Chapter 24

As she worked with Carlton to clean up the kitchen, Latonya thought about the kiss they’d shared. She hadn’t been expecting it. And she certainly had no idea that it would affect her so. Her heart still raced, and it was all she could do to appear nonchalant and put away the now-clean bowls and cookie sheets.

That she was working side by side with the enemy floored her. But, then, she didn’t feel as if Carlton was the enemy anymore. From his little thank-you speech to Jeff and the way they interacted as a family, Carlton had her feeling unbalanced in a good way. The surprise kiss that would have literally knocked her off her feet had they been alone and in a bedroom was just one example of the way her heart was thawing out and starting to anticipate his next move.

Her body began to tingle as she thought about the way his lips caressed hers and the soft tender draw of his tongue. Latonya found herself biting her lower lip just to keep from moaning again. She wondered if she could trust Carlton enough to give their relationship another chance. Could they really work it out this time?

No sooner than she had the thought, she heard Carlton clear his throat. “Well. I think we’ve done all we can here. We’ll just have to hope that Jillian won’t be able to detect the mess that this place was a little while ago.”

She laughed. “Well, hopefully the burnt cookie smell will be gone by then.”

He sniffed. “I don’t think we’ll be that lucky.”

“Oh, she’ll get over it in a couple of weeks and let us back in. Especially once Terrence says, ‘Miss Jillian, can we please bake more cookies?’ She’ll be putty in his hands.”

He chuckled. “Yeah, my sons do have the trademark Harrington charm. It’s pure Bahamian and potent. Strong. Women can’t resist it.”

She gazed at him, standing there looking so good and damn it, charming. Her throat suddenly tightened. “Oh, really, is that what they’re calling it these days? I guess they’ll just have to depend on their mother to teach them how to use their charming powers for good and not evil.”

“You can try, but the charm has a mind of its own.” He walked over to her.

Blasted charm! Her heart skipped a beat at the same time that his hand reached out and caressed her cheek.

“So, I was wondering how you would feel about us spending some time getting to know each other again. Possibly going out catching a show, having dinner. You know.”

“You mean like dating?”

“I was thinking more along the lines of courtship. But, yes, I mean if you feel that you’re ready for something like that.”

“I don’t think I’m ready. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready.” Who knew lying came so easily?

“Well, your lips tell quite a different story, Tonya,” he offered wryly.

Letting out a nervous chuckle, she replied saucily, “My lips? What do they know?”

“They know how to lie. And they know that they want to kiss me.” Leaning over, he turned her face to him. “If you don’t want me to kiss you then say so, Latonya. Tell me.”

The intensity of his gaze made her turn numb. She couldn’t move or say a word, not one blasted word. The little word no refused to come out. She opened her mouth but no sound came. Her throat suddenly parched—dry as sandpaper—she swallowed.

When he leaned closer, she could feel his breath; she inhaled.

“All you have to say is no. Can’t you say it?” He peered at her with hooded eyes. “No. You can’t.” His lips brushed hers. “Can you?”

As he touched his lips to hers again, she felt him suck in his breath and shudder as his arms reached to grip her shoulders.

“Time’s up,” he whispered before darting his tongue in her mouth.

She’d known that she could still be floored by his kisses, but damn. She leaned into his muscular strength and moaned. Her whole body ignited and came alive as if she’d been waiting for his touch.

“Mmm.” Wondering if it was her humming and purring, she wrapped her arm around his neck.

His tongue wrapped around hers and she felt her body tingle. Hands caressed her, brushing lightly across her breast and the small of her back. Each place he touched sent tingling sensations that assaulted her senses and whipped them up into a whirlwind.

Instinctively, she leaned back and braced herself against the kitchen counter and he followed. The weight of his body felt so right pressed up against hers. His lips never left hers. The hands that were once content to brush and lightly touch now feverishly lifted the casual cotton T-shirt she wore. The feel of his hands on her skin sent a trail of goose bumps every place he touched.

Moaning, when she felt his erection press against her inner thigh, she paused momentarily. What am I doing? I am about to have sex with my husband. In the freaking kitchen! No way can I let this happen.

As if he sensed her hesitancy, he halted the kiss. Then, drawing a ragged breath that sounded as if he pulled it deep from within his gut, he moved away.

“Well, I know for sure you are not ready for what was about to come next.” Inching back, giving her much-needed distance, he leaned against the opposite counter and stared at her, the desire in his eyes unmistakable.

Latonya eyed him and her mind went immediately to the firm muscles that were just within her arms’ reach and the broad shoulders that were just perfect for grabbing hold of. She couldn’t help but chew on her bottom lip a little as she soaked him in.

“If you keep doing that, I swear I’m going to kiss you again.” Carlton’s eyes sparkled with passion and need.

Wondering if she was making the right decision while knowing that she couldn’t make any other, Latonya tilted her head and bit her lip before speaking. “Okay, Carlton. I’ll date you.”

Chapter 25

Deciding to go back downstairs later and check on Jillian, Latonya found her in the kitchen sitting at the table having a cup of tea and nibbling on one of the less crispy cookies.

“Hello, Miss Jillian. How was your afternoon with Gran?”

“It was fine. We had a good talk over lunch.”

Latonya remembered just how the women spent their time together—discussing everything and everyone. “I bet you did.”

“Have a seat, baby. You want me to get you some tea?”

“That’s okay, I can get it. Would you like me to refresh your hot water?” Latonya never really got used to having servants, especially since it was work Gran used to do. And she certainly wasn’t going to have a woman who could be her grandmother get up and make her a cup of tea.

Jillian gave her a smile. “Oh, that would be lovely. Thank you, baby.”

After making the tea, Latonya sat down in the chair at the table and smiled as Jillian turned to look at her.

“Girl, it’s so good to have you back here. I missed you something fierce.”

“I missed you, too, Miss Jillian. It was hard being away from all of you. At the time, I couldn’t think of another way.”

Putting down her teacup and placing her hand over Latonya’s, Jillian gave her a meaningful stare. “I know, child. You don’t have to prove anything to me. I was here that day.” Jillian’s voice took on a somber tone. “I saw what happened. You did what you had to do at the time.” Jillian’s normally bright, smiling face dropped, and Latonya could tell that she regretted not being able to help. It must have torn up a feisty woman such as Jillian to think that she hadn’t been able to stop what happened.

Latonya reached out and touched Jillian’s hand reassuringly. She knew that Jillian had done the best she could.

After spending time with both her children, she’d come to think differently about her own actions, however. “I should have stayed and fought for my child.”

“Your world was ripped from under you in a matter of seconds because of something you didn’t do.”

Clearly Jillian wasn’t going to let Latonya feel guilt any more than Latonya was willing to allow Jillian to shoulder any. “You did well to find a way to take care of yourself and Terrence. People who come from where we come from don’t think about going up against the rich and powerful.” Taking a sip of her tea, Jillian shook her head.