The Look of Love. Crystal B. Bright

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СКАЧАТЬ sighed and ignored Elizabeth’s comment about her sad personal life. “Anyway, besides volunteering, I’ve donated all of my tips to the center too. But it’s not enough. You know business at the salon has dropped lately.”

      Elizabeth’s expression changed to a forlorn one. “I know. I’ve tried drumming up more customers.”

      Eboni held up her hand. “We all appreciate your efforts. That’s probably what landed you here.” She patted Elizabeth’s shoulder. “If the center doesn’t get more money just for operating costs, they’re going to have to close, and at-risk kids will take a wrong turn.”

      Queen Elizabeth regarded her for a moment before a broad smile lit up her face. “That’s what I love about you.” She sat up higher in her hospital bed. “Other people would have asked me for money. Hell, my own family has asked me for money just to go to Vegas. Not you. Not my girl. You want to raise the money.”

      Eboni’s heart beat stronger. “I learned from the best. Working with you, I know that only hard work will get me what I want.”

      “You’re right. You know I’m in for anything to help out that center. I know that after your mother passed, that place--”

      “And your shop,” Eboni interjected.

      “Helped you growing up.” She patted the mattress beside her. “Right now, I’m a little stuck. This is something that needs to happen soon, right?”

      Eboni nodded. When a distressed expression crossed Elizabeth’s face, Eboni had a change of heart. “Look, don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out. I shouldn’t have said anything.” She waved her hands and backed up.

      “If I wasn’t out of action, I would love to help you.” Elizabeth’s eyes lit up. “I’m hoping Gunnar comes to town. If he does, he can help. Wouldn’t it be great for you to see him again?”

      Eboni swallowed hard. Did she want to see the man who’d been her first love? She wanted to hate him. He’d had a goal like she had when they’d severed their relationship. She and Gunnar had stubborn streaks as long as the universe.

      Before she could answer, the hospital room door burst open. Encompassing the entire frame stood Gunnar. He had his dirty-blond hair pulled back into a ponytail. His crystal-blue eyes drew her attention to his strong face. His jaw looked like it had been chiseled from stone. He looked beautiful and scary all at once, especially with the addition of a black eye.

      Eboni couldn’t look in his face. She refused to watch any of his matches, but she imagined that his current hard expression matched what he would look like before each of his fights.

      Her gaze volleyed between his full, very kissable lips and his barrel-sized chest. The more she stared at him, the more her heart accelerated. This man had given her the deepest heartache she’d ever had. Within a millisecond, she found herself still wanting him. She could kick herself for being so stupid now.

      Eboni didn’t remember Gunnar being that immense. Seeing him again made her want to stand up to him like one of his opponents. He’d caused her to cry more than she cared to admit. The hell she would allow him to make her feel less than her best. If confronted, she would let him know that.

      “Ma, what’s going on with you, and who’s this daughter you said you have now?” Gunnar’s voice boomed throughout the room, and probably all down the hall as well.

      Guess the man came for a fight. She wouldn’t back down.

      Chapter 2

      Gunnar threw his bag on the floor and marched over to his mother. As he suspected, his Queen Elizabeth had her regal face painted. Not a blemish or a wrinkle could be found. As usual, she wore a ring on almost every finger and had silver and gold bracelets dangling from her wrists. She lifted her arms to accept him into a hug and he remembered her telltale jingling that he’d loved listening to as a kid.

      Seeing his strong mother in a hospital bed crushed his heart. He could only imagine what she felt inside beneath her tough exterior. The closer he got to her, the softer his steps became until he reached her. He kissed her cheek as she cupped his face.

      The feeling of home came flooding back to him in that one touch. All at once, his breathing slowed. His heartbeat decreased in its speed. He’d gotten what he’d wanted since talking to her last night.

      “What are you doing here?” He held her hand. Before his mother could answer, he peered across the room and spotted a woman sitting in a chair. “Who are you?”

      The woman with an almond-butter skin tone blinked at his inquiry. Her hazel eyes seemed so familiar to him. It had been a long time since he’d been home. She reminded him of Eboni Danielson. No way could she be his old love.

      When they’d dated back in high school, Eboni had carried a voluptuous frame that he’d enjoyed touching and holding. In her structured wool coat, this woman looked to be about fifty to seventy-five pounds lighter than his high school girlfriend.

      Back in high school, Eboni had light brown hair that she’d kept in loose, natural curls. Once Gunnar had gotten his act together as far as his attitude, Eboni had allowed him to experiment with her hair. He created different concoctions in his mother’s kitchen. Besides his mother and his brothers, no one had trusted him that much.

      The woman here had jet-black hair that she kept in waves that cascaded down her shoulders and back. He’d been involved in the hair business with his mother long enough to spot relaxed hair with generous amounts of hair extensions.

      Gunnar never understood a woman’s desire to show a false front. If it made this woman feel good, he would respect that. He had to bring his attention back to his mother when the woman licked her lips.

      “Darling, you remember Eboni? Good Lord, the two of you were inseparable in school.” Elizabeth pointed to Eboni.

      This time, Gunnar had to blink. Now that he stared at her, he saw a glimmer of that woman who had turned him down flat when he’d asked her to join him for his dream.

      Eboni stood. He got to assess her from head to toe, especially when she removed her coat. Without the outerwear, he saw how fit she’d become, although her breasts had stayed large, firm, and amazing. Wearing a long-sleeved black turtleneck and charcoal-colored slacks, she resembled a copy of his mother with less jewelry…and fake hair.

      Eboni walked closer to Elizabeth’s bed, and Gunnar couldn’t tear his stare from her. He tried to swallow but his throat had become dry. He’d fought absolute beasts in the ring and his nerves never got to him. Yet a woman he hadn’t seen in years managed to make him feel powerless.

      “Eboni, I barely recognized you.” Standing on the opposite side of the bed from her, he presented his hand across his mother’s body to shake her hand.

      “Boy, you had better walk around that bed and give your friend a hug.” Elizabeth swatted Gunnar on his backside, propelling him to move around the bed.

      Keeping his face hard, he stepped up to her. At the last moment, she turned to him and held out her arms, a loud, long, audible sigh punctuating her move.

      Great, she wanted this even less than him. A small part of him felt a little disheartened at her attitude. What did he expect? They hadn’t parted on amicable terms. She’d called him a coward.

СКАЧАТЬ