Barbara chuckled. “You’re right about that.”
Zaire stared longingly at the French doors leading to the patio.
“Would you like to try going outside?” her mother asked.
She nodded. “I think I’m ready.”
The attack had happened almost three months ago. Her therapist had informed Zaire that she was doing well, and if she continued progressing, the sessions would no longer be necessary.
Zaire walked to the door and opened it.
Her father was outside. When Malcolm spied her standing in the doorway, he walked over and held out his hand. “You can do it, sweetie.”
Zaire could feel her chest tightening, but she focused her attention on the beauty of her surroundings. “There is nothing to fear,” she whispered.
Tyrese walked up and stood beside her father. His smile warmed her all over. “Come to me.”
She focused on his gorgeous eyes and sexy grin. Zaire stepped outside, pausing for a moment before taking another step.
Tyrese held out his hand to her.
Zaire took another tentative step. Her chest felt tight, and she felt as though it was getting hard to breathe. She took several calming breaths. “Nothing to fear,” she whispered. “I can do this, and nothing is going to happen.”
“You’re doing great,” Tyrese told her. “I’m so proud of you.”
Zaire practically fell into his arms. “I did it....”
He kissed her mouth. “Yes, you did, baby.”
She glanced over at her father and said, “Thanks for being here, Daddy.”
Tyrese escorted her over to a nearby table. “Would you like something to drink?” he asked.
“Could you get me some lemonade, please?”
“Look who has decided to come outside,” Blaze murmured. “Hey, sis.” He and Livi had just arrived. They had decided to walk along the side of the house to the patio instead of going inside.
Livi sat down at the table with Zaire. “Let me know when you’re ready to get back to Zumba. I’ve missed my workout partner.”
“I will,” Zaire promised.
She felt blissfully happy and fully alive for the first time in a long time. Her eyes strayed to where Tyrese stood chatting with her father and Blaze. He gave her a huge smile.
Zaire gloried in their shared moment.
* * *
Tyrese had not had this much fun in a long time. He played a couple of rounds of basketball with Zaire’s brothers until it started to rain, sending everyone inside the house.
“The day that I walk out to the patio is the day that it decides to storm,” Zaire complained.
Tyrese embraced her. “I don’t care where we are as long as we’re together,” he whispered.
Drayden found two decks of cards, prompting a discussion of who was good when it came to playing Spades.
“You don’t want none of this over here,” Blaze said with a grin. “Livi and I don’t lose.”
“That’s because you haven’t played me and Natasha,” Ari countered.
Sage broke into a short laugh. “My honey and I will put the rest of you to shame. Won’t we, baby?”
Ryan grinned and nodded.
Tyrese and Zaire decided to just watch rather than play.
They sat in a corner of the family room talking.
“I’ve been thinking about asking Franklin to teach me some self-defense techniques,” Zaire told Tyrese. “I just have to catch him because he travels frequently.”
“I can teach you.”
She looked at Tyrese. “What are you? A black belt or something?”
“Actually, I am,” Tyrese admitted.
“Now, why am I just hearing about this?” Zaire asked. “I had no idea.”
“I was going to suggest that I teach you, but I was waiting for the right time.”
“I want to get started as soon as possible,” she told him. “Tyrese, I never want to feel that helpless again during my lifetime. I’m actually thinking about taking a tae-kwon-do class.”
“I think you should if that’s what you want to do, sweetheart.”
“Can we get started on Monday?” she asked.
Tyrese nodded. “Sure.”
An expression of satisfaction showed in her eyes. Zaire leaned against him and sighed. “I knew you were the man for me the moment I saw you.”
He chuckled. “I had the same thought when I saw you.”
“Really?”
His features became more animated. “Yes. I said to myself, ‘I am definitely the man for this woman.’”
Zaire broke into laughter.
* * *
“The first thing we are going to do is work on core-strengthening exercises,” Tyrese said.
Zaire glanced over at him and smiled. “Let’s do this.”
His gaze traveled down from her neck to the sports bra she was wearing and downward. She looked sexy in her workout clothes.
Tyrese forced himself to focus on the reason he was there.
“While we are training, I want you to keep self-defense in mind,” he said after the warm-up exercises. “Everything I teach you should be filled with intensity and purpose. Take nothing for granted because it could save your life.”
Zaire listened attentively. She was determined to take back control of her life.
“An elbow strike is really effective if someone is against your back or preparing to grab you around your waist,” Tyrese explained. “Make a fist with the same hand...”
She did as he directed.
“Use your entire torso to throw your elbow.”
They practiced the move several times.
“Another part of your body that can be used as a weapon is your feet,” Tyrese told her. “Kicking is the best deployment of the foot. Kicking to the front or sides of the knees will disable your attacker.”
“I would aim straight for the groin,” Zaire said. “That’s what I tried to do to that jerk.”
“Kicking blindly gave him the opportunity to grab your leg.”
She nodded.
“Women need to use the element of surprise as part of your overall defense. Your attacker can’t know what you’re about to do.”
“Great job today,” Tyrese told her at the end of their workout.
“You’re a good teacher.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He broke into a grin. “Honey, you have displayed such courage and determination throughout all you’ve been through. I want you to know that I’m so proud of you.”
“I feel empowered,” she replied. “I am not going to keep hiding from the world. I am going to beat this thing.”
The Christmas holidays were approaching and Zaire did not want to miss out on the thrill of shopping for presents for her family and friends. She wanted her life back.
Chapter 14
Zaire glanced anxiously over at her therapist and then back at the car parked in the driveway. “I’m ready.”
“Open the door.”
She placed trembling fingers around the handle. “I can do this,” she whispered over and over. “There’s nothing to be afraid of....”
Zaire released a soft sigh. “Doors are open and I’m okay.”
“Very good. Are you ready to get inside of the car? Just take one step.”
She nodded.
Zaire felt empowered at having gotten this far. She had been riding for short distances with her mother and Tyrese. Today, she was going to drive.
She felt the tightness dissipate and smiled. Zaire couldn’t wait to get back home and call Tyrese to give him a recap. She was a lucky woman to have found a man who was so supportive. He had been by her side every step of the way as promised. Even when it went against his
seemingly better judgment, Tyrese never abandoned her.
Zaire appreciated such loyalty and devotion. It was those qualities that true love was made of. Okay, she was a romantic. Nothing was wrong with that, she reasoned.
Once she started driving, Zaire calmed down and enjoyed the scenery. Her therapist did not have her drive too far as this was just the first day.
“You can turn around here and head back to the house.”
Back at home, Zaire felt giddy.
She felt as if she had earned a little release of freedom. Words could not express what she was feeling right now. It was exhilarating to be able to enjoy the outdoors once again and to drive just a short distance. It was a tiny accomplishment, but Zaire felt as if she had moved a mountain. It gave her the motivation to continue pushing forward. This is my Christmas present to myself, she thought.
A smile tugged at her lips. She also owed some of the credit to Tyrese. Zaire had meant it when she’d told him that he had saved her life.
If only she could get him to fully release his heart to her safekeeping.
Tyrese did not have to tell her that he was afraid of being hurt by love. She could see it in his eyes. The woman from his past had wounded him deeply, although he would never admit it.
* * *
Zaire dabbed her face with her towel. “That was some workout. I feel good, though.”
“Why don’t you go shower and get changed,” Tyrese suggested. “I’ll shower down here.”
“Where are we going?” she asked, wearing a puzzled expression on her face.
“I want to take you to dinner. We don’t have to go far, but let’s get out of the house for a while. If you feel up to it, we can take a stroll on the beach afterward.”
She nodded. “It’s fine. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
Zaire hummed softly as she rushed up the stairs. She was looking forward to going out with Tyrese. It did not matter to her where they were going. Zaire was just happy to spend time with him. She enjoyed his company immensely.
An hour later, they were seated in a booth at a local Italian restaurant.
“You have quite the sense of humor,” Zaire commented as she scanned her menu. She took a sip of her ice water. “I really like this side of you.”
He laughed. “I take it that you thought I was pretty boring.”
“Not really,” she replied. “Well...I felt like you needed something more than work in your life.”
“I remember you telling me that.”
She met his gaze. “I hope that I didn’t make you feel bad.”
“You didn’t.” Tyrese reached across the table to hold her hand. “I have to confess that you were right. All of my focus was on building the company until I met you.”
“Any regrets?” Zaire asked.
He shook his head. “Not at all.”
Tyrese picked up his menu and looked it over. “I think I’m having the chicken marsala,” he said. “Do you know what you want?”
“I’m in the mood for spaghetti.”
They gave the waiter their orders when he returned to the table.
“I have to admit that I haven’t had as much fun as I’ve had with you and your family,” Tyrese confessed after the waiter had walked away. “I appreciate the way they have gone out of the way to make me comfortable.”
“My family really likes you,” Zaire stated with a tender smile.
“I like them, too.”
The waiter returned with their food on a tray.
Tyrese blessed the food.
Zaire sampled her spaghetti. “This is delicious.”
“This is really good,” he responded. “Have you tried this entrée before?”
She nodded. “I think I’ve probably tried every selection on the menu. I love this place. It’s one of my favorite restaurants.” Zaire’s eyes traveled the dining area. “It feels good being out like this among people. I’ve missed this.”
After signaling for the check a short time later, Tyrese inquired, “Are you feeling up to a moonlit stroll on the beach?”
She awarded him a smile. “Definitely.”
They left the restaurant and parked near a set of stairs leading down to the beach. Tyrese held on to Zaire tightly.
She removed her shoes, and he did the same.
They strolled along the edge of the beach hand in hand.
Zaire closed her eyes, savoring the feel of the night air on her face.
Tyrese pulled her into his arms. “I can’t believe that I found someone as wonderful as you, Zaire.” He wrapped his arm around her waist.
She felt the heat of desire wash over her like waves.
Turning her face upward, Tyrese kissed her lips. “You make me feel things I haven’t felt in a very long time.”
“I feel the same way about you, Tyrese. No man has ever made me feel the way you have.”
He kissed her again.
Zaire buried her face against his chest, enjoying the feel of Tyrese’s muscled arms around her.
“Why are you so quiet all of a sudden?” he asked after a moment.
“I was just thinking about how lucky I am to have a man like you in my life. You made something that was horrible—you made it bearable. You wouldn’t just let me hide away from the world.”
“I hope you know that I won’t ever let anything happen to you, Zaire. I would rather die first than let someone ever hurt you again.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “You are my hero.”
Chapter 15
The therapy sessions and the self-defense training had done wonders for Zaire. She was not only able to leave the house during the holidays, but she had resumed swimming in the pool and she could drive short distances as long as someone was in the car with her.
However, Zaire wasn’t quite ready to return to M.G. She no longer had nightmares about the attack, but she was not yet ready to be near the parking structure.
Tyrese supported her decision to continue working from home for now. She worked from home and continued to be very productive.
“I have a webinar starting shortly,” she told him when he called to check on her. “Can I call you back afterward?”
“Sure.”
“Great. I’ll talk to you then.”
Zaire disconnected the call and then dialed up her assistant. “Max, are you all set?”
She was especially excited about this special event to launch a new fashion magazine for plus-size women.
“I sure am,” he responded.
The webinar lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes.
Zaire touched base with Max afterward. “Email the contract to them and let me know when you receive the signed copies back.”
Her next phone call was to Tyrese.
“How did it go?” he asked.
“Max is sending the contracts over as we speak,” she replied. “They loved the proposal.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“You’re sweet,” Zaire told Tyrese. “I love that you’re so supportive.”
“Same here,” he responded.
Tyrese changed the tone of the conversation by saying, “I called you because I wanted to let you know that I have to go out of town for a few days. Pilar and I are looking for offices in New York.”
“How long will you be gone?” Zaire wanted to know.
“I won’t be back until Saturday morning.”
“Four days,” she murmured. “I guess I can manage without you for four days.”
Tyrese chuckled. “Of that, I have no doubt. I wish you could go with me.”
“I’m not ready for that,” Zaire confessed. “I am going to miss you like crazy, though.”
Her mother was outside tend
ing to her rose garden when Zaire finished her conversation with Tyrese.
“The flowers are gorgeous,” she told Barbara.
“They turned out nicely, didn’t they? I hope your aunt is taking good care of my roses back home in Aspen.”
“Aunt Bess loves flowers as much as you do,” Zaire stated. “I’m sure she’s treating them as if they were her own.”
Barbara chuckled. “I hear she’s had the house completely repainted and is adding a bigger kitchen.”
Malcolm and Barbara had gifted their former home to her sister after they’d relocated to California. Zaire knew that her aunt had been deeply touched by the gesture. She had never been able to afford her own home, but now she had one that was mortgage-free and she lived in it with pride.
“Speaking of homes,” Zaire began. “Mama, I think it’s time I went back to my apartment.”
“Are you sure?”
Zaire nodded. “I need to resume my life. I can have Tyrese or Max drive me around if I need to go anywhere.”
“You don’t have to rush this,” Barbara said. “You can stay here for as long as you like.”
“I’m not rushing into this decision,” Zaire replied. “It’s been four and a half months since the attack. If I keep hiding out, my attacker wins.”
“Why don’t you have Franklin stay with you until you get used to being there alone?” her mother suggested.
“Tyrese actually offered to stay with me.” Zaire saw the expression on her mother’s face and added, “He’s going to sleep in the guest bedroom.”
“Uh-huh...” Barbara uttered.
“Mama, don’t you trust me?”
She smiled. “Trust has nothing to do with it. I know what happens between two people who are in love.”
“It’s because I love him that I’m not going to rush into bed with Tyrese,” Zaire told her mother. “I’m not looking for a boy toy. I want a husband.”
* * *
Zaire moved back into her apartment a week after Tyrese returned from New York.
“Are you okay?” Tyrese asked.
She walked around, going from room to room, checking to see if anything was out of place.
“I had my housekeeper come over to dust and clean,” he said.
She glanced over her shoulder at him and smiled. “Thanks. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
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