on her face that she still found the thought of someone close, someone she knew, doing something like that mind-boggling. “I’m sorry to hear that, but you’ll be surprised how the suicide rate among African Americans, especially the women, has risen over the years. It’s a very serious public health problem.”

“The entire thing just baffles me,” Monique said, shaking her head. “I remember a time when the thought of suicide in the black community was a no-no, definitely a taboo, something you would never consider—but now . . .”

“Yes, you’re right. Suicide is usually the culmination of an individual’s battle with depression or the stress of living in today’s society. But typically it’s depression that’s the major cause.”

Monique wrapped her arms around her waist, clearly disturbed. “And that’s what bothers me the most because neither me, Faith, or Shannon had any reason to think Cely was depressed about anything. The last time I spoke with her, which was only two weeks before, she was doing fine. At least she led me to believe that she was,” she said, dropping down on a nearby couch.

Within a flash, Lyle edged around the breakfast bar and sat down beside her on the sofa, placing a comforting arm around her shoulder. “Hey, as close as you and your friend were, you shouldn’t take it personal that she didn’t confide in you before doing what she did. It wasn’t that she thought she couldn’t; she just chose not to. It’s unfortunate that she didn’t realize help is available and that early recognition and treatment for depression are the key.”

Monique shook her head, trying not to notice how close they were sitting together or that his dark eyes were boring intently into hers. “I know, but when I think of what she was going through alone,” she said, fighting not to let his presence overwhelm her. Her heart was beating frantically in her chest. “And she did leave the three of us letters but didn’t shed any light as to what she was going through,” she said to get her mind back on the right track. “Instead she pleaded with us to live each day to the fullest and do whatever we want to enjoy life and not live up to others’ expectations and standards.”

“That was some good advice. Maybe the three of you should take it.”

“We are,” she said, thinking that his strong jaw, sensuous lips, and sculpted nose were right in her line of vision. “That’s why we’re here on the island together. This is where the four of us met as teenagers one summer, so it seemed fitting to come back here in her memory.”

“Sounds like a good plan.”

“Yeah, I think so, too.” Monique’s words faltered when she saw his head beginning to lower to hers and knew exactly what he planned to do, and the split second before their lips touched, she quickly stood to her feet. “Do you need help with breakfast?”

He smiled as he slowly stood and placed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “You’ve asked me that already, and the answer is still no. Everything is ready anyway. All I have to do is set the table and, before you ask, no, I don’t need help with that either.”

She nodded nervously. “Okay, I guess I’ll go wash up, then.”

“All right.”

Monique quickly moved toward the bathroom, thinking if she didn’t escape at that moment, she would definitely be sorry. She and Lyle had almost kissed, and she didn’t know how she felt about that. After closing the bathroom door behind her, she leaned against it and let out the breath she’d been holding. No matter what, she would not let herself get attracted to Lyle. She refused to do that.

Shane handed Faith
a bottle of iced water and smiled. “Your first lesson went well. You caught on quickly.”

She smilec back. “I had a good teacher. Besides, all I did today was practice hitting balls.”

“Yes, but developing good stroke form is important. It helps to avoid unnecessary arm injuries later,” he explained. “And because tennis involves a lot of side-to-side movement, you’re going to need a pair of shoes that’s not only cute but also built for lateral stability,” he said, glancing down at her feet and grinning. “Don’t wear those back tomorrow. They can easily cause an ankle injury.”

She nodded. “All right. Anything else?”

“Yeah. I found your outfit distracting.”

Faith blinked. Of all the things she had expected him to say, that wasn’t one of them. She glanced down at her pastel-pink-and-white V-neck tennis top and matching short tennis skirt, along with her cute pink sneakers. He had already explained why her sneakers wouldn’t work, but she couldn’t fathom what could possibly be wrong with her outfit.

“And just what’s so distracting about it?” she asked, glancing up at him before glancing around at other females playing tennis on the courts. “I’m not the only woman wearing this style.”

“Yes, but they don’t have your legs.”

Again she couldn’t believe what he’d said. Did the man say whatever he thought? She lifted her chin. “I thought we were keeping this professional.”

He took a huge gulp of water from his water bottle, then went so far as to squirt some on his face. “We are. I’m just being honest. An instructor’s concentration is important.”

“Then that’s your problem and not mine.”

“You’re right. It is my problem, but I figured maybe you should know.”

“Thanks, but no thanks. Maybe I should look for another instructor.”

Shane grinned. Damn, but her lips became full and pouty when she got mad. And on top of that, her chest heaved, and a heaving chest did wonders to full, firm breasts like hers. “Hey don’t get upset—I merely mentioned it just in case I lose my concentration tomorrow. I’m not asking you to change your outfit for me. I just wanted you to know I found it distracting and the reason why. Like you said, it’s my problem and I’ll deal with it.”

He tossed his empty water bottle in a nearby recycling bin and then, taking her hand, said, “Now let’s go grab some lunch.”

A part of Faith wanted to snatch her hand away, but she hated admitting it: she found the man as intriguing as she found him handsome. “From where?”

“Hudson’s Seafood House. Ever been there?”

“Yes, years ago.” The restaurant was known for its tasty seafood.

“Well, I heard they have a luncheon special that’s out of this world, and I bet you’ve worked up an appetite.”

He was right. She also knew the restaurant was not in walking distance. “Do you want me to follow you in my car?”

He shook his head. “No, well go in one car, and I’ll do the driving.”

A question suddenly flooded her mind. Could she trust him? Just what did she know about this man other than the fact that he was handsome and she found him intriguing? Not a thing. Hadn’t she and Monique recently given Shannon the third degree about going off to meet some stranger? She suddenly stopped walking.

He glanced down at her. “What?”

“Nothing, but I’ve decided to drive my own car so I’ll meet you there.”

He stared at her for a moment, slid his hands into his pockets, smiled, and nodded. “All right. Whoever gets there first needs to grab a table.”

“Okay.”

When she turned to leave, he said, “One more thing, Faith.”

She turned and met his gaze. “What?”

“You’re a cautious woman, and I like that.”

“Thanks, but it wouldn’t matter to me if you liked it or not.”

She heard his deep laugh as she turned toward the area where her car was parked. And as much as she wanted to look back, she didn’t.

Anna glanced down
at her watch the exact moment the doorbell sounded. Leave it to Zach to be right on time. He had called that morning to say he had arrived on Hilton Head and had checked into a hotel. Once he got settled he would be coming to take her to lunch at noon. It was noon and he was here.

Taking a deep breath, she crossed the room to open the door, hoping the smile on her face wouldn’t give her away. She would be glad to see him, and it would be pretty hard not to show it.

As soon as she reached the door, she stopped and nervously bit the inside of her cheek. The last time she’d seen him had been around four months ago at the party her grandmother had given to commemorate the year she’d been united with the family. She and Zach had danced together, and each time he’d taken her into his arms, she’d fallen in love with him even more.

Pulling herself together, she unlocked the door and slowly opened it. She then gazed at the most handsome man she’d ever met. He was standing there, casually dressed in a polo shirt and a pair of khaki trousers, leaning against the jamb and smiling at her.

“Anna.”

She loved the way he said her name, and hearing it flow off his lips sent butterflies fluttering around in her stomach. It took all she had not to take a lunge for him, but she knew doing something like that would be completely inappropriate. Instead when he opened his arms, she automatically walked into them for the hug she knew he would give her. She and Zach always hugged when they saw each other. Hugged but nothing more.

“Zach,” she said, getting wrapped in his strong embrace. His scent, one that could leave a woman breathless, seemed to get absorbed in her skin as well as her nostrils. “It’s so good seeing you again.”

And she meant every word. This, she thought, was the man that fantasies were made of. Tall, standing well over six feet, with medium brown skin and a face whose every detail any woman would appreciate, especially his dark eyes, the sharp cut of his nose, his firm jawbone, and lips that made you turn to jelly when they turned up at the corners for a smile.

“It’s good seeing you again as well,” he said, releasing her and staring down at her with those adoring dark eyes. “Have you been taking care of yourself?” he asked, keeping a hold on her hand while stepping over the threshold and closing the door behind him.

She made a face that deepened the smile lines around her eyes. “You’re only asking me that because you heard my grandmother say I looked thin that night. Admit it.”

He flashed a grin while slowly releasing her hand. “Okay, I admit it. Now are you ready to go?”

“Yes, I’m ready. I just need to grab my purse. Where are we going for lunch?”

“It’s a surprise.”

She glanced over at him as she picked her purse off the table. “Am I dressed all right for where we’re going?” She was wearing a blue sundress that came short of covering her ankles. She’d worn the dress intentionally, since she had found out a while back from his sister that blue was his favorite color.

“Yes, you look fine, absolutely stunning,” he said.

She smiled. “Thanks. Come on, let’s go. I like surprises.”

Zach took her
to a restaurant on the pier that overlooked Jarvis Creek. From where they sat, they had a really good view of the lighthouse, and while eating lunch, Zach had brought her up to date on the family.

“I’m sorry to hear about Trey’s mother,” she said. Her first cousin’s mother, the one who’d been responsible for Anna not being found all those years ago, had recently died of a severe case of pneumonia. “I understand the services were private.”

“Yes, Trey and his stepfather felt it was best, considering Angela didn’t have a whole lot of friends. Unfortunately, she never recovered from her mental illness.”

Anna nodded. “And how’s Trey and Haywood?”

Zach smiled. “They’re doing fine, and it’s hard to believe that Quad is two years old already,” he said of Trey and Haywood’s son, Ross Donovan Fuller IV, named after Trey as well as after his grand-uncle, who was Anna’s father. “You’ll see them this weekend at Glen-dale Shores. They’ll be at the Fourth of July celebration.”

A part of Anna couldn’t wait. She always enjoyed the time she spent with her relatives, and Glendale Shores was even more special. Although she never got a chance to meet her great-grandparents who’d lived there, she had heard a lot about Murphy and Mattie Denison—especially Mattie, who had been blessed with having the

“gift.”

There was a certain curiosity within the family as to which of Mattie’s grands or great-grands would eventually inherit her psychic powers. Anna knew it definitely wasn’t her, otherwise, she wouldn’t be sitting here trying to figure out what Zach was thinking at that moment. He had gotten quiet as if he was in deep thought about something.

She picked up her daiquiri and took a sip, appreciating how the fruity drink slid down her throat, cooling her lustful thoughts. They would merely be tantalizing thoughts to anyone else but they were lustful to her, mainly because she couldn’t ever imagine them being more than fantasies. Secret fantasies that would never become reality.

“So how does your schedule look for the rest of the week?”

Zach’s question pulled her thoughts back to earth. “When you called and said when you were coming, I cleared my calendar.”

He lifted a brow. “So you don’t have to report to the hospital?”

She smiled, shaking her head. “Not for two weeks. That will give me a chance to spend time with you before we head over to Glendale Shores. This is the first time you’ve been to visit me here since I moved.”

Zach nodded and then pretended to concentrate on a view outside the restaurant’s window. She was right. Getting her to move from San Diego to D.C. to be closer to her father’s people had almost been impossible. But finally she’d given in and took a leave from work to move to D.C, making periodic visits to Richmond, Virginia, where her grandparents and uncle lived.

Because he had been one of the few people she’d known while living in D.C., the two of them had spent a lot of time together, but the media was always there, speculating if perhaps the relationship between the son of distinguished Senator Noah Wainwright and the niece of noted acclaimed attorney Randolph Fuller was more than the “just friendship” they claimed. So much media attention, sometimes downright hostile, had bothered Anna, and she had eventually announced to everyone her decision to accept a job offer at the trauma center in Hilton Head.

When she’d left D.C., it seemed his heart had left with her, and he’d been unable to follow her to the island, thinking that if he did so, he would surely make a fool of himself. But now, he was willing to take the chance.

“Mom and Dad send their love.” He decided to glance back over at her. He watched that smile, which could brighten an entire room, touch each corner of her lips. And then there were those dark and mysterious eyes. They were eyes that had the ability to draw him in whenever he gazed into them.

“I meant to call them last week, to see how they were doing but things got rather hectic at the hospital. Now I’ll just wait to see them this coming weekend.”

“Yes, they’ll be there. I flew to Richmond a few weeks ago and visited your uncle Randolph and Jenna.” He definitely wouldn’t tell her the nature of his visit with her uncle, which was to make his intentions toward Anna known.

He watched Anna’s smile widen. “You did?”

“Yes.”

Now that’s one couple who’s truly amazing
_y
Anna thought. Hay-wood had shared the story of how the two—Randolph and Haywood’s mother, Jenna—had met while in college at Howard University back in the sixties and fallen in love, and how that love had survived. There was a time, due to the betrayal of Trey’s mother, Angela, when Randolph and Jenna had gone separate ways and married others. But eventually, the two had reunited and ended up remarrying. In Anna’s book, theirs was the ultimate love story.

“So what are your plans for this afternoon?”

Zach’s question invaded Anna’s thoughts. “I don’t have any. Are you up to discovering a little Hilton Head Island while you’re here? There’s a Gullah Heritage Tour that starts in an hour.”

“Sounds interesting. I’d love to do it.”

Anna smiled over at him. “Then we will.”

Monique glanced across
the table at Lyle. With great effort she tried to maintain her composure and not think about that moment when the two of them had been sitting on the sofa and he’d been about to kiss her.

Since that time, things had gotten rather quiet between them, and more than anything she wanted to regain that relaxed mode they’d always shared. She released a long sigh. It wouldn’t be so bad and she wouldn’t be feeling guilty if a part of her hadn’t wanted him to kiss her, but she had panicked and stopped it from happening. She didn’t want her and Lyle’s friendship tarnished by wanton lust—the kind that seemed to be getting to her these past few days. It seemed as if Shannon’s comment had opened a can of worms.

“Would you like anything else? There’re more biscuits if you’re still hungry.”

Lyle’s words drew her attention back, and she glanced up. His gaze immediately locked with hers. He had settled back in his chair, seemingly enjoying the coffee he was sipping. He sat the cup down, and when he smiled it seemed contagious.

“No thanks, I’m full,” she said, pushing her plate aside.

He nodded. “Most people are eating lunch about now. We were late starters.”

“Yes, but they’re not enjoying what we had. You’re a wonderful cook.”

He chuckled. “Thanks. Pop taught me all I know. He had to. He was a single father trying to raise three sons so we had to learn to do things early. All of us had our specialties. Logan is number one when it comes to making up beds, and Lance was the one who’d made sure we kept plenty of firewood stacked for the fireplace. Pop was a hardworking man, and we tried to make things as easy on him as possible.”

Monique heard the love in his voice not only for his father but for his brothers as well. She leaned back, relaxing in her chair as much as she could. “So, Lance Montgomery, the one who wrote the book on how to be a playa—causing quite a stir with the ladies, I might add—finally met his match, huh?” she asked, grinning.

“Yes, he most certainly did. Asia is just what he needs, and the two of them are very happy together. So I guess there’s hope for everyone.”

She had a teasing glint in her eyes when she asked, “Does that mean you never bought into any of that playa stuff your brother was writing about?”

He picked up his cup again and took another sip before saying, “No. We all knew that Lance had issues, but there was nothing we could do. He had to work them out for himself. My mother’s leaving had done a number on him.”

“But not on you?”

He shook his head. “No. Lance was too young to see a lot of the things Logan and I saw when our parents were together. And although Logan and I were young, we understood betrayal. I can remember the time some man had to make a quick getaway before my dad came home and left his shoes behind. I’m the one my mother ordered to toss the shoes out the window to him. She practically threatened me and Logan about ever telling our dad about any of her male visitors when he was at work.”

Monique shook her head. That was a lot for a child to have to put up with and deal with, especially from a parent. “You mentioned that there was another wedding in your family.”

Lyle smiled. “Yes, my sister Carrie. I’m sure Arnie told you about her.”

“Yes.”

“Well, she met someone too and got married. His name is Connor, and they are happy together as well.”

“Now what about you and your brother Logan? Do you think the two of you will fellow suit and tie the knot?”

“I can’t speak for Logan, but I wouldn’t mind getting married one day.”

“Are you seeing anyone seriously?”

His grin was slow, and to Monique’s way of thinking, seductive. “Not at the moment, but that can change rather quickly if I were to meet someone that I could love for the rest of my life.”

“And you think you can do that?”

He lifted a brow. ‘Do what? Love a woman forever?”

“Yes.”

“Sure I can.”

His words sounded so heartfelt and convincing that Monique believed him. “Well, I’m glad, because all men can’t do that. I was fortunate enough to marry one that could before I lost him.”

Lyle nodded as he studied Monique for a long moment. She was slowly sipping her own coffee, and he wondered if she was reliving memories of all the good things in her marriage. “He’s not coming back, you know.”

His words, which he was sure were totally unexpected, had her snatching her head up. However, he didn’t see the deep hurt and pain in her eyes that he’d assumed would be there. Instead he saw what he felt was acceptance. “Oh, I know that,” she said softly. “But I can’t help but appreciate what I once had, Lyle. Other women aren’t as fortunate.”

“Do you think there could and will ever be another man in your life?” he couldn’t help but ask. “Someone you can love just as much as you did Paul?”

He could tell by her expression that what he’d asked her had been a question to make her deeply consider her response before making it. For a long moment she didn’t say anything, pondering the question, and then she said, “Yes, I believe that I could.”

He tried to hide the satisfaction he felt at her words. “I’m glad to hear that because I think you would make some lucky man a wonderful wife.”

“Thank you.”

The smile that touched her lips sent blood rushing through his veins, and he picked up his cup thinking that he dared not tell her he fully intended to be that lucky man.