Playing With Fire (9 page)

Piano Man hugged her warmly. “Make sense a man got to stand in the doorway to get into the room, right?”

Odetta sucked her teeth at him. “Tch.”

“Hey, little girl,” Piano Man said with a laugh, hugging Sharon also. “How you doing this afternoon?”

Sharon hugged him back. “Just fine, Mr. Burdett.”

“Girl, if I done told you a hundred times, Mr. Burdett was my daddy. You call me Piano Man like everyone else do if you want me to be answering you.”

Sharon shook her head, a full grin gracing her face. “Yes, sir.”

“Hey there,” Romeo called out, rising from where he sat. “About time you people got here. Every one of you is late!”

Odetta looked at her watch, ignoring him. “Hey, Taryn girl! What brings you down this way?”

Taryn smiled, standing as well. She pushed both of her hands into the back pockets of her jeans. “Your boss promised to buy me a cup of coffee.”

Odetta moved to her side and reached to give her a warm hug. Then she introduced her to Sharon. Their female chatter filled the space.

Romeo shook his head as the three of them feigned disinterest at his presence, more interested in each other. “Excuse me,” he said, interrupting the prattle.

Odetta rolled her eyes. “You'll soon learn that this man don't ever do anything but complain.”

Piano Man laughed. “Women sure like to stick together, don't they!”

Romeo continued to shake his head, then clasped his hand gently under Taryn's elbow. “Mr. Burdett, I'd like you to meet a very special friend of mine. This is Taryn Williams. Taryn, this is James Burdett.”

“It's very nice to meet you, Mr. Burdett.” Taryn smiled, extending her hand. “I'm a big fan of your music.”

Piano Man pumped Taryn's hand excitedly. “Hey there. Call me Piano Man. Everybody calls me Piano Man. You calls me anything else and I might not answer.”

Taryn grinned broadly. “Yes, sir. Piano Man it will be then.”

“What's a pretty little thing like you doing wasting your time with this rusty boy for?” Piano Man asked, slapping Romeo gently across his wide shoulders.

Taryn shrugged. “I'm still trying to figure that out myself,” she said, cutting an eye in Romeo's direction. Her smile was sugar sweet.

Romeo could feel himself blushing, his cheeks heating with color. He shook his head. “Can I please get just a little respect around here?”

They all laughed heartily, everyone gathering around a small table in the center of the room.

“This won't take too long,” Romeo started.

“Already taking too long,” Odetta interrupted, rolling her eyes. “I've got me a pot of neck bones, some macaroni and cheese, and collard greens waiting for me at home.”

“Is them smoked neck bones?” Piano Man asked, licking his lips slightly.

“Mixed, smoked and regular.” Odetta smacked her mouth.

Piano Man's eyes lit up ever so slightly.

“Do you two mind?” Romeo asked.

“Not at all,” Piano Man countered, shifting in his seat. “You got any 'tata salad to go with them neck bones?” Piano Man asked, turning his attention back to Odetta.

“No, but I made some peas and rice, corn bread, and a pineapple upside down cake for dessert. Do you want to come for supper?”

“Thank you kindly. Don't minds if I do. If it ain't no inconvenience, of course.”

Odetta flipped her hand. “I have more than enough. In fact—”

“Uh-hum.” Romeo cleared his voice. “Hello, we're supposed to be having a meeting here.”

Odetta rolled her eyes, propping her elbows up on the table. Piano Man leaned back in his chair, tipping his head toward Romeo. “So what's taking you?”

Behind them Taryn laughed, amusement painting her expression.

Romeo tossed his hands in the air. “Well, all I need to do today is get some photos of you and Sharon out under the marquee. Odetta, you need to start interviewing for another waitress. I think we might be better off with two new girls, but I'm going to leave that decision up to you.”

Odetta nodded her head slowly. “I say let's wait and see. Too many girls and we'll just be in each other's way. If it starts getting too busy, then we'll add on another. I know a girl who's been looking for a job. She use to waitress at a restaurant on Capital Boulevard until it closed. I think she'd be good.”

Romeo nodded. “I trust you, Odetta. Do what you think is best.”

Odetta smiled, brushing the hair from her brow.

Romeo continued. “Sharon, as of next week Friday you will be singing full time. I want you to look the part. I've set up a budget for wardrobe and I want you to go shopping this week and pick out some evening dresses to perform in.”

Sharon stared up at Romeo, visibly flustered. “I don't . . . I . . .” she stammered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes widened with nervous anxiety.

Odetta held up her hands as if surrendering. Her head waved from side to side. “Don't look at me!”

Taryn suddenly eased a manicured hand in the air. “I would love to be of some help. I can go shopping with you, if you'd like,” she said quietly, her voice soothing. “I know it always helps me to have a second eye along when I need to buy something special.” She smiled as she continued. “In fact, I think we should make it a full beauty day. I have a fabulous beautician who would love to give you a makeover, if you're interested.”

“Thank you. I'd like that,” Sharon whispered, the ends of her mouth tilted up into a faint smile.

Romeo's head bobbed slowly up and down. He tossed Taryn an appreciative smile. The he said, “Piano Man, I'm putting you in charge of the music. You work up a program for you and Sharon. I need to trust you to keep the audience entertained.”

“I always keeps the people entertained,” Piano Man stated.

Romeo smiled again. “Yes, you do. I wasn't implying that you don't.”

“Been entertaining folks since befo' you was born. Ain't never had nobody do no complaining 'bouts my keeping them entertained. I keeps the people entertained now.”

Romeo shook his head. “I didn't mean anything by it.”

Standing, Piano Man inched his way past Romeo. “I knows that. Why you being so sensitive?”

Romeo rolled his eyes, sighing heavily. “Can we please go take these pictures now? I have someplace I need to be.”

“We ain't the ones doing all the talking,” Piano Man said over his shoulder as Sharon rose to follow him.

Taryn and Odetta laughed loudly, watching as Romeo fell in step behind them with his digital camera.

“They're something else,” Taryn said, pulling her chair up closer to the table.

Odetta nodded her head. “Piano Man gives Romeo a run for his money. He something else, he is. Everybody like that old fool.”

“Sharon's very shy, isn't she?”

Odetta shrugged. “Shy until you get her up on that stage. She's like two different people once she starts singing. It was nice of you to offer to take her shopping.”

Taryn smiled. “Why don't the three of us make a day of it? I think we'd have a great time. You up for it?”

Odetta laughed. “Hell yeah! Thought I was gonna have to invite myself.”

Taryn laughed with her. “You could have. You know we can hang tight anytime.”

Their laughter echoed about the room. Outside they could hear Romeo prodding the two entertainers into place, his voice tipped in exasperation. Odetta sauntered over to look out the window. Pulling back the shade ever so slightly, she peeked out to see what they were doing. Taryn joined her, peering past the woman's shoulder.

“So, what am I getting myself into?” Taryn asked, watching Romeo.

Odetta chuckled, the warmth of it vibrating around the room. “Girl, you don't have a thing to worry about. That's one good man. And I've never seen him looking at anyone the way I've seen him look at you. His nose is so wide open he don't know what to do with himself.”

Taryn smiled.

Odetta continued. “He gets a lot of fast women chasing after him, but Romeo knows a good thing when he sees it. And trust me when I tell you that I will tell him about his self when women like your friend Roberta come in here pressing all up on him. Won't be none of that going on.”

Taryn raised her eyebrows questioningly. “It's like that?”

“Oh,” Odetta exclaimed, “Romeo doesn't take that mess serious. You've seen how he is. He has no problems sending them packing quick!”

“That's good to know. This thing won't go far if I can't trust him,” Taryn said with a quick laugh.

“A man don't do what he don't want to do. I ain't met a man yet who will drop his pants because some woman made him and he didn't want to.”

Taryn shrugged.

“Romeo's like any other man. He's either going to resist the temptation or he ain't. If he wants to play around, there's nothing you can do to stop him.”

“Well, that makes me feel comfortable,” Taryn said, an edge of sarcasm coating her tone.

Odetta laughed. “Girl, don't you start acting crazy about what that man might do. You get crazy after he do it, then you at least got a good reason to be acting the fool.”

Taryn wrapped her arms tightly about her shoulders. She thought about Romeo and how he moved her so. She was quickly discovering that he had a devilish sense of humor and schoolboy charms that were drawing her to him. The beauty of his dark complexion and sinful good looks had been overshadowed by his casual demeanor, his ability to engage her in stimulating conversation, and an IQ as impressively high as her own.

She sighed as she turned her attention back to Odetta. “I really like him,” she said. “I'm actually surprised that I like him as much as I do.”

Odetta brushed a wide hand across Taryn's back. “Enjoy it and just see what happens. If it works out, all well and good. If not, at least you will have had some fun.”

“She's right,” Piano Man interrupted, startling both women. “It ain't hard to see that you and that boy got something going on between you,” he said as they both spun around to face him.

“Old man, you ought to be ashamed sneaking up on us like that,” Odetta fussed.

Piano Man laughed. “Won't nobody sneaking.”

Taryn laughed with him, shaking her head. Piano Man smiled at her, grasping her tightly around the shoulders. “Little girl, I think that boy's going to surprise you. You ain't got to worry none. A man don't usually do something stupid to throw away such a precious gift. And something tells me that you are very precious. 'Sides, I will kick his butt good if he hurts a pretty little thing like you.” He hugged her warmly as Romeo and Sharon sauntered in behind him.

“What's all this?” Romeo asked, sensing that he had just missed out on something.

Releasing his hold on Taryn, Piano Man cleared his throat, ignoring Romeo's question as he moved to the other side of the room. “Sharon, girl, come sing for me,” he instructed, pulling himself up to the piano. “And sing me a love song.”

Sharon smiled, settling herself next to the old man on the piano bench. The music was sweet. Her voice was caressing, the throaty tone complemented by the tinkling of keys. The mild reverb vibrated seductively about, teasing ever so slightly, like large, brown hands gently molding warm mocha flesh.

Romeo made his way to Taryn's side. His breath caught when she suddenly leaned into him, brushing her shoulder against his arm as she settled herself comfortably against him. Easing that arm over her shoulder, he relaxed as she nestled into his side, fitting as if she'd always belonged there.

Piano Man's fingers happily skipped against the keys. He watched the new lovers out of the corner of his eye. He marveled at how they reminded him of a time when he had stood strong beside the beautiful woman who'd fallen in love with him as intensely as the two of them were starting to fall in love, neither even aware. He had stood like Romeo did now, wanting to inhale every ounce of her being, relishing the sweetness of her disposition like cool ice cream against the warmth of his tongue.

Piano Man continued to play, wanting to stay locked in his memories for as long as he possibly could. Only Sharon noticed the fine spray of tears nestled along the edges of his dark eyes. When she reached her delicate hand out to lightly stroke the length of his back, only she was aware of the heartache wrapped in the warm breath he blew past his lips.

On the other side of the room, Odetta leaned back against the bar, her arms wrapped around her plump frame. A wry smile graced her face, her expression buoyant. Taryn and Romeo stood absorbed in their own small world, easy caresses being traded back and forth. Each appeared secure in their thoughts as the love song painted itself around the room.

Taryn winced, glancing down to her wristwatch. She'd missed Romeo's calls and she only had a quick minute before she had to be in another meeting. Not enough time to call him back. She stole one last look at her watch.

Since that initial cup of coffee the two had spent much time together. Getting to know Romeo had quickly become the highlight of Taryn's life. The man was engaging and every conversation teased her sensibilities. His humor was dry and teasing and he challenged her in a way she had never before experienced. She loved how he made her feel and couldn't imagine him not being a part of her life.

Taryn was discovering as much about herself as she was about the man who'd managed to wiggle his way into her heart. She found herself excited by the prospect of spending time with him. She would call him without hesitation, seeing no need to wait for him to take the lead in their blossoming relationship. Romeo easily fell into step with her wants, not feeling threatened at all by what she needed and insisted on claiming.

He was a mama's boy and she loved to hear him talk about his mother. It broke her heart to discover that he had no knowledge of the other parent who'd been there at his conception. She could see how that bothered him, the not knowing playing with his psyche. His sharing had opened the conversation to parenting and his thoughts about marriage and children.

They talked a lot, about anything and everything. No topic had been ignored; Romeo was as open as she fathomed any man could be. His willingness to be forthcoming about everything in his life had melted any reluctance she herself might have had. They'd become fast friends and she greatly appreciated everything he offered to her life. From the start, pangs of loneliness were nothing but a memory in both their lives.

Romeo had to be the most romantic man she'd ever known. He lavished her with attention. With him, surprises were routine and he was extraordinarily indulgent as he showered her with gifts and trinkets. She felt special with Romeo and had quickly discovered how much she needed—no, wanted—that in her life. Romeo was a dream come true, everything about the man mesmerizing.

Their last time together had been a point of no return for them both. Like all of their encounters, the conversation was engaging. Their disagreements were not actually arguments but vibrant debates of opinions. As Taryn reflected back, she couldn't even remember the topic, distracted by Romeo and what he had instigated between them.

She closed her eyes as she allowed herself to fall into the memory. He should have been at the Playground but Malcolm had covered his shift because Romeo had wanted to take her to dinner. He'd made reservations at Angus Barn, one of the premier restaurants in the area. Acquainted with the chef, Romeo had arranged a meal, the likes of which paled in comparison to anything she'd ever dined on before. The wine had flowed and the dessert had been decadent.

The evening air had been comfortable in spite of the rain that threatened to chase them from their seats on the brick-paved patio. Sitting beneath the late night sky, they had watched the initial strikes of lightning as they lit up the dark landscape. The rumble of thunder echoed off in the distance.

“I miss you when you go away,” Romeo had said softly.

“I wish I didn't have to be away,” she responded.

Romeo nodded. “You have my heart, do you know that?”

She lifted her eyes to his as he leaned toward her, clasping both of her hands beneath his own.

“You have my heart and when you're gone it feels like it might break.”

Taryn had laughed. “But I always come back. You know that.”

“I do, but it doesn't stop me from missing you and it doesn't stop the heartbreak that comes when you're not here.”

She didn't respond, not having the words to tell him she felt the same. She could only hope that he could see it in her eyes.

They'd sat together for some time before Romeo stood up, tossing his cloth napkin to the table. He had extended his hand toward her and when she'd taken it, he pulled her from her seat, drawing her tight against his body. He wrapped his arms around her torso and hugged her tightly. In that brief moment Taryn couldn't imagine anything moving her from that space. And then he kissed her, insuring that nothing ever would.

His mouth had captured hers, the gesture possessive. His lips were sweet against her lips. His tongue danced beyond the line of her teeth, frolicking in the warm cavity. He tasted like the sweet wine and berries and the hint of chocolate that had been their dessert. His kiss had been fervent and teasing, his ardor unmistakable. Everything about his touch had been consuming, leaving her breathless. Each inhalation and exhalation of his breath had lingered with her own, nourishing her spirit. He had kissed her in a way that no other man would ever be able to.

A sudden knock on her office door pulled her from her thoughts. Roberta pushed the door open slightly and peered inside.

“Hey, what's up?” Taryn questioned, her eyebrows raised.

“They're ready for you,” the woman answered.

Taryn nodded as she blew one last sigh. She wasn't ready, her focus lost as she pondered everything that was good about her and him together. The memory of his lips lingered and she wasn't ready to let it go. Wishing she had time to return her man's last call, she headed for her meeting.

 

 

Romeo continued to be drawn to Taryn's vibrant spirit. It possessed and enthralled him. The time they continued to share together seemed to be flying with no regard for his desire to make it stand still, to allow him a few moments to linger in the sweetness of all they were sharing. As he hung up his cell phone, moving back behind the bar, he was excited about the plans they'd made for the weekend.

Romeo's initial advances had been bold, just shy of pushy, and in response Taryn had held him at arm's length, feigning disinterest. But something about her eyes had been all too revealing and so he'd persisted, allowing a beautiful friendship to build between them.

That friendship had left him wanting more, needing to fall headfirst into the promises between them. He had not seen in himself what Taryn had seen in him, but she had wanted him as badly, only on her own terms. He knew only that it had taken weeks of hourlong telephone conversations, romantic dinners, and late night walks before they'd become lovers. Many women had passed between the sheets of Romeo's bed prior to him meeting Taryn, but not once had he considered sharing that space with someone else after.

Once Romeo had let her in, Taryn reaching deep into his spirit, seeing what moved him, he'd been captured heart and soul. When he had finally tasted the essence of her sugar, nourishing his hunger from the fountain of her femaleness, he'd been consumed by his growing emotion for her. Emotion that felt very much like love.

 

 

Taryn snuggled close beside him, sleep having taken over her body. She slumbered peacefully, a faint beam of moonlight floating through the window across her cheek. Romeo leaned down to press his lips against hers, running his tongue along the line of her mouth. She smiled in her sleep, pushing her own tongue out of her mouth to lick lightly at her own lips. The subtleness of the movement excited him and he moved his body closer to hers, pressing his hips against her hips, his thigh against her thigh. He could feel the muscles along the lower half of his body tightening, responding as if they'd been commanded to stand at attention.

Romeo marveled at the effect Taryn had on him. He had no control when she was close, the nearness of her taking command over his being. He reached a tentative hand out to palm her naked breast, rolling the lush tissue against the cup of his large hand. Her flesh was warm and inviting, and so he leaned to take the dark nipple into his mouth. He suckled her gently, lapping at her greedily. He felt her hand move to the back of his head, pressing his face against her chest. A low moan escaped past her lips. Peering up at her face, he smiled, noting that she still had not opened her eyes.

Shifting the line of his body, Romeo pressed his hardness against her thigh, pushing himself in slow rotation against her. Responding with her body, Taryn's legs fell open easily, allowing him access to the center of her being. His fingers danced between her thighs, seeking sanctuary in the soft folds of her femininity. The low moan became more intense as he teased her, caressing her steadily against the tips of his fingers, his lips still locked around her breast as he suckled hungrily.

Taryn moaned his name, whispering it into the dark night as she gasped for air. Romeo answered by pulling himself above her, the heat rising from the core of her body guiding him where they both wanted him to be. Wrapping her thin arms around his neck, she pulled him to her mouth, thrusting her tongue between his teeth as she kissed him hungrily. Fully awake, her gaze met his, sleep lost behind the rise of passion that his touch had stirred within her.

Stroke for stroke she lifted her hips against his pelvis, drawing him deeper and deeper inside her. She felt full and complete. For Romeo, the intensity of the connection was beyond his wildest dreams. He loved her, completely, without reservation, and as he spilled his soul deep into the well of her heart, he told her so.

 

 

A loud knock against her front door pulled Aleta from her sleep, moving her to rise from the warmth of her bed. Wrapping a silk robe around her nightgown, she scurried to the front of the house to peer through the door's peephole. Piano Man stood outside, patiently waiting for her to welcome him. She smiled, leaning her forehead against the front door as she unlocked the safety bolt. Pulling the structure open, she stood staring at him, and he at her as he waited to be invited inside.

Neither of them spoke. Piano Man gazed at her intently, knowing there were no words that could convey the emotions sweeping through him. Knowing that if there was anyone who could read his soul, it would be Aleta. The woman had always had the unique ability to translate the language in his eyes.

She pushed at the screen door, allowing him admittance. Locking it behind them, he dragged himself into the bedroom, following closely on her heels as she led the way, pulling him along by the hand. Without uttering a word, the woman dropped her body back against the mattress, tugging the covers up and around her shoulders. She watched as Piano Man stepped out of his clothes, kicking his pants and shirt into the corner of the room. She smiled at the printed boxers that hung to his knees and the bright white T-shirt pulled tight against his chest. He smiled back, a faint rise of blush sweeping heat across his dark cheeks.

Crawling in beside her, Piano Man wrapped his arms tightly around her as she turned to face the wall, the line of her buttocks pressing into his groin. A wave of vibration stirred throughout his body. Piano Man gasped, inhaling sharply as he ran a callused palm down the line of her figure. Her skin was soft, age lost in the folds of darkness that enveloped them. He kissed the round of her shoulder, allowing his lips to draw a damp line along the back of her neck. Relaxing his arm around her waist, his fingers tickled the silk fabric that lay between his hand and her flesh, the outline of her belly button pressing into his palm. She trembled against him and he pulled himself closer, wrapping a protective grip around her body. When the morning sun reached out to kiss the sides of their faces, the warmth of the rays found them still holding tightly to each other.

 

 

A storm was brewing off the coast of North Carolina. As Piano Man clicked the off button on the television remote, he thought it prophetic that the weather people had deemed to name the angry swell of wind and rain Hurricane Irene. Lifting his body out of Aleta's bed, he pulled his rumpled clothes from where they lay in the corner, dropping the wrinkled fabric back against his skin. Aleta still lay sleeping peacefully beneath the covers.

As the warmth of a faint sliver of sunlight had pulled him out of his sleep, he'd turned on the television to catch the news. He'd watched with eager anticipation as the newscaster, a young Asian woman meticulously dressed in pale blue cashmere, plotted the storm's pending course. It was predicted that Irene would come raging in their direction by nightfall, leaving a vehement path of tropical anger in her wake. Piano Man shook his head. Prophetic. Even from her grave, Irene was expressing her displeasure, raging at him from wherever it was she lay. He imagined that her eternal peace had been compromised by what he had done. Closing the front door behind him, he didn't bother to let Aleta know he was gone. News of Irene would tell her for him.

 

 

Malcolm had unlocked the club's front door earlier than usual. Piano Man and Romeo both entered at the same time, having crossed paths on the sidewalk at the entrance. Their loud chatter preceded them inside.

“This may be a bad storm. We've not had anything like this come through for a while. Not since Fran,” Romeo was saying as he held the door for Piano Man to enter.

“Why you think they always name these big storms after women?” the older man asked, his curiosity piqued.

Romeo chuckled. “My mama use to say that the devil had probably pissed off Mother Nature royally. Nothing like a woman scorned. So I guess it's sort of fitting, don't you think?”

Piano Man laughed with him, the two men waving at Malcolm as they made their way toward the bar.

“Good morning,” Malcolm chimed. “How are you two doing today?”