When Love Calls, page 6
“Hopefully, you never have to find out.” Dexter placed his pipe wrench inside his toolbox.
“You’ve been so busy lately, I almost called J&S to send someone out,” she said of Jenkins & Sons Construction.
“Well, now you can save those few dollars. Oh, that reminds me. I won’t have time to hang the chandelier this afternoon. I can either stop by this weekend or early next week.”
“There’s no hurry. Next week is fine. Do you have time for a late lunch? I made chicken salad this morning. How about a sandwich?”
Dexter glanced at his watch. “No can do, kiddo. We’re having new light fixtures installed in some of the hallways at the condominium. I’ll need to leave in time to meet Jerry there at two-thirty.”
Jerry Jenkins, one of Steven’s grandsons and an electrician for the family’s construction company, had been doing work at the condo off and on for the past couple of weeks. As the caretaker of the condo, Dexter was glad to be well connected with the best construction company in the city.
Steven had started the business some fifty years ago and when he’d been ready to retire, his grandkids decided to run the company. Most of them, including the girls, were tradesmen. Over the last ten years, they’d turned the family business into a multimillion-dollar corporation.
“Well, you have to eat,” Katara said. “I’ll fix you a sandwich to take with you.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
Dexter leaned on the back of one of the kitchen chairs, watching as his daughter moved around the open space. She chatted while she worked, telling him about his granddaughter’s upcoming recital.
He appreciated her keeping him in the loop. There had been a time when he’d been estranged from his children and their families, wanting to get himself together before rejoining their lives. Despite him trying to stay clear of them, his daughter called him periodically to check in. A few years ago, after finding out how long he’d been sober and knowing he’d been struggling to find steady work, she invited him to move in with them. Shortly after that, his life started turning around.
“Have you been out with Mona again?” Katara asked, pulling a couple of sandwich bags from the drawer next to the pantry. She placed the sandwich in one and a handful of green grapes in the other.
“No. I’ve asked her out twice and each time she claimed to have other plans. I even saw her leaving one night…with a guy about my age. I think she was on a date.”
Dexter tried convincing himself that wasn’t the case, but if the way she’d been dressed was any indication, it had definitely been a date.
“Maybe I shouldn’t have told her I was an alcoholic.”
He had been thinking about that for the last few days. He cautioned himself to move slow, but it wasn’t often someone came along and made you feel things you hadn’t felt in years. While on their date, his steps were lighter. It was as if he was a new man, seeing the world through a different pair of glasses. They clicked.
After a slight hesitation, Katara spoke. “I think it’s good you told her, especially if you really like this woman. But I’m not sure it was a good idea to tell her about your alcoholism on the first date.”
“Well, I’m too old to be playing games. I think she might be the one. I wanted all my cards on the table.”
“Wait. What? Didn’t you say that was you guy’s first date? How could she be the one? Dad, you don’t even know the woman.”
“I know.” Dexter pushed away from the chair and strolled over to the window that overlooked a portion of the backyard. “I can’t explain it. I just know that I felt more alive with her than I have in years. There’s something special about her. By the end of the night, it was as if we’d known each other for years. We talked, laughed, danced, and overall had a great time together. I know it sounds crazy, but she’s the one. The vibe we shared that night was the same feeling I had when I first met your mother.”
“Yeah, but, um, look how that turned out,” his daughter said lightly with a smile.
Dexter chuckled. There was a time he couldn’t laugh about losing the woman he thought he’d be with until his death. “You know what I mean. That same…electrifying pull, for lack of a better word. Spending time with Mona only magnified that sense of…rightness.” He didn’t bother telling her the kiss they shared had sealed the deal for him.
“Mona, huh?”
“Yes, her name is Mona Lisa Gregory.”
“Mona Lisa. Like the painting?” She giggled. “And I thought my parents were evil when giving me my name.”
“Hey! You have a beautiful name.”
“Yeah, a name people butcher on a daily basis. But anyway, though I don’t believe in love at first sight, if you think she’s special, don’t give up. I say give it a few days and then call Mona Lisa to just talk. That way you can get a feel for what she’s thinking and whether or not she might be interested in going out with you again.”
“A few days? That’s ridiculous. Neither of us is getting any younger. No. I’m calling her tonight. I’ll see if she’d like to go out with me again. Or better yet, maybe I’ll stop by her place. Then it’ll be harder for her to come up with any excuses.”
Katara shook her head, not looking convinced. “Fine, Dad, but if you scare her off, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
*
Mona shut off the timer on the stove and grabbed the oven mitts to pull the two cookie sheets out of the oven. The smell of cinnamon consumed the small kitchen, and a smile tugged at her lips. It had been a long time since she’d baked. Not since Sumeera was little and they made cinnamon-roll sugar cookies for her class, bake sales, and for Christmas gifts.
Mona’s heart swelled with love at the memory. She set the trays on a baking stone for them to cool, recalling how young her daughter had been at the time. And how she’d always insist she could do everything herself, even if it meant flour and sugar ended up covering the countertops and floor. Despite the mess, they had a good time creating masterpieces in the kitchen.
She ached for those early years. The time before Russell's business took off, and when life was nice and simple.
Like it is now. Like it will stay.
Mona almost didn’t recognize her current life. Days filled with yoga classes, early morning coffee on her balcony, occasional dates, and grandma day with her grandbaby was what she looked forward to now. She didn’t miss the traveling, elegant events, or the dinner parties Russell needed her to host to woo clients.
Nope, her life was nice, simple and…perfect.
She glanced at the clock, surprised it was almost six. “I need to get these boxed up.”
She started packing up the six-dozen oatmeal, chocolate chip, and sugar cookies that had cooled and placed them in the decorative reusable containers. She'd been baking all afternoon, since she and her neighbor were donating baked goods to a nearby homeless shelter. Giving to others in need had always been important to Mona, even though there had been a time when she would've had her cook do the baking for her. Doing the work herself was much more rewarding.
The moment she added the last container to the large shopping bag, someone knocked on her door.
“Right on time,” she murmured, wiping her hands on one of the dishtowels before hurrying out of the kitchen.
She looked through the peephole and then swung the door open.
“Hey, Kelli. Come on in. I just finished packing everything up.”
Kelli walked in with her micro-braids piled on top of her head and clothes that were two sizes too big. Eccentric in her own way, her style was a cross between artsy with her long multi-color skirt, and tomboyish with the white T-shirt and oversized button-up flannel shirt. Kelli had been one of the first people to befriend Mona when she moved into the complex.
“Come on into the kitchen,” Mona said, leading the way.
“You are truly a godsend. I don't know what I was thinking volunteering to make twelve dozen homemade cookies.” Kelli inhaled deeply and slowly released the breath. “Man, it smells amazing in here. Better than my place. The scents in here remind me of my grandma's house during the holidays. The hints of vanilla, cinnamon, and chocolate competing for attention.”
Mona laughed. “I haven’t baked in so long, I forgot how good it makes the house smell.”
They chatted while she wrapped up a few of the extra cinnamon-roll cookies for Kelli to take with her. The rest would go to Sumeera and Nick.
“All right, I’d better get going.” Kelli carried the two shopping bags to the door. “Thanks again for your help. There's no way I could've gotten all of this done today without you.”
“It was my pleasure. I’ll be happy to do it again sometime.”
“Okay, I’m going to hold you to that. Be ready.”
Mona chuckled. “I’ll be ready.”
Still laughing, she swung open the door and froze.
“Dexter,” she gasped.
He stood on the other side of the threshold, his broad shoulders filling the doorway. As usual whenever in his presence, her body heated with the way he looked at her. Probably because it was sex-starved. How else could she explain her body’s reaction? The strong response toward him wasn’t normal and it was confusing.
Dexter wasn’t classically handsome like Russell, who always received second glances from women in passing. Yet, whenever Mona was in Dexter’s presence, giddiness soared through her like a rocket shooting through the atmosphere. What was it about this man that had her feeling bubbly inside?
Her gaze took him in. His hair had been recently cut and the clean scent of his aftershave surrounded her. He looked great in the beige Henley that stretched across his wide chest, and he had paired it with black jeans. When Mona’s attention went to his eyes, that spark of desire she’d spotted when they had dinner was still there.
Neither of them said a word as his appreciative gaze did a slow glide down her body and stopped at her thick frumpy socks before returning to her face. She hadn’t planned to leave the house. She’d put on the first thing her hands touched—a long-sleeved T-shirt and yoga pants. Something she wouldn’t normally wear when living with Russell, not knowing when he’d bring a business associate home.
Tugging on the sleeve of her T-shirt, she fidgeted under Dexter’s perusal. It was easy to get lost in his kind eyes. But when his tongue eased out of his mouth and swiped across his bottom lip, heat rush through her body. Her nipples pebbled into hard peaks behind the thin shirt at the gesture, and her whole body throbbed with need.
Goodness gracious.
Her heart raced a little faster. It didn’t matter how many dates she went on, none of the men made her senses leap to life with just a look. Each time they passed in the hallway, her body tingled. There was something about the way he looked at her, his voice, and that smile that aroused her, making her feel more alive than she’d ever felt.
A throat cleared and Mona’s cheeks flushed when she remembered they weren’t alone. She glanced over her shoulder at Kelli, who had a knowing smirk on her face.
“Um, I guess that's my cue to get lost. Thanks again, Mona. I'll talk to you tomorrow. And bye, Dexter,” she said in a singsong voice as she scooted past him and hurried away, her laughter trailing behind her.
Mona touched her forehead and shook her head in embarrassment. Dexter stood off to the side, but still hadn’t spoken.
“Hi,” she finally said, self-consciously patting her hair, knowing she must look a wreck.
“Hi yourself. May I come in?”
God, that voice.
She gripped the doorknob tighter. “Of course. Sorry. Please come in.”
When he stepped in and headed to the living room, Mona took a quick peek in the mirror hanging in the foyer and groaned. She looked worse than she thought and realized she’d gone to the door without makeup. Something she never did.
She blew out a nervous breath and adjusted her clothing. There was nothing she could do about it now. Apparently, she didn’t look that bad if his earlier reaction was any indication. Then again, maybe he’d been in shock to see her without makeup.
If that was the case, that’s what he got for showing up without calling.
*
“Would you like to go to the movies?” Dexter blurted the moment she entered the living room. The conversation with his daughter about his forwardness possibly scaring Mona away played in his mind and amped up his eagerness. He didn’t want to make her uncomfortable, but he didn’t want to let her get away, either.
“Um…”
“I’m sorry. I know I should’ve called first, but I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you. The quick hellos in passing these last few weeks haven’t been enough,” he rushed to say, his heart pounding hard in his chest. “I like you, Mona, and I want to spend more time with you. Every—”
“Dexter.” Mona held her hands out in front of her. “Slow down.”
He stopped, took a breath and chuckled. It was like being back in high school trying to get the head cheerleader to go to the homecoming dance with him.
He ran his hand over his head and down the back of his neck and laughed at himself.
“I’m sorry. You have me all worked up looking…” He waved his hand up and down at her relaxed look, unable to find the words to describe how attractive she was. He couldn’t ever remember seeing her without makeup. Personally, he liked her better without it, especially since she didn’t need it. And she wasn’t all dressed up. There were days she looked untouchable with her fancy clothes. He liked this look much better.
Mona frowned, her hands on her hips. “Looking like what?”
“Looking…looking sexy as hell. You’re always dolled up, but this…” He did the hand thing again. “I can’t think straight when you’re so tempting and…sexy.”
Still frowning, Mona dropped her arms to her sides and glanced down at her attire. She returned her attention to him. “You have to be kidding. This,” she pointed at herself, “is what has you acting weird?”
Dexter laughed harder. “This visit is not going the way I planned.”
After work he’d intended to cook dinner and sit back and watch basketball. Instead, he showered, scarfed down a salad, and before he could stop himself, he was standing at her door.
“Back to my original question. Would you like to go and see the latest Morgan Freeman movie with me?”
She snapped her finger. “That’s who you remind me of. I’ve been puzzling my brain since the first time you spoke to me trying to figure out who you sound like. That deep, sensual baritone is just like Morgan Freeman’s.”
A slow smile spread across Dexter’s lips. “Sensual, huh?” Over the years, people had often commented on the deepness and the power behind his voice. But hearing Mona call his voice sensual had him sticking his chest out, feeling as if he could conquer the world.
Mona opened her mouth, but nothing came out and she shut it. That shyness he’d witnessed more often than not was back and so was her adorable smile.
Deciding not to pick on her, he asked, “So, how about a movie?”
“When?”
“Right now.”
“Now?”
“The movie starts in thirty minutes.”
She glanced down at her outfit again. “I would love to go, but that doesn’t give me enough time to shower and ch—”
“You look amazing, Mona. All you need to do is slip into a pair of shoes and grab a jacket.”
She twisted her bottom lip between her teeth as if seriously considering his invite.
“I’ll give you three minutes,” he prompted.
“Make it five and we have a deal.”
She didn’t wait for a response. Instead, she rushed to the back of the condo. Exactly five minutes later she returned. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail at the nape of her neck, added gloss to her lips, slipped into a pair of knee-high boots, and wore a short leather jacket.
Dexter grinned, impressed at the speed in which it took her to look even sexier. “You look great.”
She laughed. “We really need to get your eyes checked.”
He liked this side of her. Relaxed and carefree.
When she started to move past him, Dexter reached out and grabbed her hand. Without thinking, he pulled her to him and captured her mouth with his. She gasped, but that didn’t stop him from taking what he wanted. She kissed him back with a hunger that rivaled his, and excitement charged through his body.
He had been dreaming about kissing her again, wanting to confirm that the first time wasn’t a fluke. That he hadn’t imagined how perfect her body felt against his. Or how kissing her was like a fantasy come true.
As their tongues tangled, the kiss sang through his veins, sending blood rushing from his brain to the lower part of his body.
Nope, it hadn’t been a fluke, he thought, as Mona’s arms went around his neck, deepening their connection. The lip-lock was like a soldering heat that joined metals and Dexter never wanted to let her go.
Mona didn’t know yet, but before long she’d be all his.
Chapter Eight
“Good morning, my love,” Mona said in a singsong tone when she opened the door.
“Well, aren’t we chipper this morning. I take it you’ve finally found a prince through the dating site. No more frogs?” Sumeera walked in, lugging Chanelle in her car seat, and a diaper bag and purse flung over her shoulder. “Mmm, smells like pancakes. You know you don’t have to feed me every time I drop the baby off.”
“I love feeding you,” Mona said. She lifted a sleeping Chanelle from the car seat and cradled her in her arms. “My little cutie-pie is getting so big. She’s growing too fast.”
“I know. I can’t believe she’s four months. The best part is she’s slept through the last three nights.”
“That’s wonderful. I bet you and Nick have enjoyed the uninterrupted sleep.”
“I have, but Nick is still up every few hours checking on her.”
Mona removed the baby’s hat and jacket. “I’m sure he’ll start sleeping through the night again soon.” She and Sumeera shared a laugh.
