Anger crept into her belly. She took a step back and contemplated whether to allow Malcolm to come in or not. He’d never been inside her new home and she didn’t want to contaminate her space with his presence.
“It’s not a good time. I’m in my pajamas already,” Olivia shouted with her mouth close to the door. “Call me and we’ll speak on the phone.”
“Olivia. I’ve seen you in your pajamas before. Remember? Come on. I need to tell you some things face-to-face instead of on the phone,” Malcolm pleaded.
“Ugh.” Olivia didn’t want her nosey neighbors to overhear their conversation. He seemed persistent and more than likely, would not leave. She counted to ten and after breathing in deep breaths, released her anger enough to turn the knob to open the door.
Malcolm’s grim face turned into a weak smile. He removed his baseball hat before striding past her into the living room. “Thanks.”
Olivia closed the door. She folded her arms across her chest and considered Malcolm with building suspicion. “Unless you stopped by to tell me you aren’t moving the kids to Miami, we don’t have anything to discuss. Why are you here?”
“Nice place.” Malcolm ignored her question and glanced around the home. “I see you’ve put your expert touch on decorating. I like it.”
“I don’t have time for small talk. Answer my question.”
Olivia disregarded his attempt to ease into the conversation.
“Are those pink unicorns on your pajamas and socks?” Malcolm laughed. “I see you weren’t expecting company tonight.”
Olivia’s hair prickled on her neck. “Do I need to escort you out?” She placed her hand on the doorknob.
“Okay. I’ll get right to it.” Malcolm lowered himself onto the sofa without an invitation to do so. His foot pushed off one shoe and then the other before he stretched blue-jeaned legs across the cushions like he used to do when they had a secure and happy marriage. He settled in as if planning to stay awhile. “Aren’t you going to sit down?”
Olivia couldn’t believe his boldness in acting like they didn’t have major issues with each other. She placed both hands on her hips and stood in front of Malcolm. “I didn’t invite you to have a seat. Tell me whatever you’ve come to say and get out of my house.”
“Alright.” Malcolm’s eyes softened in a way unsettling to Olivia. She hadn’t seen this look in a long time. “I first want to let you know, I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“For making bad decisions when it comes to you and me.” Malcolm kept his gaze on her face and appeared to be truthful.
Olivia glanced around searching for a ventriloquist who may be speaking the words for him. “Is this a joke? I can’t remember you apologizing to me for anything in the last ten years. Why now?”
Malcolm rose from the sofa, and in one step, stood in front of Olivia. He placed his fingers on her shoulder. Olivia slapped his hand away. “Sorry. I’ve put you through more than what is fair. I’ve caused the hurt I see in your eyes. I’ve been selfish and didn’t consider all you’ve done for me and our children.”
Astonished, Olivia’s thoughts became paralyzed. “Malcolm…why…,” Olivia began.
“Wait. Before you speak, let me tell you this.” He cleared his throat. “You loved me like no one ever has before. The chemistry between us from the day we met is something I’ve never had with another woman. I knew I loved you from the moment I laid eyes on you in the grocery store and again at the wine festival. You’ve been nothing except a wonderful mother to our children. I admit I put you through a lot of misery.”
Malcolm’s words sounded as if he read the lyrics from the inside of an album cover. These were the things she’d always wished she’d heard from him. Appreciation and an apology. Olivia took the edge from her voice.
“Why now? I have been to the point of losing my mind. I have a jail record. I don’t even know who I am anymore. Why are you saying these things?” Olivia trembled.
Malcolm paced the room in long strides. He turned to face Olivia. A tear slipped from his eye, which he swiped with his palm.
“I see what’s happening to our children and you. After you left yesterday, I couldn’t get through the pain I’ve caused Simone and Christian. This cutting thing is serious. I can’t stand the idea of her hurting herself. It dawned on me the repercussions my actions have had on their lives.”
Shocked, Olivia sank onto the sofa. Malcolm sat next to her without his eyes leaving hers. More tears slid across his cheeks and dropped to his lap. Olivia fought the urge to reach out to him and wipe them away. He appeared vulnerable and handsome at the same time, which tugged at her emotions.
“I don’t understand why you feel the need to tell me all of this. After everything we’ve been through, what is the purpose?”
“I’m not an evil person. I’m only a man who has made bad mistakes. I strayed from what I knew to be right.” Malcolm reached for her hand and she didn’t resist him holding it. “Olivia, please find forgiveness in your heart. I want to be the person you knew when we first met.”
Olivia’s body weakened at his touch. She didn’t realize how much she needed to hear those words. Tears flowed against her will. She fought slipping into the path of emotions welling inside. Olivia closed eyes were met with the softness of his lips on her eyelids, kissing away each droplet released. He ran his fingers through her hair and massaged the back of her head.
“Malcolm,” Olivia whispered. Alarms sounded in her head to run. Her body escaped to the memory of all they had in the past, desiring more of his touch. She ached for him.
He silenced her words with the fullness of his lips. Every nerve heightened with each light kiss. The inclination to resist left her mind. Until now, she lacked the touch of a man in her world.
Malcolm inched closer to Olivia. “I’m sorry. I apologize.” Tension was released from inside when he drew her closer to his chest. His tongue licked along the parting of her lips until she allowed it to find its way inside. Total recall of the familiarity of his mouth skyrocketed into her thoughts as they meshed together.
“Olivia,” he moaned.
Olivia couldn’t fight the yearning to embrace Malcolm and receive the passion he released in his kiss. She tasted the saltiness of their intermingled tears, which made her cry more.
She realized they hadn’t cried together since the birth of their son.
They clung to each other as the years of bundled pain poured into the moment. Olivia leaned her head back and quivered. Intoxicating sensations from Malcolm pelting her neck with wettened kisses made it difficult to decipher emotions. Goosebumps raised from the intense pleasure. After all this time, he still knew her body by heart and pinpointed sensitive spots. She rubbed his broad back and muffled the moans which emerged from her throat.
“Please forgive me,” Malcolm murmured between each kiss.
The fingers on his right hand brushed the front of her pajama top. Olivia gasped from the familiar sensation of her skin tingling. It had been too long since anything dead inside of her resurrected to life. Olivia withdrew and covered her chest. “Malcolm. What are you doing?”
“Olivia. You’re beautiful and stunning.” Malcolm’s face dripped with desire. His lowered eyelids reminded her of the days when they couldn’t get enough of each other. “Touching your body again is doing something to me. I need you.”
Olivia placed a hand on Malcolm's chest and pressed him back with gentleness. “No. You think you need me. Are you forgetting you’re engaged now?” The reality of her question snapped his body into rigidness.
Malcolm’s jaw tightened and Olivia noticed his Adam’s apple rise and fall from his hard swallow. Defeated, he leaned away from Olivia and sunk into the pillows. “I made a mistake. I needed more from you. She filled the void. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Olivia stood against a force of mental resistance. “I think you’d better go now.” Exhaustion filled her body causing h
er knees to buckle.
Malcolm rose to his feet and embraced Olivia. His gaze pierced her eyes with his plea for forgiveness. “I belong to you, Olivia. We are still husband and wife. Take me back.”
“I can’t.” Olivia stammered. “I…I don’t know how.
“Let me show you. I love you, Olivia. I know you love me, too.” Malcolm’s lips fluttered her face with kisses. His hands roamed across her back and brushed the front of her chest again. This time, Olivia didn’t force his hand away.
Malcolm stared into her eyes and unbuttoned her pajama top to reveal her naked breasts. Olivia shuddered from the coolness of his lips as they traveled across every part of her exposed chest and stomach. Resistance relocated to the furthest part of her mind even as he removed the remaining piece of her clothing and let his mouth roam to the center of her body. Her toes curled as she writhed with pleasure.
The only words she heard were, ‘I belong to you, Olivia.’ Mariah no longer dominated the man she loved. The rekindling of the spark between their bodies gave Olivia the security she needed to receive all Malcolm gave to her. Their cries of ecstasy vibrated through the air until they reached the raw place of serene fulfillment.
EIGHTEEN
Savvy
One of a kind dream homes filled the neighborhood Savvy drove through. She decreased her speed to read the addresses on boulders in front of each jaw-dropping custom-built house to find the number Pharrell had texted her.
A white stucco two-story house with a red-tiled roof sprawled across a portion of land manicured well enough to be a golf course matched the address in her phone. She wheeled her BMW into the circular driveway and shifted the gears into park. Her eyes widened, taking in the splendor of Pharrell’s home.
Her stomach growled in anticipation of the food. The idea of seeing handsome Pharrell again made her heart leap.
Savvy lowered the sun visor and checked her make-up and hair in the mirror to make sure everything appeared to be flawless. She tucked a couple of braids behind her left ear, and let the right-side hang loose. Now she’s prepared for Mr. Wonderful.
The custom fit of Savvy’s dress complimented her curvy body. Purse in hand, along with a bottle of wine, she exited the car. One last look at her reflection in the driver’s window gave her the confidence everything on her fell into place.
She admired the variety of white flowers in the garden bordering the walkway to the front door. Only the sound of her high heels clicking on the sidewalk penetrated the evening air in the quiet neighborhood.
Savvy pressed the doorbell button, which rang out in a series of rich-sounding bells. The massive solid wood door swung open in an instant and there he stood, looking like he stepped out of a magazine. He had a way of making a simple T-shirt and blue jeans look good. Muscles strained against the fabric of his shirt.
“Hello, darling.” Pharrell greeted her in his deep bass voice.
“Well, hello. You got to the door quickly.” Savvy laughed despite him startling her.
“I couldn’t wait for you to get here. You look amazing.” Pharrell wrapped his muscular arms around Savvy in a warm embrace. The strength in his hug made her not want to let go. She savored the smell of his cologne before stepping back from him.
“Thank you. Here’s a bottle of wine for the chef.” Savvy entered the house. Her nostrils debated which aroma to focus on. Him or the food. “I smell something delicious in here.”
“Welcome to a taste of Heaven.” Pharrell laughed and retrieved the wine bottle from her. He examined the label and nodded his approval.
The sound of a songstress floated through the air. “Wait a minute. Are you playing Jamille ‘Jam’ Hunter?”
“Yes. This is her song, ‘In the Sun’. How did you know?”
“I listen to Jam’s music all the time. I have every CD by her. She wrote a wedding song for my friends, Cynthia and Jay. You talk about a true performer. She’s amazing.”
“Man. I can’t even surprise you when it comes to music. At least I know you have great taste.” Pharrell winked.
“I’m glad we have something else in common.” Savvy took in her surroundings. From the entryway, she could see his fondness for the color of white. Every wall, piece of furniture, and tile floor made the house appear to be a winter wonderland covered with soft snow. “Your home looks amazing. From what I see, you have exquisite taste.”
Pharrell’s sense of style had a contemporary flair with straight lines and simplistic in a minimalist kind of way. Pictures displayed on walls, made his home resemble a museum.
An enormous portrait of Pharrell hung above an oversized white stone fireplace. His handsome appearance took Savvy’s breath away. He wore a tuxedo holding a rose toward the camera. His teeth, which had to be worth thousands in orthodontic dollars, dazzled between smiling lips.
“What a great portrait of you.”
“You agree too, huh?” Pharrell beamed. He intertwined his fingers with hers to lead her closer to the fireplace. She loved the strength in his grip.
“It looks like a real picture. Did a local artist do the painting?” Savvy inquired.
“No. I commissioned the painting of this portrait of me when I was stationed in Germany. I look pretty good in my tuxedo. Don’t you agree?”
“I do.”
“Thank you.” Pharrell’s eyes danced in excitement as he settled his gaze on her. “Tell you what. I’m putting the final
touches on your gourmet meal. I’ll pour you a glass of wine. You’re welcome to tour around until dinner is ready.”
“Sounds like a fabulous idea.”
Pharrell headed to the kitchen and Savvy heard the uncorking of a bottle. He returned to the living room and handed her one of two goblets he held. “Here’s to a wonderful evening of excellent food and two gorgeous people.” They raised their glasses in a toast before taking a sip.
“The wine is delicious.” Savvy gazed around the living room. “You have quite the eye for decorations.”
“Thank you. I pride myself on picking out the finest Italian leather furniture. I had this house built from the ground up with my design.” Pharrell extended his arms in a sweeping way as if referring to paradise. “You’re welcome to go anywhere except for the kitchen. I want you to be surprised by the dinner I’ve prepared. Make yourself at home and I’ll find you when it’s time to eat.”
“Well, thank you for letting me be nosey.”
Pharrell made his way back into the kitchen. Two photos, in 20x20 frames, caught her eye. They hung on each side of a curio case, which held collectibles from what appeared to be his world travel.
In one picture, Pharrell wore a white, long-sleeved collared shirt, a canary yellow sweater vest, khaki pants, golf shoes, and a sun visor. He posed with a driving iron resting on his shoulder as if he’d hit a hole in one.
The other picture, also of Pharrell, showed him posing in front of a cherry red convertible sports car with one knee on the ground and his elbow resting on the thigh of his other leg. He held his chin with his thumb and knuckle of his forefinger.
Pharrell called out from the kitchen. “Everything okay with
your tour? Do you need any more wine?”
“All is well. I still have half a glass left,” Savvy yelled back.
“Go check out my office in the west wing. I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing how I’ve decorated in there,” Pharrell suggested.
“Okay. Will do.” Savvy glanced around. She picked a direction she assumed led to the west wing. She admired his collection of statues and swords in glass display cases. Her heels echoed in the house above the jazz piping through surround sound speakers in every room.
She arrived at the entrance to the office and widened her eyes in astonishment. Every statue, bowl, desk, chair, bookcase, and artifacts were white. A collection of poster-sized photos in white frames covered the white walls.
To Savvy’s surprise, the posters consisted of the progression of P
harrell’s growth from him as a baby through his adult years. There were not any other people in the pictures. Only Pharrell. Savvy’s mouth gaped as she turned around in the room with the eyes from each picture staring at her. The room was a shrine of himself.
“I see you found my office and are admiring my pictures.” Pharrell’s deep voice boomed behind her.
Savvy clutched her necklace and jumped. She almost sloshed the wine from the glass. “Oh. I didn’t know you were standing there.”
“You appear to be in a trance. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself.” Pharrell admired the pictures with a smile. “I should’ve been on baby food jars. You must admit, my pictures are adorable.”
“Um. Yeah. Quite a collection.” Savvy gulped wine to fill in for a loss of words.
“Well, dinner is ready. Let’s head to the dining room. Are you hungry?”
“Starving. I can’t wait to eat.” Savvy rubbed her stomach. “By the way, where’s your bathroom. I’d like to wash my hands?”
“Here. I’ll escort you.” Pharrell led the way around a corner and extended his arm in front of the bathroom. “Here you are, my dear.”
“Thank you.” Savvy turned on the light and sure enough, the rugs, towels, and shower curtain were all white in a room big enough to be a master bathroom. She passed through another door to get to the toilet and wasn’t surprised it sparkled clean without any other colors.
As she sat on the commode, she raised her eyes to the front wall and almost fell off the toilet. A life-sized poster of Pharrell in a skin-tight American flag Speedo stuck out in front of her face. He stood with his hands on his hips, gazing to the side as if he were oblivious to the presence of a camera.
Savvy leaned forward to examine the photo closer and observed all his blessed goodies bulging in his swim briefs. She turned her head to the side to get a better view of the interesting use of the American flag in 3D.
Pharrell knocked before his muffled voice spoke through the door. “Are you okay in there? I don’t want your dinner to get cold.”
“I’m fine. Sorry to keep you waiting.” Savvy flushed the toilet and fixed her clothes. After washing her hands and drying them on a plush white towel on the countertop, she opened the door and stood face to face with Pharrell. His expression showed a hint of amusement.
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