Sweet Southern Nights Read online

  “This is Ms. Chase.”

  “Miss Chase. Mr. Levi Eaton is here to see you.”

  “You can let him in.”

  Well, her blind date was about to see Angela Maxine Chase without any artifice. It would be a test to see if Dr. Levi Eaton was as superficial as most of the men she’d dated over the past three years. She left the bedroom, walked the length of the carpeted hallway to the staircase leading to the living room. She unlocked the door, opened it and came face-to-face with a man whose masculinity literally took her breath away.

  To say the man standing on her front steps was tall, dark and handsome was an understatement. Angela hadn’t realized she was gaping until she saw his gaze shift from her eyes to her mouth. Opening the door wider, she gave him a bright smile.

  “Please come in, Dr. Eaton.”

  Levi’s expressive eyebrows lifted a fraction, and she wondered what was going through his mind. Now, she thought if his personality was as good as his looks, then Levi Eaton would definitely become the prototype for her next romance novel.

  “Please, it’s Levi.”

  Her smile grew wider as she extended her free hand. “And I’m Angela. Welcome.” Her fingers disappeared in his large grasp.

  He handed her a decorative bag filled with wine. “I didn’t know what you were serving, so I bought a bottle of red, white and rosé.”

  She peered into the bag. “You really didn’t have to bring anything.”

  Levi smiled for the first time, attractive lines appearing in his lean face. “I guess it has something to do with home training. My mother would be mortified if I showed up at someone’s home empty-handed. At least the first time,” he added, his smile becoming a full grin.

  Angela angled her head, staring up at the man who made her heart beat a little too fast for comfort. It had been a long time—at least five years—since she’d found herself slightly off balance. It hadn’t happened since she’d been introduced to Robert Gaskin. And if she could turn back the clock, Angela never would’ve given him a second glance. She opened her mouth to tell Levi that tonight would be the first and last time he would cross her threshold, but changed her mind when she remembered Levi was to be her date for her cousin’s wedding.

  “Please come with me. It’ll be another twenty minutes before dinner is ready, so I thought we could take some time to become better acquainted,” she said instead.

  Levi glanced around the alcove off the living room where two facing club chairs, one with a matching footstool, a low mahogany table with rosewood inlay and two floor lamps with Tiffany-style shades created an inviting and comfortable seating area. A decoratively carved credenza doubled as a bar, its surface covered with lead-crystal decanters filled with clear and amber-colored spirits.

  He hadn’t known what to expect, but it wasn’t the young woman who appeared to be no nonsense and all business. What he did like was her natural, flawless face. Beyond her beauty, he didn’t know anything about her other than her name and that she lived in a sprawling, exquisitely decorated house in a gated community. Yet he was curious and wanted to know more about her.

  A woman’s looks were not as important to him as her intelligence and femininity. Levi had come to the conclusion that he was somewhat old-school when it came to women. He wasn’t a chauvinist, but he liked women who were more traditional.

  Angela suddenly turned and stared at him, her eyes large and her gaze unwavering in the flattering warm light. “Please sit down, Levi.”

  “After you, Angela,” he said, smiling.

  He waited for her to sit down, then followed suit, trying not to stare at her legs, which were stretched out and propped on a footstool. The soft light from the floor lamp spilled over Angela’s delicate features, and her serene expression reminded him of the female images in Renaissance paintings. Her rich golden-brown complexion was reminiscent of autumn leaves and his gaze lingered on her temptingly curved lips.

  Angela was slender but with enough curves to get a man’s attention. If he had to describe her looks, Levi would have to admit that Angela Chase was easy on the eyes—very, very easy on the eyes.

  He smiled. “I suppose you’d like to know a little something about me before our big date tomorrow.” The question was more of a statement.

  Angela’s smile matched his, charming him with the gesture. “I’d like to know more than a little something about you.”

  Levi sobered. “Ask me whatever you like.”

  Settling back in the chair, she studied the man sitting only a few feet from her. His close-cropped hair, smooth jawline and dark suit, white shirt, striped navy and white silk tie and imported slip-ons bespoke exquisite taste and grooming.

  “How old are you, and where were you born?”

  “I’m thirty-six. Born in Philadelphia and grew up in Miami, Florida.”

  I know you’re a doctor, but do you have a specialty?”

  “Pediatrics.”

  Angela’s expression did not change as she continued to stare at Levi, wondering why Duncan had neglected to tell her that he’d added a pediatrician to his staff. After he’d set her up with his part-time dentist, Patrick Demorest, she’d stopped visiting her brother in Maywood Junction to avoid Patrick. “Why did you decide to become a pediatrician?”

  Levi stared at his hands. “I like children. Why do you ask?”

  “If I had to take a guess as to your specialty, it wouldn’t have been pediatrics.”

  “What did you think it would be?”

  “I would’ve thought cardiology, or maybe obstetrics.”

  “One ob-gyn in the family is plenty.”

  “I take it you come from a family of doctors,” Angela said.

  Levi nodded. “There are quite a few doctors, lawyers and teachers. What else do you want to know about me?” he asked.

  “How long have you lived in Kentucky?”

  He paused before saying, “I’m only here for six months.”

  Angela sat up straight. “Why just six months?” she asked.

  “When I was in med school I agreed to do community service and provide medical care to places like Maywood.”

  “So, when your commitment is up you plan to return to Florida?”

  “No. I live and work in a suburb just north of New York City.”

  Angela digested this information. She usually spoke to Duncan several times a month, but he hadn’t said anything about Levi. The fact that Levi worked with her brother provided the perfect reason for why they were attending the wedding together.

  “Perhaps you should tell me about yourself, Angela, and why it’s so important that your brother recruited me to be your date for tomorrow’s wedding,” Levi said, breaking into her thoughts.

  “It’s not that I couldn’t get a date, but—”

  “That’s obvious,” he interrupted, “because you’re beautiful, and I assume you’re quite intelligent.”

  Her cheeks grew warmer. “Should I take that as a compliment, Levi?”

  He shook his head. “No, Angela. It’s the truth.”

  Angela knew she had to be careful with Levi Eaton. Very, very careful or she would find herself succumbing to his charisma and obvious sex appeal.

  A slow smile ruffled the corners of her mouth. “Thank you.”

  Levi shook his head. “There’s no need to thank me.”

  “My cousin is marrying the cousin of my ex-fiancé.”

  Levi crossed his arms over his chest. “Is there bad blood between you and your ex?”

  “No. The truth is I haven’t seen him in five years.”

  “Is he married?”

  Angela nodded. “Yes,” she confirmed after a pregnant pause.

  “You need a date because you don’t want him to belie
ve you’ve been pining away for him.”

  She wanted to tell Levi that she hadn’t been pining away for Robert, since right after their canceled wedding she plunged back into the dating scene with a vengeance. It was only when she began writing in earnest that she’d slowed down so much that she hadn’t been on a date in months.

  “I need you to dispel any idea he might have that I’m pining away for him since I’m still single.”

  Levi’s expression remained impassive. “Are you single by choice?” he asked. His voice was barely above a whisper.

  Angela angled her head, offering him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Are you single by choice?” she asked, answering his question with one of her own.

  “What makes you believe I’m single?” said Levi, asking her another question.

  This time Angela’s smile spread over her face like bright rays of morning sun. “If you weren’t, or should I say if I were married to you, I doubt that I’d let you go away for six months without me. And I’d hope if you are married, you wouldn’t accept an invitation to escort other women.”

  Levi leaned closer and gave her a prolonged stare. “Perhaps I’m more like your cheating ex than you think.”

  She went completely still, as if she’d been hit by a bolt of lightning. A slow, uneasy panic seized Angela, making it virtually impossible for her to speak. Had Duncan told Levi the circumstances of her breakup with Robert even though he, along with everyone else in her family had sworn never to talk about it?

  “What makes you think he cheated on me?”

  “Did he, Angela?”

  “Yes!” she spat out, annoyed that she’d allowed herself to dredge up the past. “Do you cheat on women?”

  “No. And even if I were seeing someone, I still wouldn’t cheat. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot, but I need to know what I’ll be dealing with if we encounter your ex,” Levi said apologetically.

  “His name is Robert Gaskin.”

  He gave Angela a smile he usually reserved for his patients. “We’ll be ready for Mr. Gaskin,” he said confidently.

  Angela noticed he’d said we. It was the first time a man, other than her father and brothers, had offered to protect her. It was too bad she wasn’t looking for a man in her life, because Dr. Levi Eaton would’ve been the perfect candidate.

  The grandfather clock in a corner of the living room chimed the hour. It was seven o’clock. She stood up as Levi rose to his feet with her. “Please excuse me, but I have to check on dinner.”

  “Do you need help?”

  She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Do you cook?”

  Levi winked at Angela. “I’ve been known to burn a few pots. Maybe next time we get together I’ll return the favor and cook for you.”

  Angela stopped short, forcing Levi to bump into her. His hands went to her shoulders to steady her. He was close—close enough for her to feel his body heat, close enough to feel the whisper of his breath over her ear, and close enough to inhale the subtle masculine scent of his cologne.

  “You want to go on another date?” Her query was a low husky whisper.

  Levi’s gaze moved slowly over her face. “Why wouldn’t I? After all, you owe me one.”

  She tilted her chin. “When will I have to pay up?”

  “At my family reunion. We always get together over the Memorial Day weekend. This year it will be in Philadelphia.”

  Angela shook her head. “You can’t just spring something like that on me at the last minute. I have a business to run.”

  Levi dropped his hands. “What kind of business?”

  “I operate a gift shop with my cousin in downtown Louisville.”

  “Do you ever take a vacation?” he asked.

  “Of course I do.”

  “Do you have anything planned for that weekend?”

  “My parents usually host a cookout that weekend.”

  “Maybe we can work something out so that we’re able to attend both,” Levi suggested.

  Angela’s smile reminded him of a high-wattage bulb. “Why don’t we wait until after the wedding to see if we can stand each other before we talk about a second date?”

  “I’ll agree, but under one condition,” Levi said in a seductively deep voice.

  Her smile faded. “What’s that?”

  “Tell me how I can get a ticket to the Kentucky Derby.”

  Angela waved her hand as if swatting away a fly. “That’s easy. You can come with me.”

  Levi froze. “You’re kidding, aren’t you?”

  “No, I’m not. Come, Levi. I have to take the chicken out of the oven before it’s as dry as sandpaper.”

  A smile curved Levi’s strong mouth as he stared at the swaying hips of the woman who was as charming as she was intriguing. Duncan was right. There was nothing wrong with his sister—at least not on the surface.

  Chapter 3

  Angela breathed an audible sigh when she opened the wall oven door to find the large roast chicken had cooked to a perfect golden-brown. “Is it okay?” Levi said, standing behind her.

  Smiling and moving to her left, she winked at him. “Take a look.”

  “Hot damn! The girl can cook!”

  “Bite your tongue! I don’t know what kind of women you’ve been hanging out with, but one thing I’ll readily admit is that yours truly can jam in the kitchen.”

  Levi took a step, his chest only inches from Angela’s back. “The women I date usually don’t cook.”

  “Don’t or can’t?” she asked.

  He smiled. “Don’t.”

  “How or where do you eat?”

  “We make reservations, or I’ll cook for her.”

  Shifting slightly, Angela stared up at Levi over her shoulder. The word keeper came to mind and she wondered why some woman hadn’t become Mrs. Levi Eaton, except, of course, if he was afraid of marriage. And, if he was, then he would fit quite nicely into her plans since she had no intention of ever getting married. In that moment Angela decided she would try to keep Levi around until he went back to New York—unless he decided otherwise. After all, he appeared to be every woman’s fantasy. He was gorgeous, intelligent and single. But, then she thought about Robert.

  She saw Levi’s mouth moving before she realized he was talking to her. “I’m sorry, but my mind was elsewhere,” she apologized.

  “I asked if you wanted me to help you bring anything to the table.”

  Angela blinked as if coming out of a trance. “Yes. After I take the chicken out of the roasting pan you can take it out to the terrace.”

  Taking off his suit jacket, Levi draped it over the back of one of the chairs in the breakfast nook. He then loosened his tie, unbuttoned and turned back the cuffs to his shirt. His gaze swept around the gourmet kitchen with stainless steel appliances. Double-wall ovens, two sinks, two dishwashers, a counter-depth refrigerator-freezer and a cook-top range and grill were a chef’s dream kitchen.

  The house had quintessential Southern architecture with a wraparound porch, second story veranda, window shutters and a trio of ceiling fans on the front porch.

  “Is there someplace that I can wash my hands?” he asked.

  Angela pointed to a door at the far end of the kitchen. “There’s a half bath over there.”

  She watched as he walked toward the bathroom. Even his walk was sexy. He didn’t walk or glide—he had a swagger. It was in that instant that she decided she was going to call on everything in her feminine arsenal to keep Levi Eaton around for as long as he remained in Kentucky. And if she and Levi became friends, then she would be more than willing to make the drive to Maywood Junction to see him. Having him around would assuage her mother’s concern that she was ruining her reputation by
seeing a different man every few months.

  The women in Dianne Chase’s social circle were quick to report that they’d seen Angela with a guy one week and another a month later, much to her mother’s consternation. Not only did Dianne have an unmarried thirty-something daughter, but none of her sons were married and she still wasn’t a grandmother. However, what her mother failed to realize, even after Angela informed her she wasn’t sleeping with any of the guys she dated, was that she didn’t really care about such salacious gossip.

  Even though she told them on their first date that she had no intention of sleeping with them, that didn’t stop her dates from trying to change her mind.

  Levi returned to the kitchen just when Angela was taking the chicken from the pan and placing it on a platter. He smiled when he saw that she’d put on a black pin-striped bibbed apron.

  “Let me do that,” he offered, lengthening his stride until he was standing next to her. Lifting the rack from the roasting pan, he managed to slide the bird onto the platter with little or no effort. The tantalizing aromas titillated his nose. “What did you stuff it with?”

  “Long-grain rice, raisins, finely diced apples and ground cinnamon.”

  “It smells amazing.”

  “It tastes amazing,” Angela confirmed. “I can’t take credit because it’s my aunt’s recipe. She threw a lot of dinner parties in this house, and her culinary style was to combine as many dishes into one that you can. She said if you’re serving chicken, then stuff it so you don’t have to prepare separate side dishes.”

  Levi gave Angela an incredulous look. “You live here with your aunt?”

  Angela laughed, the sound resembling the tinkling of a wind chime. “No. She now lives in a chateau in France’s wine country with her longtime lover. She gave me the house as a wedding gift.” She compressed her lips. “It was the only gift that I didn’t have to return.”

  He heard the throatiness in her voice when she’d mentioned wedding gift. “Your aunt sounds like a colorful character.”