Breathless: In Love with an Alpha Billionaire

Part 1
by Shani Greene-Dowdell
Shani Greene-Dowdell 2015. All Rights Reserved

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the
authors imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead,
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 CHAPTERONE

DESTINY

WhatintheHell?

WhatisitaboutJacobTurner?Iwondered,asIsatnakedinthecenterofhiscircular,
kingsizedbedinhispresidentialsuiteattheMarriottMarquis.I'dleftmyofficetogogeta
cup of coffee aroundnoon. Coffee. Then, explain to me whyhours later astranger had
literallycharmedmypantiesoff.IfanyonetoldmeIwouldbumpintotheheirofTurner
Enterprisesandbeinthebillionaire'sbedbynightfall,Iwouldhavecursedthemoutfor
suggestingsomethinglikethataboutarespectablewomansuchasmyself.
TurnerEnterpriseswasthenation'snumberonecommercialconstructionconglomerate
passeddownforgenerationsthroughtheTurnerfamily.IthadofficesallovertheUnited
States.TurnerEnterprisesconstructedeverysubstantialpieceofbusinesspropertyinthe
U.S.
IcouldseehowJacobwassuchapersuasivemaninbusinessandinlife.Hisfamily
groomedhimsincehewasoldenoughtowalktotakethehelmofthebusiness.Hewas
powerful and damned sure influential. He had manipulated me into forgetting all my
values and coming back to his suite after only a few hours of mentally stimulating
conversation.
WhenIlookedaroundthelavishroomwithgoldtrimmings,highbackchairsandother
regalfurnishings,Isuddenlyfeltoutofplace.
"Jacob,Idon'tthinkIshouldbehere,"Isaid,whilescootingtotheedgeofthebed.I
scannedtheroomsearchingformyclothes.
Jacobpulledmebackflushtohim,hard.Mycoolskincollidedwithhisburninghot
fleshinstantlywarmingmetomycore.
"Stay,"hebreathedontomyneck."Wedon'thavetodoanythingyoudon'twanttodo,
butpleasestaythenightwithme.Icouldusethecompany."
Ilookedintohishazelgreeneyesofprivilege.Hewasusedtogettingwhathewanted,
andhewantedmetostaywithhim.Jacobcouldhaveanywomanhedesired.Whyme?
Questionsfloatedthroughmymindbutdaredtoleavemylips.Icrossedmyarmsover
mybarechesttocovermybreasts.
"Okay,Illstayalittlewhilelonger,butonlyunderonecondition.
Anything.
Ineedtoputonmyclothes.
Itwasmy exhusband, Montie's,weekendtohavevisitationwithourchildren,soI
reallyhadnowheretogo.IjustdidntwanttositnakedwithamanIhardlyknew.
Jacobslidovertotheedgeofthebedsothathewassittingclosertome.Turningmy
facetohis,heplacedasoft,lingeringkissonmylips.Hisbreathabsorbingintomineand
becomingapartofmemademeforgetthatIwantedtoputonmyclothes.Instead,Ihad
theurgetostraddlehislapandswallowhimcompletelyinsidemybeing.
Whilerunningmyroguefingersoverhissmooth,tannedback,Istruggledtomaintain
controlofmyactions.AdeepsighescapedmylipsasIpulledawayfromhimandlooked
away,breakingourintensestare.Iwasuncomfortablewithhowfastweweremoving,and
hesensedit.
Jacobstoodup,wenttothecloset,andreturnedwitharobe."Putthison."
Hisprotrudingerectionspokehissalaciousdesiresloudandclear.Butherespectedmy
wishesenoughnottopresstheissue,atleastnotatthemoment.Hesatonthesofaonthe
othersideoftheroomandturnedonthetelevision.
What do you like to watch on TV? he asked, while scrolling through the many
channelsavailable.
I dont really watch much TV, I admitted, my eyes never leaving his ruggedly
handsomeface,coveredwithacurlydarkbrownbeard.
"Whatisitaboutyou,Destiny?"heaskedashewatchedmewatchhim.
"Whatdoyoumean,whatisitaboutme?"
 Hebitdownonhisbottomlip."Imean,whatisitaboutyouthathasmesothrownoff.
I'veneverhadawomaninmyhotelroom,unlessitwasforyouknow.Butwithyou,I'm
satisfiedwithjustwatchingyousitthere."
"Youwillhavetotellmewhatitis.You'retheonewhoinvitedmetoyourroom,Jacob."
"Iinvitedyouhere,becauseIknowwhatIwantwhenIseeit.And,Ididntwantour
conversationtoendatthecoffeeshop.Iwantedtoseemoreofyouneededtoseemoreof
you."HiseyesrakedovermybodyshowingastrongneedthatIwasntsurehewouldbe
abletocontainmuchlonger.
IneededtogetthehelloutoftherebeforeIdidsomethingIwouldregret.Letsfaceit;I
didnthavewhatittooktoscrewastranger.HowImadeitthisfarintothisencounterwas
mindbogglingtome.Istoodup,putontherobe,andstoodbesidethebed.
"Well,youveseenallofme.Areyouhappy?"Ijoked,asItightenedtherobearoundmy
waist.
"Imthehappiestmanalive.
Yeah,right,Imumbled.Hereallythoughthewasfoolingmewiththewholeactlike
shestheshitgamehewasplaying.Imsureyousaythattoallyourladies,Iadded.
Comesitbesideme,"hesaid,pattingthespotbesidehim.Itwasntarequest,butan
order.
No,Imfinerighthere,thanks.Ifinallyfoundmyvoiceandstartedtouseitforthe
firsttimesinceIgottothisdamnhotel.Hewasfineandall,butifIwantedanychanceat
notcomingoffasanotherthirstyfemale,givingitupwithintwentyfourhoursofmeeting
himwasntthewaytogo.
Dontmakemegetupandbringyouoverhere.
Youremakingmeuncomfortabletalkingtomelikethat,Isaid.
Destiny,Ijustwanttotalktoyou.Itscompletelyinnocent.Hethrewhishandsinthe
airandthemostharmlessexpressioncoveredhisface.
Uh,huhIsaidandwalkedslowlyovertowherehesat.Hepulledmedownontothe
couchandpulledthestringtotherobetoreleasemybarefleshforhiseyestopartakeof,
again.Completelyinnocent,Jacob,thisisnot
Mywordsdriftedawayasheranhisfingersovermyneck,admiringitasifitwerea
perfect sculpture. He then ran his fingers through my hair and pulled my face to his.
Lookingintomyeyes,hecrushedhislipsagainstmine.
EroticmoansescapedmythroatalertingJacobtomysatisfaction.Toomuchtimehad
passedsinceIdbeentouchedthisway.Thewarofsexualfrustrationwithinwasbeingwon
bythefleshthatwantedwhatitwantedfromthefirstmomentIsawhimatthecaf.
Igaveintothesexualtensionthatgrewbetweenus.Myarmsflewaroundhisneckas
our tongues danced. Tension mounted to epic proportions. Both of our desolate hearts
awaitedalong,overduerelease.
Ihadnthadsexinmonths,andthewayheownedmylipssaidhehadn'tfelt real
passioninjustaslong.IwantedJacobinabadway,andthatinsatiablecravingofthis
manunnervedme.Beinghelplesstothe overwhelmingsensitivityemergingbetweenmy
thighspissedmeoffanddrovemecrazy,atthesametime.Myhandsranfreelyoverhis
body,leavingnoplacethatIcouldreachuntouched.OnceIreachedhisbulgingerection,he
pulledmyhandstogetherandplacedthemonmylegs.Hemovedmyhandstomyownlap.
"Touchyoursweetpussy."
Caressing each slowly, I moved my hands over each of my breasts. My right hand
cascadedovermystomach,thentomythighs.Then,Iproppedoneleguponthesofaand
inchedmyhanddowntostrokemyhottestspot,buthestoppedme.
Stoprightthere,hegrowledoutandreplacedmyhandwithhismuchlargerone.Two
ofhisthickfingerseasedinsideofme,goingdeepenoughtobringmyfullattentionbackto
hisintensestare.
ThegreediesteyesI'deverseensearchedmysoul,evenasapartofmestruggledto
come to grips with what in the hell I was doing. What kind of mind control did this
eccentric,hairy,greeneyedCaucasianmanhadoverme?
Ifellbackonthesofaandbegantowrigglemybooty,thrustingmypelvistowardhis
ravishingfingers.Whenheintensifiedhisstrokes,Iscreamedout,"Jacobohthatfeels
good!"
"Iwantittofeelbetterthangood,"hesaidasheremovedhisfingers,droppeddown
onto the carpeted floor, and slid my ass to the edge of the sofa. His face disappeared
betweenmythighs,andhetonguekissedmylowerlips,pressinghistonguehardagainst
myclitandmovingitbackandforthinmeasuredstrokes.
Jacobheldmylegsfirmlyinplace,soIcouldnotmove,asaviolentorgasmpouredinto
hismouth.Ijerkeduncontrollably,experiencingsome type ofouterbodystatethathad
neverhappenedtome.
"Youaresweet,Destiny.Givemeallofthatsweetcum."Hemoanedhispleasureashe
lappedupmynectar,notleavingonedropbehind.
He sprang to his feet and removed his boxers, as the last ripples of orgasm went
throughmybody.HewasbiggerthanMontie,whichmademethinkhardaboutwhetherI
wantedhimtothrusthisunyieldingswordinsideofmydamnnearvirginalsex.
BeforeIcouldsayanythingtotheaffirmativeornegative,Jacobpulledmeintohis
embraceandseizedmylips."Iwanttofuckthissweetpussysobad,"hesaid,rubbinghis
fingeragainstmyclit.
"I want you, too," I said, taking in his magnificent physique. Strong jawline, broad
shoulders,tonedabsandthighs.Helookedkinglyashestoodupandwalkedtohisdrawer
togetacondomoutofhiswallet.
AsIwatchedthisperfectlysculptured,almondmilkcoloredmanwalkaway,Ilookedat
mydarkerthighsthathadlinesofcellulitefromwhenIwasheavier,dimplesandother
imperfections.Isatuponthesofaandpulledtherobetightaroundmybody.
"Whatareyoudoing?"heaskedashewalkedbacktome.
"Itscoldinhere.Ijustneedtostaycoveredup,"Iliedwhileavoidinghisgaze.
Asheappliedhiscondom,hecontinuedtostudyme.
"Cold?"hesaidashewalkedovertothetemperaturegaugeandturnedontheheat.He
camebacktome,tookmebythehandandwalkedmetothebed.Standinginfrontofthe
bed,hekissedmesosweetlythatImoanedrecklesslyintohisthroat.
This.Us.Hewasconfusingtome.Icouldveeasilygottenittwistedandthoughthe
actuallygaveadamnaboutme,ifhekissedmelikethatonemoretime.Icouldntresistmy
blazingattractiontohim,andthatwasdangerous.
Ididntevennoticehimremovingmyrobeagain,untilhethrewitacrosstheroom,asif
heneverwantedtoseeitagain.
"IwanttolookatyouwhileImakelovetoyou,"hesaidashelaidmedownonthebed.
 Iscootedtothecenterofthemassivebedandopenedmylegswideenoughtoaccept
him.Hecrawledontopofmeandpushedmylegsbackfurtherwithhisarms.
"Oh!"Iscreamedwhenheenteredmewithprecision,rippingmycanalopenwithout
warning.
"Shit,you'retight,"hesaid,asmybodygavewaytothepressureofhissize.Within
seconds, he possessed me with every slow and deliberate stroke. I quivered with every
thrust,withwhatseemedtobeaconstantorgasm.
"What the hell are you doing to me? I managed to ask between the jerking and
quiveringthatonceagain,had,takenovermybody.
Hesuckedapebblednippleintohismouth.
Itrembledandreleasedthehardestorgasmknowntowomen.Myreleasecoveredhis
condomcladdickandspilledoverontothebed.Hebuckedrelentlesslyinsideofme,asmy
vaginalmusclescontractedandreleasedhimuncontrollably.
"Oh,shityouretakingthiscumfromme.I'mcomingrightwithyou,baby!Ugh!"he
saidandcollapseddownontopofme,holdingmeinplace,ashejerkedouthisrelease.
Oh,Jacob,ImoanedmypleasuresasIwatchedthisamazingcreaturesbodymovein
awe.
"Staywithmetonight,Destiny.
 CHAPTERTWO

DESTINY

Breathless

Earlierthatday,beforeIfellinbedwithJacob,IwalkedoutofTazi'sCafein
downtownAtlanta,withapipinghotcupofcoffeeinmyhand.Jacobapproached
thestorewalkingwithameasuredstride.Mysurprisedbrowneyeszonedinonhis
soft,hazelgreengaze.Butthatwasntallthathadmyattention.Itwasthegushof
freshairflowingalongsidehim,captivatingme.
"Here, let me get that for you," he said, handing me my briefcase that had,
unbeknownsttome,fallenfrommyhand.Hisgestureofkindnesssnappedmeout
ofthestuporIhadfalleninto.
Perfect.
Ilookedlikeabumblingidiotinfrontofaguywhohadsurelyjuststeppedoutof
asexymalecatalogue.
"Thankyou.Icanbesoclumsyattimes,"Itoldhim,scramblingtoretrievemy
belongingsfromhisoutstretchedhand.
Ahandsomesmilespreadacrosshisbroadface,asmyhandtouchedhis.Itsnot
aproblem.Itsalwaysmypleasuretohelpaprettylady.
 Ismiled."Imonmylunchbreakandwasrushingtogetback.Imsosorry,"I
added,embarrassed.
"Noneedtoapologize.Thepleasuretrulyisallmine,"hesaidashistongueslid
noticeablyacrosshislips.Hisgazewaspiercingasheranhiseyesovermybody,
inchbyinch.Taziswasasmalljointwithahousefullofregulars,sotoseean
unfamiliarface,hisunfamiliarface,wasrefreshing.
"Ihaventseenyouherebefore.Doyouworkdowntown?Iasked.
"I'mfromAtlanta,butIliveinFlorida.Imonlyintownforafewdaysvisiting
mygrandmotheratherretirementhome.And,shetoldmethatIhadtocheckout
TazibeforeIleftAtlanta,so"Hehumpedhisshoulders."HereIam.Whatdoyou
suggestoffthemenu?Heranahandthroughhissilky,darkbrownhair,ashis
eyesfixatedonme,awaitingaresponse.
Suggest?WhatifIsuggestedthesexycreaturehavemeforlunch?Icouldvelain
acrossthecounterandlethimfeastuponmeuntilhewasfull.Mythoughtsran
rampantwithlust,untilIrememberedmymantra.Yeah,Iwassavedandsingle.
Ever since I divorced Montie Brown, I walked the straight and narrow line of
avoidingrelationshipsthatwouldleadnowherebuttothebedroom.Sofar,Ididan
impeccablejobofavoidingfakelove.
Itooka deep breathofhisfreshair,becauseyes,alloftheairsurroundingme
belongedtothemanstandingbeforeme.Isilentlymeditatedforstrengthtobreathe
onmyown.
"Sowhatdoyourecommend?"heaskedagain,towhichathroatyvoiceIdidnt
recognizebeltedfrommylips.
"Oh,Iguess,thethreelayerchocolatemoussecakeisawinner,"Irepliedwitha
firmclearingofmythroattoridmyselfoftheimposterinmyvocals.
Illdefinitelytrythechocolate,hesaidwithawink.
An awkward moment passed between us, and I felt the need to fill the dead
space."AreyouoriginallyfromAtlanta?"Iasked.
 "Nah,myfamilyhasrootshere,butIwasbornandraisedinMiami."
"Oh,wellenjoyyourfirstvisitatTazi's.You'regoingtoloveit."Itookonelast
lookatthesexymanandsteppedaroundhim.
Ididntgetyourname,heyelledoutasIreachedformycardoorhandle.
Destiny.
ImJacob.
Nicetomeetyou,Jacob.
"So,haveyoutriedthethreelayerchocolatemoussecakebefore?"heasked,ashe
strolledovertome.
Ipulledmytreatoutofthesmallboxinsidemybriefcaseandsaid,"Yes,thisisa
smallertogoversionofthecake.Iorderminethisway,becauseIcan'taffordthe
caloriesofanentireslice."
Hiseyeslitup,andIbecameselfconsciousunderhisglare.Iwasabouttoopen
thedoorandjumpinmycar,whenhesaid,"Everycalorielooksgoodonyou.
Thanks.
Woulditbetoomuchformetoaskyoutoshareachocolatemoussecakewith
me?
Ilookedaroundatalloftheskyscrapersdowntown.Somewhereinthedistance,
myemptyhomeofficewaswaitingformetogetbacktoapileofwork.
IwishIcould,butIreallyhavetogetbacktowork.
Youlooklikeyoucoulduseabreak,andIcouldusethecompany."
Istudiedhischiseled,tanfaceandconsideredhisoffer.Somethinghidbehind
everywordhespoke;somethingintriguingenoughtomakemedropmykeysback
insidemypurseandsaywhattheheck.Itwasapublicplace.Itwasjustdessert.
Justconversation.
"Sure.Illhavedessertwithyou."
IenteredTazi'swithJacobandsoonfoundoutthereasonhehadmeathello.
Our personalities meshed like yin to yin and yang to yang; we had so much in
common.Wejustclickedaswelaughed,talked,andatedessertbeforeeversharing
amealtogether.
Before the end of the night, I was entangled in his covers listening to Chris
BrownandJordinSparkssingtheirduet,"NoAir,"onPandora.Ishookmyheadat
thethoughtofbeingunabletobreathewithoutaman.Itwaslaughable.Something
asessentialas air wasnonnegotiableforme,untilJacobTurnertookmybreath
away.
Afterournighttogether,Ihadsoulsearchingtodo.Ihadvowedtospendtime
enjoying the single life with the return of my maiden name, Destiny Baker. I
plannedtotakesomemuchneededtimeofffromthethingsomanypeoplecalled
love.
AndIwasgoodwithoutlove.Ihadafulfillingjob,beautifulhome,dependable
car and two charming kids. I was newly divorced, and my exhusband was an
awesomecoparent.Withallthingsconsidered,Ihaditall.
Butaseachdayandnightpassedby,sincethedayImetJacob,itwassohardfor
metobreathewhenIwasntwithhim.
 CHAPTERTHREE

JACOB

StandingintheGap

"Thatwillbeall,Henry.I'mgoingtostayheretonight,"Isaidtomydriverashe
pulledupinfrontofJustine'scondo.IthadbeenamonthsinceIinvitedDestiny
backtomyhotelandmadethesweetestloveofmylife.Imissedher.Iyearnedto
seeheragain,but,asamaninchargeofamassiveenterprise,manyworkingnights
anddaysflewbyatthespeedoflight.
"Okaysir.Iwillseeyouinthemorning,unlessyoucallbeforethen,"Henrysaid
withatiltofhishat.
I exited the Bentley and Henry drove off. I walked up to my dear friends
doorstep.Justinecalledmeearliersoundinglikeshehadbeeninatrainwreck.I
wasinthemiddleofameetingandcouldnttalk,but,whenshesaidshefeltlikeshe
wanted to commit suicide, I immediately dropped everything and came to her
house.
Icouldvecalledherparentsoranambulance,butIknewshewouldfreakoutifI
didntshowup inperson.Therefore,Icutmymeetingshortandrushedoverto
checkonher.
 I was no fool, though. She probably just wanted me to spend the night. She
wantedmetomakelovetoher.Shewantedourrelationshiptobethewayitwas
beforeIbrokethingsoff,whenIrealizedthatIlovedher,butonlyasafriend.
In the last month, I attended hundreds of meetings about offices opening in
WyomingandDelaware,whichweretheonlytwostatesTurnerEnterprisesdidnt
havealocaloffice.Ithadbeenbusytimeformewithlotsofactivitiesgoingonat
Turner,soIdidnthavetimetotalktoJustine.Thatwasprobablywhyshewasin
meltdownmode.
Ipreferredtofinishmybusinessfortheday,butIhadtobesureJustinewas
safebeforeIdismissedhersuicideclaimasjustanotheroneofhertrickstospend
timewithme.Ididntknowwhattoexpectwhensheopenedthedoor.
"Howareyou,Justine?"IaskedasIsteppeduponthedoorstep.
"Better, now that you are here," she said, showing a glimpse of her flawless
smile."Comein."
Sheturnedandwalkedaway.Ifollowedherintothelivingroomthatthebest
fashiondesignerinMiamicraftedforthetwoofus,whenwewereacouple.Ablend
ofwhiteandbeigecolorsmatchedJustine'sregalpersonality.Asplashofredand
orangeinafloralportraitoverthefireplacefithersometimeseccentricbehavior
perfectly.
"Justine,youcalledmelikeyouhadanemergency.What'sgoingon?"Iasked.
Shesatdownonthesofaandstaredoffintospace.
"Talktome,Justine!"
"Doyouwantsomethingtodrink?"shegesturedtowardtwowineglassesanda
bottleofHenriJayersittingonchillinthemiddleofthecoffeetable.
Mymouthwateredformyfavoritewine,butIshookmyhead."No,thanks.I
dontwantanythingtodrink."
Shelitacandleinthemiddleofthecoffeetable.
 "Willyoutellmewhatthematterwithyouis?Youwereintearsandsayingyou
wantedtokillyourselfwhenyoucalledme,andthat'swhyImhere,"Igotstraight
tothepoint.
"Youleftmealone,Jacob.Icantsurvivelikethis,"shecried,tearswellingupin
herskyblueeyes."Howcouldyoujustupandleaveafterallweshared?Ifnothing
else,wewerefriends...andyouyou,"sheweptasherwordscaughtinherthroat.
Iranmyfingersthroughmyhairandsighed.
Isatdownbesideheronthesofa.
"Ididn'tjustupandleaveyou,Justine.Westartedoutasfriendsandwewill
alwaysbefriends."
Shesprangfromherseatandwaggedherfingerinmyface."Idontwanttobe
justyourfriend!Howcanwejustbefriends,afterwhatweshared?Igaveyouallof
meandyouleftmealone!"
Istoodupandlookedatheranguishedface.Ilovedherdearlyandrespectedour
friendship,butIdidnthavetimetospareonthistypeofstress.Ifshehadbeen
anyoneelse,IwouldhavehadHenrydoublebacksofastthatherheadwouldbe
spinning.
Justine meant something to me, though. She had been my best friend since
kindergarten. She defended me when other kids picked on me, and she added
acceptancetomylifebeforeIunderstooddividendsandassets.
"Justine,stopcrying."Ihuggedherclose."Illalwaysbehereforyou.Iloveyou,
girl."
Asparkleofhopegleamedinhereyes."Ifyouloveme,whyareyoutreatingme
likethis?
Shetiltedherneck,andIknewshewantedakiss.Igaveittoheramorethan
friendlykissonherlips,thenpulledawayandkissedherforehead.Ithoughtofthe
bestwaytotellherIwasfallingforanotherwoman.
"Idon'twanttoseeyouhurtlikethis.It'sjustthat"
 "What,Jacob?"sheaskedasherlighteyesdarkened.
"You know what, its not important. Go get yourself all dressed up and were
goingtogodosomethingfun.Likebackinourcollegedays,"Isaid,unabletobring
myselftocrushherwhenshewasalreadysofragile.
"Likeoldtimes?"sheasked,asshegrindedherthinbodyagainstmine.
"Justine,gogetdressed."Isighed.IhatedthefeelingthatIwasgivingherfalse
hope.Ihadtofindawaytoletherknowitwasoverromantically,andtogetmy
friendback.
"It won't take me that long to get dressed." She shrank away from me and
pranced toward her bedroom. Thanks for spending time with me, Jacob, she
turnedaroundandsaidhumbly.
Noproblem,Justine.Now,gogetdressed.
Giggling,sheranofftoherroom,leavingmetofigureouthowwegottothis
place.
WespenttwelveyearsatSt.Mary's CatholicSchool.Weattended sleepovers,
family dinners, and parties through elementary and high school. I consoled her,
afteracreepthatwassupposedtobehersoulmateleftheratthealtar.Istoodin
thegapthatherfianc,Rick,leftwideopen.OnethingledtoanotherafterIgave
heraridehomefromthechapelthatday.Bynightfall,JustineandImeldedinto
one,releasingdeeptensionsourpastloversleftbehind.
Soonthingswerehotandheavybetweenus.Ourparentswerehappy,andeven
thoughourromanticrelationshiphadbeenareboundaffair,shewassafeforme.
Shehadbeenbymysidesincekindergarten.Shewasntjustanotherchicktryingto
gettheTurnername,andthatwasgoodenoughforme,untilDestinywalkedinto
mylife,stolemyattention,anddemandedmyaffection.
Destinysbeautifulsmilelitafireinsideofme.Hersensualmoansawakened
every part ofme.I had beenaonewoman's man,butsomethingaboutDestiny
mademewantmorethanasafetynet.Shemademewanttowalkonthedarkside
of love, where only my heart guided me. I didn't want a best friend; I wanted
burningpassion.ItwouldcrushmeifJustineendedherlifebecauseIfollowedmy
heart.Ididntwanttoletapartofmedieontheinside,either.
IstaredatJustinesclosedbedroomdoorandthoughtabouthowIwouldtellher
thatitwasoverforus.Iplannedtotakehertohangoutandthencomebackand
sleeponhersofa.Itwouldbeanightoutamongstfriends,somethingshewould
havetogetusedto.Then,Iwouldtellhereverythinginthemorning.
Myvibratingcellbroughtmeoutofmythoughts.
MyheartleaptinmychestasIanswered.
 CHAPTERFOUR

DESTINY

Crave

Iwalkedwithahighstride,whenIsteppedoffflight1087inMiami,Florida.I
claimedmybagsfrombaggageclaim,retrievedmyrentalcarfromAvis,andwason
thehighwayheadedtomyhotelwithinthirtyminutes.JustknowingIwasinthe
samecityasJacobmademeallgiddy.Idialedhisnumber.
"Hello,"heansweredonthethirdring.
"Heybabe.Areyoubusy?"
"Nottoobusyforyou.What'sup?"heasked.
"IbetyoucantguesswhereIam.Ijustbetyoucant,"Ibeamed,asthebigole
countrygrinonmyfacecausedadriverpassingbytosmile,aswell.
"In Miami?" he asked with not quite as much enthusiasm as I would have
expected. Given our heated phone call the night before, I thought he would be
turningcornersalready,sincewehadachancetoseeeachotherintheflesh.
"Yeah"Iansweredslowly,gauginghisresponse,"I'mmeetingaMiamiclient
tomorrow,soIthoughtIwouldsurpriseyou."
"Youthoughtyouwouldsurpriseme?"hesaidasmoreofaquestion.
Yeah,butifyourebusythisweekend,Idefinitelyunderstand.
 "Youarejustfullofsurprises,arentyou,Ms.Destiny?"
Itrytokeepthingspopping,"Isaidwithalaugh.
"Youdefinitelydothat.Whodoyouhaveameetingwith?"heasked.
"SusieAlexanderfromMuseumofContemporaryArt?Imhopingtostartdoing
somemarketingforthem."
"Oh,yeah.Susieisagoodperson.Doyouwantmetocallandputinaword?"
"Nothanks,sweetheart.Youvedoneenoughbyintroducingus.Icanhandleher
onmyownfromhere,"Isaid,thankfulforhiswillingnesstohelp."ButIdowant
youtocomeandputinagoodnight'sworkwithme,"Iteased,smilingfromearto
ear.
"Destiny"hebegantospeak,butIwassoexcitedIcontinuedtotalk.
"YoucanmeetmeattheEmbassySuitesattheAirport.It'snotapresidential
suiteoranythinglikethat,butIreallywanttoseeyou."
There was a long pause on the line, as if he was thinking about whether he
wantedtospendthenightwithme.
"Thatsokay,iftonightisnotagoodtimeforyou."
"Yeah,it'sbadtiming.Ihavealotgoingon,"hefinallyadmittedinadrytone.
Ineedtogetresteduptonight,anyway,Isaid,andittookeverythinginmeto
notsounddisappointed.
"HowaboutItakeyoutolunchafteryoumeetwithSusietomorrow?"
"Lunchwillbefine,"Isaidasthewinddeflatedfrommychest.Along,drawnout
pauseloomedovertheline.
"SorryDestiny."
An apology wasnt enough to ease the unexplainable feeling of rejection that
cameoverme.Hehadnickedmyego,butIwouldbefine.Isteeredintothehotel's
parkinglotandfoundaparkingspace."No,it'sokay,Jacob.Tomorrowisfine.I'll
seeyouthen."
 After late night texting, Xrated phone calls, and fantasizing about what we
woulddoifwewereineachothersarmsagain,wewereonlyafewmilesawayand
he had something more important to do. I tried to understand that he was the
brains and brawn for his family's beloved company. But, he had hundreds of
employeesathisdisposal.Heshouldbeabletogetanyofhisqualifiedworkersto
freehimupforonenight.Icouldnt thinkofonelogicalreasonwhyhecouldnt
maketimeforme.
"I'll be there as soon as you get out of your meeting tomorrow, Destiny," he
promised.
"Sure,youwill."
"Destiny?"
"Yes,"Isaid,readytohangupthephone,takeahotshower,andsinkintothe
comfortofmyhotelbed.Atleast,thebedwouldbetheretoholdmetight,allnight.
"I'llmakethisuptoyou,"hesaidwithhisvoicelow,asifhewerewhisperinghis
wordsdirectlytomyheart."Ihopeyouunderstand."
"Iunderstand,"Itoldhim,andpartofmedidunderstand.Hecouldntstophis
life just because I popped into town never mind that I arranged a business
meetingalmosteighthundredmilesawayfromhometwoweeksbeforeChristmas,
just to see him. I was used to men putting work ahead of me. My exhusband
Montiediditforyears.
MebeinginMiamiwasobviouslynothingextraordinary.Jacobwasapowerful
executive,withmanywillingwomenathisdisposal.Hell,we'dhadsexonourfirst
night.
After taking a deep gulp to swallow the growing lump in my throat, I
disconnectedthecall,threwmycellphoneintomypurse,andattemptedtoremove
thehugedaggerthathungfrommychest.
 CHAPTERFIVE

DESTINY

I'minLove

Insteadofsittingaroundsulking,Icalledmycousin,Tasha,wholivedonthe
uppereast sideofMiami.ShehadbeenaskingmetocometoMiamisowecould
hangout.Maybeshecouldshowmealittlebitofthecitywherethemagichappens,
sincemyplanstobewithJacobwereabust.
"HeyTasha,"Ifeignedexcitementwhensheansweredonthefirstring.Itwasnt
thatIwasnthappytotalktoher;IwasjustletdownbyJacob.
"Heygirlie!"Tashabeamedthroughthephone.Icouldheartheloveandsurprise
inhervoice,atonce."TowhatdoIowethepleasureofspeakingtomyfavorite
cousinthisevening?"
"Well,earlierwhenIwasbreezingthroughthestreetsofMiami,headedtoward
theEmbassySuites,IthoughtI'dgivemybestiecousinacallandseewhatwecould
getinto."
"You'vegottobekiddingmerightnow!Who,what,when,where,andhowdid
youendupinMiami?"
 Ilaughedathersillybutt."Yourestillamess.ImsorryIdidnttellyouIwas
comingtotown,butImmostdefinitelyhere.Ihaveameetingtomorrow,but I'm
freetohaveagoodtimetonight."
Ifthingshadgonemyway,Ihadnointentionsofcomingupforairtheentire
weekend, much less hanging out with Tasha. Yet as I talked to her, I couldnt
imaginecomingtohercityandnothangingoutwithmycousin.
"SoyoucameallthewaytoFlorida,andconvenientlyforgottotellmeyouwere
coming?Whatsreallygoingon?"sheaskedwithaplayfulattitude.
"IhavesomebusinesstohandlewithMOCA,andthatswhyImhere.Inthe
meantime,wecangettogetherandhaveafewdrinks.
Didyousaydrinks?Icandefinitelyuseadrink,aftertheweekIvehad,she
said.
CanyoumeetmeattheEmbassySuitesbytheairportatsix?"
"EmbassySuitesatsix.Yes,maam.YoualreadyknowI'mthere.Theyhavethat
freehappyhour,too...Iamsothere.Wherearemyshoes?"Iheardhersnapher
fingersforemphasis.
I imagined Tasha frantically searching forher shoes and shook myhead. My
kinfolksweresomethingelse.
"Ha.Seeyouthen,girl.Loveyou,"Isaid.
"Loveyoutoo,sis,"sherepliedbeforedisconnectingthecall.
Ienteredthehotelandcheckedintomyroom.ThefirstthingIdidwasgotothe
bathroom,freshenup,andputonsomethingcomfortable.
AssoonasTashaarrivedatsix,weheadeddowntothebararea.Iwassohappy
toseeher,butIhadtoforceasmilewhenIthoughtaboutthefactthatitshould
havebeenJacobwithme.OnceTashaandIhadourfirstroundofdrinksinhand,
we found a table to sit and relax for a while. It was then that she gave me a
suspiciousonceover.
 "So,areyougoingtotellmeaboutthisguy,orwhat?"Sheshotmeaanddont
lielook.
"Whatareyoutalkingabout?"Ialmostchokedonmydrink.
"Imtalkingaboutthisguythathasmycousinathousandmilesfromhomeona
Fridaynight,actinguptightand,ifIcouldcallit,abitsadatthemoment."
"Whatdoyoumean,Tasha?"
"Look,Iknowthatyouloveme.Ialsoknowyoudidnttravelintotownaday
earlyforaSaturdaymeeting,justtosurprisemewithfreedrinksatyourhotel.
You'reaplannerandyourecheap.Youwouldhavecalledmetostayatmyhouse,
unlessyouhadotherplans."
"Youthinkyouknowme,huh?"
"Likeabook.Youplanyourbusinesssothateveryminuteisaccounted.Ifyou
wantedtohangwithmetonight,wewouldhavehadagameplan.Youmightas
wellgoaheadandspillyourguts.Yousoundedabitpatheticwhenyoucalledme,
too."Tashatiltedherwineglasstowardmeandcontinued."Goaheadandgiveit
up.Giveupthewho,what,when,where,andhowaboutthisgentleman.Ifmygut
feelingsarecorrect,youmayneedacoochieintervention."
"Acoochieintervention?Youknowwhat;I'mnotevengoingtochasethatone."I
ranmyfingersaroundtherimofmyglass,whiledecidingwhatIwantedtoshare
withTasha.Icouldhaveliedandsaidtherewasnomaninvolved,butwhatwasthe
use?Wegrewupinthesamehouse,likesisters.Tashaknewwhenmyemotions
wereallovertheplace,eventhoughIwastryingtoholdittogether.
IrememberedwhenIwasalittlegirlandItookmyfirstfivefingerdiscount.It
was a bag of chips from Red and Whites grocery store. She looked at me with
crumbsallovermyfaceandsaid,"Youdidnthavenomoneyforthat."
Ifinishedoffthechipsandthrewthebaginthetrash.
"Yes,Idid!Grandmagaveittome," Ianswered,beforeswipingmytinyhand
acrossmylipstowipeawaythecrumbs.
 "Who,what,when,where,andhowdidGrandmagiveyoumoneyandnotgiveme
any?I'mgonnagoaskher.Andyoubetternotbestealing."Tashastompedbackto
Grandma'shouse,justasawarethen,asshewassittingacrossfrommeatthebar,
ofwhatwasgoingonwithme.WheneverIwasmessingup,shewouldsaywho,
what,when,whereandhow.Ihatedthathersecondgradeteachertaughtherthe
five"Ws."
"Well"Ilookedaroundtheserenediningarea.Ihadtogiveheranswers,but
howcouldIadmitmysituation?Myheartswelled,andatearthreatenedtoroll
downmycheek."IthinkI'minlove."
 CHAPTERSIX

DESTINY

OpposingMagnets

AftertellingTashahowJacobmademefeelalive,Itoldherabouthisfamily
business,thefactthathewasaveryaffluentwhiteman,howwemetandcontinued
tocommunicateforthepastmonth.InTasha,Ihadanoutlet.Shedidntjudgeme.
Eventually,shewouldgivemeherhonestthoughtsandkeepitreal,butshesimply
listened.
Isheatleastfine?"sheasked,andmyeyesglazedoverthinkingabouthowsexy
Jacobwas.
IfeltremnantsofhistouchallovermybodyasIrememberedeveryinchofhim.I
wasneverthetypetofallsohard,sofast.Itwasunusualformetobeinlovewitha
manIhadonlyknownamonth.
"YesLawd,heissofine.Hemakesthissisterspeakintongues."
Tashashookherhead.SheknewIwasgone."Girl,Ithinkyou'regoingtoneed
morethanthatcoochieintervention.WemayhavetodoanexorcismtogetJacob
outofyoursystem."
"Whatever."Iwavedather.Itsnotlikethat.
 "Destiny,youshouldhavetoldmeabouthimassoonasyoumethim.Icould
havebeencheckinghimouttomakesurehe'sontheupandup.Now,youreallin
yourfeelingsanditmaybetoolate."
"Ididntwanttostartanewrelationshipplayinggames.Iwanttobeableto
trustmyman."
"That'sallfineandwell,butthetruthshallsetyoufreefromallbinds.Justlike
tonight,youhavenoclueastowhatheisdoingorwhoheisdoingitwith,whileyou
aresittingherewithyourcousinthatyouvebeenneglectingforyears."
"You'reright,"Iadmitted.Onbothissues.
"Iknowyoullalwaysloveme,Tashagushed.Ijustdontwantyoutogetcaught
upwiththisrichguy,"sheaddedinaserioustone.
"Idon'twanttogetcaughtupeither.Ihavesomuchgoingformyselfrightnow.
BeingdrawnbackintoarelationshipwhereImdoingthemostisthelastthingI
need. And, being head overheels fora manthatputs work, andwhatever else,
beforemeandmykidsislikegoingbacktoMontie."
"Yes,andyouknowhowthatstoryends.Youneedtostaygrounded.Thelast
timewetalked,yousaidyourededicatedyourselftochurch.Useyourfaithtokeep
youontherighttrack."
"Yeah."Isatfrozen.
I wished I could say my infatuation with Jacob hadnt altered my newfound
spiritualwalk.Iwantedtosaymyfaithkeptmepure.Asidefromtheonesinof
reliving my fantasy of falling into Jacobs bed at the drop of a hat, I had been
walkingthestraightandnarrow.
IwantedtosaymanythingsthatIcouldnt,becausetheysimplywerenottrue.I
spentthepastfourSundaymorningslyinginbed,seducedbyJacobsvoice.He'd
offeredtoflymetoFloridaonhisprivatejet,butImanagedtokeepthedistance
betweenus,afraidoffallingdeeperinlovewithhim.
 Tasha tapped her fingers on the table. With a halfsmile, she said, "Okay
Destiny,youneedtogetallofthisoffyourmindforawhile.Letsgodancing.Then
tomorrow,whenwerenotsippingonthedevilswater,wellhaveahearttoheart
aboutifJacobishealthyforyou."
"Thatsoundsgood,exceptI'llpassondancing."Ishookmyhead.Ilovedtodance
aroundinprivate,butIcouldnotdancealick.
Comeon,Destiny.Letyourhairdownandletshavesomefun.
"Whatareyoutryingtoprovebygettingmeonthedancefloor,anyway?Dont
you think my pride has been damaged enough for one day?" I laughed and she
joinedinwithmylaughter.
Thehotel'sdeejay,whohadbeenplayingwhatsoundedlikeelevatormusicall
night, put onBeyoncs SingleLadies,andTashabegangyratinginherchair,
groovingtothebeat.
"Oh,honey,itstrueyouhavenorhythm,butthatsnotwhatdancingisabout.
Itsaboutyourbodybecomingapieceoffluidartworkandlosingyourselfinthe
music.Itdoesntmatterhowyoulookdoingit,aslongasyoufeelgooddoingit."
"Idon'tknowaboutthat,"Isaidandtookanotherswigofmydrink.
"Ipromise,ifyougooutwithme,youwillfeelbetterinthemorning."Tasha
flippedherlong,straighthairoverherslimshoulders.Youcanevenpraisedance,
ifthatwillmakeyoufeelbetteraboutit.
Igiggledandtossedbacktherestofmydrink."Youaretoomuch,Tasha.That
wouldbeblasphemy."
"Yeah,buthoney,ifwecan'thavefuninthislife,what'stheuseinlivingit?"she
asked.
LookingathergyrateandgrooveinherchairmademerememberwhyIloved
Tashasomuch.Shewasthemostcarefreepersononecouldevermeet.Shehada
wayofmakingpeoplefeelliketheirproblemscouldbetalked,drank,danced,or
biblequotedaway.
 "Youdoknowyouarecommittabletoamentalhospital,right?"Itoldherwitha
waveofmyhand.
As my hand waved in the air, I examined my empty ring finger with mixed
emotions.IwasnolongerMontie'swife.ThebuddingrelationshipIthoughtJacob
andIhadnowwasquestionable,atbest.Ifeltsingleandalone.
"Shoot, after a good dance partner puts his moves on you, you may be
committabletoamentalhospital,too.Itmayhelpyouforgetallaboutwhatshis
name?"
"Jacob,"Isaid,imaginingthewayhishandsomefacecontortedasheeasedinside
ofmethefirsttime.Foreverimprintedinmymindwastheimageofthepleasurein
hishazelgreeneyes.Icouldn'tshakehimifIwantedto.Thethoughtofhimhadme
buzzed in all the right places. "It is Jacob, and honey the way that man flows
throughmyveins,IdoubtIwillforgethimanytimesoon."
"Justhopeless,"shesaid,grabbingherpurse."Comeon,letsgo."
"Okay,"Irelented.Idroppedatiponthetableandwewalkedtothecar.When
wegottothecar,Tashastoppedbythedriver'sdoorwithoutunlockingit.
"Whatisit?"Iwonderedwhatmadeherstopandstareatme.
"IhopeyouarekeepinginmindthatJacobcouldbesomeprivilegedmanthat's
onlylookingforalittleexoticfling.Thosetypesofmenhaveadifferentgirlevery
dayoftheweek.Theygettheirfantasiesfulfilledbyus,andthengoandmarrya
whitegirl."
"I'vethoughtaboutthat.Idon'tthinkJacobislikethat."
"I'mjustputtingitoutthereforyoutothinkabout."Shepoppedthelocktothe
carandgotin.
IdidntappreciateherinsinuatingIwassomeexoticflingforJacob,butwhatif
shewasright?Iflungthepassengerdooropenandploppeddownontheseat.I
didntspeakawordaswetookthedrivetoLapidusLounge.IdidntknowifTasha
tookthescenicroute,soIcouldthink,orsowecouldclearourmindsandsoberup,
butitwasdefinitelyalongride.
"We'rehere,"Tashasaid,asshepulledup tothelounge.Shetouched upher
makeupinthemirror.
I took out my makeup bag and freshened up my face, as well. I was a little
uncomfortablewiththesceneryoncewewalkedin.Themixedcrowdwasthickand
kindofbourgeois;alittledifferentfromthepartiesIwasusedto,wheredownto
earthpeoplegreetedyouwithasmile.
Ritzy acting chicks looked me up and down, as if I didnt belong in their
atmosphere.Preoccupiedmenlookedrightthroughmeastheylaughedandtalked
amongstthemselves.Idjustassoonbeinmysuitegoingoverpaperworkformy
meetingthenextdaythanstandingaroundwiththisbunchofassholes.
Tasha,ontheotherhand,didntseemfazedbytherecklesseyeballingbythe
women.Thefirsttall,darkandhandsomeguytocomealongandofferheradrink
had swept her away. I watched as she did everything from the salsa to
Mediterraneandances,forthenextthirtyminutes.Iwasjustabouttogogetherto
tellherIwasreadytogo,whenIfeltafamiliarbreezeblowrightpastme.Iturned
inthedirectionofthedraftandsureenoughfoundthesource.
Jacob.
Mymouthflewopenwithsurprise.
I didnt know whether tobeexcited orpissed thehell off that he was in the
lounge,andnotbusyworkingonsomehighlyimportantproject.
Gravitypulledmetowardhim.Glidinginhisdirection,Ipaidcloseattentionto
thecompanyhekept.IdidntwanttobargeinonhisgroupandhavethemthinkI
wassomemad,blackwoman,butwhocouldworkagainstgravity?
Idefinitelycouldnt.
Icontinuedtowardhimwithafeelingofmixedemotions.Ononehand,Icouldnt
waittowrapmyarmsaroundhimandkisshisgreedylips.Ontheother,Iwanted
totellhimapieceofmymind.Howcouldhethinkhangingoutataclubwasbetter
thanhidingoutinmyhotelroomfortheweekend?
Myeyespoppedopenwhenanimpeccablygorgeouswoman,withflowingblond
hair,slidforwardandsatonhislap.Shedidntjustsitonhislap;shestraddledhim
anddrapedherthinarmsaroundhisneck.IfIdidn'tknowanybetter,Iwouldhave
thoughtthewoman,wholookedlikeshejuststeppedoutamodel catalog,owned
him.Heheldtheminiskirtclad,longleggedbeautyinalovingembrace,asshe
clung to him. Their admiration for each other equally matched. Her milky skin
glistenedunderthedimchandelierhangingovertheirtable.Herlonghairflungto
onesideasshewrappedherarmsaroundhisneckandkissedhislips.
HedidntnoticeIwasthere,asthewomandrank,uninhibited,fromhislips.I
stoodinshockasthereasonhewasntwithmewasblatantlyobvious.Isuddenly
feltnakedstandingthereinaplainblackdressandheelswithanaturalcoatof
makeup.
Jacob and I became opposing magnets, as then I felt pushed in the opposite
direction.Icarefullyshrankaway,remainingunseen.IrushedtofindTasha.When
Ifoundher,Iopenedmymouthbutsoundfailedme.Wordsfailedme.Icouldnot
speak.Ijustheldmymouthopengasping.
"Whatthefuckiswrongwithyou?"sheasked,concernetchedonherface."You
looklikeyouveseenaghost."
Istruggledtobreathe.Igrabbedherhandandpulledhertowardthedoor,her
feetdraggingbehindher.Whenwereachedoutside,Icoughedthecrispnight'sair
intomylungs.Shewasright.Ihadindeedseenanevilghost.
"Destiny, whats going on? Youre scaring the shit out of me," Tasha asked,
placingherhandonmyback."DoIneedtocallanambulanceforyou?"
"JaJacobIjustneedsomeair."
"Isheinthere?sheasked,butIcouldntreply.Comeon,Destiny.Imgoingto
takeyoubacktoyourhotel."Shedirectedmetohercar,andwerodeinsilence.
 Iwatchedasthecarspassedby,withnooneinMiamicaringthatmylovelife
wasspiralingaway.ThatwomanclutchedJacobasifhewashernextbreath.And,I
knewwhatwasgoingon.
Tashapulledintotheparkinglot,putthecarinpark,andrushedaroundtohelp
meoutofthecar.Iwalkedaroundinadaze.Itrulyfeltlost.Icasuallydirectedher
tomyhotelroom,barelyacknowledgingwhereweweregoing.Sheduginmypurse
toremovethehotelkeyandletusin.
IsunkdowninthechairtheminuteItouchedthefloorinmyroom.Icouldtell
thatshewasscaredtosayaword.
"Destiny"shebegan.
Ieventuallyliftedmygazetomeethers.Yeah.
"Maybeitwasntthebestideatogoout,butwhathappenedupsetyou?"
"JacobIsawhiminthelounge."Iclosedmyeyesasthewordstumbledoutinto
reality."Hewaswithanotherwoman.Shewasalloverhim."
Tashastaredatmeuntilshehadtoturnawayfrommymiserable,tearyface.
"Firstofall,youregoingtoputyourchinupandrealizethatwhatyousawisfor
thebest,"shefussed.And,Iknowthatsnotwhatyouwanttohear,butitswhat
youneedtohear.
"Youdontgetit.IdontknowwhyIthoughtyouwould.Noonewillunderstand
howIfeel,"Iargued.
"Youhaveknownhim,whatalloffiveminutes?"Irolledmyeyes,butallowed
hertocontinue."Heleadsanotherlife,andyouwereblessedenoughtofindout
early.Youshouldrejoiceinthat.Ifyouthoughtyouweretheonlypersoninhislife,
thenyouwerenave.Andnowyouknowthetruth."
Mymindwasntreadytoacceptthat.Iwonderediftherewasalogicalexcusefor
himtobehangingoutwithawomancomfortablyinhislap,kissing him.Icursed
myselfforevengoingthereforhim,whentherewasnoexcuse.Ididntcareifwe
hadbeentogetheronlyfiveminutes,Ididntdeservethelies.
 "But,IhavestrongfeelingsforJacob.Itoldyouthat."
Shenodded."Oh,Iknowyoudidhavestrongfeelingsforhim,butnowthatyou
knowtherealhim,thingschange.Isntitbettertoseethisnow?"
Tashawasright.IwasrelievedtoknowIhadntspentyearswrappedupinhis
lies. But, I was far from feeling better. "I dont want to be alone tonight," I
confessed,gettinguptogositonthebed.Ikickedoffmyshoesandlayonthebed
ontopofthecovers.Stayheretonight,Tasha.
Tashasmiled."Iwasntgoinganywhere,anyway."
"Thanksbestie,"wasthelastthingIsaidbeforerememberingthelookonJacob
andhislover'sfacesastheypassionatelyembracedoneanother.Thepaininmy
heartcausedmylidstocloseandflutteruntilIslowlydriftedoffintoasorrowful
slumber.
 CHAPTERSEVEN

DESTINY

AgainstAllRationale

Iwokeupateightinthemorning.IopenedmyeyestoseeTashasleepingacross
frommeonthecouch.Iwentintothebathroomtofreshenup.Ineededtomakemy
teno'clockappointmentandtherewasntmuchtimeleft.
Aftersteppingoutoftheshowerandgettingdressed,Iwalkedintotheroom.
Tashawasupstirringaround.
"Good morning," I spoke, brushing out my hair. "Thank you for staying last
night."
Shesmiled,shrugging,"Hushchile.Itsnobiggie.Doyoufeelbetter?"
I hesitated for a moment, and then went back to brushing my hair. "Im not
completelyoverit,butintimeIllbefine."Ispokethewords,hopingIwouldsoon
believethem.
Yousurewillbefine.Grannydidntmakeusoutofstraw.Shebuiltsomestrong,
brickhousewomenandwewillnotletherdown.
 Yourerightaboutthat,Tasha.Shehadourgrandmotherssmile,andseeingit
mademesmile.Isteppedintomystockings,andsaid,"Ihatetojetoff,butIhave
thismeeting."
Jacobwasstillgoingtostopbyandseemeafterthemeeting.IdidntknowhowI
feltaboutthat,butIwouldfigureitoutonceIsawhim.
Tashastretchedandpoppedhermusclesinherarmsandback,afterscrunching
onthesofaallnight.Shewalkedovertomeandpulledmeintoahug."Ihaveafew
errandstoruntoday,anyway.Illcallyoulater,"shesaid.
"Okay."Ipulledfromthehugandslidonmyblackpencilskirt."Talktoyou
soon."
Sheleftthehotel,andIfinisheddressinginaruffledshirt,pulledmyhairback
into a long ponytail,and puton my glasses.I glanced inthemirror. Minus my
wearyeyes,Ilookedprofessional;Ijusthopedmybestfootwouldmoveforwardfor
themeeting.
Ihurriedoutofmyroomanddowntheelevator,headingouttomycar.Driving
toMOCA,myheartbeatfastasIthoughtaboutwhatIwasgoingtosaytosealthe
deal.Iwasntusuallynervouswhenitcametomeetingpotentialclients,butthis
was a big deal. I had to make a good impression. A victory in business would
counterbalancewhatwasgoingoninmypersonallife.
"Arrivingataddress125thStreetontheright,"theGPSvoicesaid.
I sawthehuge buildingand smiled.I parked andwalked inside MOCAwith
confidenceinmystride.Susiewasatthedoorwaitingforme,whenIarrivedonher
floor.
"Ms.Baker,Imgladtofinallymeetyou.
"IreallyappreciateyoutakingthetimetomeetwithmeonaSaturday.Youmust
beverybusy,Ms.Alexander."
 "Noproblem.Iveheardgoodthingsaboutyourfirm.Sotellmeaboutallofthis
goodpressyouplantousetotakeMOCAtothenextlevel,"shestated,oncewe
werepastthepleasantries.
Itookaseatinanoversizedblackleatherchairthatwasinfrontofheroversized
desk.ShesatpensivelyinherbosschairwithaScarfaceintensestare,expecting
myresponse.
"BythetimeImfinishedrecreatingyourimage,youwillnotrecognizeyourown
companyonpaper,andthatsagoodthing.Imgoingtoportrayyourartmuseums
alreadygreatimageasasourceofartandliteratureonaninternationalplatform.
Peoplewhohavebeenherewillwanttocomeagainjusttoseewhattheymissedthe
lasttime.NewvisitorswillflocktoyourmuseumwhenevertheytraveltoFlorida."
"Andhowexactlydoyouproposetodo"
Icutheroffexpectantly."First,Ihavestudiedyourtargetaudiencetoseewhat
kindsofthingstheyliketoread,eat,andwatchonTV,allthewaydowntothe
typesofunderweartheypurchase."
"Oh"shesaid,soundingimpressed.
"IintimatelyknowyourcustomerssowellthatIcantellyouwhotheyareby
name.Knowingwhotheyare,whattheylike,andwhentheylikeit,Iamableto
pitchamessagetothemthatsaysMOCAisthemissingpiecetoyourlifespuzzle.I
willshowthemhowconsistentlysupportingMOCAsfunctionswillenhancetheir
lives."
Iopenedupmylaptop,turnedonmysalespresentationandwentoverallofthe
keyproductsIwouldputintoplaceforhercompany,includingtextmessagingfor
museumlovers,calendarmailings,andtradeshows.Oncethefinalslidewasup,
Susiewasreadytosignonthedottedline.
"Where do I sign, and when can we get started?" she asked, sounding
enthusiasticaboutapartnership.
 "RightonthedottedlineandwecangetstartedassoonasMonday,"Iresponded,
whippingoutmyPRcontract.
Ilovedmycareer.Iwassuchanaturalatconvincingpeopletoletmehelpthem
begreat.Wetalkedalittlewhilelongeraboutpaymentschedulesandpromotional
ideasbeforewrappingup."Itsgoingtobegreatworkingwithyou,Ms.Alexander,"
Isaid,closingmybriefcaseandstanding.
"Im looking forward to it. Thanks again for traveling so far. I know our
partnershipwillbewortheverybitofthetrouble.And,tellJacobIsaidhello."
Thepleasureisallminewithcomingtomeetyou.Itriednottopaytoomuch
attentiontothewayhereyesflutteredwhenshespokehisname.Ishruggeditoff.I
mustve been paranoid after seeing him at the club the night before. "Ill most
definitelytellhim.IsitMs.,orMrs.?"
"Youhaditrightthefirsttime.Imsingleandontheprowl,honey,"shesaid,
smiling mischievously. "Aint none of these men safe around here," Susie said
becominglooserthanshehadbeentheentiremeeting.Shewinked,runningher
palefingersthroughhercurlybrownhairasshelaughed.
Jacob introduced me to Susie via email as a potential client, so her business
referralhadcometomethroughhim.
"Ihearyou.I'llbeintouchwithyouverysoonwiththefinalPRplans.Right
now,Idbettergetgoing.Thanksagainforthebusiness.Haveagreatday,"Isaid,
attempting to keep our relationship all business. I walked to the elevator,
wonderingifJacobwasbangingSusie,too.
WhenImadeitdownstairs,Jacobwasstandingbytheexit.Furyragedinsidemy
heart,yetitstillskippedabeatuponseeinghim.Hehadthisapologeticlookonhis
face,whileholdingabouquetofpinkrosesinhishands.
Hey Destiny, he said with a smile and enclosed me in his arms. He leaned
down,capturedmylips,andkissedmewithoutanycarethatpassersbysawus.
Hiskissalmostmademeforgetaboutlastnight.Almost.
 Ipulledawayfromhim."Weneedtotalk,"Isaid,walkingovertothenearest
benchtositdown.
Hewalkedbehindmeandslowlysatdown.HelookedleeryofwhatIwasabout
tosay."Soundsserious,especiallywhenIthoughtyouwouldbemoreenthusedto
seeme."
"Oh,Iwouldvebeentickledpinktoseeyoulastnight,"Isaidbluntly.Butthat
wasthen.Thisisnow.
"Iapologizedforthat.Whyareyousoupset?"hesaid,touchingmyhand.
Istudiedeverylineandcontourofthefaceofthemanwhosat in myfaceand
pretendedIwastheonewiththeissue.
"Isawyou,"Ispat.
Whatdoyoumean?
"I.Saw.You,"Isaidthroughclenchedteeth.
"Okay,yousawme,butwhere?And,whataboutyouseeingmeispissingyou
off,"heaskedthequestions,buthispalingcomplexionshowedmethatheknew
whatIwastalkingabout.
"Lastnight.
Atthelounge?
Yes!Whowasthegirlthatwassuckingyourface?"
Anxietyranacrosshisface.Hurtenteredhiseyes."HernameisJustine,"hesaid
asifthatwassupposedtomeansomethingtome.
"Goon!"Isaid.
"Shes my girlfriend. I mean exgirlfriend," he continued. Were just friends,
Destiny.
I struggled to process his revelation. Part of me reeled from the news. I half
expectedhimtosayshewassomegirlhemetupwithanditmeantnothing.Or,
maybehegotdrunkandfoundhimselfcaughtupkissingsomerandomwoman.But
no.Shewashiswoman.
 "Girlfriend?"Igrowledout,asmyrighthanditchedtoslapthetasteoutofhis
gorgeousmouth.
Henodded."Shesmyex,andweusedtolivetogether."
Myjawdroppedopen.
Shesnotjustagirlfriend.Youlivedwithher,too.Youhavegottobekidding
me,"IholleredasIlookeddownattheflowersclutchedinmyhand.Ithrewthemat
himandjumpedtomyfeet."Youareacheater,andthatslowerthanthelowest
pieceofshit."
Istompedoutthebuildingtowardsmycar.JustasIreachedmycar,twostrong
armsencircledme.
"Letmego!"Ireachedformydoorhandleandstruggledtoopenit.
"WaitDestiny,listen!Justhearmeout,atleast.Heheldonehandonmydoor
andoneonmywaist.
"Hearyousaywhat?Whatexactlycouldyousaytome,whenIsawthechemistry
youhave withanotherwomanwhoyousayisyourex?Youstillloveher.Shes
youryourgirlfriend!"Myheartbrokealloveragain.
ItfeltlikeIwasexperiencingmydivorceagain,butonlythroughJacob.Itwas
wrongtopersecutehimwithmypastwithMontie,butthatwashowIfeltasI
admittedtomyselfthatJacobhadanotherwoman.
"It'soverbetweenus,Destiny,"hesaid,hiseyesboringholesintome."Ibrokeup
withherforgoodlastnight."
"Really,soaftersuckingeachotherstongues,youtookherhomeandtoldherits
over?YoumustreallythinkImafool.Itdidntappearthatthingswereendinglast
night.Next,youllbetellingmethatyoucalledanovernightUHaul."Irolledmy
eyes,andthrewmyhandsup.Now,moveyourhand,soIcangetinmycarand
leave.
"No.Notuntilyoustopresistingmeandfuckinglisten.
"WhatIsawspokevolumes,Jacob.Idontneedtohearanythingelse."
 Shewasmybestfriendbeforewebecamelovers.Ihaveknownforawhilenow
thatwewerenotgoingtolast,butshewastoounstabletojustdumpandmoveon."
IlaugheduntilIdoubledover.
"Unstable?Isthatreallywhatyouaregoingtotellmeaboutthatgirl?Shedidnt
looktoounstabletome.Didyouhavesexwithherlastnight?"
"No, I didnt, and its true," he replied, running his hand through his close
cropped,darkhair."Shehastriedcommittingsuicideacoupletimes.WhenIbroke
upwithheramonthagoandmovedbackintomyownhouse,shebeganseeingher
psychologistagain.Butlastnight,shethreatenedtokillherselfagain.Iwasafraid
shewasgoingtodoit,soItookherouttocheerherupandsleptonthesofa.This
morning,ItoldherthatIcantkeepdoingthis.I'mnotinlovewithher.Idon't
thinkIeverwas,butIdontwanthersuicideonmyconscience."
I took a long look at him. Our relationship began on lies, and my heart was
startingtowonderiftryingtosortouttruthfromfictionwasworthit.Mymindwas
screaming,Moveon.But,hesoundedgenuine.Whatifeverythinghesaidwas
correct?HowwouldIhandleasuicidalboyfriendwithwhomIwantedtobreakup?
Iwouldntwantaman'sdeathonmyconsciouseither.Yet,IdidntknowifIcould
justgetpastthewaytheykissed.Therewasafireburningintheirunion.
"Jacob,Ijustdontthink"Ibegan.
Dontthinkaboutitanymore.YouobviouslydidntstickaroundtoseethatI
pushedheroffofmeandweleftshortlyafterwards.
Hewasright.Ididntstaytowatchthefreakshow.
"JacobI"Hisstrongtonguecaressingminecutoffmywords.Imeltedintohis
embrace,foramomentforgettingwhyIwasevenupset.ThesamefeelingsIhad
whenwefirstmetcamerushingbackashebrushedahandacrossmycheek.
"Makelovetomeandyouwillknowitisreal,"hewhisperedagainstourdeep
andpassionatekiss.
 "No.Iwontbedoingthat.ThatswhatIwontdo,everagain,"Iwhisperedthe
wordsthatheurgentlycaughtbetweenhislips.
"Dont deny me this. I need you. What you saw meant nothing. This means
something,"heurgedashelatchedhislipsontomineandpulledmeclosertohim.
Stopit,Jacob!JustdontIheldmyhandupandpushedhimawayashardas
Icould.
Hebarelymovedaninch.But,heletmego.
Destiny,you'reinhere,andnootherwomancansaythat,"hepathisshirtover
hisheart."Jacob'sDestiny"
If you feel that way about me, then why did you spend the night with her,
insteadofme?Ifoughthardtowalkthefinelinebetweenawomaninchargeof
herfeelingsandgivingintothemoment.
Thatsafairquestion.And,youdeservedbetterthanthat.TheonlyreasonIcan
giveisthatIowedhertheproperendingtoouronceromanticrelationship.Shewas
inaveryvulnerableplacelastnightandItriedtoletherdownaseasilyasIcould.
However,ifyougivemeanotherchance,Ipromisenevertoputherbeforeyouever
again.ThatsoneverythingIhaveinmyheart.
Mymoodsoftened.
Erraticbreathsandpoundingheartbeatsreturnedtonormal,afterhekissedme
again.ShortofsayingthatIforgavehim,Inoddedandclimbedintomycar.Jacob
tappedonthewindow.
Whereareweheaded?heasked.
TheEmbassy,Ianswered,allowinghimbackindespiteallrationale.
 ******

OneHourLater

Wefelldownonmybed,ourlipstakingover,ashishandscaressedmybreasts.I
moaned,wrappingmyarmsaroundhimandmassagingthenapeofhisneck.Fora
briefmoment,Iknewthiswasamistake.Itshardtofightwhatswrongintheheat
ofthemoment.Ournakedbodiespressedagainsteachother,aswecontinuedthe
dancebetweenourtongues.HistonguewouldslideagainstmineandIwouldsigh,
withacertainurgencyfillingtheroom.Asthekissdeepened,Ifelthishipsgyrate
sensuouslyagainstmine.
"Condom"hesoftlymurmured,breakingfromthekiss.
Ipulledhimbackagainstme.
"Istartedthepill,"Imurmured,readytogetonwiththereasonwewerethere.
Again,allrationalewasoutthewindow,asheslidinsidemebare.Iachedforthe
momentourbodiesbecameone.
Hepliedintomytenderflesh,seeminglymoreexcitedaboutourunionthanI
anticipated.Iwonderedifitwasbecausethetruthwasfinallyoutthathehada
girlfriendandIwasokaywithit.
"Youfeelsogood,Destiny,"hesaid,grazinghislipsacrossmine.
"Youfeelgood,too,"Imoaned,bitinghislowerlip.
Ourbodiescontinuouslyglidedagainstoneanother,ashisgroansintensified.
"Ahhh"Iscreamed,whenaviolentorgasmrippledthroughmybody.Mylower
lipsgrippedhisshaftlikeaviceasheenteredandexited.
"Fuck..."heblurtedoutandcrasheddownontopofme.Withinseconds,hishot
seed gushed against my vaginal walls, as if he had been holding out for this
moment. He slipped his hands underneath my ass and gripped tight, his lips
trailing to my chin, neck, and shoulder. His tongue encased my skin, eager to
exploremoreashethrusthiscockintomytightcunt.Youresowet.Idontwantto
stop.
Hislipstrailedtomybreast,circlingmynippleandsuckingitlikehewasthirsty
foritstaste.Hebuckedascumseepedfromhislongshaftintomysoft,pinklove
tunnel.Nothingmatteredexceptthewayhedugdeeper.Iarchedmybacktoallow
himevendeeperaccess.
Captivatedbythemoment,Igroaned,whilehegrowledouthissatisfaction."You
aresosexy,"hewhisperedinmyear."Ilovethewayyoulooknaked.Dontyouever
denymethesight."
Whenhepulledoutofme,ourbodiesremainedconnected,lettingourlipsdothe
talking.Irelaxedagainsthiswarmbreath,ashelowered hismouthtomylove
canal.Hesuckedwithpassion,runninghistongueovermyclit.Iopenedmymouth,
beggingforabreathtoescape,butitwasasifIhadnoairleftinmylungs.
"Wow..." I sighed, when he dipped his tongue further, moaning against my
sensitiveflesh.
Somewherebetweenthedepthofhisstrokeandwarmthofhistongue,allworries
hadvanished.
 CHAPTEREIGHT

JACOB

ILoveHer,Too

Thenextmorningattheairport,IpaidforaticketjusttoaccompanyDestinyto
hergate.Istrainedtosaygoodbyetoher.IkissedherasmanytimesasIcould,
wantingtokissawayanydoubtsaboutJustinefromhermind.Giventime,Iwould
provetoherthatshewasmytoppriority.
"Are you sure you don't want to fly back on my jet?" I asked, wanting to do
anythingpossibletomakehercomfortable."Itllbelessstressfulforyouthanriding
with all of these people, going through baggage claim and all of that," I said,
gesturingtothebusyairport.
"Awe,thatwassweetwhenyouaskedmethefirstfivetimes,butI'llbefine,"she
said,stillinmyarms.Abeautifulsmileflashedacrossherface."Doyouremember
whenwefirstmet?"sheasked.
"Ofcourse,Ido."Irememberedeverymomentexactlythewayitwas.Meeting
womenandhavingsexonthesamedaywasntthewayIapproachedrelationships,
meaningful ones, anyway. However, there was something very different about
DestinyandIknewthisthemomentIlaidmyeyesonher.
"Whatdoyouremember,Jacob?"
"IrememberyouwalkingoutofTazi'sandbumpingintome.Thenyoulookedat
measifIweresomekindofgod."
Sheblushedandplayfullyhitmyarm."Oh,isthathowyourememberit?"
 "Somethinglikethat,"Isaid,kissingheragain."Youmademefeelvisibleand
important,anditwasntbecauseofmymoney.Beingtreatedlikethatwasabreath
offreshair.Peoplealwaystreatmenice,butit'shardtotellifit'sgenuine.Once
yougetontheplaneheadedbacktoAtlanta,Iwillbemissingthatinmylife."
"Imgoingtomissyou,too,Jacob.IreallyenjoyedourtimetogetherafterIgot
pasteverythingelse."Hereyeswanderedawayfromminebriefly."Icantwaituntil
wecanseeeachotheragain."
"IllbeinAtlantanextweek.Yourenotgoingtomakemewaitthislongtosee
youagain."
"Okay,"Destinysubmitted."Jacob,IjustwanttosaythatI"ascreechingvoice
yellingmynamecutheroff.
"Jacobbbb!"thevoicecalledoutagain.
IjumpedawayfromDestinyandonguardtoprotecther.IwaspissedwhenI
foundthesourceofthenoise.
"Oh,hell!ItsJustine,"IwarnedDestiny,whilekeepingherbehindme.
"Excuseme?"shesaidandsteppedaroundme.
"It's Justine. I don't know why she's here. This is insane." I placed an arm
protectivelyaroundDestiny'swaist.Shewasmymainconcern.
"Jacob, I don't want this lady killing herself because of me." Destiny stepped
awayfrommeandoutofmygrasp."Justtellherwe'rebusinessassociatesandyou
gavemearidetotheairportandthatweweresittingherediscussingbusiness."
"Im not lying about who you are to me. Besides, we were hugging," I said,
watchingJustinewalkasfastasshecouldinherheelstryingtoreachus.
"Justtellhersomethingthatwonthaveheroverdosingbymidnight,butplease
handleheronceandforall,Jacob,orImout!"Destinypickedupherbagsand
walkedtowardherterminal.
"Destiny,wait"
 TheshockofJustinerushingtowardmestoppedmefromchasingafterDestiny.
Justinesasswasbatshitcrazyforfollowingusthere.
"What?"Destinyanswered,curtly.Hersoftfacialfeatureswerestern.
Iwenttoher."Iwantyoutolistentothissoyouwillnothavemixedfeelings
aboutus."
"Ihadtobuyadamnplanetickettogetbackhereandfindoutyou'recheatingon
me withwith her, Jacob? I thought you said you were going to your mothers
churchthismorning.Whatthehellareyoudoinghereintheairport,allhuggedup
withthisblackbitch?"Justinespatoutwhenshereachedme.
After she insulted my woman, all of that protect her feelings shit was out.
Destiny'sfacewasfullofhurt,andIwasnthavinganyofit.
"Justine,wevebeenfriendsforalongtime,andwesharedalot,butyouare
crossingaveryseriouslinebyinsultingmywoman.Ifyoueverfinditnecessaryto
addressher,itsbeautifulblackqueentoyou,"Isaid,steppingclosetoher,pissed
thehelloff."Youneedtocalmyourstupidactingspoiledassdown,"Iadded.
"You'redefendingher,Jacob?"Justineasked,incredulous.
"Sheismygirlfriend;ofcourse,I'mdefendingher.Youjustwatchwhatyousay
abouther,"IsaidwithDestinystandingcloseby.
AvacantlookenteredJustine'seyes.Hervoiceflattenedasshesaid,"Jacob,why
areyoudoingthistome?
Justine,wetalkedaboutthisjustthismorning.
Iknowwhatwetalkedabout,butyoureallIhave.Icanthandlelosingyou.If
youdon'twantme,Ihavenoreasontolive,"shesaid.
Justine removed a bottle of pills from her pocket. She opened it and began
pouringthecontentsdownherthroat.
"Justine,dontswallowthosepills,"Isaidrushingtoputmyhandoutinfrontof
hermouth."Spitthemoutnow.
 Hereyesweredefiant.Sheshookherheadvigorously,andapainedlookentered
hereyesastearsfloweddownhercheeks.
I'mhereforyou,Justine.YouhavetoknowthatI'mnoteverleavingyourside.
Now,spitthosepillsout,"Isaidforthesakeofherlife.
"Butyouhaveleftmyside,"Justinecriedasshespatthepillsontothefloor.Her
voicewentfromcalmtoyellingwithinseconds.
Illalwaysbeyourfriend.Wejustcantbemorethanthat.Ididntknowwhat
elseIcoulddotohelpher.Iwasntgoingtoleadheronbytellingherwhatshe
wantedtohear,though.
"No,becauseyou'vebeenfuckingaroundwithDestinysinceyouwenttoAtlanta
lastmonth.Thatswhyyourenotintomeanymore.Iwentthroughyourphoneand
readthesweetmessagesyousendtoher.Youneversent thingslikethat tome.
She'sthereasonyouthinkyouwanttoleaveme.Shestakingyouaway!
Imnottakinganything,Destinysaid.
Ouuhh!Donttalktomeatall,JustinescreamedatDestiny.Hesjustfulfilling
afantasywithyou.
Stopthat,Justine.ThewayIfeelaboutDestinyisdeeperthananythingyoull
understand,Iadmitted.
Oh,IunderstandthatshemeansenoughforyoutoflauntheraroundMiami.In
Miami, Jacob, really?" Justine started wailing like a baby. Her shoulders shook
violentlyasshesobbedandmadeascene.Peoplewhowereoncewhiskingbyushad
stoppedandstaredtomakesuretheiratewomanwasokay.Oneolderladypulled
outhercellphoneandwaspointingather.Securitywouldbeinmybusinessinno
time.
I felt a swift kick in the gut when I looked around and Destiny was gone. I
grabbedJustinesarmandpulledhertowardtheexit.
Ifyoumakemeloseherwithyouroutbursts,youwillregretit,Iwarned.
 Areyouthreateningme,Jacob?sheaskedandtouchedmyhandcoveringher
arm.
Itsapromisethatyouwontliketheresultsofpushingthatwomanoutofmy
life.Now,forthefinaltime,itsoverbetweenus.Imovedherhandandstormed
toward the dropoff zone. After this stunt, a clean break from Justine was
necessary.
 CHAPTERNINE

DESTINY

BreatheAgain

Theticktocksoundoftheclockonthewallgotonmylastnerve.Ihadyetto
replacetheclockwithonethatmadelessnoise.Theaggravatingsoundkeptme
companyatnight.Mylittlerugratshadabandonedmetospendtheweekendwith
afamilyfriendwhohadkidstheirage,soIwasallalone.Accordingtotheclock,it
wasthreeinthemorning.Icouldntsleep.IjustkeptrememberingseeingJacob
consoleJustineattheairport.
SheshoweduplookingevenmorebeautifulthanwhenIcaughtthemmakingout
atthelounge.StandingthereinapeachSundaydressandblackandpeachstiletto
heels,shehadalookofvictoryonherfacewhenJacobtoldher,"I'mhereforyou,
Justine.YouhavetoknowthatI'mnoteverleavingyourside"
Hehadsearchedmyeyesforunderstandingwhenhesaidit.Iunderstoodthathe
wasattemptingtogethertolowerthepillbottle.Heappearedtornashelooked
from me to Justine, so I looked away, allowing him to make his choice without
interference. He said what he felt necessary to calm Justine down, but the
possibilityofhimneverleavinghersidecutlikeaknife.Washealsodiscardingthe
lovewemadejusthoursbefore?Ourpassionseemedsoreal,andhewaswillingto
wipeitawaywithhisdedicationtoJustine.
 "I'mNeverLeavingYourSide." I thought about the way I felt, when I
slowlywalkedontomyplanewiththosewordsrepeatinginmymind.Ifeltweak.
"Jacob,"Ihadsaid,justaboveamurmur."Jacob,howcouldyoustandhereand
choseher,again?"
Mamausedtosay,Justbecauseamansorganisinsideofyou,doesntmeanhes
intoyou, andshesalwaysright.HottearsfloweddownmyfaceasIrecounted
everysecondofthatweekendthatstartedandendedwithrejection.Thesymptoms
oflosingJacobwaxedandwanedthroughmysoul.Hehadntcalledinthepasttwo
weeks,andIcouldntbringmyselftodialhisnumber.ImeditatedandprayedthatI
couldgethim,andthedysfunctionthatcamealongwithhim,outofmysystem,and
fast.
AsIlayinbedhalfasleep,halfthinking,Iheardthefaintsoundofmynameand
aknock.Ifrozestillundermymochacoloredcomforter.Ithadn'tbeenthefirsttime
IdawokentohearwhatIthoughtwasaknockatthedoor,orsomeonecallingmy
name.Ifigureditwasonlymymindplayingtricksonme.
Theclockcontinuedtomaketheticktock,ticktocknoiseuntilIfellintoastate
ofsubconsciousness.Then,theknockhappenedagain.Thistime,therewerethree
knocks,apause,andanother.Idontknowhow,butIcouldtellbytherhythmof
thebeatthatitwasJacob.
Ipulledmytiredbodyfromunderneaththecovers,walkedslowlytomybedroom
door,andtookasuspiciousglancedownthehallway.Notasinglesoulhadever
cometomydoorinthemiddleofthenightunexpected.Ishouldhavebeenscared
sinceIhadnothingbutaknifetoprotectmyself,butIwascalm.IfJacobweretobe
onmydoorstep,therewouldbenowayIcouldprotectmyselffromhim.Likeathief
inthenight,hewouldstealmyheart.ThelastthingIneededwasatemptationas
sweetasJacobwas.Amidnightvisitfromhimwouldnotbegood,andIhadto
thinkaboutmywellbeing.
 Threemoreknocks,apause,andanotherknockbroughtmeoutofmyroomand
upthehall.Thesoundwasntadream,andmymindwasntplayingtricksonme.I
waswideawake.
Myfeethadjust sunk intotheplushcarpetinthefoyerwhenIheardamans
voice."Destiny,openthedoor.Iknowyoureinthere.Please,baby,"hesaidbefore
doinghissignatureknockagain.
IlookedoutthewindowandfrozewhereIstood.JacobTurnerwasindeedatmy
door.Iturnedonmyheelstogoopenthedoorandstoppedcoldasmemorieswashed
overme.AsmuchasIhadtosaytohim,Iwasabundleofnerves.
Fullyawareofonehundredandonereasonsnottolethiminsidemyhome,I
walked to the foyer and punched in the security code to disarm the house. I
unlatchedseverallocksandopenedthedoor.
"Imissyou,"hesaid,andbeforethedoorclosed,ourlipsmet.Trailingkisses
frommyneckdowntomychest,hekeptrepeating,"Imsorry.I'msorry.Imso
sorryfordoingyouwrong."
Getyourfuckinglipsoffme!Howdareyoucomeinherekissingonmewiththe
samelipsyoukissedJustinesass?ThatswhatIthoughtIsaid.Instead,Isilently
stoodby,ashetookcontrolofeverypartofme,pullingmeclose,caressingmybody,
puttingmymindatease.
He didnt say I love you with his lips. His spirit spoke it into mine. I was
completelyunderhisspellasIclosedthedoorbehindhim.Myclothesfellfrommy
bodyinfluidsubconsciousmovements.MyfingerswenttohisboxersandIremoved
themwithease.Ineededtofeelhimagain,nomatteratwhatcost.Idraggedhim
downthehallwayintomybedroom,andwefellontothebed,ourlipscaressing
everyinchofoneanothersbody.
"Damn,Imissedyousomuch,"hegrowledagainstmyneckbeforemovinghis
lipsdownthelonglengthofmyrightarm.Hecapturedmyfingersinhismouthand
suckeddiligentlyatthedigits.
 I sighed, while closing my eyes to all the painful memories. I blocked out
anythingthatwouldstoptheamazingsexIknewwewouldhave,theamazingsex
wealwayshad.
Igrippedontohisshouldersandflippedhimover,sothatIwasontop.Hewasnt
theonlyoneabletotakecharge.Ieaseddownhisbodyandloweredmymouthto
hisenlargederection.Oureyesconnectedasheletoutaslowbrushofairfromhis
lips.Iloweredmylipsandswirledmytonguearoundhisswollentip.
HegroanedasIteasinglybrushedthetipofmytonguedownthelengthofhis
shaftslowly.Hearinghismoansashemovedbeneathme,Ismiledtomyselfand
relishedhismurmuring.Iglidedmytonguetotheothersideofhiserection,slowly
easinguphisshaft.HehummedhispleasurewhenIcapturedhiminmymouth.
"Fuck"hegroaned,asItookhimallthewayin.Hishardrodpulsedagainst
my tongue, and I knew he wouldnt be able to hold it any longer. "Ugh" he
groanedandtriedtopullback.
Givemeallthatcum,Jacob,Isaid,asIlickedandsuckedhisshaftuntilhe
released a load onto my lips and mouth. I sucked him with hunger, swallowing
everymorselofhisrelease.
Damnit,Iloveyou,hesaidandgraspedmyhair,slowlyliftingmyheadfrom
hislap.
His lips crashed down uponmine,and wepassionately kissed,embracing the
moment.Istraddledhimandheenteredmewithasmoothforce,showingmethat
therewasnodoubtthathewasnowincommand,butbeinggentleaboutit.
Doyouloveme,ordoyoulovemakinglovetome?Iasked,ashislipsleftmy
fingersandtraveledbackuptomine.
You,hegroaned,momentarilybreakinghisinvasivekissandrelishinginthe
factthatwewereone.Ourtonguesmassagedoneanother,franticallysearchingfor
anescape.Hiscockpoundedhardintomytightcanal,andIgrippedhisthrobbing
manhoodwithinmywalls.Heflippedmeoverandtooktotalcontrol.
 "Ah,"Iwhimpered,diggingmynailsintohiscreamyskinasheenteredmeagain.
Iheldontohisback,pressinghimclosertome,ashisdickwentwherenomanhad
evergonebefore,sodeepinside."Please"Isighed,beforeheunloadedhisseed
insideme.
Hisgutturalgroanssentsensationsthroughmybody.Heliftedhislipstomine,
ashishipsbuckedfiercelyagainstmine.
"Baby"hemoanedbetweenhistenderkisses.
Yes?
Donteverleaveme,hecommanded,afterhecrashedontothebedbesideme
andpulledmeclosetohim.
Itrulywaslostinthemoment,andthathappenedeachtimeweweretogether.I
closedmyeyesandsighed.Ipulledmyselfuponanelbowtolookathim.Hehada
gratifyinggrinonhissexylips.Jacobcouldhavebeenthereonlyforanotherromp
session,withplanstogobacktoJustinetomorrow.Ishookmyhead,asifshakingit
woulderasewhatwedjustshared,andwecouldstartoverwithhimknockingon
thedoor.
"Whyareyouhere,Jacob?"
"Whatdoyoumean,whyamIhere?Ineededyou,"hesaid.
YouhaventcalledmesinceIleftMiami.Ithoughtyoudecidedtoworkitout
withJustine.Whyareyoudraggingmebackintothemiddleofyourmess?Icant
dealwithyouandheragain,Jacob."Ipushedbackatearthatwasthreateningto
fall."Pleaseleavenow."
"Afterwhatjusthappenedhere?Youdontmeanthat,"hesaidtouchingmyarm.
Youarenotawomanthatamanjustgetsupandwalksawayfrom.
Ilookedatthemessysheetsandnodded."Yes,wehadsex,andyes,Ienjoyedit.
Illalwaysenjoyit,butJacob,Idontwantthisononeminute,offthenext,fling
thatshappening.Idontdeservetobetreatedlikesomewhoreyouscrewwhen
you'reinthemood,oruntilJustinethrowsatempertantrumandthreatenstofake
killherself."
"Iknowyoudeservemore,Destiny.Imheretogiveittoyou."
Istartedtogetoutofbed.
Hereachedformyhand."Hearmeout,"hesaidwithapainedlookonhisface.
Ithrewmyhandsintheair."Fine.Talk."
"Ididgotoherhouseafterwelefttheairportthatday.Shetriedtoconvinceme
tostaywithherandthatourfriendshipmeantsomuchmorethanus,buttheonly
imageIcouldseewasyou.Yoursmileinterruptedmythoughtsinthemiddleofour
conversation.Thoughtsofyoursexybrownthighswouldrushthroughmymindin
themiddleofaconferencecall,whileatwork.ThemoreItriedtoimaginethings
thewaytheywerebeforeImetyou,themoreIrealizedthatcouldneverbe.Ineed
youinmylife.Givemeachancetomakeitright."
"Youreallyhurtme,Jacob,butIknewwhatIwasgettingintowhenwegot in
bedthefirstdayImetyou.TheminuteIsawyoukissingJustine,Ishouldvenever
allowedyouintomybedagain.Ishouldvemovedon.Ihadnobusinesssleeping
withyouthenandIhavenobusinesssleepingwithyounow."
"Butyet,youcantresistit.
Itllneverhappenagain.
Don'tsaythat,whenyouknowitsnottrue.Youmaythinkussleepingtogether
onthefirstdaymademelookatyoudifferently,butitdidnt.Wedidntknoweach
other,butourkindredenergyundeniablypulledustogether."
"Yourecharmingandhandsome.Whatwomanwouldnthavegreatenergywith
you?Thatdoesntmakeanyofitright,Jacob."
"Butthatsjustit.Whatwehaveisright.Iloveyou,andImnotthetypeofman
to go around proclaiming my love to every woman I meet. Look, Im done with
Justine.I'mreallydone.Ionlyhavefeelingsforyou."
 "You'renotworriedthatshesgoingtokillherself?"Iasked,rollingmyeyesaway
fromhim.
"Ithoughtaboutthat,butIhavetobetruetothewayIfeel.Ihavetobelieve
thatshellbealrightwithoutme."
Stillunconvinced,Ihuffedandcrossedmyarms."Idon'tknow,Jacob."
"Letmedosomethingniceforyoutakeyousomewherespecial.Anywhereyou
wanttogo.Illgiveyouanythingyouwant,aslongasyougivemeyou,"hesaid,
kissinghiswayupmybackandtomyneck."Ineedyoutonightandeverynight."
Whataboutinthedaytime?Iteased.
Nightandday,heanswered.
"Thisistoomuch"
"Onlyifyoumakeit,"hesaid,continuingtokisseveryinchofmybody.
"Ididntexpectyoutocomehere.Wecan'tfigurethisallouttonight,"Isaid,
holdingbackthetrembleinmyvoice.
"Idon'twanttofigureitallouttonight.Ijustwantyoutoletmedothistoyou,"
hesaid,pullingmetowardhimforanotherearthshakingkiss.
Ibrokefreebeforethingsgottooheated."Myheart,alone,isnotenoughtogetus
throughthis."
"Whatifmyheartisbigenoughforbothofus?"hesaid,kissingmeagain.He
lookedsogenuineIfeltvulnerablewhenhecaressedme."Imwithyouonehundred
percent.Evenifyousendmeawayfromheretonight,Illbebacktomorrow.Imnot
goinganywhere."
"That'sthesamethingyoutoldJustine."
"Well,I'mtellingyounow;andnotbecauseyou'rethreateningtokillyourself,but
becauseapartofmewilldiewithoutyou."
"Thatskindofdeep,Isaid.Letsjusttakethisslowandseehowthingsplay
out,Jacob."
 "Theyllplayoutbetterthanyouexpect,trustme.Ihavemywaysofshowing
you,"hesaid,lyingdownbesideme.
Ithoughtforasecond."SodidyouuseyourwaystofindoutwhereIlive?"
"LikeIsaid,Ihavemyways,"hesaid.Hisneatlyshavenbeardhadgrownso
muchsincethelasttimeIsawhim.
"Humph,"Isaid.Youbetternotbehavingmefollowed.
"Maybe,hejokedandIhithisarm.Nah,I sweettalked SusieAlexanderinto
givingmeyouraddress.Youknowshehasathingforme,soitwaskindofeasy,"he
said,runninghishandacrosshisbeard.
"Youprobablydidmorethansweettalking,"Isaid,regrettingrollingmyeyes,
crossing my arms and saying the words as soon as I'd said them. Unwanted
thoughtsroamedthroughmymind.IcouldimaginehimhavingsexwithSusieon
thesamedeskIsignedhercontracton.
Hemusthavesensedmyinsecurity.Hepulledmeintohisarmsandsaid,"Ihave
nothadsexualrelationswiththatwoman."
Ilaughedathisattempttobefunny."Uhhuh."
"ButIwouldhavewalkedtotheendoftheearthtogetyouraddressandsurprise
you.Now,kissmeagain."
Iturnedmyheadindefiance.
Comeon,baby,dontdenymethosejuicylips,hesaidwithadevastatinglysexy
lookinhishazelgreeneyes.Heleanedinandsuckedtenderlyonmyneck,andhis
colognetickledmysenseslikecoolair.
WherewasTashawhenIneededher?Ineededthatcoochieinterventionatthe
verymomenthebegantobeg.Havingawilloftheirown,myfulllipspuckeredand
movedtowardhis.Ourlipsmetandembracedaswelayinthecenterofmybed.I
slippedaway,andwegravitatedtogether.AllIcoulddowassayaninternalprayer
formercyonmysoul.
"Youcanhaveme,ifthatswhatyouwant,"Iwhispered.
 "Need,"hemoanedintomymouth,andinonequickswoop,Jacobwasontopof
me.Hetookoneofmybreastsintohismouthandsuckedeversogentlyonmy
tenderbud."Youtastesweet.Iwanttotasteallofyou."Hemoveddowntomy
thighsandItensed.
"Relaxbabe,"hesaidclimbingbackuptokissmylips.
"Howlongdoyouplantobeintown?"Iasked.
"Foraslongasyouwantme."
"SoIguessthatmeansyoullbeheretogowithmetochurchinthemorning?"I
asked,ashishandeasedundermetoembracethesmallofmyback.
Church?
Yes,youknowthebuildingwherepeoplegoprayandlearnscripture.
Yeah,hepulledmeascloseasourbodiescouldget."Whateveryouwant."
Fine,thenIsquirmedfromunderneathhimandsatontheedgeofthebed."I
wantyoutocomebackinthemorningsowecangotochurch."
"Butbaby,technically,itsalreadymorning,"hesaid,gesturingtothesunrise
attemptingtoshinethroughthecurtains.
"Iknow,butImgoingtoneedyoutocomebackwhenIvehadmoretimetocheck
myemotions."
Gettingoutofbed,Ireacheddown,pickeduphistrailofclothesandthrewthem
athim.Ithenleftmyroomandwaitedinthelivingroom,ashegotdressed.It
wasntlongbeforehewasheadingmyway.
"Ifthisiswhatyouwant,I'lldoit,butitshardtowalkoutthisdoor."Hepaused,
lookingatmeasifhewantedmetorespond."I'llbebacklatertoday,"hesaid,asI
stoodholdingthedooropen.
"Seeyouthen,"Iresponded,avoidinghisgaze.
"Destiny?"
"Yes?"
 "Ilove you."HewalkedoutthedoorandIshutthedoorbehind him,forcing
myselfnottowatchhimwalkdownthedrivewayandtohiscar.
 CHAPTERTEN

DESTINY

AfterthePain

The next morning, I awoke to the scrumptious scent of our sex, filling my
bedroom. Jacob was an expert lover, and the essence of his love lingered as a
pleasant memory. While I would have loved to lay there and think about our
lovemaking,thefactthatJustinehadbeenanobviouswedgejustafewweeksago
hadmyattentionaswell.Ipushedbackthecomfortablecoversandwipedthesleep
frommyeyes.
Gettingoutofbed,thefirstthingIdidwaswalktomyvanity.Itookalonglook
in the mirror. I assessed the woman that stared back at me. Observing the
undeniable glow covering me, shining like headlights through myeyes that had
beenpuffy,Iknewwhatmydecisionwasgoingtobe.IfJacobprovedtobetruly
overJustine,Iwouldgiveusachance.
AchancetobeJacob'sDestiny, IthoughtasIwalkedovertomywardrobeand
pulledoutanice,pinkSundaydresstowear.Itwasashirtdresswithaslimblack
belt.Ifoundmatchingblackandpinkopentoestilettos,andafancyblackandpink
churchhatMamagavemelastyear.
Anhourlater,IwasfullydressedandstandinginthedoorwaytalkingtoJacob.
HemadeittomyhousebeforeIcalledtoremindhimaboutchurch.Hedressedina
pairofblackslacksandapoloshirtwithaccentsofpink.Hisblackcrocodileloafers
anddesignershadeswentperfectlywithhiscool,sophisticatedlook.
"Youlookwonderful,Destiny,"hestated,aswewalkedhandinhandtohiscar.
"Youlookquitedebonairyourself,"Isaidbeforestoppinginmytrackstogivehim
aonceover,"Thanksforgoingtochurchwithme."
"Ihaventbeeninsideachurchinyears,andhadnointentionofgoingtoday,but
foryouanything.AllyouhavetodoissaythewordandI'm,"helookedintently
into my eyes, before spinning me around observing every contour of my body,
"whereyouwantmetobe."
Smiling,hetookmyhandandwecontinuedthewalktothecar.Ireachedforthe
doorhandleanddroppedmyhandstomysidewhenIcaughthisglare."Don'tyou
daretouchthatdoor,notaslongasImpresent,"hesaid,openingthedoor.
"Yessir,"Isaidwithanod.
Wefilledtheridetothechurchwithconversation,catchinguponpersonaland
businesslife.Wehadnthadachancetotalkoverthepastfewweeks,soheletme
knowthattheWyomingofficeopeningwasasuccess.
"Yeah,wedidourribboncuttinginthefortyninthstate,"hebeamedwithpride
whenheexplained."OpeningthatlocationisallIhavebeenabletoeatandbreath
lately."
"I'mhappyforyou.Yourgrandfatherwouldbesoproud,Jacob."
Icouldtellhewasthinkingabouthisgrandfatherandwonderingwhathewould
havethoughtaboutthenewlocation.
"Thisiswhathewanted.I'mhonoredthatmyfatherandIarekeepinghislegacy
alive,"hesaid.
"Thatreallyisanhonor.Isqueezedhishand.
Nowthatmostofmybiggoalsaresoclosetobeingaccomplished,Icanworkon
mybiggestgoal.Hebroughtmyhanduptohislipsandkissedmyringfinger.
 Lastnight,yousaidyoudbeintownforaslongasIwantedyouhere.Whatdid
youmeanbythat?
"IgaveitalotofthoughtwhenyouleftMiami.Mygrandmotherisgrowingolder
andmymotherdoesntneedtobetravelingtoAtlantaallthetimetotakecareof
her.Youarehere.IhaveofficesinAtlanta.Allroadsleadheretoyou."
"AreyousayingthatyouremovingtoAtlanta?"
"Ialreadyboughtacondo.AllIneedisdecorating.Iwashopingyoucouldhelp
mewiththat;that'sifyoudonthaveaproblemwithmebeinginyourcity,"he
teased.
"Ihavenoproblemwithitatall.Ijustwantyoutodowhatyouwant,andnot
somethingonanimpulsethatwillendupmakingyoumiserable."
"Illbefinehere,"hesaidastheGPSdirectedhimtoturnrighttoSt.Margaret
BaptistChurch.Wepulledintothechurchparkinglotandparked.Hetookoffhis
seatbelt.Hiseyesdevouredmewhole,ashelookedatme."Makenomistakeabout
it,you,alone,areworththemove,"hesaid,tookmychinintohishandsandpulled
myfacetohisforoneofhissignaturepassionatekisses.
I released myself from my seatbelt and wrapped my arms tightly around his
neck,deepeningourkiss.Wesatthereenthralledbythemagicofourconnectionas
hishands,whichhadsosecurelyheldmyface,moveddowntomywaist.Ihadno
doubt,thathewouldhavepulledmeintohislaprightthereinthatchurchparking
lot,iftheconstructofhiscardidntstophim.
"Wedbettergoinside,"Isaid,noticingMrs.Tylerpullupbesideusandstare
overherbrown,rimmedglasses.Hergrandsonwaslookingoutofthewindowwith
abigsmileonhisface.
Jacobreleasedmywaistandrubbedhishandsovertheburgeoningerectionin
hispants.
IsmiledatMrs.Tylerandwaved.Shewavedbackandplacedheroversizedred,
churchhatatopherflowingringletcurls.Thepudgywomangotoutofhercarwith
hercheesinggrandsonintow,andbrisklywalkedupthechurchsteps,lookingback
at our car every few seconds with condemnation. Between her being nosey and
Jacob's protruding erection, I shook my head and turned away coyly to fix my
makeupinhispassengermirror.
"Welluh,givemeafewminutestogetmyselftogether,andthenI'llgoinwith
you.Or,Icancatchuplater,"hesaid.
"No,I'llwait,"Isaid,givinghisthighareassuringrub."Iwantustowalkin
together."
"Babe,ifyoutouchmelikethatagain,wewillnotmakeitinsidethatchurch
today.Andforthetimebeing,lookoutofthewindow,soyourbeautifulfacewont
exciteme."
Welaughed.
"Comeon.Letsgoin,orwellbelate,"Isaid,reachingformydoorhandleafew
minuteslater.
Hispenetratingglarewarnedmenottotouchthehandle.Hegotoutandrushed
aroundtoopenmydoor.Glowing,wewalkedhandinhandintothechurchandsat
inthefifthpew.IspoketomembersIknewandgavenodstoothers.
The sermon was about faithfulness and the pastor was going hard on the
message.IgaveJacob'shandasqueezeandheputhisarmaroundme.Wetookin
therivetingdeliveryofthebiblicalmessage.Ihopeditwouldstaywithus,because
weneededallthefaithwecouldget.
Whenweleftchurchthatday,Jacobpromised,"Destiny,aslongasImwithyou,
Illneverchooseanotherwomanoveryouagain.I'mallyours."
"Thepastisthepast.Aslongasyoudorightbymeand,whenthetimeisright,
mykids,Imallin,"Iconfessedmyfeelingstohim.
Reliefmarchedacrosshisface."Youdon'tknowhowmuchitmeansformeto
hearyousaythat,Destiny.Iwillspendaslongandasmuchasittakestomakeup
forourrockystart."
 CHAPTERELEVEN

DESTINY

NoTimeLikethePresent

Hemeantthosewords.Thedaysmykidswerewiththeirfather,hestayedatmy
houseandwebegantoconnectfully.Iwasfallingevenmoreinlovewithhimand
felthisloveflowingoverme.WewerebecomingagreatunionandIdidntwant
thattoend.
"Whendoyourkidscomehome?"heaskedme,kissingmesoftlyonthelips.
Iloweredmyselftohisbodyandrestedmychinonhischest.Oureyeslocked
together.
"Tomorrowanditsgoingtobeasweetday,whenIseemybabiesagain.Imiss
them.IsmiledatJacob.And,Icantwaitforthemtomeetyou.
"Icantwaittomeetthem,"hespoke,causingmysmiletowiden. "Whenever
youreready,thatis."
ThoughIfeltitwouldbeperfecttogetthemtogether,thetimingneededtobe
right.MontieJr.andMontanahadyettocometogripswiththeirfatherhavinga
separatehome.Theywerentreadytoseemewithanotherman.
"Itllbesoon,"Irepliedandpulledmyselfup.
"Soon?"Heasked,grabbingmearoundmywaistandflippingmeover.
 Igiggledashenibbledplayfullyonmyear.Heheldmyhandsovermyhead,
presseddowntothebed.Hislipswenttomyneckandheferventlysuckedmyskin.
"Verysoon,Jacob"Iwhined,movingunderneathhim,tryingtogetmyhands
freefromhisgrip.
Hewouldntlisten.Henippedatmychinafewtimesbeforetrailingkissesdown
tomyneckandchest.Howsoon?Hewasrelentlessinhismovements,circlinghis
teetharoundmynipples.
"OhGod,Jacob"Imoaned,tryingdesperatelytobreakfromhishold."Ugh"I
letoutadeepsigh.Wetnesspooledbetweenmythighs,andIitchedtohavehim
insideme.
Histonguesurroundedmybreasts.Heglideduptomylips,andIlatchedonto
him,takinginthewonderfultastethatwasallJacob.Heshiftedtopushhisever
risingerectioninsideofmywetness.Myhandsremainedpinneddown,soallIcould
dowasscreamwhenhepenetratedme.
"Ahhh"
Hishipsmovedagainstmine.Hislipsforciblytookovermymouth.Hisbody
crashedagainstmineoverandover.
Blownaway,Ifinallygaveuponhavingmyhandsfreeandjustwentwithit.
Thatswhenthefaintsoundofmycellphoneringinginterruptedthemoment.I
tensedandlookeddownatmyphone,buthispoundingintomyachingpussywas
enoughtokeepmeinplace.
JacobmovedfluidlyinsideofmeuntilIfloatedawaytoecstasy.Igroaneddeep
within,whenhegaveonelastthrustandhiscumravishedmyhole.
"Oh, Destiny, youre so good, baby," he growled, jerking against me with his
forcefulthrusts.Hisraggedbreathingaccompaniedascowlofpleasureonhisface.
"Holyshit,"Ibreathedout,fallingbackagainstthebedasanorgasmrendered
metooweaktodoanythingelse."Youamazeme!"
 "Youamazememore,"hereplied,kissingmegentlyonthecornerofmylipand
thencoveringmymouth.
Mytongueslidinside,slowlyandmeaningfully.AsIwasabouttodeepenthe
kiss,Iheardmyphoneringoutatextmessage.MyeyesopenedandIstaredathim.
"Dontyoudaremove,"heraspedout.
"Itcouldbemykids."
Hereleasedme.
Ireacheddowntothefloorwherethephonehadfallen,whenwerecklesslytore
eachothersclothesoff.
Whoisit?heasked.
Montie,IansweredasIreadhistextmessage.
Montie:Hey,Ihopeyourehome.Imonmywayoverwiththekids.Igotcalledout
oftownforameetingthatIcantmiss.Bethereinabouttenminutes.
Istaredatthephone,rereadingthemessage.
"Getdressed.Thekidsareontheirwayhome."
Jacobrolledoverandsatontheedgeofthebed.Doyouwantmetoleave?
IreadMontiesmessageagain.
No,youdonthavetoleave.Idbehonoredforyoutomeetmychildren.
*******
JacobwatchedattentivelyasImovedaboutthekitchen,preparingforMontieJr.
andMontanashomecoming.Eversooften,I'dcatchhiseyesdriftingtomywaistor
admiringmybreasts.Thatwasflattering,but,whenourgazefoundoneanothers,
it lingered with understanding. I was in love with him, and I was ready for
whatevercamenext.
BythetimeMontieknockedonthedoor,Iwaspullingamuffinpanoutofthe
oven. I made twentyfour piping hot, delicious cupcakes for my little lovelies. I
walkedpastJacobandtouchedhisarm."Thisisabigstepforus.Areyousure,
you'rereadytotakeit?Youcouldalwaysmakeaquickexitoutthebackdoorand
meetthemwhenyouareready."
"Comeon,Destiny.DoIlooklikethekindofmanthatrunsoutthebackdoor?"
"No,youdont.
Okay,letsdothis."
We walked to the door and I opened it. Montie Jr. rushed through the door
dressed like a little Transformer. He dropped his Transformers book bag in the
foyer,andhuggedme.
"Mommy!Imissedyouthismuch."Hestretchedhislittle,fiveyearoldarmsfar
andwide.
"Mommy,memissyoumuch,too,"Montanasaidinhertoddlertalk,stretching
her arms like her brother. She was wearing a pink sundress with an oversized
yellowribbonshapedlikethesun.Herwavyhairhadamatchingyellowribbon,
pullingitintoahugeponytail.
Ihuggedmyloveliescloseandsaid,"Mommymissedyoutoo!Goputyourbags
upandthengotothekitchen.Ihaveasurpriseforyou."
ThekidsscurriedawaywithMontieJr.inthelead.Hedidstophalfwaytohis
roomandlookathissister,andthenwentbacktohelpherwithherbag.Hewas
suchthelittlegentleman.EversinceIdivorcedhisfather,he'dbeenmylittleman
ofthehouse.
"Hi,"MontieSr.said,rushinginwithhiscellphoneinonehandandMontanas
pink,polkadotovernightbagintheother.Justlikewhenweweremarried,hehad
onehundredthingsonhisagenda,andnoneofthemincludedourfamily.Hebarely
looked at me, much less Jacob, who was standing to the side observing our
interaction."Asyoucansee,theybotharewearingtheirfavorite"Montiestarted
tosaysomethingbutpaused.
HeputhisphonebackuptohisearandglaredatJacob.
 "Letmecallyouback,"Montietoldthepersonontheotherendandhungup.He
erected his stance, showing off his broad muscles as a result of relentless gym
workouts."Excusemymanners.I'mMontieBrown,thefatherofDestiny'schildren,
andtheownerofthishouse.Andyouare?"hereachedhishandouttoJacobfora
shake.
"I'mJacobTurner,"JacobsaidshakingMontie'shand.
"Myboyfriend,"Iaddedfirmly."Andthisisnotyourhouse!"Ifiredback.
IwaslividthatMontiewouldeventhinkofintroducinghimselfastheownerof
myhouse.Wesettledeverydetailofourassetsincourt,sowhatevertrickhewas
tryingtopullwasn'tcomingoffascute.
MontielookedatmeasifIwastheonewhodlosthermind.Iknowwhosehouse
thisis,Destiny,heshotback.
"Soyoudorememberthedetailsofourdivorce?"Iaskedhim.
"Ido,andyouarecorrectthatyouwereawardedourhouse.Stilldoesntchange
thefactthatwebuiltittogether,"hesaidloudandclear.
Forthelifeofme,Icouldn'tunderstandwhyMontie wasactinglike adrama
king.Hewasntthetypetothrowaroundhisemotions.
"I'msuretherearesomebeautifulmemoriesinthishouse.That'sevidentbyyour
twochildrenwhoreinthekitchen,readytoputtheicingonthosecupcakesyou
cooked, baby," Jacob said to me, but it was more of a shot at Montie. He took
command of the conversation and, like an expert captain, steered us out of an
impendingshipwreck.
"You'reright,honey,"IsaidwithapatonJacob'sarm."Thankyouforreminding
meofwhatsimportant.Youcanseeyourselfout,Montie.Imnotabouttoargue
withourchildreninthenextroom.Haveasafetrip,"Itossedovermyshoulder.
Montiefumedoutofthehousemumblingabouthowwewouldtalkaboutthis
later.
"Thanks,"ItoldJacobasIliftedMontanauptothesinktowashherhands.
 "Noproblem,"Jacobsaid,wavingmeoff.Imhereforyounow.ItstimeMontie
learnedthat,too.
"Rubyourhandstogetherandwashthem good,"IsaidtoMontana.Seeingthe
happinessinhereyesandasmilespreadacrossherchubby,browncheeks,erased
allthoughtsofMontie.
MontieJr.usedthestepstooltowashhishands,andIsattwoofthecupcakeson
platesandplacedthemonthetableinfrontofthem.Then,Iputthejaroficingon
the table and watched as my two youngins' clumsily applied topping to their
cupcakes.
"Mommy, who is your friend?" Montie Jr. asked, reminding me that I hadn't
formallyintroducedthem.
"Oh,thisisMr.Jacob.Heisoneofmommy'sclosefriends.
"Ahya'nice?"Montanaasked,lickinghericingfilledfingers.
"Iwillbetoyou,"Jacobsaidashewalkedovertoher.Hestoopeddownsothat
theywerethesameheight."Areyounice?"heasked.
"Inotnicetoscrangers,butInicetoyou."Montanaimmediatelywentbacktothe
routineofdippingherhandintotheicingandthencleaningitoffbysuckingher
fingers.
"Well,thatsgood,becauseIdon'tplantobeastrangerlong.Howaboutthis?
Finishyoursnackandwecangoouttothepark,"Jacobsaid.
"Yay!"Juniorsaid,squirminginhisseat,whichcausedhislittlesistertodothe
same.
"Okay,theparkitis!"Jacobsaid,andthenoutofthekid'searshotsaid,"I'mglad
myfirstmeetingwithyourexhusbandblewoverwithjustafewwords.Iwould
hatetohaveJuniorandMontana'sfirstthoughtofmeassomeonewhorippedtheir
fathertoshreds."
"Thatwouldbeterrible.I'mgladyouknewwhattosay,becausehedrivesme
nuts!Wehadnthadonesingleexchangeofwordslikethatsincethedivorce.Now,
whenheseesIhavesomeoneoverhere,hewantstocomeoutofhismouthwith
somecraziness."
"Idon'tblamehim.IdlosemyshitifIknewanothermanwasputtinghishands
onyou,too.It'samanthing.
Heshouldhaveknownwhathehadwhenhehadit.
Thatshisloss.NowthatIhaveyou,Imgoingtoshowhimthathemessedup
royally,andhellwanttoreclaimhisterritory,butitsnotgoingtohappen."Jacob
placedhisarmprotectivelyaroundmywaist.
"Isthatwhatyou'redoingnow,reclaimingyourterritory?"
"I'mbuildingterritorywithyou.Ourfoundationhastobestrong,becauseIwant
thistobeforever,"hesaid,asbreezeblewthroughthekitchenwindow,causingme
torubmyshoulders.
"Man,it'sgettingchilly,"IsaidasJacobreachedovermeandclosedthewindow.
"It'sbreezyoutthere.Areyousureyouwanttogotothepark?"Iasked.
"ItoldMontanaIwasgoingtotakehertothepark.Ihavetobeamanofmy
word,"hesaid,andIthoughtanymanthathadmydaughter'sbestinterestatheart
wasakeeper.
Wewenttotheparkthatevening.Wegotontheswings,merrygoround,and
slidingboard,rightalongsidethekids.Allfourofuslaughed,ranandplayeduntil
therewasnoenergyleftinourbones.Whenwemadeitbacktomyhouse,Igot
MontanaandJuniorbathedandinbed.IploppeddownonthesofabesideJacob,
exhausted.
Hehadhisphoneinhishand,watchingaseminaronfinanceforconstruction.I
didntevenhavetheenergytoaskhimifitwasanygood.
Ilaidmyheadonhisshoulder,andwithinminutes,myheavyeyesclosedandI
wassoundasleep.
CHAPTERTWELVE

DESTINY
 It'sOkay

When I woke up the next morning, I was in the middle of my bed with my
nightclothes onalone. Somehow, Jacob managed to take me into my bedroom,
dressme,andgetmeintobed.IsmiledathischoiceofanoversizedTweetieBird
gown.IheardtheTVinthelivingroomplayingcartoons,whichletmeknowJunior
wasup.
Istretchedandyawnedbeforegettingoutofbed.AsIwalkedpastmyvanity
headingtothebathroom,IsawanotefromJacobtellingmehehadanawesome
timewiththekidsandthathewouldcallmelater.
Afterusingthebathroom,IwentintothelivingroomandgaveJuniorabigpeck
onthecheek.IcheckedinonMontanaandshewassleepingsoundly.Shewasa
sleepyhead,justlikeme.Iwentintothekitchentocookbreakfast.
"Mommy,Ineedtotalktoyou,"Juniorsaidashewalkedinthekitchenbehind
me.
SureMontieJr.Whatsup,honey?
Standingthreefeetawayfromme,helookedlikealittlebusinessmanaboutto
presentaproposal.HelookedsomuchlikeMontie,naminghimafterhisfatherwas
appropriate.
"It'saboutMr.Jacob."
Ifacedhim."Okay,whatabouthim?"
"Isheyourboyfriend?"
"Yes,heis."
"WhydidntIknowabouthimtilwecamehomeyesterday?"
"Becauseitwasnttimeforyoutomeethimyet."
Andnowitstime.
 Yes.
"Whereyoumeethimat?"
"DowntownatTazi's."
"HelikeTazi's?"Juniorasked,asifhefinallyfoundcommongroundwithJacob.
"Yes,hedoesnow.Thedaywemetwashisfirsttimethere."
"Mommy,helikesTazi.Helikesyou.Hesnice.Ilikehim."
"I'mgladyoudo.Hereallyisagoodperson,butIwantyoutoknowthatyouand
Montanaaremyfirstloves.Nooneismoreimportantthanyou."
Juniorwalkedoverandhuggedmyneck."It'sokayifJacobbeoneofyourloves,
too.Ijusthopedaddywon'tbemad."
"Myyoungman,don'tworryaboutthat.Yourdadwillbefine.Goandwashyour
handsforbreakfastandwakeyoursisteruptoo."
Juniorgiggled."Shedoesnteverwanttogetup,notevenforbreakfast."
HeskippeddownthehalltogetMontana,andIshookmyhead.Thatboywas
becomingmoreandmoreofamaneachday.
 CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

DESTINY

BridledPassion

Jacobdecidedthatweneededtoplananotherdayoutwherethekidscouldjust
be themselves andcontinuetoget toknowhimbetter.Iwasallfortheidea of
anotherfamilydayout.Hepickedusuprightontime,andwhenIopenedthedoor,
hepulledmeintoabreathtakingkiss.
"Eww,"Montanasaid.
Ireluctantlydrewbackandturnedtoseeherwatchinguswithherhandoverher
mouth."Gogetyourbrother,"Isaid.Montanaboundedoutofthefoyerheadedto
findJunior.
Jacoblaughedandrestedhishandagainsthischest.
Iturnedtohimandgrinned."Areyousureyouknowwhatyouregettingyourself
into?"
"IthinkIcanhandleit."Heleanedin,brushinganotherkissagainstmylips.
Ibetyoucan.Ismiled,knowinghecouldhandleus.
Mykidscametothedoor.
"Areyoureadytogobowling?"Jacobclappedhishandstogetherandasked.
Yes!Theyclappedwithenthusiasm.
Letsgothen!Jacobheldopenthedoorandweallwalkedoutofthehouse.My
kidsandIwalkedtowardmycar.Whereareyougoing?heasked.
"Tomycar.
"No,we'llgoinmycar.
Butminealreadyhasthecarseatsinit,"Iprotested.
Well be fine, Destiny. I had two car seats delivered and put in for the kids
today."
"Youdidwhat?"Iasked,andmyquestionwasansweredwhenheopenedthe
doortoablackonblackBentleySUVthathadtwoleatherchildseatsinstalledin
theback.Well,okay,Ihumpedmyshoulders.Wellridewithyou.
JuniorgotintotheboosterseatwhileJacobbuckledinMontana.Icouldnthave
askedforanythingmore,asIlaughedathimstrugglingtobuckleherin.Hepulled
awayandclosedthedoor,lookingatme.
"Whatssofunny?"heaskedintrigued.
"Isnttooeasy,isit?"
"Givemesometime.ImsureI'llgetusedtoit."Hegotintothedriverssideand
droveustothebowlingalley.
JuniorandMontanamumbledtoeachother.Imnotsureaboutwhat.Iglanced
intherearviewmirrorandwatchedthem,butdidntinterrupt.WhenIreturnedmy
attentiontoJacob,hewassmilingatme."Imgladweredoingthis,"Itoldhim.
Hereachedoverandgrabbedmyhand,holdingittightly."Metoo,"hespokewith
thepleasingsmilethatneverlefthisface.
Whenheparked,wegotoutandeachofusgrabbedoneofthekidshand.Their
eyesgotbigassaucerswhentheylookedatthelargebuilding.
"Everbeenbowlingbefore,Junior?"Jacobasked.
Juniorshookhisheadwithoutbreakinghisgazefromthebuilding.
Jacobgrabbedmyhand."Irentedtheentirealleyforustoday,andlunchwillbe
servedinacoupleofhours,"heannouncedjustbeforewereachedthefrontcounter.
 "Jacob,youdidnthavetodothat.Icouldhavepaidformine"Ibegan,buthe
putupafingertostopme.
"Igotthisbabe.I'mgoingtoshowyousomuchmorethanthis,sogetusedtoit."
Hewinkedatme,checkedinwiththeattendant,andledustoalleynumberthree.
"Besides,thisdayisaboutus.Ididntwantanyoneelsetobeinhere."
Myheartswelled.Ifeltlikeroyalty.Wedonlybeentogetherafewmonths,and
he was doing more than my ex had done in four years. It was never about the
money.ItwasalwaysabouthavinghistimeandbeingmadetofeellikeImattered.
"Atleastletmegetourshoes,Jacob."
"AskfortheonesIordered,"hesaidasIwalkedaway.
Okay,Isaidandwenttotheshoebooth.Igrabbedtheshoesforeveryoneand
camebacktoourlane.IputnewshoesonMontana,andtheyfitperfectly.Jacob
helpedJuniorbytyinghisshoesforhim."Youknowwecouldhaveworntheshoes
fromthealley.Youdidn'thavetoordernewonesespeciallyforus.Ourfeetarenot
toogoodtosharewiththegeneralpublic,"ItoldhimasIlacedmine.
"WhatdidIjustsay,woman?"hesaidwithoutofferinganyfurtherexplanation.
Heshookhisheadashetypedinournamesintothecomputer.Iseeyouregoingto
havetogetusedtohowIdothings,anditdamnsureisntconventional.
"You'reright,"Irelented.Iminforquiteafewsurpriseswithyou,Mr.Turner.
Good that you recognize that. Now, enjoy the ride, he winked then his
expressionturnedseriousashelookedatthekids."Okay,theobjectofthegameis
towin.Weareplayingboysvs.girls,andofcoursetheboyswillwinthisthing."
"Yes!"Junioryelled,givingJacobahighfive.Hethenturnedtousandtherewas
anewlightinhiseyes.Juniorpumpedhisfistsintheairashesanghisbattlecry.
"Mommy,youbothdontstandachance."
Icrossedmyarms."Thosearefightingwords,son."
Jacoblaughedasoureyesmet."Theboyisright.Weregoingtoclobberyoutwo,
Jacobadded.
 Wellseeaboutthat,Iblurtedback.
Letmeshowyouhowtodothis,Junior.Standrighthere,"Jacobpickedupthe
ballandJuniorstoodnexttohimwatchingintently.
"Now,whatyouhavetodoisputtheballdownbehindthiswhiteline,andthen
pushitashardasyoucan,"Jacobsaid.
HeputalightweightballdowninfrontofJuniorandJuniorrolledit.Itwasa
kiddieaislesotheballwenttowardthegutterafewtimes,butthebumperskept
knockingitbackout.Theballgottotheendandknockeddownsevenpins.
Yay,didIwin?Junioraskedexcitedly.
"Youget onemoreroll,butyoure doinggreat,buddy!" Jacobsaid,as heand
Juniorhighfived.
Again,Juniorrolledtheball.Thistime,heknockeddownthreepinsandjumped
upanddown."Yes!"Heturnedtomeandhisgrinwashuge."Mommy,didyousee
that?"
"Isawit.Greatjob!"Ibeamed.
"Yourmotherisright.Thatsagoodfirsttry,Jacobadded.
"Thankyou,Mr.Jacob!"JuniorthrewhisarmsaroundJacobsleg.
"Yourewelcome!"Jacobsaidandpathimonhiscurlyhead.
Juniorsatdown.
JacobglancedatmeandIsworeIsawafewtearsinhisgreeneyes.Iwantedthe
daytogowell,anditwasalreadysomuchbetterthanIhadanticipated.
"Now,itsyourturn,Montana,"hesaid,havingalreadygrabbedthesilverslide
thathelpedlittleonestoguidetheirball.
HowIdoit?sheasked,lookingattheslidelikeshedidntknowwhattomake
ofit.
"Here,Illhelpyou."Heplacedherballontopofit.
 Shecautiouslywalkedtowardhim,andhegrabbedherhandandputitonthe
ball,whenshewasstandinginposition.Withaslightpush,heguidedtheballdown
theslideandontothelane.
Montanaseyeswerebigwhensheturnedaroundandlookedatme.Shethen
looked back down at the pins and half of them fell down. She jumped up with
enthusiasmshedseenfromherbrother."Mommy,Mommy,"sheyelled.Yousee
it?
Ichuckled,"Iseeit,sweetie."
She rolled it, again, knocking down two more, and she seemed every bit as
pleased.
Then,itwasmyturn.IwalkeduptothelaneandremovedthetoolthatMontana
used.
"Needsomecoaching?"Jacobaskedwithawink."Icouldstandbehindyouto
guideitin."
Ishookmyhead."Downboyjuststepbackandwatchhowitsdone,"Ibragged.
Heglaredatme."Oh,Ilikeawomanwhoknowshowtotrashtalk."
Irolledmyeyes,turnedonmyheelsandrolledtheball.Itwentdownthelane
andknockeddownallthepins.Italktrash,butIcanbackitup,Iquipped.
"Notbad,"hemutteredhissurprise.
Ishrugged,walkedpasthimandgaveMontanaahighfive.Justalittlegirl
power,Isaid,teasinghim.
Hepickeduphisballandposturedtorollhisball.He,too,gotastrike.Welocked
eyesandhesaid,"Imcomingforyou,girls."
"Bringit!"IlookedatMontanaandJunior.Theywerelaughingjustfromseeing
thepinsfall.Ourdaycouldnthavegottenofftoabetterstart.

*******
 "Weshoulddothatagainsometime,"Isaid,puttingMontanainahighchairand
glancingatJacob.
HerolledhiseyesandlookedatJunior."Youbettergetusedtowomenbragging.
Theywinonelittlegameandthatsalltheywanttotalkabout."
IlaughedwhenJuniornoddedhisunderstanding."Mommy,cantyoujuststop
it?"heaskedusingJacobssarcastictone.
Okay,Illdropit."IplayfullyglaredatJacobandthenJunior.Igiggledand
tookaswigofmysoda.
ThenMontanaclappedhertinyhandstogether."Wewinwewin!"sheyelled.
"Thatsmygirl,Isaidandgaveheranotherhighfive.Isaid,Iddropit,butI
cantmakeanyguaranteesaboutMontana.
"Ihadalotoffun,eventhoughmeandMr.Jacobdidntwin,"Juniorspoke,after
thewaitressbroughtourlunch.
"Imgladyouenjoyedit,"Jacobreplied.Thatmakesusallwinnersthen.
Junior seemed to be thinking and then he asked, "Dont you want your own
kids?"
"MontieJr.!"Iscolded.Whywouldyouaskhimthatquestion?
Jacobraisedhishandtoquietme.
No,itsafairquestion.Junior,Ilovekidsandwouldgiveanythingtobeblessed
tohaveacouple,orthree,oneday.Ijustneverwasluckyenoughtofindtheright
womantohavemykids."Jacobhesitatedlookinginmydirection,andwhenhedidI
sawhowimportanthavinghisownchildrenwastohim."You'llunderstandoneday,
buddy,"JacobturnedhisattentionbacktoJunior.
Juniornoddedandgrabbedacrayon.Nah,Idontwantanykids,ever,Junior
repliedandgotlostincoloringapicture.Ijustwantedtoknowifyouwantedmy
mamatogiveyouchildrenandwouldthatbemysisterorbrother?
WhenIdohavechildren,Icouldonlyhopethatitswithawomanasamazingas
yourmother,butmeandyourmotherhavenotdiscussedhavingchildrenbecause
werenotreadyforthatyet,JacobexplainedtoJunior,whosimplynoddedand
keptcoloring.
"Youareamazing,Jacob,"Iwhispered.
"Theymakeiteasy,"Jacobsaid,ashereachedunderthetableandintertwined
hisfingerswithmine.Hemovedclosertomeandkissedmycheek.
Therestofourtableconversationwaseasy,withJuniormonopolizingmostofthe
topics.Jacobwasoneverywavelengthwithmyson,andIlovedthat.Jacobhadhis
approvalandmine.
Standingatmyfrontdoorattheendofourfamilydate,Iunlockedthedoor,and
Jacobsteppedinside.Thelookinhiseyestoldmewhathewanted.
"Hey,howaboutamovie?"IaskedMontanaandJunior,usheringthemtoward
thelivingroom.IheldupmyfingerandleftJacobstandingthere,sothatIcould
putamovieonforthem.Givemejustasecond.
"Yah!"theyrepliedinunisonastheyfollowedbehindme.Ittookafewminutesto
pickoutamovie,withJuniorbeingthemostopinionatedaboutwhatitshouldbe.
Finally,theyagreeduponShrek.
Okay,youguyswatchthisquietlyuntilIcomebackinhere,okay?
Wewill,mama,Juniorsaidandsatonthesofa.
Montanasatbesidehimandstartedsingingtheintrosong.
IwentbackouttothefoyerandwrappedmyarmsaroundJacobsneck."Idont
wantyoutogo,"Iwhisperedhuskily.
"Iknow,babe,andthelastthingIwanttodoisleaveheretonight.Doyousee
whatjustyourhughasdonetome?Itrailedhisgazedowntothegrowingbulgein
hisslacks.
Ohmy.
Thats putting it mildly, he said as he adjusted his pants. I dont want to
confuse thekids and havethemthinking morethantheyshould right now," he
admitted.
 I loved the fact that he considered their feelings. I looked down at the floor
thinking,butthenfelthisfingerunderneathmychin."Chinup,beautiful.Thenext
timethekidsarewiththeirfather,Illspendthenightdoingthingstoyouthat
youveneverhaddonebefore.Ipromiseyouthat."Hislipspressedagainstmine,
and his tongue owned every corner ofmymouth. I was his, as his hand slowly
inchedupmyshirtasignofwhatwebothwishedcouldtakeplace.Afterhehad
hisfeel,heremovedhishandandslowlytuggedawayfromourembrace."Ibetter
go,"hewhispered.
"Yeah,"Isaid,knowingexactlywhatheatlevelwewereascendingto,ifhekept
seducingme.ButIcouldnthidemydisappointment,whenheturnedawayfromme
andwalkedtohiscar,nomatterhowhardItried.
 CHAPTERFOURTEEN

JACOB

GoingBacktoMiami

IboardedmyjetheadedbacktoMiami.Ihadpressingbusinesstohandle,butfor
theentireflightIkeptthinkingabouthowmuchfunIhadwithMontieJr.and
Montana.Ihadntlaughedthatmuchinquitealongtime.Thenvisionsoftheway
DestinysmiledtheothernightwhenIcarriedhertoherbedroomandputonher
pajamasassailedmymind.Herpretty,brownfacewassopeacefulandhappy.I
couldseeherinmylifeforever.IcouldntwaituntilthedayIcouldmakethings
officialbetweenus.Myhopewastokeepherthathappyforaverylongtime.I
hatedputtingsomanymilesbetweenus,butafterreceivingacallfromBrianin
accounting,Ihadtotakethistrip.
Brianinformedmethatthetwentytwomilliondollarbidweplacedhadbeen
greenlightedbytheDepartmentofDefense.IhadnodoubttheDODwouldaward
usthecontract,andwewouldexecuteitwithtopnotchability.MyteamofA1vice
presidentscouldhandleit,butIwaspersonallypoppingintotheofficetogetthe
ballrolling.Ialwaysgotmyhandsdirtywhenwehaddevelopmentswithoverten
millionincapital.Theseprojectshadtogooffwithoutahitch.
 So,IbegrudginglycalledDestinytotellherIwouldbegoneatleastaweek.She
saidsheunderstood,butIcouldhearthedisappointmentinhervoice.Shewished
meluckwiththeproject,andtobefrank,thatsallIneededtohear.Iplannedto
haveacoupleboardmeetingsabouttheDelawareofficesgrandopening,too,while
IwasinMiami.
"Goodmorning,Mr.Turner,"twoofmystaffmemberssaidasIwalkedthrough
TurnerEnterprises,remindingmehowmuchIthrivedoffbeinginthecenterofthe
action.Afterall,Miamiwaswheremyfamilybusinessbegan,andIwasproudtobe
atthehelm.IcamefromalonglineageofmenwhogarneredtherespectIwas
receiving.Isteppedrightintotheshoestheyleftmeandworkedsavagelyhardto
fillthem.
"Goodmorning,"IsaidtoJalisaJeffers,myVicePresidentofOperations,when
sheapproachedmeinthehallwaythatledtomyoffice.
"Goodmorning,sir,andwelcomebacktoMiami.Arewestillonforthemeeting
atnine?"
"Yes,andbringtheestimatesfortheDODandaprinteddraftofthismonth's
financialswithyou.AskTomtobringwhateverfiguresyoudon'thaveavailable.He
wasworkingonthemforme,too,"Isaid.ItusedtodrivethemcrazytoknowthatI
hadtwopeopleworkingonthesametask,butnowtheyreusedtomebeing
thorough,andtheyknowIexpectthesamefromthem.
"Yessir.I'llseeyouinafew,"Jalisasaidasshewalkedtowardheroffice.
"HowdyWanda,"Iaddressedmylongtimesecretaryinthesamewaymyfather
didduringhistenure.Wandaworeapurplejacketwithmatchingpantsandshoes.
Herhairwasinabunwithapurpleribbontiedaroundit.Myfatherhiredher
becauseshebrighteneduptheplaceallthoseyearsago,andatseventyshestill
remainsvibrantandfulloflife.
"Whygoodmorning,Mr.Turner!Ileftsomenotesforyouonyourdesk.Sinceyou
wereplanningtocomeintoday,Ididntemailthemtoyou.Ihopethat'sokay."
 Wandawasusedtomemosandstickynotes.Ihadgottenherintothedigital
worldwithemails,faxes,andevenalittlesocialmedia,andshecomplieswithmy
requesttobeemailed,mostofthetime.
"That'sperfectlyfine,Wanda.Thanks."Iunlockedmyofficeandwentin.The
smelloffreshmahoganyfrommyunique,handcrafteddeskandbookcaseimpaled
mysenses.Iflippedthelightswitchonandstaredaroundthelargeroomthathad
becomemysecondhome.IsatdowninmyDesignToscanochairbehindmydesk,
andbegangoingthroughthenotesonmydesk.Onenamestoodoutlikeathorn:
Justine.Shedleftthreemessagesinthepastthirtyminutesonmyoffices
voicemail,beggingmetocallherwhenIgotintotheoffice.Whenshecalledagain,I
buzzedWandasdesk.
"Yessir?"
"HowdidJustineknowIwouldbeheretoday?"Ihuffedout,allowingmy
frustrationwithmyextobeevident.
"Sir,shecalledandaskedforyouearlythismorning,andItoldheryouwouldbe
inlater.Youdidnttellmetoscreenhercalls,soIhopethatsokay."
Ilookedatmywatch.Itwasonly8:30.
"Whattimedidshecall?"
"Eighta.m.onthedot."Shepaused."Actuallysir,shecallseverymorningat
eighta.m.toseeifyouarehere.Todaywasjustthefirstdayshecalledthatyou
werescheduledtocomein."
Thanks,Wanda,butfromnowonIdontwantyoutogiveheranyinformation
astowhenIllbeintheoffice.Justtakeamessageandthatsall.Ihungupthe
phoneandsighed.NotonlyhadJustinebeenblowingupmycell,shewascallingmy
officeeverymorning.
Atonepoint,Ilongedforouroldfriendshiptobeintactagain,butsheonly
wantedtotalkaboutusgettingbacktogetherasacouple.Nomatterhowmany
timesItoldheritwasntgoingtohappen,shecouldntbringherselftobelieveme.
Whatwasitgoingtotaketogetitthroughherheadthatitwasover?
Ispentafewminutesansweringmessages.Mynineoclockmeetingquickly
approached,andbyelevenmyteamhadassembledaplan,handlingeverydetailfor
theDODsprojectdowntotheletter.Ididntevenhavetobehere.Thatshowwell
theyhadwrittentheplan.ItfeltgoodknowingIcouldcountontheminmy
absence.Icongratulatedeachofthemonajobwelldoneandexitedtheboardroom.
Justineapproachedmeandfranticallywrappedherarmsaroundmywaist.
"Jacob!"shescreamed,causingeveryonetolookather."Jacob,I'vemissedyouso
much.Pleasetellmeyourenotleavingtownanytimesoon."
Ipattedherback,asmyVPteamexitedtheboardroombehindme."HiJustine,"
Isaid,observingherasIdrewbackfromherintrusiveembrace.
Ihadtoadmitthatshelookedgoodwithhernudemakeup,flowingblondecurls,
andeyesbeautifulastheskyonasunnyday.Shewastonedandtight,andIdidnt
seeoneflawinherappearance.And,totopitalloff,shesmelleddelectablygood.
"Jacob,weneedtotalk,"shesaid,soundingsomber.
"I'mkindofinthemiddleofsomething.CanIcallyoutotalkaboutitlater?"I
spoketightlipped.
"No,wecanttalkaboutitlater.Thisisurgent.I'vebeencallingyouforamonth
andyouhaventanswered.WhodoyouthinkIam?Idon'tlikethewayyou're
treatingourrelationship,andweneedtotalkaboutit,now,"shesaidinaquivering
voicethatgotmorepitifulasshecontinued.
Wandalookedupfromhercomputerwithwideeyedshock.Afewotherworkers
paidcloseattentiontoourexchange,showingsympathyforJustine,andthats
whenIknewIhadtogetheroutofthere.
"Comeinsidemyoffice."Isteppedinsidemyofficeandclosedthedoorbehindus
withherfollowingclosebehind.Justine,youcan'tcomeintomybusinessmakinga
foolofyourself.Youknowwerenotinvolvedanymore,andIdon'tknowwhatelseto
tellyouotherthanthetruth."
Shegrabbedmyhandandhelditclosetoherface."Tellmethatyou'restillin
lovewithmethewayI'minlovewithyou,Jacob."
"Ican'tdothat,"Isaidremovingmyhandfromherface.
"Why?Whycan'tyou,Jacob?Whycan'tyoutellmethatyouloveme?Iknowyou
haventlostyourfeelingsformesosoonafterwebrokeup."
"BecauseI"Iranmyhandovermybeardandstaredintohereyesthesame
eyesIturnedtoforconsolationatpointsinmylifewhenIneededitmost."Justine,
Idoloveyou,andIalwayswill.Werefriendsandhavebeenthebestoffriendsfor
years,soIwillalwaysloveyouthatway.
Butyouarentinlovewithme?sheaskedpainfully.
No,Imnot.
Itsherisntit?Thatdamnedblack
Dontdoit,Justine,Iwarned,andshepausedmidbreath,asIdaredherlipsto
move.Yes,IminlovewithDestiny,Icontinued.And,fromthemomentIfellin
lovewithher,IveknownforsurethatIneverwasinlovewithyou."
Shetoppledoverinanguishasifshedjustbeenshotinthechest.Claspingher
heart,shewept,"Jacob,Icantbelievewhatyouresayingtome.Whatareyou
saying?"
"I'msayingImsorryweendedthewaywedid,butIllneverbesorryforloving
Destiny.Shesthenewwomaninmylife.Iloveher,andIwantyoutoatleast
respectwhatwehave."
"Iwillneverrespectthat,andIdontunderstandhowyouexpectmeto!Thisis
justgoingtoofar,Jacob.Isteppedasideandallowedyoutimetogohaveyourlittle
junglefever,butyoucan'tbeseriousaboutthisnigger,"Justinesaid,peeringinto
myeyesasifsheweretheonepissed.IthoughtIknewJustinewell.Shehadnever
saidanythingdisrespectfullikethatinalltheyearsIdknownher.
 Iclosedthespacebetweenusandgrabbedherbythecollar."DidntItellyounot
todisrespectDestiny?Whenyoucalledherabitch,Ioverlookedit,becauseyou
weresuicidal.Butdon'tyoueveragaincomeoutofyourstupidassmouthwith
anythinglikethatabouthereverinyourmiserablelife.SinceIveknownyouforso
long,Imgoingtogiveyouanotherchancetogetyourheadright,"Ispatfireand
brimstoneinJustinesfaceasIspoke,onlypushingherawaywhenIgotmypoint
across.
"Jacob,sheisaniggerandabitch.Youneedtogetusedtohearingthetruth
aboutpeoplelikeher.Imean,youareafuckingbillionaireandyouwanttorunoff
tothehoodandsettledownwiththefirsthoodqueenyoufind,"shesaidnastily.
"Thatsit.Getthefuckoutofhereanddon'tevercomeback,Justine."Igrabbed
herarmandpulledhertowardthedoor.Itsjustaswellifweneverseeeachother
again,Iadded.
"Thisisnottheendofthis,Jacob,"shesaid,holdingherarmandgrimacingin
pain.Youwillhearfrommeagain.
"Oh,thisistheend,Justine.IthoughtIknewyou,but,withthewayyoure
talking,wecantevenbefriends."
Hertonesoftened."Jacob,wecangetpastthis.Wecanfallinloveagain.Allyou
havetodoisforgetaboutherandtrytoloveme."
"EvenifIbelievedthatIcouldturnmyfeelingsoffandonlikethat,Idon'twant
togetpastwhatjusthappenedhere,"Isaid,disappointedinthepersonstanding
beforeme."Idon'tevenassociatewithpeoplethatwouldsaythethingsyousaid
today.Idon'twanttoeverseeyouagain,"Isaid,notbelievingthatourfriendship
hadcometoruinslikethis.
"Fine,"shegratedoutthroughtightlips.Butitsnotmewhochanged.Itsyou
thatIdontknow,shetossedoverhershoulderassherushedoutmydoorand
throughthereceptionarea.
 Iploppeddowninmychair,reachedforthebottleofscotchIkeptinmybottom
drawer,andletoutadeepsigh.Ididn'tbothergettingaglass;Ijustdrankit
straightfromthebottle.
"Sir,iseverythingokay?"WandapeekedintoaskafterJustinestormedpasther
desk.
"Everythingsfinenowthatsheisgone.Makesuresecurityknowsthatshe'snot
allowedonthepropertyanymore,"Isaid.
"Yes,sir,"Wandareplied.Shewenttoherdesk,leavingmetomakesenseofthe
messthathadbecomeofalifelongfriendship.
 CHAPTERFIFTEEN

DESTINY

SundaySurprise

Thatnext Sunday,Igotupandgotreadyforchurch.Iwishedthekidswere
hometogowithme,buttheirdadhadtakenthemsincehehadtocuthislast
weekend short. Jacob was in Miami handling business. Hehad been gone since
Mondayandwehadnttalkedmuch.Hehadalottocatchupwithathisoffice.
However,afterthefirstfulldaypassedwithoutacall,mymindkepttellingmehe
waswithJustine.
Iwhippedintothecrowdedchurchparkinglot,hopingalittlespiritualcleansing
wouldclearthosenegativethoughtsfrommymind.But,whenIwalkedinandsaw
allofthecouplestogether,IonlythoughtaboutJacobmore.Ishookthepastors
handandenteredthesanctuary.Myeyesscannedthepewsfromthefronttothe
back,lookingforagoodseat.MyjawdroppedopenandIgasped,whenJacobstood
upfromaseatinthebackandwavedatme.
Idefinitelywasntexpectingtoseeyouhere.Whatareyoudoinghere?"Iasked
whenIreachedhim.
"Waitaminute.Isthathowyougreetme?
No,itsjustthatIpaused.Yourehere.
 Cantaguyattendchurchwithoutbeingquestioned?"Jacobjoked.
"Iguessso,butyouresupposedtobeinMiami,"Iprodded,whilewrappingmy
mindaroundthesurpriseofseeinghim.
Heslippedhishandintomine.No,ImrightwhereImsupposedtobe,Destiny.
Imgladyoucame,Ismiledandtooktheseatbesidehim.
Wereadalongwiththescriptureandsangalongwiththehymns.Itfeltlikewe
were an actual family and the only thing missing was my two kids. Still, the
thoughtofJacobbeingwithJustinewhenhewasinMiamiinvadedmymindasthe
pastorbeganbenediction.
"Wanttogogetabitetoeat?"Jacobasked,whenservicewasover.
"Yeah,Iwouldlikethat."
"Great,wecantakemycarandIllbringyoubacktogetyourswhenweredone."
"Thatsfinewithme."
Werodetotherestaurantincomfortablesilence.Hepulledintotheparkinglotof
Tazi'sandIglancedatthesmileonhisface."Ifigurethisisasgoodaplaceasany
togo.Everbeen?"heasked,shootingmeateasinggrin.
"Onceortwice."
Wouldyouliketoshareachocolatedessertwithme?
Iwouldlovethat.
Heopenedmydoorandweheadedintotherestaurant.Hegotusatableandwe
tookourseats.Wehadbeenthereenoughthatneitheroneofusneededtolookina
menuwhenweplacedourorders.Iglancedaroundtherestaurant,takinginthe
familiarscenerybeforeturningbacktofacehim.Hiseyesfocusedonme.
"Seeingyouatchurchtodaywasashocker.Idontbelievethisisreal,rightnow."
"ItoldyouI'mwhereveryouare,soifyoureatchurch,Imatchurch.Imallin,
andthisisjustanotherstepinthatdirection,"hesaidconfidently.
"Bringing me to Tazi's, is that also to show me that youre all in?" I asked,
rememberingourfirstencounterwithadevilishgrinsplayedacrossmyface.
 "Wellthatandthefactthatsomeonehookedmeonthethreelayerchocolate
moussecake.Fromthatdayforward,Iwillneverlookatchocolatethesame,"he
teased,bitingdownonhisbottomlip.
"Hmm"Isaid,tappingmyfingeronthetable."IsthissomeoneIknow?"
"Just somewoman I met who introduced metotwo dripping with sweetness,
mouthwateringchocolatedessertsinoneday."
"Well,shemustsomekindofwoman,Jacob.Youshouldsnatchherupandnever
lethergo,"Ireplied.
"Oh, she's scrumptious, and you bet Im not letting her go. Im following her
aroundlikeastraypupnow,"heopenedhismouthandstartedpanting.
Wesharedsomanylaughsbeforeourfoodcameout.Weatewithoutmissinga
beatinourconversation.Afterwehadeatendeliciousdelisandwiches,picklesand
chips, we ordered chocolate mousse cake for old times sake. Jacob paid for our
mealsandweheadedbacktothechurchtogetmycar.Ourconversationinthecar
waslight,untilhisphonerang.
"Its Justine," he said, after looking at his caller ID. "She's been calling me
nonstopsinceIsawherinMiami."Helookedatmeasifhewantedmetoadvise
himonhowtohandleher,andIwasabouttochimeinuntilIrecalledwhathesaid.
"Waitaminute.YousawherwhenyouwereinMiamithisweek?"
"ShecametomyofficeandItoldheritwasover,butshe'sinsistentthatwecan
workthingsout.WhenItoldherthattheonlywomanIwantisyou,shewentoff
thedeepend,"heconfided.
"HowdidsheknowyouweregoingtobeinMiami?"Iasked,wonderingifJacob
waseventellingthewholetruth.
"Mysecretarytoldher."
"Didyoucheckyoursecretaryaboutthat?"Ifumed.
Justine'spersistencetobeinthepicturemademefeelsometypeofway.They
hadahistoryIcouldnevermakeupwithhim,andIknewthedepthsthatawoman
wouldgothroughtogetaman.Thishadtobenippedinthebudbeforeitspiraled
outofcontrol.
"Yes,Ihaveeverythinghandledwithher.Idontwantyoutoworryabouther,
Destiny.AfterwhatItoldher,sheshouldhavethepicture."
"Whyisshestillcallingyouthough,Jacob?"IsoundedmorepissedthanIwanted
tosound.Imnottryingtosoundrude.Ijustwanttoknowwhatsgoingonwith
her,Irephrased.
"Ihaventbeenansweringtofindout.
Well,untilshestopscalling,shesgoingtobeaproblem.Iknowwomenwho
havebeenscornedandsomeofthemarestillpiningoverthementhatleftthem
behind.
Seethatsthething.Idontwanttoleaveherbehindentirely.Iwishwecould
haveouroldfriendshipback,butshewantsmore.
Ofcourseshedoes,Jacob.Mostwomendontcrossthelineandjumpbackoverit
onawhim.Shesprobablydangerouslyinlovewithyou,Isaid,andthoughtabout
the implications of a mentally unstable woman grieving over the man I was
involvedwith.
Iwishwenevercrossedthatline,Jacobsaidasheparkedhiscarbesidemine.
Imighthavetochangemynumber."
Thatmightbethebestthingtodo.Becauseevenifsheslisteningtoyourvoice
messageorjusthopingthatyoullpickupmaybegivingherunjusthopethatshell
getthroughtoyou.
Thenitssettled.IllhaveWandagetmeanewnumbersetuptomorrow,Jacob
saidbeforehegotoutandrushedaroundtoopenthedoorforme.
"Thanksforlunch,Jacob,"Ispoke,feelingapitinmystomachasIexitedhiscar.
"ButJacob,I'mnotgoingtodealwith anymore messwithJustine.Ifyouever
choosetostandbyhersideovermineagain,we'redone."
 "Destiny, wait. Dont walk away from me!" I heard him call after me, but I
stormedtowardmycar.Isearchedformykeysbutcouldntfindthemfastenough
togetinbeforehereachedme.HeranafingerundermyjawandIturnedtoface
him.Weremainedinthatposition,eyesinterlocked.
Whatdoyouwanttosay,Jacob?
"Whenwegooutandhavefunlikewejustdiditsjustsoperfect.Idontwant
youtoleaveupsetwithme.Inmyheart,I'mdoingtherightthingbyyou.Ivetold
JustinethatIdontwanttoseeheragainandtoleavemealone."
"Jacob,allofthatisgood.ButbeforeImetyou,Iwasanindependentwoman,
anddidntfeellikeIneededanyone.Iwontletmyfeelingsholdmehostageinthis
relationship,either,justbecauseJustineisplayinggames,andsheis.Iknowa
womansgameswhenIseethem."Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat,pulledaway
fromhimandgotintomycar.
"Destiny"IheardhisvoicefadeoutasIdroveaway.
Ididntwanttolosehim.However,thethoughtofhimkissingJustinelikehedid
thenightIsawhimatLapidusreeledmebackinfromthefantasyworldIdbeen
livingin.Ihadtogivesomegenuinethoughttoourfutureformykidsandmyself.
IrefusedtogetsofaroutinhisoceanwhereIcouldntreachtheshoreandended
updrowninginhislove.
 CHAPTERSIXTEEN

DESTINY

IThinkILoveYou,Again

IwasfinishingvacuumingwhenIheardthefrontdooropen."Hello,werehere,"
MontieSr.calledfromthefoyer.Iwasexcitedtohavemykidsbackinthehouse,
andhadleftthedoorunlockedfortheirarrival.
"Hello,hello,"Icalledout,enteringthefoyeraswell.
JuniorandMontanarantome.
Mama,mama!theybothyelledexcitedly.
"Ivemissedyoubothsomuch!"
Juniorpulledawayandlookedupatme."Itsonlybeenacoupledays."
"Oh,you'reMr.BigGuytoday.Youdontmissmama?"Iaskedwithfakesadness.
Yes,Ido,mama,hesaid.
"Iknowyou'veonlybeengoneafewdays,butIalwaysmissyouwhenyoure
gone."Irubbedhiscurlyheadofhairandroughedhimupalittle.
Montanaseyessearchedaroundthefoyer.
"Losesomething?"Iasked,teasingly.
"WheresAcob?"
Inearlyfellover.IexpecteditfromJunior,butMontanadidntseemasawareof
ourconnection.
"Heshome,"Irespondedcasually."Whydontyoubothsaygoodbyetoyourdad
andwelltalkaboutitlater."
 TheyranbackoverandhuggedMontie'slegs.Iheardtheirtinymuffledvoices
say,"Goodbye,Daddy,"
"Goodbye,seeyoubothsoon,"Montieanswered.
Thekidsleftthefoyer,andIturnedtohim."Didyouguyshaveagoodweekend?"
Iasked.
"Wedid,"henonchalantlyspoke,andthencockedhishead."IknowIhaveno
businessaskingthis,butiseverythingokaywithyouandthisJacobcat?"
"Youreright;youhavenobusinessaskingthis."Iwalkedtothedoorandopened
itforhim.
Hedidn'tmove,butinsteadkeptwatchingme."Seemsabitoddthatyourehere
alone;afterall,sinceyoustarteddatingdudeIdontrecalleverseeingyoualone,
andthekidssayhesalwayshere."
"Firstofall,thatsnottrue.Secondly,again,itsnoneofyourbusiness.Now,if
youwouldpleaseleave."
"Youdontneedtogetsodefensive.Imonlytryingtopointoutthatitsunusual
tofindyouherealone.Ifhewasoutoftownorbusywithworkthenthatsone
thing,butifyoutwoseparated,IbelievethatIhavearighttoknow."
Iplacedmyhandsonmyhips."Whywouldyouhavetherighttoknow?What
JacobandIdoisourbusiness!Youdontgettherighttoknoweverythingaboutme.
Youlostthatrightthedaywegotadivorce."
"IdobelieveIstruckanerve,"hesaid.
Icouldntbesure,butforamoment,Ithoughthewassmilingaboutthatfact.
Ilookedawayfromhim.Montie,Idonthavetimeforyourdrama.
"Destiny,Ihavetherighttoknowwhoisandisntgoingtobeinmychildrens
lives.Itaffectsmyparenting."
"How?
Itjustdoes.
 Letmejustputitthisway.Jacobmaynotbehere,butwearefine,"Iconcluded
ourbackandforth.
"Areyousure?"
"Ugh"Igroaned."Justgo!ItsnotyourconcernandIdonthaveanyintention
oftalkingaboutitwithyou."
"Fine."Hemovedtothedoor,butturnedbackaroundbeforeleaving."Forthe
record,ifhedidsomethingstupidthenIstandbyyourleavinghim."Hewinkedat
meandIstaredathimindisbelief."Incaseyouwerewondering."
Hewalkedoutthedoor.
Islammeditshutbehindhim.
"Unbelievable,"Imumbledalongwithotherblasphemoussentiments.
Movingawayfromthefoyer,Iwentintothelivingroom.Ijustwantedtofocuson
JuniorandMontanaandforgetabouteverythingelse.
 *******

Forthenextweek,JacobwasbackinAtlantabutcompletelyabsorbedwiththe
opening of the Delaware office. When he wasnt having phone meetings, I was
meetingmyclientsduringtheeveningordoingextracurricularactivitieswithmy
children.ItwasnteasynotbeingabletotalktohimwhenIwantedto.Attimes,I
would see something that Junior or Montana was doing and knew Jacob would
appreciateit.Iwouldinstantlyruntothephonetocallhim,butthenbackaway,
becausehetoldmehisschedulewouldbehectic.
Astheweekwounddownfromwork,Ithoughtaboutwhattodofortheweekend.
IwalkedintothelivingroomwhereIspottedthekidseachcoloringapicture.I
smiledatthem,bothoblivioustothefactthatIwaswatching.Ithadbeenawhile
sincethethreeofushaddoneanythingbyourselves,anditwasabeautifulday
outside.
"Whatdoyousaywegotothepark?"Iasked,waitingforthemtolookup.
"Justthethreeofus?"Juniorasked.
"Thatsthegeneralidea,"Iansweredwithasmile.
Hefrowned,andIfoughttheurgetoaskwhyhelookedupset.Oncehebegan
talking,Ididntneedtowonder.
"ItsbeenawhilesinceIsawJacob.Doeshewanttoseeusanymore?"heasked.
Painshotthroughmyheart.
JuniorhadconfusedJacobsabsencewithrejection.Heshouldntfeeltheneedto
carrytheburdenofanythinghappeninginmyandJacob'srelationship.
Oh,honey,Ibegan,andsatdownonthecouch.Ipattedthetwospotsnextto
me"Ineedtotalktoyouboth."
Montanapulledherselfup.Ididntthinkshewouldquiteunderstand,butshe
didaskabouthim,too.
 "Jacobadoresyoubothverymuch,almostasmuchasIloveyou.Itiskillinghim
thathecanthangoutwithyouguys.Hehasalotgoingonathisjob,andhehasto
takecareofthatfirst.Ipromiseyoutheminutehecan,hellcomebackhereand
wellallgooutagain.Okay?"
Juniorseemedtothinkonit,andfinallynoddedhisunderstanding.
Montanastaredatthefloor."ImissAcob,"shefinallysaid.
Ipulledthembothclosetome.
"ImissAcob,too,"Isaid.
ItmeantalottomethatshefeltthatwayandthatJuniorwantedhimaround.I
madetherightdecisionabouthavinghiminourlives.
"Gotothebathroomandgetwashedup.Illbethereinasecondtohelpyou,"I
said,andtheyrushedoff.
Istaredafterthem,bothsuchblessingsinmylife.
IwasjustgettingupwhenIheardthedoorbell.Ipeekedthroughthepeephole
andsawMontieSr.outside.Iopenedthedoorandshookmyhead.
"Whatareyoudoinghere?"
"Thatsafinewelcome,"helaughed,enteringthehousewithoutaninvitation.
"Dontyouhavesomeworktodo,orsomething?Anythingbesidesshowingup
here?Issomethingwrong?"Iasked.
"Nothingswrong.IjustthoughtIwouldswingbyandseethekids."
Itdefinitelywasnotlikehimtocomebyonhisoffweekend."Well,youkindof
pickedthewrongtimetomakeanunexpectedvisit.Weregoingout."
"Oh?Whereto?"Heasked,glancingaroundthehouse.
ItsnotanyofyourbusinesswhereImgoing,but,ifyoumustbenosey,were
goingtothepark,"Iblurtedoutandrolledmyeyestotheheavens.
"ItsbeenagessinceIvebeentoapark.IsJacobgoing?"
"No,justmeandthekids."
"CareifItagalong?"
 "Yes,Idocare,"Isnapped."Thisistimeforjustthethreeofus.Idontinterfere
withyourplansandIwouldappreciateyounotinterferingwithmine."
Iquicklyglanceddownthehalltomakesurethekidswerentlistening.
"Now"Iloweredmyvoice,"Ifyoudontmind,Iwouldappreciateitifyouwould
leave.Iwouldliketogetonwithmyweekend."
Montiestoodfirmunwavering.
Juniorcameoutofthebathroom.HiseyesfocusedonMontieSr.andgrewin
size."Daddy!"hecalled,runningandcrashingintoMontie.
"Hey,buddy."Montiesmiledatmeandkissedoursonontheforehead.
Junior,wheresyoursister?"Iasked.
"Sheswaitingforyouinthebathroom,"hesaidandturnedbacktoMontie."Are
youcomingwithustothepark?"
MyheartfelltheminuteIheardhimaskthequestion.
"Junior,heistoobusytoday,"Isaid,glaringatMontie.
"Oh"Juniorslipswentintopoutingformation.
"Imnevertoobusyforyou,son,"Montiesaid,pullinghimintoahug.Idloveto
gototheparkwithyouguys.Thatsifitsokaywithyourmother.
Myjawdropped,andIstormeddownthehalltogohelpMontana.Montiewas
weaselinghiswayintomyplanswiththekidsandIcouldntdoanythingaboutit
withoutlookinglikeanass.
Thirtyminuteslater,IpushedMontanawhileMontieSr.pushedJunioronthe
swings. Everyone seemed to be having a great time, but I was wondering why
MontieSr.waseventhere.Periodically,heglancedatmeandwinkedorsmiled,
whichcaughtmeoffguard.Thiswasntthewaymydaywassupposedtogo.
Aftertheswings,thekidswantedtogodowntheslideagain.Ihungback,letting
themplayandkickedmyselfforgettingcaughtuponthisfauxfamilyday.
"Thankyousomuchforinvitingme,"Montiesaid.
Iglaredathim."Ididntoursondid."
 Heshrugged,"Youdidntdoanythingtostopit,soIfiguredyoumusthavebeen
okaywithit."
"WhatcouldIsay,Montie?IwasntgoingtoletJuniordown,eventhoughthe
lastthingIwantedwasforyoutocomealong.Iwantedsometimealonewiththe
kidssomethingyoualwaysgetandIneverget."
"Thatsbyyourownchoice,"heshotback."YouhavethemfarmoretimethanI
do,butyoubringJacobintothepictureandchoosetoallowhimtotagalongwith
youandthekidswhereveryougo."
Montie was punishingmefortrying tobehappyand that bothered me. "The
pointis,Idontunderstandwhyyourehere,"Ihissedbetweenmyteeth.
Helookedaway,watchingMontanaasshesliddowntheslide.Shewaslaughing
andthenitwasJuniorstime.Montiewasengrossedinwatchingthekidsplay,and
IwonderedifheforgotwhatIsaid.Finally,heturnedtome.
"YouwanttoknowwhyIcameovertoday?"heasked.
"IsaidIdid,"Isarcasticallyreplied.
HewasmorenervousthanIhadeverseenhimbefore.Hischocolatedimples
formedinhisotherwisesmoothfaceashesaid,"Imworriedaboutyou."
"Worriedaboutme?Thatsodd.Whywouldyoubeworriedaboutmenow,when
youwerentworriedaboutmewhenIwasyourwife?"
He fidgeted from one foot to another. "You seemed happy with your new
boyfriendandthenallofsuddenhesnotaround.Icameovertocheckthingsout."
Ilaughed."Soyouwantedtospyonme?"
"Yeah,IwantedtoseeifJacobwasthere.Ifhewas,thenIcouldmoveonand
forgetaboutit,butifhewerentthenIwouldneedtobeworryaboutyourwell
being.Iwantyoutobehappy."
"Montie,youdonthavetobeconcerned,"Ireplied,avertingmyattentionfrom
hissolemneyes."JacobandIarefine.He'sbusyworking.Werenotbreakingup,
but there comes a time when two people need a breather to handle their own
business,youknow?"
"Humph.Tellmeaboutit,"hespoke.
Itbotheredmethewayhesaidthat,seemingtolumpJacoband me intothe
samecategoryasourdeadmarriage."YouhavenocluewhatImean,"Ireplied.
"YouandIneededabreatherandwetookone."Hesteppedclosertomesothat
ourfaceswereafewinchesapart."Nowmaybethetimetogetbacktogether."
MyeyesfollowedJuniorandMontana,whowereracingeachothertothemerry
goround.Iwatchedthemgetonasanotheradultwaspushingitaroundforher
son.
"Montie,youandIarenttakingabreather.Wefinalizedadivorce,forcryingout
loud!Andthatsbecausetherewerethingsmoreimportanttoyouinlifethanour
marriage.Now,ImwithJacob,wholovesmeandIlovehim.Wellworkthrough
whatevercomesourway.Myeyestoreawayfromthemerrygoroundtolookat
him.Idontwantyouinterferingwithourrelationship."
Hegrabbedmyhand."Destiny,IcantletyougowithouttellingyouthatImstill
deeplyinlovewithyou."
"Yourenotinlovewithme,Montie,"Iargued,removingmyhandfromhis.You
justdontwanttoseemehappywithsomeoneelse.
Hestoodupandreachedformyhandagain.Destiny,listen
"Montie,stopthat.Donttouchme."
"Destiny,inmyheart,Ioweittomyselfandtoyoutobetruthful.Iseriouslyam
stillinlovewithyou.Ineverforoneminutestoppedbeinginlovewithyou."
"Youthinkyou'restillinlovewithme?Maybeyouareinlovewiththeideaof
me. I am the mother of your children. I stood by you, work and all, until our
marriage was over and I had nothing left to give you. I just cant" my words
trailedoffatthesoundofashrillingscream.Montanawaslyingontheground
holleringinagony.Irushedtoherside.
 "IIam sosorry," thewomanwasmuttering.Tearsstartedfalling down the
strangersface."Ididntseethatshewasstartingtofalloff."
"Imsureshellbefine,"Isaidtoconsolethewoman.
"Mommy"Montanacriedout.Assheattemptedtositup,anangrygashalong
herchinbledout.Iimmediatelyknewshewouldneedstitches.
IglancedatMontie,ourconversationoutofmymind,andhepickedMontanaup.
"Letsgettothehospital,"hesaidasIgrabbedJuniorshand.
 CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

DESTINY

ByMySide

Isatinthewaitingroom,wringingmyhandstogether,onedgeaboutMontana
beingwiththedoctor.Itwasonlystitches,butshewasstillyoungandIwantedto
bethereforher.Thestaffkeptinsistingthatshewouldbefineinthebackwithout
me.
"Destiny,Imsorrywewerentpayingattentiontothem,butshecouldvehadthe
accidenteitherway,"Montiereasoned.
Iglaredathim."Thatsnotthepoint.Weshouldveneverbeeninthissituationto
startwith.Weredivorced,andasfarasIamconcerned,nothinghaschanged.IfI
werentdistractedbyyoutoday,Iwouldhavebeenbyhersidetheentiretime."
Myphonerang,andIglancedatthecallerID.Jacobsnumberlitup,asifhehad
intuitionenoughtoknowthatIneededtohearfromhimatthatverymoment.
"Illbeback,"ImumbledandglancedatJunior,"Doyoumindwatchinghim?"
"He'smyson;ofcoursenot,"Montiesaidwithanincredulouslookonhisface.
 Good.Igotupandheadedaroundthecorner."Hello?"Iansweredthephone,
myvoicecracklingasifIweregoingcryatanymoment.
"Destiny?"Jacobsaidmyname,andawhirlwindofemotionssweptupinsideof
mecausingmetosob."Baby,whatswrong?Talktome,"Jacobinsisted.
"I just glad to hear from you," I said above a sniffle. "You wont believe the
horribledayIvehad.Montiecameover,andweallwenttothepark,andthen"
"Waitaminute.Montiewentwithyoutothepark?"heasked,cuttingintomy
rambling.
"Yes.Thekidswantedhimto,butthatsnottheworstpart.Wewerearguingand
IlosttrackofMontanauntilshescreamedafterfallingoffthemerrygoround.She
hasabigcutonherface,andwereattheemergencyroomnow.Shehastoget
stitches. Its a nicesized cut, so I hope her face heals. God, I hope its not
permanent."IcontrolledmyerraticbreathsasIcontinued."Sorry,Isoundlikea
blubberingidiot.Iwasntexpectingyoutocall.Whatwereyoucallingfor?"
Therewasalonghesitationontheotherend."IjusthadaninklingthatIneeded
toseehowyouweredoing.Now,Iknowwhy.Iwanttobethereforyou,Destiny,
butImsureMontieisthereandIdontwanttogetinthewayofyourfamily.But
allyouhavetodoistellmeyouwantmetocometothehospital."
"Dowhatyoufeelisright,Jacob."
Whatdoyoumeanbythat?
Imean,Ijusttoldyouwhathappened.Ishouldnthavetotellyouwhattodo
next.
"Youdonthaveto,baby.Imonmyway."Heendedthecall.
Iwentbacktothewaitingroomandsatdown,feelingbetteralready.
ThedoctorcameoutoftheroomandIquicklystoodup."Thanksforbeingpatient
withus.Itssometimeseasiertodotheseprocedureswhenparentsarentinthe
room,andespeciallyinMontanascasewhereshewantedyoutoholdher.Shewas
calmeronceyouleftout.Atanyrate,shehastwelvestitches.Itwasadeepcut;
however,Imconfidentscarringwillbeminimal."
"Thankyousomuchfortakinggoodcareofourdaughter,"Isaid,breathinga
sighofreliefasIglancedatMontie.
Accidentslikethishappenallthetime,anditsourpleasuretobeabletohelp.
You may go in and sit with Montana, while the nurse gets your discharge
instructionsonhowtocareforthestitchesready,thedoctorsaidbeforehewent
backthroughthesamedoorfromwhichhehadcome.
MontieSr.gawkedandasked,"Whyshehere?"
My attention went to the entrance and I smiled when I saw Jacob walking
towardus."Iaskedhimtocome.Thankyousomuchforcomingrightaway,Jacob.I
wasjustgettingreadytogobacktocheckonMontana.Thedoctorsayswecanbe
withhernow."
"Ofcourse,Imhere,babe,"Jacobsaid.
"Jacob!"JuniorrantohimandthrewhisarmsaroundJacob.
I couldnt help but look at Montie who let out a loud huff. Irritation rippled
throughhiseyesashestoodtherefuming.
"LetsgocheckonMontana,"Jacobsaid.
IwantedJacobbymyside,butMontiewasntgoingforit."Theyonlyallowtwo
peoplebackatatime,"saidMontie.
"Oh,noproblem.IllwaitoutherewithJunior,whileyoutwogoback,"Jacob
said,understanding.Igavehimagraciouslook,asMontieandIheadedthrough
thedoubledoorstoMontanasroom.
Shejumpedupanddownwhenweentered."MommyDaddyIhungry."
Ilaughed,thankfultoseethatshewasfine."Wellgetyousomethingtoeatas
soonasyougetoutofhere.Thedoctorsaidyougotyourstitcheslikeabiggirl.Let
meseethem,"Iliftedherchin.
Ididitlikeabiggirl,likeyoutoldmeto,mama.
 I hugged her neck and said, "Good job, sweetie. Hey, you know whos in the
waitingroomandwantingtoseeyou?"
Sheshookherhead.No.
"Jacob"
Hereyesgotbig."Acobhere?"
"Howaboutyouletmeholdmyowndaughter,beforeyougothrowinghisname
around?"Montiesaidsarcastically.
Youretoomuch,IsaidunderneathmybreathandrolledmyeyesatMontie.I
leaneddownandkissedMontanasforehead."IllgogetJacobandlethimcomein
forafewminutes."
BeforeIleftouttheroom,IheardMontiesay,"Montana,Imsorrythatyoufell
andhurtyourself,butImgladyourebetter.Daddylovesyou."
"Iwubyou,Daddy."
When I walked back into the room with Jacob and Junior, Montie hugged
Montana.HereyeslitupwhenMontiesteppedawayandshecouldseeJacob.
"Acob!"
"Thatssomebandageyouhavethere,"hesaid,leaningoverthebedandhugging
her."Didithurt?"
"Notweally,"shespoke.
"Assoonasthedoctorletsyougo,wellgrababitetoeat,"Iinterrupted.Ismiled,
seeinghowrelaxedeveryonewas,untilIlookedatMontie.
"Yay!"thekidssaidinunison.
Ilaughed.
Illseeyouguysnextweekend,Montiesaidandwavedashewalkedoutthe
door.
"Yourenotgoingtoeatwithus?"Iasked,catchinguptohiminthehallway.
Hesmirked."Nah,Idontreallyhaveanappetitetositanywherechummingit
upwithyou,thekids,andJacob.Thatsalittleovercrowded,dontyouthink?"
"Suityourself."Ishrugged.Iwasonlytryingtobepolite.
Yeah,keeptellingyourselfthat.
Whatsyourissue,Montie?
Justenjoyyourdinner,Destiny.
 CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

DESTINY

NoBoundaries

Overthenextfewmonths,Jacobspenteverychancehecouldwiththekidsand
me,buyinggiftsandtakingusplacesIneverdreamedofgoing,likeanimpromptu
middaytriptoSanAntoniojusttoridetheriverboats.WewerebackinAtlanta
before nightfall that day and I enjoyed every minute of it. The kids were
comfortablearoundhim,whichmademefeelgoodaboutopeninguptohim.
AsmuchasIwantedtobeinJacob'smyarmsandsharemynightswithhim,we
madeapledgenottomoveintogetheruntilweweremarried.Ididntlikewhenmy
kidswenttotheirfathershouse,butIwasexcitedforqualitytimewithJacob.
Friday rolled around, and the doorbell rang all too soon. The kids were busy
watchingcartoons,asIwenttothedoortogreetmyex.Heworeasmugsmile,
whenIwelcomedhiminside.
"ThekidsarereadyandIbegan.Heputuphishandtostopme.
"BeforeIgrabthemandleave,canwetalk?"
Iwasntinterested inanotherconversationthathedbeenbombardingmewith
everytimehisweekendcamearound.Iturnedonmyheelsandheadedintothe
kitchenandtookaseatatthetable.
"Whatsupnow?"Iasked,nonchalantly.
 "Iwanttodiscussyourboyfriend."
"YoushouldbeboredwithaskingquestionsaboutJacob.Nothingthatyouhave
toaskhaschanged sincethelasttimeyouasked.Itseemslikeyouwouldhave
foundanothertopicbynow,Montie."Icrossedmyarms.
"Imconcernedbytheamountoftimehespendsaroundourchildren.Weboth
knowthathesarichcatfromMiami,buthowmuchdoyoureallyknowabouthis
past?"Montieasked.
"Oneminuteyou'reaskingwhyhe'snothere.Now,you'resayinghe'sheretoo
muchandquestioninghischaracter.IknowmoreaboutJacobthanIknewabout
him,sodon'tworryaboutme,Montie.IknoweverythingthatIneedtoknow.Is
thatallyouwantedtoask?"Istoodup.
"Dontgettesty,Destiny.IhavearighttoaskasmanyquestionsasIneedtofeel
comfortableaboutamanthatyouhaveinhereovermychildren."
Mymouthflewopentospewsomenotsoverynicethings,butIcouldntevenget
thefirstwordoutbeforeheselfdestructed.
"You'vegotthiswhitemanspendingtimewithmykids.Justbecausehe'srich
doesntexempthimfrombeingsomekindoflowlife.And,theworstpartofitisthat
hehasmykidsthinkinghe'stheirfather.Hesoversteppinghisboundaries,because
MontieJr.andMontanahaveafatherthatshereforthemalready?"
I nodded, finally understanding that his frustrations had nothing to do with
Jacob'scolororbankaccount.Itdidntevenhaveanythingtodowithjealousy.
"Montie,youreactinginsecure.Yourchildrenwillalwaysknowwhotheirfather
isandthathelovesthem.Iwillmakesureofit."
"What?" he spat, shaking his head. "I am not insecure. I have no doubt that
MontieandMontanawillalwaysknowImtheirfather.Ijustdontliketheideaof
anotherpersonenteringintothepicture.Itcomplicatesthings."
 "Montie,thereisnoreasonforyoutoworryaboutJacob.Hesagoodmanthat
hasourchildren'sbestinterestatheart,andno,hesnottryingtotakeyourplace,"
Iassuredhim.
"Ijustdontwantthemtogetattachedand,whenheboresofyouandsuddenly
decidestoleave,theywillbehurt."
"Getoutofmyhouse,"Iorderedthroughclenchedteeth.
"What?I'mjustspeakingthetruth."
"No,yourebeingmessy.Idontknowwhatiscausingyoutobeconcernedwith
whatshappeninginthishouse,whenyouwerentconcernedwithitwhenitwas
yourhome.Butletmejustbeclear,IloveJacob,helovesme,andwearefarfrom
bored."
Hiseyesgotbigasheleanedbackinthechair.
Hecrossedhisarmsandglaredatmewithdisdain."So,justlikethat,youlove
thismotherfucker?"
"Montie,Montana,yourdadshere.Getyourbagandcomeon,sweeties,"Icalled
outandwenttowaitbythedoor.Iheardtheirfootstepstrackingtowardwherewe
wereinthefoyer.
"Iamjustconcerned,"Montiewhisperedclosetomyear.
Ileanedawayfromhimandasked,"Now,whosoversteppingboundaries?"
"Daddy,"Montanasaid,breakingintotheawkwardmoment.Heswoopedherup
intohisarmsandhuggedherwhilestealingglancesatme.
Juniorcameintothefoyer,aswell.Heydad,hesaid.
"Areyoureadytohavesomefunwithyourdadthisweekend?" Montieasked
themboth.
Yah!saidMontana.
"Whatarewegoingtodo?"Juniorasked.
"Well,IthoughtwecouldgoseethatnewTransformersmovie."
"Jacobalreadytookustoseethat,"Juniorsaid.
 Well,howaboutweseetheJusticeLeague?Igotmyhandsonanadvanced
copy.
Sawthatonetoo,Juniorsaid.
Montielookedatme,andIshrugged.Ifhewantedtobeagoodfathertohiskids,
hehadtostephisgameup,becauseJacobwasbringingitinamajorway.Ileaned
downandkissedmybabies,andwavedastheyleftthehouse.
"Haveagoodtime,"Isaid.

*******

JacobarrivedanhourlaterandIwasstillreelingovertheindecencyofMonties
concerns.WhenIopenedthedoor,Iwasrelievedtoseehim.Ipulledhimintothe
houseandwrappedmyarmsaroundhim,kissinghishotlips.
"God,Ineededthat,"Imoaned,smilingupathim."Youhavenoideahowmuch."
"Me too," he replied. "You know we could forfeit dinner and go straight for
dessert,"hewinkedatme,movinginforanotherkiss.
"Asmuchasthatsoundsappetizing,Ihavebeenlookingforwardtogettingoutof
thehouseforsomeadultinteraction.Howaboutwemakeitshortandsweet?"
Hegroanedbutnodded."IguessIllhavetohanginthere.Youhearthatman?"
hesaidgesturingtothehardsteelbeneathhisslacks.
"Iknow,itsaterriblelife,Ilaughed.Letmegrabmypurse."
WhenIgotbacktothedoor,hebrushedhistongueagainstmylips."Thisbetter
beshort,orelseImgoingtopunishyouwhenwegetback,"hespokeraggedly.
Well,whatsagirltodowiththattypeofthreat?Ibitdownonmylipand
reveledinhischallenge.Whoknows,Imightjusttakemypunishment.Iwinked.
KeeplookingatmelikethatandIbetyouwontmakeittothedamncar.He
openedthedoorandpulledmetohimandourbodiesmeldedasone.Hishands
snakeddownmybackandpalmedanassfullofcheeks.Hepulledmeclosertohim,
asifitwereevenpossible.Icantwaittomakelovetoyou,hemutteredintothe
foldofmyneck,whereheleftatrailofbutterflykisses.
Afterspinningmyworldoutofcontrol,hetookmyhandandescortedmetothe
car.Well,Ifloatedbehindhimlikeanintoxicatedsailor.
Ontheroadtotherestaurant,Ifoundmyselfwatchinghim.IlovedhimandI
didntcarewhoknewit.Thefactthatmy exgot mesoriledupaboutitbothered
me,butIwasgladMontieknewthatIwasinlovewithJacob.
"Iloveyou,youknowthat,right?"Iaskedhim.
Yes,andyouknowhowmuchIdoloveyou."
Inoddedandgazedoutthewindow.Nootherwordsneededsaying.Ireached
overandgrabbedhishand.Weheldhandstherestofthewaytotherestaurant.
Whenwearrived,wewentinsideandtheyimmediatelysatus.Itwasmyfirsttime
atBacchanalia's.Therefore,Jacobplacedourorders.
"Ilovethewayyoudecoratedmybedroom.YoucapturedexactlywhatIwanted,"
hesaid makinganoteofthevintageAmericansoldierpicturesIframedtomatch
hisbedroomset.IfoundacommemorativeUSflagquiltforhisbedtomatch.
"I'm glad you like it. It's been a while since you told me you wanted those
pictures,soIknewyouwouldbesurprisedwhenIwentovertodaywhileyouwere
inyourmeetingtoputthemup,"Isaid,enjoyingthegleeinhiseyes.
"Ireallywassurprised,especiallywiththepictureofmygreatgrandfatherinhis
uniform.Thatonegottome,"Jacobsaid,staringatmeforalongtime."I'malucky
mantohavefoundsomeonelikeyou.Idonteverintendtoletyougo,notforany
reason.Iwantyoutobemine,forever."
Whoa,IthinkImtheluckyone.I'mjusthonoredtobeabletogetsomethingas
memorableasthosepicturesdoneforyou.Youworkhardandyoudeservespecial
things.Itmademehappytodoit,"Ireplied,takingadrinkofwater.Ihadtotake
inthefactthatJacobjustadmittedtowantingmeforeverlikeeverydayforthe
restofhislife.Hedtoldmebeforehowhefelt,butIbelievedwhathedjustsaid
likeIbelievedinairtobreathe."HowstheopeningoftheDelawareofficegoing?"I
asked,changingthesubject.
"It's comingalong; shouldbehappeningbytheend ofthemonth," hesmiled,
showinghisprettywhitesthroughhisgorgeousbeard.
"Thatsgreatnews.IseverythingstillgoodwithyouworkingoutofAtlanta?I
mean,IknowtheymissyouattheMiamiheadquarters,"Ifishedforhisfeelings
aboutthemove.
"Withmebeinghere,we'vehadaspikeinGeorgiabusinessandMiamiisstill
strong,soitsawinwinfinancially."
WhydoIhearabutinyouranswer?
Sales increases are wonderful, but the downside is that headquarters is in
Miami,soIllbedoingalotoftravel.Ijustwantyoutobeawareofthat,butIhave
nointentionofleavingAtlanta,unlessyouandthekidsarewithme."Hisintense
glaresentbutterfliesmovingthroughmystomach.
Imfinewithtravel,aslongasIknowyourecomingback.
Youll never have to worry about thatever. A sexy but dangerous look
enteredhiseyes.WhyareyouquestioningwhetherImstayinginAtlanta?Did
Montiegetoutoflinetodaywhenhepickedupthekids?"heasked.
Idontreallywanttotalkabouthim."Thewaiterbroughtourfood,whileJacob
wasgivingmeaconcernedlook.Itookabiteofmysalad.
"Dontplaymeforafool,Destiny,"hespoke,ahintofasmirkonhislips."Ican
tellsomethingisbotheringyou,andyourealwayslikethiswhenMontiesweekend
rollsaround."
Ifocusedonmyfood,notmakingeyecontact.Hiseyesburnedaholethroughme,
soIcouldntlookawayfortoolong."HesjustMontiebeingMontie.Nobigdeal,"I
said.
"SeethatsthekindofthingImnotgoingtohavehappeningwithmywoman.
Hesnotgoingtokeepcomingaroundupsettingyoulikethisandleavingmetohave
todealwithit.IthinkitstimeformeandMontietohaveatalk.Tellmewhat
happened."
"Fine,"ImumbledasIputmyforkdown. "Montiedidsayafewthingstoday
thatgotmethinking,thatsall."
"Goon,"Jacobsatbackinhisseat.
Iswallowedthehardlumpinmythroat."Youwouldntleavemebecauseyou
wereboredwithme,wouldyou?"Iasked.Itrynottolethimgettome,butIcant
helpbutseetheglaringsimilarityofhisclaimofwhatyoulldotomeandwhatyou
did to Justine, there I said it. World War III was probably looming after my
admission,butJacobdidleaveJustinewithoutwarningafterhehookedupwithme
inaboutofinstalove.
"So,youdonttrustthatwhatwehaveisreal?
Imnotsayingthat,becauseIbelieveitis,but
Look,MontieknowshowtostirupyourinsecuritiesthesamewayJustineplays
onmyemotions.Wecantletthemdothattous.Inorderforustowork,wehaveto
trustthatifoneofuswalkedoffthesideoftheearththatitllbeokaytofollow
becausethatshowwellweknoweachothersheartandintentions.
Itrustyou,Jacob.Ireallydo,Isaid.
AndI'msatisfiedrightwhereIamandImnotleaving,evenifMontiecriesfoul
every two weeks," he said, looking intently at me. "Besides, your multiple
personalitieskeeptheexcitementgoing."
Ilaughed,feelingablushcreepingupmyneck.
"Oneminutehe'saskingwhyyouarentthere.Thenextminutehe'ssayingyou're
aroundtoomuchandquestioningyourboundarieswiththekidsand"Ipaused
andtookasipofmywine.
"Andwhat?"
"Talkingaboutyoubeingwhite."
"Doesthatbotheryou?"heasked,pushinghisplateawayfromhim.
 "Notonebit.Iwouldnthaveyouanywaybutthewayyouare."
"Havethekidssaidanythingaboutit?"
"No,theydon'tseecolor.Theyonlyseetheloveyoushowthem."
"Idontcarewhatanyonethinksaslongasweallseethehumansideofeach
other.Everythingelseisotherpeople'sproblems,"hesaidandpulledhisdinner
platebackinfrontofhim.
Ipickedupmyforkandwentbacktoenjoyingdinner,aswell.Ididntnoticehim
glaringatmeuntilIsawhisforkstillontheplateandhewasntmoving.
"Whyaren'tyoueating?"Iasked.
"Do you question my boundaries with your children?" he asked as his phone
beeped.Heglancedatitandlookedannoyed."Ionlywantthemtobecomfortable
aroundme,butifyouthinkIneedtobackoff"hewassaying.
"No!Ilovethewaythingsaregoing.Iwouldntchangeitforanything."Igave
himareassuringsmile."TrustmeIbelievewearemovingintherightdirection.I
dontwantyoutochangeathing."
"Good,becauseIhavereallybeenenjoyingmyself."Slowly,asmilecreptonhis
lipsandhefinallystartedeatingagain.
"Metoo.Illtellyouwhat,Jacob.Letseatandgobacktoyourcondotoreada
goodbookinyournewbed.Itlookssturdyenoughforalotofreading,butIwonder
howsturdyitreallyis,"Isaid.
"Imsureitssturdyenoughformetoreadyouuntilyouforgetyourexsbullshit,"
hesaid.
Itookafewmorebitesthenlookedathim.Suddenly,Iwasnotnearlyashungry
forfood,butIhadathirstforknowledgethatcouldonlybefoundinthebookof
Jacob.
"Whatex?"Igiggled.
Helaughed,putdownthecashtopayforthebill,andgrabbedmyhand.
Innotime,wewereinthecar,headingtowardhisplace.
 CHAPTERNINETEEN

JACOB

Satisfaction

Ifeltherlipsonmyneckaswecrasheddowntothebed.Herbodywassoftly
grindingunderneathmine."OhGod,youaresodamnsexy,Destiny.Givemewhats
mine,"Iwhisperedagainstherheated,caramelcoloredskin,asItrailedmylipsup
tohers.Mytonguedovedeepinsideofhermouth,excavatingwhatIneededasour
tongueseagerlysoughtoneanotherout.Aswekissed,Ispreadherlegsanddraped
each over myshoulders. I reached myhand down totouch her ripened clit and
groanedwithdesire.Guidingmyrockhardcockintoherwarmth,Islippedinside
herandourbodiesjustmoldedtogether.
"OhJacob,"shewhimperedashersoftbodytrembledagainstmine.Shemoaned
repeatedly,asIthrusteddeeperanddeeperinsideofherheat.
She clenched her thighs together and grinded her pelvis hard against mine,
eagerly engulfing my full length. She pulled and I pushed. My enlarging steel
pulsatingwitheachthrust,shecontinuedtomilkmeforallIwasworth.
Thatsright,fuckmebaby!Igrowledout.IdidntknowhowlongIwouldlast
withthewayshedevouredmeintoherslipperytightnessthenreleasedmeonlyto
acceptmeintohersweetheatoncemore.ItraveledasdeepintoherbodyasIcould
fit.
"Oh.My.Dear.Heavens"shecriedouttotheheavensasaviolentwaverippled
throughhertremblingbody.Imcoming,Jacob.
"Letitgo,baby.Howdoesitfeel?"Istretchedherlegswideandpoundedinsideof
her,showingnomercyashersucculentcreamcoatedmycock.Sayit.Tellmehow
itfeels.Talktome.
"YesyesohGodyes,itfeelssogood!Icanttakeitanymore,"sheholleredand
moaned,archingherbacktoreceiveeachthrustwithprecision.
Myposterbedbangedagainstthewall.Ididnthearsqueakingsprings,which
toldmethebedwaswortheverypenny.Well,atleastweknowthebedisgood,I
said.
"Shut up and fuckme," she screamed, as more of her juices sprang forth,
coveringmystomachandupperthighs.
Istrokedherjuicycunt,makinggoodonmypromisethatherexhusbandwould
bethelastthingonhermindtonight.TheonlythingIwantedonhermindwasthe
sensation that accompanied each stroke. The way her body constantly quivered
beneathminetoldmeIaccomplishedthatgoal.
"Iwanttorideyou,"shemuttered.
Irolledusover,allowingDestinytotakethereign.Shesliddownmycockwith
ease and, when she crashed onto me, I called out her name. "Destiny Ugh
Youregoingtomakemecome,"Ibreathedagainstherscorchinghotskin,asmy
lipscoveredeveryreachablepartofherbody.
Comewithme,Jacob,shebouncedunrelentinglyatopofme.
I growled when a gush of cum ejaculated hard into her tight walls. Her legs
trembledvigorously,causinghertocollapseontopofme.Islowlyreleasedthegrip
Ihadonherhipsandrolledontopofher.Mylipsexploredhernipples,sucking
themhardintomymouththengentlykissingthem.Next,Ihadafocusedtakeover
ofherlips.
"Hmmm"shemoaned,slippinghertongueinsideandseductivelymaneuvering
itaroundmylips.Sheheldtightaroundmyneck.Myarmswrappedsnuglyaround
herwaist.
Iflippedheroverandloweredmybodyontoherssothatmychestpressedhard
againstherbreasts.Mytonguecircledherearlobesasshewhimperedbeneathme.
Trailingdowntoherneck,Isuckedtenderly,nibblinglightlyonherskin.
Our lovemaking became less of a conquest and more of a supernatural
connection,asweremainedeyetoeye,intheheatofthemoment.Thatswhywe
hadtobeforever.Icouldnevergobacktolifewithoutpassionlikethis;thereisno
lifewithoutmyDestiny.
"OooohJacob"sheclosedhereyesandwhimperedagain,thistimediggingher
nailsintomyback.ShelookedsobeautifulasIcrawledupherbody.
Myerectiongrewthickbetweenherthighs,andmybreathingragged.Islipped
insideherheatandwemadeloveuntilorgasmeruptedthroughthebothofus.I
breathedpleasureheavilyinherear.Therhythmofourbreathslulledmetosleep,
completelysatisfied.
 CHAPTERTWENTY

JUSTINE

OneLastChance

"Argh!"Iscreamed,whenhisvoicemailpickedup.IcouldnotbelieveJacobhad
dismissed me like a piece of worn out trash, after all the years I loved him
unconditionally.Ilovedhimwhenhewasabigglasseswearinggoofballthatnoone
wantedtotalkto.IrememberthefirsttimeItookupforhim,whentheotherkids
werebullyinghim.Imadethemallbackdown.
"Jacobismyfriend!"ItoldRochelleBallardasshestoodherfatassinfrontof
himandpushedhimdownwithonehand.
"And what's that supposed to mean?" she asked stepping to me, before I cold
cockedherinthedeadcenterofhernose.
ShefelltothegroundlikeaTitanandallthekidslaughedasshestruggledtoget
up.Ijumpedontopofherandpunchedthedummyuntilshepassedout.Shenever
messedwithJacobormeagain.
Weweretightfromthatdayforward.Downliketwoflattires.Weevenwentto
promtogetherourjuniorandsenioryears,becauseoneortheotherdidnthavea
dateeachyear.
 Weputourfriendshipovereverything.Whenwegraduatedhighschool,wewent
ontoPrincetontocompleteourcollegecareer.Toeveryonewhoknewus,itwasonly
rightforustobecomeone.ButwhenJacobdidntshowmethattypeofattention,I
fellhardformyexfianc,Rick,whichturnedouttobeamistakewhenheleftmeat
thealtar.
Jacob had thrown his life into his family's business. His main interest was
keepinghisfamily'slegacyalive.Icouldappreciatethat,buttherewasnoplacefor
meinthatequation.Itriedtoworkwithhimandhelphimwiththebusiness,but
eventuallyIgotintheway.
Therefore,IwashappywhenIfoundRick;allthewayuntilmyweddingday.
Jacobwatchedmefallapartonwhatwassupposedtobemyspecialday,asdid
threehundredotherinvitedguestswhenRickdidntbothertoshowup.Ifoundout
hehadanotherwomanandakidthreeweekslaterwhenIcaughtupwithhimat
hisjob.
Iwasdevastated,butfiguredRickwasjustgoingalongwiththeweddingbecause
itwasmydreamtobeabeautifulbride.ThepunkdidntknowhowtotellmeIwas
hismistress.
Jacobwastherethroughitall.Hedrovemehomefromthechapel,speakinglife
backintomyspiritthatday,remindingmeofthefighterthatwaswithinme.Even
asthememoryofallofthosepeoplestaringatme,whenIstoodatthedoorwaiting
formyfianctoshowup,mademewanttokillmyself,heheldmeclosetohimand
made me promise to be the woman that he knew. He kissed me on the cheek,
anticipatingmyneedforaffection.Thatkissledtoakissontheothercheek,and
thenfinallymylips.Histongueslippedintomymouthandwemeltedagainstone
another.ThepassionbehindhiskisswasthemostintensepassionIeverfelt.
Heglaredintomyeyesandmademepromisetoneverthinkaboutkillingmyself
again. Don't you ever leave me," he said as he hugged me close. He broke our
contacttosay,"I'msorryforkissingyoulikethat,it'sjustthat"
 Ididntlethimfinishhissentence.Ipulledhimcloseforanotherkiss.Beforewe
knewanything,myweddingdresswasoffmybodyandonthefloor,andJacobwas
thrustinghisunsheathedpenisinsideofme.Thememoryofmyfiancslowlyfaded
awayashemadethesweetestlovetome.
Ourfirsttimewasabittersweetmemory;onethatmademehurtevenmore
when I looked at my cell phone, which had not received one call from him for
months,noteventoseehowIwasdoing.Notonlyhadhebeenignoringmycalls,
buthealsohadupandranofftoGeorgiabehindthefirstpodunkheiferthatsmiled
athim.Asoneoftherichestmenintheworld,Iwouldhavethoughthehadbetter
sensethanthat.
Iwasthekindofclassywomanamanofhismeanswassupposedtoputonhis
arm,notDestiny."Whatmorecouldheaskforinapotentialwife?"Iaskedmyself
as I wandered aimlessly around mybeautiful home. Theamenities Jacob added
meantnothingwithouthimaround.Iploppeddownontotheplushsofa,pickedup
thephoneandcalledhimagain.Mycallwenttovoicemail,onceagain.Thistime,he
didntevenletitringbutonce.
"Itriedtogiveyouonelastchance,beforeItookmattersintomyownhands.
Whyareyourejectingme?"Iyelled,throwingmyphonehardagainstthewall.
Tears sprang from my eyes as I got up from the sofa and rushed into the
bedroom.
"Thisisit!I'mgoingtoendthisforonceandforall,"Isaidlookingatthepistol
onmydresser.Iputitinsidemymouthandwilledmyfingertosqueezethetrigger.
"Ifwecan'tbetogether,Iwilljustenditall,"Isaid,thistimepressingashardas
Icouldagainstthetrigger,butthesafetywason.Damn.
Isatinthemiddleofmyfloorcrying,wonderingwhynoonewouldloveme.I
pickedupmyphoneandcalledtheSuicideHotline,whichwasonspeeddial,since
Idsoughtmedicaltreatmentforsuicidalthoughtsbefore.
"Hello,thisisStaceyfromtheSuicideHotline.HowmayIhelpyou?"
 Ieasedthegunbackdownandletitfallontothefloor."I'mabouttokillmyself,
ifIdontgetneedhelp,"Iadmitted,asIsniveled.
 CHAPTERTWENTYONE

DESTINY

Interrupted

MyeyesopenedtofindJacobsmilingdownonme."Howlonghaveyoubeen
awake?"Iasked,smilingandrunningmyhandupanddownhistonedarm.
"Hmmaboutanhour."
"Youshouldhavegotmeup."
"Youlookedlikeasleepingangel.Iwouldntdarewakeyoufromyourbeauty
rest."
Imovedonthebed,lookingaroundhim."Whattimeisit?"
"Itistwooclock."
"Inthemorning?
Yeah.Westillhaveplentyoftimebeforemorninglight,"hesaid.
Ileanedupandkissedhim,wrappingmyhandaroundhisneck,andpullinghim
downsothathewasontopofme.
"SoItakeityouredonesleeping.
Ilikethewayyouthink,"Isaidwithasmile.
Ourkissdeepened,andweheldontothemoment.Neitherofusmadeamoveto
changepositions.Whenwedidbreakourembrace,heslowlymoveddownmybody.
 Mylegsinstinctivelyopenedupwider,ashesurveyedmyglisteningmound.He
ran his hands down my legs, causing me to shiver. His mouth latched onto my
wetnessandheplungedhistongueinside.Histongueslidacrossmyclit,causing
metogroan.Heeasedinandout,fuckingmeferventlywithhistongue.
Igrabbedontohisheadandmovedhimcloserin.Igruntedfromtheslowand
sensualmovementsofhistongue.Imoaned,thrustingmyhipsharderagainsthim,
andhewentindeeper.Histongueswirledthroughoutmyvagina,pickingupany
leftovercumfromthenightofpassionweshared.
Ashewasmovinghistonguefranticallyacrossmynetherlipsandupanddown
myclit,anotherroundofjuicesflowedoutofme.Histonguemethodicallylappedup
everydrop.
"Yes!"Myheadbouncedagainstthebed,aserraticbreathingtookovermybody.
Histongueslowlymovedoutofitsfortressandtraileduptomymouth,wherehe
passionatelytookover.Hishandsrandownmysides,whilehistonguedippedin
andoutofmymouth.Thefactthatweweresoabsorbedinthemoment;itwasa
wonderthatIheardmyphoneringing.
"Dont,hebegged,increasingtheintensityofhislipsonmine.
Iignoredit,untilitrangagain.Itwasalittleaftertwooclockinthemorning.
There was only one person I figured it could be. "I have to," I reluctantly said,
pullingaway.Ireachedoverthebedandgrabbedthephonefrommynightstand.I
sawhisnumberonthephone."HelloMontie?"
"Destiny,Imsorryforcallingsolate."
"Arethekidsalright?"
"Montanashe has a fever, crying, and nothing I do seems to make her feel
better."
IglancedtoJacob,andhewasgivingmeaconcernedlook."Haveyougivenher
Tylenol?"
 "Yes,abouttwohoursago.Allshesdoingisyellingforyou,though.Iwouldhave
justbroughtherhome,butJuniorissleeping,and"
"Itsalright.Imonmyway."
IdisconnectedthecallandshotJacobanapologeticlook.Then,Ibegangetting
dressed. In the midst of everything, I had forgotten that I didnt have a car. I
finishedputtingmybraonandturnedtohim.
"IhavetogogetMontana.She'scryingandhasafever.Idonthaveacarhere,so
"Isaid,whenInoticedhewasdressing,too.
"Irealizethat,"hereplied."Iwouldntletyougobyyourselfanyway."
"Thankyou."
Heshrugged."Nothanksnecessary."

*******

WerushedtoMontieshouse.Whenwegottothedoor,Jacobremainedbymy
side.Iknockedonthedoorvigorouslyuntilhegrabbedmyhand.
Givehimachancetogettothedoor,baby.
Whyishetakingsolong?IwasanxioustomakesurethatMontanagotthe
caresheneeded.
Montiefinallyopenedthedoor.HeglaredatJacobasifhewasnotexpectingto
seehimthere.Iknewhewasnt,butIrushedinwithJacobfollowingme.
"Whereisshe?"Iasked.
"Umlyingdown,"hemumbled,directingmetotheback.
Iwentintotheroomandsawherclosedeyes.
"IdidntexpectyoutobringJacob?"Montiesaidsarcasmthickinhisvoice.
"Youknow,Montie,ifIdidntknowbetterIwouldthinkthatyouwereupto
something,"Ispat.
Helaughed."Ridiculous."
 "Isit?"Iasked,lookingbacktoMontanawhowassleepingsoundly."Areyousure
youdidntjusthopeyouwouldruintonightformeandthatswhyyoucalled?" I
walkedoverandbrushedmyhandagainstherforehead.Shewaswarm,butshe
didnthaveafever.
"Iwouldntdothat,"hesaiddefensively.
Imnotsosureaboutthat.
"Icalledyou,becauseshewantedyou.Youtooksolongthatshefellasleep.She
canstaysincesheissleeping,butIdontwanthertowakeupagainandcryfor
you."
Ishookmyhead."Youdonthavetoworryaboutthat.Imtakingheranyway."I
leaneddownandwhisperedinherear,"Montanababygirl."
"Mommy?"Hereyesflutteredopen,andsheheldherarmsoutformetopickher
up.Shenestledagainstmyneckanddriftedbacktosleep.
"WhileIgetherready,gogetJunior."
"What?Juniorisstayingwithme.Hesfine."
Ithoughtitwascrazytoarguethepointandjustdroppedit.IcarriedMontana
outtothelivingroom,whereIwaitedforMontietorejoinus.
Jacobfeltherforeheadandalookofconcerncrossedhisface."Sheswarm,"he
whispered.
"Yes,sheis,"Isaidtouchingherforeheadagain.
"Iheardyoufussingbackthere.IseverythingokaywithyouandMontie?"
Inodded,seeingMontiecomingdownthehallwaywithMontana'sbag.
"Yeah,everythingisjustfine.Youdonthavetoquestionheraboutwhatsheand
I talk about. Thats between me and Destiny," Montie answered Jacob for me,
soundingpissed."Stayinyourownlane."
JacobcalmlywalkedovertoMontieandstoodfacetofacewithhim."Itseems
thatyou'retheonemisunderstandingafewthings.This"heturnedaroundand
pointedtomewithMontanainmyarms,"ismylane.WhateverconcernsDestiny,
isamajorconcernofmineandthatincludesMontieJr.andMontana."
MontielookedwasreadytocomebackatJacob,andJacobdidntlookreadyto
backdown.Junior'stinyvoicebrokeintotheduel.
"Mommy?"IturnedtoseeJuniorstandingbesidehisdad.
"Junior,whatareyoudoingup?"IsaidasJacobtookadeepbreathandwalked
awayfromMontie.Theywerestillsilentlychallengingoneanother.
"Whatareyoudoinghere,Mommy?"Juniorasked,ignoringmyquestion.
"Montanawasntfeelinggood,soImtakingherhome.Youregoingtostayand
haveawonderfultimewithDaddytomorrow."Iwastryingtosoundcheerfulfor
Montiessake,butIsawthelookonJuniorsfaceashepuckeredhislips.
Iwanttogohometoo,hepouted.
"Dontcry,Junior,"Isaid.Itsstillyourfathersweekendtime.
"Iwanttogowithyou,though,"Juniorsaidafterafewhardsniffles.
MontieglaredatmeandIshrugged.Itwasntmyfaultourkidsdidntwantto
staywithhim.IcouldnttellJuniorhecouldntgohome.
"Goputyourshoeson,Junior,"Isaid,andhedisappearedbackinhisroom."Im
sorry,Montie.Icouldnttellhimthathecouldntgohome.Whydontwejustswitch
weekends?Youcanhavethekidsnextweekend."
"Thatwontwork.Ihavetogooutoftownforwork."
Whydoesntthatsurpriseme?Yourworkwasalwaysmostimportant,soIdont
knowwhattotellyou.Montanadidntplantogetsick,"Isaid.
"Iknow,"hegrumpilyrepliedandglaredatJacobwhohadasnarlingglare,as
well.
Juniorcameoutoftheroomwearingshoesandcarryinghisluggage.
"Comeon,let'sgo,"Jacobsaid.
Byeson,MontiesaidandhuggedJunior.
 We left Monties house with him watching us from the porch. Jacob put the
luggageinthetrunkandhelpedtoloadJuniorintothevehicle.IputMontanain
hercarseat.
"Weregoinghome,sweetie,"Isaidwhenshebrieflyopenedhereyes.Ikissedher
foreheadandclosedherdoor.
AsIgotintothepassengerseat,IrealizedMontiehadgoneinside.Hestaredout
thewindowwithslumpshouldersandalookofdefeatinhiseyesaswedroveaway.
 CHAPTERTWENTYTWO

DESTINY

HotandCold

IwalkedoutofMontanasroom,onceshewasbacktosleep,andjoinedJacob
sittingonthecouchinthelivingroom.Isatdownbesidehim,laidmyheaddown
hisshoulder,andheldhishand.
"Howsshedoing?"heasked.
"Shesgood.ThanksforstandingupforusatMontieshouse.Idontknowwhyhe
actslikethat."
"Themanlostthebestthingthathappenedtohim.Iknowwhyhesmadabout
that,butitstoolate.Itsmyjobtoloveandprotectyounow.Imnotyieldingmy
responsibilitiesforonesecond."
"Iloveyou."Ibrushedasoftkissacrosshislips.
"Mommy?"IpulledfromthekissandturnedtofindJuniorstandingintheliving
room.
"Hey,whatareyoudoingstillawake?"
"Icantsleep.CanIsleepwithyou?"heasked.
"Sure.GogetinmybedandIllberightthere."
Juniorranthroughthehallandintomybedroom.
"Youareagreatmom,Destiny,"hesaid.
 "Youforgivemeforcuttingournightshort?"
"Baby,Iwouldnthavehaditanyotherway.Yourkidscomefirst,sothereis
nothingtoforgive.Now,ifyouwerethetypeofwomantoputyourneedsfirst,thats
unforgivable."
"WillIseeyoutomorrow?"Iasked.
"Iwasthinkingaboutcampingoutonthiscouch,ifthatwasalrightwithyou,"he
pattedthecouch.
ItsasweetgestureandIwouldlovetowakeupknowingyoureinthenext
room,butthatcouchwontbeverycomfortable,Isaid,takinginhistallstature,
whichmadethefurniturelookevensmaller.
"Ohbaby,don'tworryaboutmebeingcomfortable.Mycomfortcomesinknowing
that Im here to protect you all. Now, go take care of Junior and Ill see you
tomorrowmorning."
Iblewakissinhisdirectionandsmiledallthewaytomybedroom.Iwasgoing
tosleepwell.

*******

Thenextmorning,IwokeupandsawthatJuniorwasstillsoundasleep.Imoved
offthebedandpaddeddownthehallway.IpeekedinMontanasbedroom.Iwalked
overtoherandtouchedherforeheadandwasrelievedthatshewasntfeverish.
Ileftherroom.ThatswhenIsmelledbacon.IheadedintothekitchenwhereI
stoodandwatchedJacobasheworkedthestove.Icouldnttakemyeyesoffhim.I
walkedovertohimandwrappedmyarmsaroundhiswaist,layingmyheaddown
onhisshoulder.
"Goodmorning,"hesaid,touchingmyhandwithoneofhisandflippingthebacon
withtheother."Hopeyourehungry."
 "Hmm"Imovedovertothecounterandrestedmybottomontheledge,loving
thesightofhisdomesticatedside."Smellsdelicious."
Heturnedoffthebaconandputitonaplate.Hebrokeoffapieceandputitto
mylips.
"Hmmtastesdelicious,too,"Isaidafteronebite.
Heleanedinandsuckedmylips."Youreright,thatsprettydelicious."
Ismiledandpulledmyselffromthecounter.Thewaffleshadjustcomeup.I
helpedbygettingoutacoupleplates."Mysleepyheadsarestillout.Theywere
exhausted,"Isaid.
"Therellbeplentywhentheywakeup,"herepliedwithawink.Iputaplatein
frontofhimandsatdown.Hejoinedme."Thisgivesusaglimpseintowhatitwill
belikewhenweremarried,doesntit?"
"Itdoes,"Ireplied.Weneverspecificallymentionedtyingtheknot.Mymarriage
toMontiehadtakenatollonme.Ihadprayedforthedesiretoonedaywantto
marryagain.TohearJacobspeakofmarriagemademeexcitedaboutourfuture."I
wanttoapologizeagain,aboutlastnight.Itwashardtoleaveyourbedandhaveto
dealwithMontie."
Heshruggeditoff."ItjustmeansthenexttimeweretogetherImgoingtomake
upforlosttime.Itturnsmeontoknowthatyouputyourchildrencomefirst.Ilove
itwhenawomanhasherprioritiesinorder.That'sthewayitshouldbe."
Imunchedonapieceofbacon,realizinghowblessedIreallywas."Itmeansalot
tohearyousaythatthat."
Heleanedacrossthetableandwekissed.Inibbledlightlyonhissyrupcovered
lowerlipandtediouslyremovedthetastefromhismouth.Iwould nevertireof
kissingJacobTurner.
"Mommy!"IheardMontanayellfromherbedroom.Ilaughed,pullingaway.
"Hotandcold.Thisisexactlyhowitwouldbeifweweremarried.Areyouupfor
it?"
 "Imalwaysupforachallenge.ButIknowforsureit'sgoingtobemorehotthan
cold,believethat,"hesaid,asIwalkedawayfromhimandleftthekitchen.
Ihopedhemeantthat,becauseIwasgoingtoholdhimtoit.
 CHAPTERTWENTYTHREE

DESTINY

AllYouGottaDoIsSayYes

Overthecourseofthefollowingweek,JacobandIdidntgettoseeeachotherat
all.HewasbusyinDelaware,andmytimewasoccupiedwithbeingamotherand
PRrepforbusiness,Genesis,whichwasanewbusinessintown.Theywereanup
andcomingretailstorethatIputmytouchesontogetthemknowninthemarket.
Whentheendoftheweekcamearound,Itriedtothinkofthingsthekids,Jacob
andIcoulddothatwehadntalreadydone.
"Wecouldgorollerskating,"Ithoughtaloudandreachedforthephonetocall
him. Before I picked it up, the phone rang. You must have read my mind," I
answered,assumingthatitwasJacob.
"What do you mean, I must have read your mind?" my mother said with an
attitude.
"Oh,Ithoughtyouweresomeoneelse.Hey,Momhowsitgoing?"
"Its going good," she answered with a light chuckle. "I would be doing much
betterifyouandmygrandchildrenhadcomevisitmeoverthepastfewmonths.Ive
beenmissingyouguys,soIfiguredImgoingtohavetocomegetmygrands,sothey
canspendtheweekendwithme."
Thiswasperfect.JuniorandMontanacouldhangwithMom.JacobandIcould
pickupwhereweleftofflastweek."Momthatsagreatidea.Youwanttokeep
themthisweekend?Ivebeenreallybusyandthatwouldbehelpful,"Isaid.
IdidntwanttogointoanydetailsaboutJacob,soIledhertobelieveIwouldbe
working.Icrossedmyfingersandhopedshethoughtitwasagreatidea,too.
"Bringthemoveraboutsixoclock,tonight."
"Soundsgreat!Theyaregoingtolovethis,Mom.
Good,seeyouatsix.
IhungupthephoneandexcitedlycalledupJacob.
"Hello?"
"Hey,somymotherisgoingtotakethekidsthisweekend.Imthinkingwecan
gettogetherandstartwhereweleftofflastweekend.Whatdoyouthink?"
"Ohletmethinkaboutthat"myheartfellasheteasedme."Ihaventheard
anythingasgoodasthatthisweek.Thatisanamazingidea."
"Good,Iwilldropthemoffatsixoclockandheadtoyourplace."
"Dinnerwillbeonthetableanditllbejustaromanticeveningin."
Ilovethesoundofbeingcurledupinfrontofthefireplacewithaglassofwine
anddessert"Iwaseagertobethereinhisarms.
"Thatandawholelotextra,"hesaid.
"Icantimagineanythingbetter."
"Seeyoutonight,Destiny.Iloveyou."
"Iloveyou,too."

*******
Atsixoclockonthenose,Isaidmygoodbyestomymotherandchildren.Ipulled
intoJacobsneighborhoodat6:45.Iglancedinthemirrortocheckmymakeup.Igot
outofthecarandstraightenedmyreddress.WhenIreachedhisdoor,Iknocked
anditdidnttakelongbeforehisarmswrappedlovinglyaroundmeandourlips
tangled,asifitwasourfirsttime.EverytimeIwaswithJacob,itwaslikeourfirst
time.ThatshowIknewitwasmeanttobe.
"God,Ivemissedthat,"Isaid.
Hiseyesdrankinmydressandasmirkgracedhislips."God,Ivemissedthis,"
hegrabbedahandfulofmyassinhishands.
"Behave.
ThatIcantpromise.Notwhenthesightofyoudrivesmeinsane.Hehesitantly
releasedmeandledmeintohisdiningroom.Thefragrancewasinviting.Heheld
outachairfor me andItookaseat.Hethenwentoverandbeganpreparingour
meal.Icookedsomethingyoulllikeporkchopsandredpotatoes."
IseeIminforatreat.Nomanhaseverwaitedonmelikethisbefore,Isaid.
"Remember,Imnotachef,"heteased,puttingtheplateoffooddowninfrontof
me.Iglancedatthedelectablelookingfood.
"Looksedibletome,"Isaid.
"Judgeitwhenyoutakeabite."
Icutoffapiecefromtheporkchopandtookabite."Ugh"Igrimaced.
A look of concern entered his eyes. I dont usually cook, but I wanted to do
somethingspecialforyou.AtleastyouknowIlldoanythingforyou,hebegan.
Icouldnotgoonwiththejoke."Ittastesgreat,actually,"Ireplied,laughingasI
tookanotherbiteandadrinkofthewine."Youdidverywell,Jacob.Imustconfess."
"I learned a few things from Greta," he said, referring to his nanny from
childhood.Hehadadorationinhiseyeswheneverhespokeofher.Wetalkedabout
howeachothersweekwent,discoveringthatwebothhadbeenwaitingforthis
moment."Thisweekend,I'mgoingtoremindyouwhyI'myourman,andIllrepay
youforjokingaboutmyfood,"hesaid,chimingmyglasswithhis.
 "Oh"Iscrapedemptyplate,stuffed."Whatdoyousay,ifwejustputthedishes
inthesinkandtomorrowIhelpyouwashthem?Rightnow,Iwanttobewrapped
upwithyou,gettingpunishedformystunningsenseofhumor."
"Youreadmymind."
Ileanedacrossthetable."Canyoureadmine?"Iasked,teasinghimwithagrin.
"You'rethinkingsomethingnaughty.Andnaughtygirlslearnthehardway."
Igrabbedourdishesandslinkedawayfromthetable.Iputtheminthesink.
WhenIturnedaround,Jacobgreetedmewithhishandssnakingaroundmywaist.
Hekissedme,pinningmeagainstthekitchencounter.
"Are you teaching me a lesson?" I softly moaned, pressing my palms into his
back.
Hisarousalgrewagainstme,soImovedpasthim,grabbingourtwoglassesand
toppingthemoffwithwine.Ihandedaglasstohim.Hetookmyhandandguided
metothelivingroom.Heleaneddown,turnedontheelectricfireplace,andsat
downontheblanketthatsatbeforeit.Hepulledmedowntojoinhim.
"Now,thisiswhatImtalkingabout,"hesaid,takingagulpandputtinghisglass
onacoaster.
Wewentbackintoamesmerizingembrace,whereheatandelectricityfilledour
kisses.Ourfiretoastedtheroom.Heplacedmeonmybackandgotontopofme.
Histonguesweptacrossmineandmyhanddugintohisbackwhilewespenttime
takingitslow.Hishandsglidedtomyarmstheneasedtomyback.WhileIreveled
intheromanticmoment,heeasedthezipperofmydressdown,buthedidntgo
further.Hejustslippedhishandinsideandmassagedmyback.
Iopenedhisshirtbuttonsonebyone.Ididntremovehisshirt,though.Iranmy
handsoverhischest.Ourbodiessensuallymovedagainstoneanother,grinding
withslowforce.Mynailstraileddownhischestwhileweintensifiedthemovement
ofourtongues.
 Iundidhispantsandslidmyhandacrosshiserection.Hegroanedagainstmy
mouth,butneverbrokefromourheatedkiss.Myhandslippedinsidehisboxersand
onceagainglidedoverhismanhood,butthistimewithoutanybarrier.
Withoureyeslocked,Ibegantoremovemydress.BeforeIslippeditovermy
shoulders,hespoke.
"Wait"Hestoodupandsaid,"IthoughtIcould,butIcant."
Myheartpoundedanxiously.Iclosedmyeyes,asItriedtocomprehendwhatwas
happening. I dont understand. This isnt the first timewe havebeen together,
Jacob.Idontgetit."
Heplacedhishandonmine."Destiny,lookatme."
Iopenedmyeyes.Astartledgaspescapedmylips.
Hewaskneelingbeforemewitharinginhishand."Istartedthisdaythinking
tonightwouldbeaniceromanticeveningthatendedinsomeamazingsex.ThenI
wouldproposetoyouwhenthetimewasright,andyouwouldhavenodoubtinyour
mindthatthiswasmeanttobe."
"Jacob"Iwhispered.Istareddownattheplatinumringwithabigrubyinthe
centersurroundedbybaguettediamonds.
"Then,youcomeherewearingthatreddress,"hesmiledshowinghisbeautiful
whites,"andwehavetheniceromanticeveningandwearesoconnected.Itjust
feelssoright.IdontseewhyIhavetowaitanylonger.ThisismeanttobeandI
hopeyouknowthat,too.Idontwanttogoanothernightwithoutknowingthatyou
aregoingtobemywife.Destiny,willyoumarryme?"
Tearsstreameddownmycheeks.Istaredatthering."Yes!Iwillmarryyou,
Jacob."Myhandsshookasheputtheringonmyfinger.Hepulledmetomyfeet
andtookmeintoabreathtakingembrace,kissingawaymyfears.Heliftedmeinto
hisarmsandcarriedmedownthehalltohisbedroom.Helaidmedownonthebed
andwebothwildlyremovedeachothersclothing.
Heslidinsideofmewithoutwarning.
 I arched my back to give him better access to what was rightfully his. He
dutifullypoundedhiswayinside.Herodeharderagainstmethaneverbefore;the
ferocious impactcaused metowhimperinpleasurablepain. I lostmyselfinhis
violentthrusts.
"Jacob"Iwhisperedhisnameintothedimlylitroom.
"Yesbaby,"hesaid,rockinghishipstothesoundofmyforcedbreathing.
"OhDestinyahhhh"hecried,ashiscumrapidlyforceditswayintomywomb.
I bucked in a whirlwind of lust. My body shook beneath him, my eyes only
openingtolookatthespinningceiling.Ifellhardagainstthebed,searchingfora
goodbreath.
"Yesyesyes"Ihollered,asIfocusedonthewayhisbodyexcitedmine.His
handsranupanddownmyback.
"Youfeelsogood,"hemoaned,slidinghistongueagainstminebeforetrailing
downandsuckinghiswaytomyshoulder.
"Youfeelgoodtoo,"Isaidonasigh,breathlesslymoaningbetweeneachword.
Hislipsmovedtomybreasts,latchingontoanipple.Hetediouslysuckedonthe
leftandmovedtotheright.Histeethcaressedeachperkynipple,ashistongueslid
acrossthenub.
Mysighsturnedtoraggedsoundasifheweretryingtoregainstrengthtospeak.
Hetraileddowntomystomach,dippinghistongueinsidemynavelandswirling
itaround.Hewentfurthersouthandhelickedthejuicesawayfrommynetherlips.
Heslidhistongueinandoutofmyslit,rubbingwithtorturousmovementsacross
myclit.
Achingandthrobbing,Iwantedtofeelhistongueslipinfurther.Itgentlymoved
in,deepeningmymoans.Heflickedhardagainstmyvagina,strokingitwithdesire.
Adeepcryflewoutofmylips,andIfeltthefluidityofmorecumseepingintohis
mouth. I reached down and grabbed his head, stroking him with pleasure. His
tonguemaneuveredaroundmyopening,untilhewasremovinghimselfandending
thepleasurefilledmoment.
Herubbedhiswayupmybody,hishandsreachingmybackandcuppingmyass
inhispalms.Hefelldownontopofme.Hishandreacheddownandgraspedmine.
Hebroughtituptohislipsandkissedit.
IstaredintohiseyesuntilIdriftedoffintoadreamlesssleep.
 CHAPTERTWENTYFOUR

JACOB

Justine

"Justine!"Iwoketobeadsofsweatrunningdownmyface.Isatstraightupin
bed. My heart was racing. All I could think about was Justine. Something was
terriblywrongwithher,andIhadtogettoher,fast.
Destinysatupinbed,aswell.Shehadalookofconcernonherface.
"Jacob,whatswrong?"
"Idontknowwhatitisyet,butsomethingswrong,"Isaid,asIjumpedoutof
bed."IhavethisfeelingsomethingiswrongwithJustine.ThelasttimeIfeltlike
this,shewasbeingrushedtoCalvaryGeneralafteramajoroverdose."
Mymindwasracing.IrushedovertomycellphonetoseeifIhadanymissed
calls.Therewerenone,soIcalledher.
"Are you calling her?" Destiny asked, and I could see the shock and
disappointmentonherfaceasshespoke.
"Yes,"Isaidendingthecall."Andshesnotanswering."Iimmediatelydialedup
anothernumberandtappedmyfeetonthefloorasIwaitedforsomeonetoanswer.
"Hello,Martha.I'msorrytocallinthemiddleofthenight,buthaveyouorRon
heardfromJustinetoday?"
 DestinystaredatmeasIspoke.Thedistressoftheturnofeventswasevidentin
thewayshelooked.
"Okaysure.Havehercallmeifyoudo.Thankyou!"Ihungupthecall."Her
parentshaventheardfromhereither,"ItoldDestiny,asIpulledaTshirtovermy
head."Ihavetogocheckonher."
"You'reabouttogotoMiaminow?"Destinyasked,asshesatfurtherupinthe
bed.
"Yeah,Ineedtogocheckonher.ThelasttimeIfeltthisway,shehadalmost
killedherselffromanoverdose."
"Jacob,youhaventtalkedtoherinmonths.Imsureshesokayanditwasjusta
baddream."Destinysaid,springingtoherfeet.Shewalkedoverandstoodfaceto
facewithme.
No,itsmorethanthat.IknowJustine.
"Well,sheturnedherheadsidewaysandanincredulouslydaringlookentered
herglare.Ifyouknowme,youdcomebacktobed.Youcancallandcheckonherin
themorning.Evenifsomethinghashappenedtonight,thereisnothingyoucando."
ShedidntunderstandwhyIcouldntleaveJustinehanginginalifeordeath
situation.Shehadshowntheuglypartofhercharacter,butstillshehadbeenmy
friendforyears.
"Youdontunderstand,Destiny.IcantgotosleepwhenIcantshakethisfeeling.
Youmaynotgetit,but"Myphonerang,interruptingmythought,andIdropped
mypantsandquicklyansweredit."Justine?"
"No,thisisnotJustine.It'sMallorie,oneofthenursesfromCalvaryGeneral.Is
thisJacobTurner?"
"Yes,thisishim,"Isaid,shootingDestinyafranticlook.
"Mr. Turner, I have some bad news. Justine Parker has been admitted after
beingfoundunconsciousatherhometoday.Hercharthasyoulistedasnextofkin,
soweneedyoutocometothehospitalassoonaspossiblesowecanmakesome
decisionsabouthercare,"thenursesaid,andIcouldhearbeepingmachinesand
thebusynessofahospitalinthebackground.
"Isshegoingtobeokay?"
"It'stouchandgorightnow,butshe'safighter.Weneedyoutogethereassoon
asyoucan,incasesheneedstogoontheventilator."
"I'monmyway,"Isaid,hangingupthephoneandgoingbacktogettingdressed.
"Iknewsomethingwaswrong,"IsaidasIpickedmypantsupoffthefloor.
"Whowasthat?"Destinyasked,studyingmyfaceforanswers.
"ThehospitalinFlorida.Justinejustgotadmitted.Sheoverdosedandmayneed
togoontheventilator.IneedtogetthereASAP."
"Youcantbeserious,Jacob.YouarerunningofftoFloridabecauseofher?"she
said,puttingherhandsonmypantstostopmefrombucklingthem.Whydontyou
justcallherparentsbackandtellthemtogo.
"Destiny,stopthis.Ihavetogo.Sheisnotonlymyfriend,butherparentsare
myfamilysfriends;andsheneedsmetobethereforher."Myheadwaspounding,
asIlookedintohereyesandsawthehurtinthem.ThelastthingIwantedtodo
washurtDestiny."YouwoulddothisifMontiewasintrouble,"Isaid,levelingwith
her.And,Iwouldntdoanythingtostopyou.
Herjawdroppedopen,andsheletgoofmypants."Thishasnothingtodowith
Montie! He is the father of my children. Shes your crazy ex that uses suicide
threatstokeepyouinline.Besides,youhavenorealconnectiontoJustine."
"JustineandIhavehistory.Wevebeenfriends sincekindergarten. You dont
knowthekindofrelationshipJustineandIhave"Iswallowedthelumpinmy
throatasIrememberedmyoldfriend,theonethatdefendedmewhenIusedtobea
pissant.
Youreright.IdontknowtherelationshipyouandJustinehave,Destinysaid
somberly.
 "I mean the relationship we had," I corrected. Look, its not what youre
thinking.
Destinywalkedovertotheclosetandstoodfacetofacewithmeagain."Jacob,
justhoursagoyoumadelovetome.Youaskedmetobeyourwifeandtospendthe
restofmylifewithyou.Nowyourerunningofftobewithyourexgirlfriend,"she
said,asatearrolleddownhercheek.
Ishookmyhead."She'sanoldfriendwhocouldbedeadbythetimeIgetthere.
Pleaseunderstandthatthisisnomorethancaringforafriend.Itstherightthing
todo."
"Afriendwhohasdisrespectedmeonsomanylevels,morethanonce."
Sheknowsnottoeverspeakthatwaytoyou,oraboutyou,everagain.Igotthat
pointacrosstoherthelasttimewetalked.And,Imnotgoingtosocializewithher.
Imgoingtomakesureshesphysicallyokay,spendsometimewithherparentsand
mineandIllbereturninghome.Isteppedaroundherandpickedupmysuitcase.I
placedenoughclothesinitforafewdays.Islammedthesuitcaseshutandcalled
Henry.IwouldcallRonandMarthaonceIgotinmycar.
"Ineedyoutocomeandpickmeuprightaway,andcallTimandtellhimtoget
thejetreadyforatriptoMiamipronto."
"Now?"Henryasked,soundinggroggy.
"Rightnow!"
"Okayboss,"Henrysaid,clearinghisthroat.
IwalkedoverandpulledDestinyclose."Pleasedon'tcry,Destiny.Youhaveto
knowthatIlovenootherwomanbutyou."
"Justgo,Jacob,"shesaidpushingmeaway.
"She needs me, Destiny. Well talk about this when I get back," I said, torn
betweenmypresentandmypast.Iplacedakissonherforeheadandsaid,"Im
leavingthekeystomycarforyoutodrivehome.Lockupwhenyouleave."
 Destiny'stearstuggedatmeasIwalkedoutofthebedroomdoorandupthehall.
IcouldfeelaripinmyheartasIgotintothebackseatofmycar.Icouldnttellwhat
wouldhurtworse:losingJustinebysuicideafterhavingpushedheroutofmylife,
orlosingDestinyfortryingtobethereforafriend.
 CHAPTERTWENTYFIVE

DESTINY

Gon'LearnToday

Hecookedmedinner.Heaskedmetomarryhim.Wemadelove.Then,afew
hourslater,hestravelingonhisjettostandbesideJustine.Itdidntaddup.Didhe
stillloveJustine?Iwastiredofhermanipulatingourrelationship.Ilookeddownat
myengagementringandforcedthosehorriblethoughtsfrommymind.However,
theonlyreasonhewouldwakeupoutofadeadsleepcallinghernamewasthat
theyhadanemotionalconnectiondeeperthanwhatheadmitted.
"Ineedyoutocomeandpickmeuprightaway,andcallTimandtellhimtoget
thejetreadyforatriptoMiamipronto,"he'dsaid,lettingmeknowthathisdecision
wasfinal.Whenhehungupthephone,helookedtorn,buthisnextwordsletme
knowwherehisheartwas.
"Sheneedsme"hesaidbeforeplacingakissonmyforehead.Heleftourbedof
lust,leavingmeatalossforwords.
"Ineedyou,too,"Iwhisperedashisfrontdoorslamshut.Moretearsthreatened
tofallasIgotupandputmyclotheson.
 Thewonderfulsmellofhiscolognelingeringintheairimpaledmysenses.The
lookonhisfaceashemadelovetomewasstillfreshonmymind.
Then the fire in his eyes when he said, "She needs me" rushed back. The
contentsofaperson'sheartwouldalwaysshinethrough.Tonightwasthattimefor
Jacob.HeandJustinegrewuptogetherandshewashisbestfriendbeforethey
decided to date. Obviously, they were still fully united. The way he jumped up
knowingthatsomethingwaswrongwithhersaidthattheyhadadeepconnection.
TherewasnowayinhellorhighwaterIcouldmarryamanthatsynchronizedwith
anotherwoman.
Ibrushedmyhairbackintoaponytailandputonmyjacket.Lookingaroundat
hismahoganycoloredroomdecoratedwithpicturesofAmericansoldiers,Iknewit
wouldbemylasttimeinthatroom.Icommittedeverypartofittomemory.
ThedoorbellrangwhenIwalkedoutintothehallway.Irushedtothedoorwitha
smileonmyface.Hecameback,Ithoughtandopenedthedoorwithoutcheckingto
seewhoitwas.IthoughtJacobhadcometohissenses.
"Boobitch!"JustinesaidasIstoodeyetoeyewithherchromeplatedpistol.She
walkedtowardme,andIbackedupintothehousewithmyhandsintheair.
Myheartnearlyjumpedoutofmyshirt.
"Justine,whatareyoudoing?Ithoughtyouweresick."
"Oh,I'msick;sickofyoubeingwithmyman,butIhavemedicineforyourass,"
Justinesaidasshepressedthebarreloftheguntomyhead.
"Jacobisnothere.HejustgotonhisjetonthewaytoMiamitocheckonyou,"
Isaid,hopingthatwouldmakeherbackdown.
"Donttellmewheremymanis!Iknowwhereheis.Isenthimthere.Ididnt
come for Jacob, Destiny. It's your homewrecking ass that I'm here to settle up
with."Justine'smascararanwildlydownherpaleface.Shelookedasifshehadnt
hadgoodsleepindayswithdisheveledhairandawildlookinherblueeyes.
 Icontinuedtobackawayfromher.Shedrewcloserwiththegunpointedbetween
myeyes,untilIbackedintoawall.
"Ishouldkillyourblackwhoreasswhereyoustand.Whodoyouthinkyouareto
trytotakemyman?"sheaskedbeforehittingmeonthesideofmyfacewiththe
gun.
"Awwaaw!"BloodgushedfrommyfaceandIholleredinpain,whilegrippingmy
facewithmyhand.
"ShutthefuckupbeforeIshutyouup.You'vebeenrunningaroundherehaving
aballwithJacob,butthisisrealliferighthere.Whenyoutakesomethingthat
belongs to another woman, you have to suffer the consequences. And, there are
consequencesfortakingtheoneIlove."
"Ididntknow"Istartedtosay.
Sheturnedthegunaroundandhitmewiththebuttinthecenterofmyface.I
felltotheground,holleringoutloudly.Ihopedsomeonewouldhearmeandcallthe
police.ThenIrememberedJacobhadnoneighbors.Hedboughtouttheentirefloor,
andthebusinessesbelowthecondowereclosed.
"Wronganswer!I'mnotgoingtoletyoustandhereandactlikeyoudidntknow
Jacob belonged to me, especially when you saw me at the airport about to kill
myselfoverhim.Youknew!Bitch,youknew!"
Ilayonthegroundandwatchedasshehitherownheadwiththesideofthegun.
Shetookouthercellphoneanddialedaseriesofnumbers.
"Moveandyouwilldie,"shetoldmewhilemakingthecalls.
"Hellomydarling,Jacob,"Iheardhersaybeforeshekneeleddownandpopped
mewiththepistolagain.
My head pounded so hard that I couldnt think about moving. The beautiful
smilesofmybabiesflashedbeforemyeyesrightasIblackedout.
 CHAPTERTWENTYSIX

JACOB

SheNeededMe

My plane ascended into the air. I prayed Justine would make it through her
latestsuicideattempt,oratleastholdonuntilIgotthere.IneededtotellherIwas
sorryfordistancingmyselffromher.Ihadnottakenhercallsforthepastthree
months, and the thought of her dying without knowing what she meant to me
piercedapieceofmysoul.Icouldntbelievethat,asmentallyillasshe'dbecome,I'd
allowedarifttocomebetweenus.IlovedDestinywitheverypartofmymanhood,
but Justine was there for mewhen I didnt know how to be there for myself. I
shouldhaveneverlefthersideknowingsheneededme.Iowedhermyfriendship.
"HowlongwillittaketogettoCalvaryGeneral?"Ibuzzedthepilotandasked.
"Aboutoneandahalfhour,sir."
"Cutthatdowninhalfandsteponit,"Isaid.Mycellphonebuzzed.Irushedto
answerit,whenIsawthatitwasJustine'snumber."Hello?"
"Hellomydarling,Jacob,"Justinesaid,soundingascalmandregalasever.
"Justine" I was relieved to hear her voice, but baffled that she was on the
phone."Whatareyoudoingtalkingonthephone?IjustgotacallfromCalvary
Generalsayingthatyouwerehangingonbyathread."
 "Oh,I'mfarfromhangingonbyathread.Ican'tsaythesameforDestiny,"she
saidwithawickedlaugh.ShesalittleundertheweatherorshouldIsayunder
thegun.
"What are you talking about? Are you" I stopped midsentence, when I
recognized Destinys shrilling scream in the background. I eased forward in my
seat."Justine,whoisthathollering?"
Then,Ihearditloudandclear.Aloudthud,wailingandthensilence.
"Oh, thats that cry baby whore of yours. I thought black women were much
tougher,butthisoneiskindofweakJacob,"shesaidagaincalm,coveringhervoice.
"She'sknockedoutnow,soshewon'tbecryingforawhile,ifsheevercriesagain."
"Youbetternotharmonehaironherhead.IswearbeforeeverythingIknowand
lovethatyouwillpayforthis,"Isaidstandingupandpacingtheaisle.
"Jacob,youvebecometoughinyouradultlife,butImnotscaredofyou.The
holleringiscomingfromthelittleniggerthatyoulovesomuch.Youcangoahead
andstayinMiami,becauseyou'llhavenoreasontobeinAtlantaonceIputabullet
inherprettylittleface."IcouldhearDestinymumbling,obviouslypleadingforher
life.
"Pleasedon'tshootme,"shesaidweakly.
"OrmaybeI'llpopherinherheartsoitcanstopbeatingfirst.Eitherwayisfine
withme,justsolongasshestopsbreathing."
"Youwouldntdoanythinglikethat"Isaid,understandingforthefirsttime
thegravityofJustine'sinstability."Justine,don'tdothis."
"Iwouldntifyouhadjustansweredthephoneandtalkedtome.Iwouldntifyou
hadnotwalkedoutonme.Butnow,IwouldandIwill.She'sasgoodasdead"
wasthelastthingshesaidbeforethephonelinewentdead.
Irushedtothefrontoftheplanetothecockpit."GetmebacktoAtlantanow!"I
toldthepilot.
"Rightnow,boss?"
 "Rightnow!"Iscreamed.
ItriedcallingJustineback,butgotnoanswer.ThesadlookIleftonDestiny's
facerushedintomymind.IwouldmakeJustinepayfordeceivingmeandhurting
Destiny,ifitwasthelastthingIdid.

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