Her Kind of Man

“I know, but his mother made a stronger argument for why he should stay. He’d have to start over in a new class, he’d be separated from his friends and he’s a strong student. You said so yourself.”

Makayla couldn’t think of a single student who considered Terrance a friend.

“Just so you know,” Principal Gibson continued, “I let Terrance have it. I told him if he ever pulls a stunt like that again, he’ll be asked to leave our school.”

Makayla found that hard to believe. Mr. Gibson practically slobbered all over himself whenever Veronika was around, so she seriously doubted he had reprimanded Terrance in her presence. Rather than argue with her boss, she said, “I appreciate that, Mr. Gibson.”

“Mrs. Blake was concerned you might penalize Terrance for the stunt he pulled, but I assured her that wouldn’t be an issue. You’re a professional and what happened last week is in the past.” He smiled softly. “Terrance has a lot to deal with. You know, with his father’s passing and all.”

Makayla nodded. “I recently became aware of the situation.”

“Maybe you could cut the boy some slack when he’s out of line.”

She’d tried being extra patient with Terrance, knowing he deserved understanding and sympathy. But the next time he hit a classmate or swiped something off her desk, she would demand he be transferred. Principal Gibson was extending his support, but Makayla had a feeling when push came to shove, he’d relent again. Mrs. Blake was very convincing, and Makayla’s boss was easily swayed. At least where Veronika was concerned.

Makayla thanked Mr. Gibson for coming. When he left, she walked over to the window and stared outside. As she admired the soft, mellow light of the sun, her thoughts turned to her meeting with Brenda Van Buren. It wouldn’t be long before a position in the travel department opened up at The Philadelphia Blaze. For now, she would pen her weekly column as Lady Sexpot and hone her writing skills. But when the opportunity presented itself, she would have no problems resigning and packing a suitcase for Rome. Or Singapore. Or Barbados. It didn’t matter what the assignment was. As long as she was doing what she loved, she’d be happy.

A week after the incident on the playground, Veronika showed up in the middle of the afternoon, with cake, ice cream and soda. When she announced that it was Terrance’s birthday and she wanted him to celebrate with his friends, Makayla slapped a smile on her face, told the kids to put away their math books and donned one of the glittery party hats. She’d hoped to review the subtraction lesson with the class before tomorrow’s test but by the time they finished cleaning up after the cake, there were only ten minutes left in the day.

Makayla kept at least three kids between herself and Veronika all afternoon. It annoyed her no end that her desk was used to cut cake and dish out ice cream, but she kept her mouth shut. One run-in with Veronika was enough. Makayla was walking around the room, collecting garbage and wiping down desks, when Mrs. Blake called her name. “Where is the class going on Wednesday?” she asked from behind the lens of her digital camera.

“We’re going to the zoo to observe the plants and animals in their natural habitat. It’s an opportunity for the students to—”

“Do you still need volunteers?”

The thought of spending an entire day with Veronika made Makayla shudder. “Extra volunteers are always welcome.” She injected her voice with a kindness she didn’t feel. “Are you available on Wednesday from nine to two?”

“No, but my brother-in-law said he’d be happy to go.”

“Great.”

Veronika stared lovingly at Terrance, a wide smile on her lips. “Try not to let anything happen to my son this time.”

Relieved that Mrs. Blake wasn’t coming on the field trip, Makayla chose to ignore her last comment. “Can you remind Terrance that he has to be on his best behavior? If there are any problems, you’ll be called to pick him up.”

“It’s not your place to tell me how to raise my child. And I don’t appreciate you threatening him, either.”

Makayla stood her ground. “I am not threatening anyone, I am merely asking you to speak to your son.” To further underline her point, she added, “We don’t want what happened at the museum to happen again, do we?”

Mrs. Blake made a sour face. No doubt she was thinking about what had happened last month. Terrance had tried to pin the blame on a classmate but the janitor had signaled him out as the one who wrote on the walls in crayon. The cleaning bill had set Mrs. Blake back hundreds of dollars and Terrance had been banned from The Philadelphia Museum for a year.

“If you’d rather I speak to Kenyon, I will.”

Her lips were a tight line. “No. I’ll talk to Terrance.”

“Thank you,” Makayla said with forced gratitude. Making a mental note to replace the sweatsuit she had been planning to wear with something dressier, she returned to her desk and added Kenyon’s name to the volunteer list.

Kenyon chucked his jacket in the back seat, grabbed his camera equipment and slammed the car door. The fickle autumn weather had changed again, providing a surprisingly warm day, and he didn’t want to be stuck lugging his jacket around the zoo.

Kenyon checked his watch as he searched the zoo parking lot. Springs Park Elementary should be here any minute. Instead of standing at the entrance among the crowd, he went inside the customer information booth and settled down on one of the wooden benches. He was engrossed in the morning paper until he heard Kay’s voice, loud and clear.

Tossing his newspaper aside, he turned his attention to the eye-catching woman surrounded by a pack of restless first-graders. Sexy had never looked so good. From his vantage point, he had a clear, unrestricted view of Kay’s delicious backside. Blue jeans outlined her strong legs and a teal-colored shirt hugged her lavish chest. When she tossed a fleeting look over her shoulder, Kenyon was sure he had been made, but just as quickly as she glanced around, she turned away. He allowed himself a few more minutes of quiet reflection. Or rather, lustful gazing.

Last night, he had driven Terrance to her Patterson Park home to apologize for what had happened on the playground. They hadn’t stayed long, but Kenyon had gathered all the information he needed. Dinner and a movie wouldn’t work with a woman like Kay Stevens. She didn’t own a TV, VCR or a DVD player. In fact, the only piece of electronic equipment in the living room was an outdated stereo system. When Kenyon asked her what she did for fun, she motioned with her head to the numerous bookshelves lining the wall and said, “Read.”

That had thrown him for a loop. Most women would have said shopping. Not Kay. She would rather stay home and read than go dancing. Kenyon couldn’t remember the last time he had bought a book but he’d head to the closest bookstore and buy a whole stack of reading material if it meant getting close to Kay.

Kenyon had wandered around the living room, noting the simple decor and natural designs. Furnished with cozy sofas, armless chairs and overstuffed bookcases, it resembled a bookstore. He had perused the shelves. The reading material she owned provided incredible insight into the shy but sexy teacher. Instead of educational resources, he found hundreds of books about sex, including the Kama Sutra, the Woman’s Gourmet Sex Book and various issues of erotic magazines. The collection had left Kenyon short of breath. If Terrance had been at home, rather than in the kitchen with Kay making cocoa, Kenyon would have gone in there, pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Kenyon settled back onto the bench, listening to Kay lecture the students gathered around her, enraptured by the soft, pleasant tone in her voice. For the last twenty-four hours, he had been trying to figure out why she would have so many books about foreplay, erogenous zones and aphrodisiacs. She couldn’t be involved in anything as daring as escorting, could she? Kenyon examined her again. No, she just didn’t give off that kind of vibe. In his presence, she was skittish, flustered, almost tongue-tied. Could it be an act? Was it possible she was really none of the things she appeared to be?

His face relaxed into a smile. It didn’t really matter whether she was acting or not. Kenyon hadn’t lived as a monk; he knew what was up. These days, women weren’t at home waiting by the phone for a man to call. They were out in the clubs, seeking a good time, thirsty for some action and adventure. Kenyon liked experienced women. The more experience the better. He wasn’t one of those men who had sampled all that life had to offer but wanted a good, clean girl to bring home to mom. A bad girl would suit him just fine.

Thoughts of making love to Kay plagued his mind. He saw them kissing, exploring, undressing. With all those naughty sex books at her disposal, she probably had moves he had never seen. Kenyon sighed in silent appreciation. It wouldn’t be long before they were acting out their own private fantasies.

Draping an arm over the bench, he stretched his long legs out in front of him. His interest in Kay Stevens grew every time he saw her. The slender, dark-skinned beauty had a lot going for her. Not just physically, either. Making love to her was at the fore-front of his mind, but he liked that she could also carry on an intelligent conversation and had a mind of her own.

“Shut up, Abe!” Terrance’s voice carried around the park. “My uncle Kenyon is coming. He promised!”

Kenyon grabbed his camera bag and walked quickly to the front entrance. His nephew had been disappointed a lot in his young life and he couldn’t stand to see the wounded expression on the boy’s face a second more.

Makayla stared at the iron gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of Kenyon through the crowd. If he didn’t arrive in the next five minutes, she’d have no choice but to start without him. All of the students had been assigned to a group, but it would only take a second to reorganize the six kids standing behind Terrance.

A perky, dark-haired girl wearing a green park-ranger uniform emerged from the tourist information booth. “Good morning, Springs Park Elementary, and welcome to the Philadelphia Zoo, home of 2,200 exotic mammals, birds and reptiles. I’m Becky and I’ll be your tour guide for the morning—”

Desiree gripped Makayla’s forearm. “Who is that tall glass of fine making his way toward us?” she whispered out of the side of her mouth. “Please tell me that’s not Terrance’s uncle.”

“I wish I could.” It wasn’t every day Makayla saw Desiree drool and she couldn’t resist teasing her. “Close your mouth, girl. Flies are getting in.”

“Uncle Kenyon!” Terrance took off running. He flung himself into his uncle’s arms, his eyes shimmering with delight.

Kenyon tossed him high in the air. “Hey, li’l man.”

“You’re here!”

“I wouldn’t miss this for the world. I used to live at the zoo, you know. I came to see my old friends!”

Terrance took his uncle by the hand and dragged him over to the group. “This is my uncle Kenyon!” He stuck out his tongue at a freckle-faced boy wearing glasses. “Abe, I told you he’d come!”

Makayla smiled. She couldn’t remember ever seeing Terrance this excited. It wasn’t her place to offer parenting advice, but someone had to tell Kenyon his nephew was desperate for more of his time and attention.

It took a few minutes for the kids to settle down and return their attention to the tour guide. “On to the lions!” Becky shouted, tiptoeing down the road. “We have to keep quiet. They have super-duper hearing and a strong sense of smell. We don’t want anyone to get gobbled up by a jungle lion, do we?”

Kenyon approached Kay. “Sorry I’m late but traffic was insane.” The lie rolled off his lips with ease. “I got here as fast as I could.”

“No problem.”

Their eyes did the tango. He stared; she looked away. She stared; he held her gaze.

Desiree stepped forward. “I guess I’ll have to introduce myself since my co-worker here has forgotten her manners.” She nudged Makayla with her elbow. “I’m Desiree Hill, the other first-grade teacher at Springs Park. I’ve heard a lot about you, Mr. Blake.”

Kenyon turned away from Kay and shook Desiree’s outstretched hand. “Nice to meet you. I think you and I should talk.” He read the confusion in her eyes and explained, “I want you to tell me everything you know about Ms. Stevens.”

Desiree laughed and Makayla coughed.

“Are you all right?” Kenyon asked, a grin enveloping his lips. Kay looked like as if she was about to collapse. Her breathing was shallow and although it wasn’t hot by any standards, she was fanning her face.

“Fine, thank you.” In an effort to reclaim her poise, she cleared her throat. Handing him a yellow piece of paper, she said, “Everything you need to know is right here. Thanks again for coming. We really appreciate your taking the time out of your day.”

“My pleasure.” Something about the way he looked at her told her he wasn’t talking about the field trip. Makayla’s mind drifted back to last night. When she opened her front door and saw Kenyon and Terrance on her doorstep, carrying a bouquet of flowers and a box chocolates, she had almost lost her footing and teetered off the steps. Thunderstruck, she could scarcely speak. In a short-sleeved shirt, a pair of tattered shorts and natty hair, she had been quite the sight but Kenyon didn’t seem put off by her appearance. Her emotions had seesawed between excitement and all-out fear, but she had kept herself together during the hour-long visit. Terrance had been on his best behavior and surprised her by being incredibly polite.

Makayla spotted Terrance leaning toward the lion cage. If there was one thing she knew about the willful six-year old, it was that he had an eye for trouble. Heaving her backpack over her shoulder, she said, “Let’s go. We’d better keep up with the kids.”

Kenyon smiled at her, his gaze lingering on her full lips. “Lead the way, Ms. Stevens. I’m right behind you.”

Chapter 6

For the next two hours, the group meandered around the zoo, snapping pictures, feeding the animals and playing in the sun. The children didn’t want to stop for lunch, but Makayla ushered them into the cafeteria.

“I wish Mr. Blake was my uncle,” she overheard one of the boys from Desiree’s class say.

“Yeah, he’s cool!” another said.

Makayla smiled. The kids were right; Kenyon was cool. Clearly, he had a way with women and children. She was impressed at how quickly he had developed a rapport with the kids. They clung to his every word, fought over who was his favorite and begged to hold his hand. At one point, Makayla saw Kenyon jump up on a bench and impersonate a gorilla. The kids had laughed hysterically. As the day wore on, she found herself looking for Kenyon’s group. She told herself she was just checking in on the kids, ensuring that everything was going smoothly, but deep down she knew her interest in Kenyon was personal.

Makayla was in line, waiting for her order, when she noticed Desiree and Kenyon sitting on the far side of the cafeteria. They were an arresting pair. Both were tall, dark and attractive. A casual observer would have taken them for a couple and as Makayla stood off to the side, watching them, she couldn’t help wondering if Kenyon was interested in her co-worker. It wouldn’t be a shock if he was. Most men were.

“Number ten?”

Makayla stepped forward. She picked up her tray and walked carefully through the cafeteria. Since Terrance and most of her students were outside with the parent chaperones, she started toward the door. Terrance had been a model student all day but she knew how quickly things could change.

“Makayla, over here!”

Pretending she didn’t hear Desiree, Makayla continued toward the doors. Desiree called her again, but this time, her voice was twice as loud. “Over here! By the window!”

“We were just talking about you,” Kenyon confessed when she approached. He stood, took her tray and put it down on the table beside his own. “Here, have a seat.”

“I can’t stay.” Smiling, she motioned toward the doors. “I’m going to eat outside with the kids.”

“They’re fine,” Desiree told her, glancing outside the window. “There are tons of volunteers out there. Relax.”

Careful to leave an adequate amount of space between them, Makayla took a seat on the bench. She directed her question to Desiree. “What were you guys talking about?”

“I didn’t know your full name was Makayla.” Kenyon cocked a brow. “Keeping secrets, are we?” When he grinned, his eyes literally shone.

To keep from saying too much, she focused on her salad. Shoveling lettuce into her mouth, she concentrated on not getting Caesar dressing all over her face.

“Have we met before?”

“No. Why?”

Kenyon frowned. “Makayla Stevens. Hmm. I’m sure I’ve heard that name before. I just can’t remember where.”

She reached for a napkin and inadvertently knocked over her cup. Orange juice spilled onto Kenyon’s tray, dousing his plate of chicken wings. Apologizing profusely, she sprang to her feet and mopped up the mess with a stack of napkins. “I am so sorry,” she said, wiping madly. “Wait here. I’ll go get you some more.”

Kenyon covered her hand. His touch was warm, pleasant, calming. “Don’t worry about it. Besides, the wings weren’t all that.” He rose to his feet. “Be right back.”

Makayla and Desiree watched him leave. When he was a safe distance away, Desiree said, “That man is something else. Fine and smart. Too bad I’m not single!”

“I can’t believe I did that!” Makayla shook her head at her folly. “He probably thinks I’m a klutz!”

“I doubt that. Did you see the way he was checking you out?”

Makayla looked down at the bench to ensure it was dry before retaking her seat. “Kenyon Blake is way out of my league.”

“You’re crazy.”

“I’m serious.”

“You’d better get that man before some else does. Men like Kenyon are hard to come by. He’s hot, down-to-earth and he has a kick-ass sense of humor.” Desiree grinned. “Did I mention he was fine?”

Makayla laughed. “Okay, so he’s a great guy, but that doesn’t mean I want to date him. I’m in a good place right now and I don’t need a man complicating my life.”

“Go out with him.”

“No.”

“Why the hell not?”

“For starters, I’m his nephew’s teacher. How would that look?”

“Like you were trying to get some!” Laughing, she took a healthy bite of her turkey burger. “Don’t use that as an excuse. There’s nothing in the school conduct manual that prohibits teachers from dating parents or family members.”

Desiree made a valid point but not one that Makayla was willing to consider. “Do I have to remind you what happened with Jared?”

“No, thanks. I’ve heard that pitiful tale too many times to count.”

“Good, so you of all people should understand my reluctance to get involved with another parent.” Makayla picked up her fork and popped a crouton into her mouth. Against her better judgment, she had started dating Jared Lewis, a regular parent volunteer. The divorced father of two had swept her off her feet. Dinner at upscale restaurants, tokens of his affection and elaborate dates had been the norm. Within weeks, they were addicted to jalapeño pizza and talked endlessly about their future.

When one of her co-workers ran into them at a charity baseball game, the truth about their relationship had ripped through the school like a midafternoon snowstorm. Neither of his children were in her class, but when word got out that they were dating, Makayla had been shunned by her colleagues. It was as if she had broken some cardinal rule no one had told her about.

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