CHAPTER 8
WHEN RIA AWOKE the next morning and dressed, she came out to the smell of coffee brewing and the sounds of Phoenix at the stove. “Morning,” she said.
“There you are. I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, but something smells delicious.”
“French toast and coffee. Can I get you a cup?”
She didn’t like relying on him to wait on her, but she didn’t know her way around the kitchen. She’d probably end up making more of a mess than if she just allowed him to help her. “Yes, please.”
While he moved around, she listened to the rustling of his jeans and the leather of his utility belt. He was wearing heavy soled shoes, like boots. Although he was a tall, muscular man, he moved deftly, stealthily. When he placed the cup in front of her at the table, the steam from the coffee reached her nostrils and mixed with his scent—soap and masculinity.
“I remember you liked cream and sugar.”
She was a bit startled that he remembered how she liked her coffee. “I do. Thank you.” Wrapping her palms around the cup, she drew in the warmth from the ceramic as he went back to tending to the French toast. “I’m not used to someone preparing my meals. I could get used to this,” she quipped.
“You’d get tired of spaghetti and French toast.” He chuckled. “When I woke up this morning you were sleeping soundly. So, no more nightmares I’m assuming.”
She swallowed the sip of coffee with a loud gulp. “You slept in the chair all night?”
“I fell asleep too.”
“Do you have body aches thanks to me?”
“Yes, this is all your fault.” There was a long pause. “Just kidding. I’ve been known to sleep in odder places. Like the couch in my office at the station. One of the empty cells. In the driver’s seat of my truck if I’m tired enough.”
“And here you thought you would to get to sleep in a bed last night.” She laughed, but she felt bad that she’d interrupted his night’s sleep.
Once their plates were on the table, she heard him sit down in the same seat where he sat yesterday, then asked, “Is it important that the furniture layout of your apartment stays the same?”
“Very important. After I trip a few times over something that has been moved, people around me start to get the idea of how dangerous any slight measure can be.” Crawling her fingers over the edge of the table, she found the fork and with the other hand she found the food. It was still a bit too hot.
“I noticed that you have pictures hanging on the wall at your house.”
She nodded. “I get that a lot. Although I can’t see them, those pictures were there when I could see. This was my childhood home It’s comforting knowing that many of the things are still the same as I remembered when I had sight. The only thing that’s really changed is the space I use as the studio. The wall was taken down between the bedrooms and made into one larger room. The wall was also taken down between the living room and kitchen. The more open the layout of a place the better it is for me. No walls to walk around, less stubbed toes.” She smiled.
“Tell me if I’m asking too many questions, but who helps you read your mail?”
“Kora helps several times a week, but most of my correspondence is done online by automatic pay. Mason might have been involved in criminal activity, but the program he created and installed for me has really been a help with my business. I’ve been thinking…has he done computer work for other people? Maybe he’s hidden information on another computer.”
“I thought about that too, but he didn’t do computer work or own Delta. It’s a program that is offered through a company I found online and easily installed. He was good with technology, but more on scamming techniques.”
“I feel like an idiot.”
“Don’t. That was his business and you were an easy target.”
“Sheesh. Now you understand why I have the trust issue.”
“I think you’re pretty damn alert on things going on around you. I find it fascinating how you rely on your sense of smell and touch. I would be knocking everything over, but you are graceful. I have a feeling you could be in a room with a hundred people and find the person you’re looking for.”
“Everyone I know has a different scent. I would have never thought much about a person’s personal scent when I had sight and I’ve gotten pretty good about smells. Now, that’s not saying I haven’t been mixed up before. Once, Kora and I were at a gathering and she was wearing her signature perfume. It just so happened another guest wore the same one. That usually isn’t a problem because skin oils slightly change the underlying aroma, but I had been under the weather with a head cold a week before. I made a fool of myself when I told a stranger that she should stop eyeing the asses of all the single men in the room. I’m lucky I’m still invited to parties.”
“How about me? Do I have my own scent that sets me apart?”
“Yes.” She shifted, feeling her cheeks warm. Why did this subject feel so intimate? “You use a spice-scented soap that has tea tree oil. Not enough to be overbearing, but just a slight after thought that teases the nostrils. You don’t wear cologne and I believe that’s because when you’re sneaking up on someone, you don’t want the smell to give you away. Your utility belt is made of genuine leather because I can hear the chafing. You don’t have your gun on your hip right now. The way the metal rubs makes a distinct sound. When you’re saying something that’s awkward, you prelude the sentence with a clearing of your throat. You work a lot with your hands because you have calluses.” Realizing she’d lost track, she cleared her throat.
“Wow. I might just be a little self-conscious now.”
“Don’t be. I like you’re smell.” Gosh, what is wrong with me? What person said that to another? “I’ve decided I’d like to go to Jamie’s wedding, that is if your offer still stands.”
“Sure. When is it?”
“This weekend.”
“What should I wear?”
“Do you have a suit?”
“Yeah, I think I have one in my closet.”
She turned her head in his direction. “Can I touch you?”
His fork dinged off his plate. “Huh?”
“Although I think I have a fairly good idea what you look like, I’m not entirely sure. If you’re going to pretend to be my date for the evening I think I should at least know what you look like. I promise, it’ll be fairly painless.”
“Okay. Where do you want me?”
“Come closer and lean in.” He did and she lifted her hands. He caught her by surprise when he helped her by leading her fingers to his face. Swallowing against the constriction in her throat, she realized she’d never been this nervous touching someone’s face. Starting at his forehead, which was neither too small or too large, she smoothed the tips of her forefingers along the thin creases. In the way of a man’s forehead she’d guess it was just right. Gliding her fingers between his brows, she touched the bridge of his nose, feeling the bump. “When did you break your nose?”
“When I was in the Navy. During a routine exercise.”
The skin on his high cheekbones was smooth, but his jaw had a layer of whiskers and rasped her fingers. Her fingers continued exploring the new territory of masculine curves, and he didn’t stop her. This was more exciting than a new novel. Or a decadent dessert. On occasion, she and Kora would go to new restaurants just to try their desserts. Considering she could no longer watch movies, she had to find entertainment using her other senses.
Holding her breath, she brushed the tips of her short nails along the thick chord of his neck, stopping at the hammering beat of his pulse. Or was it her own? They seemed to beat in unison. Her nipples tingled and hardened, and she was a bit embarrassed to respond like she did. His breath hissed from his lungs and he grasped her wrists, his thumbs caressing her palms that seemed directly linked to her inner thighs. Never had she been so excited, so desperate, for a man. She wanted him to kiss her, but wasn’t brazen enough to ask.
~~~**~~~
Phoenix gnawed his teeth like he was chewing on beef jerky. Although Ria couldn’t see him, he felt like she could see straight into his soul which made him feel dangerously vulnerable. Did she know how hard his body grew? She was lovely, every part of her—from the tip of her head to her toes, although he hadn’t been lucky enough to see them. Her silken hair lay in loose waves around her cheeks, one tendril branched out and teased the corner of her mouth making his tongue jealous. He was mesmerized how her fuller bottom lip was a perfect color of pale rose and trembled ever so slightly. At the bow of her top lip there was a tiny freckle and a few scattered across her upturned nose. The delicate curve of her creamy white neck and collarbones with a deep hollow seemed to beckon him to sample a taste. The tops of her firm breasts that lifted with each shaky breath lured him. He could see the hard outline of her nipples under the thin shirt and it triggered a desperation in him that made breathing difficult.
Her gentle touch continued, caressing his face, exploring him with a gentle curiosity. He’d never had a touch so spellbinding, sending him through an ocean of desire. He wanted to kiss her. Oh hell, how he wanted to, but he was held by the invisible arms of uncertainty, something he couldn’t quite understand. When he’d been overwhelmed with such need, he usually tumbled over himself to relieve it, but Ria was different. She lured him so easily into her silken web, and he would go like a starving man to heaven’s buffet.
And because he wanted her so badly, enough that he’d crawl across a bed of nails to have her, he knew it was worth waiting for.
Pushing back his chair, the feet scraping the floor, he watched her hands drop to her lap. An expression of confusion marred her beautiful features, the wonderful curiosity gone. Hell, what could he say so she’d understand his turmoil? The last thing he wanted was to feel as if he took advantage of her.
“I-I thought you’d kiss me.” The soft whimper to her voice drove through him and he tore a hand through his hair.
“And I want to kiss you,” he admitted. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—lie to her.
“But?” One corner of her mouth dipped into a frown.
Closing his eyes, he steadied his breath, but all he could think about was how her lips would feel on his, how good she’d feel in his arms when he drew her close. Opening his eyes, he stared at her a good long second, willing himself to dig deep for chains of control. “I’m supposed to be taking care of you,” he poured out the words on an exhale. Instantly he knew he’d said something wrong because her mouth twisted. “Not the right answer?”
“I don’t need a sitter, Phoenix. I’ve had enough of those since the accident. My parents. My sister. A man who only stuck around out of obligation. I need someone who can see outside of my disability and realize I’m a woman with needs just like any other female.”
“Sweetheart—”
“Don’t sweetheart me, please. I don’t want to be coddled. If you don’t want to kiss me then don’t, but please don’t use excuses.”
He blew out a frustrated moan. “This is heading south.”
“You think?”
“Look, Ria. I understand you’ve had a man who convinced you that men can’t see beyond the fact that you’re blind, or they only see you as someone who needs taken care of, but—”
She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. “And you’ve had a woman who left you for another man. Can you tell me that a part of you doesn’t mistrust all women because of her?”
“Yeah, I do…or at least I did.”
The ringing of his phone interrupted what he’d wanted—no needed—to say to her. Irritated, he jerked the phone from his pocket. “I have to get this.” He stabbed the ‘talk’ button. “Cade here.”
“Yikes, sorry to bother you,” Deputy Holloway said.
“No, it’s okay. What’s up?”
“We found one of Tammy’s friends. You said you wanted to be updated if we got any new information.”
“I’ll be there ASAP.” He shut off his phone. “Can you be ready to leave in five, Ria?”
She nodded. “How about three?”