I liked her voice. She was obviously not just American. Her voice was pregnant with the tongue of ‘other”. Nothing about it repelled my interest. Instead, I was drawn in counter clockwise. This really was something new, for me. I was the ripe age of thirty nine, finally working on my PHD so I could elevate myself to professor status. Having some instant attraction hadn’t been a part of the plan. I figured if I’d made it thirty nine years without ever enjoying that experience I never would. Yet, here she was. Bending in front of me offering apologies and telling me with that sweet voice of hers that I didn’t have to apologize just because I was the man. I couldn’t help grinning.” I’m definitely going to apologize because I am the man. And, I should have been watching where I was going.” I couldn’t escape ‘old schooled’ manners that had been drilled into me. Something about her screamed you’d enjoy my company Bryant Girad. And, I’m sure whatever sent that subliminal message was right. No. I was more than sure. Positive is the word.
Damn but she was a dainty little thing. My hand nearly bracketed hers when I wrapped my fingers around it. At five eleven I wasn’t the tallest man on the street, but I seemed to hold my ground pretty well. We stood there for a moment. Her hand steady in mine. I was looking down at the top of her curls with mild amusement. From others looking on, I could only imagine we looked like a pair. Perhaps not the most familiar match but, right now on the street it all seemed to work. It all seemed to fit. I liked the image that presented itself in my mind. Or, maybe I just needed to exercise my libido. The last time I was with someone it hadn’t really worked out. Office romance with a fellow co-worker. When things didn’t work out it was odd for both of us. Until, she met someone else. I think she’s on kid number two. Funny the way things like that work out. Still that had been what….six years ago? That was slightly pathetic. I was damn close to being a virgin again. That was a laugh considering how I’d been in my younger days. It was no secret I’d been a man whore. Every guy was until a certain age. Then you realized you weren’t going to stay with a girl just because she gave good head and screamed when you were in bed. Because once the sex was over you were actually going to have to listen to nagging. And, I hated a woman that just complained about s**t. Drove me right up a wall it did.
Before my mind could continue on spin cycle she was pulling her hand away. I slackened my hold. But, I’d be damned if I didn’t feel each second of her hand dragging across my own to be free. Wow…wow. What to do…what do I do? Drown right in the curve of her smile. It was really the only thing left to do. The woman wasn’t just good to look at. She was damn beautiful. It could be after years of being use to one brand I was blown away by something with a bit of what….spice? Sure there were brown eyed, women with curly hair around my ‘circle’. Still none looked like her. And, if there was something I was learning quickly it was some people simply looked better than others even with the same basics. This woman was definitely holding supremacy in my books.
Getting her name seemed to clash with fate. Just as the words found themselves pooled in my mouth she was making her exited. She must have been unimpressed. Damn. Not, that I could blame her. She must have sturdy, good looking, not to mention younger men after her. A woman like her wouldn’t be single. I was obviously too old for someone like her. She had to go. I had to let her. She said something about a party and not being invited but working. I tried to follow but the words tumbled out of her lips and before I knew it she was turning and going on her way. I stood there watching her leave. It wasn’t until she’d walked a good distance away from me that I actually caught a glimpse of what she was wearing.
Holy hell. The woman had a red dress on that must have been painted along every curve of her body. I knew I looked like a fool standing there with my mouth open watching the woman walk away. I was a fool! I should have gotten her name-- her number. Any young man that let a woman like that walk down the street on her own was a fool. Shaking my head I couldn’t help but laugh. Damn. Taking a bite of pastry I begrudgingly turned away. Looking at my watch made me realize I was definitely going to be late now. I couldn't bring myself to care. It had been worth it.
The shrill sound of my phone bought me out of my glorified daze. Taking the thing out of my pocket I looked at the number and groaned. Putting it to my ear I took another bite of the pastry, “ Hello big sis.”
“ Bryant…where are you? “
“ On my way.”
“ I told you what time to be here. Why do you do this? Do you wish to embarrass our brother?”
I let out a sigh. It always came down to embarrassing someone. I was thirty nine damn it why the hell did I care who I embarrassed? My sister was forty two. You’d think she’d be over the need to impress the crowd. I jogged across the street while I tried to soothe the storm that was brewing. “ I said I’m coming Celine. Don’t make a fuss about it. I’m five minutes away tops.”
“ Hurry up.”
“ Yes, boss.” Hanging up from family was always easy. No matter what I promised. I wasn’t about to be rushed. I enjoyed my pastry and took the long way. My sanity didn’t make my sister’s top ten but it was my number one. And, if I was about to spend the night in her company and my brother’s then I was going to need to take the long way. I’d arrive when I arrived. Slipping the phone back in my pocket I enjoyed the walk and the pastry. Then I headed for the address I’d been given for the shindig. Good bye sanity. Hello slow death. I knocked and the door was opened by my sister. Of course, I gave her the winning Girad family smile. “ Celine
“ That was more than five minutes.”
“ Good to see you too,” she allowed me to kiss both her cheeks. After all we were all well versed in ‘keeping’ up appearances. “ Whose arse am I to butter tonight”
“ Must you be so crude?” Celine looked at her brother with disgust. She truly didn’t understand Bryant and never would. He was the only Girad that seemed to shun the wealth their name came with. The man wanted to be a professor of all things! No she wouldn’t understand him nor did she try to. Celine looked at the clothes she’d sent him and smiled at least he looked the part. She wore a simple but elegant evening gown and her hair was pulled back in a chiffon bun. Diamonds graced her ear, as they usually did.
I knew my sister was sizing me up; it was something she always did. I chuckled. Celine was the epitome of proper. I would always be an anomaly. “ Of course darling. Someone has to shake the family tree before it dies the horrible death you and Lou intend to give it. ” Without another word I moved beyond Celine and into the room. My night…had begun.
