Can't Say No Page 9

  At times Vanessa felt daunted by the challenge ahead. There was never enough money to take care of all the things that children needed. She rarely had extra money or time to spend in the fabric store or even to look in the high-end boutiques. Vanessa adored clothes, especially the beautiful gowns found in New York, Paris, and Milan. But her reality was a full-time job and children to care for. For now she could only dream about going back to college to finish her degree in business so that she could someday have a boutique with her name on the door.

  It was strange that she loved designing beautiful evening gowns, especially bridal gowns, because Vanessa never expected to be a bride. Fortunately, she knew the difference between dreams and reality. Her feet were firmly planted on the ground. One romantic night, with the exciting man who filled her fantasies, didn’t mean a lifetime of love and commitment. Ralph was a fantastic lover, but he would make a lousy husband.

  The fantasy ended when she drove away. Tomorrow was a workday, and she would go back to doing her thing. She had plenty to keep herself occupied, work, kids, and saving what little extra money she had. It was up to her to make sure the kids had what they needed.

  Later, the two sisters were curled on opposite ends of the sofa, watching an old Halle Berry movie on television, when Lana asked, “Nessa? You aren’t going back to sleep on me, are you?”

  Vanessa blushed, embarrassed that she’d been caught daydreaming about Ralph. She didn’t have to pinch herself to remember last night. Her feminine core was tender, proof enough that she’d slept in Ralph’s bed. He’d actually made her feel beautiful. She’d blushed even more, accepting that her fantasies about him were tame compared to his raw sexual need. She knew from experience that his reputation as a gifted lover hadn’t been exaggerated. It was a fact that…

  “Nessa?” Lana prompted.

  Vanessa said, “It’s late. I think I’ll turn in. What about you? You have school in the morning. Three more days until vacation.” Uncurling her long legs, Vanessa stood and stretched before reaching for the empty popcorn bowl and empty lemonade glasses on the coffee table.

  “Can I see the end of the movie? It’s only thirty minutes,” Lana begged.

  Vanessa smiled. “Okay, but you’ve seen this movie 101 times.”

  “I know. I can clean up those few dishes.”

  “No. You can finish the movie, then go on up to bed.” Vanessa bent down to kiss Lana’s forehead. “I like just the two of us spending time together.”

  Lana grinned. “Me too. Although I miss the twins.”

  “Me too. They’ll be back tomorrow with plenty to talk about. I’m sure they did a great job last night and today of keeping Shanna entertained.”

  “I bet. Those two never stopped talking.”

  Vanessa went past the dining room and into the kitchen. It didn’t take long to wash the leftover dishes. The old house was roomy and well loved. Vanessa and Lana had grown up here. Back then, her parents shared the big downstairs bedroom and bath while the two sisters occupied the upstairs bedrooms. The small back bedroom had been her mother’s sewing room. Vanessa fondly recalled spending time at her mother’s side, learning how to sew.

  When the back porch had been screened in and converted into the sunroom, which ran the length of the house, the family had often spent many happy hours there, especially during the hot summer months. Under the old oak tree in the backyard was where the swing set had been placed. Their father had built the brick barbecue pit. Vanessa, Lana, and their mother often shared a picnic lunch under that old tree on warm summer days. There were so many happy memories of their time together.

  Vanessa was drying her hands when she heard her sister calling good night. Switching off the kitchen light, Vanessa called her good nights. She took her customary walk through the house, checking that the doors and windows were all locked and the alarm set, before she entered her own room and got ready for bed.

  The alarm system was something she had installed after her mother passed, more for her own peace of mind. The old neighborhood didn’t feel as safe as it used to. Perhaps it was the weight of being solely responsible for the babies and her little sister that caused the unease.

  After washing, conditioning, and blow-drying her permed hair, Vanessa creamed her skin before sliding into her big empty bed. Hugging her pillow, she had only to close her eyes to recall the sweet magic of being cradled against Ralph’s wide chest. He was not soft and cushiony like the pillow she squeezed against her. She recalled his clean, male scent and the deep timbre of his voice as he made love to her.

  By the time he had finished making love to her, her entire body shivered from incomparable pleasure. She had relished the caress of his large, yet surprisingly gentle, hands and the amazing heat of his firm lips and tongue. This once she indulged herself, allowing her senses to take flight as she relived the utmost joy they reached together. Her hips unconsciously moved against the firm mattress as she remembered his seductive allure as he licked, then tongued her breasts. He didn’t stop until she reached her very first climax. She hadn’t even known she was capable of reaching such heights of pleasure.

  “Goodness,” she whispered aloud as she remembered the excitement and pleasure she found from his steel-hard shaft deep inside. Initially the pain had surprised her, but once she was relaxed, she was able to let go, and that was when the sheer enjoyment began. The only word she could think of to describe the sensation was incredible…that was until Ralph had started quizzing her.

  He had nearly ruined their night by demanding answers. And when he hadn’t received them, he’d gone off alone, which had upset her. In fact, she was proud of the way she hadn’t caved in and let her inherent shyness stop her from following him into the shower. She had surprised herself, yet it felt right at the time. She couldn’t let their one night slip away without at least trying to hold on to the romance.

  Vanessa couldn’t stop blushing when she recalled the hungry look on his dark, strikingly handsome face when he pulled her into the shower stall with him…sheet and all. It was embarrassing that she hadn’t recalled they didn’t have a condom! It had been Ralph’s quick thinking, not hers, that had prevented a major disaster.

  What she wasn’t proud of was the fact that she’d been too much of a coward to stay and face him and at least try to answer his questions. She had run away. She could only imagine his reaction when he woke and discovered she’d broken her promise to him and fled. Of the two of them, he had kept his part of their agreement, while she had broken hers.

  Had he been angry? Or had he only been disappointed? Perhaps he was so accustomed to the fickle ways of women that he hadn’t reacted at all? With a disappointed sigh, she accepted that it didn’t matter. Theirs had been only a single, admittedly incredible, night of pleasure. It had been more than she expected.

  Covering a yawn, Vanessa acknowledged that tomorrow was a workday. Time for her to get back to the world of raising kids, work, cleaning, washing, and cooking, and when she could find the time, sketching and designing beautiful evening and bridal gowns.

  Maybe when the twins were out of high school, she’d actually consider looking for Mr. Right? It was a possibility. In the meantime she wasn’t foolish enough to fall for a man whose life revolved around the next female challenge. While some men collected baseball cards or model airplanes, Ralph collected women. And that was okay with Vanessa, as she wasn’t really involved with him.

  She should be jubilant. She’d done the impossible. She’d become sexually involved with him without being emotionally involved with him. Few women could say that! Also, she had discovered the mystery of human sexuality. When it was all said and done, the night they had been together was a slam dunk as far as she was concerned. She didn’t have a single regret.

  Ten days since Devin and Brynne’s wedding, and Ralph still hadn’t gotten past his anger, or disappointment. He’d really tried to push away his encounter with Vanessa and move on. It hadn’t worked. Nothing worked. He felt as if he was
left with only one option, and that was to seek the lady out. She had all the answers. And he intended to find out why she broke her word…why she forced him to break his promise.

  After identifying himself, the security gates swung open, and Ralph followed the drive around to the side entrance of the Mathises’ home. He frowned as he parked behind Vanessa’s aged SUV.

  He was downright furious that she had left him no alternative. It would be easy for her not to take his calls or slam the door in his face. If he came to her workplace, she had to hear him out.

  Pasting a smile on his face, he knocked at the door before letting himself in. “Hey! Where’s everyone?” he called as he followed the hallway past the laundry room, bathroom, and into the large, bright kitchen.

  “Will you look who’s here! In the middle of the day, no less,” Anna smiled as she came over to give him a kiss on the cheek.

  Ralph gave her a hug. “You saying I’m not welcome? What you got smelling so good in here, Little Bit?” He called her by the childhood name she hated, just to bug her. “I’m hungry.”

  Laughing, she asked, “You came for food?”

  “Why not? You’re the chef in the family.” He casually leaned back against the counter rather than going straight to Vanessa’s office. In hopes of avoiding suspicion, he had no choice but to bide his time. “Where is everyone?”

  “Gavin has a meeting at the Lions’ headquarters. Kyle is over at Mama and Daddy’s hanging out with Wayne. That leaves Vanessa, me, and the housekeeper.” She teased, “You couldn’t find any food between here and the campus?”

  “None that you made. Well, what do I smell? Fresh-baked cookies?”

  Anna pointed to the cookies cooling on a rack. “Oatmeal with walnuts.” After taking out homemade sourdough buns, Anna reached into the refrigerator for sliced turkey, roast beef, ham, and cheeses, then began putting together a hero sandwich topped with lettuce and her special chopped-olive spread.

  Ralph washed his hands in the sink before he walked around to take a seat at the raised central island. “How’s the cookbook coming?”

  Anna had been collecting and writing family recipes, some dating back to slavery. She grinned. “Fabulous! I have a publisher interested. I should know something soon.”

  With a huge smile, Ralph gave her a big hug. “That’s great! I’m proud of you, cuz; I knew you would do it.”

  “That is high praise, indeed, coming from an overachiever like you. How are the plans for the community center going? Wesley said Daddy has no idea what you fellows are up to.”

  Lester Prescott had worked at the old neighborhood high school for years as a coach. He had helped many young boys, who would otherwise have gone to the gangs, finish high school and go on to higher education. Anna’s brothers and Ralph had decided to honor him for all his years of dedication by using their old home as an integral part of community center in his name. It was due to open next summer.

  Ralph laughed. “That’s been the hardest part, keeping Uncle Lester in the dark. But everything is right on schedule. We’re going to break ground soon for the indoor pool, indoor basketball courts, tennis courts and track and field.” The Prescott men had bought the surrounding lots and now owned the entire city block.

  “There is no way you fellows can do all that without Daddy catching on.” Anna warned as she put together the sandwich. “I don’t know how you have kept it out of the papers. This is big news. What do you think about the architect? You talked to him, right?”

  “He’s good. I had a meeting with him yesterday. I wish I had remembered to bring the most recent plans, so you and Gavin could look them over. I think you guys will approve.”

  “Sounds great. We have to get together with Wesley and Kelli soon to get this done. How does next Friday night sound? I’ll do dinner, then we can all get together and make a decision. When Brynne and Devin get back, we’ll have everything all set to go. Oh, Ralph, you’ve done so much of the legwork already. I can’t wait for the dedication ceremony. Daddy and Mama are going to be so happy.” Anna wiped away tears.

  “He deserves it. They both do. We’ve got less than a year to get it done.” Ralph grinned. “Watch your mouth. Aunt Donna is too sharp for words. Nothing much gets past her.”

  “Me! I know how to keep my mouth closed. But that means making sure Kyle and Wayne don’t find out.”

  “I think the boys can keep a secret,” Ralph boasted.

  “Hardly.” Anna placed a plate filled with the sandwich and a mound of coleslaw on the place mat in front of him, then handed him a cloth napkin. “Please, Wayne tells everything he knows.”

  “When are the newlyweds flying back?”

  “I’m not sure, but soon. Devin’s got to get back for camp.”

  “I hate that they are going to be in St. Louis. Mama and Daddy will be sorry to see Shanna leave.” Anna smiled.

  “I know. They wanted to keep her for the summer, but Brynne and Devin would never agree to that. They will only stay long enough to close up Brynne’s house and his condo,” Ralph said.

  “Shanna is such a doll baby.” Anna asked, “What do you want to drink? Lemonade? Beer?”

  “Bottled water.” Ralph said between bites.

  Anna teased, “So what’s her name?”

  He nearly choked. It was a few moments before he recovered enough to ask, “Who?”

  “Whoever? You always have a new lady. Tell me about the latest one.”

  Nine

  Ralph took a swallow of water before he forced a grin. “No one you know.”

  “Aw, come on. There is always someone new. Tell me,” Anna teased.

  “Nothin’ to tell.”

  She frowned. “That’s not like you to keep secrets. And you haven’t brought anyone to Sunday dinner with you in ages. What is going on? Spill it!”

  There was no way he could be frank, not without breaking his promise. No way could he reveal that he hadn’t been near another woman, not since he’d made love to Vanessa. He wished he knew what was going on. That was the main reason he was here…to get some answers.

  Instead of answering, he took a huge bite of his sandwich.

  Exasperated, his cousin rolled her eyes at him. “Keep your secrets! Both Kelli and I agree that the way you’re going, you will never find anyone willing to put up with your womanizing ways.”

  Ralph chuckled, finishing his lunch. “Do I look worried? There are plenty of gorgeous women in Detroit. I wouldn’t want to disappoint a single one of them,” he teased. Wiping his mouth on his napkin, he asked, “Will you wrap some cookies for me, Little Bit? I want to say hello to Vanessa before I take off.”

  “Okay. She’s in her office. You know the way.”

  “Thanks.” Ralph pinched her cheek playfully. “Did I ever tell you that you’re my favorite female cousin?”

  “Ha-ha! I’m your only female cousin.”

  Ralph grinned at the sound of Anna’s laughter. His smile slipped as he walked down the carpeted hallway. He stopped at the closed door, took a fortifying breath before he knocked once, then walked in. Vanessa was on the telephone. She looked up with a smile on her lovely face until she saw him, then her forehead creased in a decided frown.

  “I’ll call you back, Lana,” she said into the headset she was wearing. She dropped the telephone on top of the stack of papers on her desk. “Ralph, why are you here? I thought we agreed…”

  He closed the door then crossed his arms over his chest. Quirking an ebony brow, he said, “Hello, Vanessa. Surprised to see me?”

  “Naturally, I’m surprised. We agreed to keep our distance after…”

  “After you ran out on me?” he quizzed.

  A muscle jumped in his cheek as his dark eyes moved from her flawless, dark brown face, long hair pulled up into a thick ponytail. The only jewelry she wore was a pair of small, gold hoop earrings. She looked so doggone wholesome, with little makeup, other than the dark red covering her lush, full lips. A huge departure from the sexy vamp who had s
hared his bed.

  Ralph’s body wasn’t fooled. He wanted them both…he wanted her. Her magnificent breasts might be covered by a crisp white blouse, and her lush hips and unbelievably long legs concealed by jeans. That didn’t change the fact he knew what was hidden beneath those plain clothes. His shaft began to harden in readiness, and his nostrils flared as he inhaled her oh-so-enjoyable feminine scent. He swallowed with difficulty, aching to have her beneath him again, with her thick, black curls spread across his pillow.

  Her beautiful eyes went wide before she quickly dropped her lids, hiding her thoughts behind ebony lashes. “What do you want?”

  “I’ll give you one guess.” When she remained silent, he said with a charming grin, “Now that we’re on the same page, let’s move on to this weekend. Darlin’, would you prefer to spend it in the Caribbean? Which island? Martinique or St. Thomas?”

  “Neither. We had an agreement. One night. It’s over,” she said firmly. The only evidence of impatience was the betraying pout of her plump bottom lip.

  His heart pounded as he considered taking that lip into his mouth to suckle. Instead he rested a hand on the edge of her desk. “We also agreed to spend that entire night and part of the next day together. What time did you leave? Five? Six? When I woke at six-thirty, you were gone.”

  “So what if I left a little early? We did the deed. We both enjoyed it. It’s over!” she snapped.

  Ralph scowled; he didn’t like being dismissed. She was acting as if what they shared meant nothing to her. He wasn’t used to being rejected. He was used to being the one who walked, not the other way around.

  His voice was deceptively soft, when he said, “I didn’t come here to pick a fight. I came for some answers. There was a lot left unsaid. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.” She turned away.

  He swallowed a cussword. “You know exactly what I mean. Answer my question.”