It Could Happen Again (Zulu Spectre) (4 page)

Carmen cleared her throat. “Hasim is just concerned about his son. And call me Tidir; you know that’s my name now.”

She snarled low. “Your name is Carmen; that’s what you were named. And so he sends you to do his dirty work? Complaining about the care I give my nephew?”

“Don’t start this, Allie, please. Besides, you are the one who is the disgrace.”

Pain gnawed at her gut. Of course that had to be thrown into the conversation. “Start what? I’m not starting anything. I don’t like him, and he doesn’t like me. That’s not a secret, even our parents know.”

“If you could just be a bit more…”

“Drop it, Carmen, or this conversation is done. I’m not curbing who I am because your husband has a problem with me. That’s his issue, not mine. And let’s not forget, all of you have already condemned me. The only reason you talk to me is because he’s a cheap fuck and you want me to watch your son for free.”

“You’re Algerian.”

“And American. I was raised here, as were you. I went to school here. You went back to Algeria, and we’re different, Carmen. He needs to accept that.”

“He’s worried you’re corrupting Tyler.”

Anger surged hot and fresh. “I see. So you’ll be here on Saturday then to pick him up. We’ll talk then.” She hung up on her sister and threw the phone with a curse. It skipped across her bed to fall to the floor.

“What’s wrong, Auntie?”

“Nothing, Tyler. Just an argument with your mom. We’re sisters; it happens.”

“Want to help me with the puzzle? I have to finish it before I leave.”

Something mindless and fun to do with her nephew. “Absolutely. I’ll be right there.”

“Okay!” He charged away.

She stopped in the bathroom and splashed some cold water on her face, noticing she was still flushed. I don’t think that’s from dealing with Carmen either. No, it was all Dale and the way he made her feel.

Drying off on a towel, she hung it up then went to the living room where the board had been moved to the coffee table. Tyler sat before it, serious and working hard. She crouched on the other side and got to helping him.

Two hours passed before she realized it. Pushing up, she said, “Time for you to get to bed, Tyler. I didn’t realize how late it was.”

“Do we have time for cookies and milk?”

She arched a brow at him, and he grinned back. After she jerked her head to the kitchen, he set off swiftly, and she laughed as she followed at a much more leisurely pace. He had the cookies out when she got in there, and he took out two for himself while she grabbed the glasses. Once she poured the milk, they sat across from one another and dunked their cookies.

“What’s up with you, Tyler? You feeling okay? You seem a bit quiet tonight.” Perhaps he’s just tired from everything we did today.

“I miss you when I leave, Auntie.”

She reached out and covered his hand with hers. “I miss you too, bud.”

“You never come to see me.”

Something she felt guilty for, honestly. “I don’t have a lot of time, Tyler. This is my vacation. I save it and take my time so you and I can hang out with one another. Don’t you like being here for two weeks?”

“I do. I just wish you’d come for holidays.” His voice lowered. “You know, sometimes.”

“Most of the people I work with ask for time off to spend with their kids. I don’t have kids of my own so I take shifts so they can. You understand, right?”

“I suppose. You’re the only one who understands me, though.”

“Tyler, I’m always here for you, you know that. One year, you aren’t even going to want to spend two weeks with me.” I’m not telling him that I’m not welcome in their house.

“Sure I will.” His smile deepened. “You’re my favorite aunt.”

She popped the remaining bit of her cookie in and ate it. “And, remind me again just how many aunts you have.”

His eyes sparkled with merriment. “That would be one.”

“Uh huh.”

“You’re still my favorite.”

“Likewise, man, likewise.” She finished her milk. “Now, come on; time to brush your teeth and get to bed.”

He placed his dishes in the sink and hastened to the bathroom. She leaned on the doorjamb and watched him as he brushed them. Once he was in bed, she cleaned up, changed into her sleeping attire, and went to figure out bills at her kitchen table. After midnight, she realized it was time for her to get to bed as well.

Just as she rose and gathered her papers, a loud screech came from the hallway. The feminine voice unfortunately familiar.

Dale’s ex.

“Cripes, her again? Does this broad ever take a hint?”

The noise faded slightly as Allie progressed to her bedroom. Hopefully, Tyler would continue to be a heavy sleeper. She, on the other hand, not so much.

Except for that day I slept when Dale was here watching Tyler for me. I didn’t hear a sound. Or those days in the past when Dale would wear me out with bouts of sex that left me sweaty and exhausted.

She drew back her blankets, crawling in between the sheets. They were cool against her exposed skin but thankfully warmed quickly. The day had been unseasonably cold and the night even more so. As she lay there, the echoes of the ex’s cries rang in her ears. Allie thought about her sister. Even thinking about Carmen—Tidir—got her tense. Breathing deeply, she tugged up the blankets, tried laying on her other side, and squeezed her eyes shut.

“Good thoughts,” she muttered. “I just need some good thoughts.”

Much to her surprise—then again, maybe not that much of a surprise—happy thoughts came in the form of Dale Curtayn. Allie didn’t fight it. There was no trying to convince herself it was best to stay away from lusty thoughts of him. She accepted how having him in her mind made her happy.

It didn’t matter if it was him striding across the parking lot—coming or going—or limbering up on the steps before or after his run. Taking in the stretch of materials over his body. The smooth movement of his muscles. The outline of his cock as it pressed into her. And always, the primal way he watched her. Hungry. Raw. Possessive.

In the privacy of her own room, she didn’t have to analyze any of it. She could just allow herself to feel and imagine whatever she wished.

So Allie’s mental creations of her indulging in the fantasy of her and Dale escorted her to a world where anything and everything was possible. Her dreams.

Emotionally drained when she woke in the morning, she took a long hot shower in an attempt to soothe her body. Her muscles ached as if she’d truly engaged in the acts that had ruled her dreams.

“Dale,” she whispered as the pounding water beat into her skin, tenderizing the muscles in a failed attempt to relax. Hands upon the tile wall, she closed her eyes and let the shower continue to work on her. “I have to get him out of my head. He is not what I need right now. I’m focused on my life and my dream. He’s got a psycho ex who appears far from stable; he’s my ex as well. I don’t need to get involved with him. Again.”

Even her pep talk didn’t sway her physical and visceral reaction to thoughts of that man. Her breathing deepened as she pictured him in the shower with her. Sudsy hands rubbing all over her body. His fingers plucking at her breasts, teasing her nipples. Kissing the nape of her neck as he stroked fully within her heated core.

A whimper escaped, and she turned off the hot water, hissing in shock with the icy pellets made contact on her skin. “Shit, that bites.”

She hopped out and dried off, using vigorous strokes of the towel, the fabric abrading her already hypersensitive skin. Clad in her threadbare robe, she walked back to her room and rummaged through her closet for something to wear. She turned to toss it on the bed and paused. Thick dark gray clouds hung low in the sky, and she frowned.

“I could have sworn this was spring and not winter.”

Allie stared at her outfit laid out on the bed and figured it would keep her warm enough. She was drawing on her dark blue tee on over the deep rose long-sleeve- shirt tucked in her relaxed-fit distressed jeans when Tyler knocked on her door.

“Auntie?”

“Come on in, Tyler. What’s up?”

He was there, dressed, carrying a cup of tea. “I made this for you.”

She took it, the scent of mint filling the air. “Thank you. When did you do this?”

“I heard you in the shower. I thought you might like it since you didn’t sleep a lot last night.”

She crouched before him. “Did I keep you up?”

“No, I had to pee, and I heard you tossing and turning and whimpering.”

“You’re such a sweetie. What do you say we go out to breakfast this morning?”

“To the pancake house?”

“If that’s where you want to go. Grab your shoes, I just have to get my boots.”

“What about your tea?”

“I’ll drink it on our way; can you pull down my travel mug?”

His smile said it all as he ran off. She swiftly put her hair back in an elastic hair comb that had rhinestones on it, matching the rose of her undershirt. Swiping her black knee boots, she sat to tug them over her white jeans then headed for the kitchen, tea in hand.

The dented travel mug, paint peeling on the outside, awaited her. She needed a new one but, this one worked fine, and she couldn’t justify getting another.

“This tea is awesome, Tyler, thank you. It’s perfectly sweetened.”

“I know you like two spoonfuls in your drink.”

Yes, she did. It didn’t take her long to transfer the liquid from one container to the next. Screwing on the top, she said, “Grab your jacket.”

Tyler drew the door shut as she slipped into her coat out in the hall. Purse over her shoulder, she had her drink in one hand and keys in the other. After one swift—okay, more lingering—look at Dale’s door, she headed off down the hall with her nephew.

The wind outside was bitter and stung her cheeks. “I think winter may be back.”

“I like it better than hot weather.”

She wasn’t so sure she did.

Three hours later, she sat on a bench and kept an eye on Tyler as he fed the ducks swimming in the pond. Her collar was turned up to keep the wind at bay, and she had her hands shoved in her coat pockets.

“He’d live outside if he could, wouldn’t he?”

She jumped slightly, turning to see Dale striding up. His every move, sinuous grace, reminded her of a predator. A big jungle cat moving effortlessly through his domain. Instantly heat flushed her, and the need to lower the zipper on her coat impressed itself upon her. Where is my anger when he’s around? Why does it hide or become lust?

“Yes.”

He sat beside her, and she inhaled, gratefully welcoming the rich scent of him combined with the fresh crispness of the outdoors and the warmth of sandalwood.

“How are you doing?”

“Okay, I guess. Didn’t sleep the best last night. Apparently, I even kept Tyler up for a bit.” She shrugged. “Oh, well.”

“Everything okay?”

“Yeah, it usually happens when I talk to my sister.”

“His mom? Or one of your other siblings?”

“His mom. Carmen called me yesterday, excuse me, Tidir.” In her periphery, she noticed his eyebrows rise in silent question. “My parents named her Carmen but she is changing her name to Tidir. Her husband likes it better.”

“Ah, this is the man you don’t like.”

“I didn’t say that.”

His chuckle was like warm brandy sliding down her throat. Comforting. Intoxicating. Incredible. “You didn’t have to. You didn’t mention him before just your sister. You have one picture of him in your place, and you actually have a figurine in front of his side of the frame, blocking him out.”

She did? Another look to ensure Tyler was okay, and she stared at Dale. “And that’s what you deduced?”

“I observe things,” he said, his accent thicker this morning. “What is it about your sister that bothers you so? I know how to read you, Allie. What is it about your sister that bothers you so?”

Her hurt and rage raised its head, making itself known. Oh, there it is. “I don’t need to bore you with my family issues.” She clenched her teeth to keep from snapping. She had to move on. She wasn’t doing herself any favors by dwelling in the past and making it harder for her to face the future with an open mind and hope.

“It wouldn’t bore me.” He stretched his long legs out in front of him.

Staring at the tips of his black boots, she sniffed, deciding to give him a very whitewashed version. “Her husband doesn’t like me, and I’m not good enough in his eyes. I mean, I’m okay to watch his son but he constantly has her call me to ensure I’ve not done something to his boy. I am not supposed to call her Carmen anymore. And I should be more Algerian than American.”

“What do your parents think about this?”

“They just shrug. They don’t want to get in this, and I really don’t want to involve them.”

“And your sister did this once she got married?”

“Yes. She was a lot more fun before he came into the picture. But I can’t complain too much; I get to have a wonderful nephew.”

“How did he get the name Tyler?”