Southern Love

by Synithia Williams

  “Yes.” He said his voice filled with regret.

  Anna wagged a finger. “I know you’re not upset about helping with the church festival.”

  “No. I’d forgotten and I still haven’t made all of my patient calls.”

  “You forgot, or are you trying to avoid going?”

  Devin turned back to the papers on his desk. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Anna came over and propped a hip on the same side of the desk Kia just left. “You know, I was really surprised by Shayla’s ideas. They were good.”

  Devin looked at Anna from the corner of his eye. “Shayla’s not all bad. She just made some bad decisions.”

  Anna shrugged. “Reverend Jenkins seems to believe there’s good in her. So I’m willing to look for it, I guess.”

  Devin leaned back in his chair and raised his brows. “Really? A few weeks ago you were ready to run her out of town.”

  Anna pushed away from his desk. “I still may. Depending on her intentions.”

  “Intentions?”

  Anna waved a hand. “I’ll keep that to myself for awhile longer.” She headed toward the door. “Go ahead and make those calls then come over to the church. I’ll see you soon.”

  Devin relished the silence in the office after Anna and the rest of the staff left. He hadn’t forgotten about the meeting, but wasn’t ready to see Shayla. With a sigh he turned back to the lab results and picked up the phone to make his patient calls.

  Because his days were so busy, he was only able to call patients with the results of their lab work during lunch or after hours. Oftentimes afterhours were better when he could catch people at home. Luckily, today wasn’t filled with too much bad news. But he still spent a lot of time on the phone answering questions and partaking in idle chit chat. He would usually only briefly engage in small talk and end the call to get on to the next one, but tonight he held on. He listened to stories of kids, pets, and work stress until it was close to eight. By then it was too late to make the festival meeting. He could get updated by his dad later, and give himself a little more time before facing Shayla again.

  He stood and stretched his cramped muscles. Rubbing the back of his neck in a feeble attempt to work out the kinks from holding a phone between his shoulder and ear, he reached for the light jacket he’d hung behind the door. He was flipping off the lights and checking to make sure everything in the front office was secure when there was a knock at the back door. His head dropped back and he exhaled heavily. It wasn’t unusual for someone to see his car at the office after hours and drop in for a quick diagnosis. He wasn’t usually bothered by it, but even after all of the talks with patients, the frustration from not having Shayla strained below the surface.

  As he walked to the door, he resigned himself to quickly get rid of whoever it was on the other side.

  “I was just leaving the office,” he said opening the door.

  The frustration inside of him quickly heated to desire. Shayla stood on the other side of the door in a green and brown wrap dress that clung to every luscious curve of her body. His dick stood at immediate attention as a breeze drifted over her, sending the intoxicating mix of her cinnamon scent to his nose.

  Her smile was huge and would appear nonchalant if not for the way her eyes shifted away. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I had some questions about the health screen for the festival and you missed the meeting. When I saw your car, I thought I’d stop by and ask.”

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her mouth. He wanted to taste her lips again. When her tongue quickly flitted across her lower lip he narrowed his eyes. She was here to tempt him. Her eyes returned to his and widened.

  “It can wait.”

  He reached out and took her arm, slowly bringing her into the dimly lit hall and shutting the door.

  “Is that what you really came here for?” The level of wanting in his voice surprised him.

  She shifted slightly but didn’t look away. “It is.”

  “Have you thought about what I said?”

  Her head lifted and lowered slightly in acknowledgement.

  “And?” he asked.

  She stepped closer. “I’m not the one denying us what we want, Devin.” Her voice was low and husky. It sent a tremor of lust straight through his body.

  He slid his arm around her small waist until his hand rested right at the curve of her perfect behind. He left just a sliver of room between their bodies. She shivered, her eyes softening with desire.

  “Neither am I, Shayla.”

  She lifted her head her lips barely brushing his. “Then take it … please.”

  Damn, her plea almost caused him to come right then. He closed his eyes and gripped her waist to regain his composure. “Not until we’re together. I won’t take advantage of you, or use you. I want all of you.”

  Her full breasts brushed against him when she sighed, causing his erection to lurch almost painfully. “I can’t.” she whispered.

  He opened his eyes. Hers were filled with regret and need. Anger burned him that she was so afraid to let people see them together. He knew some of the minds in Helena were small and would hate to see him with Shayla. But they were also fickle. Their relationship would cause murmurs for a few weeks before people moved on to the next thing. He didn’t care that people looked down on her because of what happened in Atlanta. He knew the truth, knew what was in her heart and that’s what mattered. And if anyone did have something to say about it, he’d happily shut their mouths.

  He wanted to lash out. Accuse her of toying with his heart the way Kia insinuated. But that wouldn’t bring her closer to him. It would only push her further away, and his ultimate goal was to make her his.

  He barely brushed his lips against hers, embracing the cockiness that came when she pressed against him for more. He stepped back and let his arm leave her waist.

  “Call my office tomorrow at lunch and I’ll answer your questions about the health screening. Or work it out with Anna. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the next meeting.”

  Confusion clouded her beautiful eyes as he led her to the door. “But … ”

  “No buts, Shayla. We’re friends, nothing more.” He said gently pushing her out the door.

  “Devin, I wish I could, but … ”

  “I know. It’s easier this way.” He couldn’t keep the resentment out of his tone. When the pain flashed in her eyes it was almost his undoing, so he quickly closed the door. Damn her and her exotic brown eyes that always tore at his heart. He couldn’t keep protecting Shayla from hurt. If he did, who would protect him?

  Chapter 18

  Shayla lay staring at the ceiling in her bedroom. Two weeks had passed since Devin hadn’t kissed her in his office and sexual frustration chewed at her insides constantly. Two weeks of seeing him at the festival planning meetings. Talking and laughing with him when they discussed the health screening. His friendship was pleasurable and painful. While it was good to have her friend back, it wasn’t easing the constant yearning between her legs.

  Her thoughts went to the way he’d gently rubbed her back while saying goodbye after the festival planning meeting the night before. The simple act heated her arousal, and it wasn’t cooled when he leaned in to whisper in her ear that he was “still waiting”. She closed her eyes, succumbing to memory of his large warm palm against her lower back, the humid kiss of his breath against her sensitive ear, the drugging scent of his cologne and the comfort that came from the closeness of his large body. Her hand moved from its resting spot above her head on a slow trail down her body. As her mind’s eye filled with Devin’s image, wetness spread heavily between her thighs. Her breathing hitched as her fingers grazed across her breasts. Her hands were too small. Still, she imagined the sound of his voice, deep and husky with desire after he’d kissed her. She parted her legs, pretending h
e was there urging her to do it. The tips of her fingers just breached the barrier of her underwear when a pounding on the door startled her.

  She’d ignore it. She drummed her fingers on her abdomen and clenched her eyes closed. Hoping whoever it was would go away and she could get back to her fantasy.

  “Shayla, wake up,” her mom’s called from the other side.

  With a groan, she took a deep breath and snatched her hand away from their destination. Her mom effectively ruined her fantasy.

  She got out of bed and grabbed a t-shirt out of the drawer to cover her camisole and panties before hurrying to the door. She had to take a deep breath to regain a semblance of composure before opening the door. Marcella greeted her with a smile. Shayla was momentarily taken aback. Ever since she’d taken such an interest in the church festival, and Reverend Jenkins boasted to everyone in town about the new additions, her mom’s icy treatment had warmed significantly. Proof that fantasizing about Devin was smarter than actually sleeping with him.

  “Oh, good, you’re up,” she said. “Get dressed and come to the farmers market with me and your aunt Linda.”

  Shayla grinned and stopped herself from reaching out to hug her mom. No need to push things too far. “Sure, I’ll be ready in twenty minutes.”

  Marcella nodded. “I already made breakfast. Hurry up before Kenny eats it all.” She gave Shayla one last smile before turning to walk off the porch.

  Shayla shut the door and rushed into her bedroom. She pulled out a pair of jeans and an orange top. Instead of waiting to fill the tub and take a bath, she stuffed her bathroom toiletries into a bag, put on some yoga pants, and hurried to her mom’s house for a shower.

  Her Aunt Linda arrived just as she finished showering and the three left shortly thereafter for the farmer’s market. Five hours later they were sitting on her mom’s front porch snapping beans and watching people in the neighborhood go about their weekend business. Kids played, women sat on porches talking, and men huddled in corners laughing and joking.

  Life in Helena had the potential to be kinda nice. Reverend Jenkins’ approval of her festival ideas not only softened her mother’s attitude toward her, it also softened some of the people in town. A few people smiled and nodded at her in the grocery store. Devin was right, after one of Tony’s friends was caught sneaking around with a married woman, most of the gossip in town went to that instead of her. Plus, she enjoyed eating dinner with her mom and brother every night.

  Thankfully, she’d only run into Tony once since the party. In the grocery store when she was shopping with her mother. She didn’t have to ignore him; her mother’s evil stare was enough to keep him at bay. It didn’t prevent him from leering at her, but she’d rather have his leer than be forced to talk with him. Roxanne had proved to be a real friend after volunteering to help with the festival after she’d learned Shayla was on the committee. Roxanne made another ally against Martha Taylor and Mr. Porter on the planning committee.

  If she could be with Devin things would be perfect.

  Her hands slowed in their efficient movements snapping the ends of the beans. She wished it were as simple as he thought it was for them to be together, but agreeing to a relationship with him, would also mean giving up the small amount of peace she’d found in Helena.

  Her mom and aunt cackled beside her. She missed the joke, but still turned and smiled before picking up the pace and snapping beans. Her brother came out the door, followed closely by his friend Bobby.

  Kenny squeezed between their mom and Aunt Linda’s chairs which blocked the front door and rested his large shoulders on the railing at the top of the porch. Bobby leaned against the porch rail right in front of Shayla. She glared at him and he just grinned back.

  “Damn, Ma, you think you got enough beans,” Kenny said grinning and nudging the tub of beans with his toe.

  “The way you eat, I probably need to go back for more.”

  Kenny laughed. “Yeah, you probably right.”

  Aunt Linda pointed from Kenny to Bobby, “What are y’all about to get into?”

  Kenny rubbed his hands together. “Gonna hit up Club Voracious tonight. Check out the ladies.”

  Aunt Linda’s lips twisted with a frown. “Nothing good goes on in that place.”

  “Save that for Kia. She’s up in there every weekend,” Kenny said.

  Marcella waved a bean at Linda. “That’s what I said.”

  Linda shrugged. “I told that girl she’ll never catch Devin hanging out there every weekend. She don’t wanna listen.”

  Shayla’s hands slowed only momentarily. Her family acted as if it was inevitable for Devin and Kia to hook up. She snatched the ends off the bean in her hand and threw it into the bucket.

  Bobby shifted and cleared his throat. “I thought Devin’s interest was elsewhere.” He stared pointedly at Shayla.

  Everyone else on the porch turned toward her. Her face prickled with heat. She quickly picked up another bean to break apart. “I hope you don’t mean me. I have my sights set on bigger fish than Devin Jones.”

  Her mom and aunt both fell back in their chairs. The relief in their eyes caused a pain in her chest.

  “Who you got your eye on, sis? Ain’t too many big fish round here besides Devin.” Kenny asked.

  She didn’t have her eye on anyone, but it was better to make up a pretend love interest than have her family suspect she was going after Devin.

  “A guy in Columbia. Don’t ask who, you’ll find out when you need to,” she said.

  Her mom stopped snapping beans and faced her. “When you get time to meet a guy in Columbia?”

  “It’s nothing serious. Just something I’m thinking about. Can we leave it alone, please?”

  Kia’s car pulled up in the driveway, ending the interrogation. Kia got out and walked toward the stairs, a bounce to her step. “What’s up, everyone. Hey, Momma,” she said leaning on the railing opposite of Kenny.

  Aunt Linda eyed Kia from head to toe. “What got you all happy?”

  Kia grinned, brightening her entire face with youthful exuberance. “I just ran into Devin and his daddy at Piggly Wiggly.”

  “Really?” Marcella asked.

  Linda planted a hand on her hip. “Did you get the vinegar like I asked you to?”

  Kia nodded. “Yeah, it’s in the car. Kenny, go get it.”

  Kenny rolled his eyes, but left the porch for her car. Aunt Linda nodded and Kia continued.

  “I went over to say hi. And then we got to talking about weekend plans. They’re eating dinner at the diner downtown tonight. I said I didn’t have plans, but loved the pot roast down there … ”

  “You hate that pot roast.” Kenny said coming back up the stairs. He handed the bag with the vinegar to Linda.

  Kia sucked her teeth. “Shut up. He don’t know that. Anyway, I kinda hinted around that I wouldn’t mind eating there tonight.” She paused and grinned at everyone on the porch.

  Linda leaned forward in the chair. “And come on girl, spill it.”

  Shayla held her breath. But the answer was obvious. Her cousin wouldn’t be so happy if she wasn’t eating with them. Still she hoped for another answer.

  “And,” Kia said drawing out the syllables for effect. “Roscoe said ‘why don’t you two go there tonight and I stay at home’. I could have jumped for joy.”

  Linda squealed. Raising her hands in the air and shaking them. Shayla lowered her head and fought back tears. Roscoe pushed them together? She would have expected Devin to do it as a way to get back at her, but for Roscoe to do it hurt more.

  “Damn, y’all women be plotting,” Bobby said rubbing his neck. “I feel for old doc.”

  Marcella flicked her wrist. “Boy, please. We ain’t no worse than men. Always plotting and scheming to get a woman in bed.”

 
Kenny shook his head and shuddered. “Momma, hush. I don’t want to think of you like that. Come on, Bobby; let’s hang at your place.”

  Bobby straightened away from the railing and followed Kenny. “Looks like things are working out. Kia’s bout to snag Dr. Jones and Shayla has a new man in Columbia.” His snicker made Shayla’s skin crawl.

  Kia’s face brightened even more. “You got a man, Shayla?”

  Shayla tossed the last of her beans in her bowl and stood. “Something like that.” She dumped her bowl into the bucket between her mom and Linda. “I’m going home to chill for awhile. I’ll be back later.”

  “Okay, baby,” her mom said.

  Shayla froze. Her mom hadn’t used an endearment with her … ever. She smiled tentatively at her mom, who returned the gesture before looking at Kia with satisfaction.

  Shayla turned to go down the stairs and Kia stopped her. “Hey, can I borrow that red blouse up you wore the other day?”

  No, was on the tip of her tongue. Kia didn’t need more ammunition in her hunt for Devin Jones. That shirt was cut to accentuate curves and the buttons didn’t start until right above the breast. The last thing she needed was for Devin to notice the curves on the, as he said, young and gorgeous Kia.

  “Of course you can borrow her shirt,” Marcella said.

  Kia smiled turned triumphant and Shayla fought the urge to slap it off her cousin’s face. “Come on,” Shayla said.

  Kia followed her off the porch. Kenny blew his car horn as he and Bobby pulled out of the yard and down the street. They both waved and then walked the short distance to Shayla’s rented house. A few minutes later they were inside and Shayla was grudgingly pulling her shirt out of the closet and handing it over to Kia.

  Instead of leaving, Kia plunked down on Shayla’s bed. “So, you really don’t care about me going out with Devin?”

  Shayla crossed her arms and leaned against the dresser. “Why should I care? I told him you two would make a cute couple.”