Cat 'N Mouse by Yvonne Harriott Page B

and her heartbeat sped up. This was the first time since they’d met that he smiled at her and it softened the hard lines in his face. “Tell me about your relationship with Robyn. How did you meet?”
    “Umm, let’s see… I heard her speak at a fundraiser about loosing her sister to sickle cell. That’s why she’s so passionate about it. I was interested in her work at the Foundation and she invited me for coffee a few days after. I’ve never known anyone to have such convictions about a cause.”
    Three years ago Alexandria was looking for some kind of purpose or direction in her life. Her father had offered her a job at the time and she’d turned it down. Robyn had a purpose and a passion for her work and Alexandria wanted to feel something like that. She wanted to do something meaningful with her life and Robyn’s foundation was it. Somewhere along the road to self-discovery, Robyn’s Nest had become important to her. She had fallen in love with the kids, especially a little girl named Tiana.
    “What about you? Dennis knows more about you than I do.”
    “There’s nothing to tell.”
    “Was your prom date your first?”
    “We’re not talking about that.”
    “You’re a retired detective. At what age…thirty-three, I’m guessing.”
    “It wasn’t by choice.”
    “Care to explain?”
    “There is nothing to explain. My life is boring.”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Your life is a lot more interesting than mine. Your mother’s background is Egyptian but Sienna is not really an Egyptian name. Your father is an American, born in Detroit. That’s an interesting mix.”
    “Me?” She asked with a laugh, looking at him. “What did Dennis say about your background? Irish/Trinidadian—now that’s an interesting mix. Your mother is Irish and your father is Trinidadian. I wouldn’t have guessed you were Irish in a million years. Part Irish anyway.”
    “I guess we’re both culturally challenged.”
    The streetlight hit his face as he glanced over at her and she noticed the odd look in his eyes. They were dark, almost haunting, as if he was reliving a painful memory.
    “I wouldn’t say that. My father has always been a strong influence in my life. My mother died when I was very young.”
    “On your calendar you had RN written in your schedule and I was wondering what it stood for. It’s Robyn’s Nest, isn’t it?”
    “So.” She liked the way his voice sound. It was deep and rich.
    “What I don’t get is why you keep what you do at Robyn’s Nest a secret.”
    “It’s not a secret. No one wants to hear about the poor little rich girl volunteering her time because she has nothing better to do while she squanders away daddy’s money. They’re way more interested in other activities, like my love life…like you and me for example.” She turned in her seat toward him feeling very mellow. “Mimi called you a hunk and I believe Dennis’ exact words were ‘alpha male’.”
    “Is that how you see yourself?” he glanced over at her.
    “As an alpha male?” She intentionally misunderstood him.
    “As the poor little rich girl?” He glanced up in the rearview mirror then back at her.
    “Isn’t that how you see me? What did you call me? Oh, let me see if I can remember word for word, ‘a spoiled brat who has never worked a day in your life’.”
    “Perhaps I was too quick to judge.”
    “I’ll say.”
    She brought her hand up over her mouth and yawned. “Mimi is right, you’re a hunk.”
    Her hand found its way to rest on his thigh. His leg muscles tensed under her touch. Taking that as encouragement, she proceeded to run her palm along his inner thigh, inching toward his zipper.
    Sam swallowed. “Okay, Princess,” he said clearing his voice as he grabbed her wandering hand, stilling it on his leg. His hand felt warm against hers and he held her hand firmly in place when she tried to pull away.
    “You’re no fun,” she pouted and then undoing the seat belt with her free hand,