Lesson in Romance, page 13
He gripped it tighter. “Maybe.”
Her voice held no disdain, only curiosity. “Why?”
Alex set the Grammy down on the kitchen counter. How much should he tell her? He wanted to put his trust in her completely, but there was still that nagging feeling that she was hiding something from him.
“There are things you don’t know about me, Cara.” He sighed. “If I could turn back time I wouldn’t even have this Grammy, my town house or anything else for that matter.”
“Remember what you said, everything happens for a reason.”
“No!” He slammed his fist down on the counter. “Everything doesn’t happen for a reason. Things happen as a result of the choices we make. Choices we learn to regret, when it’s too late.”
He turned away, embarrassed at his outburst. When he felt her presence next to him and her warm hand on his arm, the lump in his throat grew larger.
“Everyone deserves a second chance, Alex. No matter what.”
He faced her and she didn’t move, their bodies inches away from each other. Lifting one curl of her hair, he spiraled it around his finger, then let go.
“Do you really believe that?” he asked, searching her eyes.
She nodded, her lips quavering. “Yes.”
Thank you, Lord.
Her response was music to his ears. It meant that when the day came for him to tell her the truth about his past, she would likely be more open and accepting.
That day was coming soon. He threaded his fingers through her hair. He was falling in love with her, and he knew that keeping secrets would destroy any hope for a future with her.
He closed the gap between them, felt her body tremble when he cupped her chin and gently traced his thumb along the back of her neck. She bent her head back slightly and her long hair tickled his arm.
“If you show me where it is, I’ll make us some coffee,” she whispered, moving away in an attempt to interrupt his romantic gesture.
Alex blocked her by putting his other hand on the counter, and stepped even closer. When he drew her body to his, he hardened immediately at the sound of her gasp.
A soft moan escaped her lips as he pushed her hair behind her shoulder, then drew a finger along the sensitive folds of the outside of her ear.
“What do you like in your coffee? Cream or sugar?” she said, her breath quickening as he tickled her earlobe.
He placed his hands gently on the sides of her face and looked deeply into her eyes, trying to convey all that he was beginning to feel for her, even though he knew it was impossible.
“Both.”
His kiss was light as he pressed into her lips. They tasted of sugar and sweet tea, and he wanted to devour them. But he held back until she slipped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with an urgency that surprised them both.
She parted her lips and accepted his tongue, and he groaned involuntarily. He sunk into the warm cavern of her mouth, drinking in her essence, always wanting more.
His flesh throbbed against her hard abdomen in desperate and painful need as her fingers roved his back, as if on a hunt for buried treasure. His muscles twitched in response to her sensuous touch, and she tore herself away from him, her eyes wide.
“Alex, we need to slow down,” she breathed, her face flushed.
He tried to kiss her again, but she scooted away and walked out of the kitchen.
Alex’s legs were unsteady as he followed her. “Why does it always seem like you are running away from me?”
Cara grabbed her raincoat from the closet and shoved her arms into it. “I’m not running away. I’ve had a long day today and I’m tired. I need to go home. Thank you so much for dinner. It was fantastic.”
She grabbed the door handle, and Alex put his hand over hers. “We need to talk about this, Cara. And soon.”
“We will, I promise,” she said, seeming nervous. “Call me tomorrow and we’ll set up a time to go over the book once more.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t. I’ll be in the studio all day recording. I guess you’re going to have to come to me.”
“I have to check my schedule.”
Since when did he become just an appointment slot, he thought, his temper flaring, yet his determination and desire for her remained steady.
He kept his voice firm. “Find the time. There’s only two more days to the tour. I’ll text you the address.”
She nodded and they stepped outside. He hailed a cab and before she got in, he kissed her cheek.
“See you tomorrow. And this time, don’t forget the book, and your pretty smile.”
The cab lurched away and he pumped his fist in the air, happy that Cara agreed to meet him at the studio.
Not that she had much choice.
Before the donation check could be written to Beacon House, she had to fulfill the contract terms and finish teaching him how to read.
His part of the deal was to open her eyes to the fact that she was falling in love with him before she walked out of his life forever.
Chapter 12
The next morning, Cara stepped off the subway platform at 28th Street and Lexington Avenue with one goal: to say goodbye to Alex forever.
She knew it definitely wouldn’t be easy to walk away from a man she’d wanted for longer than she cared to remember. But it was the only way to protect both of them from getting hurt.
The October air was crisp and cool as she walked to the recording studio a few blocks away. People hurried by feeding on the upbeat, infectious energy that was the spirit of New York City. Rush hour in New York occurred 24 hours a day, 365 days a week, and normally she found it uplifting, even soothing.
But today, her feet dragged and her mood right along with it. She’d finally found the love of her life and now she had to give him up. All because of her father, and a little thing called fear of commitment.
Put the two together and she was on a one-way trip to perpetual singleness.
The unfairness of it all made her want to do something inane like shake her fist at the sky. But with her luck, she’d probably get struck by lightning.
The kisses they’d shared last night resonated through her mind. His lips, full and warm, were so insistent to claim her again as his own she felt she would drown. He had restored emotions and spine-tingling feelings that she’d thought were long dead. In his arms, she felt amazingly alive.
The studio was located in a nondescript building with no sign. Wary, she pressed a button and someone buzzed her in. She stood in the foyer, clutching her briefcase and purse, not knowing what to do next.
She jumped at the sound of Alex’s booming voice. “Cara, we’re down in the basement. Come on down and watch your step!”
She walked to the end of the hall, and she and her two-inch heels started to navigate down the stairs.
They almost made it the whole way.
“Whoa!” Alex grabbed her by both elbows just before she fell flat on her face. “Easy there!”
“Special delivery,” she joked, as her briefcase and purse flew off her shoulder and thumped to the floor. “You’re always in the right place at the time I make a complete fool of myself.”
“It’s exactly where I want to be.” He searched her eyes, and she was touched by the concern in his voice. “Seriously, are you okay?”
Her face heated and she moved out of his grasp as politely as she could. “Yes, although I’m a complete klutz sometimes, if you haven’t noticed.”
“I think it’s kind of cute,” he intoned, handing her things to her.
“I think it’s kind of dangerous.” She smirked, testing her ankle for a sprain.
“Not if I’m always here to save you.” He smiled at her as if he wanted a response, but she didn’t have one.
Taking her hand, he led her into a room filled with expensive-looking equipment and walled with a gray, spongy material that looked like honeycombs.
“Cara, I’d like you to meet Richie Adams, he’s the best sound engineer in the business. He’s also the owner, so be nice to him,” he joked.
“Don’t listen to him,” said Richie as he shook hands with Cara. “He’s just trying to butter me up so I’ll give him more recording time for free.”
Everyone laughed. “I hear you’re going to be helping us out on the session today,” said Richie.
Cara shot Alex a questioning look.
“I’ll explain in a minute,” he said soothingly, his voice caressing her ear.
Alex turned to Richie. “Hey, man, we’ll be ready soon.”
“The clock is running right into my bank account,” said Richie, tapping his watch. “So take your time. It’s all good!”
Alex laughed and the two men high-fived before he led her into another room that could only be described as a “man cave.” There was a large flat-screen TV muted to ESPN, a black leather sectional, a small bar and a pool table. The walls were covered with musicians like Jimi Hendrix, John Coltrane and, oddly enough, Liberace.
She set her briefcase and purse on the couch and pointed at the picture of the deceased eccentric pianist who had dominated Las Vegas in the 1970s.
“That’s Ritchie’s personal favorite,” said Alex. “Don’t ask!”
“Trust me, I won’t.” She put her hands on her hips. “So, what’s going on, Alex? I thought you wanted me to come here so we can review the book.”
“We’ll get to that, but I need you to do me a favor first.”
Her eyes narrowed. “What is it?”
“I want you to sing the lyrics you composed for my song.”
Her mouth gaped, stunned by what he was asking her. “Why?” she stammered, pulse racing.
“It’s for a sound check. Richie got some new equipment in the studio that I’ve never recorded with before and I want to check levels. I need to make sure everything works properly.”
Her voice wavered. “You mean you want me to…”
“Sing,” Alex finished for her. “You just need to lay down one track, that’s it, okay?”
“Alex, I don’t think…” Her voice trailed off.
If she had known Alex would be planning this, she would never have agreed to meet him at the studio. The man was full of surprises.
He gave her shoulders a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry. Nobody will hear you but me and Richie.”
She regarded him thoughtfully, dressed in a cream-colored Cuban-style shirt and black trousers that accentuated his handsome build. It was so hard to say no to him. Especially when he looked off-the-charts sexy.
There was so much of him waiting to be explored. But none of it was possible anymore. She was too busy keeping it real—professional, that is, too afraid to be anything more than his literacy teacher.
“What do you say, Cara? Will you sing?” He lifted her hand and kissed it. His lips felt warm and lush, and the tenderness of his touch spiraled through her body. “For me?”
Blushing from all his attention, she nodded.
His smile lit up her entire world. “Thank you.”
Wrapping her hand in his, he led her to the little studio. “Make yourself comfortable.”
She sat down on the wooden stool and he adjusted the microphone to her lips. He gave her a set of headphones and placed them over her ears.
She was shocked when he handed her the lyrics she’d sung to his ballad. “But…I—”
He touched his finger to her lips. “Hush. You can do this. Just pretend you’re in my shower again.”
“I’ll let you know when we’re ready. Sit tight.” He kissed her forehead and left the room.
A few minutes later, she heard Alex’s voice through her headphones. “Nod when you hear the instrumental in your right ear.” A few seconds later, she heard the piano, bass and drums through her headphones. She nodded.
“Okay. Now just lay down the vocal track right over it. Nice and easy.” He smiled at her through the glass. “Ready when you are.”
She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and began to sing.
It’s tearing me apart
To give you a chance
Still I’d sell
My soul for you
And now that you are here
I can’t understand
Why you ever
Left me
Now is the time for you and me
To take a chance on love
Don’t wait to see
Now is the time for us.
When she finished, Alex asked her to do it again, then three more times. She was trying hard to be patient, but how long did it take to check levels?
He came in and hugged her. “Great job, thank you. We’re done.”
“I’m glad I could help, but do you still have time to review the book? I have to leave soon.”
“Of course,” he said. “That’s why I invited you here originally. I appreciate you making time in your schedule.”
When they got back to the man cave, Cara headed straight for her briefcase.
“Oh, no!” she cried.
Alex strode over to her in alarm. “What’s wrong?”
Cara was so angry at herself she almost burst out crying. “The book. I left it at home,” her voice broke. “I can’t believe this is happening.”
She racked her brain trying to figure out what happened, and then it hit her. She had two briefcases, both black leather, and the one with the book in it was at home, probably being used as a bed by her cat, Molly.
How could she have been so careless?
“It’s okay, Cara. Can you drop by my house later tonight?”
She swallowed a frustrated scream, then nodded. What other choice did she have?
She picked up her briefcase and purse. “I have other clients waiting so I better get going.”
Alex touched her elbow. “Thanks again.”
She gave him a faint smile. “I’ll see myself out.”
She turned and walked down the hall as fast as her heels could carry her. She didn’t want to say goodbye to Alex, but she had no choice. Waiting another day, another moment, would only make it hurt more. By the time she got onto Lexington Avenue, tears of frustration and longing were streaming down her face.
* * *
Cara’s hands trembled as she pressed Alex’s doorbell. She couldn’t believe that only five days earlier she’d stood in the very same spot, unsure if she could complete this insane assignment. In a few hours, the task of teaching Alex how to read in time for the book tour would be complete. And her secret would remain hidden.
Both outcomes were what she’d hoped for, prayed for. Then why did she feel so sad?
She slumped against the doorway, knowing the reason, but choosing not to fully accept it. Despite her best efforts, she’d fallen in love with Alex.
The man she’d admired from afar for years had become part of her every thought. His commanding presence remained with her, haunting her dreams, invading her present.
The desire she felt for him was always there, simmering below the surface, ready to erupt at any moment. With him, she was uninhibited, wanton and sensual. And she wanted nothing more than to be with him forever.
But what scared her the most was that he wanted her, too. She could feel it in his touch, the desire in his eyes, the warmth of his arms and his concern for her well-being.
Everything was wonderful now, but how would things be in one month or one year? Would he still feel the same way about her? Was Harlem’s most eligible bachelor ready to settle down, too?
She straightened and nervously touched the back of her hair, which she’d wrestled into a neat chignon.
The question of whether he was or was not ready for a relationship with her was moot. He had every reason to hate her father, and when he found out she’d been lying to him, he would hate her, too. And that would be the end of any feelings he had for her.
She wanted to bolt, but she pressed the doorbell again, half hoping he wasn’t home.
The door opened and her breath caught in her throat. She’d never known any man who could make her wet with desire just at the mere sight of him. He wore a cream button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up and gray trousers. Even his bare feet were sexy.
He clasped her hand in his and drew her through the doorway while she discreetly inhaled the spicy scent of his cologne. “I’m glad you were able to make it. Come on in.”
He helped her with her coat, his fingers brushing against the back of her bare neck, sending tiny tremors down her spine.
When she faced him again, her face grew hot as his eyes seared her body, clad in a navy wraparound dress that was simple but elegant.
“You look beautiful.”
His baritone voice caressed her with admiration, and she knew she would replay his compliment in her mind over and over.
He took her elbow. “How was the rest of your day?”
“Busy,” she replied. “I had a full afternoon of clients, so I didn’t get any paperwork done. I brought it home. Hopefully, we’ll finish early enough that I can get it done before bed.”
He nodded. “I think if we run through the book a few times, I’ll be okay. I can’t believe the tour starts in less than two days.”
