Surrendering To His Mrs. Right (Soul Food Diner) (5 page)

If this was a game he wasn’t in the head space for
it. “That depends.” Celia had reeled his mind full of false guilt to trap him.

“On what?” Her brow creased.

This was one area where he never left room for confusion. “Did you lie to me?”

She lowered her head and shook it. “No.”

That was good. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t mocking him. “Did you say those things to try to have me act the part of a fool?”

“Heavens no.” She shook her head vigorously.

That was encouraging. “Why are embarrassed today then?”

She wrapped an arm around her torso and pinched her bottom lip. “I don’t reveal much of myself to others, aside from Liam
, and I said way more than I should have. I say a lot of outlandish stuff at times but friends are used to me. Usually it’s never personally revealing though.”

“Indy, I want you and I to be friends. You don’t have to have your guard up around me. I want you to be yourself.” He stepped into her personal space. “What man wouldn’t be flattered that such an intelligent
and beautiful young woman was attracted to him? Only a fool.”

“Thank you, Tim.” She smiled. “I’m sorry.”

“Please don’t be.” If anything he was grateful. He’d spent the last week considering how he’d react if she had no interest in him when his own only seemed to grow by the day.

She strolled out to the car, and he followed behind
, watching her ass, which had just the right amount of firm roundness.

When they
got in the car, he turned on the ignition and headed out. “Liam called last night to give me his return flight info. The entire time he was so distracted, I’m not sure why he bothered to call.”

“I know he’s your brother but sometimes he is such a dick.” It would appear it was more than his call she was referring to.

Tim burst out laughing. “Nothing new to me, Indy. I still love him but he can be so hurtful. I hate to say it, but I think Mum doesn’t call him because he usually makes her cry.”

“I don’t let him get away with it.” Though she said that
, when he watched their banter at times it was obvious they both took it too far sometimes.

“Some people are more patient than others. Liam blames her for making him the keep
-the-marriage-together baby. I’m not saying she was right, but at some point he needs to let go of the poison.” Liam’s birth could never have saved their failing union, but knowing it had rested on his shoulders had hurt his brother.

“Liam thinks the hate he carries has kept him strong and in control,” Indy said.

“Control is an illusion needed by those who are afraid.” While he had only ever wanted was to love deeply, Celia choose deception and domination. She had believed withholding love was a way to control others.

“You’re thinking of her aren’t you?” She folded the straps of her purse.

Was he that easy to read? “Celia, my ex… Yes. She, my father and Liam have so much in common.” Once he’d come to that realization, she could no longer manipulate him so she’d dumped him for one of the professors desperate for the attention of a younger woman. “I would have married her.”

“Is marriage important to you?” she asked.

This was a road he’d heard her travel with others before. “I’m aware of your opinion on legally binding contracts between a man and woman. The faint echo of your father’s words resonates when you get all fired up about it.”

“Is it important to you?” she pushed.

“Yes,” he admitted.

“Why?” she asked.

At this point why did it matter to her? “It’s a commitment to the person I love.”

“So your word to that person isn’t good enough...” She cocked her head.

The defensive tone drove home where she stood regarding marriage. “If my word satisfied her then it would be.”

“Now that was easy.” She wiped her palms against each other in victory.

“I can be.” He chuckled. For the right woman he could be very accommodating.

She grinned and her gaze traveled down to his crotch, making him hard.

Did she know how much he wanted her? Maybe she didn’t know enough to get it yet. The physical desire inside him was growing, but so was something tender.

He needed to change the subject so he didn’t run around with a huge hard on. “So how does this last minute gift buying work exactly?”

“I guess that depends on the buyer really.” She shrugged. “I have a list of three or four items per-person. When I come across the gift, I remove them from the list.”

It wasn’t how he thought most last minute buyers went about it. “Sounds pretty reasonable to me.”

“Have you given more thought about the car you’re interested in?” she asked.

“Yes
, and I don’t know that I’m a car guy. Liam’s got his jeep and that’s too free-spirited for me but I’d like something other than a car I think.”

“A minivan with kids and a wife. Prefab
fam!”

“I know it’s going to sound pathetic to say yes to that but
…in a heartbeat.”

“Wouldn’t make mention of it on any first dates…”

“If I ever get a first date.” Women seemed to want to play this game where the man had to make all the moves. He had little interest in taking out some random looker. What if she was a nightmare all night? He was too polite to escape.

“Who have you asked?”

The sudden shift to his non-dating habits was jarring. “No one.”

“This might come as a shock but that’s problematic.” She
grabbed the strap of her purse.

He chuckled. “I
can’t say it’s a surprise. I have a hard time seeing women as interesting.”

“Another thing you shouldn’t bring up on a first date.” She shook her head and pressed her lips
into a line. “You’re kinda hopeless at this dating thing.”

“I guess I’m looking for things to happen naturally with someone I enjoy being around. I want a friend I can share everything with. Someone that makes me happy, not sad.” Perhaps that made him a simpleton but simple sounded like heaven to him.

“I think my parents have that.”

Tim nodded. From what he knew of Mr. and Mrs. Kent
, he would agree. His parents had once too but things changed. It was hard to know if it had all been an illusion or just time that did them in.

Indy sat across from Tim at the coffee table in the Boyd house.
Festive music played from the television radio station. It was strange, yet peaceful, to be there without Liam. She didn’t have to try to outshine the big ham.

“More wine?” Tim asked, getting up and heading for the kitchen.

The man had great body. “Yes, please.” Was it wrong of her to be looking at him like that when he’d always been Tim, the big bro to her best friend?

“The tree looks great by the way. Thanks for helping me put it up.” The big hunker took up a quarter of the room. It was crooked too, “If you hadn’t come over I probably wouldn’t have bothered.”

“It’s my pleasure. Christmas isn’t the same without a tree. My parents don’t usually let me help. They told me one day I’ll have my own tree.” She smiled. “Dinner was wonderful.” The man could cook a mean roast with potatoes and greens.

“I’ve got a surprise for dessert.” Tim poured into two glasses.

“You do?” What on earth could it be?

“I certainly do.”
The more time they spent together, the more relaxed he seemed. “I’ll switch on the coffee pot now.”

Being around him made her smile. It made her feel important. There weren’t a lot of empty words.

He came back with the glasses of wine then sat across from her. “For someone who does all her shopping last minute you came up with some great gifts.”

“Thanks.” She reached over and touched his forearm.

He covered her hand with his own before moving to the tape and wrapping paper. There was care in the way he touched her, in how he did everything, even packaging gifts.

The Otis Redding’s version of Merry Christmas Baby came on. She gestured for Tim to get up and dance with her. He smiled and joined her, slipping her hand into his. In step with her movements, he wrapped his other hand around her back and pulled
her closer. The scent of him was fresh like soap, never a fragrance. He lip-synched the lyrics to the song with her. Time seemed to slow in his arms. There was openness in his light blue eyes. He twirled her then once again tucked her close to him. Heat from his hard body against her flushed her cheeks. As the song wound down he dipped her before lifting her upright. They stared into each other’s eyes, catching their breaths. The coffee machine beeped.

“I should get our dessert.” He headed to the kitchen.

She nodded and sank into the sofa with a light heart. Then fear crept in. What on earth was she doing with him?

“What are you doing in there?” Afraid of the surprise
, and that everything happening between them was in her imagination, she pinched her bottom lip.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Do you need help?”

“Yeah, but not with this…” He chuckled. “Don’t you like to be surprised, Indy?”

She shook her head. “Unfortunately most of the ones in my life have been bad so I’ve been left with a fear of them.”

“I’ll change that.”

That was a bold statement for him to make but as he carried a tray to the dining room table, the soft scent of peaches reached her. “You didn’t.” She jumped to her feet.

“That depends what you are asking
.”

“Did you get peach cobbler?”

“Not just any ol’ peach cobbler. Bee’s, and her homemade ice cream too,” he said. “It wasn’t an easy task either.”

“When did you do this?” The
y’d spent very little time apart in the last two days.

“While you got your nails done late this afternoon. I called ahead while you were picking up some of your gifts. Since I’ve had peach cobbler I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it.”

She hugged him. “Thank you.” Might the same would be true after he tasted her?

“No. I’m the one that’s grateful to have you to share this with me.”

What other deliciousness could she introduce him to? There were some interesting things she’d read about and wanted to try with someone open enough to explore them with her.

They sat down across from each other.

“When you’re ready, I want to share my ideal mix of the flavors.”

After one sampling of the wonderful concoction he
’d already came up with his own mix. She put two sweeteners in her coffee. “I’m ready.”

With concentration
, Tim carefully blended the individual items that made up the peach cobbler. He brought the spoon to her mouth, and she parted her lips. Slowly he retracted the spoon. She shivered. Would he take his time if she were tasting his cock? Let her savor every inch of him. Heat pooled in her panties. She moaned.

“Mine is
similar to yours, but the top has a glazing of the melted ice cream combined with the brown sugar,” he said, eyes fixed to her mouth.

Was he thinking about kissing her or was he
imagining the feel of her lips lower on him, the way she was?

“Mmm. Very nice, Tim.”

“I learned from the best.” Warmth lit his face.

His words reminded her of how many times she’d thought of him teaching her how to
pleasure him. Slowly and patiently, he’d instruct her in how to prolong his build to release. He would do the same with her body. Build her up to madness then, when she couldn’t take any more, he would have her come for him while he tasted her. Her clit throbbed.

They finished their desserts and coffee, listening to the festive music.

Tomorrow was already Christmas Eve. “You’re coming to the Kent family barbeque, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.” He nodded.

“Good.” She felt a little dizzy and placed her trembling hands on the table.

“Are you all right?” he asked.

“Yeah, I’m just a little light-headed.” She put her head back on the chair and rubbed her forehead with her fingers..

Tim collected the dishes and brought them to the kitchen.

“Thank you, Tim.” What was a girl to do? On the one hand, she was enjoying the time she had with him but on the other she wondered what there could be with Liam if he gave her a chance “I’ll be more help next time I’m over.”

“You
’re always helpful when you’re over. Let me treat you like my guest.” Was he trying to highlight the differences between visiting him and Liam? “I like doing for others.”

There were more than a few acts she’d like him to do for her. One involved his face between her legs.

The phone rang on the stand behind her.

“Are you okay to get it?” Tim asked. “Otherwise
, let the machine pick up.”