Sweet Southern Nights Page 12

  She slowly lowered her arm. “I read, walk, watch movies and I write,” she admitted.

  He gave her an incredulous stare. “You write?” Angela nodded. “What do you write?”

  “I write reviews of the movies I’ve seen.”

  His eyebrows lifted. “Are you a movie reviewer?”

  “No, Levi.” There was a trace of laughter in her voice. “I have an extensive movie collection and every three days I watch a new one then write a review.”

  Angela hadn’t lied. She’d always been a movie buff, and once she’d decided to become a novelist she began writing movie reviews to analyze plots and characters. The exercise had become useful in writing her own novels.

  “How many movies do you have?”

  She lifted a shoulder. “Thousands. They include every genre from action, adventure, to musicals, to comedies, drama and horror. I’ve set up a database for each title that includes the cast, director, studio and gross receipts along with my review.”

  “Do you ever see a movie more than once?”

  “Hardly ever, but I do have my favorites. What’s your second question?”

  “Why do you wear your hair like that?” He gestured in a circular motion.

  Angela patted the coil of hair at the nape of her neck. “It’s easier this way.”

  “I like your hair when you don’t pin it up in that schoolmarm bun.”

  “No, you didn’t! We’re not schoolmarms but educators.”

  “My bad,” he said. “Do you think you’ll ever go back to teaching?”

  Angela turned her head to hide a smile. “I haven’t ruled it out,” she said. Although she didn’t want to think about it, there was a possibility that her writing career could end, or that Traci would decide she didn’t want to continue running the gift shop. She’d enjoyed teaching but writing romance novels had taken precedence.

  “What do you do in New York when you’re not treating patients?” she asked Levi.

  “During the baseball season I try and make every Yankee home game. I also go to Knick games whenever possible. I’m more of a TV spectator when it comes to football. A group of us usually gets together on Sundays to watch the games.”

  “It sounds as if you’re a frustrated jock.”

  Levi laughed. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’m not into pain.”

  “Did you ever play football?”

  “Unlike Reggie Goddard, my idea of fun isn’t having three hundred pounds of muscle tackling me. You can’t imagine how many teenagers I’ve treated who get injured playing contact sports.”

  “Are you saying you wouldn’t let your son play football?”

  Levi gave her a withering look. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

  “What if he wants to?”

  “It’s not what he wants as long as I’m responsible for him. Once he’s old enough, he can do whatever he pleases.”

  “My brothers played football and they came out all right.”

  “Your brothers are not my sons.”

  Angela knew she was treading into dangerous territory with Levi and decided to drop the topic. Maybe because he was a pediatrician and had treated sport-related injuries, he was so adamant that his children not be involved in contact sports.

  Levi signaled for the check, settled the bill and helped Angela to her feet. He drove her back to where she’d parked her car in a parking lot not far from the Garden Gate. Waiting until she was settled into her car, he leaned over into the driver’s side window and kissed her.

  “I’ll follow you home.”

  “That’s all right,” Angela said, staring at him. “I’ll make it home okay.”

  “I’ll still follow you to make certain.”

  “Levi—”

  “Shh,” he interrupted. “Whenever I take a lady out, I always make certain she gets home safely. Please don’t fight with me, darling, because I’m a lot bigger than you.”

  “You’re a bully, Levi.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Angela. I like you a little too much to think of something happening to you.”

  “He likes me! He likes me!” she repeated.

  Shaking his head, Levi couldn’t help but laugh. “All right, Sally Field. Start your car and I’ll be right behind you.”

  He got into his car, started it up and sped out of the lot just in time to see the taillights of Angela’s two-seater Audi turn a corner. He followed her as far as the marker for Magnolia Pines, then reversed direction. I like you a little too much to think of something happening to you. The admission had just slipped out, but Levi wasn’t certain if Angela’s humorous response was because she didn’t believe him or because she wasn’t ready to acknowledge the depths of his feelings.

  Chapter 10

  Levi woke later than he’d planned Sunday morning. Rolling over, he gazed at the travel clock on the bedside table. It was after nine and he’d promised Angela he would pick her up at one. He stifled a groan, closed his eyes and flopped on his back. After seeing her home, he’d driven to an all-night supermarket to pick up groceries to stock his refrigerator and pantry.

  It had taken three trips before he’d moved all of his belongings from the cottage into the new apartment. It was after midnight when he’d finally put away his clothes, made up the bed and stored bedding and towels in the linen closet and stocked the pantry. The only thing that remained was unpacking the boxes with pots, pans, cutlery and dishes and hooking up the television.

  He sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He walked into the adjoining bathroom. He went through the motions of brushing his teeth and shaving, then stepped into the shower stall. The warm water managed to revive him, and when he returned to the bedroom his step was lighter.

  He walked into the kitchen and searched for the single-cup coffeemaker in one of the three boxes labeled “Kitchen.” Levi plugged in the small appliance, and within minutes, the smell of brewing coffee filled the room.

  He sat in one of the chairs, propped his feet up in another chair, and sipped the strong mug of Sumatra. He stared at the furniture and decided it reminded him of the functional, big-box-store style pieces sold in Ikea.

  He’d finished brewing a second cup of coffee when his cell phone rang. A smile crossed his lips when he saw the name on the caller ID display.

  “Hello, stranger.”

  “Bite your tongue, Levi Eaton. You’re the stranger. You know you owe me a call.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Crystal. I called you just before I left New York, and the call went directly to voice mail.” There was silence on the other end. “Cryss, are you still there?” Levi asked after a lengthy pause.

  “I’m here.” A sigh came through the earpiece. “I need a favor of you.”

  Levi sat up straight, giving his cousin his full and undivided attention when he heard something in her voice. It was fear. He’d always been particularly close to Crystal Eaton, and felt more like a brother than a cousin. Her father, Raleigh Eaton, was now on his fourth marriage and Crystal had spent her childhood competing with her father’s wives for his attention. Her mother never recovered from losing the man she’d considered the love of her life. When she did talk to her only child, it was as if she were a total stranger. There were times when Crystal spent more time at Levi’s house than she did at her own.

  “What is it, Cryss?”

  “Can I hang out at your place for a while?”

  “You want to come to Kentucky?”

  “No, Levi. I’m talking about your condo in Mamaroneck. I’d like to stay there—at least until you get back.”

  “What happened to your apartment in Fort Lauderdale?”

  “I sold it.”

  “Why?” Levi asked.<
br />
  There came another pause. “I…I couldn’t stay in Florida.”

  He listened and was stunned when she told him she was pregnant, and hadn’t told the man she’d been involved with that she was carrying his child. “How far along are you?”

  “I just began the second trimester. You’re the only one who knows.”

  Levi ran a hand over his face. “Are you going to tell your mother or father?”

  “No!”

  He was taken aback by the tone in her voice. “Have you at least been to see a doctor?”

  “Yes. He says everything looks good.”

  “I want you to call my practice and ask for Dr. Webster. Tell him you’re my cousin. He’s one of the best obstetricians in the New York City area. I’m going to check in with him periodically to see how you’re doing.”

  “What happened to doctor-patient confidentiality, Levi?”

  “I’m not going to violate your privacy. He’s going to be your ob-gyn and I’m going to be your baby’s pediatrician, so it stands to reason that we will consult with each other. By the way, where are you now?”

  “I’ve checked into a hotel in Manhattan. I’d like to stay at your place until you get back, then I’ll look for something suitable for me and the baby.”

  “Don’t worry about moving. You can stay as long as you want, Crystal,” he told her. “I’ll call the building manager and tell him to give you a set of keys. The only thing I’m going to ask you to do is call me regularly to let me know how you’re doing.”

  “I promise, Levi. And thank you.”

  He smiled for the first time. “There’s no need to thank me. Just take care of yourself and that baby.”

  “I will. And don’t worry about your apartment, Levi. I’ll make certain it’ll pass the white-glove test.”

  “You will not be doing any housework or heavy lifting that might jeopardize your baby. The building has a contract with a cleaning service. Tell the concierge you want them to come in twice a week. You don’t have to be there to let them in. And don’t worry about paying them, because it’s charged directly to my monthly maintenance. I’ll call you back to let you know when you can pick up the keys.”

  Levi ended the call. He scrolled through his contacts on his cell for the name and number of the building manager. It only took a few minutes to tell the manager what he wanted before he called Crystal to tell her she could move into his condo the next day. He couldn’t imagine what had happened between Crystal and the man who had fathered her child to make her not tell him she was pregnant.

  Crystal was by most measures a late bloomer. She didn’t begin dating until after she’d graduated from college. Levi knew her reluctance to become involved with a man stemmed from her father’s many failed marriages and her mother’s inattentiveness. Both had contributed to her trust issues.

  Her father Raleigh Eaton’s striking good looks made him a magnet for the opposite sex. The running family joke was that Raleigh could afford a harem since he’d made a sizable fortune in the stock market. It was as if the self-made millionaire had a sixth sense when it came to buying and selling stocks and bonds, but not when it came to women.

  His uncle was going to be a grandfather for the first time. But unfortunately, his daughter didn’t plan to include him in her life and that of her unborn child.

  Angela sat on the back porch, watching the Weather Channel. The wind was gusting more than twenty miles an hour and there was a forecast of rain. But so far the skies had remained cloudy. Bad weather was never a factor when it came to Dianne Chase’s social events. An outdoor party was simply moved indoors.

  She had waited until eight to call Traci to find out if she was going to the cookout, but the call went directly to voice mail. She hoped Traci was feeling better than she had the day before.

  It had been a week since she’d first met Levi Eaton. But for some reason it seemed like they had known each other so much longer. She felt an emotional calm she hadn’t thought possible. She liked Levi a lot. Yet a part of her wouldn’t let her feel connected. He was perfect, perfect for anyone but her. There was no way she could allow herself to feel more than friendship. How could she want or ask for more when Levi had planned to leave Kentucky in a few weeks. Falling in love with him would prove disastrous. However, what she was willing to do was sleep with him, something she’d refused to consider before. She smiled. After all, Levi had told her that she was the one who was in control of their relationship.

  They were adults—consenting adults—and when it ended, both of them would be left with memories despite the promise of no happily ever after. Levi would return to New York and she would continue on with her life just like before.

  “Hello, Miss Dee,” she crooned when the cat quietly came into the room. For some reason, Miss Divine was more aloof than usual. She hadn’t gotten out of her bed when Angela cleaned the litter box or when she filled the filtered-water fountain. She didn’t even move when Angela put some cat treats in her bowl.

  Angela picked up the cat, placing her on the quilted throw in her lap. She turned off the television and picked up the tape recorder mic. Recording her thoughts helped when she sat down to write. “Saturday, April thirtieth—untitled romance novel number four. Unnamed hero is a wealthy, widowed doctor with an eight-year-old daughter. Unnamed heroine is a teacher hired by the doctor to home-school his daughter. She’s new in town, unaware of the hero’s reputation for quickly dismissing teachers. But the heroine is unfazed by his gruff manner because she needs a job that includes room and board.”

  Angela pushed the pause button and composed her thoughts. “The hero is not just the only doctor in town, he’s also the foremost collector of African-American Civil War memorabilia.”

  She lost track of time as the ideas seemed to flow and she was able to get them on tape. Excitement infused her as the plot came together. Leaving the porch, she made her way to her office and turned on her computer. By the time she’d transcribed the tape and began filling in the details about her characters, Angela knew this novel would be decidedly different from the others she’d written.

  Angela glanced up at the skylight. Streaks of sunlight had broken through the clouds. Saving what she’d typed, she walked out of the office and into the kitchen. She had to eat to keep her energy up before returning to her novel.

  Angelina Courtland was in what she called the zone. It was similar to what racehorses experienced when their trainers put on blinders. She was completely focused. Once she finished a draft, edited and tweaked what she’d written, it would be sent to her agent, who would submit it to a publisher.

  Angela stepped onto the porch as she watched Levi’s car approach. A smile parted her lips when he stopped and got out of the gleaming white sedan. Looking at him now forced her to acknowledge what she hadn’t wanted to admit. Although Levi was her friend, she wanted more from him.

  She had with him what she hadn’t had with any man in her life—trust and honesty. That was what had been missing in her relationship with Robert.

  Her smile grew wider when Levi held out his arms and she walked into his strong and protective embrace. Circling her arms around his body, Angela closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of his aftershave, his laundered shirt and his body’s natural scent. He looked and smelled delicious.

  “How are you?” she whispered against the solid wall of his chest.

  Levi rested his chin on the top of her head. “Good. And you?”

  Easing back, she stared up at him. “Wonderful.”

  “I was waiting for you to call to tell me that your mother had canceled the cookout because of the weather.”

  “No way, Levi. Unless there’s a tornado or earthquake, for my mother the show will always go on.”

  “If she had canceled it, then I would’ve made you hang out with me.” Levi
tightened his hold on Angela. “I’m looking forward to the time when we can spend more than a couple of hours together.”

  Angela tried to keep her emotions in check. Levi had expressed what she had been feeling since she awoke in the middle of the night. She’d awakened from an erotic dream that left her shaken and moaning in frustration. It had taken a while, but she’d managed to go back to sleep only to be awakened again by the same dream. This time she saw the face of the man in bed with her. She saw Levi smiling at her.

  “I need you.” The admission had slipped out.

  Levi expelled an audible breath, not sure of what he’d just heard. Maybe he’d imagined Angela telling him she wanted him because he wanted her. They’d known each other a week, and never in that time had she given him any indication that she wanted more than friendship.

  “Do you realize what you’re saying?”

  Tilting her head, she met his piercing gaze. “I know exactly what I’m saying.”

  “You know this will change everything we’d agreed to.”

  She nodded. “What we’d agreed to was no marriage and no babies, Levi, and that means you’re going to have to use protection until I go back on the Pill.”

  “Are you sure?”

  A trembling smile touched her lips. “Very sure.”

  Levi couldn’t believe he was questioning a woman who he’d wanted to make love to within hours of meeting her. Was he getting old? Or had he been without a woman for so long that he’d become quite comfortable with his self-imposed abstinence?

  “I’m not into gratuitous sex,” he said, stalling long enough to give Angela a chance to withdraw her offer.

  “Neither am I, Levi. Not having sex for five years should tell you that.”

  He decided to try one more approach. “Are you asking me to make love to you to get back at Robert?”

  Angela pounded his chest with her fist. “Let me go!”

  “Angela!”

  She hit him again. “I said let me go!” He released her, his arms dropping at his sides. Her eyes flashed fire as she took a backward step. “I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on the face of the earth!”