A Heart Not Easily Broken by M.J. Kane

  ****

  Dinner went by fast and neither of us wanted the night to end. At least, I didn’t want it to end like this.

  We sat in his truck in my driveway. I was grateful he’d taken the time to clean it. There was no trash or funky odors coming from the seats. Not that I would have cared. I was more interested in the action going on between us than what it smelled like. The console sitting between us made it impossible for me to feel his body as we kissed. I made due with the gentle grip of his hand while he tilted my mouth to meet his.

  “What’s on your mind?” Brian pulled back and watched me.

  I sighed, resting my head on the seats headrest. “For the first time in my life, I’m not looking forward to work in the morning.”

  “Why, is there something wrong?”

  He had no idea. “No, work is fine. I’d just rather be with you tonight.”

  And still be with him in the morning, tomorrow afternoon…

  “I wish you could be there too, but I understand. You have to sacrifice to do the things you love. Besides, it won’t be the last night we play.”

  I eyed him. He honestly didn’t have a clue about the true meaning of my statement. Maybe it was for the best. If he knew what I really meant, he’d probably have me naked and in bed in record time.

  “What time do you go in?”

  “Five A.M.,” I groaned.

  “I’ll probably be getting in bed by then.”

  Alone, I hope.

  “Can I ask you a question?”

  Brian stopped running his hand through the ends of my hair. “Anything.”

  “Jessica told me something, and well, it’s hard to believe. She said tonight was the first time you’d brought a date to practice. Is it true?”

  He chuckled and glanced out the window. I saw a slight red hue appear in his cheeks. “Leave it to Jessica. Yes, it’s true.”

  I studied him in surprise. “Why? I mean, don’t you take girls to your shows to impress them? You’d definitely be able to get laid.”

  Brian’s head fell back against the headrest as he laughed. “I used to in high school and during my first two years of college.” He turned to face me. “I’m older now with goals and no time for games. When I invite a woman, correction, when I invite you to share an important part of my life, it means something.”

  “Oh.”

  “Which reminds me, do you have plans for the Fourth of July?”

  I had a hard time wrapping my head around his last statement and barely let out an audible “no”.

  “Good. I’d like to spend the day with you. There’s a barbeque at my parents’ house. It’s nothing major. We get together every holiday. I usually don’t invite anyone, but I want you to come with me.”

  Somehow I managed to find my voice. “You want me to meet your family?”

  “Yes, and I want them to meet you.”

  I tried to hide my discomfort. A flood of ‘what if’ scenarios ran through my head.

  What if they don’t like me because I’m black? What if I’m not pretty enough? What if nobody talks to me? What if…

  “Hey.” He reached over and pulled my face back to meet his. “Don’t worry. I promise you’ll fit right in.” He chuckled. “Believe me, the last thing they’ll be interested in is the color of your skin.”

  Oh great, now I was really nervous.

  Brian leaned over and kissed me. His cologne was all male and ignited primal urges in me, making it impossible to think. I sighed against his mouth.

  “Is that a yes?” he asked when our lips parted.

  I looked into my private blue ocean that was his eyes. It was impossible to say no to that.