CHAPTER FOUR

It was just like Paige to be late for her first day at work. But it wasn’t really her fault. The chirping of crickets and tree frogs had kept her up all night. As well as the wailing of a neighborhood cat.

Following a quick shower and speed dressing, Paige dashed into the kitchen, brewed coffee, poured it into her Tennessee State University mug, and grabbed her briefcase, along with three leather-bound psychology books that dealt with teenagers. A few drops of coffee trickled down the side of the mug and onto her tan pants. Paige swore under her breath and tried to wipe the stain away, then resigned herself to the fact that she was going to smell like coffee all day.

Slowly, hands full and holding her key ring in her mouth, she backed out the door. Paige was nervous about her job. What were the kids going to be like? Would they respond to her? Elementary school students were easy to bond with, but high school students had a lot of baggage. Paige was passionate about helping children and she realized that high school students were sometimes pushed into adulthood when they weren’t ready to be. She knew it was her job to insure the children realized that it was okay to be a kid and leave adult problems to the adults. She managed to close the door and locked it without spilling any more of her coffee.

Paige dropped her books and briefcase in the backseat of her car, and then slowly backed out of the driveway, only to speed down the street to the high school. There was no morning rush hour traffic and it took Paige only seven minutes to get to the school from her house. This must be the advantage of living in a small town, she thought. As it turned out, she was about ten minutes early for work. She hoped that she would be able to run into the cafeteria and grab a bite to eat. However, just as she walked through the doors of Elmore High School, the strap on her briefcase snapped. All of her folders, note pads, pens and books spilled across the floor. The three big books in her arms dropped also, narrowly missing her toes. And her cherished mug fell, shattering into a thousand white pieces. Paige muttered a string of profanities as she bent down to retrieve her belongings.

“Miss, are you okay?” a velvet voice inquired. Paige looked up and saw a man who might have been a mythic god. His skin was the color of milk chocolate and his eyes sparkled like black diamonds. He began picking up coffee-stained pieces of paper and file folders. “Ma’am, are you all right?” he asked again.

His voice was hypnotic. She felt like a cobra swaying to the charmer’s flute. She wondered if his wooly Afro was as soft as it looked. “Uh, yes. I guess it’s just first day jitters.” For the first time, Paige noticed he had on a policeman’s uniform. “Is this place that bad?”

“No, ma’am,” he replied as he handed her the last of her belongings. Then he radioed for a janitor.

Paige watched his thick lips as he talked into the radio. She wickedly wondered if he was a good kisser. Then she looked down at his left hand and saw his gold wedding band.

Damn, the fine ones are always taken, she thought woefully. Paige waited for him to stop talking on the radio and then asked him to direct her to the guidance office. The policeman took the three books from her arms and walked her down the hall to the guidance office, which was near the main office.

“Thanks,” she said, slightly blushing. The officer opened the door and nodded as she walked in.

There was something vaguely familiar about that woman but Brian just couldn’t put his finger on it. Her beauty was striking, from her puffy afro, which reminded him of the texture of cotton, to her body that looked as if it had been sculpted from magic clay. But the most outstanding thing about her was her golden eyes. Even though he had sworn off women, he couldn’t deny her appeal. But he wasn’t going to get caught up in the woman’s web of lust and love. He had to take care of his son, and if he had to walk up and down the halls of Elmore High School, then he’d do it.

Brian walked down “E” hall, making sure all of the students were where they should be. He turned the corner and headed outside to the Army ROTC room. No students were outside. Next, he headed back into the building through the commons area. A few kids were leaving the bathroom, but heading back into their gym class across the hall. Brian passed the main office and the guidance office before turning onto “D” hall. Rows of yellow lockers greeted him. He heard muffled voices in the corner.

“Man, this is some primo bud. Where did you get this?” a boy asked.

“I have my sources. Besides, this is going to sell like damned hotcakes. We got all kinds of parties coming up and you know people want to take a—”

“Wanna-be felon like you to jail,” Brian snapped as he walked up behind them.

“What the—” the boys said in unison.

“Drop the marijuana.” Brian reached for his radio as he surveyed the drugs. He estimated that they had about fifteen bag of marijuana, which were worth about ten dollars each.

“Man, you can’t arrest us at school,” one of the boys said as he stood up. The other boy quivered by the lockers.

“Young man, sit down,” Brian ordered in his toughest policeman voice.

The boy just poked out his lips and folded his arms. “I know my rights. I don’t have to do anything you say until I speak with my lawyer.”

Brian fought back a chuckle. “This isn’t Law & Order. Number one, you’re violating the law by disobeying an officer, two, you’re violating the law by being in possession of illegal narcotics on school property—both of you,” he said, shooting a warning glance at the other boy, who was on the verge of tears. “Sit down, son, or we’re going to have a serious problem.”

“You ain’t my daddy.”

Brian pushed him face first into the locker and slapped a pair of handcuffs on him.

“Tough guy, huh? You’re already looking at a felony charge. Do you really want to add more charges? Now sit down!”

The boy relented and sat down. Brian called for additional officers to take the boys away. He felt as if he were on the street again. About ten minutes later, two officers walked into the school and smiled at Brian.

“Hook ‘em and book ‘em Jackson. It’s just nine o’clock and you got two already,” said Officer Bright.

“Carlos, just take them and cut the jokes,” Brian said firmly.

The officer threw up his hands and took the cuffs off the first boy. He handed them back to Brian, while the other officer collected the evidence. “Have a good day, Officer Jackson,” Bright said as he took the boys to his squad car. Brian waved and headed down the hall to see if there were any other wayward kids lurking around the corner.

A few hours later, after walking around the school four times, Brian decided to go to his office, which was more like a closet. He had to admit, leaving work at three forty-five was going to be great. He would be able to pick Mickey up from school and help him with his homework. Just as he was about to put his feet up on his desk, he heard a loud commotion down the hall.

What now? He stood up and started down the hall. Brian got as far as the guidance office door before running into a large crowd of students. He was just in time to see the woman he’d helped earlier walk into a flying fist and fall to the floor. The crowd gasped collectively. “Danny hit a teacher,” someone yelled. Brian pushed his way through the crowd and grabbed the boy who’d thrown the punch. Looking at the woman as she held her eye, Brian felt an overwhelming urge to protect her. Before he could reach her, the boy involved in the altercation started fighting with the assistant principal. He subdued the boy who was now whaling on the assistant principal. After cuffing the boy and pushing him into the principal’s office, he made his way to the woman.

“Ma’am.” Brian took her hand in his and helped her to her feet. He could tell that her eye was going to be swollen in the morning. “Are you all right?”

She nodded her head. The principal rushed over to her. “Ms. Grayson, do you need to go to the hospital?”

“I’ve been punched before,” she replied in a clipped tone before walking into her office.

“Officer Jackson, this has been a crazy day. I’m glad the police chief decided to put someone here.”

“Maybe I need to go into the homerooms and let the students know that violence and drugs won’t be tolerated,” Brian said. The principal nodded and headed for his office. Brian couldn’t wait for his day to be over.

Paige’s head throbbed, her eye stung, and the last thing she wanted to do was answer a bunch of questions. But Dr. Sullivan, the head of the guidance department, made her go to the school nurse. Then he canceled the appointments she had for the day.

I might as well go home, she thought as she sat in her office counting the hours until it was time to leave. Paige stood up to arrange her books on the shelf and tried not to think about the sexy police officer who seemed to be around every time she needed rescuing. He seemed familiar but she just couldn’t place him. Chalking it up to him being the incarnation of the man of her dreams, sexy, strong, confident and sensual, Paige didn’t try too hard to remember. Instead, she fantasized about being wrapped up in those strong arms, his lips pressed against hers. Then she snapped back to attention.

“That man’s married,” she mumbled as she placed another book on the shelf. A sharp pain shot through her head. She stroked her cheek gently, only making the pain worse. Paige turned off the lights in her office and sat at her desk, wishing the pain away. Before she realized it, the day was over. Happily, Paige grabbed her briefcase and headed out the door, running into the man she’d dubbed Officer Fine and Friendly.

“How’s that eye?” he asked.

“I’ll live,” Paige said as she locked her office door. “Who knew high school was so dangerous. A hell of a way to start my first day.”

The officer didn’t crack a smile. He just offered to walk Paige to her car. Who’s this guy? Robocop? “So,” she said, trying to strike up conversation. “I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced. You are?”

“Officer Brian Jackson,” he said. 


She extended her perfectly manicured hand to him. “Paige Grayson.” Brian shook her hand as they walked outside to the parking lot.

“Ms. Grayson, it’s nice to meet you. You make sure you take care of that eye.” He started for his car and Paige watched him as he walked away.

Mrs. Jackson’s a lucky woman, she thought as she pulled out the keys to her Mustang.

“Excuse me.” Paige whirled around to see Brian staring at her.

“Yeah?”

“Is that your car?”

Paige raised her eyebrow. Don’t you see me getting in it? “Yes, why?” “Nice,” he said, then quickly got into his patrol car.

Paige shot a questioning look his way as he drove off. Shaking her head, she got into the car, buckled her seat belt and then put the pedal to the metal and tore out of the parking lot. One thing she loved about Elmore was the open roads and lack of traffic. She could really floor it and tear up the pavement. But today she obeyed the speed limit. Her eye was throbbing and all she could think of was Brian Jackson. Why did he have to be married?

Paige pulled into her driveway, ready to put the hellish events of the day and thoughts of Brian behind her. She planned to listen to some John Coltrane and sip on a glass of Merlot with an ice pack on her eye. As she got out of the car, she noticed a blue and white Elmore Police Department car pulling into the driveway across the street. Paige glanced over to see who the neighborhood cop was. Her mouth dropped open as she watched Brian step out of the car. Their eyes locked as they registered the fact that they were neighbors. Paige waved and Brian returned the greeting.

“Who knew Robocop was my neighbor?” she joked.

“Make sure you keep your speed under control. I have a son and there are a lot of kids in the neighborhood,” he ordered.

Paige smirked. “I’ll be sure to do that, officer, sir.” She watched him as he disappeared inside his two-story brick house. She imagined Mrs. Jackson waiting for him with a piping hot meal, a cool drink, and his newspaper. She was jealous because all she had waiting for her were boxes and a splitting headache.

Brian hated coming home to an empty house. But that was going to change tomorrow, since Mickey was coming home. All he had to do was make it through the night. His mind drifted to Paige. He couldn’t believe that woman was the speeding shrew. How could someone that beautiful be that abrasive? He absentmindedly stroked his gold wedding band. No use in keeping it on. He snatched it from his finger and tossed it across the room. Out with the old, he thought as he leaned back on the sofa, ready to watch ESPN and clear his mind of his hellish day. Then there was a knock on the door. Brian figured that his day was about to get even worse. Who would be on his doorstep other than trouble? He walked to the door and pulled the ivory lace curtain back. To his surprise, Paige was standing there dressed in a pair of grey sweat pants and a Tennessee State University tank top. Her face, even with the purple bruise, was beautiful. Brian opened the door.

“I’m sorry to bother you,” she began. “But I don’t have any ice and I was wondering if I could borrow some from you.”

“Oh, okay. Come in.”

Paige timidly stepped inside the house. “I hope I’m not bothering you and your family.” She hung back by the door.

Brian walked into the living room and handed her a white dish- towel filled with ice cubes. “It’s just me tonight. Mickey is with his auntie.”

Paige bit her bottom lip as if she were holding back another question. “Thanks for the ice. I guess I’ll have to call Mrs. Anderson and tell her the ice maker is broken.”

“I’ll come take a look at it.” He followed her to the door.

Paige raised her hands. “No, you really don’t have to. I’m sure your wife will be home soon.”

Brian looked away, hiding the leaden hurt that clouded his eyes. “No, she won’t.” His voice was low and barely audible.

“I’m sorry?”


“I’m practically divorced.”


Paige glanced down at Brian’s left hand. The gold band was gone, just a pale ring of flesh was in its place. “Oh,” Paige said. “Uh, I just—”

Brian waved his hand and opened the door. “Forget about it.”

She followed him across the street, holding the homemade ice pack to her eye. Brian glanced back at her. He could tell that she wanted to ask more questions but was thankful that she didn’t. There was no way that Brian was going to get involved with another woman. Besides, this woman had a boyfriend, didn’t she? If she had a man, why didn’t he fix her icemaker?

“Ms. Grayson, why didn’t you get your boyfriend to take care of this for you?”

“Boyfriend?” Paige said as if it was a foreign concept.

“The guy who moved you in.”

“Oh, Patrick. He’s hardly my boyfriend,” Paige laughed. “We’re just really good friends.”

Brian shot her a questioning look. Likely story, he thought as he followed her inside. Boxes lined the walls of the living room. Paige’s leather sofa and love seat sat awkwardly in the middle of the floor, holding more boxes.

“Excuse my mess. I hate unpacking.”

Brian nodded. When they got in the kitchen, he opened the freezer door and began examining the icemaker. It was just as he’d suspected. The water tube was disconnected. He reconnected the tube and the machine began to hum.

“There you go.”

“I feel really blonde right now. I could’ve fixed that.” Paige grimaced as she placed the ice pack back on her eye.

Brian grabbed her hand and looked at her cheek. “You may need to go to the hospital.”

“Why?”


“You may have a broken bone in your cheek.”


Paige touched her cheek and shivered. Brian clasped his hands together. “I’ll drive you to the hospital if you want me to,” he said. Taking care of Paige would fill his evening with something to do. The silence in his house was deafening.

“I don’t need to go to the hospital,” she said. “It’s not broken.”

Brian looked at her. She was probably right, but he wanted to be sure because a face like that didn’t need any imperfections. What was he thinking? He had enough to deal with; he had to get away from her. He didn’t want to start feeling anything for her. But her eyes were hypnotic. They bored holes into his soul.

“All right then.” He started for the door.

“Hey,” Paige called out. “You have to let me at least buy you a cup of coffee and a muffin in the morning.”

“I’m just being a good neighbor. You don’t have to repay me.”

Paige sighed. “It’s not about repaying you. I just want to show my appreciation. I don’t know anyone here and it wouldn’t hurt to have a cop for a friend.”

Acting as uninterested as possible, Brian said, “If it will make you feel better, then do it.”

Paige puffed her cheeks as if she were about to explode. “All I’m trying to do is be nice to you and you’re acting like a brooding asshole. Forget it. I’m sorry I bothered you, Robocop.” She dumped the ice out of the dishtowel and handed it to Brian. “Now we never have to speak again.”

“Good, because you’re crazy.” Brian stormed out of the house.

The next morning, fate made Paige and Brian leave for work at the same time. She shot him a contemptuous glance as he climbed into his squad car. His uniform hugged his athletic body. Paige looked away as Brian turned to look at her. She could feel him drinking her image in like a glass of water. Brian couldn’t help admiring her. Her ivory outfit accented her bronze skin and fabulous eyes. Her afro was pulled up in a puffy ponytail and her plum-shaped toes peaked out of silver stiletto sandals. Brian turned away from her. Paige hopped in the car and peeled out of the driveway.

Brian watched her as she peeled out of the driveway and sped off. Obviously, the car was moving faster than the posted 25 miles per hour speed limit. He pulled out of the driveway behind her, flipping on the blue lights and siren.

“What the hell?” she mumbled as she looked in the rearview mirror. “What’s Robocop trying to prove?”

Paige stopped the car and rolled the window down as Brian walked over.

“Ma’am, I need your driver’s license and registration.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“You were speeding, Ms. Grayson. Now I need your license.”

Paige mumbled under her breath as she dug in her purse for her wallet. She handed Brian the information he requested.

Brian looked down at her driver’s license and smiled. He handed it back to her. “I’m letting you go with a warning. Slow down, Paige. And you have thirty days to switch your driver’s license and tags to reflect your South Carolina address.”

She rolled her eyes at him and snatched her driver’s license from his hand.

“Have a good day, ma’am,” Brian said.

Paige fought the urge to tell him what she really thought of his warning. I can’t stand him, she thought as she drove away, following the posted speed limit. Paige was about five minutes late for work, raising the ire of Dr. Sullivan.

“Ms. Grayson, you’re late,” he said.


“Today isn’t the day,” she mumbled.

“Excuse me?”


“I was stopped by the police, sorry I’m late,” she said, her voice syrupy sweet.

“Oh. How’s your eye?”


Paige touched the faint bruise on her cheek. “It’s fine.”


“I’m sorry that happened. This place is turning into a madhouse. I’m glad we have some protection here.”


Paige rolled her eyes. Protection? More like aggravation. “Well, high school can be wild.” She turned toward her office. Once inside, she began flipping through her students’ files. She tried to push Brian out of her mind, but then he walked by her office. Her blood pressure rose ten points. How could someone that sexy be such a jackass? Paige decided that she wasn’t going to let Brian bother her. Forget him, she thought. I don’t need this stress.

Brian willed himself not to look in Paige’s office. He held his breath as he walked by. He knew she was pissed off about him stopping her this morning, but he was doing his job. And, Paige had an attitude that pushed him over the edge. Brian wondered how she, of all people, had become a guidance counselor. Wait a minute. Why am I even thinking about that foul-mouthed shrew?

Brian didn’t want to admit it, or maybe he just couldn’t, but he was attracted to her. Those golden eyes and that fiery attitude excited him. Brian hadn’t been this drawn to a woman since Olivia. He stepped in the boys’ bathroom to compose himself. Paige was a dangerous distraction that he didn’t need.