A Second Chance (2 page)

Chapter Two

The next morning when Christine woke up, Steven’s irritating grin flashed before her eyes. She swore she could almost feel his touch and the flames he ignited in her. What kind of hypnotic hold did he have on her? How could a man she just met cause such a reaction? She dressed, drank a quick cup of coffee, and hurried to pick up Jenna and Richard for school, pushing him out of her mind.

On the way to school, Jenna reminded her about their weekly Tuesday dinner.

“Oh not tonight, I have so much catching up to do.” Christine tried not to hurt Jenna’s feelings.

“But you have to come, Grandma, you’ve been gone for ten days. We missed you.” Jenna and Richard ganged up and refused to take no for an answer.

“Okay, okay.” Christine pulled into St. Matthew Lutheran Church and School parking lot and laughed. Maybe Steven wouldn’t be there, she thought. Entering the office, she dismissed him from her mind again.

“Hey, how was your trip?” Kelly, the church secretary and her best friend, greeted her. “Bet you’re glad to be back.”

“I’m thrilled to be back. You know how I hate traveling, especially flying.” Christine hung her coat in the closet, poured coffee, and prepared for the hectic day ahead. The first day back after any break always felt like the first day of school. The bell rang, and Christine braced herself for the excited students that soon filled the halls.

“Ms. Rollin, I forgot my gym suit, can I call my mom,” a young voice asked.

“And so the day begins.” Christine sat back and waited for things to calm down.

Students with an array of “I forgot,” or “I need to buy,” and other various problems filled the office. Christine barely had time to breathe.

Fifteen minutes later, with order restored, she sat back, sipped her coffee, and tried to relax for a minute. A shadow at the door caught her attention. A familiar face stared at her, smiling, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

“What?” Startled at seeing Steven, her cheeks burned.

He held up two brown bags. “Jenna’s and Richard’s lunches.”

“Oh.” She stood from her desk and took them from him. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” His gaze locked on hers, and he made no attempt to leave.

She turned away, bit her lip, and tried to still her trembling hands.

“See you at dinner tonight.” It sounded like a dare.

Before she had a chance to reply, the outer door closed, and he disappeared. Flustered and fuming at the man’s audacity, she turned, only to meet Kelly’s open-mouthed stare.

“Who was that?” Kelly hurried toward the door and looked out as if trying to catch another glimpse of him.

“That,” Christine whispered, “is Uncle Steven.” She put the lunches on the shelf, knowing Kelly wouldn’t let her rest until she heard the whole story. Taking a sip of coffee, she stalled for time and then explained.

“Wow, I think he likes you, Chris. Those sexy eyes and that smile.” Kelly gave her a sideways glance. “You are going to see him again?”

“Since he’s staying next door...” Christine shrugged. With all the efforts to bring them together, he’d be impossible to avoid. Something inside warned her he was trouble.

Big trouble.

The day passed with the usual problems, and Christine arrived home to find Steven shoveling her driveway.

“How was your day?” he asked, when she got out of her car.

“Fine and yours?”
What the heck, they could at least be friends. After all he did live next door.
“How about some coffee?”
And, he did shovel the drive.
A gesture very much appreciated.

He followed her into the house. “You look like you need to relax. I’ll make the coffee.”

She pointed toward the kitchen, welcoming his offer.

“First day back looked rough. I’m not sure I could deal with all those kids.” The admiration that showed in his eyes surprised her. “Thanks, coffee’s in the cupboard above the sink. Filters are next to it.” She disappeared down the hall. It had been a long day, and she needed a pick me up. Steven seemed to fit the bill.

Clad in jeans and a loose flannel shirt, she returned to the kitchen, the aroma of coffee beckoning her. Steven poured two cups and handed her one. Taking it from him, their hands touched. Her skin tingled as if she had stuck it in a light socket. Static electricity, that’s all. Somehow she had to ignore these reactions. Motioning toward the family room, she went in, sat down, and curled her legs on an overstuffed chair far away from him.

They sipped their coffee in silence. The hairs on her neck prickled, just from his nearness. Christine usually enjoyed the quiet, but his scrutinizing eyes made her uncomfortable.

“So how long have you worked at the school?” He finally broke the silence.

He sounded genuine, like he really cared. She stared at him, not used to men who listened and acted attentive.

Making small talk, the time passed. Glancing at the clock, she realized it was almost time for dinner. She stood up. “We better go, Lisa will be waiting.”

He took her jacket from her and held it as she slipped her arms into the sleeves. He leaned closer and skimmed his lips along her neck, sending shivers of delight throughout her body.

She tried to pull away, but his arms encircled her, and turned her toward him. He brushed his mouth over hers, silencing her protest.

She pulled away. She could see the desire in his smoky blue eyes. Afraid her own eyes would betray her, she lowered them. Would she ever be able to trust a man again after the hurt Tony inflicted? She doubted it.

Without a word, Steven released her, and they walked across the yard to Lisa’s. Time to cool things down. Feeling suddenly playful, she bent down, picked up a handful of snow, threw it at him, and ran.

With two long steps, he caught her, grabbed a handful of snow and aimed at her face. Giggling like a teenager, she fought him off, wiggling to free herself. He dropped the snow and pulled her to him, bringing his mouth to hers in a hard demanding kiss. Breathless, she pulled back. She held her hand to her mouth as if she could wipe away the burning imprint his lips left. Yet, not sure she wanted to. Something about her wanted more.

“Grandma, Uncle Steven.” Richard’s voice interrupted. “Dinner’s ready.”

Face flaming, she hurried into the house.

Thankfully, Richard and Jenna vied with each other for attention, discussing their day at school, causing the usual chaotic dinner conversation.

Christine caught herself watching Steven. Their gaze met and held in a hypnotic state as if he were sending her secret messages.
Stop it; you’re a grown woman–quit acting like a silly teenager.

After dinner, she helped clear the table, against Lisa’s objections. Anything to get away from Steven, to put distance between them, then she could go home.

Against her protests, Steven insisted he walk with her across the yard. “When do your classes start?” He pulled her to a stop and looked down at her.

Christine’s heart thumped in her throat. This wasn’t good. Somehow, she maintained control. “Not until the eighteenth. I have two more blissful weeks before life gets hectic again.” She tried to move on, avoiding his eyes knowing the betrayal and desire her own would reveal. It had been a long time since a man had held her and kissed her the way Steven did. She fought the urge to move toward him.

“I’d like to spend some time with you.” He let her go as they reached her door.

Did she want to see him again? Something about him made it difficult to refuse. It had been a long time since she dated. What would it hurt? Debating whether to invite him in, the words flew from her mouth before she realized it. “Would you like to come in for coffee?”

He caressed her cheek with his thumb and smiled. “I’d like to, but I better get back. I promised Richard I’d help with a science project. Dinner tomorrow?”

Disappointed at his refusal, she nodded. He leaned down and kissed her cheek, creating as many sparks as his earlier passionate kiss had. She closed the door and sighed.

* * * *

Steven hated to refuse, but a promise was a promise. He never expected Christine to invite him in. Hell, from the way Derek and Lisa talked, he’d be lucky if she agreed to have dinner with him. According to them, he probably wouldn’t be seeing her outside of their home.

Maybe they didn’t know her as well as they thought. He saw a confident, beautiful woman, not a shy, introverted, scared of life woman the way they described her. And he wanted to know more about her. He enjoyed her company. She had enjoyed those kisses. He couldn’t resist the urge. Something about the way she looked, so vulnerable, so sexy. Nope, nothing about her suggested she was afraid of life. Leary, yes, distrustful, absolutely, but she embraced life. It was just men she shied away from. He noticed her hesitancy right away at the airport. At least her ex hadn’t crushed her spirit.

Chapter Three

The next two weeks, Christine couldn’t believe the change in her life. She and Steven spent almost every evening together. She was falling for him and tried to fight it. The single life suited her just fine. But she enjoyed his company, liked having someone meet her at the door when she came home. Liked having someone to share her day with, and unlike Tony, Steven was an attentive listener. She was fighting a losing battle.

One night he surprised her with a home-cooked dinner. “You can cook too?” His ability in the kitchen shocked her. The only time Tony stepped into the kitchen was for a drink of water, and even that he usually asked her to get.

“Cooking is one of the benefits of being a bachelor. I also do my own laundry.” He grinned and pulled her to him and buried his face in her neck. It stirred up a passion she had long ago forgotten.

She ran her fingers through his hair; her heart pounded. He nibbled her bottom lip. Her hands involuntarily went to the back of his neck, and interlocked her fingers. The urge to press her lips against his became fierce. Her hands burned from his skin as if she held them in fire.

Groaning, he pressed his lips hard against hers. Returning his kiss, she melted against him. His mouth sent waves of desire through her. Holding her feelings at bay became increasingly difficult. Deep down she wanted to give in. Wanted to love him. Yet, she fought the feelings. She couldn’t give in. Couldn’t risk the hurt he might cause if he left. Yet her body betrayed her. She could no more pull away than she could quit breathing.

The telephone rang, providing a welcome distraction. She opened her eyes. His lips continued to skim across hers. With trembling hands, she picked up the receiver.

“Hello.” Her husky voiced sounded strange, even to her. No one spoke, but the line remained open. “Hello,” she said again. Still no one answered.

She caught her breath. With a lump in her throat, she wiped her palms on her jeans, hung up, and pulled away from Steven.

He reached up and stroked her hair, smiling. That impish, sexy smile she had grown to love. “We better eat.”

She nodded, afraid to speak.

The next evening after dinner at Lisa’s, they walked through the yard. She enjoyed these family dinners. They felt safe. Suddenly, she froze. Tony strutted up her drive toward her. An ache formed in the pit of her stomach.

“Christine, I knew I’d catch you at home.”

It seemed like an hour before she regained her composure. Everything seemed to move in slow motion. What was he doing here? What did he want? Why now when she finally put her life back on track and met someone she cared about? And what did he mean he knew he’d find her at home? Didn’t he think she had a life? Of course he didn’t- this was Tony.

“Um, Tony, this is Steven Payton, Derek’s uncle.” Now why had she said that? Why the need to explain. Christine looked from one to the other. “Steven, Tony, Lisa’s father.” Her voice sounded hoarse, like it belonged to someone else. Why did she suddenly feel guilty? She swallowed back the lump in her throat.

Steven shook Tony’s hand and turned to her with smoldering eyes. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” His voice sounded low, almost seductive, and she shivered.

She took Steven’s hand, willing him to stay, but he said goodnight again and left. Fury at Tony and disappointment intensified the pain in her stomach.

Tony led her to the door, waited for her to open it, and followed her in.

* * * *

Steven didn’t like this. Didn’t like the way Tony assumed he was welcome. Jerk didn’t even apologize for intruding. And why had Christine introduced him as Derek’s uncle. Maybe he hadn’t made as much headway as he thought. He didn’t much care for the way Christine looked at Tony either. Hell, nothing good could come of this. He crossed the yard, resisting the urge to look back. Maybe he should have stayed. Why had he been so impulsive? Hell, he had as much right to be there as Tony. Maybe more.

* * * *

“What brings you to this side of town, slumming?” Without waiting for his answer, Christine went to the kitchen.

Tony followed and leaned against the counter. The light cast golden flecks in his brown eyes. Eyes she used to love.