Red Hots (28 page)

The
corners of Mr. Langston’s mouth drew in as the older man pursed his lips.

Not
so quick to agree with that, I see.

“How
did you and my daughter meet?” Mr. Langston laced his fingers together in his
lap.

“Through
her best friend, Emmalee.”

“Emmalee,
an extremely bright woman. She has made her parents very proud with her career.
What was it, some sort of dinner party?”

Fishing
for answers?
Masaun
wondered how much Kindle has shared with her father. It had been almost a week
since he’d seen her last. With the news all over the media, he was sure her
father had called her right away.
What had Kindle told him or had she been
avoiding her father as well?
That would explain why the man seemed to have
so many questions. “I won’t go into details of the particulars of mine and Kindle’s
relationship. I will leave that for your daughter to share what she is
comfortable with, if she hasn’t already.”

Mr.
Langston turned his head and gazed toward the bookshelf lining his wall with
various academia textbooks then he glanced back at Masaun. “So, if you’re not
here to share the sordid details of your association with my daughter, let’s
get to the reason you have driven from Virginia Beach to Williamsburg?”

“I
plan to marry your daughter.”

“I
hope this wasn’t your attempt at getting my approval?” The man eyed him across
the desk.

“No.
I stopped seeking people’s approval about my decisions a long time ago.” Masaun
held his gaze. “You don’t know me. However, I hope one day as you see the way I
treat and care for your daughter, that I make her happy, I’ll earn your
respect.”

“I
don’t give my respect easily, Mr. Hawkes.”

“Masaun,
please. I know you don’t, which means when I earn it, I’ll value the honor.”

The
older man, who held no strong resemblance to Kindle at all, except in his pride
and mannerisms, stared at Masaun as if measuring the substance of man he was.
Not dissuaded, he held the older man’s gaze unwaveringly.

With
a sharp nod, the college Provost rose and moved around the desk as he extended
his hand to Masaun. “I can admire a man that doesn’t shy away from difficult
confrontations.”

Standing
up, Masaun claimed the handshake offered. “We both love Kindle.”

“I’m
beginning to see that. Does she know how you feel?”

“Not
yet. However, I plan to rectify that soon. I’d appreciate if you didn’t share
the information.”

Patting
him on the shoulder, Mr. Langston said, “It’s not my style to ruin a man’s
proclamation of affection.”

“Good
to know,” Masaun said as they parted. “Thanks for your time, Mr. Langston. I’ll
let you get back to work.”

The
older man walked with him to the door and took hold of the handle to open it,
but paused, “Call me Reese. If you’re making plans to be my son-in-law, why
wait to put away formalities.”

“Reese
it will be.” Masaun walked out, nodding at the secretary and the work study
student in the outer office. Soon he was on his way down the corridor toward
the parking lot. 

His
cell rang. Pulling it out of his pocket, he checked the display screen before
answering. “Hello, mom.”

“Hi,
sweetheart, how are my two boys? I can’t reach that baby boy of mine until
after sundown.”

“Sweet
has always been a night owl.” Debra Hawkes’ sweet voice always made him smile.
“We’re well. How are you and dad?”

“I’m
fine. Your father...”

His
feet halted as concern spread in his heart. ‘What’s wrong?”

“Oh,
nothing health-wise. It’s your father and his projects. You know how he gets
and now he’s decided the deck needs to be redone.” She sighed. “There’s a mess
everywhere and I know it will cost us a fortune if we have to call in the
professionals.”

Continuing
on his way, he said, “How about I come for a day to help out?”

“Oh,
Masaun. I knew twenty-three hours of delivery room labor would pay off.”

CHAPTER seventeen

Kindle’s
feet froze as she came around the corner from the staff parking lot and saw
Masaun standing a few feet from The Provost’s door. Her father’s office.

Even
just getting glimpse of his side profile, she knew it was him. No one else
caused her heart to immediately kick up to speed and her body to tingle. She
watched him talk on his cell phone and smile as he rounded the corner toward
the temporary guest parking area.

She
knew Masaun was aware her father worked at the college. Over the weeks they
were together, they’d shared a lot of things. So, this sixty mile trip wasn’t
by accident.

What
was he doing here? Did dad call him for a chat?

Even
if her father hadn’t come out and spoken with her about the news report, she
would not put it past her father to contact Masaun and attempt to send the Dom
packing. The thought of the two formidable males squaring it off make her pulse
race.

Masaun
hadn’t called her again, so he could not have been searching for her. Hell, she
hadn’t called him yet either, even after telling Emmalee last night that she
would take the plunge and put herself out there. Tell Masaun how she felt. Her
plans had not changed, but the last thing she wanted was to have that
conversation before her father’s office. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

A
few moments later, after speaking to Sherri, her father’s receptionist, and
meeting Abbey, the new school year’s work study student, Kindle entered her
father’s office. “Hi, Dad.”

Studying
some print out on his desk, her father glanced up, appearing shocked to see
her. “Kin?” Recovering, he smiled and rose.

Feeling
like a little girl in his strong bear hug, she kissed his cheek.

“You’re
here early.” He stepped back and glanced down at his watch. “I didn’t expect
you until much later tonight.”

“I
know. But I took off early from work to have dinner with my father.” Her
leaving at two had shocked her staff, but telling them she would be ending her
career at the CA office had knocked them all out of their chairs.

Chris
had pulled her aside and told her whatever she decided to do next to count him
in. She was humbled that the twenty-six year old researcher had let her know
that if she went to another practice, he wanted her to consider a spot for him.
She let him know that it was very likely she would not be able to pay him what
he made working for the city. He’d assured her it would be worth the pay cut.
They left the conversation there, without her giving him a definite answer.

Hell,
she was still trying to fill in the answers for herself.

Her
father was frowning at her, but didn’t lecture her about her career
responsibilities, instead he said, “That’s great. I just need to take care of a
few things. Can you wait for about thirty minutes?”

“Our
reservation at Aberdeen Barn isn’t for another hour.” She followed him toward
his desk and took the vacant seat as he sat back in his. Her mind could not
help but wonder if Masaun had occupied the same seat moments before.

Her
father was quickly immersed back in whatever he had been working on when she
walked in. Not wanting to disturb him, she sat quietly and mulled over the
decision about her own career she needed to make.

The
time in her father’s office reminded her of when she was younger and he’d be doing
business at his home office and she’d curled up with a book or her own homework
behind him on the small couch he had put in there for her. She and her father
didn’t have amusement park or family vacation memories, but she never doubted
his love and commitment to her. Unlike her mother.

Thirty
minutes later, her father rose with a stack of papers. “I believe everything
else will keep until tomorrow.”

She
didn’t attempt to remind her father that tomorrow was Saturday and the college
wasn’t even open. Because she knew he’d still come into work. She’d learned to
work a seven day work week from him. Years of keeping that kind of schedule was
part of the reason her father was on hypertension medication.

Standing
herself, she faced her father. “Dad, I’m resigning from the CA office.”

He
stopped before the door, still standing open as it had been when she entered.

“I
want to be shocked, but somewhere in my heart I feel like I saw this coming.”
Sighing, he glanced at her.

She
had prepared herself for his disappointed stare. However, the look in his
chocolate brown eyes was more acquiescent.

“I
know my decision disappoints you.”

Straightening,
he turned to her. “Does your decision have to do with any shame from the news
report? You stepped down out of fear of someone else winning over you?”

Insulted,
she stepped back, but kept her voice low, mindful of the open door. “No, Dad. I
know how it may look, but trust me when I say that newspaper article has
nothing to do with my choice. And I don’t have any embarrassment about my relationship
with Masaun. I saw him leaving your office.” She stared up at him. “Are you
humiliated by my activities?”

Taking
hold of her shoulder with his free hand, he gave her a direct stare. “You’re a
grown woman. A woman who has made a father proud in many ways. I may not
understand
anything
about you and Masaun Hawkes, but I know I raised a
smart and self-assured person. I have to trust your ability to live your own
life. Don’t live it for me.”

Unable
to restrain herself, she threw her arms around her father’s shoulders. “Thanks,
D-Dad.”

“I
love you, Kindle.” He squeezed her against his wide chest.

Twin
tears came out of her eyes and ran down her cheeks. “I love you. Thanks for
everything all through my life.”

Kissing
her on the side of her forehead, he moved away and pulled a handkerchief from
his suit coat pocket. “Now, let’s get to dinner so you can tell me what you
plan to do with the
rest
of your life.”

“I’ll
do that.” She took the white linen and wiped her face. “You have some
explaining to do as well.”

Both
his brows went up. “About what?”

“Mom
showed up at my door yesterday.”

He
groaned.

“Guess
I’m not the only one that will be on the hot seat, tonight.” She walked past
him through the door.

“I
still get dessert, right?” He followed after her.

~YH~

The
store was quiet when Kindle walked in. The smell of chocolate and candied
treats filled the air. The bell had chimed, but no one had come to the front of
the place yet, so she walked over to the few freshly made chocolates that were
still in the display case. It was late Saturday afternoon, and she knew they
would close soon. It had been the reason she chose to show up at this time.

“Welcome
to Decadent Treats.”

Turning
at the sound of the male voice, she saw a man coming from the back carrying a
tray, designed to fill with hand-crafted candy. The man was as tall as Masaun,
the same thick brown hair, except his was longer where Masaun’s was tapered.
Masaun’s uniform consisted of slacks, a tie, and a dress shirt while this man
wore jeans and a polo style shirt. No one had to tell her that this was Sweet,
Masaun’s brother. The younger man had the same commanding presence.

“Hello.
I’m looking for Masaun Hawkes.”

The
man set the tray on the down on the counter then came toward her. “Kindle
Langston.”

It
wasn’t a question, but Kindle still replied. “I am. Sweet, I presume?”

“Depends
who’s asking.” Standing before her, he nodded. “I finally get the pleasure of
meeting the woman that has my brother all tied up in knots.”

“Guilty…I
think.” She held her hand out.

Taking
it in a firm, but gentle grasp, he shook it and released her. “It is a
definite.”

The
man’s features were set in a serious mask. No smile greeted her as he spoke. He
reminded her of when she first met Masaun—too stoic for his own good.

“It’s
nice to meet you.” She didn’t want to debate her impact on Masaun’s emotions.
“I came by because I thought it was Masaun’s Saturday to work.” She shifted her
gaze toward the back hall, hoping to see Masaun coming through it. “I must have
got it wrong.”

“Normally,
it would have been his day to work but he went out of town for a couple of
days.”

That
caught her off guard. “Oh. Is everything all right?” She probably had no right to
ask, but the only thing she knew that would take Masaun out of the area was his
parents in Florida.

“Great.
He just went to help my father with some home repairs. He’ll be back tomorrow
evening.”

Now
that she had other aspects of her life in order, she was anxious to talk to
Masaun. With him out of town, she would be on hold for another twenty-four
hours. Her mind was spinning with ideas of how to present herself, to prove to
him that she was ready to make their relationship permanent. She had not
learned a lot about why Masaun went to see her father, but father did say that
Masaun cared a lot about her. That knowledge had given her hope. She hadn’t
blown her chances with him by her silence.

“Well,
it was good to meet you. I hope this will not be the last.”

“Doubtful,
if I know my brother.”

“Thanks.”
She started toward the door.

“Kindle.
I’m closing up in a few minutes, what do you say to me buying you a cup of
coffee?”

She
eyed him.

He
folded his arms over his chest. “Look, I have some time before I head to The
Dollhouse. If you’re not doing anything, it would give us a chance to talk.”

If
he’d smiled, even a little, it would have made her feel a little more at ease.
But, she also couldn’t deny the opportunity to gain an ally in her corner to
win over Masaun. A plan began to formulate in her mind. “I’d like that.”

“Good.”
He lowered his arms and reached for the empty plastic container.

“On
one condition.”

Arching
a brow, he pinned her with a look. “A submissive that negotiates. Hm,
interesting.”

“What
can I say, I’m a lawyer.” She smiled.

~YH~

“Kindle,
I need to talk with you.” Masaun sighed. He was thoroughly frustrated as he
pulled into the driveway at his house. “I think a little over a week is long
enough to give you time. You’re warned, Song Sparrow, if I don’t hear from you
tonight, your ass will pay the price.”

Pushing
the call disconnect button on his steering wheel, he shut off his car. He
decided to leave it in the driveway instead of parking in the garage. He’d give
Kindle a couple hours to contact him or he was going to her house. If she wasn’t
there, he would try her job and/or call Razor and have him ask Emmalee where
Kindle was. Her best friend would know.

Grabbing
his cell phone and carryon luggage from the seat beside him, he got out. He’d
enjoyed the day with his parents, but now that he was back, he was ready to get
things back on track with Kindle.

Frustrated,
he went inside his house and tossed his keys onto the coffee table. He’d had a
big breakfast with his parents, but now it was early evening and he considered
what to eat for dinner.

His
brother came to mind. It had been a while since they spent their day off
together. Pulling his cell phone out of his pocket, he called Sweet.

“Hell,
big brother, what’s going on? You home yet?”

“Yeah,
just walked in.”

“How’d
it go?” He could hear the television in the background, so Sweet was home.

“We
got the deck put back together. Not sure what dad was originally trying to do.”

“Considering
he was never the handyman type, there’s no telling. I’m sure mom is glad you
came to the rescue.”

“She
was pleased with the result.” Masaun decided to take his suitcase up and unpack
the things. “I made dad promise to call a repair company next time…every time.”

“Bet
that went over well,” Sweet grumbled.

Taking
the stairs two at a time, Masaun said, “Hell, we both got our stubbornness from
him, so you know it didn’t. But, he agreed anyway.” At the top, he turned to
the master suite. “What about dinner?”

Sweet
paused. “When?”

Masaun
frowned and entered his darkened room. “Tonight.”

“Tonight?”
Sweet repeated as if he didn’t understand the question.

“Yes.”
Not needing any illumination to find the lamp on his night stand, he headed to
it. “You have an issue with having a meal—”

The
words died on his lips as a scent caressed his nose—warm and floral. He froze,
because there was only one thing in his life that smelled so sweet and
intoxicating.