“Hi Acob,” Montana followed suit reaching her hands up for a hug. My kids were so loving and forgiving. Only if all people had the hearts of children.
My mother cleared her throat. “Montie, I am so happy to see you at this here dinner table with your family again. It's just as it should be," said Mama. She beamed a bright smile towards Montie as he smiled awkwardly. She then had the audacity to look at Jacob as if he were no more than a pesky fly that she should shoo away.
“Mama,” I cringed from her blatant disrespect. I gently nudged her under the table. I couldn't believe she had fixed her mouth to say something like that in front of my children. She was only giving them false hope of a reconciliation between their father and me. I looked over at Jacob with apologetic eyes.
“Well, hello Ms. Clara,” Jacob said, walking around the table to greet Mama heartily. When she didn’t look in his direction, he clasped his hands and sat down in the chair beside me. He reached under the table and squeezed my hand. His gaze sternly studied everyone around the table. “I’m trying here,” he whispered through clenched teeth.
Tasha coughed loudly as she bit back the laughter in her eyes. This was going to be one hell of a dinner, and I prayed that we all would get through it unscathed.
“Let’s eat,” I said, as I began to fill my and the kids’ bowls with chili.
“After we say grace. You haven’t forgotten all of your values, have you Destiny?” Mama asked before beginning a long, drawn out prayer that included sanctity of marriage, infidelity, and never abandoning the ones you love. Besides Mama taking a few more jabs at Jacob during dinner, we ate in peace. I was surprised at how well Jacob controlled his temperament as Mama carried on.
“Mama, will you help me get the dessert?” I asked as I pointed to the kitchen.
“Sure,” Mama said taking the opportunity to get away from the table.
When we entered the kitchen, I let into her. “Mama! I have never put you out of my house, but if you say one more disrespectful thing to Jacob, you might as well pack your bag and get out of here. I have had enough.”
“You watch your tone with me. I’m still your mother,” Mama said incredulously.
“Well then act like it. Montana and Junior are acting more mature than you are at that table.”
Mama grabbed her pound cake off the counter and stormed back to the dinner table. She sat the cake down on the table and sat in her seat and didn’t say another word. Her not saying another word was perfectly fine with me. I welcomed the silence.
As everyone was finishing up their dessert, Jacob stood and announced, “I’d like to make a declaration tonight.”
I glared at Mama, daring her to think about making a comment. She couldn’t help herself. “Who the hell is he to make a declaration?” Mama whispered to Montie.
Jacob didn’t hear her remark, so he continued. “Destiny and I have made our fair share of mistakes in the short time we have been together,” Jacob said, including me, my mother and Montie in his gaze. “But God allowed us to have another chance. What we have overcome is proof that we belong together.” He paused and I gave him a reassuring nod. “From this day forward, I declare to let no one,” he looked in my mother’s direction, “…tear me away from the woman I know is meant for me. I want more than anything for Destiny to be my wife and I want the blessings of those near and dear to Destiny, which includes everyone around this table.”
“Awwww, Jacob,” Tasha said clasping her hands together just above her heart.
“Awwww, Acob.” Montana followed her lead, clasping her hands together too.
My mother shook her head slowly, while Junior sat there waiting to see what his father’s response was going to be. My mother looked at Montie, as well. Surprisingly, Montie didn’t respond. He just sat there glaring at me.
“Well, since you won’t say anything to defend your honor in the house you built, I’ll do it for you,” Mama said as she stood to her feet. She placed both of her hands down on the table in a position to pounce as she glared at Jacob. “Tasha take the kids for a walk.”
“But…” Tasha started to say something, but Mama scolded her with her eyes. “Yes ma’am.” Tasha took Montana out of her hair chair and took Junior by the hand and they walked out of the dining room.
“Mama, I warned you!” I said standing.
“Hold on Destiny,” Montie said calmly. “Ms. Clara, I appreciate you taking a stand for me, I really do… but Destiny and I have already worked this out. We had our time,” Montie looked at me as if his words had a double meaning. “We have come to the end of our road as a couple. She has made her choice to be with Jacob and I love her enough to accept it.”
“Montie, you don’t know what you’re talking about,” Mama said slowly taking her seat.
“Mama, Montie is right. The whole purpose of this dinner is for us all to come together for the kids. I don’t know why you’re making it so hard for us.”
“I know the type of devastation men like Jacob leave behind after fulfilling their desires. One day they just leave without warning, without looking back!” Mama sprung from the table and ran into my room. She clutched her chest as if she were heartbroken. Everyone at the table was left dumbfounded by her display.
“Destiny, I appreciate what you tried to do here tonight. It just didn’t work out,” Jacob said, rubbing my hand. “I tried.”
“I know you did,” I said going into his arms for a hug. I turned to Montie and hugged him, as well. “Thanks for everything, Montie.”
“You’re welcome,” he said with a pat on my back.
“Jacob,” he said with a nod of his head before leaving out the dining room and then out the front door.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Destiny
I Do Forever
I had another heart-to-heart with Mama after Montie and Jacob left that night. I wanted to get to the root of her distrust for Jacob. All she would confess was that someone she loved in the past also came from power and privilege, like Jacob, and he walked out on her leaving her heartbroken. I never knew that Mama was carrying around so much agony. I reassured her that her history was not my future. Jacob and this man were two different people, and I hoped that she would be able to see that.
***
I wrapped my arms around Jacob’s neck. He’d flown me back to Miami and we stood in the front yard of the house he wanted to buy, kissing. A calmness washed over me. “That was nice,” he said, parting from my embrace. “Now, imagine welcoming me home like that every day in front of this house,” he said.
“That would be nice. I’m definitely where I want to be.”
“You have no idea how much I have been waiting to hear you say that. I love you so much.”
I ran my hand across his face. “I love you, too." I leaned up and kissed him again. In that moment, I could have shed my clothes and made love to him right on the lawn. However, I could smell the aroma of food piping through the bags in his hand and figured that I should at least hold back a little.
“Food smells delicious," he said with a smile.
He grabbed my hand and pulled me into the house. He went into the kitchen and set the food up on the table. Beside my plate was a tiny, shiny red box. I looked at him and he held up his hand. “Open it.”
I hesitated, lifting it into my hand. I glanced at him and saw his pleased expression. I opened it up and stared at the gold heart. Wrapped around it were four stones. “It’s beautiful.”
He smiled, “It’s your birthstone, my birthstone, Junior’s birthstone, and Montana’s birthstone.”
I couldn’t believe the thought he had put into the gift. “How did you know everyone’s birthstone?”
“I have my ways," he laughed. “May I put it on you?”
I nodded, handing him the box. He clasped it around my neck and smiled at me. “Thank you.”
“It’s nothing. Let’s eat, before the food gets too cold.”
He uncovered the food and I saw rib roast, mashed potatoe
s, and steamed vegetables. I took a bite, nodding. “This is delicious." I continued to eat, thinking about things that I wanted to tell him before the evening was over. I figured it was as good a time as any. “I have something to tell you,” I said hoping that he would take it well.
“Go ahead,” he replied, taking a bite of his food.
“Well, last week when I was at Montie’s house, he kissed me.”
“Yeah,” he replied, dryly.
“Well, we were having a heated conversation. He was talking about us getting back together.”
Jacob stopped eating. “Is that right?” His glare told me that he did not find any amusement in Montie’s continued advancements.
“I set him in his place and that’s why he spoke up for us at dinner,” I spoke, taking another bite of my food.
Jacob dropped his fork and it made a clanging noise. I was getting used to seeing the more dominant side of Jacob.
“I have it under control. Like I said, this was before the dinner. He was wrong and he knows that now.”
“Are you sure?” he asked, with assertiveness.
I nodded. “Completely.”
“Good,” Jacob said, picking up his fork and resuming eating his food. “You’re mine and I hate it for him, but he needs to get another lady.”
I nodded. You’re mine. I liked hearing him say those two words. I would never get tired of them.
“Well, I have some good news,” he said as he got up and cleared the dishes from the table. We had finished the delicious meal and were about to hang out for a while.
“What’s that?”
“My mother wants you to come over to dinner this Sunday. She’s ready to get to know her soon-to-be daughter in law.”
My mouth dropped open. I was not enthused about jumping into another family dinner, especially knowing how Jacob’s mother felt about me.
“I don’t know if I should be happy or if I’ll be walking into some kind of trap,” I said before I realized what I was saying.
“You should be happy. This is a big step for my mother. She doesn’t invite anyone to her home that she hasn’t already or isn’t prepared to welcome into our family.”
“Do you want this to happen?” I asked.
“Yes, I really do,” he said smiling at me.
“Well, count me in.”
“That’s not all. She wants you to bring your mother and your kids too.”
“Oh wow. That really is a big step. I’ll ask my mother if she wants to come, but I’ll leave the kids with Montie. They can meet her later,” I said, unwilling to walk into another situation that I didn’t know what was going to happen with my kids in tow. Too much of that had been happening as of late.
“Deal.” Jacob studied me for a long while. “This is only the beginning of the rest of our lives. I want to share so much with you. Like a trip to Japan. Climbing the Eifel Towel. My first child.”
“Slow down. A child, Jacob?”
“Yes. I want you to have my first child,” he smiled. He then walked over to me and reached for my hand. We walked to the mansion’s master suite and once inside the room my eyes went to the bed. It was covered with rose petals.
“Were you that confident you would get me into the bed tonight, Mister?” I poked him in the chest.
“I was pretty confident that the milieu would get me somewhere," he admitted.
I walked over to the bed and ran my hands along the petals. I turned around and my jaw dropped. Jacob was kneeling before me, a ring in his hand. “I said I would wait for the perfect moment, but every moment with you is the perfect moment. I love you Destiny, and I don’t want to spend another minute of my life without knowing that you will be my wife. Will you marry me?”
I stared at the ring. “But you already gave me a ring,” I said holding up my ring finger to show the first ring that I’d began wearing again.
“That ring is yours to keep, but I wanted a new ring for our new start.”
I held my finger out and nodded. “Yes, I will marry you." He pulled the ring from the box and slipped it on my hand along with the old ring. He tossed the box to the side and stood to his feet, pulling me toward him for a kiss.
Our hands meticulously tore at each other’s clothing, piece by piece. He pushed me down to the bed and his body engulfed me. He rocked back and forth against me, as my fingers dug into his back. My pussy ached for him and I groaned, wanting him to smoothly enter and exit me. My hips gyrated against his in attempt to explain my wants. My body shifted beneath him when his cock entered me.
“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered against my lips. His pounding intensified as I groaned, sliding my hips back and forth across his.
“Oh God…yes…yes…” I moaned, feeling his erection take over my body. He went in further, bouncing harder than he’d ever bounced against me. As the climax reached its towering point, I screamed out. My breathing turned ragged and I panted, trying to catch my breath. The orgasm had taken over my body and I was left struggling for air.
He groaned, falling against me and kissing me with a passion. His tongue snugly caressed mine. His lips pulled from mine and went down to my neck, sucking tediously at my skin. His teeth nibbled lightly on me and I sighed, taking in the feel of his warm body against mine. He pulled himself up and looked into my eyes.
“I want to tell the children on Sunday that we’re getting married. Do you think they’ll object?” I smiled, shaking my head. I had no doubt that they would both be satisfied with having Jacob as their stepfather. “Good,” he smiled.
Leaning down, he latched his mouth on my nipples. As his tongue circled my breasts, I could feel him reentering me and his body grinding against mine. I relished the feel of my soon-to-be husband as he took me to a place where no one else could. I was literally floating on a cloud and couldn’t wait to be married to him and add a new addition to our home. We were exactly where we were supposed to be and I was ready to start our new adventure.
EPILOGUE
Destiny
This Ain’t No Happily Ever After
The bubble we built that weekend lasted up until we picked up Mama from her house. There was no way she chose to come along to Jacob's parent's house for dinner without a reason of her own, but I hoped she'd see the truth of my love for him. Jacob pulled up in her driveway and ran to open my door.
“Are you feeling okay,” Jacob asked, noticing my change in mood.
I cupped his cheek, letting my fingers scratch through his beard slowly. “I was just thinking, Jacob. I’m fine, just anxious I guess.” I took in a deep breath and looked towards Mama’s house. “And it looks like I’m not the only one.” I could see Mama watching us through the front window and could see the pout on her lips.
Dear God, please give me the strength to deal with all the well-meaning people in my life today. I laced my fingers with Jacob's as we marched to the front door. He rang the doorbell and gave me a tight-lipped smile.
My man was trying hard, really hard to win over Mama. I loved him even more for it, but I also knew that this was one seriously uphill battle. The door opened and Mama stood there taking us in from head to toe. “Well, it's about time, I guess. I know that your kind usually keeps a tight schedule.”
“Good afternoon Ms. Clara, you're looking lovely today. I'm excited for you both to meet my family today. I think it's well past time that it happens, don't you?”
I tried to hide the laugh, but I couldn’t do it. He was trying so hard, but boy was he laying it on thick! “Hi Mama, Jacob's right you look amazing. Are you about ready to head out?”
Mama turned back into the house and headed into the living room. Mama was a spitfire and she looked like she was ready to battle. Dressed in a blue patterned sheath with a matching cobalt blue jacket, Mama was ready to put whoever necessary in their place. I heard her huffing from the other room.
I didn’t appreciate her thoughts on Jacob and my relationship, but there is no one else I would've wanted in my corner. She ma
y have wanted to shake Jacob out of my body physically, but no one was going to hurt her baby. Ever.
“Mama, do you have everything you’ll need. Remember Jacob said we didn’t have to bring anything. You’ll be happy that I made him stop for some flowers, it was the least we could do.”
She turned to face us and gave us both a stone cold stare. “I raised my baby right after all.” She motioned over the coffee table that held a small flower arrangement in a milk glass bowl. “I wouldn’t go to such a fancy place without a gift either.”
We all broke out in laughter. I guess it was true after all; like mother like daughter. After grabbing her bag, Mama turned to us both. “Alright, let's get this over with, but let me warn you, Jacob. I will not hold my tongue for anyone.”
Jacob laughed at the comment and shook his head. “No Ma’am, I'm one hundred percent sure that you will most definitely share your feelings. I'm actually looking forward to it. I think you and my father are going to get along wonderfully.” Mama nodded slightly and smiled; Jacob turned to me and gifted me with a panty-dropping smile and a wink.
God help us all! I thought as we piled into Jacob's car. I noted Mama's surprise on seeing the kid's car seats and toys in the back. I shared a smile with Jacob as he put the car in drive and we headed out. “Do you have any requests as far as music goes, Ms. Clara? It's not a long drive, but I want you to enjoy it.”
All he got was another huff from her, but I did notice that she watched him carefully. Jacob reached over and grabbed my hand. He pulled it to his mouth and kissed it. The electricity that always skimmed across my skin whenever he was near was still there. I felt myself relax slightly. We were doing this together and I had to have faith that Jacob would stay beside me through it all.
I felt the knot of nerves tightening in my stomach. This was my future, Jacob's...well…my family. It was the next step in cementing our lives together. I could only pray that Mama wouldn’t be the biggest obstacle today. I knew his mother would be a hard sell, but his father was supposedly understanding and eager to meet me.
Breathless 2: In Love With An Alpha Billionaire Page 11
