A Marriage of Convenience (3 page)

Lauren smirked. “Since I’ve met Devon, I’d say you
did
do something you wanted to.”

Running a hand down her face, Ayanna narrowed her eyes. Leaning forward, she whispered in a conspiratorial tone, “I did and it was
wonderful.
I have never, and I mean never, felt like that.”

“What happened between you two?” Lauren asked.

“What do you mean? We had a wonderful night and then…parted ways.”

“I mean, why didn’t you tell him about Devon?”

“I didn’t know until I was two months pregnant.” Ayanna smoothed out her sandwich bag and put it back into her lunch container. “I had to settle down and get my life in order— and fast—so that’s what I did.”

“Were you scared he wouldn’t—”

“No,” Ayanna interrupted. “I didn’t even think about him at all. The second I got the news I was pregnant, my whole world shifted. It was all about the precious life I carried. And has been ever since. Having Devon is the greatest thing that could have happened to me. Sure, I wish circumstances had been different. Like marriage beforehand, but it didn’t happen that way.”

She placed her empty water bottle inside the container as well. “I wasn’t anywhere near New Mexico and didn’t have extra money to attempt to find him. Okay, perhaps I was scared of rejection.” Ayanna fiddled with her lunch box. “Perhaps I was scared to hear anything negative out of his mouth. I wanted to remember him as he was when we spent the night together. Passionate. Sexual. Erotic. Not angry and accusing. I had enough on my plate to deal with.”

Lauren smiled softly and reached her hand across the round wire table. “I’m glad we became friends. And I am going to stop questioning you about this, because—” She pointed to the left.

Ayanna followed her friend’s finger with her gaze and smiled. Erma, her babysitter who was really more like a grandmother, and her son were heading towards them. Devon churned his little legs as fast as he could, a silly grin on his face.

Standing, she started to walk to him.

“
Ayanna
? Ayanna, is that you?”

Looking behind her, she met the gaze of the person who called out to her and froze. Staring back at her was the most sensual pair of dark chocolate eyes she’d seen in her life.

Michael Kelly Taylor.

Dear sweet Jesus. Am I imagining him? How come he still looks so damn good?

She allowed her gaze to roam over his body. Everything around her faded as his stare touched her like the lover he’d been to her that one wonderful night. Her lower body reacted much the same way it had the night they had met. Suddenly, she grew damp. Her hand touched the base of her throat.
All it takes is a look and I am ready. Ready for him to…
Mentally shaking the direction of those thoughts away, Ayanna fought to moisturise her dry throat.
How is it when my mouth goes dry my pussy is drenched?

“Michael?” she murmured.

The afternoon sun glinted off his dark hair. Those muscles covering his body were more defined than they had been before. His body rippled with power and the promise of safety.

In slow motion, she took in his jeans and the shirt and realised he was the same man who’d returned her purse to Lauren. The same man who’d given her more pleasure than anyone had a right to experience.

He stepped closer. “Ayanna?”

Michael couldn’t believe it. The last time he’d seen Ayanna, she’d been sound asleep in the king-sized bed of her room at the Marriott. Her naked body had contrasted beautifully with the light sheets that had covered her.

He’d sat beside her and stroked her hair. She’d murmured incoherently and snuggled further into the feather duvet, never waking. Trailing a finger along her jaw line, he’d whispered, “Goodbye, Ayanna,” and left. Like any man would after a one-night stand.

He hadn’t wanted to leave her but his leave was up and he’d needed to get back to work. Before they’d ended up in the bed, he’d asked her where she was from. She’d hedged with her answer.

That hadn’t mattered. The second his hand had brushed the small of her back in the beer tent line, he’d been lost. The nutmeg tone of her skin had seemed to surround the lighter tan of his and cradle it. The jolt that rocketed through his body at that simple touch had amazed him.

He’d made love to her, and for the moment she had soothed the restlessness inside him. And now, she was before him in a different state and looking better than ever.
I haven’t experienced anything remotely close since the night in her arms. I want that back.

She’d changed her hair. Now springy curls moved with each motion she made. She wore dark blue jeans and a floral top that only fastened on one dark, creamy shoulder, leaving the other one bare. She was curvier than he remembered, and he longed to explore her new body. Wanted to bury his face in the side of her neck and relearn her scent all over again.

“Ayanna?” he asked again, noticing how her eyes kept flickering to the side. Following her line of sight, he spied an older woman walking with one of the cutest little boys he had ever seen.

The child wore a tank top with a picture of a basketball on it. The shorts he wore matched the colours of the top. His head was shaved almost bald, but there were telltale signs of growth. However, it was the sparkle in his dark eyes and a smile that stood out against his brown skin that brought a grin to Michael’s face.

The fierce concentration on the young man’s face was apparent, but so was the joy he had as he walked in the afternoon sun towards his goal. One small hand reached out and his fingers wiggled with anticipation. From his lips poured the word “Mama” over and over again.

Michael experienced a serious pang of envy when Ayanna turned and opened her arms to the overjoyed child. Of course, such an adorable child would have a stunning mother. She went down on one knee and embraced the little boy. As her arms wrapped around his body, she stood back up. She glanced at Michael over her shoulder before returning her complete attention to the woman who’d walked with the child.

Glancing down at the table where Ayanna had been sitting, he noticed the clerk from the floral shop. He moved towards her and stood near the chair Ayanna had left. Lauren’s eyes focused on him.

“Do you know her well?” Michael asked without looking at her, opting instead to watch Ayanna.

“Yes, Lieutenant, I do.” Lauren stood, as well, and watched him as if she’d just figured out a huge secret.

“Is she married? Is that her child?” The questions rattled from him as quickly as if fired from a semi-automatic gun. Logically, he knew it was her child, but part of him refused to accept it.

He didn’t wait for an answer. Three long strides placed him beside Ayanna.

It was sweltering out and yet this woman smelled fresh. He recognised the smell of her soap. It was light and gentle, soothing like baby powder.

She stiffened and he knew she’d sensed him. His eyes moved to the hand splayed on the boy’s back. No wedding ring.

She’s not wearing a ring,
his mind crowed.

This woman was his destiny.

“Hello, Ayanna.”

Chapter Two

Ayanna didn’t know what to do. When her eyes settled on the man who’d fathered her child, she froze. How did one go from saying “Hello” to “Oh by the way I want you to meet
our
son?”

Her fingers instinctively tightened on
Devon
’s jersey. Michael’s light woodsy scent flooded her senses. If she hadn’t been holding her child…
their
child…her legs might have given out.

Devon
struggled to be set down, so while she assisted him in that, she answered, “Hello again, Michael.”
Please go away before I lose control of my emotions.

He didn’t grant her wish. Instead, he knelt beside her and smiled at the child who was thrilled to be on the ground. “And who is this handsome little man?”

“Hi,” the child chortled. Then as his brown eyed gaze landed on Lauren, he let out a squeal of “Lr’en” and ran to her, demanding she pick him up.

Ayanna began to stand as she felt his hand on hers. Glancing over at him, she asked the first thing that popped into her mind, “What are you doing here?”

Michael’s eyes sparkled. “I’m stationed here. What about you?”

“I’m…I…I’m…I…work here and now, I’ve got to get my son home.” She pulled her hand from his intoxicating touch and stood. Stepping away, she moved to Erma who still stood silently and kissed her goodbye. “Thanks, Erma. We’ll see you tomorrow.”

The old lady nodded and walked off after kissing
Devon
goodbye.

“Ayanna?” Michael asked as she sent him another nervous look.

“It was good to see you,” she managed to stutter. “Goodbye, Michael.”

“Da-da!”
Devon
’s voice rang loud and clear like the bells of Notre Dame. Both Ayanna and Michael looked at him. He was pointing in Michael’s direction.

A blush burned up her cheeks. Beside her, Michael laughed, allowing her to relax. “Introduce me to your son, Ayanna.” His command was soft, but she heard him easily.

Together, they walked to where Lauren still stood with
Devon
. He reached out his arms the second they got within range, but when Ayanna reached out for him, he stuck out his bottom lip and reached towards Michael instead.

Michael’s mouth quirked and Ayanna knew full well it was because of the exasperated expression on her face. Taking
Devon
, she said, “We’ll see you later, Lauren.”

Lauren smiled and kissed
Devon
who still happily repeated “Da-da” and grabbed in Michael’s direction. “Bye,” she said, then went back inside to return to work.

“Down, Mama. Down!”
Devon
demanded.

Ayanna complied. Once he was down,
Devon
spread his arms wide and began imitating the jets that roared above them. She glanced at Michael as he stared at her son.

“His name is
Devon
,” she said.

Michael’s sensuous gaze met hers. Ayanna knew that look, the sleepy look that belied the sharpness of his observation skills. It was a look she’d received, right before he’d proved he’d been watching each of her reactions to his touch.

This time, his eyes turned shrewd.

“How old is he?” Michael asked as one strong arm shot out and kept the tottering child from falling over his feet. He smiled as
Devon
’s hands closed over his forearm. “He looks about…” Michael trailed off and looked back up.

Ayanna shivered as comprehension dawned in his eyes. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze directly. “I have to get going. This is our afternoon to go to the park.” She shouldered her son’s bag. “
Devon
, let’s go.”

“Wait a minute,” Michael said as her hand closed around her son’s smaller one. He stood in a smooth motion. “Is this…is he…am I…?”

Tightening her hold on
Devon
’s soft hand, she swallowed.
I had no idea it would be this hard to admit I kept his child from him.
Granted he
had
been the one to leave first, but by the same token she hadn’t wanted to share information with him. Why? Because it was a one-night stand. This just happened to be one with consequences.

“Ayanna?” Michael placed a hand around her wrist.

“Lieutenant Taylor, how wonderful to see you,” a thin brunette woman interrupted. She smiled as she stopped beside them. Her green eyes moved to where he held onto Ayanna then back up to his face. “Bridget was saying how excited she is that you’re stopping by for dinner.”

Michael surprised Ayanna by not releasing her hand. Instead, he intertwined their fingers. “I’m sorry, Ma’am, but I told her I couldn’t make dinner this week.”

The woman’s eyes narrowed and she looked back at Ayanna before nodding. “Well, I guess my husband will be disappointed as well, then.”

Michael sent her a tight-lipped smile. “He’s already been made well aware of the change in plans, Ma’am.”

“Well, apparently Bridget hasn’t. But since she’s coming right now, you can explain it all to her.”

Ayanna swallowed back her hurt.
Why should I expect him to be single?
Gently, she unhooked their hands and smiled at him. “I’ve got to get my son to the park. Um…” She dug around in her pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, writing on it. “...here.”

Michael took it and looked at the address before putting it into his front pocket. “I’ll talk to you later then, Ayanna. It was wonderful to see you again.”

“Yes it was, Michael.” She picked up her child, needing his closeness. Her eyes landed on the pretty woman approaching them. Stepping away from the man who had the ability to make her forget everything, she looked back at him, her eyes solemn.

He met her eyes and cocked his head.

“He is,” she murmured so only the two of them could hear. Then she walked off, not wanting to witness another woman taking his attentions.