A Heart to Heal (22 page)

• • •

Devin tried to catch his breath. His face was buried in the space between her neck and shoulder. Already her scent mixed with his cologne, an intoxicating concoction that would haunt him for the next few days. A late spasm from her climax flexed around his now semi-hard penis, sending a rush of satisfaction through him. He could lose himself within her and fall asleep with her body wrapped around him forever. But would she want the same?

He lifted his head. Once again tears were streaming down her face. Concern for her quickly pushed aside his doubts.

He wiped the tears off her cheek. “What's wrong?”

She smiled and shook her head. “Nothing. That was … perfect.”

“Twice you've cried. I'm beginning to think my performance is bad.”

Her eyes widened and she reached up to run her fingers through his hair. Desire flexed within him when her hands gripped his hair. He was too old for braids, but he was beginning to reconsider ever cutting his hair again.

“Your performance was excellent.” she said.

He leaned down to rub her nose with his. “Then why the tears?”

She sighed. “Because I'm so happy when I'm with you.” She lowered her lids, avoiding his gaze.

He lifted her chin with a crooked forefinger. “I'm happy with you, too,” he said when her eyes met his.

Her full lips spread in a smile that warmed his heart far more than he wished it did. He'd loved Shayla once, and if he didn't remember that she planned to leave town one day, he'd blurt out that he was still in love with her like a fool.

Forgetting the fact that she hated living in Helena, he kissed her. Letting the memory of her body against his, and the feel of her lips while he was still buried deep within her flood his senses for easy recall after she left.

He broke off the kiss. A look of contentment enhanced the exotic flare of her eyes. To his utter satisfaction, she continued to play with the hair on his head. “I'm not hiding what's between us anymore. While you're in town, you're with me.”

Her hand dropped from his head and she looked away. “It's not that easy.”

He turned her face back to his. Pushing back his frustration as he tried to remember not to push or judge her. “Tell me why it isn't.”

“Devin, my life has finally gotten easier in Helena. My mom actually looks me in the eye. The people at the church are listening to my ideas, and people are no longer treating me like I'm there to steal their husbands. It's nice. And I know you're not supposed to admit to caring what other people think, but after years of having people look at me like I'm just like my dad, it's good to have them view me as a productive member of society.”

“How is dating me going to change that?”

“You should have seen how happy my mom and Aunt Linda were when Kia told them about your date. They practically danced on my mom's porch. If I came home tomorrow and announced that you were my man, they'd think I set out to steal you on purpose.”

The regret in her eyes twisted his heart. “You didn't steal me. I came for you.”

She frowned. “Why? What happened with Kia?”

He rested his forehead on hers briefly before lifting his head. “We have nothing in common outside of work. I spent the entire time trying to think of something to say that didn't involve you and she spent the entire time playing with her phone.”

Her face brightened and her hand thankfully delved into his hair again. “You were thinking about me?”

He nuzzled her nose again. “Don't look so pleased. Come on, Shayla, as if I could think of anyone else.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know, but you don't understand. The entire town loves you. Always has. I'm finally getting respect from people. Stealing you from Kia, no matter what the true circumstances are, would ruin that.”

He sighed. “Shayla, I don't do secret affairs. I'm not ashamed of being with you. No matter how fleeting it is.”

“Please, Devin. Let's keep it between us just for awhile. Let my family get over the fact that you and Kia didn't work out before we go holding hands in public or eating at the diner.”

He grimaced. “Even if we do that, people are still going to talk.”

“Why?”

“Tony.”

She stiffened and tried to pull away. He held fast, but his half swollen erection slipped out of her.

“I don't want to talk about him.”

“I think you'll have to. I punched him earlier tonight.”

Her brown gaze collided with his. “You didn't.”

“I did, and I'll do it again.”

“Why?”

He brushed the hair away from her forehead. “For you.”

Her gaze softened. Her full lips tilted upward, and if he were a foolish man, he'd swear that love shone from her eyes. When she opened her mouth he kissed her to cut off whatever she was about to say. He'd like to think she was going to say she loved him, but knowing she would say something along the lines of “that's sweet” — which would only wound him — he opted for the better option. To kiss her senseless and make love to her again.

Shayla's soft laughter woke Devin the next morning. He reached for her in the bed, but only grabbed a handful of the sheet. He turned his head from where it was buried in the pillow toward the sound of her laughter. She sat in a striped chair beside the window in their room. Her slim fingers played with the curtains as she looked out. Morning sunlight reflected off her brown skin. She laughed again and he frowned. She should be in the bed with him, not giggling on the phone.

“Yes, Mom, I'm okay. I'm sorry I'm gonna miss church … again … but I'll be home in time for dinner.” Shayla giggled and pushed the hair from her face. “Tell Kenny you're not supposed to leave a hot iron on a shirt. I seriously think you dropped him on his head.”

Her mom's voice sounded through her cell phone. He couldn't make out what she said, but she was laughing. His frown deepened as he tried to remember a time when Shayla and her mom ever laughed together. He drew a blank. Shayla was always trying to escape her mom's company, now they were on the phone chatting like girlfriends?

“The art show was good. I met Tyrell, he's really nice.” There was a pause as her mom said something. Her shoulders stiffened. “What did Kia say?”

She sighed. “When I want you all to know the guy I'm interested in I'll let you know.” Another pause. “Really, her date with Devin went well.” Shayla pulled her legs up into the chair and rested her head on her knees the thick curtain of her hair blocking her face from view.

Devin watched with mixed emotions. He didn't like the idea of hiding his relationship with Shayla — regardless of how brief it would be. But there was a defeated slump in her shoulders as she spoke of him and Kia. He wouldn't be surprised if her mom brought up the possibility of him and Kia getting together as a way to manipulate her. A report on her niece's date wasn't necessary.

He clenched his jaw, his entire body tensed as if it were physically rejecting the idea in his head. As much as he hated the thought of pretending as if there was nothing between him and Shayla, he would do it. Shayla had always craved her mom's approval. He wouldn't break up the tentative truce she and her mom had formed during her stay in Helena.

Shayla lifted her head. “I'm glad their date went well. Hopefully things … work out with them.” She turned and caught him watching her. The corner of her mouth lifted in a smile that didn't reach her eyes. The tension left his body as he returned the gesture.

“Hey Mom, I've gotta go … yes, I'm staying in a hotel room and I'd like to enjoy the shower before coming home.” She paused, then laughed out loud. “I'd pay money to see you convince Mr. Porter to do that. Okay, bye.”

She held the phone in her hand and stared at the screen until it went black before turning to look at him. Her lips curved seductively. “Good morning.”

“Morning.” He turned on his side to face her. “So my date with Kia was a success?”

She kinked a brow and tossed the phone on the bed. “Yep.” She ran her fingers through her hair before taking a deep breath. The simple movement unsettled him. It was as if she were preparing herself for something bad. He'd be damned if a conversation with her mom was going to change her mind about them being together.

He was a grown man and wasn't going to deny himself a relationship with the woman of his choosing. If he had to keep it from her family, so be it, as long as he had her.

“Look, Devin — ”

“Come here.” He said lifting the sheet.

She didn't argue. He grinned when her soft body slid against his. Pulling her into his embrace so that her back was pressed against his front, he pushed the hair from her shoulder and kissed her neck. Her skin was warm against his lips. She sighed and wiggled her butt against him, causing his dick to harden.

“We'll keep this between us for now,” he said.

“Are you sure?”

His hand traveled up to cup one of her breasts. The nipple was already hard and his mouth watered. He gently played with the erect tip with his fingers, taking pleasure in the change in her breathing. She pressed her behind firmly against him.

“Damn sure.” He said against her neck. “Now turn over.” She quickly complied. As his hand glided across the wetness between her thighs and he took one of her nipples into his mouth, he tried to convince himself this would be enough.

• • •

A few hours later, Devin sat with Malcolm on the bleachers in the Central Midlands Recreation Commission's gym as they waited on the current teams playing basketball to finish their game. If Jared would have gotten there on time they would have been able to join the first pick-up game, instead he'd called to say he was running late. Devin didn't mind, his spirit wasn't into playing today. He'd forgotten about agreeing to meet his friends this afternoon to ball until Malcolm called to remind him that morning. Luckily, he kept workout clothes in the back of his truck. Even though he wasn't in the mood, he looked forward to the distraction and the excuse to stay out of Helena for a few more hours.

“So you gonna tell me why you had to change clothes in the gym instead of coming dressed?” Malcolm said still watching the game.

Devin tried for nonchalance when he shrugged, but inside he reeled. He hadn't expected Malcolm to call him out. “No reason, just rushing to get here.”

“Really? Rushing from where?”

“Does it matter?”

Malcolm laughed. “Hell yeah. You show up in wrinkled clothes and grinning from ear to ear, man, I want to know what's up.”

Devin shook his head and leaned on the bleacher behind him. “Nothing's up.”

“Come on, man. You've listened to me and Jared talk about women for years with barely a peep about the women you date. Your love life was so dry it didn't matter, but now that Jared and I are married men, your dry love life is the only thing new.”

“We can still talk about your love life.”

Malcolm scowled. “Hell, nah. Nobody needs to know about my baby in the bedroom, but me.”

Devin laughed. “Well, looks like we'll be talking sports from now on.”

He looked back at the guys running up and down the court, but Malcolm continued to stare him down. He tried to ignore it, but after a few minutes he finally turned. “What?”

“Spill it.”

Devin sighed and held his head back. He might as well tell Malcolm. He hadn't confided in his friends about the women he dated before because usually there wasn't much to tell. His relationships with women only lasted a few weeks, if that long. He always found some reason to move on, and if he dared tell himself the truth it was because he never wanted to let himself trust a woman enough to get close to her.

“Fine, I spent the night with Shayla.”

“Tasha's friend Shayla? I knew something was up there.”

Devin lifted his head and stared without seeing at the basketball court. “There's always been something up where Shayla's concerned.”

“You've never mentioned her before.”

“Wasn't anything to mention. We were friends in high school, at one point tried to be more than friends and it didn't work out. I hadn't talked to her in years, until Tasha and Jared hooked up. I didn't realize she and Tasha were such good friends.”

“According to Tasha, she's only been home about a month,” Malcolm said. “For someone you haven't talked to in years, it seems like y'all jumped in bed fast. Especially after the fight you two had at Jared's place.”

“Long story, man.”

Malcolm looked at the guys on the court before looking back at Devin. “We got time.”

Devin considered how much to tell at the same time Jared came through the doors of the gym. He looked around until he spotted the two of them and rushed over.

“My bad,” Jared said dumping his gym bag on the bleacher before them. “Tasha was dying for some ice cream, so I ran out to get her some.”

“I still can't get over you being married with kids.” Devin said.

Jared grinned. “Hell, me neither. But waking up with Tasha every morning reminds me why I did it.”

“True that,” Malcolm said.

Devin looked at the brothers. Both married to the women of their dreams. They were completely different from the men he'd known a few years ago. Malcolm and Jared had lived by the motto of sex-only relationships. Malcolm because he hadn't thought he had the time for a serious relationship, and Jared because he didn't believe in monogamy. All it had taken was for them to finally get with the right woman and they were happy to give up that lifestyle to stay home with their wives.

He didn't hate on the change in his friends. If anything, he envied them. Instead he was forcing himself into doing what they'd done for years without a second thought. What he really wanted was to turn this hidden affair with Shayla into a real relationship and see what happened.