THE FOLLOWING MORNING, RICHMOND DROVE his Range Rover up the length of his driveway and grimaced at the huge oak lying on top of his home. The way the sun shined brightly this morning, you’d never think a hail storm had come through town last night the way it had.
Sitting in the passenger seat beside him, Dirk gave him a strange look. “Thank God no one got hurt. The tree is literally inside your living room.”
“Told you it was bad.”
“Bad ain’t the word. Catastrophic is more like it, Bro.”
“Come on inside so you can meet Kay.”
A broad smile moved on Dirk’s face. “She must be something else to get you to renovate the beach house just for her. I must admit, I’m going to miss hanging out in your man cave whenever I come home to visit. The women love it when I take them there.” Chuckling, Dirk climbed out of the car.
As the two men strode up the driveway, Richmond slapped Dirk on the back. “So who are you dating now?”
Dirk gave his head a hard shake, with a light chuckle. “You know me. I have too many women too count. That settling down mess is for you, not for me.”
Richmond threw back his head and let laughter escape him. “When you find the right woman, you’ll be ready to settle down.”
“I’m never settling down. You’d best believe that.”
Richmond and Dirk hiked up the steps of the porch, then entered the house. The fragrance of freshly baked cinnamon rolls sailed up Richmond’s nostrils as he rounded the kitchen to find a pretty young lady along with Kayla sitting at his dining table.
As soon as Richmond’s eyes linked with Kayla’s, she jumped up from the chair, ran up to him, and threw her arms around his shoulders. “I’m so glad you’re home.” Curling her hands around his arms, she pried herself away from him. “How’s Russell?”
“He’s doing remarkably good,” Richmond remarked.
Putting her hand over her chest, Kayla sighed. “Thank God. I was worried sick about him.”
“The doctors said if he keeps improving, he’ll be out the hospital in a few days.”
“Did you ever find out who was with him before he collapsed?” Kayla questioned.
“No, but I plan to.”
Richmond’s eyes transferred to the pretty woman sitting at the table inside his kitchen. “Who’s this pretty young lady?”
Kayla’s mouth went to smiling. “Oh, this is my sister, Alana.” Alana rose from her chair and walked over to where Richmond, Kayla, and Dirk stood. Kayla eyed his brother. “You must be Dirk…Richmond’s brother.”
“Yes, I’m Dirk. Nice meeting you both.” Dirk shook both of the ladies’ hands. Suddenly, his lips lifted into a handsome smile. “I see why you’re moving in with her. My gracious, she’s as pretty as you, Mom, and Suade said. Are you a model?” he asked Kayla.
Kayla blushed. “No, far from it.”
“Well, as beautiful as you are, you should be.” Dirk transferred his gaze to Alana. “What about you? Are you into modeling?”
Alana’s cheeks turned red. Blushing, she touched her chest. “Who, me? No. I’m finishing up my last year in college.”
“Oh yeah. Me, too. What are you studying?”
“Fashion.”
“I’m studying photography.”
Electrical sparks ignited between Dirk and Alana as they got wrapped up in their own conversation.
“Uncle Dirk!” Isabelle shouted, running up to Dirk.
Dirk crouched, spread his arms wide, and gave Isabelle a big hug. Just then, CJ entered the room. “Your name must be CJ.” The tip of CJ’s finger rested on his lip, and he nodded. “Come and give your Uncle Dirk a hug.” CJ ran and gave Dirk a big hug. “Nice family you have here, Richmond.” Dirk rose to his feet. “Would you guys like to play hide and seek?”
“Yeah!” Isabelle and CJ responded synchronously.
“Well, go get your shoes and meet me in the back yard. You can come, too,” Dirk said to Alana. That was just like Dirk; youthful, and playful.
A smile moved onto Alana’s face. Richmond saw her eyes twinkle, too. “Okay. Let’s go.”
The crew left the kitchen, leaving Richmond and Kayla alone. “Are you hungry? I can whip up some eggs and bacon. The cinnamon rolls just came out of the oven. I have—”
“I’m hungry, but not for food.” Richmond’s firm lips covered hers. Sliding his tongue inside her mouth, he wrapped his arms around her waist. As their kiss deepened, passion radiated inside him. Eager to make love to Kay, his shaft hardened.
His father’s heart attack had reminded him about how short life was. Made him see that the most important thing in life was family. Unable to imagine his life without Kay, he wanted her to become a permanent part of his family. As soon as he got the roof fixed, he was going shopping for Kay a wedding ring, and he was going to ask her to marry him.
Sexually aroused, Richmond’s rod throbbed against his zipper. His mouth gliding over Kayla’s, he released her sweet lips. He cupped her neck and pulled it forward. “My father’s heart attack made me see things clearer. I love you, Kay. I want you and CJ to be a part of my life—forever.”
“I want that, too, Richmond. There’s something I need to tell you. Can we go inside the bedroom and talk?”
“Let’s get married, Kay.” Richmond’s hands traveled up to her face, where he cupped her brownish-red cheeks. Her glassy eyes filled with joy. Her brown, soft lips quivered. “Are you on board, Kay? Will you do me the honor and become my wife?”
Smiling, Kay’s head nodded profusely in his hands. “Yes. Yes, Richmond. I’d be honored to marry you.”
“Let’s do it by Christmas.”
Tears settled on her long eyelashes. “That’s quick. That’s only in a few weeks.”
“I know. But with all the money I have, I can hire the best wedding planner. Two if you need me to. Three. I can hire all the help you need to make it happen by Christmas.”
“A Christmas wedding sounds perfect.”
Richmond jerked Kay off her feet, carried her to the bedroom, and locked the door. Cradling her in his arms, he dropped her on the bed and made deep, passionate love to his soon-to-be wife.