Destiny Mine

by Nana Prah

  Can you promise her marriage? The immediate distinct answer of yes thrust him back in the chair. He wanted to marry Esi. Oh shit. He wanted to marry Esi.

  The past few weeks had been miserable without her. He could give up jumping from woman to woman if she turned out to be the one he ended up with.

  Why hadn’t he realized this? She was perfect for him. Spirited, intelligent, and all the other good things he hadn’t known he sought all these years. The sex was off the charts. And her loyalty humbled him. She would never intentionally hurt him. No. Not like he’d done to her. He hung his head in shame.

  He brought his attention to Janice, who had stopped talking and appeared to be waiting for a reply. “Um. Sorry.”

  She harrumphed. Adam called the waiter for the check. He had to get to Esi’s place to let her know how he felt.

  I need her. What if she’s not home? What if she went to his house?

  He broke out into a cold sweat. He knew his Esi. She wouldn’t fall into bed with a stranger. Not even a successful, super-rich, rumored to be looking for a wife stranger.

  At least he hoped not.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  “I had a great time Richard. The restaurant was beautiful and the food delicious.” Esi tried to put enthusiasm into her words, but they fell flat to her ears.

  “Me, too. Thank you for joining me. Strange running into Adam.”

  “Yes, quite odd,” she mumbled.

  She sensed his intention to kiss her. The past two times they’d gone out, they’d had a good time. Other than a friendly peck on the cheek, he hadn’t gotten physical. He wrapped his arms around her waist. She waited for the butterflies to dance in her stomach, but none came.

  When his lips descended, she closed her eyes and waited for the tingling sensations. Nothing. As his lips moved on hers, she responded, hoping to ignite some sort of spark. It didn’t come.

  She waited the kiss out, grateful he didn’t deepen it. Where was her moan of desire to get closer? When he stepped back, a sense of relief filled her. No urgency overtook her body to repeat it. Worst of all, no moisture had pooled at her center—where it took one salacious look from Adam to make her wet.

  Damn him for spoiling kissing for her. One more thing to hate him for. But she didn’t hate him. Her heart was too full of love. He’d been honest with her, and she respected him for it. Maybe one day—when she didn’t feel as if an elephant pressed on her chest every time she saw him—they could be friends. But until then, she’d have to toughen up and stay away.

  “I’m going out of the country on business for a few weeks. I’ll call you when I get back okay?”

  Why not call while he was away? Instead of asking, she said, “Sure. Have a safe journey.” She turned and walked through the open side gate. Her roommate needed a discussion on safety. After locking the padlock, she headed towards the house.

  “Where have you been?”

  She jumped back at least a meter as her hands flew to her chest. She recognized the voice, but hadn’t expected anyone to sneak up on her from the shadows. “What the hell are you doing here?” Her breath came out rapid and shallow. From the fright or his presence, she wasn’t able to discern.

  “I asked you a question first.”

  The porch light illuminated his handsome features. Why did she have to fall in love with such a beautiful, commitment-phobic man? “This is my home, not yours. What are you doing here?”

  “I came to make sure you were all right. You don’t have the best track record when it comes to dating.”

  “I’ve been doing well for the past couple of weeks.”

  He leveled his gaze on her. “Have you slept with him?”

  His outrageous audacity had her pursing her lips. Crossing her arms over her chest, she let her foot tap out an angry rhythm. “You should know the answer to that question, Quarshie.”

  The muscle in his jaw clenched. “It’s none of my business.”

  “Damn straight it isn’t.” She gritted out.

  “Yes, it is.”

  She blew out an exasperated breath. “How do you figure?”

  His voice came out soft when he said, “Because, I love you.”

  Her heart ceased beating, and she wasn’t breathing. Reaching for the solid wood of the door stopped her from slithering to the ground as lightheadedness weakened her. “What?”

  He stepped forward and stopped short of touching her. “I said, I love you.”

  “Oh.” With her heart restarted at a rate far above normal, she gulped in deep breaths as she pinched the bridge of her nose. She couldn’t handle this. Striding to the smaller of the two front gates, she removed the latch and wrenched it open so hard she feared she’d pull it off the hinge.

  “Have a good night, Adam.” Pride filled her that she hadn’t yelled.

  He blinked multiple times. It would have been comical if she wasn’t irate about his confession. Who did he think he was playing on her fragile emotions like this?

  “I tell you I love you, and you say good night?”

  “I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

  “What if I told you I want to marry you?”

  Her breath hitched in her throat. Love, she could have bought. The thought of him wanting get married ripped a hysterical laugh from her mouth. What kind of fool did he think she was? “Have a good night.”

  “You don’t believe me.”

  “Always the smart one, aren’t you?”

  The breath of his sigh fanned her face when he moved forward. “It’s true. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you.”

  She shoved him back so she’d have some breathing space. “What I believe, is you’d do anything to get me back into bed. You don’t love me. You’re in love with the thrill of the chase. Don’t get me started on you wanting to marry me. You have no idea what that would entail.” She tapped her chest. “In the end, it would be me left picking up the pieces of my broken heart as you traipse off to find your next conquest. You’re phenomenal in bed, but it’s not enough for me to risk my happiness for.”

  He opened his mouth and then closed it. “We’ll talk later. Have a good night.”

  As he headed out the gate he whirled around, grabbed her, and slammed her into his body. His closeness after all this time rendered her defenseless against his kiss. With the rough handling of her person, she’d expected anger. Her presumption had been wrong. He delivered a gentle kiss, full of promise rather than passion.

  What she discovered in his kiss almost had her believing he hadn’t lied when he professed to love her.

  She whimpered in protest when he pulled back. “I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  Too dazed to do anything more than blink, she watched him walk into the dark night.

  ***

  Adam knocked on Esi’s gate after work the next day. Not blaming her for not believing him, he’d tried to convey his feelings into the kiss they’d shared last night. Never in his life had he loved someone as much as he did her. The paralyzing fear of being hurt had left him, freeing him to admit the truth.

  He might have gone over the top with the marriage bit, but he’d meant that, too. If things went well, he could see himself marrying her one day. A day very, very far away. If she didn’t drive him out of his mind first. Her reaction had been the opposite of what he’d expected. Instead of arms and legs wrapped around him in naked bliss, he’d gotten attitude. He should have learned long ago to never presume with her. Expect one thing and get another. He had no doubt they’d end up together. Would it be different being together now that he knew he’d fallen for her? Who was he kidding? He’d been in love with her for a long time.

  “Who is it?” He could hear the exasperation in her voice. He wondered if she knew who stood on the other side.

  “It’s me.”

  “Can you be more specific? There are twenty-four million people in Ghana.”

  “Esi!” He couldn’t be mad at her. The fact that she was joking around told him she�
��d…what? He wasn’t sure.

  The clanging of the latch caught his attention as she opened the gate. He drank in the sight of her. A pair of jeans contoured her perfect legs and hips topped off with a purple T-shirt. She wore no makeup, but she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen.

  He strode onto the compound and waited until she closed the gate before approaching her. She retreated as he advanced, stopping when her ample behind hit the gate.

  Leaning down, he claimed her luscious lips. He’d missed these lips—the way they responded to his own so readily. Her hands move up his chest brushing a nipple on their way to wind around his neck.

  He bent his knees and picked her up, helping her to wrap her legs around his waist and putting her in direct contact with his erection. Her moan almost undid him. Her tongue roaming freely within his mouth weakened his knees, and he leaned more into her so they wouldn’t topple to the ground.

  A cell phone rang. He would’ve ignored it, but she pushed away from him.

  “Put me down.” Her deepened, sexy voice reminded him of when they’d last made love.

  He thrust his hips forward and enjoyed the clamping of her legs around him. Sliding her down the length of his body, he steadied her when her feet hit the concrete.

  She pulled the phone from her pocket and frowned. “Hello.”

  He moved away to give her some privacy, but made sure to eavesdrop on her side of the conversation. “Thank you for a great time. I’ll see you when you get back. Have a safe trip.”

  “Who was that?” He had an idea, but needed the confirmation.

  Esi balled her hands into fists and placed them on her hips. “I don’t do macho jealous men, Quarshie.”

  He stepped closer. “You did me pretty good a few weeks ago.”

  She ducked her head and walked towards the house. “What I’m saying is…I’m an independent woman. I don’t have to explain my actions to anyone.”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her back against him and kissed her neck. “Not even the man who loves you?”

  She wiggled her hips. “Especially him.” She sighed. “We need to talk, Adam.”

  “I figured as much. Can’t we make love and save the talking for…let’s say twenty years from now? I’m joking. Put your ‘you’d better’ look away.”

  She turned around to face him. “My what?”

  He chuckled. “You have this look you give people. It lets me know when you’re annoyed. I’ve dubbed it your ‘you’d better’ look. Do you remember when Mrs. Yante refused to push? You gave her that look. You also gave it to my date last night when she wanted to join you. I feared for her life.”

  “You’ve noticed this about me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mrs. Yante delivered about four months ago.”

  He hadn’t realized it had been so long. “Oh.”

  She led him to the porch bench. He pulled her down to sit across his lap. He had no need to be separated from her. For once, she didn’t fight him.

  Esi looked down into his eyes not believing this incredible man loved her. The strength in her desire to lean forward and kiss him would have taken over…if the need to clear the air didn’t overshadow everything else. She couldn’t go into this relationship without some ground rules to help protect her, even if it only provided the semblance of cushioning.

  Esi folded her hands in her lap. “I take it you want to be in a committed relationship with me.”

  “Wow. Double whammy with the words. But yes, I do.”

  “Say it, Quarshie.”

  “I want to be in a committed relationship with you, Esi.”

  Her heart thumped threatening to escape her ribcage. He’d looked into her eyes and spoken with sincerity. The man she’d known months ago had changed.

  “I need your promise that you won’t sleep around.”

  “I promise. That’s not my style. I’m a one woman at a time man, even when they’re short lived.”

  She scrunched her eyes. “I don’t intend to be someone you sleep with and leave.”

  “Me neither.”

  “I’m not trying to get HIV from a man. I’d cut it off.”

  She bounced a little as his legs closed beneath her.

  “Ouch.” He grimaced. “I believe you. But what about you? I expect faithfulness on your part.”

  “Done. Am I too heavy?”

  He chuckled. “I can’t feel my toes, but I’ll be all right.”

  Esi went to move off of his lap, but he held her in place. “I’m joking.”

  When his hand roamed her leg and her hip, she didn’t stop him. “Um.” Her thoughts had deserted her. “Um, I may get on your nerves once in a while.”

  He snorted.

  “Okay, a lot. Will you be able to handle that?”

  “Sweetheart, I love you. I can handle anything you throw at me.”

  No more words were necessary; they’d figure things out later. Besides, she found it difficult to form a coherent thought as Adam’s hand glided up the side of her body. As his thumb found and rubbed her nipple, her eyes drifted closed. “Anything for me?

  “I have plenty for you,” he whispered. “But we might get arrested if I show you out here.”

  She leaned forward. Their kiss was electric. Knowing he loved her and wanted to make a commitment, made her burn even hotter.

  She pushed away as the last thought made it through her haze of passion. “The marriage thing. I don’t want to get married right now.”

  His left eyebrow quirked upwards.

  “I want to get married eventually, but I need to get to know you more before making such a huge decision. I’m not trying to marry you just because you give me orgasms.”

  “What about because you love me?”

  She tilted her head shifting her eyes up and to the right pretending to think about it. “That would work.”

  He squeezed her shoulders. “Say it.”

  She looked into his eyes. “I love you, Adam.”

  His touch on her cheek sent shivers cascading down her spine. “Let’s go inside so I can show you how much I’ve missed you.”

  He didn’t have to ask her twice. She stood, grabbed his hand, and led him into the house. His laughter trailed behind her as her heart soared.

  Epilogue

  Esi swayed back and forth with her youngest child on her shoulder. When the baby burped, she stopped tapping her back. “I never thought I’d end up with three children in less than three years.”

  “Lucky you had to push out just one of them.” Ora laughed.

  “Thank God. For me, one pregnancy is enough. I have no idea how you’re able to do it again.”

  Ora rubbed her growing belly. She was four months pregnant. This time around, her mood swings weren’t as severe. Esi thanked God every day for that one small favor. “Annette and Chris are two now. The perfect time to have our third and last child. Not all of us are blessed enough to adopt great children like Kwame and Abena.”

  Esi looked across the room with fondness at her two other children who tolerated the twins’ interference in their game. No one could tell Esi they weren’t hers. She loved them as much as the one she had biologically given life to.

  Her eyes shifted to her husband who sat at the table with them. Four years ago if someone had told her Adam Quarshie would make a fantastic husband, she would’ve performed a drug test on them. When he had decided to commit there was no turning back.

  He’d surprised her with a proposal two months after they’d started dating exclusively. They got married five months later and started the adoption procedure for Kwame and Abena the Monday after their wedding.

  They’d wanted to give the two children a little bit of time to adjust to being part of a family before bearing a child. Two months ago, their family became complete with another little girl.

  Adam stood and came towards them. When he reached her side the naughty man whispered for her hearing alone what he would do to her when they got the kids
settled in bed later that evening. Her skin felt flushed.

  He took the baby from her and went back to the other children.

  Ora chuckled. “You have him hooked and reeled in.”

  “Like you’ve done to Jason.”

  Ora looped her arm around Esi. “Did I ever thank you for being my midwife to destiny?”

  “It seems every time you talk about Jason, you say it. When I look at Adam, I think that this time the destiny was mine.”

  “I like it. Now let’s sneak out and let your destiny watch the kids. I have a taste for some cake.”

  Esi laughed. “We can’t keep a pregnant woman away from her cake. Let’s go.”

  ~About Nana~

  Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.

  http://www.nanaprah.blogspot.com

  Also from Decadent Publishing

  www.decadentpublishing.com

  Midwife to Destiny

  Prologue

  The pain pulsing through Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins’ injured wrist transitioned into a delicious, unfamiliar tingle when Dr. Lartey touched it.

  “It’s just my luck to come on vacation and get hurt,” she huffed in frustration as she forced herself to not sigh at the pleasure his gentle probing touch evoked.

  “You were very lucky. The x-ray shows your wrist isn’t broken, but you sustained a very bad sprain so you have to be careful with it,” he said, sounding all business-like.