Her lovely brown eyes filled with tears, and she sighed. “I—I can’t. Come tomorrow, I’ve got to go back to my life.”
He nodded. “You can. You’re human.”
She twisted in his grasp. “No—I’m a Franklin!”
“Eve, it’s all right. No one ever has to know. I won’t tell anyone you cried.” He’d never known a woman so determined to deny her emotions.
An anguished sob escaped her throat. “Daddy—”
Her body shook with emotion, and she fell back into his waiting arms. Just as in the hospital, he soothed her with soft words and caresses. He let her cry, scream and shake until she’d released all the emotions she’d pent up so well.
She fell into an exhausted sleep on his chest, and he held her close. He remained still, because she needed to rest and he didn’t want to wake her.
He watched her sleep, stroking her hair. The thought entered his mind that he could spend forever this way, touching her, holding her.
He groaned, letting his head drop onto the back of the sofa. Had Marco been right? Had he fallen in love with his beautiful coworker?
He thought about it so long that he tired himself.
As the sun descended from its post, painting the sky in shades of gold, violet and pink, he fell asleep, with Eve still in his arms.
Chapter 17
Eve sat on the couch in the owner’s office. After a week at home, she’d returned to work. She’d grieved alone for the most part, allowing no one but Darius to check on her. Her mother, lost in her own grief, had spoken with her by phone but hadn’t felt up to leaving her home.
Now, the time had come for her to face the reality of life without the mooring presence of her father. She wasn’t sure if she could do it, but she had no choice but to try.
Around lunchtime, she watched the ticker tape go by on CNN when Lina stepped into the office, two large bags in hand. She wore her usual work attire, a white blouse and black pencil skirt and blazer. She’d flat ironed her bushy ’fro into a bob. A short gold box chain hung around her neck.
Sitting the bags down on the coffee table, she pulled Eve to stand. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so sorry.”
Eve sank into her embrace, and they held each other tight. “I’m sorry, too. I shouldn’t have shut you out.”
Lina sat down, crossing her long legs, and gave her hand a squeeze. “It’s okay. Everybody grieves differently. I’m just glad that I can be here for you now. I brought you lunch.”
She sat down next to her friend, inhaling the heavenly aromas coming from the two paper bags. “Mmm. Smells like—ribs.” She looked at the name imprinted on the bags. “Eddie’s Place! Oh, Lina, this is just what I need to take my mind off my troubles.”
Lina smiled. “I know. That’s why I got you the macaroni and cheese, collard greens and buttered rolls.”
“I know you got the dessert, too, didn’t you?” She fished around in one of the bags.
Lina reached into the other bag and pulled out a tin pie plate. “Would I go to Eddie’s and forget the sweet potato pie? I got a whole one. Desperate times, you know.”
She was so grateful, she could kiss her friend. “Girl, thank you so much.”
“Don’t mention it. Just pass me one of those sodas and a fork, I’m hungry.”
She obliged Lina, and the two of them dug in to the delicious offerings.
After she’d eaten her fill, Eve groaned. “Oh, I can’t eat another bite.”
“Me, either. There’s still half a pie and some ribs left,” Lina said, stretching her arms above her head.
“Just stash it in the minifridge over there.” She pointed at the wall. “I’ll eat it one day when I need a snack.”
Lina crossed the room, and placed the leftovers into the small black refrigerator Eve had gestured to. Returning, she sat down next to her again.
“What have you been doing this week, anyway? Since you haven’t been taking my calls, I was worried about you.” Lina’s eyes locked with Eve’s and waited.
“I’ve been home, reading, sleeping. I guess you could say I was hiding.”
“So, you just shut the whole world out?”
“Well, everybody except Darius.”
Lina’s left eyebrow went up. “Say what?”
“Darius. He stopped by every day. Brought me flowers and wine. He’d eat dinner with me—hold me until I could get to sleep.”
Lina’s wide eyes, and her tone, conveyed astonishment. “Well, knock me over with a feather. When did you all become so close?”
“He was there Wednesday—the night Daddy had the stroke.”
“Wednesday? I knew I should have gone with you to the show.” A regretful expression crossed Lina’s face for a moment. “There, as in at your house?”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “Yes. He wrote a song for me, and the band played it that night.”
“Girl, I’m jealous.”
“Anyway, things got—heavy, and he came home with me. We were on the verge of making love when the phone rang.”
Lina wiped her brow, as if the story had made her sweat. “Well, did you ever pick up where you left off?” The last few words were laced with slyness.
She shook her head. “He’s been such a gentleman. He really seems to care more about comforting me now.”
Lina giggled. “You know, a man like that can offer his own special brand of comfort. And if I were you, I’d take it.”
“Lina, you are such a freak.”
“Hey, I’m just saying. If you’ve already started, it’s only a matter of time.”
“Oh, Lina, would you stop it?”
“You haven’t told him you love him, have you?” Lina’s knowing eyes held hers.
“No—I’m not sure I love him.”
Lina waved her off. “Girl, please. I can see right through that shaky defense. If you were on the stand, you’d be going to the lockup, honey.” She sipped from her can of soda. “I know you love him. He’s the only person you let get within ten yards of you during the hardest time in your life.”
Her girlfriend was on to something, she realized. But she didn’t want to think about that, so she changed the subject. “What about you and Rashad? What’s happening in that continuing saga?”
Lina smiled. “Stop trying to change the subject.”
“Lina, I—well, maybe I love him. I don’t know.”
“You are lying to yourself, and you know it.”
“I can’t just come out and tell him.”
“So you admit it,” Lina said. “I think, if you give him a little time, you’ll find out you don’t have to say it first.”
She stared at her best friend, noting the glint in her eyes. “What? You think he’s in love with me?”
“I’d say there’s a pretty good chance. Why else would a man go out of his way like he has for you, and not expect you to give up the panties?” Lina clapped her hands together, the way she always did when she pointed something out. “Yeah. Sounds to me like Darius loves you.”
“If that’s true, why hasn’t he told me?” She folded her arms smugly across her chest, thinking she’d thrown Lina off the trail.
Lina wiped her hands on a napkin. “Please. He’s a man. He’ll tell you when he can’t hold it in any longer, when it’s unavoidable. You know that’s how they operate.”
No such luck. If Darius confessed his love for me, would I even know what to say? All this thinking about Darius, and where the relationship was headed, gave her a headache. “Isn’t it about time for you to go back to work?”
“Oh, I get it. I point out the truth, and you send me away.” Lina gave her a playful tap on the forehead, then glanced at her watch. “But it is time for me to go, or I’m going to be late. I don’t want to hear my boss’s mouth today.”
They both stood, and Eve followed Lina to the office doors. “I’ll give you a call later, Lina.”
“You’d better. Especially when Darius professes his undying love for you.” She batted her eyelashes, placing her hand over her heart in a dramatic gesture.
She laughed, embracing her friend. “Bye, Lina.”
“Bye.”
And she made her way through the big double doors, leaving Eve alone to think about all she’d said.
* * *
Eve stood by the windowed wall of her sunroom, a glass of Merlot in her hand. The setting sun outside created an inviting tableau of purple and gold that soothed her frazzled nerves with its beauty.
Darius stepped behind her, wrapped his strong arms around her waist. The warmth of his body enveloped her, and she leaned back into him, savoring the respite he provided.
He’d called her as she’d driven home, saying he’d meet her there. When she’d gotten out of the truck, he’d been waiting on the front steps, a welcome sight after the day she’d had.
Now, standing by the window, watching the fiery sunset with him, she felt at ease for the first time in what seemed like forever. The two weeks since her father had passed had gone by at a crawl, each day seeming longer than the day before.
“So, tell me how you’re doing.” He nuzzled her ear.
Smiling, she sipped from her wineglass and turned to face him. “Overwhelmed. I’ve got to get everything done for the MyBusiness Sapphire launch, and I’m swamped underneath a mountain of paperwork. The launch party is about a week away.”
“I know that. I’ve already turned in my approval on it.” He looked into her eyes, probing. “I mean, how are you feeling?”
His emphasis on the last word struck her. She wasn’t sure she wanted to get into talking emotions with him. “Better. I know I’m going to go the rest of my life missing my dad. But I think I’m over the initial sting.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek.
“I wish I could say the same for my mother. She’s pretty much been locked in her room for the past sixteen days. I try calling, but her butler always answers. He assures me he’s seeing to her needs, but I’m worried about her.”
He nodded. “I can’t imagine the kind of pain she must be feeling, after being with your father for so many years.” He touched her cheek. “Let her grieve. I’m sure she’ll come around.”
She sincerely hoped he was right. She had no doubts the house staff would see to her needs. But if only she could take her mother’s pain away, she’d feel much better herself.
He broke the silence. “I’ve seen the look my father has when he talks about my mother.” He paused, as if not wanting to reveal too much. “And Olivia left of her own free will.”
“I know it’s painful for you to talk about her, so I appreciate your openness.” Her fingertips traced the outline of his jaw.
He nodded, but said nothing else on the matter.
His manner let her know it was time to change the subject. She grabbed his hand, led him to the white sofa facing the windowed wall. “Let’s sit down.”
He followed her in silence, and they sat down on the plush fabric. She placed her wineglass on the table in front of them, and leaned back into the comfort and safety of his outstretched arms.
For a few quiet moments, they just sat there, listening to the sounds of the crickets’ song outside.
“You should know that my father liked you a lot.” She rested her head on his chest. “He had a lot of faith in you, and showed it by giving you the job.”
He answered by kissing the top of her head and stroking her hair.
She lifted her eyes, looking into his. Desire burned there, as plain as a flashing neon sign. She brought her face level with his, dragged a finger along his lips.
He groaned low in his throat. “I don’t want to be hurt like my father was.” A flicker of pain crossed over his face.
She wondered where that had come from. “I’m not out to hurt you, Darius.”
“I know.” He ran a hand over his forehead. “But I still worry about telling you—”
She bolted up, scrutinizing his face. He looked conflicted, and she wondered what he was getting at. “What is it? You can tell me.”
He closed his eyes tightly, reopened them. “I thought I could hold back, but I can’t anymore—”
“For goodness sake, Darius, what—”
“I love you, damn it.” He blurted the words out, then immediately looked away.
The tenderness in his words touched her soul. She turned him to face her, pulled him forward and kissed him with all the wonder she felt.
He stroked his tongue over her parted lips, dipping it inside. His passionate kiss drove her to new heights, and intensified her desire to share all with him.
She usually hated it when Lina was right, but this time might not be so bad.
Breathless, she pulled away.
He smiled at her in the waning light, eyes full of wicked delight. “Anything you’d like to say?”
She knew it hadn’t been easy for him to put himself out there, so she figured she owed him the same. She’d had plenty of time alone to reflect and consider her feelings. While she hadn’t wanted to admit it to Lina, she knew now that Darius had her heart, and there would be no going back. “It’s probably so obvious, you may as well know. I—love you, Darius.”
He kissed her again, a brief flicker of sweetness on her lips. Standing, he took her hand. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She looked up at him, eyes teasing. “Why?”
He helped her rise to her feet. “So I can make sweet love to you, baby.”
Confidence marked his tone. Her core tightened with the anticipation of what they would share. Shivering, she stepped forward, leading him into the foyer and up the staircase to her bedroom.
At the top of the stairs, her maid, Cora, dusted the console table. Seeing the two of them, she nodded to Eve, then made herself scarce.
On the heels of her quick departure, Eve pressed down on the gold lever, opening the door to her master suite.
Chapter 18
With searching eyes, Darius took in his first glance of Eve’s bedroom. It had all the makings of a woman’s boudoir. Lace curtains covered the French doors on one wall. The room was done in soft tones of blue, green and beige. The soft carpet gave way like cotton beneath his feet. Her king-sized bed centered the large suite. The gauzy green material draped over the canopy and down the sides, along with the plush comforter and about thirty different pillows, it looked like the bed of a pampered empress.
As she walked toward the bed ahead of him and sat on its edge to remove her pumps, he reveled in how good it felt to be invited into her most private place. He knew then that he would do everything in his power to make sure she didn’t regret opening it to him.
Approaching her, he pulled his polo shirt over his head, along with the sleeveless T-shirt beneath. Tossing the shirt over the back of the fancy upholstered chair occupying the corner near the French doors, he stood before her.
With trembling hands, she stroked his chest, then his abdomen.
He knelt on the soft carpet, running his hands up her smooth, caramel legs. Beneath her white sundress, he stroked her supple thighs. When he looked up, he saw her untie the back of the halter neck garment. The front of the dress fell to her waist, revealing a pink lace strapless bra.
The sight of the lacy garment sent even more heated blood rushing to his manhood. He traced his index finger along the rounded fullness of her breasts. He moved to sit next to her on the bed, and she didn’t protest as he reached around her to undo the bra’s clasp. Once he freed the twin beauties, he treated himself to the dark nipples crowning them until she moaned his name.
&nb
sp; His brain foggy with desire, he dragged the dress from her body. The sight of the matching lace thong she wore fueled the fire in his blood. Laying her back on the bed, he trailed slow kisses down the plane of her stomach, then lingered at her navel, dipping his tongue into the tiny whorl.
* * *
Eve could feel her thong being taken from her, but she didn’t care. She shivered with desire, and at this point, he could do whatever he wanted with her, as long as the kissing and caressing didn’t stop.
Apparently what he wanted to do was drive her insane...
She felt the first scalding lick against the pearl of her womanhood, and part of her sanity slipped away. He continued his erotic play, alternating between wicked licks and toe-curling sucks, and she parted her legs without a second thought.
His large hands rested on the insides of her trembling thighs, holding them apart. His mouth, hot and magical, gave her more pleasure than she’d ever known.
The sensations climbed until she raised her hips off the bed, her entire body shaking and shivering with the intensity of his skill. When she reached the epoch of passion, she came with a strangled cry that echoed through the otherwise silent house.
As she floated back toward the earth, she found him watching her. His eyes glowed with a wicked satisfaction. Pulling him down, she guided his body on top of hers until the hard evidence of his passion pressed against her inner thigh. He stood long enough to slip out of his pants and into a condom, then rejoined her.
She raised her hips in soundless invitation, and a heartbeat later, he filled her. Having him inside her felt so wondrous, she began to climb the heights of pleasure again. The rhythm built, and she met him stroke for stroke until the sweet friction became too much. She moaned, loud and long, as her body pulsated with another powerful orgasm.
He continued a few moments more before he gripped her hips, growling his own release.
She held his sweaty, slick body close to hers, wanting to hold on to him this way for eternity.
Even as passion gave way to exhaustion, she knew that because of what they’d shared, he was now an undeniable part of her.
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