Thirteen
Alyn had never been so busy in her life. She was living her dream. The Shy Lily was taking shape. A moving company hauled every piece of heavy furniture from her home to downtown, then up a flight of stairs to her shop, where she arranged the groupings. She further cleared out the storage unit. Adding even more pieces. Mirrors, lamps, clocks, and other smaller items created the perfect ambiance.
The store’s interior was as old as her antiques. Indoor red brick walls. Soft blue cottage-style shutters on the windows. She had a view of city hall, a historical building restored over time. Quigley came with her to work. They took advantage of a nearby park. The pug was able to stretch his hind legs without contractions, and paw-tap the floor. Their veterinarian was pleased by Quigs’ progress. Alyn hoped he’d be walking by Halo’s return. Or soon after.
When late afternoon came, she would join Danny and her mother for supper. She missed spending time with them, but there were only so many hours in the day. Most were spent at her store. Jacy Kincaid, owner of the corner coffee shop, had come upstairs and introduced herself. She was married to Rick Kincaid, managing general partner/ co-chairman of the Rogues. Jacy had heard she and Halo were engaged, and offered her congratulations, delivering a caramel latte and box of butterscotch scones. Alyn had liked her immediately.
Today, Alyn closed the shop at five-thirty, loaded Quigley in her car, and drove home. She carried her pug inside, settled him in his cart, let him wander. There was lots of open space now, since she’d moved the antique furniture to her shop. Quigs made wide circles around the coffee table. Then followed her to the kitchen.
She found her mother standing before the stove, preparing baked chicken. Alyn stopped inside the doorway and stared, absorbing the color and fragrance of the room. A bouquet of magenta orchids was collected in a milk glass vase on the table. A potted orange bromeliad along with two smaller African violets decorated the countertop. The arrangements reminded her of when her father was alive. He’d brought her mother flowers daily.
“Kitchen looks pretty, Mom,” she said.
Martha glanced over her shoulder. “Eleanor Norris dropped by today,” she told Alyn. “The woman still drives. It appears she and Herman get around town just fine. We enjoyed tea and butter cookies. Eleanor is a curious sort. She asked to see the greenhouse. I was reluctant at first, but gave in. We spent two hours together, tugging back vines and organizing planters. I sent her home with two containers of bare root hybrid tea roses, which she intends to revive. Eleanor hinted at us going into business together. Something small. Part-time. I have the greenhouse, and she has the floral know-how. She worked beside her husband for sixty years. She stays in touch with all her old customers. I’m giving it some thought.”
“Definitely worth considering,” said Alyn. The venture could benefit both women. Give them a sense of purpose. “Should you move ahead, I’ll place my order now. A weekly delivery of lilies for my shop.”
“Lovely,” her mother agreed. Only to dip her head, and sigh. “After Eleanor left, I sat down on the sofa and cried.” Her voice broke even now. “The loss of your father weighed heavily today. I hurt. He was the other half of my heart. My life. I kept looking around the greenhouse, expecting to see him. To hear his laugh. I missed him sneaking up behind me. Kissing my cheek. Wrapping his arms about my waist. I felt so alone. So lost. To think I will never see him again—”
Alyn crossed to her mother, hugged her tight. Sadness embraced them both. “I understand, Mom. I miss him every day, too.”
They stood holding each other, until Martha eased back slightly, and grabbed tissues off the counter. They wiped away tears, blew their noses. Her mom cleared her throat, said, “I want you to know the same love I had with your dad. Halo Todd is a good man. I only wish he was more than your business partner.”
Alyn wished so, too. “Time will tell.”
Her mother patted her cheek. “Make the most of your ten months with him. Don’t let time pass you by.”
Alyn nodded. She would make every day count. “Where’s Danny?” she asked.
“Playing on the computer in his bedroom. Ten minutes, and we eat.”
Alyn went to see which game was distracting him from his homework. Quigley remained in the kitchen. She found her brother on the Rogues’ Facebook page, scanning posts and photographs.
He bounced on his chair, grinned at her. “Halo hit a home run today against the Miami Marlins!” He was beyond excited. He motioned her to view fan photos. “Rogues won, six to four.”
Alyn looked over his shoulder. There, before her on the screen, was Halo, crossing home plate. His expression was smug, as if he was doing his job, and he was good at it. Very good, Alyn thought. She read fan praise for Will Ridgeway. The pitcher was throwing heat, and drawing strikeouts. The team had scored a runaway preseason.
“Halo and Landon have more photographs on Facebook,” said Danny, locating Landon’s official fan page. “They’re having a party. Read to me,” he requested.
Alyn obliged. “Landon got engaged to Eden Cates, the photographer,” she said with a smile. “They’re getting married at her home, a restored wedding chapel. Friends and family are pictured, celebrating their announcement.”
“Where was the party?” he wanted to know.
A neon sign hung over the bar. “Lusty Oyster.”
“What’s ‘lusty’?”
She went with, “Healthy and strong.”
“An oyster that lifts weights.”
“Funny image, don’t you think?”
Her brother laughed. Then squinted at the screen. “Halo’s sitting at Landon’s table.” He touched his fingertip to the man’s face.
Halo’s presence was unmistakable. Seated and smiling with Landon on his left, and—she blinked, Sharon Thomas on his right. The woman from the boardwalk. The one who’d come on to Halo while Alyn was inside Olde Tyme Portraits having their pictures reduced for her locket. Alyn had intervened on his behalf, and Sharon had moved on. But not for long, it seemed. She was with him now.
“Halo looks happy,” Danny noted.
Way too happy for an engaged man. Alyn was pleased for Landon and Eden. They made a solid couple. She and Halo were unraveling. In less than a month.
She crossed her arms over her chest, took several deep breaths. Her fault? Maybe. She would partly shoulder the blame. He’d asked her to stay in Barefoot William. She’d declined. He’d seemed disappointed when she left. Apparently, he’d recovered. In record time. Sharon had reappeared, and now kept him busy. Him and his blue balls.
She and Danny scanned the remaining party pictures. The shadowed lighting couldn’t hide the empty beer bottles on the table, the couples dancing in the background, and the shared kisses. Sharon’s lips brushed Halo’s cheek, near his ear. She might’ve bitten the lobe, for all Alyn knew. The blonde’s hands were under the table. Touching Halo? His thigh. Groin.
Her stomach twisted. Was she misreading the situation? Hard to conceive. The evidence stared her in the face. He was having a good time with his buddies. Them, and their women. All without her. The realization left her cold. Hurt. She’d trusted him. Mistakenly. He’d let her down. Ten times the fool, she thought. She was a slow learner when it came to men. Halo in particular. Pain took hold. Gripping her so tightly, she broke. She wasn’t certain she could pull herself together again. She was that shattered.
Her mother called them to supper. Danny shut down the computer. They walked to the kitchen together. Alyn fed Quigley, then took a chair at the table. Not the least bit hungry. She pushed her food around on her plate. Making pathways with her fork through the mashed potatoes.
Her mother looked worried. “Problem, dear?” she asked.
Her mother seldom went on-line, only twice a month to check bank statements and balance the household budget. She hadn’t seen the photos that confused Alyn. Her mom was fond of Halo. Alyn didn’t want her involved in a situation beyond their control.
She nudged Danny with her foot under the table, a request that he keep quiet. He side-eyed her, reached for a second piece of chicken, and kept right on eating.
She fingered the corner of her napkin before saying, “I’m fine, Mom. Just tired. I’m calling it an early night.”
Her mother didn’t press, merely appeared sympathetic. She corralled Danny to clear the table and load the dishwasher. Her brother dragged his feet, but got the job done. Alyn left the table to walk Quigley. They strolled around the block. Quigs kept a steady pace. Once back at the house, she went to her bedroom, readied the pug for bed. He soon snored.
She showered, slipped into a T-shirt and cotton tap pants. Crawled into bed. She slept fitfully. Morning came too soon.
* * *
Three weeks later, and spring training wrapped. The Rogues headed back to Richmond. The city welcomed them. The team had done preseason proud, winning twenty-five of thirty games. Bull’s-eyes marked their backs. They were the team to beat.
It was late afternoon, and Alyn would soon be seeing Halo. He’d texted and called every day. Sometimes twice. She tried to keep her own texts light, informative. When they talked, her voice level. Smooth, as if she hadn’t a worry or problem in the world. Or a broken heart. She even managed to laugh a little. The sound of his voice made her stomach soft. So deep and sexy. She forced herself to stand back, to stay strong, and to imagine life without him. It was difficult to do. Over the past few days, she slowly began to limit, then to avoid all communication. The toughest decision of her life. Pride was all she had left.
She wore the locket, never taking it off. It felt cool against her skin. The thought of removing the necklace, placing it in a jewelry box, represented another failed relationship. She’d had plenty of disappointment in her life—what was one more? They still had a business deal. Which she was about to break.
She’d recently designed an internet website, and The Shy Lily had branched out overnight. Flourished, actually. The hits were numerous. The requests for private showings of the merchandise were continuous. She’d sold several pieces before going public. Large, lucrative sales. She was close to reimbursing Halo. Paying off her loan was her top priority.
Alyn paced her shop now. The hardwood floors had a worn patina. She went to the window, saw Halo’s Hummer pull to the curb. A jerky stop, as if he’d hit the brakes hard. His vehicle hogged two spaces. She noted his exit, and tried to collect herself. No time. He glanced up, as if he knew she watched him. He stared back. He was coming for her.
He had his game face on. She barely recognized him. His shoulders were squared. His expression hard and unrelenting. Scary, yet sexy. Her pulse jumped. Her stomach knotted. Calm eluded her. He gave her chills.
He crossed the street, dodging traffic. The closer he got, the harder his expression. He’d gone long between haircuts, she noticed; the ends brushed his collar. He wore a rugby pullover, dark brown with a navy stripe. Jeans. Athletic shoes. He carried a manila envelope.
She’d been expecting him, and dressed up a little. She was about to break up with him, and wanted to leave a lasting impression. She would greet him in a white eyelet tunic top belted over a tiered sage skirt. Then show him the door.
She bit down on her bottom lip. More than anything, she wished their situation was different. That they would hug and kiss, and he’d take her on the new brass bed, acquired at an estate sale, and recently delivered. She’d positioned the queen-size heirloom with the railed head and footboards and new mattress near the front window. The natural light enhanced the fine linen bedding and lacy pillow covers. She’d had an offer of ten grand, but had held out for fifteen. It would sell to the right person. Someone who’d appreciate its ornate beauty and history as much as she did.
Quigley had sniffed the bedframe, decided it wasn’t a chew toy. Having grown tired of her arranging furniture, he was presently napping in the small storage room. Door closed.
She now stood behind a chesterfield armchair, clutching the back for support. Her fingers dug into the rich burgundy leather. She awaited Halo, wishing for an escape. No backdoor.
The buzzer sounded below stairs, announcing his arrival. He came through the door, and she heard him set the dead bolt. Loud in the silence. She wasn’t going anywhere.
He was up the steps before she could catch her breath. All tall, dark, and intimidating. He stopped on the landing, glaring with an intensity that nearly knocked her backwards. He flared his nostrils, and the corners of his mouth pinched. Widening his stance, he slapped the envelope against his thigh. A dull, angry sound.
His voice was hard when he said, “You’ve gone silent on me.”
That she had.
“I found you.”
Not too difficult. “You had two choices. Home or here.”
“I stopped by your house first.”
“You’ve seen Danny?” Her brother would’ve been thrilled.
“He was glad to see me. You, apparently, are not.” His lips pursed. “Woman, we need to talk.”
Talking was what she’d had in mind before he’d arrived. His accusatory stare left her apprehensive. As if she’d done something wrong, and he was calling her out. Their meeting was all about him. Not her.
He cut his gaze to a table in one corner. A French inlaid rosewood oval designed for a formal dining room. He motioned her to take a chair. Sitting made her vulnerable. She’d have preferred to stand. She went ahead and joined him. Sat three seats away. Distance was her friend. Too close, and she might do something foolish. Like kiss or hug him. Tell him how much she’d missed him. How her heart was glad to see him.
He placed the envelope on the table, slid it toward her. “Danny was on the computer when I arrived at your house. Checking out the Rogues’ Facebook page.”
“He’s a loyal fan. He believes in the team.”
“I wish you believed as much in me.” His voice sounded as accusatory as it did defeated.
She was unable to speak. She wouldn’t have known what to say if she could. So she let him continue.
“I hadn’t seen all the practice and game photos posted on the website. Your brother and I went through each one. Including a few party pictures on Landon’s page. Danny pointed out the photos that made you sad. I immediately saw how they would affect you. How you would’ve jumped to conclusions.”
He leaned his elbows on the table, steepled his fingers. “Time to hit the reset button, babe. What you didn’t take into account was that only part of the pictures were visible. You had to double-click on the photograph to enlarge each one. To get the full impact. Especially those with me and Sharon. I had Danny print them out. Kid’s got computer skills.”
He tapped the envelope. “Take a look, Alyn. Land’s my best friend. We’ve always had each other’s back. He wanted to go to the Oyster for drinks. To celebrate his engagement. I went. Alone. The place was packed. Twelve people sat at a table for four. We were sitting atop each other. I stayed for one hour. Cut out.”
Alyn’s hand trembled as she opened the clasp. Removed two photos. These showed a much wider view of those gathered. Sharon was seated on Halo’s right, snugged close. On her opposite side was Zoo. The left fielder had his arm about her shoulders. There weren’t enough chairs to go around. She half-sat on Zoo’s lap.
Alyn moved to the second photo. The one where Sharon had her mouth on Halo, near his ear. “She’s thanking me for setting her up with Zoo,” he said. “The bar was loud, she leaned in close. I didn’t catch everything she said. Other than she was hot and horny for him. She’s met her match in Zoo.”
“Not you . . . Zoo.” She had to say it out loud. To hear it with her own ears. A deeper look at the photo showed Sharon’s hands positioned on her lap beneath the table. Not on Halo.
She sat back, took it all in. Then slowly returned both photos to the envelope. Closed the clasp. Relief flooded her. Normal reclaimed her life.
His jaw worked. “I’m ticked you doubted me.”
“Can you blame me?” She stuck up for herself.
“Communication,” he stated. “You should’ve asked me.”
“Maybe I should have.”
“No maybes, babe. We’re engaged—”
“We’re pretend.”
“What if I wanted to make it real?”
“You don’t love me.”
“You don’t know that.”
“You haven’t indicated otherwise.”
“Neither have you.”
“I . . . care.” She gave him that much. Afraid of sharing too much too soon.
“Care enough to accept an actual engagement ring?”
“I’d consider it.”
“Consider this, then.” He reached into his jean pocket, and removed a small, square black box. He held it on his palm, admitted, “I’m not a traditional down-on-one-knee kind of guy.”
Which she already knew. She’d never ask him to change. He was her kind of perfect.
He rose slowly, and approached her. He curved one hand about her upper arm, and lifted her to face him. “I never planned to love you, Alyn Jayne. Our time came quickly. I fell fast, fell hard. You’re with me, even when we’re apart. You never leave my thoughts. Marry me.”
Her heart opened. Tears fell. “Here I was about to repay my loan. To walk away. And miss you forever.”
“No missing me. I’m right here. Going nowhere.”
“I’m going nowhere, too.”
He handed her the ring box. “Yours.”
“Mine,” she said on a sigh. It took her two tries to open the lid. She was that shaken by what he’d said. Halo was the man she wanted. The man she needed. He’d just officially proposed.
Her engagement ring brought another rush of tears. He’d purchased the aquamarine with the circlet of diamonds, the one she’d admired in Barefoot William. It was beautiful, feminine, and slid on her finger as if made for her. “Oh . . . Halo,” she said softly, thankfully, lovingly.
“Can I take that for a ‘yes’?”
“Ten times over.”
“I have something else to show you,” he stated, reaching for his wallet. He cracked the leather, pulled out a yellow feather. One left from her chicken costume. “I saved it, to remind me never to do another game show. In the end, it reminded me of you. I kept it safe.”
“I want a piece of it for my locket,” she said. “Another memento.”
“You got it.”
He was about to kiss her when he caught sight of the brass bed. His eyebrow spiked. Words weren’t needed—Alyn knew his intention. She was in agreement.
Closing time had come and gone.
The door was locked.
The shop was empty.
Sex was waiting to happen. They both knew it. Both felt it.
* * *
Halo hadn’t been with another woman since he’d met Alyn. She’d been waiting for him. He would take her for the first time on the antique bed. She had old-fashioned values. He was bold as the brass. They were meant to come together.
The time was now.
His pulse picked up as he looked down on her face. Really looked at her. Saw her with his eyes and his heart. She was beautiful, inside and out. Her eyelids were shuttered, her brown lashes long. Her ponytail shadowed one cheek. Her lips were inviting, sweetly curved, and generous. The insecure flick of her tongue aroused him.
“Want me, Alyn.” His voice was deep, raw.
“For longer than you know.” Tilting her head, she raised her chin. On a heart-warmed sigh, she wound her arms about his neck, went smooth against him. She initiated, seeking his mouth with her own.
Need embraced them both. His mind shut down and his body turned on. The light brush of her lips made him instantly hard. The softness of her breasts pushed into his chest. Their hips came into line. His erection prodded her belly.
Never breaking their kiss, he unbuckled her wide leather belt, slid his hands under her tunic, and up her sides to cup her breasts. He delved beneath her bra. His thumbs rubbed across her nipples, drawing them to points. He scrolled his knuckles down her ribs, then circled her navel. He went on to caress her lower spine, her bottom, the crease of her ass through her skirt. The cotton bunched high on her thighs. He stroked the smooth backs of her bare legs.
He wanted her naked. Needed to touch her. His body was hyped. His balls tightened. He was about to take her with the passion of a man long without his woman.
His experience had her undressed in seconds. Her tunic crowned her head, and he tossed it aside. He unclipped the barrette from her ponytail, and her hair fell long and loose. He unsnapped her bra, and let it slide off her slender shoulders. Her breasts spilled onto his palms. Brown-tipped and puckered.
She stepped out of her ballerina flats, and he undid a row of side buttons on her skirt. It shimmered over her hips. She had great legs. Off came her satin panties. Bikini wax and sweet ass. She was perfect for him.
* * *
Nude felt natural with Halo. No shyness. No embarrassment. Alyn could wait no longer. She went to work on him. She shoved his rugby pullover up his chest and stared. He was all solid muscle and six-pack cut. Her fingers played over his ribs. She brushed his nipples. His breathing deepened. His top came off easily. She tossed it on the back of a chair.
Mesmerized by the width of his chest, she took advantage of his bare shoulders. She nipped him, leaving her mark. She flicked her tongue to the pulse point at the base of his throat. He closed his eyes and growled. Primal.
She kissed her way to his jawline. His evening stubble was dark and rough against her lips. His maleness, potent. She kissed the soft spot beneath his ear. He lost it when she bit his lobe. He grew sexually impatient.
She tucked her fingers into the waistband of his jeans, flicked the snap with her thumb. Then lowered his zipper and reached inside, found him stark and stiff. Gently, purposely, she rubbed her thumb over the head of his penis, then down the underside of his shaft. Sensitive to her touch, he swelled in her grasp. He groaned when she squeezed him.
Male urgency had him removing his sneakers, then shucking his jeans. No underwear. He ruffled in a pocket, and snagged a condom. Palmed it.
The air between them grew hot. Explosive. Her face flushed, and her lips parted. He drew her full against him. They kissed again.
Halo was an exceptional kisser. His warm tongue thrust into her mouth, tangled with her own. Mated. She grew lightheaded.
She dug her fingers into the corded curve of his biceps and clung to him. Her hips angled toward him unconsciously.
He clutched her bottom, lifted her. Fitted her to him.
She inhaled his scent and absorbed the man. Soul deep. The plump swell of her naked breasts pressed his hard chest. He carried her to the bed. Laid her on the linen. Then tore the silver packet with his teeth. Sheathed himself. Lowering over her.
He kissed up her body, then back down. Tasting her. His fingers moved between her thighs, stroking her deeply. Her nerves tingled and her spine strained. Her fingernails traced the crease of his thigh and his muscles twitched in response. She tilted her hips, and he entered her. A slow slide until she rocked her hips, fully accepting him.
Streamlined, he began to move. Tense heat. Burning. He claimed his mate. He took and gave. Stretched time. Pushing her to the edge.
Blood thrummed. Desire throbbed.
Sensation came in wild currents. Their climax built.
Her orgasm shook her.
A hard shudder convulsed him.
A sated, sensual ease brought them back to reality. Satisfaction settled in her bones. Deep and forever. Halo was here with her now. He’d promised her a future together. Always.
He rose, walked naked to the small bathroom at the back of her store. She admired him going. He disposed of the condom. She appreciated his coming back to her. He resettled beside her. He rested his forehead against hers. He kissed the curve of her cheek, the tip of her nose. “You were amazing. Worth waiting for,” he said, his voice husky.
“It’s the bed.”
“It was the woman in the bed.”
“It’s for sale.”
“You just found a buyer, babe. Me.”
“I could never make you pay—”
“The price is right. The pleasure, ours.”
“Sold, to the man who gives good orgasm.”
He took her again, just to show her how good.
It only got better between them.
An hour later, there was a scratching at the door to the storeroom. “Quigley,” Alyn said, rising on one elbow. “I was moving furniture around, and he got tired. I took him out of his cart. He’s up now. Wants out.”
Halo sat up on the bed. Swung his knees over the side. “I’ll get him.” He pulled off the mattress, drew on his jeans. Bare chest, bare feet, he crossed the room. The man definitely had a great ass.
He cracked the door, peeked inside. Quigs barked his welcome. Halo took several steps back, knelt down. Patted his thighs. “Come here, speedster.”
Alyn propped herself up to watch their reunion. The pug nearly came out of his fur, he was that excited to see Halo. Quiggie scooted toward him. He was wagging so hard and fast, his body bounced, twisted, and his back legs scuttled beneath him.
Time stopped, and healing took hold. Wobbly and weak, Quigs pushed up. Supporting his weight for a moment before collapsing. The dog tried again. Even more successful this time. He held his own for several seconds, took a tentative step toward Halo, before sitting back down.
“He walked!” Alyn jumped off the bed. She threw on her tunic, which covered part, but not all of her. She didn’t care.
She reached them, dropped down. Relief overtook her. Quigley had stood on all fours. Attempted a step. He would recover. Shaky, trembling now, he panted. She hugged her dog so hard he grunted. Sadness over his accident left her. She couldn’t stop smiling.
Halo’s arm went around her, snugging her against him. He kissed her forehead. “Your boy’s going to make it.”
“Our boy,” she said. “He was glad to see you.”
Quigley did something he hadn’t done for a long time. He used his back legs, and pushed himself onto Alyn’s lap. Cuddled close. Both she and Halo praised and patted him. The three of them sat together on the floor for a long time.
Halo angled his head toward her, grinned. “I fell in love with a chicken,” he said, referring to their first meeting.
“You had me at cock-a-doodle-do.”
“I’ll have you again once Quigs sleeps.”
The pug’s soft snores soon sent them back to bed.