Just to Be with You Read online

  “Fourth and fifth grades, and yes, it can be very challenging, but I love it.”

  “Do you live here in San Francisco?”

  “No, about an hour and a half away in San Jose. Where do you live?”

  “Los Angeles.”

  Before he could ask her another question, Karen returned with Donovan trailing behind her. Finally.

  “Did you get your CD autographed yet, Janae?” Karen asked, reclaiming her seat.

  “We hadn’t gotten around to that yet,” Monte answered. “Janae told me about her teaching. Do you teach, Ms. Morris?” He accepted the cup of tea from Donovan. “Thanks.”

  “Yes, fourth grade. We teach at the same school.”

  Janae retrieved the CD booklet from one of Monte’s projects out of her purse. “It’s getting late, Karen. We should let Monte sign our CDs and leave. I’m sure he’s tired.” She held out the booklet.

  Monte took it, smiling knowingly. “Ms. Simms mentioned you live in San Jose. Are you ladies driving back tonight?”

  “Goodness, no,” Karen said. “We’re staying the entire weekend.”

  “Any big plans?” he asked after taking a sip of his tea.

  “Nothing really big,” Karen said. “We’ll hit Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39, and maybe do one of the sunset cruises.”

  Janae listened as Karen excitedly shared their plans. Monte smiled between sips of his tea.

  “Sounds like a good time,” he said. “I’ve been to San Francisco several times, but never stayed here long enough to go sightseeing. A sunset cruise might be fun.”

  “Don’t you have another show tomorrow?” Janae asked. She needed to get away from this man—fast—and didn’t want him getting any ideas.

  A slow grin made its way across his face. “As a matter of fact, that was my last show for the next three weeks. I’m due for a little R & R.” He set his cup down. “I have a great idea. Would you ladies like some company tomorrow? Donovan and I would love to explore the city with you...that is, if your significant others don’t mind.”

  “Hey, that sounds great,” Karen said. “That’s definitely not a problem for me.”

  Monte stared intently at Janae. “What about your boyfriend, Ms. Simms?”

  “I don’t have a boyfriend,” she answered, holding his gaze.

  “Great. What time should we meet? We can come to your hotel.” When they finished making plans, Monte reached in his bag and pulled out a pen. “Let me sign your CDs so you can get going. It’s getting pretty late.”

  Janae hopped up. “I agree.” He signed the one she’d brought, and she stuck it back in her purse.

  Karen whipped out the booklets for all six CDs. Janae rolled her eyes. Monte laughed as he signed each one.

  “What? If I’m going to see the man, I might as well get them all signed,” Karen said with her hands planted on her hips.

  “It’s okay. I don’t mind.” Monte handed them back.

  “Don’t we get pictures, too?” Karen asked, holding up her phone.

  Janae groaned inwardly.

  “Most definitely. Donovan, would you please do the honors?”

  “Sure.” Donovan took the phone. “Ms. Simms, would you like to give me your phone or camera?”

  Janae handed her phone to him reluctantly.

  “All right. I’ll take one of you both with Monte on each phone, then take an individual shot on your respective phones. Will that work?”

  They nodded and went to stand next to Monte. Janae pasted a smile on her face, hoping it looked genuine. She was fine until it came time for her to take a picture with Monte alone, especially when he moved his body closer to her and tossed his own phone to Donovan.

  “Ooh, this is going to be a good one, girl,” Karen cooed, snapping the picture on her phone.

  Once they finished taking pictures, Monte and Donovan insisted on walking them to their car. Monte stood so close to her while walking, Janae could feel the heat emanating from his body. She quickened her strides. When they finally reached the car, she promptly got in, released a shaky breath, then gave a tiny wave as they backed out of the lot.

  “All right, girl. You’ve got some ’splaining to do,” Karen said as she drove them to the hotel.

  “What’re you talking about?”

  “Please don’t insult my intelligence. I want to know what’s going on between you and Mr. Chocolate Fantasy. And don’t say it’s nothing. I saw the way he looked at you. Why do you think I tried to give you two a minute?”

  “I don’t know, but whatever game he’s interested in playing, I’ll pass. Besides, I’ve sworn off men. He’s a millionaire music mogul and can have any woman he wants. What could he possibly see in a schoolteacher? I hope he doesn’t think I’m some little groupie he can have a weekend fling with and then go about his merry way.” Janae frowned. “And then you had to go and invite him to spend tomorrow with us.”

  “Sorry, but I wasn’t passing up what might be my only chance to hang out with someone who’s famous. And why couldn’t he be attracted to a schoolteacher? Contrary to what you believe, I don’t think he sees you as a groupie. As a matter of fact, from everything I’ve read about him or seen, he doesn’t really do the whole groupie scene. He’s never been linked to any scandals, baby mama drama or anything. Besides, it’s time for you to come out of hiding. Not all men are jerks like Carter and Lawrence.”

  “I know that,” she snapped.

  “Good. Then give Monte a chance.” Karen shrugged. “If he acts like a jerk, we can toss him off the Golden Gate Bridge.”

  “You’re a mess. What would I do without you?”

  “Possibly miss your love connection.”

  Janae grunted. “Whatever.”

  * * *

  As soon as the car pulled off, Donovan rounded on him. “Okay, Terrence, what the hell is going on with you? It’s a good thing no one asked to look in that bag. It would’ve been hard to explain why there was only one ticket.”

  Although Donovan was one of the few people close enough to call him by his first name, he only did so when they were alone. Terrence “Monte” Campbell ran a hand over his close-cropped curly hair and blew out a harsh breath. “I wish I knew, Don.”

  “If this is some booty call, you don’t need to spend the entire day with her.”

  “It’s not like that, Donovan,” he said through clenched teeth. He pivoted on his heel and stalked off.

  Donovan quickly caught up. “Look, I’m sorry. If you say it’s not like that, then I believe you. But you’ve never done anything like this before. What happened tonight?”

  “I don’t know. When I touched her hand...it was weird...I felt...I don’t know...something.”

  Donovan clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s called awareness, a connection, sexual chemistry or all of the above.”

  “That’s the thing. It’s not sexual, not entirely.” For a man who made a living expressing himself through words, Terrence struggled to find them tonight.

  “You don’t have to explain, Terrence. I know what you mean, and it’s about time.”

  “About time for what?”

  “For you to find true love.”

  “No. That’s not an option. It’s never gonna happen.” Only one woman had walked out of his life, and he vowed no other woman would ever cause him that type of pain again.

  “If what you’re saying is true, then you need to cancel tomorrow.”

  “Why?”

  “That little lady doesn’t look like the type who’s into head games. You shouldn’t start something you don’t plan to finish.”

  “I have to see her again,” he said absently.

  “I know that,” Donovan said softly. “I can see that she’s gotten to you, so there must be something special about her. D
o you really want to punish her for something she had nothing to do with?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “You know how you are—one date and it’s done.”

  Terrence scowled over at him, not happy about the insinuation regarding his dating life. Women knew the score up front.

  “Take my advice, man. Spend time with her tomorrow and see where it goes. You can’t keep your heart closed off forever.” He clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get packed up so we can get to the hotel. The band’s waiting.”

  Terrence nodded. He’d never felt so conflicted in his life. On one hand, Donovan was right and he should at least give it a chance, but on the other, he didn’t know if he was capable of giving or accepting love.

  Later, he stood out on the hotel room’s balcony thinking about Janae, still stunned by his reaction to her. He’d felt the current, and when their eyes connected, his gut clenched. In eight years of touring, nothing like this had ever happened—and he’d touched millions of women. Sure, he’d experienced moments of lust, but nothing like what happened tonight. It had been difficult to reign in his thoughts and focus on finishing the concert.

  This overwhelming need for a woman was foreign to him. He dated when it suited him. Occasionally things progressed to where they’d sleep together, but that was where it ended. He kept things strictly physical; his emotions did not come into play. What about this particular woman knocked him off balance? When she’d asked “why her,” he’d debated the best way to explain it to her, but had a hard time, mainly because he couldn’t explain it to himself. Even now, he could still feel the spark of awareness that coursed through him when he touched her hand.

  Okay, she was a beauty, with a petite body of a goddess, skin the color of melted caramel, expressive brown eyes, high cheekbones and a pair of lips that made him want to taste them—which he was unable to stop himself from doing. When he’d kissed her, the tightening in his chest and the range of emotions that flooded his body had shocked him. Thinking back, he’d probably scared her to death. Hell, he’d scared himself. He had no idea what possessed him to kiss her, but now that he had, her taste would haunt him for the rest of his life.

  He’d shoved his hands in his pockets when walking her to the car to keep from pulling her into his arms for another kiss. He had no clue how to stop the rampant desire or confusing emotions spreading through his body. By spending tomorrow with Janae, he intended to figure it out.

  Chapter 2

  Janae spotted Monte and Donovan across the lobby. “I think they’re standing over next to the fountain, Karen.” She started to say something else, but her breath caught when their eyes connected and he unleashed that sexy grin.

  Casually dressed, with their dark good looks, they stood out among the crowd of people going in and out of the lobby. A group of women stared with open appreciation. Two of them actually tried to get them to join their group. Janae felt a surge of jealousy, which didn’t make sense since they weren’t dating. Then she felt a measure of satisfaction at the women’s disappointment when Monte shook his head and pointed in her direction—that didn’t make sense, either.

  “Aw, I guess those women will have to find someone else to hang out with, since those two fine brothers are all ours for today,” Karen said with a giggle.

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right,” Janae agreed, moving in their direction. But the closer she came to him, the more she began to rethink this whole hanging-out thing. “Too late now,” she mumbled under her breath when he stood before her.

  “Hello, ladies. You ready to get this party started?” Monte kissed Janae’s cheek softly.

  The feel of his lips lingering against her cheek caused all kinds of crazy sensations to run through her body. “Um...yes.” Both Karen and Donovan stared with weird looks on their faces. “Since we’re only a couple of blocks from the wharf, we can probably walk,” Janae said.

  “All right. Let me move the car, and then we can go,” Donovan said.

  By design or just coincidence, somehow they’d paired off—Karen with Donovan and she with Monte. They were content to follow the flow of foot traffic without conversing, but every time she glanced Monte’s way, she found him staring at her.

  “So, Monte,” Janae started.

  “Terrence,” he corrected.

  “Excuse me?”

  “My name. I’d like for you to call me Terrence. Monte is the name I use for business, but my family and close friends call me Terrence.”

  “Um, okay...Terrence. But I’m not a close friend.”

  “Not yet.” He smiled. “So, what were you about to say?”

  “What?” Her brows knitted in confusion. His smile knocked her thoughts right out of her head.

  “You started to say something before we talked about my name.”

  “Is Monte a name you made up?”

  “No. It’s actually my middle name.” He paused. “I’ll tell you the story behind it another time.”

  Another time? She nodded, then remembered her original question. “How long are you staying in San Francisco?”

  “Until sometime tomorrow probably. Why? Tired of my company already?” he asked teasingly.

  She smiled softly. “No. Just asking.”

  “Good, because I want to spend as much time with you as I can.”

  Terrence reached down and entwined their hands. She stiffened. She felt those same sparks.

  He rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand and bent close to her ear. “It’s all right. I feel it, too.”

  After lunch, they checked out several stores lining the wharf. She had a great time and, strangely enough, felt more relaxed with him than she had with any other man.

  “I’ll be right back,” he whispered.

  “I’ll be right here.” Her eyes followed him as he walked toward the front of the store, where Donovan had gestured for him. Karen came up behind her moments later.

  “So, are you having a good time with Monte?”

  “I didn’t think I would, but yeah, I am. He’s...I don’t know...different.” She leaned her head to one side thoughtfully. “You know, he doesn’t act like a superstar. It’s like he’s this regular guy.” She released a deep sigh.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Nothing. Just thinking I’ll probably never see him after this weekend. He seems like a great guy.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Hel-lo, I live in San Jose and he lives in Los Angeles, not to mention he’s a celebrity. You know, concerts, touring...”

  Karen lifted an eyebrow, then folded her arms across her chest. “And that means what? Even celebrities need that special someone.”

  Before Janae could respond, she heard her name being called. “Over here, Terrence.”

  “Terrence?”

  “I’ll explain later. Come on.” They met Terrence and Donovan halfway.

  “Did you see something you like, Janae?” Terrence asked.

  “Sure, lots of things. But I can’t afford them all.”

  Terrence grabbed her hand, pulling her back in the direction she’d come from. “Show me. I’ll buy them for you.”

  She snatched her hand from his. “What? No.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  Janae noticed a few people staring and lowered her voice. “Yes. You don’t know me, and I don’t know you. You can’t go around spending your money like that.”

  He paused a beat. “Point taken. I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t need to apologize, Terrence.” She rubbed a hand over her forehead, trying to find the right words to make him understand. “Remember when I told you that I wasn’t a groupie?”

  “Yes. And do you remember I told you I don’t have groupies, and you could never be one? Just so you know, I’v
e never bought anything for another woman except my grandmother. Are you ready to head out? It’s almost time for the sunset cruise.”

  Janae opened her mouth to say something else, but nodded instead. He’s never bought anything for another woman? She followed him out, trying to process his statement. He didn’t talk during the walk, and she sensed she’d hurt his feelings.

  They boarded the ship, opting for seats inside. Although the sun shone, the late spring temperatures had cooled considerably with the approach of dusk. Once the boat left the dock, Terrence excused himself to go stand on the deck. Her eyes never left him as he stood against the rail with his hands in his pockets, head bowed. Maybe this had been a bad idea. Doubt crept in again, making her have second thoughts about this excursion. But she did owe him an apology for the way she’d snapped at him in the store.

  “I’m going outside for a few minutes, guys.” She left Karen and Donovan to make her way through the crowd of people standing on the deck taking pictures.

  She laid a hand on his arm. “Terrence?”

  He turned slowly and glanced down. “Hey.”

  “I want to apologize if I offended you. I don’t think I explained myself well. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.”

  “I know.” He draped an arm across her shoulders, pulling her close to his side. “This is unchartered territory for me, so I might mess up sometimes.”

  “I hear you.”

  “How about we figure this thing out one day at a time and see where it goes?”

  “I don’t know if that’s possible. We exist in two different worlds.”

  “Anything is possible. We can work out the logistics if you’re agreeable.”

  Janae stared out over the water. She had enjoyed his company today, and he seemed to be a nice person. But hadn’t she sworn off men? So why was she contemplating his request? “I’d like that.”

  He turned her chin to face him. “So would I.” He touched his mouth to hers gently. He held her close as they continued to watch the approach of the Golden Gate Bridge in the fading sunlight.

  “You know, I can’t get over how short you are,” he said, his gaze traveling down her body. “You were much taller last night.”