him a slow once-over “—Lauren, his babysitter, will likely handle it from here on out.”
“Then when am I going to see you?”
“Soon.” She got into her car, gave a quick wave and was gone. He watched her car turn on to the street and speed away, and wondered why his heart seemed to go with her.
He knew just who to call for the answer, and wasn’t surprised when just as he thought this, his phone rang. That whole twin-radar, two-halves-of-the-same-whole sort of thing. He tapped the speaker button. “Tee.”
“Hey, Tee.” It was his sister, Teresa.
“I was just getting ready to call you.”
“I know. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this weekend?”
“No trouble, sis.”
“That’s not the vibe I’m getting. Who is she?”
“The mother of one of the new students at the center. Her name is Aliyah.”
“All right, Silky.”
“Ha!” It had been a while since Terrell had heard this high school nickname. “What made you call me that?”
“Hearing that Cindy was divorced and living back in PC. Remember that cheer she made up after hearing that was your nickname?” She adopted a high-pitched voice. “Terrell Drake, with all the moves, a voice like silk and twice as smooth.”
“Please, sis. Spare me the memory. Crazy that you brought it up, though. I ran in to her while meeting Aliyah for dinner.”
“Was she pushy, as usual?”
“She basically invited herself to join us for dinner. What would you call it?”
“Ha! Cindy was in love with Silky.”
“Girl, stop.”
“What about the rule we made? Don’t reach where you teach!”
“I wasn’t reaching.”
“What, she kidnapped you?”
“She gave me a second chance to make a first impression, which led to a third one.”
“What was her first impression? Never mind, just start at the beginning and tell me everything.”
“Well, sis, it all started when I turned the corner and saw this wonderful behind.”
“Oh, Lord.”
“Perfectly proportioned on this amazing body.”
“And you just had to have her phone number.”
“As one of the center’s volunteer faculty, it was my duty to follow up on the new enrollee and make sure all had been handled properly. That’s all...”
“Oh, so that’s what was on your mind? Duty? I thought it was booty.”
Terrell could only laugh at the truth. He continued, filling her in on how he got busted and why he felt he at least owed her dinner. How cool and down to earth Aliyah was and how conversation flowed.
“Before the first date was over, I knew I wanted a second one. She did, too, but not in Paradise Cove.”
“With Cindy’s tactless antics, who could blame her?”
“I was glad she felt that way.”
“Unlike all the others in PC, who’d make sure your date was somewhere public where everybody would know they’d been with a Drake.”
“Well, you know.”
“Unfortunately, yes, I do.”
Terrell chuckled. “Anyway, last night we went to San Francisco. Dinner, concert, a night on the hill. I’m driving home from the airport now.”
“Sounds like a top-tier Drake date. What didn’t she like?”
“She loved it. Said it was the best time she’d had in a while.”
“Oh, so now you’re afraid she’ll stalk you at the center, wanting exclusivity?”
“No, exactly the opposite. She made it clear that this was just a sex thing, basically—wouldn’t even accept my invitation to Sunday brunch.”
“Wow, Tee, she sounds like you!”
“I knew you’d say that.”
“Because it’s true!”
“The way she dismissed me, so casually, made me feel like a used piece of meat. I need to call every girl I sent home after the deed was done and apologize.”
“No apology needed if that’s all they expected. Clearly that’s what your girl thought last night. But from the sound of your voice and the words left unspoken, you might be the one who ends up stalking her!”
“Tee?”
“What?”
“Go wrestle a bear.”
“Ha! I love you, too. And for the record while I’ve grown to love Alaska, I’m still afraid of the wild.”
“No matter what, Tee, you’ll always be city. I need to run. Tell Atka I said what’s up.”
“Will do.”
Aliyah signed out of her FaceTime account, happy that she’d been able to see and speak to her whole family. These days, finding her parents and four siblings all home at the same time was rare. It made her miss New York, but it also allowed her to see that all of her hard work was paying off. She hadn’t gone to college and blazed a trail of success just for herself. She’d done it so that the four hardheads looking up to her—three brothers and one sister, all younger—could have a clear example of how to avoid life’s pitfalls and go for one’s dreams. The two oldest brothers were excelling in college. The younger brother and sister still made her nervous, entranced by the smoke and mirrors of quick money and instant success. Gangs constantly courted her six-foot-plus brother. Pretty-boy tough guys wanted to date her gorgeous sixteen-year-old sister. Avoiding neighborhood temptations was hard. But so far, they’d succeeded.
After a final check on Kyle, Aliyah turned out the lights and climbed into a bed that suddenly felt too big and too empty. She’d stayed busy on purpose, had filled her entire day with one project or event after another. All to keep her mind occupied and not think of Terrell. But now, with the house quiet, and her lying down, images and memories of San Francisco assailed her. She couldn’t ignore them as she’d done to Terrell’s earlier phone call. Thinking of the message he’d left made her tingle and smile at the same time. It was simple. Three words. They’d thrummed like a mantra in her head all day.
I want more.
She did, too. And she planned to get it, as much as she could. Hands down, he was the best she’d ever even dreamed about having. If he were a drug, she’d need rehab. Already. After just a few days. So she needed to find a way to assuage her appetite while guarding her heart. She wasn’t looking for commitment. If she were, someone like Terrell Drake would not be a likely candidate. It’s why she’d never considered a serious relationship with her childhood friend, turned lover. He was tall, handsome and virile, with enough charisma to fill the Atlantic—characteristics that were great for a good time and a roll in the hay. Not the best for a committed relationship. She never worried about Ernest. Turned out he was an arrogant, superficial, self-centered a-hole. But as far as she knew, he was faithful. Even jerks could have one good trait.
She changed positions, fluffed her pillow and settled down in search of sleep. As it came, the mantra continued.
I want more.
The next morning, Aliyah’s phone