AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There was no smile on his face. His eyes were intent on me, but unreadable. Slowly, he walked to me, and I was certain everyone in the salon shut up all at once, it was so quiet. “Gwen.”
I couldn't swallow, let alone speak. “What are you doing here?”
“We need to talk. Do you have a minute or two?”
It felt so good to see him, that by the time he walked closer and stood in front of my desk, the only thing on my mind was reaching out and touching him, pressing my body against his, and feeling the security of his arms wrapped around me.
I wanted to cry. There was so much pain from the way he’d treated me before I left, and so much love I felt for him that I could never share, plus my big secret, which I had vowed never to mention. “I—”
“Go, honey. We got this.” Jasmine nudged me to get up, a slight smile on her lips.
“Okay.” I felt weak as I stood up and walked to stand beside him.
James led the way, and we walked to the park across the street where a car sat parked with a driver waiting. “Can we talk inside? I would prefer to not be disturbed.”
“Sure.”
Once inside the car, I realized it was a huge mistake. Being so close to him, our bodies mere inches apart, brought back all those wonderful memories. I tried to focus on the interior of the car and waited.
When he cleared his throat, I knew he was nervous.
“Gwen, I know you had nothing to do with what Terry was doing. I’m sorry I blamed you, accused you of anything, and that I was so awful to you. I had no right to fire you, demand you leave my house, and treat you the way I did. I’m sorry. I hope that one day, you can forgive me.”
The tears came. It was something I’d gotten used to since being pregnant — my emotions being out of control sometimes. As they rolled down my cheeks, I didn't bother trying to fight them while I struggled to find my words.
It took all the strength I had to look at him, and when I did, I saw the pain in his eyes. He really meant every word he’d just said. I wiped my eyes and smiled; thankful he’d come all this way to say this to me when he didn't have to do that.
“Thank you.”
My mistake came when I took his hand and held it. That simple gesture, the physical contact, was all it took to open the floodgates of my emotions, and I was crying and laughing all at the same time.
“I hate you, you know that, James? I hate what you did to me, but I’ve missed you so much.”
He reached out his hand, cupped the side of my face, and smiled. “I love you, Gwen, and I’ve missed you too. I don’t want to go another day without you.”
I had no clue what he was talking about. “I don’t understand, you want me to come back and work with you again?”
“No.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a box. “I want you to marry me, be my wife, and we can be a family with our child. Marry me.”
Shocked, I couldn't say anything for all of thirty seconds as I looked at the gorgeous ring in the velvet box. “You're serious?”
He laughed. “Yes, I’m serious. This damned ring should say it all. I love you; I don’t want you to be with anyone else ever, and I don’t want anyone else. I love you. I will love you forever. Marry me, Gwen.”
Overcome with joy, I cried again, barely able to see through the haze of tears clouding my eyes. “Yes, James, I will marry you. I love you too, so much. You do not know how much I’ve missed you. I’m so glad you're here. I want you to meet my grandmother. She’s going to love you.”
As he placed the ring on my finger, I felt a shiver go down my spine. “Am I dreaming?”
“No. I’m right here, love.” He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close.
His lips were tender at first, as that first taste of love ignited the flames of passion again. “God, I’ve missed you and this.”
He pulled me closer, and silently tempted me with his lips and hands that made me shiver. “Oh, James, I’ve missed you so much. Make love to me.”
“Anything you want, love, it’s yours.” He pulled me onto his lap.
We stared at each other for a long time. I needed no words to express the love I felt for him, and I saw that love reflected in his eyes.
His hands moved slowly over my body, a tender loving touch I’d never felt before from him. He caressed each of my swollen breasts through my top and ran his hand down my hips, then moved to my belly and held his hand there.
“I’m excited about the baby. Although, you should have told me.”
I closed my eyes as he kissed my neck and moved lower to press his hand up under my skirt, between my legs.
“I’m going to strangle Martie!”
The last thing I heard before he ripped my panties off was the sound of his laughter in my ear. “Easy, love, without her telling me your secret, I’d still be in California.”
He had a point, and I was too desirous to care anymore as I let my fingers do the walking and explored every inch of his chiseled body.
