When Love Comes Around (Love Conquers All) (11 page)

The overstuffed pastel blue sofa and loveseat, decorated with cream and royal blue throw pillows, begged to be lounged in. Hardwood floors so highly polished, one could actually see their reflection. In front of the sofa was an antique cedar chest with a hand blown glass vase holding dry flowers as its centerpiece served as a coffee table.

Pointing with his eyes to Starr’s fresh pedicure in the color of mauve, he asked, “Should I take off my shoes, too?” Some folks were funny about their flooring. He didn’t want to offend her by walking on her beautiful hardwood floors with his shoes on.

Looking down, wiggling her toes, Starr giggled. “No, you don’t have to. I just like walking barefoot whenever I can. Know what I mean?”

Kevin chuckled. “A woman after my own heart. I hate wearing shoes, too.” Following suit he stepped out of his loafers explaining, “My momma said when I was a baby I used to take off my diaper and shoes every chance I got.”

“Is that so?” She smiled lifting an arched brow as she moved towards the front door. “You can take off your shoes, but under no circumstance are you to remove your diaper.”

“You-who! Starr! Starr!” An older woman’s voice called out capturing Starr’s attention before she could close the door.

Sucking her teeth,
here we go.
Putting on a plastered smile, Starr waved. “Hi Mrs. Virginia, how are you?” Because the older woman was her elder, she was bound by duty to respect her. However, at times the elderly woman grated on Starr’s last nerve.

“I’m good. I see you have company.”

See what I mean?

Mrs. Virginia winked at Starr, making a poor attempt at whispering. The woman was so loud the entire block probably heard her raspy voice from years of smoking Winston’s. “It’s been a long time since you’ve had male company.”

Mrs. Virginia was one nosy old biddy. Every time someone came to visit she had her head hanging out the screen door peeping. If it was someone she didn’t recognize, she had the annoying habit of making some inappropriate, unsolicited remark… like she was doing right now.

An impish, childishness came over Starr. Leaning out the front door, she loudly whispered imitating Mrs. Virginia’s raspy voice. “He’s not company. He’s my husband.”

The deer in the headlights gaze was priceless. Starr closed the door not giving the older woman time to recover. Once back on her square, the elderly woman would want to know when the marriage had taken place.

Kevin chuckled as Starr turned to face him. “Now why did you shock that poor old woman like that?”

“What? I only told her the truth.” Unconsciously, she demurely lowered her eyelids and softly whispered, “You are my husband. Aren’t you?”

The sweetness of her voice along with the meaning of her words made Kevin want to take her right there, up against the wall. She was staking her claim. And for some reason the very thought of her sexy subtle possession didn’t bother him.

Starr’s stomach did flip-flops as Kevin closed the distance and ever so gently lifted her chin with his forefinger. Leaning down, softly kissing her lips he huskily whispered, “That’s what I’ve been told.”

♥♥♥

Leaning back in his chair, content from a very full belly, Kevin easily mused,
I can get used to this.

“Girl, I didn’t know you could cook. You got a brotha wanting to come to dinner every night!”

He knew he was a little on the excited side, but dayum, not only was the girl super fine, she could cook her butt off. That was a major plus. Kevin was a connoisseur when it came to a good meal. The fresh Caesar salad, grilled lemon peppered mahi-mahi, sautéed asparagus, and penne pasta literally melted in his mouth. He could tell all the ingredients used were fresh, not frozen nor from a can or a jar. He was out done when she pulled his favorite dessert, a homemade banana pudding from the fridge. He was further impressed when she retrieved a pint of heavy cream from the fridge, confectionary sugar from the cupboard and commenced to whipping up a batch of fresh whipped cream.

Since meeting Starr, he had always liked her. What was not to like? She was beautiful, classy, and intelligent. She had moved up another notch in his book. The woman could not only cook, but could eat! He hated when women nibbled on lettuce and carrots during dinner, their hungry stomachs shouting angry growls. The fact she was comfortable eating in front of him was definitely a turn on.

Again, for the second time that evening she lowered her eyes from his penetrating gaze, blushing from his compliment. “Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed your dinner.”

A sensation of pleasure flowed through her entire body. It had been such a long time since she truly enjoyed the company of a man, a
very
handsome man. Kevin was easy going, a great conversationalist, and comical in his own quirky way. With him, she was free and didn’t feel the need to put on airs while in his presence, especially when it came to eating. Usually she was self-conscious while eating on a date. She always felt as if her dinner partner was counting every calorie she’d put in her mouth. As if they could see the pounds piling up on her hips and thighs. But not with Kevin, he didn’t even flinch when she dug in for seconds. So what she wasn’t a size two. She loved every curvy feminine inch of her well toned, size twelve sexy body. Thank you very much.

“Enjoyed it! Girl, I already told you I’m trying to be fed like this every night.”

Giggling, Starr stood up and was heading into the kitchen. “Come on fool and help me clear the table.”

“Clear the table? Woman, I’m ready to kick back and chill. You know watch some cable while the wifey, that would be you, clean up.” He leisurely teased as he folded his hands behind his head and crossed his feet at the ankles.

Like a flash of lightening, Starr was standing directly in front of the sexiest man she’d ever laid eyes on. Hands on her hips, head cocked to the side, “Say what?”

Looking up into her mocked scolding features, he further taunted, “You heard me little woman. The only thing missing are my six sons ripping and running all up in here.”

“Six sons! How about six daughters climbing all over you putting ribbons and barrettes in your hair!” Quickly covering her mouth holding back laughter. “Oops, my bad. I forgot you’re just as bald as Mr. Clean!”

Without warning, Starr felt herself being pulled onto his lap. Strong muscular arms wrapped around her in an affectionate, crushing embrace as she felt the rumbling vibration from Kevin’s chest as he laughed. “I see you got jokes.”

Closing her eyes for a split second, she allowed herself to be absorbed in his embrace. In his arms, she felt as though the heavy weight she’d been carrying for weeks was no longer a burden. If she could stay right here forever, all would be good.

Starr let out a small sigh. As wonderful as this felt, she couldn’t get her hopes up. Extracting herself, she stood, taking a step back. Playfully swatting him with the dishtowel, she ordered, “Yep, now come on and get to steppin’ if you every plan on me cooking you another meal.”

“A’ight lovely, I hear ya, I hear ya.” Kevin chortled as he gathered the rest of the dishes and followed the hip swaying, sassy woman into the kitchen.

This evening was getting better by the minute. From the moment he entered her home, Starr had been at ease with him. From the gentle kiss he gave her, to the easy flowing conversation, and now their playful bantering was only making his decision about their future that much easier. He knew what direction he wanted to take the relationship. But was Starr willing to follow along?

The moment of truth was demanding to be heard. All evening the couple tipped toed, danced around and skirted the issue at hand. Nervously Starr sat on the loveseat, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as she stared at her hands neatly folded in her lap. Earlier in the day she’d hyped herself up to believe she was ready to handle Kevin, now she wasn’t so sure. What if he didn’t take what she was willing to give?

“What’s the matter, Starr?”

The deep, sexy hypnotic drawl made her shiver. “Just a little on the nervous side that’s all.” She honestly admitted as she nibbled at her lip between her teeth.

“You want me to get you another glass of wine?”

Vigorously shaking her head, she declined. “Uh-uh, no thanks. I’m fine.”
Last time I had drinks with you I ended up butt naked. Or did you forget?

Kevin chuckled. All during the meal, she nursed one glass of wine. It was apparent she was being extremely careful with her alcohol consumption. “It might help you relax.”

“No. I just want to get this talk over and done with.”

Squeezing her eyes shut, she wanted to kick herself. She didn’t mean to come off like that, didn’t mean to sound as if this whole situation was trivial or insignificant. When she opened her eyes and saw the muscle in his jaw tighten, immediately she went into damage control mode.

“I mean…I’m just as anxious to see what your thoughts are since we haven’t had a chance to discuss everything until now.”

For a minute, he thought he would have to set her straight. He had been more than patient letting her set the pace. He had no intentions on being dismissed by her. The irritation that began to creep up his neck settling in his jaw quickly dissipated as she began to back pedal, explaining her curt response.

“Well then let’s stop beating around the bush and get to why―”

Starr wanted to scream, “Darn it!”
Why was his cell phone ringing? Let it roll over to voicemail!

Pulling the phone off his hip, he gave a quick glance at the display. “I’m sorry, I need to get this.”

I don’t believe this crap!
Starr silently fumed as she listened to the one sided conversation.

“Hey yourself.” He said as his face lit it up like morning sunshine. There was a silent pause before he said, “Uh-uh, uh-uh, I’ll take care of that first thing tomorrow.” He became silent again as he intently listened to the caller on the other end.

Crossing her arms over her chest, she wondered whom in the world he could be talking to. His focus was completely on the caller. An emotion as old as time snaked its way around her as she sat rooted in place on the loveseat. Not wanting to believe what she was feeling, she pushed the emotion as far away as possible as she continued to intently listen to him talk.

“I understand, yes.” Another brief pause followed and he mouthed the words, “I’m sorry” to Starr as she locked her gaze on him. Nodding his head as if the caller on the other end could see him he said, “Okay, I’ll be over sometime tomorrow afternoon.” A smile curved his lips before saying, “Back at you. See you tomorrow.”

Ending the call, Kevin turned the phone off before placing it back on his hip. “Now where were we?”

You should have done that the first time.
“If you need to leave we can do this some other time.”

Kevin didn’t miss the coolness of her tone. Nor the change in her body language as she pointedly stared at him as he talked on the cell phone. He was certain she’d believed it was another woman, probably an ex or worse a current lover. “No, it’s okay. It’s getting pretty late. Momma should be going to bed soon.”

Her mouth formed into a perfect circle as she said, “Oh” barely above a whisper. Inwardly she groaned,
His momma. I feel like a fool.

He choked back the laugh that wanted to free itself deep from within his chest. He had been correct in assuming she believed he was talking to another woman. “No, we’re going to do this now. We’ve put this off long enough. Don’t you think?”

She nodded her head in agreement. She was letting her insecurities get the best of her. Having been involved with a man like Marcus had left a sour taste in her mouth. Never again would she allow another man to mistreat her. Young, naïve, and in love she fell for every lie he had told her to conceal his philandering ways. But now she was older, wiser. Just because she was willing to take a chance to get what she wanted, didn’t mean she would tolerate being mistreated again.
There’s always the sperm bank.