Show Me How to Love (Caldwell Family Book 1) by Synithia Williams Page A

quirked. Their tour around the property was hardly a hike, but he’d enjoyed getting out and stretching his muscles. He hadn’t had the chance to enjoy nature in years. Too many Caldwell family responsibilities he’d let take over his life.
    “I got some snacks from the rental office and a few DVDs.”
    She poked her head out of the bathroom and ran a comb through her hair.
    “What kind of snacks?”
    “More doughnuts and a few cookies.”
    She stopped combing her hair and smiled. “Thanks for getting something. I forgive you for making me hike.”
    He smiled and Mikayla ducked back into the bathroom. He sauntered over and leaned against the door jamb. Watching as she squeezed toothpaste onto her toothbrush. An innocent act, but for some reason watching her do the mundane task seemed sexy.
    “You might want to hold your forgiveness until after you hear what movies I brought. I hope you don’t mind horror or action.”
    She met his eyes in the mirror. “As if I’m really in the mood for some sappy romance.”
    He grinned. Then it hit him. He liked her. It was one thing to want to have sex with a woman, but to like her and want to have sex with her meant he was heading down the wrong path. She bent over to rinse and his eyes dropped to the delectable swell of her ass. His dick twitched in agreement. They were both wronged. Could they really be faulted for seeking comfort with each other?
    He jerked away from the door and took a step back. He wouldn’t take comfort now only to see Mikayla on Ryan’s arm at another family wedding in the future.
    Andre cleared his throat. “I’ll put in the movie and put the food in front of the television.”
    She turned. Their eyes met and her hand paused as it wiped the excess water from her mouth. She pulled in a stuttering breath. Then quickly glanced away. His body heated. She felt it too.
    “I’ll be out in a minute,” she said softly.
    He nodded before spinning on his heels and walking out. When she joined him a few minutes later he sat on the couch with the first movie, Zombie Invasion, already in the DVD player.
    She rubbed her arms and eyed the food. “You know what would be great with this.”
    He smiled. “A cigarette.”
    With a sigh, she flopped on the couch. “Isn’t this sad? I haven’t smoked in a year, but after one incident, I’m ready to pick up the habit again.”
    He handed her a plate. “Tell me about it. I quit two years ago, but we had a few rough months when we thought we’d lose a major client. Before I knew it, I had a pack in my car, home, and office again.”
    “Do you smoke every day?” Her full lips pursed as she slowly sucked lo mein noodles into her mouth, followed by a long circular sweep of her tongue.
    His balls tightened before he swallowed hard and averted his gaze. “When I’m stressed. Which isn’t every day, but more than I like.”
    Bullshit. He was tense daily after doing the dirty work required to make the company successful.
    She nodded. “It makes me mad all over again, knowing this thing with Ryan is causing me to backslide.”
    “How about we agree not to let this take us down that road again.”
    “Yeah, you say that now then you’ll be back home smoking a pack a day.” She said a teasing glint in her eye.
    “You don’t trust me?” He smirked and took a bite of food.
    Mikayla’s light laughter filled the room. “I didn’t say that.”
    “Check in with me whenever you want. I’ll let you know if I had a cigarette.”
    She slowly chewed and watched him. He wanted her to agree. Wanted to prove she was just as intrigued by the attraction between them. Wanted her to accept his obvious attempt to keep in contact.
    Her shoulders relaxed and then she nodded. “It’s a deal.”
    He released a breath, and only showed his satisfaction by smiling and starting the movie.
    *
    A shriek jerked Andre from his sleep later that night. He pushed the covers off and shook his head to clear the fog of sleep. He sat still,