“Southfield,” she gritted through her teeth.
“In that case, I’m open for business,” he said with a smile as if trying to make up for his ignorance.
Alexa opened the door, slipped inside and quickly rambled off the address.
“Wow, are you an entertainer or something?” he asked, obviously familiar with the neighborhood where her friends lived.
“Yes, something like that,” she wryly replied. Then so that he wouldn’t ask any further questions, she turned her head and gazed out of the window. It was like déjà vu, she thought to herself, driving away in the night, escaping the same man who haunted her thoughts in the present.
As the cab exited onto the expressway, Alexa contrived a story in her head that she was sick and didn’t want to interrupt Maya during dinner just to tell her so. The plan was to get back to the house and relax a moment before packing. Then following the wedding, she was out of there.
Darius tried to concentrate on what Bryant was saying about their business venture, but his thoughts were on Alexa. From where he sat, it appeared as if the young Will Smith look-alike was talking her ear off. He almost wanted to rush over and free her from the boring conversation that she endured, but he didn’t. Alexa hadn’t given him much thought all evening. What attention she did give him was short-lived and then she ended up easing out of the room
Bryant could detect that Darius was preoccupied. When he did not respond to his comment about not showing up at his own wedding, Bryant knew that Darius wasn’t paying attention.
“Damn man, what’s with you?” Bryant asked, rapping his knuckles on the table in an attempt to get his attention.
Darius turned to Bryant with a sheepish grin like a child who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. “Whassup?”
“I don’t know—you tell me? I’ve been trying to talk to you about the business and you’ve been spacing me off.”
Darius eased back in his chair and tossed his napkin on the table. “Now, you know this isn’t the time or the place to be discussing business,” he reprimanded his cousin. “You’re supposed to be talking about wedding bells and stuff.”
Bryant laughed and his eyes traveled over to where Maya sat chatting away with her mother and aunts. “I already got the bride in more ways than one. All of this was May’s idea. She said she always wished she had that big wedding. I told her it didn’t make a difference to me, because I love her as much now as I did then. But you know women always trying to come up with ways to spend some money.”
Darius laughed. “Don’t give me that crap, man. I know you are just as down as Maya.” Darius sat up in his seat and held a fork to his ear like a telephone imitating Bryant’s call. “Hey, brother, you got to come to Detroit for New Year’s. Maya and I are renewing our vows!”
Bryant burst out laughing and playfully punched Darius.
“Mind your manners, boys!” Maya called from her place at the end of the long table.
Darius watched as the two exchanged loving glances. A blind man could see that the connection between the two of them was tight and he envied that closeness. This feeling seemed to invade his thoughts more often than not in the last year. His eyes traveled from Maya and across the room where he last saw Alexa seated. All that remained was an empty chair and a lipstick-stained wineglass. He quickly scanned the room for her, but did not see her anywhere.
Wondering where she was, Darius stood up. “I’ll be right back.”
Then, as if on a secret mission, he breezed through the party room and into the dining area of the restaurant. He glanced about the room once more just in time to see her slipping out the front door.
He didn’t know why he chose to follow her, but he did, right back to Bryant and Maya’s house. He parked a little ways down the street and observed the cab turn up the circular drive. She got out and leaned over to give the driver his money. He rolled his eyes when the driver took off without even waiting to make sure she was safely in the house. Minutes later, he noticed the light in the guest suite turn on.
Darius continued to sit in the truck, staring at her window when the light went out. He glanced at his watch. It was a little after eight. Surely, she wasn’t in bed, he thought. Rather than sit there and be mistaken for a peeping Tom in the highbrow neighborhood, he started to leave when he noticed the light filtering through the trees, in the solarium located on the side of the house. Curiosity got the best of him and he decided he had better check out what was going on.
Alexa eased down into the Jacuzzi’s hot foaming water and immediately began to feel the tension leave her body. The tub was located in the solarium off the master bedroom and was also accessible through a pair of French doors off the family room. It was well hidden from outside view by lush foliage and trees. The room was a wise investment, as far as she was concerned. The dim lighting and jazz music pumping through the built-in intercom system further enhanced the ambiance and Alexa was grateful for the opportunity to relax.
She took a deep sigh as she stretched her neck from side to side before reaching for the bottle of Dom Perignon and wineglass. She poured some of the liquid into the fluted glass and brought it to her lips. Her taste buds seem to shout for joy as the sweet elixir trickled down her throat. She credited Maya for her good sense of taste as she was the one who insisted on the builders adding a wine cellar just off of the family room for the purpose of entertaining, which she loved to do. Alexa closed her eyes and leaned back against the cushion, getting lost in the music, frothing water, and wine.
Immediately, Darius’s dark eyes and sexy smile trespassed in her mind. A slow smile formed on her lips as she visualized him walking towards her with outstretched arms.
“Looks mighty tempting.” A male voice cut through her mental milieu.
Alexa’s eyes immediately popped open and she gasped. Leaning there in the doorway with his arms crossed over his expansive chest was Darius. He looked enticing as ever in a charcoal-gray ribbed turtleneck sweater and black trousers. It was as if she conjured him up.
“Darius,” she gasped. “How, what are you doing here?”
“I saw a light,” he replied and stepped into the plant-filled room. He had to admit that one would have to look hard to see light through the Amazon forest that Maya and Bryant created. They playfully referred to it as “the jungle.”
“I wasn’t sure if there were prowlers on the premises.”
Alexa averted her eyes as she treaded her arms through the water. “Well, as you can see all is well, so you can go before they miss you at the party.”
Rather than be derailed by her comment, Darius ventured closer. “How do you know if I want to go back to the party?”
“Why would you want to be here?” she returned, trying to remain cool although she couldn’t look him in the eyes.
“Maybe to see you,” he bluntly replied.
Alexa was taken aback by his response, but pretended she wasn’t affected. Shrugging her shoulders, she picked up her glass and casually took another sip. “I guess.”
Then, in an attempt to block him out, she closed her eyes and had begun to concentrate on the soothing music when she heard a dull thud. Her eyes sprang open to find Darius standing there with nothing on but his trousers. “What are you doing?” she nervously demanded.
He grinned wickedly. “I thought maybe I could join you?”
“What made you think that?” she retorted, her expression and tone clearly showing her irritation. “I can’t believe you’re half naked already!”
“Baby, you ain’t seen naked,” he teasingly replied as he slowly undid his belt buckle.
“Look, Darius, if you want the tub to yourself, I’ll be glad to go.” She was about to stand up when she realized her compromising position. Had the room not afforded her the privacy, Alexa probably would not have entertained the idea of getting inside in just her panties, but with everyone gone, she thought she had nothing to worry about.
Darius noticed her hesitation. His eyes traveled down h
er face to her neck and onto her bare shoulders. She couldn’t be. The delicious thought had his mind racing. A playful smile spread across his face and he swept his arm to the side. “Be my guest.”
Alexa rolled her eyes and edged to the furthest side of the tub, crossing her arms before her bare bosom. “I guess it couldn’t hurt if you got in, but don’t get too comfortable because I need to go to bed.”
“What’s the rush?” he asked, slipping the black trousers down his strong, muscular thighs to expose a sexy pair of black boxer briefs. Alexa’s eyes took in the contour of his manhood clearly remembering there was no myth about his well-endowed package. She flushed with embarrassment upon raising her gaze and meeting his eyes.
Darius smiled as his eyes locked into hers and he stepped down into the foaming water like a lion stalking his prey. Just as he neared her, he submerged himself into the water, disappearing for several seconds before shooting up like a chocolate Poseidon, dripping wet and looking very enticing.
Wiping the water from his face, he eased close to Alexa. So close, that she could hear his ragged breaths. She fidgeted nervously. Just as Darius was determined to test her will, Alexa resolved to be unmoved. Yet she could not deny that his familiar masculine form, sexy dark eyes and full lush lips had her blood flowing in all of the sensitive parts of her body.
Darius stood tall before her, their bodies mere inches away. Alexa knew that resisting him would be a challenge. Thoughts of succumbing to his advances entered her mind. Not only did he still have an effect on her despite how hard she fought, there was still a touch of curiosity.
She licked her lips nervously just as Darius raised his hand toward her. She expected him to pull her close, but was surprised when instead he reached for the wineglass behind her head.
Raising the glass to his lips, Darius emptied the contents in one swallow. “Mmm, that’s pretty good. May and Bryant sure have some good taste.” He took the bottle and glass and treaded through the water towards the other side of the tub.
The whole scene was humiliating. Warmth brought about by embarrassment flushed Alexa’s cheeks. “You jerk!” she shouted, slapping the water so that it splashed across his sturdy back.
Darius spun around, his eyes boring into hers. “What’s that for?”
“You know why!” she retorted. Her quivering voice matched her untapped physical yearnings. “Stop playing games with me, Darius.”
“Games? Who’s playing games?” he asked with mock innocence. He set the wine bottle and glass on the edge of the Jacuzzi.
“You know exactly what I am referring to, so don’t even try pretending you don’t,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“No, I don’t. Tell me.”
Alexa cut her eyes at him again and crossed her hands over her bosom. Now would be the perfect time to exit, but she was too proud to humiliate herself again by storming off. “Forget it. Just leave me alone. Please.”
He softened at her request. He was purposely toying with her emotions, but he couldn’t help himself. He wanted her to want him just as much as he wanted her and he couldn’t resist trying to find out if she still held any special affection for him.
He slid over to her side once more. “I can’t, Alexa,” he admitted. “You see, being around you is intoxicating. Every time I look at you I have an incredible urge to say or do something that I know I would not in ordinary circumstances.”
“Try containing yourself,” she said sarcastically.
He shrugged. “I guess I can’t help myself. Like right now I want to do this.” He pulled her into his arms and possessed her mouth with a warm urgent kiss. Her lips parted with ease as he drank the sweetness from her mouth.
Alexa immediately pushed her hands against him to free herself, but Darius held her tightly against his strong chest. Mixed feelings of exhilaration and fear swirled inside her like a tornado as her will unfolded before her eyes, resulting in her melting against him in defeat.
Darius smoothed his palm up the back of her delicate neck, raking his fingers in the silky tangles of her hair. He tipped her head to the side and ran kisses from her mouth to her jawline down to the hollows of her neck.
“No, Darius,” she groaned as his tongue made tiny swirls on her neck. She was falling fast and he knew it. “You know…”
Her words cut off as he gently suckled the tender spot, making her writhe out of control. Her neck was the spot he knew he had to attend to first and she would be his again, if only for one night.
Darius pulled her tightly against him so that she could feel the full length of his masculinity, hard with need. He pulled back temporarily, halting their growing desire to gaze upon her as if she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She blushed from his open adoration.
Shifting his stance, Darius lifted her higher in his arms, placing her chest directly before his eyes. He had always thought her breasts were beautiful, but now they were fuller and more womanly, making him want to nurse them like a newborn infant. He closed is mouth over one and began to suckle.
Alexa’s body and mind battled between her sensuality and sensibility. The reasons why she should not release control were compiled on a list and contained very good points. However, her heart and her body reassured her that everything was okay because this was someone whom she loved deeply even though he did not know it.
Darius gently lowered her back onto her feet yet continued to cover her with kisses as if making up for all of the lost years. When he could go no further without sinking into the water, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her through the French doors into the master bedroom where an inviting fire burned in the white marble fireplace. The fire equaled the fires burning within them.
With her in his arms, Darius got down on one knee and was about to lower Alexa on a large plush pillow on the floor before the fireplace when Alexa immediately went stiff in his arms. Pulling back, Darius searched her face with questioning eyes.
“I’m sorry, I can’t, Darry,” she murmured with downcast eyes. “There’s too much behind us to go out like this.”
Although Darius wanted her badly, he released her from his hold. His desire for her was great, but not enough for her to compromise her integrity.
Alexa, too, understood the repercussions of an intimate encounter with a person you love without a commitment. It could be as dangerous as playing with fire. She couldn’t continue on with him then go about her life again as if nothing had happened. She wouldn’t do that to herself or to him again.
“Darry,” she whispered. She wanted to touch his back which was toward her, but knew that touching him again may weaken her resolve and she could not, would not go back on her word.
Darius slowly turned around. “I understand, Alex,” he murmured. “You are right. We have a lot of things to deal with from the past before we can even think about sharing ourselves in this way again.” With that he went to retrieve his clothing from beside the hot tub.
Alexa’s hands shook nervously as she slipped into her robe. She couldn’t believe that she had let things get as far as they did. She glanced at her reflection in the dresser mirror and guilt swept over her. She wasn’t sure she could even look Darius in the face.
“Oh, what he must think of me,” she groaned disappointedly, covering her eyes with embarrassment. She had come to Detroit wanting Darius to see nothing more than the exterior of the confident, accomplished woman that she had become. Not the lonely and frustrated woman inside.
Only after a few moments, when she thought he was fully dressed, did she dare to reenter the family room. The room was dark, with the exception of the blinking lights on the Christmas tree. Alexa found him leaning over the back of a high-back chair. He turned around upon her approach.
“About tonight,” he began, but she stopped him with a wave of her hand.
“Let’s just forget about it, okay?”
“No, I have to say this,” he interrupted her. “I have to admit, I can’t leave you alone. Every time I see y
ou, there is nothing more I want to do than to make love to you. Even if you won’t admit it, I know you feel the same. However, I know we have a past that we haven’t even dealt with.”
Alexa was at a loss for words. She never would have expected him to say anything, let alone reveal the depths of her heart.
“I also know that neither of us are ready to address our past just yet and having sex, no matter how bad we want to, won’t do anything but damage things further. So, for both of our sakes, I’m going to stay away from you. Don’t think I’m being rude or anything, but I need to do this for both of us.”
Before she could even respond, Darius opened the door and strolled out into the cool night.
His direct words coupled with the heaviness in Alexa’s heart made her want to cry. Darius had stirred up so many emotions inside, leaving her more confused and out of control than ever.
She missed the sense of security that her routine life had provided for her. However, she knew that going home wouldn’t be the same. Things would be different because she wouldn’t be returning the way she had left. Darius had made sure of that. She resolved that the tender part of her heart would probably always ache for him, yet the sensible half knew leaving without any strings attached was for the best. Turning off the porch light, she turned and went upstairs without even a backward glance.
Chapter 6
“What is wrong with you?” Maya asked. She was seated at the vanity in the bridal dressing room before Alexa who was helping her to adjust the tiara on her elaborate hairstyle.
It was the big day and the bridal party was running around like busy little bees, helping Maya in every way each one could. Alexa, on the other hand, didn’t show the typical wedding jitters like everyone else but a unique silence of her own. If Maya could bet on it, she knew her friend’s behavior had something to do with Darius. She noticed this yesterday at the rehearsal dinner. Shortly after Alexa left, Darius disappeared as well. Maya repeated her question and watched for Alexa’s reaction in the mirror before them.