He sat and pulled Lolita into his lap. They both liked their cuddle time. “I’m glad she’s home,” he said, tightening his arms around her. “As I’ve said before, I might have made mistakes in the past regarding Allison, but I want to correct them, Lolita. I want to get to know my granddaughter.”
“And you should. All kids go through growing pains. I told you about the trouble I had with Vivian after Doug died. She went a little wild and refused to do anything productive with her life. When she finally settled down, she enrolled at NYU, and then met Harrison. It was only afterwards that I discovered her rebellion was the only way she knew to fight the grief she felt over losing Doug. She’d been a daddy’s girl. From what you told me, Richard, it sounded like Allison had a rough time of it early on, and I’m sure she’s experiencing some deep feelings. You need to find out just what’s going on with her. The two of you need to have what they call a good ‘come to Jesus moment’.
“We will. And I will tell her about you and maybe set something up for the two of you to meet when you return to the States after Labor Day.”
“I’m looking forward to that. How is she doing at the Sharpe Corporation?”
“Very well. My executive team is impressed with her. She seems to enjoy being there and came ready to roll up her sleeves and learn all she can.”
“You know what I think, Richard?”
“I think you’re about to tell me, sweetheart.” He grinned.
“You know me well,” she said, chuckling. “I have a feeling that Allison was ready to come home and was just waiting for your call.”
“She could have come home at any time,” he said.
Lolita shrugged. “Maybe she felt that she couldn’t.”
He nodded, thinking about that. “I truly want a relationship with my granddaughter to work.”
“Then work on it.”
He nodded. “Something is going on between her and Cobra.”
“Something like what?”
“Not sure. They claim they dislike each other.”
Lolita smiled. “They might, but I discovered when Keith and April first met, that love and hate are two sides of the same coin. They disliked each other intensely! And though they still don’t agree on everything, they love each other immensely and are perfect for each other. I couldn’t have hoped for a better wife for Keith.”
“Well, I’m not sure what’s going on between Cobra and Allison. But whatever it is, I intend to stay out of it and let them work it out.”
“That’s a good idea. Now, do you know what else is a good idea?”
“No, what?”
“For you were to take me into the bedroom and show me how much you’ve missed me.”
Richard stood with her in his arms. “That would be my absolute pleasure, sweetheart.”
CHAPTER 12
When the intercom sounded on her desk, Desiree glanced up from the documents she was reading. “Yes, Karlie?”
“Ms. Sharpe, there’s someone here to see you.”
Desiree raised a brow. “Who?”
“A man.”
Desiree shook her head and was about to ask if the man had a name, but figured there was only one man who could make her very efficient administrative assistant sound so breathy. He was the same man who had shown up unexpectedly at the condo’s ice skating rink on Monday night. She had just finished her warmups, and when she had felt a presence, she had looked up to see him standing there, leaning against the wall with his hands shoved in his pockets, watching her intently.
Then, without saying anything, he walked over and sat on the bench, obviously planning to watch her skate. For some reason, having him there didn’t bother her. Instead, it had filled her with an inner peace that she hadn’t known in a while. And she’d skated well that night. Her jumps and spins had been fluid, and she could feel the music in her movements. And when she had taken her bow for the night, he had stood and clapped. Then he’d walked her back to her condo, kissed her at her door, made sure she got inside, and had left.
Last night, he had again shown up unexpectedly, cancelling her ride with Ron, to take her to the Apollo. Not only had he driven her there, but he also stayed by her side. They’d enjoyed the show, then stopped at a café for dessert and coffee after.When he brought her home, he kissed her goodnight and left her limp with desire…again.
Cobra hadn’t said anything about seeing her today, but it would be just like him to show up without calling first. He’d already done it twice this week. But she wasn’t complaining. In fact, she’d been kind of hoping to see him again before he left town.
