Page 53 of Reckless Curves
“I need to prove to myself that I’m worthy to be his father before other people know. I need to know that I can be the dad he deserves,” Tom replied solemnly.
“What you really mean is that you need to prove to yourself that you’re not likeyourfather,” Kendra snapped straight back at him.
How was she always able to see past his words and know what was truly in his mind? Kendra seemed to understand Tom so clearly it was scary. “Exactly. I was beginning to resemble him,” he said. “But when Dad got sick, it really made me think about things. About the things I wanted from my life. I always thought a family was not my scene. But when you told me I was a father… it was as if my world lit up. I just knew I would be a good father and that I wanted to have children.”
Kendra nodded and said, “I know what you mean. Mortality seems to make you test what is important to you. When I was at my sickest and thought I would die, I swore to myself that if I made it, I would make my dreams come true. And I would do it on my own terms.”
The thought of her dying distressed Tom, and he had to swallow hard to keep tears at bay. He cleared his throat, but his voice still came out slightly thick. “I know you can do anything you set your mind too. You were so brave and gusty during your illness. I admired you then and I admire you now. You kept going even though the odds were against you. I don’t think you realize how incredible you are.”
His compliments made her blush. “Stop it. I’m not incredible. I’m just determined.”
Tom continued softly, “Strong, talented, and sexy as hell.”
“Stop it,” she replied, giggling like a teenager. “You’re embarrassing me.”
He grinned, got up from the table and held out his hand to her. “Dance with me?” he asked suggestively.
“There isn’t any music,” Kendra answered with quiet longing.
“There will be.”
Curious about what he was up to, Kendra slipped her hand into his and allowed him to lead her to the living room. A Bose sound system was on a stand next to a big flat screen TV by the bay window.
Suddenly Tom said, “Wait here and close your eyes.”
“I feel silly standing here with my eyes closed. What are you up to?”
“Just do it, okay?”
Kendra played along and closed her eyes.
Hurrying out to the kitchen, Tom retrieved the candles from the table and took them into the living room. He sat them on the fireplace mantle and ran back out to the kitchen where he hastily rummaged around in the cupboards.
“Yes!” he cried upon finding what he was after. He dashed back to the living room, grinning like an idiot. This was the first time he’d ever done something romantic for a woman, and he wanted it to be special. Lighting the tiny tea lights, he carefully placed the glowing candles all over the room. Left by their last owners; he silently thanked them for their gift.
Grabbing his cellphone from the coffee table, Tom brought up Pandora on the screen. Searching his playlists, he chose one with romantic songs, one playlist he rarely used. Scrolling through it, he stopped at the song his mother had played when she’d taught him to dance. It was one of the few happy memories from his childhood he had of her.
Quickly sitting his phone on the dock of the Bose system, Tom hit the play button, and adjusted the volume slightly asUnforgettableby Nat King Cole floated in the air. Turning to Kendra, he murmured, “You can open your eyes now.”
