The Pick-Up Wife Read online

  While pursuing his career had been fulfilling, without Symmone by his side to share the success his achievements were hollow victories. Why did he ever put his career before his marriage? Or think he would be better off without her? And for a while he believed the bull, until he came home to an empty house.

  He twisted the plain gold band on his finger.

  He’d been approached by one of the partners about the possibility of buying into the firm as a full partner, and to his surprise Dexter Greene had asked about his family. Greene wanted to meet Leo’s family before the final decision was made.

  Family. Something he’d abandoned in pursuit of his career and the very thing he now needed to solidify his position with Greene and Banks Architects. If Symmone didn’t call him, Leo would go to her job again. He was not leaving until he had convinced her he was still in love with her and he had mended the fence he’d so callously busted.

  Chapter Three

  Symmone poured a much needed cup of coffee the following morning. Cleaning the building had taken longer, thanks to three of the crew members deciding not to show. What was supposed to be a quick five-hour shift had turned into an all-nighter. She stifled a wide yawn as she doled scrambled eggs onto waiting plates.

  “Breakfast,” she called and sipped her coffee.

  Doors slammed and footsteps pounded across the floor until her twin terrors appeared in the doorway, babbling about the latest episode of “Phineas and Ferb”.

  She listened to the chatter flowing around her. No matter how tired she was, she loved listening to their young voices. Every decision she had made since they were born was for them. And she couldn’t sacrifice their well-being now. Not for anyone, and especially not for their father.

  She had no more illusions of love, and any time a man could put his career or anything else before her, she was done with him.

  “So can we?”

  Symmone tuned into the conversation and found two like faces staring at her in earnest. Two pairs of soft brown eyes were filled with hope. She hated to let them down.

  “Can you what?”

  “Our class is going on an overnight to the museum in Detroit. Can we go?” Jewel said, shoving a forkful of eggs into her mouth.

  “You promised the next field trip we could go.” LJ’s voice held a slight whine.

  The field trip forms. “And I do my best to keep my promises.” Symmone looked from one face to the other. Whatever she had to do, she would do. “And you’re going.”

  Squeals of delight split the air and she was engulfed in happy hugs and kisses. She returned the exuberance with a giggle.

  “Okay, now make sure you finish eating.

  Rinse your plates when you’re done. I have to get dressed.”

  ****

  By the time Symmone entered the café, a few patrons dotted the tables, while several more lined the long eat-in counter. Next to the register sat a tall vase wrapped in florist paper, but a red petal or two peeked above the green and white wrapper.

  “Morning, Donna.” She donned a fresh apron, tied the strings, and pointed to the arrangement. “That’s sweet. Your daughter send you flowers again?”

  Donna was a quiet waitress in her mid-fifties, and while she didn’t need to work, she enjoyed interacting with the customers. Sitting at the register for the duration of her shift allowed her to do that.

  “Actually, my dear, those are for you. Seems you have a secret admirer.”

  Warm pleasure stole through her. No one other than her children ever gave her flowers. She crossed to the vase and pulled the paper down.

  Two dozen long stemmed roses were arranged in a cut crystal vase. She savored the sweet scent of the bouquet before she plucked the envelope from the clear plastic fork and removed the card.

  Until we meet again.

  Trepidation made her heart pound a little harder. What did he want? She slid the card back in the envelope and dropped it into her pocket.

  “Was it one of our regulars?” Donna drew her attention. “I’ve noticed a couple of the younger crowd eyeing you lately. You should really think about dating one of them, Symmone. Your kids are old enough to handle you dating.”

  Symmone laughed and moved the roses to an empty shelf behind the servers’ station. “That may be true, but I don’t have time to date. Working and raising my kids keeps me busy enough.”

  “Will you at least think about it? You’re still young and have the rest of your life to work like crazy.”

  Nodding, Symmone grabbed a couple of menus and headed to a booth where an older couple were seated. She hadn’t given much thought to her social life, or lack thereof, until Leo walked in yesterday.

  Until that moment she didn’t think anything was wrong with her existence. Sure, she worked two jobs, something she desperately wanted to stop doing, but dating? Nope. She shook her head.

  Entertaining the notion of someone else when she barely had time for her children now just wasn’t an option.

  Flowers and dating were pushed from her mind as the café filled to overflowing. By the time breakfast blurred into lunch, her patience was thin.

  Lack of sleep and cranky customers only added to her irritability. Thank goodness once her shift ended she could go home and be with her children.

  Right after a nice long hot shower.

  She thumped a glass of water on yet another table and removed her order tablet from her pocket. “I’m so sorry about the wait,” she said, infusing as much sincerity into her voice as possible. “What could I get to start you off?”

  “Did you like the flowers?”

  Warmth whispered over her, awakening nerves and desires she desperately needed to stay dormant. Symmone snapped her attention to the speaker and groaned. “I really don’t have time for this today, so if you want something to eat, just give me your order.”

  When Leo chuckled, a part of her wanted to hear him laugh again. She rocked back on her heels, refusing to admit to herself she was still attracted to him. She sniffed, her senses colliding with delicious musk, and stifled a moan of appreciation. The man always wore great smelling cologne.

  A frown tugged at the corner of his mouth when his gaze drifted over her. “Do you treat all of your customers this way?”

  “No, just annoying ex-husbands,” she said with a slight smile.

  He nodded. “You look tired.”

  “Busy.”

  His frown deepened. “Symmone.”

  She placed a hand on her hip. “Leo. I have thirty other people in this section who want to eat.

  They don’t care if I’m tired, overworked, or sleep deprived and you shouldn’t either. Now what would you like?”

  He shook his head. “I forgot how stubborn you could be.”

  “Don’t forget a hindrance to your career,” she said quietly.

  “If you would just agree to go out with me, we could talk.”

  “So now you want to talk?” she demanded.

  “What’s changed? Have you lost your job?” She studied him a moment, taking in the red striped polo shirt with the image of a rhino emblazoned on the breast and oversized Invicta diver’s watch on his wrist. “No. Maybe you need a pretty bauble on your arm to make nice at the office. I’m sure you can find some unsuspecting female for the event.”

  Even to her ears the last statement sounded petty and mean.

  When he tightened his jaw and pursed his lips a small shiver of satisfaction rippled through her, before guilt reared its ugly head. Yep, she definitely went too far, but he couldn’t yank around her emotions. She wasn’t some lovestruck teenager anymore.

  She shook her head. “You know what, Leo, it doesn’t even matter why you’re here. I’ll put in an order for today’s special, bring you an iced tea, and comp you the meal. That way I don’t have to worry about bringing you a bill and you don’t have to worry about a tip.”

  He sat back, draped an arm over the empty chair next to him, and held her gaze. “You can do that, but I’ll be back ton
ight. Then tomorrow morning, and I will keep coming until you agree to have dinner with me.”

  Something flickered in his chocolate eyes that triggered a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. He would be back. She couldn’t do this right now. With a sigh, she tapped a few screens on her tablet. “I’ll give you my answer when I get back.”

  She walked away, shoving the tablet in her pocket. Dinner was definitely out of the question.

  There was no way she was going to let him wine and dine her. If he wanted to talk, he could do it after her shift.

  Once she reached the order window, she snagged several plates ready to go to their hungry owners. By the time she returned to Leo with the promised iced tea and sandwich, she’d made her decision.

  She thumped the food in front of him. “If you promise not to come in here again, we can talk.”

  “I can—”

  A wave of her hand cut him off. “I didn’t say I would go to dinner. I said we can talk. After my shift is over and then for only fifteen minutes. I have errands to run before Mel… I need to be home.” She didn’t want Leo to know he had kids, especially if he had nothing of any substance to say. “Those are my conditions. Take ’em or leave ’em.”

  He stared at her a long time before he spoke again. “Are you seeing someone?”

  For a quick moment she debated telling him a lie, but changed her mind. She had enough secrets already. “No. My life is too chaotic for a relationship right now.”

  That seemed to satisfy him. “Fine. What time?”

  “Four-thirty.” He took so long to answer she didn’t think he would agree to her terms, but now that he had she could find out what he really wanted. “And afterward, you don’t see me again.”

  He tilted his head to the side, a cryptic smile on his lips. “If that’s what you really want.”

  “Hey, Sym!”

  Symmone glanced and waved at a patron two tables away. “Gotta go, duty calls.” Despite making a deal with the devil she realized she was looking forward to spending a few precious minutes with Leo.

  ****

  At four-twenty-nine, Symmone sat at an outside table away from the main flow of traffic.

  This table was usually reserved for interviews or employee meetings. She sipped a glass of iced tea as she waited for Leo to make his way through the tables to her.

  She studied him, uncaring if he saw her. The years had been kind to him and a spark of desire ignited in her veins. Today he wore a striped polo shirt and well-worn jeans. Each confident stride stretched the denim over powerful legs and thighs and when he turned just right, she was treated to an outline of his… Ahem. No sense in letting her mind wander to what she could no longer have.

  But there was nothing wrong with admiring, hoping, fantasizing, and it had been so long since the last time she’d been with him or any other man. Still, she could enjoy the well toned arms, solid chest, and narrow waist. She wondered if he was still ticklish.

  Leo stood in front of her, amusement curving his luscious lips and lighting his eyes. “Do you like what you see?”

  She ran a finger around the rim of the glass.

  “There’s nothing wrong with checking out the view.” She waved her hand to the chair across from her. “Have a seat and tell me why you’ve decided to find me after all these years.”

  His gaze swept over her face. She seemed a little more relaxed, but dark circles shadowed her honey-almond eyes. To be this close to her after so long, he longed to do more than just sit across the table from her and talk. He wanted to gather her in his arms, run his fingers over her skin and see if it was still satiny soft. He wanted to bury his nose in the hollow of her throat and inhale her feminine scent while he sampled her exotic flavor.

  Despite the flare of heat he’d seen in her eyes a moment ago, none of the whimsical humor he remembered remained, and if it did, it was well hidden beneath the tough exterior she’d developed.

  “Did you like the flowers I sent?”

  “Yes, but if that’s the only reason you wanted to see me, you’re wasting my time.”

  Should he tell her the truth? Maybe now wasn’t the time to tell her why he was there. She’d send him packing for sure.

  “I meant what I said, Symmone. I’ve missed you. I made a mistake leaving you the way I did.”

  She nodded and shifted in her chair. “We’ve established that.”

  “I want you back.”

  Her hand hit the table the same time her mouth dropped open. For a moment all he could think about was sliding his hard cock between her lips and watching her suck him off. He shook himself. Now was not the time, but soon.

  “No.”

  He raised a brow. “Really? Not even going to hear me out?”

  She shook her head. “Let me share what I’ve learned and you so thoroughly taught me. No matter how much you love and trust someone, he can hurt you on a whim for his career. I learned that no matter how much I loved you, you weren’t coming back, and no matter how many tears I cried or wished upon stars, my heart would still be broken.” She blinked rapidly against the sheen of tears glistening in her eyes. “You don’t get a second chance to do that again.”

  To hear her utter the words describing his treatment of her… Until now he’d had no idea of the pain he’d really caused. Guilt and shame settled around his shoulders like a heavy cloak. He reached across the table and covered her hand with his. He wasn’t surprised to find it trembled; what did surprise him was the jolt of electricity that slid up his arm and filled him with an overwhelming need to hold her close and erase the pain he’d caused.

  He exhaled and steeled himself for the accusation in her eyes. What he read in their brown depths was far worse. In addition to pain was total distrust. She held absolutely no faith in him.

  “You’re correct, Symmone. You shouldn’t give me a chance to hurt you again, but I would like a second chance to show you I’ve changed.” He twined her fingers with his, relishing the silkiness of her skin, enjoying the soft caramel color against his darker cocoa. “I’m not the same selfish immature man I was ten years ago and I need you to let me prove it to you.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t. Rebuilding my life took too long and there’s too much at stake now.”

  He frowned. “Why didn’t you finish school?”

  A blush swept through her cheeks and she looked away. “I went as long as I could after we divorced, but I needed to work.”

  He shifted, leaning forward. “I sent money.”

  She went rigid and fixed him with what he could only call a haughty glare. “I didn’t want that to be one more thing I was dependent upon; it could just up and stop.”

  Damn, this was going to be harder than he’d thought. “Okay, so what have you done since the divorce?”

  “Mostly work, and I catch a class or two when I can. Two more classes and I’ll have my bachelor’s.”

  He smiled. “That’s great. Is there anything I can do to help?”

  “No.” She glanced at her watch. “Your fifteen minutes are up.”

  “You were serious about that?”

  “Of course. I told you I have errands to run.”

  She pushed back her chair and stood.

  He stood as well. “Can I help?”

  She studied him for a long moment. “Leo, I appreciate the apology and for allowing me the opportunity to tell you what I think and feel, but I don’t need your help. I grew up a long time ago.”

  Tugging the purse strap on her shoulder, she turned to leave.

  “Sym, please.”

  She stopped, her shoulders heaving up and down, before she spun on her heel to face him.

  Standing in front of him, she jabbed her index finger in his chest. He cradled her hand with both of his.

  “We’re not a couple anymore and I have no illusions regarding us. You are a complication I just can’t afford right now.”

  When she tugged on her hand, he drew her closer and wrapped a strong arm around her
waist.

  She trembled in his embrace.

  “You were never good at completely hiding your feelings, Symmone. You feel something for me, something besides animosity. Even now you’re aroused.”

  She rested her hands on his chest. “That doesn’t mean I have to act upon my hormones.”

  He stroked the curve of her cheek. “You are just so damn beautiful, and truth be told I’ve missed you.”

  Symmone pushed against the unyielding wall of his chest, but he merely held her tighter. He was getting too close. His stupid apology was salve to her ailing heart, just the balm she needed to cure the ache, and being locked in his arms eased the void of loneliness. But she couldn’t give in to him, to the emotions he awakened.

  “Let me go.”

  He tangled his fingers in her hair and tipped her head back. “The one thing I’ve missed most is holding you. You were always so soft and I’m glad that hasn’t changed.”

  She held her breath. “Please.” But she couldn’t be sure if her plea was for him to continue his sweet words or to release her.

  “I promised myself one thing when I got the opportunity to hold you again.” He dipped his head.

  Symmone parted her lips in anticipation, the mint on his breath an enticement all its own.

  “What was that?”

  He pressed his lips to hers, light, tentative, seeking. She moved closer and the kiss grew more demanding, seducing a response, coaxing forgiveness for wrongs that could never be undone.

  Symmone slid her hands up until she locked her fingers behind his neck. His hands stroked her spine, ushering her even closer to the lean firmness of his body.

  So much time had passed since she’d been kissed with any type of passion…and she still dreamed about Leo’s kisses. If only she could let go of the pain as easily as she yielded to his kiss. Time stood still and they were once again a young couple with the world laid out before them for the taking.

  Tears burned beneath her lashes. They would never have that again. She broke the kiss, burying her face in his shoulder.