Loving Lena (7 page)

“About seeing other men,” Kurt said peeking at her as they walked to Faye's front door, “I'm not real good with stuff like that.” He’d had a major change of heart earlier that day. The more he got to know her, the more he wanted to spend time alone with her. The thought that another man might sample her body or taste her sweet juices made his blood boil. No woman had ever tied him up in knots like this. Nervously, he waited for her response to his confession.

“So you lied?” She bent her head so he couldn't see the slight grin on her face.

“Not really. At that exact moment, I thought I might be able to be cool. But after tasting you and thinking someone else is getting a taste of your honey, I know I'd be kicking asses first and
maybe
asking questions later.” He stared at her. “But that's not a sure bet.”

“Okay, I can respect that.” She nodded and made two steps before he grabbed her.

“Wait, I want to see you again.” She stared up at him, confused.

“I'm not ready for a commitment. Besides, I'm still married, the divorce isn't final.” She reminded him.

“I know. But we can get to know one another better, build on what we already know.”

She crossed her arms. “What do you know?”

“Besides the fact, you are a beautiful, caring woman with a big heart. Despite all the pain you've suffered, you still ache for your friend who wronged you. You're smart and independent, insistent on paying your way. You've learned from your mistakes, yet you are still flexible and open to new possibilities. Your sense of family is strong, your moral code high and most importantly, you are an unselfish lover.” He smiled as she looked on in awe.

He pulled her close and kissed her thoroughly. “I don’t operate on the down-low. I know you've been hurt, give me a chance to love you. To be here for you. I want more than sex, as good as it is, I want the woman. The total package.” He nipped her lips before sliding his tongue into her mouth.

Cocooned in the warmth of his arms, Lena looked upward and said a prayer. Desperate for a chance at love and happiness, she returned Kurt's hug and nodded. “Okay, we’ll give it a shot.”

He spun her around on the porch and headed for his car.

“Where are we going?” she asked as he closed the door.

“My place,” he leered at her. “To celebrate as loud as we want.”

***The end***

The following is an excerpt of Elijah’s story, which is a companion book to this one. Each can be read alone but the reading is more enjoyable when read together.

S.J. Nelson

Chapter 1

Elijah Pace, Pastor of New Hope Baptist Church didn’t care for house visits unless absolutely necessary. Too much could go wrong. However, one of his staff members, the music director, hadn’t been to service in a week. His wife, Lena, worried about their friend’s absence and suggested he visit Anthony to check on him. She had some other errands and couldn’t visit today, but would if anything cancelled. Using the key his former college roommate insisted he have, he let himself into the two-bedroom apartment.

“I came by to check on you.” Pocketing his key, Elijah walked into the bedroom and froze. Anthony, his best friend and employee, lay on the bed stroking his erection, moaning softly. Elijah wasn't positive, but it sounded like
his
name escaped through the full lips of the younger man.

Anthony's eyes opened slowly. They appeared unfocused as they gazed at him. “Elijah?” He whispered, his voice unsure.

“Yeah.” He coughed. What was the proper etiquette for something like this? He turned to leave as Anthony closed his eyes and rolled to the side of the bed. Unblemished skin the color of butterscotch covered a wide muscular back that tapered to a smaller waist and ended with full round globes. Elijah’s face heated as he stared a moment longer than appropriate at the high, smooth cheeks on display. Perfectly formed thighs and long full calves shielded the more intimate portion of Anthony’s body from him. Swallowing hard, he finally turned toward the doorway, thinking to give his friend some privacy.

“I came to check on you. Secretary said you called in sick again.” Elijah paused, not wanting to stay but afraid to leave. They'd been best friends for a long time and had recently crossed a line. It was one of those things unspoken “What’s…? What's wrong?” Common decency demanded he ask since he’d come on the excuse to check on the man’s health, although his racing heart warned him the answer would be trouble.

A crude chuckle escaped Anthony's lips. Elijah's body responded to the sound, and he hated it. Hated the entire situation. “Talk to me, are you sick?” Fear slashed through him that Anthony was truly ill, and not just avoiding everyone, especially him.

“I have a bad cold. It seems to want to stick around.” The hoarseness of his voice surprised Elijah. “I've been a little nauseous lately, nothing major.” A bout of wheezing shook Anthony’s body, giving lie to the words he’d just spoken. His hand rose and waved away any comment Elijah would’ve made. “Just a cough, it comes and goes.” He tucked his hands between his thighs and curled into a ball, leaving Elijah with the impression he wanted to be left alone. Well, he’d grant him the unspoken request in a minute. Right now he needed to be sure his friend had everything he needed to recover.

“What're you taking for it?”

“I've got some cold meds.” This time the voice sounded bored, distant, and for some reason that hurt. “A couple of choir members brought some stuff yesterday. I'll be okay.” He curled tighter, appearing vulnerable.

“I know you'll be okay.” He hadn't meant to snap, but it seemed lately he got everything wrong. His wife wanted kids. His fear of being a worse parent than his father, Bishop Pace, kept him in a state of limbo. He wasn't ready. His father wanted him to take the church in a certain direction. They disagreed. The result was constant friction. This attraction for his best friend came at the worst possible time. Although, when was the right time to want another man, especially when you were his boss, his Pastor?

Eyes closed, he wished he could turn back the clock to before they'd acted on their feelings six weeks ago. It had started with a hug, a kiss, and then mind-blowing sex. How could anything that good, that intense, be wrong? Nonetheless, afterwards, they'd both felt bad and never discussed what happened that afternoon. Cheating on his wife weighed heavily on his conscience. They’d avoided being alone until today.

Elijah sat on the edge of the bed as he'd done so many times before. With their recent past between them, it seemed awkward. Years of easy-going camaraderie vanished as the reality of their actions burrowed into their minds.

“Talk to me, what's really going on?” As much as he hated opening the door, he knew they needed to clear the air so they could move forward.

“Why should I? What difference would it make?” He cleared his throat before blowing his nose. “Just let it go. It doesn't matter much anyway.”

Elijah watched the back of Anthony's head. Without thinking, he stroked the soft curls, cheeks, and forehead of his friend’s face. The slight tremor beneath his palm and hitch of breath said more than words how much his friend hurt.

“Talk to me.” He squeezed a bare shoulder. “I'm here now, what's wrong?”

Slowly, he rolled over and gazed at Elijah with honey-colored orbs. Eyes swollen and red from bouts of crying, Elijah’s hand cupped his friend’s cheek, as anguish ripped through him. His inability to honor his matrimonial vows had set this bright soul on a path of suffering. Closing his eyes, he sent up a prayer for wisdom to make everything right. Removing his hand, his eyes widened as long fingers grasped his appendage, holding him in place.

“I'm in love with you.” The husky timbre slid through layers of reserve and touched Elijah’s closeted heart. It leapt in response as he drowned in the eyes of his closest friend. Nothing would ever be the same.