Duke (8 page)

She glared. “For what?”

“For doubting my resolve.”

She made a noise of dismissal. “You only did it to prove me wrong. I bet you’ll back out after you drop me home.”

“Are you saying that so I’ll be forced to keep the house?” He leaned closer to her, making sure his breath warmed her neck, and he cast his voice low. “You really want into my bed, don’t you?”

“Asshole!”

He chuckled. On the phone, Sally’s face had pinked, and he figured she heard what he’d said. Duke turned back to Takiyah. “Now that’s done, I owe you lunch.”

“That won’t be necessary.”

He took her hand, flipped it over, and kissed the palm. “I insist.”

She cleared her throat and tugged her hand away. He let go with reluctance.

“I guess I can spare you a little more time before our shift tonight.”

She had no idea that he was just getting started. Until he was done with her, Takiyah was all his, but he would do everything in his power to make sure she was satisfied.

T
akiyah stood before her mirror
, checking out a small blemish. She sighed and straightened, trying to dismiss all the nervousness that went along with a first date.
No, this isn’t a date. It’s…
Her mind went blank. If this wasn’t a date, then what was it? And why was she going to dinner with Duke?

“You say he’s a coworker, Takiyah?” her mom asked as she sat on Takiyah’s bed folding clothes.

“Ma, I told you I can do that. Why don’t you go rest in your chair in the living room? I turned on your favorite show.”

Her mother frowned, but she didn’t look up. “You never date anyone from work. You said it would get in the way of doing what you have to do.”

“Ma.” Takiyah chuckled and shook her head. She started doing her makeup. “I know I don’t date coworkers. This isn’t a date. Duke is just returning a favor, and hell, I need to get out sometime.”

“You’ve been gung-ho and serious ever since your father passed and I got sick. You don’t have to take on everything yourself, baby.”

“Taking care of our little family isn’t that big a deal.”

“I would like to see you married again. Is this man marriage material?”

“Ma!”

Her mother blinked at her innocently. “I’m just asking. You left Ed and divorced him. He was a good man. I’d rather see you settled and with a man who will always be there for you. Ed would have.”

Takiyah paused in applying eyeliner and looked at her mother’s reflection. “Ed is a good man. I don’t deny that, but he…” She wanted to say he was a damn fool she couldn’t put up with after a while. If she said it, her mother would probably be hurt because she loved Ed like a son. Takiyah knew her mother still hoped for reconciliation between the two of them, but that was because she had been with Takiyah’s father for forty-three years before he got sick and died. She wanted the same stable and loving relationship for Takiyah, but Takiyah wasn’t sticking with a man who wasn’t right for her just to have a man until old age.

“I’m not looking to jump back into marriage, so you don’t have to worry about that, Ma. And before you say it, no, I’m not getting back with Ed. He’ll always be a part of my life because of Keen, but that’s it.”

Her mother sighed. “Well, tell me about Duke.”

She groaned, wishing she had told her mother she was going to dinner with Adele. The problem was she’d never been able to lie to her mother or get away with anything. At thirty-one, she should be over trying to stay on her mother’s good side, but old habits died hard.

“It’s not serious,” she said after some time and put down the makeup. “Maybe I should call him and tell him I changed my mind.”

Just as she said the words, the doorbell rang, and she stiffened. A glance at the clock told her she had a good half hour before he should arrive. Ed wasn’t due to pick up Keen until thirty minutes after she left with Duke. She felt she had arranged things well. No time to spend hearing how Ed missed her.

“Ma, Duke’s here,” Keen called from the base of the stairs. She groaned. The jerk was
way
too early. Probably did it to make sure she didn’t run off. Then she laughed. Duke’s ego wouldn’t allow him to think a woman wouldn’t fall all over herself to go out with him. From what she knew of him, he also would chase after her should she get it into her head to bolt. The man did everything he could to get what he wanted. Right now, he wanted her. She tried not to let it go to her head and stuffed down the warmer sensation that cropped up because a sexy man desired her.

Her mother set the laundry aside. “I guess I’ll go meet him, see if he’s worthy to take my only daughter out.”

“Ma.”

Her mother ignored her and toddled out the door. Takiyah moaned and faced the mirror. Apparently, the people in her life did what the hell they wanted regardless of what she felt about the matter. She continued to get ready. Tonight she had chosen a skater dress with red satin underlay and black lace overlay. The last touch on her makeup was finished a good seven minutes before the time she had originally given Duke to arrive.

Takiyah left her room and started descending the stairs. Halfway down, the bell rang again, and Keen appeared, sliding over the pinewood floor in his socks. He peeked through the hole in the center of the door and grinned, unlocking the door.

“Hold on, Keen,” she began, but he had already swung the door wide. Edward Weise, her ex-husband, stepped inside and gazed up at her. Takiyah remembered all the times her heart had fluttered when she saw him, but the most she felt this time was annoyance. He was early too, damn it. Didn’t anyone respect her schedule? “You’re early, Ed.”

He flashed that boyish and open grin he always wore no matter what the circumstances. “And you look incredible as usual. You and Adele going out tonight?”

“Whatever I’m doing has nothing to do with you.”

To complicate her life, Duke appeared in the hall. When his emerald gaze met her brown one, her heart skipped a few beats. In fact, she struggled to hide how short of breath he made her, damn him. She must have forgotten time for an instant as she looked at him because when she came to herself, she found Ed looking from her to Duke and back again.

“Who is this?” Ed said. “I thought you were going out with Adele.”

“Again,” she snapped, “nothing whatsoever to do with you.” She continued down the stairs and elbowed past Duke. “Keen, why don’t you have your shoes on? Don’t keep your father waiting.”

“Duke Marquette,” came his deep voice behind her, and she cringed. She’d had no intention of introducing the two men. Turning back, she found that Duke had extended his hand toward Ed, and her ex-husband took it. An instant after she resolved not to compare the two men, her mind wandered to doing it anyway.

Duke had Ed by a couple inches, but Ed was still a nice few taller than her. His build was good since he’d worked in construction for the last few years. Takiyah always wondered how he could maintain the job when he was so clumsy. Then again, his father owned a small construction firm, so Ed was no slouch when it came to knowledge of building. He just didn’t have the physical control not to make a mess of things. His father had made him foreman on the jobs where he worked, so he could use his head more than his hands.

In the last couple of years, Ed had struck out on his own, refusing any more of his father’s money or help. She’d heard he wasn’t doing so well, and from the look of him tonight, the bandage on his wrist and a Band-Aid on his pinky finger, he still struggled. She felt sorry for him. He was a good man, just not for her.

Duke grinned with confidence as he chatted with Ed, shifting his big shoulders and rocking a little on his heels. The man exuded animal prowess as if he ate it for breakfast and it leaked from his pores. She had never met anyone so confident with nothing much to show for it like Duke. He confused the hell out of her.

Tonight, he wore faded black jeans that hugged his narrow hips, a white long sleeve shirt, and over it a gray double breasted woolen windbreaker. The jacket took what would have been a casual outfit to something stylish and sexy, and she couldn’t stop staring for a minute. When he gestured with his hand about something he discussed, his biceps drew the material of his jacket tighter, and her belly pulled with her desire. They’d had one quick round of sex, and she craved another taste of him.

Dragging her mind out of the gutter with its lust for Duke, she was struck with a curious new thought. For all his massive presence and personality, Duke didn’t try to one up Ed, nor did he seem to look down on him. Duke was simply himself without having to prove his worth to anyone. As a result, the two men got along.

Takiyah made a small noise, and both men glanced at her. She spun away and hurried to the kitchen for no reason. Why the heck was she disappointed? She liked to think she was mature enough not to want two men to fight over her. How ridiculous to feel pissy when they fell into talking like they were old friends.

“Ma, what are you doing?” Takiyah asked when she entered the kitchen.

Her mother stood at the refrigerator with the door open and studying the contents. On the table, she had already set out glasses of ice on a tray. Near it stood a pitcher of ice tea Takiyah had made earlier in the day.

“I’m looking for that chocolate cake,” her mother said.

“You’re not planning on serving them, are you? Duke and I are going to dinner, and Ed isn’t staying. Keen is sleeping at his house this weekend. Besides, Keen ate the last of that cake for breakfast although I told his hard head to leave it alone.”

Her mother looked stricken. “I can’t have guests in the house and not give them anything, Takiyah. I raised you better than that.”

She sighed. “They’re not guests, and if you give Duke food, it will ruin his dinner.”

“Mm, I didn’t think of that.”

Takiyah didn’t know how many times she’d heard those words her entire life. As far as she knew nothing had ever ruined her dinner. That’s why she carried extra weight now. She had a love affair with food, and nothing would change it.

A shout in the hall brought her head up, and she ran out of the kitchen with her heart pounding. She reached the hall in time to see Duke with his arm around Ed’s neck and Ed’s arm twisted behind his back. Keen bounced in front of the two men, cheering his dad on.

“Come on, Dad. Try harder. You can do better than that.”

Takiyah ran over and grabbed Duke’s sleeve. “Let him go! What in the hell do you think you’re doing, Duke?”

“N-No, it’s fine,” Ed gasped, but his face was beet red, and he puffed his cheeks out as he struggled in Duke’s hold. The idiot looked like he was about to pass out.

Takiyah jerked at Duke’s arm and almost fell off balance. As soon as she stumbled, he released Ed and steadied her. She thrust his hand away and righted herself. “I can’t believe you would stoop to fighting in my house. What are you twelve?”

The bastard didn’t look ashamed. “He asked for it.”

“Ed is not a violent person. You can’t convince me he asked you to attack him.” Duke’s expression baffled her. He didn’t give off even a hint of being angry or annoyed. In fact, he seemed amused more than anything, which pissed her off all the more. “Maybe we shouldn’t go—”

“Ma, they weren’t fighting,” Keen interrupted. The boy’s eyes shined with glee. “Duke said he learned how to fight and all about pressure points and stuff in the army. I wanted him to show me something, but he refused to do it on me. Dad said he would do it.”

She shook her head. “So you three fools thought it was fine to act like animals in my hallway? Come here, Ed. Look at your wrist. Did you forget you came in here with it bandaged?”

He wandered over to her like a spoiled puppy, and as Takiyah began to re-bandage his wrist, she peered over Ed’s shoulder. Duke’s eyes narrowed, and the grin fell from his lips. Now he looked jealous. Well, she didn’t give a damn. They shouldn’t have been showing off.

“You always did know how to take care of me,” Ed said, a little too happy.

She shoved his hand away and moved past him. “Good night, Ed. Don’t let Keen stay up too late. I don’t care if it is the weekend.”

“You’re going already? We could all hang out and—”

Duke wrapped an arm about her waist and propelled her forward. Her glower at him did nothing to deter him as he shuffled her out the door. When she sat beside him in his car, she frowned at him.

“I don’t know what you were thinking back there, but I told you before. I don’t like violence. Ed doesn’t act that way, and neither does Keen.”

Duke’s hands tightened on the steering wheel. “You’re still into him?”

“No.” She didn’t feel the need to explain or to remind him she hadn’t just been talking about Ed, but she was more concerned about Keen and the influence on her innocent son. Why couldn’t he understand that?

“He seemed to think he still has a chance with you.” Duke pulled away from the curb and drove down the street. She eyed him, trying to see into his thoughts. The shadows in the car made that impossible.

“I don’t know how you drew that conclusion when you saw him all of five minutes before we left. Wait, is that why you pretended to teach him how to fight?”

He chuckled, and his humor returned. “If I taught him to fight, what happened in the hall would have gotten a lot rougher. No, I can assess a man pretty easily. Ed is not the fighting type.”

She rolled her eyes. “Whatever. I don’t want to spend the night talking about my ex-husband.”

He reached across the seat and took her hand in his, lacing his fingers with hers. Takiyah’s heart fluttered when he raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Good. Because all I’m interested in is more of you.”

T
akiyah sat
down in the chair Duke held for her, and he leaned over her shoulder to place a soft kiss on her bare skin. She shivered and turned her head so he couldn’t see the reaction he had on her. The waiter handed her a menu, and she fiddled with it, pretending to focus on the words. Her scattered mind wouldn’t settle enough to take in what she saw, so she concentrated on keeping her breathing even.

Duke took his seat across from her and raised his own menu. She dared to peek at him only to catch his amused expression. Exasperation rolled through her. One minute he did something gentle and loving, the next he was like this, amusing himself at her expense. Either way, he managed to snap her out of the nervousness, and she could be more herself.

“I haven’t been here before,” she said as she considered whether she wanted the duck milanese or the char-grilled ribeye. Both sounded delicious, and she was hungry because she hadn’t eaten much all day. “I’m a little surprised you didn’t take me to Marquette’s.”

“I wanted you all to myself, and well, the ladies there seem to think we belong to them. You and I wouldn’t have been able to talk freely.”

“I’m sure you had nothing to do with their obsession.”

“Me? Never.” He winked.

They placed their orders, and Duke asked for red wine. When the waiter left them alone, he took her hand in his. So, when I move into my house, will you come help me break it in?”

“Is it a horse?”

“A house.”

They both laughed. She studied his handsome face. “You’re always in trouble with your cousin, and I heard you were kicked out of the army. Tell me the real story about you.”

He affected a cringe of hurt. “You cut to the chase. I like that. It matches me.
You
match me well.”

“Are you avoiding the question?”

“I’ll tell you whatever you’d like to know, beautiful.”

She waited, and he chuckled.

“Okay, yes, it’s true, I was kicked out of the army. It was either that or face a court martial. I chose dishonorable discharge over being thrown into the stockade.”

Takiyah shook her head in disbelief. “So you were starting trouble even in the army?”

He leaned over the table, assessing her. “I’m trying to decide if you are the type of woman to get hot over my bad boy status or to get indignant and say that I’m irresponsible.”

“Oh you’re definitely irresponsible. I’m not denying you’re sexy, but you were serving your country, and you spit on it.”

All of sudden, he grew serious. “Serving my country?”

She stiffened, thinking they were about to get into a political debate. That was one subject she refused to get into with anyone and for any reason.

“Shall I tell you what really happened?”

“I’m not sure I want to know.”

The wine arrived, and Duke poured for the two of them. She took her glass and swallowed a sip, trying to settle her nerves.

“My C.O. gave me an order I refused to follow.”

She waited for him to continue, not wanting to jump to conclusions again. He knocked back all the contents of his glass and set it on the table. From the tightness around his mouth, she guessed he recalled the day in vivid detail.

“He made a dick decision and thought I would blindly follow, leading my men into a situation that would get them killed.”

She gasped. “But, isn’t that what y’all do? Risk your lives?”

“We take calculated risks, and we make damn sure the territory we’re moving into is as secure as possible. None of that happened before he gave the order. He wanted to use the situation to advance his own career. He didn’t think twice about the safety of my men.”

“That’s awful. So you went to talk to him about it?”

Duke laughed. “I kind of broke his jaw.”

Her stomach dropped. “Oh.”

“Oh? That’s all you have to say?” he teased.

“Well, I’m not sure how to react. I think he was wrong, but to hit him without discussing it…”

He shrugged. “A man who had been in service for half his life gave an order he knew could send a bunch of kids to the grave. Breaking his jaw was not even close to enough of what he deserved.”

“So what happened?”

“I was kicked out with a dishonorable discharge, and he was promoted.”

“It couldn’t have been a direct result. Please tell me the army is more fair than that.”

He waved his hand. “I was removed. Another took my place. He headed up other campaigns. Eventually, he got the recognition he sought. Et cetera.”

“I’m sorry. It sounds like you didn’t deserve that.”

He took her hand and tried to kiss the palm, but she pulled away. His touch did too many wonderful things to her body, and she had already told herself she wasn’t giving in to it tonight. The less skin to skin contact, the easier it would be to keep her resolve.

Their food arrived, and Takiyah tucked into hers. She moaned in delight at the incredible flavor of the succotash with cherry tomatoes and the juiciness of the duck. After a single bite from his meal, Duke paused to watch her eat. When she noticed, she set her fork down, embarrassed, and wiped her mouth on the cloth napkin.

“Will you stop?” She lowered her gaze. “I’m just surprised it tastes so good. I never imagined any restaurant could taste as good as the food at Marquette’s. I mean logically I knew but…”

She snapped her teeth together, realizing she rambled. His arrested gaze, never wavering from her face, unsettled her. Duke didn’t have to say a word to make a woman melt for him and it wasn’t all about his looks or his name either. He was rough around the edges but so compelling, she didn’t know what to do with herself. One would think she was a young inexperienced girl.

“I can’t help enjoying the view before me,” he said in a smooth tone. “I
refuse
to help it. Regarding the food, of course it’s good. Rene is the former chef at Marquette’s. He wouldn’t have been there if my cousins didn’t think he’s the best.”

“Wait, Rene? I’ve heard that name around Marquette’s. Every time he’s mentioned with Shada around, she seems to get an attitude as if he’s named just to insult her.”

Duke grinned. “She respected him, but as long as he was at Marquette’s she couldn’t be head chef. They say he left voluntarily, but… Well, you know my cousin Creed and what he’ll do for his beloved.”

“You guys are an obsessive group.”

He winked. “Shall I become obsessed over you?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t have time for you, Duke, and I have a feeling you would want me to dance to your tune all the time.”

“Ah, so you’re afraid I’ll break your heart?”

She rolled her eyes. “I’d have to love you first.”

“I can arrange for that.”

She picked up her fork again and stabbed at her food to stuff a big bite into her mouth. Now she didn’t feel embarrassed with him watching. No man knew how to whip her emotions back and forth like him. Yet, all the while he acted like she entertained him with her anger.

“Tell me about you,” he said. “What other than your son makes you tick?”

“Hard work.”

He raised an eyebrow, and she sighed.

“My dad got sick and passed, and then my mom did right after. For a while, I thought she was going to follow him.” A thick lump formed in Takiyah’s throat, and she paused to swallow it before continuing. “She’s doing a lot better now, but it was touch and go. I try to do all I can so she can have a peaceful life. We’re okay.”

“You were married to Ed.”

“Is that a statement? Yes.”

“He was a fool to leave you.”

She snorted. “You assume he left me? I left, and we were divorced two years ago. Sometimes things get sticky, but Keen, Mama, and I are doing fine. Plus, Ed’s a good man. He’s always been there for Keen. He’s never once missed spending time with him.”

She was surprised to see Duke squirm a little. Did he not like kids? Oddly, he had spoken easily enough with Keen, which made her think he didn’t have a problem. She wouldn’t jump to conclusions. Not that it mattered one way or another. Not like she planned to have a relationship with him. Yet, even as she denied wanting it or planning it, something stirred in her belly, a longing she hated to acknowledge. Why in the world should she focus on this man? A person could see a mile off that Duke wasn’t the kind of guy a woman should fall in love with.

Takiyah had no intention of mentioning the fact that while Ed was good about spending time with Keen, he sucked royally at paying child support. After his big stand against his dad, Ed couldn’t pay child support regularly. He could hardly keep a job with is chronic clumsiness. If he weren’t so damn stubborn—no, she wouldn’t spend her evening thinking about his silly behind. At least he hadn’t lost his house with all the trouble.

Duke’s intense gaze met hers, and he seemed to prevent her from looking away. “You still love him?”

“I—” Her phone rang, and she checked the display. “Excuse me. It’s my mother calling. Hey, Ma. Everything okay?”

“Mrs. Jones stopped by and convinced me to go to bingo. They’re having a special down at the church. It’s tonight and tomorrow night, and you get two cards free for every ten you buy.”

Takiyah had little idea what that meant. When she was a kid, she once went with her mother to bingo. She almost died of boredom and never made the mistake again. “You two have been friends for something like forty years, and y’all still call each other Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Silver.”

“Force of habit. Anyway, we’re leaving so don’t expect me in until late. Do you have your key?”

Takiyah chuckled. “Yes, Ma. Have fun, and take it easy. Don’t get too excited over those games.”

Her mother harrumphed and mumbled something about being sixty-something and able to handle herself. Takiyah shook her head and ended the call. The house would be empty tonight. If they wanted, she and Duke could go back to her place. Thinking about it, she sat straighter and glared at him. His expression said he knew exactly what was on her mind. She pursed her lips.
Stay strong, Takiyah.

“Sorry about that,” she said. “You were saying?”

“I wasn’t confessing,” he said with a smirk. “You were.”

“Confessing?” For a moment she couldn’t remember what the heck he was talking about, and then it all came back to her. Duke thought she still loved Ed. Preposterous. She considered whether she wanted to set the record straight or let him believe a lie to protect herself. Then it pissed her off that she thought she even needed protection from him. She should be strong enough to tell him no and make him back off if she wanted it. The problem was, she didn’t want him to back off. “I don’t love Ed. What we had is in the past, and I’m leaving it there whether he hopes for more or not. What about you? Have you ever been married?”

He cringed. “Never.”

“No plans on it, huh?”

“Aren’t you breaking some type of dating rule, talking about marriage on the first date?”

“This isn’t a date. You’re thanking me.”

He laughed. “Ah, yes. I forgot. To answer your question, no woman has ever moved me enough to abandon my single life. Not even close.” He leaned nearer and lowered his voice to a panty-wetting tone. “Does that entice you to try to tempt me?”

“Don’t flatter yourself, pal.”

He threw his head back and laughed so heartily, she was struck dumb. Watching him express his emotions with so much abandon blew her mind. Duke seemed to be happy beyond anyone she had ever known. Deep inside, her belly stirred with anxiety pretty often. If she wasn’t worried about Keen, she was worried about her mother. If they weren’t the focus, then it was finances. She had never let go and just lived, not for as long as she could remember. Just looking at Duke, a man who didn’t care one bit about what others thought and assumed about him, it was kind of gratifying and relaxing. She could never have explained it to anyone.

“Your son is staying with his dad this weekend?” Duke asked.

“Yeah, until Sunday night.”

Duke rubbed his jaw, and his eyes glazed over as if he considered something. “Have you ever been on a motorcycle?”

A sense of panic washed over her. “Um, no.”

“I have a motorcycle that I thought I’d get rid of. Turns out I can keep it. I don’t ride it often because it’s a classic, but I thought it would be fun to take you for a ride on it tomorrow. What do you say? Should we make a day of it?”

“I have to work tomorrow afternoon.”

“Late afternoon. We can go in the morning and be back in time.”

She chewed her bottom lip, thinking about it. Duke stroked the skin between her thumb and forefinger.

“I see the panic on your face, Kiyah. Don’t be afraid. I’ll take care of you, and I promise I’ll drive everywhere safely. Take a chance.”

A chance he said, when she had so much riding on her not breaking her damn neck on his motorcycle. “What the hell, yes! I’ll go. It should be fun.”

“That’s my girl. Now about tonight—”

“Tonight, sir, you are taking me home. Then you’re going to yours, or wherever you stay. You’re not getting that lucky.”

He groaned as if she’d stabbed him, grasping his chest. She slapped his hand and laughed. They spent the rest of the evening talking and enjoying each other’s company. When Duke took her home, she paused on the doorstep to tell him good night. He drew her into his arms and crushed her to his chest. His hands slid along her back, sending chills of delight racing up and down her body. She curved into his touch, pressing her body close to his. The hardness of his muscles, the contours, the unyielding strength turned her on. She wanted so much more, but she had already made up her mind.

“Kiss me,” he ordered and tipped his head lower, waiting for her to obey.

Her heart thundered, and she stretched up to her toes to give him what he wanted. Duke claimed her mouth with such force, her breath caught in her chest. He thrust her lips apart and invaded her mouth with a sweep of his tongue. A moan erupted from her, and he cupped the back of her head. He demanded all, and while she tried to reserve something of her emotions, he overpowered her to the point that she melted.

Duke broke the kiss after a few moments and nipped along her throat. He breathed deep, and it was as if he inhaled her essence, weakening her all the more. This man was so absolutely male it terrified and excited her at the same time. She raised her hands to his shoulders to push him away but instead grabbed on. He made her feel like she was falling hard and fast. She was scared and confused and hot as hell.