The Colonel's Baby Read online

  I glanced at the man who lifted an eyebrow. I turned away and grabbed a shaker of the grated cheese from a nearby table and set it between the men’s plates. “Enjoy your food,” I said before leaving them. I saw the man watching me from the corner of my eye as I took my perch behind the counter again.

  Tracy came back, printing out a receipt for a customer and putting it in the leather book. “Thanks for the help, girlfriend,” she said.

  I paused in reading the passage in my book. “Why did you ask me to help you? You never ask for help.” I stared at her, feeling duped. “You tricked me. Are you trying to set me up?”

  “Huh? Why would I do that? Just because you gave Cliff my number doesn’t mean that I would do that to you. Of course, the thought did cross my mind. But I know how you feel and I’d never do that to you.”

  I relaxed a little on the inside. Tracy was the only other person who knew about my hang-up about being set up on blind dates or me going out with someone that I didn’t initiate myself. She and I had been friends since high school, and I felt pretty confident that she wouldn’t do anything to hurt me.

  “I know,” I said softly.

  She gave me a little nudge. “You gotta admit though, he’s real cute.”

  I glanced at the man again. “Yeah. He is.”

  For a moment, Tracy watched me watch the men as they ate their food and talked quietly. A slow smile spread across her face. “You like him, don’t you?”

  “What? No. I just said he was cute. That doesn’t mean that I like him.”

  She gave me a knowing look. “Of course it doesn’t,” she said and wandered off to check on her tables.

  I blew out a breath and took the big gray bin that was now full of dirty dishes to the kitchen. Julio, the dishwasher, looked up.

  “Hey chica. How’s the studying going?”

  I shrugged. “Pretty good.”

  “When you graduate?”

  “In May. I can’t wait.”

  He grinned. “Then we get married?”

  I laughed, patting the older man on the shoulder. “You know that Maria Inez will kill us both.”

  Julio took the bin from my hands, setting it down on the counter next to the sink. “She will. But I will be a happy man.”

  I shook my head. I loved the older man who’d been with us since my dad had opened the restaurant almost ten years ago. His hair was still as black as the day he was born and he had the kindest, sweetest personality of anyone I knew. He’d been married to the same woman for more than 30 years and he loved her dearly. I know it’s wrong, but I wished for the kind of love Julio and Maria Inez had. He always teased me about marrying him and I can’t remember a time when he wasn’t there.

  “I’d better get back out there before Marco comes looking for me.”

  Julio nodded and handed me an empty bin. “See you later, chiquita.”

  I grinned at him as I picked up the bin. “Ciao, Nonno,” I responded using the Italian word for grandpa. It always made him smile. Marco and I were the closest things to grandkids that Julio and Maria had, as their son lived far away and he and his wife didn’t have children.

  I went back into the front to put the bin on top of the rolling cart. I turned around in time to see the two men standing at the counter. He chose that moment to look up, meeting my gaze. His eyes twinkled as he stared back at me, almost defiantly, daring me to make the first move. Though I so wanted to, I wouldn’t. He gave me a crooked smile as if he understood.

  I felt like I could breathe again as he looked away to settle the bill with Tracy. He laughed at something she said, and the husky sound sent shivers through my body. How was it possible to be attracted to someone you didn’t even know?

  They headed for the exit and I opened my book again. I wished that I’d had the nerve to at least talk to him. At least said hi to start even a brief conversation. I wanted to think that he was nice to talk to. We’d talk for hours about me and him. Us. And then about nothing at all.

  But I didn’t do anything and I missed my chance. Oh well. There was no sense in hoping and wanting something that wasn’t going to happen. I had some studying to do.

  “Excuse me.”

  I looked up to see him standing at the counter. I caught myself before my mouth dropped open. He was so close that I could see just how long his lashes were. He stared at me with the same intensity that I stared at him. His lips curved into a smile. I smiled back, shaking myself.

  “Can I help you?”

  He licked his lips. It was an innocent gesture that send heat spiraling through me, though I was pretty sure that wasn’t his intention. “I uh, I guess I should have asked the other lady earlier. But could I order a tea to go?”

  I nodded. “Sure.” I grabbed a cup and scooped ice into it. I looked over my shoulder at him as I poured tea into the Styrofoam cup. “Would you like some lemon?”

  He nodded. “And your name.”

  I glanced at him. “I think you already know my name.”

  One shoulder lifted. “I know what your friend called you.” He took the cup from my hand and our fingers brushed again. The same spark passed between us. “But I’d rather hear it from you.”

  I drew a breath. It’s not the same, I told myself. It won’t happen again. He stood waiting for me to say something. He pulled a couple of bills from his pocket and held them out.

  I shook myself out of my thoughts. I’d wanted to talk to him. I waved a hand. “It’s on the house.”

  He smiled. “Thank you.” He turned to leave.

  “Wait.”

  He stopped.

  “Alessandra.”

  He nodded, his smile widening. “See you soon, Alessandra,” he murmured, his tongue rolling the ‘r’ delicately. And then he simply walked away without saying anything more.

  I watched him leave the restaurant feeling shaken. The way he’d said my name was so sexy that I had the sudden urge to run after him just to hear him say my name again. With a start, I realized that he hadn’t told me his name either. I grinned to myself. I liked this game. Perhaps the next time he came, he’d tell me his name.

  “Hey Lexie, I think this is for you.”

  I took the card that Tracy held out. “What is it?”

  She shrugged. “It was in the receipt book. With your name on it.”

  Huh. Sure enough, my name was written in sprawling cursive across the middle of the business card. A shiver went through me as I turned the card over. Colonel Trenton Boone USMC. Chief Recruiting Officer.

  Tracy looked over my shoulder, scanning the card. “A colonel, huh?” she nodded. “A very original way of giving out your number. Are you going to call him?”

  “Call him? What? No. Of course I’m not going to call him.”

  “Well why the hell not?” she squeaked almost indignantly. “He obviously likes you. He left you his card.”

  “So?”

  “So? Call the man.”

  “This is his office number. He probably isn’t even there,” I said. I knew I was looking for any excuse I could find, but I was nervous.

  “And that’s his cell phone number,” Tracy said, pointing to the handwritten number below the typed print. “Give him a chance. I told you, we can double on Saturday. That way, you can meet him and hang out with him and be comfortable. I’ll be there with you. I won’t leave. I promise.” She patted me on the shoulder. “At least think about it.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  Later on that evening I was sitting on the couch. I was supposed to be studying, but I found myself staring at the card the man had left in the receipt book. Should I call him? Tracy seemed to think I should. I admit that he’d caught my attention. He seemed nice. But then so had Craig. He’d been the smooth talker, saying all the right things at the right times. He’d lured me in with his sexy smile and good looks. And then after I’d become comfortable and let my guard down, he’d pounced. I didn’t want that to happen again. It had been a horrible experience that I couldn’t shake.
It invaded my dreams and into my waking life. I hadn’t been out with anyone since.

  I looked down at the card again. Trenton Boone. What secrets lurked behind those pretty blue eyes of his? I was almost afraid to find out. But another part of me longed to know.

  With a sigh, I dialed his cell phone number. Maybe he wouldn’t answer and I could just leave a message.

  “Hello?”

  Damn. So much for that. “Um, hi. May I speak to Trenton?”

  “Speaking.”

  I paused for a moment. The sound of his voice through the phone sent shivers over my body. Get it together, I commanded myself. “Hi. This is Alessandra De Luca. I-you left your card in the book today.”

  I could almost imagine him smiling. “Yeah. I did. I was wondering if you were going to call or not.”

  “Don’t tell me you were waiting by the phone?”

  His soft laugh washed over me. “Ok. I won’t.” He was quiet for a moment. “I’m glad you called.”

  “Really? And if I hadn’t?”

  “I would have gone to your restaurant until you did.”

  It was my turn to laugh. I was beginning to be glad that I’d called him after all.

  “I was hoping that we could go out sometime. I’d like to get to know you.”

  There it was. But somehow, his words felt sincere. I wanted to believe that he meant it when he said he wanted to get to know me. But then Craig had said the same thing.

  “Alessandra? Are you still there?”

  God, I loved how he said my name! “Um, yeah. I’m still here.”

  “Would you like to?”

  “What?”

  He chuckled. “I asked if you’d like to go out sometime so we can get to know each other.”

  Despite my trepidation, I found myself agreeing. “Yes. I would like that.”

  We agreed to double with Cliff and Tracy on Saturday. We chatted a few more minutes. Finally, he said, “I’m really glad that you called tonight,”

  “Me too,” I admitted. I paused for a moment, looking for something, anything to say to keep talking to him a while longer. But I wasn’t one for talking on the phone.

  “I’d better get back to work,” he said softly. It was as if he understood me without me explaining.

  “Yeah. Me too. I’ve got some studying to do.”

  “Until Saturday then.”

  “Will I see you at the restaurant?”

  Another chuckle brushed past my ear. “I just might come by.”

  “Okay. Good night then.”

  “Good night. Alessandra,” he answered softly.

  SECRETS AND SUSPICIONS

  SATURDAY NIGHT, I DRESSED IN something other than scrubs or the uniform I wore to work. I decided to wear my hair down instead of pulled back like I always wore it. For some reason, I wanted to impress the good Colonel Boone. Tracy and I decided to meet at the restaurant. Marco was at the counter when I came in.

  “Ciao baby. What’s your name?” he said, whistling softly when I came in.

  “Cut it out, Marco,” I said, my face turning red.

  He came around the counter to hug me. “You look great. Where you off to?”

  “I have a date.”

  He lifted an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? With who?”

  I shrugged. “Just this guy I met.”

  “And where did you meet this guy?”

  I brushed my hair back. “I met him here at the restaurant.”

  Marco frowned. “Is he military?”

  “Yes. So?”

  “He wouldn’t happen to be friends with the one that Tracy’s going out with, is he?”

  “Yeah. Again, so what?”

  Marco shook his head. “Nothing. I just don’t care much for that type.”

  “Well it isn’t you dating him. It’s me. Besides, it’s only a first date. It’s not like I’m going to marry the man right away.”

  “Just be careful. Those military guys can be crazy.” He grinned suddenly. “Is he Italian?”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Well, have fun while you can. He’ll be out the door when the folks find out. You know Mama and Papa won’t like him anyway.”

  “Thanks a lot,” I said dryly.

  “You’re welcome. Go. Have a good time. Make sure he keeps his hands to himself.”

  I rolled my eyes at the advice he always gave me when I went out on a date. Like he really followed his own words. Of course, being the oldest male in an Italian family, he could almost do as he pleased, whereas I had to follow not only my parents’ rules but Marco’s too. Sheesh. Just once, I’d like to do something wild just to see what they would do.

  But tonight wasn’t that night. I felt my nervousness start to grow as I waited for Tracy to arrive. When she finally got there, I was this close to telling her to forget the whole thing. The only reason that I didn’t was because I wanted to see Trenton again. She gave me a look up and down.

  “You look great,” she said, nodding her approval. “You look so much like Marco with your hair down.”

  “Thanks,” I murmured. “So do you. You look nice, I mean. Not that you look like Marco.”

  She grinned as we pulled into the parking lot of the sports bar where we’d agreed to meet the men. “Your brother is pretty hot. We could have been sisters-in-law, but Fiona got to him first.”

  “Ew, Tracy,” I said, wrinkling my nose. “My brother is so not hot. He’s good looking. Not hot.”

  She chuckled as she got out of the car. “Well you’re not supposed to think so. That would be kind of gross and very creepy.” She broke off as we approached the entrance of the restaurant. She jerked her chin in the direction of the door. “There they are.”

  I followed her gaze to see Cliff and Trenton sitting on the stone bench outside the sports bar. I took a moment to look at them. I could see why they were friends. They complimented each other in looks. Trenton’s sandy blond hair and blue eyes offset Cliff’s darker hair and eyes. While I thought Cliff was handsome, I preferred Trenton’s boyish looks. Cliff struck me as a player. I hoped that I was wrong about him. But then, Tracy seemed perfectly happy to play the field. Cliff would be just another notch in her belt. Or she in his.

  They looked up as we approached and stood. Cliff smiled appreciatively at the outfit Tracy had chosen for the evening. I cut a sideways glance at her. She was wearing that low cut black sheer blouse that she liked to wear when she thought she’d get lucky. I had to admit that she looked stunning in that outfit, and it had gotten her what she wanted on more than one occasion. And judging from the lustful look on Cliff’s face, it would probably work tonight as well.

  Trenton gave me a smile as I approached him. He was handsome in his blue jeans and button down. He’d rolled the sleeves up to his elbows. I got the impression that he liked to be comfortable and yet, his jeans were perfectly creased and the shirt smooth. I knew his neatness stemmed from his military training, but I wanted to think that maybe he’d wanted to impress me just as much as I’d wanted to impress him.

  “Hi,” I said softly.

  “Hi,” he answered. “You look great.”

  “So do you.”

  “Shall we go inside?” he asked. When I nodded, he offered me his arm. I must admit that the gesture was sweet and not something that I was used to. I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow. He covered my hand with his and we followed Cliff and Tracy inside.

  I’d been to this sports bar a few times with Tracy and some of our friends from the university. I loved it here because the food was good, and I never could pass up a game of pool. Marco had taught me to play and I must admit that I was quite good at the game. I looked around. I guess other people had the same idea. The tables were all occupied.

  Trenton followed my gaze as we sat down at the table. “You play?” he asked, nodding towards the tables.

  I shrugged. “A little.”

  He grinned. “I’ll bet you’re a hustler.”

  “Nah,” I answered, opening my menu.
“It’s all fun.”

  “Ha. Don’t let her fool you,” Tracy added her two cents. “Lexie is really good.”

  Trenton looked over at me again, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Is that so? Maybe you could teach me something.” Then he leaned towards me, his voice dropping so only I heard him. “Lexie.”

  I couldn’t explain it, but it sounded strange to my ears to hear him call me Lexie. No one but Tracy called me that. I know we’d just met and all, but I liked the way Trenton said my name. There was something in the deep drawl of his and the way he rolled his tongue over the ‘r’ that sent shivers down my spine every time he said it.

  Tracy gave me a wink before turning her attention back to Cliff. She’d done that on purpose to give Trenton and I something to talk about. I guess she figured that I wasn’t going to make any moves on my own. I would. It just might take a minute.

  “So?”

  I looked over at Trenton. “So?”

  He offered me a crooked grin. “Will you tell me about yourself?”

  I lifted a shoulder in Tracy’s direction. “I’m sure Tracy has told you all you need to know about me,” I said, meeting his gaze.

  His blue eyes twinkled as he regarded me. “She told me some things. But a man should find out what he wants to know on his own.”

  A shiver ran over my body though I kept my cool. “And what do you want to know?”

  “All about you. Anything and everything you want to tell me.”

  A smile curved my lips and I slowly began to tell him about myself. His gaze never left mine even as the waitress came to deliver our drinks and then our food. I was surprised. Most men would have long since tuned me out. Or moved onto their next favorite subject: getting into my pants.

  Trenton’s gaze never faltered. Not even when the waitress lingered by the table, waiting to see if we needed anything else. Cliff gave her a smile, that same smile he seemed to offer everything in a skirt. From the corner of my eye, I saw Tracy frown. She was frowning and I knew she’d seen the way Cliff has looked at the other woman.

  But I couldn’t really worry about that right now. I had my own hands full with my Marine. I glanced over to find him watching me.

  “What do you do?” I asked as I poured ketchup over my fries. “Your card says chief recruiter.”