by Ravenna Tate
“Doubting herself a lot, doubting us, and still blaming herself for Brian’s death, but I’m hoping Dr. Thompson can help her with all of that.”
When Annie glanced at him sideways, he turned in his seat to face her. “What?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? Jesus Christ, Cassidy. Now I can see why none of your marriages lasted. Do you love this woman?”
The two of them rarely discussed their personal lives in great detail, but he really did need someone to talk to, so he answered Annie’s question. “Yes.”
“Does she know this?”
“Yes.”
“She knows about your three ex-wives?”
“She knows about them. We haven’t discussed details.”
“Why not?”
“She never asked.” That wasn’t true. He’d never told her, even though he recalled now that he had said he would.
“Look. You and I have been doing this a long time together. And I have never seen you go out on a limb like that for anyone. You could have been suspended. You should have had charges filed against you. Ty was livid. You should have seen him. But I know you knew that, and I know you weren’t thinking of any of that. You were only thinking of Rosanna. She came first. Am I right?”
“One hundred percent.”
“So don’t tell me you’re waiting for her shrink to fix this for her. Show her you’re there for her, too. She needs you right now, even if she doesn’t realize it.”
There was no point in telling Annie that Rosanna wasn’t sure she wanted to be with him because, as usual, Annie had nailed him. “You’re telling me to fight for her.”
“Damn right. Unless I’m wrong about how much you want this woman in your life.”
“You’re not wrong.”
“Okay then. No more crap talk about passively hanging back, waiting for someone else to make this right.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Fuck you.”
To realize that Annie had turned out to be a better ally than anyone Houston had ever worked with gave him a warm glow. As they pulled into the driveway of the witness’s home, Houston couldn’t stop smiling. It was nice to know Annie was in his corner. He’d likely never find another partner like her. She was one of a kind.
****
That evening, Houston walked into Rosanna’s apartment to the smell of his favorite food in the whole world. Fried chicken. He also caught the whiff of corn and mashed potatoes. Comfort food heaven!
“I hope you’re hungry.”
One look at her and he was hungry for more than food. She wore a dress he’d never seen before. It hung in soft folds halfway down her thighs, and tied at the side. He couldn’t help imagining undoing that slip of material to let it fall open, exposing her boobs. Matching earrings adorned her lobes. “Babe, you look fucking incredible. What’s the occasion?”
“I want you to know how much I love you.” She sauntered up to him and put her arms around his shoulders. She smelled musky and warm, and his dick jumped to attention. “How was your day?”
“Well, it just got a whole lot better. How was yours?”
“JoElle hypnotized me again.”
“Why?” A quick shiver of fear sliced through him. Were there more memories lurking in the dark?
“She said it would help with me not blaming myself for Brian’s death.”
“Wow. Did it?”
“I feel so much better than I did this morning.”
“Rosanna. That is wonderful.” He kissed her, and the passion with which she returned it made him want to skip dinner, fried chicken or no fried chicken. She released the kiss first.
“Come on. Dinner is ready. You can tell me all about your day.”
The conversation with Annie in the car flashed through his mind. “Rosanna, I love you. I believe we’re meant to be together, and I don’t want to lose you. I will help you through this, too. Just tell me what you need, but please don’t give up on us. I want you with me for the rest of my life.”
The tender look she gave him allowed hope to build. “Oh, Houston. I’m not giving up on us. One of the things I realized today was how much I love you and want to be with you. That’s what all this is for. I need to show you that.”
“Babe, you already do. In a thousand little ways.”
“Well, now it’s a thousand and one. Or two, later, that is. If you want to.”
A huge grin spread across his face. “Are you trying to seduce me, Miss Selim?”
“Yes, detective. I certainly am.”
“As if you even have to ask.” He kissed her again, and only released it when his stomach grumbled.
Dinner was heavenly, as he’d known it would be. He told her about his talk with Ty, and how Annie had been rooting for him in the background. “She’s a pain in the ass, but she has great instincts.”
“I can tell how much she respects you, even if she has odd ways of showing it.”
“Yeah. I guess she’s okay after all.” He took her hand. “But I don’t want to talk about Annie. I want to talk about you and me.” Here I go… “I think it’s time we made this a more permanent arrangement. And wouldn’t it be nicer for you to live closer to work?”
“Closer to work? You mean at your place?”
“My place is a dump. I was thinking we could buy a house together.”
They stared into each other’s eyes for long moments, while he held his breath. But her face didn’t show hesitation or discomfort. He wanted to pump his fist in the air at the relief coursing through him.
“If we’re going to move in together, there’s one thing I need to know first.”
“Anything.”
“I want to hear about your ex-wives. You told me once you’d tell me about them.”
“Absolutely. I agree. It’s only fair.” He told her about Ava, and how she’d issued an ultimatum regarding his job.
“Do you wish you’d chosen her instead of the job?”
“No. We had issues that me getting a new job wouldn’t have solved.” Next, he told her about Daphne.
“I’m having trouble picturing you with someone like that.”
“I had trouble picturing myself with someone like her. It was a huge mistake on my part.”
“Who was the third one?”
“Jayne. She’s the one I most regret.” By the time he finished that story, Rosanna was frowning.
“Do you still feel that way? I mean about having children.”
“I’m not sure. Do you want children?”
“If you had asked me that before my memory was restored, I would have said no way. Losing Cheta always made me vow never to become a parent. I couldn’t imagine the pain of burying your child. But now, I’m not sure how I feel.”
“We don’t have to make that decision now.”
“No, we don’t. Thank you for telling me, Houston.”
Reaching across the table, he took her hands. “All of these are things I should have discussed with those women before marrying them. I won’t make that mistake with you. We will get everything out in the open before we walk down the aisle.”
“So, you still want to marry me, even after everything that’s happened?”
“You are still you. I love you. You are the woman I’ve waited for.”
When she released his hands and walked around the table to sit in his lap, his heart nearly stopped from joy. He hadn’t lost her. She would be his wife one day, and Houston vowed not to fuck it up. He had never loved anyone the way he loved her, and this time he would work his ass off to make sure she knew that.
Chapter Twenty-Five
“Ready for dessert?”
“There’s more? I don’t think I can…” His voice trailed off as Rosanna smiled at him. When he finally understood her meaning, that sexy grin she loved so much split his face. “Oh yeah.” He reached down and pulled on the tie at the side of her dress. “Yes. I am very ready for dessert.”
There was a knot in the tie, so she undid it but let him tug o
n it until the dress fell open. “Oh my. I wondered whether you were wearing anything underneath this.”
“And now you know.”
Before he grasped her left breast, he gazed at her like she was the most exquisite thing he’d ever seen. She would never tire of seeing that look in his eyes. She’d been reluctant to make love to him after recalling that night twelve years ago, thinking he wouldn’t want her any longer. What a damn fool she’d been to even imagine such a thing.
“I love you so much.” He captured her nipple between his teeth, biting gently until Rosanna’s pussy was soaked. “You’re so fucking beautiful and sexy.”
All she could do in response was moan as he licked her nipple and underneath her breast, before moving to the right one. Rosanna tilted her head back and closed her eyes, allowing the sensations to envelope her.
This was the man she’d waited to meet. In time, the hypnosis and Houston would help her forget the pain and fear those memories had brought back. She wanted nothing more than to spend her life loving him and making him happy.
“Let’s go to the bedroom.” He nuzzled her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
“I think we’re fine right here.” Rosanna slid off his lap, letting the dress fall to the floor as she did. She unzipped his jeans and knelt in front of him, while he moaned loudly and grasped her head.
“Babe, I have no words.”
“Talking is overrated.” Rosanna eased his jeans down until she could take his cock into her mouth. She sucked hard, alternating that with licking up and down the shaft. He squirmed on the chair and moaned loudly, grasping fistfuls of her hair.
“God, that feels so fantastic, but I want to come inside your pussy.”
“Mmm. You will.” She tortured him a while longer with her tongue, until his moans turned into low growls. At that point, she smiled up at him, shivering again at the look of love and lust in his eyes.
As she stood, he did as well, pulling off his jeans, boxers, socks, and shoes. “I need to fuck you. Now.”
“I’ve missed you, too.”
“Oh, babe. I don’t mean to be such an animal.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her, nearly taking her breath away with the passion. “But I can’t help myself.”
“I love you like this. Sit back down.”
A huge grin split his face as he did what she asked. Rosanna straddled him, lowering her wet slit over his throbbing dick. He grasped her hips, and she cried out in pleasure.
“Oh my God! Houston…”
“I know, babe. I know.” He kissed her neck again as he moved her up and down. Rosanna reached between them and rubbed her clit, crying out as a powerful orgasm overtook her.
“Oh, Rosanna!”
There were no words. She couldn’t speak anymore. All she could do was enjoy his deep, hard thrusting as he rammed into her. She had a feeling he wouldn’t last long, but that was all right. They had all the time in the world later to work up to another slow, steamy session. Right now, this was what she wanted. Deep and rough. And he delivered.
As her climax drew to a close, Houston cried out and pumped harder inside her with jerky, quick movements. When he finished, she held onto him for long, luscious moments, letting her breathing return to normal.
“That was incredible,” he said, kissing her neck. “Thank you.”
“We should try for every room tonight.”
His sexy laugh sent her heart soaring. “I love the way you think.”
Rosanna had no idea what would happen with her therapy, but she now knew two things without a doubt. Houston was the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with, and he would move heaven and earth to keep her safe. He had risked the loss of his job to do so, and she would never stop thanking him for that in every way she could.
****
One month after Rosanna was told she would not be prosecuted, Houston told Rosanna to be ready for a special night out that Saturday. While he worked half a day, catching up on paperwork, she dressed in the new clothes she’d bought for the occasion. The dress was teal because he loved that color on her. He always told her it made her skin look golden, and reminded him of the colors in the dream catcher she had hanging in her living room.
Because the weather was finally turning warm, she had also splurged on new sandals to match the dress, as well as color-coordinated jewelry. She had no idea where they were going, but he’d told her it was special and private. This outfit would be appropriate for anything from a chain restaurant to the most expensive places in the state. Tonight, everything needed to be perfect.
When he arrived home, he whistled and pulled her into his arms. “Babe, I swear if I didn’t have so much planned for this evening, we’d order takeout.”
“What do you have planned? Tell me!”
That sexy grin she loved never failed to send shivers down her spine. “No way. You’re going to have to wait.”
“Tease.”
“I love teasing you.” He kissed her neck.
“Well, I might have a few surprises of my own for you.”
“Good. I love surprises.”
“No, you don’t.” She couldn’t help laughing. “You hate them.”
“I’m learning to love them. Ready to go?”
The drive was a short one, and when they pulled into the parking lot of Don’s Pomeroy House, Rosanna squealed in delight. “I have wanted to eat here since I moved to this city.”
“Tonight you get your wish.”
“Oh, you are so getting laid later.”
A sly smile graced his face, and she knew he had something up his sleeve, but didn’t want to spoil the surprise by asking again. With everything that had happened to them in the past couple of months, they hadn’t had a real date night in a while, so she intended to enjoy every second of this one.
Instead of being shown to a table in one of the rooms on the main floor, they were led upstairs. “I didn’t know they had a second level where people could eat.”
“There isn’t much up here.”
When she realized their table was in a room by itself, at the front of the house, facing Pearl Road, she gasped. “Are you kidding me?”
“Nope. And, we have it all to ourselves.” Houston beamed like she’d never seen him do. It made her fall in love with him all over again. Rosanna had never been this happy. Her life was now perfect, and she couldn’t wait to see if he had more surprises for her tonight.
****
“This food is the best I have ever tasted.” She popped the last piece of steak into her mouth. It had been forever since she’d had filet mignon, and this one melted like butter against her tongue.
“I’m so glad you like it.” Houston filled her wine glass again. “I wanted everything to be perfect tonight.”
“So did I. That’s why I bought a new dress.”
“And it looks delicious on you.”
“You look pretty damn fabulous yourself.” She rarely had seen him in a sport coat and tie. It made him look distinguished without being stuffy, the way she always felt the attorneys looked when they dressed for court or depositions.
“Not too formal?”
“No. Just right.”
“I imagine you’re used to seeing men and woman dressed up.”
“Yes, and I was just thinking how stiff and uncomfortable they always look.”
“You’ll have to dress that way, too, one day.” He narrowed his eyes. “If you ever apply to law school, that is.”
This time, it was her turn to beam. Rosanna reached into her purse and pulled out a piece of paper she’d printed earlier today. “Take a gander at this, detective, and tell me if you can guess what it means.”
At first he frowned, but within a second or two, understanding filled his face. “You’re scheduled to take the LSAT. Does this mean you’ve also applied to a school?”
“Yes. Cleveland Marshall College of Law. Lenore and Emily both wrote me recommendation letters. They said as long as I do well on the LSAT, I’ll
get in.”
“Babe, I have never more proud of you than I am right now.”
The dress suddenly felt too tight, and she wished they were in her apartment instead of this restaurant, as nice as it was. “Hearing you say that makes me want to fuck you. Right now. On this table.”
“I wish.” He glanced toward the open doorway. “What do you think they would do if we closed the door and locked it?”
“Call the cops?”
They both laughed until Houston had to drink half a glass of water to keep from choking on his food. Once their plates were cleared, he ordered dessert and coffee. As soon as he did, he seemed nervous, and she asked him if he was all right.
“I have one more surprise for you, and I hope you like it.”
“I’m sure I’ll love it.” Rosanna took his hands. “Everything is perfect. You still have your job, I’m going to be an attorney, finally, and we’re together. I have everything I need.”
“Except more room at home.”
“Yeah. We could use that.” Having him in her apartment all the time was wonderful, but they both realized that even with her spare bedroom, they needed a house. Houston’s apartment in Cleveland was much too small for both of them.
“You don’t have a house hidden in your pocket, do you?”
“No.” He chuckled, but it was a nervous little laugh. “We need to find one. But first, I want to make this official.”
“Make what official?”
After giving her a tender glance, he rose and closed the door to the room. He pulled a small box from his sport coat pocket, and Rosanna began to cry. Soft, gentle tears that spilled over her lashes, which she didn’t bother to wipe away. She wanted to sing and dance at the same time. The love for him welling up inside was overwhelming.
“Are you all right?”
All she could do was nod. Her voice was gone.
“Rosanna, I love you so much.” Houston got down on one knee in front of her. “I can’t imagine my life without you.” He opened the box, and she gasped. The ring was a sapphire, as brilliant as she imagined the Caribbean Sea looked under a clear summer sky. It was surrounded by tiny emeralds and diamonds. She’d never seen anything so unique or exquisite.
“No ordinary engagement ring should grace your hand. You’re not even close to an ordinary woman. You’re special. One of a kind.” He held up the ring. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
