by Rhonda Bowen
She took a deep breath then pushed through the door back into the hallway. Naomi had only taken two steps when something stopped her.
Sandalwood.
She turned around. There he was, leaned up against the wall, hands casually tucked in his pockets. He stared at her.
“Jordan.”
“Red.”
His name for her on his lips unlocked something warm and heady inside her. She remembered the first time he called her that. It had been their second date. They were supposed to go out for lunch but she had gotten caught in the rain and her normally straightened hair had reverted to its natural state. She hadn’t had time to straighten it again before he showed up at her place so when he rung her doorbell, she answered the door with her hair a wild explosion of reddish-burgundy corkscrews on her head. Naomi hadn’t known what to make of his open mouthed expression as he stared at her hair. But then he had reached out and gently tugged at one of her coils and grinned.
“Red, I like it,” he had said. From then on, it became her signature hair color and she had been “Red” to him ever since.
“Hey.”
In the background of her mind, she heard the distant sound of the hosts on stage and patters of applause, but all she could do was stare at Jordan. He wore a crisp Navy Armani suit that stretched across his broad frame as if tailor made for his immaculately toned body. The rich color of his burnt orange tie picked up the golden highlights in his skin. His head was clean shaven as always, but he had started growing in his moustache and beard and they were trimmed to sharp perfection. Naomi’s stomach took a dive as she took in the whole picture.
Dear Lord, he was sexy.
Had it been that long that she had forgotten? Had eleven weeks erased the memory of how fine her man was? Her man. She couldn’t shake it. She still thought of him that way - though she would never admit it to anyone but herself.
She didn’t know how long they stood there and stared at each other, but there was no discomfort. No awkwardness. Even with everything that had happened between them over the past four years, it had never been awkward between them. Not even once.
“You look...” He shook his head in awe as his eyes roamed over her. “Stunning.”
Heat crept up her neck and cheeks as he gazed at her. “Thanks.”
“And by the way,” He leaned off the wall and took a step towards her. “Congratulations.”
Naomi tilted her head to the side and smiled. “I didn’t win anything tonight.”
He nodded. “You did. You just don’t know it yet.”
Naomi wanted to ask what he meant. But she was far too content to just stare at him, be this close to him, and enjoy the faintest scent of his cologne wrapped around her like a warm blanket. He reached out a hand. She took it without question. With fingers threaded together, they headed down the hallway away from the main gala hall towards the courtyard of Gustavinos.
The night air was cool. The outside quiet. Beautiful white lights twinkled through the foliage, setting the mood for a romantic evening. Or maybe that was just what Naomi hoped for and so she saw the romance in everything.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said,” Naomi began as they walked slowly along the cobblestone path. “About me being open, being honest every moment with you.”
She stopped walking and turned to look at him, expectancy in his eyes.
“I want to. I really do.” she looked down. “But I’ve never done that before. With anyone.” She looked up again. “I don’t know how.”
He took her other hand. “I know.”
“And I don’t want to disappoint you,” she continued. “Because you have put up with so much from me already and you deserve so much better. I love you too much to hurt you again.”
He tugged on their enjoined hands, pulled her closer toward him. “I know.”
“But I’m afraid I might hurt you. Without meaning to. Just because of who I am. There’s so much about me you don’t know.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “So much I need to tell you, I need to say...”
He pulled her even closer, rested his forehead on hers. “Red, baby, I know.”
Naomi sucked in a deep breath, kept her eyes closed. “So, how can you still want to be with me?”
He let go of her hands, placed his instead on the side of her neck. Jordan gently moved to cup her face.
“Because I love you,” he whispered. “And that doesn’t change because of what’s in your past. I know this is hard for you, but I know the woman who stood on that stage tonight and told her story, the woman who bared her heart to me in those journals, the woman who fought to get her life back from that monster...that woman is going to fight to make us work.”
She placed her hands outside his even as tears slid down her face. “But it shouldn’t be that hard.”
“If it were easy, it wouldn’t be worth it,” he murmured back.
Sobs broke her throat and he pulled her into him, buried her in his arms. Naomi wrapped her arms around him as she slipped her head into the place between his shoulder and neck that felt like home to her.
Why was God so good to her?
“I missed you so much,” he murmured against her hair.
Naomi nodded, still too choked up on sobs for words. She was so lucky - so blessed for even the possibility of another chance with this man. When she could speak again, she pulled back to look up at him. She needed to see his face, his eyes, know that this was real.
“So, we’re really doing this? You and me?”
He tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “As long as you’re in it one hundred percent.”
Naomi nodded. “I’m in.”
“Now and the rest of our lives?”
Naomi smiled. “Now and the rest of our lives.”
He nodded. “Good. In that case, there’s something you need to have. Or should I say, have back.”
He slipped his hand inside his jacket and returned with a white gold, seven carat diamond ring. Naomi’s hands flew to her mouth.
“Recognize this?”
She nodded. Then she let him take her left hand and slip it back onto her ring finger. It felt like her world had been tumbling and shaking but now it had finally settled back into place.
“Jordan, are you sure?” She asked even as she stared at the ring. “I mean, I want this. I want this so bad. But maybe we need more time. We need to...know more...before we try and do this again.”
Jordan nodded. “I agree. I’m not saying we’re getting married tomorrow, or next week. Just think of it as a reservation for the future.”
Naomi looked up into his eyes and shook her head. “You don’t need a reservation.” She tapped the left side of her chest. “Your spot is always right here.”
He swept her into his arms. “Music to my ears.”
Before she could even think of another word, she felt the sweet pressure of his lips on hers. And then every thought melted from her head. Every doubt and fear she had ever had about them went up like vapor. No matter what her past was, and no matter what her future held, she was sure that she would make it and this man - this utterly amazing man - would be right there beside her. He was hers, she was his and God was creating with them something new that was not just for a time or a season. This was something that would last now and for the rest of their lives.
About the Author
Rhonda Bowen knew she would be a writer as early as eighth grade when she wrote her first novel with a classmate in a dollar notebook. While waiting for the day to come she completed a degree in Communications and spent a few years working in Public Relations and Event Planning. Throughout this time however, her desire to write stayed alive. She eventually completed her first novel, Man Enough for Me, which was released under Kensington Books’ Dafina imprint in February 2011.
Several years, a stint in Asia and a career change to youth work finds her still writing. She has written four romance novels and her books have been featured in PUBLISHERS WEEKLY and LIBRARY
JOURNAL. When not writing or engaging her youth, she enjoys spending time with her family, trying on shoes she can’t afford and enjoying the great outdoors. Visit her online at www.rhondabowen.com , www.facebook.com/RhondaBowenBooks or drop her a note at [email protected].
Other Books by Rhonda Bowen
Man Enough For Me
March 2011
Feisty and fabulous PR maven Jules Jackson has everything under control, which essentially means juggling two jobs, a difficult mother and all the drama of her crazy friends. But there’s one area where she’s sorely lacking: her love life. It feels like every time she’s had a chance at romance, it’s just been a test for her of how much she’s willing to put up with. So she’s just about given up on men when she meets Germaine Williams.
Straight-up, God-fearing and oh-so-fine, Germaine’s ready and willing to prove his worth to Jules. Finally, she falls, hard, and almost too late learns that Germaine’s keeping at least one big secret. Now Jules can either turn to her faith and open her heart to love—or risk getting it broken…
One Way or Another
February 2012
Atlanta reporter Toni Shields will do whatever it takes to get a good story. So when she’s arrested for sneaking around the mayor’s house, she’s prepared. What she’s not prepared for is getting demoted–or her run-in with stubborn Adam Bayne, director of the local young men’s rehab center. . .
The first time Adam saw Toni, she was wrangling with the cops. Now she’s looking for a scoop at Jacob House. Adam has no intention of letting her near his boys–yet as usual, her pushiness wins. And when she genuinely helps a teen in trouble, Adam sees a side of her that cares about more than just a headline. Soon, they become close–their attraction growing. But there’s more to both their lives than meets the eye. Toni has a haunting family secret, one that is taking a great toll on her. And when she uncovers that Adam has a devastating past of his own, not only their relationship, but their futures, and their faith, lie in the balance.
Get You Good
March 2013
Sydney Isaacs has two priorities: her family, and Decadent, the gourmet pastry business they founded almost three generations ago. But both are in jeopardy when her brother, Dean, marries conniving Sheree Vern. Worse, when Dean inherits ownership of Decadent he and Sheree decide to sell it to finance his dreams of becoming a music producer—or so Dean believes…
Thanks to Sheree, Dean’s plans, the business, and his marriage, soon implode in ways he never expected—leaving Sydney determined to salvage whatever she can. Her only solace is her romance with Hayden Windsor. But Hayden is Sheree’s half brother, and Sydney can’t help wondering if Hayden knew about Sheree’s scheming all along? Soon Sydney carries out a deception of her own to discover the truth—until the consequences threaten to destroy everything she values most—including her faith. Overcome with guilt, can she make things right with her brother, with Hayden, and with God?...
Hitting the Right Note
March 2014
JJ Isaacs' dream of becoming an R&B star has come true, and it's all thanks to Rayshawn, her amazing producer--and secret lover. But as JJ enters the spotlight, the relationship gets harder to disguise. And the more she hides the truth, the more distant she feels from her faith, and from her family's approval. But support may come from an unexpected place...
When JJ finds herself helping her estranged sister-in law, Sheree, through a difficult pregnancy, she discovers a surprising ally. But she also becomes enthralled with Sheree's doctor. Simon Massri is world renowned--and scheduled to leave the country. The more time JJ spends with Simon, the more she questions her choices--in love and in work. Now she'll have to face some tough decisions. Can she make peace with an uncertain future--if her heart is in the right place?...
