by Francis Ray
“I’m counting on it.”
Staring down at Gordon asleep in his bed, Camille brushed her finger tenderly across his cheek. He smiled. Trembling, she folded her hands on her lap. She’d done it now. She’d fallen in love. There was no escape. She loved him irrevocably, hopelessly. Slipping from the bed, she put on Gordon’s short robe that was becoming hers, and headed for the kitchen. The moment called for breakfast in bed.
Her lips twitched at the thought. She hated to cook, but couldn’t wait to make Gordon’s breakfast. He’d be so surprised. For the past two days they’d been together, he’d done the cooking if they were at home. They’d quickly discovered they preferred being at home and together, than being out.
In the kitchen, she began opening cabinets trying to decide what to prepare. There was a rosebush in the back by the arbor. She’d put a rose on his tray. She’d get him the morning paper. After breakfast they’d make slow, lazy love.
“You’re not the maid.”
“Or the cleaning lady.”
Camille whirled. Adrian and Adair. There was no doubt in her mind, even if the good-looking duo didn’t look like their father or Camille hadn’t seen the many photographs of them in his office and throughout the house. “I—” What could she say?
Adrian pulled his backpack from his shoulder and laid it on the butcher block in the center of the kitchen. “Habla español?”
“Parlez-vous français?”
“Sprechen sie Deutsch?”
Adair placed her oversized bag beside her brother’s. “There are too many African dialects to run through. So …” In sign language she asked Camille her name.
“That’s enough, showoffs.”
Camille almost slumped in relief at seeing Gordon. Apparently his children were as precocious and brassy as they came. Just like their father. “Uh, if you’ll excuse me.”
Gordon caught her by the arm as she began backing out of the kitchen. “Camille Jacobs, my children, Adrian and Adair.”
Adrian bowed from the waist.
Adair curtsied.
Camille blinked. “H-Hello.”
“We might as well get this over with. Let me see them,” Gordon said to his children. Neither twin moved. “Now.”
Sharing a long-suffering look, they went to their father and stuck out their tongues.
Gordon relaxed. He never knew what to expect from his independent children whose IQs were in the mid-140s. “I would have hated to kick you out of the house.”
“Ms. Jacobs, do you feel people have a right to express themselves?” Adrian asked.
Camille would have had to be a dummy not to know she had just been handed a ticking time bomb. “I—”
“That’s an unfair question,” Gordon interrupted.
Adair lifted a naturally arched brow. “Are you one of those women who lets a man speak for her?”
“No,” Camille answered without hesitation.
“Excellent.” Adair grinned triumphantly. “Your answer, please.”
“It depends on the form of expression and, of course, the age of the one expressing him- or herself,” Camille answered. “Too often young people bow to peer pressure and do things they would never think of doing otherwise. Then there are those who aren’t expressing themselves, they’re rebelling. Unless a person is mature and self-sufficient, I think all life-altering decisions should have parental approval.”
Gordon laughed and hugged her to him. “Couldn’t have said it better. There’ll be no more talk about piercing your tongues. Go put your things away and I’ll start breakfast.”
Grabbing their belongings, the twins started from the room. Camille figured it was a great time to make her escape. “I’ll say good-bye now. It was nice meeting you.”
Gordon caught her arm again. “Why are you leaving? We’d planned to spend the day together.”
“Gordon.” Camille flushed and glanced toward the twins.
“I told them about us. That’s why they came home.”
Camille absorbed the information, then hit Gordon in the chest with the flat of her hand. “You knew they were coming and you didn’t tell me. You let them walk in here and find me in a robe?”
“I didn’t plan on oversleeping.” She flushed again, but he wasn’t finished. “I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d make up an excuse to leave.”
“What have I told you about your arrogance?” she asked, her voice rising.
“So sue me. I love you!” he said, his voice just as loud.
The fight went out of her. “I told you to stop saying that.”
“I love you. You might as well get used to hearing it because I’m not going to stop saying it. I’ve loved you since you drove away from me at the meeting of the National Council of Negro Women.” He gently but firmly pulled her into his arms. “I’m not about to stop. I know I’m older than you.”
“You age never mattered,” she told him softly. “You’re a wonderful, caring man.”
“You won’t mind marrying me, then?”
Her mouth gaped. She gulped. “Marry you?”
“I told you I wanted it all. Say yes and make me the happiest man alive.”
Camille couldn’t keep from looking at his children. Adrian had his arm slung across Adair’s shoulder. They were smiling. “You don’t mind?”
“After Mom died, Dad put his life on hold for us.”
“We never had to trip over women or vie for his attention.”
“If you make him happy, that’s all that matters.”
“Not all. What’s your dress and shoe size?” Adair asked, her eyes sparkling with humor. “I promise to only borrow in an emergency.”
“Say yes and put me out of my misery.” Gordon pleaded. “You know I love you.”
She looked into his steady gaze and knew he’d love her for a lifetime … just as she would love him. “I do love you.”
Grinning, he pulled her closer. “I know. You’re almost there.”
Arrogant, impossible man, she thought. He’d never settle for less than total commitment. And neither would she. Instead of fear, she felt a peace she’d never known before. Her face lit with joy. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
“Hallelujah!” Gordon shouted just before his lips took hers.
The twins erupted with laughter and applause. “Way to go, Dad.”
Zachary watched Clarence pull up in his truck at the work site, then go around to the passenger side and open the door for Kelli. Giving him her hand, she stepped down onto the ground. Exchanging frequent, longing looks, they walked into the house together. Apparently they had been able to work through their problems. A man wanting to protect and cherish the woman he loved didn’t mean that he thought any less of her.
Going inside, Zachary checked the blueprints against the structure of the house. If you wanted the structure to stand, it had to begin with a solid foundation. Relationships required a solid foundation, too. Different materials could be used for the foundation of a house, but in a relationship, for it to last, it always required complete honesty and trust.
To his regret, he still hadn’t been able to be completely honest with Madison. He had reasons, good reasons, but he wasn’t sure if Madison would agree. If she found out he’d lied to her about Manda’s mother, everything would crumble down on top of him.
Madison greeted Zachary with a kiss that vividly reminded him of the passion they’d shared. When he finally lifted his head, his breathing was ragged. He handed her a single, long-stemmed pink rose which earned him another kiss.
Trying to ignore the growing ache in the center of her body, Madison reluctantly pulled away and asked him to light the gas grill. Gordon and Camille were coming over. Gordon’s twins were in town, but they’d probably zip in and out.
Zachary did as instructed, enjoying the smile on Madison’s face, Manda on her hip as she finished setting the table. A man could get used to coming home to a happy family. That’s what he wanted. He just hoped he’d have the opportunity.
Gordon and Camille arrived shortly after seven. As expected, the twins stayed only long enough to be cordial, then were gone. Madison didn’t see the two-carat diamond engagement ring on Camille’s finger until she was playing with Manda.
“Oh, my goodness!” she cried, hugging Camille, then Gordon. “I knew it!”
Zachary slapped a proud Cordon on the back. “Still waters run deep, I see.”
Cordon took it in his stride. “When a man sees a woman he can’t live without, he better grab her and hold on with both hands.”
Zachary stared longingly at Madison. “I couldn’t agree more.”
That night when Manda was asleep, Zachary made good on his promise to pay Madison back for her teasing. She thoroughly enjoyed every moment in the shower, on the floor, in the bed.
“Zachary, your home is simply gorgeous,” Madison said, her voice full of warmth and appreciation.
Inordinately pleased, Zachary watched Madison stroll through the dining room, her slim fingers lightly grazing the Duncan Phyfe table that seated twelve, the buffet, the restored mahogany mantle of the stone fireplace. He’d woken with her in his arms that morning and wanted her to see his house. Since it was Sunday and they were both off, he saw no reason not to bring her. They had already been upstairs.
“There are a lot of rooms still empty,” he admitted, crossing the hardwood flooring to her.
“Finding the right furniture takes time,” she said, her voice thoughtful. “You’ve chosen well.”
“Thank you. Your approval means a lot.”
She stopped admiring the three-step crown molding and sent him a saucy grin. “I approve of you a lot. If Manda wasn’t due to wake up from her nap about now, we could go back upstairs to that big bed of yours and I’d show you.”
He groaned. “Now I won’t be able to sleep in there tonight.”
Something flickered in her eyes. “You’re not staying with us tonight?”
His hand circled her neck and drew her to him. His eyes were intense as he stared down at her. “More than anything I want to. I just don’t want to crowd you.”
“You aren’t.”
He pulled her to him, felt the slight trembling in her body. Desire or uncertainty, he wasn’t sure. “I can’t imagine not wanting to be near you, holding you, loving you. Never forget that.” The smile that slowly blossomed on her face made his chest tight.
“I won’t.”
His head started to descend.
“Ma-da. Ma-da.”
Their foreheads touched briefly, then hand in hand they walked across the hall to the living room. Manda, on several blankets, surrounded by bed pillows, grinned up at them.
Zachary scooped the baby up from her makeshift bed on the floor. “We’re going to have to work on your timing, munchkin.”
She squealed in delight.
Madison laughed and kissed them both.
The day had been wonderful, Zachary thought as he went down the hall toward Madison’s bedroom. After they left his house, they’d gone to the aquarium, out to dinner, then visited with James and his family. It was dark when they finally arrived back at Madison’s house. His plan was working out perfectly.
“I want to show you something when you finish,” Zachary said, entering her bedroom.
A wicked gleam in her eyes, Madison glanced up from tucking Manda in her crib. “And I can’t wait to see it.”
Zachary’s lips twitched. Shaking his head, he hauled Madison into his arms and kissed her. “I love that mouth of yours. Now, come on.” His arm around her waist, they started down the hall.
“I’m partial to your mouth as well,” she said, brushing a kiss across his chin.
“Stop trying to distract me.”
“I will if I want,” Madison said, loving the freedom to tease and love Zachary as the mood struck. It continued to amaze her how much she wanted him. She’d been desolate when she’d thought he wouldn’t be spending the night. It had made her almost giddy with pleasure to hear him admit how much he wanted her.
She was looking at him and considering the quickest way to get him undressed when they entered the den. She reached for the buttons of his shirt.
“I told you to behave yourself.” He cut the light out, placed his hands on her shoulders, then firmly turned her.
She gasped. Her hands palmed her face. A fire glowed in the fireplace. Directly in front was a blanket and several throw pillows from the sofa. Light reflected off the silver ice bucket, the neck of a wine bottle, and two wineglasses within arms reach. Soft music drifted from somewhere unseen.
“Zach, it’s wonderful. Absolutely wonderful.”
“You’re sure? I got the idea when we made Manda’s bed on the floor at my place.”
She turned to him, her eyes misting. “It’s charming and impossibly romantic.”
He looked sheepishly proud. “I turned the zone air-conditioning down in here and I didn’t add many logs to the fire, so you shouldn’t get too hot.”
“I’m hot already.” She began releasing shirt buttons. “I think you have a way of cooling me down, though.”
“What about the wine?” he asked, his hands braced on her waist.
“It can wait. I can’t.” Her hands splayed on his bare, muscled flesh. She bit.
He shuddered. “Me neither.” Quickly he picked her up, placed her on the blanket in front of the fireplace, then came down beside her. “So many times in the past I’ve wanted to give to you, just to see you smile, to laugh.” His fingers brushed across her cheek, felt her tremble. This time he knew it was with desire.
“If I gave you the world it still wouldn’t be enough. You give me so much just by being you.”
Tears misted in her eyes. One hand covered his on her cheek, the other palmed his cheek. “Zach, I feel the same way. I never knew I could be this happy, this free to love a man who loves me for me.”
A moment of unease rippled through him. “Always remember I love you.”
“How can I forget?”
The answer almost caused him to moan in despair. She deserved the truth, but he was afraid of losing her. He couldn’t bear that.
Determined to banish the dark thought and show her how much he loved her, his hot, greedy mouth took hers in a shattering kiss. His hands stroked, kneaded, excited. As he felt the world slipping away, he prayed he’d always have her with him. She deserved to know the truth. Tomorrow. He’d tell her tomorrow, he thought as he forgot about everything but the woman in his arms.
THIRTY-ONE
SITTING IN HER OFFICE Monday morning, Madison felt as if she could conquer the world. She couldn’t keep the silly grin off her face and didn’t try. The office staff munched on the danishes she’d ordered for them and speculated among themselves what had caused the change in Madison. She knew they were discussing her and she searched her heart and conscience to see how she felt about it, only to discover she wasn’t concerned.
She wanted Zachary in her and Manda’s life, and that was all that mattered. She was happier than she had been in years. She’d loved Wes, but somehow her love for Zachary was deeper, more solid. With Wes, she’d felt on occasion that she had to prove herself or measure up. With Zachary, all she had to be was herself. That was liberating and exhilarating.
“Madison, Gordon asked to see you immediately in his office,” Traci said.
Madison glanced at Manda playing with one of the many toys the people in the station had given her. “Did he say what it was about?”
“No. He just said he wanted to see you immediately,” Traci answered.
Rising, Madison went to the playpen and crouched down. “You did beautifully at the nursing home and yesterday at the restaurant, let’s see about today.” Her hand rubbed affectionately across Manda’s head. “Traci will be here. Be Madison and Zachary’s big girl.”
Standing, Madison headed for Gordon’s office. His secretary waved her in. Opening the door, she paused on seeing Helen, arms folded, her face tight and angry, sitting across fro
m him. “Did you want to see me?” Madison asked with a frown of puzzlement. He knew she and Helen kept out of each other’s way whenever possible.
“Yes, come in and take a seat.” Gordon, his face impassive, sat behind his desk.
Unsure of what was going on, she perched on the edge of the chair beside Helen. Madison didn’t have long to wait for her answer.
“Noon Day’s ratings are slipping. If they don’t improve, it’ll have to be taken off the air.”
“I don’t see why you have to have her in here to tell me that,” Helen flared, snatching her arms apart.
“That’s for me to decide,” Gordon said calmly.
Helen refolded her arms, crossed her legs and started slinging her foot.
“I don’t want the show to die,” he continued. “There are too few black hosts already. If Noon Day goes down the tube, it’ll reflect badly not only on the station, but on a black host.”
“What can I do?” Madison asked. She didn’t particularly like Helen, but she didn’t want her show canceled.
Gordon placed his arms on his desk. “I want you to coach Helen.”
“What!”
“What!”
Both women came to their feet.
“Madison, you’re the best I have. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.” His attention turned to Helen. “You’ll listen and work your butt off or you’ll find yourself without a job.”
Shock swept across her face. “You’d fire me?”
“Your contract is up in two months. It would not be renewed.”
“The bigwigs will listen to you.” She planted her hands on his desk and stared across at him. “You can make them keep me on.”
“I won’t carry deadweight. The ratings climb or you’re out.”
“You bastard!” she yelled, pounding her fist on his desk. “You can’t do this to me. I’ve worked too hard. You won’t get away with this.”
“I’ll help if you want,” Madison said, trying to help the angry woman. She’d be lucky if Gordon didn’t fire her on the spot. He didn’t take insubordination from anyone.
