To Catch a Falling Star (12 page)

The office has a small window with one-way glass. It provides a front-row seat, while offering me privacy to spy on her.

As the women line up, Mel stands in the front of the class. She greets her students and, nervous, she occasionally glances at the one-way window. She knows I’m watching her. She begins instructing her students, but the sensual music muffles her voice.

Then, she frowns. Her gorgeous face becomes focused. I smile. She is trying to block the thought of me staring at her. Oh, Mel, you’re so mine. Don’t even bother fighting it. You’re as attracted to me as I am to you.

Mel raises her arms, inhales deeply, and sways her hips. My fucking world stops. Her body hypnotizes me with its sensual, erotic movements. My dick is so hard it hurts. I wonder if it’s possible to come just watching her hips moving side-to-side, thrusting, and lurching forward and back.

Goddamnit.

My eyes stare at her hips for the next half of an hour. Bewitched by her sultry and voluptuous body, I startle when Lucas cracks the door open. He wears the same police uniform as Mel.

“Hey, dude. You’re early.” He closes the door and smiles at me.

“Hi, Lucas, yeah, I got here early, and was watching Mel. Damn, she can move those hips.”

“You might want to wipe off the drool.” He points to my chin.

“Kind of obvious, huh?” I squirm uncomfortably in my seat, hoping he doesn’t notice my tented shorts. But, it’s kind of hard to miss at this point.

“Yeah, right now it’s all over your face. Gotta warn you though, Mel is a special person, and a few of us are overprotective. Just be aware of that.” As if to prove a point, he removes his gun from his belt and collects the bullets before locking them away in a safe.

“However, having said that, I would like to see Mel find someone special to make her happy.” He takes off his uniform shirt and puts it on a hanger. Without a trace of embarrassment, he changes into sweatpants and sneakers. I don’t usually pay attention to a man’s body, but Lucas is perfectly chiseled. It increases my awareness of my lanky figure.

“Step on the scale.” He grabs a clipboard and points to the corner of the room.

“The dietitian I told you about will stop by to talk about a new diet. You need to gain some weight, man,” he says after he checks my weight.

“Yeah, I’ve never been this skinny. I’m having a hard time eating.”

“I’ll give you the name of the protein shake I take. It’ll help you bulk up.”

“Has Mel dated since her husband passed away?” I ask, glancing toward where she still danced.

“No, Mel has never dated anyone other than Tim. They had a thing for each other since kindergarten, started dating at the age of thirteen, and got married when they were twenty. In all honesty, Mel has not even kissed another man.”

“Whoa.”

“Let’s get some measurements.” He pulls a measuring tape from a shelf.

“That’s hard to believe. Look at her, she’s gorgeous.”

“She never had eyes for anyone else, man. Sometimes I wonder if she’ll ever fall in love again. Losing Tim has been tough on her.” He wraps the tape around my bicep and scribbles something on a piece of paper.

“Lift your shirt; let me measure your chest.” I snatch my shirt off. He encircles the tape around my chest. I hear the door open. Shit, I really don’t want Mel to see me again without my shirt. I look like a freaking gangly teenager boy. Pathetic, I know, but standing next to healthy and strong Lucas I’m ashamed of my body.

“Sorry, I didn’t know you were…” Her eyes glance at my naked chest, then she turns to leave.

“That’s okay, Mel. Just taking some measurements.” Lucas smirks as he jots down my numbers. “No need to turn all red.”

I quickly shrug the shirt back on, putting us both out of our misery.

“Oh, well. I’m leaving. See you at class tomorrow.” She gathers her purse and iPhone, clearly avoiding eye contact with me.

Shit, I want to follow her like a puppy.

“Christ, Tarry, you gotta work on not being so obvious. Will and Uncle Dan will be all over you if they suspect it you have the hots for Mel.” Lucas shakes his head.

“In all honesty, I don’t give a damn,” I mumble.

“Well, you should. Mel is not the type to confront her father. She is crazy about the old man. If you want a chance at her, you gotta play by very outdated rules. Completely opposite of the rules from the world you are used to.”

“Yeah, no shit,” I say.

“Let’s go see what you got on that boney ass of yours.” Lucas points toward the dojo floor.

WHAT THE HELL is wrong with Tarry? No, what the hell is wrong with me? Yeah, it is the sight of that bare chest. Oh my. Tarry’s build is perfect. Though he is skinny, he has broad shoulders and narrow hips. God, I unashamedly stared at him. How embarrassing is that?

Anxious to be away from Tarry, I dashed out of the gym. I climb into my car and turn the key in the ignition. The engine doesn’t start. Shit. I take a deep breaths and repeat turning the key to the on and off positions, willing the car to start. I continue the process, but the car remains impassive, refusing to produce even a sputtering sound. Crap. Frustration floods me. I can’t afford to spend more money on this piece of junk.

I call my mechanic, who is, for obvious reasons, on speed dial. He is towing a car cross town, so it’ll be at least an hour before he gets here. I lean back and do the math of how much money I have in savings. Yeah, I’ll have to take another double this week. This is bad timing.

I close my eyes and tears threaten to fall. But I rebuke them. I’m not crying over a car. The reality is that each time my car breaks I have an emotional breakdown. And my car breaks pretty often. This is something that Tim took care of. I really dislike anything mechanical.

I call my mom. “Hey, Mom, I’m running late to get Ella.”

“Sure, honey, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I should be there in an hour.” I tell her.

“Okay, I’ll have Ella showered, and put her pj’s on.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

“Of course, hon. And I’ll have a plate of dinner for you.”

“Oh, Mom, you’re the best. I’ll take it home with me. Thanks a million.”

“Sure, sweetie.”

I lean back and close my eyes. My traitor’s mind reels back to Tarry. Really? I can’t seem to remember life before Tarry.
You are pitiful, Mel.

My heart speeds up as I think of his lips, soft and warm, tauntingly caressing my fingers. A jolt tugs at my core at the thought of him biting my pinky. I don’t think I’ve seen something so sexy in my entire life. I curl my fingers and bring them to my chest. God, the man knows how to tempt a woman. How to say no to that? I hate to admit it, but I’m wet and feeling deeply wanton.

A soft tap on the window yanks me out of my reverie. I glance out. My eyes meet Tarry’s concerned expression. I roll down my manual window.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah, I am okay. Baby Honey is not feeling too good though.” I attempt a smile.

“Do you want me to check on it for you?”

“Do you know anything about cars?”

“No.” He raises his brow.

“It’s okay. I called a tow truck.” As if on cue, a blipping light flashes behind us.

“Oh, he’s here.” I jump out of the car.

“Hey, Mel, is Baby Honey sick again?” Mike flashes me his flirtatious smile. He hugs me, lifting me off the ground and kisses my cheek. He was Tim’s cousin and best friend. Back when we were teens, they used to spend hours repairing an old Charger.

“Yeah, she’s getting old and worn out.” I offer him a warm smile.

“Gonna have to let go of her one of these days, Mel.” He collects the keys.

“Yeah, I suppose so.” I turn to Tarry and make the introductions.

“Hey, man,” he warmly greets Tarry who simply nods in return.

“Do you need a ride?” Mike asks.

“No, I’m driving her home,” Tarry interjects with a harsh voice. The hell he is driving me home.

“Good, ’cause I already have another car to tow. There must be a full moon or something.” Mike flashes a smile and kisses me again. “See you, maybe we can go out to catch up or something.”

“Yeah, sure, I would like that. I’ll call you tomorrow to get the diagnostic,” I say as I get Ella’s booster seat from the back.

“Sure, I’ll give Baby Honey priority, since she’s a regular.” He winks at me, then waves to Tarry.

“Let’s go,” Tarry snaps. He snatches the car seat from my hands and grabs my arm without even looking Mike’s way. Arrogant ass.

“Bye, Mike,” I squeak as Tarry drags me to the Jeep.

“If you didn’t want to give me a ride, why did you offer?” I snap.

“Friendly mechanic, huh?” He opens the Jeep door for me.

“Mike is my husband’s cousin.” I frown. “Not that it’s any of your business.”

“Whatever. He’s just too friendly.”

“You sound like a jealous boyfriend,” I protest, sinking in my seat.

“Where to?”

“My parents’ place. Ella is there.”

He turns the engine, then merges into traffic. With his eyes focused on the evening traffic, I use the opportunity to examine him. His shaggy hair is drenched and his cotton shirt clings to his chest. He smells of sweat and a faint scent of cigarettes. My insides clench. He looks so delectable. I shake my head, exasperated with the direction my thoughts keep taking.

Now, whatever happened to operation avoidance? It seems that at every corner I bump into him. I need to spend more energy in planning my life better so our paths will no longer cross.

He pulls over in the driveway. I say a little prayer that Mom and Dad don’t see me in Will’s car. I’m not in the mood to explain that my car is broken again.

“Can you wait for a moment? I won’t be long.”

I climb the stairs and zoom inside the unlocked front door. Inside, Ella storms my way and jumps in my arms. I squeeze her tight. “Hey, baby, I missed you.” I glance at Mom, who shoves a plate of food on my hands.

“Here is your dinner, honey. Ella is all set for bed, except for her teeth.”

“Mom, I can’t thank you enough,” I say already turning to leave.

“No need, Mel. Bye, honey.” She waves to us.

“Bye, Grandma.”

Please, please, Mom, don’t follow us. I repeat the mantra. She doesn’t. Relief rushes through me, as I close the front door.

“Is that Uncle Will?” Ella asks.

“No, honey, that’s Uncle Tarry. He’s giving us a lift.”

“Cool, I like him.”

“Come on, honey, hurry.” I usher her inside the car.

“Hi, Uncle Tarry.”

I buckle the belt on Ella’s booster, slide inside the car, and urge Tarry to speed away.

“Hey, Ella.” He flashes his rock-star smile at the kid. She melts under his charm.

“Mommy is in a hurry.” She giggles.

“What’s the matter? You don’t want your parents to see me?” He frowns and, momentarily, seems hurt.

“No, it’s not that. I don’t want them to know my car is broken again. Will is going to preach a living hell to me.”

“Why don’t you accept his offer for a new car?”

“It would be too much. I don’t know if he told you, but Will bought me my house. I can’t take more from him. It would be wrong.”

“Not if he can afford it.” Tarry shrugs.

“I’ll be the judge of that,” I snap. Besides, I like this car. It was Tim’s.

The five-minute drive seems too long. Tarry and Ella talk about her day at school, and I redo the math in my head. Do I really only have this much money? Can I even rent a car?

Finally, he pulls over in my driveway.

“Thanks, Tarry, you are a lifesaver,” I say, as I get out Ella and her car seat.

“Can I come in?” He smiles, already out of the car.

“Um, it’s late, and Ella has to be up early tomorrow for school.”

“I won’t stay long,” he says, unaffected. Does he always have to have his way?

“Oh, I want to show you my guitar. It was Dad’s, but Mom said I could have it.” Ella tugs his hand and guides him to the back door.

I cringe. Is the entire world against my operation avoidance?

“Ella, you’ve got to go to bed,” I say, unlocking the kitchen door.

“In just a minute, Mom. I promise,” she begs and I can’t deny her request. Truth is, Ella doesn’t ask for much. When she does, it’s hard to say no.