Chapter 9
At the sound of the doorbell, Desiree took a quick glance in the full-length mirror, then grabbed her purse and jacket from her bed.
Yesterday, she had been so close to calling Cobra to tell him that she had changed her mind about tonight.
The kiss he’d left her with Thursday night told her a truth she couldn’t ignore: he was completely out of her league.
No matter how many times she had brushed her teeth, she could still taste him. And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, she rather liked the flavor. He had said he wanted to leave her with something to remember until they saw each other again, and he had certainly succeeded in doing that.
She opened the door and saw him standing there, exuding effortless charm in dark, tailored slacks and a crisp white button-down, with a jacket casually draped over his arm. Why did he have to look so damn good? “Hello, Cobra.”
His gaze slid over her from top to bottom. “Desiree, you look great.”
“Thanks,” she replied, glad for the extra time and attention she had given to her hair and makeup.
The dress she was wearing was one she had purchased in Paris at a boutique she normally frequented.
Camille had been with her when she’d found it and had told her that it looked fantastic.
She’d counted on that when she’d decided to wear it tonight.
She stepped out in the corridor and closed the door behind her. Helga had the weekends off, and without her grandfather’s presence, the condo had felt very empty.
“The show doesn’t start until nine. That will give us time to grab something to eat first. I know this great restaurant in Times Square.”
She glanced at him as they headed toward the elevator. “You didn’t mention anything about dinner.”
He met her gaze. “Merely an oversight. Have you eaten already?”
“No.”
“Good. Have you ever eaten at Lucki Pond?”
She had heard people rave about the upscale Manhattan restaurant known for its fine dining. “No, I haven’t.”
“Then tonight you’re in for a treat. It’s one of my favorite places,” he said as they stepped on the elevator. “You won’t be disappointed.”
Desiree nodded as the elevator door closed. “I’ll take your word for it.”
An hour later, she had to admit that Cobra was right.
Eating dinner at the Lucki Pond had been a treat.
He told her he loved pork chops as he ordered the Pork Marsala with mushrooms and asparagus.
Following his lead, she had done the same, and she hadn’t been disappointed.
For dessert, he had chosen a strawberry cheesecake, and she had ordered a chocolate mousse cake.
Knowing that, in life as well as in business, it was important to understand an adversary, she said, “Tell me about your family, Cobra.”
Her question made him look up from his dessert. His dark eyes appraised her, and she could actually feel heat emitting from them.
“What do you want to know, Desiree?”
“Whatever you want to tell me.”
He took a sip of his wine and then said, “As you know, I’m a triplet, the youngest one.
Cortez is seven minutes older than Colton and fifteen minutes older than me.
” He chuckled. “Dad claimed he nearly got drunk that night. He and Mom thought they were only having twins. The doctor said I’d been lying low, lurking in the shadows like a snake.
That’s why Dad decided to name me Cobra. ”
He paused for a moment, then continued. “My parents are still alive and well. They were childhood sweethearts who got married after college, and who, to this day, still love each other deeply. There was never a time we didn’t know the strength of our parents’ love.
And we always knew that we were a product of that love. ”
Cobra placed his fork down. “We had a health scare with Dad a few years back.”
She lifted a brow. “What happened?”
“He had a heart attack. We were all away from home, in college, and he wasn’t taking care of himself—working long hours, eating whatever he wanted, and not being active.
Luckily, he survived and was forced to change his lifestyle and eating habits.
Mom, my brothers, and I did, as well. As a family, we all decided to take better care of ourselves. ”
She nodded as she eased a slice of cake into her mouth.
That had to have been scary for them. She had met his parents at Colton’s wedding.
Her grandfather had introduced them to her.
She would never have guessed that Mr. Masters had had a heart attack.
He’d seemed in good physical shape. Suddenly, she remembered something Cobra had said.
“…I try to encourage Richard to stay active and eat healthy in order to live longer.”
Now she knew that what had happened to his father likely had more bearing on why he took such an interest in her grandfather’s physical well-being. She shook her head slightly. It obviously had nothing at all to do with what she had accused him of.
“What about your grandparents? Are they still alive?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.
“No. My grandmother died within months of my grandfather.”
“My goodness. She probably couldn’t go on without him.”
Cobra chuckled. “That wasn’t the case at all. Granddad had been married five times, and Granny three. She was his fourth wife, and he had been her third husband. However, they did maintain a good friendship until the end.”
His words made her curious. “What do you mean?”
“After divorcing wife number five, Granddad Kenneth moved back into the neighborhood. In fact, his place was only a few doors down from where my grandmother lived.”
“You don’t think he was trying to get back with her?”
“No. That ship had sailed. He had been unfaithful, and my grandmother was unforgiving. But Granddad Kenneth wanted to be near his sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He said that moving so close to where my grandmother lived made it easier on everyone. We could visit him whenever we visited our granny. I admit it was nice going from one house to the other without leaving the street. Granny was the only one of his wives who gave him kids. Or, at least, that’s what we had thought for years. ”
“He had other kids?”
“Just one. From his first wife. A son that Granddad Kenneth died not knowing about. We only learned about that particular Masters last year.”
“How?” If he thought she was diving too deep into his family’s personal business, he wasn’t saying.
“His first marriage only lasted six months, but when she left, she was pregnant. The baby was born seven months after they divorced. For reasons we have yet to understand, she decided not to ever tell him about it.”
He took another sip of his wine. “Last year, my cousin Quinn got a call from social services in Philadelphia. A twelve-year-old boy named Hayes Masters’ parents had been killed when the store they owned was robbed.
Hayes is Kenneth’s great-grandson from his first wife.
Her son, Isley, was the child she’d hidden from Kenneth.
None of us knew Isley, or anything about his son Sonny.
But at least we’re getting to know Hayes. ”
“Where is the boy now?”
After picking his fork back up and sliding the last piece of cake into his mouth, Cobra leaned back in his chair. “He’s with Quinn and Alexia.”
She knew Quinn Masters was a well-known entertainment attorney in LA and was married to Grammy Award-winning artist, Alexia Bennett Masters. She had met them at Colton and Kelly’s wedding. “Is he okay?”
“He is, though there was a long adjustment period. After all, he’d just lost both his parents. But thanks to Alexia and Quinn, he’s on the right track. The entire Masters family came together to let him know he was one of us and that we would always be there for him.”
Desiree nodded. The boy’s situation hit a little too close to home. She would have loved to hear something like that from her grandfather when he’d become her guardian. “I’m glad. I love happy endings.”
***
A few hours later, Cobra walked her to her door. “Did you enjoy the play?” he asked.
“Oh yes! I’ve always wanted to see The Lion King. Thanks for such a wonderful evening.”
“You’re very welcome. So, what are your plans for tomorrow?” he asked.
“I’m taking tomorrow off and just relaxing. I’m going to sleep late, then maybe do some shopping. What about you?”
“Unlike you, I have to get up early. I’m playing tennis with a college friend who recently moved to Brooklyn.
He loves the game, so we agreed to meet in the morning to get a few matches in before the day starts.
Then that afternoon, I have a Zoom call with my family.
I’m on the committee that’s hosting our family reunion next weekend. ”
“A family reunion sounds like fun.”
“It always is when the Masters get together.”
They stopped at her door, and she turned to him.
Anticipation was running through her. He had never walked her to the door without kissing her, and she saw no reason tonight would be any different.
She had enjoyed dinner and the play, and he had been a perfect gentleman.
He’d kept his word and hadn’t tried any funny business.
“Thanks again for tonight, Cobra.”
“It was my pleasure.”
She didn’t want it to seem like she was expecting him to kiss her, but when he took a step toward her, she took one toward him. But instead of pulling her into his arms, he asked in a low voice. “Aren’t you going to invite me in, Desiree?”
Invite him in? He had to be kidding. “Why would I do that?”
He reached up and lightly traced her lips with the thumb of his finger, making all sorts of tingling sensations erupt in her stomach. “Usually, that’s how an evening ends. You invite your date in for something to drink—beer, coffee, wine, or even water.”
Leaning in close, he whispered, “However, I do have another reason for wanting you to invite me inside.”
Desiree caught herself before she got too excited. He wouldn’t do anything that would make him lose the bet he’d made with his brothers. So what was he doing? “And what reason is that?”
So, I can give you the kind of kiss you deserve.”
***
To her credit, Desiree remained composed despite suddenly feeling incredibly hot inside.
Just what kind of kiss did he think she deserved?
Those women who’d boasted of his bedroom skills were probably right.
After all, she’d only been on the receiving end of Cobra’s kisses, but she knew he was truly a master.
His kisses had made any she’d experienced before seem like childish pecks.
Because Cobra hadn’t just kissed her, he’d drunk in the very breath from her lungs.
It was as if her lips had been the only sustenance he’d needed, and he’d claimed every inch of her mouth with a desperation that she’d felt through her whole body.
Did he think that hadn’t been mind-blowing enough for her?
That she deserved another kind of kiss? For crying out loud, just what did he have in mind?
She might be playing with fire, but she wanted to find out.
“Cobra?”
He stared at her with those intense dark eyes. “Yes, Desiree?”
“Would you like to join me in a glass of wine before leaving?” she asked, trying to calm the anticipation that was flowing all through her.
“I would love to.”
She unlocked the door, and he followed her inside.