“What were you doing at the hospital?” He glanced at her before returning his attention to the road.
“Visiting my cousin Simone.”
Nicole thought she saw relief cross Malcolm's features. As they drove the short distance to her apartment, she explained to him about Simone's need for a kidney transplant.
“That's what finally convinced me to sell the movie rights to
InterDimensions.
Simone moved back in with Aunt Rose after her husband died.” Nicole paused to clear the lump in her throat.
“Her husband must have been young,” Malcolm commented.
“He was twenty-nine. He loved Simone and Lynnie a lot. Lynnie doesn't remember much about him. She was only two when he died.”
“That's rough,” Malcolm murmured.
“Things were hard for Simone. She couldn't manage all of the bills on her own. Moving in with her mother helped. Then Simone became ill.” Nicole paused to survey the area. “Turn left at the next light.”
“Thanks.”
Nicole waited a moment more. “Anyway, the company she worked for started having financial problems. They laid off dozens of employees, including Simone. She couldn't afford to extend her medical care, even though she was sick.”
“That's terrible.”
“Yes.” Nicole sighed. “Now, Aunt Rose, Guy, Derrick, and I are taking turns caring for Lynnie. I'm sure this instability and not understanding what's wrong with her mother are the causes for her nightmares.”
Malcolm pulled into the underground parking garage of Nicole's apartment building. “Once we sign the contract tomorrow, the bank will release the check and we'll be able to pay you for the rights.”
Malcolm found a parking space. He turned off the engine before facing Nicole. Shadows from the underground garage outlined his high cheekbones and darkened his brown eyes.
Nicole held his gaze. “That check will allow us to put Simone's name on the donor list. I'm very grateful. We all are.”
“There's no need to be grateful. You earned that money.”
“Despite my grand gesture of rejecting your offer, you can see I need this project a lot more than you do,” Nicole remarked, ashamed at the memory.
Malcolm broke eye contact with her, and they sat in silence for several moments.
“The important thing is, we're going to make this movie,” Malcolm said. “Working together, we're going to create a blockbuster.”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “It will be exciting.”
C
HAPTER
F
OUR
Malcolm watched Nicole enter the terminal at the Los Angeles International Airport. The month he'd spent waiting for her to settle her affairs in New York before flying to L.A. had been painfully long. He stepped away from the wall that had supported him for the past hour this morning and took the first steps toward what he hoped would be his second chance.
He smiled into her gaze. “Hi. How was the flight?”
She didn't return his smile. Apparently, any strides he had made in New York were forgotten. “Fine, thanks. I appreciate your meeting me. I hope I didn't ruin any plans you had for your Sunday.”
“No, you didn't.” He extended his hand toward her. “Can I take your bag?”
“No, thanks. It's not heavy. I'm glad I sent all of my belongings ahead with the movers.” She lifted the knapsack onto her shoulders, freeing her hands. She pulled her hair away from the bag, and the ebony cloud resettled around her shoulders. “Where are you parked?”
“This way. How's Simone?” Malcolm adjusted his long strides to accommodate Nicole's steps. He felt her stiffen as he cupped her elbow, but he held firm. He wanted Nicole to know he wouldn't let her ignore him or brush him aside as she had before.
“She's doing fine so far. The surgery went well. Now we're praying she doesn't develop any antibodies against the transplant.”
“How long before you know?” Malcolm released her arm and walked onto the moving platform behind her.
With her long, slender legs encased in dark blue jeans, a stoplight-red parka, and black knapsack, she looked like the college student he'd fallen in love with eleven years ago.
“Most organ rejections occur within the first three months after surgery.”
Nicole rattled off additional facts about kidney transplants. The wealth of information indicated the extensive research she'd done on her cousin's condition. Her nervous chatter revealed her family still had cause for concern.
“I'll add my prayers to yours,” he said, and finally was rewarded with a smile.
“Thank you,” she tossed over her shoulder. “I also appreciate your waiting until after the surgery for me to come to California. That meant a lot to me.”
“I understand.”
They stepped off the moving platform and continued toward the garage. Malcolm held open the door to the parking level, then escorted her to his Honda Accord. He deactivated the alarm, which automatically unlocked the doors. Before he could move to help her, Nicole had tossed her knapsack into the back and had slid onto the front passenger seat. Malcolm climbed into the driver's seat and started the car.
“How's Lynnie?” he asked as they fastened their seat belts.
“She's doing a bit better now that she knows when her mother's coming home. The sad dreams seemed to have gone away.”
“I'm glad.”
“So are we.” Nicole turned toward him with another smile. “Lynnie's now planning for her birthday, which is more than three months away. You're invited, by the way. But I'm sure she'll understand if you're not able to attend.”
Malcolm stared at Nicole, touched and pleased that her goddaughter would extend a party invitation to him. “I would be honored.”
A myriad of expressions crossed her face. He could tell she hadn't expected him to accept Lynnie's invitation, and now she regretted extending it. He also identified the moment she realized she couldn't disinvite him. Smiling to himself, Malcolm shifted his Honda into reverse and pulled out of the parking garage.
“Your furniture arrived Thursday,” he said, breaking the awkward silence. “You arranged everything really fast.”
“I've been planning this for a while,” Nicole said, speaking toward the window. “I've been hoping a company would want to buy the movie rights to
InterDimensions.
Once one did, I knew I'd have to relocate for the production. It was just a matter of when it would all come together.”
“You didn't exactly make it an offer a company couldn't refuse.” He pulled to a stop at a traffic light and turned to look at her. “You and your movie rights or nothing at all. That's a tough sell.”
She arched a slim, winged eyebrow at him. “You took it.”
“Yes, I did.” He pushed down on the accelerator as traffic moved with the green light. Silence ensued again as they drove toward the apartment Malcolm had rented for her.
He wondered what Nicole was thinking as she studied L.A. and its beach communities through her passenger window. She should have been familiar with some of the sights. Like the smog that masked the mountains in the distance. And the palm trees that remained evergreen in early March, while the maples waited for April's nod before allowing their leaves to bud.
However, in the four years since she'd lived in L.A., there had been subtle changes in the area. And, though she must have noted some of those on her trip back last month, Nicole stared at the passing scenery as if viewing it for the first time. Or perhaps she was just lost in thought, which brought him back to his original question. What was she thinking as she gazed out the window?
“Are you hungry?” he asked. “Or did you eat on the plane?”
“I didn't eat on the plane, but I'm not hungry. Just tired. I want to get to the apartment and take a nap.”
“All right. It's a good thing I stocked your fridge. If you do get hungry later, you can fix something to eat.”
Nicole turned away from the world outside to spare him some attention. “You stocked my fridge?” Her tone held a mixture of humor and surprise. Malcolm wondered whether her reaction should offend him.
“Yes.” He checked the lanes before exiting the freeway.
“But you hate to shop.” Her voice was rich with suppressed laughter.
He smiled. “I still do. But I didn't think you should have to worry about groceries your first week here.”
“Wow. I'm impressed. Thank you.” She returned to studying the passing scenery, but not before Malcolm saw the ghost of a smile tilting her full lips.
“People change, Nicky.”
“Forgive me if I don't believe that.” Again she spoke to the window.
Malcolm stopped at a red light. “If you give me a chance, I can prove it to you.”
“There's no need for you to go to the trouble.”
He glanced her way, catching her gaze. “Oh, it wouldn't be any trouble.”
Malcolm pulled into a quiet, residential neighborhood. Using an automatic opener he took off the dashboard, he activated the gate that led to the street-level parking garage of a homey apartment building. Once the gate had lifted, he pulled the car into a parking space near the entrance.
“I asked for this assigned space in case you wanted to rent a car.” He turned off the ignition. “But I'd be happy to chauffeur you around myself.”
Again, before he could help her, Nicole climbed out of the car and took her knapsack from the backseat.
“Thank you, but I don't want to trouble you.” She swung the knapsack onto one shoulder and waited for him to lead the way.
“It wouldn't be any trouble,” he repeated.
Malcolm opened the door to the three-story building. “This key is for this parking lot door and for the security door in front of the building.”
He gestured toward the door at the top of the staircase they were climbing. Handing her the key, he pointed toward the row of boxes affixed to the wall on the other side of the security door.
“Your mailbox is here,” he said. “It has your apartment number on it but not your name.”
Turning, Malcolm climbed two more stories to the top floor. “It's a small apartment building, as you can see. Just eight units, four to a floor. Some older people. A few young couples. It's a quiet neighborhood. Relatively safe. But you should still take precautions. This one's yours.” He unlocked an apartment door at the top of the staircase and stepped aside to allow Nicole to precede him.
Light from the two arched windows on the front wall filled the apartment. Malcolm had directed the movers on how to place the furniture. The cream sofa was centered between the arched windows. The matching love seat stood against the wall to the left of the door. They tossed their coats across the arm of the love seat and wandered farther into the apartment. Leading off the living room was a wide, bright kitchen with walnut wood cabinets. Her dinette set was tucked into a cozy area between the living room and kitchen.
Nicole walked across the living room into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. Malcolm watched as she studied its contents. He had chosen skim milk. He'd also bought her favorite fruits, vegetables, and diet soda. He waited impatiently for her reaction.
“Thank you for the groceries,” she said. “How much do I owe you?”
“It's on me,” he said, acknowledging his disappointment. He wasn't certain what kind of reaction he'd anticipated, but he knew it was something more than she had given.
Nicole glanced at him uncertainly. “That's very generous of you.”
Malcolm followed her as she walked past her bookcase toward the door off the living room. The short hallway was covered in the same thick beige carpet as the rest of the apartment. On the left was a spacious bathroom complete with a vanity and combination shower/bathtub. To the right was a bedroom. Malcolm had reassembled and positioned her bed, dressing table, nightstands, and chest of drawers by himself yesterday.
Nicole looked toward the dressing table where Malcolm had placed a baby coleus. “Oh,” she breathed, walking toward the table. “It's beautiful. Thank you.”
Malcolm stepped forward, pleased with her reaction. “You're welcome. What will you name it?”
She lifted the plant to examine its maroon and yellow leaves more closely. “Firestar, I think.” Nicole returned the coleus to the dressing table.
Malcolm imagined the Marvel Comics heroine with her flaming red hair and brilliant yellow costume. “Good choice.”
Nicole shot him a teasing glance. “I'm glad you approve.”
She turned to examine the walk-in closets and the view from the window to the left of her double bed. “Thank you for supervising the movers. You all did a great job. I thought I'd have to curl up on the sofa and worry about assembling the bed later.”
“I wanted to make certain you were comfortable.”
She turned away from the window but still avoided his gaze. “I'm sure I will be. For the few months I'm here.”
“Maybe you'll change your mind and decide to give L.A. another chance.”
Nicole frowned at him. “I don't have fond memories from the last time I lived in Los Angeles. I'm a New Yorker at heart. I always will be.”
Malcolm stared at her in surprise. “I didn't know you didn't like L.A. You seemed happy here.”
Nicole turned away from him. She sat on the side of her bed and checked the contents of her nightstand. Her movements seemed agitated.
“I wasn't. But you wanted to move here and”âshe shrugged one shoulderâ“I wanted to be with you.”
Malcolm knew Nicole had missed her family, but he hadn't realized she had been unhappy in L.A. “Well, perhaps you could give L.A. another chance.” He winced at his lame response.
Nicole closed her nightstand and stood to face him. “Why should I go to the trouble?”
Malcolm approached her with deliberate steps. “Because I want another chance, Nicky. I want to try again with you.”
He paused before her, close enough to share her warmth and count the pulse beats that fluttered in her throat. When her ebony gaze evaded his, he bent his knees and dipped his head until he recaptured it. He eased back to his full height, drawing her gaze up with his own and searching for messages in her wary eyes. He found her questions, but he'd already given her his answers. Another chance. That's what he wanted.
With the backs of his fingers, Malcolm traced the curve of her cheek, marveling at the warm, soft texture of her brown skin. Just as he'd remembered. He brushed her full lips until they parted on a sigh that seeped between his fingers.
He caressed her pointed chin, trailing his fingers along the delicate structure. Her head tipped back, baring her long, slender neck to his hungry eyes. His body throbbed with the need to stroke his tongue along those supple lines. He clenched his teeth and forced back the urge. Instead, with infinite care, he cupped her head and laid his lips over hers.
He tasted her gasp, soft and sultry, and responded by gathering her close and nibbling her moist bottom lip. Nicole's tongue slid out to tease his upper lip, and he throbbed against her belly. A fresh gasp rose from her throat. He moaned and she swallowed it. But the sound shattered the passionate haze.