Kiss Lonely Goodbye (9 page)

“So, call…” Helena rested both elbows on the table. “I'm sorry, what was his name again?”

“Nice try.” Nicole put away her cell phone. “Cancel the suite. We're going to enjoy my huge flat screen television tonight. Uncle Hosea has a fabulous video collection.”

“Are you sure?” Francine exchanged a glance with Helena.

“It's settled. Now I say we get dessert to go. I'll fix coffee, and we can indulge while we watch movies.” Nicole waved for the check. Maybe this was a sign that snuggling with Marcus was a bad idea anyway.

M
arcus hit the button of his cell phone. He tossed the shirt he was holding back into the closet and went into the living room. So much for choosing the right look. Irritated with himself for being irritated, he plopped onto his sofa and grabbed the television remote.

“Sounded like an excuse to me.”

Maybe the lady got cold feet. Then he had a second, less appealing thought as TV channels whizzed by. Another man. Nicole was beautiful, smart, and not the type to swoon over any male. Not that Marcus was being egotistical, but since his days as a popular football player in high school attracting females hadn't been a problem. For most of his life he'd merely had to show up and ladies indicated their interest. Sometimes their attention could be a real pain. For that reason, and the fact that he just wasn't on fire for romance, Marcus had taken a break from the mating dance. He'd been content for the last couple of months, until Nicole had blown into his life like a Louisiana hurricane. He tossed the remote
aside after settling on an action movie. The sound was muffled so he could think.

“Wonder who?” he said and rubbed his jaw.

She couldn't have had much time to mix and mingle, not with the hours she'd been putting in. Marcus got up for a glass of imported beer. While in the kitchen he grabbed a bowl of mixed nuts. He munched, poured, and thought some more. Nicole had a lot of guts to go with her smart mouth, he mused. Remembering the way her eyes would sparkle after she would make a tart comment, he smiled.
Fact is, man, you like it.
With a sigh he padded back into the living room of his condo. He sat down with the bowl in his lap and put the mug of beer within easy reach. Only a few days ago he'd found such an evening to be a treat. Instead the muscled movie hero was getting on his nerves. For some insane reason he kept wondering what kind of man she might be with tonight. When his cordless phone rang, he snatched it up.

“Come out to play, old man,” Shaun quipped into his ear. “Can't believe you're home alone on a Friday night.”

“Me either,” he grumbled back.

“Hey, I've got a cure for the solitary blues. I'll swing by with two lovely ladies and—”

“No,” Marcus cut him off. The idea left him cold.

“Listen to your partner, man. I'm into quality. This girl I'm dating, Lisa, has a friend.”

“I said no.”

Shaun hissed into the receiver. “Look, she's the right temperature. The girl's on fire and she's almost done. Now you and me could—”

“We must have a bad connection, 'cause you didn't hear me say no twice,” Marcus said louder.

“What's up with you?” Shaun's voice went deeper with concern.

“I'm watching a movie,” Marcus replied mildly.

“That's not what I mean and you know it. Okay, I'm coming over.” Shaun hung up.

Marcus thought about calling him back, but the truth was he could use the company. He blotted out thoughts of Nicole and tried to get interested in the movie. The overly muscled hero tossed bad guys around like toothpicks. Cars blew up. Buildings burned. All in the cause of truth and justice. Even a buxom brunette in a wet T-shirt didn't register on Marcus's radar. His thoughts kept making a U-turn back to Nicole. When the chimes sounded, he unlocked the door and headed for the kitchen for another beer without looking back. He heard the door shut again with a thud.

“Nuts on the table,” Marcus said over his shoulder.

“Thanks, but I prefer popcorn.”

He spun around to find Nicole dressed in jeans and a ruby red v-neck cotton shirt. She wore open-toe denim sandals that displayed her crimson toenails perfectly. Her hair was pulled back, but only loosely, with tendrils trailing to her shoulders. The picture was completed with large shiny silver hoop earrings, a bangle bracelet on one arm, a silver watch on the other, and rings on the middle finger of each hand. He knew all this quickly because his gaze swept her from head to toe. Nicole smiled at him. In fear that he might be drooling, Marcus wiped his mouth.

“I thought you had plans,” he said.

“My sister and cousin made other plans.” Nicole shrugged. “So, here I am.”

“This is a real surprise. I was expecting someone else.”
Stop babbling, fool!

Her smile wavered. “Sorry. I shouldn't have presumed you wouldn't make other plans of your own.”

“No, no. Not a date. My buddy Shaun is coming over.”
Marcus blinked rapidly at the realization. Damn! Shaun would find her here.

“Maybe I'd better leave.” Nicole turned to go just as the chimes rang again. “Oh-oh.”

Marcus grabbed her arm and started toward the bedroom. “This way. I mean, don't you think it would be better if—”

“Yes. This complication we don't need.” She scurried down the hallway, then stopped. “Hey, this is kinda exciting. I've never had to sneak around with a guy before.”

Marcus laughed out loud, then stifled it. “Stop being a little brat and go!” he whispered.

“Say, man, this isn't funny,” Shaun called through the door.

“I was in the bathroom,” Marcus yelled back and waved at her to keep going. Her soft giggle as she closed the bedroom door sent electricity zigzagging up his spine.

“Finally,” Shaun complained when Marcus let him in. “Good thing I wasn't being pursued by bloodthirsty muggers.”

Marcus yawned. “I'm whipped. Truth is, I plan to be asleep well before the midnight hour. How are ya?”

“Worried about my slick partner.” Shaun's thick black brows pulled into one line.

“Thanks, Mama, but I don't need to be tucked in,” Marcus cracked.

“Ha-ha.” Shaun strolled in and sat down on the sofa. “We're overdue for a serious talk. I'm truly concerned.” He nodded for Marcus to sit, too.

Marcus suppressed a groan of frustration. He sat on the edge of the large chair facing Shaun. “I'm okay. Like I said, just tired from working overtime.”

“Which is what I'm talking about.” Shaun waved his arms in a circle. “We've been through a lot, right?”

“No trips down memory lane, please.” Marcus glanced toward the bedroom. “We'll be here all night.”

“Just listen. You're working to make somebody else rich. Now I say—”

“I've heard it before,” Marcus cut him off quickly. “Now you listen, I've had a long week and I don't want to hear another lecture.”

Shaun put both hands on his hips. “What's up with you? I mean, I understand you left the old neighborhood behind. But it looks like you're trying to kick your old friend to the curb, too.”

“I appreciate your concern. I really do.” Marcus put a hand under Shaun's elbow and lifted him up.

“Yeah, well I don't feel appreciated.”

“Let's get together Sunday for a run through the park. Breakfast is on me. How's that sound?” Marcus patted his shoulder.

“Like you're trying to get rid of me,” Shaun retorted.

“Don't get paranoid on me. You sound like some of my old girlfriends.” Marcus laughed while he turned the big man around and pointed him toward the door.

Shaun walked ahead of him. “There's something going on and you best believe I'll find out about it.”

“Yeah, yeah. I'll see you Sunday.” Marcus kept a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Ah-ha! The first clue.” Shaun veered away and snatched up a small blue object. “You got a woman in here.”

Marcus stared at the denim-and-leather purse Shaun waved in the air. He took a deep breath. “So, the last thing I need is company. Right?”

“Right, right.” Shaun turned the purse over in his hands. He read the gold initials engraved on the fastener holding the purse closed. “NSB.”

“Shaun, it's time to go,” Marcus said through clenched teeth.

“Who—” Shaun looked up at Marcus. “Your boss lady!”

“Say it a little louder, I think somebody in California didn't hear you.” Marcus yanked him farther away from the hall leading to his bedroom.

“Oh man, you're my hero. I'm getting out of your way, master player. We'll talk Sunday.” Shaun's hazel eyes sparkled with excitement.

“Shaun, listen to me. I'm not—”

“Sunday, and don't leave out a thing!” Shaun winked at him, then hustled out.

Marcus raked his fingers through his hair in exasperation. He'd have to straighten Shaun out later. “Damn!”

“Hey, it's a nice color scheme in here, but I would like to come out sometime this year!” Nicole called.

“Sorry, uh, he's gone.” Marcus tried to regain his balance.

“I know. What's his name again?” Nicole strolled out. She glanced around the living room.

“Shaun Jackson, we grew up together.” Marcus rubbed his sweaty palms on his jeans. “You want something?”

She looked at him, a twinkle in her eyes. “Yes.”

Feeling like a kid on his first date, Marcus swallowed hard. The message in her gaze sent heat through his groin. “I meant to drink.”

“Diet cola, decaf if you've got it.” Nicole sat down on his sofa as though she owned it. She crossed her legs and smiled up at him.

“I'll check.”

Marcus went to the kitchen. In the few minutes it took him to get glasses and a tray, he regained his equilibrium. In his time he'd handled plenty of good-looking women who'd wanted to own him. Nicole was just the latest version, he told himself. Sure her eyes were a brown he hadn't seen before. Hints of burnished gold gleamed bright when she laughed.
Then there was the way her mouth curved up at one end when she smiled. Or the way she walked with her shoulders back and head up, like a queen who stepped right off the painted walls of an Egyptian pyramid.

He grabbed a paper towel and dabbed sweat from his forehead. Okay, so maybe she's above average. Still no reason to stumble around like a moron. Marcus took a cleansing deep breath, arranged the tray, and walked out of the kitchen. By the time he arrived in the living room, he was wearing an easy smile.
Keep cool. She showed up here for a reason. You're in control.

“I didn't have decaf cola, so I brought you a Sprite instead. Hope that's okay.” Marcus put the tray on the cocktail table.

“I like Sprite, thanks.” Nicole helped herself to a handful of nuts. “These are good. Sorry I chased your friend away. I should have called first.”

Marcus sat down across from her and grabbed nuts from the bowl. The lady was used to having her way. He'd have to do something about that. “Yes, you should have.”

“Well, you sort of implied I was rude to break our—What was it exactly?” Nicole gazed back at him calmly.

Damned if he didn't find the lady intriguing. Marcus couldn't take his eyes off the silken brown skin of her upper arms. When she raised the glass to her lips, Marcus felt a sharp thirst no soft drink would satisfy. He rubbed his mouth and watched her throat work.

What was going on with him? He had a strict rule. Any woman who showed up on his doorstep unannounced would have been gone by now, no exceptions. Yet here he was serving her like she had an engraved invitation. She lowered the glass and gazed at him. Any thought of tossing her out went up in smoke.

“You tell me,” he replied softly.

Nicole blinked rapidly as though stumped for an answer. She looked away and lifted a shoulder. “I'm not sure yet.”

She put her glass on the table and stood. Marcus watched her as she walked to his entertainment system. Nicole ran her fingers over his collection of vintage vinyl records from the fifties, sixties, and seventies. Marcus smiled at her bid for a chance to recover.

“Like my collection?” After grabbing a few nuts from the bowl, he walked over to join her. “My grandmother gave me those.”

“You're a Buddy Guy fan? Me, too!” Nicole picked up a CD and read the cover copy. “I would have guessed you were strictly hip-hop-generation vibe.”

“I see. You know I grew up in the Fifth Ward. I'm from the ghetto, therefore I love rap music,” Marcus said.

Nicole had the decency to blush. “
No.
That's not what I meant at all.” She avoided his gaze and fingered the rack of compact discs.

Marcus gazed at her without speaking for several seconds. He popped a few pecans into his mouth and chewed slowly. As the silence stretched, she fidgeted. Marcus enjoyed seeing her squirm. She looked even more delectable, if that was possible. Obviously it was, he mused.

“So, what did you mean?” he finally said.

She appeared engrossed in the rack of compact discs on the shelf. “Nothing really. I happen to like hip-hop myself.”

“Cool. Even the rich can get down and jam with the community,” Marcus teased. He crossed his arms and gazed at her, head to one side.

To her credit, Nicole rallied. She went back to the sofa and sat down. “Thank you, mister Def Comedy Jam.”

Marcus laughed. Nicole wore a Drop Dead message in her
eyes when she looked back at him. “Okay, let's play nice. No social commentary,” he offered.

“Agreed.” Nicole's full lips curved up at one corner as she held out her right hand. “Shake on it.”

His smile froze. Her fingers were tapered and tipped by bright red fingernails. He could easily understand why a man would bend and kiss such an offering. His pulse raced as he walked to her. Each step that brought him closer seemed to be in slow motion. Marcus felt a flood of desire when his large hand closed over her slender one. Nicole stood up as though he'd lifted her from the sofa. Maybe he had. Or maybe he'd willed Nicole nearer by the sheer force of his hunger for her.

Nicole closed the distance between them until their bodies touched. Marcus lowered his head, she lifted her mouth. He pulled her tightly against him. Her tongue teased his, the tip flickering along his bottom lip. Needing her filled his mind until there was no room for anything else, second thoughts included. His legs felt like rubber, so he eased her down onto the sofa again. They lay prone, exploring, testing and tasting each other. They kissed forever, or so it seemed. And still it wasn't long enough. He moaned deep in his throat as she pulled away.