Without limits ssion and.., p.97
Without Limits: A BWWM Collection of Passion and Desire, page 97
What took me aback was how Scott talked to her as if she wasn't so much younger. That surprised me about him, but it shouldn't have because he'd told me he had a niece, who was a year younger than Angel.
After dinner, Scott left despite Angel trying to convince him to stay. I called a taxi for him and while I did, he continued chatting with Angel.
“The car will be here in five minutes,” I told him.
He got to his feet and tapped Angel’s nose. “We'll catch up later.”
“Okay, bye!”
“Thanks for sharing your mommy with me.”
“That's okay,” Angel said before turning her attention to the television.
We stepped onto the porch and Scott slid his arm around my shoulder. “Thanks for a great day. I enjoyed it.”
“Me too.” I looked up at him, dragging my gaze from his lips. “Call me when you get in.”
“I will,” he said, hugging me closer. His mouth opened as if he was about to say something else. He changed his mind, but his gaze never left my lips. I understood he was having the same struggle I was going through.
I tipped my mouth up to his. “Kiss me,” I whispered.
“Happy to oblige,” he said, before settling his mouth over mine.
Chapter Fourteen
Angel ran into the office ahead of me and raced past the reception desk. “Hi, Shanelle.”
“Hey, Angel.”
I doubt Angel heard Shanelle’s greeting. She headed straight for my office, but I stopped in with Primrose to let her know I was back. We kept each other informed of our movements so that one of us was always at the studio. I tapped her door and poked my head inside. “I’m back.”
She took off her glasses and let it dangle from the string. “Where’s Angel?”
“Most likely in my office. I’ll keep her away from the guys.”
Primrose waved away my comment. “You know she’s no trouble and the guys love her.”
“Yes, but still...I’ll let her come and say hello. Did Scott come in?”
“Yeah, he’s in the studio helping Pete with that project I asked him to head up.”
I turned away and Primrose called me back. “Thanks for making that link. I’ve been talking to Scott. He’s better than good.”
“No problem. After he did the first presentation, I was sure he knew his stuff.”
“Great, I think by the time he’s finished, our guys will be better at what they do.”
“For sure.”
“You picked a good one.” Her gaze was analytical, and I wondered if she’d just dropped a double entendre on me. Her eyes twinkled, but since she didn’t add anything, I used the opportunity to escape.
Since Scott was in the building, I wanted to see him. Instead of seeking him out, I went to my office. I preferred keeping things on a professional level, even though I suspected my two protégés knew we were an item. I now believed Primrose also knew.
I wasn’t comfortable with them being in my business. Before Scott, I’d never met anyone on the job who I considered interesting enough to date. From a professional point of view, our relationship wasn’t ideal since we had to work together—although not directly.
What we were doing didn’t bother me on a personal level and frankly, at this point, I didn’t much care what anybody else thought. As long as he wasn’t acting inappropriately at the office, I was fine with seeing him outside of it.
Scott was a great guy, who I cared about, and I was certain he cared about me but I didn’t want to think about where our relationship was heading. We’d agreed to keep things simple, but if I was honest with myself, my feelings for Scott ran much deeper than they should for a casual acquaintance. We were a long way past that, but I wasn’t about to change things.
My experience with Nolan made me reluctant to jump in with both feet when it came to my dealings with men. My ex came into my life shortly after I lost my father and looking back, I’d probably seen him as a substitute since he was so much older than I was. He’d been confident and urbane, until his bossy side slowly emerged.
Eventually, Nolan took over my life and things got worse when I became pregnant. He insisted I give up my job and after I had the baby, he coerced me into not going back to work. By the time Angel was two, I’d had enough of being controlled and walked away from Nolan.
Though Scott had a low-key, bad-boy vibe going on, he didn’t strike me as controlling. I didn’t know exactly how much time we’d have beyond his visit to the island, but I’d play things by ear. If anything changed, I’d let Scott take us there.
When I walked into my office, Angel wasn’t there. She’d piled her lunch bag and knapsack on one of the visitor’s chairs and wandered off somewhere. Although the people I worked with didn’t mind her company, I didn’t want her disturbing them.
I continued down the corridor outside my door and heard Angel before I saw her.
“How d’you make that move? And how does it spin like that? Are you making cartoons?”
My heart lurched when I stood in the doorway. Then a smile came to my lips.
Angel stood next to Scott, pointing at the computer screen. Their heads were close together and when he spoke, I heard nothing but the melodious rumble of his voice. What I saw was a man with infinite patience, explaining his work to my little girl.
I blinked hard as a lump floated into my throat. Taking the time to carefully explain what he was doing might mean nothing to Scott, but to me it meant the world. Angel could be a bit much with the unending questions, but Scott was kind and patient with her. I wasn’t looking for a father for her, but his attitude impressed me more than anything he’d done so far.
I woke when Angel yelled. “Yep, I understand. Thanks!”
She turned when I moved. “You found me.”
Scott examined me, while Angel rattled on. “When you didn't come behind me, I went to look for Joey.”
Conscious of Scott's close study of my form-fitting beige suit, I stated the opposite of what I knew to be true. “I take it you found him.”
Angel bit her lip and then lowered her head because Joey wasn't in this office. “Well, I found Uncle Scott first.”
Scott exchanged a look with me that made me want to laugh, but I focused on Angel and kept a straight face. I opened my mouth, and Scott spoke before I did. “Hey, Angel, how about you go and find Joey while I have a word with your mother.”
She nodded and slid past me, heading in the direction of the office Joey shared with Pete and two other trainees.
“Don't disturb the whole studio,” I said.
“I won't. I promise,” she said, too loudly.
“She's something else.” Scott nodded and the smile slid off his face. “Just like her mama.”
I didn't want to go there with him, so I asked, “What did you need to say to me?”
“I'll be away for a few days this weekend.”
His announcement surprised me, but I didn't give away my disappointment. He'd wanted to drive to Ocho Rios, and I'd been thinking about making that a reality. Good thing I hadn't said anything.
“How long have you known?”
“Don't look at me like that, Vaughn.”
I cocked my eyebrow and folded my arms. “How?”
“As if you think I'd know about this and not say anything.”
I shrugged and slid my hands into my pockets. “It's not a big deal.”
He narrowed his eyes as his top lip curled. Then he got to his feet and came toward me. When he stopped in front of me, I took a step back. He stroked my cheek with his thumb. “Don't give me that.”
He knew how I felt about personal interactions in my workplace, so he retreated. “Diane. You remember her from the seminar?”
I nodded.
“She called me this morning and asked me to do a presentation on Monday. She lost one of her presenters, so I said yes. I'm going to use the opportunity to see my family on the weekend.”
When I didn't speak, he added, “I'll be back on the early flight on Tuesday.”
He looked so earnest, I couldn't help smiling. “You mean in the great, big U.S. of A., she couldn't find anybody else to do what you do?”
“Of course, she could have.” He tapped me under the chin. “She just needed the best man for the job.”
I gave him a side-eye and pretended not to be amused by him. “You're so full of yourself.”
He shook his head. “Nothing like that. When you're good, you’re good.”
I saw that he wasn't joking, and his voice had that undertone, one I couldn’t respond to properly, considering where we were, so I changed the subject acknowledging the slight nausea in my middle section. “When are you leaving?”
“Friday evening.”
That meant we only had tomorrow.
When our eyes locked, I was sure he knew what I was thinking.
“We'll talk later,” he murmured.
I bobbed my head, but I wasn't happy. The thought of him leaving, if only for the weekend, dropped a weight in my stomach. If I felt this way and he'd only be gone for three days, what about when it was time for him to return to the States for good?
“Don't worry about it.” His gaze was warm as he focused on me as if I was the most important thing in his world. “It'll be all right.”
Scott was too intuitive for his own good. He knew how I felt and wanted to reassure me. That was so sweet of him.
I released the smile building on my lips. “I’m a big girl. I’ll miss you while you’re gone but I’ll hold it together.”
His gaze sharpened and he folded his arms as he studied me. “I’m sure you will, but I’m not afraid to tell you I can’t wait to return and I haven’t even gone yet.”
I kept my tone light as I teased him. “Careful, Mr. Fine. You sound like you’re past the point of no return.”
He chuckled, and the sound of it sent shivers chasing through my stomach. The amusement in his eyes died as he spoke. “I think I passed that point ages ago.”
Angel violated all our table rules as she spoke with Mom at dinner. Both elbows rested on the place mat while she talked a mile per minute.
“And Uncle Scott said he’d show me some other stuff when he comes back.”
“Angel, you know you’re not to talk with food in your mouth.”
She nodded, was silent for a bit as she chewed and then picked up a half minute later, waving a lettuce leaf.
“I know, Mommy, but I have to tell Grandma this stuff before Renée comes and we start playing.”
Tonight, we had a double girls' night. Rita and I would go out together, while Mom watched Angel and Renée for us. The girls loved having their sleepover, especially when Mom supervised them. Between the two of them, they’d convince Mom to let them have more of everything than was good for them.
I didn’t bother to remind Angel that she talked to Mom all the time, since she picked her up from school most days. She’d only come up with some other reason to continue talking.
Scott was probably on the way home now. He'd promised to text me when he arrived in Miami. Although, he’d barely been gone two hours, I was missing him already. It didn’t sit too well with me because I’d given up my marriage partly because of what I was going through now. I considered myself an independent woman and didn’t need a man to make me complete. Yet, Scott had dug his way in deeper than I thought. This restlessness in my spirit made me out-of-sorts and I made up my mind I was going to have a good time.
A knock sounded at the door and I crossed the living room and opened it.
“Hi, Auntie,” Renée said, hustling past me. Her hair was pulled into a puff on top of her head that bobbed as she walked.
By the time I answered, she’d gone past the sofa, pulled out a chair, and was talking with Angel. They both went to the same school, but nobody would have known it by the way they were acting. Both girls leaned toward each other as if sharing secrets.
“You ready?” Rita asked.
“Yeah, let me get my purse.”
When I returned from the bedroom, Rita was promising Mom she’d ensure I had a great time.
“So where are we going?” I asked when we pulled out in her car—a Suzuki Swift identical to the one my mother drove.
“Since we haven’t done a lot of catching up lately and I want to hear all about Scott, I figured we’d go to the gaming lounge and have a few drinks.”
I looked across at her. “You expect to hear me talking to you in all that noise?”
“The restaurants and gaming rooms aren’t as noisy. It’s the disco that’s deafening.”
“I hope you didn’t have dancing in your plans. I’m not in the mood.”
Rita laughed. “Your mood and being out and about aren’t gonna mesh. You better get your head right or I’m going to think Scott took your mojo with him.” She frowned and gave me another glance. “Speaking of which, you didn’t tell me he was white. That picture of the two of you knocked me sideways.”
“What difference does it make? Are you sure though? I could have sworn…”
“Nope. You didn’t. I would have remembered something like that.”
She went through a four-way crossing before sliding me a sly smile. “The two of you are cute together though. Taking selfies and all of that.”
“We were just fooling around the other night—”
“I hope that isn’t all you’re doing by now.”
“Come on, Rita. We haven’t known each other that long.”
“You’re just about at what...the six-week mark?”
“Yeah.”
Now, she gave me a wicked grin. “That’s plenty of time for some people.”
I joined in her laughter. “Well, I’m not some people, but he’s a great guy though.”
“He has a don't-care vibe going on with that hair and those eyes that seem like he can see through you. Anyway, as long as he sets your body and mind on fire, I’m good.”
“I hear you, but I don’t know if I want to be set on fire, as you put it.”
She scoffed and shook her head. “After Nolan, plus being single all this time, I’d say you need some excitement in your life.”
“I agree with you, but you know my main concern is Angel.”
“Just like Renée would be mine if her father wasn't in the picture, but there’s nothing wrong with looking after your happiness. Angel will be fine. She likes him, so you’re good.”
“I do like him, but I think the no-strings-attached part of our arrangement is in danger of being thrown out the window.”
She pulled into the parking lot of The Night Life and switched off the engine. “I don’t see any danger in that. If you guys like each other, that’s all that matters.”
“That and how we’re going to make a relationship work with us living in two different places.”
“You worry too much. Enjoy the ride. If it’s meant to be, things will work themselves out.”
“I guess they will. They always do.”
Rita tapped me on the shoulder as we walked toward the arched doorway of the games lounge. It had been a while since I visited, but the atmosphere in the foyer was the same. Muted music, soft lights, and minimalist décor.
We made our way to the restaurant to chat a little. We ordered rum punch and placed another for jerked meatballs and jerked chicken wings. The comfortable booths gave the impression of privacy, scattered as they were across the restaurant.
The waiter was putting our drinks on the table when my phone buzzed.
I got it out, and there was a message from Scott.
Had to make a detour. Home now.
Good. All is well?
With you in my life? Yes!
Sweet.
Rita leaned across the table. “Is it Scott?”
I nodded and then sipped my drink. The rum was kicking. “Man, the bartender was free with the rum.”
Rita laughed. “Yep, as always.”
“Sounds like you’re hanging out here frequently.” Peering at her, I said, “I hope you’re not developing a drinking and gambling problem.”
“Nah, this is where Hugh and I came for our last date night.” She laughed and wriggled her eyebrows. “He had to work late this evening. With Renée at your place, tonight will be our at-home date night.”
Her off-the-shoulder jumpsuit clung to her generous curves, which made me leer and then laugh. “By the looks of you, it’ll be a freaky Friday affair.”
She wriggled her eyebrows again. “We work hard, so we deserve it.”
The phone vibrated in my hand and I looked at it.
Have some work to do. Talk to you later.
I’m out now, so later.
Out? With who?
I grinned as I typed a reply. Calm down. It's Rita.
Oh. Good.
Jealous much?
Only a little …
I waited while he tapped out another text.
Who the heck am I kidding? I’m out-of-my-mind jealous when it comes to you.
Down boy, no need for all this drama.
He sent an emoji with an eye roll and then one with a bouquet. Work now. Talk later.
Smooches.
Seconds later, he sent me an emoji with a cascade of hearts. It made me smile.
When I looked up. Rita was watching me with her chin propped on her elbow.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I asked.
“You’re enjoying that,” she said, spinning the straw in her drink.
“You mean talking with Scott? Yeah.” I raised my brows in a question. “Something wrong with that?”
She shook her head. “Not at all. I like seeing you like this. It’s been too long.”
Laying the phone down, I sighed. “I agree. It’s been…interesting.”
“D’you see yourself with him long term?” She sat back as our waiter placed two platters on the table, cuing me to wait with one finger raised in the air.
“Thanks,” we said at the same time.
“Enjoy your food.” He nodded politely and walked away.
My eyes met Rita’s and she prompted me. “Well?”
I picked up a meatball with a toothpick, dipped it in the sauce and slid it into my mouth. I savored the spicy and sweet flavors of the combined sauce and seasoning. Halfway through the second meatball, I shared my thoughts with her. “Yeah, I could, but everything has happened so fast. I need time to figure out where to take this. The whole Jamaica/Miami thing makes me doubt I wanna go down that road but…”
