Page 12 of Taste The Smoke
“Yes, and she’s one of the best we have.”
“I’m sure you’re a pretty good therapist, as well.”
“Yep, I’m pretty good.”
“No shame in your game, I see,” she said with a little laugh.
Once their dinner arrived, they continued conversing about their jobs, favorite foods, sports and television shows, and growing up with siblings. By the time he parked in her driveway two hours later, Alonzo knew he wanted to pursue a relationship with her. Everything about their time together seemedeasy. No drama, no games. Just the way he liked it.
“Would you like to come in for a few minutes?” Kenya asked as she opened her door.
“I would, thank you.” He followed her inside, closing and locking the door behind him.
Kenya immediately kicked off her shoes and headed for the kitchen. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, wine, water?” She leaned against the counter.
“No, but there is one thing I’d like.” Alonzo closed the distance between them, and placed his hands on the counter on either side of her, blocking her in.
“Um…what is it?” she asked staring up at him.
“I’d like to kiss you. With your permission, of course.”
Kenya’s gaze dropped to his mouth, then moved back up to his face. “Yes.”
As soon as the words were out, he brushed his lips across hers once, twice. Her head fell back and he trailed kisses along her jaw and exposed shoulders before reclaiming her mouth in a deep, sensual kiss. She moaned and the sound sent heat flowing straight to his groin. Her hands roamed over his stomach and chest, and it was his turn to groan. Desire hit him hard and fast. Despite their height difference, she fit perfectly in his arms, as if she belonged there. At length, Alonzo eased back and rested his forehead against hers. “There’s something about your taste. I could kiss you all night.”
“And I’d let you,” Kenya said, her breathing as erratic as his.
With it being a work night, he couldn’t do it tonight, but he definitely planned to indulge in that fantasy soon. He slanted his mouth over hers again. For now, he’d just enjoy a little sampling.
A week later, Kenya still couldn’t get Alonzo’s kisses out of her mind. The man had literally kissed her for a good hour, but made no attempt to get her into bed. She had intended to ask him about his age and whether he’d ever been married, but every one of her rational thoughts had gone right out the window the moment his lips touched hers. Last week, his schedule had prevented them from getting together and she was looking forward to seeing him tonight. Refocusing on the computer screen, she started typing again. She was supposed to be finishing up some clinical notes, but hadn’t been able to concentrate all day. It didn’t help that for the past two nights, she and Alonzo had laughed and talked on the phone until after one in the morning about everything and nothing. As a teen, she had no problems staying up all night and getting up the next morning energized and ready to go. Now, she needed every second of sleep she could get.
Kenya checked the time.Thirty minutes to go, then the weekend begins.Shaking herself, she went back to her task. Two minutes in, her mind drifted back to Alonzo. Kenya rotated her chair and stared out the window into the playground where some of the preschoolers and teens were involved in various games.
Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes. Everything about the man made her want to jump in with both feet. She had been more than in the moment that night. She smiled. Her motherwould be proud that she hadn’t thought about the past or the future. Justthemoment.
“You sleeping on the job now, girl? Those must be some thoughts to have you all smiling.”
Kenya’s eyes snapped open. She whirled around in her chair and met Jayana’s amused expression. “Just thinking about some things.” Jayana had worked at the center for two years.
“I bet you are,” she said, sauntering in, closing the door and taking a seat in one of the chairs across from Kenya’s desk. “You’ve been distracted for the past two or three weeks, and I distinctly recall seeing a smile on your face when you thought no one was looking. So come on and give up the goods. Things with Greg must be heating up.”
She made a face. “If I ever see him again it’ll be too soon. His trifling behind canceled on meafterI got to the bar.”
“You have got to be kidding me. Girl, it’s been three weeks and you never said anything. That asshole. Did he give you a reason?”
Kenya shared the brief conversation she’d had with Greg. “He needs to be with a woman who can keep up with his active lifestyle and, apparently, I don’t fit the bill.”
“See, this is why women don’t want to be bothered with relationships.” She shook her head in disgust while muttering about no good, sorry men. Jayana stopped and narrowed her eyes at Kenya. “Wait a minute. If you didn’t go out with him, who’s got you all drifting into la-la land?”
“While I was sitting at the table upset, a guy came over to see if I was okay. I happened to be talking to my sister at the time—you know the extroverted one who takes risks. Well, she heard his voice and said I should ask him to join me, since he’d been nice enough to check on me.” Kenya shrugged. “So I did. The man turned out to be one of the nicest guys I’ve met.”
A grin spread across Jayana’s face. “I can’t believe it. You, who I can’t get to even make eye contact with a cute guy, invited a stranger on a date? You go, girl. I’m going to have to give Phaedra a high five the next time I see her.”
She rolled her eyes, but couldn’t hide her smile. “Shut up.” Jayana was just as outgoing as Phaedra, and the two women had bonded the first time they met.
“What’s his name and I know you’re going to go out with him if he asks again.”
“Sometimes, I don’t know who’s worse between you and Phaedra.”
