Forever in Love (9 page)

The scent of spice and roasted meat permeated the air and grew stronger as he neared the last door on the left. Who could be cooking this early in the morning. He pushed open his door and stopped.

Seated at his kitchen counter was his neighbor from down the hall. A rather nice looking black guy who worked a swing shift at the local hospital. And he was closer to Bonnie’s age. Jealousy rolled through his gut. He still had the taste of her snatch on his mouth and here she was entertaining another man in his home. He gathered his composure and quietly closed the door behind him. On the low coffee table sat a hammer. That hadn’t been there before he left. Buck entered the kitchen. Bonnie was bent over the stove, a cookie sheet in her oven mitt covered hand. The long tails of the dress shirt she wore barely covered her lush apple bottom and Buck noted how the other man stared in appreciation.

She turned, closing the door and her eyes widened, but a smile creased her luscious lips. “You’re home.”

“Oh. Hey Buck,” the man said around a mouthful of something.

“Jeff.” He nodded in the other man’s direction, but didn’t take his eyes from Bonnie, searching her face for any hint of deception. Her scent mingled with that of spiced peaches and vanilla and all he could think about was tasting her again. “What’s all this?” Buck waved a hand to the counter full of baked goods. Not a stitch of the gray granite was visible.

“Oh. Busy work,” she answered sliding the cookie sheet on a cooling rack. “You had all this stuff and I couldn’t sit still.”

“I should leave,” Jeff said.

Buck scowled at him. “Yes, I think that’s best.”

“Take this with you.” Bonnie quickly wrapped what appeared to be pasties and added a couple of pies to it. “All of this can be frozen and reheated later.”

Jeff grinned. “Thanks. You saved me a few days of eating out. I’ll take the pies to work. The guys there love sweets.”

Bonnie nodded and loaded everything in a large paper bag. Buck stepped in her way when she went to hand Jeff the bag. He held her gaze a moment, then removed the package from her fingers.

“Wait here.” He turned to Jeff. “I’ll walk you out.”

Door locked, Buck toed off his boots and yanked off his socks. He padded back to the kitchen, tugging his shirt from his jeans. In those few shorts moments, she had everything in containers or freezer bags. He leaned on the door frame. “You want to explain why you’re up, entertaining my neighbor at three in the morning?”

“I couldn’t sit still and I cook when I’m worried.” She tilted her head to the side, and he noticed a smear of flour on her cheek and ear.

“And you’re not even dressed properly.”

Her eyes widened, but she did glance at her clothes.

“Do you want to explain that?”

“I thought it would be better to wear one of your shirts over my shorts and bra than answer the door like that.” She settled her hands on her hips and tossed back her hair. “Are you jealous?”

He moved farther into the room, noting the quick rise and fall of her breasts and the way her teeth pulled at her lower lip. “And if I am?”

A flash of humor light her eyes. “Seriously?” She shook her head, stood in front of him and rested her palms on his chest. “Jeff stopped in to return your hammer and I shoved a pasty on him.”

Buck shackled her wrists, tugged her closer. She stumbled forward. “At three in the morning?”

She met and held his gaze. “You are the only man who holds my heart. Why would I do anything to jeopardize that?”

Heart hammering at her admission, he wrapped an arm around her waist and held her against his body. A quick inhalation was her only response, but she slid her hands up and locked her fingers behind his head. “What was that?”

“I love you Buck, I have for a very long time.” She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his in a soft kiss. “And maybe inviting him in wasn’t the brightest idea, but he was a perfect gentleman.”

“I don’t see how he could be, when you’re dressed to seduce.”

Bonnie chuckled. “Right. Cutoffs and your shirt.”

He slipped a hand down her spine to grab a handful of her luscious behind. Sure enough between the smooth cotton of his shirt was the heavier material of denim. He dragged the hem of her top up until he could trace the frayed cuff below the swell of her ass. “Like I said, dressed to seduce.”

She studied him a moment. “You’re really upset with me.”

He inclined his head. That momentary stab of jealousy didn’t sit well with him and that aside, she needed to be careful. “You have a crazy wannabe thug after you and you let anybody in.”

She stiffened in his arms. “You said I was safe here. Are you telling me I’m not?”

“He doesn’t know where I live.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

That was a good question. They’d spent a lot of time together and she’d spent the night on numerous occasions, but seeing her with someone else just annoyed him, especially after their earlier exchange left him on edge.

“You don’t trust me,” she said.

He was silent.

She shoved away from him. “I don’t believe this. I thought we had more than that, Buck. You’re the only one I ever trusted with anything and everything. And I don’t deserve the same respect.” She stalked out the kitchen and down the hall.

Buck followed her and stopped in the bedroom door to watch her jerk on a pair of sweats. “Bonnie?”

“Don’t talk to me right now. You walk into my life, twice now, when I’m the most vulnerable and earn my trust all over again.” She snatched her purse from the dresser, rummaged through it a moment and placed a small rectangular object on the surface before she grabbed her cell from the nightstand.

Dread knotted in his stomach as he realized what she placed on the furniture. He couldn’t let her walk away, yet he couldn’t bring the words necessary to prevent her.

“I’ve never given you cause and for you to think some mess like that now—” She huffed. “There’s enough food in there for a week, so you won’t starve. I know you were going on the road again and thought you’d like something home cooked.”

He caught her hand as she passed. “Where are you going?”

She shook him off. “Somewhere to cool off. I’m very good at taking care of myself or have you forgotten?”

“Don’t.”

“I cannot stay here and you don’t trust me. This relationship won’t work if you can’t trust me. And you’re gone for long stretches of time leaving me alone. How is that going to work when you drag in weary from a long trip I’m happy to see you and you what, accuse me of seducing the postman or the UPS man or some younger or older neighbor? When I’m with you, I’m with you. When you’re not here, I’m still with you. The differences in our ages will always be there and there will always be some guy who will wish he were you.” She blinked rapidly but a tear still slipped beneath her lashes. “And lack of trust is not an issue I want to deal with if I marry you. I love you, but maybe I’m in love with a dream.”

She rose on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his and before he could grab her and hold her close, she was gone.

Chapter Six

Bonnie hit the button for the seldom used garage door opener and parked her vehicle inside. The large gate rumbled and clattered as it slid closed. She sat in the car waiting until the wave of tears subsided. When the door on her right opened she scrubbed the heel of her hand over her eyes and exited her vehicle.

“What are you doing here?” Dexter stood on the threshold in a tee and pajama bottoms. A bat rested on his shoulder.

She ignored his question and stared at him. “What was that?”

“What was what?”

“A bar fight with a drug dealer. We’re not in the ‘hood anymore.”

“He grabbed you and you looked scared,” he countered. He scrubbed the heel of his hand over his face. “What was I supposed to do?”

He had a point, but still. “Do you even know who that was?”

“Yeah, a guy who scared and beat up my sister.” He shrugged.

He was deliberately being vague. A smile flirted with her lips. It was hard to stay angry with him when he was only being the loving, overprotective little brother. At over six feet there was nothing little about her younger brother and she knew he could handle himself in most situations, but against a guy like Cool-Ade...she didn’t want to see her brother hurt.

“I thought you were staying at Buck’s.”

“Don’t change the subject.” She pushed past him into the laundry room and dropped her bag on the floor.  “You got arrested. Arrested!”

“Bonnie I’m grown. I made my choice fully aware of what those consequences would be.” He touched her arm. “You wanna tell me why you have flour in your hair and you’re here at four in the morning.”

“I live here.”

“Okay, but you’ve spent more time at Buck’s than here.”

She crossed into the kitchen and flicked on the light. “Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat?”

He grasped her shoulders and forced her to sit in a chair. “Now I know something is wrong. What happened?”

“He doesn’t trust me.”

“What?”

She used a knuckle to wipe away a tear. “It doesn’t matter. It’s been a long day. I’m gonna go to bed.”

“Bonnie?”

She sighed. “I’m tired, Dex.”

He stood and engulfed her in a hug. “I’m here for you, sis. If you want I can go beat him up for you.”

She chuckled and returned his hug. “No, but a few days apart should make a difference.”

“Are you sure?”

She shook her head. “No, but I can’t be with someone who doesn’t trust me.”

“It will work out.”

“I hope so. ‘cause walking away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

***

The scent of coffee and bacon tickled her nostrils. Bonnie burrowed deeper beneath the covers. No matter what her brother did, he was not coaxing her from her bed. She had no intention of leaving her room until Monday morning and even then she had thoughts of calling in and working from home.

“You know this is very childish,” he called.

“Go away.”

“Suit yourself. I’ve got to work today. I made breakfast, in case you’re hungry and since you’re still moping there’s black cherry ice cream, hot fudge and Oreos.”

She suppressed a grin. He knew her so well.

“If you’re still in bed when I get back I’m hitting you with a bucket of water.”

“Do it and die.”

He laughed.

She lifted her head from the covers as her phone vibrated and skittered on her nightstand. One glance at the display and she sent the caller straight to voicemail. He would not get to her that easy. Bonnie had half a mind to turn her phone off, but then her brother wouldn’t be able to reach her and he was found of calling to check on her too. Just how many days would it take before Buck actually came to see her?

***

 “You want to explain to me what happened?” Dexter slipped onto the vacant stool next to Buck.

He barely spared the younger man a glance. “Nothing.”

“Oh. So that’s why she’s been avoiding you all week. You did nothing.”

Buck shook his head. “Why are you here, Dexter?”

“Remember what I said about making my sister cry?”

He winced. That was not his intention. His only intention had been to make sure Bonnie was safe and to do that she needed to be far away from him.

“They’re pouring the foundation for a new building tomorrow. It wouldn’t take much for me to toss you in one corner. The workers would never see you.”

Buck would’ve smiled if Dexter’s tone hadn’t been serious. “And what would it take to keep me out the cement?”

“Dinner. Tonight. You two are going to work out whatever hiccup this is or else.”

“You can’t force two people to be together.”

“No, but I can try.” He placed a card on the arm of the chair. “Be at the address in one hour.”

“If I do this, then you have to do something for me.”

Dexter tilted his head. “What?”

“I bought a duplex on the other side of town and it needs some work. Do you think you can handle it?”

“If not, I know who can. Give me the address and I’ll take a look.”

Buck scribbled the address on a small piece of paper.

“Oh and you need to wear a suit and tie.”

“Are you serious?” He hated getting dressed up.

Dexter grinned. “One hour. Suit and tie.”

“Fine.”

With a wave, Dexter was gone. Buck picked up the card and read the address. It was to a rather swanky restaurant twenty minutes away. What did this kid have in mind?

***

Bonnie avoided Buck’s calls all week, but there was little she could do about the single rose that was delivered everyday to her job. Each one held a small sentiment that eased the pain of her heartache and softened her resolve. By the time Friday rolled around again and she sat on her bed cross-legged listening to Brian McKnight’s One Last Cry, she regretted not answering Buck’s phone calls.

A knock on her door preceded it opening.

“Hey!” She jerked off her headphones and glared at her brother. “I did not give you permission to enter.”

“Whatever. Get dressed.” Dexter tossed a pink garment bag and a shoe box on the bed.

“No. Why? I’m not going anywhere.” She fingered the bag. “What’s this?”

“Your dress for tonight. I’m taking you out. You’ve got forty-five minutes to get ready.”

“I’m not leaving the house.”

He met and held her gaze. “Yes you will. You’ve been moping around all week. I’m tired of seeing your face all scrunched and frowny. We’re going out even if I have to toss you over my shoulder and stuff you in the back of the car.”

A smile flirted at the corners of her mouth. “I’d like to see you try.”

“Don’t be ready in forty-four minutes and you’ll see it first hand.” He walked out closing her door.

“I thought I had forty-five,” she hollered.

“You argued for a minute,” came the muffled reply.

She grinned and removed the plastic from the hanger. A gasp her lips at the dress revealed. Short and strapless in a rich crimson. The plunging v-neck would tie at her neck. She glanced at the door. Her brother picked this out? For her? She scrambled to her feet and snatched open the door.