Temptation - Brenda Jackson [33]
He’d always been a loner and preferred things staying that way. Although his siblings still kept in contact with him, especially Colin, who over the years had forged a close relationship with Zeke, he’d kept a distance between him and the old man. But his father was determined, regardless of Zeke’s feelings on the matter, to build a relationship with him.
It was Brad and his aunt Clarisse who had been there for him during that difficult and confused time in his life. It was they who convinced him to take the last name his father wanted him to have and wear it proudly. That’s the reason why on his twenty-first birthday, he officially became Ezekiel Travers.
That’s why he and Brad had such a strong friendship. And that was one of the main reasons his aunt meant the world to him. The first thing he’d done after being successful in his own right through lucrative investments was to buy Aunt Clarisse a house not far from the French Quarter. Alicia and her husband, both attorneys, didn’t live too far away. He tried to go visit whenever he could. But now, he couldn’t even consider going anywhere until he’d solved this case.
He glanced down at Sheila. And not without Sheila.
He immediately felt a tightening in his stomach. How could he even think something like that? He’d never taken a woman home to meet his family before. There had never been one he’d gotten that attached to, and he didn’t plan to start doing so now.
He would be the first to say that tonight he and Sheila had enjoyed each other, but that’s as far as things went. It just wasn’t in his makeup to go further. Suddenly feeling as though he was suffocating and needed space, he eased away from Sheila and slid out of bed.
Tiptoeing across the hall, he went to where Sunnie was sleeping. She was lying on her stomach and sleeping peacefully. He wasn’t sure what kind of future was in store for her, but he hope for her sake things worked out to her benefit.
All he knew was that the woman who’d given birth to the beautiful baby didn’t deserve her.
Seven
“You want us to go to your place?” Sheila asked to make sure she’d heard Zeke correctly.
They had awakened to the forecaster’s grim news that Hurricane Spencer was still hovering in the gulf. And although Royal was not directly in its path, if the storm did hit land, there would be a lot of wind and rain for the next day or so. The local news media had further indicated that although the electrical company was working around the clock, certain areas of town would remain without power for a while. Meadowland was one of them.
“Yes, I think it would be for the best for now—especially since you don’t know when your power will be restored. I have a generator in case the power goes out at my house.”
Sheila nibbled on her bottom lip. What he was offering made sense, but she was so used to having her own place, her own stuff. She glanced over at Sunnie, who was sitting in the middle of the kitchen table in her car seat. She had just been fed and was happy. And she hadn’t seemed bothered by seeing Zeke. In fact, it seemed as if she smiled when she saw him. “Sheila?”
“I was just thinking of all the stuff I’d have to pack up and carry with us.”
“We can manage. Besides, I have my truck.”
How convenient, she thought. She knew his idea made perfect sense, but going over to his place meant leaving her comfort zone. “Sunnie has gotten used to being here,” she said.
“I understand, but as long as you’re within her sight, she’ll be fine.”
Sheila nibbled on her bottom lip as she gave her attention back to the baby. Yes, Sunnie would be fine, but she wasn’t sure she would be. Waking up in Zeke’s arms hadn’t been exactly what she’d planned to happen. But it had been so natural. Just like the lovemaking that had followed before they’d heard Sunnie through the monitor that morning.
She had just finished feeding Sunnie when Zeke had dropped what she considered