From One Night to Forever (24 page)

“I don’t know if he really feels that way,” Kacey blurted out. Monique raised a brow and Kacey slumped back into the chair behind the desk. “Everything was so rushed. I’ll admit I didn’t want to see him go. That a part of me hoped he was feeling something a little bit more and that he’d try to keep in touch.”

“Like he does with all those other women he hooks up with,” Monique said.

Kacey leaned back in the chair and stared at the ceiling. “Stupid, I know. I don’t want to be one of the women he hooks up with when he rolls through a town. But I also didn’t want that day to be the end. When he said all that stuff, I let myself believe him.”

“Now?”

“Now I’m wondering if…if he only said it to save the deal with Reggie.”

“If he did, he’s a dick and doesn’t deserve you or to go into business with Reggie.”

Kacey chuckled. “I agree. But how do I know?”

“Ask him.”

“As if he’d tell the truth.”

“Then ask in a roundabout way. Keep your eyes open and rein in your heart. I know he’s fine and obviously knows how to please you, but if you don’t think you can trust him, you need to know sooner rather than later.”

“You think I don’t know that?” Kacey snapped then sucked in a breath. She already knew everything Monique said. Had gone through the same arguments with herself after Aaron left. The only problem was if she found out that were true, she’d once again have been played for a fool. Something she’d long thought she was smart enough to avoid.

Kacey shook her head and stood. “I’ve got studying to do tonight. I’m meeting with my professor tomorrow to go over my progress on my thesis.”

“Are things getting better with her?”

“Yes. I got what I needed last weekend, but I was able to get a lot more done this week.” Further proof that she met her goals much easier when there wasn’t a guy around to distract her. Another reason to find out whether or not Aaron was only using her. If her last semester of school suffered because of a farce of a relationship, she’d never forgive herself.

“I’ll open up tomorrow if you’re going to be up late tonight,” Monique said.

“Thanks.” Kacey’s cell phone rang. Frowning, she picked the phone up from the desk. “It’s Aaron.”

Monique checked her watch. “Nearly midnight and he’s thinking about you. That’s a good sign.”

Kacey couldn’t keep the smile from her face. “It could be.” She answered the call and Monique slipped out.

“You do realize how late it is?” Kacey said.

“Yes, but I knew you’d be up. Are you studying?”

“No, closing up the restaurant.”

“I thought you got nights off.”

“I do, but I’m filling in for a sick employee.”

“Well, that puts a damper on this call.”

“Really, why?”

“I’d hoped for some hot and heavy phone sex to help me sleep.”

Kacey’s body heated. “You called for phone sex?”

“And to see how you were doing.”

“Yeah, sure.” Her smile was so big it hurt her cheeks.

“And to ask you out on a date.”

“I think we’ve already been out on a date.”

“This is an important date.”

“What is it?”

“I’m coming up for Marcus’s ball game next Thursday. I want you to ride back with me on Friday.”

“You want me to come to South Carolina?”

“Yes, I’m inviting you to my sister’s gender reveal party.”

Kacey couldn’t speak for a second. An invitation to meet the family wouldn’t come from a guy who’d only blurted out he cared to save a deal. Would it?

“Why do you want me to meet your family?”

“Actually, my brothers are interested in meeting you. The woman who convinced me to tame my wild ways. They’re dying to get a look at you.”

“You told your brothers about me?”

“Yeah, why wouldn’t I?”

He asked the question so easily, with a dash of confusion about why she wouldn’t think he’d discuss her with his brothers. The dehydrated romantic Kacey plumped up with joy. Maybe he did mean what he’d said.

“Sure, I’d love to meet your family.”

“Awesome,” Aaron said with enthusiasm. “Now, how about that phone sex?”

“I’m at work, Aaron.”

“The place is closed. Shut the office door and let’s have some fun.”

Kacey bit her lip and glanced around the office as if someone could overhear the conversation. She pushed the door closed and slid the lock.

“You’ve got five minutes.”

His excited groan revved her up as she sat in the chair and slid her hand down her pants.

Aaron leaned over with his hands on his knees. His heart bumped against his rib cage and he held his breath. Scanning the baseball field, he gave a signal to one of his boys on third base. He was glad he’d decided to come back. Not only because he got to see Kacey, but because he was back in time to coach the team. Just his presence alone gave the boys the extra bit of confidence they’d needed. At the top of the ninth, the game was tied at two and if they kept their opponent from scoring, he knew his boys would score and win.

The kid at bat for the opposing team, whom Aaron swore should be playing in a higher age group, shook out his shoulders and glowered at Marcus pitching. The kid had more strength than skill. But with a runner on first and second and with one out, if the tall kid hit a homerun, the game was over.

Marcus threw the ball. Tall Kid swung and hit the ball straight down the middle. One of Aaron’s boys caught the ball and immediately pitched to Lonnie, whom Aaron had moved to the shortstop position. Lonnie easily outed the kid running from second to third before throwing to first. The first baseman caught the ball and outed the hitter. Aaron pumped his fist and clapped with the rest of the parents at the field. He waved to huddle his boys together.

“Great job, boys. Now all we’ve got to do is score to win this game.” Aaron looked to Marcus. “Marcus, it’s your turn. Their pitcher likes to throw high fastballs. Don’t try to be a hero and knock one out of the park. If we’re deliberate about what we’re swinging at, we can win this.”

“I got you, Coach,” Marcus said.

Pride swelled in Aaron’s chest as the rest of the boys looked to him for direction. He could blame his pride on being an avid baseball fan who had missed the game, but it was a lot more than that. He was proud of his team, his boys, and the progress they’d made.

The boys went back into the dugout, and Aaron gave Marcus another pat on the back. “You’ve got this, Marcus.”

Marcus gave him a nod, then grinned and ran out to bat. Aaron once again held his breath and watched. Marcus did watch the first two pitches, both high fastballs that thankfully he didn’t rush to hit. The third pitch was a beauty, Aaron sucked in a breath and hoped Marcus saw the sweet spot. When Marcus’s bat hit the ball, Aaron couldn’t hold back his yelp of pride. The ball flew over the heads of the opposing team and out of the park.

The smile on the kid’s face as he ran the bases was priceless. The team rushed to Marcus as he came around home plate. It was all “great jobs” and “way to go” statements after the game. Aaron accepted the pats on the back and well wishes from the parents of the team members. He glanced over the heads in the crowd to where Kacey leaned against the fence. Her grin struck him straight in the chest.

I could love her.

The thought made the noise of the field fade away. His palms sweated and his heart pumped crazily. He wasn’t good at love, and he damn sure couldn’t
fall
in love. Loving her didn’t mean he’d want to stay in Resilient; it only meant he’d see her cry when he realized he ultimately loved his life more than being the guy she wanted.

One of the boys bumped him and Aaron cleared his thoughts. He lifted his chin, motioning for her to come over.

“All right, boys,” Aaron said, pushing thoughts of love aside and raising his hands and voice to talk over their excited voices. “Who wants some pizza?”

A round of “yeahs” was his reply. Kacey strolled up to his side, and he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side.

“Then let’s head over to Luigi’s for pizza and cannolis.”

Kacey looked up at him. “Luigi’s?”

“He’s Marcus’s uncle and he helped me with another surprise.” She pursed her lips, and Aaron couldn’t resist brushing his lips across hers. Kacey’s arm around his waist tightened, and a spark flared in her eye. He did feel more at home than he’d ever felt in his life. But love?

She wore a cute green and blue maxi dress that he really wanted to get his hands beneath on the ride from the field to the restaurant. But several of the boys begged to ride with them. He, Kacey, Marcus, and Lonnie loaded up in her car.

He noticed she still hadn’t changed her tires, but he decided not to get into that right now. They arrived a few minutes later at Luigi’s, where a long table was set up for the boys.

“How did you know they would win?” Kacey asked.

“I’d love to say it was intuition, but I wasn’t sure. I planned this pizza dinner for them win or lose.”

Luigi came over and grinned. “Aaron, the boys tell me you all won. Great job! I hope you’ll be in town for the rest of the season.”

“I’ll try to make as many games as I can,” he said.

Aaron ordered enough pizza and cannolis for the boys and their parents. After everyone had eaten, Aaron stood and silenced the group.

“And now for the surprise.” He looked at Luigi, who grinned. Luigi moved a piece of paper blocking a projector connected to a laptop.

Marcus jumped up and pointed at the screen. “Dad!”

Marcus’s dad, dressed in army fatigues in a tent, waved. “Hey, Marcus! Hey, guys!”

Marcus looked at Aaron with a huge grin, then turned back to the screen. “We won!”

“That’s great. I knew you guys would turn things around.”

The team huddled around the webcam and started spouting off questions. Kacey grabbed Aaron’s hand and squeezed. “How did you set that up?”

“I asked Marcus’s grandmother for his dad’s e-mail address and started chatting with him. I’ve been telling him what I’ve done with the boys coaching-wise, and then we worked it out for the webcam after the first game.”

Her eyes went soft and loving. “You are wonderful.”

He shrugged and tugged on the front of his shirt. “I know.”

Kacey laughed and playfully hit his shoulder. He pulled her against him and kissed her, enjoying the pert fullness of her small breasts against him, and the fact that he could pull her into his arms without hesitation.

Someone cleared their throat. “Hold up, you two, there are kids around.”

Aaron and Kacey broke apart to grin at Sabrina.

“Good to see you again, Aaron,” Sabrina said.

Aaron nodded at Sabrina. “I’ll be around.”

“I know, now that things are all in the family.”

Aaron glanced between Kacey and her mom. “What do you mean?”

“You and Kacey being together while you and Reggie are in business together. At first I didn’t like the idea, but as long as you two are happy, it’s fine with me. Plus, it keeps all the business in the family. That’s the way I like things. Why do you think I only want my girls or my nieces handling the money at Momma’s Kitchen?”

Kacey shook her head. “That’s because no one else runs the place better than us. Not because we’re family.”

“You run it well
because
you’re family,” Sabrina said, then grinned at Kacey. “I’m guessing you’ll be in late tomorrow.”

“I’ll be in at the normal time.”

Sabrina hugged Aaron. He lifted the corner of his mouth in a half smile that he really didn’t feel like giving. Sabrina’s
keep
it all in the family
speech was too damn close to what Kareem suspected.

Sabrina winked at Kacey before going over to speak with Luigi. The boys on the team were still telling Marcus’s dad all of the details of the baseball game.

“Are you okay?” Kacey asked.

He stared into her eyes. No malice or sinister gleams reflected from her brown-eyed stare. He couldn’t fall in love with her. Not completely. He hadn’t started their “relationship” with the best of intentions. And though he knew his feelings went deeper than just a lingering desire to sleep with her again, what he didn’t know was whether or not hers were just to keep things in the family.

“Just thinking,” he said.

“About what?”

Marcus waved him over. Aaron lifted a hand in acknowledgment. “I’ll tell you later.”

• • •

After the party, Aaron followed Kacey back to her place. The place smelled like lemon cleaner and the living room lights reflected brightly off of the furniture. Kacey walked in front of him, and Aaron slipped his arm around her waist to pull her back against his front.

“Someone’s been busy cleaning.”

“And?”

“You didn’t have to spruce up for me.”

“I didn’t. It was just time to clean.”

He pushed her hair aside to kiss what he thought of as his spot, her cute birthmark, and brought up a hand to cup her breast. “Time to clean, huh?”

She spun in his arms, and Aaron lifted her by the waist. Long legs wrapped around him, and Aaron strode straight for the bedroom. He’d been hard and wanting her from the moment he left. Kacey tightened her legs around him, pressing his growing arousal directly on to the heat between her thighs. Who needed a bed? Aaron stopped midstride and pressed her against the wall.

Their mouths came together instantly, and he slipped into the sweet oblivion that came whenever they kissed. The oblivion that said
move ahead and take her to the bedroom and bury yourself deep
.
Forget everything except for the way you feel when you are in her arms
.

Plus, it keeps all the business in the family.
Sabrina’s voice rang through his mind.

Aaron lifted his head. “This ‘all in the family’ thing… That didn’t have anything to do with us getting together, did it?”

Kacey’s smile withered away, and a line formed between her brows. “You’re thinking about this now?”

“I just want to know whether the idea of keeping things in the family ever came into play.”

“Came into play how?”

“I don’t know, maybe that had a slight influence in your feelings for me.”