seemed pretty excited about planning my events.”
“He um…” Temple cleared her throat and wondered just how much Mataeo had overheard. “He’ll just be handling a few things for me when I head down to Charleston. Remember I told you Mama’s working with that Realtor?” She looked up at him from where she knelt near a desk drawer. “I want to be there.”
“You sure there isn’t any more to this, Temp?” He eased a hand into his pocket and moved closer to the desk. “If Miss Aileen needs my help—”
“She doesn’t. I promise. Thank you, but it’s nothing like that.” She shut the drawer and stood. “Honest, Taeo, I’d tell you if it was.”
“I don’t get why you have to head down when there’s plenty of family around.”
“Because she’s my mother,” Temple snapped and then closed her eyes and produced a brief smile. “Nothing’s gonna go lacking around here. I’ve got tons of people around to handle whatever you’ll need.” She appraised the walnut trousers and unbuttoned vest he wore over a cream shirt. “Sorry I haven’t been able to find anyone to tie your ties but you’ll survive.”
Mataeo blocked her path when she moved from the desk. “I’m sorry.” His sharp features had softened by concern. Lightly, he brushed his hand against her jaw. “I didn’t mean to offend you.”
“You didn’t.”
“Temple—”
“You didn’t and I’m sorry I went off that way.” She tapped her fingers along the side splits of the misty-blue skirt she wore.
“You deserved to go off.” He took her chin between his thumb and forefinger while closing a bit more of the distance separating them. “You work your butt off around here. If anyone deserves to go home and see their mom, it’s you.”
“I’m still very sorry for snapping at you like that.” Her entrancing eyes mirrored the concern in his.
It went without saying that Temple’s apology was less about snapping and more about the fact that she had a mother to see. Mataeo had been alone since she’d known him. Shortly after their friendship began, it became clear that the subject of his family was off-limits. It was obvious, however, that he enjoyed the family element. He spent time with her huge tribe whenever he could. The Grahames and Hammonds of Charleston, South Carolina, loved him like he was one of their own.
Mataeo kept his hold on her chin but caught her hand in his when she patted his chest. “Are you really okay?”
The gravel-toned voice tempered by softness stirred a reaction in places Temple decided it was best not to think of.
“I am.” She nodded encouragingly. “I honestly am.”
Mataeo was not buying it, if the narrowing of his bedroom browns was any clue. He’d known her too long not to pick up on the weariness in her voice and bright eyes.
“Would you like me to put somebody else on this survey thing?”
Temple threw her head back and laughed. “I’m not about to put another poor soul in your line of fire. I promise it’ll all be in place before my trip.”
His smoky gaze grew dangerously narrow then. “I don’t doubt you can handle it. I just don’t want you overdoing it, all right?” He tilted his head but his eyes never left her face.
Temple, though, had lost her focus. No. No, she knew exactly where her focus was. It was on his hand smothering hers, his thumb soothingly albeit innocently brushing her palm.
“Temp?”
She prayed her lashes weren’t doing their god-awful fluttering. “I’m good, please.” She hoped her voice didn’t sound like a moan.
“You’re trembling.” He released her hand to run his along the silver sleeve of her blouse. He frowned and tugged her closer.
That stirring reaction had become a dull throb in a place best not mentioned. Temple swallowed and tried to gently extract herself from his hold. “It’s good you’re here, though. We should talk a little more about these meetings.”
“Hold it.” His hand tightened on her arm and he drew her near until she was flush against his chest.
“Mataeo, I—”
“Shut up. I want you to come to me if you need to talk.” His thumb began a maddening stroke of her elbow. “Don’t ever think with all I’ve got going on that I don’t have time for you.”
Temple tried to laugh, but it came off as a nervous grunt at best. “I don’t need to be handled, Taeo.”
“But there are times when we could all use someone to listen.” He squeezed both of her elbows then. “We’re friends, aren’t we?”
Temple knew she was forcing herself to nod. “Thank you.” She went a step further and forced her mouth to curve into a smile. “I guess it’s just getting everything arranged before the trip.” She shrugged. “It’s got me in a funk, but I’ll be fine once it’s all in place.”
Accepting the excuse, Mataeo nodded slowly. “Well, I might be able to help you with that. We’ve got a meeting in ninety minutes with Ike Melvin, the crew chief.”
“Oh, that’s great!” Temple turned back toward her desk.
“Hey, hey.” Mataeo caught her wrist. “Are we good here?” He smiled when she nodded, patted her hip and then he was gone.
Temple held her face in her hands.
Mataeo and Ike Melvin were already seated in the living area of Mataeo’s office when Temple arrived for their meeting later that afternoon. Unhurried, Mataeo rose from his chair. He noticed how quickly Ike bolted to his feet to greet Temple. Mataeo strolled around to lean against the back of the sofa while Ike waved her farther into the office.
“Have you guys met?” Mataeo stroked the cleft in his chin as he inquired.
“Ike Melvin, Ms. Grahame.”
“It’s nice to meet you and please call me Temple.” She accepted the hand he offered to shake. “I’ve heard good things about your work.”
“Same here.”
Mataeo rolled his eyes in response to the syrup dripping from Ike’s voice. “We were just discussing the survey expedition,” he explained when Temple glanced his way. “Shall we?” He headed back for his chair.
Temple took her place on the sofa, smiling when Ike joined her there. “So what have I missed?”
“Just prelims—who else from Ike’s team you’d benefit from meeting with while trying to organize this thing.” Mataeo angled his large frame to a comfortable position in the deep chair he occupied.
Temple nodded even as a frown came to her face. “Excuse my ignorance here.” She shifted toward Ike. “As crew chief isn’t meeting with you enough? You certainly know more about every aspect of the facility. I think you can give me all the information I need to prepare an effective survey agenda.” She stopped short and studied both men. “Or am I wrong?”
Ike’s hearty laughter livened the room. “I’m honored, Ms. Grahame—uh, Temple—that you consider me so knowledgeable.” He waved toward Mataeo. “Have you ever told this lady how good she is for a person’s ego?”
“I may’ve told her so on occasion,” Mataeo coolly conceded.
“Well, I’ve done a little brainstorming.” Temple opened the bound portfolio she’d brought along. “I realize this is basically a tour of the facility, but given that it’s such an expansive site—maybe we should hone in on the most important areas.”
“I agree.” Ike leaned forward, bracing his elbows to his knees while resting a hand along the side