pressing his lips against my ear. “Let me help you, Serena. I have business contacts everywhere. One call and they’ll send accounts your way. Would you like that?”
I closed my eyes and listened to his even breaths. His strong arms, steady and sure, made everything seem so simple. But Gram’s you don’t get something for nothing mentality and die-hard work ethic had instilled a self-determination I couldn’t ignore. It might take time, but my problems would get resolved, and I had to do it without people stepping in and rescuing me. In some way, maybe she’d see the granddaughter she raised as her own had learned a lot. Her fighting spirit a good one to emulate. “Never give up. Tackle one problem at a time, big or small. Challenges cultivate the soul, reaping a prosperous harvest.” Her words of wisdom came at the most unusual times, and encouraged and invigorated me.
A first-generation immigrant, she had many traditions and insights from her Welsh upbringing. She taught me the language and established customs I still followed. The dragon tattoo and quote on my back, a tribute and evidence of her influence. Her positive attitude became my anchor. She demonstrated what I strive to be: caring, compassionate, and independent.
Perhaps the charming man waiting for an answer entered my life to teach me a few things too. Unlike what I’d envisioned, his generosity and thoughtfulness blindsided me. Mylaynee had been right. He would take care of me, but I couldn’t let him.
“The Millers depend on me. They have three young kids, and it’s not easy to find someone else. Besides, I’ve been working for them a long time. When Gram passed, Mrs. Miller added more days to my schedule so I could make extra money. I won’t ditch them.”
“Let me make some calls then.”
God, I didn’t know why it felt so right to be with him, but it did. I set my hand on his cheek, brushing the stubble. His sincerity and heartfelt gaze formed a lump in my throat. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll handle it.”
His cell phone rang, and he silenced it.
“It’s okay. I have to get back to work. Take your call.” I gave him a peck on each cheek and went inside, sitting at the computer. I turned to grab the next folder, and Linc snuck in, planting another dizzying, lingering kiss on me. Phone extended away from his ear, the sing-song voice was unmistakable—B.B. She continued to talk, but I couldn’t make out the gibberish, because my Linc-addicted brain wiped her out.
I had to give him credit. He was thorough and gave more than he got. He rolled his tongue back and forth on the roof of my mouth and drifted it side to side, playing “tag, you’re it,” leading me on a wild goose chase. Every kiss upped the stakes and made me crave him no matter the cost. Maybe he should sell his carnal techniques on the black market. He’d never have to work another day in his life.
An annoying beep tugged me from the blissful moment. Instead of pulling way, Linc nibbled along my swollen bottom lip, nipped my chin, and pecked the ridge of my jaw on his way to my earlobe, where he flicked and sucked. Our bodies touched nowhere else except where his firm grasp molded my hands to the armrests. He took a step back, the dead call buzzing in the room stung and left a bitter taste in my mouth as he tucked the phone in his pocket all casual-like and smooth. That act produced a tsunami of clarity and perspective, slapping me out of my euphoria. My position in an awkward forming triangle, caught in-between Linc and B.B., caused me to squirm in my seat.
“Bring some clothes to my place.” As I watched him mosey out, the dull thud of the closing door replicated the sound that repeated in the room when I dropped my head on the computer desk. Another example of why I was born on April first. My middle name should’ve been fool instead of Angelique. One stupid move after another amplified the pit in my stomach. Dang it, I didn’t need any more
I closed my eyes and listened to his even breaths. His strong arms, steady and sure, made everything seem so simple. But Gram’s you don’t get something for nothing mentality and die-hard work ethic had instilled a self-determination I couldn’t ignore. It might take time, but my problems would get resolved, and I had to do it without people stepping in and rescuing me. In some way, maybe she’d see the granddaughter she raised as her own had learned a lot. Her fighting spirit a good one to emulate. “Never give up. Tackle one problem at a time, big or small. Challenges cultivate the soul, reaping a prosperous harvest.” Her words of wisdom came at the most unusual times, and encouraged and invigorated me.
A first-generation immigrant, she had many traditions and insights from her Welsh upbringing. She taught me the language and established customs I still followed. The dragon tattoo and quote on my back, a tribute and evidence of her influence. Her positive attitude became my anchor. She demonstrated what I strive to be: caring, compassionate, and independent.
Perhaps the charming man waiting for an answer entered my life to teach me a few things too. Unlike what I’d envisioned, his generosity and thoughtfulness blindsided me. Mylaynee had been right. He would take care of me, but I couldn’t let him.
“The Millers depend on me. They have three young kids, and it’s not easy to find someone else. Besides, I’ve been working for them a long time. When Gram passed, Mrs. Miller added more days to my schedule so I could make extra money. I won’t ditch them.”
“Let me make some calls then.”
God, I didn’t know why it felt so right to be with him, but it did. I set my hand on his cheek, brushing the stubble. His sincerity and heartfelt gaze formed a lump in my throat. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ll handle it.”
His cell phone rang, and he silenced it.
“It’s okay. I have to get back to work. Take your call.” I gave him a peck on each cheek and went inside, sitting at the computer. I turned to grab the next folder, and Linc snuck in, planting another dizzying, lingering kiss on me. Phone extended away from his ear, the sing-song voice was unmistakable—B.B. She continued to talk, but I couldn’t make out the gibberish, because my Linc-addicted brain wiped her out.
I had to give him credit. He was thorough and gave more than he got. He rolled his tongue back and forth on the roof of my mouth and drifted it side to side, playing “tag, you’re it,” leading me on a wild goose chase. Every kiss upped the stakes and made me crave him no matter the cost. Maybe he should sell his carnal techniques on the black market. He’d never have to work another day in his life.
An annoying beep tugged me from the blissful moment. Instead of pulling way, Linc nibbled along my swollen bottom lip, nipped my chin, and pecked the ridge of my jaw on his way to my earlobe, where he flicked and sucked. Our bodies touched nowhere else except where his firm grasp molded my hands to the armrests. He took a step back, the dead call buzzing in the room stung and left a bitter taste in my mouth as he tucked the phone in his pocket all casual-like and smooth. That act produced a tsunami of clarity and perspective, slapping me out of my euphoria. My position in an awkward forming triangle, caught in-between Linc and B.B., caused me to squirm in my seat.
“Bring some clothes to my place.” As I watched him mosey out, the dull thud of the closing door replicated the sound that repeated in the room when I dropped my head on the computer desk. Another example of why I was born on April first. My middle name should’ve been fool instead of Angelique. One stupid move after another amplified the pit in my stomach. Dang it, I didn’t need any more
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