Page 30 of Reckless Curves
He spoke from just behind her and she longed to turn into his arms. “I thought about my childhood and what I would have wanted and never had.”
She turned then and laid her hand over his and squeezed. He may not be honest about his feelings for her, but it was clear he wanted nothing but the best for their son.
Over delicious Chinese they made a list of what she was looking for in an apartment, as they looked at the rest of the listings.
“I would really love three bedrooms so I can have one as a music room, big enough to fit my piano. Fully air-conditioned would be luxury and some outside space for Connor.”
He remembered she had a wonderful voice. “What’s happening with your music?”
Her face flushed before answering his question. “It’s moving slowly but I’ve sold a few songs, mainly for commercials and I top up my money through doing piano lessons.” She hesitated but added, “I have told no one else yet, but a producer downtown is interested in some of my work and asked me to write a song for a well-known singer. If she likes it, then… I won’t be worrying about money for a while. It could be my big break.”
“Wow, that’s fantastic. It’s an indescribable feeling to achieve something you have always dreamed about and worked hard for.”
Her smiled disappeared. “Do you miss the racing circuit? You didn’t have to give it up just because Marcus could no longer drive.”
“It wasn’t the same without Marcus.”
“But I heard you had a huge offer from another racing team. Marcus thought you were nuts not to take it.”
That’s what everyone had told him, but he’d reached his dream because of Marcus, and his friend needed him. For a man of action, being told he might not walk again… Tom knew he had to give Marcus the will to fight.
He’d achieved all his dreams, the ultimate being helping Marcus win a Formula One World Drivers Championship. It wasn’t the same after he saw Marcus’s crash. He had seen the footage, and it wasn’t because of anything wrong with the car, but still he could not help feeling responsible. He realized perhaps after eight years on the circuit, his luck had run out and, like Marcus, it was time to come home.
He decided it was time to change the subject. “What about a pool?”
She pursed her lips making him want to taste them. “Perhaps. Although it needs to be properly fenced for Connor.”
Tom smiled to himself. Kendra was really enjoying this. Wait until she got to look at them in person. This might actually work. He knew for a fact the house across the road from his was up for rent. It had a wonderful backyard with a fully fenced off pool. He could imagine teaching Connor to swim. But he was jumping ahead of himself.
He couldn’t believe how relaxed she was in his company. She sat cross-legged on the couch, her laptop on her knee, going through rental listings. She looked adorable in her denim cutoffs and spaghetti strap top. A bead of sweat trickled down between her breasts and his eyes traced it, wishing he could lick it up with his tongue. The open window did little but let the warm air in. He really needed to move them to a better house and fast.
Glancing at Kendra, he caught her staring at him. She jerked her gaze away, but not before he saw the desire in her eyes.She still likes me.Pretending not to notice her preoccupation with him, Tom gathered up the remains of their take out.
“So, do we have some places you want to view?” he asked.
“How many can I see?” Kendra responded.
“As many as you like. You don’t have to settle. We’ll find someplace you really like, take your time.”
“Thank you.” She chewed her bottom lip and his groin tightened. “These look expensive.”
Facing her, Tom said, “You’re welcome. And remember, I have three years of financial support to make up for.”
Her expression tightened, and wariness entered her eyes. “Yeah. I guess so.”
He didn’t want her to withdraw because he’d raised the topic of money, so he sat down right next to her. Heat came off her, and the scent of fresh lilies wreaked havoc with his senses.
The proximity to her sinfully delectable body made him ache. Shoving that away as best he could, he asked, “Don’t let money come between us. We have more to worry about and if money raises its head, we might not stand a chance.”
Kendra smiled wryly. “I guess thisismore than about money. It’s about all of our futures, including Connor. But our relationship can’t just be about Connor. Why now? Why this desire to have a relationship with me? You must see how it looks.”
He felt the guilt flicker across his face and Tom turned away. “I suppose it is time for some truths to come out. I promised Marcus I’d stay away from you when we first met, and he was right to warn me off. We were both young, and you’d just beaten cancer… but the fact is, I liked you as soon as we met.”
Her eyes widened. “You did? You never said anything, and I chased after you like a bull after a red flag.”
Tom laughed and leaned back against the couch. “Marcus caught me eyeing you up and made me swear to stay away from you, so I couldn’t tell you.”
“He had no right to do that. I was old enough to make my own decisions.”
