All I Want Is You (Kimani Romance) (6 page)

He blinked. “What?”

Monica shoved him toward the door. “I said get out!” She shoved him harder, as if trying to get rid of not only him, but also the feelings he had stirred up in her. “I thought you were different, but you’re just like all the rest. Did you enjoy your little game? Was it fun to mock me? It was like dressing up a dog, wasn’t it?”

JD widened his eyes, stunned. “That’s not what—”

“You knew in an instant whether the necklace would work against your friend’s long, smooth neck, how the earrings would dangle against her perfect jawline, but you had to try it out on me—the plain woman—so
you could laugh at the stark contrast.” She shoved him again.

JD stumbled back into the hallway. “Monica—”

“‘How could someone so ordinary, so sheltered, create such beautiful things?’ you thought. I know your type—arrogant and condescending. The world revolves around you, and everyone else should just get out of your way.” She tapped her chest. “I’m proud of my business. It may be local and small, but it’s mine and that means a lot. I don’t care what you think of it or me or about your big companies and fine women. You’re no better than—” She stopped before she said Anton’s name and steadied her voice. “I’m sorry I ever trusted you. It was a foolish mistake I won’t make again.” She slammed the door shut. JD swung it back open with such force she stumbled back and fell to the ground. He approached her and she held her hands up, ready to defend herself.

JD squatted in front of her, his gaze soft and his voice tender. “What the hell did he do to you to make you so afraid?”

Monica slowly let her hands fall. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes, you do. What’s his name?”

“It doesn’t matter,” she said, in no mood to argue with him. “It was a long time ago.”

“But you’re still afraid.”

“I’m not afraid. Just cautious.”

JD seized her arm and she screamed out in alarm. He immediately released her. “You call that cautious?”

“You surprised me, that’s all,” she said, embarrassed by her reaction.
He must think I’m crazy.

“I’ve never hit a woman in my life.” He nodded to his wound. “And trust me, I’ve had reason to.”

“It’s not that.”

He held out his hand. “Why don’t we start again as friends?”

Monica lowered her gaze.

JD dropped his hand. “For the last several days you’ve treated me like a pariah and I’ve left you alone, but we’ll be sharing this space for about two months. I’m not going to pretend that you don’t exist, and I want you to do the same.”

Monica scrambled to her feet and dusted off her dress, wishing he didn’t sound so sincere.

JD didn’t stand. He remained kneeling and looked up at her, bewildered. “I like you, okay? Really. It surprised the hell out of me, too. You’re not my type at all, but there’s something about you.” He shook his head, amazed. “I can’t explain it.” He rose to his feet. “I like you. It’s as simple as that, and if you gave me a chance I think you’d like me, too.”

Monica folded her arms and turned away. She did like him. That was the problem. She liked him more than she wanted to. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m just not used to this.”

JD walked up behind her, close but not touching. “I could make you get used to it real fast.” He slowly turned her around to face him. “I think you’re wonderful,” he said then his lips covered hers like hot caramel over ice cream, his bottom lip as soft as she’d remembered and as delicious as ripened strawberries. He sent her senses spinning.

Wonderful? He thought she was wonderful? No man had ever said that to Monica. To Venus? Yes. Always to Venus. As Venus she’d been called spectacular, exquisite, dazzling, gorgeous. Men had complimented her on everything from her eyes to her ankles. Adoration was a given, but after months living in this small town as Monica Dulane, not one man had complimented her or given her a second look, which was the way she wanted it to be.

JD had changed all that. Here was a man telling and showing her how wonderful he thought she was. Just the way she was. He wrapped his arms around her, pressing his solid form against her until she felt the evidence of his desire, and her own body grew warm and wet with wanting. Yes, she wanted him. She opened her mouth to receive him farther inside, and his moan of pleasure was all the encouragement she needed. Monica snaked an arm around his neck. “This is probably a mistake.”

“I don’t make mistakes, just calculated risks.”

“I’m a big risk.”

“I can take whatever you give me.”

“We’ll see about that.” She jumped up and wrapped both legs around his waist then covered his mouth again. He cupped his hands under her bottom and then her thighs, matching her passion with his own. She kissed a sensitive part behind his ear. He nearly lost his balance and fell against the wall. The impact made her head wrap come loose, but she didn’t care. She could ride him for miles.

Monica ripped open his shirt and took one of his nipples into her mouth and let her tongue tease it. And she
would have done a lot more, if her glasses hadn’t started sliding off her face. She quickly remembered where she was and
who
she was supposed to be: Monica. Shy, retiring Monica would not suck a man’s nipples and ride him like a bronco.

Monica abruptly pulled away and shoved her glasses back on her face, appalled by her behavior. “I’m so sorry.”

JD stared at her, startled and breathless. “About what? That was amazing.” His eyes scanned the length of her as though removing her clothing. “You’re amazing.” He pushed himself from the wall and walked toward her with purpose.

Monica took a hasty step back. “My God, what do you see?”

JD halted and furrowed his brows. “What?”

Monica threw out her arms, wanting to laugh. It was so absurd that this gorgeous man was attracted to her. She saw the night sky behind him and thought of A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Clearly a trickster was creating havoc in her life, just as he had in that play where the fairy queen fell in love with the ugly character Bottom. It was as if JD was under a spell. “Tell me what you see that’s so wonderful.” She let her hands fall. “I’m plain. I’m fine with that. I’m twenty pounds overweight—”

JD shook his head. “You’re not overweight. You’re just the right size.”

She ignored him. “I wear dull clothes, tinted glasses—”

“Why do you have to wear them?”

Monica paused, surprised by the question. Hadn’t Nadine told him? “I’m sensitive to light.”

“Even in the house? I could make the lights dim.”

She adjusted her head wrap. “I’m sensitive to all kinds of light.”

“Oh.”

Monica scratched her head. “Now what was I saying?”

“I don’t remember.”

She narrowed her eyes, catching his quick grin. “I do. I was talking about what you see in me. How we’re completely mismatched because I’m plain and—”

“So what?”

“What?”

“You don’t seem to care, so why should I?” He pressed a finger to her lips before she could argue. “Let me tell you what I see. I see a confident woman who can handle a rifle when she needs to. A smart woman who runs her own business. A talented woman who creates extraordinary jewelry, and a woman with lips that taste so sweet she leaves me hungry for more.”

His mouth covered hers again. She didn’t stop him. If he was under a spell, so was she. Delong had been her only lover and he’d been ardent and sensual, but he’d never made her feel like this.

JD’s lips slid to her neck. “I could strip you naked right now.”

“But you won’t.”

“I will next time.”

And she wanted him to. But not now. She had to plan it. She had to be careful. Monica drew away. “We’d better stop.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re scaring me.”

He stepped back, startled and concerned. “What?”

Monica shook her head, regretting her choice of words. “No, not you…I mean this. It’s all happening too fast.”

JD let out a deep breath. “All right, we’ll take it slow. Just give me a minute. Let the beast go back in its cage.”

“You call it a beast?”

“Only when it’s disappointed.”

She caressed his cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re not helping matters by touching me like that.”

She snatched her hand away. “I’m—”

“And don’t apologize again. I understand—I don’t like it—but I do.” He traced the pattern of her necklace with his finger. “It’s beautiful, but if I were to buy you jewelry, it would be a simple set of pearls—elegant, simple and exquisite.”

“You have a tongue made of honey.”

He winked. “You should know.”

Monica felt her face grow hot thinking of what his tongue had been up to, but she didn’t turn away. She took his hand. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

JD wasn’t hungry so Monica made a simple meal of a grilled cheese sandwich and bowl of tomato soup for herself. They went into the family room and watched a
NOVA
special. Although the program was interesting, JD seemed especially quiet. He stared at the screen but his attention seemed to be elsewhere. Was he brooding because she’d halted what they’d been doing upstairs?
She remembered that her husband could sulk for days if he didn’t get his way.

“Do you want to change the station?” she asked.

“No, it’s fine.”

She sighed. “I know you’re annoyed with me for stopping everything, but it really was moving too fast.”

He turned to her. “I’m not annoyed.”

Monica began to relax. “Then why have you been so quiet? What’s wrong?”

“I was thinking about Gran.” He hesitated. “I’m worried about her. She didn’t seem herself tonight, and I hated leaving her alone.”

“Invite her over for dinner tomorrow.”

He raised his eyebrows. “You wouldn’t mind?”

“Of course I wouldn’t mind. Why would I?”

“I know how much you like your privacy and space.”

“I’ve grown to love her. If it hadn’t been for her, I wouldn’t have a place to stay.”

JD leaned over and kissed Monica on the cheek then stood and pulled out his cell phone. “Thanks. I’ll call her right now.” He disappeared into the other room.

Monica touched her cheek like a moonstruck teenager who’d been kissed by a rock star. The feel of his lips made her want to tell him the truth. “Monica?”

She turned and saw JD frowning, the phone pressed to his chest. “She won’t come?” she asked him.

He shook his head and his frown deepened. “No,” he replied. “It’s not that. She’s determined to be the one to cook dinner.”

Monica held out her hand. “Give me the phone.”

JD hesitated. “She’s stubborn.”

“And I’m no pushover.” Monica took the phone from him. “Nadine,
I’m
cooking dinner.”

“Do you like him?” Nadine asked.

Monica paused, shocked by the question. “What?”

“You heard me. JD. Do you like him?”

Monica glanced at him. “I can’t answer that right now.”

“He’s still there?” Nadine said with delight.

“We’re supposed to be talking about dinner.”

“Oh,” Nadine said with a dismissive tsking sound. “I only said I’d cook as an excuse to get you on the phone.”

“Nadine,” Monica said with warning.

The older woman giggled like a naughty girl. “He’s everything I told you and more, right?”

Monica decided to change the topic. “I heard that you weren’t feeling well.”

“Just a little bug. Don’t worry about me. It’s you two I’m concerned about.”

“Don’t be. We’re fine.”

“So you
do
like him?”

Monica sighed and glanced at JD. He smiled as if he knew—and expected—he would be the subject of their conversation. “Yes.”

“How much?”

“Nadine!”

“All right, I’ll find out later. I’m just glad you two are getting along. At first I was afraid, because—”

JD snatched the phone away from her. “Gran, are you talking about me?” He paused and wiggled his
brows at Monica. “I can tell because you’re making her blush.”

Monica held out her hand. “Give me the phone.”

He sat down. “We’re getting on just fine,” he said, pulling Monica down on his lap.

She tried to wiggle free but JD wrapped his arm tighter around her waist, trapping her. “No, we get on like two peas in a pod.” He held the phone to his chest. “Gran wants to know if we want blackberry or pecan pie.”

Monica glared at him.

He nodded as if she’d given him an answer and returned to the phone. “Make both. We’ll decide when you get here.” He stiffened and his voice suddenly changed. “What do you mean you’re not coming?”

JD loosened his hold on Monica and she jumped off his lap, yanked the phone from him and said, “Nadine, you’re coming tomorrow.” JD reached for the phone, but Monica held out her hand and said in a low warning tone, “Remember, I know how to use a rifle.”

“What?” Nadine said, alarmed.

“I wasn’t talking to you,” Monica said with a superior smile while JD returned to his seat.

“Good. I’ll see you two in a couple of weeks.”

“A couple of weeks? Why?”

“I just need some more time to get over this bug, and then it takes time for me not to still be contagious, so I should be all better by then. In the meantime you two can get to know each other a little more.”

Monica sighed. Her friend’s matchmaking effort was as subtle as a slingshot. “Nadine—”

“Talk to you later,” she said then hung up.

Monica disconnected the phone then shook her head. “You’re right,” she said, handing him the phone. “Your grandmother is stubborn. She’s not coming until Saturday—two weeks from now. She says she’ll feel better then.”

JD scratched his chin, concerned. “Maybe I should visit her tomorrow.”

“I think she’s trying to give us more time alone. Don’t worry. If she was seriously ill she would tell us, but she sounded like her old self on the phone.”

JD nodded. “You’re right.”

“What did you play for her?” Monica asked, wanting to remove the worried expression that lingered in his eyes.

JD stretched his arms the length of the couch. “The guitar.”

Monica looked at him, surprised. He seemed like the type of man who’d spend years learning classical piano or the violin, not an earthy instrument like the guitar.