Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
A fter the conversation with Cynthia, Scarlett hadn’t been able to shut her brain off and had tossed and turned for much of the night. Considering she was one of those people who needed eight hours of sleep to function, she wasn’t sure how she’d survive with only three. So far, the two cups of strong coffee she’d had before leaving home were helping. But they’d done nothing to calm her worries for her friend. Her overactive imagination had her thinking the worst.
But here she was, sitting in her Nissan Rogue in Antonio’s driveway, drinking a mocha cappuccino. As if she hadn’t already had enough to drink, she had purchased it, along with bagels, after dropping Bella off at school.
On a whim, Scarlett had shown up at Antonio’s place because she had to cancel their date for Saturday night. The initial plan had been to call him first thing this morning and express her regrets about having to bail on him. Instead, since she hadn’t been too far from his house, she convinced herself to talk to him in person. In her mind, that would be better than canceling over the phone. Hopefully, he hadn’t left for work yet.
“All right, let’s do this.” She grabbed her coffee, purse, and the bag of fresh bagels before climbing out of the car. Antonio wasn’t a coffee drinker, but she hoped he liked bagels.
As she trudged up the walkway, Scarlett glanced around at the charming homes. Everything from Tudor to craftsman style dwellings. No two homes were the same on the tree-lined street with perfectly manicured yards. Antonio had lived in his home for years, and based on one of their conversations, he had no intentions of moving anytime soon.
Who could blame him? The large, stately brick home was lovely on the outside with flagstone pavers as the walkway, flowers which were already starting to bloom, and an inviting porch that she could see drinking coffee out on. The inside was just as impressive.
After climbing the wood stairs, Scarlett readjusted the bag in her hand and rang the doorbell. Seconds ticked by and she fidgeted while waiting for him to answer the door.
I should’ve called first , she thought and rang the doorbell again. He was an early riser, and it was almost eight o’clock in the morning. Maybe he had left for work earlier than usual, or maybe he was still out for his morning run. Something he usually did before heading into work around nine.
“I should call him.” But that would mean returning to her vehicle to get her phone, which she just remembered was in the cupholder.
This was ridiculous. She should have done that in the first place. Her brain clearly wasn’t operating on all cylinders yet.
Just as she started down the stairs, she spotted a lone figure jogging up the street. It was Antonio. He almost stopped when he saw her but then picked up speed.
Scarlett took in his appearance and heat rushed through her veins.
“ Ooh wee .” It was all she could say as he jogged toward her looking like a tasty snack. It was a wonder that women weren’t chasing behind him because the man was sex on a stick. If she thought he was smoking hot in a tuxedo, Antonio in running gear was fire hot if that were a legitimate description.
The short-sleeve athletic shirt molded to his upper body, hugged his thick biceps, and showcased his wide chest and flat abs. She swiped her tongue across her lips remembering how good it had felt to be in his arms and hugged up to his incredible body the other night. Still, she had no idea he was built like this.
Her gaze traveled to his running shorts that weren’t super tight, but she could still make out his thick package as his long, muscular legs and even strides brought him closer. Then there were the aviator sunglasses and the way he was wearing his baseball cap turned backwards on his head. The man was giving off all kinds of bad-boy vibes, and she liked everything she saw.
She wasn’t sure what to make of Antonio anymore. He was surprising her at every turn, and the more she learned about him, the more she wanted to know. Mostly. There was still the fear that she was incapable of being more than friends, but her curiosity was piqued.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Antonio asked as he cut across the grass. “You okay?” he panted, his words coming out in a rush as concern radiated in his dark, amber eyes. He had slipped off his sunglasses and hung them on the front collar of his athletic shirt.
Heart pounding fast, Scarlett shuffled from one foot to the other. Keyed up from the coffee, she couldn’t seem to stand still.
“I’m-fine-sorry-to-just-drop-by-I-wanted-to-talk-to-you,” she said, her words flying from her mouth in rapid-fire succession. “After-taking-Bella-to-school-I-decided-to-stop-by-I-know-I-should’ve-called-but—”
“Hey, take a breath,” Antonio said, slipping one arm around her waist and guiding her back up the stairs and to the door. “You’re always welcome here. No call necessary.”
He unlocked the door, then ushered her inside before turning off the house alarm.
“Let’s head to the kitchen,” he said.
With one hand at the small of her back, Antonio nudged her straight ahead to where the house opened up to the family room, kitchen, and an eating area. Without releasing her, he set his baseball cap on a bar stool and had her sit on the other stool next to it. Then he took the coffee out of her hand.
“Hey!” Scarlett leaped from her seat. “I’m not done with that.”
“I’m not sure how much caffeine you’ve had, but I think it’s safe to say you’ve had enough. Scarlett, you’re practically vibrating.” He poured the rest of her drink into the sink.
“Maybe, but—”
“I have something else for you. Something that won’t have you bouncing around like you’re on an out-of-control pogo stick.”
A smile played around Scarlett’s lips at the visual that his words made. Antonio’s sense of humor peeked out occasionally, but not enough to know if he was really funny. Who knows, maybe a funny bone was another one of his wonderful qualities.
She watched as he washed his hands in the sink before moving about his kitchen with ease. A kitchen that was like something out of House Beautiful magazine. Mahogany had told her that the Jenkins family all enjoyed cooking, and their spaces reflected that. Antonio’s inviting kitchen was no different with its top-of-the-line stainless steel appliances, custom oak cabinets, and marbled quartz countertops.
He pulled a tall glass from the cabinet near the dishwasher, then moved over to the refrigerator, where he took out bottled water and a pitcher of green stuff. Which reminded her.
“Oh, I brought bagels. All different types,” she said, temporarily forgetting the bag in her hand. “Wait. Do you like bagels?”
“Yeah. Thanks.”
Scarlett placed the small bag on the breakfast bar just as Antonio set a glass of green stuff on the counter, straw and all. Then slid it over to her.
“Drink,” he said gruffly, and opened one of the bottles of water for himself.
Scarlett eyed the green concoction warily. “What is it?”
“A smoothie with kale, berries, a banana, Greek yogurt, and flax seed. It’ll give you energy without the jitters.”
She scrunched her nose, wishing it was just a fruit smoothie, but tried it anyway. Surprisingly, a burst of flavors hit her tongue including strawberry and blueberry. Her favorite fruits.
“Wow, this tastes a lot better than it looks,” she commented and flashed him a smile before drinking more.
She sipped, trying not to stare when Antonio lifted the tail of his shirt, wiped his sweat-slicked face, then let the garment fall back into place. But not before she got a peek at smooth dark skin, rippling muscles, and a six-pack that would make other men jealous.
Yeah, there was so much more to Antonio than his brilliant mind and handsome face. He also had a body fit for a god.
After he downed the whole bottle of water, he set the empty container on the counter and gave her his complete attention. He was standing in front of her on the other side of the bar with his thick arms folded across his chest. His legs were spread shoulder-width apart, and his demeanor reeked of power and no-nonsense.
“So, are you ready to tell me what’s on your mind?” Then he lifted his hand. “Hold that thought for a minute and don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
He disappeared up the stairs, which gave her time to take a breath. Antonio was probably right about the coffee. Her heart was beating faster than normal, but she wasn’t sure if it was because of the caffeine or the fact that she was at Antonio’s house. She could’ve easily had this conversation over the telephone.
Ten minutes later, he returned wearing a gray Polo shirt instead of the running shirt, and a pair of black pants and black work boots. It was clear that he had showered. His fresh, masculine scent was evident the moment he moved past her to reclaim his standing position on the other side of the counter. “Okay, now tell me what’s going on.”
“First, I need to apologize for the other night,” Scarlett started. “I shouldn’t have run off the way I did, and I don’t have a good excuse. But I will admit, MJ caught me off guard. Your cousin is a trip.”
Antonio grunted and shook his head. “You have no idea. She lives to freak people out, and she’s like a ghost sometimes in the way she sneaks up on you. So, no apology necessary. If anything, I’m sorry that she interrupted us.”
He dropped his arms to his side and slowly moved around the bar. When he stopped next to her stool, Scarlett lifted her head which made the bar stool swivel slightly. Now she was facing him.
“What?” she said when he didn’t say anything. Only stood there searching her eyes.
“I thought maybe you had run off because I had kissed you. I told you before, I never want to do anything to make you uncomfortable. If the kiss—”
“The kiss was amazing,” she said without hesitation. Yes, it had surprised her, but it was hands down the most toe-curling kiss she’d had in a long time, if ever.
“I’m glad to hear that because I want to kiss you again,” he whispered and moved closer, not seeming to care that he was invading her personal space. He didn’t stop until he was standing between her legs.
When Antonio cupped her cheek with his large hand, Scarlett leaned into his touch as she slid her tongue out to moisten her lips.
She wanted to kiss him more than she wanted her next breath. Since that night at the reception, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about that kiss. Had the connection she’d felt been real? Or had she just gotten caught up in the moment? It was possible, especially with love flowing through the air after such a beautiful wedding.
Now she was getting a chance to determine if the electric currents that had flowed through her during their intense lip-lock had been genuine.
Antonio lowered his head and covered her mouth with his, and all thoughts of the other night fled her mind. His tenderness when dealing with her since they first met was just as prevalent in the way he kissed her. There was a quiet calmness about him. Yet, his expert lips threw a powerful punch that rocked her to her core, and she yearned to explore every part of this man.
Her fingers gripped the front of his shirt, and she stood on shaky legs, needing to be closer. She slid her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and wrapped her arms around his neck and held on.
Antonio’s hands traveled down her sides until he gripped her hips, pulling her tightly against him. She felt his hardness pressed against her lower stomach as their tongues tangled. Erotic moans filled the air. Lust flowed through her body, and Scarlett could admit this kiss was more intense than the one they’d shared the other day.
This was proof. Their connection was as solid as she’d thought. At least their physical connection was. She still had to be careful with him, with his heart. Hell, with both their hearts. She and Ezra had a similar connection early on, but she never fell in love with him. Would that be the case with Antonio? Or would it be different?
There was something special about this man. Maybe, just maybe, he was the one to prove that nothing was wrong with her. That she was capable of a forever type of love.
A piercing alarm sounded, and Scarlett startled. Panting, they jerked apart, and Antonio mumbled something and moved to the counter near the refrigerator. The alarm was from his cell phone, and he shut it off.
“I should go,” Scarlett blurted. She had momentarily forgotten she had bogarted her way into his morning routine. “I don’t want you to be late for work.”
“No, you’re fine. Besides, I’m sure there’s another reason you stopped by. Come on.”
With a hand on her elbow, he led her out of the kitchen and into the cozy family room. The space was simply decorated with plush, tan carpeting, and a forest-green sectional that sat across from a white brick fireplace. Instead of a mantel, a huge television hung above it. Also, on each side of it were built-in shelves housing photos, books, and other trinkets. A large recliner rounded out the space and sat in the corner near a window.
“Have a seat,” Antonio said, nodding at the inviting sectional.
“I don’t want to get too comfortable. I’ve already taken enough of your time.”
“Don’t worry about that. Sit down.”
His tone left no room for argument, and if he wasn’t worried about being late, she wouldn’t either. He was one of the bosses at his family’s construction company and probably could show up whenever he wanted. But knowing Antonio, she’d bet he was one of those people who was never late and rarely called in.
When Scarlett sat down, he sat next to her, their bodies touching. “Tell me what’s going on.” He pulled her close to him until she was in the crook of his arm, her head resting against his solid chest.
The combination of soap and a woodsy scent wafted past her nose, and Scarlett settled against him and sighed. It had been a while since a man held her like this. It reminded her of what she’d been missing. Someone to cuddle with. Someone, other than her sister or mother, to talk to, and someone to care enough to wonder what was going on with her.
That had been one of several reasons why she had decided it was time to start dating again. She was tired of being alone. Bella might bring her more joy than she could explain, but sometimes it was nice to be with a man.
Then her reason for stopping by bombarded her mind and frustration nipped at her nerves. “I hate to do this, but I need to cancel our date for Saturday night.”