Lovin' Blue (7 page)
Authors: Zuri Day
13
“Yeah, man, I'll substitute for you. The practice lasts for how long?” Jansen turned off Imperial Highway onto Crenshaw, his eyes critically surveying the surrounding area even though he was off the clock. He subconsciously took in an old lady pushing a shopping cart, and two skimpily dressed teenage girls who laughed as they sauntered past a group of teenage boys. The group paused in their trash talking to ogle the goods on display before one began his plea to “get with that.” He then noticed another older man talking on his cell phone, standing off to the side, surveying the area every bit as carefully as Jansen watched him. Jansen was 80 percent sure that, if searched, the man would have a supply of drugs on his person. This assessment had nothing to do with the man's skin color or loose-fitting wardrobe, but rather came as a result of an intuition honed through years on the streets of Chicago's south side and the last four Jansen had spent in south LA neighborhoods.
“Hey, dog, you there? I need to know for sure you're down with this. For a lot of these boys, the league is all they have to look forward to.”
“I'm here, man. Got sidetracked while observing some suspect activity, that's all.”
“Where you at?”
“Crenshaw District.”
“Oh, well, I heard that. But like I said, practice starts at one o'clock and lasts for two to three hours. The boys have to present their reports to you before they're allowed to suit up. And by the way, one of the teams still needs a coach. We've been searching ever since my super's early and unexpected retirement. I still say you'd be perfect, even though I know your game is shot.”
“Aw, here we go.”
The two men who'd known each other for more than a decade talked another few minutes before his colleague had to take another call. Jansen continued toward his destination, thinking about his friend's last-ditch plea to get Jansen to coach the tenth citywide basketball team. Volunteering had always been an important component of Jansen's life. He regularly participated in EXPLORE and in Chicago he'd mentored a young man, Cameron, whose single mother, Nicki, struggled with keeping him on the straight and narrow. When he'd told the teen he was relocating, the boy asked if he could move to Los Angeles with Jansen. Telling him no was one of the hardest things Jansen had ever had to do. In the back of his mind, getting too close to the young men in this league was something Jansen feared. And Jansen Darrell McKnight didn't fear much.
Eden stood in the middle of her bedroom, second-guessing what a couple hours ago had seemed like a great idea. The plan had hatched itself in her brain after she'd finished a yoga workout at the Santa Monica studio and then decided to browse a mall and look for summer-clothing sales. Twelve years in DC had left her wardrobe heavily weighted on the forty-and-below side. Now that she was back in seventy-five-and-sunny-every-day LA, Eden realized she needed to cool down her clothes. She'd purchased a couple sun-dresses, short sets, and matching sandals and was on her way out of the mall when she passed Victoria's Secret. A cotton-candy-pink number in the window caught her eye. She'd immediately thought of Jansen. Now here she stood in her bedroom, feeling ultra-feminine, fairly feisty, but more than a little fearful, in a lacy top with satin boy-short bottoms, wondering if she really wanted to go through with the idea. The sound of the front door closing caused her to jump.
He's home.
Eden's hand went to her mouth as her heartbeat increased.
I'm not going to go through with this! What in the #$@! was I thinking?
But Eden knew what she'd been thinkingâabout this morning, and the kiss. The feel of Jansen's lips against hers, his tongue probing, claiming, hadn't been far from her thoughts all day. Sure, they'd regained their casual comfort while eating brunch and watching the movie. But Eden had sensed sizzling heat just under the surface of their calm demeanors. And she thought Jansen had sensed it, too.
He's home.
Eden's hand went to her mouth as her heartbeat increased.
I'm not going to go through with this! What in the #$@! was I thinking?
But Eden knew what she'd been thinkingâabout this morning, and the kiss. The feel of Jansen's lips against hers, his tongue probing, claiming, hadn't been far from her thoughts all day. Sure, they'd regained their casual comfort while eating brunch and watching the movie. But Eden had sensed sizzling heat just under the surface of their calm demeanors. And she thought Jansen had sensed it, too.
The refrigerator door closed. Eden turned and stared at the closed door. She knew Jansen's routine. When he came home, he walked straight to the refrigerator, pulled out a soda or beer, and drank it while watching some form of news: CNN, MSNBC, even FOX. After that, he'd head upstairs to take a shower.
That's it. I must have been crazy to even consider such foolishness.
Eden eyed the stretch yoga pants and strappy top she'd discarded before she'd taken a shower. She took a step toward the bed and a saner wardrobe choice but stopped as Jansen laughed at something he saw or heard on TV. His was a deep, rumbling chuckle that resonated through to one's bones and, in some cases, their punanasâa deeper version of the same laugh Eden had heard many times after Jansen had embarrassed her in one way or another.
That's it. I must have been crazy to even consider such foolishness.
Eden eyed the stretch yoga pants and strappy top she'd discarded before she'd taken a shower. She took a step toward the bed and a saner wardrobe choice but stopped as Jansen laughed at something he saw or heard on TV. His was a deep, rumbling chuckle that resonated through to one's bones and, in some cases, their punanasâa deeper version of the same laugh Eden had heard many times after Jansen had embarrassed her in one way or another.
And then she remembered why she'd thought her little scheme was a good ideaâthe dare. Even though she knew they'd both enjoyed the kiss, Eden also believed that at the end of the day Jansen's seemingly spontaneous come-on was actually a thought-out part of his plan to seduce her. And win. Again Eden thought of Jansen's competitive nature. She knew that during the few remaining days she was in Michael's house she couldn't let her guard down, even for a minute.
You'll come to the shooting range with me, learn how to handle a firearm, and I'll get to put my handcuffs on you . . . at a time that I design.
Remembering Jansen's prize if he won the dare spurred Eden into action. There was no way that she'd ever touch a gun, much less shoot one. Eden hurried out of her room and into madness. Just as she got into position, she heard Jansen's hard-soled shoe land on the first stair to the second floor. It was too late to turn back now.
You'll come to the shooting range with me, learn how to handle a firearm, and I'll get to put my handcuffs on you . . . at a time that I design.
Remembering Jansen's prize if he won the dare spurred Eden into action. There was no way that she'd ever touch a gun, much less shoot one. Eden hurried out of her room and into madness. Just as she got into position, she heard Jansen's hard-soled shoe land on the first stair to the second floor. It was too late to turn back now.
Jansen entered the guest bedroom and stopped short. He planted his feet wide, crossed his arms, and looked around. His eyes narrowed, looking in the direction of Michael's room, where Eden spent her nights. With one more look around the room, he sat on the bed, took off his shoes, and then walked into the master bath.
She heard the shower turn on, and Eden let out the breath she'd been holding. Again she wondered about her sanity as she huddled behind a row of sweatsuits in the guest rooms' walk-in closet. It had been pure accident that she'd hid behind the rack that held Jansen's clothes. Her tough luck; the woodsy, musky scent she'd smelled when he'd hugged her that first night now filled her nostrils. Eden took one last deep breath, slowly turned the knob, and exited the closet. She blinked several times, her eyes readjusting to the indirect yet bright sunlight that spilled in through the open blinds.
He's gonna know something's up, but I've got to close them.
Eden hurried over to the windows, closed the blinds, and then climbed into the bed that had been made with military precision. And, again, the smell of Jansen enveloped her. She tried to tamp down her nervousness, as well as the excitement building between her legs. But it was as if her body had a mind of its own. All she could think about was the fact that Jansen was mere feet away from herâwet, hard, and buck naked.
He's gonna know something's up, but I've got to close them.
Eden hurried over to the windows, closed the blinds, and then climbed into the bed that had been made with military precision. And, again, the smell of Jansen enveloped her. She tried to tamp down her nervousness, as well as the excitement building between her legs. But it was as if her body had a mind of its own. All she could think about was the fact that Jansen was mere feet away from herâwet, hard, and buck naked.
The water stopped. And so did Eden's breathing. Willing herself to breathe again, she took a deep, calming breath through her nose, slowly releasing the breath out of her mouth.
Ah, that feels better.
She took another one, and again. Eden imagined Jansen wrapping the towel around his waist, imagined his shock when he'd exit the bathroom and find her in the center of his bed. She almost giggled, but then movement behind the half-closed doors stopped her.
This is it! Remember, girl, you're in control. You're seducing him. Get him hot, and hard, and then run for the border. Five minutes, tops. You can do this.
Ah, that feels better.
She took another one, and again. Eden imagined Jansen wrapping the towel around his waist, imagined his shock when he'd exit the bathroom and find her in the center of his bed. She almost giggled, but then movement behind the half-closed doors stopped her.
This is it! Remember, girl, you're in control. You're seducing him. Get him hot, and hard, and then run for the border. Five minutes, tops. You can do this.
Seconds later, Jansen emerged from the bathroom, drying his still wet head with a towel. Which was why he didn't see the look of shock and awe in Eden's eyes before her hand clamped over her mouth. Too late, it didn't stop the gasp that sprang forth at the sight before her. By the time Jansen heard the sound and removed the towel from his face, Eden had scampered off the bed, run out of the room, and slammed her bedroom door. Jansen's deep, throaty laughter rang out, piercing the wooden door where Eden rested, willing her heartbeat to slow down.
Girl, what in the heck were you thinking?
“I wasn't thinking,” Eden whispered. She closed her eyes and viewed the image of what she'd seen, etched like a painting in her mind's eye. She'd often wondered what Jansen was working with, and whether he was all of what she'd heard other females brag about. Well . . . now she knew. And he was. Eden still didn't want to handle a gun. But Jansen's more personal weapon?
That
was another matter altogether.
Girl, what in the heck were you thinking?
“I wasn't thinking,” Eden whispered. She closed her eyes and viewed the image of what she'd seen, etched like a painting in her mind's eye. She'd often wondered what Jansen was working with, and whether he was all of what she'd heard other females brag about. Well . . . now she knew. And he was. Eden still didn't want to handle a gun. But Jansen's more personal weapon?
That
was another matter altogether.
14
“Eden.” The big smile on Jansen's face could be heard in his voice. He waited. Nothing but silence from the other side of the door. “Found a snake instead of a frog this time, huh, little girl?” Still nothing. Jansen tried the door. Locked. He wasn't surprised. Eden had run out of his room like her pants were on fire, but real-life flames couldn't have covered the creamy brown cheeks that winked from the bottom of those shorts. Nor could any fireman's hose douse the ardor that now hardened his shaft. His hastily donned shorts couldn't hide his desire. Jansen didn't care. Dare be damned, he wanted Eden Anderson. At this moment, in his mind, all bets were off.
Jansen leaned against the door. “Eden, open the door.” His voice was low and silky. He mindlessly massaged nine inches of pulsating flesh. “C'mon, now, baby girl. Quit playing.” He waited a beat. And another. “We're not kids anymore, Eden. And this isn't about the dare either. Let's stop denying what we both want. Did you hear me, Eden? I want you, too, all right?”
Eden sat in the middle of Michael's bed, chin resting on the hands that cupped her knees. They might not be children anymore, but right now Eden was feeling rather childish. Here she was, a grown-ass woman of thirty-four, acting out a dare, only to have her seduction plans blow up in her face. But one look at Jansen's glorious dick, swinging between his legs like a Louisville slugger, and rational thought had fled Eden's head, along with what she thought had been a well-thought-out plan. In her mind, the scenario was supposed to have played out a different way. . . .
Jansen would walk out of the bathroom, the towel
secured firmly
around his waist. He'd see her sitting in the middle of the bed and stop, shocked. He'd take in her silky hair, loose and hanging around her shoulders, the creamy orbs teasing above her lacy pink top, and be mesmerized.
secured firmly
around his waist. He'd see her sitting in the middle of the bed and stop, shocked. He'd take in her silky hair, loose and hanging around her shoulders, the creamy orbs teasing above her lacy pink top, and be mesmerized.
Eden had planned to run her fingers through her hair while looking at Jansen seductively. “You want this,” she'd purr.
“Yes,” he'd whisper.
“Well, come and get it.”
She envisioned Jansen taking one step and then another, crawling onto the bed from the end of it, invoking images of the panther he reminded her of. And just when he reached her, and closed his eyes for a kiss, she'd scamper out of the bed. “I'm not seducing you, am I?” she'd ask, flinging the question over her shoulder as she sauntered to the door. She'd give Jansen a peak of her goodies before walking to her room, falling across her bed and reveling in her victory.
The reality of what happened hadn't resembled her vision at all.
“Eden.” Jansen waited a couple more seconds and then walked away. She heard his footsteps as he walked downstairs.
After waiting a few more seconds, Eden got off the bed, shed the skimpy pink short set, and donned jeans and a cotton blouse. At six PM, it was still hot outside. Shorts and a tank top would have been more appropriate. But after being exposed to Jansen's bedroom eyes (and by the teasing manner in his voice, Eden knew he had seen a fair share of her backside), she wanted to cover up as much as possible. Right about now, she would have worn a Quaker's dress if she'd had one. And put on the bonnet, too! Eden put on earrings, slipped into her sandals, and reached for her purse. She didn't know where she was going, but she was definitely putting some distance between herself and her temptation.
I can't wait to get out of here. That's it. I'll go to the house. If the gods are kind, the contractor will tell me it's ready and that I can move in tomorrow.
Eden was filled with optimism as she bopped down the steps and out the door.
I can't wait to get out of here. That's it. I'll go to the house. If the gods are kind, the contractor will tell me it's ready and that I can move in tomorrow.
Eden was filled with optimism as she bopped down the steps and out the door.
Four hours later, Eden eased into Michael's driveway, feeling much better after dining at her favorite eatery, RFD, and taking in an art flick at Laemmle Theatres. She'd thoroughly enjoyed the Swedish flick with English subtitles from Stieg Larsson's best-selling
Millennium
trilogy. The movie provided a perfect escapeâgetting caught up in the thrill of the chase as the heroine in the movie worked to clear herself of a murder charge was exactly what she needed. But thinking of the movie title,
The Girl Who Played With Fire
, reminded Eden of how she'd done the very same thing just that morning and had almost gotten burned.
Millennium
trilogy. The movie provided a perfect escapeâgetting caught up in the thrill of the chase as the heroine in the movie worked to clear herself of a murder charge was exactly what she needed. But thinking of the movie title,
The Girl Who Played With Fire
, reminded Eden of how she'd done the very same thing just that morning and had almost gotten burned.
Jansen's SUV wasn't in the driveway.
Good, he's gone.
Eden smiled. Then she thought of where he could be. Visiting his mother? Hanging with the boys? Or was his snake languishing in someone else's garden? Eden's smile faded. She didn't even want to think of someone else licking on that gigantic Tootsie Roll. “It's none of your business,” Eden mumbled to herself, opening the door and then locking it behind her. “A few more days, and you're out of here.” Eden ignored the fact that this thought didn't make her feel better.
Good, he's gone.
Eden smiled. Then she thought of where he could be. Visiting his mother? Hanging with the boys? Or was his snake languishing in someone else's garden? Eden's smile faded. She didn't even want to think of someone else licking on that gigantic Tootsie Roll. “It's none of your business,” Eden mumbled to herself, opening the door and then locking it behind her. “A few more days, and you're out of here.” Eden ignored the fact that this thought didn't make her feel better.
Eden fixed herself a smoothie, went to her room, and pulled on the pair of safe, cotton pajamas she'd purchased between her home visit and the show. Then she pulled out her phone. She knew she'd missed a couple calls while in the theater and had gotten caught up in an NPR talk show on her way home. Even though it was the weekend, she hoped one of the calls was a potential employer. She'd sent out several résumés over the last few days but so far had no responses. She'd planned financially to handle four to six months without employment, but Eden knew that getting back to work wasn't just about the money. It was about reestablishing a life for herself and not having so much time on her hands.
After scrolling through the missed messages, she hit her phone's fave list. “Hey, Mom.”
“Hey, Eden. What's up?”
“Nothing, returning your call.”
“Oh, I didn't want much; just checking in. Is Jansen still staying there with you?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Because I want to know, that's why! Don't get all huffy with me, girl. You're too grown and too far away for me to put on punishment, but I'm still your mother.” Phyllis chuckled, reveling she wasn't half as mad as her words implied.
“I'm sorry for snapping, Mom. It's been a long day.”
“What's been so long about it?”
Jansen's snake.
“Oh, just preparing to move into my place. I went by there today. Overall it's looking good, and the new kitchen and master suite will be fabulous. I can't wait to move!”
“Oh, just preparing to move into my place. I went by there today. Overall it's looking good, and the new kitchen and master suite will be fabulous. I can't wait to move!”
“Why, so you can use your new gourmet stove or so you can get away from a different kind of heat?”
Eden pulled the phone away from her ear and looked at it, puzzled. What was her mother implying? Phyllis Anderson always did have that thing her grandmother called “mother wit”âwhat others called intuition. As much as she tried to hide her feelings, Eden's mother always seemed to know what was going onâlike when Eden had called, crying, to tell Phyllis she was getting divorced. She couldn't get the words out. But her mother knew. “You're better off without him,” she'd said amid her daughter's tears. Eden's healing began in that moment.
But there were moments when Eden didn't want her mother all up in her business. Now was one of those times. “You're going to love my range, Mom! It's self-cleaning, with a grill in the middle, all stainless steel. In fact, my whole kitchen is stainless steel, and my cabinets are this deep red cherry wood. The countertops are black granite. That seems dark, huh? But it really isn't because the walls are ivory, and there is track lighting. It looks like a kitchen you'd see on HGTV!” Eden knew she was rambling but hoped mentioning one of Phyllis's favorite shows would throw her off the Jansen track.
“Sounds like you might be planning some romantic meals for two,” Phyllis continued in that calm, I'm-your-mother-and-I-know-it-all voice. “Do I know him?”
“Okay, Mom. Obviously you're getting at something. Out with it.”
“I talked to Kathryn today. She said Jansen stopped by the house and mentioned how fine you'd gotten over the years. Told her you weren't the weed he used to tease back in the day. Kathryn said he had that look in his eye when he was talking about you, like he was digging you or something. Is Michael's best friend getting ready to be my son-in-law?”
“Mom! Are you serious? Jansen tells his mother I'm cute, and you think it's time to shop for a dress with a veil?”
“For something that's no big deal, to hear you tell it, you're getting pretty riled up.”
“I am not.”
“You are, too.”
Eden bit her lip to end the argument. She was getting riled up, and she knew why. She was trying to convince herself that Jansen was just an old acquaintance who happened to be her brother's best friend. A guy with whom she had no personal feelings or romantic connection. The guy from whom Eden would be glad to put some distance, except Eden knew it was closer to, not farther from, Jansen that she'd like to be.
“I'm kinda surprised you and Jansen never dated,” Phyllis continued in the same casual tone as one would use to discuss the weather. “He's always been a good-looking boy. And while I know he was wild back in the day, I always thought he had a good heart. It's been almost five years since your divorce, Eden, and in that time I've rarely heard you mention a man's name. Now, maybe Jansen isn't the one, but I think it's time you entertained the idea of having a serious relationship again.”
“Mom, Iâ”
“I know, Eden. It's hard to put your heart out there again, to risk being hurt or rejected. But the possible rewards outweigh those risks. You're still young, vibrant, a lot of life ahead of you. Don't you want to spend it with someone? Have children? I never thought I'd be almost sixty years old and still waiting for my first grandchild!”
“Michael's older than me,” Eden readily countered, jumping at the chance to take Phyllis's mind off her daughter's single status. “I think he's the one you should be talking to about settling down.”
“When he gets back here, maybe I will. But it's you on the phone right now. I want to see you happy, baby. And while it's true that you don't need a man to enjoy life, they can be pretty nice to have around. Especially a caramel candy like Jansen.”
“Mom!”
“Kathryn e-mailed me a recent picture of him.” Eden listened, speechless. “Honey, if I had a little cougar in me, I'd go after that boy myself!”
“Mom! Okay, really, this is too much information . . . okay?”
“Okay, baby,” Phyllis said, laughing. “I guess I've shocked my daughter enough for one day. But because your mouth is already open, let me drop one last tidbit before you close it.”
Eden closed her eyes. “I'm almost afraid to hear it.”
“I've met a man. We're dating.”
Eden's eyes widened. Had she heard correctly? As far as she knew, her mother hadn't dated anybody since her divorce years ago. Her father had gotten married two years later to the woman with whom her mother believed he had been having an affair. But Phyllis had seemed content to work, hit the casinos every now and then, and take care of Grandma. Phyllis Anderson? Dating? It was all too much.
“Eden, are you still there?”
“Yes, Mom, I'm still here. I guess you can tell I'm shocked.”
“Me, too!” Phyllis chuckled and shared a bit about her beau with her daughter.
Eden relaxed as her mother recounted how she'd met Larry Bates and how their meeting for coffee at Starbucks had turned into a date that lasted five hours. Eden walked downstairs as she listened, laughing as her mother described trying to get into a Spanx Bodysuit for their second date, and how her refrigerator was now full of Jenny Craig, Lean Cuisine, and flavored water.
“You sound happy, Mom,” Eden said sincerely as she leaned against the counter and munched on a bowl of grapes.
“I am, Eden. Maybe that's why you and Michael have been so on my mind lately. I want you both to find your mates and be happy, too.”
Eden's response was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening.
“Is that Jansen?” Phyllis asked as if she could see through Eden's eyes.
“Yes.” All the tension that yoga had worked out of her body came back full force and settled around Eden's shoulders.
It's just Germy Jansen,
she told herself.
No big deal.
It's just Germy Jansen,
she told herself.
No big deal.
“Then, baby, I'd better let you go.”
“No, that's all . . .” The rest of the sentence died on Eden's lips as she realized the call had ended. She turned to find Jansen staring at her and knew for certain that things between the two of them were about to change.
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