When she finally shut off the water, stepping out into the cool air, she snatched up the plush white towel Davis had left on the counter and wrapped it around her body. He’d graciously afforded her privacy in the home’s guest bedroom. The tranquil space had been painted a robin’s-egg blue accented with lemon-yellow pillows and sheer white fabrics. With the minimalistic décor, the room was very pretty, his sisters’ feminine touches obvious.
Moving from the adjoining bathroom into the bedroom, Neema found an oversize sweat top and pair of gray sweatpants resting on the bed. A second choice lay beside it; a pair of track shorts and a T-shirt. A long-stemmed rose pulled from one of the arrangements he’d received in the hospital rested between both. Lifting it to her nose, she took a deep inhale of the fragrant aroma, allowing it to soothe her anxiety. Excitement fueled her nervousness and had her knees shaking just enough to fear falling flat on her backside. Again.
After slipping into the sweat top, which landed just at her knees, she opted to forgo the sweatpants. They made her look like she was swimming in cotton fabric and there wasn’t enough elastic to keep them on her slim waist. She chose the shorts instead, the look more like a dress with panties beneath it. Granny panties, but at least her bottom was covered so that she didn’t feel so exposed. She checked her reflection in the mirror one last time and took a deep breath. Then she opened the bedroom door.
Titus lay on the floor outside the door, the dog sitting up as she leaned to give him a scratch behind his ears. He licked her palm then lay down again, barely giving her a glance as she headed for the living room.
* * *
Davis had been kicking himself for the disastrous turn the night had taken. He’d been excited when Neema had agreed to come over. And grateful that she hadn’t thought he’d been looking for a late-night booty call. Explaining that he just needed a friend and the company of someone he could talk to easily had sounded cheesy at best, but his pleas hadn’t been met with cynicism. Neema hadn’t thought him crazy and, if she had, she’d spared him the embarrassment of saying so out loud.
He imagined the mishap with Titus would be fodder for many a joke and much laughter at some point in their relationship, but he wasn’t sure now was that time. Despite her good nature, he imagined the moment was not one she wanted either of them to dwell on. So, after taking care of her clothes and providing her with a temporary wardrobe until the buzzer sounded on his dryer, he figured a large bowl of his Rocky Road popcorn and a bottle of Moscato would turn the tide of his intentions back in his favor.
He drizzled hot popcorn with butter, vanilla extract and kosher salt. Just as he was tossing the popcorn mix with mini marshmallows, chocolate chips and toasted pecans, spreading them on a baking sheet to go into the oven, Neema sauntered into the room. Her smile was sweet and consoling, and instantly eased the tension he’d been feeling.
“Something smells really good,” she said as she eased over to the counter and one of the stools.
“I made my special popcorn for you. And I opened a bottle of wine,” he said as he reached for the bottle and poured her a glass.
Neema laughed. “Wine and popcorn. You know how to make a woman very happy!”
“I try,” he said, his smile pulled full across his face. “Seriously, though, are you okay? I was really worried that you might have hurt yourself.”
Neema smiled back. “My pride was bruised more than anything else. Here I was trying to look cute when I got here and I literally stepped in it!”
Davis laughed. “Actually, you kind of slid and landed in it.”
Neema laughed with him. “Don’t remind me. I think I’m sending this night to the top of my Most Embarrassing Moment list.”
“You have a list?”
“Don’t you?”
Davis grinned and shrugged. “Now that I think about it, I guess I do.”
He slid the pan into the oven, peeking through the door just before moving back to lean across the counter. “Thank you,” he said as he reached for her hand, gently kissing the backs of her fingers.
“For what?”
“For coming to my rescue.”
“You hardly look like you need saving, Davis.” And he didn’t, Neema thought to herself. He looked slightly smug, shouldering an air of confidence that she found quite sexy. He also wore a T-shirt and gray sweats identical to the pair he’d left for her to wear, and he filled them nicely. She found herself wondering how often he worked out to keep himself so fit and then felt bad for being so superficial. Most especially because he was being so open. She shook the reverie away, refocusing on what he was saying.
“You’d be surprised. It’s been a rough few weeks.”
“I hate that you’re going through a hard time,” she said.
“I feel challenged. So much has happened that I’m not sure if I’m coming or going. That’s what’s most frustrating. I hate having questions that I can’t easily find the answers to.”
“Did something else happen?” Neema asked, concern flooding her face.
Davis shrugged. “Just one more thing added to my list,” he said and then told her about his discovery and what he thought it might mean for his family. He pushed the family photo across the counter for her to see.
“This doesn’t have to be a bad thing,” Neema said as she stared at the image of the old man and the two young boys who looked like bookends beside him.
“No, it doesn’t. But when you consider the history between our two families, it’s hard to imagine anything good coming from this. I don’t see us ever breaking bread together over a Thanksgiving table.”
Neema gave a slight shrug. “And maybe nothing at all will come of it. Things might stay just as they are now. No more, no less.”
“You make it sound so easy,” Davis said, turning from the counter to the stove.
Neema watched him remove the oversize baking sheet from the oven. The sugary sweetness scented the air as he transferred the popcorn into a large bowl.
“Something tells me that popcorn will make all of our problems go away,” Neema said with a soft chuckle.
“It will definitely make us forget about them for a minute or two.” He checked that the oven was off then added, “Why don’t we take this into the living room and get comfortable?”
Neema grabbed their two glasses and the wine bottle and led the way.
Davis followed, the bowl of goodies and a stack of paper napkins in hand. He found himself staring as she walked away. Her feet were bare, the oversize sweatshirt exposing her lean legs. She’d rolled up the arms of the top past her elbows. She was just a wisp of a woman and he found himself imagining her cradled in his arms, lying tight against his chest.
Her stride was easy, each of her steps led by the gentle sway of her hips. Her walk was sexy as hell and he felt heat surge below his waist, muscles rumbling as blood pulsed into his appendages. He took a deep breath and then another to stall the rise of energy that threatened to make the moment awkward.
When they’d settled comfortably on the couch, Neema sitting cross-legged and the bowl of popcorn between them, Davis reached for the remote to turn on the stereo and turn down the lights. Lauryn Hill’s “The Sweetest Thing” filled the room, followed by “Ex-Factor,” then Jill Scott’s “He Loves Me.” The two settled into the ambience, relaxing with the music and the subtle exhalations of each other’s breathing.
Davis shifted the popcorn bowl to the table and wrapped his arms around Neema’s shoulders. As she allowed herself to settle against him, he pressed a damp kiss to her forehead.
“You smell good,” he said softly.
She giggled. “Soap and water can be your friend, too!”
Davis laughed with her and hugged her closer. “I think about us a lot, Neema. About where this relationship could go if we let it. Every time we’re together, I don’t want to think about when we have to part.
I really care about you and I hate that our getting to know each other has been mingled with so much drama.”
Neema pressed her hand to his chest, her fingers teasing the flesh beneath his T-shirt. “The drama doesn’t bother me, Davis. Because I like you, too, and I like that we’re growing closer. I know that if we focus on supporting each other, we’ll get through the drama.”
Davis nodded as he pressed his lips gently to hers. The kiss was tender, until it wasn’t, every ounce of emotion the two were feeling for each other exploding between them. Leaning back against the cushions, he pulled Neema down with him. As she fell against the expanse of his chest, his hands danced along the length of her arms and across her back. The tips of his fingers rested against the curve of her buttocks, heat burning beneath the tips. Her arms snaked around his shoulders and back, her hands clinging to him hungrily as her mouth twisted and turned with his. The kiss had become frenetic, both anxious for each other’s touch.
When he shifted his body beneath hers, Neema straddling his legs, there was no hiding the rise of nature that pressed against the front of his sweats for attention. His excitement was on full display as he pressed himself against her.
* * *
Neema suddenly sat upright, pulling a closed fist to her mouth. “I’m sorry. There’s something we need to talk about first...” she started to say. “There’s something important I need to tell you.”
Davis straightened, dropping his palm to his crotch to hide the very visible erection. “I’m sorry. I was moving too fast. I didn’t mean—”
“No, that’s not—”
Titus suddenly barked, standing at the front door, the fur around his neck standing on end. He growled, a low, deep, brusque snarl that vibrated loudly through the room. Davis stood abruptly, moving to peer out the front window. Titus barked again and Davis moved to the front door, stopping first to grab his gun.
Neema paused the sound system, the room going quiet save Titus’s barking. She backed her way into the corner, her eyes wide. She stood perfectly still, listening to see if she could hear what Titus heard as she watched Davis move from one window to another, peering out to the street to see what he could see.
“Go sit,” Davis said to the dog, finally breaking through the quiet. “It’s just a raccoon.” He heaved a sigh of relief as he turned back to Neema. “Sorry about that. I’m a little on edge. Since that drive-by, every strange noise makes me nervous.”
“Better safe than sorry,” she muttered.
Davis moved to her side and kissed her, wrapping his arms tightly around her torso. “If I made you uncomfortable before, I apologize. I would never—”
“You didn’t,” Neema said, interrupting him. “It was fine. It was...good...and I was enjoying myself. I just...well...” She was suddenly stammering, trying to find the words to explain herself. Because she needed to come clean about everything before they took things any further. Davis needed to know the truth.
“Let’s sit,” Davis said softly, guiding her back to the sofa. “I want you to feel comfortable and I don’t want to rush you into anything that you’re not ready for.”
“And I appreciate that. I’m here because...well, I want to be here with you. But I want to be honest with you about everything and I need...”
The low jingle of his cell phone interrupted the moment. Davis held up his hand, stalling her words. “I’m sorry. I need to grab that. I’ve been expecting a call from my brother. I’ll make it quick,” he said as he hurried into the kitchen.
Neema grabbed the remote and turned the sound system back on. Alicia Keys was singing “You Don’t Know My Name.” As if sensing her anxiety, Titus jumped up beside her on the furniture, nuzzling the side of her face before dropping his head into her lap. She hugged the dog warmly, leaning her face into his.
Minutes later, when Davis returned, Neema and his dog were both sound asleep.
* * *
When Neema woke, it was dark in the room, a single light shining from the kitchen. Something had startled her out of her sleep and, for a quick minute, she wasn’t sure where she was. She sat upright, a blanket tangled around her bare feet, and then she remembered.
On the floor below her, Titus slept soundly. Davis sat in the leather recliner beneath his own blanket. His head had rolled to the side and he snored softly. She had no memory of falling asleep or of stretching her body out against the sofa cushions. She knew Davis had draped the blanket over her and she imagined he had shooed Titus to the floor. Checking the time, she saw that it was almost five o’clock in the morning.
She sat watching Davis for a good few minutes, briefly debating waking him from his sleep, but deciding to let him rest. He appeared to be dreaming, the slightest smile on his face. He needed the rest and, since he appeared to be comfortable, she decided to let him be. It was too late for conversation and the moment for their romantic interlude had passed.
Stepping over Titus, she tiptoed through the kitchen to the laundry room and her clothes that sat on the counter. Davis had folded everything neatly, laying her silk panties and lace bra on top.
She slipped into her clothes, tossing his sweat top and shorts into the hamper. Tiptoeing back to the living room, she claimed her shoes and purse. Titus suddenly moved to her side and sat. His head was cocked to the side as he watched her.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Neema whispered.
The dog tilted his head to the other side, panting softly.
“You’re really starting to make me feel bad, Titus, but this is for the best. You need to trust me on that.”
The dog snorted, still eyeing her intently.
Across the way, Davis shifted in his seat. Neema froze and waited to see if he opened his eyes. When he didn’t, she sighed in relief, feeling like she’d come too far to want to explain herself. Feeling like it would be best if she were gone when he woke.
As if he’d actually read her mind, Titus snorted at her a second time.
“Okay! I’ll leave a note,” she muttered as she reached into her purse for her notepad and pen.
Three quick lines later, Neema gave Titus one last rub. She snuggled his muzzle against her cheek and then she snuck out the door. The note for Davis rested on the kitchen counter.
CHAPTER 14
She’d left. Neema had risen early and was gone. Davis had been startled out of a sound sleep when Titus scratched at his knee, whining to be let out. Rising, he’d called her name. When he hadn’t gotten a response, he’d gone in search of her. The note on the kitchen counter had been short and sweet.
You make my heart sing, Davis Black! Thank you for a wonderful time. Call me when you can.
The note made him smile, but a wave of sadness settled around his shoulders. He had wanted to wake up to her by his side. To start his day with her bright smile as he held her in his arms. He missed her. And in that moment, Davis realized that Neema Kamau had dominion over a large part of his heart. He felt a gasp catch in his throat as the reality of that swept over him. He was falling in love. Hard. And despite his excitement, he wasn’t quite sure what it should look like or if he should even try to label it.
Davis shook away the emotion that had risen full and abundant and in want of attention. He slipped his large feet into a pair of Nike sneakers and pulled a toboggan down low over his ears. Titus pawed at him and ran to the front door. Davis slipped a leash onto the Rottweiler, and the two took off for a morning run.
The air outside was crisp but the sun was bright, beginning to rise comfortably in a cloud-filled sky. The weatherman was predicting the first snow of the season and it felt like Mother Nature was prepping for the possibility. Five blocks from his front door, Davis stopped running, slowing to a walk. His breathing was labored, and his head had begun to pound. Maybe a run hadn’t been a good idea, he thought as he pulled Titus to heel. Davis was feeling out of sorts and grossly out of shape. Altho
ugh he knew some of it had to do with his head injury, it had also been a long minute since he’d last been in a gym or worked out.
Davis and Titus were only a block from his home when he spied the silver Mercedes. It pulled abruptly out of a parking space, the driver accelerating into the intersection. He and Titus had just stepped into the walkway when the vehicle purposely sped toward them, narrowly miss hitting them as it blew through the stop sign. Davis jumped back, landing harshly against the hood of another parked car and rolling to the sidewalk. He pulled Titus abruptly, the dog yelping as Davis snatched him to his side.
Davis cussed as he jumped back to his feet, following the car with his eyes as it disappeared around the next corner.
“Are you okay?” an elderly woman called out from the other side of the road.
“That car looked like it was trying to hit you on purpose!” her companion interjected.
“Some people don’t need no driver’s license,” the old woman added.
“I’m good. Thank you for asking,” Davis said as he leaned to check that Titus was okay, as well. The dog was licking his paw, pandering to his front leg as if it hurt.
“Damn fool could have killed someone,” the old man muttered as the couple waved goodbye and continued their walk.
Davis pulled his cell phone out of his pocket and dialed his brother. Mingus answered on the second ring. “Someone just tried to run me down,” he said, not bothering to say hello.
“You okay?”
“I’m good. I got the license plate.”
* * *
Neema’s father found her in the event room. She sat alone, staring out into space. She’d called in sick to her day job, not wanting anything to do with the newspaper. Instead, she’d chosen to open the restaurant to help her parents prepare for the day.
Harlequin Romantic Suspense March 2021 Page 88
