The Battle Within (17 page)

He stood there for a moment before it crept open. She watched him move around the room in the darkness.

Thinking she must be asleep, he tried to quietly to step out of his shoes and put his jacket on a chair.

“Roman…”

He stilled at the sound of her voice.

Sandy sat up, “I’m sorry about yesterday…about everything.”

With slumped shoulders and a low voice he spoke, “Everything? What exactly is
everything
?”

“I’m sorry about all of the arguing and fighting with your mother and…”

“Do you still love him?”

“Wha…what? Who?”

He turned to go take a shower, “You’re obviously not ready to be honest with me.”

Sandy crawled to the edge of the bed to be closer to him, “No! Wait…I am. I’m ready.”

“Then answer me because I know you were with him last night.
Do you still love him
? No more secrets and lies. I just want the truth.”

Her eyes started to well up, “I’ve made some mistakes, and I was confused until last night.”

“Then, why did you accept my proposal? And then turn around in the same night and tell Franklin you’d always love him?”

She stammered, “How…how did you know about that?”

“I left me keys in the waiting room. When I came back to get them, you and he were too wrapped up in each other to even notice I was standing on the other side of the door.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“WHY DID YOU SLEEP WITH HIM?!”

Sandy’s eyebrows furrowed together, “Roman, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I haven’t slept with Franklin.”

He would never have thought that she would be this deceitful. The look of anger and frustration was written all over his face, “So, you didn’t sleep with him last night over at Vicky’s? Because what I saw begs to differ?”

She’d been kneeling at the edge of the bed but then dropped down to sit on her haunches. In a near whisper she spoke, “Wait…were you following me?”

“Of course not! Unlike you…I completely love you and would have never thought what I saw was possible. It doesn’t matter how I saw it…just that it happened, and I did see it.”

She stuttered, “I...we…the kiss got out of hand, but you didn’t stay long enough to see it play out until the end.” Sandy took a deep breath, “You want the truth? Okay, here goes... When you proposed, Franklin and I had been over for almost two years. I was out of my mind happy. I thought…finally someone who loves me for me flaws and all. And, I honestly thought I was over him when I accepted your proposal. Otherwise, I never would have agreed to marry you.

However, the night Vicky went into labor brought up so many feelings. The four of us have been through so much together. We’ll always be friends and
only
friends. But, that night, I was feeling emotions that I thought were long gone. So, what you saw in the hospital between Franklin and me, was us walking away from each other forever.”

“Obviously, forever isn’t as long as I thought. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have screwed him last night.”

Sandy flinched as if he’d physically hit her. She’d also felt like dirt for putting that look of pain in his eyes, “Roman, I promise you that didn’t sleep with him. I stopped it before it got that far because of you.”

“It never should have even started Sandy! He should never have touched you. You can’t even begin to understand how badly you hurt me. I feel like I’ve been sliced open.”

Sandy wiped tears from her face and slid out of the bed to eliminate the distance between them, “You’re right. And, I’m so sorry. It shouldn’t have happened, but I didn’t sleep with him. I promise you that it did not get that far. Last night, I walked away from the past so that I could fully embrace my future…with you. I may not have known that I wasn’t ready when you proposed, but I’m fully prepared to spend the rest of my life with you.”

He searched her eyes for any hint of dishonesty but only saw the truth, “So, you chose me?”

She gripped his waist and moved closer to him, “No. I chose…us.” Then, she pressed her lips against his. After a moment, he kissed her back. They lingered together holding each other before he pulled back.

He was angry with himself, “You’re impossible and you make me crazy but god, I love you.” He closed his eyes and touched her forehead to his, “It’s been a long day…I need to grab a quick shower before I come to bed.” He exhaled, “I’m feeling a bit dirty.” Then, he kissed her forehead as he quickly turned to go into the bathroom.

However, he wasn’t quick enough for Sandy not to miss the smell of another woman on his body.

“Roman…are we okay? Since we’re being honest, is there anything about today or anything else that I should know about?”

He hated lying to her but gave her a lop-sided grin, “I think for the first time…we might actually be better than okay.”

“So, no secrets and lies between us?”

The guilt weighed heavily upon him, but he felt it best to keep what happened between him and Kate a secret. “Not unless there is something else you need to say?”

“I’m an open book…now.”

“Then, no. There are no more secrets and lies between us. Let me get in this shower so I can come to bed and hold you.”

Sandy slowly walked back over to the bed and got back underneath the covers as Roman disappeared into the bathroom. At the sound of the shower, she couldn’t help but have a flashback of when Joshua would wash off the stench of other women he’d had sex with, when he’d come over to her place.

No! She had to let the ghosts of her past go. Roman wasn’t Joshua. Roman wasn’t Franklin. Roman wasn’t perfect, but he was the perfect man for her. He’d never cheat on her. She needed to stop letting her mind play tricks on her.

Chapter 19

Vicky came rushing out of the bathroom while putting on a pair of diamond studded earrings Jason had given her as a present for the birth of Jay. She was running late…again.

Tonight, she was going out with Sandy and Andrea. It had been so long, there was no use in trying to remember the last time she’d had a girl’s night out. Andrea planned this outing for Sandy as a quasi-bachelorette party and had only given her instructions to wear something short, tight, and hot.

Her initial thought was
Jason’s really going to love that
. But, he was a lot more reasonable when she told him about going out with the girls than she’d expected…until tonight.

Vicky peered into the floor length mirror while muttering to herself, “Thank god…black makes everything look smaller.” Then, she turned around to see how the curve-hugging dress appeared from behind.

Tilting her head to the side after turning back around, she studied the dress from the front. She’d just given birth less than two months ago. Considering that, Vicky thought she looked pretty respectable as she ran her hand slowly down her body. Most of the swelling from her stomach was gone, her hips were still a little wider than she’d like, but all in all she didn’t look too bad.

However, there was one thing she wasn’t going to complain about, and that was the fullness of her breasts. She wished those would stay as long as possible since Jason couldn’t seem to get enough of them.

She caught a movement out of the corner of her eye. Speaking of the devil, he had been leaning against the doorframe with his arms folded, watching her.

Her eyes connected to his through the mirror, “How long have you been standing there?”

Jason pushed himself off of the door frame and slowly walked over to stand behind her. Neither of their eyes broke contact as they continued to stare at each other through the mirror. He pulled her back into the front of his rock hard body. Then, wrapped his strong arms around her waist. The warmth of his breath, as his mouth hovered around her ear, produced a sweet tingle between her thighs.

“Long enough to know that there is no way I’m letting you out of the house looking the way you look.” He continued to nuzzle her ear and the soft curve of her neck.

Her breath caught in her throat, huskily she whispered, “Mmm…that feels good. But, I can’t cancel on the girls.”

He spoke softly, “Sure you can.” Jason pierced her eyes with his…still through the mirror. Somehow, he managed to slide his hands down the side of her thighs to the hem of her dress. Vicky was completely captivated as she watched him slowly begin to lift it inch by inch. She could feel him harden as he pressed into the firm but softness of her body.

Grinding into her slowly, Jason managed to pull the dress up and around her hips before hooking his thumbs into the sides of her thong. That tingle developed into a delicious dull ache at her core. She threw her head back when his tongue swirled around the tender flesh on her neck. At the same time, her eyes fluttered close. She needed to do something with her hands. They were itching to touch him. Vicky reached behind her and grabbed the back of his head as he continued to hungrily devour her neck and shoulders.

At some point, she felt her thong fall down her legs. If she didn’t stop Jason soon, she for sure wouldn’t be going anywhere.

Somehow she managed to pull away, “Jason…” Sighing, “We’ll have to finish this when I get back.”

He reached for her but Vicky managed to evade his grasp, “Come on…now is a good a time as any.”

“You’re terrible, Jason.” Bending low, she picked up her lacy underwear and twirled them around her fingers, “I guess you don’t want me to wear any tonight?”

“No. As a matter of fact, I don’t want you to wear anything you are wearing when you’re not with me! Don’t you have something else more…more suitable?” He noticed a loose fitting jersey dress thrown over the bed. “What about this? I like this on you.”

Vicky rolled her eyes as she put her underwear back on, “Jason, be serious.”

“I am.”

The doorbell rang.

“See, they are here, and I’m not ready! Go get the door.”

“That’s what housekeepers are for. I’m glad Willa’s back from vacation. She can get it. Now, back to your dress, don’t you think it’s a little too short, too fitted…?”

With a wide grin, she interrupted him, “Too sexy? You think it’s sexy? Andrea did say wear something, short, tight, and hot!” Vicky winked at him.

“I don’t know her very well, but I’m not sure I want you hanging out with her.”

Vicky adjusted her clothes and went back over to the mirror to brush out her long dark hair. “You do realize this is for Sandy right? It’s like a bachelorette party.”

Frustrated, he ran his fingers through his hair, “I know. That’s the problem. I don’t want you throwing dollar bills into some guys G-string.” He knew he was being silly. Vicky would never betray him but still, he didn’t want any man other than him looking at her in a sexual way. It was ridiculous considering how incredibly gorgeous she was.

Vicky went to her closet and came out with a pair of black high-heeled ankle-strap sandals. “How about if I don’t throw any dollar bills?” She was barely able to contain her laughter, “Will that appease you?” As she thought to herself, “I’ll only give out five dollar bills.”

“You’re not taking me serious.”

“You’re right…I’m not because you’re being silly.” She kissed him, “Anyway…what will you be doing tonight while I’m gone?”

Jason pouted, “I guess instead of making mad, passionate love to my wife, I’ll be hanging out with Franklin and Troy. Mom’s coming over to watch the kids.”

Still holding her shoes in her hands she stood up on tiptoe to kiss him gently on the lips, “Sounds like fun and I think your jealousy is cute. I promise…when I get home, we’ll most certainly finish what you started. Now, come on…I’m late.” Turning on her heels, Vicky ran out of their bedroom down the stairs.

*****

Jason met Franklin and Troy outside of Antonio’s Bar & Grille. Before he started dating Vicky, he and Franklin spent a considerable amount of time there. It was a nice little restaurant and bar that many business people would frequent. It was always packed during lunch and after 5 PM. The food was good, and they could always get in a good game of pool.

Troy looked around, “When you guys said we were hanging out…I was a bit concerned...” He smirked, “considering you too are such party animals. But, this place will do. A strip club would have been better, but this will do.”

Franklin laughed, “Hell, I’m surprised we were able to even get Jason out of the house. I can count the times on one hand we’ve actually had a guy’s night, since he met Vicky.”

Jason nodded, “Have you seen my wife? I wouldn’t be out with you clowns tonight if she weren’t out with Sandy and her cousin.”

Troy agreed, “Yeah, if I had a girlfriend that looked like your wife…I wouldn’t be out with you clowns either.”

“Hey…you better keep your eyes off my wife.” They all shared a laugh as they grabbed a spot at the bar, then went over and grabbed an empty pool table.

A waitress came over to take their drink orders. Franklin ordered a round of beers for all of them.

Jason racked up the balls, “Franklin have you sent in your RSVP for mom and dad’s anniversary party? They keep asking me if you’re coming. It’s coming up quick.”

“Not yet. I was waiting to find out if April was going to be able to make it.”

Troy chalked up his pool stick, “If she can’t make it…I’ll be your plus one since I’ve extended my vacation. The Rutherford’s have always known how to throw a good party.”

The waitress came back with their drinks.

“Will you still be in town? It’s next week.”

Troy took a long pull from his bottle, “Yeah, I’ll be here. Not leaving until that next Sunday. As a matter of fact, I love it here. I’ll probably start visiting more.”

Franklin hit the opening break shot then stood, “You know dad and Camille are going to be there.”

“Yeah, but I figure as long as the drinks are flowing, I should be able to deal with Matthew. All I need is a date.”

Jason smiled, “Now…I might be able to help you with that.”

Franklin and Troy both looked at him skeptically, then said in unison, “Who?”

He took a swig of his beer and took his sweet time before responding, “Andrea.”