To Catch a Falling Star (19 page)

“Uncle Tarry, I’ve missed you.” I smile with a pang of guilt. Other than a guitar lesson on Sunday, I haven’t given her any more instructions.

“I miss you, too, sunshine.” I stand up and kiss Mel’s cheek.

“Hey, Dominick.” I ruffle his hair. “Care to join a lonesome, boring musician for dinner?” I attempt my best smile, hoping not to seem phony. Why can’t I be more seductive?

“Yeah, um, don’t you have someone accompanying you already? I don’t mean to intrude.” She points to the empty dish and glass in front of me.

“No, it was an old friend, but she’s left already.”

“Oh.” Her eyes dart around, as she scans the room.

“Come on, Mel.” I feel so damn insecure.

“Please, Mom.” Ella tugs her hand.

“Are you sure?” Mel asks me.

“Just sit down, will ya?” I pull her into a chair and sit across the table. “How is your car?” I ask.

“Super, good as new.” She pulls the curls falling over her eyes. My eyes travel to her cleavage and I have to focus on Mrs. Nichol’s horrendous voice. Mel looks so fresh and clean, and I’m sweaty and rugged.

On the table, Jim places water and utensils, along with coloring sheets and crayons for the kids. He smiles and collects Mel and the kids’ orders. “I’ll put a hold on your order, Tarry, so you can eat together,” he says before retreating to the kitchen.

“I miss seeing you in the mornings.” The words leave my lips, before I have time to process them. In all honesty, I’m not a morning person, but I wake up early these days, thinking of an excuse to go see her.

The familiar and adorable shade of pink colors her face, as she brings the water to her lips.

“You look good,” she says with a throaty voice. She clears her throat and asks. “Are you still training with Lucas?”

“Yeah, and I’ve even gained a few pounds.” I flex my biceps and smile.

“Oh.” Her eyes settle on my arm. The pink color of her cheeks turns red. Hell, she wants me. I smile inwardly. I just have to figure out a way to make her accept it.

“Uncle Tarry, have you seen
The Lion King
?” Ella asks expectantly.

“Um, yes, and it’s one of my all-time favorites.”

“We’re going to watch it tonight. Do you want to watch it with us? Dominick is having a sleepover.” She turns to her mom. “Can he sleep over too, Mommy?”

Mel swallows hard, and I stifle a laugh. “I don’t think I can have a sleepover, Ella, but if it is okay with your mom, I would love to watch the movie with you.”

“Please!” Dominick and Ella turn to Mel, and beg in unison.

“Sure, he can.” Mel smiles indulgently.

I grin, as Jim places our food over the table. My eyes study her face intently, Mel can never say no to anybody. Maybe that’s the way for me to unlock the door to her heart. I scoop a spoon full of green slime and bring it to my lips.

“Goddamnit, Mel, this soup is delicious,” I say with a foolish grin on my face.

“I know, even the kids like it,” she says, shooting me a smile.

“Dominick is spending the night over?” I ask.

“Yeah, it’s Will and Portia’s date night. The kids love to spend the time together.” Warmth radiates from her eyes.

“Those two are on a perpetual honeymoon,” I say.

“Yeah, that’s true. I love to watch them. It’s like watching a real life fairy tale.” She sighs. “I’m glad, it exists for some people,” she says genuinely.

I grip my thighs to prevent my hands from caressing her cheeks. She seems lost, and I want to wrap my arms tightly around her. The feeling is palpable, and it swamps me with a desire to connect to Mel in a way I’ve never connected to anyone. The surge of these new emotions is scary as hell, but it also excites me.

I hope my face does not translate the fucking lovesick puppy feelings swamping my heart.

WHAT IS THE matter with me? The desire hammering inside me is terrifying. Tarry stares at me with those hooded eyes of his and I go berserk. Seriously, he’s not even hitting on me. His stare is enough to unravel me. Crap. I need to rein in my emotions.

We finish the meal and leave the restaurant. My traitor’s body stirs to life when his hand rests on the small of my back. His touch sets me on fire. I say a little grace for having the kids near me.

“You didn’t have to pay for us, Tarry. Thank you.”

“Really, I’m kind of old-fashioned. I would never allow a date to pay for a meal,” he says, but I notice his body stiffen after the comment.

“Well, this was not a date. And I find your principle quite chauvinistic.”

“I rather think I am being a gentleman. And trust me, Mel, I’m not much of a nice guy at all so I reserve the right to be a gentleman occasionally.” He seems irritated.

“You can’t fool me, Tarry. You’re a genuinely nice guy,” I say, trying to lighten the sudden sour mood.

“Whatever.” He shrugs.

“Mommy, can we ride with Uncle Tarry?” Ella asks.

“Yeah, sure,” I say, turning to avoid Tarry’s burning stare.

After switching the car seat and booster, I drive onto Route One. I wish I could have opposed Tarry coming over. But I can’t really tell the kids that I am horny and attracted to Tarry, so I need to avoid him. God, how can someone be so sexy and handsome? His voice alone disarms, but his proximity is exhilarating and intimidating all at the same time.

Tarry is a mystery I am trying to unravel. His eyes are always guarded and alluring. But also so sad. When they regard me, I lose track of all surroundings. I hate how vulnerable they make me. It is unnerving.

I pull into the driveway, step out of the car, and wait for them by the kitchen door. Tarry opens the back door and the kids get out. He carries Dominick and Ella under each arm. I open the door and follow them inside. The kids squeal with delight.

“I’ll put the movie on.” I enter the living room and smile when Tarry drops them on the big couch.

“Jeez, Mel, these kids are giving me an additional workout.” His grin tenses my every muscle. He looks so darn handsome.

I busy myself putting the DVD on. The kids settle down on the couch as I go to make some popcorn.

“Do you want coffee?” I ask Tarry.

“Yeah, why not?” he says, following me.

Crap, I wanted to put some distance between us. I didn’t intend for him to follow me into the kitchen.

I retrieve a bag of popcorn from the cabinet and place it in the microwave. Tarry leans over the sink and crosses his arms over his chest. His presence is heady and dominating. I get the coffee pot and look at him uncertainly. “Excuse me.” I clear my throat and collect my scattered brain. Why do I feel so idiotic near him?

His eyes twinkle in amusement and his lips twitch into a smile. “Why are you so tense, Mel, are you afraid I’ll kiss you?” He regards me, all yummy and distracting.

“First of all, I’m not afraid or tense. Second, you’ll not kiss me,” I say, but my traitor’s eyes look at his lips. Crap, they look so delectable.

A mirthless laugh rumbles on his chest.

“Of course I will, Mel. And we both know it.” He moves to the side. I feel my face flushing as I fill the pot with water.

I put the coffee to brew, retrieve the popcorn, and place it in a bowl. “Here, would you bring this to the kids?”

When the coffee is ready, I pour it into mugs.

I join them in the living room to watch the movie. I’m pissed for being so obvious in the kitchen. I hand the coffee to Tarry, avoiding eye contact. Mom says my eyes are always my giveaway. With my foolish desire to kiss him, the last thing I need to do is to encourage Tarry with my eyes.

I slump on the love seat across from the big couch.

“I’m going to use your bathroom.” Tarry sprints from the big couch he’s sharing with the kids.

“Sure, you know where it is.” I fix my eyes on the movie I have watched about a hundred times.

A few minutes later, Tarry returns. He sinks on the couch next to me. My head snaps to the side. I see an amused smile on his face. Bastard, he just found a reason to sit next to me without being obvious to the kids. I am unsure if the gesture makes me mad or flattered. But, I am sure that his heady proximity makes me dizzy.

He swings his arm around my shoulder, and slouches deep down into the couch, pulling me under his embrace. His warmth envelops me. He exudes a faint smell of cigarettes and a citrus scent. My mouth goes dry when he pulls me even closer to him. I risk a glance at the children, but they seem engrossed by the movie. I squirm tensely under his touch.

“Are you comfortable?” He breathes in my ear.

“Yes,” I whisper, breathless.

Slowly, my body begins to relax. The two doubles I’ve pulled started to take a toll on me. I fight to keep my eyes open and to resist the unbidden desire to curl up to Tarry. I’ve been operating on a few hours of sleep for the past three days and I feel the heavy pull of slumber dragging me under. Too tired to resist the urge, I succumb to a deep sleep.

MY EYES OPEN slowly. Languidly, I stretch my legs. The TV is off and a lamp casts a soft light. I scan the living room when my eyes meet Tarry’s stare. He’s lounging on the small love seat with me. His warmth envelops me.

“Where are the kids?” I ask disoriented. Glancing at the digital clock, I see it’s two in the morning. Whoa. What happened?

“Damn, Mel, you were out, huh?” He smiles and sits up.

Realizing I slept through the movie, I sit up and stretch my body. I rub my face, noticing Tarry has his eyes fixed on me. Hesitantly, I scramble up.

“Thank you for seeing the kids to bed.”

“I even read them a bedtime story. I’m surprised you didn’t wake up. We were not very quiet.” He yawns and stands, facing me.

“I’m sorry, you should have woken me.” Tarry is inches away, towering over me. My fingers itch with a desperate need to touch him.

I can clearly see he is debating whether or not he should kiss me. His eyes regard me, and I sense anxiety emanating from his exquisite body.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmurs, his fingers gently tracing down my face and along my neck.

My body shivers and a whimper escapes from my throat.

“I never wanted something as badly as I want to kiss you right now. What is happening to me, Mel?” His voice is laced with anguish, and longing.