Haddison chuckled. Ramone and Maceo were the only ones who knew of his undercover activities with the FBI. Unlike his mother and uncle, Ramone never tried talking Haddison out of becoming a cop. “I came to see you, Aunt Marie, and Bracen when I first got to town.”
Ramone, who’d lost his partner the same night his first son was born, had named his son Bracen Ramone Gaskins, in memory of the close friendship he’d shared with Haddison’s father. Less than a year later, Ramone had resigned as a cop to become a partner in Marie’s father’s restaurant business in St. Louis. Over the years, Ramone had taken over, renamed the restaurant and made it into the place to go for the best in soul food. Celebrities would fly into St. Louis just to dine at his restaurant.
Maceo had talked Ramone into opening a second restaurant in St. Paul, which had kick-started twenty-six-year-old Bracen Ramone’s career in the business. The restaurant had quickly earned a reputation for serving the best food around, and reservations had to be made months in advance.
“But you haven’t visited us at the restaurant.”
Haddison smiled. “I will. In fact, that’s the reason I’m calling. I need a table for two on Saturday night.”
“What time?”
“Seven.”
“You got it. Is she pretty?”
Haddison chuckled. “You’ll see for yourself.”
“I HEARD A CAR pull up. I think your guy’s here,” Monica said, sticking her head in the open bedroom door. “Wow! You look good, Ken.”
“Thanks,” Kennedy said, smiling, as she glanced around for her purse. She hadn’t run into Haddison in the office since he’d asked her out three days ago. But then, his office was on the fourth floor, which was the junior executives’ floor. The only reason she’d run into him that particular day was because she’d been leaving Larry’s office.
“I hear he’s taking you to Ramone’s. Aren’t you lucky,” Monica said, grinning all over the place.
“Yes, he said he has an inside connection.”
“Cool!”
The doorbell sounded and Monica rushed out of the room. “I’m opening the door. I’ve got to see the guy who’s making you lose your mind,” she laughed over her shoulder as she rushed down the stairs.
Kennedy shook her head as she glanced in the mirror one last time. She understood Monica’s excitement. As the youngest cousin, she often got excited by stuff that wouldn’t faze others. Although Kennedy was excited about this date because she’d enjoyed Haddison’s company at lunch the other day, she wasn’t as overwhelmed as Monica seemed to be. At least, she didn’t think she was. But what was that Monica had said about wanting to meet the man who was making Kennedy lose her mind?
When Kennedy was halfway down the stairs, she heard Haddison’s deep, rich baritone, and the three feminine voices belonging to her cousins. All three were making it a point to check out Haddison. And in a way, Kennedy understand. Sebrina, Victoria, and Monica all knew how much Charles’s betrayal had hurt her. They’d been there for her and helped her move past the pain. Now they were making sure that Haddison was worthy of her.
“I’m ready.”
All eyes turned to her, but it was only one pair holding her hostage. She blew out a slow breath, suddenly feeling hot. If she’d thought Haddison was handsome before, then tonight, he was doubly so. It wasn’t the suit that did it — she’d long ago decided the man could wear suits better than anyone she knew — it was the entire package. Tonight, he was the epitome of sexiness, and from the looks in her cousins’ eyes, the three of them concurred.
But then there was more to a person than looks, although his bedroom brown eyes and strong jaw covered with that sexy beard were making it hard to think of anything else at the moment.
When she looked in his eyes, she saw male appreciation in their dark depths. Now she was glad she had spent the day at the spa and hair salon. She’d wanted to look good for him, and from the way he was smiling at her, it appeared she did.
“I take it you’ve met my cousins,” she said, coming down the remaining steps on shaky legs. The man was having an effect on her already.
“I have,” he said, finally breaking eye contact with her to gaze down at the three women around him, offering them a smile, as well. “We were having a nice conversation while I waited.” He glanced back up and met her gaze. “And seeing you now, I know it was worth the wait. You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
She’d walked up to him and was standing almost in front of him now. And she slowly drew in a breath, trying to act calm, even as his dark eyes burned into hers. She thought of the last few days when she hadn’t seen him, and how she’d convinced herself this date wasn’t a big deal. But she’d been lying to herself. She was glad to see him. Way too glad.
What had happened to that “be sensible” talk she’d given herself at the spa? The one where she’d swore she wouldn’t let Haddison get to her tonight, no matter how he turned on the charm. Well, she’d already lost that battle. Haddison unsettled her in ways she’d never experienced before. Just looking at him was making it difficult for her to breathe. Charles had never had this kind of effect on her.
Breaking eye contact with him, she glanced at her cousins. “I will see you guys later.”
“Enjoy.”
“Have fun.”
“Eat enough for us.”
Then they were on their way. Haddison bid her cousins goodnight, telling them it had been nice meeting them before opening the door.
When he took her hand in his, Kennedy immediately felt the sizzle. She drew in a deep breath. Here goes nothing…
“Nice car, Haddison.”
He glanced up after opening the car door for her. “Thanks. I think owning a Corvette at some point is every man’s dream.”
She smiled as she slid into the seat and he buckled her seatbelt. “So I heard.”
Then he walked around the front of the car and got in, pausing to glance over at her before starting the car. “I meant what I said, Kennedy.”
She steadied her gaze on him and he felt his body heat under her regard. “About what?”
“You were worth waiting for. You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.”
The last thing he needed was thanks for speaking the truth, Haddison thought. When he’d looked up to see her standing on the stairs, every male impulse he possessed went into overdrive.
“So, how did you and your three cousins come to live together?” he asked her.
“Long story.”
“I have time to hear it.” He meant it. He had a feeling when it came to Kennedy Bennett, he would have all the time in the world.
“It was something we decided to do when we were teens. Even though we wanted to go to different colleges, we’d made a pact that we would all come back home to enjoy the single life together. There was supposed to be six of us, but two of my other cousins, Lauren and Cody, got married.”
“Six women under the same roof?”
She chuckled, and the sound seemed like a sensuous caress across his skin. “We all get along, so it would not have been a problem. But now, there are only four of us. Monica is the youngest by three years.”