Love Thief Read online

  She pouted. “I’m almost five.”

  He shook his head, straightening. “You’re right that is practically grown. Okay, I’ll stand in the hallway and listen and watch you go. Don’t do anything but go straight up. Got it?”

  “Got it.”

  She ran off, and he followed. Elliot figured she would be fine just going to the second floor, but he followed quietly anyway, letting her think she went by herself. When she disappeared inside Charmaine’s apartment, he sat down on the stairs to wait.

  So, how could he convince Charmaine to let him take the two of them to dinner tonight? Normally, he would ask straight out, but Charmaine seemed to be in the habit of turning him down, even if he could see she wanted to agree. Tricks would piss her off, and he had no wish to coerce her into anything. Damn, why couldn’t she believe he was a decent guy? For that matter, why couldn’t he get it she wasn’t exactly a good fit.

  Elliot paced on the landing and pushed his soaked hair off his forehead. He considered what his mom and dad would say about Charmaine. Race didn’t enter his mind except to acknowledge that she was so damn beautiful with her chocolate skin. His parents were good, kind folks, but that didn’t mean they would accept Charmaine.

  Wait, what am I thinking?

  A sound in the hall brought his head up, and he spun around in time to catch Amaya about to hurtle down the stairs. Her face was transformed with glee, and she carried a plastic grocery bag filled with something he couldn’t make out. Elliot was glad he’d waited for her because she tumbled forward, and he had to leap up to catch her in his arms.

  “Elliot, I’ve got balloons! I put water in them.”

  “Hey, squirt. I know you’re excited, but you almost fell. What would you have done if I wasn’t here?”

  “I know but—”

  “Amaya.”

  “Okay,” she whined.

  He got her calm enough for them to go down the stairs at a slower pace. “How did you know about making water balloons?”

  “I have a big brother.”

  His eyebrows rose. “You do?”

  “Yeah, he lives with his daddy.” Elliot detected a slight sadness. He would need to talk to Charmaine about the little girl visiting her brother and hoped it was possible. The two of them, Charmaine and Amaya, had been through a lot in the last year.

  “So your brother taught you about water balloons?”

  “Yup.” The sun came out on Amaya’s face again. “I practiced and practiced ‘til I could tie them myself.”

  “Sounds like someone I know,” he muttered. “A do it yourself kind of girl, huh?”

  Amaya didn’t seem to understand. They burst through the door outside, and she ran ahead of him to their blanket and sank to her knees to fiddle with the bag. “The balloons are ugly and greasy, but they’ll be fun. You’ll see.”

  A sudden suspicion came over him. “Ugly and greasy?”

  She got the bag open and was about to reach into it. Elliot caught her arm and pulled it back. He thought he would collapse he laughed so hard. Amaya wiggled in his hold, trying to get free, but he wouldn’t release her.

  “What’s so funny, Elliot? Tell me. I want to laugh, too.”

  “Oh, sweetheart, I can’t tell you.” He wiped his watery eyes. “Did Aunt Charmaine let you have these?”

  She looked guilty. “No, I found them in a drawer. Don’t tell her, okay? Please?”

  He stood and drew Amaya to her feet. “Unfortunately, we have to tell her, but don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll get into trouble. Aunt Charmaine will be more embarrassed than anything else?”

  “Why?”

  “Never mind. Come on. Let’s go back.”

  At Charmaine’s door, Elliot kept Amaya from touching anything. He knocked, and when Charmaine’s muffled, “Come in” reached him, he entered. Just as he expected, she didn’t look up.

  “Stop running in and out, Amaya. Elliot claimed he would watch you, but he’s not doing a good job.”

  “I’m not?” he said.

  She started and looked at him. He had a moment of forgetting what he had to show her and then pulled himself together. Quickly, he drew Amaya over to the kitchen sink and readied the water for her. She climbed onto a step stool there.

  “Scrub clean,” he instructed. “Use plenty of soap.”

  “All right.” She looked pouty and sounded whiny, but she obeyed.

  “What’s going on?” Charmaine joined them in the kitchen. He handed her the grocery bag with the unique water balloons inside.

  “This is what your niece brought down for us to throw at each other.”

  Ah if only she were a little lighter, he thought, amused. He could have seen her turn beet red.

  “Condoms?” She smacked a hand over her mouth and looked at Amaya. After a moment to pull herself together, she asked, “Where did you get these? Oh never mind. This is my fault. Crap, I’m so embarrassed.”

  Amaya giggled. “You were right, Elliot.”

  “Shh.” He touched a finger to his lips but couldn’t get the grin off his face. Charmaine glared at him.

  “This is your fault, too,” she said. “If you hadn’t bought me these, she wouldn’t have found them.”

  “But you threw them away. Did she get them out of the trash?” He already knew Amaya had found them in a drawer.

  “Our place is small. There’s nowhere to put anything.”

  He folded his arms over his chest. Charmaine slapped his arm.

  “Stop enjoying it, darn you!” Then she burst out laughing, setting him off again. Amaya joined in just to be a part of it.

  When they pulled themselves together, Elliot retrieved the bag while Charmaine got the little girl down from the stool and moved away from the sink. He popped each balloon to let the water out then made sure every one of them was secured in a knotted trash bag. For good measure, he took the whole thing down to the Dumpster and tossed it. After he had washed his hands, he faced the ladies.

  Amaya stood still as Charmaine ran a towel over her face, arms, and hair. “You got it wet anyway.”

  “Well, it was kind of hard to aim the ugly greasy balloons.”

  Charmaine’s mouth fell open. “You didn’t!”

  He grinned, and she shook her head.

  “Is that your description or hers?”

  “Hers. I got a great laugh.”

  “Yeah, it was funny.”

  “And to make up for it,” he announced, “I propose we go to the beach or a water park, followed by dinner and whatever else we can get up to.”

  He liked to suggest the outrageous so Charmaine would feel less overwhelmed with tamer ideas. As expected, her beautiful lips pursed in protest. “Are you crazy? You’ve just come in from getting wet, and it’s the middle of the afternoon. Surely, it’s too late to do any of that.”

  “Except for dinner,” he corrected. “But we can still do the water park or the beach tomorrow, early so we have the entire day. After all, we won’t have the summer forever.”

  “Why do I feel like I was railroaded?” she demanded. “Wait, don’t tell me you orchestrated the balloon fiasco.”

  “How could I?” he said, rocking on his heels, hands in his pockets. “I wasn’t the one that lied about them.”

  She rolled her eyes at him, but he just grinned.

  “Fine. We can do dinner, and maybe the water park some time. I don’t like the beach. The water’s so dirty.”

  “Water park?” Amaya came in on the tail end of the conversation, not having paid attention.

  He stroked the top of her head. “Yup, I’m taking you and your aunt to the water park tomorrow, sweetheart. What do you think of that?”

  She threw her arms around him and pressed her face to his side. “Will you be my daddy, Elliot?”

  He froze, and so did Charmaine. She didn’t appear to know what to say, and neither did he. For the first time since he met them, he was at a loss. In truth, his chest ached as he thought about the seriousness and the genu
ine gift she offered him. Then reality hit soon after. He might wish it with all his heart, but that wouldn’t make it happen. Maybe he had been irresponsible with Amaya without realizing it. He had acknowledged she had been through a lot, but he forgot where that would leave her—vulnerable.

  Elliot looked at Charmaine, and she stared back at him. Fear in her eyes and hurt stood stark against rich cocoa skin that was all at once paler. He’d screwed up big time, damn him.

  When he didn’t speak, Amaya moved back and tugged his hand. “It’s okay, Elliot. I don’t have a daddy. So you can be my daddy. Will you, Elliot?”

  “Amaya,” Charmaine rasped.

  He stooped to face the little girl, hands at her hips. “Sweetheart, there’s nothing I would like more in this world than to be your daddy. I really would love it. Unfortunately, it’s not as simple as that.”

  “Why?”

  He focused on a spot of lint on her shoulder and picked it off because he could no longer look into those wide innocent eyes. “Because a daddy, one that’s not your original daddy, should probably be with your mommy.”

  Another screw up. Damn, I’m doing great.

  “But Aunt Charmaine is my mommy now, aren’t you Aunt Charmaine?” She glanced at Charmaine for verification. Even from the corner of his eyes he registered the shock on Charmaine’s face and the glisten of tears starting.

  “Yes, baby, I’m your mommy now.”

  Amaya nodded as if that settled things. “See, Elliot?”

  He gathered his thoughts to explain to her, but she had already moved on. “Can we get chicken? No, hamburger? I want cheese and French fries.”

  Elliot blew out a breath as Amaya ran over to the dresser beside the bed to look for clean clothes. He winced seeing her yank out several pieces and toss them on the floor. When he faced Charmaine, she still hadn’t stirred or said anything. Elliot moved over next to her and touched a hand to her lower back.

  “Breathe, it’s fine,” he whispered.

  She dipped her head, and the fingers on both hands found each other. He laid his other hand over hers and felt her tremble. A sense of wanting to protect her came over him, and he stepped closer. He wished she would lay her head on his chest as easily as Amaya hugged him, but he knew that wouldn’t happen. Regardless, she stayed close, and Elliot let her draw on his strength.

  “She knows how to keep you on your toes,” Charmaine joked. “I didn’t think about whether she thought of me as her mother. She always calls me Aunt Charmaine, and we never talked about anything different. Elliot, I…”

  He waited, silent and wanting her to be brave enough to finish whatever it was she had to say.

  “I don’t know what I would have done these first few weeks of having her without you. I know we just met, but you’ve been an amazing friend and…more, I guess.”

  “I want to be more,” he murmured. She stiffened, so he didn’t drive home the point. “Just do me a favor and let me be that friend you say I am, okay? Don’t push me away, and I won’t try to get more than you’re willing to give. Not until you’re ready.”

  She smirked. “Until I’m ready? You act like you expect I will be some day.”

  “Not some day.”

  “I’ll give you one thing, you’re a positive person.”

  “I am, and I want you to see the good all around you, too.”

  “I’m not in the depths of despair.”

  “No, but you should be in the clouds.”

  “With you?”

  “With Amaya…and…I guess I can join you ladies for a bit of frolicking through the floating islands.”

  “Man, you’re nuts, but I like you.”

  He laid a hand over his chest. “Be still my heart. She likes me! Amaya, did you hear that? She likes me!”

  “Yay!” Amaya shouted.

  “Don’t encourage her.” Charmaine started away from him, but he forgot his vow. He drew her backward and tucked her against his chest, bringing his arms around her waist. When he lowered his head to the top of hers, he breathed in deep and shut his eyes. Her body fit right against his. She squirmed, but he tightened his grasp and moaned. “She’s not looking.”

  “I’m looking. Let go, Elliot.”

  “In a minute,” he said. “This is the other way to make up for the ugly balloons.”

  She giggled. “Don’t start that again.”

  He studied her beautiful face for a beat and peeked over at Amaya. The little girl was still digging around in her clothing drawer, so Elliot decided to steal a kiss. He cupped both sides of Charmaine’s face between his hands and tilted her head back. Her eyes widened, and she grabbed onto his wrists. He waited a second, but she wasn’t trying very hard to get him off. Elliot tossed her a knowing look and leaned down.

  Charmaine’s soft lips parted for him, and he took the offering, dipping his tongue into her mouth. She tasted so incredible, he wanted more and for the kiss to last forever. Unfortunately, something told him they would be caught if he lingered. With a hungry suck at her bottom lip and a brief nibble, he let her go.

  She wobbled and pressed the backs of her fingers to her mouth while glaring at him. Elliot winked, and she smacked his chest.

  “You said you wouldn’t push.”

  “I didn’t push,” he assured her. “My tongue is another matter.”

  “Bastard,” she whispered.

  He grinned. “Get cleaned up. I’ll go shower and change and pick my favorite ladies up in forty-five minutes. That good?”

  “I guess it will work.”

  Elliot caught the twinkle in her eyes and sang about a purple turtle on the way back to his apartment.

  Chapter Nine

  I’m not in love, damn it! I’m seriously not!

  Charmaine had been having the argument with herself all morning, and she just recalled a night full of dreams that included one stubborn nerd of a man. She couldn’t get him out of her head when she should be writing code.

  Movement at her side caught her attention, and she rolled over to watch Amaya sleeping. Her hair was a mess again, and Charmaine reached out without thinking to smooth the silky mass. Her heart thumped harder, and for the millionth time, she felt tears welling. She hadn’t noticed, but it had been difficult to hold Amaya and love her. Charmaine couldn’t have defined when she started to be afraid of being hurt or loving and touching people, but at some point, that block had crumbled.

  “He did it,” she whispered to the quiet room.

  Somehow in his crazy persistence, over the last few weeks, Elliot had gotten past her defenses and charmed her into not only caring about him, but more importantly loving Amaya. Of course, she had always loved Amaya, and probably on some deep level Stacia. The problem was, she’d been terrified of those feelings because it seemed like they would destroy her.

  “How could I be scared of you?” Charmaine said to the small face, and Amaya opened her eyes. Another wave of love rolled over Charmaine. She’s mine, and I’m not scared anymore. Well, not as scared. Raising Amaya still terrified her beyond belief, but it wasn’t about caring for the little girl. “Hey, you want pancakes today?”

  Amaya’s eyes widened. “Really?”

  “Yup. I know how to make them good. Grandma showed me long time ago.”

  Amaya bounced into a sitting position and then launched herself at Charmaine’s neck. Charmaine gagged. “Easy, if you choke me I can’t make the pancakes.

  Her niece squealed and drew back. “Can Elliot have pancakes, too?”

  Charmaine smirked. “You like him, huh?”

  “Yes, I love Elliot.”

  Simple as that, she admitted it while bouncing. Then Charmaine had a moment of panic. Did Amaya love him because she desperately wanted a dad? And what if they stopped being friends. Amaya would be hurt.

  “Um, Amaya.”

  “What?”

  Charmaine reached out to grab her and settle her down. “Listen to me. First, I want you and me to start over.”

  Amaya blinked in
confusion and glanced around the room. “Where?”

  Charmaine laughed. “I mean with our relationship. When you first came, I didn’t pay attention to you much. I didn’t realize I was kind of starting the same trend I came from with my mother and…”

  Amaya’s blank expression said she didn’t get it, but she listened.

  Charmaine took the little girl in her arms and sat up to place her on her lap. “I want us to be able to trust each other from now on.”

  “You mean you don’t want me to steal stuff?”

  “Oh baby, well, yes, but it’s not just you. It’s me, too. You were hurt, and I wasn’t there for you. I know you don’t fully understand what I’m saying, but…I guess I mean I love you, Amaya.”

  Amaya twisted around and faced Charmaine and kissed her on the cheek. She held on, pressing the side of her soft face to Charmaine’s, and Charmaine ignored the awkward feeling inside to soak up the little girl’s love.

  “I love you, too, Aunt Charmaine.”

  “That makes me so happy I’m going to put a smiley face on your pancakes.”

  Amaya whooped and leaped off the bed. She scurried to the living room, and Charmaine yawned, moving slower. “Brush your teeth.” She headed into the bathroom and then paused when she heard Amaya talking. When she walked back out, she found the scamp on the cell phone. Charmaine couldn’t turn her back for a second. “Who are you talking to?”

  Amaya gave an OK sign with her fingers as if that solved it, still holding the phone to her face.

  Charmaine put her hands on her hips, glaring. “Amaya Poe!”

  “First!” Amaya shouted and tossed the phone on the couch and ran ahead of Charmaine into the bathroom. Charmaine just stood there dazed and more exhausted. Start over? She needed a good long nap before she started over and embrace all that came with dealing with Amaya.

  A half hour later, a knock sounded on the door. Amaya went flying toward it. “Freeze, young lady.”

  Amaya froze as if they were playing a game. Charmaine pulled her back and passed her to answer the door herself. Just as she expected, Elliot stood in the hall, and her stupid heart pounded out of control.

  “Good morning.” He grinned and wiggled an amber bottle. “I brought the syrup.”