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  “That’s not tru—”

  “Let me just say what I have to say, Royce. I feel like you were never supposed to be here. I’m supposed to be here without you. So, let me just be here. Without you.”

  I continue on to the bathroom. I thought I would fall apart and lose it altogether but standing in the bathroom now, undressing, I turn on the shower and waited until the water warmed up a bit, then I step inside. I love my husband. Love him with everything inside of me. I need him. Want him. What I don’t want is a man who isn’t happy. What would be the point? If he isn’t happy, then neither am I.

  Chapter 8

  Royce

  When Monday came around, Royce got up and went to work, unsure of how to move forward at this point. What he did know was, he loved Makeena. The whole day he pondered this. All the way home he thought about her.

  When he arrived home and didn’t see her car, he immediately took out his cell to dial her number. That’s when a car pulled up behind his – his brother-in-law.

  Royce stepped out of the car and watched Wendell emerge from his.

  “Hey, Royce.”

  “Hey, how’s it going, Wendell?”

  “Good, man. I thought you could use some company since Makeena is with mom and Meghan.”

  His brows raised. “She is?”

  “Yeah. They went to see a movie.”

  “Oh,” Royce said, pushing his car door closed. It was news to him but since he and Makeena weren’t talking, he shouldn’t have been surprised that she wasn’t so forthcoming with her plans.

  “I brought a pizza and a six-pack, man.”

  Royce smiled. Since Makeena wasn’t home, it’s not like he would have a home cooked meal prepared and ready. He remembered how the other day when she’d cooked, he didn’t eat. Now, his mouth watered for a hot meal, but it looked like he would have to settle for pizza. “Alright. Come on in.”

  Once inside, Royce washed his hands then returned to the living room, popping the beer can open with one hand and grabbing a slice of pizza with the other.

  “Makeena was pretty upset when you didn’t show for dinner yesterday,” Wendell said with a mouthful of his first bite.

  “I know.”

  “What happened?”

  “We got into an argument, man. I told her I didn’t feel like this life was for me.”

  “Oh. So she finally talked to you about it, huh?”

  “No. It was more like me talking to her. Did she say something to you?”

  “Yeah. When we were at the gallery, she asked me if I thought you were acting strange. I told her to ask dad. Speaking of the gallery, I could’ve sworn I saw you there that night.”

  “That’s because I was there.”

  “I knew it!”

  Royce grinned. “I like to see Makeena in her element, you know. Plus, I keep having flashbacks of the last time I let her out of my sight. I don’t like not being there to protect her, even when she probably doesn’t need my protection.”

  Wendell nodded, remembering the story and understanding where Royce was coming from.

  “I saw your friend staring at her, too.”

  “Who?”

  “The tall guy.”

  “Oh. Uriah.” Wendell smirked. “He’s just a fan.”

  “Yeah, well I think I need to have a lil’ chat with him to tell him the same thing I’m sure he tells people who come to his shows.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You can look, but don’t touch.”

  Wendell chuckled. “I’m certain Makeena knows how to handle men who come on to her. Besides, my sister is so in love with you, she doesn’t even see other men.”

  Royce smiled and took a sip of beer. “I tried to communicate how I was having a difficult time adjusting to this new life and—let’s just say it didn’t go over the way I had intended.”

  “So, let me see if I’m understanding what you’re trying to say. Are you saying that you don’t want to be here, like here in Petersburg, or you don’t like this stage of your life meaning you don’t love my sister?”

  “I do love your sister. She’s everything I want.”

  “But—”

  “I don’t know what I’m doing. This civilian lifestyle is something I’m not accustomed to. I’m used to danger—hence my half leg.”

  “Ah,” Wendell said, understanding fully what Royce meant now. “You miss your old job.”

  “In some ways. It was dangerous, but it gave me a sense of purpose with protecting and rescuing people.”

  “Then find a profession that’ll give you that same feeling. You could volunteer at the fire department or something.”

  “I don’t know, man. I want to be the man Makeena needs me to be. I want to be a father and live for my family. A dangerous profession would take a toll on her. I don’t want her home worrying about whether or not I’m coming home. It would be better if I just pushed my feelings to the side and learn to accept my new life. I talked to your father. He urged me to tell her how I was feeling, but now I wished I hadn’t.”

  Wendell shook his head. “I agree with dad. You did the right thing by telling her.”

  “It sure doesn’t feel like I did the right thing.”

  Royce turned up a beer. “Enough about me. What about you? Is there a special young lady in your life?”

  “Nah, man,” Wendell said with a chuckle. “I’m not thinking about settling down or nothing related to it.”

  “No?”

  “Nope. That area of my life is on hold at least until I’m thirty.”

  Royce smirked. “Thirty, huh?”

  “Yeah. I have to put myself in a position to be able to take care of a family before I get out here and have one.”

  “I hear you.”

  Wendell took a sip of beer. “Makeena’s young.”

  “She is.”

  “I’m sure she latched on to you because you were older. I think you were sort of like a father figure to her before she fell in love with you. Would you agree?”

  “I would.”

  “I don’t know Makeena that well, but had we grown up together like we should have, I’m certain I would see how intelligent and thoughtful she is. I know you’re going through your thing, but try to put yourself in her shoes. You saved my sister’s life, Royce. For two months, you were all she had to depend on in this world, and whether you believe it or not, you still are. You’re still rescuing her. Let that be your adventure.”

  Royce pondered what Wendell said. He was right. He was still rescuing Makeena. It would take years to rid her of the bad memories – of the rough life she had to endure in the foster system. He was the one who could make it all better.

  Chapter 9

  Royce

  Wendell had been long gone when Makeena pulled up. Royce was sitting on the sofa waiting for the moment when his eyes would meet hers.

  When they did, he stared for a long time before he asked, “Can you come sit with me for a moment?”

  To his surprise, she obliged, lowering herself to the sofa next to him.

  “Makeena, if I hurt you—no—I know I hurt you and I want to say that I’m sorry.”

  Makeena didn’t say a word in response. She deemed it more important to listen at this point.

  “I never had plans to leave you.”

  “But you did leave me.”

  “No, I didn’t. I just needed time to think.”

  “You were gone for a full day, Royce. Would it be acceptable if I left you for an entire day because I needed time to think?”

  He sighed heavily. “No.”

  “Then why is it okay for you?”

  “It’s not. I’m sorry.”

  She looked at him. “Do you know what I want the most, Royce? Just take a guess.”

  “A family. Love. A happy life here in Petersburg with your family.”

  She smiled. “Yes. I want those things. But what I want the most is for you to be happy because if you’re not happy, those things you mentioned �
�� a family, love, a happy life – are all unattainable. So, what will it take for you to be happy – well that’s if you still want to be with me?”

  “Of course, I want to be with you.”

  “Then tell me what it’ll take to make you happy?”

  “You make me happy, Makeena.”

  “No, I don’t want to hear that, Royce, because when it really comes down to it, no person can really make another person happy if that person is not already happy with their self. Tell me.”

  “Okay.” He rubs his hands together. “I have much respect for your father, but I don’t want to work for him.”

  “You don’t?”

  “No. I want to do something on my own. Something exciting like maybe opening up my own private detective firm—something along those lines.”

  Makeena smiled. “That would suit you.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.” She looked at him. “Do you want to move back to Norfolk?”

  “No.”

  “Do you like living here in Petersburg?”

  “Yes. I like it here.”

  “And what about me?”

  He shifted his body to her. “What about you, Makeena?”

  “I feel like you may have some regrets about me.”

  “No, baby.”

  “You say that, Royce, but I think that sometimes I’m too young for you or you can’t relate to me. I think you feel obligated to love me because you were my first. I don’t want you to feel that way about me.”

  “Then let me put your mind at ease. That’s not how I feel at all.” Royce got down off of the couch to kneel in front of her.

  “Then how do you feel?” she asked, stroking his jawline.

  “I’m in love with you,” he said, holding her hand in his.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’m sure.”

  “But you’ve never been in love before.”

  “Neither have you, chiquita, but what you feel for me is real, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is. It’s very real. Like scary real.” She brushed the pad of her thumb across his lips. “I want you to be my husband for all eternity. I want you to be the father of my babies. My lover. My everything.” She touched his face with her soft palms. “But I need you to be happy. If you’re not happy, I’m not happy.”

  They stared quietly at each other for a minute, then Makeena inched forward to press her lips to his.

  “Oh, Royce,” she hummed his name while her lips fluttered against his. “Can we work through this? Together?”

  “Yes, baby. We can.”

  She smiled while folding her bottom lip under a top row of perfect teeth.

  While still on his knees in front of her, Royce grabbed her backside and pulled her closer to him, prompting her to wrap her legs around his torso. Then he stood straight up with her securely in his arms.

  “Where do you think you’re taking me?”

  “To the bedroom where I’ll really take you.”

  “Royce,” she said in a mere whisper.

  He lowered her to the bed, removed her shoes and tugged at her pants. After he undressed her, he got rid of his own clothes and crawled on top of her.

  Kissing her like he couldn’t get enough, massaging his tongue against her sweet, savory one, manipulating her flesh. Slowly, he connected his body to hers, inching to a final destination, fully buried inside of the woman he loved.

  “Oh, Makeena,” he uttered, his moist lips against hers and then he kissed her again, ravenously, erasing the dispute that had kept them at a distance for the last couple of days.

  He maneuvered and twisted his body, making love to his wife. There wasn’t another woman on the earth who could be what Makeena was to him. She was special, and he wanted her to know that every single day of her life.

  He stared down at her, watching the lovely anguish on her face as he rocked slowly on top of her until she opened her mouth to release a scream. He covered her opened mouth with his and took her tongue like it was a delicacy that needed to be savored and consumed slowly to get the full flavor.

  Makeena rested one hand on his thick shoulder, the other behind his head as she trembled beneath him yet still managing to hold on, taking all he had to give. And then he moved faster, consumed by desire of the most intoxicating kind, feeling the moment he began losing control – the moment he felt her writhe beneath him a second time.

  “Makeena,” he whispered. “Baby.”

  He was close to the edge, so close he had no control left. The room was spinning now. His mind, gone. His body, though, remained in control as a cry left his lips. That’s when it happened, when he closed his eyes and roared her name to the universe while she drew everything out of him. Everything. All kind of sensations raced through him until he could do nothing but close his eyes and lose himself.

  “Makeena!”

  Breathing heavily, Makeena couldn’t say a word. The only sounds that left her lips were whimpers and moans as she continued to hold on to him until his body ceased moving.

  Chapter 10

  Royce

  “You were right,” Royce said to Wendell, Sr. when he stepped into the office the next morning to clock in.

  “About?”

  “Telling her. At first, I thought that maybe I shouldn’t have said anything because she was upset and rightly so. But she needed to hear it, and even though it was rough, we got through it. Thank you for the advice.”

  “Anytime, Royce.”

  “Oh, and another thing…”

  “What’s that?”

  Royce walked closer to Wendell’s desk and sat down in the wooden chair. “I like working here, but I think I’m going to try my hand at doing my own thing in a year or two.”

  “Oh, yeah?” Wendell smiled.

  “Yes. I’m thinking about opening my own PI firm.”

  “Private investigator, huh?”

  “Yeah. I’m thinking about it.”

  “That seems like something that would be right up your alley, especially with your military background and the way you saved my daughter...you would be good at it.”

  “You think so?” Royce asked with raised brows. “Makeena said she thought I would be good at it, too.”

  “You would be. Now, that’s a job that’ll keep you on your toes.”

  “That’s exactly what I’m looking for.”

  “I will certainly do anything I can to help you get it off of the ground. Any help you need in the matter, feel free to let me know.”

  “Will do,” Royce said standing. “There’s a lot to do today, so let me get to it.”

  “All right. I’ll see you later, Royce.”

  “Yep.”

  Chapter 11

  Makeena

  “So, what do you think?” I ask Uriah while he and Wendell admire my art. My home studio is full of my paintings. It’s what I do when Royce is at work and I have time to play around. All four walls display my paintings.

  Uriah had wanted to see more of my work since he got the idea to do a joint show with me. He said it would be a good way to introduce me to the eclectic art scene in Petersburg. He came to my house with Wendell and now he’s standing, staring in awe while his eyes scanned every painting.

  “Well?” Wendell asked him.

  “I’m amazed,” Uriah said with astonishment. “I think you are a brilliant artist. The world needs to see this, not just Petersburg.”

  I smile. “You’re too kind, but thank you.”

  “I mean it. You’re—I mean, it’s beautiful,” Uriah said.

  Wendell frowns.

  Before he could say anything, I look Uriah square in the eyes and say, “Uriah, I don’t mind working with you but please don’t call me beautiful or make passes at me. I’m a married woman who’s very much in love with her husband. Can you ensure me that it won’t be a problem going forward?”

  “Dang. I couldn’t have said it better myself, sis,” Wendell says, nudging Uriah. “You heard what my sister
said, man. Ensure the woman that it won’t be a problem going forward.”

  “I can assure you. I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  When I hear a noise at the front door, I walk in the living room to see Royce stepping inside. My eyes brighten. “Royce! What are you doing here?”

  “I had a few minutes, baby. Figured I’d drop in since I knew Wendell was coming by to check out your paintings.” He continues walking towards me, leaning forward to connect our lips. “Mmm…” he hums, then asks, “Where is Wendell?”

  “He’s back in the studio with Uriah.”

  “Who?” he asks frowning. His jaw twitches.

  “Uriah. Come on,” I say, grabbing Royce by the hand and down the hallway. Entering the studio, I say, “Uriah, this is my husband, Royce.”

  Uriah looks nervous as he looks up at Royce. Royce is a good four inches taller than him, and even though I know Royce is a good, decent man, other people interpret his looks to mean that he’s a mean, brash, angry man. Well, he can be no-nonsense at times, but sometimes, we all have to be.

  Shoving nervousness down his throat as he looked up at Royce, Uriah seemed to be having a hard time finding words.

  “What’s up, man?” Royce says, reaching to shake Uriah’s hand.

  Uriah accepted his handshake.

  “Royce Pembroke, and you are?”

  “Uriah Gates.”

  “So, you’re the art guy,” Royce says.

  “Yes.”

  “And my wife is going to be working with you?”