Indiscriminate Attraction. Linda Hudson-Smith

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      Chancellor had been tossing and turning on the cramped cot ever since he’d first lain down. Thinking about what had happened at the café with Laylah still had him on edge. He not only felt sad about running out on her like that, he also felt horribly guilty. Reporters of any kind just made him downright nervous. Their intrusive presence in his life had left a lot to be desired. He couldn’t help wishing she hadn’t mentioned her profession. At any rate, it more than likely would have been mentioned sooner or later.

      Chancellor sensed that Laylah desperately wanted to know all about his life, and how he’d gotten where he was, but he had figured out she was probably too polite to ask. Her not asking what she wanted to know about him was what worried him the most.

      If Laylah didn’t feel comfortable asking him about his personal and professional life, she just might take it upon herself to snoop around in his private business to find out on her own. That’s what reporters often resorted to in getting their information. He recalled her point-blank inquiry of his surname.

      The Kingston name was very well-known in the business world and was also well connected with elite social circles. Chancellor’s grandparents had worn their prestigious name with pride and honor.

      To up and disappear on Laylah or continue to stick around was a difficult decision for Chancellor to make. The fact that he was so personally interested in her made it doubly hard on him. He already knew she was different from any other woman he’d ever dated. This woman knew exactly who she was, with her “take me as I am or just leave me alone” attitude. Laylah wasn’t about to change herself to fit into anyone’s mold.

      Money and prestige obviously didn’t mean a darn thing to Laylah, not when she could consider getting romantically involved with a homeless man. She had made no bones whatsoever about her wild attraction to him. Her confession had been rather refreshing. Her down-to-earth and unassuming demeanor was a real turn-on for him.

      A part of Chancellor wanted to stick around to enjoy the excitement Laylah brought to his life. Another part of him was telling him to hightail it out of Dodge before all hell broke loose. Judging by her actions, he wouldn’t be surprised if she already knew who he was. If she didn’t already know, once Laylah found out about the Kingston family background, it would more than likely be over for them anyway.

      Chapter 4

      No longer interested in eating her breakfast, Laylah absently stirred her soggy cereal over and over again. Wondering if Chancellor was going to show up to take her to the lighting-fixture place had her wishing once again that things hadn’t turned out so badly last night. He had left in such a hurry that she had lost the opportunity to confirm with him their shopping outing. She knew he had her address, but she couldn’t recall if she’d also written down her phone number.

      If Chancellor couldn’t call Laylah, he’d just have to show up if it was his intent.

      Laylah twirled around and around in front of the full-length cheval mirror, checking out how well the cute white shorts defined her firm, perfectly round derriere. A stretchy, sleeveless top in mint green, boasting a scooped neck, was a great fit, fully outlining her perky twin mounds. Pleased with her breezy-summer-day appearance, she smiled, her eyes filled with love and satisfaction over her mirrored reflection.

      Just as Laylah sat down to tackle an easy style for her long hair, the doorbell rang. The first person who had popped into her mind was Chancellor. Perhaps he’d had a change of heart. She sure hoped so. As much as she wished she didn’t, she missed having him around something awful. Maybe her day would turn out to be okay after all, she thought, dashing out of the room and rushing up the hallway.

      It was obvious to her that Chancellor had received nice, neatly pressed, clean clothing from Benjamin. He had on light-colored lightweight slacks, perhaps Dockers, and a gently used, royal-blue Izod polo. The designer shirt was a surprise, but wealthy people donated all the time. The white tennis shoes on his feet looked fairly new.

      Laylah couldn’t be sure, but it looked as if Chancellor had gotten a haircut. He had beautiful wavy hair, a rich sable brown. He was also clean shaven, but she had liked the slightly shaven look. After getting an eyeful of his clean-cut appearance, she finally opened the door wide. “Come on in. I wasn’t sure if you’d make it or not.”

      “I always keep my word, kiddo. Ready to hit the place I told you about?” If only she knew how close he’d come to not making it there, he thought. His deep desire to see her had won out over his numerous arguments for not getting himself involved with her.

      Beyond excited over the shopping trip with Chancellor, Laylah nodded. “Light Up Your World awaits us.”

      Chancellor was impressed and extremely pleased that Laylah had remembered the name of the lighting establishment. “That’s the place.” He momentarily looked uncomfortable. “Would it be too much trouble for me to use the bathroom?”

      Laylah pointed out the full guest bathroom. “Right in there.”

      She took a seat on the bottom step of the winding staircase to wait for Chancellor to come out of the bathroom. She was thrilled that he had decided to show up for their prearranged outing. When she thought about the picture of a lighting fixture she’d torn out of a home style catalog, she jumped up to retrieve it from her bedroom.

      As Laylah dashed to the back of the house, she heard Chancellor come out into the hallway. “I’ll be back in a second,” she yelled out. “Make yourself right at home.”

      Chancellor had only gotten a brief glimpse of Laylah’s home on his first visit. He liked the colors of her decor. Soft greens and light beiges were warming, especially when complemented by darker shades of the same hues. Sky-blue throw pillows tossed against the beige-and-white sectional sofa lent the room a burst of brightness. Stark-white plantation shutters also made a nice contrast, as did the smoked-glass and burnished-brass coffee and end tables. The room was very comfortable and homey.

      From where Chancellor stood he could see into the formal dining room. He took a few steps closer so he could get a glimpse of where the old chandelier was and to see how it looked. Dark hardwoods had been her choice for the formal dining room suite. Eight matching chairs and a buffet completed the set. In the center of the table was a beautiful six-candle centerpiece. An Asian rug covered the center portion of the hardwood flooring.

      He was familiar with the kitchen but he hadn’t yet seen the upstairs rooms.