Betrayal

by Naomi Chase

  As Tamia backed toward the living room, he stalked her step for step.

  When she came to a stop, he stopped just inches away, so close that their breath mingled warmly and their heartbeats synced up.

  His dark eyes roamed across her face, missing no detail. “You’re still not feeling well,” he gently observed.

  Tamia smirked. “Is that your polite way of telling me I look like shit?”

  “Nah.” He smiled softly. “And you could never look like shit.”

  She snorted. “Shoulda seen me this morning.”

  He frowned, tenderly cupping her cheek in his hand. “What’s wrong, baby?”

  Her throat tightened at the endearment. Resisting the urge to rub her face against the warmth of his palm, she took a step backward and folded her arms across her chest. “Why are you here, Brandon?”

  He stepped forward, closing the space she’d just created. “I came to see you.”

  “Why? Because of the scandal involving Cynthia’s father? Are your parents suddenly rethinking that whole family alliance?”

  Brandon grimaced. “They are,” he admitted, “but that’s not why I’m here. I would have come regardless of that story breaking.”

  Tamia’s eyes narrowed. “Does Cynthia know you’re here?”

  “It doesn’t matter.” Brandon held her gaze. “I broke off our engagement.”

  Stunned, Tamia stared at him. “You . . . broke up with her?”

  He nodded. “For good this time.”

  Tamia held his gaze another moment. As a choked sob rushed up her throat, she cupped a trembling hand over her mouth.

  When Brandon reached for her, she tossed up her hand, stopping him. “No,” she whispered shakily. “Don’t touch me.”

  A shadow of pain crossed his face. “Baby—”

  “I’ve waited so long.... I’ve waited forever. . . .” She inhaled a shuddering breath, looking at the ceiling and slowly shaking her head. “I’ve put myself through so much to have you, Brandon. And I just don’t know . . .”

  “You don’t know what, Tamia?” His voice was husky with fear. “You don’t know if I was worth the wait? You don’t know if you still love me? What don’t you know?”

  She looked at him, tears blurring her eyes.

  “Please don’t do this to me, Tamia,” he whispered raggedly. “Please.”

  She gulped hard. “I just need—”

  “Hold on. Don’t say another word.”

  Tamia watched as he pivoted on his heel and marched back to the foyer. He knelt, unzipped the gym bag and pulled out a stack of DVDs and a small metal pail, the kind guys used to put beer on ice.

  Puzzled, Tamia frowned. “What’re you doing with all that?”

  Brandon strode toward her, jaw set with steely determination. “Come with me,” he growled, grabbing her hand.

  He tugged her across the living room to the sliding glass door that led to the balcony. He unlocked and opened the door, then pulled her outside with him.

  Her eyes swept over the glittering night skyline before she looked at him. “Brandon—”

  When he set the metal pail and the stack of DVDs on top of the small table, a chill ran through Tamia that had nothing to do with the cool evening temperature.

  “Why did you bring the Mystique videos?” she asked faintly.

  “Because I realized something tonight.” Brandon met her gaze. “Long before Dominic or Cynthia ever came between us, these videos were a tumor in our relationship, always festering beneath the surface. Because of these videos, Tamia, you were ashamed to let me know the real you. You convinced yourself that even if I could ‘accept’ your humble beginnings, I could never accept that you used to be a porn star. Because of these videos, you were determined to hide your past from me at any and all costs. And it cost you dearly, sweetheart. It damn near cost you your life.” He picked up a DVD from the stack and held it up. “Because of these fucking videos, I was afraid to completely trust you because I was afraid of finding out something else you might have kept from me. But that’s not your fault, baby. That was on me. Because I’m the one who made the mistake of letting you walk out of my life when you’re the best damn thing that ever happened to me.”

  “Oh, baby,” Tamia whispered as tears brimmed in her eyes, threatening to spill over. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too,” Brandon said fiercely, nostrils flaring as he cupped her cheek. “I love you and I need you in my life. So don’t go no damn where.”

  “I won’t. I’m not.” She gave him a teary smile. “So what’re you gonna do with the videos?”

  “What I shoulda done a long time ago.” He scooped up the DVDs and dumped them into the pail, then whipped out a canister of lighter fluid from his back pocket and doused the stack of discs.

  Tamia stared as he struck a match and gently warned, “Move back.”

  When she obeyed, he tossed the lit match into the pail. The DVDs caught on fire with a soft whoosh and a flash of orange.

  As thick smoke curled into the night air, Brandon stepped back, wrapped an arm around Tamia’s waist, and kissed her temple. Together they stood staring into the crackling bonfire, watching the Mystique videos burn.

  Tamia asked quietly, “Did you watch them?”

  Brandon shook his head. “I couldn’t get through ten minutes of the first one,” he admitted darkly. “But not because I was mad or ashamed of you. I couldn’t finish watching it because I don’t wanna see my baby fucking other men. Period.”

  Tamia nodded, enjoying the warmth of the flames washing over them. “I’m glad you’re here, Brandon. I’m glad you came.”

  “I couldn’t stay away any longer.” He turned her in his arms and framed her face between his hands, his eyes boring into hers. “It’s a new year, sweetheart. A new day. That means no more secrets between us. No more ghosts from the past. From now on, the only two people allowed in this relationship are you and me. You feel me?”

  Tamia laughed softly. “I feel you. God, I feel you.”

  Brandon smiled, resting his forehead against hers and staring into her eyes. “I promised myself I’d do this right if I ever got another chance.”

  Tamia stared at him. “Do what?”

  He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. As Tamia watched, her heart pounding wildly, he lowered himself to one knee and opened the lid.

  Her eyes flew wide as she found herself staring at the most stunningly exquisite ring she’d ever seen. It was at least six carats, with one huge oval-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds set on a platinum band.

  “Oh my God,” she breathed. “What an amazing ring.”

  Brandon smiled softly, taking the ring out of the box. “It belonged to my great-grandmother.”

  Tamia stared at him, struck by the realization that he hadn’t given the ring to Cynthia when he’d proposed.

  As if he’d read her mind, Brandon murmured, “Mother Chambers made me promise to give it to the woman I loved and only her.”

  Tears welled in Tamia’s eyes. “Oh, baby . . .”

  Brandon gazed up at her, his eyes probing hers. “This is another thing I should have done a long time ago,” he said with quiet intensity. “I can’t live without you, Tamia, and I’d be a damn fool to try. I wanna be your husband, and I desperately need you to be my wife. So will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” Tamia nodded vigorously. “Hell, yes!”

  Brandon grinned broadly, sliding the ring onto her finger. It was a little loose, but still perfect in every way.

  “We’ll get it resized,” Brandon said. “If you want it.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Tamia whispered, choked up with emotion. “Of course I want it! It’s absolutely beautiful, Brandon. And it’s a family heirloom, so that makes it even more special.”

  As Brandon rose to his feet, she threw her arms around his neck. Laughing, he lifted her off the ground and swung her around. She squealed ecstatically, her head flung back as the city l
ights flashed around them in a dazzling kaleidoscope.

  Gently putting her down, Brandon cupped her face and slanted his mouth over hers. They kissed passionately, their lips fusing, tongues stroking between whispered endearments.

  As Brandon began backing Tamia toward the glass door, she reminded him, “What about the fire?”

  “It’ll burn out.” His eyes glittered. “Now let’s go start another one.”

  He swept her up into his arms and carried her back inside, moving purposefully to the bedroom. He turned on the lamp and set her down by the bed. Gazes locked, they slowly undressed each other as though they were unwrapping the most precious gifts they’d ever received.

  Brandon lowered Tamia to the bed, then proceeded to make love to her as if they’d just met, as if her body were a revelation to him. He kissed every part of her, leaving no area of skin untouched. She trembled as he slowly ran his lips over her tender breasts and sucked her swollen nipples, sliding lower to kiss her quivering stomach, where his child grew inside her. He lingered there as if he knew, whispering husky words of love and adoration that brought tears to her eyes.

  He kissed the inside of her thighs, setting off explosions of sensation that had warm juices seeping out of her to soak the bed. He rasped his tongue across her slit, each lick sending jolts of raw pleasure through her. She whimpered breathlessly, her fingers clenching the covers beneath her as he kissed his way downward. He kissed her knees, lifting them so his lips could caress her supple calves. He sucked her curling toes until she moaned, her body arching upward.

  By the time he rose above her to enter her body, she was already weeping softly, whispering his name like a fervent prayer. “Brandon . . . Brandon . . . Brandon.”

  They gazed into each other’s eyes as he eased his thick shaft inside her, feeding her ever so slowly. She wrapped her arms around his muscled back and clamped her thighs around his hips.

  He began stroking into her . . . slow . . . deep . . . the curved head of his cock shooting spasms of pleasure to her cervix. She moaned, biting her lip so hard she tasted blood. Together they looked downward, watching him slide in and out of her pussy. And then they looked at each other with the same sense of awed wonder.

  She ran her hands over his back and his round butt, the muscles flexing and denting as he slowly pumped into her. Back and forth, up and down. He kept a measured pace, never pounding, just stroking and letting their joined bodies heed their own natural rhythm and flow.

  It was lovemaking like Tamia had never imagined. It was beautiful, healing, profoundly powerful.

  And when they came explosively together she was crying, and so was he, their warm tears blending as they kissed.

  Long afterward, Brandon held Tamia close as she stroked his chest, packed with muscle.

  She sighed dreamily. “I could stay right here forever.”

  “Me, too,” Brandon agreed. “I missed the hell out of you, Tamia.”

  “I missed you too, baby. These past five weeks have been pure hell without you. I’d just about given up on us.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t.” Brandon kissed her forehead. “Don’t ever give up on us.”

  “I won’t,” she promised, snuggling closer to him. “And you’d better not either.”

  “Are you kidding? You’re stuck with me, woman.”

  Tamia smiled. “You won’t hear me complaining.”

  “Good.”

  As Brandon gently stroked her hair, she held up her hand to stare at her ring, admiring the way the diamonds sparkled in the warm lamplight.

  She sang softly, “If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it . . .”

  Brandon laughed. “Point taken.”

  Tamia grinned unabashedly. “Think she could sing at our wedding?”

  “I don’t know. Want me to ask?”

  “Please?”

  “Anything for you.”

  Tamia smiled, kissing his chest. “I can definitely get used to this.”

  Brandon chuckled. “Speaking of our wedding, we need to set a date. And it needs to be soon, like yesterday.”

  Tamia wanted to pinch herself. Was this really happening? Was she really on the verge of becoming Mrs. Brandon Chambers?

  “How about April?” she suggested. “I mean, since you were already planning to get married that month anyway . . .”

  Brandon searched her face. “Would that be okay with you?”

  She nodded. “I like April. The wildflowers are in bloom, the weather’s not too hot yet. It’s a perfect month for a wedding.”

  Brandon’s expression softened. “Any month would be perfect to marry you.”

  Tamia smiled, her insides warming with pleasure. And something else.

  “Be right back,” she said, slipping from the bed.

  “Where you going?” Brandon asked.

  “I have to pee.”

  As she started toward the bathroom, Brandon propped his head on his hand to watch her saunter away. “My, my, my. All that ass.”

  Tamia grinned. She clapped her round buttocks like a stripper and slapped one cheek, then winked and strolled off as Brandon groaned laughingly and fell back against the pillows.

  Once inside the bathroom, Tamia perched on the toilet to empty her bladder. She didn’t realize how long she’d been sitting there until Brandon called teasingly from the bedroom, “Damn, girl, how much water did you drink today?”

  Tamia giggled. “Don’t be listening to me piss!”

  He laughed. “Just sayin’, babe. You peeing like a camel in there.”

  I know, Tamia mused. She’d read that frequent urination was another early symptom of pregnancy. Something about hormones causing blood to flow more quickly through the kidneys, resulting in the bladder filling more often.

  After flushing the toilet and washing her hands at the sink, she retrieved the home pregnancy test she’d hidden in the cabinet earlier. Now that she and Brandon were engaged, she was excited to share the good news with him.

  When she emerged from the bathroom, Brandon lay with his hands clasped behind his head as he stared at the ceiling with a look of blissful contentment.

  Keeping one arm behind her back, Tamia padded over to the bed and climbed onto Brandon.

  He smiled up at her, lazily running his hands up and down her thighs straddling him. “You finish handling your business?”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “I have something to tell you.”

  “What?”

  She brought her arm from behind her back, holding up the plastic applicator.

  Brandon sat up slowly. “You’re . . . pregnant?”

  She nodded. “That’s why I’ve been so sick.”

  He took the stick from her hand, staring incredulously at the double pink lines before he lifted his eyes to hers. “We’re having a baby?” he asked hopefully, reminding Tamia of a little boy who was afraid to be told that Santa Claus wasn’t real.

  Her heart melted. “Yes, baby. We’re having a baby.”

  His eyes lit up, and a broad grin swept across his face, dimples on full display. “When did you find out? Is that what was taking you so long in the bathroom?”

  “No, I took the home pregnancy test this morning. I guess I shouldn’t have been shocked by the results. I was on birth control when we were dating, but I stopped taking the pill after I went to prison. Anyway, since today is Sunday, I have to wait until tomorrow to call my doctor to schedule an appointment. But these home tests are pretty accurate, and my body’s certainly acting pregnant.”

  Brandon smiled, but Tamia could see the unspoken question in his eyes, the fearful uncertainty.

  “The baby’s yours, Brandon,” she assured him. “I haven’t had unprotected sex with Dominic. Only you. It must have happened the night you came to my apartment.” Her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Were you trying to get me pregnant?”

  A sheepish look crossed his face.

  Tamia stared at him. “That’s why you asked me not to sleep with Dominic or anyone els
e for a month, isn’t it? If you got me pregnant, you wanted to make sure there’d be no question whose baby I was carrying.”

  Brandon’s mouth twitched. “I didn’t go to your apartment that night to get you pregnant. Not consciously anyway. I was mad as hell and I needed to see you. But right after I left, yeah, it did occur to me that we hadn’t used protection. And, yes, I’ve been hoping and praying that I’d answer the phone one day and hear you say what you just said: ‘We’re having a baby.’ And I—” He broke off suddenly, staring at her with an awestruck expression. “Damn. You really did just say that, didn’t you?”

  Tamia grinned. “Yes, I did.”

  Brandon laughed and crushed her to him, holding her tight as he rocked back and forth on the bed.

  “Thank you,” he whispered against her heart, making Tamia wonder whether he was thanking her or God.

  It didn’t matter. There was plenty of gratitude to go around.

  As Brandon lifted his head, she stared down at him, loving this man more than she’d ever loved anyone in her life. She tenderly cradled his face between her hands and lowered her mouth to his for a deep, soulful kiss, lips brushing and exploring, tongues meeting and twirling in a sensual slow dance.

  It wasn’t long before Tamia felt her folds growing slick, felt Brandon’s shaft thickening against her mound.

  “Lie down,” she whispered, pushing him back against the pillows.

  When he was stretched out on the bed, she slid off his lap and knelt between his parted legs. She licked the muscled flesh that defined his hard thighs, smiling when he jerked sharply. He stared at her as she wrapped her hand around his engorged dick and leaned down, aroused by the scent of his musk mingled with hers.

  He moaned gutturally as she licked the smooth underside of his meat, tracing the dark line that ran down to his heavy scrotum. He shuddered as she licked underneath his balls, watching his stomach muscles clench as she tongued his perineum.

  Looking into his heavy-lidded eyes, she slowly took his shaft into her mouth. He was so thick and firm and hot, an extra-long chocolate bar melting on her tongue.

  “Umm,” she purred on a throaty moan. “Love, love, love this big-ass dick.”