I arrived at a nice, two story home with a gorgeous red bud tree blooming in front. The place was homey with a live oak off to the side and in it a small treehouse with a ladder. It was painted pale yellow and had bright pink curtains flapping out the window, looking tattered from the weather.
He met me at the door and invited me. His home was surprisingly normal inside. I don’t know why I’d expected it to be painted red with black leather furniture and posters of half-naked women sprawled across motorcycles, but I was relieved. This was a wonderful home he and his little girl had and from the looks of things, he didn’t let her go without.
“You have a lovely home.” I placed my handbag on the sofa and then followed him to the kitchen.
“Thank you. Have a seat.” He pulled out a chair at a small breakfast table and I admired Tani’s artistry that was displayed proudly on the fridge as he returned to the stove. “You look beautiful. I hope you’ll eat Italian.”
“If I say yes are you going to tell me that you’re Italian?” I met his eyes and he chuckled shaking his finger at me.
“I’d add it to my arsenal if I were Italian. But nope, not even a little. I do like it though when your brain is in the gutter.” He flashed me a wink and my cheeks burned. He looked sexy in his apron which protected his jeans and casual gray tee shirt. I was glad I hadn’t dressed up and felt more at ease as I noticed his shoes were a pair of men’s slippers which only made him more endearing.
“So, what’s this proposition you want to hit me with? Is it really business related or was this a ploy to get me alone in your house?”
He mixed up whatever he was cooking into one pan and then turned the heat down. “I really have an offer for you. Before I tell you what it is, I’d like to see if you’d even be interested. So I thought I’d give you a brief pitch and if it’s not something you’re into then I’ll forget I ever mentioned it and we’ll go on, friends as usual.”
I kicked out the chair in front of me. “Sit with me and let’s hear this pitch.”
He looked at the floor and took a deep breath before speaking. “I’m in a bind and need someone to do something for me that could save my daughter and me and from a terrible situation.” The look on his face was so pained that I reached out and placed my hand upon his.
“What kind of terrible situation?” In that moment so many things ran through my mind. Could this be about his daughter’s health? Was she in need of a transplant or something? My mind raced, and I had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth next or how I could help him.
“Her mother took me to court and gained custody of Tani.” His voice broke saying the words and he cleared his throat and stood up to get some plates down from the cabinet. “She’s never lived with her mother and it’s a bad situation.”
“I’m so sorry.” I was at a loss for more to say and I sank back into my chair not sure I wanted to get in the middle of a family situation. I could at least put in a good word for him to a judge if that was what he was wanting. He’d helped me so much and I was sure from looking around that he loved his little girl and could more than provide for her.
“Yeah, me too. I didn’t mean to bring the mood down. Let’s eat and I’ll tell you the rest over dessert.” He forced a smile and then carried the dish to the table. “I made Fettuccine Alfredo with bruschetta. It’s Tani’s favorite so I figured if I could charm one beautiful young lady with it, then maybe—”
“So, you admit you’re trying to charm me?” I gave him a side-eyed glance and smiled.
“I will if you admit that it’s working.” He grinned and served me pasta then offered me a plate of bruschetta. I took a slice and took a bite putting my mouth to work before I said something I’d regret.
I swallowed it down and then he reached in the fridge for a bottle of wine and poured me a glass. “That’s good stuff. I’m impressed by your cooking skills.”
“I took a cooking class with my Mother one year for her Mother’s Day present. That was when Tani was just a bab
y, but I figured I better learn how to cook and my Mom had always wanted to do it so I killed two birds with one stone.”
Cooking classes with his Mother? This guy never ceased to amaze me. And as we enjoyed our food, slipping comfortably into more conversation, I kind of wished it were a date after all.
When my stomach was full and I’d had my second glass of wine, he suggested we go for a ride on his bike. I imagined myself behind him, holding on to his tight body. It didn’t take much convincing.
“One more for the road.” I poured myself another half glass of wine and downed it as he went for his boots.
CHAPTER EIGHT - HUNTER
Sarah’s arms were loose around my waist as we rode off toward the lake. I knew of a nice little secluded spot that would be perfect for the two of us. I’d found it one time while joyriding and had come back a few times, since.
“I think I’ve been here before.” Her voice was loud in my ear and I suspected she had no idea how loud she was being because of her helmet. I’d given up mine for hers because Tani’s was too small.
I pulled the bike to the edge of a cliff where the ground dropped a good ten feet below us. “We’re out on the point. You’ve been here?”
She bit her lip and looked away smiling. “Maybe once or twice.”
“Well, this place is known as a popular make out place, so are you telling me that you’ve been here with someone else?” I didn’t want to tell her just yet that this wasn’t our final destination. I wanted to see what her answer was.
“My ex brought me here.” Damn, I’d hoped it hadn’t been that loser.
“Well, this isn’t where I’m taking you, so sit tight.”