When I Fall in Love (13 page)

She scanned through the huge music collection. “How about Sade? I don't know a man that doesn't like her.”

He nodded. “I've definitely got a soft spot for Sade. I just like good R&B music.”

He stood alongside her and reached out for a selection. “How about this one?” he asked before turning on the music.

Tayler listened as the sensual voice of Maxwell emerged from the speakers. Lovemaking music. Fearing what was to come, she turned away from him. Her heart beat in double time.
Lord, don't let this man touch me.

Chapter 14

H
e reached for her hand. “Tayler, where you goin'?”

She turned back around and looked up into his eyes. His gaze was on her mouth and she shivered with anticipation. She struggled with herself to resist him, but his love was so good, she was in a losing battle.

His hands slid down her arms and he laced his fingers between hers. “I can't keep my hands off you,” he said, his voice close to a whisper.

She looked down at their intertwined fingers and watched him raise her hand to his mouth and kiss it. Her stomach fluttered. He stepped closer and kissed her forehead. Tayler placed her head against his firm, hard chest as he wrapped his arms around her.
I'm so weak for this man.
She begged for strength.

“Rollin, we can't do this again.”

“Can't do what? We can't dance?” he asked in a soft, controlled voice. His body swayed with the music and she found herself following his lead. His leg shifted, his thigh pressed between her legs and her leg followed. They slow danced in the middle of the library.

He ignited a fire inside Tayler that intensified when he reached down and placed his hand under her chin, bringing her face up to meet his. He kissed her lips ever so gently and Tayler closed her eyes. Her head told her to pull away from his embrace before it was too late, but her body had a mind of its own and wanted nothing more than to revel in his embrace.

His lips left hers and she moaned.

“I want to make love to you,” he whispered in her ear. “I've tried to fight it, but I can't. I need you tonight.”

Tayler felt her stomach clench as she looked up into his smoldering eyes. If he only knew the things she wanted to do to him, but dared not express, he'd be overjoyed. At that moment, her brain lost the battle and her body took over.

She reached up and held his face between her hands and kissed him with an intensity she hadn't even known she possessed. She was like a wild woman starving to taste his lips again. He moaned into her mouth and held her so tight he lifted her from the floor and walked over to the couch, where he placed her on her back.

He wasted no time covering her exposed neck and shoulders with kisses. His warm breath against her skin and in her ear excited her to the point of dizziness. He braced himself with one hand and raised her dress with the other. He kissed her from her navel to her breasts, and then sat up, pulling her with him.

Tayler helped him pull her dress up and over her head, and then lay back down, gazing up at him. He traced a finger along the edge of her bra before popping the front snap. She took a deep breath and reached out for his belt. An uncontrollable blaze burned inside her.

Rollin placed his hand over hers. “Slow down, baby,” he said with a chuckle. “We've got all night.”

He reached down with both hands and massaged her breasts. “Besides, I want to make sure you can't call tonight a reckless act.” He bent over and took turns feasting on one nipple then the other. He raised his head and gazed down into her eyes with a look that said he was as aroused as she was. His breathing was quick, and his skin was hot to the touch.

She was so drunk with desire she heard herself moan.

The throbbing between her legs was intense. Her body trembled on the verge of an explosion. She turned her head and gritted her teeth to keep from screaming.

He sat up again and she reached for his belt. This time he let her unbuckle his belt and unzip his pants. He watched her with heavy eyelids. When she finished, he stood up and took his jeans off. He took her by the hips and slid her panties off.

She yearned so badly to have him extinguish the fire burning inside her, she arched her body up to him. He positioned himself back over her and caressed the inside of her thighs until her legs slowly opened, and then he entered her with two fingers. She squirmed around underneath him before he ventured deeper inside her. His thumb found its own pleasurable spot and Tayler nearly lost her mind.

Her body shuddered and her breathing came in short little pants. He stroked and massaged her, driving her over the edge. She loved every minute of it and thrust her pelvis up in response to his touch.

“This is for you, baby,” Rollin whispered in her ear. “You're so beautiful. I want to watch you come.”

Her head tossed and turned and her body bucked so hard she thought she'd fall off the couch. He had her heart pounding in her chest and her legs trembling as he worked magic with his fingers. He pulled his fingers out of her and concentrated on the tiny bud that begged for all the attention. His touch was light as a feather but still managed to push all her buttons. Tayler threw her hands over her head and clutched the arm of the couch. Her body throbbed and she cried out from sheer delight. She shuddered from such an intense orgasm and gasped for air.

“Oh, God!” She squeezed her legs together, unable to take it any longer.

As aftershocks riddled her body, Rollin lowered his mouth to hers and gave her a deep, intoxicating kiss. She lay there naked and sated with closed eyes as she regained her breathing.

He held her and whispered into her ear. “Now, that was no reckless act, agreed?”

She opened her eyes, kissed him on the neck and then exhaled a deep gratifying sigh. “Agreed.”

Minutes later, Tayler followed Rollin down the hall to his bedroom, where they spent the rest of the night in orgasmic heaven.

* * *

The next day after breakfast Rollin worked around the farm while Tayler tried to relax on the front porch and read. It wasn't working, so she pulled out her cell phone and took a few pictures of the house and then drafted the first Coleman House newsletter.

Rollin came back to the house that afternoon dusty and dirty, but to Tayler, he looked sexier than ever.

“Let me shower and change right quick, then you can ride into town with me,” Rollin said after he greeted Tayler with a kiss.

“Um.” She licked her lips.

He laughed. “What have you been doing all morning?”

“Working on the Coleman House newsletter. I've sketched out a first draft that I'll show you later. And a ride into town would be perfect. I saw a fountain in the town square that would look perfect in the newsletter.”

His brows creased. “Who has time to update a monthly newsletter?”

“Relax, it doesn't have to go out monthly. Once I set it up it'll be a breeze to maintain. Either you or Corra can send it out at an agreed-upon time frame.”

He opened the front door and she followed him inside. “So this is how it starts, huh? Women start making little changes and the next thing you know they're running the joint.”

“Lucky for you I'm only here for a few months. Otherwise, yes, I would take over.” She reached out and swatted him on the butt.

“Aren't I lucky,” he said before walking down the hall to his room.

Tayler carried her laptop inside, changed and waited for Rollin on the front porch.

The drive into town was Norman Rockwell all over again. Small-town folk going about their business in the normal way. No taxis zipping in and out of traffic. No trains screeching overhead. As a matter of fact, she didn't even hear one horn blow. Maybe she was delusional, but she felt a peace come over her body that she'd never felt before.

Rollin let Tayler out on Main Street to browse through the many quaint shops while he went to take care of some business. They'd agreed to meet up at a restaurant called Cue on Main Street. After sampling several shops, it didn't take Tayler long to find Cue. Rollin was already waiting inside.

He stood up and pulled out her chair as she approached. “What did you buy?” he asked, pointing to the bag in her hand as she sat down.

She reached inside and whipped out her treat on a stick. “A caramel apple, can you believe it? I haven't had one of these in years. I stopped at this cute little shop that had an assortment of a little of everything inside.”

Rollin smiled. “You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you?”

She smiled in return. “Yes, I am. Far more than I thought I would. I love this little town. I spoke to the woman in the shop about partnering with Coleman House, and she seemed pretty excited about it.”

“You what?”

Tayler sighed. “Rollin, I really think you need to add a small gift shop at the house. Or at least sell some local things on consignment. It'll add a little flavor to the B and B and won't cost you anything.”

“So where do we put these little gifts?” he asked.

She shrugged. “Don't worry, I'll think of something.”

They ordered lunch and continued to discuss Tayler's ideas until Rollin changed the subject and Tayler's mood.

“So what was growing up like for Tayler? You hardly ever talk about home.”

She looked around. “It wasn't like this, that's for sure. I grew up in Rockford, Illinois. In a tiny two-bedroom apartment. My mother worked two jobs to support me, my sister and my brother. My father left when I was young. I saw him once after I graduated from high school, but that was it.”

“Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. I hate to hear about any man skipping out on his family.”

“Yeah, well, we got over it. Everyone survived and went their separate ways.”

“Where's your family now?”

“My mom and sister are still in Rockford. My brother joined the service and he's stationed in Germany. I went to school in Chicago and never looked back. It wasn't very far away, but it seemed like worlds away.”

“How often do you get back home?”

She lowered her head, wishing he hadn't asked her that. “Not very often. I've been pretty busy with work and squeezing in speaking engagements when I can.”

He didn't say anything, only nodded.

Tayler took a deep breath. “My family wasn't like yours. We've never been particularly close.”

“You've done very well for yourself under the circumstances. A VP position with any company is a huge accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself.”

She didn't usually discuss her family dynamics with anyone. But Rollin had opened her up so much in the last couple of weeks she found it easy to talk to him.

“I am proud of myself.”

“You're a very special woman, you know that?”

She leaned into the table and smiled. “How special am I?”

“Why don't we head back to the house, and I'll show you.”

He winked at Tayler, and she shuddered.

Chapter 15

I
f Rita hadn't returned Friday morning, Tayler would have stayed right where she had been for the last couple of nights—in Rollin's bed. However, her arrival had sent Tayler scrambling back to her room. Somehow she'd have to explain why she hadn't moved back upstairs since the guests had left.

After dodging Rita's probing eyes, Rollin treated Tayler to a new experience in the middle of a strawberry patch.

“Here, taste this.” He fed her a plump, juicy strawberry.

She hesitated and then glanced up at him before taking a bite. The berry exploded in her mouth, sending sweet juice everywhere. Some slid down the side of her mouth and she reached to wipe it up, but Rollin beat her to it.

With his tongue, he caught the running juices and licked his way to her mouth. Once there, he played a game of hide-and-seek, his tongue darting in and out of her mouth before sticking around to taste the sweet juices.

“Um, that was good,” he said after kissing her.

Tayler did a 360 to see if anybody saw what had just took place. A few workers were at the other end of the patches but hadn't noticed them.

“Want another one?” Rollin offered.

“Are those things clean?” she asked, wrinkling her nose.

“If this wasn't an organic farm, I'd say no. Since it is, I've wiped it off on my shirt.” He offered her another one.

She opened her mouth and closed her eyes while he fed her. “Somehow that doesn't make it any cleaner to me. I'm gonna tell Rita you're eating all the strawberries instead of picking them,” she said.

Rollin picked up the small bucket and handed it to her. “I'm just thankful she's back. I don't want to make her mad by returning empty-handed, so let's get to picking.”

“I can't wait until she fixes the pie. I've never had a strawberry pie from scratch before.” Tayler stooped down next to the bush and Rollin joined her.

“You've lived a pretty sheltered life, haven't you, girl?”

“No way. I've traveled everywhere and have done a little bit of everything.” She picked one strawberry and put it into the bucket. The next one she wiped off and ate.

“Yeah, but until you came here you'd never picked your own food, eaten any organic foods, drunk herbal tea or experienced an orgasm that had you speaking in tongues.”

She stopped and stood up. “What?”

“You know, last night, when you screamed my name and something that sounded like you were speaking another language.”

“Oh, please, stop flattering yourself.” She rolled her eyes and continued picking berries.

“So, you didn't scream my name?”

She shrugged. “Maybe once or twice, but—”

“But nothing,” he cut her off. He reached over and dropped a handful of strawberries in her bucket. “This last week has been a new experience for you. I know, baby, just call me your professor.”

She laughed. Tayler hated to admit it, but after the exquisite orgasm he gave her on the couch, he was her teacher.

She held a strawberry toward the sky. “Okay, I was not speaking in tongues, more like gibberish or something,” she said with a laugh.

He walked over and dropped another handful of strawberries in her bucket. “Whatever it was, I loved it,” he said between clenched teeth and then took her face in his hands and bent down for a kiss. “We need to repeat it tonight.”

His kisses were irresistible to her now. They stood there kissing like two high school sweethearts until she reluctantly pulled away from his spellbinding lips.

“Stop, we have to get back to the house.”

“I know. Rita's waiting and I've got some 'splaining to do.”

“Okay, let's head back.”

They walked back to the truck, where Rollin dumped the berries into a waiting cooler. During the short ride back he entertained Tayler with one joke after another. When the house came into view, Tayler saw a small car parked next to hers.

“Looks like you have guests,” Rollin said.

Rollin dropped Tayler off at the front door while he drove his truck around back. Tayler opened the front door and heard a familiar laugh. She stopped dead in her tracks. She backed out onto the porch and closed the door.

Shit, what is she doing here?
Tayler paced around the porch for several seconds in order to pull herself together. Rollin had driven around back to empty the truck bed. She needed to talk to him before he came in, but it was too late. She took a deep breath and entered the house.

Inside the library, Rita and Nicole sat chatting it up.

“Surprise! There's my girl.” Nicole jumped up from the couch when she saw Tayler. She threw her arms up and met Tayler in the doorway, giving her a big hug.

Tayler's posture stiffened as she hugged her back. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice rising in pitch.

“I flew in for my mom's birthday.” Nicole placed her hands on her hips and gave Tayler a thumbs-up. “Well, don't you look like a new woman, good and rested. Country life suits you, huh?”

“It does. I love it,” Tayler answered with a big smile.

Rita cleared her throat. “I'll let you girls talk.” She eased out of the library.

Tayler tried unsuccessfully to make eye contact with Rita. She didn't know if Rita knew she'd been sleeping in Rollin's room, but the last thing she wanted was for Nicole to find out.

“That's great. Didn't I tell you you'd like it here?”

“You were right.” Tayler walked into the library and sat on the couch. Nicole joined her and she smiled up at her friend, thinking about the good times she and Rollin had had the last couple of nights.

“Rita said Rollin's really been showing you around the farm.”

Tayler's voice cracked. “Yes, he has. The house, the barn—I even went to the market with them once.”

Nicole playfully reached out and whacked Tayler on the arm. “So, how you feelin', chick? Are you all rested and ready to get back to work?”

Tayler laughed. “I'm rested and reenergized, that's for sure. But I've only been here three weeks—the vacation's not over yet.” She wasn't ready to discuss work. All she wanted to do was crawl back in bed with Rollin.

“There's my long-lost cousin.” Rollin came through the door with a big smile on his face.

“Hey, cuz.” Nicole jumped up and ran over to throw her arms around him.

“What's been up, girl?”

Nicole stepped back and gave him an admiring glance. “Man, you're lookin' good. Farmwork definitely agrees with you.” She squeezed his arm. “Look at those guns.”

He flexed his arm. “Yeah, it's a real workout.” Then he stepped back. “But look at you. You've lost weight and everything.”

She sashayed around in a circle. “I lost a few pounds, but you know, a sister always has looked good.”

Tayler laughed and shook her head. That was Nicole, always complimenting herself in the third person.

Rollin laughed as well. “You haven't changed one bit.”

“Nope, and I don't plan to, either. Thanks for taking such good care of my girl here.”

Rollin glanced over at Tayler and grinned. “It's been a pleasure.”

Tayler crossed her legs and lowered her gaze to keep from blushing.

“Don't tell me you came all the way down here to check up on her,” Rollin asked.

“No, it's Mama's birthday. I flew in to surprise her. Then I had to ride over and see how my girl's doing, especially after the frantic phone calls I received when she arrived.”

“Oh, yeah?” Rollin arched one curious brow. “What did she say?”

“That was weeks ago,” Tayler protested.

Nicole went on. “She did everything but curse me out.”

“Nicole, you don't need to tell him—” Tayler held out her hand, trying to shut her up.

“Especially after she became the only guest, she freaked out. Man, she did not want to stay here alone with you.” Nicole was the only one in the room who laughed at that.

Rollin stood there with his arms crossed and his stance wide, grinning at Tayler.

Oh, how she needed Nicole to shut up or change the subject. Then she realized their body language must have given something away, because Nicole shot a glance at Rollin first, then her. “So, what have you done to my friend here, because she hasn't called in over a week.”

He shrugged. “Why don't you ask her?”

Nicole's eyes widened and Tayler came to her feet. “He's taught me about organic farming. I'm learning to appreciate what I eat, for one. This place is a real education.”

Nicole sucked at her teeth and nodded. “Mm-hmm.”

Tayler knew Nicole too well. She wasn't buying it.

“Well, I need to clean up. I'll let you ladies talk. Nicole, you're sticking around for a while, aren't you?” Rollin asked.

“Not taking off till me and my girl here have a little chat.”

He left the room and Tayler eased back down on the couch. Nicole stood over her with her arms crossed.

“You know I didn't buy that educational BS, don't you?”

Tayler shrugged. “I can't tell you what to believe, but this place is a real find.”

Nicole flopped down next to her. “Damn, I know he's my cousin, but Rollin is looking fine as hell. I don't remember him having all those muscles. Anything happen between you two?”

Tayler shook her head and tried to look casual.

“You lying hussy.”

Tayler held a hand to her chest. “What? You think I would get involved with your cousin?”

“Why not? He's not my man or anything. Hell, if he wasn't family I'd go a round in the sheets with him myself.”

Tayler laughed. “You are notoriously horny, aren't you?”

“Girl, you know me, so don't lie.” Nicole jumped up again and dashed over to the doorway and peeked out. Then she returned to the couch. “Tayler, it's me, Nicole. The friend you tell everything, remember? Like how your ex had such a small—”

“Nicole!”

“I was going to say a small appetite for—you know,” Nicole continued with a laugh.

Tayler crossed her arms and nodded. “You don't have to remind me.”

Nicole stretched her arm along the back of the couch. “Come on, Tayler, I want the truth.”

“Girl, you can't handle the truth,” Tayler teased.

“Ew, no, you didn't!”

“Ladies, help yourselves to some fresh lemonade,” Rita called out from the dining room.

Tayler and Nicole left the library for the dining room.

“That's what I'm talking about,” Nicole said. “Miss Rita, summer just isn't summer without your lemonade.”

“Yeah, Rita, I tried to duplicate your recipe when you were sick, but I didn't do you justice,” Tayler admitted.

“Well, thank you, ladies. It's actually pretty easy. I'll write down the recipe for the both of you. Nicole, are you staying for dinner?”

“I would love to, but we're taking Mama over to Springfield to that new steak house for her birthday.”

“Oh, I heard that's nice,” Rita said.

“So have I,” Nicole added.

Tayler poured herself a tall glass of lemonade.

“Who ran things while you were sick?” Nicole asked Rita.

“You know Corra steps in when she has to.” Rita glanced over at Tayler. “But Rollin did a good job of handling things, too, didn't he, Tayler?”

Tayler caught the twinkle in Rita's eyes and was sure she knew exactly what had transpired between her and Rollin while she was sick. “Yes, he did.” She turned away from them and took a big sip of lemonade.

Rita went back into the kitchen and Nicole cleared her throat. Tayler sensed her start to stay something.

“Drop it,” Tayler said, pointing to Nicole.

Nicole held a hand up. “Okay, dropped.”

Tayler turned and walked out of the dining room. “Let's get some air.”

Nicole followed Tayler out to the front porch and then proceeded to fill her in on everything going on at work since she'd left.

“Which brings me to another reason I drove out here today. Do you remember that women's group I started working with last year, Ladies of Distinction?”

“I think so. Several local news anchors are members?”

“Yes, that's the group. Well, they're planning an empowerment conference next year. And they want the Color of Success to host. With the new director of strategic alliance at MesaCom as the keynote speaker.”

Tayler furrowed her brows in confusion.

“Girl, that's you. You know Dustin all but promised you that promotion when you get back. You'll be the first black female director for the company. I think that probably excites Dustin more than you.”

Tayler's boss had encouraged her to go for the position as soon as the present director informed him of his plans to leave. The search for a new director had begun, only the results hadn't been announced.

“Nicole, what if I don't get the position?” She'd never doubted herself until today.

“Are you kidding me? You're Dustin's girl. That man loves your ass, and if he wasn't married he'd be all over you and you know it. He agrees with everything you say and do. Who else gets to take two months off, no questions asked?”

“He gave me the time because he feared I'd have a nervous breakdown, not because he likes me.”

“Whatever. I still say you're a shoo-in for the position. How about it, though? We can even enlist some of our girls as volunteers. They also want the Color of Success to lead a session.”

The front door opened and Rollin strolled out.