Curves in the Road (The Southern Devotion Series Book 2)

by Amy K McClung

  Cameron sat up first; he grasped my face in his hands. "Look at me." My eyes met Cameron's and he said, "You are one very sexy woman. You are desirable, you're sweet, and you the biggest heart of anyone I've ever known. Never forget that."

  Cameron knows that I've always hated the way I look. He's always boosted mine, Gracie, and Angel's confidence any chance he could. "You never let me, for that I adore you." My laptop was still beside the bed, I shifted my body to set it on my lap. "We're going to do some research. There must be a way you can adopt; maybe international is the way to go. Whatever it takes, we're going to go over every possibility."

  Cameron pointed at the clock, "It's after 2am"

  "Doesn't matter. We're going to make you a daddy in this bed tonight."

  He wiggled his eyebrows at me, "I'm a married man you naughty girl."

  Chapter Seven

  **Derrick**

  Two nights ago was the last time I talked to Mary Jane. She had texted me the next morning to let me know that she wanted to spend as much time with Cameron as possible. I understood that completely and couldn’t fault her for it. The bad part is that I missed her like crazy. That being said, I was at Ashton's when she decided to call me which meant I had to excuse myself without too many questions rising.

  "Um..I gotta take this, it's important." I ran out of the room, up the stairs, and out the front door with Gracie calling out asking me where the fire was. "MJ?"

  "Hey Derrick. Sorry it's been a little while."

  "Too long. I missed hearing your voice." She grew quiet and I tried to back out of the insecure moment with an apology. "Everything okay?"

  "I'm fine. I called because I missed your voice too. That's not true; I called because I miss everything about you." These words made my heart soar. I wanted to wrap my arms around her for saying it. That need is hindered due to a few hundred miles between us.

  "I miss you too, sweetheart."

  "Can you take a few days off work and come see me this weekend? I'll meet you half way, maybe even as far as Atlanta? I have this weekend off and I'd love to spend it with you, if you can manage it."

  As soon as she finished speaking I answered, "Absolutely. Tell me when and where." Well that didn’t make me seem desperate at all. Then again, it didn’t matter if I seemed desperate; I craved this woman and needed to see her.

  "Oh…Great. I wasn’t sure you were going to want to come see me."

  "MJ, I meant what I said, I've missed you. Not just your voice. I've missed your beautiful face, your lips, and the feel of you in my arms." I stopped as I realized that I hadn’t asked if she meant to spend it as friends or more and now she was being very quiet. "Damn, MJ. Did you want me to come down as a friend only? I didn’t mean to push for anything else."

  She laughed and I relaxed as she said, "I want you Derrick. Not as a friend. I want to be in your arms again and I want to kiss you and…other things."

  Her voice lowered into a sexy whisper when she said other things and it made me want her right then and there. "Oh," was all I could manage at this moment. She responded with a laugh and I closed my eyes as I ached for her. "MJ, I gotta get off here."

  She purred and said, "I was hoping you'd wait for me."

  "Shit, MJ. You're killing me." I couldn’t believe this was the same shy girl I met a few months ago.

  "Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. You left that wide open for me."

  We made plans to meet up in Atlanta so that we could do some sightseeing and really enjoy our few days together. Gracie and Ashton agreed to keep Katelyn for me. Katelyn thought I was going on a trip for work because if she knew I was going to see MJ she'd want to come along.

  The week crept on as my anxiety for the weekend heightened. Midway through the week I went to pick up some supplies for my trip. I grabbed the normal toiletries and a few snacks for the road so that I could make as few stops as possible. Then as I was leaving an aisle my peripheral vision caught the display of condom packages. Did it seem presumptuous or responsible to grab a pack of these for the trip? I'm going to go with responsible, which is appropriate for me being a father as a teenager.

  "Derrick?" I heard Gracie's voice call out as I rounded the corner to the next aisle. "Are you stocking up on supplies for your trip?" She maintained a warm smile until her eyes skimmed over the condoms package. "Oh."

  "It's not what it looks like, Gracie." Well there's a cliché of a line that never really works out when it's used since it usually is exactly what it looks like.

  "It looks like you're buying a pack of condoms for your trip that you said was for business. What kind of business exactly?" She placed her hand on her hip for a moment then waved her hand in the air. "Forget it, I don't want to know. We'll see you and Katelyn in the morning." It was easy to tell she was disappointed in me. I couldn't allow her to go on thinking I was betraying Mary Jane.

  "Gracie, wait." I yelled out. She turns around waiting for the reason I stopped her. I move my cart to her and say. "I've been lying to you, to Ash, to everyone about where I'm going and who I'm seeing."

  Gracie interjected before I got to my point. "It's not my business, Derrick. Do I wish you had worked things out with MJ? Yes, I do. You two were great together, but she told me that she told you to move on. If that's what you're doing than I know it's what MJ wanted for you."

  "Gracie, I'm doing this for Mary Jane." I said.

  Again she interrupted, "I get it, I do."

  "No, you don’t. When I say I'm doing this for Mary Jane, I mean the trip and all. She and I have been talking for weeks. She asked me to meet her in Atlanta this weekend. We didn't want to tell anyone because of the chance that we couldn't work it out. Neither of us wanted to lie to you guys but…"

  Gracie crashed into me with enormous force for a small girl. She wrapped her arms around my neck in a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you guys." She pulled back suddenly, and says, "Wait, have you two…I mean…Mary Jane is…" She doesn't seem able to finish her sentence as she keeps glancing at the box of condoms. It occurred to me what she is asking.

  "I know that she's never. She made it sound like she wants to this weekend. I only want to be prepared; I'd never push her into that decision though."

  Gracie smiles, "I know you wouldn't. It's why I'm so happy she has you. She needs a guy with a heart like Ash's and no one's is closer than yours."

  "Thanks, Gracie. That means a lot to me." My phone beeped and it was a text from Mary Jane. I held my phone up to show her, "See, she's telling me she can't wait to see me this weekend."

  Gracie claps and bounces up and down excitedly. "I won’t tell anyone, except Ashton of course, I don't keep secrets from him."

  "That's fine. Cameron knows too actually."

  Gracie's mouth falls open in shock, "What! Big mouth Cam knows and you didn’t think you could trust us not to tell?"

  "You have a point. I didn’t mean for him to find out. I needed him to deliver something to Mary Jane for me when he went to see her so I filled him in." It was surprising to me that Cameron hadn’t told Gracie already. They tell each other everything. I'd have to commend him on his ability to keep this secret.

  After leaving the grocery store, I sped home to finish packing. In two days I'd be on my way to Atlanta. I can imagine that four hour drive will feel like the longest drive of my entire life.

  When the day arrived to leave, I was a nervous wreck to see Mary Jane again. Katelyn had her bag packed and was in her room waiting for me to come get her. "Hey baby girl, you ready to spend a few days with Aunt Gracie and Uncle Ash?"

  She jumped up from her chair with elation, "Yes! Can I take the new movie you bought me?"

  "Sure. You know your Uncle will watch anything you want. You've got him whipped." It's true. If Katelyn said she wanted a pony, Ashton would get her one. He never has said no to her.

  "What's whipped mean?" Katelyn asks.

  "Never mind. Grab your bag, let's go."

  Katelyn likes to carry her own bags to feel l
ike a big girl so I bought her a suitcase with wheels that is small enough to not be too bulky for her. It's decorated with cartoon skulls with pink bows on them. She picked it out, but I had to admit it's pretty cool. She clomps down the stairs with the bag banging on each step behind her. She stops midway and sneezes three times in a row.

  "Hey kiddo, you're not getting sick are you?"

  "Nah, I feel fine." Katelyn responds. She reaches the bottom step and steps outside so I can turn on the alarm then lock the house down. On the way to Ashton and Gracie's she sneezes a few more times, making me a little nervous. She knows how overprotective I am and reassures me before I even ask the question. "I'm fine, daddy. Something's tickling my nose."

  "I can stay home, Boo." I said. "Your Aunt Gracie is pregnant and doesn't need to get sick."

  "Daddy, it's fine." She says, rolling her eyes at me. "My nose doesn't even feel stuffy."

  Playing it safe, I stop at the local pharmacy to pick up a few supplies in case she does have a small cold coming on. When we arrive at Ash's house, he's standing outside watching for us. "What happened to being here at 8am sharp? You drilled that into my head several times as I recall." Ash was smirking at me, knowing how finicky I am about my schedules. I had called him at least four times reiterating eight in the morning because I knew he and Gracie liked to sleep in and I wanted to make sure everyone was decent when I show up with my daughter in tow.

  "Hey Boo!" Ash says, grabbing up Katelyn and spinning her around. "You ready for a weekend of fun?"

  "Be careful with her there, Ash. We're running late because I had to stop and get a few medicines. She promises me that she feels fine but she's been sneezing."

  Ash gasps dramatically, "What? Sneezing? Oh my gosh, what will we do?" He and Katelyn both start to laugh at my expense.

  "I told him to chill, Uncle Ash. He never listens to me." Katelyn says, again rolling her eyes.

  "Look here little girl, you keep rolling your eyes like that and they're going to stick that way." I reach up tickling her and give her a kiss on the cheek. "I love you Boo. You be good for your Aunt and Uncle."

  "Katelyn, go inside and help your Aunt Gracie finish breakfast." Once her feet hit the ground, Katelyn sprints away to the kitchen excitedly. Ashton's body twists back to face me as he smirks, "So, Mary Jane? You sneaky devil." Big brothers have a real knack for giving you a hard time. My big brother has more tact than most. "Seriously man, I'm happy for you. Now get out of here and have a safe trip."

  Before I turned to leave, I sent him a text. "I am texting you the number for Katelyn's pediatrician in case this cold turns into more. Any money you spend on her I promise to pay back."

  Ashton's grasped my shoulder to make me look up. "She's fine. Go and see your woman. Stop worrying so much about everything. Gracie and I will take perfect care of Katie."

  The speedometer in my car mocked me as I worked to keep it on the exact speed. A speeding ticket is not what I need at this moment. The golden gas pump light glowed brightly on my dash alerting me that it was time to make a stop. As the gasoline pumped furiously into my tank, I stepped aside to text Mary Jane. Hey sweetheart. Stopped for gas. I'm about 2 hours away. See you soon.

  Before getting back on the road, I ran inside to pick up another important thing for the trip. The clerk behind the counter mindlessly flipped through her magazine of gossip news. She's constructed her own chorus of boredom by smacking her lips while popping her gum. She grunts when I ask, "Do you have any flowers?" She nods to the left of the register where I notice a vase of red roses packaged in singles. "Great, I'll take one of those please." Her eyes were almost all white as I'm sure they completely rolled into the back of her head so far to see brain. The register spits out my change and she goes back to reading her magazine. "Have a great night!" I added, hoping to elicit a response. Nothing. Customer service these days is non-existent.

  I checked my phone before getting on the road. Mary Jane had responded Can't wait to see you. I'm checked in to the hotel. When you get here, check in and they'll give you a key to our room.

  I don’t think I felt this nervous about sharing a room with someone, well, ever. It felt like my first time all over again. The drive went by quicker than I'd expected. The vibrant green sign alerted me of the exit ahead for Atlanta. My clammy palms gripped the steering wheel as my stomach churned with nerves of excitement.

  The desk clerk was a bit friendlier than the encounter I had at the gas station. In fact, she was a little too friendly. Her rough hands kept hovering on top of mine as she spoke to me with instructions to my room. When she handed me the key she gave me a wink and hinted that I could call her if I got lonely. She must not have been the one to check in Mary Jane earlier to the same room; at least I would hope I don’t look like that kind of guy. Politely I smile and tell her to have a good weekend before pressing the up arrow light on the side of the elevator.

  Chapter Eight

  **Mary Jane**

  Derrick had agreed to meet me in Atlanta without even thinking about it. From the moment he said yes the days creeped by making my nerves heighten dramatically by the time the weekend finally rolled around.

  When I told Angel about my plan, she decided to help me make it very special. I have two best girl friends, Angel and Gracie, and both are more experienced in life than I am. I've always been a plus sized woman and have had issues with feeling insecure about my weight so much so that I didn’t trust men were ever truly attracted to me. Because of that, I had barely done more than kissing with anyone, until Derrick. Even now I was still a virgin. This weekend I was ready to change that part of my life.

  Angel and Gracie were more experienced than I was but not completely in a good way. Gracie had been raped by her boyfriend before she and her husband Ashton started dating. Angel, I found out shortly after that, had been raped by a boyfriend in high school. The last thing I wanted was to have a negative experience for my first time as well. There were some changes I was about to make in my life and the first thing I needed to do was make sure my first time was with someone I loved, in case I never got that chance later; I chose Derrick.

  Once I arrived in Atlanta, I settled into the swanky hotel room that I splurged on and began the meticulous task of unpacking my duffel bag. My phone dinged alerting me to a new text. Derrick was letting me know he had just gotten off the interstate and was pumping gas and would be about twenty minutes.

  Angel packed me a surprise and made me promise I didn’t peek until I was at the hotel. It was a pristine white box with a velvet red bow draped beautifully around it. I tore into anxious to see the surprise that awaited me. Inside was a sheer robe with a white as snow silk negligee underneath. The note read, "Wear this for your first time." Underneath that was a 'knock your man off his feet' sexy deep crimson all lace bra and panty set with garters and thigh highs with a note that read, "Wear this for your second time." I'm sure my skin was a deeper shade of crimson than the lingerie I held in my hands. At least the first one was elegant looking; that I would have no problem wearing.

  There wasn’t much time to get ready before Derrick arrived. My toes curled against the supple carpet as I made my way barefoot into the restroom to change. I'd texted him back to have him pick up the second key at the desk. Undressing quickly I jumped into the shower to shave my legs and freshen up everything. When I stepped out, I towel dried my hair leaving it wavy and damp. The silk nightgown felt cold against my skin and it made my nipples peak. With a deep breath for courage I slid the robe on, not sure why it was needed since it was sheer but it made me feel less exposed.

  Derrick's voice called out, "MJ? Are you here sweetheart?"

  "Be right out!" I called. Suddenly I was terribly nervous and I wanted to crawl back into the clothes I had on before. I had to be strong. I'm ready for this, I really am.

  Stepping out into the room, Derrick had his back to me. The sharp woody scent of his cologne wafted into my nose, causing my legs to quiver as I ached for him. I took a few s
teps closer to him before saying, "Hey there stranger." As he turned, his nervously excited smile suddenly dropped into a shocked expression. "Does this look bad?" I ask.

  Slowly shaking his head back and forth, he closed the space between us with two large steps. "You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen." His lips found mine before I could respond to his sweet compliment. This kiss was even better than I remembered. The passion we'd missed over the past few months was being released in this moment made up of need, desire, and love. His hands affectionately cradled my face as his lips ravaged mine without pause. His palms drift to my shoulders; his lips begin to move across my skin. I moan as his tongue drew circles across my neck, tasting every inch.

  He pulled back for moment, "Are you sure this is what you want?" The ability to speak was completely gone for me, I could only nod. "There's something I need to tell you before we do this."

  My stomach tightened. What kind of confession could he have at this moment? Did he have a girlfriend now? Had he slept with someone recently? Did he have a disease? The possibilities were endless. "What is it?" I asked, fearful of the answer.

  His index finger traced lines across my cheek. He smiled, then leaned down and gently brushed his lips against mine once more. "Before we do this, before you give me yourself, I need you to know something. This isn’t me saying this to get in your pants either. You deserve to know how I feel about you and what this will mean to me. You're amazing Mary Jane. The most amazing woman I've ever known. Since the moment I met you, I haven’t wanted anything else but to be with you completely. Even if you decide after this that you don’t want a relationship or you want to wait till your internship is done, you need to know one thing; I love you."