ALittleTasteofHome

by AliyahBurke

  She trembled against him. “Y’all should be ashamed of yourselves, trying to pry into people’s personal lives to sell a paper. Why is our life so important that you ignore the fact there are children living in deplorable conditions in this city? That you would ignore, the homeless and the poor school conditions?”

  Gavin couldn’t believe how passionate she was when defending others, but so unsure when it came to her own worth.

  One reporter broke in. “Are you asking this so we won’t focus on the fact that you are a felon? And a woman of color with an extremely rich white man.”

  She scoffed. “You’re still on that? Please, old news. Haven’t you figured that out yet? Or are you so slow that it is now only reaching you?”

  Gavin stepped in front of her, protecting her. “I think that we have said enough. Find another family to smear in your papers. My life and that of my wife are no longer public concern. I love my wife and the color of her skin compared to mine is of no relevance to us.” Gavin spoke loud and sure over the clamoring of the group.

  With the grace that had attracted him in the first place to her, Sanura moved back to his side, slipped her arm through his and propelled them towards the waiting limo. And she did it all in a way to put the power into his court. She stepped out of the limelight and made him appear the strong one. He could feel her trembling beneath her calm exterior. Sanura was the beautiful one on his arm and now the whole world knew it.

  As they slid into the limo he tossed out one last comment to the press. “If you will excuse us, I wish to take the most beautiful woman in the world home to our house and then to bed. That, ladies and gentlemen, you can quote me on.”

  The chauffer shut the door and seconds later they were on the interstate heading home. As soon as they were moving Gavin started kissing her to stop the inevitable protests that were going to come from her sexy mouth.

  After a while, Sanura drug her mouth off his and pinned a glare on him. “What did you say that for?”

  “Because, kitten. You are so damn concerned about me being the rich white boy and what that is going to implicate onto you, and I want the world to know I love my wife. You have to begin to understand this isn’t a relationship where I am going to be different in public than I am in private. I love you and I think you are the most stunning, gorgeous, sexy, beautiful . . . I could go on and on but you get the picture . . . woman I have ever known. I am not afraid to let people know. In fact, I want people to know. That way maybe some of those damn slobbering fools you have around you will leave you alone.”

  Gavin cupped her face in his strong hands. “I will never get tired of telling the world how much I love you.”

  “Don’t you think you should start by telling me how much you supposedly love me?”

  His eyes narrowed as he moved into her space. “Don’t you remember what I told you when I had you backed up against your front door? That there was nothing one-time about us. Then the wedding, remember that—the whole ’til death do us part bit? I will spend the rest of my life telling you every day how much, and I only hope you can begin to feel the same about me.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

  Sanura grinned as she watched him settle back on the black leather. She bunched up her skirt and slid her body across his. Her brown face was nose to nose with his.

  “I don’t suppose there is any way to continue what we were doing on the plane right now is there?” She kissed his nose and nibbled at his neck.

  “You are going to be the death of me.” But that didn’t stop him from freeing his rapidly hardening member from its confinement.

  A very content couple exited from the limo when it pulled up in front of their house along the ocean. Gavin watched his wife as she inhaled the smells she missed so much. Her Georgia coast.

  Hand in hand, they walked up the steps to the front door. Gavin opened it and before she could go in, he swept her up in his arms and carried her over the threshold.

  She laughed and squealed. “What are you doing? I’m capable of walking, you know.”

  “I am carrying my wife over the threshold. So let me do it and enjoy it.”

  His grin was an idiotic one as she buried her face into his neck and let him continue. Gavin carried her upstairs and straight to her bedroom. The sun was setting and its orange glow was cast all over the bedroom. He let her down once they were in the bedroom. Then he stood there and watched her face as she took in the room.

  Full of flowers and candles, it took her breath away. Roses, lilacs, orchids, lilies, and so many more, it looked like a florist shop. They were everywhere. The candles were all colors but unscented so all that filled the room were the subtle floral scents.

  On the bed were satin sheets, white satin that reflected the setting sun, and in the center of the bed was a cluster of peach blossoms sitting in the curve of a large stuffed black panther. They had an emerald green silk tie to hold them together that matched the large bow tied around the cat’s neck. The whole scene brought tears to her eyes.

  “Oh, Gavin. How . . . when . . . who?”

  “I set it up on the plane ride home. Welcome home, kitten.”

  Her eyes sparkled as they focused on his. She walked over and picked up the peach blossoms and inhaled their delicate fragrance, her lashes drifting over her cheeks with pleasure. Her hand trembled as she picked up the large panther and held it to her chest. Slowly her gaze lifted back to his and she set the jungle cat on her bedside chair along with the flowers. Her hands pulled his body towards her with the crook of a finger.

  She easily moved into his arms and—for the rest of the night, by candlelight and moonlight—Mr. and Mrs. Gavin Rawlins celebrated their homecoming.

  * * * *

  They stayed hidden at their home for one week. No phone calls, no visitors, no nothing. Nothing but themselves.

  The late afternoon sun found them walking along in the pecan groves, hand in hand. “So are we okay now?” he asked as they wove in among the tall trees.

  “I think so.”

  “Just think? Sanura, I don’t want to have any misunderstandings left between us to grow and fester.”

  For the past week they had talked, yelled and argued over the situations they had been through. Each got out their anger, frustration and fear for the whole time they were apart.

  Gavin had told her the woman who had been in his room was Kara. She was a younger sister of Boyle Dorgan’s secretary and mistress, money hungry Kelly. Ever since Gavin left the firm Dorgan had spent all his free time searching for a way to pay him back. By using Kara, who Gavin wouldn’t recognize, he thought he had done it, but love beat out deception and deceit. Gavin had totally ruined him, using his name, money, and position in the community. Boyle Dorgan would never work in this town again, nor would Kelly.

  Then they had talked about what they each wanted for the future. Kids, work, it all got discussed and then some. She’d explained about her lack of self-esteem. Now they were on even footing with each other.

  “Yes, we’re fine. No need to be so serious. I always know when you are because you call me Sanura and look so glum.” She elbowed him in the side and tore off running back and forth among the trees.

  Gavin stood there and watched as his agile wife ran away from him. Her enchanting laugh reached him and he set off after her with a purpose.

  She was fast and did a very good job of eluding his attempts to capture her. When he did finally get her to the ground they were both out of breath and laughing. “Where did you learn to move so well?”

  “I told you, I also know about the inside of a locker room. I like football as much as the next girl.”

  “So, some pimple-faced kid taught you some football moves?”

  “I don’t know too many pimple-faced football players in college. But maybe they all went to your college.”

  “College. What’d you do, date a football player?”

  “Yep. What, think I was a cheerleader?”

  He rolled over on top of h
er and smiled. “I would love to see you in a cheerleading outfit.”

  “Sorry, Ali was the cheerleader, not me.” She shuddered and he arched an eyebrow. “My cell phone is vibrating. Can you get off me so I can answer it?”

  “Vibrating, how interesting,” he quipped as he rolled her out of his grasp.

  “Mac. Okay a minute.” She looked at Gavin all spread out on his back and nudged him. When he opened one eye and looked at her she said, “It’s for you.”

  His eyebrows scrunched in question. “Hello? Mr. Harris, what can I do for you? Uh huh. I see. I’ll get someone on it right away but I am afraid I can’t do it. No, sir, it’s that I oversee things now and I’m not willing to spend so much time away from my wife. I have many choices of people to send so I can find one and I can assure you they all have my full trust in their job. Well, sir, I’m sorry to hear that but I’m needed here to oversee the opening of our new firm. Very well, I’ll get the information to you by tomorrow and they will be on the first plane out to you. Thank you, sir. You too, sir. Goodbye.” He ended the call and flopped back to the ground.

  “What was that about?”

  “Brandon Harris, you remember him—the one my mother had in her room that one day. He wanted me to come back out to Cali, but as you heard I told him I would have to send someone else.” He handed the phone back up to her. “I don’t understand how he got your cell number.”

  “So does this mean we have to go into work today?”

  “Unfortunately. But it won’t take long.”

  “Alright. I am going to want to swing by the restaurant also.”

  “Good. Let’s go.” But he didn’t move. He lay there on his back looking up through the trees to the sky.

  Sanura stood and looked down on him. “Are you coming or not?”

  “I like it here. So peaceful. But if you want me to come then fine.” He groaned as he sat up.

  “Hey, it’s your business, if you don’t want to go then by all means lay here. I am going to the restaurant.”

  “Wife,” he growled as she began to walk off, “get back here.”

  She waved at him over her shoulder and kept right on walking. Sanura didn’t get much farther before strong arms wrapped themselves around her and tackled her to the ground. At least he turned and took the brunt of the fall.

  As she lay there in his arms on the ground, she asked, “What exactly are you doing?”

  “Would you believe I missed you?”

  “Not as far as I could throw you.”

  “Well, believe it.” He got up and helped her up.

  “You seem happy.”

  “Why shouldn’t I? I have everything I could want.” He got up and this time they walked back together and climbed into her Yukon. He drove. She let him.

  They headed for his office first. Clint was getting ready to leave, and after a small chit-chat session to get him all caught up, he agreed to join them for dinner at the restaurant. Gavin got his affairs in order for the Harris account and had finished getting the business jet called up when in through his door walked a sultry, saucy vixen. “Hey there, handsome, care for some company?”

  “Well, I am supposed to be meeting someone for dinner, but . . . I would be a fool to turn down company that looks like you. Come on in.”

  She sauntered over and placed a kiss on his lips that rocked his world. Then she pinned him with green eyes and said, “Husband. I’m starving, can we go eat now?”

  “You wish is my command, my darling wife.” He slid back from his desk and they walked out to the car and headed for the restaurant.

  As soon as they walked in the door, the cheers began. Whistles, clapping, catcalls everything they could do to embarrass the couple. Tati was at the front and came out to hug Sanura before she gave a quick one to Gavin as well.

  “Home a week and this is the first you make it in. What you two been doing?” Tati held up a hand and smirked. “Never mind, I know.”

  Tati grabbed a hold of Sanura’s arm to pull her off to the side. “You and me are going to have to go out and catch up, girl. I needs me the 411 on that boy.”

  Sanura nodded. “It’s a date. After I eat we will set it up.”

  “Good, that way we can compare stories.” Both girls busted out laughing, earning them curious glances from Gavin and Clint. Tati showed them to a table and took their order.

  Clint left soon after he finished his food, but Gavin and Sanura stayed. Everyone came over to ask how the trip was and tease them about what took so long to get back. They stayed until closing, for Sanura went to the office to catch up on some way overdue paperwork. She didn’t fail to notice how well Sherry and Tati had done in her absence. And so a plan began to brew in her head.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The weeks passed and, true to his word, Gavin was never far from her side. He fit his schedule to hers. The man worked hard but he made sure his wife didn’t feel neglected in any way. His business was growing by leaps and bounds and they had become the number one firm in the city and the surrounding areas.

  “Sir, a call for you on line one,” Janice spoke over the intercom.

  “Thank you, Janice.” He picked up the phone and said, “Rawlins. Oh hello, Mike, what can I do for you? Tonight? Our wives are. Sure, poker sounds great. What can I bring? Okay when and where? See you then. Bye.”

  Gavin replaced the receiver and after a moment picked it up and pressed a button to dial a memorized number. He smiled when the voice on the other end picked up and said, “Mac.”

  “Hey, kitten. What are you doing?”

  She chuckled. “The same thing you should be.”

  “Dreaming of wild passionate sex?”

  “No, working. What’s up?”

  “I hear you and Tati are going out tonight. When were you going to tell me?”

  “I told you weeks ago, you probably didn’t want to remember. So did they invite you to play poker?”

  “Yes, how did you know about that?”

  “Please, when the girls go out to play the boys stay in to play. Hope you know how to play well. I’ll stop by your office before we go out. But I have to go now. Get back to work.”

  “Love you, kitten.”

  “Love you too.” Just like that she was gone.

  It was close to eight when his office door swung open. Gavin looked up and eagerly took in the vision the stunning woman walking through his door. She wore a sage-green dress that flattered her figure, but it wasn’t tight. Well, not as tight as some of the ones he had seen her in.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said as he rose from his desk to take her in his arms. “Where’re you going?”

  “We are hitting some of the karaoke bars and then probably a dance club or something like that.” Her lips reached for his and were rewarded with a kiss.

  “I’m not sure I want you going out there without me, dressed like that.”

  “Exactly what I told my wife, but she ignored me as well.” Mike’s tenor broke into the conversation.

  Sanura and Gavin looked to the door and saw Mike in jeans and t-shirt while next to him stood Tati. She had dressed in a fire-engine red dress that clung to each one of her God-given curves. “Wow,” he breathed as he looked again.

  Gavin had never really seen Tati in anything except work clothes and a dress at the concert at church. This was a change. Her long hair was swept up and she looked ready for a night on the town.

  “Ready, Tati?” Sanura asked as she moved effortlessly across the room to stand beside her friend. Side by side they stood as the two men stared at them.

  “Let’s do this. Bye, guys. Have fun.” She slipped her arm inside of Sanura’s and whispered something into her ear, causing her to laugh.

  Mike had crossed over to Gavin and shook his hand. Afterward they looked at their wives and dreaded sending them out alone. Well, without the protection they would have with a husband by their side.

  They walked together. Side by side. Steps totally in-sync with each othe
r. Hips swayed. Eyes were sultry. They each stopped in front of their husbands and gave them a kiss before spinning around and walking off. The men were left wanting more, so much more. Then women were gone leaving behind them the faint smell of vanilla and lilac.

  * * * *

  Sanura and Tati had a wonderful time. They laughed, joked, sang and told stories. They caught up with each other and it was close to one when they finally got back to the restaurant where Sanura was dropping off Tati at her car.

  “Glad to know you both worked it out. Y’all make a bangin’ couple.”

  “Thanks, Tati. See you tomorrow.”

  “Night, Mac.” She slid into her car and Sanura waited until she had left the lot before she left the restaurant lot as well.

  It was close to two when she pulled into the drive. There, on the porch in the swing, sat her husband. He was waiting for her. She got out of her Yukon and walked up the steps. Well, he was asleep on the swing. A smile came to her as she went to him and pressed a tender kiss to his lips. As his aqua eyes opened his arm snaked out and pulled her onto his lap where she willingly snuggled deeper into his embrace. Then he pulled the blanket up over them both.

  “What are you doing out here? Don’t you know it gets chilly at night?”

  “I wanted to wait for you, find out how your night was.”

  “Tati and I had a wonderful time. I must say I am surprised I didn’t get any calls from you. What about you, how was poker?”

  “We had a great time. Nice bunch of guys. I wanted to call but Mike told me you two would be fine and not to worry.” He adjusted the blanket to cover her a little better as they swung gently back and forth, the sound of the surf echoing in the dark.

  “Good for you.”

  Gavin adjusted her so her head was tucked under his chin and laced his fingers around her body. “Can I ask you something, kitten?”

  “Uh humm.”

  “Did I ruin your plans?”

  “What are you talking about?” Sanura tried to pull away so she could look at him but he tightened his hold around her, confining her against him.