Mirrored Hearts: Sealed by Fire (Encounters of the Heart Book 2)

by Ann Marie Bryan

  “But, you are. Amazingly beautiful. Love all that makes you, you. I love you,” he said, smiling and pecking her lips. “You’ll always be the best part of my mornings and my nights.”

  “I love you too. But what about during the day?” she asked breathlessly.

  “Let me think.” He rolled on top of her and kissed her slowly.

  Gentle moans escaped her lips, and she clung to him.

  Lifting his head, he smiled at her. “And the best part of my days.”

  A shiver of heat rushed down his spine as she traced his strong jawline with her fingertips. “Make love to me, my husband.” She was breathing hard now, arching closer, the palms of her hands all over his back, gripping him in desperation. She pulled his mouth down hard on hers, and began kissing him passionately. She was ready to be loved … again. And the pleasure was all his.

  Almost a year later, they were both enrolled at Yale School of Management pursuing the accelerated MBA program, and halfway through the program, Rozene broke the news that they were pregnant … with twins. Surprised. Yes, they were.

  That seemed so long ago.

  But even after nineteen years of marriage, he’d still found Rozene desirable. She not only challenged him intellectually but she was still fine. No. Hot! She had a body that beckoned to his primitive instincts. A body that constantly screamed I-am-yours-for-the-taking. And his appetite for her was still insatiable, and her passion for him had been nothing short of unbridled. The combustion between them could flatten the entire neighborhood. To top it all off, she loved the Lord, and was passionate about the things of God. Well, that was before The Chandler extinguished the flames; before everything blew up in his face.

  Larry released a weary sigh, tossing to and fro on the bed to find a comfortable spot in the room where he and Rozene had spent nineteen years, filled with many unforgettable moments. His chest heaved with bubbles of loneliness and moisture filled his eyes, but he was determined not to cry.

  CHAPTER 13

  Chandler perched on a barstool in Pa’Dada Restaurant and Lounge sipping his drink while sizing up the crowd in an attempt to get his mind off his situation. He had discovered this upscale establishment when he’d moved to Orlando some five years ago. He loved it because he got a chance to hobnob with the restaurant’s impressive, affluent clientele. Hanging with the crème de la crème of the community was more his style. And as much as he would like to sweep it under the carpet, what he had been accustomed to from birth.

  But this evening, he was not in the mood to socialize. He was a drowning man. His plans to woo Rozene had failed miserably. Truthfully, they hadn’t even got off the ground. A frustrated sigh escaped him and he ran his hand over his already disheveled hair as he battled poignant flashbacks of their times together.

  There was no communication between them after their hot-hot encounter in Chicago. But that didn’t mean she was not always on his mind. He had dated a few other women to get her out of his system but that didn’t work. He then literally became a recluse. His only desire - to get home from work and watch her on YouTube or TV. He was constantly on her website and all her social media pages. He’d even taken to re-reading her books.

  The unending silence between them was killing him slowly. He needed her and he needed her in a way that was foreign to him. He could hardly believe his own transformation into this supersensitive love machine. Oh, he was warm and fuzzy on the inside … all day … every day. I carry her in my heart. I long to bask in her presence. He’d found himself articulating sentimental phrases that he’d previously considered mindboggling, even stupid, when similar expressions were uttered by the women he’d dated.

  At one stage, he had glanced at Rozene’s profile shot on her Facebook author page, and heard himself breathlessly declaring, “She completes me.” Yes, he was in love, hopelessly addicted to Rozene. That day, he scampered through Don’s defense and got her number after giving him a story.

  Rozene took his call.

  Hearing her voice almost sent him over the edge, but he calmed himself. At first, she was against him calling but he assured her he wouldn’t call often. Soon, his weekly calls turned daily and they began to develop a relationship of sort. They never met but it was not for lack of trying on his part.

  His stomach clenched. How can she not want us to be together?

  Us? He let out a ragged sigh. There’s no … us. First, she had to realize that she needed him as much as he needed her.

  Only a few days ago, he’d returned home from his travels to Chicago, where he’d spent almost two months at Renauto’s headquarters, leading the team that was developing a new product. Usually, he loved traveling because it afforded him the opportunity to take in new sights. Plus, a change of environment was always good. Now, traveling was like a burden because he had to leave his Ro behind. She was a little slow in accepting their relationship, but he was still hopeful. He had to, for he had already buried his little black book, and once again, “I do” was beckoning in the distance.

  Shaking his head, a habit he recently developed to get his thoughts under control, he tried to focus. Letters to Wives should be out in the fall. I’ll turn up at one of her book signings. She needs to stop pretending we don’t have something special going on between us. And if seeing her went anything like the last time ... Ooh wee! His breath came in short gasps as his entire body began to relive that moment.

  He had cried when he had to spend last Christmas alone, so she promised that they would meet up early in the New Year. She kept her promise when she had to do a book signing in West Palm Beach, Florida, a three-hour drive from Orlando.

  On the last day of her book signing, he checked into the same hotel. The anticipation had his heart pounding all day. When he entered her suite, he had to lean against the door to catch his breath, even though his eyes flowed over her from head to toe. Moments later, he followed her to the sofa and they stood there drinking in each other.

  He knew her desire for him was strong, for he saw her literally holding her breath before stepping slightly away from him as emotions she had suppressed started to reemerge. She attempted a smile, “How are you?”

  An unnecessary question, he thought. Of course, you can see how I’m doing. His eyes were raging with desire for her, and he was mentally commanding his hands to stay in place by his side.

  “I’m much better now,” he said in a sensuous timbre.

  “Great.” She admired the lean muscles of his fit anatomy.

  “No hug. No love for Chandler.” He gazed at her in the way he always did - with the longings of his heart on display.

  A heart stopping smile lit her face, and whatever thread of control he was holding onto was forgotten, for in a second he lowered her on the sofa and they were doing exactly what they had pledged never to do again.

  Beads of sweat formed on Chandler’s forehead and slid down his neck, yanking him out of his musing. Shrugging his broad shoulders, he slammed the drink glass on the counter and decided to stop by the gym to unleash his pent up frustration before heading home.

  CHAPTER 14

  Chandler pulled up to his townhouse in the exclusive gated community of Baladere Estate, and saw that Don’s black Lincoln Navigator was parked out front in one of his two parking spaces. He mentally slapped himself when he glanced at the clock on the dashboard. It registered 8:37 PM. He had forgotten, he was meeting Don at 7:00 PM. Thankfully, Don had a key so he didn’t have to stay outside.

  Don had called him when he was away to find out when he was returning. Since he came home on Saturday, and Sunday was his rest day, he had told Don that he could meet with him the following day. He peeped into Don’s car before walking to the patio, with an apology ready on his lips.

  He shared a close relationship with Don’s family. He liked that because Don was his only brother, albeit half-brother. Although he and Don had never spoken about it, when he was younger, he’d heard through the conversations of relatives that Chandler’s mother stole the he
art of his father and they had run away together while his father was married to Nadine, Don’s mother. By the time Chandler was born, his parents were married and there was never any discussion about Don’s mother. Nadine never remarried but she had two other children.

  Chandler had heard of Don but had never met him until freshman year at MIT some twenty years ago. Don had graduated from MIT’s Sloan School of Management with an MBA and apparently was a stellar student. He was asked to speak at a student forum about his overall MBA experience and its impact on his job.

  Chandler was enrolled in the School of Engineering but attended the forum to score points with Varina, whom he wanted to date. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he glanced up and saw Don speaking at the podium. Not only were they the spitting image of each other but they sounded alike. Varina stared from Chandler to Don as if she’d seen a ghost.

  After the forum, the line to speak with Don was long, so he and Varina waited before walking up to him. His face was priceless, before they all broke into senseless laughter. Ever since that day, he and Don had been close, and remained close even though their lifestyles were like night and day.

  “Sorry, man,” he greeted, Don with a fist bump. “Don’t know where my mind went. Forgot I was meeting you so I went to the gym. Habit. Why didn’t you call me?”

  “It’s okay,” Don told him, pulling to the edge of the sofa. “I needed the time to think.”

  “Sounds serious. But what do you always say? ‘God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.’”

  Don constantly told him about God’s goodness and faithfulness in his life. He never missed an opportunity to thank God for just about everything. However, while Chandler loved his brother, he didn’t share his exuberance with this God thing. The only time he’d attended church was when he was invited to a wedding or a funeral.

  “You remember that little bro.” Don couldn’t help the smile that popped on his face. “You’re listening to me after all. I’m encouraged.”

  Chandler smiled at him. “Of course, I’m listening to you. Always have.”

  That brought much needed peace to Don’s heart. Lord knows he needed it for the daunting task ahead of him.

  “Hope you made yourself at home,” Chandler said. “Back in a few. Need to change out of these clothes.”

  “Go ahead. I’m good.”

  “K,” Chandler said, walking towards the stairs.

  Don settled back on the sofa then glanced around Chandler’s massive home. It was designed with contemporary living in mind and it accommodated Chandler’s dynamic, high-speed lifestyle. Soaring, vaulted ceilings and distinctive wood detailed his home. Shades of yellow along with tasteful green and white accents decorated the furniture and walls.

  On the ground floor, the grand, spacious living room expanded to a terrace with an incredible view of a lush landscape. The huge kitchen was a chef’s dream, offering sleek state-of-the-art, high-tech appliances and tools. Near the kitchen, an additional room served as a gym.

  Upstairs was his home office, two bedrooms and his larger than life master bedroom with two huge walk-in closets. The bathrooms were equipped with Jacuzzi tubs and other delightful amenities.

  Raised with an expensive, refined taste, nothing but the best was good enough for Chandler. Nothing was too good for his inexhaustible taste. And why not? He had the resources to accommodate his lifestyle.

  Ten minutes later, Chandler re-entered the living room in Army-green shorts and a red polo shirt. “It’s about to rain,” he said, taking a seat on the sofa across from Don.

  “Hope it holds up until I leave.”

  Chandler eyed him curiously. “What’s troubling you? You don’t look yourself.”

  Don wanted to slap the inquiring look off his face. No need for that, he told himself, hoping what was about to unfold would calm his fears, and he would put it down to his active imagination.

  He looked Chandler straight in the eye. “Did you sleep with Rozene Kanate?”

  Deny! Deny! Deny! An inner voice shrieked in Chandler’s ears. He felt like he was about to pass out. “Yes,” he confessed in a voice that he didn’t recognize.

  The muscles in Don’s jaws tightened and his fists ached as he desperately tried to restrain himself. But before he knew it, he’d sprung off the sofa and grabbed Chandler by the throat, pressing him into the sofa. “Are you crazy?” he hissed, his blood boiling. “Why? Why did you have to sleep with her?”

  Chandler gasped for air, pushing at Don’s hand.

  Don released him, but continued to glare at him while they both struggled to regain normal breathing patterns.

  Don walked to stare out the window. “I’m sorry, the day I introduced her to you, and allowed you to …” Don stopped speaking as it dawned on him. “You had it all planned,” he turned towards Chandler and accused him. “You became a volunteer on the book tour in Chicago for that very reason. Then you volunteered to take her back to the hotel.” Don walked back to the sofa and dropped on it. “How could you be so heartless?”

  Chandler didn’t have a comeback. He remained quiet, feeling a strange emotion … humiliation. When he was finally able to speak, he countered, “I tried to stay away from her, Don, but I couldn’t. We only slept together twice. Now she won’t take my call.”

  “Listen to me, Chandler.” Don pulled to the edge of the sofa. “She is married. She has a family. Leave her alone before you destroy her marriage and her ministry.” He didn’t see any reason to inform Chandler about the current state of Rozene’s marriage. That may give him hope.

  “I’m in love with her, Don,” Chandler said quietly.

  Don became still. Shocked. Dismayed. Speechless. Oh, God! Chandler has lost his mind. How else could he be making that senseless statement? Don closed his eyes for a moment then opened them in the hopes that this nightmare would go away. No. Wishful thinking. He was still sitting across from Chandler who was looking for affirmation for his madness.

  Man, say something. Anything, Chandler willed Don.

  Don tried to calm himself. Nope. Not working. “Chandler, have you lost your mind?” he shouted, jumping to his feet. “She is married with kids.” Okay, be calm, he tried to tamp down his anxiety. “Chandler, listen to me,” he began in an overly calm voice, “This is not a good situation, not for you or her. You need to go find a woman of your own. She’s already taken.”

  His eyes flashing with frustration, Chandler stood and threw his hand in the air. “I don’t expect you to understand, but I love her. She’s always on my mind and I-I just can’t have enough of her.”

  Love her. Don shook his head, silently pleading, Lord, help. “Of all the women in the world, why her? Is it because she’s unavailable?”

  “I wondered about that too, Don, but no. I genuinely love her and I can’t see myself with anyone else.”

  Don walked over to him. His stomach churned at the ugliness of the whole situation. He knew Chandler had a major disconnect because of how poorly he treated women. He was not the sort of man that any woman could pin her hopes on. Chandler had confided in him and told him that his mother had often left him in the care of his nanny to go off on business trips. She was a fashion designer, if his memory served him right. The same held true for their father. He was always away on business, building structures all over the world. Suffice to say, Chandler did not share a great relationship with either of his parents. Truthfully, he had become a loner at heart. And made a genuine loner by Alana, his former fiancée. From the little Chandler had mentioned about Alana - who had convinced him to give up his single life - their relationship had ended in the worst way.

  So love was not exactly Chandler’s thing. His relationships were short and the minute there was any hint he would have to commit, he was out of there. Don often told him he would settle down when he found someone he couldn’t wrap around his little finger. But no, not Rozene.

  “I was trying to help you, you know,” Chandler pointed out. “That’s how it started
.”

  Chandler’s confession caused Don’s head to snap upwards. “Help me out! How would that help me?” This he had to hear.

  “You’d said that she couldn’t reach a certain group of people because she hadn’t been on the other side of love – temptation, lusting, unfaithfulness – she was clean.”

  He watched as Don’s mouth opened, and then closed, and then opened again without him speaking.

  “I thought I would seek her out,” Chandler continued. “You know I have a way with the ladies. Anyway, one night, I was channel hopping and saw her. I couldn’t believe all that she was saying, her words were beautiful and she is sooo beautiful. It was amazing to meet her,” he gushed. “And, you know what else is amazing?” He clapped his hands together excitedly. “I’m even starting to believe some of the things she’s preaching about.”

  Chandler’s countenance fell as he saw the pain in Don’s gaze. “I never expected to fall in love with her.” His eyes begged for understanding. “I love her, Don.”

  Don’s mind swirled as he looked at the tortured soul across from him. He didn’t even know where to begin to fix this situation that was already destroying the Kanate family and could bring down Rozene’s ministry.

  He looked straight into Chandler’s eyes as they searched his for any remote possibility of empathy. But all Don felt was a dread rapidly rising within. He couldn’t take anymore of this twisted conversation. This was a new level of madness.

  “Little Bro,” Don said with as much empathy as he could muster, “you need to seek counseling for what’s going on with you. I always told you, you needed help to deal with your family situation. That is what’s eating you up inside.”

  Chandler did not respond so Don continued, “Rozene is not going to leave her family and her ministry for you. She is deeply connected to her husband and he’s a good man.” Don observed Chandler’s quietness. He was way too far gone to believe anything that Don was saying.